A method of compensating for chromatic dispersion in an optical signal transmitted on a long-haul terrestrial optical communication system including a plurality of spans, including: allowing chromatic dispersion to accumulate over at least one of the spans to a first predetermined level; and compensating for the first pre-determined level of dispersion using a dispersion compensating fiber causing accumulation of dispersion to a second predetermined level. There is also provided a hybrid Raman/EDFA amplifier including a Raman portion and an EDFA portion with a dispersion compensating fiber disposed therebetween. An optical communication system and a method of communicating an optical signal using such a Raman/EDFA amplifier are also provided.

Long-haul optical communication networks, e.g. networks of lengths greater than 600 kilometers, are particularly susceptible to the effects of chromatic dispersion. Chromatic dispersion results from wavelength-variation of the speed of travel for an optical signal on a fiber, and is manifested by pulse spreading in the transmitted signal and corresponding difficulties in signal detection. In long-haul terrestrial systems, the available fiber base is typically non-zero dispersion shifted fiber (NZ-DSF), which may exhibit a dispersion of 2–4 ps/nm/km. Significant dispersion may thus accumulate over long transmission distances. Long haul systems also suffer from signal attenuation resulting from a variety of factors, including scattering, absorption, and bending.
Compensation for dispersion and attenuation in long-haul systems has been accomplished on a per-span basis by inserting dispersion compensating fibers (DCFs) between stages of a multi-stage rare earth doped fiber amplifier, such as an erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFAs). EDFA configurations are well known. In general, an EDFA operates by passing an optical signal through an erbium-doped fiber segment, and "pumping" the segment with light from another source such as a laser. The pump source excites erbium atoms in the doped segment, which then serves to amplify the optical signal passing therethrough.
Raman amplifiers and hybrid Raman/EDFA amplifiers are also known. Raman amplification occurs throughout an optical transmission fiber segment when it is pumped at an appropriate wavelength or wavelengths. Each Raman amplifier may contain one or more pumps. Gain is achieved over a spectrum of wavelengths longer than the pump wavelength through the process of Stimulated Raman Scattering. The difference between the Raman amplifier pumped wavelength and the peak of the associated amplified wavelength spectrum at the longer wavelength is referred to as a "Stokes shift." The Stokes shift for a typical silica fiber is approximately 13 THz. Hybrid Raman/EDFA amplifiers combine the features of both Raman and EDFA amplifiers, typically in separate amplifier stages.
Although conventional amplifier configurations may be applied in a system for addressing signal attenuation, the conventional approach of providing dispersion compensation for every span through use of DCF between stages of a multi-stage EDFA has proven to be inefficient. For example, this approach does not consider system optimization through use of an optimum dispersion map. Also, non-linearities limit the amount of power that can be launched into the DCF, which complicates the EDFA design and potentially degrades performance.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method for providing improved dispersion compensation in long-haul optical networks.

System and method of dispersion compensation in optical communication systems


Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for performing structured parallel data intensive computations. A SQL-FCF framework that defines a SQL construct based interface for performing the computations is provided. The computations within an application are coded as table valued functions (TVFs). Data for the application is partitioned into data partitions to co-locate and load balance the data partitions and corresponding computations. The TVFs are invoked and applied to corresponding ones of the data partitions in a structured order defined by function control forms (FCF).

A trend in supporting large scale information technology (IT) applications is converging data intensive computation and data management to achieve fast data access and reduced data flow. For example dynamic data warehousing and operational business intelligence (BI) applications involve large-scale data intensive computations in multiple stages from information extraction, modeling and analysis to prediction. To support such applications, two IT disciplines are often deployed: high performance computing (HPC) and scalable data warehousing, both of which are based on the use of computer cluster technology and partitioning of tasks and data for parallel processing. In such an environment, parallel execution of reusable computations in Structured Query Language (SQL) applications may be used to push-down data intensive computations to a data management layer to converge computation and data.

Structured parallel data intensive computing

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A photographic development inhibitor releasing compound comprises a releasable development inhibitor group comprising an amide group containing a carbon alpha to the amide functionality which is di- or tri-fluorinated. Such a compound is useful in photographic silver halide materials and processes to enable increased image sharpness and good interimage results.

Images are commonly obtained in the photographic art by a coupling reaction between the development product of a silver halide color developing agent, typically an oxidized aromatic primary amine developing agent, and a color forming compound commonly referred to as a coupler. The resulting image dyes are typically cyan, magenta and yellow dyes that are formed in or adjacent to silver halide layers sensitive to radiation complementary to the color of the radiation absorbed by the image dye.
Various ways are recognized in the photographic art for improving the quality of such images produced in color photographic silver halide materials. One of the ways has been to use a compound, especially a coupler, that is capable of releasing a diffusible development inhibitor moiety as a function of silver halide development. The patent and technical literature is replete with references to compounds, particularly couplers, generally referred to as DIR compounds, that can be used for improving graininess, sharpness and tonal rendition of images in such materials. Representative compounds are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,227,554; 3,701,783; 3,615,506; 3,617,291; 3,379,529; 3,620,746; 3,384,657; 3,733,201; 4,248,962; 4,409,323 and 4,782,012.
A continuing need has existed for a development inhibitor moiety that enables increased inhibitor mobility that, in turn, provides useful interimage effects and increased sharpness of the color image produced in a color photographic silver halide material. It has been particularly desirable to provide such results with a releasable azole such as a triazole or tetrazole; or a benzotriazole, mercaptoazole, mercaptooxazole, or mercaptothiazole development inhibitor containing moiety. In this regard, it has been proposed to add an amide group to a mercaptoazole inhibitor moiety, such as described in European Patent Application 157,173 and Japanese Patent Application 60-184248. The amide function, such as acetamide, alone on a mercaptoazole inhibitor moiety was not found to provide the desired results as indicated by the comparative data in the following examples.
Releasable inhibitors of the art which are weakly adsorbed to silver and silver halide have been found to be most effective in improving sharpness of a color image because their effects are wider ranging. However, because of their weak inhibition of silver development, they must be coated in higher concentrations and so effects of seasoning of the developer occur. These may be overcome by making the inhibitors self-destructing upon prolonged exposure to the alkalinity of the developer solution. However coating large quantities of couplers releasing weak inhibitors can lead to other sensitometric problems. For instance, the dye formed as a consequence of inhibitor release may give sensitometric imbalance. These can be partially overcome by so-called "universal" couplers where the dye is unballasted and washes out or reacts to form colorless products, but these, in turn, lead to a loss of imaging efficiency usually seen as a loss of speed.
The effectiveness of a DIR coupler with respect to interimage effects can be evaluated by comparing the extent to which the released inhibitor causes the desired inhibiting effect on the adjacent layer ("Receiver") compared to the extent to which it causes an inhibiting effect on the layer in which it originates ("Causer"). Intralayer diffusion of an inhibitor precursor or inhibitor enables the inhibitor to cause an increase in sharpness of the image as well as a reduction in development in that layer.
A need has existed to provide a DIR compound, particularly a DIR coupler, in a photographic material and a process that enables formation of an image having improved sharpness with useful interimage results. Such a need has been especially important for a DIR compound, particularly a DIR coupler, that enables formation of a dye that is capable of being washed out of the photographic material upon processing. Moreover, such needs have existed with the added parameter that such a DIR compound must not require significantly modifying the development inhibitor moiety or the parent coupler moiety in a way that would adversely affect the desired properties of the inhibitor moiety, the stability, the reactivity toward oxidized developer, or other properties of the image dye-forming couplers present in the photographic material and process.

Photographic material and process employing a development inhibitor releasing compound containing a fluorinated carbon alpha to an amide group


Aspects of the present disclosure relate to depth sensing using a device. An example device includes a light projector configured to project light in a first and a second distribution. The first and the second distribution include a flood projection when the device operates in a first mode and a pattern projection when the device operates in a second mode, respectively. The example device includes a receiver configured to detect reflections of light projected by the light projector. The example device includes a processor connected to a memory storing instructions. The processor is configured to determine first depth information based on reflections detected by the receiver when the device operates in the first mode, determine second depth information based on reflections detected by the receiver when the device operates in the second mode, and resolve multipath interference (MPI) using the first depth information and the second depth information.

A device may determine distances of its surroundings using various active-or-passive depth sensing techniques. Passive depth sensing systems measure reflected ambient light. Active depth sensing systems emit waves from a non-ambient source of light (e.g., an illuminator, a light emitting diode (LED), a laser, or another suitable light source) and measure the corresponding reflected energy. For example, an active depth sensing system, or device, may generate depth information, illustrating or otherwise indicating depths from the device to a scene or one or more objects in the scene. The active depth sensing system may emit one or more light pulses and measure reflections of the light pulses from the objects or scene. Example active depth techniques include time-of-flight (ToF) and structured light (SL).
In a ToF system, light is emitted from a transmitter (or "projector"), and a reflection of the light is received at a receiver (or "sensor"). The round-trip time of the light from the transmitter to the receiver is determined, and the distance or depth of an object reflecting the emitted light can be determined from the round trip time. ToF systems are useful for many applications based on size, accuracy, performance indices, and cost. For example, ToF systems provide depth information faster and more reliably at the hardware level than, for example, stereo multi-camera systems that require more complex processing.
A SL system may include a light emitter (or "transmitter" or "projector") to project a distribution of infrared (IR) light (such as a distribution of IR light points) onto a scene. The system or device may also include a sensor (or "receiver") that senses the reflections of the distribution of light to determine distances of objects in the scene. The emitter and the sensor are separated by a distance, and displacement and distortion of the spatial distribution occurs at the sensor as a result. The SL system determines a distance or depth of an object reflecting the emitted light back to the system, for example, using triangulation with the displacement and distortion of the spatial distribution and the distance between the transmitter and receiver.

Resolving multipath interference using a mixed active depth system


An apparatus includes at least one memory configured to store a virtualization associated with a programming and test platform and a munition. The virtualization includes a virtual machine containing first software or firmware instructions associated with the programming and test platform and second software or firmware instructions that control behavior of the programming and test platform relative to the munition. The virtualization also includes a virtual representation of the munition. The virtualization further includes one or more virtual communication channels configured to communicatively couple the virtual machine and the virtual representation of the munition. The apparatus also includes at least one processor configured to execute the virtualization and simulate the programming and test platform and the munition on the apparatus.

Munitions, such as missiles or other projectiles, often have on-board computers or other on-board systems that execute software or firmware instructions in order to control the operations of the munitions. For example, missiles often include on-board systems that are used to control the targeting, launch, and flight of the missiles during use. These types of on-board systems typically cannot be programmed or tested using standard laptop computers or other common portable devices. Rather, these types of on-board systems can often only interact with specialized equipment that is designed specifically for use with those on-board systems. One example of this is the Common Munitions BIT/Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE) system, which represents a portable platform used to reprogram missile software, perform built-in tests (BIT) on missiles, and collect status information from non-volatile memories within missiles.

Virtualized hardware and methods for leveraging virtualized hardware with munition support software


A bearing system for rock mechanics test under high temperature and high pressure multi-field coupling includes a force sensor lifting seat and a jack. The force sensor lifting seat includes a connecting disk connected with the jack, a support disk, and an operation channel. A groove dented downwards is arranged on the connecting disk, the support disk is disposed in the groove and freely propped upon the connecting disk; through holes of the connecting disk and the support disk form a control operation channel; and a limiting device is arranged for preventing an MTS triaxial force sensor from disengaging from the support disk. A bolt hole of the force sensor can be aligned with a mounting hole on a solid steel column by rotating the connecting disk for convenient and accurate bolting.

Rock mechanics triaxial tests at high temperature and high pressure are necessary basic tests for all kinds of rock engineering in deep earth. Therefore, reliable tests are of great significance for rock engineering construction. In practical tests, accuracy and reliability of test results are compromised by inevitable damages to force sensors working as core member in laboratory high temperature and high pressure triaxial tests. Therefore, the force sensors are required be checked, maintained and replaced at a regular interval. The MTS rock mechanics test system is one of the world's most advanced rock mechanics equipment. The high temperature and high pressure force sensor, its core structure, relates to high-precision technology, high price and heavy mass, while the high temperature and high pressure triaxial chamber where the sensor is arranged is special in structure and narrow in space. With the possible unstable suction force between the high temperature and high pressure sensor and the upper connector, and precise row lines (e.g. load, deformation, seepage and temperature) densely arranged on the base of the high temperature and high pressure triaxial chamber there below, it is difficult to dismount and mount the high temperature and high pressure sensor. Improper dismounting and mounting are likely to lead to damages to the sensor and the row lines on the triaxial chamber base, injuries and other major property losses and personal injuries. To address the problem, the conventional method is to manually lift the triaxial force sensor and dismount/mount the sensor with the cooperation of multiple people. The method allows a short time for lifting with lots of labor and the sensor is possibly shaking during the process. Therefore, the method is low in accuracy and slow in the process of dismounting and mounting, and dismounting and mounting risks still exist. Currently, there is no special equipment effectively solving the problem of dismounting and mounting the high temperature and high pressure sensor.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Bearing system for rock mechanics test under high temperature and high pressure multi-field coupling in deep earth


In a heart-lung machine, blood is defoamed without the use of defoaming chemicals by passing blood between parallel insulated electrodes whose electric field orients the blood protein molecules to break up the foam bubbles. The blood then passes into the venous reservoir through a bubble screen which traps any remaining bubbles.

During coronary bypass surgery, the main flow of the patient's blood is conventionally taken from the patient's vena cava, oxygenated in a heart-lung machine, and returned to the patient's aorta. Some blood, however, escapes into the surgical field, where it is conventionally aspirated by a sucker device and returned to the blood bypass circuit of the heart-lung machine through an appropriate filter which removes air bubbles and surgical debris.
A problem with cardiotomy filters is that when blood is aspirated from the surgical field, it is mixed with a great deal of air, which results in the formation of air bubbles. Due to the structure of blood proteins, these bubbles are highly stable. This is so because blood proteins are randomly oriented polar macro-molecules whose random orientation has a strong stabilizing effect. This process is different from the action of chemical stabilizers which are surface active, and it leads to the production of a foam which is difficult to break up by means of the chemical defoamers such as silicone compounds conventionally used in cardiotomy filters.
Quite aside from the difficulty of chemically defoaming cardiotomy blood, the use of defoaming agents in multi-layer filters, which are currently the norm, is physiologically undesirable and is traumatizing to the blood. Also, some foaming occurs as well in the venous reservoir which receives blood from the vena cava, and it would be advantageous not to have to make that blood pass through a defoaming filter. Consequently, there exists a need for a defoamer which is non-invasive, non-traumatizing, inexpensive and disposable, and which has a simple, essentially unobstructed blood path.

Electrostatic blood defoamer for heart-lung machine


An electric dipole antenna includes a first and a second arm extending along a dipole axis away from a feed gap in substantially opposite directions. A first and a second end body are operatively coupled to opposite ends of the first and the second arms. Each end body has a width dimension which extends perpendicular to the dipole axis. A dipole length dimension extends along the dipole axis through the first and the second arms and the first and the second end bodies. A current conduction circuit provides a radiation field for the electric dipole antenna. The circuit passes along the first and the second arms and around a closed perimeter of the first and the second end bodies. As a result, the electric dipole antenna exhibits a series resonant frequency at a wavelength which is at least eight times the dipole length dimension. In addition, an electric monopole antenna design is used. The monopole is situated over a conducting ground plane which reflects the above-ground plane portion of the antenna. With the reflection portion, the monopole antenna effectively forms a dipole antenna that has the same characteristics of the electric dipole design described above.

Antennas for transmission of radio signals are generally designed to match impedance as closely as possible with a transmitter so that the transmitter power output is maximized. Any difference in the impedance results in less than 100% of the potential transmitter power being transferred to and radiated by an antenna coupled to the transmitter. In contrast, antennas for reception of radio signals are generally designed to have an electric dipole series resonant frequency at or near the center of a frequency band which is to be received by a particular antenna.
At the series resonant frequency, energy is transferred from the antenna to the receiver circuit input at a maximum rate (e.g., without excessive loss). An excessive loss in this transfer occurs when there is an impedance mismatch between the antenna and the receiver circuit. Using a frequency other than the resonant frequency results in a less efficient power transfer, because the impedance mismatch between the antenna and input increases as the received frequency diverges from the resonant frequency. By "tuning" a receiving antenna to have a resonant frequency centered in the frequency band to be received, a close matching of the impedance between receiving antenna and a receiver circuit input is achieved.
At the desired resonant frequency, prior art antennas are often implemented under the constraint that the electric dipole length of a radiator must be approximately equal to half of the wavelength of a radio signal. For portable radio devices this can be a difficult problem, because the length of the antenna must be quite long for the more common transmission frequencies. For example, a traditional center fed half wavelength dipole antenna having a resonant frequency of 937.5 MegaHertz typically is approximately 16 centimeters (cm) in length. A comparable quarter-wave monopole antenna that extends above a conducting plane is 8 cm in length for nearly the same resonant frequency. In smaller portable radio devices, there is typically no space for an antenna 8 to 16 cm in length.
In order to afford an antenna which may be fitted within smaller portable devices, it thus becomes desirable to operate the antenna at a wavelength greater than eight times the dipole length. Shortening the length of dipole or monopole antennas in such manner, however, impedes its ability to exhibit the desirable series-resonant effect, especially at high operating frequencies. In theory, the shortening of an arm length of a dipole or monopole antenna reduces the inductive reactance of the antenna which in turn causes its overall reactance to become more and more capacitive. It is well known that series resonance is accomplished by designing an antenna such that a balance exists between inductive and capacitive reactance, thereby eliminating overall reactance. Since the shortening of the antenna decreases the inductive reactance, a higher capacitance must be incorporated in the antenna to reduce the capacitive reactance, thereby matching the reduced inductive reactance. In the case of short dipole or monopole antennas, the reduction of inductive reactance is severe, thus calling for a sizable increase in capacitance. This augmentation of capacitance of short dipole or monopole antennas is extremely difficult, if not impossible, in minimal volumetric spaces given present methods.
Therefore, a need exists for an antenna design which has the same electromagnetic field characteristics of a center-fed half wavelength dipole antenna, but which has a shorter length dimension. There also exists a need for a short dipole antenna that is capable of exhibiting series resonance at a frequency which corresponds to a wavelength much longer than the length of the antenna. This would allow an efficiently designed antenna to be hidden inside of the main part of a portable radio device rather than extending along the outside of the portable radio device into free space for some distance.
The present invention provides a solution to this and other problems, and offers other advantages over the prior art.


Disclosed is a method of capturing 3D data of one or more airborne. At least one image of the one or more airborne particles is taken by a plenoptic camera of which the geometry and the optical properties of its optics are known, and the distance of a plane of focus with at least one selected particle of the one or more airborne particles from a defined reference location is determined by use of the captured image together with the known optical properties and the known geometry of the optics of the plenoptic camera.

Capturing large scale or small scale 3D wind data is, for example, of importance for validating aerodynamic properties of models in wind tunnels or other articles. In addition, 3D wind data may be used in control systems of wind turbines to optimize wind turbine efficiency or to take measures for counteracting expected loads.
US 2006/0140764 A1 describes a wind turbine having a LIDAR (light detection and ranging) wind speed measurement apparatus for achieving wind control. LIDAR is most commonly used to capture wind speed and direction data, but it is limited to either points on a line or, with newer versions, a two-dimensional plane. Hence, in order to capture 3D data within a volume it is necessary to scan the volume with the lidar apparatus.

Method of and device for capturing 3D data of one or more airborne particles


A video processing device and method for generating a descriptor data structure representative of a feature that has been selected from among of plurality of features including visual, conceptual, textual and graphical of a visual animated data file includes a user input unit for selecting a desired feature and generating an associated descriptor data containing attribute values, and a processor identifies the selected feature inserts selected attribute values into a standard descriptor template. Various types of features, from concepts about a video sequence, to age identification, to images in a video clip, to particular objects or colors can all be classified in a standard descriptor template, to provide uniformity in storing and retrieving the various features currently lacking in freeform or single feature descriptors.

The present invention is directed, in general, to video processing systems and more specifically, to a system for identifying and describing the content of visual animated data.
The advent of digital television (DTV), the increasing popularity of the Internet, and the introduction of consumer multimedia electronics, such as compact disc (CD) and digital video disc (DVD) players, have made tremendous amounts of multimedia information available to consumers. As video and animated graphics content becomes readily available and products for accessing it reach the consumer market, searching, indexing and identifying large volumes of multimedia data becomes even more challenging and important.
The term xe2x80x9cvisual animated dataxe2x80x9d herein refers to natural video, as well as to synthetic 2D or 3D worlds (e.g., VRML), or to a mixture of both video and graphics (e.g., MPEG-4). Different criteria are used to search and index the content of visual animated data, such as a video clip. Video processing systems have been developed for searching frames of visual animated data to detect, identify and label objects of a particular shape or color, or to detect text in the frames, such as subtitles, advertisement text, or background image text, such as a street sign or a xe2x80x9cHOTELxe2x80x9d sign.
Presently under development is a new MPEG standard, MPEG-7, which is intended to establish a standard set of xe2x80x9cdescriptorsxe2x80x9d that can be used to describe different aspects of visual animated data. The descriptors, or combinations of descriptors and description schemes, directly describe the content of visual animated data, such as a video clip, thereby providing a fast and efficient way to search through an archive of video files and animated graphics files. MPEG-7 is intended to standardize some descriptors and description schemes in a comprehensive description definition language (DDL) to describe the content of visual animated data.
A descriptor, at its most basic, is a representation of an attribute of a feature (or object) in visual animated data. A feature can be something very basic, such as the color of a pixel in a specific frame in a movie, or a feature can be something more conceptual and broad, such as the name of the movie or the age of the character portrayed within the story of the movie. Collections of related descriptors are called description schemes. This language for creating these descriptors and description schemes is called a xe2x80x9cdescription definition languagexe2x80x9d or DDL.
One goal of MPEG-7 is to allow content creators and content editors to describe any feature of visual animated data content in a manner that can be used by others and can be used for searching and retrieving the visual animated data content by the final consumers. Descriptors are coded so that they can be transmitted and stored efficiently. The MPEG-7 standard, however, is far from completion and many of its intended objectives may never be realized. Additionally, many of the MPEG-7 standard proposals include a full language for creating descriptors. The proposed languages allow a descriptor creator to specify the descriptor in a freeform manner using the syntax and semantics of the specific language. This is a xe2x80x9cscriptbasedxe2x80x9d approach in which each descriptor is a script that can be used whenever a specific feature needs to be described. Under this approach, one descriptor may look nothing like any other descriptor in the DDL. Thus, the descriptors and description schemes that are created may be highly individualized with little commonality according to the choices of the descriptor creator.
There is therefore a need in the art for improved systems and methods for searching and indexing the content of visual animated data including video clips. More particularly, there is a need for a description definition language (DDL) that implements highly structured descriptors and description schemes that are readily recognizable and searchable by parser programs and other applications that detect and analyze descriptor information associated with visual animated data.
To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a template containing a standard set of attributes that can be used to describe any feature. Each template comprises a descriptor. A user may describe a feature using a standard template and fill in values to create the descriptor. Using the description definition language to create descriptors, a content creator can describe the lower-level individual features of the multimedia content being created. The content creator can also describe the relationships between these lower level features and collect descriptors into logical groupings using description schemes.
All descriptors and description schemes created in accordance with the principles of the present invention are based on the standard template with some variations. Using a predefined template or set of templates, rather than script-based descriptors, makes the descriptors and description schemes of a visual animated data file easily recognizable and searchable.
Accordingly in one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a video processing device capable of generating a descriptor data structure representative of a selected feature in a visual animated data file. The video processing device comprises: 1) user input means capable of selecting the selected feature and generating a plurality of attribute values associated with the selected feature; and 2) an image processor capable of identifying the selected feature in the visual animated data file and receiving the plurality of attribute values from the user input means and, in response to receipt of the plurality of attribute values, generating the descriptor data structure by inserting selected ones of the plurality of attribute values into corresponding ones of a plurality of pre-defined attribute fields in a standard descriptor template.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the image processor is further capable of associating the descriptor data structure with the visual animated data file to thereby produce a modified visual animated data file, wherein the selected feature may be identified in the modified visual animated data file by examining the descriptor data structure.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the selected feature is an object appearing in the visual animated data file and the descriptor data structure contains attribute values representative of the object.
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the selected feature is an image frame in the visual animated data file and the descriptor data structure contains attribute values representative of the image frame.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the selected feature is a sequence of image frames in the visual animated data file and the descriptor data structure contains attribute values representative of the sequence of image frames.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the descriptor template further comprises a plurality of user-defined attribute fields and wherein the image processor is capable of receiving a plurality of user-defined attribute values from the user input means and inserting selected ones of the plurality of user-defined attribute values in corresponding ones of the user-defined attribute fields.
According to a still further embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of pre-defined attribute fields in a standard descriptor template comprises a unique identification (ID) attribute field, wherein the plurality of pre-defined attribute fields are the same for descriptor data structures having the same ID attribute field.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.
Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms xe2x80x9cincludexe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9ccomprise,xe2x80x9d as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term xe2x80x9cor,xe2x80x9d is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases xe2x80x9cassociated withxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cassociated therewith,xe2x80x9d as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term xe2x80x9cprocessorxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9ccontrollerxe2x80x9d means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

System and method for describing multimedia content


A composite heat exchanger has an inner, serpentine circuit fluidly isolated from a surrounding outer, parallel flow circuit, allowing two different heat exchange media to be in thermal contact without physical mixing. A series of longer, inner tubes are bent into a U shape, with the parallel legs of each arm of the U jacketed by surrounding, outer tubes. Header plates are inserted over the outer tubes, moved to a spaced apart relation, and then all but the first and last inner tube ends are joined by separate U shaped junctions to created the primary, serpentine circuit. Finally, manifold tanks are attached to the header plates, covering, but fluidly isolated from, the U shaped junctions of the serpentine circuit. Corrugated fins are installed between the parallel surfaces of adjacent outer tubes.

Heat exchangers typically are single units, in which a regularly spaced plurality of generally parallel flow tubes carry a flow medium, such as refrigerant or radiator coolant, with air blown perpendicular to and over the outside of the flow tubes to transfer heat to or away from the tubes. Composite heat exchangers in which one heat exchanger is fixed in front of the other as a modular unit, such as a radiator dualed with a condenser, have been proposed. But these typically share no more components than is necessary to simply physically attach them together for simultaneous installation. Shell type, tube within concentric tube, heat exchangers are known, but these are typically liquid to liquid heat exchangers, and still constitute only a single unit, rather than first, independently operating heat exchanger surrounded or jacketed by a second.
There may be applications in the future requiring that a primary, inner heat exchanger be contained within and jacketed by, a secondary heat exchanger. The outer, surrounding heat exchanger could carry a secondary flow medium of differing properties from the primary medium. The primary heat exchange medium could be confined to an isolated location within its circuit, while the secondary heat exchange medium alone could flow back to a vehicle passenger space or the like, where it was desired not to expose the passenger space to the primary heat exchange medium. The two heat exchange media would be thermally conductive, but not physically mixed. Patented methods exist for producing inner tubing jacketed by an outer, surrounding tubing, and it is suggested that such could be used for a heat exchanger. However, there is no design known for practically and compactly jacketing a primary heat exchanger within a secondary heat exchanger.

Method of manufacture of a primary heat exchanger jacketed by a secondary heat exchanger


A configurable bus interface circuit includes an internal bus bridge and an internal circuit. The configurable bus interface circuit also includes an internal I/O circuit couplable to an external circuit, via the internal bus bridge. The configurable bus interface circuit electrically isolates the internal circuit to avoid the propagation of signals between the internal I/O circuit and the external circuit.

As improved fabrication techniques allow greater and greater circuit density within electronic devices, functionality previously distributed over several chips migrated onto a single chip. Microprocessors, for example, now perform functions previously found on co-processors and peripheral controllers in addition to the more traditional processing role. However, migrating several functions onto a single chip hinders an end user's ability to upgrade peripheral functions that have migrated onto the processor. For example, if a graphics controller or other peripheral controller is implemented integrally with a processor, the end user may have difficulty upgrading the graphics controller without having to purchase a new microprocessor or computer system.
The migration of functionality onto a single chip therefore can lock the end user into a single configuration. When a chip set implements peripheral controllers on the same chip as the processors, it can be difficult for an end user to disable on-chip peripheral controllers to upgrade as new peripheral controllers become available. One of the new chip sets includes an integrated bus bridge and graphics controller. Migrating the bus bridge and graphics controller onto a single chip allows much more efficient reuse as well as the elimination of redundant circuitry, as well as reducing cost. The internal graphics controller can quickly access main memory via the on-chip bus bridge. However, the new chip set does not forego expandability. As new graphics controllers become available, the end user can insert expansion cards containing upgrade graphics controllers into expansion slots within the computer system. A graphics controller implemented on an expansion card is coupled to the bus bridge via a bus, typically either an accelerated graphics port (AGP) bus or peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus. Both of these bus types are source terminated, in that they rely on a reflected wave to be absorbed by the output impedance of the signal driver. The output impedance of the driver equals the line impedance.
However, the presence of an expansion slot coupled to the expansion bus presents problems for the on-chip graphics controller when no expansion graphics controller is inserted into the expansion slot. For example, when the bus bridge provides a signal for the on-chip graphics controller, echoes or signal reflections from the expansion slot can interfere with the on-chip graphics controller's reception of the signal. Because the bus bridge and on-chip graphics controller are implemented on the same chip, signals propagate from the bus bridge to the on-chip graphics controller, by going all the way down the bus to the expansion slot and then are reflected back before the on chip graphics controller sees the full magnitude of the signal. The elapsed time is twice as long as the signal takes to get to the graphics controller in the expansion slot. Since the bus specifications are defined to the device farthest away from the bus bridge, either the bus has to be half the length defined by the specification, or the bus has to be non-compliant with the specifications.
In many respects, the expansion bus terminating in the empty expansion slot operates as a transmission line. Source terminated busses operate with the impedance of the output buffer, approximately equal to the ended transmission line impedance. The bus bridge applies a voltage to the expansion bus, implementing a signal that propagates down the expansion bus and is then reflected back towards the bus bridge. Because the impedance at the expansion slot is infinite, the reflection coefficient is one. Therefore, the reflected signal reinforces the propagating signal and produces a voltage double the applied voltage. The on-chip graphics controller, therefore, receives a first voltage directly from the on-chip bus bridge, and later receives a reflection signal to bring it up to the full magnitude. Operating at high speeds, the interface between the bus bridge and the on-chip graphics controller suffers excessive delay caused by driving the signal out to the expansion slot and back again to get to the on-chip graphics controller.
Therefore, a need has arisen for a configurable bus interface coupling an internal bus bridge, an internal circuit such as an on-chip graphics controller and an external circuit such as an expansion slot configured to receive an expansion or upgrade graphics controller.

Method and apparatus for configuring an integrated bus


A method and system are described for executing document scanning jobs intended for a remote work station through using a wireless connection between the work station and a scanner facility. When a user, carrying a mobile device, approaches a multifunctional reproduction device, automatically a scanning template will be uploaded from the mobile device to the multifunctional device. In case the user now makes himself known to the multifunctional device and prepares for a scan job, at the user interface of the multifunctional device, the scan template will be displayed for further specification of the scan job by the user. After completion of the scan job the scanned data is downloaded to the mobile device. When the connection is closed the scanning template and data belonging to the scan job are removed from the multifunctional device.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a method and system for scanning a document, the document being taken in its broadest technical sense, such as including those that contain informal matter. Optical scanning is in wide use for introducing matter from outside into a computer environment without necessitating preprocessing of such matter before the scanning. More in particular, the present invention relates to the use of such optical scanning viz à viz a plurality of work stations in a comprehensive administrative organization without the imposing of an extensive set of rules, and whilst allowing in particular the use of mobile workstations or mobile devices, such as laptops, PDA's and the like, that feature a wireless interconnection to the scanning facility.
2. Discussion of the Background Art
Prior art as documented in Research Disclosure, April 2001, p. 511, # 444001 discloses such system for use with a scanning facility and only a single mobile device. The overall procedure goes with activating the mobile device in a receive mode, executing the scanning, packaging the document, and then wirelessly transmitting it. In particular, every step requires user intervention.
However, the present inventors have recognized that especially in a larger organization, easy-to-follow procedures, security measures, and multi-station facilities are a must. In particular, the application program should better run in the background of other operations, and various settings should be attained automatically.

Method and system for executing document scanning jobs that are intended for a remote work station through using a wireless interconnection between the work station and a scanner facility


A retrieval system for a mooring line when a skipper is ready to shove-off composed of at least one mooring line receptacle for a mooring line, wherein the mooring line has a release actuator at its distal end. A connector is slidably captured on the mooring line for being engaged by the release actuator. A retrieval cable for actuating the release actuator and for retracting the mooring line into its mooring line receptacle is connected to a slide slidably interfaced with the mooring line receptacle for being pulled along the mooring line receptacle so as to retract the mooring line into the mooring line receptacle. In operation, the mooring line is pulled from its mooring line receptacle via the connector, looped around a cleat, piling, etc. of a dock and then the release actuator is seated in the socket to thereby secure the mooring line as a closed loop therearound. When the skipper is ready to shove-off, the slide is pulled along the mooring line receptacle in a direction away from the eyelet. This pulling force causes the retrieval cable to trip the release actuator so as to allow the release actuator to separate from the socket. Continued pulling on the slide, results in the slide moving along the mooring line receptacle, whereupon the retrieval cable to enter into the mooring line receptacle followed by the mooring line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mooring lines for nautical vessels, and more particularly to a retrieval system for mooring lines, wherein the mooring line is stored as it is retrieved.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Watercraft, such as motor and sail boats, utilize fore and aft mooring lines at each of the port and starboard sides thereof to secure the watercraft to a dock facility. In this regard, the dock facility generally has a number of cleats or other structures, such as pilings, to which mooring lines of the watercraft may be connected.
Typically, a watercraft will have a mooring line for being connected with cleats on the watercraft in anticipation of future and present docking needs. Cleats are usually provided fore and aft at each of the starboard and port sides of the watercraft, whereupon four mooring lines would be needed to be connected to these four cleats.
Problematically, when a skipper leaves dock, the mooring lines may be loosely placed on the boat deck, whereafter they may slide off and then dangle into the water. Dangling mooring lines are, of course, unsightly and they can add drag and pose other problems to operation of the watercraft. On the other hand, if the mooring lines are secured to some component of the boat deck to prevent potential dangling, then when the mooring lines need to be made ready for docking considerable time and effort must be expended to free the lines. This lost time could be critical if a skipper is in need of a fast securement to the dock in the event of an untoward docking situation, such as when other boats may limit free navigation or high seas or winds make docking particularly tricky.
The inventor hereof has developed a mooring line receptacle apparatus, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,805, issued on Feb. 4, 1997, hereby incorporated by reference; patent application Ser. No. 08/791,973, filed on Jan. 31, 1997, hereby incorporated by reference; and patent application Ser. No. 09/026,596, filed on Feb. 20, 1998, hereby incorporated by reference. In these disclosures of the inventor hereof, the inventor hereof details an effective, simple and easy to use way to hold mooring lines in a stored state with respect to the watercraft, yet the mooring lines are instantly available when docking is imminent.
A first mooring line receptacle apparatus includes, according to the aformentioned incorporated by reference disclosures, an elongated mooring line receptacle, in the form of a single piece or a plurality of discrete segments which may be mutually touching or mutually spaced apart, for each mooring line, wherein each mooring line receptacle, wherein each mooring line receptacle is connected with watercraft at the gunwale thereof; and further includes a mooring line having an abutment member connected to the distal end thereof. The mooring line receptacle has an interior hollow formed by a sidewall composed of a durable, resilient material having a longitudinal slot therein. The sidewall opposite the slot is attached to the hull of a selected watercraft via threaded fasteners. One mooring line receptacle is located at the port bow, another at the starboard bow, another at the port stern and another at the starboard stern. Preferably, each of the sets of port and starboard mooring line receptacles end near each other at a location on the gunwale where the skipper and crew/passengers enter and leave the watercraft, generally amidship of the watercraft. The mooring line is conventional nylon or other rope material used for nautical moorage. The slot has a width smaller than the cross-section of the mooring line, such that the mooring line can be forced progressively through the slot into the interior hollow of the mooring line receptacle, and thereupon be trapped therein such that the mooring line cannot fall out of the hollow through the slot. The abutment member then abuts the end of the mooring line receptacle to thereby prevent the distal end of the mooring line from sliding into the interior hollow.
In operation, each of the port bow, port stern, starboard bow and starboard stern mooring lines have the proximate ends thereof looped over or otherwise connected with their respective cleat on the watercraft. Each mooring line is then respectively pressed into its mooring line receptacle progressively along the slot thereof and past any spacing between the receptacle segments. When docking, the skipper or a crew member grabs a mooring line, via the abutment member thereof, on the side of the watercraft facing a dock facility, and then pulls upon the mooring line to thereby free it from its mooring line receptacle via exiting progressively along the slot thereof. The person then secures that mooring line in a conventional way to the dock facility, such as for example at a dock cleat or dock piling. Other of the mooring lines are then grabbed at their respective abutment member, freed and tied as was done with the first mooring line. When it is time to shove-off, the mooring lines tied to the dock facility are released therefrom and then slipped progressively through the slot of their respective mooring line receptacles for later use when docking is to again take place.
A second mooring line receptacle apparatus according to the aformentioned incorporated by reference disclosures is generally similar to the aforementioned first mooring line receptacle apparatus, inclusive of being in the form of a single piece or a plurality of discrete receptacle segments which may be mutually touching or mutually spaced apart, where now the mooring line freely passes through the slot and is not forced therethrough. The mooring line simply lays in the interior hollow of the mooring line receptacle and is held substantially taught by an abutment member which is snappably engageable into the slot. Preferably, the abutment member is adjustably positionable on the mooring line to thereby be positioned to abut the far end of the mooring line receptacle when the mooring line is resident therein. A guide member at the near end of the mooring line receptacle aids to guide the mooring line into the slot when the mooring line is being stored thereinside.
While the above described mooring line receptacle apparatus operates very well to easily and neatly store and release mooring lines elongatedly with respect to a vessel, there remains needed an easy way to effect retraction of the mooring lines into the mooring line receptacles when a skipper is ready to shove-off. Accordingly, what is needed in the art is some effective, simple and easy to use way to retract a mooring line into its mooring line receptacle.


The speed of in-plant vehicles such as forklift trucks and the like is monitored to provide for the lighting of a warning light where a first speed threshold is reached, the sounding of a horn when a second speed is reached, and for the disabling of the vehicle on the sustaining of the higher speed for a predetermined interval of time. This speed monitoring approach generates a signal having an intermittent monitor output corresponding with the speed of the vehicle and which exhibits a period of lessening duration in corresponding with increasing speeds. Timing of the occurrence of these signals is employed with an accumulator based logic to establish vehicle speed. To avoid apparatus reaction to noise based signals, a select number of occurrences of apparent speed excursions are required before the horn or lamp are activated. Remote supervisory resetting of the monitoring system following the occurrence of a latched warning output is provided through an IR based code transmitting and receiving arrangement.

The movement of goods, materials and workpieces and people within and about factory and warehousing environments typically is carried out by relatively small, dedicated transport vehicles such as forklift trucks and the like. Operators of these in-plant vehicles have been observed to exhibit an incentive based tendency to operate them at low but still somewhat excessive speeds. Within the environment of a factory or similar workplace, such operation is hazardous, incidents of collisions between the vehicles and plant personnel now reaching numbers resulting in a call for corrective action. Speed governors have been considered but rejected, not only because of the complexity and cost of retrofitting existing vehicles with such systems, but also in view of a needed flexibility of speed capability for the vehicles wherein such speeds are made available to the operators for very short intervals or for operation in non-hazardous regions such as those out of plant, for lifting loads and the like. As a consequence of this need for flexibility in operation, it has been proposed that a cuing form of warning be employed with the vehicles to advise the operator that thresholds of acceptable speeds have been reached and further providing warnings to the operator in the presence of hazardous speed. For example, as the vehicle reaches a speed of 5 miles per hour, a light may be energized to alert the operator that the maximum desired in-plant speed has been reached. A next higher threshold of 7.5 miles per hour would represent a hazardous condition warranting a warning provided as an audible alarm such as developed by an energized horn. Should the hazardous speed condition continue for a set interval, for example 3 seconds or the like, then such response as a vehicle shut-down or other action may be called for requiring some form of supervisory notification or intervention.
Because a typical industrial facility will have several makes and varieties of such inplant vehicles, for example having different lifting features, propane or electrically powered motor systems and the like, the cuing systems or devices incorporating such desired features necessarily must exhibit the attributes of universal adaptability and be capable of relatively simple installation procedures. For instance, the systems may gain speed information by monitoring the rotation of the wheel. While a flag or the like attached to a wheel rim readily may be monitored to provide a pulse categorized indication of wheel revolutions, such simple pick-off techniques also may lead to logic error inasmuch as the duty cycle or operating time of the devices involves a substantial amount of stopping and reversing. Thus, the pulse output of such monitoring may contain a substantial amount of false information.
However, while providing a simplicity of retrofit installation, the desired cuing system should provide for possible sabotage on the part of operators. Such sabotage becomes more available as the design for retrofitting the vehicle becomes more simple. An energized horn, while providing a warning to plant personnel that a vehicle within ear shot is speeding, also may be a source of mental irritation to an involved operator posing a temptation to dismantle the device. Thus, supervisory functions should have available some continuum of diagnostic information that the vehicle mounted devices are in proper working order.

Speed monitoring of in-plant, operator controlled vehicles


A fluid circulation valve assembly comprises a valve body and first and second pressure relief valves. The valve body comprises two inlets to receive output of fluid pumps, two outlets to direct fluid from the two inlets out of the valve body, respectively, and two overpressure outlets to direct fluid from the twos out of the valve body, respectively. The first and second pressure relief valves intersect the two inlets, the two outlets and the two overpressure outlets, respectively. Each pressure relief valve comprises a spring operated overpressure valve configured to open an inlet to an overpressure outlet at an overpressure condition; and a manually operated valve having a first position configured to fluidly connect an inlet to an outlet while not affecting operation of the overpressure valve, and a second position configured to fluidly connect an inlet to an overpressure outlet while opening the overpressure valve.

The present invention relates generally to plural-component spray systems. In particular, the present invention relates to pressure relief systems for reciprocating fluid proportioners having at least two pumps.
Fluid proportioners comprise dispensing systems that receive separate inert fluid components, mix the components in a predetermined ratio and then dispense the components as an activated compound. For example, fluid proportioners are used to dispense epoxies and polyurethanes that solidify after mixing of a resin component and an activating material, which are individually inert. However, after mixing an immediate chemical reaction begins taking place that results in the cross-linking, curing, and solidification of the mixture. Therefore, the two components are routed separately into the proportioner so that they can remain segregated as long as possible. A manifold receives each component after it is pumped separately and mixes the components so the mixture can be dispensed from a sprayer coupled to the manifold.
A typical fluid proportioner comprises a pair of positive displacement pumps that individually draw in fluid from separate fluid hoppers and pump pressurized fluids to the mix manifold. The pumps are driven in synchronicity by a common motor, typically an air motor or hydraulic motor, having a reciprocating drive shaft. Most two component epoxies and polyurethanes are not, however, comprised of a 1:1 ratio of the components. Typically a first major component is needed in a higher concentration than a second minor component. In such a case, displacement of one pump is required to be larger than the other. The components are routed from the pumps to the mix manifold for blending. Additionally, a fluid manifold is positioned between the pumps and the mix manifold to permit each fluid to be independently circulated by its pump without mixing, thus segregating the mixing and curing part of the spray process from the pumping and pressurization part.
Because the fluids are circulated under high pressure, it is also desirable to provide pressure relief valves throughout the proportioner system. In particular, if one of the fluid lines becomes plugged, or one of the hoppers runs out of fluid, the other functioning pump will take the full force of the drive motor, causing an overpressure condition. For example, if a 4:1 mix ratio proportioner is spraying at 4,000 psi (˜27.6 MPa) and the major component pump runs out of fluid, the minor component pump will develop four times the normal operating pressure, or 16,000 psi (˜110.3 MPa). Excess pressures need to be vented to prevent failure of parts and unsafe conditions.
Typical proportioners include rupture disks that are permanently sealed, but open by tearing or bursting when overpressure conditions occur. Rupture disks can only be used one time and are used as secondary or back-up systems. Once the rupture disk breaks, the proportioner must be taken out of action until the disk can be replaced. Additionally, over pressure relief valves are used as the primary relief system. Relief valves are spring loaded and are set to open at a specific overpressure. The relief valves drain back to the hoppers or drain cans through drain lines. Ideally, the relief valves are not frequently used. As such, the relief valves and lines have a tendency to become plugged by the accumulation of dried and crystallized fluid from the previous use. This causes the relief valves to open at a much higher pressure or, in extreme cases, to not open at all. As such, there is a need to provide proportioners with more reliable and reusable relief valve systems.

Fluid circulation valve assembly for fluid proportioner


A method of establishing connection between a first mobile station (MS) and a second MS in a mobile communication system is disclosed. More specifically, the method includes transmitting to at least one base station (BS) a service message which includes information of at least one service type supported by the first MS and the second MS. Here the at least one service type relates to a multimedia service supported by each of the first MS and the second MS. Furthermore, the method includes transmitting a request message which includes information of at least one service type selected by the first MS, receiving a response message which includes information of the selected service type which is supported by both the first MS and a second MS, and transmitting a connection complete message between the first MS and the second MS for communication using the selected service type.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a call setup, and more particularly, to a method of setup and controlling service connection.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A mobile communication system provides services for voice and multimedia such as video. The service for voice communication includes transmitting and receiving voice information between users of mobile communication. Moreover, the service for multimedia communication includes transmitting and receiving, not only voice, but also still images and video.
According to recent trend, mobile stations are provided with diverse multimedia features such as taking still pictures and recording moving pictures. Generally, a transmission data rate of 8 kbps-13 kbps is needed to support voice communication, and a transmission data rate of 32 kbps-64 kbps is need to support multimedia communication.
When communicating using the mobile station (MS), it is necessary to transmit and receive service option information for identifying different types of services. For example, the service option information includes information on whether the provided service is for voice communication or multimedia communication. That is, the service option information includes information related to a type of voice codec for the voice communication service and a type of data used for multimedia service. Once the type of service is identified, each type of service is assigned a service option number, and using the service option number, each communication scheme can be identified. For example, when a multimedia service in form of video is transmitted, independently processed voice and video are first multiplexed. Here, a specific service option number can be assigned to the video transmission format for the multiplexed voice and video.
The multimedia service for video communication provides users with live images of other users to whom they in communicating. To realize such a communication service, a system that supports high data rate is needed. When video communication for display live images is implemented, the need for higher data rate and more broadband space become apparent and consequently takes up the system's capacity. As such, a base station (BS) is forced to support less number of mobile stations. From the user's perspective, the communication service charges associated with the multimedia service increases due to high cost of maintaining the service, and therefore, the users are likely to not use the video communication feature of the multimedia service as much as the less costly voice communication services.
To combat the high cost of using the video service, based on the user's selection, other cost saving services can be used. However, there is no service options related to providing alternative cost saving services, such as providing expressions or feelings of the user as opposed to providing live images which equates to high service charges. Even if such service options are provided, a MS with this service option cannot communicate with a MS without this service option. Further, transmission delay can be expected during the negotiation process in providing such a service option.

Method for setup and controlling service connection


A clutch assembly (1) in a first embodiment is provided with a flywheel (7), a clutch cover (42), arcuate engagement plates (40) and wire members (44). Each arcuate engagement plate (40) includes an engagement portion fixed to an outer circumferential portion of the flywheel (7) and extending in a direction away from an engine and a bent portion (40b) further extending in a axial direction from an end of the engagement portion and bent radially inwardly. The clutch cover (42) has a hole (42b) into which the bent portion (40b) is inserted without any gap in the circumferential direction and is in contact with an end of the engagement portion of an arcuate projecting plate (40). The wire members (44) are detachably disposed between the ends of the bent portions (40b) and the clutch cover (42). The wire members (44) prevent the clutch cover (42) from moving toward the bent portions (40b). In a second embodiment, a clutch assembly (101), arcuate engagement plates (140) are fixed to an outer circumferential portion of the flywheel (7). An outer circumferential portion of the clutch cover (142) is engaged in a non-rotatable manner with the arcuate engagement plate (140) and detachably in a direction away from the flywheel (7). Bolts (144) limit the axial movement of the clutch cover (142) away from the arcuate engagement plates (140).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a clutch assembly, and more particular to a clutch assembly in which a flywheel and a clutch cover assembly are fixed to each other by an intermediate piece to provide a reduction in radial size.
2. Description of the Related Art
A clutch assembly is mainly composed of a flywheel on an input side, a clutch cover subassembly fixed to this flywheel and a clutch disc subassembly. The clutch cover assembly is mainly composed of a dish-like clutch cover, a pressure plate covered by the clutch cover and facing the flywheel, and a diaphragm spring for urging the pressure plate, supported to the clutch cover, toward the flywheel. A bolt mounting seat projecting radially outwardly is formed on an outer circumferential portion of the flywheel. An outer circumferential portion of the clutch cover is fastened to the bolt mounting seat by bolts. The clutch disc subassembly is interposed between the flywheel and the pressure plate. When the release unit causes the diaphragm spring to move in the axial direction, a spring force against the pressure plate is released so that the pressure plate is separated away from the clutch disc subassembly.
There is a clutch assembly in which the bolt mounting seat of the flywheel is dispensed with, and the outer circumferential portion of the clutch cover is press-fitted to and integrated with the outer circumferential portion of the flywheel. Thus, the bolt mounting seat is dispensed with so that the clutch assembly as a whole is miniaturized in the radial direction.
In the conventional clutch assembly, when a worn clutch disc subassembly is replaced by new one, the clutch as a whole is removed from the crankshaft. Subsequently, the press-fitted portion of the clutch cover is broken to disassembly the clutch disc subassembly and the flywheel from each other. In this case, the clutch cover that has been removed could not be reused.
In order to solve such a problem, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-81532 discloses a clutch assembly in which the outer circumferential portion of the clutch cover is engaged with the outer circumferential portion of the flywheel with the two components being kept non-rotatable relative to each other. Furthermore, the two components are fastened by bolts. In this clutch assembly, since bolts are mounted from the outer circumferential side of the flywheel, the radial dimension of the clutch assembly as a whole is increased and at the same time, the operation for the bolts becomes difficult.

Clutch assembly having a clutch cover attachable to a flywheel via an intermediate member to provide radially reduced dimensions


Multi-ligand capture agents comprising two or more ligands are described, and related compositions, methods and systems.

High sensitivity detection of targets and in particular of biomarkers has been a challenge in the field of biological molecule analysis, in particular when aimed at detection of a plurality of targets and/or at detection of a target of a certain dimension or present in the sample at a low concentration. Whether for pathological examination or for fundamental biology studies, several methods are commonly used for the detection of various classes of biomaterials and biomolecules.
Some of the techniques most commonly used in the laboratory for detection of single biological targets include gel electrophoresis, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), western blots, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). These methods have provided the ability to detect one or more biomarkers in biological samples such as serum and tissues and are also suitable for diagnostic purposes.
Subsequent polynucleotide encoding approaches provided improvements over previous techniques, and in particular, allowed performance of a highly sensitive and selective multiplexed detection of targets.

Capture agents and related compositions, methods and systems


A folding support settable between an extended position and a received position is disclosed to include a rack for holding thereon a table machine, a pair of first legs and a pair of second legs respectively pivoted to the rack for supporting the rack above the floor, two first links respectively pivoted to the rack, and two second links respectively pivoted to the second legs and the first links. The first links and the second links are moved with the second legs toward the first legs when receiving the folding support, and at the same time the first links are stopped against the first legs, assuring safety of the receiving action.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to support means for supporting a table machine, and more particularly, to a folding support, that allows utilization of the weight of the table machine that is supported on the folding support to share the force necessary for folding the folding support into the received status.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 1-3 show a conventional mobile table machine stand 2 for supporting a table machine, for example, table saw 1. The mobile table machine stand 2 comprises a platform 3 carrying the table saw 1, a pair of first legs 4 each having one end respectively pivoted to the platform 3 by a pin 2a and connected to a handle 4a and the other end terminating in a bearing portion 4b for touching the floor, a pair of second legs 5 each having one end respectively pivoted to the first legs 4 by a pin 2b and terminating in an extension 5b and the other end mounted with a wheel 5a, and a pair of connecting members 6 each having the two distal ends respectively pivoted to the platform 3 and the extension 5b of the second legs 5 by pins 2c and 2d. By means of the aforesaid arrangement, the mobile table machine stand 2 can be alternately set between the extended position shown in FIG. 1 and the received position shown in FIG. 3.
The design of the aforesaid mobile table machine stand 2 allows utilization of the weight of the table saw 1 to share the force F1 necessary for folding the mobile table machine stand 2 into the received position. However, when the bearing portions 4b of the first legs 4 are stopped at the floor, the table saw 1 is kept in a tilted position, and the center of gravity W of the table saw 1 is offset from the pivot points, i.e. pins 2b, between the first legs 4 and the second legs 5 (see FIG. 2), if the grasp force F2 applied by the user to the handle 4a cannot sustain the downward pressure of the table saw 1, the second legs 5 will be forced to move toward the first legs 4 rapidly, and the elastic force of the springs 7 between the first legs 4 and the second legs 5 will accelerate the movement of the second legs 5 toward the first legs 4, resulting in a potential accident.
Further, when the mobile table machine stand 2 is extended out, the shank 8a of each T-shaped lock member 8 is respectively inserted through a through hole 4c on each first leg 4 and a through hole 9a on a respective locating plate 9 that is respectively welded to each of the second legs 5 to lock the first legs 4 and the second legs 5, preventing movement of the second legs 5 toward the first legs 4. When the mobile machine stand 2 is in the received position, the shanks 8a of the T-shaped lock members 8 are respectively stopped at the extensions 5b of the second legs 5 preventing movement of the second legs 5 relative to the first legs 4. The T-shaped lock members 8 provide a locking function. However, it is difficult to align the through holes 4c of the first legs 4 with the through holes 9a on the locating plates 9 at the second legs 5. Further, the T-shaped lock members 8 must be pulled out of the locking position or pushed into the locking position when extending out or receiving the mobile table machine stand 2. Further, a shearing force may be produced between the first legs 4 and the second legs 5 due to an accidental impact of the mobile table machine stand 2, thereby damaging the T-shaped lock members 8.
Therefore, the aforesaid conventional mobile table machine stand is not satisfactory in function.


A method and system for communicating retail-item-purchasing data in a computer network environment is provided. Commute information is leveraged to provide purchasing options to end-users and to permit customers to automatically search for various products available at local businesses without having to visit each business. The commute information can be a commute path or a location reference. One or more providers of the items within a distance of the commute path are identified. Purchasing data is communicated based on the determination of the providers.

People typically have one or more recurring commutes. Examples of recurring commutes include traveling from home to work, from home to school, or from school to work. Shopping can be difficult as time demands are spread across other activities. Synergizing commuting with shopping would enhance both experiences and could reduce wasted time. Currently, however, available options for shopping or soliciting purchasing information include a "bricks and mortar" environment and a "virtual shopping" environment.
In the "bricks and mortar" environment, customers visit local businesses to find products of interest. This often involves having to physically visit a business to determine pricing and availability of desired goods. Shopping in a virtual environment, such as the Internet, involves browsing for products on-line to be delivered later. Shopping on-line requires a waiting period for products to be delivered and a level of faith that the transaction will be completed securely. In both of these environments, the burden of seeking the lowest price and adequate availability of desired goods is placed on the consumer. It is the consumer that must peruse through the barrage of local advertisements to find the best prices at various locations. Moreover, neither environment allows commute information to be used in making purchasing options.
The Internet can be browsed by a variety of client devices such as personal computers, handheld devices, mobile phones and the like. No shopping paradigm leverages the various technologies available via the Internet, businesses, and client devices with commute information to many the benefits offered by both the "bricks and mortar" environment and the "virtual shopping" environment. The current state of the art could be improved by providing a system and method for providing purchasing information related to a commute or to a location. There is a need for a method and system whereby customers can submit requests for purchases and have pricing information of disparate products returned from one or more providers.

Method and system for providing retail-item purchasing data in a computer network environment


Composite insulators having a silicone rubber shield are economically produced by coating at least a portion of a support with a crosslinkable silicone rubber composition containing a light activated hydrosilation catalyst, and irradiating the crosslinkable silicone rubber composition to activate a crosslinking reaction.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a process for the production of composite insulators with shielding made of UV-crosslinking silicone rubber.
2. Description of the Related Art
Silicone-elastomer-composite insulators and processes for the production of these are known. Silicone-rubber injection molding using what is known as solid rubber (HTV—high-temperature-crosslinking or HCR—high consistency rubber) features injection of silicone rubber of comparatively high viscosity into heated molds. The process is described by way of example in EP 1091365 for what are known as hollow insulators. The process is currently used for all types of components including, for example, rod insulators and surge arresters. The cycle times, which are sometimes long, have an adverse effect on the process and result from the requirement that the parts to be sheathed (e.g. fiber-reinforced epoxy-resin rods or corresponding tubes), in particular the metallic add-on parts (fittings) that sometimes protrude from the mold, must likewise be heated to the crosslinking temperature of the rubber. Large components sometimes require machines and apparatuses of considerable size.
Another disadvantage is the presence, on the molded component, of mold-parting lines which often require that the moldings be subjected to a subsequent mechanical operation.
A similar process is available using machines for lower pressures and what are known as liquid rubbers (LSR—liquid silicone rubber).
There are somewhat earlier processes, which therefore preceded the availability of large injection-molding machines, and which manufacture shields (DE 2746870) and sometimes the core sheathing (EP 1130605) individually, and then assemble these. Here again, solid rubbers are mainly used. Advantages of the processes are the flexibility of the arrangement of the shields. The large number of operations and the large number of shield-core insulation connection points and/or shield-shield connection points can have a disadvantageous effect.
Solid rubber is likewise used in processes for the production of helical shielding (EP 821373). Although that process is universally applicable, it can have the disadvantage that a connection point is likewise produced between each location and each adjacent location. The process cannot be fully automated.
The early processes, all of which can be termed casting processes (DE 2044179, DE 2519007), require the use of comparatively low-viscosity rubber. They all use what is known as room-temperature-crosslinking 2-component rubber (RTV-2), which when used can be crosslinked at slightly elevated temperature. Because each operation manufactures an individual shield, the process can be used substantially independently of the final size of the component. This technology is therefore currently useful for insulators with very large diameter. There are no longitudinal parting lines requiring a subsequent mechanical operation. A disadvantage is the long cycle time resulting from the comparatively low crosslinking rate of the rubbers used.
A feature common to all of the known processes is that the crosslinking of the electrically insulating material of the exterior sheath of the insulators either occurs spontaneously at room temperature or is initiated thermally at elevated temperature. The crosslinking at room temperature (possible by way of example in the conventional processes with open molds in accordance with DE 2044179 and DE 2519007) requires some ten minutes to some hours, and the crosslinking at elevated temperature requires a period of some minutes to some tens of minutes in the processes using molds (EP 1147525, DE 2746870, and EP 1091365) up to more than 100 minutes in the case of subsequent crosslinking in an oven, e.g. in accordance with processes described in EP 821373 and EP 1130605.

Method for producing composite insulators by UV-crosslinking silicone rubber


A method for classifying an occupancy status of a vehicle seat includes associating a filtered class to a specific seat occupancy status based on a plurality of successive readings of at least one parameter value of a seat occupancy sensor, including the steps of: 1) determining an actual value of a first parameter of the seat sensor and associating an actual class to the actual value of the first parameter; 2) storing the actual class in a buffer, and deleting the oldest stored class; 3) plotting a confidence parameter indicative of the reliability of the actual class; 4) setting an updated filtered class to equal (i) an average of the classes stored in the buffer, if the confidence parameter is smaller than a first confidence threshold value, or (ii) the previously determined filter class, if the confidence parameter is greater than or equal to the first confidence threshold value.

In order to protect the lives of passengers during a traffic accident, modern vehicles are generally fitted with a protection system comprising several airbags and seat belt pretensioners, which are used to absorb the energy of a passenger released during the collision due to the accident. It is clear that such systems are even more effective when they are better adapted to the specific requirements of each passenger, i.e. to the weight and/or the size of the passenger. That is why microprocessor-controlled protection systems have been designed which provide several operational modes, allowing for example an adaptation of the instant at which airbags are deployed, the volume to which the airbags are inflated, the instant at which safety belts are released after the collision, etc, as a function of the stature of the passenger and the orientation of the passenger on the seat.
In order to enable the control microprocessor to select the optimum operational mode for a given seat occupancy status, it is therefore necessary to detect one or several parameters characterizing the occupancy status of the seat and to classify the occupancy into one of several classes, each of which is associated to a specific operational mode of the restraint system.
The detection of the occupancy parameters is commonly achieved by seat occupancy sensors, which comprise a plurality of pressure sensors distributed over the surface of the seat. The pressure sensors comprise pressure sensitive resistors, i.e. the resistance of these pressure sensors changes with the pressure applied on the sensor. The reading of the resistance values of the individual pressure sensors thus gives an indication on the pressure acting on each cell and accordingly can be related to the weight acting on the seat. Furthermore the distribution of the pressure values over the surface of the seat can be related to the size or the form of a person or an object occupying the seat.
In a very simple method for controlling the restraint system, the occupancy status is repeatedly monitored by means of one or more specific parameters of the occupancy detector, and an actual occupancy class is associated to the measured parameter. This actual occupancy class is then directly used by the microprocessor for selecting the adequate operational mode of the restraint system. Unfortunately a passenger often changes its position on the seat, thereby shifting its weight respectively its center of weight. Each movement will change the readings on the different pressure sensors so that the classification may vary arbitrarily with time.
In order to dampen the arbitrary variations of the classification, the actual class parameter can be stored into a buffer comprising several previously determined classes and a filtered class can be set to the average value of the individual stored classes. While such a filtering provides an improved classification result, this method is still not reliable enough. In fact, a single bad classification among a series of reliable classifications immediately may have an impact on the filtered class of the passenger.

Method for the classification of an occupancy status of a vehicle seat

IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.


A switching power supply device includes a full-bridge circuit comprising a plurality of switching devices, a transformer comprising a primary coil and a secondary coil, the primary coil being connected to an output of the full-bridge circuit, and a DC/DC converter comprising a rectifier circuit. The rectifier circuit includes a plurality of diodes and is connected to the secondary coil to rectify a voltage outputted from the secondary coil. A snubber circuit includes a first snubber diode connected to an intermediate point of the secondary coil, a second snubber diode connected in series with the first snubber diode, the second snubber diode being connected to one end of an output capacitor, and a snubber capacitor connected between a node between the first and second snubber diodes and a positive side output of the rectifier circuit.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates, in general, to a switching power supply device and a battery charger including the same, and, more particularly, to a switching power supply device which can effectively reduce voltage spikes of a rectifier in a high-voltage output circuit, and a battery charger including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In switching power supply devices using a snubber capacitor, a leakage inductance component of a transformer may be interlocked with a parasitic capacitor of a diode rectifier device, thereby generating resonance or a voltage spike. Such a voltage spike may lead to destruction of a system.
The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding of the background of the present invention, and is not intended to mean that the present invention falls within the purview of the related art that is already known to those skilled in the art.

Switching power supply device and battery charger including the same


A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for broadcasting encrypted software to a target computer enables simultaneous transmission to a plurality of licensed target computers. An encryption key is generated to encrypt a software package. The encryption key is then itself encrypted using a target computer identification code, and the encrypted encryption key is loaded onto the target computer. The encrypted software is broadcast, for example, via satellite, and received at the target computer. The target computer uses its identification code to decrypt the encrypted encryption key (i.e., unlock the encryption key). Once the target computer unlocks the encryption key, it uses the encryption key to decrypt the software to be installed on the target computer.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to broadcast distribution, and in particular, to broadcast software distribution using encryption key locking and unlocking procedures.
2. Description of Related Art
The software industry as a whole has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. There is a continuous demand for new software products that address the needs in new or changing industries. Moreover, software companies routinely upgrade previously-released software products in response to specific user needs and/or to provide a product in a more efficient manner.
Software companies have traditionally distributed its software products through physical media such as tapes or diskettes, and, more recently, CD ROM. Companies store their software on these physical media and ship them to customers for installation onto their home computers.
In distributing software by this method, however, various problems have been encountered. The cost of media duplication, shipping, and storage is quite high in many such applications. Moreover, the elimination of many types of such physical media has created unwanted environmental-waste concerns. In addition, this type of distribution involves unwanted delay associated with waiting for media copies, packing, addressing, and shipping to obtain new products or new versions of existing products.
An alternative method of distributing software is through phone lines. Software distribution centers, having a host computer with a modem, transmit the software through phone lines to a customer's computer in response to the customer's order for particular software packages.
This alternative form of distribution has also encountered problems. The number of customers who can receive a given transmission is limited by the physical capabilities of the phone lines. If numerous customers order the same software package, such as when a company distributes an upgraded version to existing subscribers, the software company must repeatedly transmit the same software package until all its customers have received the product. This approach is both costly and time consuming.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method and computer system for distributing software that overcomes the above-mentioned deficiencies associated with prior techniques. The present invention provides a solution to these and other problems, offering advantages over conventional implementations.


A system and method for allowing simplified electronic transfer of funds in files subject to sender-defined access constraints. In one aspect of the system and method, a digital currency file is transmitted as an attachment to an electronic message. The sender of the digital currency file defines the level of security associated with the file, i.e., what the recipient must provide to access the funds.

With the advent of mass electronic communication and commerce, a need has arisen with respect to a simple way to transmit funds electronically for payment or other purposes in a completely secure manner. Prior electronic fund transfer approaches have a variety of flaws. FedWire is secure but not adaptable to routine applications. ATM network pins are widely available but not secure from electronic attack since they are typically four or five characters in length, which is insufficient to protect against brute strength attacks. Credit card networks have proven to be insecure from a variety of fraud attacks.

System and method for secure electronic fund transfers

National Center for Manufacturing Sciences