The invention describes a network interface unit (10) for a node (D, D 1, D 2, D 3, D a, D b, D c) in a wireless multi-hop network (WN) comprising a plurality of nodes (D, D 1, D 2, D 3, D a, D b, D c) that can be connected by means of network paths between source nodes and destination nodes, which network interface unit (10) comprises a multiple route request assembly module (11) for assembling a multiple route request message (MREQ) such that the multiple route request message (MREQ) of a source node (D) includes a plurality of addresses (41, 43, 45) for specific multiple destination nodes (D 1, D 2, D 3) to which network paths are to be established. The network interface (10) further comprises a transmit unit (12) for transmitting the message (MREQ) to other nodes (D 1, D 2, D 3, D a, D b, D c) in the wireless multi-hop network (WN). The invention also describes a method of establishing a network path between a source node (D) and multiple destination nodes (D 1, D 2, D 3) in a wireless multi-hop network (WN) using such a network interface unit (10).

Multi-hop networks that act in a self-organising manner are finding application in many fields such as industrial control, building automation, embedded sensing, etc. Devices in the network communicate with each other in a wireless manner, using low-power, low-cost radio. This allows more freedom in positioning the devices, since a mains connection is not required for the wireless inter-device communication.
A standard for wireless control of such networks, rapidly becoming established, is the ZigBee standard developed by the ZigBee Alliance. The ZigBee standard describes high-level communication between devices using low-power digital radios, and is based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, which in turn specifies the Physical (PHY) layer and the Medium Access (MAC) layer for wireless personal area networks (WPANs).
An example of a multi-hop network might be a building automation network with various types of devices such as lamps, switches, ventilators, motion sensors, etc. These devices, each of which is a network 'node' (i.e. is equipped with a wireless interface), can organise themselves into a network with one device acting as the coordinator, and all other devices being either 'routers' or 'end devices'. A router can, in contrast to an end device, pass messages from one node to another, acting as an intermediate node. For example, a number of lamps in a room can be end-devices, controlled by a switch with router capability.
Devices or nodes in such a wireless network communicate by exchanging messages or network commands in the form of frames. The structure of a frame is laid out in the appropriate specification, for example a frame usually comprises a header and a payload, and certain fields at specific 'locations' in the frame can inform the recipient, among others, of the type of command being passed. Since the wireless range of the transmitters used in this type of low-power, low cost network is limited, messages can be sent from a sending device to a remote receiving device by using intermediate devices in a manner referred to as 'multi-hop' routing. The further away the target node is located, the greater the number of 'hops' that will be taken to deliver the message. Before sending a message to a destination node (also referred to as target node), a source node (also referred to as initiator node or originator node) must first establish a network path to that target or destination node, i.e. it must first discover the route to the destination node. In a multi-hop network, a source node could connect to a destination node over any number of possible routes. Obviously, a route having a small number of intermediate nodes, and therefore a small number of 'hops', each of them having satisfactory link quality, is preferable over a route with more hops or weaker links. A number of techniques have been developed to assist in determining an optimal route from a source node to a destination node.
Using the current standards, route discovery, performed for example using the technique of AODV (ad-hoc on-demand distance vector) routing, is a very resource consuming task. Route request commands (RREQs) are re-broadcasted by every router within the defined radius (in TCP/IP networks called time-to-live (TTL)) from the source, despite the fact that it may have reached its destination. Furthermore, techniques to increase broadcast reliability, especially used for shared-media-based communication (such as multihop wireless), further increase the number of packets resulting from a single route request. An example is the passive acknowledgement technique used in the ZigBee standard, where a router, after re-broadcasting a RREQ packet, keeps track for a given time whether all its neighbour routers have re-broadcasted it further, and if at least one has not, that router transmits the RREQ packet anew. Furthermore, on reception of the same RREQ packet over a path with a better path cost, the packet must be re-broadcast anew. Obviously, each message will also arrive at a multitude of nodes for which the message is not intended, e.g. the nodes far away from both the source and target node and not located between those nodes. The result is a considerable burst in traffic, referred to as a 'broadcast storm', which may—in large networks—last for several seconds. Because of the limitations in bandwidth and the high level of traffic triggered as a result of a single route discovery request, packets can collide so that requests and replies are not delivered and the request can fail. Even if the route request delivery was successful, collisions or medium occupation resulting from the broadcast storm may prevent the destination's confirmation route reply packet (usually unicasted to the source node along the discovered path) from reaching the source node, so that the route discovery ultimately fails. This may force the initiator node to repeat the whole route discovery procedure, i.e. start with another broadcast storm.
Furthermore, route discovery according to the current standards must be carried out for each source-destination pair independently, i.e. a broadcast storm is triggered each time a node requires a route to one other node. For a node that needs to establish routes to multiple other nodes, this can lead to noticeable delays between an action (e.g. throw a switch in a lighting control network) and the intended reaction (turn on all the lights controlled by this switch). Also, the high level of traffic arising from the broadcast storms not only leads to inefficiency in the route discovery process, but it can also block important application-layer commands so that these need to be issued again.
Obviously, one way to counteract these inefficiencies in route discovery would be to make each device in the network aware of its position in the network tree or mesh or its geographical position and the position(s) of the devices to which it should send its command or data packets. Obviously, such information would change each time a device is moved or replaced. Manual configuration of such position information is impracticable, especially in large networks, where these corrective measures might even need to be carried out on a daily basis, resulting in a high level of maintenance and an unacceptable cost factor. Furthermore, path data would have to be provided or special position-based routing algorithms would have to be used. On the other hand, tree routing mechanisms usually results in too long, and therefore sub-optimal and potentially overloaded routes, and there is no backup possibility if one node on the route (temporarily) fails. The tree routing mechanism implemented by ZigBee is based on the Cskip tree addressing method that limits the possible network topologies and is impracticable for larger networks. Other tree-based routing mechanisms require extensive communication and calculation effort for establishment and maintenance of the overlay tree structure. With the latter, the advantages of the self-organising wireless network—flexibility and ease of use—would effectively be cancelled out. Evidently, tree routing is not a practicable solution.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a more efficient method of performing route discovery in a multi-hop network while avoiding the problems outlined above.

Network interface unit for a node in a wireless multi-hop network, and a method of establishing a network path between nodes in a wireless multi-hop network


This invention relates to a multi-purpose article carrier for a personal mobility vehicle, such as a motorized mobility scooter or other powered mobility vehicle, of the type used to transport a disabled person. The present invention provides a light weight, easily installed and removable means whereby the user can easily and temporarily expand the carrying capacity of the personal mobility vehicle. The present invention does not appreciably add to the wind resistance, does not damage the vehicle, and is easy to drive and maneuver, since no portion of the device touches the ground while the vehicle is moving, and is easy to store when not in use.

Personal mobility vehicles, including but not limited to motorized mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs, have become common place for people with slight or severe disablements to move about independently. With the increased use of these vehicles, there is a demand for vehicles that may be modified to assist the user with transporting articles.
Personal mobility vehicles in and of themselves, have minimal means for transporting goods. Although devices for expanding the cargo capacity for personal mobility vehicles have been known in the art for quite some time, they are typically designed only for a single or dual purpose and have to be detached from the vehicle and a different device attached to carry out another purpose. For example, there are holder systems that are designed to hold walking aids such as crutches, canes, and walkers, which are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,112. U.S. Publication No. 2012/0187265 also describes a carrier that is attached to a mobility vehicle, but it is limited to transporting minimal items that can fit into the base support of the carrier. There are other carriers that have been designed to attach to the back of the motorized vehicles in order to tow large quantities of goods, but these carriers are large, bulky, and decrease the maneuverability of the vehicle because they are in contact with the ground and are merely towed behind the vehicle. For example, U.S. Publication No. 2006/0220346 describes a trailer that can be attached to the rear of a motorized vehicle and U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,029 describes a luggage carrier that can be attached to the rear of a wheelchair. U.S. Pat. No. 7,967,174 describes a basket that can be secured to the back of a motorized vehicle to carry large quantities of goods, but this carrier is bulky and may tip the carrier over if there are heavy goods placed in the basket.
Thus, there is a need in the art for providing a multi-purpose article carrier for a personal mobility vehicle or other powered mobility vehicle that is compact and light weight so as to not interfere with the maneuverability of the vehicle. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved removable attachable multi-purpose carrier that is light weight and easy to install.

Device for carrying articles on a personal mobility vehicle


Systems and methods for performing psychological assessment are provided. An initial visual stimulus is selected and a series of steps are iteratively performed until associated confidence values for each of a plurality of indices meet a threshold value. The selected visual stimulus is provided at the display. Gaze tracking data is received from a remote eye tracking device in response to the selected stimulus being displayed to a patient. A deviation of the gaze tracking data from a standard response is determined. A score and the associated confidence value for at least one of the plurality of indices are adjusted based on the determined deviation of the gaze tracking data from the standard response. A new visual stimulus is selected based on the confidence values of the plurality of indices. Respective scores for the plurality of indices are provided to a user.

Currently, the medical standard for measuring symptoms of various psychological conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), includes one or more qualitative and/or subjective measurements. However, qualitative and/or subjective measurements can be influenced by subjective perceptions and skewed by rater bias. Quantitative, objective measurements would not be influenced by subjective perspectives or skewed by rater bias and, instead, provide an objective risk marker for an associated psychological condition. Patients with these psychological conditions often exhibit deficits in eye gaze, which can be measured quantitatively using eye tracking technology.


The present disclosure generally relates to systems, methods and software for determining an optimal burst transmission time through a modem, such as a cable modem, a wireless access point, a node in a cable network, or a satellite communication link. Particularly, the present disclosure makes it possible for a burst of queued data, defined as data above a certain percentile of a monitored traffic rate, to be transmitted by the modem at a time that provides the best chance of avoiding a collision with a co-occurring burst of data from another user connected to the same modem. In an embodiment, the systems, methods and software disclosed herein use the optimal transmission time to replace a contention window transmission time, at least for bursty data, or they completely eliminate the need for contention windows, at least for bursty data.

Digital content has become increasingly bandwidth intensive and subject to intermittent, high-volume spikes. For example, when an Internet user switches between written content and video content, online gaming, or another streaming activity, data consumption rises. Such spikes place a high burden on data hubs, nodes and modems, where high-volume demands from multiple users at random intervals merge and can lead to data collisions and failed transmissions.

Optimal burst transmission times through single modems


A frequency modulation (FM) chip antenna having a microwave base board printed thereon with a helical radiation metallic member of a single layer or multiple layers, the microwave base board is provided with a feeding point and a grounding point to receive energy in the mode of electromagnetic wave coupling.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antenna, and especially to a frequency modulation (FM) chip antenna which is characterized by small size and suitable for applicable to a set of portable wireless equipment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Frequency for frequency modulation (FM) is about 100 MHz, it has a wavelength of 3 m; it is hard to design an actual antenna of such frequency for application to a set of portable wireless equipment limited in volume.
The present invention uses a small loop antenna circuit resonating at this frequency, by a mode of coupling induction between a radio station and sets of portable wireless equipment, energy conversation between two sets of portable wireless equipment can thus be effected.
The present invention uses this principle to design a small size FM antenna suitable for a set of portable wireless equipment.


Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, an apparatus, and a system for controlling a serving grant of a user terminal (UE) of a neighboring cell. The method is used for controlling a UE in a CELL-FACH state or in an idle state of a neighboring cell through a common E-RGCH. The method includes: obtaining a control command by monitoring the common E-RGCH of the neighboring cell; determining whether the UE satisfies at least one further configured controlled condition; and when the UE satisfies the at least one controlled condition, adjusting the serving grant of the UE based on the obtained control command. Through the method and the apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention, throughput of the UE may be prevented from being reduced excessively, thereby improving communication performance.

A CELL-FACH (cell—forward access channel) enhanced uplink feature is introduced to the WCDMA (wideband code division multiple access) R8 version of 3GPP (3rd generation partnership project), that is, a UE (user equipment) in a CELL-FACH state and in an idle state is allowed to be able to obtain an E-DCH (enhanced dedicated channel) resource through enhanced random access to replace an RACH (random access channel) in the R99 version to implement uplink transmission, so as to reduce a time delay of uplink transmission of the UE and improve an uplink transmission rate of the UE.
A soft handover technology may make the UE establish radio links with multiple cells at the same time, and a set of these radio links is referred to as a radio link set. Uplink data sent by the UE is received and combined by multiple cells in the radio link set, thereby ensuring uplink throughput of the UE in a handover region. At the same time, the multiple cells in the radio link set may control uplink transmit power and a serving grant of the UE, so as to achieve an objective of controlling neighboring cell interference.
The soft handover technology is not supported in the CELL-FACH state or in the idle state, so the control of the neighboring cell interference caused by the uplink transmission of the UE in the CELL-FACH state or in the idle state is a problem required to be studied. In the CELL-FACH enhanced uplink feature of the R8 version, no neighboring cell interference control mechanism is introduced, while in the R11 version, the CELL-FACH state continues to be enhanced, where the introduction of interference control is included. Therefore, a method and an apparatus for controlling the neighboring cell interference in the uplink transmission of the UE in the CELL-FACH state or in the idle state are required.

Method and apparatus for controlling serving grant of user terminal of neighboring cell


A searchlight or flashlight including a lamp portion having multiple operative states (for example, ON, OFF, HIGH, and LOW), and an easily-operated actuator ring encircling the light and engaging at least two spaced-apart, redundant switches that are mounted on the light. A user rotates the ring to operate the switches. The tail cap of the light includes a replaceably removable fuse or circuit breaker.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to flashlights for use in combat, search and rescue, or inclement weather and, more particularly, to large and/or powerful flashlights, and especially to large, hand-held searchlights.
2. Description of the Related Art
A person using a flashlight or searchlight (which terms are used interchangeably herein) in an emergency or combat situation prefers to know in advance where the on-off switch is, how to reach it, and how to operate it without inspecting it or experimenting with it. Such a person also prefers that the searchlight and its parts, including the switch, perform reliably despite heat, cold, wet, dirt, and abuse. What is needed is a tactically adapted searchlight on-off mechanism based on a rugged, reliable switch.

Switch actuated flashlight with current limiter


A method of data transformation including receiving a selection of an input structure, the input structure having a plurality of items, transforming each item in the input structure into a node, and applying a structure map to each node to produce a plurality of output nodes. Also described is a method of data transformation including loading an input structure, the input structure having a plurality of items, at least some of the items having associated metadata, loading structure rules, applying the structure rules to the input structure to produce an output structure that corresponds to the input structure, structure rules, and the metadata, and storing the output structure. Also included are related systems and computer program products.

There have long been a number of concerns regarding the storage, use, and transfer of computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis data. One of those concerns is the manual nature in terms of time and effort in constructing CAE meshes from a managed hierarchical product structure for analysis runs. This manual construction process can occupy a great deal of a CAE analyst's time and is mainly spent in finding existing, reusable meshes or constructing new ones and then organizing them into larger and larger assemblies.
Conversely, known solution do not provide significant functionality to make it worth the analyst's time to manage their organized data in a managed environment so the analysts fell back to ad-hoc methods of data management, thus minimizing the likelihood of leveraging reusable data components.
There is a need for a system and method for improved organized data management and manipulation, and in particular one that can be used in a CAE system.

System and method for data transformation

Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc.


A disk drive with the capability to prevent off-track writing with reduced false triggering is described. An improved method of predicting the position of a head is used to determine whether the head is on or off-track. A position error signal at an nth servo position Pn and a velocity Vn at the nth servo position (Vn=Pnxe2x88x92Pnxe2x88x921) are calculated using values read at the nth and nxe2x88x921 head positions. Based on these Pn and Vn and on the output of the servo controller at the nth servo position Un, the predicted PESn+1 is calculated as:

The present invention relates to method and apparatus for preventing off-track writing in a disk drive. More particularly the invention relates to inhibiting a write operation when the predicted position of a read/write head is off-track.
A magnetic disk drive is designed with a means of inhibiting write operation at an off-track position, i.e., the read/write head is not over the correct track, in order to insure that data is recorded on the correct track on the disk. To prevent an off-track write, there is a conventional method of utilizing a position error signal (PES) calculated from a signal obtained by reading servo burst patterns on the disk. In Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 6-243617 there is disclosed an example of a method of utilizing the PES.
Recently another method of preventing off-track writing has been described in which the sum (P+V) of the PES(P) and velocity (V) is used as a predicted PES and a comparison is made with this predicted PES as a reference value in order to allow or inhibit write operations. In this method, PES (Pn) and velocity (Vn=Pnxe2x88x92Pnxe2x88x921) are calculated from a value by reading the nth servo position. Based on the calculated Pn and Vn, the following predicted PESn+1 is calculated.
Predicted PESn+1=Pn+Vn
The read/write head is inhibited from writing data onto a track between the nth servo position and the (n+1) servo position, when the absolute values of the calculated Pn, Vn, and PESn+1 meet any condition of the following conditions (1) through (3):
|Pn| greater than C1xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(1)
|Vn| greater than C2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(2)
|Predicted PESn+1| greater than C3xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(3)
where C1, C2, and C3 are constants.
However, in the above-mentioned method of utilizing a predicted PESn+1, if the predicted PESn+l significantly differs from the actual PESn+1, then the write operation may be unnecessarily inhibited, i.e., falsely triggered. For example, in the (n+1) servo position in FIG. 4(a), when the actual PESn+1 is present outside a range of the inhibition criteria with respect to a target track T and is present at a position where write inhibition is unnecessary, the predicted PESn+1 is within the range of inhibition criteria, as shown in FIG. 4(b). In such a case, unnecessary write inhibition is performed on the track between the nth servo position and the (n+1) servo position. It is believed that the reason for this is that while the output DAC of the servo control represents a position in a neutral state, the servo is always on and the output DAC of the servo control never goes to the neutral state. Conventionally, it is also known that the predicted PES is calculated with a state estimator. However, the state estimator requires a high-performance processor such as a DSP. If it is used in a storage unit such as a disk drive unit, the cost is too high. For this reason, this state estimator is not realistic in products having low cost as their object.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for preventing off-track writing which reduces the false triggers (xe2x80x9coverkillxe2x80x9d) state caused by inaccurate prediction of the position of the head.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for preventing off-track writing without requiring a high-performance processor such as a DSP.
A disk drive with the capability to prevent off-track writing with reduced false triggering is described. An improved method of predicting the position of a head is used to determine whether the head is on or off-track. A position error signal at an nth servo position Pn and a velocity Vn at the nth servo position (Vn=Pnxe2x88x92Pnxe2x88x921) are calculated using values read at the nth and nxe2x88x921 head positions. Based on the calculated Pn and Vn and on the output of the servo controller at the nth servo position Un, the predicted PESn+1 is calculated as:
Predicted PESn+1=Pn+Vn+kUn
where k is a constant.
Data is inhibited from being written between the nth servo position and the (n+1) servo position, when absolute values of the calculated Pn, Vn, and predicted PESn+1 meet any condition of the following conditions (1) through (3): (1) |Pn| greater than C1, (2) |Vn| greater than C2, and (3) |Predicted PESn+1| greater than C3 where C1, C2, and C3 are constants determined for the embodiment.

Disk drive with off-track write prevention

Abstract: Predicted PESn+1=Pn+Vn+kUn

Abstract: where k is a constant.

Abstract: Data is inhibited from being written between the nth servo position and the (n+1) servo position, when absolute values of the calculated Pn, Vn, and predicted PESn+1 meet any condition of the following conditions (1) through (3): (1) |Pn| greater than C1, (2) |Vn| greater than C2, and (3) |Predicted PESn+1 greater than C3 where C1, C2, and C3 are constants determined for the embodiment.

International Business Machines Corporation


A system and method of determining the location of a mobile device. Network measurement report information may be received from a target mobile device, the NMR having measurement information and range information of the target mobile device from a cell serving the device. The serving cell may be divided a plurality of subsectors and candidate locations placed on an intersection of a range formed from the range information and bisectors of the plurality of subsectors. A subset of neighboring and serving cells may be selected as a function of the NMR measurement information and a radio frequency (RF) coverage centroid determined for each of the selected neighboring cells. A centroid of the determined RF centroids may be determined, and a location of the target mobile device estimated as the candidate location having a minimum distance to the determined centroid.

The location of a mobile, wireless or wired device is a useful and sometimes necessary part of many services. The precise methods used to determine location are generally dependent on the type of access network and the information that can be obtained from the device. For example, in wireless networks, a range of technologies may be applied for location determination, the most basic of which uses the location of the radio transmitter as an approximation.
Exemplary wireless networks may be a World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) network, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, and the like. Generally, WiMAX is intended to reduce the barriers to widespread broadband access deployment with standards-compliant wireless solutions engineered to deliver ubiquitous fixed and mobile services such as VoIP, messaging, video, streaming media, and other IP traffic. LTE is generally a 4G wireless technology and is considered the next in line in the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) evolution path after Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)/High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSPDA) 3G technologies. LTE builds on the 3GPP family including GSM, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rate for Global Evolution (EDGE), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), etc., and is an all-IP standard like WiMAX. LTE is based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) Radio Access technology and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna technology. LTE provides higher data transmission rates while efficiently utilizing the spectrum thereby supporting a multitude of subscribers than is possible with pre-4G spectral frequencies. LTE is all-IP permitting applications such as real time voice, video, gaming, social networking and location-based services. LTE networks may also co-operate with circuit-switched legacy networks and result in a seamless network environment and signals may be exchanged between traditional networks, the new 4G network and the Internet seamlessly. While LTE protocol is being defined in the 3GPP standards as the next generation mobile broadband technology, there is a need for mobile subscriber or user equipment (UE) location in LTE networks for compliance with the FCC E-911 requirements and for other location based services. The 3GPP standards have also identified different methods that could be used for positioning of an UE for an evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN).
A number of applications currently exist within conventional communication systems, such as those supporting GSM, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and UMTS technologies, for which location solutions are needed by mobile units, mobile stations, UE or other devices and by other entities in a wireless network. Examples of such applications may include, but are not limited to, GSM positioning and assisted global position system (A-GPS) positioning A-GPS adaptable UE may acquire and measure signals from a number of satellites to obtain an accurate estimate of the UE's current geographic position. GPS-based solutions may offer excellent accuracy, but GPS-based solutions generally suffer from yield issues in indoor environments or in environments that provide a poor line of sight to the open sky in which to best receive GPS satellite transmissions. Furthermore, embedding GPS chipsets into UE may also add an associated cost to the manufacturing of the UE and an associated cost to A-GPS functionality in the respective communications network. Further, some organizations are hesitant to offer a positioning method solely based upon the availability of a satellite network controlled by the United States government. There, however, exists a need in the art to locate UMTS, OFDMA or W-CDMA mobile devices to satisfy FCC E-911 regulations as well as to provide Location Based Services for mobile phone users.
The 3GPP UMTS standard outlines several methods for location including Cell-ID, Enhanced Cell-ID (E-CID), A-GPS, Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA), and Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (U-TDOA). Cell-ID generally is the simplest method which provides coarse positioning of mobile devices based on a known location of the coverage area centroid of each base station sector. Additionally, A-GPS is a straightforward implementation for network and handset manufacturers due to their legacy in CDMA2000 networks. Likewise, U-TDOA is also a straightforward technique for those skilled in the art and has been widely deployed for other air standards. OTDOA, on the other hand, is confronted with significant implementation challenges for network carriers, due to the fact that the base station timing relationships must be known, or measured, for this technique to be viable. For unsynchronized UMTS networks, where the base station timing is not locked to a common timing source, the 3GPP standard offers the suggestion that base station Location Measurement Units (LMUs) or Network Synchronization Units (NSUs) may be utilized to recover this timing information. Once the base station timing relationships are measured, the handset measurements of Observed Time Difference (OTD) between various base stations may be translated into absolute ranges and range differences from which position can be calculated.
Thus, mobile location techniques in wireless cellular networks may be broadly classified into three categories based upon the source of signal measurements: network-based measurements, UE-based measurements, and LMU-based measurements. In the network-based measurement location technique category, popular location techniques include radio frequency (RF) finger-printing/pattern matching algorithms and received signal strength indication (RSSI)-based location algorithms. UE-based measurement location techniques include, but are not limited to, OTDOA techniques and A-GPS techniques (handset-based or handset-assisted). LMU-based measurement location techniques generally include techniques having LMUs co-located with the base stations and involve measuring a mobile device's uplink signal(s).
There is, however, a need in the art to obviate the deficiencies in the prior art and provide network-based or other measurement location techniques applicable to any handset or mobile device capable of reporting E-CID measurements in a wireless communications network.

Enhanced cell ID location method using non uniform subsectors and neighboring cell centroid


A vascular guiding catheter comprises an inner tubular member having a torque transmitting member formed over a major portion thereof and a soft polymeric tip formed at the distal end thereof. The torque transmitting member provides the characteristics of torsional stiffness and axial flexibility which are necessary to be able to introduce the catheter to the vascular system. The soft polymeric tip reduces the likelihood that the catheter can injure the blood vessel and provides a convenient location for the inclusion of perfusion ports. A reinforcement layer is provided over a transition region between the termination of the torque transmitting member and the soft distal tip. Optionally, reinforcement layers may be provided elsewhere along the length of the catheter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to apparatus for inserting and positioning vascular catheters within a patient's vascular system. More particularly, the present invention relates to the construction of a guiding catheter having controlled flexibility and a soft tip.
Arteriosclerosis, also known as atherosclerosis, is a common human ailment arising from the deposition of fatty-like substances, referred to as atheroma or plaque, on the walls of blood vessels. Such deposits occur both in peripheral blood vessels that feed the limbs in the body and coronary blood vessels which feed the heart. When deposits accumulate in localized regions of a blood vessel, blood flow is restricted and the person's health is at serious risk.
Numerous approaches for reducing and removing such vascular deposits have been proposed, including balloon angioplasty where a balloon-tipped catheter is used to dilate a region of atheroma, atherectomy where a blade or other cutting element is used to sever and remove the atheroma, and laser angioplasty where laser energy is used to ablate at least a portion of the atheroma. Catheters can also be introduced to the vascular system for imaging, arrythmia mapping of the heart, defibrillation of the heart, and for a variety of other diagnostic procedures.
With all such techniques employing interventional and diagnostic catheters, it is necessary to properly locate the catheter so that the interventional or diagnostic element (usually at the distal tip of the catheter) is located at the region to be treated within the vascular system. As the catheters can be percutaneously introduced at locations quite remote from the region of atheroma, it is frequently necessary to maneuver and manipulate the catheter through various branches and regions within the vascular system.
One method for positioning vascular catheters utilizes guiding catheters. Such guiding catheters are elongated flexible tubes having a central lumen to accommodate the interventional or diagnostic vascular catheter to be introduced. Often, the guiding catheter will have a bent or curved tip to facilitate placement in a particular region of the vascular system, and positioning can be accomplished under conventional fluoroscopic imaging. Once the guiding catheter is in place, a diagnostic or imaging catheter can be introduced through the central lumen to the desired treatment location within the vascular system.
To be successful, the guiding catheter must satisfy a number of competing demands. The guiding catheter should be sufficiently flexible to permit introduction through the vascular system, particularly through the coronary arteries. The catheter should also be sufficiently axially rigid (i.e. have sufficient column strength) so that it can be pushed forward through the vascular system without kinking and collapse. Desirably, the catheter will have a controlled flexibility along its length to meet both these demands. The catheter should further have sufficient torsional stiffness so that the distal end can be turned (to properly orient the curved tip) by rotating the proximal end which remains accessible to the physician. The catheter should further have a relatively soft tip, to avoid injury to the blood vessel during initial placement. The catheter should still further be strengthened in the regions where it is curved or bent, as these regions are generally more prone to collapse. Catheter construction should also accommodate the placement of side holes or ports which permit perfusion of blood through the central lumen when the catheter is in place. Moreover, the catheter should be able to meet all of these mechanical demands while maximizing the cross-sectional area of the central lumen, i.e., minimizing wall thickness, to accommodate the interventional or diagnostic catheter, permit fluid infusion, and the like.
While previous guiding catheters have generally been able to meet at least some of these requirements, others have remained unmet. It would therefore be desirable to provide guiding catheters which meet at least most and preferably all of the above requirements with a minimum of compromise.
2. Description of the Background Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,613, discloses a guiding catheter having an inner lubricous sleeve, a braided torque transmitting member, and a plastic material impregnated into the braided torque transmitting member. Other guiding catheters employing braided reinforcement layers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,425,919; 3,924,632; and 3,416,531; and Cook, Inc., Radiology, Cardiology, & Surgery Catalog (1982-84). The disclosures of each of these references is incorporated herein by reference.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a prior art guiding . catheter 10 which has been commercially available from Devices for Vascular Intervention, Inc., assignee of the present application, includes a catheter body 12 constructed generally in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,613, described above. The catheter body 12 includes an inner lubricous liner 14, a braided torque transmitting member 16, and a plastic material 18 impregnated into the torque transmitting member 16. A soft tip 20 extends over the distal approximately 2 mm of the inner lubricous liner 14 and lies adjacent to the termination of the braided layer 16. Side perfusion ports 22 are formed through the wall of the catheter body 12, penetrating the lubricous layer 14, the braided layer 16, and the impregnant layer 18. A stainless steel support ring 23 is provided in the region of the perfusion ports 22.


A problem where a tool is deformed when a retaining ring is fitted on a shaft is solved. Plate members (2, 2a) positioned at at least one side of a full back surface of a retaining ring (W) are arranged at a holder (1) provided at the head of a tool body. A contact portion (3), a portion opposite an opening portion (Y) in the outer periphery of the retaining ring (W), is provided more backward than the heads of the plate members (2, 2a). A fall-off prevention structure (4) from which the retaining ring (W) can be easily detached is provided at the holder (1). There are sheltering spaces (5, 5a) arranged outside both side portions of the retaining ring (W) in its installed state. When the retaining ring (W) is installed to the holder (1), the retaining ring (W) does not fall off because of the fall-off prevention structure (4). Further, even when the retaining ring (W) is slightly opened by being pressed by the contact portion (3) when the ring is fitted on a shaft (S), both side portions do not come into contact with the holder (1) side and therefore the holder (1) is not deformed.

Conventionally, there were a number of said installing tools (Refer to Patent Documents 1 to 6, for instance) wherein in a holding part of the retaining ring is provided a circular arc shaped notch being slightly larger than a half circle so that it does not abut an shaft of the retaining ring when it is fitted on said shaft, wherein not only grooves holding the retaining ring are formed in said notch, but also a slit is formed in the center area of the notch and the grooves in the vertical direction, wherein application of the opening of the retaining ring to the shaft and pressing of the installing tool, after inserting an outside diameter area of the retaining ring into the holding part so that the opening faces an end, slightly expand and open the retaining ring and then the holding part as well, which fits the retaining ring on the shaft.    [Patent Document 1] Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 52-31100 (FIG. 1)    [Patent Document 2] Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 53-148800 (Page 2, FIG. 1)    [Patent Document 3] Examined Utility Model Publication No. 6-16654 (Page 2, FIG. 1 to FIG. 2)    [Patent Document 4] Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 7-40076 (Page 6, FIG. 2)    [Patent Document 5] Registered Utility Model Publication No. 3010240 (Pages 6–7, FIG. 10)    [Patent Document 6] Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 11-28680 (Page 2, FIG. 4)
However, there was a problem to solve in the installing tool of the prior art. When it is fitted, the holding part at the end of the tool must open. Nevertheless, if it is made easily deformable, pushing force might deform it when it is fitted, and it could not be fitted. Thus, as it needs strength to some degree, resistance increases when it is pushed in, and more pushing force than necessary will be necessary, which thus makes the entire fitting work inefficient.


Provided is a banking structure using a rock producing acid drainage. The banking structure includes a banking layer including the rock having acid drainage production possibility and an inhibitor for reducing acid drainage production potential of the rock, a capillary breaker layer stacked between a lower portion of the banking layer and an underground water level surface to prevent underground water from being introduced into the banking layer by a capillary phenomenon, and a finishing layer stacked on an upper portion of the banking layer according to a use thereof.

The present invention relates to a banking technique in civil engineering and construction fields, and more particularly, a banking structure using rocks producing acid drainage as backing materials.
Sulfide minerals may be minerals that are commonly produced from rocks and sediments. The sulfide minerals may be produced by various geological processes such as diagenesis of sediments deposited under reducing environments, deposition from hot water, and reaction between hot water and rocks. Sulfide minerals may be produced from various kinds of rocks according to generation environments. Iron pyrites may be the most representative sulfide minerals.
In case of the iron pyrites, the iron pyrites may be stabilized if they exist in the underground or under a water surface in a state where they are blocked from the atmosphere. However, if the iron pyrites are exposed to the surface of the earth by underground excavation, drainage, dredge, and the like, the iron pyrites meet oxygen and thus are oxidized to produce acid drainage.
The drainage produced by the oxidation of the sulfide minerals may have acidity. Thus, the drainage may contain a large amount of Fe and heavy metals that are eluted from the sulfide minerals. Also, since the drainage generated by the oxidation of the sulfide minerals dissolves aluminum silicate minerals, the drainage may contain a large amount of Al that is eluted from the aluminum silicate minerals.
In recent years, large scale underground excavation frequently occurs due to road building and residential land and industrial complex development. Rocks containing the sulfide minerals exposed to the surface of the earth during the underground excavation may produce the acid drainage to cause various problems such as environmental pollution, corrosion of structures, vegetation withering, scenery damage, rock weathering promotion, reduction of ground stability, and the like. Thus, adequate processing and recycle of the rocks containing the sulfide minerals produced from the large scale underground excavation sits are coming to the fore as pending issues in construction sites.
Typically, the sulfide mineral rocks may be buried for processing. Here, when the sulfide mineral rocks are buried, a collecting well, a perforated drainpipe, a pond, and a waterproof sheet, which process percolating water, are applied to minimize effects that have an influence on environments. However, the construction method may be complicated, and a relatively large amount of cost and time may be required. Also, the perforated drainpipe and waterproof sheet may be frequently damaged when constructed and thus deteriorated in effectiveness.
Also, due to leakage of aggregate, needs for recycling the excavated rocks into banking materials are increasing. Thus, although there is an attempt to recycle the rocks into the banking materials, a technique for solving problem of all sorts due to the oxidation of the sulfide minerals within the rocks through penetration of rainwater and the contact with air has not been proposed. Thus, the industrial recycling of the rocks is investigated only negative attention.

Banking structure using rocks producing acid drainage

KOREA INSTITUTE OF GEOSCIENCE AND MINERAL RESOURCES (KIGAM)


A method of HDL simulation is described, which may enhance HDL simulation accuracy by allowing a simulator to process a negative setup time and/or hold time. For an electronic circuit device negative setup time and/or a negative hold time, a simulation may be executed without altering the negative setup time and/or hold time to be interpreted as zero. A setup time and/or hold time may be negative relative to a particular clock cycle while being positive relative to another clock cycle. Incorporating the value of the negative setup time and/or hold time without altering its value to zero may increase the accuracy of HDL simulations.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to hardware description language (HDL), and more particularly to HDL simulations with negative setup and/or hold times.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hardware description language (HDL) may be used in designing all types of electronic circuits. These electronic circuits may include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and/or very large scale integration (VLSI) circuits. HDL may allow each described Hard Macro Core (HMC) to have connections to other HMCs and/or the function of the interacting HMCs may be simulated. Simulation for approximating the function of an electronic circuit may be used before the electronic circuit goes into production.
In a conventional HDL method, a HMC may be integrated with other circuit elements and then simulated. A timing model of the HMC may be produced as one step in the simulation process. The timing model may have timing information that relates at least one pin connected to the HMC. The timing information may include parameters, for example a setup time and/or a hold time, with respect to each pin.
HDL simulation may not permit a negative number to represent a negative parameter, such as the setup time and/or hold time. Therefore, in conventional methods, a value of zero instead of a negative value may be used to represent setup time and/or hold time. However, this may provide a less accurate simulation as a negative setup time and/or hold time may exist relative to a signal.

Method of HDL simulation considering hard macro core with negative setup/hold time


In a method and a device for operating a smelting reduction process, at least part of an export gas from a blast furnace or a reduction unit is thermally utilized in a gas turbine and the exhaust gas of this gas turbine is used in a waste heat steam generator to generate steam. The remaining part of the export gas is fed to a CO2 separation apparatus, the tail gas thereby obtained being fed to a waste heat steam generator and burned for additional steam generation. The combustible components of the tail gas are sent for thermal utilization in a steam generator, so that the overall energy balance of the thermal use of the export gas is improved. In addition, a further part of the export gas is qualitatively improved by the CO2 separation apparatus, so as to generate a high-quality reduction gas which can be supplied for metallurgical use.

The invention relates, further, to an apparatus for operating a melt reduction process, with a blast furnace or with a melting assembly and at least one reduction assembly, batch materials being reducible by means of a reduction gas, using carbon carriers and, if appropriate, aggregates, and being meltable into pig iron or steel semifinished products, and the reacted reduction gas being divertible as top gas and, purified, if appropriate mixed with purified and cooled excess gas from the melting assembly, being dischargeable as export gas.
It is known from the prior art that process gases, such as, for example, top gas from melt reduction devices, or a mixture of residual gases are treated in other processes and plants, the thermal and chemical energy of the top gas often being utilized. Problems are a fluctuating gas composition and the low export gas pressure downstream of the scrubber systems, which make a more efficient treatment of the export gases difficult. Further, it is known that the export gas or pure top gas is employed in turbines for the generation of kinetic energy (expansion turbines) and heat (gas turbines). Here, too, there is the problem that, on account of the low pressure, the low calorific value after the admixture of residual gas from a CO.sub.2 removal plant and the calorific value fluctuations, the export gas can be used only in a disadvantageous way in a gas turbine or a combined-cycle power station.

Method and device for operating a smelting reduction process


An apparatus for making contact with a conical contact, in particular a battery terminal, is specified, which apparatus is manufactured from sheet metal by punching and shaping and has two rings of different diameters which each have an opening on one side and are connected to one another by means of two bent clips, one to the left and one to the right of the openings and the apparatus has means for reducing the width of the openings which means engage on the clips at least one further contact making area and has strips arranged on the external side of the rings, respectively at positions lying one opposite the other, the free ends of which strips have a shape which is complementary to the free end of the respective opposite strip, and the free ends, which are shaped in a complementary fashion, of opposite strips bear one against the other.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an apparatus for making contact with a conical contact, in particular an end terminal of a battery for motor vehicles, i.e. a battery terminal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,741 (see FIG. 4), which forms the generic type, discloses a battery terminal of the abovementioned type. A screw with a bolt is provided as means for reducing the width of the openings which engage on the clips. This screw cannot be tightened from above but rather only from the side. It has been found that such an arrangement is unsuitable for mounting by robot. Furthermore, owing to the conical shape of the battery terminal, this known arrangement does not ensure that contact is made satisfactorily.

Apparatus for making contact with a conical contact


Disclosed are methods and apparatus for automatically connecting individuals. A private profile of an individual may be automatically generated. The private profile of the individual may be automatically compared with private profiles of a set of individuals such that one or more of the set of individuals are identified as matches for the individual, wherein the private profile of the individual includes private data and each of the private profiles of the set of individuals includes private data. The private profile of the individual is not publicly available to other individuals that have access to a public profile of the individual. The individual may be automatically notified that the individual has been matched with the one or more individuals, thereby enabling the individual to initiate communication with the one or more individuals. The similarities between the private profile of the individual and the private profiles of the one or more individuals are not revealed to the individual or the one or more individuals.

The disclosed embodiments relate generally to methods and apparatus for matching individuals using private data.
Today, there are many ways for individuals to find others with similar interests online. More specifically, numerous web sites exist that enable users to search publicly available information to identify other individuals with the same interests. For instance, web sites such as networking sites and dating sites typically enable a user to create an online public profile, enabling the user to search for and locate other individuals with similar interests among other publicly available profiles.
Unfortunately, public profiles contain only limited information about the individuals who created them. Moreover, the information that individuals present in their public profiles is often deceptive. As a result, the time and energy an individual invests to search these public profiles often yields less than desirable results.


A device for receiving first and second analog signals consisting of two sinusoidal signals shifted in phase from an encoder and outputting digital pulses corresponding to the approximate number of equal steps the system of which the encoder is a part has advanced or retreated comprising flash memory storing a table relating total value counts to the precise value as previously determined by calibration and that adds or subtracts counts to or from a difference register so that the count in the difference register corresponds to the calibrated value moved by the system.

This invention relates to the control of a system, for example, rotary and linear motors with a feedback based upon signals from an optical encoder or magnetic encoder or the like.
Typical motion control systems make use of a feedback transducer in a control loop. Referring to FIG. 1, a generalized motion control loop is shown. A motion control circuit 1 generates a digital command signal 2 and compares it in a summing or subtracting circuit 3 to a digital position feedback signal 4. The comparison may comprise a simple subtraction of the feedback signal from the command signal. The difference or error signal is used to generate an analog current command signal 5 applied to an amplifier 6 driving a motor 7. The motor may be a rotary motor, a rotary motor connected to a ball screw for driving a linear stage, or a linear motor driving a linear stage. Associated with the motor or stage is an encoder 8. In the case of the optical encoder, a disk that rotates with the motor or a plate that is associated either with the positioning table or the track for the positioning table is scribed with a plurality of substantially equally spaced lines. The optical encoder 8 senses the passing lines and generates two-channel analog quadrature signals (SIN and COS). An encoder multiplier 9 processes the digitized SIN and COS signals to resolve them to define a position within a single SIN and COS signal period. The position is represented by a count which is between zero and the maximum count generated for one SIN or COS signal period. A signal is then either generated from the quadrature pair or separately generated to keep track of which scribe lines the stage or motor is between. A microprocessor or digital signal processor at interrupt intervals subtracts the previous count from the instant count and outputs pulses 10 corresponding to the difference. Each pulse is associated with one approximate machine step, that is, the approximate distance the motor or stage moves to cause the encoder multiplier to generate a count. The pulses are passed to the motion control circuit where they are summed, for example, in an up/down counter 11, and the sum is passed to the summing circuit.
In typical systems, the encoder multiplier and motion control circuit are on separate printed circuit cards. The output from the encoder multiplier card is often passed to more than one control card programmed to activate devices outside the motion control system.
The amount of information available from the encoder and associated encoder multiplier is limited by manufacturing methods associated with these devices. The amount of information is defined in units of distance (angular or linear) and is commonly referred to as resolution. In high performance systems, the information obtained directly from the encoder is not sufficient to achieve performance goals. This is the reason for the use of the encoder multiplier which divides the analog SIN and COS signals into discrete values, for example, with the use of an arctangent lookup table. Available encoder multipliers can boost system resolution by factors from 2 to 250 times.
A problem inherent in the mechanical system including the encoder is limited accuracy. System accuracy can be improved by calibration. Calibration methods involve generating error correction data that can be accessed by the motion controller. In prior art motion control systems, the correction takes place in the motion control circuit by corrections made to either the command or error signal.
For certain applications, making the error correction in the motion control circuit to the command signal or the error signal is unacceptable. The most common case is where the signals from the encoder multiplier are used in other parts of a larger system. For example, the position information may be linked to a data acquisition system for purposes of archiving data and/or data overlaying. In these applications, error correction at the motion control circuit level will result in the system position and other controlled events being out of synchronization.
It is an advantage, according to the present invention, to provide an encoder multiplier that introduces correcting counts into the output signal therefrom at high speed, thus providing improved system accuracy.
It is an advantage, according to the present invention, to perform high speed calibration correction on the encoder feedback signals.
It is a further advantage, according to the present invention, that external systems can use the calibrated data.
It is a still further advantage, according to the present invention, that real-time, highly accurate position information eliminates the requirement for much more costly feedback solutions, such as laser interferometer feedback, except at the time of calibration.
It is yet a further advantage, according to the present invention, that a controller card capable of making calibration adjustments is not required and the computation time needed to generate corrected trajectories is eliminated.
Briefly, according to the present invention, there is provided a device, for example, an encoder multiplier for receiving analog signals, commonly referred to as SIN and COS, from an encoder and outputting digital pulses corresponding approximately to the number of equal steps the system of which the encoder is a part has advanced or retreated comprising:
an analog-to-digital converter for digitizing the SIN and COS input signals,
an arctangent lookup table for calculating a relative value, for example, position count within one SIN or COS period from the digitized SIN and COS signals,
a cycle detector for recognizing advance or retreat to an adjacent SIN or COS period,
an up/down counter for holding the total position counts accumulated since the system has moved from a datum position,
flash memory storing a table relating total position counts to the precise position as determined by calibration using a recognized calibration standard gauge,
a digital processor having a defined interrupt interval, the digital signal processor programmed, in response to each new interrupt interval, to:
i) digitize the analog SIN and COS signals,
ii) input the digitized SIN and COS signals and, with reference to the arctangent table, calculate the position count,
iii) substract the current position count from the last position count within one SIN or COS period and storing in a difference register, and
iv) with reference to the flash memory table, add or subtract counts to or from the difference register so that the count in the difference register corresponds to the calibrated distance traversed by the system,
a pulse generator for outputting the number of pulses in the difference register within an interrupt interval, and
connections or buses to convey the calibrated signal.


A vehicle air vent is provided that includes a plurality of air control vanes, the orientation of which determines the direction of air flow exiting the air vent; a shut-off door that allows air to flow through the air vent when it is in a first position and blocks air flow through the air vent when it is in a second position; a control tab mechanically coupled to the plurality of air control vanes; and a linkage assembly mechanically coupling the control tab to the shut-off door. Adjustment of the control tab within a first range of positions controls the orientation of the air control vanes while maintaining the shut-off door in an open position. Adjustment of the control tab within a second range of positions, however, moves the shut-off door between the first and second positions, thereby controlling air flow through the air vent.

The air outlet in a conventional vehicle utilizes a pair of mechanical control mechanisms. The first control mechanism, for example a tab mounted to the air flow control vanes, is used to control the direction of air flow through the air outlet. A second and separate control mechanism, for example a rotating wheel, is used to open or shut-off air flow through the air outlet using an auxiliary door.
Accordingly, what is needed is a simplified air flow controller for use with a vehicle air outlet. The present invention provides such a controller.

Air outlet directional flow controller with integrated shut-off door


A device and method for synchronization of data for audio and/or video between a memory of a device in a motor vehicle and an external device is provided. The method comprises synchronizing the data between the memory and the external device through a radio connection through a synchronization unit. The method further comprises outputting a status signal (St) based on a charge state (C) of the first power source by a monitoring unit to the synchronization unit and signaling from the synchronization unit to the external device an interruption of the synchronization due to low charge level. The method further comprises terminating the synchronization of the data based on the status signal (St) indicating that the charge state (C) of the first power source is below a threshold (th) and/or that a second power source for charging of the first power source is disconnected from the first power source.

An audio interface box for vehicles that is located in the vehicle is disclosed in DE 10 2008 051 663 A1 ("the '663 application"). The audio interface box includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection, by means of which it is connected to a vehicle modem through a USB bulk, a USB Media Transfer Protocol (MTP), a USB Communication Device Class (CDC), a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART) serial, a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus or a Media Oriented System Transport (MOST) bus connection. In order to expand the bandwidth of the information and entertainment options available in the vehicle, the '663 application proposes that the vehicle modem be implemented as a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) modem or a High Speed Packet Access (HSDPA) modem and that a data processing and sorting unit be located between the UMTS or HSDPA modem on one hand and the audio interface box on the other hand, by means of which data received from the UMTS or HSDPA modem can be processed and sorted in such a manner that Internet radio programs can be received and played by means of the audio interface box.
US 2007/061725 A1 ("the '725 publication") depicts a system and method for managing content between different client devices in various domains (such as a vehicle, a home, and a person). The system and method include a user interface, a wireless transceiver, and a controller. The user interface is used to receive an input from a user to change the presentation of the content from a first client device to a second client device. The wireless transceiver is capable of wirelessly transmitting the input from the user through the communication system. The controller is responsive to the input from the user and used to determine a content format for the second device. The controller may also be used for determining whether the second device has a network capability for accessing the content format. Depending on the determinations made by the controller, the controller will transmit a data message to the second device to activate access to the content if the second device has the network capability for accessing the content format. On the other hand, the controller will obtain the content and transmit the obtained content to the second device if the second device does not have the network capability for accessing the content format.
An audio interface box for vehicles is disclosed in DE 10 2008 051 663 A1 (the '663 application). By means of a vehicle wireless local area network (WLAN) dongle or its WLAN antenna, the vehicle's approach to a WLAN network access point can be detected. The WLAN network is a network that is associated with the vehicle user, to which a server unit or a media server belongs. In the vicinity of the access point of the WLAN network associated with the vehicle user, the vehicle WLAN dongle can be synchronized automatically with the server unit or media server of the WLAN network associated with the vehicle user. Once the vehicle WLAN dongle is synchronized with the media server of the WLAN network, files that are stored in a memory of the media server can be transmitted by the server to the WLAN dongle or to its USB memory stick and received there by means of a connection between the access point or the WLAN network on the one hand and the WLAN antenna or vehicle WLAN dongle on the other hand. These files can be stored in the USB memory stick of the WLAN dongle and can be forwarded by the WLAN dongle to the audio interface box through the USB or MTP connection and the USB port. The vehicle WLAN dongle and the media server of the WLAN network associated with the vehicle user are prepared or set such that the synchronization between the vehicle WLAN dongle and the network media server. It is always initiated and carried out automatically when the vehicle, and with it the WLAN dongle, approaches the access point of the WLAN network associated with the vehicle user. After synchronization, a determination can be made by means of the vehicle WLAN dongle as to whether files are present in the memory of the media server that should be transferred from the memory to the audio interface box located in the vehicle. If this is determined by the vehicle WLAN dongle, then these files are transmitted from the memory to the USB memory stick of the WLAN dongle. As soon as it is determined by the vehicle WLAN dongle that the vehicle is leaving the area of the access point of the WLAN network associated with the vehicle user, the vehicle WLAN dongle automatically switches over to a mass storage mirror operation. In this mass storage mirror operation, data or files stored in the USB memory stick of the WLAN dongle are mirrored to or towards the audio interface box located in the vehicle. Thus, files prepared and assembled in the media server of the WLAN network associated with the vehicle user are automatically transferred from the memory of the media server to the audio interface box of the vehicle so that they are always available to the vehicle user. By means of the UMTS modem that is associated with the vehicle WLAN dongle, it is possible for Internet radio programs to be received through a UMTS connection that is established between the vehicle WLAN dongle and the WLAN network provided with the Internet access point when the vehicle approaches an Internet access point or hotspot equipped with a WLAN network. The vehicle WLAN dongle, which is also designed as a data processing and sorting unit, processes the received data so that the Internet radio programs are accessible and can be automatically stored in the USB memory stick of the vehicle WLAN dongle and/or played by means of the vehicle audio interface box.

Device for playback in a motor vehicle and method for synchronization


A brake disc capable of being used in an as quenched state, excellent in rusting resistance, toughness and resistance to softening resulting from heat generation caused by braking, and preferably useful as a brake disc for a two-wheeled vehicle, which is produced from a martensitic stainless steel comprising 0.02 to 0.10% of C, up to 0.03% of N, up to 0.05% of Si, 0.5 to 1.5% of Mn, up to 0.5% of Ni, 10 to 15% of Cr, 0.5 to 2.5% of Cu, up to 0.1% of Al and the balance substantially Fe and unavoidable impurities provided that the amount of C+N is from 0.05 to 0.1% and .gamma.p is at least 90, and a process for producing the same.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a brake disc used for a general vehicle, particularly to a brake disc for a two-wheeled vehicle. The present invention relates to a brake disc stably having a necessary hardness as a brake in an as quenched state after working, excellent in rusting resistance and softening resistance during use, and produced from a martensitic stainless steel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A brake disc of a two-wheeled vehicle is required to have properties such as abrasion resistance, rusting resistance and toughness. Although the abrasion resistance of the brake disc is generally improved as the hardness is increased, a so-called brake noise is produced between the brake and the pad when the hardness is too high. The hardness of the brake is, therefore, required to be 35.+-.3 HRC (Rockwell hardness C scale). To obtain the desired hardness and rusting resistance, a martensitic stainless steel is used as a brake disc material.
In prior art for the brake disc material, SUS 420 J1 (13Cr-0.2C) type martensitic stainless steel has been quenched and tempered to have the desired hardness, and used as a brake disc. However, the prior art requires two heat treatment steps of quenching and tempering, and, therefore, has problems of productivity and price. In addition, the prior art has the limited heat treatment condition because it is difficult to obtain a necessary hardness after tempering in the quenching temperature ranges. Accordingly, demand for a martensitic stainless steel which can be used for a brake in an as quenched state has been growing to save production steps and energy.
In order to meet the requirements as mentioned above, Kokai (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication) Nos. 55-21566 and 57-198249 disclose steel compositions in which the amounts of C and N are reduced and Mn, an austenite-forming element, for compensating a narrowed hardenable temperature region due to the shrinkage of an austenite temperature region caused by reducing the amounts of C and N is added, and Which consequently stably shows the desired hardness in an as quenched state brought about by hardening from a wide temperature range compared with conventional steels. However, since the steels contain Mn in respective amounts of 1.0 to 3.5% by weight and 1.0 to 2.5% by weight, they each contain a large amount of MnS which impairs the rusting resistance. Accordingly, it must be concluded that the quenching stability is given to the steels in preference to and at the cost of the rusting resistance. To improve the drawback as mentioned above, Kokai (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication) No. 61-174361 discloses a steel composition which is prepared by adding Mn in a decreased amount while Cu and N as elements not impairing the rusting resistance are added instead in respective amounts of 0.5 to 1.2% by weight and 0.03 to 0.07% by weight to ensure the quenching stability. Although the steel keeps the quenching stability and rusting resistance as desired, it has a N content as high as at least 0.03% by weight. Consequently, there is a fear that when the steel is tempered by heat generation caused by braking during use of the brake disc, fine nitrides may precipitate to lower the toughness and that the brake disc may not perform its function. Moreover, it is said that the brake disc is sometimes heated to 500 to 600.degree. C. as a result of heat generation caused by braking. The steels which have heretofore been proposed as mentioned above have, therefore, a problem that softening by tempering is unavoidable when the steels reach temperatures in the range mentioned above.

Brake disc produced from martensitic stainless steel and process for producing same


A method and apparatus for creating a reamed hole below the surface are disclosed. The reaming apparatus is arranged to be connected to one or more boring stems and has an interior section and an exterior section. The interior section is rotatable independently of the exterior section. Reamed holes of various cross-sections can be produced by appropriate selection of the cross-section of the exterior section.

The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus or tool which is used to create a reamed hole for installing a conduit or pipe. The tool and method is well suited for use with directional boring machines, but can be adapted for use with other mechanical devices (such as a push rod machine) that are used to create subsurface excavations for the purpose of installing conduit or pipe.
Often in the past in order to install a new pipe or conduit it has been necessary to excavate from the surface down to the depth of the desired installation and then replace the material that was excavated. This method is often referred to as "open trench excavation" and is not desirable in many locations due to impact to the general public, to pass under obstacles such as roads, environmental concerns and other issues. Devices and tools have been developed in the past by others in order to allow for the installation of underground pipes and conduits without the necessity of open trenching. This method is generally referred to as "trenchless" installation and includes many varied techniques. The primary types of trenchless construction for new pipe and conduit installations involve directional boring machines, push rod machines, pipe ramming devices, auger boring machines, and tunneling methods all known in the art. There are tools and devices known in the utility construction industry for creating reamed holes for the purpose of installing conduits and pipes and, in particular, there are several apparatuses that are used in the directional boring industry. However, no devices are available that embody or use the aspects of the applied for apparatus. The and advantages of the applied for apparatus and method will significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of underground utility construction by establishing a better method for creating a trenchless reamed hole for installing pipe and providing a tool for use with the method.
The apparatus and method is best suited for use with directional boring machines, although it may be used with other devices as discussed later. Directional boring machines, in general, utilize a length of drill pipe with at least a small hole passing through longitudinally from one end to the other. Sections of drill pipe are connected and then advanced through the earth in segmental fashion. This segmented connection of drill pipe is called a drill string. Various methods and apparatuses are used to guide the drill pipe into the desired position. Directional boring machines are typically positioned at the surface and advance the drill pipe down to the depth of the desired bore. Often a fluid mixture is passed through the drill string in order to assist in the drilling process. After the initial drill string is in place a hole opening device, typically referred to as a reamer, is attached and used to create a hole that will accept the desired conduit or pipe.
In the past, in general, the primary methods of creating a reamed hole in directional boring applications has been to use a reamer fixedly mounted to the length of drill pipe. The reamer is then, typically, rotated and pulled through the ground. Often an aqueous solution is pumped through the drill string in order to help create a mixture of the existing soil and special added agents that assist in making a slurry that advantageously allows for easier installation of pipe or conduit product. A typical reamer's primary function is often to either chop up the existing soil in the path of the desired bore hole and mix it with the added agents or to compact the existing soil in the path of the desired bore hole. Sometimes reamers are used to combine both compaction and cutting/mixing. Since soil and earth conditions vary greatly, different tools are used and selected based on operator experience and anticipated conditions. Though there are existing tools available, none use a reaming mechanism that incorporates the dual mixing and cutting functions of the applied for apparatus.
Push rod machines incorporate some of the same overall characteristics as directional boring, but typically are placed in an excavation at one end of the desired bore instead of at the surface. Typically a section of pipe is connected in segmental fashion and advanced through the ground. Again, there are various methods to get the rods in the desired place. Often the overall efficiency of the machines and the machine tooling limits the overall length that can be done at one time. The use of push rod machines has diminished in the recent past, but they are still sometimes used and advances in push rod technology, such as ways to ream holes more efficiently, could lead to more prominent use in the future.
The apparatus utilized for practicing the method of installation of conduit or pipe is novel and unique in that it ideally uses either a plurality of stems or a mechanical drive mechanism in conjunction with a single stem to create a much more effective method of both mixing and reaming the soil. This better method and tool therefore decreases the time and increases the efficiency of the installation of conduits and pipe. In addition to these benefits, it is possible to utilize this method and the embodiments of the apparatus to create rectangular, ovoid or even irregularly shaped reamed holes which may be desirable for some installations. There are currently no available apparatuses in the directional boring industry that allow for the creation of other than a generally round reamed hole.

Method and apparatus for forming bored hole


A fastener for binding a layer of mammalian soft tissue to a mammalian bone includes a body portion for disposition in a bore in the bone, the body portion having means thereon for resisting movement of the body portion from the bore. The fastener further includes gripper portions extending from the body portion and extendible through the layer of tissue toward the bone to bind the tissue to the bone. The invention further contemplates a method for making the fastener, a method for binding layers of material together using the fastener, a tool for setting the fastener, and tools and fasteners in combination.

In the attachment of soft tissue, or the like, to bone, it has been customary to utilize suture anchors of the sort comprising (i) a body having bone engaging means, and (ii) a length of suture secured to the body, such that when the suture anchor is driven into the bone, the suture material can be used to tie the soft tissue to the bone. Such suturing generally requires skill, suturing tools, and room in which to maneuver. It also requires attention, on the part of the surgeon, to the possible knotting and/or entangling of suture strands during the procedure.
Thus, there is a need for tissue anchors, or fasteners, which operate to hold tissue on bone without the need for suture or other tie-down type fastening means.
More particularly, there is a need for a new type of tissue anchor, or fastener, which can be used to bind soft tissue to bone, and which may be manufactured simply and inexpensively, so as not to increase the overall cost of the fastening procedure.
There is also a need for a method for binding two layers of material together, such as tissue and bone, which method does not require suturing one layer to another.
In addition, there is a need for a simple, inexpensive and reliable tool for deploying the aforesaid fastener effectively and quickly.

Apparatus and method for binding a first layer of material to a second layer of material


A micro-controller having multiple operating modes, including an idle mode, an analog voice mode, a digital data mode, and a simultaneous voice and data (SVD) mode, is provided to a DCE designed to support multi-modal voice and/or data calls over a single analog-loop telephone line. The micro-controller further contains control logic for establishing multiple logical connections and voice as well as data transmission protocols over these logical connections with another DCE, when switching from the analog voice mode to the SVD mode, and for multiplexing voice and data transmissions over these logical connections. The control logic transmits voice over a logical voice connection in nominally fixed intervals. A non-voice transmission, i.e. data or information to be exchanged, can be suspended in favor of transmitting a voice transmission. During the suspension, a special character (e.g., escape) is transmitted in conjunction with a length preceding the voice transmission. After the voice transmission is complete, the data transmission is continued. By suspending (rather than ending and then restarting) the non-voice transmission, a large amount of "framing bits" are effectively eliminated and the bandwidth efficiency of the multiplexed transmission is increased. Effectively, voice information can be transmitted embedded within a data (e.g., non real time) transmission.

1. Related U.S. Patent Applications
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/265,326 entitled "Method And Apparatus For Multiplexing Voice And Data Over A Single Analog-Loop Telephone Line," filed Jun. 24, 1994, by Barry O'Mahony et al., and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
2. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of Data Communication. More specifically, the present invention relates to data circuit terminating equipment's (DCEs) such as modems for transmitting voice and data over analog-loop telephone lines.
3. Prior Art
Current DCEs that support transmission of both voice and data over a single analog-loop telephone line typically implement the support in one of two approaches. Under the first approach, a DCE operates in one of two switchable modes, a voice mode and a data mode, whereas under the second approach, a DCE operates in a single continuous combined voice and data mode.
More specifically, under the first approach, both the calling and answering DCEs start out in the voice mode, where analog voice signals are bypassed from the transmitting telephone coupled to one of the DCEs onto the analog-loop telephone line, and similarly from the analog-loop telephone line to the receiving telephone coupled to the other DCE. While the DCEs are in voice mode, no data are transmitted by the DCEs on behalf of data transmitting equipment's (DTEs), such as computers, coupled to the DCEs at both end of the connection. To switch into the data mode, one of the DTEs would cause its DCE to transmit a predetermined signal pattern on its behalf. Upon detection of the predetermined signal pattern, the other DCE would acknowledge. If the acknowledgment is received by the initiating DCE within a predetermined time period, the DCEs would jointly establish a data transmission protocol, enter the data mode, and mute the DCE's voice path. The DTEs can now transmit data to each other through their respective DCEs and over the analog-loop telephone line. At the end of data transmission, the DTE that initiated the mode switching would cause its DCE to transmit another predetermined signal pattern on its behalf, return to the voice mode, and unmute the voice path. Likewise, upon detection of this other predetermined signal pattern, the other DCE would also forward the signal to its DTE, return to the voice mode, and unmute the voice path. Voice signals are once again bypassed from the transmitting telephone onto the telephone line, and from the telephone line to the receiving telephone.
Typically, the data transmission protocol jointly established by the calling and answering DCEs as an integral part of switching from the voice mode to the data mode is a High Level Data Link (HDLC) frame based type protocol.
Under the second approach, the DCEs always operate in a single continuous combined voice and data mode. The DCEs jointly establish a data transmission protocol at start up. The analog voice signals received from the coupled telephones are digitized by the DCEs or forwarded to the coupled DTEs for digitization. The DCEs transmit the digitized voice signals intermixed with the data received from the coupled DTEs. Conversely, the digitized voice signals received from the analog-loop telephone line are converted back into analog voice signals by the DCEs or forwarded to the coupled DTEs for conversion. The DCEs then forward the analog voice signals to the telephones.
Generally, the data transmission protocol jointly established by the calling and answering DCEs as an integral part of the initial start up of the single continuous combined voice and data mode is also a High Level Data Link (HDLC) frame based type of protocol. Except for "marking" the digitized voice to facilitate their identification and conversion back to analog voice signals, the digitized voice are otherwise handled as if they are data.
The first approach has the disadvantage that there is no voice communication between the connected parties during data transmission. Thus, DCEs implementing the first approach are really suitable only for applications where voice communication is unnecessary during data transmission or data transmission is merely required intermittently and for short duration.
The second approach has the disadvantage that the DCEs on both ends of the connection must support continuous combined voice and data mode. Therefore, for applications frequently involving "unacquainted" users, an initial phone call using "standalone" telephones directly coupled to another analog-loop telephone line must be made to establish the fact that such continuous combined voice and data call can be made between two DCE coupled telephones. Thus, DCEs implementing the second approach are really suitable only for applications involving primarily "acquainted" users.
With the continuing increase in the capabilities microprocessor based desktop computers, they are being applied to more and more applications that require simultaneous voice and data communications between two users. A particular example of these applications is personal conferencing where users at different sites cooperate orally and interactively with a shared workspace application on the creation or review of documents. Another example is remote technical support where the support engineers communicate orally with the users as well as interacting remotely with programs executing on the users'systems for diagnostic or demonstration purposes. Due to the disadvantages discussed above, neither types of DCEs serve these applications well. As a result, most users of these applications resort to two telephone lines, with one dedicated for voice communication, and the other dedicated to data communication.
Thus, it is desirable to be able to support multi-modal voice and data communication between two users over a single analog-loop telephone line that is more flexible and user friendly. U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 08/265,455, filed on Jun. 24, 1994, entitled Method and Apparatus for Making a Multi-Modal Voice and/or Data Call Over a Single Analog-Loop Telephone Line, discloses such method and apparatus. Under the disclosed method and apparatus, at least four modes, an idle mode, an analog voice mode, a digital data mode, and a simultaneous voice and data (SVD) mode are supported. It is also desirable then to be able to multiplex voice and data over the single analog-loop telephone line while operating in the SVD mode.
However, within a system that allows multiplexing of data and voice over a single analog loop telephone line, there often can be experienced a great deal of bandwidth devoted to "framing bits." Framing bits are required under certain communication protocols to indicate or differentiate between communication of certain types of data, for instance, voice information and non-voice or data information. During multiplexing of communication, when a particular type of data communication is interrupted or suspended, framing bits are required to close out the interrupted communication and more framing bits are required to start the next communication. Therefore, as the amount of multiplexing within a single analog loop line is allowed to increase, the amount of communication bandwidth taken up by framing bits increases and the overall effectiveness of the communication protocol to transmit and receive information (e.g., voice, or data) decreases. It would be desirable to provide a communication protocol that allows a large degree of multiplexing and high rates, yet still allows high bandwidth effectiveness. As will be disclosed in more detail below, the present invention provides for such method and apparatus that advantageously achieves these and other desirable results.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide more effective communication within a single analog-loop telephone line. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide high bandwidth efficiency within a system allowing simultaneous voice and data (SVD) mode communication over a single analog-loop telephone line. To this end, it is further an object of the present invention to provide the above by reducing the amount of framing bits required when multiplexing between voice and data communications. These and other objects of the present invention not specifically stated above will become clear within discussions of the present invention herein.

Mechanism and method for multiplexing voice and data over a signal carrier with high bandwidth efficiency


Disclosed herein is a liquid crystal display apparatus comprising: a liquid crystal display element composed of a liquid crystal layer and having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix pattern; and a driver for dividing one frame into plural fields and interlace-scanning the plurality of fields. In one embodiment, the driver is so structured to drive the respective fields composing one frame so that a scanning order of the fields is discontinued at least once. In another embodiment, the driver is so structured to drive scanning lines by means of a driving waveform having a reset period for resetting a state of liquid crystals, a selection period for selecting a final display state of the liquid crystals, and a maintaining period for establishing the state selected at the selection period, and starts scanning of next field based on reset period end timing of one scanning line of the previous field.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display apparatus. More specifically, the invention relates to the liquid crystal display apparatus which is provided with a liquid crystal display element composed of a liquid crystal layer having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix pattern.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a liquid crystal display element, which uses chiral nematic liquid crystal showing a cholesteric phase at room temperature, attracts attention as small, light weight and energy saving element since this element has a memory property for maintaining a display state even when supply of electric power is stopped.
However, in such kind of the liquid crystal display element, it is necessary to write an image after liquid crystal is once reset. For this reason, it takes longer time to complete display in comparison with TFT liquid crystal or the like, and thus such a liquid crystal display element is unsuited for display of a motion picture and an image which changes at high speed (for example, display of input characters and scrolling of screen). Moreover, while rewriting of the screen is completed, there is a problem that an optical absorption layer which is a background of the element is observed as black lines (blackout) in the portion to be rewritten and a screen is difficultly viewed.
The inventors paid an attention to the possibility that difficulty in viewing the screen is solved by driving a liquid crystal layer having a plurality of pixels arranged in the matrix pattern by means of interlace scanning where one frame is divided into a plurality of fields so as to be capable of rewriting the screen at high speed. However, it was found that when the respective fields were successively scanned to be driven, the black out portion still appeared as a stripe pattern.


A mobile communication terminal apparatus having a panel used for a predetermined operation and image display and storage unit for recording various pieces of information includes a macro information setting unit, line model setting unit, macro information read unit, and macro processing unit. The macro information setting unit sets macro information which performs a series of operations. The line model setting unit sets linear line model information input from the panel for the macro information set by the macro information setting unit, and records the set line model information and macro information in the storage unit in correspondence with each other. The macro information read unit reads out, from the storage unit, macro information corresponding to line model information input from the panel. The macro processing unit executes a series of operations of the macro information read out by the macro information read unit. A recording medium which records a data operation process program is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal apparatus and a recording medium which records a data operation process program and, more particularly, to a mobile communication terminal apparatus which implements by a simple operation a predetermined process operation that has been realized by a plurality of operations, and a recording medium which records a data operation process program.
In recent cell phones, input operation is frequently done using the operation keys of the cell phones along with an increase of various functions such as an electronic mail send/receive function and browser function. For example, an address display window is displayed by operating predetermined operation keys several times from a standby state in order to input a telephone number.
Recently, compact, multifunctional cell phones have rapidly been developed. For example, to downsize a cell phone, the screen size of the display of the cell phone and the number of operation keys are reduced. To reduce the number of operation keys, a plurality of functions must be assigned to operation keys. A multifunctional cell phone complicates the operation menu of the cell phone and sacrifices the user interface.
In this situation, there is proposed a cell phone disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-94629. The conventional cell phone is a foldable cell phone in which upper and lower cases are pivotally coupled. The display screens are formed on almost the entire surfaces of the upper and lower cases, respectively, and can display an image of a larger size. This also allows setting a larger number of touch type operation buttons and implementing multiple functions.
However, the above-mentioned conventional cell phone shifts to a predetermined function window by a plurality of operations using touch type operation keys. In many cases, a series of operations for shift to a desired function window become complicated.
The future aging society requires a more easy-to-understand user interface.

Mobile communication terminal apparatus and recording medium which records data operation process program