There is provided with an image processing apparatus. An evaluation is set for each of the pairs. The evaluation is set based on at least one of the number of feature points in the first image where local feature amounts are similar to a local feature amount at one of the pair or the number of feature points in the second image where local feature amounts are similar to a local feature amount at one of the pair, in such a manner that the smaller the number of feature points, the higher the evaluation. A similarity between the first image and the second image is determined using a RANSAC method. A pair having a high evaluation is used with priority in derivation of a function for transforming coordinates using the RANSAC method.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a storage medium.
Description of the Related Art
Methods for searching for a similar image using regional feature amounts (local feature amounts) of images have been proposed. Local feature amounts can be calculated in the following manner, for example. First, characteristic points (feature points) are extracted from an image (C. Harris and M. J. Stephens, "A combined corner and edge detector" in Alvey Vision Conference, pages 147-152, 1988). Then, local feature amounts are calculated based on the feature points and image information of regions surrounding the feature points (David G. Lowe, "Distinctive Image Features from Scale-Invariant Keypoints," International Journal of Computer Vision, 60, 2 (2004), pages 91-110). In general, local feature amounts are expressed as vectors. When local feature amounts with rotational invariance or enlargement/reduction invariance are used, a similar image can be found by calculation even if an image is rotated, enlarged, or reduced. For example, Lowe describes calculation of local feature amounts that have rotational invariance by calculating a dominant direction from pixel patterns in local regions surrounding feature points, and performing directional normalization by way of rotation of the local regions on the basis of the dominant direction at the time of calculation of the local feature amounts. Also, local feature amounts that have enlargement/reduction invariance can be calculated by internally generating images of different scales, and extracting feature points and calculating local feature amounts from each of the images of different scales.
Local feature amounts of a plurality of feature points are calculated from one image using various methods. Matching between similar images is performed by comparing local feature amounts calculated for different images. The following describes a case in which an image similar to a search query image is searched for from a group of candidate images. In a voting method described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-284084, a candidate image is voted for when there are feature points having local feature amounts that are similar to local feature amounts of feature points extracted from a search query image. The larger the number of votes, the more the candidate image is determined to be similar to the search query image.
One example of other methods is RANSAC processing described in M. A. Fischler and R. C. Bolles, "Random sample consensus: A paradigm for model fitting with applications to image analysis and automated cartography", Commun. ACM, No. 24, vol. 6, pages 381-395, June 1981. The following describes an example of RANSAC processing. In RANSAC processing, a pair of a feature point in a search query image and a feature point in a candidate image (a feature points pair) is set such that a similarity between local feature amounts of the two feature points is equal to or larger than a threshold. Next, some (e.g., two) feature points pairs are randomly selected from among a plurality of feature points pairs. Furthermore, with reference to the coordinates of the selected feature points pairs (e.g., in the case of two feature points pairs, the coordinates of four feature points), a function, such as an affine transformation, for transforming the coordinates of a feature point in the search query image into the coordinates of a feature point in the candidate image composing the same pair is derived. In one example, a transformation matrix for transforming the coordinates of a feature point in the search query image into the coordinates of a feature point in the candidate image is derived. Then, whether the remaining feature points pairs satisfy the transformation is determined, that is to say, whether transformation of the coordinates of feature points in the search query image yields the coordinates of feature points in the candidate image is determined. If the number of feature points pairs satisfying the transformation is equal to or larger than a preset threshold, it is determined that the search query image matches the candidate image. On the other hand, if the number of feature points pairs satisfying the transformation is smaller than the threshold, some new feature points pairs are randomly selected, and similar processing is repeated. If the number of iterations has reached an upper limit, it is determined that the search query image does not match the candidate image.

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium


The invention is to provide a transfer/inspection apparatus capable of inspecting any defect even during transferring and to provide a transfer/inspection apparatus capable of inspecting any defect in a non-contact state during transferring, even if the an object to be transferred is a transparent material. The transfer/inspection apparatus includes a transfer apparatus 2, and a defect inspector 3. The transfer apparatus 2 transfers a thin member 5 in a non-contacted state under control of voltage to be applied to an electrode face, and the defect inspector inspects any defect of the thin member during transferring the thin member. The transfer apparatus 2 is preferably provided with a light beam-transmitting portion (omitted portion 15) at a part of the electrode face for allowing the light beam therethrough. When the defect inspector 3 is arranged by utilizing the light beam-transmitting portion 15, the defect can be inspected in the non-contact manner during transferring, even if the object to be transferred is the transparent material.

As a transfer apparatus for assuredly transferring a thin material such as glass, a glass vertical transfer apparatus employing a driving roller system with plural rows of rollers has been practically used, for example (For example, a glass vertical transfer apparatus manufactured by Nippon Setsubi Industries, Ltd.).
However, in case of thin film transistors (TFTs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), glass substrates, etc. as members to be transferred, transfer apparatuses giving as small impact or contact upon opponent members as possible are desired.
Under the circumstances, an electrostatic holding apparatus which electrostatically holds a thin member in a non-contact state has been proposed (For example, see Patent Document 1). This electrostatic floating transfer apparatus, which is based on an electrostatic floating system using electrostatic force, comprises a stationary part in which an electrode pattern of a conductor is formed on an insulating substrate, an object to be handled which is opposed to and held by the stationary part in a non-contact manner, a proximity switch for detecting a gap between the stationary part and the object, an electric power source for supplying a DC voltage, and a switching circuit for switchingly applying voltage upon electrodes of the stationary part, wherein the DC voltage from the electric power source is switchingly applied to the electrode pattern of the stationary part through the switching circuit based on on/off signals from the proximity switch, so as to stably float the object to be handled.
There is also proposed a thin member handling method and a thin member handling apparatus in which a thin member as an object to be handled is transferred in an inclined state by using the above electrostatic holding apparatus (See Patent Document 2, for example).
Patent Document 2 describes the handling apparatus in which a belt conveyor is provided to support one side edge of the thin member such as the glass sheet or the like, and the thin member is transferred, while the thin member is being held in an inclined state by supporting the above one side edge with the belt conveyor and sucking a face of the thin member with the electrostatic holding apparatus in a non-contact state.
Patent Document 1: JP-H09-322564A
Patent Document 2: JP-2001-198759A

Transfer/inspection apparatus and transfer apparatus


A data processing apparatus causes multiple processors to process in parallel input data that is arrayed two-dimensionally, and stores the data of the processing results in a cache line of a cache memory, where the data of the processing results includes a plurality of pieces of data of a predetermined width that is smaller than a cache line width of the cache memory. The data stored in the cache memory is then transferred together to a main memory as in the cache line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to data processing apparatuses and data processing methods.
2. Description of the Related Art
When processing image data in an image forming apparatus or the like, part of the processing is sometimes executed through software run by an integrated processor rather than through dedicated hardware. Executing the processing through software makes it possible to allot multiple functions to individual usage situations, and also makes the system as a whole flexible and adaptable, for adding additional functions and so on. Multiple processors are generally installed, and recent years have seen a trend toward increasing the number of processors even more. Using multiple processors makes it possible to execute multiple processes using a pipeline architecture and execute single processes in parallel.
Incidentally, software processes executed by integrated processors tend to require more time for processing than processes executed by dedicated hardware, which, in image forming apparatuses or the like, can easily result in bottlenecks in the processing time of the overall system. Therefore, there is a method, when multiple processors are installed, that divides a single piece of image data into regions and processes the resulting regions of the image data in parallel using the respective multiple processors. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-73210 (called "Patent Document 1" hereinafter) proposes a method in which JPEG compression and decompression are executed in parallel using multiple processors.
Typical processors currently in use have cache memories, and thus it is necessary to maintain cache coherence when multiple processors divide data into regions and output that data to a single common memory-type primary storage unit. Because the multiple processors each have individual data caches, transactions that maintain the coherence of the data between each cache line size are carried out. If the same cache line is read from/written to independently by multiple processors, there is the risk that other data will be mistakenly overwritten as a result of one of the writes. In response to this issue, there are methods for maintaining cache coherence, such as providing dedicated hardware as per Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-185359 (called "Patent Document 2" hereinafter). If dedicated hardware is not provided, the system can guarantee that the same cache lines are not shared by multiple processors by matching the allocation of regions handled by the respective processors to the cache line size. Thus this method serves to maintain cache coherence.
In Patent Document 1, the output data is discrete, and there is no configuration for maintaining cache coherence.
Meanwhile, if a configuration such as that disclosed in Patent Document 2 is used in order to maintain cache coherence between caches for multiple processors, the number of transactions for maintaining the cache coherence will increase, which runs the risk of reducing the performance of the system as a whole.
Furthermore, if an attempt is made to maintain cache coherence by matching the allocation of regions handled by the respective processors to the cache line size, the data to be processed cannot be divided into units that are smaller than the cache line size. Thus, in a system having multiple processors, there will be processors that cannot handle parallel processing, which may make it difficult to achieve an increase in the processing speed corresponding to the number of processors.

Parallel processing of two-dimensional data, storage of plural data of the processing results in a cache line and transfer of the data to a memory as in the cache line


A calcium citrate malate complex or mixture having a molar composition of calcium:citrate:malate of about 6:2:3. The calcium citrate malate is preferably administered in an oral dosage form, containing pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers and excipients.

This invention relates to a novel material and composition useful as a calcium supplement for humans and other animals. In particular, this invention relates to specific calcium citrate malate materials and dosage forms containing such materials.
Calcium is the fifth most abundant element in the human body. It plays an important role in many physiological processes, including nerve and muscle functions. Not surprisingly, nutritional and metabolic deficiencies of calcium can have broad-ranging adverse effects. Since about 90% of the body's calcium is found in bone tissues, many of these adverse effects are manifested through deficiencies in the structure, function and integrity of the skeletal system.
The most common metabolic bone disorder is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can be generally defined as the reduction in the quantity of bone, or the atrophy of skeletal tissue. In general, there are two types of osteoporosis: primary and secondary. "Secondary osteoporosis" is the result of an identifiable disease process or agent. However, approximately 90% of all osteoporosis cases is idiopathic "primary osteoporosis". Such primary osteoporosis includes postmenopausal osteoporosis, age-associated osteoporosis (affecting a majority of individuals over the age of 70 to 80), and idiopathic osteoporosis affecting middle-aged and younger men and women.
For some osteoporotic individuals the loss of bone tissue is sufficiently great so as to cause mechanical failure of the bone structure. Bone fractures often occur, for example, in the wrist and spine of women suffering from postmenopausal osteoporosis. Kyphosis (abnormally increased curvature of the thoracic spine) may also result.
The mechanism of bone loss in osteoporotics is believed to involve an imbalance in the process of "bone remodeling". Bone remodeling occurs throughout life, renewing the skeleton and maintaining the strength of bone. This remodeling occurs in a series of discrete pockets of activity in the bone, called "osteoclasts" and "osteoblasts". Osteoclasts (bone dissolving or resorbing cells) are responsible for the resorption of a portion of bone within the bone matrix, during the resorption process. After resorption, the osteoclasts are followed by the appearance of osteoblasts (bone forming cells), which then refill the resorbed portion with new bone.
In a healthy adult, the rate at which the osteoclasts and osteoblasts are formed maintains a balance of bone resorption and bone formation. However, in osteoporotics an imbalance in this remodeling process develops, resulting in loss of bone at a rate faster than the accretion of bone. This imbalance is much more severe, and occurs at a younger age, in osteoporotics as compared to healthy adults.
Many compositions and methods are described in the medical literature for the "treatment" of osteoporosis. Many of these compositions and methods attempt to either slow the loss of bone or to produce a net gain in bone mass. See, for example, R. C. Haynes, Jr. et al., "Agents affecting Calcification", The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 7th Edition (A. G. Gilman, L. S. Goodman et al. , Editors, 1985) ; and G. D. Whedon et al., "An Analysis of Current Concepts and Research Interest in Osteoporosis", Current Advances in Skeletogenesis (A. Ornoy et al., Editors, 1985). Estrogen is often used to affect the metabolism of calcium. Treatments using fluoride have also been described. However, the utility of such agents may be limited, due to possible adverse side effects. See W. A. Peck, et al., Physician's Resource Manual on Osteoporosis (1987), published by the National Osteoporosis Foundation (incorporated by reference herein).
Nutritional therapies for osteoporosis have also been proposed. Many calcium-containing compounds and compositions have been described for use as nutritional supplements. Many commercial preparations are also available, typically containing calcium carbonate. Calcium chloride, calcium gluceptate, calcium gluconate, calcium lactate, calcium phosphate, calcium citrate, and other calcium salts have also been described for use in calcium supplements. The use of calcium citrate, for example, is described in French Patent 2,219,778, Monteau, published Sep. 27, 1974; and World Patent Publications 86/04814 and 86/04815, Pak et al., both published Aug. 28, 1986. Food supplements containing calcium citrate malate are described in Japanese Patent Document 56/97, 248, Kawai, published Aug. 5, 1981.
The utility of these known supplements varies. Unlike agents (such as estrogen) which affect the metabolism of bone, calcium nutritional supplements have been thought to merely provide a source for calcium (which may or may not be properly absorbed and metabolized). Indeed, the literature is bereft of any credible clinical data supporting the utility of any of these calcium supplements to actually treat osteoporosis (to actually build bone). See, for example, B. Riis et al., "Does Calcium Supplementation Prevent Postmenopausal Bone Loss?", 316 New England J. of Medicine 173-177 (1987); L. Nilas et al., "Calcium Supplementation and Postmenopausal Bone Loss", 289 British Medical Journal 1103-1106 (1984); and H. Spencer et al., "NIH Consensus Conference: Osteoporosis", 116 Journal of Nutrition 316-319 (1986).
It has now been discovered, however, that certain calcium citrate malate materials are highly efficacious calcium supplements, providing increased absorption and bioavailability compared to calcium supplements known in the art. In particular, as compared to calcium supplements known in the art, these methods afford greater efficacy in the treatment of osteoporosis and related disorders.


An induction heating type fixing device for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is disclosed. An inducting heating coil has a plurality of bobbins each having a particular diameter and assembled in a telescopic manner. A particular conductor is wound round each bobbin beforehand with leads being laid inside of the conductor. The bobbin may be implemented as a plurality of bobbin members removably connected together.

The present invention relates to a fixing device for a printer, facsimile apparatus, copier or similar electrophotographic image forming apparatus and more particularly to an induction heating type fixing device using electromagnetic induction. Further, the present invention relates to an induction coil for use in the induction heating type fixing device.
Generally, an image forming apparatus includes a fixing device for fixing a toner image on a paper sheet or similar recording medium. One of conventional fixing device uses a heat roller to be heated and a press roller pressed against the heat roller. The heat roller and press roller fix a toner image on a paper sheet with heat and pressure while conveying the paper sheet. A halogen lamp, halogen heater or similar heat source has traditionally been disposed in the heat roller for heating the heat source to a preselected temperature necessary for fixation.
It is a common practice with the above-described fixing device to heat the heat roller to a preselected surface temperature, e.g., 180° C. and then maintain it at a temperature that is about 50% to 90% of the above temperature, e.g., 120° C. This allows a person to use the image forming apparatus without wasting time. However, even when the fixing device is held in a stand-by state at, e.g., 120° C., it naturally consumes much power. From the energy saving standpoint, the fixing device should consume a minimum of energy even in the stand-by state.
In light of the above, there have been proposed various fixing systems featuring a short warm-up time and therefore allowing power supply to be shut off when in a stand-by state. Particularly an induction heating type fixing system is attracting increasing attention because it heats a heat roller, which is formed of conductive metal, by using eddy current derived from an electromagnetic wave.
In an induction heating type fixing device, if the range over which an induction coil is wound differs from a sheet passing width, then so-called hot offset occurs due to excessive temperature elevation in ranges that a paper sheet does not pass. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-133627, for example, discloses an induction heating type fixing device capable of obviating hot offset and reducing wasteful power consumption. The fixing device disclosed includes a main coil and an auxiliary coil assigned to a range covering small paper sizes and a range outside of the above range, respectively. The main coil and auxiliary coil are wound round a single bobbin and controlled independently of each other as to current supply. The gap between the coils and a heat roller should preferably be as small as possible in order to efficiently heat the heat roller. To reduce the gap, the end portions of the auxiliary coil are laid inside of the bobbin.
In the configuration taught in the above-mentioned document, the auxiliary coil is positioned at opposite end portions of the bobbin while the main coil is positioned at the center of the same. This brings about a problem that the main coil is laid inside of the bobbin, making it difficult to deal with the end portions of the coils. Further, when any part of the coils snaps, all the coils must be rewound. A period of time necessary for rewinding work is so long, the coils are bodily replaced, i.e., even the coil not snapped is discarded.
On the other hand, the warm-up time of the fixing device can be reduced if the thermal capacity of the heat roller is reduced. For this purpose, the wall thickness of the heat roller may be reduced, as proposed in the past. This, however, brings about another problem that substantially no heat conduction occurs in the heat roller in the axial direction because the heat roller has a core whose thermal conductivity is relatively low. To solve this problem, there has been proposed a system in which a plurality of coils are selectively energized in accordance with sheet size. This allows only necessary part of the heat roller to be heated and thereby further saves energy.
The plurality of coils, however, require a number of leads to be laid between the heat roller and the coils. Therefore, to protect the coils from damage ascribable to, e.g., short-circuiting, a sufficient gap is necessary between the heat roller and the coils and leads. Such a gap increases the distance between the coils and the heat roller and thereby aggravates thermal conversion efficiency. Moreover, a number of leads increase the number of wiring steps and therefore production cost.
Technologies relating to the present invention are also disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. 10-10901, 10-20704, 10-153918, 10-282826, 11-316509, 2000-105518, and 2000-56598.

Induction heating type fixing device for an image forming apparatus and induction heating coil therefor


Provided are a CNT-polymer complex and a process for preparing the same. The CNT-polymer complex includes carbon nanotubes (CNT) coated with a block copolymer of a conjugated polymer and a non-conjugated polymer, wherein the non-conjugated polymer comprises at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of styrene, butadiene, isoprene, methacryl, acryl, acryl amide, methacryl amide, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, vinyl pyridine and vinyl pyrrolidone in which at least one selected from the group consisting of a sulfone group, carboxyl group, acryl group and phosphate group is protected with a protective group, and provides at least one dopant selected from the group consisting of a sulfone group, carboxyl group, acryl group and phosphate group by external stimuli so that self-doping is allowed; and the complex is soluble to an organic solvent in a neutral state but is insoluble to any solvent after subjecting it to external stimuli.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to a CNT-polymer complex capable of self-doping by external stimuli and a process for preparing the same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a CNT-polymer complex that includes carbon nanotubes (CNT) coated with a block copolymer of a conjugated polymer and a non-conjugated polymer, is neutral and soluble in organic solvents, and is capable of self-doping by external stimuli, as well as to a process for preparing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order for carbon nanotubes (CNT) to exert excellent physical properties in composite materials, a carbon nanotube dispersion technique is required. In order to use effective properties and benefits of a CNT nanoscale, CNT must be well dispersed.
Methods for accomplishing uniform dispersion of CNTs by increasing the compatibility between CNTs and a solvent or polymer may be classified into mechanical dispersion methods and chemical dispersion methods. Mechanical dispersion methods are based on external force such as ultrasonic waves and may provide an unsatisfactory dispersion degree. Chemical dispersion methods are classified into covalent bonding dispersion methods and non-covalent bonding dispersion methods. Covalent bonding dispersion methods include linking a covalent bond directly to the surface of CNTs and generate surface defects, and thus they may cause degradation of electrical properties. Therefore, covalent bonding dispersion methods are problematic in that they are not suitable for applications using electrical properties. On the contrary, non-covalent bonding methods use a material capable of interaction with the surface of CNTs and generate no defects in the structure of CNTs. Therefore, non-covalent bonding methods are advantageous in that they allow CNTs to exert their unique physical properties. As an example of such non-covalent bonding dispersion methods, a conjugated polymer surrounds the surface of CNTs with ease, thereby increasing the solubility of CNTs.
Meanwhile, conjugated polymers undergo a rapid increase in electrical conductivity by doping. In general, such doping methods include p-doping using an electron acceptor (e.g. I2, AsF5) causing partial oxidation and n-doping using an electron donor (e.g. Na, K) causing partial reduction. Introduction of a dopant generates a partial charge defect and reduces a band gap. As a result, it is possible to accomplish improvement of electrical properties, including an increase in conductivity or hole mobility. A PEDOT/PSS complex including a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) as a conductive polymer and a polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) as a dopant is commercially available as aqueous solution due to PSS which is an ionic polymer. The complex is disadvantageous in that it undergoes degradation of long-term shelf stability in the state of aqueous solution due to ionic groups. In addition, the complex exists as an acid or base, and thus may cause damages to a substrate during a solution process, which may affect electronic devices significantly.
When dispersing carbon nanotubes by using such a conjugated polymer doped with an acid or base, dispersion is possible based on non-covalent bonding. However, in this case, pH and water dispersion may be problematic and cause damages to a substrate in applying to organic electronics, which affects electronic devices significantly.

CNT-polymer complex capable of self-doping by external stimuli and process for preparing the same

KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY


Measurement corrections transmitted from reference stations at known positions are transmitted to differential Global Position System receivers for use in computation of position information relative to the receiver. In one embodiment, circuitry included in the receiver detects errors in transmissions of measurement correction data streams from the closest reference station and replaces erroneous portions of the data streams with corresponding portions received from a second reference station. Alternately, a plurality of measurement correction data streams received from a plurality of reference stations are combined to produce a combined measurement correction used to correct the position information received from satellites.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to navigation systems, and more particularly to an improved navigation and position method using Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver stations.
2. Art Background
To assist sea, air, and land navigation and other purposes, the United State Government has placed a number of satellites in orbit around the earth in such a manner that, from any point on the earth, a user operating a roving receiver from an airplane or a ship may always have a line of sight on at least four satellites. This system is referred to as the Global Positioning System (GPS). A GPS receiver receives GPS data from the satellites; from the GPS data the roving receiver can determine its position. The GPS data includes data regarding the position of the satellite. However, the GPS data is corrupted by the U.S. Government in order to degrade the accuracy of calculations performed. Such errors are easily eliminated using the proper decoding algorithms and codes; however, such information is only available to the U.S. Military. Also, atmospheric and meteorological conditions, electromagnetic interference from terrestrial sources and other satellites, kinematic motion or orientation of the plane or ship the roving receiver is located on, and other uncertainties further degrade the signals.
To ameliorate this problem, land-based reference stations at fixed, known locations have been erected to receive satellite transmissions and interpret the signals to generate measurement corrections, also referred to as DGPS (differential GPS) corrections. Using the true, known position of the receiver antenna at each reference station, these land-based reference stations derive measurement corrections that adjust the GPS data to produce more accurate results. These measurement corrections are transmitted, for example, via minimum shift keying (MSK) transmissions, to the roving receivers as deviations or offsets to be added to the measurements derived by the roving receiver from the GPS signals received directly from the satellites. An example of such a system is the Differential GPS NAVSTAR system operated by the U.S. Coast Guard to help ships navigate more accurately.
The use of reference stations has become so widespread, and the number of reference stations has grown so large, that it is quite likely that a receiver is in range of several reference stations at once. When this happens, very often the signal received from the reference station closest to the roving receiver is used to the exclusion of all others, since that signal, relative to those of the other reference stations, is usually the strongest signal and has the shortest signal path length. This method of operation reduces spatial decorrelation errors. The other measurement correction signals originating from other reference stations, although available to the roving receiver and containing measurement corrections, are generally ignored. This is justified by the fact that the likelihood of erroneous transmission increases with distance, and that the spatial decorrelation errors in the correction increase with distance.

Method and apparatus to improve overall performance of a DGPS receiver


A memory cell in capacitive logic, including a bistable system including a fixed element and a mobile element capable of taking one or the other of two stable positions with respect to the fixed element; a read device including a variable-capacitance capacitor including a first fixed electrode and a second mobile electrode rigidly fixed to the mobile element; and an electrically controllable write device for placing the mobile element in one or the other of its two stable positions.

The applicant has already proposed, in particular in the patent application EP3182590 (B14590-DD16568), in the French patent application no. 17/55419 filed Jun. 15, 2017 (B15834-DD17806), and in the French patent application no. 17/57060 filed Jul. 25, 2017 (B16125-DD17999), example embodiments of elementary logic cells based on electromechanically controlled variable-capacitance capacitors.
The use of electromechanically controlled variable-capacitance capacitors for implementing logic functions makes it possible to achieve logic circuits with a very low electrical power consumption. In particular, it makes it possible to eliminate leakage currents, which are a limiting factor of classic logic circuits, and in particular of logic circuits realised based on transistors.
The above-mentioned patent applications describe more specifically the realisation of inverting and non-inverting buffer cells, as well as a certain number of basic combinatorial logic cells, based on electromechanically controlled variable-capacitance capacitors.
In order to be able to realise more complex circuits, however, it would be desirable to be able to have a memory cell in capacitive logic. The present application relates to the realisation of such a memory cell.

Memory cells with capacitive logic based on electromechanically controlled variable-capacitance capacitors

Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives


A computer system including a plurality of processing nodes, at least one resource provided for use by any of the processing nodes and a plurality of register sets. Each register set is provided in each processing node for storing in parallel use status information indicating whether the resource is in exclusive use status. The computer system includes a plurality of request issue circuits, each being provided in each processing node, for issuing requests for exclusive use of the resource, a message exchanging circuit for serializing requests issued by the request issue circuits into a serialized order and broadcasting the request to the processing nodes and a plurality of status control circuits. Each status control circuit is provided in each processing node to update a corresponding register set depending on use status information and each request received at a corresponding node.

The present invention relates to an exclusive control method and circuit for controlling conflicting access requests to a resource shared by processors making up a computer system, and to an event communication method and circuit for communicating events among these processors by way of a main memory shared thereby.
One representative database system for searching a large-scale database at high speed is a database system operating on a parallel computer system comprising of plural processors. Another large-scale, high-speed database system is a distributed database system run on a client-server type distributed processing system including plural computers. In the present specification the computer elements for executing distributed processing of the distributed processing system may be called nodes, when both processor elements constituting the parallel computer system and computers making up the client-server type distributed processing system are referred to.
In the distributed database system, the database is retained in disk apparatuses in a distributed manner. Plural nodes process a retrieval request from a user in cooperation. That is, the multiple nodes access the disk apparatuses holding different portions of the database designated by the retrieval request in parallel, and process the database portions are. In this operation, plural access requests may be issued from plural nodes to the same database portion. In that case, it is necessary to control these accesses exclusively, so that a series of access requests from the same node are allowed to be completed and access requests from other nodes are prohibited before completion of the former access requests, if the results of accesses for these access requests are to be guaranteed.
Meanwhile, the parallel computer system needs to communicate efficiently occurrence of events among numerous-processor elements (abbreviated to a PE hereunder) operating in parallel. It is particularly necessary to communicate events at high speed in executing such nondeterministic processes as database retrieval or knowledge,processing, because a large number of asynchronous events are exchanged among PE""s.
Enhancement of the event processing speed is also needed in order to implement high-speed barrier synchronization and like between PE""s, described, in executing routine programs such as one for numerical computation later.
One disadvantage of the prior art related to exclusive control that is large overhead related to resource access arbitration in a resource managing node comprising a resource accessible by other nodes, and the retrieval processing initially intended to be performed by the resource managing node is such interfered by this arbitration. In addition, conventional event communication methods have the deficiency that overhead for event detection is large and performance of each PE tends to be degraded.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an exclusive control method and a computer system for high-speed arbitration, so that one of plural exclusive use requests issued by plural nodes for the same resource is selected rapidly.
It is a specific object of the present invention to provide an exclusive control method and a computer system which enable arbitration of plurality of exclusive use requests issued from nodes for a resource managed by one node be executed by a circuit other than the processor of the node, thereby reducing the arbitration time and the load of the processor.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a computer system adapted in eliminating superfluous operations of accessing the main storage where no flag is written, when event flags posted via a shared main storage are detected by periodic polling.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a computer system adapted in reducing the number of flag areas to be accessed, when event flags posted via a shared main storage are detected either by periodic polling or by polling on the occasion of writing of a flag.
It is an even further object of the present invention to provide a computer system capable of reducing overhead in detecting a value of the same event flag by polling, where the flag value may be changed by other PE""s via a shared main storage.
In achieving the foregoing objects of the present invention regarding exclusive control, each node stores use status information on exclusive use state of a resource usable by the nodes. When one node is to issue an exclusive use request requesting for the resource, it is judged whether the resource is in exclusive use state on the basis of the use state information stored in the one node.
If the resource is in an exclusive use state, the one node is inhibited from issuing the exclusive use request; if the resource is not in an exclusive use state, the node is allowed to issue the exclusive use request.
Exclusive use requests issued by nodes are transmitted over a network to an exclusive use arbitration circuit accessible by these nodes. Of the transmitted exclusive use requests, one that will exclusively use the resource is selected by the arbitration circuit.
When one exclusive use request is selected by the arbitration circuit, the use state information stored in each node regarding the resource is updated to new use state information indicating that the resource is now in exclusive use state.
According to the exclusive control method of the present invention superfluous exclusive use requests are suppressed, and amount of arbitration processing on such useless requests is reduced, because an access requesting node issues an access request after detecting in that node that the resource is not in exclusive use state.
In a computer system for executing the exclusive control method mentioned above, the arbitration circuit composed of one provided in common to nodes constituting the network. This arbitration circuit judges whether or not to grant exclusive use to an exclusive use request issued by one of the nodes.
In a preferred mode of a computer system according to the present invention, the arbitration circuit comprises plural arbitration circuits distributed in the nodes. Each node using its arbitration circuit judges whether or not to grant exclusive use to the exclusive use request issued by the node.
In another preferred structure of a computer system according to the present invention, the arbitration circuit comprises an arbitration circuit located in a node having the resource. On the basis of the use state information stored in the node about the resource, the arbitration circuit judges whether or not to grant exclusive use to the exclusive use request issued by the one node. The result of the judgment is notified to all nodes.
In achieving the foregoing objects of the present invention related to event communication, a computer system according to the present invention comprises: an area judgment circuit responsive to a write request issued by one of the processing units, for judging whether a storage location in a main storage designated by the write request is one of flag areas each of which is provided in correspondence to one of processing units and into each of which to write a flag indicating occurrence of an event; a polling register provided in correspondence to each processing unit and accessed repeatedly by the each processing unit; and a write circuit for writing information indicating occurrence of an event into the polling register corresponding to one of the processing unit when the storage location designated by the write request is judged by the area judgment circuit as one of the flag areas:provided to the one processing unit.
In the above computer system, useless accesses to the flag areas are prevented in cases where no flag has been written to any of these flag areas, because each processing unit polls the flag areas in the main storage only when the information indicating occurrence of an event is set in the polling register.
A further mode of a computer system according to the invention further comprises a storage device provided in correspondence to each processing unit, for holding an address of the storage location designated by that write request when the storage location designated by a write request is judged by the area judgment circuit as one of the flag areas provided for the each processing unit.
The storage device can hold addresses and is accessible by the each processing unit.
The processing unit notified of the storage location address selectively accesses only the flag area having the address held by the storage device but need not access any other flag areas where no flags are written.
Another preferred mode of a computer system according to the present invention, further comprises a storage device provided in correspondence to each processing unit for holding the processing unit number of a processing unit having issued the write request. This storage device can hold plural processing unit numbers, and can be accessed by the each processing unit. The storage device enables the each processing unit to judge easily which processing unit has written a flag. Writing of flags can be distinguished by use of the storage device, even when plural processing units have successively written flags into the same flag area.
A still further mode of a computer system according to the present comprises: a read request circuit responsive to an atomic access request which requests execution of an operation on data held in a main storage and writing of a result of the operation into the main storage, for supplying the main storage with a read request requesting data be read from a storage location in the main storage which has an address designated by the atomic access request; an operating unit for performing the operation designated by the atomic access request on the data read from the main storage according to the read request; a write request circuit for supplying the main storage with a write request requesting that operation result data provided by the operation unit be written into that storage location in the main storage; a value judgment circuit for judging whether the operation result data has a predetermined value indicating occurrence of an event; an area judgment circuit responsive to the write request, for judging whether the storage location having an address designated by the atomic access request is one of flag areas each provided in correspondence to one of the processing units and is to each of which to write a klag for informing occurrence of an event; and an informing circuit responsive to judgment by the value judgment circuit that the operation result data has the predetermined value and to judgment by the area judgment circuit that the storage location designated by the write request is one of the flag areas provided in correspondence to one of the processing units, for informing that one processing unit of occurrence of an event.
In the above computer system, it is possible to inform the one processing unit of occurrence of an event, when the written flag value reaches a predetermined value, in case flags are written repeatedly into the same flag area, and the flag value is changed every time a write operation is carried out.
The present invention outlined above applies preferably where a shared main storage is distributed among the PE""s but applies to other cases.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more clear upon reading of the following description and appended drawings.

EXCLUSIVE CONTROL METHOD WITH EACH NODE CONTROLLING ISSUE OF AN EXCLUSIVE USE REQUEST TO A SHARED RESOURCE, A COMPUTER SYSTEM THEREFOR AND A COMPUTER SYSTEM WITH A CIRCUIT FOR DETECTING WRITING OF AN EVENT FLAG INTO A SHARED MAIN STORAGE


The present invention relates to liquid to air evaporative heat exchange apparatus, mainly for cooling towers, air conditioning units, and humidifies alike. The present invention incorporate an evaporative module embedded with a liquid delivery system with flow directors to control the flow of liquid through all of its layers. Such a design allows for an even and smooth liquid distribution, while at the same time maximized the duration and surface area for heat exchange to take place. The evaporative module of the present invention can be sealed off at various sections to redirect airflow. Such a design serves dual functions as a drift eliminator or regulator.

Evaporative cooling is a process of cooling air using the latent heat of the evaporation of water by keeping air and liquid water in a thermodynamic relationship. Temperature of dry air can be lowered significantly when it is passed through liquid water and turns water into water vapor. In extremely dry conditions, evaporative cooling has an added benefit of introducing moisture into dry air. So the input of a evaporative cooling apparatus is hot and dry air, while the output of the apparatus is cooler and moist air, which greatly improves the comfort level for the occupants of the space that the apparatus is intended for.
Evaporative cooling apparatus is relatively simple, and the physical properties of various stages of the process are well measured and understood. With growing concerns for the environment and rising costs associated with energy consumption, however, there is a renewed interest in improving the efficiency of such devices. The current invention of a multi-layered evaporative media module intended for heat exchange apparatus improves the efficiency of evaporative cooling through its new design in the following five main areas.
First, the design of the present invention utilizes almost the entire volume of the cooling tower for heat exchange purpose. Typical evaporative cooling devices employs a water delivery system that occupies the space on top of the evaporative media, for example, as illustrated in patents U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,992,406, 7,765,827, 3,116,612, and 4,380,910. The present invention, however, comprises a novel liquid/water delivery system that is embedded within the evaporative media module, which then occupies the entire inner space of the cooling tower.
Second, the design of the present invention employs a novel liquid/water delivery system that delivers liquid/water onto each layer of the evaporative media module. Such a new system reduces the turbulence of interaction between air and liquid while maximizing surface area during the process of heat exchange. As illustrated in patents U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,992,406, 7,765,827, 3,116,612, and 4,380,910, a sprinkler system is often used by spraying water at various locations onto the evaporative media while passing air through the media at the same time. After water is released from the sprinklers, it is essentially in a free falling state, until it hits the surface of the evaporative media. The distribution of liquid/water in such a system is largely uneven, with the top layers of the evaporative media receiving the most amount of water, and much less so further down stream, thus results in unevenness in heat exchange itself. The present invention overcomes this problem of unevenness in the distribution of liquid/water, by calmly delivers liquid/water onto each layer of the evaporative media, and thus improves heat exchange efficiency.
Third, the present invention can be configured as either a parallel flow or as a counter flow heat exchanger, by simply reversing the air cycle. There are two primary classifications of heat exchange according to their flow arrangement. In a parallel-flow situation, air and liquid enter the exchanger from the same end, and travel in parallel to one anther while heat exchange takes place between the two. In a counter-flow situation, air and liquid enter the exchanger from opposite ends. The counter flow design is more efficient, because the temperature difference between the two media is greater along any unit length. In designs illustrated in patents U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,450,393, 3,792,841, 3,952,077, and 3,963,810, the direction of the flow of heat exchange can not be easily reversed without physically changing the inner components of the cooling tower. The present invention, however, can change the flow of heat exchange by simply reversing the air cycle.
Forth, the present invention can serve due functions as a heat exchanger and as a drift eliminator or drift regulator. As mentioned previously, evaporative coolers increase moisture along with cooler air temperature in its output. Too much moisture in the air, however, can introduce other well know problems for spaces intended for human inhabitation. In some instances, drift eliminators are placed on top of the evaporative cooler to remove excess water droplets from the air existing the cooling tower. The principle of drift eliminators are illustrated in patents U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,240,814, 4,427,607, 4,557,878, and 7,105,036, where the moisture laden air is forced to change directions repeatedly. Water droplets are separated from air and left behind due to physical drag, while air passes through with less obstruction, and exits in a much dryer form. The present invention of the evaporative media module comprises multiple evaporative media units, stacked vertically on top of another. Sections of these units can be strategically sealed off at various locations, and thus force the air stream to change directions at least twice, as it passes through each unit. Such a new design not only maximize surface areas for heat exchange, but also reduce or eliminate drift from the cooler air exiting the apparatus.
Fifth, the evaporative media module of the present invention can be constructed of non-perishable material. Traditional evaporative media often incorporate soft and porous material because it can retain a larger amount of water long enough for heat exchange to take place. This type of material, however, needs to be replace from time to time to reduce bacteria or fungi growth. The present invention overcomes this problem, and thus reduce the maintenance and operational costs associated with operating the cooling apparatus.


An adjustable clutch pedal apparatus allows the adjustment of a first end of a pedal lever (18) to accommodate operators having varying anatomical characteristics. The apparatus includes a master cylinder (32) mounted on the pedal lever and an adjuster link (28) having a first end pivotally connected to a second end of the pedal lever and a first end pivotally connected to a first ground point (44). An anchor link (50) is pivotally connected to a second ground point at one end and a second point of a rocker (60) at the opposite end. A push rod (68) interconnects the rocker to the master cylinder, thereby allowing actuation of the cylinder upon displacement of the pedal and master cylinder assembly. The interconnection of the adjuster link, the pedal lever and a second point (62) on the rocker form a virtual ground point (72) allowing the first end of the pedal lever (18) to be adjusted between first and second pedal positions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to control devices for motor vehicles. More particularly the apparatus is useful for providing an adjustable clutch pedal position to accommodate various vehicle operators.
2. Disclosure Information
In the conventional motor vehicle, pedals are provided for controlling the brakes and engine throttle. If the vehicle has a manual transmission, then a clutch pedal may also be provided. These pedal controls are operated by the vehicle operator. In order for the vehicle operator to obtain the most advantageous position for working these controls, the vehicle's front seat is usually slidably mounted on a seat track with means for retaining the seat along the track in a number of set positions.
The adjustment provided by moving the seat along the seat track does not accommodate all vehicle operators due to obvious differences in anatomical dimensions. It has therefore been recognized that it would be desirable to provide pedals that are adjustable so as to increase the comfort of the vehicle operator. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,400,607, assigned to the same Assignee as the present invention, provides a vehicle control assembly for providing pedal adjustments. Previous adjustable pedal assemblies shared common shortcomings preventing their wide commercial success. Generally the designs were costly, very complex to manufacture and assemble and inconsistent in function throughout their range of adjustment. Specifically, the function attributes include providing a constant motion ratio through the full range of pedal adjustment, which is desirable for maintaining the desired actuation efforts. Additionally, previous adjustable pedal assemblies did not provide consistent ergonomic pedal travel throughout the range of adjustment.
It would be desirable to overcome the aforenoted difficulties with previous adjustable pedal assemblies for use in motor vehicles by providing a simple, low cost apparatus for adjusting the pedal location and providing all operators of various anatomical dimensions preferred pedal efforts and ergonomic pedal travel for operation of the motor vehicle.


Techniques for establishing communication channels between user devices experiencing network connectivity issues and remote communication systems are described herein. The techniques include the use of a secondary device to act as a proxy, or a “middle man,” to facilitate the communications with the user device. A user device may detect lack of network connectivity, and begin broadcasting advertisement messages that indicate the lack of connectivity. A secondary device may detect the advertisement message, and send a discovery message to a connectivity system indicating that it detected the advertisement message. The connectivity system can provide this information to a remote communication system, and the remote communication system can establish a connection with the secondary device and instruct the secondary device to establish a connection with the user device. The remote communication system then has a communication channel with the user device, using the secondary device, to troubleshoot the user device.

As the capabilities of computing devices continue to evolve, the techniques used to interact with computing devices continue to become more sophisticated. For instance, computing devices designed for user consumption (or "user devices") are able to connect to various types of networks using various communication protocols, and are capable of performing an increasing number of activities for users (e.g., streaming music, controlling appliances or other devices, communicating with users, facilitating phone calls, etc.). As user devices continue to increase in complexity, as do the operations required to configure and troubleshoot these user devices for use. Accordingly, even tech-savvy users may have difficulties configuring or troubleshooting user devices for their use.
To help users resolve any device-related issues, device manufacturers and retailers often provide customer support services via remote communication systems. Traditionally, the customer support services have relied heavily on user phone calls to collect information and help the user perform troubleshooting operations to help resolve the device-related issues. However, these phone calls can be lengthy and frustrating experiences for users, and a waste of resources of the remote communication systems. Rather than using phone calls to troubleshoot device-related issues experienced by users, it may be advantageous for a remote communication system to connect directly to the user device to troubleshoot the user device that is experiencing issues. However, depending on the issues that these user devices are experiencing, it may be difficult or impossible for the remote communication systems to connect to the user devices to troubleshoot the device-related issues. Accordingly, remote communication systems are limited in their ability to connect to user devices in order to configure the user device and/or troubleshoot device-related issues.

Establishing data channels between user devices and remote systems


Methods, systems, and computer readable storage medium embodiments for configuring a lookup table, such as an access control list (ACL) for a network device are disclosed. Aspects of these embodiments include storing a plurality of data entries in a memory, each of the stored plurality of data entries including a header part and a body part, and encoding each of a plurality of bit-sequences in the header part of a stored data entry from the plurality of data entries to indicate a bit comparing action associated with a respective bit sequence in the body part of the stored data entry. Other embodiments include searching a lookup table in a network device.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments relate to searching the memory of processor-based devices.
2. Background Art
Search efficiency is crucial for many computing functions including for packet processing in network devices, such as bridges, switches, routers, gateways, network proxies, network load balancing devices, and network security devices. One or more searches are performed for each packet at each hop along a network path, based upon the respective headers, to determine, for example, a next hop to which the packet is to be forwarded and/or to determine whether the packet can be forwarded based upon access control rules.
As computer networks grow, scalability issues arise with respect to search efficiency, search table size, and power consumption. Search tables generally increase in size with the growth in network size. As search tables grow, their power consumption may also increase because some types of search tables, such as tables implemented in content addressable memory (CAM), consume large amounts of power.
CAM-based lookup tables are frequently used for fast search operation. Many network devices, such as those noted above, use a CAM or a ternary CAM (TCAM) for routing based upon a longest prefix match of network IP addresses and for access control list (ACLs) lookup operations.
A CAM enables comparing an input search expression (e.g., search key) to a plurality of stored entries simultaneously. Thus, determining one or more matching entries in a CAM is substantially faster than in memories such as random access memory (RAM) which are accessed using memory addresses. A TCAM provides the same ability to compare the search key simultaneously to multiple stored data entries as a CAM, and in addition enables some fields to be marked as "don't care" or wildcards, effectively allowing those fields to match any value in the corresponding field of the search key. However, although CAMs and TCAMs are fast, they consume large amounts of power relative to other types of memory. The size of a CAM or TCAM directly affects the power consumption associated with that memory.
In order to address the ongoing growth of search table size, requirements for reduced power consumption, and faster packet forwarding, systems and methods are desired for more efficient use of CAM and other memory resources for lookup operations.

Organizing data in a hybrid memory for search operations


A process and system for applying or treating a graphic image on a substrate by using heat and pressure. The system is comprised of a frame having a plurality of supporting members and a reciprocally mounted heated platen extending from a first member, and a reciprocally mounted support having a pair of raised bars thereon reciprocally mounted on a second member. The heated platen and the raised bars of the support are first sequentially moved, and then simultaneously brought into contact with a supporting pallet and substrate, so as to condition, emboss, fix, form, or shape a surface of the substrate, or an image on the substrate, to thereby improve the quality thereof, or of further graphic images applied thereto.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to image forming, and, more particularly, to a machine for simultaneously applying heat and pressure to a substrate to obtain improved results when producing graphic images thereon, by various processes.
2. Description of Related Art
Many types of materials and products may have graphic images applied thereto, utilizing various operations or processes. For example, products may have graphic images applied thereto by processes using adhesive, discharge, embossing, foil, silk-screen, sublimation, thermal transfer, or other types of operations. Such operations may involve the forming of intricate designs, utilizing a number of colors or images, some of which may be raised, requiring a high degree of precision. However, when forming graphic images on substrates, such as textiles, because of the texture of the surface, and/or the absorbency of the material, high quality images are difficult, and very expensive to obtain. For example, if a high quality image is to be formed on a textile surface, preliminary steps must be taken to treat the surface of the textile, so that the final image is of high quality. Other processes require additional steps, or expensive equipment to obtain the high quality graphic images on substrates.
Although some means are known to provide improved image results on various substrates, they tend to be difficult to use, time consuming and labor intensive. As in most businesses, since the applying, forming, fixing, etc. of images on substrates is becoming more competitive, it is becoming increasingly more important to be able to form high quality images on various substrates, using different processes, in a more efficient, inexpensive, less-time consuming manner.
Thermal or heat transfer presses are known for applying graphic images on textiles or other similar substrates, or to press foil onto a substrate. However, when used to form high definition graphic images, this process tends to be very slow, time consuming and difficult to use, and overall, too expensive. Therefore, there exists a need in the art to provide an improved and automated device for forming better resolution in graphic images, thereby providing high definition images on various substrates. For example, a device that forms a smoother surface on a substrate will provide better print resolution and a smoother feel to a printed garment.

Machine for forming improved graphic images on substrates


In a wet paper web transfer belt, the wet paper web side layer is formed by a high molecular weight elastic section containing porous bodies which are exposed at, or protrude from the web-contacting surface. The porous bodies are anchored in the resin and wear at about the same rate way as the surrounding resin. Therefore, the distribution of the porous bodies does not vary significantly as a result of abrasion. This transfer belt can transport an attached wet paper web, and release the web smoothly to a next stage in the papermaking process, over a long period of use.

In recent years, the "closed draw" papermaking machine has been developed for achieving higher speed operation of a papermaking machine. In contrast with the conventional open draw machine, in which a wet paper web is transferred without being supported, in the closed draw machine, the wet paper web is supported throughout the papermaking process. The closed draw structure solves various problems encountered in the operation of the open draw machines, such as running out of paper. Thus, higher speed production can be achieved.
In a typical closed draw papermaking machine, as depicted schematically in FIG. 9, a wet paper web WW, shown by a broken line, which is transferred from right to left in the figure, is supported by press felts PF1 and PF2, a wet paper web transfer belt TB, and a dryer fabric DF. The press felts PF1 and PF2, the wet paper web transfer belt TB, and the dryer fabric DF, are endless belts supported by guide rollers GR.
The wet paper web WW passes through a press part comprising a press roll PR, a concave shoe PS, which conforms to the shape of the press roll, and a shoe press belt SB. The wet paper web then moves past a suction roll SR. The press part and the suction roll structures are generally known.
In the operation of the closed draw machine, a continuous wet paper web WW passes successively through a wire part and a first press part. (The wire part and the first press part are not illustrated.) The wet web is carried from the first press part on press felt PF1, and is then transferred to press felt PF2, as shown in FIG. 9. The press felt PF2 transfers the wet paper web to the press part PP. The wet paper web WW is pinched between by the press felt PF2 and the wet paper web transfer belt TB by the pressure applied by the press roll PR, and by the shoe PS through the shoe press belt SB.
The press felt PF2 has high water permeability and the wet paper web transfer belt TB has low water permeability. Consequently, water in the wet paper web WW moves to the press felt PF2 at the press part PP.
Immediately after the press felt PF2, the wet paper web WW, and the wet paper web transfer belt TB move out of the press part, the pressure on them is suddenly released, and they expand in volume. This expansion, together with the capillary action of the pulp fibers forming the wet paper web WW, causes a rewetting phenomenon wherein part of water in the press felt PF2 moves back into to the wet paper web WW. However, since the wet paper web transfer belt TB has very low permeability, it does not hold water. Therefore, rewetting from the wet paper web transfer belt TB does not occur, and the transfer belt TB contributes to improvement in the efficiency of water removal from the wet paper web.
After the wet paper web WW moves out of the press part PP, it is transferred by the transfer belt TB to the suction roll SR, where the wet paper web is transferred to dryer fabric DF which carries the web through a drying process.
There are several requirements for the proper operation of the wet paper web transfer belt TB. For transfer, the wet paper web WW must be attached to the transfer belt TB, during transport, after the belt moves out of the press part PP. However, the wet paper web WW must be removable from the transfer belt TB smoothly when the web is transferred to the next stage of the papermaking process.
Various transfer belt structures have been proposed for meeting these requirements. Among them, is belt structure of FIG. 10, which is described at pages 7 and 10–13, and shown in FIG. 4, of Japanese Patent No. 3264461. In FIG. 10, the wet paper web transfer belt TB10 comprises a woven fabric 31, a high molecular weight elastic section 51 formed on one side of the woven fabric, and a batt layer 41 formed on the other side of the woven fabric. The wet paper web side layer TB11 of belt TB10 is formed by the high molecular weight elastic section 51 and the machine side layer TB12 is formed by the batt layer 41.
The exposed surface of the wet paper web side layer TB11 is roughened by grinding. The ten-point average surface roughness Rz (according to JIS-B0601) is in the range of 0 to 20 microns while the belt is in the press part, and in the range of 2 to 80 microns after the belt moves out of the press part.
The ten-point average roughness Rz, in the range of 0 to 20 microns in the press part is maintained for a short time after the belt moves out of the press part. In other words, the surface of the wet paper web side layer TB11 is smooth at this point. Therefore, a thin film of water may be formed between the wet paper web and the smooth surface of the wet paper web side layer TB11. The thin film of water causes the wet paper web to adhere to the surface of the wet paper web side layer TB11.
As the transfer belt TB10 travels away from the press part, the ten-point average surface roughness of its wet paper web side layer TB11, increases to a level within the range from 2 to 80 microns. The increase in the surface roughness of layer TB11, breaks the thin water film, reducing the adhesion between the transfer belt and the wet paper web. Therefore, the wet paper web can be more easily transferred from the belt TB10 to the next stage of the papermaking process.
The transfer belt shown in FIG. 10 meets the requirements described above for the proper operation of a wet paper web transfer belt by continually changing its surface roughness as it passes through the press part of the papermaking machine. However, in use the wet paper web side layer TB11 becomes worn, and the desirable effects resulting from the changing surface roughness of the belt diminish. Consequently, the belt becomes increasingly difficult to use over time.
To address this deficiency in the belt of FIG. 10, Japanese Patent No. 3264461 discloses an alternative transfer belt structure, as shown in FIG. 11, in which particles 60 of a filler protrude from the surface on the wet paper web side layer TB11. For the purpose of illustration, the size of the filler particles is exaggerated in FIG. 11, since the actual particle size is in the order of a micron. The protruding filler particles 60 contribute to breaking of the thin water film. Moreover, the use of a hydrophilic filler makes it possible for the thin water film which is formed after the belt moves out of the nip of the press part to concentrate at the locations of the protruding filler bodies 60 and thus be destroyed.
Kaolin clay (hydrous silicic acid aluminum, having the general chemical formula Al2O3.2SiO2.2H2O) is used for the filler.
Because the surface of the wet paper web side layer TB11of the transfer belt is relatively smooth, there is a high likelihood that some filler bodies will separate from the surface of the belt, either during manufacture of the belt or during its use in the papermaking process. In the manufacturing process, the filler which is mixed with liquefied high molecular weight elastic material, and the mixture is applied to a woven cloth 31 and then cured. After curing, the surface of the wet paper web side layer TB11 is ground, and in the grinding process some of the filler is scooped out. Filler can also separate from the belt in the papermaking process due to the high operating speeds and the strain in the belt resulting from the application of pressure in the press part of the machine. Because of the loss of filler, it has been difficult to obtain uniform physical properties in a transfer belt, and adequate durability. Thus it was difficult to produce a wet paper web transfer belt suitable for use over a long time.
An object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a wet paper web transfer belt which can be used for a long time, while fully meeting the requirements for attachment of the wet paper web to the belt during transport, and smooth removal of the wet paper web from the belt when the web is transferred to a next stage in the papermaking process.


A remote control device for welding machines including a control device constituted by an encoder and a decoder in the welding gun. Modulation signals generated by the decoder are directly transmitted via the welding wire to the control device, so that the control device may regulate the power output of the welding machine.

The conventional welding machine is connected to a welding wire and a ground wire, and as for the wire remote control device, it is a control wire connected to the welding machine for correcting the output current or to establish another setting.
Conventional welding equipment is known to have the following drawbacks:
1. The welding wire is generally longer than the control wire; therefore, if the distance from the welding gun to the workpiece is longer than the control wire, remote control is not possible. PA1 2. If the control wire is made longer to eliminate the above drawback, cost will be increased, and the problem of wire entanglement will be more serious. PA1 3. Conventional control wires are easily damaged and broken or have poor contact, affecting the efficiency of the welding operation.
Apparently, the remote control device in conventional welding equipment needs to be improved.

Remote control setting device for electric welding machines

Industrial Technology Research Institute


Dynamic modification of user interfaces is disclosed, based upon identification of the current state of the user and the sensing of a particular situation in which the user is involved and/or environment in which the user is situated. In particular, emotional and mental states of a user are identified and these states are taken into consideration when creating and/or adapting an interface to be used by the user. The interface is modified/created automatically based on identified user biometrics, that is, measured physical properties of the user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of predictive user modeling, and more particularly, to the use of predictive user modeling in connection with the design of a user interface.
2. Description of the Related Art
User interfaces appear in many aspects of life today. Simple examples include elevator systems that "speak" instructions, game controllers for video games, and even something as simple as a computer keyboard.
A more complex example is the OnStar telematics systems available in almost all GM vehicles today. The field of telematics is often considered a cross between communications and computer systems. In the OnStar system, a computer, a wireless connection to either an operator or data service like the Internet, and a global positioning system (GPS) are used in a coordinated fashion to provide a driver of the vehicle with the ability to use an interface (e.g., press a button) in the vehicle and be connected to an operator who knows the exact position of the vehicle based on the GPS system. The driver may talk with the system operator and activate controls in the vehicle, which activation can be sensed by the system operator, and/or the system operator can perform functions remotely (e.g., unlock doors) with or without the driver's request.
From the perspective of the driver, the interface comprises a push button in the car, a communication system (microphone and speaker) and could also include visual indicators (e.g., lights) indicating various functions or operations and/or display screen for displaying text, video, etc.
Considerable knowledge has accrued about user interface design and preferred user interfaces. Typically, user interfaces are static, that is, they are designed ahead of time and, once implemented, cannot be changed. Thus, designers must anticipate, in advance, the needs of the interface user and then provide interface elements to accommodate these needs. If, during the use of the interface, a new interface element that would be helpful is identified (e.g., if a user using a push button to connect with an OnStar operator determines that a voice-activated, hands-free mechanism would be more desirable), significant redesign must take place (software, hardware, or a combination of both) to implement the reconfigured or new interface. In other words, modification to this type of user interface cannot occur on the fly.
There have been some attempts to enable "pseudo-dynamic" modification of user interfaces to match different users' needs. U.S. Pat. No. 5,726,688 to Siefert et al. discloses a predictive, adaptive interface for a computer, wherein a user's interaction with the computer is monitored, and future interactions are predicted, based on previous interactions. The invention adapts the interface to the user's preferences, using the predictions. For example, if a particular user repeatedly selects one option from a given menu, the invention detects this repeated selection, "predicts" that the user will not select other options, and adapts to the user's selection, based on this prediction, by eliminating other options from the user's menu. These attempts are called "pseudo-dynamic" because they are still based on predetermined, anticipated changes (e.g., menu-driven modifications, categorical modifications, etc.), but appear to the user to be dynamic. Although to the computer user it appears that the interface has been dynamically modified to personalize it for that user, in reality the system was merely programmed to recognize the use of the computer by a particular user (e.g., via a logon process) and present an interface known in advance to be desired by that user, while excluding those that appear to be unlikely to be used by that user.
Other methods exist, including responsive information architecture (RIA) and evolutionary systems utilizing genetic algorithms (see, for example, "Creative Evolutionary Systems," by Peter Bentley and David Corne, 2002 Academic Press, San Diego, Calif.). All of the solutions known to applicants, however, rely on previously created modifications to the user interface, i.e., they cannot create a new interface on the fly. Further, none of the prior art systems incorporate user emotional and mental states in the determination as to a particular interface to present to the user.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a mechanism to automatically generate an interface, on the fly, from underlying abstract user models, interface prototypes, and current, just-measured data. Optimally, such a system would monitor the user's state (using biometric techniques, for example) and would also determine how that particular user is likely to react to different interface modifications given different situations and environmental conditions, and then create or add to an interface based on the monitored parameters and determined reactions.

Predictive user modeling in user interface design

International Business Machines Corporation


A substrate processing system particularly suitable for fabricating solar cells. The system has a front end module transporting cassettes, each cassette holding a preset number of substrates therein; a loading module coupled to the front end module and having mechanism for loading substrates from the cassettes onto carriers; and a plurality of processing chambers coupled to each other in series, each having tracks for transporting the carriers directly from one chamber to the next; wherein selected chambers of the plurality of processing chambers comprise at least one combination source having a sputtering module and an evaporation module arranged linearly in the direction of travel of the carriers.

1. Field
The subject invention relates to processing of substrates and, more specifically, for systems for forming thin films over substrates to produce devices, such as solar cells.
2. Related Art
Vacuum processing systems are used to fabricate hard-drive disks, semiconductor computer chips, solar panels, and the like, from substrates made of materials such as semiconductor wafers, glass, stainless steel, etc. Typically, the vacuum processing systems include several substrate chambers that perform various processes that modify the substrate by performing deposition, cleaning, etching, heating/cooling, etc., on the substrate. Deposition of films is generally accomplished using, e.g., physical vapor deposition (PVD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD). PVD can be performed using, e.g., sputtering or evaporation systems. Sputtering process can be controlled relatively well and thin films formed using sputtering sources can be of high quality and uniformity. However, sputtering sources are relatively expensive and target utilization is relatively low. On the other hand, evaporation systems are relatively of low cost and high utilization, albeit they are more difficult to control to form films of precise thickness and uniformity.
Fabrication of solar cells is a recent emerging field which utilizes thin film technologies. There are several basic forms of solar cells, including c-Si, a-Si:H, n-Si:H, CIS/CIGS/CIGS-S, CdTe, GaAs and Organic or Dye Sensitized devices. There are many layer combinations that comprise modern cells, many of which may be fabricated using thin film fabrication techniques. For example, absorber layers, low resistivity rear electrodes, high resistivity intermediate or buffer layers and high optical transmission moderate resistivity window layers are essential components in the fabrication of solar cells. In order to tailor such layers to achieve requisite results on specified figures of merit, such as Voc, Isc, Fill Factor, conversion efficiency and numerous other parameters, precise atomic concentrations of materials must be deposited.
While precise formation of the various layers is paramount to achieving high performing solar cells, the speed of fabrication required in the market of solar cells is rather high. For example, traditional semiconductor fabrication equipment provides order of magnitudes slower throughput than required by the solar industry and is, therefore, inadequate. Consequently, fabricators of solar cells are in constant search for manufacturing equipment that can provide the required precision, but at exceedingly high throughput.

Processing tool with combined sputter and evaporation deposition sources


According to the present invention, there is a demand for novel platinum(IV) complex which has sufficient water-solubility, stability, antitumor activity, and the like that are required as a medicine, and may be used clinically. Thus, provided is a platinum(IV) complex represented by the following General Formula (I) [wherein X1 and X2 each represent a halogen atom or are bonded together to form a dicarboxylate selected from the group consisting of oxalate, malonate, succinate, and o-phthalate; and Y represents a halogen atom.

Cisplatin is a platinum(II) complex having a broad anticancer spectrum and strong antitumor activity, and cisplatin is used for the treatment of various cancers as a core drug for combination chemotherapy in cancer chemotherapy. However, it is known that kidney disorder, nausea, and vomiting occur as adverse drug reactions, and countermeasures need to be taken at the time of use. Furthermore, the emergence of cells having resistance to cisplatin has posed a problem in the clinical use of cisplatin.
Regarding other platinum(II) complexes that are clinically used, oxaliplatin is used for the treatment of colorectal cancer and the like. However, it is known that peripheral nerve disorder and the like occur as adverse drug reactions, and this has posed a problem in the treatment. Meanwhile, it is believed that oxaliplatin does not show cross-resistance with cisplatin, and it is considered that it is important for oxaliplatin to have a ligand having an amine structure that is different from that of cisplatin, that is, a ligand having a 1,2-cyclohexanediamine (hereinafter, may be abbreviated to dach) structure (see Non Patent Literature 1).
Regarding platinum complexes that have anticancer activity, platinum(IV) complexes are known in addition to platinum(II) complexes. A feature of the platinum(IV) complexes is that changes in the physical properties such as water-solubility occurring as a result of converting the ligands at the axial positions to various substituents, enhancement of activity as a result of binding of targeting molecules to targets, and the like may be expected (see Non Patent Literature 2).
Regarding platinum(IV) complexes having a ligand having the dach structure as in the case of oxaliplatin, for example, a complex having two halogen atoms at the axial positions (see Patent Literature 1), a complex having a halogen atom and a carboxylate at the axial positions (see Patent Literature 2), a complex having a halogen atom and a substituted alkoxy group at the axial positions (see Patent Literature 3), and a complex having two carboxylates at the axial positions (see Patent Literature 4) are known.
Furthermore, Non Patent Literature 3 and Non Patent Literature 4 describe platinum(IV) complexes having a halogen atom and a hydroxyl group at the axial positions. However, a compound having both a ligand having the Each structure and a leaving group of an oxalate structure or a halogen atom is not described in the literatures.
Clinical studies on satraplatin, tetraplatin, iproplatin, and the like (see Non Patent Literature 2), which are platinum(IV) complexes, have been hitherto attempted; however, development thereof has been suspended. Thus, there is a demand for a novel platinum(IV) complex having high efficacy.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A winding for a linear motor, which winding has three electrical cables arranged in grooves of an elongated inductor. The three electrical cables have an electrically conductive sheath and an electrically conductive intermediate layer arranged between the sheath and an outer conductive layer. At least one metal strand of an electrically highly conductive material that has electrically highly conductive contact with the conductive sheath of the cables and serves as a grounding conductor is present over the whole length of a stator. The stator includes the inductor and the three cables, which are connected to form a three-phase winding. The intermediate layer is formed from nonwoven material that has a thickness of about 300 μm-600 μm and an electrical resistance of about 150 Ω/m-500 Ω/m. The value of the electrical resistance of the intermediate layer is greater than the corresponding resistance value of the strand used as the grounding conductor.

The electrical cable consists of an electrically highly conductive metallic conductor, an inner conductive layer that surrounds the metallic conductor, an insulating layer arranged above the inner conductive layer, an outer conductive layer that surrounds the insulation, a sheath made of insulating material, which has been rendered electrically conductive, arranged above the outer conductive layer, and an electrically conductive intermediate layer arranged between the outer conductive layer and the sheath (DE 19638603 AI).
Linear motors have long been known for electric drives of various types. In this regard, there are both direct-current and alternating-current synchronous and asynchronous motors. In contrast to a conventional motor, in a linear motor, both a stationary stator and a moving rotor are arranged linearly rather than circularly. The electrical energy is converted to mechanical energy in a linear motor in such a way that it can be used directly for a translational motion. Fields of application for linear motors are passenger vehicles, conveyance and transportation, conveyor lines, luggage conveyance, mining, cranes, towing equipment, machine tool carriages, and the operation of valves. In principle, the linear motor can have a field winding that is arranged in grooves of an inductor and can have a three-phase design in the case of alternating current. The rotor portion then consists either of a rail of an electrically highly conductive material, such as copper or aluminum (asynchronous motor), or of permanently magnetic material (synchronous motor).
If a linear motor of this type is used, for example, to drive a high-speed long-distance maglev train, the inductor and thus the cable installed in its grooves are then very long. Since for this reason a linear motor of this type is operated at a relatively high voltage, the cable must be equipped with an inner and an outer conductive layer as well as a shield. The shield of medium-voltage cables of this type is necessary for safely carrying capacitive charging currents, for ground fault detection, for allowing the possibility of fault location, and as protection against mechanical damage to the layers surrounding the conductor. In addition, it is intended to protect living beings from being endangered by high voltages.
When medium-voltage cables with the structure described above are used in the very long stator (consisting of the inductor and cables) of a linear motor, a high longitudinal voltage is induced in the shields of the cable, which can amount to well over 1 kV for a stator 100 m long. To prevent such high voltages from arising, the shields could be divided into very short segments, and each segment could be single-ended, i.e., grounded on one side. This is complicated and expensive and increases the risk of cable faults. With previously known shielded medium-voltage cables, low shield voltages could also be achieved by the grounding of the shields on both ends of a segment of almost any length or by connection of the shields of the three cables used for the winding in almost any intervals. However, large shield currents would then flow, which would cause large energy losses and would act as an eddy-current brake.
DE 30 06 382 A1 describes a three-phase alternating-current winding for a linear motor that consists of medium-voltage electrical cables with the structure described above. The cables used here have an outer sheath that consists of an insulating material that has been rendered conductive. On at least one side of the stator, a strand of an electrically highly conductive material is arranged in the area of the winding heads that extend out of the grooves. This strand extends the whole length of the stator, is in good contact with the conductive sheaths of the cables, and can be connected to ground potential. The electrically conductive sheaths of the cables simultaneously constitute their shield, which has a relatively low electrical conductivity. The combination of the sheaths with the strand connected to ground potential results all together in a shield that guarantees good diversion of capacitive currents and also ensures that currents arising as a result of induced voltages remain small. All together, the winding thus has low dissipation, and the influence on the field becomes negligible. Moreover, since high voltages cannot arise, endangerment of living beings is avoided.
In the previously known cable described in DE 196 38 603 A1, which was cited above, a metal mesh is present as an intermediate layer that is closed all around and extends the whole length of the cable between the outer conductive layer and the sheath, which has been rendered electrically conductive. This intermediate metal mesh increases the electrical conductivity of the shield of the cable. The purpose of this is to minimize electric voltages and currents that are induced in the shield and could diminish the driving power of the linear motor. In addition, the metal mesh is intended to make the axial resistance along the axis of the cable homogeneous and to ensure the detection of a ground fault and the drainage of fault currents more easily and to a sufficient extent. Indeed, this is achieved with this previously known cable in many applications. Nevertheless, it can happen that the cable is damaged, especially at elevated operating voltage.

Electrical cable for a linear motor and winding produced from it


A component (6) of an exhaust system (1) for an internal combustion engine (3), of a motor vehicle, has a housing including a shell (12), two end bottoms (13, 14) and an intermediate bottom (15, 16). The shell (12) encloses an interior space (18) of the housing (11) in a circumferential direction (19). The two end bottoms (13, 14) delimit the interior space (18) in an axial direction (17) at opposite ends and are fixed to the shell (12). The intermediate bottom (15) is arranged in the interior space (18) axially between the end bottoms (13, 14) and is radially supported on the shell (12). A holding pipe (22), for connection of the component (6) to a system periphery (9), is radially held on the intermediate bottom (15) in the interior space (18), passes through one end bottom (13), is fastened thereon and is closed off in a gas-tight manner.

From DE 10 2011 077 183 A1 such an exhaust system component in the form of a silencer is known. Such a generic component comprises a housing, which comprises a shell, two end bottoms and at least one intermediate bottom. The shell encloses an interior space of the housing in a circumferential direction, while the two end bottoms delimit the interior space on opposite ends in an axial direction and are connected to the shell in a fixed manner. The intermediate bottom is axially arranged between the end bottoms in the interior space and is radially supported on the shell.
For holding an exhaust system on a periphery (an environment) of the exhaust system, for example on an underbody of a motor vehicle, holders are employed which are connected in a fixed manner on the one end to a structure of the periphery of the exhaust system and on the other end to a structure of the exhaust system. Depending on the installation situation it can also be required that there be a fastening, at least one such holder to a component of the type mentioned above. In this case, it is possible, in principle, to fasten a corresponding holding body of the holder to the housing of the component. Preferably, welded connections are employed in this case. For example, said holding body can be welded to the shell or to one of the end bottoms.
As part of weight saving, the wall thicknesses of sheet metal, with which the shell and the end bottoms are produced, is reduced in the case of such components, as a result of which the respective component becomes lighter. The reduced wall thickness, however, is simultaneously accompanied by reduced stability. During the operation of the exhaust system, in particular in a vehicle, the holding places, via which the exhaust system is held on the periphery, are exposed to high loads. It has been shown that the connection between holding body and housing is exposed to an increased risk of damage. In particular, there is the risk of crack formation in the region of the welded connection on the shell or on the respective end bottom.

Eberspächer Exhaust Technology GmbH & Co. KG


A method for treating a surface of a fibre composite component, wherein an abrasive removal of the surface of the fibre composite component takes place by blasting a removing agent transported by a gaseous transporting fluid onto the surface of the fibre composite component by a feed nozzle and a suction extraction of the removing agent and material removed by the removing agent takes place by an extraction nozzle arranged in the region of the feed nozzle.

In vehicle construction in general, and in aircraft construction in particular, fibre composite components, that is to say structural components produced from fibre composite materials, are increasingly being used, because they have a high mechanical strength in relation to the weight of the component. In aircraft construction in particular, the fibre composite components are often adhesively bonded to further components. Such adhesively bonded connections have to meet high requirements with respect to mechanical strength. To be able to meet these requirements, a treatment of the surface of the fibre composite component is usually necessary before the adhesive bonding.
Apart from grinding down the surface, abrasive blasting methods are usually used for the surface treatment. WO 2004/067229 A1 describes removing a surface layer by blasting the surface by means of an abrasive agent distributed in a gaseous fluid. According to WO 2009/135922 A1, a removal of the surface likewise takes place by an abrasive agent, the abrasive agent having a lower hardness than the fibres of the fibre composite component to prevent the fibres from being damaged.

Method for treating a surface of a fibre composite component