A gaming machine and game coupons are disclosed for allowing an operator to redeem winning game coupons by inserting them directly into the gaming machine rather than by taking them to a cashier. The game coupons are coded with a machine-readable prize code which represents a number of prize game credits. The gaming machine includes a bill validator for accepting currency and winning game coupons from an operator. It also includes a code reader for reading the coupon prize codes as the coupons are inserted into the bill validator. The gaming machine issues game credits to the player depending on the prize codes of the submitted game coupons. The gaming machine also incorporates a fraud prevention scheme to guard against fraudulently copied or duplicated winning coupons. Each winning coupon is coded with a unique coupon identification code. The code reader reads and records the coupon identification code of each winning coupon as it is submitted. Subsequently, as further game coupons are submitted their coupon identification codes are checked against the codes already recorded. Detected duplicates are rejected.

Automated gaming devices or machines are manufactured in a great variety of types. A pull-tab machine is one such type of gaming machine. A player purchases game coupons from a pull-tab machine by feeding it cash or game tokens. Each game coupon has a hidden display area which can be revealed to indicate whether the game coupon is a winning coupon. Winning coupons can be redeemed for cash winnings, game tokens, or other prizes.
The game coupons themselves are commonly packaged in game coupon sets. Each game coupon set comprises a known total of individual game coupons and a known number of winning game coupons within the total. Individual game coupons usually have two piles: a facing ply and a backing ply. Serrated windows or tabs are formed in the facing ply of the coupon. The backing ply is imprinted with game symbols or other representations beneath the tabs. To determine whether an individual game coupon is a winning coupon, a player peels back the tab to reveal the game symbols. Winning game coupons are redeemed for cash or game coupons with a cashier.
FIG. 1 shows a typical prior art pull-tab machine, generally designated by the reference numeral 10. Pull-tab machine 10 comprises generally a coupon vendor 12 and a bill or currency validator 14, also shown schematically in FIG. 2.
Coupon vendor 12 comprises one or more coupon magazines 16, each receiving a vertical stack of pull-tab game coupons 18. Coupon vendor 12 further comprises a coupon dispensing slot 20 through which pull-tab coupons are dispensed. Bill validator 14 is mounted along the side of coupon vendor 12. Bill validator 14 is a standard and widely available device used in many types of vending machines for accepting and verifying denominated currency. Bill validator 14 issues a sequence of electronic pulses to coupon vendor 12 in response to receiving valid currency. Each pulse represents a specified cash amount or a specified number of game credits. Coupon vendor 12 accepts the electronic pulses from bill validator 14, crediting the player with game credits in response. The number of issued game credits is sometimes indicated by a numeric display 19. Thereafter, coupon vendor 12 dispenses individual game coupons at the player's command to the extent of the accumulated game credits.
Coupon vendor 12 includes a selection dispensing button 24 corresponding to each coupon magazine 16. Indicator lamps 26 are mounted above selection dispensing buttons 24 to indicate when the corresponding coupon magazines are available for selection. A player spends an issued game credit by depressing one of selection dispensing buttons 24, causing a game coupon to be dispensed from the corresponding coupon magazine 16. For each button depressed, the machine dispenses an individual game coupon and simultaneously subtracts a game credit from the player's total. Some machines dispense multiple game coupons if the corresponding selection dispensing button is held down, providing the player has enough game credits.
Each of coupon magazines 16 is typically loaded with a single set of game coupons. Since the coupon magazines and the game coupons stacked therein are usually visible, both players and the machine operator may monitor winnings to predict the odds as the number of coupons in each magazine is depleted. For instance, as the number of undispensed coupons decreases without a winner, the odds of winning become significantly greater. The number of winning coupons in each game coupon set, and their winning values, are usually known to players.
After receiving winning coupons, players must physically take them to the proprietor or cashier of the gaming establishment for redemption. An important disadvantage of a gaming machine such as that described above is that significant time and effort are consumed, by both the player and the proprietor of a gaming establishment, in redeeming winning game coupons for cash. Furthermore, during the time it takes to cash in a winning coupon a player sometimes loses interest in the game. The invention described below remedies this problem, allowing a player to continue a game without interruption while utilizing winning game coupons to purchase additional game credits.


A filtration device particularly for use with vacuum cleaners used for collection of fine particles which tend to clog porous solid filters. The device utilizes readily replaceable water as a filtration medium with air being forced into the water then released for additional multiple water contacts. The device further includes horizontal baffles with air access apertures therein which are positioned above the surface of the water, with a vacuum being applied to the area. This redirects particle laden air into filtration contact with water multiple times wherein filtration efficiency is in excess of 99%.

The vacuum removal of particles, particularly of fine size, commonly entails materials such as gypsum, encountered with sanding of wallboard; sawdust; house dust and the like. Continued efficacious removal of the fine particles further requires the utilization of replaceable filtration elements usually made of cloth, foam, paper and the like which trap the particles. However such filtration elements must be periodically replaced since clogging reduces vacuum removal efficiency and this is at an economic cost and with lost time involved in the replacement. In addition, such replacements are at periodic short time intervals, especially with heavy duty and continuous applications.
In response to the demands placed on solid porous filters, fluid filtration has been utilized wherein the particle laden air is vacuum drawn into contact with a fluid (invariably water) surface with particles being removed by such water surface as a filtration of the air. Efficiency of such removal is however less than ideal since the air is not actually drawn through the water in a manner similar to the solid filters, but is instead caused to contact the surface of the water, and at most only bubbled through a short depth beneath the exposed surface.


Disclosed are methods, systems, paradigms and structures for caching data associated with a sliding window in computer systems. A sliding window can include a time window that progresses with time, and the data can include time series data. As time progresses, the sliding window changes bringing in new data. The cache is updated with new data as and when the sliding window moves. The sliding window data is cached at various granularity levels. The method includes storing a first portion of the data at a first granularity level and a second portion at a second granularity level. The data is cached at various granularity levels in order to effectively use the cache considering at least cache updating criteria such as (i) number of times a storage unit is queried to retrieve the data for updating the cache, (ii) the day/date/time at which the storage unit is queried.

In computer related technologies, certain applications such as reports are generated to obtain information on various aspects. For example, in a social networking environment reports may be generated for obtaining data associated with a sliding window. The data can include information such as the list of users who visited a particular website in the last seven days, number of comments made by users in the last hour, etc. As time progresses, the sliding window moves and new data is generated. Obtaining results from the database every time the sliding window moves or every time the report is generated consumes significant computing resources and causes a significant delay.
Some caching techniques have been suggested to cache frequently retrieved sliding window data. The prior caching techniques are not efficient in terms of managing the cache with respect to sliding window data. For example, the prior caching techniques are not efficient at least in (a) determining the buffer sizes to be allotted to cache the data, (b) determining how much old data has to be purged from the cache as new data is added when the sliding window moves, (c) minimizing the number of database calls to obtain the data for updating the cache, etc.
The prior caching techniques either made use of a large cache to hold higher resolution sliding window data, such as 168 data elements for a week at hourly granularity level, or a smaller cache to hold data at lower resolution, such as 7 data elements for a week at daily granularity level, or even smaller cache that holds data such as 24 data elements for a day at hourly granularity level. That is, the prior caching techniques emphasized on cache size or granularity level or storage unit access frequency. The prior caching techniques lacked ability to store data at higher granularity while consuming less memory or accessed the storage unit more frequently.


Acoustic dialers are widely used to dial telephone numbers by generating a pair of DTMF tones for each key being depressed. Non-linearities in telephone systems, acoustic dialer loudspeakers, and telephone microphones may cause interfering tones to be produced due to mixing of generated DTMF tones. These interfering tones are especially problematic when they are near the frequencies of the DTMF tones and have similar amplitudes. When these interfering tones are received by a receiver decoder, the decoder may be unable to distinguish the interfering tones from the DTMF tones, and consequently the decoder may reject the DTMF tones received. The present invention prevents these types of rejections by generating a supplemental tone in addition to the normal DTMF tones. This supplemental tone attenuates the interfering tones so that receiver decoders can distinguish the interfering tones from the DTMF tones.

This invention relates to acoustic dialers. Acoustic dialers are widely used for touch-tone dialing of telephone numbers by generating a pair of Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) tones, and may be used in devices such as pagers, organizers, laptop computers, and phone cards. More particularly, this invention relates to acoustic dialers which dial telephone numbers by playing DTMF tones through a loudspeaker positioned in close proximity to a telephone microphone, whereby the microphone receives the tones played and relays the tones to a DTMF receiver which perceives the tones as if they resulted from keys being depressed on a telephone keypad.
In the prior art, acoustic dialers generate a unique pair of DTMF tones to simulate a particular key on a telephone keypad being depressed. These tones are generated in response to an individual key being manually depressed on the acoustic dialer or in response to automated dialing of a telephone number in the acoustic dialer's memory. The frequencies of these tones are determined by the particular choice of telephone key being represented and are selected based upon the key's position within the typical telephone keypad. The typical telephone keypad is arranged with three columns and four rows of keys: the first three rows representing the numbers 1 through 9, and the last row representing the star symbol(*), number 0, and pound symbol (#). Each column is assigned a column frequency which is typically 1209 Hertz (Hz) for the left column, 1336 Hz for the center column, and 1477 Hz for the right column. Similarly, each row is assigned a row frequency which is typically 697 Hz for the top row, 770 Hz for the upper-middle row, 852 Hz for the lower-middle row, and 941 Hz for the bottom row. Accordingly, selecting the top-left or 1 key will cause tones with frequencies of 1209 Hz and 697 Hz to be produced. Likewise, selecting the lower-right or pound key will cause tones with frequencies of 1477 Hz and 941 Hz to be generated.
The tones generated by acoustic dialers are decoded to indicate to the receiving apparatus the key being selected at the acoustic dialer. Typically, two banks of filters are utilized to determine the two frequencies being generated--and, accordingly, the key being depressed. One bank is used to represent the keypad's columns, and the other bank is used to represent the keypad's rows. The center frequencies of the column and row filters match those of the column and row tones generated by the acoustic dialer. Thus, when the 1 key of the acoustic dialer is selected, a pair of tones is generated and the receiver filters with center frequencies of 1209 Hz (from the column bank) and 697 Hz (from the row bank) have subtantial output.
For tone pairs to be properly decoded, the decoding logic requires substantial output from one filter in each bank and minimal output from all other filters. Tone pairs are rejected if more than one filter of each bank has a substantial output. In this way, talking, singing, and other background noises are prevented from being recognized as tone pairs produced by dialing. This rejection mechanism, however, may also reject valid tone pairs when non-linear characteristics which provide interfering tones are present in the signal path between the acoustic dialer and tone pair decoder. Typically, non-linear characteristics are introduced into a signal path by acoustic dialer loudspeakers and telephone microphones (especially older carbon microphones), but may also be attributed to other system non-linearities.
Interfering tones are typically sum or difference tones which produce a substantial signal strength at the filter outputs corresponding to column and row tones not being generated and are produced by the mixing of DTMF tones. The frequency of a sum tone can be determined by adding the values of the two frequencies being mixed and the frequency of a difference tone can be determined by subtracting the value of the lower of the frequencies from the value of the higher of the frequencies being mixed. An interfering tone is most problematic when its frequency is near the center frequency of one of the column or row filters, and its filtered signal strength approaches or exceeds the filtered signal strength of the strongest filter output in the same filter bank. With these traits, an interfering tone appears sufficiently similar to a DTMF tone that the receiver senses too many tones and thus rejects the valid tone pair.
For example, the 3 key generates a DTMF tone pair with frequencies of 1477 Hz and 697 Hz. For these tones, the sum frequency is 2174 Hz and the difference frequency is 780 Hz. The sum frequency is far away from the center frequencies of the receiver filters, and thus does not interfere. The difference frequency of 780 Hz, however, is only 10 Hz away from the upper-middle-row-filter center frequency of 770 Hz. In this situation, three filter outputs may have substantial signal strength: the 1477 Hz filter (due to the column DTMF tone); the 697 Hz filter (due to the row DTMF tone); and the 770 Hz filter (due to the interfering difference tone). Since both the 697 Hz filter and the 770 Hz filter are in the row filter bank, the decoder will reject the tone pair and thus not detect the dialing of the 3 key. Similarly, the 6 key DTMF tone frequencies can cause decoder rejection by having a difference frequency of 707 Hz which is only 10 Hz away from the top-row-filter center frequency of 697 Hz.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an acoustic dialer which is robust to the dialing of all keys of a telephone keypad via both linear and non-linear systems.

Interference attenuation for acoustic-dialers


A watch roll travel case with a rigid housing and a removable cushion or cuff for supporting a plurality of watches inside the housing has a hidden storage container removably disposed in the cuff for storing jewelry and other valuables. The storage container has a clamshell design with an elongated cylindrical shape and is slidably received within an elongated bore running down the center of the cuff. The storage container may be covered with a fabric that matches the fabric on the exterior of the cuff to further conceal the presence of the container in the cuff.

This invention relates generally to a travel case for storing and organizing articles, in particular articles like watches and jewelry, and more particularly has reference to a watch roll travel case for storing and organizing watches for travel and housing an additional hidden container inside for storing other valuables like jewelry.
Watch roll travel cases are well known. They typically consist of a rigid outer housing in the form of a cylinder with a removable cuff or cushion inside for holding watches. The removable cushion fits securely inside the housing for storage, but can be removed from the housing to allow watches to be mounted on or removed from the cushion. A hinged lid formed in the sidewall of the housing allows access to the interior of the housing where the cushion is stored.
Persons who travel with watches of the type typically stored in a watch roll travel case often have jewelry or other small valuables to carry as well. Storing the jewelry for travel often requires the user to provide a separate jewelry storage case, which adds to the burden and cost of traveling, and also exposes the jewelry to an added risk of loss or theft because the extra case can be accidently misplaced while traveling and is often recognizable as a jewelry case by potential thieves looking for an easy target.
There is a need for a system that allows a traveler to safety and securely organize and store his or hers watches, jewelry and other valuables for travel in a way that is compact and convenient, where the valuables remain safely protected yet easily accessible, and which reduces the risk of loss or theft. The present invention satisfies these and other needs.


An air cooled molten metal pump frame includes a base structure and molten metal pump supporting structure comprising tubular members to facilitate flow of cooling air therethrough. The cooling air flowing through the molten metal pump frame provides cooling to the pump frame to minimize distortion and deformation due to the high temperatures caused by an adjacent molten metal bath. The cooling air flowing through the pump frame can also be directed to the molten metal pump to cool pump components. The tubular frame also facilitates simple and effective connection between a source of electrical power and the molten metal pump while shielding the electrical wiring from heat damage due to the proximity of the molten metal bath. The molten metal pump frame is particularly adapted for supporting molten metal pumps used in aluminum reclamation furnaces.

In the reclamation of aluminum, it is known to use molten metal pumps in reclamation furnaces. In one particular use, sidewell melters with submerged arches utilize molten metal pumps to circulate and pump the molten aluminum from one area of the furnace to another. These molten metal pumps direct molten aluminum to hotter areas of the furnace to improve temperature uniformity.
Typically, and when using sidewell melters, the molten metal pumps are supported above a 1300.degree.-1400.degree. F. aluminum bath by a support framework made of two inch I-beams. However, these support frames are susceptible to excessive warping and damage due to the intense heat generated by the open surface of the molten aluminum bath.
In view of the disadvantages associated with prior art molten metal pump support frames, a need has developed for an improved molten metal pump frame. In response to this need, the present invention provides an air cooled molten metal pump frame which permits supporting the molten metal pump over an aluminum bath while maintaining the integrity and longevity of the pump frame.
In the prior art, it is known to provide cooled support rails or frame apparatus for workpieces in furnaces. U.S. Pat. No. 2,707,628 to Munford discloses water-cooled support rails for a high temperature heating chamber such as a billet heating furnace U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,422 to Bricmont also discloses a re-heat furnace having spaced-apart skid frames for supporting work pieces. The spaced-apart rails include cord members and tubular web members which are supplied with coolant to prevent overheating.
However, neither of these references teach or fairly suggest a molten metal pump frame permitting air cooling of the pump frame to minimize or prevent heat distortion or damage due to an open surface molten metal bath such as an aluminum reclamation bath.


A wireless communication method and system using virtual MIMO (“V-MIMO”) are provided. Post processing signal to interference and noise ratios (“SINR”) for a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of mobile terminals arranged as a V-MIMO group are estimated. The one of the plurality of mobile terminals having the highest post processing SINR is selected. Wireless communication for the selected mobile terminal is scheduled. The signal corresponding to the selected mobile terminal is cancelled. Post processing signal to interference and noise ratios (“SINR”) for the signals corresponding to the remaining mobile terminals is re-estimated. The one of the remaining mobile terminals having the highest post processing SINR is selected. Wireless communication for the selected remaining mobile terminal is scheduled.

Wireless communication networks, such as cellular networks, operate by sharing resources among the mobile terminals operating in the communication network. As part of the sharing process, resources relating to assigned channels, codes, etc. are allocated by one or more controlling devices within the system. Certain types of wireless communication networks, e.g., orthogonal frequency division multiplexed ("OFDM") networks, are used to support cell-based high speed services such as those under certain standards such as the 3rd Generation Partnership Project ("3GPP") and 3GPP2 evolutions, e.g., Long Term Evolution ("LTE"), the Ultra-Mobile Broadband ("UMB") broadband wireless standard and the IEEE 802.16 standards. The IEEE 802.16 standards are often referred to as WiMAX or less commonly as WirelessMAN or the Air Interface Standard.
OFDM technology uses a channelized approach and divides a wireless communication channel into many sub-channels which can be used by multiple mobile terminals at the same time. These sub-channels and hence the mobile terminals can be subject to interference from adjacent cells and other mobile terminals because neighboring base stations and mobile terminals can use the same frequency blocks. The result is that spectral efficiency is reduced, thereby reducing both communication throughput as well as the quantity of mobile terminals that can be supported in the network.
This problem is further exacerbated in multiple input, multiple output ("MIMO") environments. Multiple Input, Multiple Output Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing ("MIMO-OFDM") is an OFDM technology that uses multiple antennas to transmit and receive radio signals. MIMO-OFDM allows service providers to deploy wireless broadband systems that take advantage of the multi-path properties of environments using base station antennas that do not necessarily have line of sight communications with the mobile terminal.
MIMO systems use multiple antennas to simultaneously transmit data, in small pieces to the receiver, which processes the separate data transmissions and puts them back together. This process, called spatial multiplexing, can be used to proportionally boost the data-transmission speed by a factor equal to the number of transmitting antennas. In addition, since all data is transmitted both in the same frequency band and with separate spatial signatures, this technique utilizes spectrum very efficiently.
MIMO operation implements a channel matrix (N×M) where N is the number of transmit antennas and M is the number of receive antennas to define the coding and modulation matrix for the wireless communication channel as a whole. The less correlated each column in the matrix is, the less interference experienced in each channel (as a result of the multiple antennas). In the case where there is a totally uncorrelated arrangement, i.e., the dot product between columns is zero, the channels are considered orthogonal to one another. Orthogonality provides the least antenna-to-antenna interference, thereby maximizing channel capacity, and data rate due to the higher post-processing signal to interference and noise ratio ("PP-SINR"). PP-SINR is the SINR after the MIMO decoding stage.
Virtual MIMO ("V-MIMO") implements the MIMO technique described above by using multiple simultaneously transmitting mobile terminals each having one or more antennas. The serving base station includes multiple antennas. Although the base station can treat virtual MIMO operation as traditional MIMO in which a single mobile terminal has multiple antennas and can separate and decode the transmissions from the multiple simultaneously transmitting mobile terminals, channel correlation among mobile terminals as discussed above results in channel capacity loss due to inter-mobile terminal interference. Scheduling the transmissions from the multiple mobile terminals to share channel resources can provide system capacity gain (also referred to as "scheduling gain"). It is therefore desirable to have a virtual MIMO arrangement that maximizes system capacity through the use of scheduling gain.
It is known that orthogonality-based scheduling can reduce inter-mobile terminal interference. However, this arrangement only works well in narrow-band implementations because the channel characteristics, e.g., attenuation, phase, etc., do not significantly change because the channel is almost constant in the frequency band. In other words, the channel matrix that defines the channel also does not significantly change. In contrast, wideband diversity channel implementations, such as OFDM, can result in different channel characteristics across the frequency band. The result is that a wideband diversity channel that is orthogonal at one point does not mean that the channel is orthogonal at a different spot within the channel. Hence, orthogonality based scheduling is likely ineffective in wideband implementations.
Arrangements for MIMO wideband transmission scheduling are known. For example, it is known to schedule MIMO transmission by matching the modulation coding set ("MCS") of each layer, where a layer is an independent parallel transmitted data stream, i.e., data streams from multiple mobile terminals in a virtual MIMO environment, to the channel quality indicator ("CQI") of that layer. However, using these known techniques, the CQI of each layer is computed according to the post-processing effective SINR, i.e., after spacial processing by the base station. The undesirable result is that this arrangement is processing intensive and does not adequately exploit the channel capacity. It is therefore further desirable to have a scheduling arrangement that can be implemented in OFDM virtual MIMO environments to support, for example, WiMAX communications such that channel capacity is used in as efficient a manner as possible.

Multi-antenna scheduling system and method


An apparatus (10) for either securing twist-locks (400) to shipping containers (402) or releasing them therefrom or both, comprises a cradle (11) adapted to receive at least one shipping container and at least one manipulation device (14) operative to secure a twist-lock to the shipping container or release it therefrom, the manipulation device comprising an engagement device (27) operative to engage and rotate at least a portion of the twist-lock so as to secure the twist-lock in the shipping container or to release it therefrom. The manipulation device may form part of a twist-lock handling assembly (12) which includes a storage system for twist-locks (16) and a guide assembly (15) for feeding twist-locks into and out of register with the manipulation device (14).

Twist-locks are used for securing shipping containers to ships and to each other. Twist-locks are mounted on the bottom and top of shipping containers and thereby multiple containers can be joined in a vertical stack. When shipping containers have been lifted off the ship by a crane the twist-locks must be removed before the containers are taken to another location. Furthermore, when the containers are loaded onto a vessel, twist-locks must be fitted at the wharf to secure containers on board the vessel. Typically, securing or removing twist-locks is via manual handling of the twist-locks below a shipping container held approximately 1 to 1.8 metres above the ground by the crane.
This operation is dangerous as the stevedore must manually handle the twist-locks which are quite heavy and work under or adjacent suspended loads in a high traffic area. It is also inefficient as it can take 1 to 3 minutes to fit the twist-locks, thereby slowing the crane cycle time. It is also labour cost intensive since 2 men are often allocated to undertake such a task.


A circuit includes a driver configured to generate an output for driving one or more light emitting diodes. The circuit also includes a voltage booster configured to boost an input voltage provided to the driver when the voltage booster is coupled to a high-frequency pulsating alternating current (AC) voltage source that provides the input voltage. The voltage booster may include two first diodes coupled in series, two second diodes coupled in series, and first and second capacitors coupled in series. A first input voltage terminal may be coupled between the first diodes, and a second input voltage terminal may be coupled between the second diodes and between the capacitors. The voltage booster may be further configured to provide the input voltage to the driver without boosting when the voltage booster is coupled to a direct current (DC) or low-frequency AC voltage source that provides the input voltage.

Many conventional lighting systems with filament light bulbs use simple self-oscillating, push-pull switching mode converters (known as electronic transformers) as their power supplies. Electronic transformers are typically low-cost and efficient, which is why they are commonly used in residential and commercial environments. However, electronic transformers are not optimized for use with light emitting diode (LED) lighting systems. More specifically, electronic transformers typically cause LEDs to turn on and off twice every cycle of an alternating current (AC) input voltage. This reduces the average brightness of the LEDs and causes visible flickering in the light produced by the LEDs.

Circuit and method for improving the performance of a light emitting diode (LED) driver


A method and an apparatus are provided for estimating noise determination criteria in an image sensor. The method includes calculating a color characteristic value for each of a plurality blocks constituting an input image, comparing the color characteristic value of a first block among the blocks with a initial noise criterion, sorting the color characteristic value of the first block as a first group of a color characteristic class and accumulating a result of the comparing into the first group, and modifying the initial noise criterion using a result of the accumulating and calculating a first group noise criterion to be applied to corresponding blocks belonging to the sorted first group of the color characteristic class.

1. Field of the Invention
Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate to noise reduction in an image sensor, and more particularly, to estimating noise determination criteria in an image sensor.
2. Description of the Related Art
As well known in the related art, an image sensor is a device for reproducing an image based on photo-reactive properties of a semiconductor. Such an image sensor is constructed of small photodiodes (e.g., pixels), and processes information on light to which the photodiodes respond.
Such a pixel detects the brightness and wavelength of light emerging from each object, reads them in electric values, and converts them into a level that can be signal-processed. That is, the image sensor is a semiconductor device which converts an optical image into electric signals, and various portable electronics such as a digital camera and mobile communication terminal equipped with such an image sensor have been developed and distributed in the market.
When an image sensor takes a picture image of an object, the image has noise. However, it is difficult to remove or reduce such noise by applying noise determination criteria indiscriminately since noise or elements that may be discerned as noise are variable according to images. Noise determination criteria applied indiscriminately may determine and remove texture information erroneously as noise. Likewise, noise may be determined as texture information, and thus an image with the noise may be used. Accordingly, there is required a noise estimation method that can variably determine noise according to images.

Method and apparatus for estimating noise determination criteria in an image sensor


A process for removal of non-polar compounds from water, wherein the non-polar compounds exist in dissolved or dispersed form, wherein the water is led through a preparation tank wherein the temperature is adjusted and wherein possible solid particles are removed. The water is then led via pipe into a reactor tank and is mixed with a hydrate forming compound, wherein simultaneously hydrate seeds are added which have been recycled for continuous use in the process; whereby the drops or molecules of the non-polar compounds are attached or associated to hydrate particles being formed in the reactor tank. The hydrate particles are separated from the water and melted. The hydrate forming compound is recycled to the reactor tank and the non-polar compounds discharged. In addition, a device for use of the process as well as hydrates for removal of non-polar compounds in water.

The present invention concerns a method for purification of water containing non-polar compounds, dispersed or dissolved in water.
In this invention, non-polar compounds means molecules with predominantly hydrophobic features so that their affinity to water is small, but they can be present in water even with a very low solubility or may have entered the water phase through a prior treatment which has brought them there either in molecular form or dispersed in one way or another or as droplets. Typical examples of such compounds are alkanes, wax, aromatics and larger hydrocarbons. It also comprises fatty acids, alcohols, amines and other organic molecules which are not very water soluble when the length of their hydrocarbon chain is long. Many of these molecules will not be tolerable in a natural environment; hence they should not be in an effluent flow. Many of them may have been added to the water in one process or another, and should preferably be collected and recycled to the process instead of being released into the nature. It is cost saving as well as environmentally friendly to reuse them.
As an oil field matures, the oil will have to be produced together with an increasing amount of water. This water will contain a certain amount of oil, chemicals and salts originating from the production process and the equilibrium condition present prior to start of the production.
The oil companies aim at achieving a maximum degree of recovery within the financial frames given by the investment costs (CAPEX), operational cost (OPEX), oil price and tax demands. At the same time, legislational restrictions to reduced discharge of oil and chemicals related to the activity gets stricter. Common for the different purification technologies used today are their removal of oil down to a certain level below the 30 ppm-requirement of OSPAR (abbreviation for Oslo-Paris, an EU consolidated protocol for oil and gas recovery in the north-east Atlantic Ocean). The discharge from the Norwegian shelf is below 20 ppm, and is moving towards 10 ppm. This is by the Norwegian government accepted as "zero-discharge", while awaiting the results of the ongoing reports from the oil companies to SFT, and in absence of better technology.
New requirements and stricter interpretation of the zero-discharge requirement are expected from 2008/2009. Current solutions are not approved for arctic waters. This implies a need for development of new and better technology in order to satisfy the legislational requirements and make the oil companies able to produce oil also in the future.
NO 321.097 describes equipment for treating water by drawing completely clean water from the contaminated raw-water. Hence the impurities remain in the mother liquor. This has been shown to be very efficient for salts and many different water soluble (hydrophilic) chemicals. Purification efficiencies better than 90% removal of impurities are achieved in one purification step, i.e. substantially better than 99% after two steps. A third purification step would be able to improve the result even further; however this will more rarely be necessary. The efficiency increases after each new purification step.
From tests so far, it is evident that the main source of impurities carried on with the purified water is impurities existing as dissolved in water which get deposited on the surface of the hydrate crystals. This problem may be reduced by making the crystals as spherical as possible and with a diameter as large as possible. The round shape is beneficial because the ratio of surface to volume is the most favorable, while the size is important because the forces restraining water between the crystal grains (the capillary forces) are lower with large spheres than with small.
It has been shown that the most non-polar, oily, hydrophobic compounds dispersed in the flow of water, will have larger affinity towards the surface of the hydrates than towards the mother liquor/the water they come from. When such compounds are present in the raw water, they will rather quickly be deposited on the surface of the hydrate particles rather than staying dissolved or dispersed in the water. In this case oil will follow with the hydrates and the method according to NO 321.097, the Ecowat-process, will not perform optimally.
In this case it could be more optimal to direct the process towards crystals with a larger specific surface. This may be controlled through pressure and temperature. When the temperature is reduced and/or the pressure increased, the crystals will turn into flatter structures which may have projecting arms (dendrites), and thereby get a substantially larger specific surface.

Method for treatment of water comprising non-polar compounds


A portable computer includes a main body, a display and a status reminder apparatus. The status reminder apparatus is provided on the main body or the display for displaying a reminder message, such as time, the email-receiving status, the program status of instant communication, meeting reminder information and so on, so that users can not forget a time or a meeting when playing computer games in full screen mode, and can receive the latest information at any time.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a portable computer and, more particularly, to a portable computer with a status reminder apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the past, notebooks are usually used in business. But since the efficiencies of portable computers have been improved, portable computers gradually replace desktop computers to be office computers, and even many consumers begin to use notebooks as entertainment devices for seeing a movie, listening to music, playing computer games, or playing online games.
Due to the large market of the computer games and the tendency that the notebook computers supersede desktop computers, many computer companies begin to produce notebook computers dedicated for playing computer games. They are provided with the latest Central Process Unit (CPU), the intermediate or advanced graphics card, and sufficient memory. In addition, some computer companies also produce wide screen notebooks to let users enjoy excellent visual effects when playing games.
FIG. 1 is the schematic diagrams showing a user playing computer games on a conventional notebook computer. Referring to FIG. 1, generally speaking, when a user plays a computer game on a computer 100, the display 110 would be in full screen mode to make users have a real visual effect. However, when the display 110 is in full screen mode, the taskbar at the bottom of the display cannot be displayed. For instance, when the notebook computer is under a normal operation, various information such as time, email-receiving status, or instant message of an instant-message application program is shown at the bottom of the display 110. When playing computer games, users may neglect the playing time, an important e-mail, or the timeliness of a new message because they cannot see the information originally shown at the bottom of the display 110.


Display layers in an electronic device may be used to generate images. The display layers may include liquid crystal display layers such as upper and lower polarizers and a layer of liquid crystal material. A display cover layer may be mounted in a housing adhesive. A touch sensor layer may be mounted under the display cover layer. An air gap may separate the upper polarizer from the touch sensor layer and display cover layer. Antireflection coatings may be formed on the lower surface of the display cover layer or touch sensor layer and may be formed on the upper surface of the upper polarizer. The antireflection coatings may include coatings formed from a polymer hard coat covered with a polymer layer having a different index of refraction and may include broadband antireflection coating material formed from textured polymer or other structure exhibiting a continuously varying index of refraction.

This relates generally to electronic devices, and, more particularly, to electronic devices with displays.
Electronic devices such as computers, cellular telephones, televisions, and other equipment often have displays. For example, an electronic device may have a liquid crystal display that includes upper and lower polarizer layers, a thin-film transistor layer and a color filter layer that are interposed between the upper and lower polarizer layers, and a layer of liquid crystal material interposed between the thin-film transistor layer and color filter layer.
To prevent damage to the display, a protective layer of cover glass may be provided. In displays with touch sensors, a touch sensor panel may be attached to the underside of the display cover glass.
To reduce unwanted reflections within a display, layers of material in the display such as the lower surface of the touch sensor panel and the upper surface of the upper polarizer are sometime coated with antireflection coatings. These coatings are formed using a wet coating process and are therefore referred to as wet antireflection coatings. During formation of a wet antireflection coating on a substrate, liquid coating materials are deposited on a surface of a substrate. By drying the liquid coating materials, clear antireflection films can be formed.
Some displays use a full lamination process in which the touch sensor panel is laminated to underlying layers such as the upper polarizer layer using adhesive. Fully laminated displays may exhibit satisfactory display performance, but can be difficult or impossible to rework in the event that a touch sensor component requires replacement during manufacturing.
To allow a display to be reworked, the touch sensor panel in a display may be separated from the upper polarizer by an air gap. During manufacturing, devices that contain defective touch sensor parts can be reworked. Wet antireflection layers may be formed on the lower surface of the touch sensor panel and on the upper surface of the upper polarizer on opposing sides of the air gap. If care is not taken, however, pressure from a user's finger on the cover glass on the front of a display can lead to undesirable visible artifacts such as Newton's rings. If, for example, a user presses inwardly on the cover glass on a display, the cover glass may flex inwardly towards the upper polarizer. With sufficient pressure, the inner surface of the cover glass or the inner surface of a touch panel mounted on the cover glass may bridge the air gap and come into contact with the upper surface of the polarizer, leading to the production of unsightly Newton's rings on the display.
It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide improved displays for electronic devices.

Display with broadband antireflection film


In an embodiment a component includes at least two component parts configured to generate electromagnetic radiation, two encapsulations and a one-piece carrier frame having a plurality of openings, each opening in form of a through-hole, wherein the component parts are arranged in different openings such that a respective component part is laterally spaced apart from inner walls of an associated opening, wherein each component part is enclosed in lateral directions by one of the encapsulations such that the component parts are mechanically connected to the carrier frame via the encapsulations thereby forming a self-supporting and mechanically stable unit, wherein the carrier frame comprises a casting material, the casting material being a castable silicone, a resin or a plastic material, and wherein the two encapsulations arranged in the two openings of the carrier frame have different materials or different fluorescents.

A conventional component comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips usually has a carrier on which the semiconductor chips are arranged. An overall height of the component is thus determined by the vertical layer thickness of the carrier and the height of the semiconductor chips. Since such a component is usually mechanically stabilized by the carrier, the carrier should be sufficiently thick. However, this has a negative influence on the overall height of the component which should be kept as low as possible in electronics.

Component and method for producing a component


A wheel tiedown device for securing the wheel of a trailered vehicle to the trailer. The novel device comprises a lasso which encircles the wheel. The handle member of the lasso is tethered to the trailer. The loop of the lasso contacts the sides of the wheel, and is prevented from excessive spreading and from slipping to a position too low on the wheel to secure it by a strap spanning right and left sides of the wheel. A second strap attaches to the loop and extends to the opposite side of the wheel from the lasso handle member. The wheel is secured fore and aft by the lasso handle member and the second strap, one engaging the trailer by hook and eye, and the other being held and tightened in a winch. The lasso is made from a strap, and all connection between the lasso and first and second straps is by passing one strap member through a loop terminating the corresponding strap member. Thus, adjustment is enabled by slippage of one strap through the loop of another. This adjustment occurs when the winch is tightened, slippage enabling the lasso loop and spanning strap to conform to and tighten around the wheel. The resultant tiedown device is uncomplicated, adjusted when being tightened rather than in a separate step, and can be used for either right or left side installation on the vehicle being secured.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tiedown device for securing a wheel of a vehicle carried on a trailer or like conveyance.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Tiedown devices for securing a vehicle by its wheels on a trailer have been the subject of prior art patents. Generally, most vehicles being conveyed are automobiles or small trucks, and have pneumatic tires of dimensions conforming to a plurality of standard sizes. These standard sizes fall within a range of sizes corresponding to the great majority of privately owned vehicles.
Vehicles are transported for a variety of reasons, principally conveyance to a service facility following disablement. Other purposes include marine transport, as on a barge or ferry. All such carriers, wherein the vehicle is supported on a generally flat, horizontal surface, and secured thereto, will be referred to as conveyances. Although discussion herein refers to trailers, the principles presented will be understood to apply to all conveyances.
Specialized trailers and related equipment have been developed in order to provide economical and convenient trailering services to the motoring public.
An example of a strap type tiedown device is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,353, issued to Robert J. Thorndyke on Oct. 2, 1990 A basket is formed by straps wherein a first strap wraps circumferentially halfway around a vehicle tire, and a lateral connecting strap lies generally diametrically across both sides of the tire. The lateral connecting strap is sewed or otherwise attached to the circumferential strap where the two intersect on the tire tread. There are two such intersections, spaced roughly one hundred eighty degrees apart about the tire circumference.
The diameter of the basket is adjusted by tightening the circumferential member, and then by securing the lateral member by a buckle. This lateral member is not a continuous loop, and is rendered so by the buckle. In summary, the tiedown device of Thorndyke is secured by first tightening one member by pulling, and then manually connecting and tightening a buckle.
A vehicle tiedown system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,223, issued to Charles F. Crissy et al. on Nov. 22, 1988, also includes a basket arrangement partially encircling a tire. Apart from flexure of the flexible straps, there is no adjustment for different tire sizes. The basket arrangement of retaining straps comprises three bands, spaced apart approximately ninety degrees from one to the next. Each band extends from the side of the tire at the rotational axis around the tire to the rotational axis on the opposite side. All three such bands intersect at one point on each side of the tire.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,937,769 and 2,055,829, issued respectively to Carl Lute on Dec. 5, 1933, and to Kenneth J. Tobin on Sep. 29, 1936, disclose chain link tiedown devices. The device of Tobin '829 has a circumferential member which divides into two members, each extending concentrically on one side of the tire, then converging to form a unitary continuation of the circumferential member. This arrangement provides one forward tethered member secured to the trailer and one rear tethered member. A basket is formed by plural radially disposed chain segments connecting each concentric member to its counterpart. Each radial segment is formed in two parts which are mutually connected by hook and eye assemblies.
Assembly of the Tobin device therefore requires anchoring fore and aft by hooks, then manually connecting one hook and eye assembly for each radial segment provided. The device of Lute '769 is essentially similar, but no adjustment of the radial segments is provided.
European Patent Office Document No. 0,311,543, dated Dec. 4, 1989, discloses a strap type tiedown device comprising only a circumferential member.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.


A tonneau system for a pickup bed having a bracket system connectable with a side wall of the pickup bed having a ratchet receiving member, a tonneau cover assembly having a pivotal first cover section and a second section, and a latching system operably coupled between the tonneau cover assembly and the bracket system. The latching system includes a ratchet striker member operably coupled to the tonneau cover assembly selectively engageable with the ratchet receiving member of the bracket system to define a latched condition of the first cover section of the tonneau cover assembly relative to the bracket system. An actuation system is operably coupled to the latching system to permit actuation of the latching system. The actuation system includes an actuation lever operably coupled to a drive member and the drive member being coupled to the latching system for actuation of the ratchet striker member.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Tonneau cover systems have been used for a number of years to cover the cargo box of pickup trucks against dirt, debris, and other environmental contaminants and to improve the aesthetic quality thereof. Current tonneau cover systems often employ a soft, often rollable, cover or a hard, often foldable, cover as the main covering means. In some applications, a VELCRO® hook-and-loop fastening system can couple between the soft tarp of the tonneau cover and the side walls of the cargo box of the pickup truck. This arrangement permits the tarp to be coupled to the cargo box to conceal the contents thereof or, alternatively, to be rolled up or otherwise removed to reveal the contents of the cargo box of the pickup truck.
In many applications, a rail system is used that couples to the side walls of the cargo box of the pickup truck. This rail system may serve as a convenient attachment system for coupling the cover to the cargo box. However, in many conventional applications, the connection system that permits connection of the cover to the side rails and, thus, to the side walls of the cargo box can be cumbersome or require complex attachment and/or detachment processes. Moreover, in some conventional applications, the connection system may prevent or inhibit access to the front or header portion of the cargo box. That is, in some applications, the cover must be removed from the rear first before unlatching in a forward direction (relative to the vehicle). Although there have been attempts to provide access to the front or header portion of the cargo box direction in some tonneau cover systems, these attempts have not always provided convenient access while simultaneously providing sufficient retention when closed. In fact, in some applications, retention may not provide longitudinal, transverse, and vertical restraint (relative to the vehicle). Still further, in some application, attachment of the header can involve a cumbersome process of engaging clamps or other retention systems that are difficult and subject to failure.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide a tonneau cover system capable of overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art. Additionally, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide a tonneau cover system, and in particular a latch mechanism and associated rail and striker assembly capable of quickly, simply, and reliably coupling the header portion of the tonneau cover system to the vehicle. In some embodiments, this latch mechanism can further aid in retaining the header portion in all three degrees of direction (longitudinal, transverse, and vertical) and can permit varied adjustment and/or space accommodation in the vertical direction.


Compositions and methods for treating metal substrates and/or bonding metal substrates to polymeric materials, such as rubber, are provided. The compositions include at least one substantially hydrolyzed amino silane and at least one substantially hydrolyzed sulfur-containing silane Optionally, the compositions include a nano-size particulate material. The compositions provide coatings on metal substrates for protecting the metal from corrosion and for adhering rubber-like polymeric compositions to the metal with polymer-to-metal vulcanization conditions less dependent on the coating thickness, and with use of less coating materials.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to silane coatings for treating metals. More particularly, the present invention provides organofunctional silane coatings which improve the adhesion of rubber and other polymeric materials to a metal substrate.
II. Description of the Prior Art
Rubber to metal bonded components find two major areas of application which may be classified as tire and non-tire applications. In tires, traditionally brass is used as a thin coating over a steel cord for imparting adhesion to natural rubber compounds. Non-tire applications include components, such as vibration dampers on motor and engine mounts, and applications in the medical, appliance, and other industries, where basic functions such as fluid control, energy conversion, sealing, vibration isolation, and/or combinations of these functions are required. Additionally, tire-to-metal metallic reinforcement of conveyer belts and hoses is a further example of an industrial application where a rubber substrate needs to be adhesively bound to an associated metal.
Many different systems and methods have been proposed to adhere rubber, or other polymeric materials, to metals. For example, organofunctional silanes have been found to promote adhesion between a metal substrate and a polymer layer. Silanes have been particularly useful in tire applications where strong and reliable bonds are critical. However, adhesion or bond strength is typically dependent upon the particular silane or combination of silanes, and the particular system upon which the silanes are used to coat the metal. In other words, the amount of adhesion provided by a particular silane coating typically depends on the metal substrate as well as the polymer layer to be adhered thereto. For example, while certain silanes may provide improved adhesion between the metal substrate and a peroxide-cured rubber, these same silanes will often not provide the same results for sulfur-cured rubber.
Hydrophobic silanes, such as alkoxy silanes, have been proposed to provide good bond strength between rubbers and metal. However, formulations of such silane solutions require flammable organic solvents for dissolution, leading to more viscous solutions and thicker final coatings. Such coatings are difficult to apply, cure, and control, particularly for coating uniformity, and need to be dried, prior to bonding to the rubber, at elevated temperatures, such as about 160° C. which pose additional hazards from flammable solvents. Bond strength with these silane coatings are predominantly optimal with coating thicknesses of at least 1 μm. Such coatings are not very amenable to industrial applications, and tire-cord applications in particular, where efficiency in time and cost is important to the success of the products.
Further, it has been difficult to bond rubbers to metal substrates utilizing various silanes and combinations thereof, and especially in those instances in which the adhesively-bound surfaces are subjected to fuels, oils, and/or other organic solvents, as the silanes may react therewith and/or dissolve therein to weaken or degrade the adhesive bond. Solvent-based adhesive systems are used in non-tire applications for bonding metals to rubbers. However, solvent-based adhesives are flammable, and hence hazardous, generate high levels of volatile organic compounds and vapors, and pose environmental disposal problems. These disadvantages render these systems less useful in industrial applications.
In rubber compounds, adhesion promoters such as cobalt salt additives and HRH systems (hexamethylenetetramine, resorcinol and hydrated silica) are used to further enhance rubber adhesion to metals, and particularly for tire cords. More specifically, cobalt additives improve the aged adhesion and dynamic adhesion properties of the rubber-brass bond. Although the performance of the rubber-to-metal bond is adequate for most applications, inclusion of such promoters presents drawbacks. For example, cobalt salts are expensive and pose availability problems. Further, cobalt has been found to affect the rubber properties upon aging, and in particular, cobalt causes accelerated degradation of the rubber.
Rubber to metal bonded applications in tires have further drawbacks. For example, the brass plating process sometimes involves treatment with hazardous chemicals, such as cyanide. Additionally, brass is prone to galvanic erosion in conjunction with the underlying steel, and furthermore, the brass composition typically requires a copper content of about 63-68% which imposes restrictions on the rubber composition. These limitations further require consideration when selecting an appropriate adhesive and/or bonding method for bonding rubber, or other tire materials, to the metal tire cord.
Thus, there is a need for compositions and methods for improving the adhesion between a metal substrate and a polymeric material, such as rubber. There is a further need to provide the bond without the use of promoters in the polymeric material, and in particular, without the use of cobalt. There is yet a further need to provide a bonding method that is safe and convenient, while reducing risks associated with use of hazardous solvents.

Silane compositions and methods for bonding rubber to metals


A hydraulic drive system for civil-engineering and construction machines has reverse motion check valves and a regulator for selectively limiting outflow of the hydraulic fluid through the reverse-motion check valves. This prevents unusual operation of the valves in certain environments, such as in a low-temperature environment and in an environment where the civil-engineering and construction machine is operated on an incline.

A hydraulic excavator, which is a typical example of a civil-engineering or construction machines, comprises a swing as one of a plurality of working elements. A hydraulic drive system for the swing generally comprises a hydraulic pump constituting a hydraulic-fluid source, a hydraulic motor for driving the swing, a directional control valve for controlling flow of hydraulic fluid supplied from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor, a pair of main lines through which the directional control valve and the hydraulic motor are connected to each other, the pair of main lines serving selectively as a fluid supply line and a fluid return line by switching of the directional control valve, and a pair of relief valves provide respectively in lines through which the pair of main lines are connected to each other. Further, since the swing is an inertial body, it is necessary to brake the hydraulic motor upon halting movement of the swing and, accordingly, brake means utilizing back pressure of the hydraulic motor is incorporated in the hydraulic drive system. The brake means is a counter balance valve arranged in the pair of main lines, for example.
The counter balance valve operates such that the hydraulic fluid is prevented from being returned to a tank from the main lines when the directional control valve is returned to a neutral position in order to halt the swing from a condition under which the swing is driven. When the hydraulic motor tends to be rotated by an inertial force of the swing, the hydraulic fluid is prevented from being returned from the main line on a return side of the hydraulic motor by the counter balance valve. By doing so, a pressure (back pressure) in the main line increases abruptly by a pumping action of the hydraulic motor. When a magnitude of the pressure exceeds a set pressure of a corresponding one of the relief valves, the relief valve is moved to an open position. Thus, the hydraulic fluid is recirculated through a closed circuit composed of the relief valve, the hydraulic motor and the main lines, so that the hydraulic motor is braked.
By the way, in the hydraulic drive system provided with such brake means, there is such a problem that a reverse motion of the inertial body occurs due to the action of the back pressure upon halt of the inertial body.
That is, as described above, the pressure in the main line on the return side of the hydraulic motor increases abruptly to the set pressure of each of the relief valves to brake the hydraulic motor. When the hydraulic motor is halted, however, each of the relief valves is moved to the closed position so that the pressure in the main line is brought to a condition maintained at high pressure. Accordingly, a differential pressure occurs between outlet and inlet ports of the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor begins to rotated reversely by the differential pressure. Thus, the differential pressure between the outlet and inlet ports of the hydraulic motor is nullified. However, the hydraulic motor continues to be further rotated in the same direction by the inertial force of the swing. Thus, this time, the pressure in the main line on the reverse side is brought to a high pressure so that a differential pressure occurs across the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor again begins to rotate. In this manner, in the case where the brake means utilizing the back pressure is provided, a reverse motion occurs in which the swing is swung a plurality of times, by the inertial force of the swing, in spite of the fact that halt of the swing is intended.
In order to solve the above-described problem, JP,A, 57-25570 has proposed a pair of reverse-motion check valves each of which is connected to a pair of main lines of a hydraulic drive system. Each of the reverse-motion check valves is arranged as follows. That is, a volume chamber is defined between a valve housing and a movable seat against which a poppet is abutted. A small bore for damping is provided through which the hydraulic fluid is returned from the volume chamber. Return speed of the movable seat is slowed or retarded with respect to the poppet by a restricting action of the damping small bore immediately after halt of the hydraulic motor. The poppet and the movable seat are temporarily spaced from each other to move the valve to the open position. A high pressure generated in the main line on the return side of the hydraulic motor is relieved to the other main line. The pressure in the main line on the return side is reduced by the temporary movement of the reverse-motion check valve to the open position. Energy required for the reverse motion of the swing disappears before the reverse-motion check valve is again moved to the closed position. Thus, no reverse motion of the swing occurs.
As described above, each of the reverse-motion check valves disclosed in JP,A, 57-25570 is moved to the open position by utilization of the restricting action of the damping small bore. In the case of a low-temperature environment and in the case where the hydraulic excavator is arranged on a slope, however, there occurs a problem. That is, when the hydraulic fluid is low in temperature, the hydraulic fluid increases in viscosity. Accordingly, the restricting action of the damping small bore increases so that the return speed of the movable seat is retarded. Thus, a condition under which the reverse-motion check valve is opened continues long. Accordingly, in the case where any one of the pair of main lines is brought to a high pressure accompanied with halt operation of the swing, the reverse-motion check valve continues, for a relatively long time, the condition under which the reverse-motion check valve is opened as described above. Accordingly, the hydraulic fluid in one of the main lines flows into the opposite main line so that a swing motor is rotated abnormally contrary to intention. After all, there occurs such a situation that the swing is rotated transiently. Such transient rotation reduces working efficiency and, in addition thereto, reduces safety so that operability is considerably impeded.
It is an object of the invention to provide a hydraulic drive system for a civil-engineering and construction machine, capable of preventing a reverse motion of an inertial body upon halt of an actuator, and capable of ensuring that the actuator is halted without being accompanied with abnormal operation at low-temperature environment and when the civil-engineering and construction machine is arranged on a slope to conduct operation.

Hydraulic drive system for civil-engineering and construction machine

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.


The present invention demonstrates how network-coding can be applied to a deterministic broadcast approach, resulting in significant reductions in the number of transmissions in the network. We propose two algorithms, that rely only on local two-hop topology information and make extensive use of opportunistic listening to reduce the number of transmissions: 1) a simple XOR-based coding algorithm and 2) a Reed-Solomon based coding algorithm that determines the optimal coding gain achievable for a coding algorithm that relies only on local information.

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are an important technology for mission critical military communications. They enable communication between a group of nodes to form a network in absence of infrastructure components such as base stations and power sources. The nodes themselves are often portable radios in soldier's backpacks, in combat vehicles, etc where size, weight, energy efficiency, and the ability to maintain reliable communication are key constraints. The applications that use these networks often require continuous "group communication". For example, soldiers in a team may be continuously exchanging voice messages, or a set of battlefield tanks may be exchanging shared situation awareness information such as their locations or their targets. Furthermore, even in the case of unicast routing in mobile ad hoc networks, flooding or broadcast is frequently used to discover unicast routes between a source and a destination. Thus, efficient support for group broadcast semantics, where data is sent to all or most of the nodes, is critical for these networks.
To date, research on efficient broadcast support in mobile ad hoc networks has proceeded along two main approaches: probabilistic and deterministic. Probabilistic or gossiping-based approaches require each node to rebroadcast the packet to its neighbors with a given forwarding probability. The key challenge with these approaches is to tune the forwarding probability: keeping it as low as possible for maximum efficiency while maintaining it high enough, so that all the nodes are able to receive the broadcast packets. Deterministic approaches on the other hand predetermine and select the neighboring nodes that forward the broadcast packet. If the complete topology is used (feasible for static ad hoc networks), a good approximation algorithm, such as that described by K. M. Alzoubi, P. J. Wan, and O. Frieder, in "New distributed algorithm for connected dominating set in wireless ad hoc networks," in HICSS, 2002, for constructing a small connected dominating set-based based approach will yield very few transmissions to reach all nodes; otherwise, pruning-based solutions based on one or two hop topology information have to be adopted.
Separately, network coding, i.e. allowing intermediate nodes to combine packets before forwarding, has been shown to significantly improve transmission efficiency in wired networks. See for example, R. Ahlswede, N. Cai, S. Li, and R. Yeung, "Network information flow," IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, 2000. Recently, network coding has been adapted to support unicast and multicast applications in wireless networks. In "A network coding approach to energy efficient broadcasting: from theory to practice," by C. Fragouli, J. Widmer, and J.-Y. L. Boudec in IEEE Infocom, April 2006, network coding is shown to be adapted to a probabilistic approach for supporting broadcast in mobile ad hoc networks. However, this approach has several drawbacks. As mentioned earlier, fine-tuning the forwarding probability in probabilistic approaches is a difficult problem—in order to ensure that most nodes receive the broadcast; one typically chooses a higher forwarding probability that results in inefficiencies compared to a deterministic approach. Also, the approach described by Fragouli et al. has to group packets transmitted from various sources into globally unique sets called generations, where solving in a distributed manner is a difficult problem and limits coding gains. Furthermore, the use of a globally unique set of coded packets implies that the decoding delay can be large, since enough information must be received from the various sources before a generation can be decoded at a node.
The problem of broadcast support in mobile ad hoc networks has been extensively studied. The high overhead of using naive flooding to support broadcast was highlighted in an article by S. Ni, Y. Tseng, Y. Chen, and J. Sheu, "The broadcast storm problem in a mobile ad hoc network," in Proceedings of the 5th annual international conference on Mobile computing and networking, pp. 151-162, 1999. Since then, researchers have adopted either deterministic or probabilistic approaches to support broadcast efficiently.
Under deterministic approaches, if complete topology information is known, a connected dominating set-based approach will yield optimal results. However, for mobile ad hoc networks, the availability of complete topology information, that remains current for reasonable durations, is unrealistic. Thus, algorithms that rely only on local topology information were developed. In H. Lim and C. Kim, "Flooding in wireless ad hoc networks," Computer Communications Journal, vol. 24, no. 3-4, pp. 353-363, 2001, the authors propose two algorithms called self pruning and dominant pruning that rely on 1-hop and 2-hop neighborhood information respectively, to reduce redundant broadcasts as compared to a flooding based approach. In W. Lou and J. Wu, "On reducing broadcast redundancy in ad hoc wireless networks," IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 111-123, 2002, the authors propose total dominant pruning and partial dominant pruning (PDP) that rely on 3-hop and 2-hop neighborhood information respectively, to improve on the proposals by Lim and Kim above.
Recently, there has been interest in the use of network coding to improve transmission efficiency in networks. In the article by R. Ahlswede, N. Cai, S. Li, and R. Yeung, "Network information flow," IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, 2000. The article showed networks that allow intermediate nodes to combine information before forwarding results in significant throughput gains over networks with intermediate nodes that only forward information. Support for multicast and broadcast in wireless networks with network coding can also be addressed either using deterministic or probabilistic approaches. Under probabilistic approaches, authors in Fragouli et al. show that practical coding-based probabilistic schemes significantly outperform non-coding based probabilistic schemes. Under deterministic approaches, articles by D. et al., "Achieving minimum-cost multicast: A decentralized approach based on network coding," in IEEE Infocom, March 2005 and Y. Wu, P. Chou, and S.-Y. Kung, "Minimum-energy multicast in mobile ad hoc networks using network coding," IEEE Transactions on communications, vol. 53, no. 11, pp. 1906-1918, 2005 study theoretical solutions based on solving linear programs that assume knowledge of the entire network topology and show significant gains in terms of efficiency and computational overhead over approaches that do not use network coding. Practical and deterministic coding-based schemes for support of unicast traffic in wireless networks have been studied in an article by S. Katti, D. Katabi, W. Hu, H. Rahul, and M. Medard, "The importance of being opportunistic: Practical network coding for wireless environments," in ACM Sigcomm, September 2006. However, none of the prior art references set forth a practical and deterministic coding-based schemes that use only local topology information for efficient support of broadcasts. Accordingly, there is a need for such a system.

Apparatus and method for practical and efficient broadcast in mobile ad hoc networks


Provided is a refrigerator including an adiabatic space formed on an inner surface of a chilling chamber door and an ice machine disposed inside the adiabatic space, thereby enabling a more efficient usage of an inner space of the refrigerator. Also, the present invention provides a cooling air passage structure of a refrigerator for properly supplying cooling air for freezing to an inside of the refrigerator having an ice machine disposed on an inner surface of a chilling chamber door.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a passage structure of cooling air fed to an ice machine installed in a refrigerator. Further, the invention relates to a side-by-side type refrigerator enabling inflow and outflow of cooling air to an ice machine installed in the refrigerator, and a cooling air passage structure thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a refrigerator is a machine to keep foods fresh for a predetermined time or freeze foods by lowering inner temperature thereof while refrigerant repeats a cooling cycle including compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation, and is one of life's necessities.
At the present, the refrigerator shows a tendency to increase its volume, and various types of refrigerators such as a side-by-side type refrigerator having two doors are developed so as to meet consumers' demands. Such a two door refrigerator includes a freezing chamber and a chilling chamber and further includes an ice machine for freezing water to manufacture ice and extracting and receiving the manufactured ice.
The ice machine includes an icemaker where ice is manufactured, an ice bank for storing the ice manufactured in the ice machine, an ice crusher for crushing the ice received in the ice bank and transferred thereinto, and ice dispenser for directly providing a user with the crushed ice. The ice machine is generally built in the freezing chamber of the refrigerator.
The ice machine built in the freezing chamber of the refrigerator, however, occupies too much space in the freezing chamber. Thus, since the ice machine is installed at the door of the freezing chamber, consumers who use the receiving space of the freezing chamber frequently have inconvenience.
Also, in the general side-by-side type refrigerator, since the freezing chamber is made smaller than the chilling chamber, the aforementioned inconvenience is conspicuous.

Refrigerator and cooling air passage structure thereof


An image sensor includes a two-dimensional array of active pixels, where each active pixel in the two-dimensional array of active pixels includes a respective photodiode. The image sensor also includes a plurality of lock-in pixels at two or more regions of the two-dimensional array. Each of the plurality of lock-in pixels includes two pixel elements that share a common photodiode. Each pixel element of the two pixel elements in a lock-in pixel includes a charge storage node and a switch configured to receive a respective control signal to selectively connect the respective charge storage node to the common photodiode.

An artificial reality system, such as a head-mounted display (HMD) or heads-up display (HUD) system, generally includes a near-eye display system in the form of a headset or a pair of glasses and configured to present content to a user via an electronic or optic display within, for example, about 10-20 mm in front of the user's eyes. The near-eye display system may display virtual objects or combine images of real objects with virtual objects, as in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), or mixed reality (MR) applications. For example, in an AR system, a user may view both images of virtual objects (e.g., computer-generated images (CGIs)) and the surrounding environment by, for example, seeing through transparent display glasses or lenses (often referred to as optical see-through) or viewing displayed images of the surrounding environment captured by a camera (often referred to as video see-through). To provide a more immersive artificial reality experience, some artificial reality systems may include an input device for receiving user inputs, such as hand and/or finger movements. The artificial reality systems may then use the information gained from the input device to modify or generate images of virtual objects, thereby providing a more immersive experience for the user.

Sparse lock-in pixels for high ambient controller tracking


A method is disclosed for adjusting the time scale of chromatography-mass spectrometry data sets, wherein a time scale of a first data set is used as a reference time scale and wherein a time scale of at least one second data set is adapted to the reference time scale. The steps of the method include identifying feature groups in the first data set by evaluating intensities of consecutive points of the first data set; identifying feature groups in the second data set by evaluating intensities of consecutive points of the second data set; matching feature groups of the first data set to feature groups of the second data set, and determining a corrected time scale for the second data set based on time differences between feature groups in the first data set and matching feature groups in the second data set.

The development of ionization methods such as electrospray ionization of a sample carried by a solvent stream allowed for the application of mass spectrometry to biology and in particular a detailed analysis of processes at a cellular level, as discussed in the article by Patterson and Aebersold, nature genetics suppl. 33, 311 (2003). For the analysis of complex samples containing a plurality of individual molecules, liquid chromatography is often used to separate different molecules according to their retention time, i.e. the time from injection of the sample in the chromatography column to the elution of the respective molecules (retention time may also be termed elution time).
A single experiment in biological mass spectrometry generally requires measuring a large number of chromatography-mass spectrometry data sets containing the intensity or abundance of ions of varying mass-to charge ratios (m/z) and retention times. These two-dimensional spectra are measured by performing a mass scan at regular intervals of retention time; an example data set is shown in FIG. 2a); for simplicity, only horizontal traces of the two-dimensional field of discrete data points are depicted. A horizontal slice of a two-dimensional spectrum yields a mass chromatogram, indicating the measured intensity for ions in a particular mass-to-charge range as a function of retention time, whereas a vertical slice of a two-dimensional spectrum is a mass spectrum, indicating the measured intensity for ions of varying mass-to-charge ratio at a particular retention time interval. The presence of compounds is indicated by local maxima in intensity, termed features (or peaks). A single feature may span several retention time scan intervals and several mass-to-charge values (at least for high-resolution mass spectrometers).
Especially in metabolomics, where the effect of a drug on an organism is examined, a number of chromatography mass-spectrometry data sets need to be summed up or compared, e.g. spectrum of the sample to reference spectrum, or spectra measured at different times after administering a particular drug. These comparisons between corresponding spectra are rendered difficult by the fact that the retention times of spectra measured under generally identical experimental settings are shifted due to a number of reasons, such as changes in column chemistry over time, instrument drift or interactions among sample components.
In order to compensate for these drifts in the time scale, a variety of methods for adjusting the time scale of chromatography-mass spectrometry data sets are known. Generally, these methods comprise the steps of finding similar features in the two data sets to be aligned, matching the features of a first data set to features of a second data set, adjusting a shift function to the differences in retention time between matching features, and shifting the data points of the second data set relative to the first data set according to the shift function in order to synchronize the retention times.
WO03/095978 A2 discloses a computer-implemented method for time-aligning at least two chromatography-mass spectrometry data sets, each comprising a plurality of mass chromatograms, by computing a distance function between said data sets in dependence on at least two mass chromatograms from each data set and aligning said data sets by minimizing said distance function to obtain aligned data sets.
A similar approach to retention-time alignment is also described in the articles by Mueller et al., Proteomics 7 (2007), 3470-3480 and by Silva et al., Anal. Chem. 77 (2005), 2187-2200.
These methods rely on taking account of a large number of matched features, which makes them computationally expensive; yet they remain prone to systematic errors.
Against this background it is a goal of this invention to provide for a reliable adjustment of the time scales of corresponding chromatography mass-spectrometry data sets.

Method for time-alignment of chromatography-mass spectrometry data sets


The invention relates to an integrated circuit configuration proposed for the actuation of power switches disposed in bridge connection and an associated method. The primary side of this circuit configuration is herein connected with the secondary side, which actuates the TOP switch, via a level shifter. The circuit configuration comprises furthermore between the primary side and a secondary side a diode for error status conveyance from the secondary side to the primary side. The anode-side terminal of the diode is connected with the primary side and its cathode-side terminal with the secondary side of the driver circuit. The primary side applies a voltage to this diode. In the presence of error-free operation the secondary side applies level “high” (Vd) to the cathode of the diode and, in the presence of faulty operation, level “low” (Vg). The error status on the secondary side is detected by the primary side thereby that a current flow takes place through the diode, since the secondary side is approximately at ground reference potential via the open BOT switch or via the high-ohmic resistor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a preferably integrated circuit configuration provided for the actuation of power switches disposed in bridge circuit topology as well as an associated method. More specifically, the present invention relates to bridge configurations of power switches known as semi-, H- (two-phase) or as three-phase bridge circuits, the single phase semibridge representing the basic module of such electronic power circuits, wherein in a semibridge circuit, two power switches, a first, so-called TOP switch, and a second, so-called BOT switch, are connected in series. As a rule, such a semibridge is connected to a direct current link and the center tapping is typically connected to a load.
2. Description of the Related Art
To place the present invention in relative context, when the power switches are implemented as a power semiconductor component or as a multiplicity of identical series- or parallel-connected power semiconductor components, an actuation circuit is necessary for the actuation of the power switches. Within the related art such actuation circuits are comprised of several subcircuits or function blocks. The actuation signal from a superordinate control is processed in a first subcircuit of the primary side, and, via further components, supplied to the driver circuits, the secondary sides and lastly to the control input of the particular power switch. In semibridge configurations with higher link voltages, for example greater than 50 V, the primary side, in potential/electrical terms, is isolated from the secondary side for the processing of the control signals, since the power switches, at least the TOP switch of the semibridge, during operation are not at a constant potential and consequently the isolation in terms of voltage is unavoidable. This isolation according to the related art takes place for example by means of isolating transformers, optocouplers, for example optical wave guides. This electrical isolation is at least carried out for the TOP switch, but at higher powers also for the BOT switch due to a possible breaking of the ground reference potential during the switching.
The related art also involves known integrated circuit configurations for power switches of the voltage classes up to 600 V or 1200 V, which forgo the use of external electrical isolation. In these monolithically integrated circuits, according to the related art, so-called level shifters are utilized, at least for the TOP switch. These electronic components and techniques for isolation consequently overcome the potential difference of the primary side with respect to the secondary side.
Referring now to FIG. 1, depicted is a circuit configuration for the actuation of power semiconductor switches in bridge topology according to the related art. For the purpose of simplification only one semibridge is shown. Further bridge topologies are analogous hereto.
In the actuation of power semiconductor components 50, 52, such as for example IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) in a circuit configuration in bridge topology, isolation of the potential is necessary due to the voltage difference between the superordinate control 10, for example in the form of a microcontroller 10, and the primary side 20 of the circuit configuration on the one hand, and the secondary side 30, 32 of the circuit configuration and the power semiconductor component 50, 52 on the other hand. According to the related art, various feasibilities for potential isolation are known, for example transformers, optocouplers, optical wave guides or electronic components with appropriate electrical strength.
In the monolithic integration of primary side and secondary side, level shifters are frequently utilized for the transmission of control signals from the primary side to the secondary side. With said components for the potential isolation, switch-on and switch-off signals can be transmitted from the primary side (low voltage side) to the secondary side (high voltage side). Essential for the trouble-free operation of an electronic power system is the primary-side information about operating states of the secondary side, for example information about the concrete switched states of the TOP and of the BOT switch or various error conditions.
Such status polling according to a signal transmission from the secondary to the primary side in the case of hybrid solutions is possible by means of transformers, bi-directional optocouplers or bi-directional optical wave-guides. For monolithically integrated solutions, complementary level shifters, preferably utilizing pMOS high-voltage transistors, are known. Of disadvantage in all of said solutions is that an additional signal path with additional costs and/or additional technology expenditures has to be realized.
In view of the above, those of skill in the art will recognize that what is not appreciated by the related art is that in this described form of a monolithically integrated circuit configuration for actuating power switches no possibility exists, at least in the simplest configuration for the secondary side of the TOP switch, for error feedback to the primary side.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved monolithically integrated circuit configuration for actuating power switches that responds to this detriment.

Circuit configuration with error feedback for the actuation of power semiconductor switches and associated method


A low-profile offset-type spinal fusion device includes a first screw, a connection base, a nut and a compression part. The first screw has an external thread and a flange. The connection base includes a penetration part and a connection part disposed no higher than the penetration part, and can sleeve the first screw through a first hole of the penetration part to contact the flange with opposite ends of the first screw protruding out of the first hole. The nut, used to engage the first screw, has a bottom surface to contact against the penetration part. When the first screw is installed by penetrating the first hole, the nut and the flange are located to opposite ends of the first hole. The compression part is to screw into a cavity of the connection part for depressing a connecting bar tightly in the cavity.

In the art, a pedicle screw for spine fusion usually has a multi-piece head so as to make multi-axis applications possible. However, due to assembly tolerances, the multi-piece head usually has an irreducible size. Therefore, the length of the current pedicle screw already in the marketplace is never shorter than 15 mm.
Generally speaking, the distance from the spinous process to the epidermis of a normal adult is about 32-50 mm. Then, after a pedicle screw is implanted, the distance from a top end of the pedicle screw to the epidermis is about 10-20 mm. As for infants and spine deformities, their subcutaneous thickness is usually less than 20 mm, and thus, in the area where the spinal curvature changes, the upper edges of two adjacent pedicle screws would be likely to interfere with each other.
Since over protruding pedicle screws are not easily adopted to those who provide only limited back space or to the soft tissues that are easy to cause friction on the skin and muscles, thus the application of the pedicle screw would cause serious discomfort. In other words, for normal adults, infants, people with insufficient distance between spine and epidermis, deformity of the back, and patients whose upper bodies need long-time rest, the aforesaid pedicle screw for the spinal fusion device is definitely not a good choice.
Accordingly, a topic how to develop a "low-profile offset-type spinal fusion device" having single-axial screws with less length, no discomfort and no inter-screw interference is definitely urgent to be solved to the skill in the art.

Low-profile offset-type spinal fusion device

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE


A heat exchanger includes a bag-like outer packaging material. A heat medium flows into an inside of the outer packaging material. An inner core material is arranged in the inside of the outer packaging material. The outer packaging material has an outer packaging laminate material including a metal heat transfer layer and a resin thermal fusion layer on a surface side of the heat transfer layer. The outer packaging laminate materials form a bag shape by integrally joining the thermal fusion layers along the peripheral edge portions. The inner core material includes the inner core laminate material with a metal heat transfer layer and resin thermal fusion layers on surface sides of the heat transfer layer. The thermal fusion layers of a concave portion bottom and a convex portion top of the inner core material and the thermal fusion layers of the outer packaging laminate material are integrally joined.

With miniaturization and high performance of electronic equipment such as smartphones and personal computers, it has become important to take measures against heat generation around a CPU of the electronic equipment. Under the circumstances, in some models, a technique of avoiding adverse effects of heat has been conventionally proposed, in which water cooling type cooling devices and/or heat pipes are incorporated to reduce the heat load for electronic components such as CPU etc. and avoid trapping of heat in the case.
A battery module mounted on electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles generates a large amount of heat from the battery pack because it repeatedly performs charging and discharging. For this reason, even in a battery module, in the same manner as the above-mentioned electronic equipment, a technique of avoiding adverse effects of heat has been proposed, in which water cooling type cooling devices and/or heat pipes are incorporated to avoid adverse effects of heat.
Furthermore, even in a power module made of silicon carbide (SiC), etc., as a measure against heat generation, a measure, such as mounting a cooling plate or a heat sink, has been proposed.
By the way, a case for electronic equipment, such as the above-mentioned smartphones and personal computers, is thin, and many electronic components and cooling devices are incorporated in a limited space in the thin case. For this reason, as the cooling device itself, a thin cooling device is used.
Conventionally, in general, a thin type cooling device, such as a heat pipe, to be incorporated in a small-sized electronic equipment, has been produced by joining a plurality of metal machined parts obtained by processing metal such as aluminum having high heat transfer property with brazing, diffusion bonding, etc. (see, e.g., Patent Documents 1 to 3).