A measurement system including a testing machine and a resistive memory is provided. The resistive memory includes a first storage cell. The first storage cell includes a transistor and a variable resistor. During a specific period, the testing machine provides a write voltage to change the state of the variable resistor. During a maintaining period, the testing machine maintains the level of the write voltage and measures the current passing through the variable resistor. When the current passing through the variable resistor does not arrive at a pre-determined value, the testing machine increases the level of the write voltage. Furthermore, a resistive memory utilizing the testing machine is also provided.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a non-volatile memory, and more particularly to a resistive memory and a measurement system thereof.
Description of the Related Art
Generally, memory units used in computers comprise volatile memories and non-volatile memories. The non-volatile memories comprise read-only memories (ROMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), and flash memories. The volatile memories comprise dynamic random access memories (DRAMs) and static random access memories (SRAMs).
New kinds of volatile memory comprise ferroelectric memory, Phase-change memory, Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) and Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM). The RRAMs are used widely, as they possess such favorable advantages as having a simple structure, low cost, high speed, and low power consumption.

Resistive memory and measurement system thereof


An information processing apparatus includes a unit that executes a de-blocking filter process for each of decoded pictures, a unit that executes a motion compensation prediction process that generates an inter-frame prediction signal, from one or more pictures that are subjected to the de-blocking filter process, a unit that executes an intra-frame prediction process that generates an intra-frame prediction signal, a unit that adds one of the inter-frame prediction signal and the intra-frame prediction signal to a prediction error signal corresponding to the to-be-decoded picture to decode the to-be-decoded picture, and a unit that executes, when a load on the information processing apparatus is greater than a predetermined reference value, a process that skips execution of the de-blocking filter process and generates the inter-frame prediction signal, which corresponds to the to-be-decoded picture, from the one or more decoded pictures that are not subjected to the de-blocking filter process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, and a program for decoding for use in the apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, personal computers having AV functions similar to those of audio/video (AV) devices, such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) player and a TV apparatus, have been developed.
This type of personal computer employs a software decoder that decodes compression-encoded motion video streams by software. The use of the software decoder enables a processor (CPU) to decode compression-encoded motion video streams, without the need to provide dedicated hardware.
Principal compression-encoding techniques include motion-compensation inter-frame prediction coding such as MPEG (Moving Picture Coding Experts Group) 2, or MPEG 4.
Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2001-245294 discloses a system in which a compression-encoded stream is decoded and an output video signal that is obtained by the decoding is subjected to post-filtering in order to improve the image quality. In order to prevent occurrence of frame dropping, this system makes use of a technique wherein the content of a filtering process that is to be executed in the post-filtering process is changed to reduce the time that is needed for the post-filtering process.
The post-filtering process, however, is a process that is executed outside the decoder. In a case where a delay occurs in the decoding process itself of the software decoder, even if the time needed for the post-filtering process is reduced, occurrence of frame dropping cannot be prevented.
Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2003-169337 discloses a system wherein a prediction picture is generated using a picture with fractional-pixel precision. In this system, in the case where a B-picture is decoded in order to reduce the amount of processing that is needed for a pixel interpolation process, the pixel interpolation for a reference picture is executed using a filter having a less number of taps than a filter that is used when a P-picture is decoded.
In the system of KOKAI No. 2003-169337, however, the filter with a small number of taps is always used when the B-picture is decoded. This leads to a decrease in image quality of reproduced video.
Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 11-146398 discloses a system wherein an inverse DCT process for a P-picture or a B-picture is skipped in order to reduce the amount of processing that is needed for the inverse DCT process.
In the system of KOKAI No. 11-146398, however, the inverse DCT process for the P-picture or B-picture is always skipped, regardless of the value of the DCT coefficient. As a result, the image quality of reproduced video may considerably be degraded.
Recently, attention has been paid to H.264/AVC (Advanced Video Coding) standard as a next-generation motion picture compression-encoding technique. The H.264/AVC standard is a compression-encoding technique with a higher efficiency than the conventional compression-encoding technique such as MPEG2 or MPEG4. Thus, each of the encoding process and decoding process according to the H.264/AVC standard requires a greater amount of processing than in the conventional compression-encoding technique such as MPEG2 or MPEG4.
In a personal computer that is designed to decode a motion picture stream, which is compression-encoded by H.264/AVC standard, by software, if the load on the system increases, a delay would occur in the decoding process itself. Consequently, there is a danger that smooth motion picture reproduction cannot be executed.
Under the circumstances, it is necessary to provide a new function for realizing smooth motion picture reproduction.

Information processing apparatus and program for use in the same


A portable storage device includes an interface and one or more flash memories. The one or more flash memories store one or more executable files that can be executed by a host computer to which the device is coupled without altering any environment settings on the host computer even though the one or more executable files include instructions to access environment settings. Additionally, the application is bound to the portable storage device during an activation process.

Computers have become commonplace in our lives, being found in our homes and workplaces as well as a growing variety of public places such as libraries, airports, cafes, and so forth. As people have become more reliant on computers, their desire to use computers wherever they may happen to be has also grown. For example, when users are traveling away from their home or office, they frequently desire to access programs and/or data that they are accustomed to accessing from their home or office. However, this is problematic because users cannot rely on their desired programs being available on computers away from their home or office, much less on their desired data being available on computers away from their home or office.
One solution that can be used to solve these problems is for users to purchase and travel with a portable computer. Portable computers, however, have additional problems in that they can be bulky and heavy to travel with, expensive to purchase, and can make the user a target for theft.
Another solution that can be used to solve these problems is for users to take their hard drive with them when they travel. Such a solution can also be problematic because it requires a significant amount of effort to open and disconnect the hard drive from their computer as well as install the hard drive in another computer, leaves their computer without the hard drive and thus typically unusable, raises compatibility issues because significant reconfiguration may be required for the hard drive to work on the other computer, and can raise legal issues because the user may not be permitted to open and tamper with computers in public places.
Another solution that can be used to solve at least part of these problems is to store data to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash memory device. These USB flash memory devices have become increasingly commonplace and plug into a USB port on a computer. Such a USB device allows a user to transfer data from one computer to the USB device, then plug the USB device into another computer and access the data on the USB device. Such USB devices, however, solve only part of the problem because they are commonly used only for storing data. If the computer that the user is using does not have the proper program, then the data is typically not accessible to the user in a useful form.
Another solution that can be used to solve at least part of these problems is for the user to travel with the program on disc (typically CD or DVD), and if the program is not available on the computer he or she is using, then the user can install the program on that computer. This solution, however, solves only part of the problem because such a disc typically would not have the user's data stored on it. Furthermore, this solution has additional problems because the discs are somewhat fragile and could be damaged during travel, the process of installing the program on the computer can be time-consuming (and even more time-consuming if the program is incompatible with other programs running on the computer), the user may not have sufficient usage privileges on the computer to install the program, such installation onto multiple computers will oftentimes violate the licensing agreement for the program, and the owner of the computer (particularly in public locations) typically will not want people installing their own programs onto the computer. Yet another problem with this solution is that when the user uninstalls the program on the computer, various unused registration information, data, and so forth is oftentimes left behind.
Thus, it would be beneficial to have an improved way for users to travel from computer to computer and easily use their desired programs, and optionally their desired data.


An implantable modular orthopedic prosthesis, preferably for hip, knee or shoulder arthroplasty, is disclosed which consists of three components. A first component has an elongated stem with a free end, configured to be situated within the intramedullary canal of a patient's bone, and an opposite end having an articulating portion such as a Morse-tapered member. A second component has another articulating portion which can also be a corresponding tapered member that is matingly engageable with the articulating portion of the first component. A third component has a body with a linearly-extruded channel through which the articulating portions are adjustably received, wherein at least one of the first and second components is radially-expandable to pressure lock against an internal surface of the channel in a selected position and arrest the first, second and third components together as the articulating portions are fully engaged with one another.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to modular implantable orthopedic prostheses, and particularly those which are adjustable in size to fit a given patient's needs.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various prostheses have heretofore been designed to replace one or both components of a ball and socket hip joint. Generally the ball portion is connected to an arm composed of a neck and a stem or shaft which stem or shaft is embedded in the intramedullary canal of the proximal femur for hip reconstruction. Such prostheses are often formed with an integral stem and neck portion. Often a removable ball or head element is positioned on the proximal end of the neck. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,012,795 or 4,459,708.
Recently, the assembly of modular structures together from a number of replaceable parts available in a variety of sizes have been used. With such prostheses, it is possible to replace either the head portion or trochanteral portion of the prostheses, or both, without removal of the stem from the bone cavity during implantation. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,608,055, 4,676,979 and 4,693,724 are all illustrative of such approaches. The latter patent also discloses the possibility that the angle at which the neck protrudes from the proximal end of the femur may be adjusted without removal of the stem by pivoting the neck on the end of the implanted stem.
These prior art devices, however, failed to provide a means for varying the angle between the axis of the trochanteral module and the axis of the stem so that the actual angulation (sometimes referred to as anteversion) or slope of the proximal end of the femur might be duplicated by adjustment of said angle. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,002,581 and 5,201,882 to Paxson et al. filled such a need, by providing a modular device and instrumentation for implanting such device with the proper anteversion to match that of a patent's anatomy. The components of Paxson's device are secured together using complementary standard tapered connections (for example, a Morse taper may be used).
Other modular hip prostheses have been proposed, which are said to address various objects of design and use, among these the achievement of a "custom fit". For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,883 to Demane et al. discusses using transitional sections of variable length between the several components of the device, secured together via combinations of a locking screw and tapered fittings. U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,578 to Luman discloses a modular hip having a neck inserted via a shouldered member to a unitary trochanteral/stem component, with a locking screw running through its shoulder into the trochanteral/stem component to secure the two components together. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,080,685, 5,181,928, 5,286,260 and 5,370,706, all to Bolesky, each provide a modular prosthesis kit, capable of interoperative assembly by the surgeon, who chooses the proper size of components prior to implantation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,452 to Fallin shows a modular hip having extension sleeves to adjust the length between the ball and neck, as well as additional pads to increase the cross-sectional shape of the prosthesis body. U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,917 to Kranz et al., discloses a modular hip prosthesis having a stem with a distal tip that is radially expandable to anchor the stem against the medullary canal wall.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,839 to Noiles discloses a modular prosthesis design, alternatively adaptable to either total hip or knee arthroplasty, which presents a stepped contour interface with the patient's bone. The components of this design are connected via conventional tapers. A further type of device used for the fixation of modular prosthesis components is sold by H. D. Holmes under the registered trademark Spiralock.RTM., consisting of a clamping screw which fastens a standard taper connection together, e.g., connecting either the tibial tray or femoral component of a total knee joint to its respective stem. A further example of the use of such locking screws in a modular hip prosthesis is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,360 to Cohen.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,398 to Buford, III, et al. discloses a knee prosthesis with a femoral component having a pin including a split ring which expands to keep the pin in place. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,531,792 to Huene and 4,011,602 to Rybicki et al. each show bone fixation plugs having radially expanding members to apply compressive forces against the surrounding bone and promote in growth of the tissue into the member. Neither of these contemplate an improved mechanism for connecting the components of modular orthopedic implants of the type used in large or small total joint arthroplasty.
The modular knee and hip joint prostheses, described above, address the need for either or both the ball component or trochanteral module component to be removed if replacement becomes necessary without extraction of the stem from the bone canal. Different size balls or trochanteral components could also be substituted should the surgeon decide that such revision is necessary after a period of time. These conventional devices also contemplate selecting from a variety of sizes of their components, in order to match the anatomy of a given patient as closely as possible within the inherent variability of the assembly.
However, the modular systems, notwithstanding the variability offered in their assemblage of specifically sized components, fail to provide an infinite variability within a give size range while creating an assembly of enhanced biomechanical strength. That is, the prior assemblies introduce torsional tresses at the junctures of their components which do not necessarily reflect a unitary construction. Moreover, a wide array of sizes must be kept in stock during surgery to match a patient's anatomy.
Therefore, there is a need for a prosthesis which relies upon an enhanced means of connecting its components together, while further providing infinite adjustability within a given size range, while forming an assembly which biomechanically functions as an integral structure.


The present disclosure relates to a multi-tiered lighting system that has a pole and at least two light sources. A first light source is mounted to the pole at a first height, and a second light source is mounted to the pole at a second height that is substantially different than the first height. The first light source is configured to project a first beam of light that primarily lights up a first portion of a target coverage area, and the second light source is configured to project a beam of light that primarily lights up a second portion of the target coverage area, which is different from the first target coverage area. The first beam of light may spill onto the second target area, and the second beam of light may spill onto the first target area.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a traditional outdoor luminaire 10, or lighting fixture, generally includes a pole 12, a light source 14, and perhaps a mounting arm 16 that is used to affix the light source 14 at or near the top of the pole 12. Conventional light sources 14 employ a metal halide, high-pressure sodium, plasma, and induction technology. These types of light sources 14 do not render colors well and many generate high amounts of heat relative to the amount of light produced. Further, luminaires 10 that employ these types of light sources 14 do not evenly light up the target coverage area, such as a roadway or parking lot.
Because the intensity of light falls off in a manner inversely proportional to the square of the distance traveled, higher intensity light is required to equally illuminate longer distances. Assuming the light source 14 is mounted at a height x above the target coverage area, the distance from the light source 14 to the target coverage area is 1.15× at 30 degrees and 2× at 60 degrees. To maintain a relatively uniform illumination of the target coverage area, the light source 14 would have to project 54% more light at 30 degrees than it would directly below the light source 14 (0 degrees). At 60 degrees, the light source 14 would have to project 700% more light than it would directly below the light source 14. Unfortunately, these types of light sources 14 are not only not capable of projecting light in this manner, they often are not capable of projecting the same amount of light at higher angles than they are at lower angles. As such, a substantially uniformly lit target coverage area is virtually impossible with traditional luminaires 10.
Another issue with traditional luminaires 10 is their expense, and in particular the expense of the poles 12. Given the heights of the poles 12 and the mass and surface area associated with the conventional light sources 14 and mounting arms 16, the poles 12 must be substantial to handle normal environmental forces, such as wind, snow and ice. Wind is particularly problematic because the lateral forces imparted by the wind on the light source 14 are effectively multiplied by the mass of the light source 14 and the height of the pole 12 to create rather large moments M1 at the base of the pole 12. Given these substantial forces, the poles 12 must be very robust, and very robust poles 12 are expensive. In most scenarios, the cost of the poles 12 greatly exceeds that of the light sources 14.


In a full-color image forming apparatus including a light source for monochrome image formation that outputs light corresponding to monochrome image information and exposes a monochrome image forming photoreceptor and light sources for color image formation that output lights corresponding to color image information and expose photoreceptors for forming images of colors other than black, when the light source for monochrome image formation and the light sources for color image formation are caused to output the lights and a full-color image is formed, an optical output of the light source for monochrome image formation is set to become equal to or less than optical outputs of the light sources for color image formation, preferably, become less than the optical outputs of the light sources for color image formation.

1. Field of the Technology
The present technology relates to a full-color image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Although an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method which was at first developed was of a type capable of forming only a monochrome image (a black- and white image), there has been developed another type of image forming apparatus capable of forming a full-color image, namely, a full-color image forming apparatus with diversification of images expected to be formed, and which has been widely used.
However images to be formed by an image forming apparatus have diversified, it is the present condition that, even in a full-color image forming apparatus, the frequency of forming monochrome images is higher than the frequency of forming full-color images, and the frequency of forming monochrome images is about five times that of forming full-color images.
Therefore, in order to form a large amount of monochrome images in a full-color image forming apparatus, different proposals to increase the efficiency of monochrome image formation are offered. For example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 5-336331 (1993), it is proposed to conduct changeover of image formation speed between a full-color image formation mode and a monochrome image formation mode, and as well set the number of scanning lines of a laser beam in the monochrome image formation mode larger than the number of scanning lines of a laser beam in the full-color image formation mode.
Further, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 2000-280523, it is proposed to set the number of light beams outputted from an optical scanner at the time of monochrome printing larger than the number of light beams outputted from the optical scanner at the time of color printing. Furthermore, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 2003-266781, it is proposed to make an inscribed radius of a polygon mirror for monochrome image formation, which is more frequently used in printing, smaller than an inscribed radius of a polygon mirror for color, and also increase the number of mirror planes of the polygon mirror, thereby shortening a rise time before the polygon mirror for monochrome image formation starts rotating from the stop state.
The techniques disclosed in JP-A 5-336331, JP-A 2000-280523 and JP-A 2003-266781 are effective for enhancing the efficiency of monochrome image formation. However, as mentioned before, the frequency of monochrome image formation is about five times the frequency of color image formation. Therefore, unless lengths of life of apparatus members relating to monochrome image formation are at least five times those of the apparatus members relating to color image formation, a length of life of a full-color image forming apparatus is limited by monochrome image formation. That is to say, the length of life of the full-color image forming apparatus is limited by the apparatus member relating to monochrome image formation though the length of life of the apparatus member relating to color image formation is left, with the result that replacement or repair of the apparatus member is required. JP-A 5-336331, JP-A 2000-280523 or JP-A 2003-266781 does not disclose any technique relating to extension of the length of life of the apparatus member relating to monochrome image formation or the length of life of the full-color image forming apparatus. Besides, the technique disclosed in JP-A 2003-266781 has a problem that increase of the number of the mirror planes of the polygon mirror leads to increase in costs.
As an art for seeking extension of the length of life of the apparatus member relating to monochrome image formation, which is more frequently used in the full-color image forming apparatus, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 2000-242057, it is proposed to make a diameter of a photoreceptor for monochrome image formation larger than a diameter of a photoreceptor for color, and in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 2001-330976, it is proposed to make film thickness of a photosensitive layer of the photoreceptor for monochrome image formation more than film thickness of a photosensitive layer of the photoreceptor for color.
According to JP-A 2000-242057 and JP-A 2001-330976, mainly the amount of shaving of a photosensitive layer is critical to the length of life of the photoreceptor. Therefore, by making the diameter of the photoreceptor larger, the frequency with which a circumferential surface of the photoreceptor is shaved by a cleaning blade or the like is decreased, with the result that the length of life is extended. Moreover, by thickening the photosensitive layer itself, the length of life of the photoreceptor is extended.
The apparatus member relating to monochrome image formation is not only the photoreceptor for monochrome image formation but also a light source for monochrome image formation for exposing the photoreceptor for monochrome image formation to light corresponding to monochrome image information. Since the light source for monochrome image formation is used with the same frequency as the photoreceptor for monochrome image formation at the time of monochrome image formation, the length of life thereof gradually decreases while being used as well as the length of life of the photoreceptor for monochrome image formation. Therefore, it is impossible to realize extension of the length of life of the full-color image forming apparatus only by seeking extension of the length of life of the photoreceptor for monochrome image formation, and it is necessary to extend the length of life of the light source for monochrome image formation used with the same frequency as the photoreceptor for monochrome image formation. However, JP-A 2000-242057 or JP-A 2001-330976 does not disclose any technique for seeking the length of life of the light source for monochrome image formation.

Full-color image forming apparatus having variable power light source


For a piston engine having a hypocycloidal piston stroke transmission with a Watt's guide, particularly having pistons in opposed cylinders, in which case the transmission is rotatably arranged on the crank pin of a crankshaft and comprises a stroke and a guide eccentric which are non-rotatably connected with one another, it is suggested for achieving the lowest transverse deviations of the stroke eccentric from the piston path that a path course 20 which is rendered uniform with respect to the transverse deviations .increment.q.sub.H of the stroke eccentric is achieved by means of a path course 21 of the guide eccentric achieved by way of parameters of the Watt's guide with maximal transverse deviations .increment..sub.f up to and including the respective reversal point of the guide eccentric or of the Watt's connecting rod guiding it.

The invention relates to a Diston engine having a hypocycloidal piston stroke transmission with a Watt's guide, particularly with pistons in opposed cylinders. An engine of this type is known from German Patent Document DE-A 41 08 311.
It is known that the connecting center point of a Watt's guide describes a precise straight-line path only by means of connecting control arms of an infinite length, whereas, in the case of real control arms of particularly short lengths, as, for example, on a piston engine, the connecting center point, along the overall stroke of the oscillating connecting rod, describes a path curve which is curved several times with respect to the fictitious or ideal straight guiding line and changes this straight guiding line.
The essay "Calculating Watt's Straight-Line Transmissions" in Volume 1/1980 of the journal of the German Democratic Republic with the title "Maschinenbautechnik" ("Mechanical Engineering Technology") shows particularly by means of a nomogram illustrated in Page 27 possibilities of adapting such a path curve in its deviations and courses according to the application of the Watt's guide as a function of its transmission parameters to the desired quality, of straight line guiding. It is the main goal to minimize the transverse deviations of the path curve of the connecting center point from the fictitious or ideal straight guiding line and to render the deviations uniform.
As it was found, such a design of a Watt's guide used in a hypocycloidal piston stroke transmission results in transverse displacements of such different dimensions of the stroke eccentric connected with respect to the drive with a piston push rod that any piston guiding is affected negatively.
It is an object of the invention to improve, in the case of a piston engine of the above-mentioned type having a hypocycloidal piston stroke transmission with a Watt's guide, the moving course of stroke eccentric transversely to its moving path such that, with respect to the amount, transverse displacements of the stroke eccentric which are approximately identical are achieved and thus also, by way of the piston stroke, of the piston connected with it.
This object is achieved by providing a piston engine having a hypocycloidal piston stroke transmission with a Watt's guide, particularly with pistons in opposed cylinders. A stroke eccentric is connected, with respect to the drive, with a push rod of a piston guided in a cylinder. A guide eccentric is guided orthogonally to the stroke eccentric path or piston path by means of the Watt's guide. The stroke eccentric and guide eccentric are arranged on the crank pin of a crankshaft. The guide eccentric is non-rotatably connected with the stroke eccentric and is rotatably disposed in a Watt's connecting rod controlled by way of control arms swivellably disposed on the motor housing. Parameters of the Watt's guide are selected such that a path course is forced upon the guide eccentric, which oscillates orthogonally with respect to the path of the stroke eccentric or piston, along each moving range close to its respective reversal point by means of the Watt's connecting rod which progressively deviates from the ideal orthogonal guide path such that, during each passage of the stroke eccentric through the intersection point of the guide path with the path of the stroke eccentric or piston path the guide eccentric has a maximal deviation .increment.q.sub.F from the ideal guide path.
By means of the invention, the transverse deviations of the stroke eccentric which is connected with the piston push rod with respect to the drive, which differ considerably particularly with respect to the amounts, are advantageously rendered uniform to an advantageously selectable extent of transverse deviation which significantly reduces the influence on a transverse displacement/slant of the piston in the respective cylinder. This is achieved by means of a course of the path of the connecting center point which deviates in a targeted manner and thus of the guide eccentric center point with a largest possible deviation in the respective reversal point of the connecting rod only by means of a coordination of the parameters of the Watt's guide according to the invention which differs from the known state of the art.
In a further development of the invention, the length of the control arms was recognized as the advantageously dominant parameter of the Watt's guide which is obtained in the case of the zero position of the Watt's connecting rod with the center point M.sub.FE of the guide eccentric situated in the intersection point of the guide path and the stroke eccentric or piston path and with control arms extending essentially in parallel to the stroke eccentric path, specifically as follows: EQU L.sub.control arm =h+0.17765.times.s.times.(4.times.h/s).sup.-1.0335
wherein s=piston stroke and h=distance of a housing-side control arm point of rotation from the guide path, and the following is the definition range: 3.5.ltoreq.(4.times.h/s).ltoreq.15.
The formula according to the invention for the length of the control arms of the Watt's connecting rod advantageously permits by means of only two definable construction data of a piston engine of the above-mentioned type a design of the Watt's guide according to the invention when used in a hypocycloidal piston stroke transmission. A characteristic of the design according to the invention is a path course which is as straight as possible with transverse deviations of a low amount of the stroke eccentric connected with respect to the drive with the piston push rod which are rendered uniform, achieved by extreme transverse deviations from the ideal or fictitious guide path in close ranges of its reversal points of the guide eccentric non-rotatably connected with the stroke eccentric about the crank pin of the crankshaft by means of the Watt's connecting rod (FIG. 3).
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Piston engine having a hypocycloidal piston stroke transmission with a Watt's guide, particularly with pistons in opposed cylinders

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A 3-dimensional (3-D) image signal processing method and apparatus. The 3-D image signal processing apparatus converts a multi-visual-point 2-D image signal into a signal suited to a 3-dimensional image display apparatus. The 3-D image signal processing apparatus includes: a video decoder converting an analog image signal received from an image source arranged in an m*n space-division mode into a digital image signal; a 3-D image processing unit performing 3-D image processing of the digital image signal and generating an output signal suited to a 3-D image display apparatus; a memory storing the digital image signal; and a controller generating a memory-write-address and a memory-read-address of the memory and controlling write/read order of the digital image signal for scaling and vertical/horizontal multiplexing. According to the 3-D image signal processing apparatus of the present invention, a 3-D display interface apparatus capable of being applied to a plurality of multi-visual-point modes is realized.

This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 2003-54217, filed on Aug. 5, 2003, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to 3-dimensional (3-D) image processing, and more particularly, to an interface apparatus converting a multi-visual-point 2-dimensional (2-D) image signal into a signal suited to a 3-dimensional image display apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image display systems such as TVs have been developed to produce more realistic images. Accordingly, the image display systems require 3-D image media and image processing units corresponding to the 3-D image media. The field of 3-D image display apparatuses is divided into optical processing and image processing. Specifically, 3-D image processing has been developed by focusing on compression, restoration, transmission, and synthesizing of an image signal. Conventionally, a stereo (2-visual-point) type terminal, which is the simplest 3-D information terminal, is applied to the game industry and the medical industry, and 3-D broadcasting is currently realized using the stereo (2-visual-point) type terminal in Japan.
The field of an information terminal for the 3-D broadcasting is divided into image compression, multiplexing, storage, inverse multiplexing, image restoring, and image synthesizing, and interfacing with display apparatuses. Research of 3-D multi-visual-point images is advancing in various fields. However, obvious consensus for image compression and restoration has not been achieved, and only standards for the image compression and restoration are being developed. Accordingly, in order to develop a 3-D multi-visual-point information terminal, development of a field of manufacturing display apparatuses must proceed by continuously observing how the MPEG committee is progressing.
Therefore, unique development of a 3-D multi-visual-point image display apparatus not influenced by the tendency of image compression and restoration technology progression is required. Accordingly, a 3-D image interface apparatus reconstructing a multi-visual-point image signal into a signal suited to the 3-D image display apparatus is essential.

Apparatus and method for generating 3D image signal using space-division method


In the transmission of a centrifugal compressor, where a gear is located adjacent to a lubricated bearing, a barrier is provided between the bearing and the gear to restrain the flow of oil to the gear and thereby reduce the pumping and windage losses that would otherwise occur. An oil port is made to communicate with the internal area of the barrier to thereby provide drainage of the accumulated oil to a sump.

This invention relates generally to centrifugal compressors and, more particularly, to an improved lubrication method and apparatus therefor.
Hermetic centrifugal refrigeration compressors generally use an electric motor to drive the impeller through a geared up transmission. In such a compressor, the transmission is typically vented to a source of low pressure refrigerant within the system to minimize the outward migration of oil through the shaft seals. It has been recognized that during this venting process, in addition to the refrigerant gas passing out of the transmission, some of the oil in the form of droplets or mist may become entrained within the refrigerant gas and also pass out from the transmission. This is not been a particular problem.
With the more recent use of higher pressure and higher density refrigerants, such as R-22, the problem of oil carry over has become an issue. That is, because of the higher pressure refrigerant, it is necessary to operate the gears at higher speeds. This is in turn increases the turbulence and the oil mist generation within the transmission. Further, the larger pressure differentials tend to promote higher vent gas flow rates and therefore increased carry over.
In addition to the refrigerant higher pressures, the higher densities also tend to exasperate the problem. That is, the increased densities tend to keep the oil droplets in suspension longer and makes separation more difficult. In addition, the mechanical losses from oil separation mechanisms are higher due to increased density.
Considering now the result of oil carry over, when the oil entrained refrigerant from the transmission is vented to the compressor inlet, it passes through the compressor and is discharged into the condenser, where it may tend to coat the heat exchanger surface to thereby decrease the efficiency thereof. Some of the oil is then passed on to the cooler where the same phenomenon occurs. Thus, it will be recognized that high oil carry over rates tend to result in poor heat exchanger performance. More over, as the oil supply in the sump is diminished because of this phenomenon, there may no longer be sufficient amount of oil to insure that all of the moving parts that require lubrication are in fact receiving adequate supplies of oil.
The oil carry over problem has been addressed in two different ways. First, the most common approach is to use a mesh type oil separator in the vent line to cause oil droplets to coalesce and drain back into the transmission. A second method uses a series of hollow rotating tubes to centrifuge out the unwanted oil mist component of the vent flow. Neither of these methods, by themselves, are found to be sufficient for containing oil in a centrifugal compressor using high pressure, high density refrigerant such as R-22.
In addition to the loss of oil from the transmission as occasioned by the high speed rotation of the gear, there are also mechanical losses brought about by the oil from the bearings being transferred into the gear mesh and onto the gear face. That is, oil on the gear causes windage losses as well as oil pumping losses, since the gear mesh then acts as a pump. These, in turn, increase the load on the bearings and may reduce the life thereof.
It is therefore an objection of the present invention to provide an improved lubrication system for a centrifugal compressor.
Another object of the present invention is the provision in a centrifugal compressor for reducing mechanical losses brought about by oil being disposed on the gears
Yet another object of the present invention is the provision in a centrifugal compressor for reducing windage losses and oil pumping losses in the transmission.
Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism by which the used oil is conveyed directly to the sump without being "caught up" in the turbulent environment within the transmission.
Still another object of the present invention is the provision in a centrifugal compressor for reducing the load on the bearings.
Yet another object of the present invention is the provision in a centrifugal compressor for a lubrication system which is economical and practical in operation.
These objects and other features and advantages become more readily apparent upon reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.

Oil channeling in a centrifugal compressor transmission


Procedures may be performed on the heart after the installation of a mitral valve fixation device. In order to prepare the heart for such procedures, the fixation device may be removed or disabled in minimally invasive ways (e.g., through an endovascular procedure), without requiring open access to the heart. The fixation device may be partitioned so that one portion may remain attached to each leaflet of the mitral valve. In another example, the leaflets may be cut along the edges of the distal element(s) of the fixation device, so as to cut the fixation device from the leaflet(s). Systems and devices for performing such procedures endovascularly are disclosed. Fixation devices with improved access to a release harness are also disclosed.

The present invention relates generally to medical methods, devices, and systems. In particular, the present invention relates to methods, devices, and systems for the endovascular, percutaneous or minimally invasive surgical treatment of bodily tissues, such as tissue approximation or valve repair. More particularly, the present invention relates to repair of valves of the heart and venous valves, and devices and methods for removing or disabling mitral valve repair components through minimally invasive procedures.
Surgical repair of bodily tissues often involves tissue approximation and fastening of such tissues in the approximated arrangement. When repairing valves, tissue approximation includes coapting the leaflets of the valves in a therapeutic arrangement which may then be maintained by fastening or fixing the leaflets. Such coaptation can be used to treat regurgitation which most commonly occurs in the mitral valve.
Mitral valve regurgitation is characterized by retrograde flow from the left ventricle of a heart through an incompetent mitral valve into the left atrium. During a normal cycle of heart contraction (systole), the mitral valve acts as a check valve to prevent flow of oxygenated blood back into the left atrium. In this way, the oxygenated blood is pumped into the aorta through the aortic valve. Regurgitation of the valve can significantly decrease the pumping efficiency of the heart, placing the patient at risk of severe, progressive heart failure.
Mitral valve regurgitation can result from a number of different mechanical defects in the mitral valve or the left ventricular wall. The valve leaflets, the valve chordae which connect the leaflets to the papillary muscles, the papillary muscles themselves or the left ventricular wall may be damaged or otherwise dysfunctional. Commonly, the valve annulus may be damaged, dilated, or weakened, limiting the ability of the mitral valve to close adequately against the high pressures of the left ventricle.
The most common treatments for mitral valve regurgitation rely on valve replacement or repair including leaflet and annulus remodeling, the latter generally referred to as valve annuloplasty. One technique for mitral valve repair which relies on suturing adjacent segments of the opposed valve leaflets together is referred to as the "bow-tie" or "edge-to-edge" technique. While all these techniques can be effective, they usually rely on open heart surgery where the patient's chest is opened, typically via a sternotomy, and the patient placed on cardiopulmonary bypass. The need to both open the chest and place the patient on bypass is traumatic and has associated high mortality and morbidity.
In some patients, a fixation device can be installed into the heart using minimally invasive techniques. The fixation device can hold the adjacent segments of the opposed valve leaflets together and may reduce mitral valve regurgitation. One such device used to clip the anterior and posterior leaflets of the mitral valve together is the MitraClip® fixation device, sold by Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, Calif., USA.
However, sometimes after a fixation device is installed, undesirable mitral valve regurgitation can still exist, or can arise again. Further, other problems with the heart may arise that can make it desirable for the fixation device to be disabled or removed, usually in order that other procedures may be performed on the heart.
Current techniques for removing or disabling mitral valve fixation devices usually rely on open heart surgery where the patient's chest is opened, typically via a sternotomy, and the patient placed on cardiopulmonary bypass.
For these reasons, it would be desirable to provide alternative and additional methods, devices, and systems for removing or disabling fixation devices that are already installed. Such methods, devices, and systems should preferably not require open chest access and be capable of being performed either endovascularly, i.e., using devices which are advanced to the heart from a point in the patient's vasculature remote from the heart or by another minimally invasive approach. The methods, devices, and systems may be useful for repair of tissues in the body other than heart valves. At least some of these objectives will be met by the inventions described hereinbelow.

Mitral valve fixation device removal devices and methods


An exemplary high-current switching arrangement in a generator duct arranged between a generator and a transformer is disclosed. This arrangement includes a pole frame which can be positioned on a base surface, a breaker pole of a generator circuit-breaker which is secured to the pole frame, and a drive which is secured to the pole frame. The breaker pole includes an active component arranged along an axis designed for the conduction and interruption of high currents and which incorporates a power switching point, with two axially spaced current terminals. The drive is arranged on a first of two end faces of the pole frame, and includes a linkage mechanism that transmits power from the drive to the power switching point.

In a high-voltage energy supply system, a high-current switching arrangement is incorporated into an electrical connection between a generator and a transformer. This switching arrangement is capable of conducting high continuous currents and of interrupting high short-circuit currents. Accordingly, this arrangement is provided with a circuit interrupter, described as a generator circuit-breaker, with a power switching point in which, during a switching process, a contact member of high mass is accelerated at a substantial rate. The energy specified for this purpose is generated by a high-power drive which occupies a substantial amount of space.
A high-current switching arrangement of the above-mentioned type is described in the commercial document "Generator Circuit-Breaker Systems HECS, HEC7/8" published by the firm ABB Schweiz AG, Zurich, Switzerland. In this high-current switching arrangement, the three phase-segregated breaker poles of a generator circuit-breaker are arranged on a pole frame. Each of these breaker poles is provided with an enclosure, configured as a box-type enclosure, which accommodates at least a power switching point, but also additional switching components such as disconnectors, ground electrodes and starting switches, and may also accommodate further components such as instrument transformers or surge arresters. The enclosure is provided with two openings, arranged in two side walls opposite each other and through which, after incorporation in a shock-hazard-protected three-phase generator duct, one of the three phase conductors respectively of the generator duct is routed. Next to the pole frame, a drive is arranged transversely to the direction of routing of the phase conductors, which acts on the three power switching points via a linkage mechanism.
EP 1284491 B1 describes a three-phase generator circuit-breaker, the three power switching points of which are arranged directly on a single pole frame, e.g., with no shock-hazard protection. A drive is secured to the pole frame below the power switching points, which acts on all three switching points via a linkage mechanism.


Systems, methods and apparatuses of supporting multicast traffic of a wireless mesh network are disclosed. One apparatus includes an access node that includes one or more transceivers for communicating with other devices of a wireless mesh network, and a processor. The processor is operative to receive multicast traffic from a multicast traffic source through the one or more transceivers, associate the multicast traffic with a multicast group ID, and encapsulate the received multicast traffic in unicast IP packets that include a special destination IP address associated with the multicast group ID.

In computer networking, broadcast includes the delivery of a message or information to a group of destination computers simultaneously in a single transmission from the source. For an embodiment, broadcast is implemented as an IP broadcast or the layer-2 broadcast which may include non-IP frames. However, presently, layer 3 (IP based) mesh networks cannot send layer 2 broadcast frames natively and reliably.
In order for broadcast to operate properly in a wireless mesh network, routers within the wireless mesh network need to know whether any client devices connected to the wireless mesh network are a member of a broadcast group.
It is desirable to have methods, systems and apparatuses for implementing a wireless mesh network that provides broadcasting information to a client device of the wireless mesh network.

Encapsulating received multicast traffic in unicast IP packets to support distribution of multicast traffic through a mesh network


To ensure display of a region of interest on a fundus image and a tomographic image of an eye to be inspected in a correspondence manner, an apparatus for processing images of an eye to be inspected includes: a unit that acquires a fundus image of an eye to be inspected; a unit that designates an arbitrary point on the fundus image; a unit that acquires a tomographic image of the eye to be inspected; a unit that calculates a point on the tomographic image corresponding to the arbitrary point; and a unit that converts a coordinate system for displaying the tomographic image and the fundus image in association with each other on the basis of positions of the arbitrary point and the corresponding point.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing technology for assisting image processing on images of an eye, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program for performing image processing using a tomographic image of an eye.
Description of the Related Art
An ophthalmic tomographic image photographing device such as an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device enables three-dimensional observation of an internal state of a retina. In recent years, this ophthalmic tomographic image photographing device has become popular for its capability of appropriately diagnosing diseases. The amount of OCT tomographic information is huge, and hence it is very inefficient to check the tomographic information piece by piece. To relieve the burden of doctors on OCT-based diagnosis, therefore, there is a demand to establish a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) technology. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-110158 describes that characteristic amounts on a fundus image are detected at two points thereof, a reference coordinate system for a projection image is determined on the basis of the two points, and the reference coordinate system is converted to a display coordinate system to display the projection image corresponding to the display coordinate system. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-110158 proposes a scheme of displaying OCT analysis results in accordance with the display coordinate system.
However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-110158 fails to describe processing that is performed in displaying a fundus image and a tomographic image. In general, a tomographic image is expanded and displayed two-dimensionally. When a tomographic image and a fundus image are displayed with a single corresponding point taken as a reference, therefore, the tomographic image and the fundus image match with each other at the origin of the reference coordinate system, but as the distance from the origin of the reference coordinate system is longer, the deviation amount becomes larger. This phenomenon is described referring to schematic diagrams of FIGS. 16A to 16C. FIG. 16A illustrates a fundus image. An arbitrary point 1401 lies on a line extending vertically on the fundus image and passing nearly through the center of the fundus image. An arbitrary point 1402 lies in a macula present on the line. An arbitrary point 1403 is a point on a papilla present on the line. A distance 1404 and a distance 1405 are vertical distances from the arbitrary point 1402 to the arbitrary point 1401 and from the arbitrary point 1402 to the arbitrary point 1403, respectively. FIG. 16B illustrates the cross section of an eye corresponding to the line containing points 1401, 1402 and 1403 at the fundus. FIG. 16C illustrates a tomographic image acquired by OCT-based measurement of the same vertical line. The OCT tomographic image is normally expanded and displayed two-dimensionally with the arbitrary point 1402 as the reference point, that is, the origin. A distance 1406 represents a deviation amount of the actual arbitrary point 1401 on the tomographic image from the arbitrary point 1401 on the fundus image. A distance 1407 represents a deviation amount of the actual arbitrary point 1403 on the tomographic image from the arbitrary point 1403 on the fundus image. As the distances 1404 and 1405 from the display reference point are longer, the deviation between the fundus image and the tomographic image is greater.
When a point of interest (e.g., point which is suspected to be a lesion) is other than the reference point, therefore, an inspector carries out diagnosis by referring to a screen in which the tomographic image and the fundus image do not match with each other. This makes it difficult to support diagnosis of a variety of diseases, and hinders prompt diagnosis.

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program


The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus in which a structure is simple and in which the size of a document can be detected in a short time, wherein the levels of signals, which are outputted from photoelectric elements within a plurality of sensing regions on a light-receiving portion of a line sensor correspond to a pair of nearby regions (#1 and #2, #3 and #4, #5 and #6, and #7 and #8) which hold each edge (e.g., edges 64A, 64B, 64C in FIG. 5) of the plurality of documents of different sizes disposed on a platen glass, are compared to a threshold value, or alternatively, the change in the levels of signals which are outputted from the photoelectric elements within a plurality of sensing regions (e.g., #1, #2 and #3 in FIG. 11) continuously cross each edge of the plurality documents of different sizes is obtained in order to determine the size of the document. An optical sensor which detects the existence of the document at a predetermined position (#0) on the platen glass is provided so that when the document is disposed in a transverse direction (SEF), the documents exists, and when the document is disposed in a longitudinal direction (LEF), the document does not exist. Accordingly, the direction of the document is determined. Due to this structure, the size and direction of the document disposed on the transparent member are determined.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly, to an image reading apparatus which reads an image recorded onto a document which has been disposed on a plate-shaped transparent member such as a platen glass.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, regarding a copying machine, a technique has been known in which the size of a document disposed on a platen glass is detected, and on the basis of the detected result, the size of a paper on which an image recorded onto the document is copied, copying magnification or the like are automatically determined. The most common method of detecting the size of a document disposed on a platen glass is disclosed in JP-A No. 61-20936. In this method, one or more optical sensors for detecting the size of the document are provided beneath the platen glass, the optical sensors detect existence of the document at the position where the optical sensors are provided, and on the basis of the detected result by the optical sensors, the size of the document is determined.
However, in the aforementioned size detection method, it is necessary to provide optical sensors at various places beneath the platen glass so as to correspond to documents of various sizes. In reality, since a plurality of optical sensors are needed to cope with the documents of various sizes which can be disposed on the platen glass, there is a drawback in that the structure of the copying machine is complicated.
Further, the method of detecting the size of the document disposed on the platen glass is, more specifically, to detect whether the size of the document is any of the various sizes used as stylized sizes. In the aforementioned method of detection, the positions of the optical sensors are determined in accordance with the various sizes used as stylized sizes.
However, the sizes used as stylized sizes are different depending on the regions. For example, in Japan and in Europe, sizes such as B5, A4, B4 are used as stylized sizes, while in the United States and in Canada, sizes such as letter size, legal size, 11".times.17" are used as such. Accordingly, when the size of the document of the stylized size disposed on the platen glass is detected by the aforementioned method of detection, it is necessary to change the positions of a plurality of optical sensors for every region so as to correspond to the different sizes used as stylized sizes.
Moreover, after the image recorded onto the document is converted into a digitized image data, it is general that a copying machine (a so-called digital copying machine), which records (copies) the image onto a paper on the basis of the image data, or a facsimile terminal equipment includes a plurality of photoelectric transducing elements such as CCD which are arranged in a line, and that the photoelectric transducing elements read the image of the document by scanning the document. As a result, in this type of apparatus, it has been more widely used that the document is scanned by the photoelectric transducing elements before the image is read (a so-called pre-scan), and on the basis of the signals outputted from the photoelectric transducing elements, the size of the document is detected.
In the aforementioned method of detection, because the size of the document is also detected by the photoelectric transducing elements provided for reading the image, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of new sensors in accordance with the types of documents disposed on the platen glass. However, because it is necessary to pre-scan the document every time the document is disposed, there is a drawback in that the processing capacity (e.g., the copied number of sheets per unit of time or the like) of the apparatus does not improve.
As it is assumed that the document is disposed on the platen glass, it is general that the size of the document on the platen glass is detected when a platen cover is closed. However, because the reverse surface of the platen cover is normally white, in a case in which the background of the disposed document is white, i.e., the light reflectance of the document is similar to that of the reverse surface of the platen cover, it is difficult to detect optically the size of the document.
As a result, in order to improve reliability of the detection of the size of the document, it has been proposed that a surface whose light reflectance is low is formed on the reverse surface of the platen cover, or that the color of the reverse surface of the platen cover is not white (see JP-B No. 62-47026).
However, if the light reflectance of the reverse surface of the platen cover is remarkably lowered with respect to the light transmittance of the document whose background is white (e.g., the reverse surface of the platen cover is gray, black or a mirror finished surface), though detection of the size of the document becomes easy, the overall density of the background of the copied image becomes high, and a so-called set off occurs. The set off is especially conspicuous in a case in which a recorded image is copied onto a paper, such as a tracing paper, whose thickness is thin and whose light transmittance is relatively high.
Moreover, if the light reflectance of the reverse surface of the platen cover is substantially lowered with respect to the light transmittance of the document whose background is white, when the platen cover is closed and the document is read in the digital copying machine, the portion of the platen glass on which the document is not disposed is recognized as high density (e.g., black). Accordingly, when the image is copied onto the paper simply based on the image data obtained by reading the document, the portion of the copied image which corresponds to the portion at which the document is not disposed becomes solid black. Therefore, it is not preferable.
In order to avoid this, for example, after the pre-scan is effected and the size of the document is detected, the portion of the platen glass on which the document is not disposed is determined on the basis of the detected document size. When the document is read, the signal, which is outputted in accordance with the portion of the platen glass on which the document is not disposed, of the signals outputted from a photoelectric transducer needs to be masked electrically. Alternatively, it is necessary to change automatically input/output characteristic at the time of converting the signals outputted from the photoelectric transducer into the image data so that the density of the portion at which the document is not disposed is 0 (white) on the image data. A drawback arises in that the structure of the apparatus is complicated.
Instead of the above-described method, it has been effected that the reverse surface of the platen cover is a color whose light reflectance is similar to that of white and which is recognized as white by a monochrome copying machine (e.g., yellow). When the document is pre-scanned, an optical filter whose color is complementary to the color of the reverse surface of the platen cover (e.g., dark blue which is complementary to yellow) is inserted before a lens which images the light at the light-receiving portion of the photoelectric transducing element (as a result, the portion of the platen glass on which the document is not disposed is recognized as black), and when the image is read, the above-described optical filter is taken from before the lens. However, in this case, because it is necessary to provide a mechanism for moving the optical filter, there is a drawback in that the structure of the apparatus is complicated after all.


A mobile robot capable of recognizing its location and adjusting its direction in response to an obstacle in its way includes a running device, an obstacle detecting device for detecting the presence of an obstacle, a location recognizing device, a controlling portion, and a power supply. The location recognizing device includes a first vision camera directed toward the ceiling of a room and a first vision board. The first vision camera recognizes a base mark on the ceiling. The first vision board processes an image from the first vision camera and transmits the image data to the controlling portion. The obstacle detecting device includes a line laser for emitting a linear light beam toward the obstacle, a second vision camera for recognizing a reflective linear light beam from the obstacle, and a second vision board for processing image data captured by the second vision camera.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile robot, which automatically moves about a room, and more particularly, to a mobile robot having a vision camera to recognize its location and to avoid collision with obstacles in the room. The present invention also relates to a course adjusting method for the mobile robot.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a mobile robot has a power source and a sensor mounted in its body, and thus can automatically run about a given area without an external power supply or manipulation. There are two main types of mobile robots that are used inside a house: robots that clean the rooms of the house; and robots that guard the house from possible intruders.
The conventional mobile robot uses a random motion method, by which the mobile robot moves in a random direction without recognizing its location, repeatedly shifting its direction whenever it encounters obstacles, such as a wall, table, etc.
Such a conventional mobile robot includes a running device for moving the mobile robot about a room, an obstacle detecting device for detecting the presence of an obstacle, such as a wall, table, etc., a controlling portion for adjusting an orientation of the mobile robot by controlling the running device and the obstacle detecting device, and a power supply for storing and supplying the power to the respective devices.
The running device can be a wheel-type device that employs a servo-motor or stepping motor to rotate a plurality of wheels and move the mobile robot, a caterpillar-type device that uses an endless track, or a joint-type device that uses a plurality of legs. Among these types of devices, the wheel-type running device is most widely used.
The obstacle detecting device detects obstacles, such as a wall, table, etc., with an ultrasonic sensor or laser sensor, and sends out a corresponding signal to the controlling portion. The sensor of the obstacle detecting device is preferably mounted on a front side of the mobile robot in parallel with a running surface, so as to detect more accurately the obstacle located in the running path.
The controlling portion includes a microprocessor and memory mounted thereon for controlling general operations of the mobile robot, such as sending out a start command to the running device, controlling movement of the running device to avoid an obstacle in accordance with the signals received from the obstacle detecting device and an internal, prefurnished program, and charging the power supply with electricity when it determines that the power level is below a predetermined value.
The power supply supplies power for operating various parts of the mobile robot, such as the motor, which rotates the wheels of the running device, the sensor, which detects the presence of any obstacles, and the control portion, etc. The power supply usually is a storage battery, enabling the mobile robot to operate for a predetermined period of time without connection to an external power source.
The operation of the mobile robot constructed as above will be described in detail below.
First, when the mobile robot receives a start command, the controlling portion sends out a running command and corresponding sensing signal to the running device and the obstacle detecting device, respectively. In response to the signal from the controlling portion, the running device runs in a certain direction by driving the motor. At this time, by operating the sensor, the obstacle detecting device sends out a sensing signal to the controlling portion. During operation of the mobile robot, when the sensor senses the presence of an obstacle within a predetermined distance range of the robot, the controlling portion sends out a command to the running device to shift the path or running direction of the mobile robot. Then the running device resumes running of the mobile robot. Whenever the mobile robot encounters an obstacle, the running direction of the mobile robot is altered by the processes described above. That is, the mobile robot runs according to its initial position and the locations of the obstacles, drawing a random track as shown in FIG. 1.
Such a random motion mobile robot is found to be inefficient when running in a limited area, since it runs on a random track. Another drawback of the random motion mobile robot is that it repeatedly travels across the same area.
The ultrasonic sensor of the conventional obstacle detecting device includes an ultrasonic emitting portion for emitting ultrasound waves, and an ultrasonic receiving portion for receiving reflective ultrasound waves from the obstacle. By measuring a time gap between ultrasound emission and reflective ultrasound receipt, the controlling portion calculates a distance from the mobile robot to the obstacle, and accordingly controls the motor of the mobile robot to avoid the obstacle.
Although the conventional obstacle detecting device and method thereof can measure the distance from the mobile robot to the obstacle, the same cannot properly deal with the obstacles according to the status of the obstacle, since it is impossible to obtain precise information about the status of the obstacle, such as the shape of the obstacle, or the like. Accordingly, it is impossible for the mobile robot to determine whether to pass or avoid the obstacle.
The mobile robot is required to keep a predetermined orientation in order to perform a cleaning or guarding operation more efficiently. For this, it is necessary to periodically check whether the mobile robot is running along the right course and to adjust the orientation of the mobile robot, if it is determined that the mobile robot has deviated off course.
In order to ensure that the mobile robot runs on the right course, the conventional mobile robot uses a guide tape or a wall of a room as a reference.
When using the guide tape, which is attached to the floor, the mobile robot checks for the guide tape by using a photo-sensor or a magnetic sensor. The mobile robot runs along the guide tape. The relative location of the guide tape with respect to the sensor determines whether the mobile robot is on the right course or not.
When using the wall of the room as a reference, whether the mobile robot moves along the right course or not is determined according to the distance of the mobile robot from the wall, as detected by a sensor, such as ultrasonic sensor, etc. Depending on the distance between the mobile robot and the wall, the mobile robot will adjust its orientation.
While these ways to adjust the course of the mobile robot, i.e., using the guide tape or wall as a reference, can be useful when controlling the running of the mobile robot, they are hardly applicable to a mobile robot that recognizes its location using a vision camera. That is, separately providing the guide tape or the ultrasonic sensor to the mobile robot that recognizes its location by vision camera, just to determine whether to adjust the orientation of the mobile robot or not, causes disadvantages, such as complicating manufacturing processes and increasing manufacturing costs.
The present invention has been made to overcome the above-mentioned problems of the related art. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile robot capable of efficiently running along a certain course while recognizing its location and avoiding repeat passes in the same area.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile robot capable of determining whether to pass or avoid an obstacle in a running direction, based on information about a shape of the obstacle. Information on the obstacle""s shape is provided by an obstacle detecting device having a line laser and a vision camera.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for adjusting an orientation of the mobile robot, which recognizes its location by using a vision camera, according to a determination as to whether to maintain or shift the path.
The above objects are accomplished by a mobile robot according to the present invention. The mobile robot includes a running device for moving the mobile robot about a room, an obstacle detecting device for detecting a presence of an obstacle, a location recognizing device for recognizing a current location of the mobile robot, a controlling portion for controlling the running device, the obstacle detecting device and the location recognizing device, and a power supply for storing and supplying electricity to each of the devices and the controlling portion. The location recognizing device includes a first vision camera facing a ceiling of the room. The first vision camera recognizes a base mark on the ceiling. The location recognizing device further includes a first vision board for processing an image photographed by the first vision camera into data and transmitting the data to the controlling portion.
The obstacle detecting device includes a line laser for emitting a linear light beam toward the obstacle, a second vision camera for recognizing a reflective linear light beam from the obstacle, and a second vision board for processing image data captured by the second vision camera.
Further, the above objects are also accomplished by a mobile robot according to the present invention, including a running device for moving the mobile robot in a room, an obstacle detecting device for detecting a presence of an obstacle, a location recognizing device for recognizing a current location of the mobile robot, a controlling portion for controlling the running device, the obstacle detecting device and the location recognizing device, and a power supply for storing and supplying electricity to the running device, the obstacle detecting device, the location recognizing device and the controlling portion. The obstacle detecting device includes a line laser for emitting a linear light beam toward the obstacle, a second vision camera for recognizing a reflective linear light beam from the obstacle, and a second vision board for processing image data captured by the second vision camera.
The second vision camera includes a filter for exclusively recognizing the linear light beam from the line laser.
Further, the above objects are also accomplished by a method for adjusting a course or running route of a mobile robot. The mobile robot includes a running device for moving the mobile robot about a room, an obstacle detecting device for detecting a presence of an obstacle, a location recognizing device for recognizing a current location of the mobile robot, a controlling portion for controlling the running device, the obstacle detecting device and the location recognizing device, and a power supply for storing and supplying electricity to each of the devices and the controlling portion. The method includes photographing a base mark using a first vision camera of the location recognizing device and generating image data of the base mark using a first vision board, determining whether coordinates of the base mark, which are obtained by data processing of the controlling portion, match coordinates of a predetermined moving route, and controlling the running device to move the mobile robot in a direction by a corresponding distance to compensate for any deviation from the predetermined moving route, when the coordinates of the base mark do not match the coordinates of the predetermined moving route.
The mobile robot according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a vacuum cleaner which has a suction port for sucking in contaminants, a dust collecting portion for collecting the contaminants therein, and a motor driving portion for generating a suction force.

Mobile robot and course adjusting method thereof


A semiconductor memory device with data retention function to retain data is provided with a sense amplifier control signal generating circuit comprising a switching circuit controlled by a data retention mode detection signal so as to make the time interval between enabling of a word line and starting of an N- or P-type sense amplifier longer in data retention mode than in normal mode. Thus the inventive circuit generates a sense amplifier control signal whose delay time differs in the normal and data retention modes, so that the data retention mode is performed without influencing the operational speed, the charge sharing is sufficiently achieved in the data retention mode, and the direct current flowing is prevented.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor memory devices, and more particularly to a sense amplifier control signal generating circuit for controlling the data retention mode (DR mode).
2. Background Art
In semiconductor memory devices such as dynamic and pseudo-static RAM, a memory cell usually comprises a storage capacitor and an access transistor. Data stored in the storage capacitor suffers a loss of charge after a certain period of time, and therefore requires to be periodically refreshed. The refresh mode periodically refreshes the storage capacitor using a signal external to the semiconductor device. The data retention mode is periodically refreshed by the automatic operation of a timer and refresh-related circuit only if a condition specified for the data retention mode is met. The data retention mode does not require an external signal to periodically control the storing of the data using a low operational voltage (battery voltage) and the device used for the retention mode is necessarily provided in a recently developed semiconductor.
The fundamental cell array and the structure of a sense amplifier of a dynamic RAM are illustrated in FIG. 1. A memory cell array comprising a storage capacitor Cs for storing data and an access transistor M for transferring the stored data to bit lines are shown. N-type and P-type sense amplifiers are connected to a pair of adjacent bit lines BL and BLB. The gate of the access transistor M is connected to the word line signal .phi.WL produced by a row decoder. An N-type drive transistor Mn is connected to the common node of sensing transistors 3 and 4 of the N-type sense amplifier in order to drive it by receiving a signal .phi.N. A P-type drive transistor Mp is connected to the common node of sensing transistors 1 and 2 of the P-type sense amplifier in order to drive it by receiving a signal .phi.P.
A conventional sense amplifier control signal generation circuit is shown in FIG. 2 for controlling the sense amplifiers. The operational voltage waveforms of the circuit shown in FIG. 1 are illustrated in FIG. 3 according to the outputs of FIG. 2. The circuit of FIG. 2 comprises a first delay circuit 10 for delaying and amplifying the word line signal .phi.WL to generate the signal .phi.N, and a second delay circuit 20 for inverting and delaying the output of the first delay circuit 10. The delay circuits 10 and 20 may comprise a CMOS inverter, resistor and capacitor.
The operational characteristics of the circuit of FIG. 1 are described with reference to FIG. 3 including the circuit of FIG. 2. The delay path (namely, first and second delay circuits 10 and 20) is used in both the normal and data retention modes, so that the N-type and P-type sense amplifiers have the same sensing time in the normal and retention modes. In this case, after the word line has been enabled, the signal .phi.N becomes high thereby turning on N-type drive transistor Mn to drive the N-type sense amplifiers 3 and 4. Also, after a delay time at the second delay circuit 20, the signal .phi.P becomes low turning on the P-type transistor Mp to drive P-type sense amplifiers 1 and 2. The first and second delay circuits 10 and 20 respectively control the time interval t1 between the enabling of the word line and the starting of the N-type sense amplifiers 3 and 4, and the time interval t2 between the starting of the N-type sense amplifiers and the starting of the P-type sense amplifiers 1 and 2. The time interval t1 is taken for charge sharing during which the charge of the storage capacitor Cs is sufficiently transferred to the bit lines. However, it is preferable to keep the time intervals t1 and t2 as short as possible in order to increase the operational speed.
A conventional circuit such as the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 causes a problem in the data retention mode. If the time interval t1 is reduced in order to increase the operational speed, the charge sharing time becomes insufficient, causing a failure of the memory cell operation. Also, if the time interval t2 is reduced, a direct current flows from the voltage source terminal Vcc of the N-type sense amplifiers to the ground voltage terminal Vss of the P-type sense amplifiers. The amount of the direct current increases as the time interval t2 is reduced.


A method of applying a flexible, biodegradable sheet of starch-based material to mask a surface to be coated is described. The sheet is a solid, flexible, expanded, close-celled foam. The sheet is dispersible in water.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of protective coatings to be used during coating operations of various surfaces, such as surfaces of automotive parts of motor vehicles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known that painting or coating operations often require masking of certain portions of the object to be painted to prevent overspray. For example, it is often necessary to mask parts on a vehicle (e.g., a motor vehicle) from paint overspray. On occasion, it is necessary to mask painted portions of a vehicle from paints of a different color.
Currently, paper or plastic film is often used as a mask. Two sided tape is often applied to the edges of the cut mask to adhere the mask to the primed surface. Once the top coat of paint is applied, the paint is either air dried or oven dried. The mask is then thrown away and disposed of as land fill. For specific masking applications, inexpensive foam ("Styrofoam") blocks are also often used as masks and then discarded after painting and drying by room air temp or oven conditions. Furthermore, even when done carefully, defects in such masks may allow paint to contact surfaces that are desired to be protected.
Spray-on chemical masking solutions have been proposed to purportedly solve the problem of protecting surfaces during coating processing operations. However, such techniques have often not found extensive use. Some of the proposed liquid chemical masks have been unsuitable for application to portions of a vehicle because of damage which would potentially occur to the protected portions of the vehicle. In addition, masks that require solvents for removal are problematic in view of the increasing regulation of disposal of solvents as environmental regulation becomes stricter with time. Other such compositions are difficult to apply, difficult to remove, excessively costly, or the like.
From the above it is seen that an improved masking material that is easily applied and removed, that provides good surface protection, that is economical, and whose use entails little or no environmental impact is needed. In addition, it is known that coating overspray, such as paints, can be collected, processed and reused as filler or the like. A masking material that would facilitate this process would be highly desirable.
Woodhall et al. has disclosed various masking materials based on dextrin. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,876,791, 5,362,786; 5,411,760; 5,523,117; 5,302,413 and 5,186,978. In addition, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,485 to Woodhall et al. discloses fluid masking materials based on dextrin or cellulose derivatives. The disclosure of all of these patents to Woodhall et al. are all incorporated herein by reference.


The invention relates to a method for protected transactions involving a so-called smart card and a terminal, such as a cash register. In order to prevent the smart card from simultaneously carrying out transactions with several terminals, the invention provides an authentication value which is used in the data exchange between the smart card and the terminal to uniquely identify subsequent steps of the transaction.

The invention relates to a method for debiting an electronic payment means, such as an electronic payment card provided with an integrated circuit ("chip card"). In particular, though not exclusively, the invention relates to a method for protectedly debiting prepaid electronic payment cards ("prepaid cards") as these are applied, e.g., for telephone booths. In the present text, the term payment means will be used irrespective of the form or the type of the specific payment means. A payment means may therefore be formed by, e.g., a chargeable payment card or a non-card-shaped electronic payment means.
In recent years, electronic payment means are being applied ever more frequently, not only for paying for the use of public telephone sets, but also for many other payment purposes. Since such a payment means generally comprises a (credit) balance which represents a monetary value, it is necessary to have the exchange of data between such a payment means and a payment station (such as a telephone set designed for electronic payment or an electronic cash register) run according to a protected method (payment protocol). Here, it should be ensured, e.g., that an amount (monetary value or number of calculation units) debited to the payment means correspond to an amount (monetary value or calculation units) credited elsewhere: the amount paid by a customer should correspond to the amount to be received by a supplier. The credited amount may be stored, e.g., in a protected module present in the payment station.
Prior Art payment methods, as disclosed in e.g. European Patent Application EP 0,637,004 comprise: a first step, in which the balance of the payment means is retrieved by the payment station; a second step, in which the balance of the payment means is lowered (debiting the payment means); and a third step, in which the balance of the payment means is retrieved again. From the difference between the balances of the first and third steps the debited amount, and therewith the amount to be credited in the payment station, may be determined. The second step may be repeated several times, possibly in combination with the third step.
The above-mentioned European Patent Application EP 0,637,004 corresponds with U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/703,824, filed Aug. 27, 1996, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Recording Usage Data of Card Operated Devices", which U.S. patent application is herewith incorporated by reference in this text.
In order to prevent fraud, in such a method the first step makes use of a random number which is generated by the payment station and transferred to the payment means, e.g., as part of a code with which the balance is retrieved. On the basis of said random number, the payment means as a first response generates an authentication code which may comprise an (e.g., cryptographic) processed form of, inter alia, the random number and the balance. By using a different random number for each transaction, it is prevented that a transaction may be imitated through replay. In addition, in the third step use is made of a second random number, which is also generated by the payment station and transferred to the payment means. On the basis of the second random number, the payment means as a second response generates a second, new authentication code which may comprise a processed form of, inter alia, the second random number and the new balance. On the basis of the difference of the two balances transferred, the payment station (or a protected module of the payment station, as the case may be) may determine with which amount the balance of the payment station should be credited.
The known method is basically very resistant to fraud as long as a payment means communicates with one payment station (or protected module). The drawback of the known method, however, lies in the fact that the first and second authentication codes are independent. If a second or third payment station (or protected module) communicates with the payment means, it is possible, due to said independence, to separate the first step from the second and third steps. As a result, an apparently complete transaction may be achieved without the payment means in question being debited by the same amount as the amount by which the payment stations (or protected modules) in their entirety are credited. It will be understood that such is undesirable.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,098 and corresponding European Patent Application EP 0,621,570 disclose a method in which the identity of the security module of the payment station is used to ensure that a data exchange takes place between the card and one terminal only. The protection of the data exchange between the security module, the station and the card is relatively complicated and requires extensive cryptographic calculations.
Other Prior Art methods are disclosed in e.g. European Patent Applications EP 0,223,213 and EP 0,570,924, but these documents do not offer a solution to the above-mentioned problems.

Method for protectedly debiting an electronic payment means

Van de Pavert; Hendricus Johannes Wilhelmus Maria


The invention relates to a rail vehicle brake system comprising a conditioning device, having at least one disc brake per axle, the conditioning device having a control device. The conditioning device is formed having at least one wagon control unit and at least one coupling unit for selective actuation of the at least one disc brake per axle. The invention further relates to a conditioning device and to a method for operating a conditioning device, and to a method for deicing and/or for preventing icing of a brake unit of a rail vehicle brake system.

Rail vehicle brake systems are usually fitted with pneumatic brake systems that comprise disc brakes. Both the friction lining/brake disc interface and also the kinematics of a brake calliper of the disc brake can be adversely affected by winter conditions, such as e.g. by icing, freezing melt water, snow smoke etc.

Rail vehicle brake system having a conditioning device, conditioning device, method for operating a conditioning device, and method for deicing and/or for preventing icing of a brake unit of a rail vehicle brake system

KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH


A variable compression ratio device for an internal combustion engine includes: a connecting rod, having a small end and a large end, wherein a support hole formed at the small end is pivotally supported by a support shaft of a piston that reciprocates in a cylinder, and a support hole formed at the large end is pivotally supported by a support shaft of a crankshaft; an eccentric sleeve that is rotatably installed between the support hole of the small end or the support hole of the large end and the support shaft, and displaces a center axis of the support hole of the small end or a center axis of the support hole of the large end with respect to a center axis the support shaft; and an actuator that drives and rotates the eccentric sleeve.

The present invention relates to a variable compression ratio device for an internal combustion engine.
Disclosed is a variable compression ratio device for an internal combustion engine which can change a compression ratio in order to achieve high efficiency and low fuel consumption. For example, in the variable compression ratio device, an eccentric sleeve is rotatably inserted between a large end of a connecting rod and a crank pin of a crankshaft, and the eccentric sleeve rotates due to the rotation of the crankshaft. The position of the crank pin with respect to a support hole of the connecting rod is changed due to the rotation of the eccentric sleeve, and the compression ratio switches between a high compression ratio and a low compression ratio (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2).
The rotation position of the eccentric sleeve is fixed to a predetermined rotation position using a stopper or the like that is mechanically operated so as to fix the compression ratio. In addition, the rotation position of the eccentric sleeve is fixed by increasing the frictional force of the eccentric sleeve with respect to the support hole of the connecting rod using oil pressure.
However, since the rotation of the eccentric sleeve is dependent on the rotation of the crankshaft (operation of the internal combustion engine), the eccentric sleeve rotates in one direction, and is likely to be subjected to inertial force. In addition, the rotational speed of the eccentric sleeve changes due to combustion pressure. For this reason, there is a problem in that the rotation position of the eccentric sleeve cannot be accurately fixed because responsiveness in fixing the rotation position changes when the rotation position of the eccentric sleeve is fixed and thus the compression ratio is fixed.
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-6-241058
[Patent Document 2] JP-A-2000-64866

Variable compression ratio device for internal combustion engine

Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

Mitsubishi Jidosha Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha