A back side illuminated image sensor may operate using the single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) concept in a Geiger mode of operation for single photon detection. The image sensor may be implemented using two layer stacking with a silicon on insulator (SOI) chip. The chip-to-chip electrical connections between the top level image sensing chip and the second level ASIC circuit chip may be realized at each pixel with a single bump connection per pixel. A light level signal may be obtained from pixels that have photon counting capabilities while a distance measurement signal for 3-dimensional imaging may be obtained from pixels that have time-of-flight (ToF) detection capabilities. Both types of pixels may be integrated within the same array and use the same SPAD structure placed on the top chip.

This relates generally to imaging systems and, more particularly, to photon counting complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor arrays with pixels that use single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) for single photon detection and that are illuminated from the back side of the substrate.
Modern electronic devices such as cellular telephones, cameras, and computers often use digital image sensors. Image sensors (sometimes referred to as imagers) may be formed from a two-dimensional array of image sensing pixels. Each pixel includes a photosensitive element that receives incident photons (light) and converts the photons into electrical signals. Image sensors are sometimes designed to provide images to electronic devices using a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format.
Conventional image sensors with back side illuminated pixels may suffer from limited functionality in a variety of ways. For example, some conventional image sensors may not be able to determine the distance from the image sensor to the objects that are being imaged. Conventional image sensors may also have lower than desired image quality and resolution.
It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide improved image sensors with back side illuminated pixels.

Single-photon avalanche diode image sensor with photon counting and time-of-flight detection capabilities

SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC


A rectangular container has a back surface which has an upper edge and a lower edge. The container also has a lid which is hingably connected to the upper edge of the back surface in order to allow access to the container via rotation of the lid about the upper edge. There is also a plurality of inverted, substantially U-shaped members located on the back surface of the container. These members each have a first prong and a second prong. The first prong of each member is fixably attached to the back surface of the container, and the second prong is adapted to slidably engage a fence. There is also a mounting device located on the bottom of the container. This device can be adapted to receive a cylindrical pole, a square post, or a T-shaped fence post, among other shapes. Any of these support members can support the container.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to containers, more particularly to stationary storage devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are a number of tool boxes and storage devices on the market. Some are molded to fit certain tools specifically, while others have interior trays that extend upon opening. There are even some that hold implements upright for ease of access. None of the storage boxes extant can easily be mounted to keep the storage box off the ground--away from moisture that can rust the tools, out of the grass that can hide them and cause safety hazards, and away from animals and children which can crawl inside the container. These features are especially important for gardeners.
What is needed is a utility implement container that can be easily mounted to a fence or on a post so that tools can be kept where they are used the most. This will reduce the annoyance and frustration associated with carrying tools from their normal storage place to the place of use. It is also important that the utility implement container keep the tools dry to preserve their longevity.


A method of initiating fluid circulation in a well bore through a casing inner diameter and an annulus outside the casing, the method having the following steps: inducing an increase in the annulus fluid pressure; flowing cement composition into the annulus at the top of the well bore; maintaining a difference in pressure between the fluid pressure of the casing inner diameter and the fluid pressure of the annulus until enough cement composition has entered the annulus to drive fluid circulation by the added cement composition weight. A method of cementing a casing in a well bore, wherein an annulus is defined between the casing and the well bore, the method having the following steps: connecting a circulation fluid pump to the casing inner diameter; pumping circulation fluid out of the casing inner diameter, whereby fluid flow in a reverse-circulation direction through the casing inner diameter and annulus is initiated; maintaining fluid flow in a reverse-circulation direction through a well bore annulus and the casing inner diameter until enough cement composition has entered the annulus to drive fluid circulation by the added cement composition weight; disconnecting the low-pressure cement composition pump from the annulus; and flowing additional cement composition into the annulus to complete a cement composition operation.

This invention relates to cementing casing in subterranean formations. In particular, this invention relates to methods for initiating circulation through the well bore to allow cement composition to flow into the well bore at low pressure. The circulation may be established in either reverse-circulation or conventional-circulation directions.
Typically, prior to cement operations, casing is inserted in a well bore. Circulation fluid fills the inner diameter ("ID") of the casing and the casing-by-well bore annulus. For purposes of this disclosure, "circulation fluid" is defined as circulation fluid, drilling mud, and/or any other fluid typically found in precement wells. Once stagnant in the well bore, the circulation fluid has a certain gel strength that renders the circulation fluid resistive to flow initiation. Thus, a higher pumping pressure is required to initiate fluid circulation than is required once circulation is established. Further, because cement composition is typically heavier than circulation fluid, once a sufficient amount of cement composition has been pumped into the well bore, gravity will pull the cement composition down into the well bore to drive fluid circulation through the well bore.
One method of pumping cement composition into the casing-by-well bore annulus involves pumping the cement composition down the casing at the well head. The cement composition is pumped at high pressure down the ID of the casing until it reaches a casing shoe. The cement composition then exits the casing ID into the annulus through the casing shoe. The cement composition then flows up the annulus from the casing shoe. Circulation fluid is usually pumped down the casing ID behind the cement composition to drive the cement composition through the casing shoe and up the annulus. In most instances, high pressure pumps and pumping systems are required to lift the cement composition from the casing shoe in the annulus. This establishes fluid flow in a conventional-circulation direction.
Another method of pumping a cement composition into the casing-by-well bore annulus involves pumping the cement composition directly into the annulus at the well head, which is generally referred to as "reverse-circulation." The circulation fluid flows in a reverse-circulation direction from the annulus, through the casing shoe and up through the ID of the casing where it flows out of the well head. Generally, this pumping method requires
somewhat lower pumping pressures than flowing the fluid in the conventional direction, because the weight of the cement composition in the annulus helps to drive fluid flow.
In cases where cementing operations commence after the circulation fluid in the well bore has become stagnant, the gel strength of the circulation fluid and/or drilling mud should be overcome to initiate fluid circulation through the well. In both conventional-circulation and reverse-circulation methods, a certain pump pressure should be obtained to initiate fluid circulation. Circulation should be established to allow a sufficient quantity of cement composition to flow into the well bore for the weight of the cement composition to maintain fluid circulation.

Cementing methods and systems for initiating fluid flow with reduced pumping pressure


An open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device is provided with at least one main coil for generating a magnetic field for imaging a volume, and at least one shaping coil. The at least one shaping coil is positioned relative to the at least one main coil to shape the magnetic field in the volume.

The present invention relates generally to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices, and more particularly to MRI devices with at least one shaping coil to shape a magnetic field for imaging a volume, and MRI devices with a single unit support structure.
MRI devices are widely used in the medical community as a diagnostic tool for imaging items such as tissue and organ structures. A conventional MRI device is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,588 (the "'588 patent" hereafter), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. As described in the '588 patent, known resistive and superconductive ("SC" hereafter) MRI magnet designs include closed magnets and open magnets. Closed magnets typically have a single, tubular-shaped resistive or SC coil assembly having a bore. The coil assembly includes several radially-aligned and longitudinally spaced-apart resistive or SC main coils each carrying a large, identical electric current in the same direction. The main coils are thus designed to create a magnetic field of high uniformity within a typically spherical imaging volume centered within the magnet's bore where the object to be imaged is placed.
A single, tubular-shaped shielding assembly may also be used to prevent the high magnetic field created by and surrounding the main coils from adversely interacting with electronic equipment in the vicinity of the magnet. Such shielding assembly typically includes several radially-aligned and longitudinally spaced-apart resistive or SC bucking coils carrying electric currents of generally equal amperage, but in an opposite direction to the electric current carried in the main coils and positioned radially outward of the main coils.
Open magnets, including "C" shaped magnets, typically employ two spaced-apart coil assemblies with the space between the assemblies containing the imaging volume. The spaced-apart coil assemblies thus allow for access by medical personnel for surgery or other medical procedures during magnetic resonance imaging. The patient may be positioned in that space or also in the bore of the toroidal-shaped coil assemblies. The open space helps the patient overcome any feelings of claustrophobia that may be experienced in a closed magnet design.
Known open magnet designs having shielding include those wherein each coil assembly has an open bore and contains a resistive or SC shielding coil positioned longitudinally and radially outward from the resistive or SC main coil(s). It is also known in open magnet designs to place an iron pole piece in the bore of a resistive or SC coil assembly. The iron pole piece enhances the strength of the magnetic field and, by shaping the surface of the pole piece, magnetically shims the magnet improving the homogeneity of the magnetic field. An iron return path is used to connect the two iron pole pieces. It is noted that the iron pole piece also acts to shield the magnet.
Conventional MRI devices, however, have limited imaging accuracy for several reasons. At least part of the limited accuracy is due to manufacturing tolerances, which inherently lead to variations from one manufactured MRI device to another. Manufacturing tolerance errors in known MRI devices are aggravated by conventional multi-unit support structures therein, which may include a considerable number of locations where manufacturing induced variations can occur (e.g., placement and/or alignment errors in positioning coils, etc.).
Furthermore, the MRI magnet itself may suffer from manufacturing variations, such as slight variations in the positioning of the windings thereof, etc. Hence, to compensate for these problems, conventional techniques for manufacturing MRI devices involve intricate and involved regimes for placing and adjusting the MRI device components mounted on the support structure. This can lead to higher manufacturing costs, longer manufacturing lead times, and generally more complex MRI devices.
Thus, a need exists for a MRI device which provides greater magnetic field homogeneity within the magnet's imaging volume, and a method of manufacturing the MRI device to tighter tolerances.

Cold mass support structure and helium vessel of actively shielded high field open MRI magnets


An Organic light emitting diode display device includes: a pixel array having a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of data lines that cross each other, a plurality of power voltage supply lines to which a high level power supply voltage is supplied and that are substantially parallel to the data lines, a plurality of reset lines substantially parallel to the scan lines, a plurality of organic light emitting diodes that emit light due to the high level power supply voltage from the power voltage supply line, and a plurality of organic light emitting diode drive circuits that drive the organic light emitting diode with data from the data line in response to a scan signal from the scan line and that is initialized in response to a reset signal from the reset line; a scan drive circuit that supplies the scan signal to the scan lines; a reset drive circuit that supplies the reset signal to the reset lines that initializes the organic light emitting diode drive circuit; and a data drive circuit that supplies the data to the data lines respectively, wherein the scan drive circuit and the reset drive circuit are on a substrate including the pixel array.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic light emitting diode display device, and more particularly to an organic light emitting diode display device that compensates for a change in a device driving characteristic of the organic light emitting diode and for improving the reliability of the device.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Recently, various flat panel display devices have been developed that have reduced weight and bulk that are capable of eliminating the disadvantages of a cathode ray tube (CRT). Such flat panel display devices include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a field emission display (FED), a plasma display panel (PDP) and a light emitting diode (LED) display, etc.
The LED display device of such display devices employs an LED including a phosphorous material capable of emitting light by a re-combination of electrons with holes. The LED display device is generally classified into an inorganic LED display device using an inorganic compound as the phosphorous material and an organic LED (OLED) display device using an organic compound as the phosphorous material. Such an OLED display device has the advantages of a low voltage driving, a self-luminescence, a thin thickness, a wide viewing angle, a fast response speed, high contrast, etc.
The OLED usually includes of an electron injection layer, an electron transport layer, a light-emitting layer, a hole transport layer and a hole injection layer that are disposed between a cathode and an anode. In such an OLED, when a predetermined voltage is applied between the anode and the cathode, electrons produced from the cathode are moved, via the electron injection layer and the electron transport layer, into the light-emitting layer while holes produced from the anode are moved, via the hole injection layer and the hole transport layer, into the light-emitting layer. Thus, the electrons and the holes fed from the electron transport layer and the hole transport layer emit light due to their re-combination in the light-emitting layer.
As shown in FIG. 1, an active matrix type OLED display device employing the above-mentioned OLED includes an OLED panel 13 having n×m number of pixels P[i,j] arranged in a n×m matrix at pixel areas defined by the crossing of n number of scan lines G1 to Gn (n is a positive integer) and m number of data lines D1 to Dm (m is a positive integer); a scan drive circuit 12 for driving the scan lines G1 to Gn of the OLED panel 13; a data drive circuit 11 for driving the data lines D1 to Dm of the OLED panel 13; and m number of power voltage supply lines S1 to Sm arranged in parallel to the data lines D1 to Dm for supplying a high level power supply voltage VDD to each pixel P[i,j]. Herein, P[i,j] is a pixel positioned at an ith row and a jth column, and i is a positive integer smaller than or equal to n and j is a positive integer smaller than or equal to m.
The scan drive circuit 12 include a plurality of gate drive integrated circuits. Each of gate drive integrated circuits includes a shift register sequentially shifting a scan signal to output for each horizontal period; a level shifter converting an swing width of output signal of the shift register into a swing width which is suitable for driving a pixel drive device, i.e., thin film transistor TFT; and an output buffer connected between the level shifter and the scan lines G1 to Gn.
The scan drive circuit 12 sequentially supplies the scan signal to the scan lines G1 to Gn to select a horizontal line of the organic light emitting diode panel 13 to which the data are supplied.
The data drive circuit 11 converts the digital data voltage input from the outside into an analog data voltage. The data drive circuit 11 supplies the analog data voltage to the data lines D1 to Dm whenever the scan signal is supplied.
Each of the pixels P[i,j] receives a data voltage from the data lines D1 to Dm when the scan signal is applied to the scan lines G1 to Gn, and generates light corresponding to the data voltage.
Each pixel P[i,j] includes an OLED having an anode connected to the power voltage supply lines S1 to Sm, and an OLED drive circuit 15 that is connected to the scan lines G1 to Gn and the data lines D1 to Dm and to which a low level power supply voltage VSS is supplied.
The OLED drive circuit 15 includes a first transistor T1 for supplying a data voltage from the data lines D1 to Dm to a first node N1 in response to the scan signal from the scan lines G1 to Gn; a second transistor T2 for controlling a current amount flowing in the OLED in response to a voltage of the first node N1; and a storage capacitor Cs in which the voltage of the first node N1 is charged.
The drive waveform of the OLED drive circuit 15 is as shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, '1F' is one frame period, '1H' is one horizontal period, 'Vg_i' is a gate voltage supplied from the ith scan line G1, 'Pcs' is a scan signal, 'Vd_j' is a data voltage supplied from the jth data line Dj, 'VN1' is a voltage of the first node N1, and 'IOLED' is a current which flows through the OLED.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first transistor T1 is turned on when the scan signal is applied thereto through the scan lines G1 to Gn, thereby supplying a data voltage Vd from the data lines D1 to Dm to the first node N1. The data voltage Vd supplied to the first node N1 is charged in the storage capacitor Cs and is supplied to a gate electrode of the second transistor T2. If the second transistor T2 is turned on by the data voltage Vd supplied in this manner, then the current flows through the OLED. At this time, the current flowing through the OLED is generated by the high level power supply voltage VDD, and the amount of the current is in proportion to the magnitude of the data voltage applied to the second transistor T2. Further, even when the first transistor T1 is turned off, the second transistor T2 stays turned by a voltage on the storage capacitor Cs to thereby control the amount of the current flowing in the OLED until the data voltage Vd of the next frame is supplied thereto.
The OLED display device of the related art as in FIGS. 1 and 2 has the following problems.
First, a positive data voltage Vd is applied for a long time to the gate electrode of the second transistor T2 that drives the OLED. A gate bias stress is accumulated in the second transistor T2 by the positive data voltage Vd, as shown in FIG. 3, as time passes. The accumulated gate bias stress causes a threshold voltage Vth of the second transistor T2 to be shifted. Due to the deterioration of the second transistor T2, the OLED display device of the related art becomes unstable in driving, and its reliability drops as time passes. FIG. 4B represents the change of the transistor caused by a negative gate bias stress when a negative current is repeatedly applied to the gate electrode of the transistor over a long time period, and an arrow mark in FIGS. 4A and 4B represents a movement of the threshold voltage Vth of the transistor.
Secondly, the reliability of the scan operation of the OLED display device of the related art decreases because an undesired voltage is applied to the gate line due to a charge remaining in control nodes which control the output of the scan drive circuit 12. Especially, if a Q node for increasing a shift register output of the scan drive circuit 12 is charged with the remaining charge for a non-scan period, then the undesired voltage appears in the gate line, thus a leakage current is generated in the transistors T1, T2 and the reliability of the scan operation decreases.
Thirdly, in the OLED display device of the related art, the cost of the drive circuit, such as the scan drive circuit 12, is high, and the manufacturing cost is high because of a process that adheres the scan drive circuit 12 to the substrate where the pixel array is formed.


A display screen inspecting apparatus is for inspecting a display screen of a liquid crystal display having image density which changes in proportion to change of a driving voltage applied to the display screen. A driving voltage changing device changes the driving voltage to actuate the display screen, an image pick-up device picks up an image of a displaying state of the display screen driven with different driving voltages, a storage device stores image data related to the image density of images picked up by the image pick-up device when different driving voltages are applied to the display screen, an image density ratio operating/storing device determines and stores a ratio of the image density of the images stored by the storage device, and a deciding device decides whether the display screen is acceptable or unacceptable on the basis of change of the image density ratio.

The present invention relates to an inspecting apparatus designed for automatic sensor evaluation of a display screen such as a liquid crystal panel or the like.
While important researches and development have been made for liquid crystal panels in the past years, there is an inspection step in the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal panel to inspect the presence/absence of dust, foreign substance, irregularity or the like in the uniform background within the liquid crystal panel where the image density is changed. Although the inspection has been carried out through visual judgement with human eyes at present, its automatization is strongly required and therefore, enthusiastic attempts have been made to provide an automatic inspecting/evaluating apparatus for automatic evaluation of the display quality of the produced liquid crystal panel.
Particularly, when the sensor evaluation of the liquid crystal panel is to be automated, it has been performed by processing picture images through a TV camera or the like.
An example of a conventional display screen inspecting apparatus of the type referred to above will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of the display screen inspecting apparatus. A liquid crystal panel 22 to be inspected is put on a positioning table 21 and illuminated by an illuminating device 23. A TV camera 24 for picking up an image of a display screen of the liquid crystal panel 22 is supported by a movable TV camera supporting body 25. The TV camera 24 is controlled by a TV camera control circuit 26.
An image signal input through the TV camera 24 is sent to an analog/digital conversion circuit (referred to as an A/D conversion circuit) 27, where the signal is digitized into image data of 0-255 gradations (256 gradations) in accordance with the density of the image. The digitized image data is input to a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input/output port, and the like which constitute a fundamental part of the display screen inspecting apparatus.
The display screen inspecting apparatus includes a decision control circuit (CPU) 28 to which instructions are supplied from a main controller or an operating panel, an unacceptable portion enhancing circuit 29 which enhances an unacceptable portion to the background through the LUT (Lookup Table) conversion or the like of the input image, a binarization circuit 30 which converts the enhanced image into two digits, and a decision circuit 31 which makes a decision of the display screen on the basis of the size, etc. of the unacceptable portion separated from the background by the binarization circuit 30.
The inspecting apparatus of the above-described structure operates in a manner as follows.
As shown in a flow chart of FIG. 5, when the liquid crystal panel 22 is activated to inspect an unacceptable portion therein, the, display screen of the liquid crystal panel 22 is viewed by the TV camera 24 and the image of the display screen is input to the inspecting apparatus (step #11). The unacceptable portion enhancing circuit 29 processes the input image by Lookup Table conversion or image integration or the like, to thereby enhance the unacceptable portion (step #12). The binarization circuit 30 changes the enhanced image into two digits in order to separate the unacceptable portion from the background (step #13), and then the decision circuit 31 decides whether or not the display screen is acceptable based on the size or the like of the unacceptable portion (step #14).
In the arrangement as described hereinabove, however, it is difficult to enhance the unacceptable portion if it is low in contrast, for example, because of the irregular orientation or if it has modest change in the image density, since the decision is based only on the information from the state of the display screen driven by one driving voltage. Therefore, stable detection cannot be expected in the prior art.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A control device includes a controller causing a plurality of cell blocks each configured of one or plurality of secondary battery cells and connected in series to be charged with a cell balance, and the controller includes a detector detecting a voltage of each of the cell blocks, an updater sequentially updating a maximum voltage of the detected voltage of each of the cell blocks, and a discharger discharging a cell block among the plurality of cell blocks, the cell block with a voltage range between the detected voltage and the updated maximum voltage within a discharge target voltage range defined in advance.

The present application relates to a control device and method and a power supply device and, in particular, to a control device and method and a power supply device capable of reducing a charging time.
In related art, in a charging method of charging a plurality of cell blocks connected in series, the voltage of each cell block is detected, and a cell block with a voltage equal to or larger than a specified voltage is discharged, thereby charging the plurality of cell blocks with a cell balance.
In such control referred to as cell balance control, it is desired to equalize the voltages of all cell blocks and balance them in an ideal state for charging.
A related-art method of cell balance control is to continue charging for a predetermined time when the voltage of a cell block becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined voltage, and then discharge only the relevant cell block (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-176520).
Another method is to stop the charging of the entire system when the voltage of a cell block exceeds a predetermined voltage and start the discharging of the relevant cell block (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-58170).

Control device and method and power supply device


A device for mounting a driving robot in a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having two driver's seat tracks and a floor, utilizing the two seat tracks of the driver's seat for anchoring purposes, the device including: a length-adjustable adapter plate that engages into both seat tracks in a hook-like manner; at least one first locking element for locking the adapter plate in the seat tracks; and at least one second height-adjustable locking element for bracing the adapter plate against the vehicle floor.

The present invention relates to a device for mounting a driving robot of a motor vehicle, utilizing, for anchoring purposes, the seat tracks of the driver's seat.
Driving robots serve to simulate the actions that would be performed by a driver in the operation of a motor vehicle in such a way that elements for operating the pedals, and optionally also turning the steering wheel, are actuated via one or more motors. The units that are required for this are disposed, as a rule, on or in the region of the driver's seat of the motor vehicle and must be securely anchored there to be able to carry out the driving actions to be controlled.
To achieve this anchoring, use can be made of the floor, the dashboard and the driver's seat, to which the driving robot is attachable by auxiliary means.
Devices are known in which anchoring of a driving robot is accomplished with the aid of the seat tracks of the driver's seat.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,034 discloses, referring particularly to FIG. 15, a device in which supporting rods are held by means of belts across the driver's seat. The lower ends of the belts hook over the seat tracks, which requires, however, that the seat tracks be designed accordingly. A secure horizontal anchoring is not possible with this solution.
JP-2005003591 A discloses a frame on which actuation elements for the foot pedals of the motor vehicle are flexibly arrangeable. This frame can be locked in place by means of bolt connections in suitable bores of the two driver's seat tracks. This solution, too, requires a precise adaptation to the specific design of the seat tracks, which serve as the sole mounting means. Devices for actuation of the steering wheel (steering robots) cannot be securely attached with this anchoring method.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,662,593, discloses a driving robot that is supported on the floor and rigidly secured overall relative to the lower edge of the dashboard for anchoring purposes.

Adapter for fixation of a robotic drive in a car


A lasing method including the steps of providing a laser resonator; utilizing birefringence compensation in said resonator whereby said resonator is induced to operate in a Laguerre-Gaussian higher order mode; and utilizing polarized outcoupling of lasing energy at said higher order mode from said resonator. In the illustrative application, the laser resonator is a high-power, solid-state laser resonator. In the specific embodiment, the inventive method further includes the step of changing an outcoupling preference for a non-degenerate high-order Laguerre-Gaussian mode. In one embodiment, the step of changing outcoupling preference includes the step of changing an outcoupling polarization. In another embodiment, the step of changing outcoupling preference includes the step of changing an orientation of a roof edge of a prism in the laser resonator. Lower order Laguerre modes are discouraged from appearing in an output of the resonator by adding loss at the center of the rod aperture of the resonator or detuning the orientation of a first or a second quarter-wave plate. In the illustrative embodiment, the gain lifetime of the resonator is longer than an interpulse period thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to lasers. More specifically, the present invention relates to high-energy or high average power lasers.
2. Description of the Related Art
High-power lasers (i.e. lasers operating at power levels in excess of 100 watts) are used in a variety of commercial, industrial and military applications. For these applications, there is an ongoing need for more power and more efficiency. In addition, beam quality is typically limited in high-power lasers due to thermal distortion of optical elements, primarily by heat loading of the gain medium. This problem is exacerbated at high power levels. While some have approached this problem with larger aperture sizes, with this approach the beam quality and efficiency are typically affected adversely.
Another approach involves restricting the beam size in order to improve the beam quality. However, this generally limits the power of the resulting beam. That is, with an improved output aperture area fill, higher power is not possible without damaging the associated optical system. Consequently, designers of high power lasers have been forced to compromise between beam size or power and beam quality and vice versa.
Hence, there is an ongoing need in the art for a system or method for improving the power and efficiency of high-power, particularly solid-state, lasers. Specifically, there is a need for a system for improving the output aperture area fill of high-power, solid-state lasers.

Intra-cavity non-degenerate laguerre mode generator


A nonvolatile memory is provided which includes a memory cell array including a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells; a decoder connected with the memory cell array through a plurality of word lines; a data input/output circuit connected with the memory cell array through a plurality of bit lines; a voltage detector configured to detect a variation in a power supply voltage to output a voltage variation signal; and control logic configured to control the decoder and the data input/output circuit such that data stored at the memory cell array is invalidated in response to the voltage variation signal.

1. Field
Example embodiments of the inventive concepts described herein relate to a data storage device using a semiconductor memory as a storage device, a controller, and an operating method of the data storage device.
2. Related Art
A semiconductor memory device is a memory device which is fabricated using semiconductors such as silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium phosphide (InP), and so on. Semiconductor memory devices are classified into volatile memory devices and nonvolatile memory devices.
The volatile memory devices may lose stored contents at power-off. The volatile memory devices include, for example, a static RAM (SRAM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), and the like. The nonvolatile memory devices may retain stored contents even at power-off. The nonvolatile memory devices include, for example, a read only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a flash memory device, a phase-change RAM (PRAM), a magnetic RAM (MRAM), a resistive RAM (RRAM), a ferroelectric RAM (FRAM), and so on.

Data storage device, controller, and operating method of data storage device


A fluid sampling apparatus and associated fluid analyzer sample process fluids used in semiconductor manufacturing at a plurality of measurement points. The fluid sampling apparatus includes a first nozzle assembly having a plurality of outlet nozzles. The plurality of outlet nozzles are connected to lines supplying the process fluids. A second nozzle assembly is installed above the first nozzle assembly and includes an inlet nozzle connected to an apparatus for measuring a contamination level of the process fluids. A motor is connected to the second nozzle assembly to align a selected outlet nozzle with the inlet nozzle. A pneumatic cylinder is coupled to the first nozzle assembly to connect the selected outlet nozzle with the inlet nozzle. In this manner, it is possible to measure the contamination level of process fluids supplied at a plurality of measurement points by using a single measuring apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fluid analyzer used in a semiconductor manufacturing process, and more particularly to a fluid analyzer capable of sampling process fluids used in a semiconductor manufacturing process for analyzing the process fluids.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, semiconductor devices are manufactured by performing a series of unit processes for forming a film, a pattern, and a metal wiring structure on a semiconductor substrate. While the individual unit processes are carried out, more than 40 kinds of gases with responsive, corrosive, and noxious properties and various process fluids including deionized water are used. Such gases can be directly used in a semiconductor manufacturing process as process gases, or can be used as auxiliary gases for maintaining a process environment. In addition, they can be used as carrier gases for moving the process gases to a process chamber in which a process is carried out. Deionized water is used for cleaning the semiconductor substrate between unit processes.
In view of this, the cleanliness of such gases or deionized water directly influences the yield and productivity of the semiconductor devices. That is, if such gases or deionized water contain too many impurities exceeding a predetermined reference level permitted in the unit processes, process failures can occur. Accordingly, the density of impurities and the number of particles in such gases or deionized water are periodically measured through an analyzing process using a fluid analyzer.
Lines for supplying process fluids into devices carrying out the unit processes are widely divided into a main line and a plurality of sub-lines, which branch from the main line and connect to the devices carrying out the unit processes. Process fluids can also be contaminated while passing through each line. Contamination levels in the main line and sub-lines are often times different from each other.
Therefore, in order to improve the productivity of the semiconductor devices, it is preferable to analyze the process fluids by sampling the process fluids from the sub-lines supplying the process fluids. However, it is an expensive undertaking to install the fluid analyzers on the sub-lines. For this reason, the analyzing process is carried out only with respect to the process fluid sampled at the main line. Accordingly, when a process failure occurs in the form of a contamination of the process fluids, much time is required to find a contamination source, thereby lowering the productivity of the semiconductor devices. In order to solve the above problem, studies for analyzing process fluids sampled from a plurality of lines with using a common fluid analyzer have been actively developed.
For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-094733 to Shimada, et al. discloses a switching method for measuring impurities in a plurality of pipes using one fluid analyzer. According to the Shimada's disclosure, a plurality of gas pipes are respectively installed on the fluid analyzer and impurities contained in gases of the plural gas pipes are measured by switching the fluid analyzer with respect to the plurality of gas pipes. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Nos. 9-318609 to Inomata, et al. and 9-196828 to Inomata disclose a gas analyzer having a gas switching device and a gas adjusting section for allowing plural gases to be selectively supplied into the gas analyzer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,022 to Hase discloses a gas analyzer and a gas analysis method. According to the Hase disclosure, the contamination of a clean environment is controlled by collecting samples from a plurality of measurement points while switching between these points.

Fluid sampling apparatus and fluid analyzer having the same


Data are transmitted from a control device through an interface cable to a set of driver devices in synchronization with an external clock signal, or a complementary pair of external clock signals. The signal line or lines carrying the external clock signal or signals are terminated at both ends by resistors with resistance values matching the characteristic impedance of the interface cable. Each driver device has a comparator that compares the external clock signal with a regulated reference voltage, or compares the two complementary external clock signals with each other, and thereby generates an internal clock signal. The driver devices receive the data in synchronization with these internal clock signals.

The present invention relates to a circuit for transferring data from a control device to a plurality of driver devices disposed in, for example, the printing head of a printer.
The driver devices in question typically have shift registers through which the data are transferred in synchronization with a clock signal. The clock signal is conventionally supplied to the first driver device through an interface cable, then propagated from one driver device to the next, with amplification and reshaping by buffer circuits in each driver device.
Due to the increasing printing speeds of recent printers, the conventional scheme has begun to encounter a number of problems. Briefly, the transfer of a high-frequency clock signal through the interface cable generates unwanted electromagnetic interference (EMI); propagation delays in the buffer circuits become a limiting factor on printing speed; and the clock signal becomes increasingly susceptible to disruption by switching noise. These problems will be described in more detail later.

High-speed signal transmission circuit with reduced electromagnetic interference


To provide a disc changer capable of working without any malfunctions in spite of a reduced number of switches, it includes a mode-detecting mechanism having means for identifying an operation, cams respectively operated by powers supplied from a first and second motors, each cam provided with said identifying means, sensors for detecting said identifying means moving according to the operation of said cam, each composed of a set of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, a control section for receiving operation signals detected by said sensors to control the operation of the disc changer, and transmission gears for driving said cams, said transmission gears interlocking with a transporting gear meshing with a rack of said main tray for carrying the main tray out with the subtray put thereon.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disc changer, and a method of detecting a mode thereof, and a method of selecting a disc ejection. The disc changer is capable of storing optical disc recording media including CDs (Compact Discs) and DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs) and automatically recording and reproducing a selected recording medium of the stored media. Also, the disc changer is of a tray-transport type having a plurality of subtrays for transporting a recording medium set thereon.
2. Related Art
Disc changer is capable of storing a plurality of optical disc recording media including CDs, and selecting one of the stored optical disc recording media to perform recording and reproducing of the selected one. This kind of disc changers are widely used and provided in various forms. However, disc changer need many operations to accommodate a plurality of discs and select a disc out of them for recording and reproducing the selected one, and to replace the selected disc with another one, which inevitably increases the number of motors the disc changer has. Conversely, when a structure is adopted such that the number of the motors is limited, the operations are performed selectively and as such, various kinds of sensors and a mechanism for switching powers are required.
For example, "Rotation transmission change-over mechanism" according to JP-A-2002-243015 is arranged so that a single motor carries out both eject operation (operation of transporting a carriage or a subtray to its disc replacement position) and play operation (operation of transporting the carriage to its disc reproduction position), and a driving path is switched by a plunger. The mechanism includes: a plunger with a lever for transferring a rotation gear toward the direction of the rotational axis; carriages superposed one on another and installed so that the eject operation or play operation is enabled when the operation is selected; a driving means for the eject operation and the play operation; an operation switching means for switching operational transmission to a selected operation of the eject operation and the play operation; and an operation-transmitting means for carrying out eject operation or play operation, wherein one of a first gear or a second gear is connected to the operation switching system and the other gear is connected to the operation-transmitting system. Then, the rotation gear is adjusted in its rotating position and engaged or removed so that it meshes with one of first and second switching gears.
However, use of the plunger causes a noise with each switching, raises the cost of components, and increases the power consumption, which poses heat-producing and fire hazards. Also, it increases electrical lines and circuit boards and inevitably enlarges size of the device. In addition, there is an apprehension that a magnetic field generated by the plunger influences other components.
Incidentally, in a tray-transport type disc changer the following main operations are generally carried out in order to select, record, and reproduce one of disc-type recording media stored therein.
(1) Operation of transporting a tray in a disc replacement position (disc-removing position) to a disc waiting position.
(2) Operation of vertically moving a traverse unit to the position where a tray with a selected disc placed thereon is located.
(3) Operation of transporting the tray with the selected disc placed thereon to a disc reproduction position.
(4) Operation of clamping, recording and reproducing the disc.
(5) Operation of transporting the tray located in the disc reproduction position to the disc waiting position.
(6) Operation of selecting a tray located in the disc waiting position and transporting the tray to the disc replacement position (disc-removing position).
In a disc changer, it is required to grasp which operation step the selected given disc is in and then proceed to a next operation step. The operation may be stopped in the case where a trouble occurs in the operations described in (1) to (6) under some influence, or in midstream. Further, various operations are performed in the case where it is required to bring out a disc during the operation of reproducing the disc, and other cases. Furthermore, various troubles may occur and as such, it is required to check a current operation correctly because, otherwise it becomes impossible to continue subsequent operations. Also, even in a process of reproducing a disc, it is required to perform the operation of ejecting a disc in the waiting position to replace it with another one.
"Disc reproducing device with a disc changer" according to JP-A-10-134474 is arranged so that a single motor is used as a driving source to carry out both the operation of transferring a disc tray for replacement of the disc and the operation of transferring a disc tray for disc loading, and the device is simplified in a power-transmission switching mechanism. However, the disc reproducing device has eight microswitches to identify the operations. Use of the contact-type microswitches produces variations in form and size in contact areas, thereby reducing the detection accuracy. The disc reproducing device with the disc changer uses three subtrays and eight lever switches. In the case where the number of subtrays is increased, the number of detecting operations is increased and therefore it is required to increase the number of microswitches.
Further, a switch lever portion can contact another component to become deformed. In such case, the switch can not function whatsoever. Therefore, the more the switches, the load on the microcomputer becomes heavier. Consequently, the microcomputer used to cope with such situation becomes more expensive. In addition, an increase of the number of switches increases the numbers of wiring materials and boards, which makes the device more complicated. As a result, the disc changer becomes more complex and more expensive as a whole.
Conventional disc changers have problems as described above. The problems to be solved by the invention are these problems. It is an object of the invention to provide a disc changer, which is capable of working without any malfunctions in spite of a reduced number of switches and which has a simple structure and can be manufactured at low cost, a method of detecting a mode thereof, and a method of selecting a disc ejection.

Disc changer, method of detecting mode thereof, and method of selecting disc ejection


The present invention discloses a system and method of transforming a sample of content data by utilizing known samples in a learning phase to best determine coefficients for a linear combination of non-linear filter functions and applying the coefficients to the content data in an operational phase.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to signal processing methods, particularly to calculating values from correlated sample values (such as a neighborhood) in signal enhancement applications.
2. Background
It is a common goal in signal processing to attempt to enhance the quality of given content. Some methods exist to achieve better results than simple linear convolution filters and interpolation methods such as bi-linear filters, tri-linear filters, bi-cubic filters, tri-cubic filters, Laplace filters and Lanczos filters. Another method includes "classifying" the neighborhood using different methods (gradient, pattern matching, clustering, edge detection, optical flow) and select specific convolution filters, or combine convolution filters based on that classification, such as the method described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,133,957. Still another method attempts to calculate appropriate values based on coarser-scale characteristics of the dataset. Some methods then take a least square approach to determine the convolution coefficients for each "class" of neighborhood. In effect, all these methods are defining non-linear filter functions of the neighborhood with some heuristic approach. Most known methods suffer from computational complexity while others suffer from artifacts and mediocre image quality.

Method and apparatus for image processing


Method and apparatus for melting reactive metallic materials, such as for example titanium base alloys and other reactive alloys, by selective and sequential induction heating of a plurality of solid alloy charge components segregated in a refractory melting vessel in a manner to effect rapid top-to-bottom melting that avoids harmful reaction of the melt with refractory melting vessel material and contamination of the melt.

Many alloys with high weight percentages of a reactive metal, such as titanium, react with air and most common crucible refractories to the degree that the alloy is contaminated to an unacceptable extent. As a result, it common to melt such alloys in water cooled, metal (e.g. copper) crucibles using electric arc or induction to generate heat in the alloy charge for melting. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,738,713 and 5,033,948 are representative of such melting techniques.
Alloys of titanium and aluminum forming intermetallic compounds, such as TiAl, have received considerable attention in recent years for use in the aerospace and automobile industries in service applications where their high strength at elevated temperature and relatively light weight are highly desireable. However, the intermetallic alloys contain a majority of titanium (e.g. so-called gamma TiAl includes 66 weight % Ti with the balance essentially Al) which makes melting and casting without contamination difficult and costly.
The Chandley and Flemings U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,619 describes an improved melting and casting technique for reactive metals and alloys, including those forming intermetallic compounds, wherein heating and melting of a charge of solid titanium in a ceramic crucible is accelerated by a robust exothermic reaction with a molten aluminum charge component that is separately melted and then introduced to the crucible to contact the titanium charge component. Reduced residence time of the melted charge components reduces potential contamination of the melt by reaction with the crucible materials.
Unfortunately, titanium based alloys, such Ti-6Al-4V, have insufficent aluminum present in the alloy composition to effect the robust exothermic reaction with titanium in the melting vessel for practicing the rapid melting, reduced contamination technique of U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,619. Since such "aluminum poor" titanium based alloys are in widespread use, there is a need for a melting method that can provide low cost, rapid melting of such "aluminum poor" reactive alloys with reduced contamination of the melt.
It is an object of the present invention to provide method and apparatus that satisfy the aforementioned need for a melting method and apparatus that can provide low cost, rapid melting, reduced contamination of "aluminum poor" titanium base alloys as well as other reactive alloys having compositions incapable of a robust exothermic reaction in a melting vessel.
It is another object of the present invention to provide method and apparatus for melting reactive metallic materials in a refractory melting vessel using selective and sequential induction heating of various solid metallic charge components segregated in a refractory crucible in a manner to effect top-to-bottom melting of the components that avoids harmful contamination of the melt.
It is another object of the present invention to provide method and apparatus useful for melting reactive metallic materials in a refractory melting vessel in top-to-bottom manner that eliminates the need for a separate melting step of one charge component that heretofore was melted first and then added to the vessel.


A rotary damper includes a damper motor and a damper housing in surrounding relationship to the damper motor. The damper housing has a connection piece for mounting the damper housing to a first mass. An articulated lever is swingably mounted in relation to the damper housing and connected to a second mass. The articulated lever has a lobe which is movable during a swinging motion of the articulated lever in relation to the damper housing along a movement path between two stops which are connected to the damper housing. A gear mechanism transmits and/or converts a relative rotational movement between the first and second masses to the damper motor for vibration damping.

The present invention relates to a rotary damper.
The following discussion of related art is provided to assist the reader in understanding the advantages of the invention, and is not to be construed as an admission that this related art is prior art to this invention.
WO 2013/138912 A1 discloses a torque limiting assembly for use with an actuator having a torque transfer output. The assembly includes a brake pad, a band connected at a first extremity to a first extremity of the brake pad and a cam linking a second extremity of the band to a second extremity of the brake pad. The brake pad and the band are configured to wrap around a torque transfer output and the positioning of the cam in a first position frictionally engages the brake pad and the band with the a torque transfer output while the positioning of the cam in a second position disengages the brake pad and the band with the a torque transfer output. The presence of such a torque brake is inadequate to ensure a reliable limitation of the rotation movement of a rotating mass in relation to a fixed mass.
It would be desirable and advantageous to provide an improved rotary damper which obviates prior art shortcomings and which is simple in structure, compact, and yet reliable in operation.


The present invention is an exercise machine which includes a moveable section connected to a frame such that the moveable section is independently and simultaneously moveable along an horizontal direction and vertical direction. The exercise machine further includes and a weight stack operably connected to the moveable section, such that the weight stack providing resistance to movement of the moveable section; and a frame operably supporting the moveable section and the weight stack.

The use of free weights in exercising has been well known and used for many years. Any persons carrying out an exercise regime prefer to use free weights because of the benefit that they obtain by exercising in this manner. A number of exercise machines have attempted to emulate the motion and resistance provided by free weights, but yet provide the same exercises without having to have a full set of free weights and bars. A number of these machines attempt to emulate the muscle movements and the resistance felt by the muscles in the body when carrying out various exercises including, but not limited to biceps curls, squats, pull downs etc.
When one is doing bicep curls for example, with a free weight on a bar one not only raises the weights vertically up and down when carrying out the bicep curl, but also the weights tend to move along the horizontal plan, namely inwardly and outwardly from the body as the weights are being curled upwards. Therefore, there is both a horizontal movement component as well as a vertical movement component in a very simple exercise such as a bicep curl when they are carried out with free weights. A number of machines have attempted to emulate this motion and resistence using a compact pulley type weight resistant machine having a stack of weights. The rational behind an exercise machine is that they eliminate numerous weights and bars required with free weight lifting, as well provide for a less expensive and more compact set up and installation in a home.
Therefore, it is desirable to have a exercise machine which is capable of emulating the resistance and motion of free weight exercises in a simple, compact and inexpensive unit that can be easily installed at any location.


A mount for insertion into a hollow space of a hollow structure such as a vehicular pillar includes an expandable foam substrate having a at least one support panel secured thereto via a tack. The so-formed assembly is disposed within the hollow space via a mount component which includes a base having a pair of spaced apart mounting pieces which extend from the base, the assembly being disposed between the mount pieces. The assembly is tacked to the mount component by having a tack wire project through the support panel, the foam substrate and the mounting piece. The mount is secured to the interior wall of the hollow space through either a clip, a magnet, a suction disc or the like.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns the mount construction of foam substrates inside a hollow structure. It involves the mount construction for installing a foam substrate that insulates a hollow space by foam expansion from external heat inside a hollow space of a hollow structure for the primary purpose of providing vibration proofing and noise proofing in a hollow, box-shaped, closed cross-sectional space that is formed by multiple panels, such as vehicle body pillars, rocker panels, roof side panels, etc.
2. Prior Art
An example of the type of mount construction for a foam substrate in a hollow structure is disclosed in Patent Disclosure Bulletin Heisei 7 (1995) -232664.
In this example, and as shown in FIG. 9 hereof, a mount component 113, which is composed of a bottom panel 114 and two walls 112, 112' forms an abridged U-shaped cross section. A groove 114a is created in the center of the upper surface of the bottom panel 114 of the mount component 113, while the foam substrate 111 is fixed to the bottom panel 114 by a part of its lower surface 111a being fitted into the aforementioned groove 114a.
Furthermore, a flat panel-shaped magnet 126 is attached to the lower surface of the bottom panel 114, so as to attach the mount component, with the foam substrate 111 affixed onto the inner wall surface of a hollow structure through the magnetic force of the magnet 126.
As the foam substrate 111 foam-expands from heat from outside of the hollow structure, the direction of the foam developed by the foam substrate 111 is controlled by the two side walls 112, 112' of the mount component 111. As a result, the foam substrate 111 foam-expands into a foam substance in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the hollow space inside the hollow structure, thus, efficiently insulating the hollow space.
In the aforementioned conventional mount construction, the design requires fitting a part of the lower surface of the foam substrate into a groove which is created approximately in the center of the bottom panel of the mount component. It is difficult to achieve stable attachment of the foam substrate to the mount component. In some cases, the foam substrate unexpectedly separates from the groove.
Furthermore, the mount component is made in one piece which consists of a bottom panel for installing the foam substrate and two side walls for controlling foam development of the foam substrate. A large amount of resin material is required to produce such a mount component from synthetic resin materials, thus resulting in a higher cost.

Mount construction of foam substrate in hollow structures


Embodiments of the present invention provide a fast, software-implemented data scrambling system for data communications. For pseudo-random codes that are periodic within a predetermined number of bits, a memory array may be populated with segments of the code, one entry in the array starting at a unique bit position within the code. During data scrambling, a seed code may be used to identify a first entry from the array that should be used for scrambling. Thereafter, subsequent segments may be retrieved by traversing the array in a regular fashion. By calculating the code before use and by populating the array prior to processing of any source data, the system is very fast.

The present invention relates to software implementations of pseudo-random codes used in data communications.
Pseudo-random codes are known for data communication. The IEEE 802.11a standard, for example, defines a communication protocol for wireless LANs that include "scrambler" and "pilot insertion" codes. See, IEEE std. 802.11a-1999 (Dec. 30, 1999). Other communication protocols define other pseudo-random codes. For example, the Bluetooth specification. v. 1.0 B (Dec. 1, 1999) defines a "whitening" code in the context of another wireless communication protocol. Various code division multiple access standards use pseudo random codes as pilot signals and as spreading signals. Other communication protocols, of course, may define other pseudo-random codes to be used for other purposes. Although implementations may vary, scrambling codes typically serve to reduce redundancy in transmitted data and also to reduce DC bias that might exist in the transmitted data. Reducing DC bias makes it easier to capture the transmitted data at a receiver.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating operation of a conventional scrambler in the context of the IEEE 802.11a standard. Typically, the scrambler includes a Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR) 100 having a predetermined number of bit positions X1-X7. The LFSR is initialized with a "seed" code and thereafter, on each cycle of a driving clock (not shown), the LFSR shifts the stored code a single bit position to the left. A new bit value S is stored in the X1position representing an exclusive-or (XOR) of data in positions X4 and X7 (block 110). A bit of transmitted data D is XORed with the new data S (block 120), yielding scrambled data TXD. The result of the XOR will be transmitted to a receiver. In this example, a pseudo-random code is built from the values S generated over time.
FIG. 2 illustrates a simple communication link. In FIG. 2, scrambled data TXD may be transmitted from a source 210 to a destination 220. At the destination, the same pseudo-random code S is applied to the scrambled data TXD by another XOR operation to recover the original source data D (labeled D′ herein). If some receiver, either the destination or some unauthorized recipient of the data, attempted to recover the source data using an incorrect pseudo-random code or the correct code using an incorrect seed, the resulting data D′ would not match the source data D.
Table 1 is a truth table illustrating exemplary scrambling bits at the source (SSRC) and the destination (SDEST). As shown in the table, whenever SSRC≠SDEST, the recovered data D′ will not be the same of as the original source data D. Thus, a recipient that uses an incorrect pseudo-random code, due to either an incorrect code generation scheme or an incorrect seed code, will not be able to recover the source data signal.
TABLE 1D RECOVEREDSSRCDTXDSDESTD′CORRECTLY?00000Yes01101Yes10101No11000No00011No01110No10110Yes11011Yes
Conventionally, data scrambling for communication is performed by dedicated hardware circuits, using a dedicated LFSR circuit and XOR gates modeled after the system shown in FIG. 1. Thus, it is expected that pseudo-random codes and scrambled data will be generated iteratively using a driving clock source to control the circuit. Dedicated communication circuits typically are used to reduce communication latency. It would be possible to implement the scrambling processes in software, but the iterative processing that is used to generate the pseudo-random code would introduce severe latency problems in communication. Accordingly, for many applications, scrambling data by software is disfavored.
Although provision of dedicated circuits can achieve reduced latency, they can be disadvantageous because they are not flexible. Once a circuit is manufactured and deployed it cannot be updated to include processes that would be required, for example, to implement new standards or updates to existing standards. Accordingly the inventor foresees a need in the art for a software-implemented processing system that performs physical layer processing for communications, of which data scrambling is a part. Because software implementations typically are much slower than hardware circuits that perform the same processes, the inventor foresees a need in the art for a fast software implementation scrambling system, one that avoids the incremental, step-by-step generation of pseudo-random codes that occur in hardware systems.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a fast software-implemented scrambling algorithm for use in communications.

Fast-software-implemented pseudo-random code generator


A game stick for playing a game with a spherical ball is disclosed. The game stick is used for propelling and controlling the ball over a flat playing surface. The stick includes a toroidal body having a downwardly facing cup-shaped frusto-spherical depression and a shaft allowing a running or skating player to propel and control the ball.

This invention relates to a game stick that used for playing a game similar to ice hockey. More specifically, it relates to a ball-handling device for rolling and passing (throwing) a spherical ball and a ball to be used therewith.
The game of hockey is a well known team sport that is played around the world with a hockey stick and a hard rubber cylindrical puck.
A hockey stick can be made of wood, fiber glass, polymer or other materials and includes a generally flat, perhaps slightly curved, blade on the end of an elongate shaft that extends from the blade at an angle of between about 40 and 60 degrees.
The length of the shaft may be prescribed by the rules of the game, as is the case in hockey, but is largely a matter of preference of the player. In hockey, the rules limit the overall length of a hockey stick to 60 inches or less, and that rule can be applied to the game stick of the present invention if desired.
In ice hockey, the blade is used for handling, i.e., controlling the movement of, a puck as a player skates on the ice. More specifically, the hockey stick is used to move and maneuver the puck along the ice, pass the puck to teammates, stop and control the puck when passed by another player, take possession of the puck away from a player on the opposing team, intercept the puck when a pass is attempted between players, and throw or hit the puck toward a team mate or the net to score a goal.
Variations on the game of ice hockey have evolved. One variation of ice hockey replaces the puck with a spherical ball and the game is played on a rink defined by a flat surface with the players using skates. Also, the game can also be played on a dry surface where the players can either use roller-type skates or run. The game of hockey played on a dry surface rink is sometimes referred to as street hockey. The present invention relates to a game stick and ball that can be used in a dry surface rink variation of hockey.
As used throughout this application, the word equator means "a circle dividing the surface of a spherical body into two usually equal and symmetrical parts and does not imply or require any specific orientation of such circle with respect to any external reference point." However, the term "upper hemisphere" means "the hemisphere of a spherical body that is a generally Northerly extending hemisphere."
U.S. Design Pat. No. 246,006, issued Oct. 4, 1977 to Burr, et al. entitled Ball Rolling Game Stick includes an ornamental design for ball rolling device that comprises a circular toroidal ring mounted at angle on a stick or shaft. The shaft allows the player to assume a comfortable attitude while using the game stick and rolling the ball. The inner surface of the toroidal ring is circular. Although not described in the design patent, the apparent purpose of the ring is to provide control over the movement of a rolling ball that is being propelled by movement of the ring.
Nothing is shown in the Burr design patent regarding the diameter of either the toroidal ring or the ball that is used with the device. However, it appears that the ball could be of any diameter less than the diameter of the opening defined by the circular torus. Also, apparently the ball would be rolled by holding the axis of the circular opening generally perpendicular to the playing surface or the earth and applying a lateral force at the point of contact between the toroidal ring and the ball.
Free rolling of the ball would probably be best accomplished if the contact between the ring and the ball were at or very near the equator of the ball.
Hence, in the Burr patent, the toroidal ring should contact the ball at or near the equator of the ball to keep the ball rolling freely on the game surface. This would require that the device be held at a substantially constant altitude above the playing surface.
It would require substantial skill to control the altitude of the ring within such a narrow range especially while a player is skating or running. Also, the need to keep the ring above the playing surface would deprive the player of the ability to use the device for additional stability during skating, turning and stopping while maintaining control over the movement of the ball.
U.S. Design Pat. No. 340,752 issued Oct. 26, 1993 to Flynn, et al. entitled Stick For Throwing a Ball is an ornamental design for an annular ring that is flattened on the bottom and mounted at an angle on a shaft. As with U.S. Design Pat. No. 246,006, there is no description in Flynn et al. of the intended use or function of the stick. From the title, it is apparently intended for use with a ball having a diameter larger than the diameter of the annular ring. It appears that the stick is used to gain leverage in throwing a ball placed on the annular ring.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,228,693 issued Jan. 11, 1966 to Ingebo entitled Ball Handling Implement discloses a pusher device for rolling a bowling ball. The device is attached to a handle or stick and has a pair of low friction rollers located on the lateral sides of the device at or near the equator of the bowling ball. These rollers facilitate rolling of the ball about a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the shaft. A ring member is provided to enclose the ball and prevent it from leaving the pusher device unless released by the pusher. The ring can be lifted to release the ball to allow the bowl to roll free of control of the pusher device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,283 issued Dec. 26, 1995 to Hoblit entitled Bowling ball propulsion devices shows a pushing device for a bowling ball. The pushing device has a shaft attached to a floor engaging U-shaped frame. The frame has low friction pads located to engage the bowling ball on the equator at a rearmost location and two lateral side locations. The low friction contact points with the bowling ball allow the ball to rotate freely relative to the pushing device. The low friction contact points also allow correction of lateral deviation of the bowling ball. The speed of the ball is determined by the speed at which the ball is being pushed. The Hoblit device has no mechanism for restraining or controlling the forward progress of the ball.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,683 B1 to Howgate issued Apr. 15, 2003 for a Hockey Stick discloses a hockey stick having, in some embodiments, a C-shaped ball-handling member.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,098 issued Nov. 11, 2003 to Quinn discloses a street hockey ball that comprises a smooth spherical shell with a hollow interior cavity that is partially filled with a liquid and prills (floating solids) to improve the stability of movement of the ball.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,619 issued Sep. 18, 2001 to Mayer, II discloses a spherical ball for use in playing hockey. The ball is sized to contact the hockey stick at the same height as a cylindrical hockey puck thereby giving a "feel" that is similar to hitting a puck.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An apparatus for conserving oxygen delivered to a patient including a flat annular housing with an interior chamber having an outlet and inlet port, with the outlet port affixed to a flow check valve. The interior chamber is divided by a flexible diaphragm with the diaphragm and one wall of the housing defining an oxygen storage reservoir which communicates with the outlet and inlet ports. The inlet port directs oxygen from an oxygen tank into the reservoir, and the outlet port directs oxygen through the check valve to the patient. During inhalation, the patient inhales oxygen from the storage chamber through the check valve, thus collapsing the diaphragm. During exhalation the check valve closes, preventing introduction of potentially infectious exhaled air into the system and allowing oxygen to accumulate within the oxygen storage chamber instead of being wasted and expelled during exhalation.

1. Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to devices for conserving oxygen as utilized in supplemental oxygen therapy for human patients, particularly those receiving oxygen therapy via a tracheostomy tube assembly.
2. Description of the Prior Art:
Long term conventional oxygen therapy is commonly prescribed for patients who have compromised respiratory capabilities, often resulting from an acute infection or a chronic illness, such as emphysema. While these patients are capable of normal or nearly normal respirations, their oxygen exchange is not sufficient and it must be supplemented. Some pulmonary conditions have also required the use of a tracheostomy tube with oxygen supplied directly to the patient's trachea. The majority of the patients receiving supplemental oxygen, either through a nasal cannula or tracheostomy tube, utilize conventional oxygen therapy equipment which includes a pressurized oxygen tank with a regulator and an oxygen line endwardly connected to the nasal cannula, or tracheostomy tube. Sometimes a humidifying unit is also used with oxygen therapy equipment. These patients still breath the ambient air but are merely supplemented with additional oxygen. For patients having a chronic pulmonary problem, they must receive supplemental oxygen on a long term or permanent basis. There have been several disadvantages noted with the conventional long term management of oxygen therapy patients. Since the oxygen is supplied at a continuous flow rate, the patient is still administered oxygen during exhalation as well as inhalation. During exhalation, the oxygen supplied by the oxygen tank is expelled with the patient's exhaled air, thus wasting the oxygen. Therefore, more oxygen is dispensed from the oxygen tank than is actually used by the patient. This is not only a waste of money but refills of portable oxygen tanks are made much more often than would otherwise be necessary. Since oxygen is dispensed constantly, the nasal mucosa and other tissues of the patient can become dehydrated, and humidification of the oxygen is therefore sometimes necessary, which is also another added expense.
Another disadvantage of the traditional oxygen therapy equipment is the air exhaled by the patient must exceed the pressure of the dispensed oxygen through the tracheostomy tube in order to be expelled through the nose or mouth around the cannula, thus requiring the patient to exhale slightly more forcefully than normal to exhale against this pressure. For weak and debilitated patients this can actually be tiring over an extended period of time.
Conventional oxygen therapy equipment also does not compensate for the temperature of the dispensed oxygen, which at times can be disagreeably cold to the patient. If the temperature were consistently cold and administered over an extended period of time, the patient's temperature could conceivable be lowered, possibly compromising the patient's health, not to mention the patient's comfort.
There are several past art devices which function as oxygen conserving devices. One such device is the oxygen delivery apparatus patented by Tiep et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,757. Tiep's device is available as an accessory attachment to existing oxygen equipment, and functions to conserve oxygen by temporarily restricting the flow of oxygen out the nasal cannula during exhalation, utilizing the pressure differentials between the oxygen flow and the patient's exhalations. This is accomplished by providing a narrow elongated chamber with a flexible diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm blocks the outlet ports of the nasal cannula during the last phase of inhalation. During exhalation, the patient's exhaled air fills the chamber and forces the diaphragm aside, allowing oxygen to mix with the exhaled air. Thus the flow of oxygen is temporarily directed into the chamber when the patient exhales instead of being dispensed out the nasal cannula, thus saving oxygen.
There are several disadvantages to the Tiep et al device, one being the fact that the patient is rebreathing his own exhalations and therefore the oxygen which is administered to the patient is diluted. By diluting the oxygen mixture which the patient is prescribed, he may not be receiving sufficient oxygen to be beneficial or therapeutic. The chamber of the Tiep device is also relatively small and retains a fixed volume of oxygen, which may be sufficient for sedentary patients. However, this fixed volume would not be of sufficient volume to compensate the patient during exertion when the demand for oxygen would be greater. Even during sedentary states, all people need to occasionally take in a large cleansing breath, which the Tiep device would not compensate for.
Another more significant disadvantage of the Tiep et al device in that the exhaled air forced into the chamber could carry potentially infectious germs which could accumulate within the chamber and create a source for respiratory infections. The patient's exhalations are warm and moist and help to create a favorable environment within the chamber for growing the microbes. Also, the moisture of the exhalations could condense and accumulate, causing blockage problems. Many patients on oxygen therapy are generally already in a medically compromised condition or they wouldn't be needing the supplemental oxygen, and respiratory infections are especially serious to these patients since it is their lungs which are generally debilitated. Infections which would be minor to healthy individuals can be potentially lethal to patients with pulmonary deficiencies.
Another oxygen conserving device, currently in the market place, is sold under the tradename of OXYMIZER PENDANT, marketed by Chad Therapeutic, Inc., 9445 De Soto Ave, Chatsworth, Calif. 91311. The OXYMIZER PENDANT includes a bladder or diaphragm housed within an annular housing which is connectable between the oxygen tank and a nasal cannula. The OXYMIZER PENDANT saves oxygen by creating pressure differentials between the force of the patient's exhalation and the dispensed oxygen. Pressure increases in the nasal cannula, tubing and bladder as the patient exhales, forcing the lower pressurized oxygen dispensed from the tank to back-up within the bladder instead of being expelled upon exhalation, and thus wasted. The disadvantage of this system also involves the dilution of the oxygen with the exhaled used air. This is most significant when the patient is under stress or physical exertion where the force of exhalation is much greater than during sedentary periods. During exertion, much more exhaled air is forced into the air lines and possibly into the bladder or reservoir, significantly reducing the overall amount of oxygen available to the patient. Since the patient would require much more oxygen during exertion, the reduction in oxygen due to the dilution factor could adversely affect the patient. Therefore, the pressure differentials under which the OXYMIZER PENDANT best functions, only exist within a narrow range of parameters with the patient presumably remaining sedentary and the pressure of the oxygen dispensed from the tank remaining lower than the pressure of the patient's exhalations. Any variations in these parameters and a significant amount of oxygen can be lost, thus reducing the savings.
More importantly, the OXYMIZER PENDANT also allows the introduction of exhaled air into the air line and possibly even into the storage bladder. The exhaled air, as previously mentioned, can carry microbes which could lead to infection, and could even cause chronic or recurrent respiratory problems for the patient. Moisture condensation from the exhalations could also prove a problem by accumulating and causing partial or complete blockage of the oxygen flow.
Additionally, the OXYMIZER PENDANT apparently has no structural arrangement which would allow it to be used for introducing oxygen into a tracheostomy tube or assembly, which is becoming an increasingly popular method of applying oxygen therapy.
There is therefore a need for an oxygen conserving device which prevents the potential introduction of infectious agents into the oxygen system and provides the patient with oxygen undiluted with carbon dioxide, and which can also be utilized with tracheostomy tube assemblies.


The present invention is for an apparatus for use on a personal water craft having a hull, a deck disposed on the hull, a hood movably connected to the forward portion of the deck, an engine position with in the hull, a seat mounted atop the deck for accommodating at least one rider and comprising: at least one multi-purpose rack is bolted to the personal water craft; wherein at least a portion of the multi-purpose rack is disposed forward of the seat; wherein at least a portion of the multi-purpose rack extends outwardly from the hood to a peripheral edge of the water craft; and wherein the multi-purpose rack has a surface for carrying one or more items. Wherein the multipurpose rack can hold and store items such as fishing equipment, camping equipment, water skies, wake boards, scuba diving equipment, and inner-tubes on the personal water craft.

An enormous problem that personal water crafts have always encountered is a lack of storage space. Personal water crafts generally only provide storage space in the bow and glove box of the personal water craft. Since personal water crafts are so small, they do not have large storage space for storing items such as fishing equipment, camping equipment, hunting equipment, water skies, wake boards, scuba diving equipment, inner-tubes and other such articles or items.
Carriers or racks have been employed on small vehicles for lashing of goods to the vehicle for transportation. Such racks often include a frame structure of tubular material fixed to the frame of the vehicle. Such racks are located behind the rider extending across the upper rear portion of the vehicle.
Although carriers or racks are commonly utilized with motorcycles, ATVs, farm vehicles, fishing boats and hunting boats, such racks have not been utilized for use with personal water crafts. Additionally, carriers or racks are often attached to the rear of the vehicle. However, attaching a rack to the rear of the personal water craft could be dangerous, as riders often fall off to the side and back of the water craft.
The personal water crafts that we use and see today have dramatically evolved from the single cylinder engine and the single person water crafts of the of the 1960's. The personal water crafts of today provide more stability, maneuverability, versatility, control, acceleration, torque and power. In fact, today's personal water crafts can accommodate as many as four people.
Early personal water crafts were equipped with a single cylinder engine which reached speeds of approximately 25 to 30 mph. Those water crafts were only used for recreational riding activities. The water crafts were not designed with enough acceleration, torque and horse power to pull water skiers, wake boarders, and inner tubers. In comparison, today's personal water crafts can reach speeds of over 60 miles per hour with the power of more than 215 hp.
The original personal water crafts had hulls that were flat, which caused the water craft to turn "wide" encompassing a large surface area. Conversely, today's personal water crafts utilize a hull that is v-shaped which allows the water craft to make "tighter" and more narrow turns in the water. Additionally, some personal water crafts have also utilized two hulls, which creates more stability in the vehicle. As a result of this added stability, personal water crafts of today can be utilized by more than one person at a time.
The improvements in the design of the hull as well as other areas of the personal water crafts have increased their maneuverability and stability, allowing today's personal water crafts to be utilized in a variety of activities.
Another feature that has helped increase the versatility of personal water crafts is that they are equipped with forward/neutral/reverse, capabilities which allows users more control in the operation of the water craft. This option similarly contributes to the versatility and function of the present day water crafts.
In comparison to any boat, personal water crafts are smaller in size. As such, they afford the user a number of additional functions not available in a boat. The water craft can maneuver in tight corridors, go up or down small rivers or streams, and even traverse swamps. Personal water crafts also allow access to shallow areas of water.
Only recently were personal water crafts designed with the added acceleration, torque and horse power to pull the weight of water skiers, wake boarders, and inner tubers alike. As such, a user can now use the personal water craft to engage in activities that were once impossible.
Although, the design of the personal water craft evolved to allow for more power and function, it has not made any adjustments to increase storage space. Skiers have to physically hold their water skies or their wake boards; and scuba divers have to hold their scuba diving equipment while riding in a personal water craft. To accommodate the increasing number of uses for personal water crafts a need exists for a device that will conveniently store or house the various accessories such as fishing equipment, camping equipment, hunting equipment, water skies, wake boards, scuba diving equipment, and inner-tubes.
Water skiing, wake boarding, scuba diving and inner-tubing are examples of popular water activities that require the use of a boat. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford their own boat to engage in such activities. Since personal water crafts are more affordable and now have the power, a user can utilize a personal water craft to engage in water skiing, wake boarding, scuba diving and inner-tubing. Due to the lack of storage space on personal water crafts, users have to hold their water skies, wake boards, or scuba gear in their hands until they reached the designated location for the activity. However, if personal water crafts were equipped with a multipurpose storage rack for holding and/or storing items, personal water crafts would be more often utilized for such activities.
Similarly, hunting for water fowl, such as but not limited to duck hunting, was only carried out by using a boat. However, now that personal water crafts provide more stability, control, maneuverability and power and are more affordable than boats, a personal water craft can be utilized in hunting activities. Since personal water crafts of today do not have a multipurpose storage rack for holding and/or storing items for such hunting activities, a multipurpose storage rack needs to be developed for personal water crafts.
Fishing is another activity engaged in from a boat. Due to the added stability and control of personal water crafts, personal water craft can now be considered a viable option for a user to engage in fishing. Utilizing a personal water craft to engage in fishing would be ideal since the size and maneuverability of the personal water craft would allow the fisherman to access areas that are impossible to reach with fishing boats. However, since personal water craft of today do not have a multipurpose storage rack for holding and/or storing items such as a fishing pole, tackle box, and a trolling motor for use in fishing, a multipurpose storage rack needs to be developed for personal water crafts.
With the ability to engage in additional activities, there exists a substantial need in the art for an improved personal water craft that can store the equipment necessary to engage in various activities. By utilizing a personal water craft that is equipped with a multipurpose storage rack, the user can engage in any of a number of activities with the convenience of transporting with ease related gear, equipment and the like.
Personal water crafts of today do not have the capacity to store anything on the exterior of the water craft. (ie. fish equipment, hunting equipment, camping equipment, wake boarding equipment, water skiing equipment, inner-tubing equipment, scuba diving equipment and the like. As such, this invention seeks to address those needs.

Multi-purpose storage rack and fishing troller for a personal water craft


An absorbent article contains a hydrophilic fiber processed by a water-soluble deodorant containing a graft polymer having a deodorant functional group. This constitution ensures to have large deodorizing function per unit weight, compared to a particulate deodorant. Consequently, the constitution allows to decrease a weight of the deodorant and to excel in deodorizing function. Moreover, it is unnecessary to fix the deodorant and easy to compound with the absorbent article. Therefore, it allows to obtain an absorbent article having excellent aesthetics and cleanness.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a deodorizing function.
2. Related Art
An absorbent article such as an incontinence pad, a paper diaper, etc. and the deodorizing action are inseparably related, and the absorbent article provided with excellent deodorizing function has been continuously developed. Many attempts to add the deodorizing function to an absorbent article have been made, and, among them, compounding of particulate deodorant with the absorbent article has been frequently examined. Specifically, these attempts include adding materials having the deodorizing function such as zeolite, activated carbon, charcoal, silica gel, activated alumina, molecular sieve, cyclodextrin, and the like to a absorbent article. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No Hei 2-307528 discloses a technique of forming an absorbent sheet having a particulate deodorant by using a binder. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-176338 discloses a technique of compounding a particulate deodorant to the inside of absorbent resin particles. Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-350745 discloses a technique for compounding particulate deodorant with hydrophilic fiber without water-swelling property to form a paper sheet. Furthermore, a number of liquid deodorants such as plant extracts and the like have been introduced. Thus, it is very important to constitute an absorbent article by skillfully compounding deodorant with absorbent materials. That is, using a suitable deodorant, it is important to compound it appropriately to an absorbent article. That is, it is necessary to appropriately compound a suitable deodorant with absorbent products (articles), thus the deodorizing function thereof being greatly influenced by these factors.
However, in these conventional examples, when the particulate deodorant is used for an absorbent article, the deodorizing effect is proportional to the amount thereof added so that it is necessary to add the particulate deodorant in a large quantity. However, since the particulate deodorant itself is incapable of immobilizing itself to the absorbent (compounding itself with the absorbent article) so as to be liable to falling away, it is necessary to immobilize the particulate deodorant by any means. In this regard, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 2-307528, particulate deodorant is immobilized using binder. In this case, the binder covers up the particulate deodorant to decrease the contact area thereof with offensive odor, leading to the reduction in the deodorizing function, most likely resulting in weakening the deodorizing effect of absorbent article compounded with said deodorant. Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-176338, the particulate deodorant is placed in the inside of absorbent resin particles, so that the deodorizing function of particulate deodorant is reduced, most likely resulting in decreasing the deodorizing effect of the absorbent body compounded with said deodorant. Moreover, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-350745, activated carbon is used as a deodorant. Activated carbon is black so that it most likely reduces the clean feeling and aesthetics of an absorbent article compounded wit said deodorant. Furthermore, when particulate deodorant of physical absorbent type such as activated carbon remains long in body fluid, moisture enters pores for absorbing offensive odor to reduce the deodorizing function thereof, most likely resulting in weakening the deodorizing effect of absorbent article compounded with said deodorant.
Furthermore, among conventionally introduced liquid deodorants, there are only few deodorants having sufficient function to deodorize the offensive odor of body fluid (urine in particular) so that it is necessary to add them in a large quantity. As a result, the relative volume of the absorbent body is reduced, thereby deteriorating the absorption capacity of the absorbent article produced by compounding the absorbent body, hardening the absorbent body to make it fragile, most likely worsening the wearing feeling and form stability thereof.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article excellent in the absorption capability and aesthetics, and having the deodorizing function with the cleanliness feeling.

Absorbent article for reducing urine odor


Diagnostics for inadequate performance and/or degradation of an exhaust aftertreatment system are disclosed. A performance degradation analysis of the exhaust aftertreatment system includes a determination of a long term brake specific NOx value over a time period and a comparison of the long term brake specific NOx value to a threshold value.

The present application relates to exhaust aftertreatment control, and more particularly to monitoring and/or diagnosing degradation of an exhaust gas aftertreatment system.
Control and monitoring of catalyst and other exhaust component performance are of increasing interest to meet modern internal combustion engine emissions standards. Existing onboard monitoring systems in exhaust aftertreatment systems monitor the individual components for degradation in performance. These monitors are required to make rapid determinations regarding the degradation conditions for the monitored component, at times with incomplete data. In addition, conditions may exist in which multiple components are partially degraded, but none are sufficiently degraded to trigger an onboard diagnostic (OBD) fault. However, the combined effect of the degradation of multiple components in the system may lead to unacceptable overall performance of the aftertreatment system.
Diagnostic systems and sensors for the individual exhaust components and engine are typically located within (onboard) a vehicle and are used to monitor operation of these components. Consequently, it would be desirable to employ these sensors in monitoring the overall performance and/or degradation of the exhaust aftertreatment system. Accordingly, further technological developments in this area are desirable.

System and method for diagnosing health of an exhaust aftertreatment system