A method for moveout-correcting CDP gathers of seismic data that takes nonhyperbolic moveout at large offsets into account. The entire range of offsets is divided into smaller ranges. Within each smaller range, a curve is fitted to the reflection time vs. offset data, and these separate curves are made to be continuous at range boundaries. The curves may be the hyperbolic or quartic options available in commercial seismic data processing packages. Additional computation time required due to lack of a single velocity function can be compensated for by interpolation techniques. The method has application to, inter alia, AVO analysis.

This invention relates to the field of seismic data processing and in particular to a method for moveout-correcting seismic data having non-hyperbolic moveout at longer offsets. Uses of the invention include, without limitation, pre-stack data analysis for AVO applications.
AVO is an abbreviation for Amplitude versus Offset, or, as it is sometimes written, amplitude variation with offset. AVO is a seismic data analysis method based on studying the variation in the amplitude of reflected waves with changes in the distance (offset) between the seismic source and receiver. The AVO response of the reflection events associated with the boundaries between the reservoir rock and the surrounding sealing materials often depends on the properties of the fluid stored in the reservoir pore space. Because of this property, AVO analysis is often used as a tool for reservoir fluid prediction.
AVO analysis is performed on Common-Depth-Point (CDP) gathers. Seismic events observed in CDP gathers exhibit a curvilinear shape (moveout). In order for the AVO method to be practically applicable to large data volumes, the gather has to be transformed (moved-out), so that the reflection events become horizontal (flat). In standard practice, this is performed using the Normal Moveout (NMO) method, which assumes that the original moveout of the reflection events is hyperbolic. This assumption works well for a small range of recorded offsets (usually up to about 3km). But for longer-offset gathers that are now commercially feasible to acquire and necessary for effective AVO analysis and reservoir properties prediction, the assumption is not adequate; events exhibit non-hyperbolic moveout over the longer offset ranges. An example is provided in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The picked reflection event 10 in FIG. 1A is flattened only over a limited range of offsets after NMO in FIG. 1B. In analyzing the AVO behavior of such data, the valuable far offsets have to be discarded; if they are included without proper flattening, there is a risk of wrong fluid type prediction. There is, therefore, a need for an efficient method that takes into account the non-hyperbolic moveout of the reflection events and flattens them over the complete range of offsets.
Non-hyperbolic reflection moveout has been recognized as a significant problem for a long time, and a large body of geophysical literature has been devoted to it. Current solutions fall into the following categories.
Different Approximations Used for the Moveout of Reflection Events
Normal-moveout is based on the hyperbolic approximation       t    2    =            t      0      2        +                  (                  X          V                )            2
where t is the reflection time at an offset X, t0 the zero-offset time for the same reflection and V the Normal-Moveout (NMO) velocity. (Notwithstanding the preceding common terminology, it should be understood that V and t0 are not necessarily physically meaningful, but rather merely parameters that characterize the observations.) This approach is implemented in standard velocity-analysis packages where measures of reflection signal coherency (semblance) are calculated along hyperbolic trajectories through the seismic data. Trajectories corresponding to maximum coherency (semblance peaks) correspond to seismic events. Identifying the semblance peaks on 2-dimensional velocity analysis displays allows determination of the Normal-Moveout velocity V. If the parameter t0 is changed, then a different value of V will correspond to the semblance peaks. Thus V can be considered to be a function of t0, or V(t0).
A commonly adopted method for extending the validity of this equation to longer offsets is the use of the truncated 4-th order Taylor series expansion. (See, for example, Gidlow, P. M., and Fatti, J. L., 1990, xe2x80x9cPreserving far offset seismic data using non-hyperbolic moveout correctionxe2x80x9d, Expanded Abstracts of 60th Ann. Int. SEG Mtg., 1726-1729.) This approach is commercially available in the data processing systems of most seismic contractors. The equation used is:       t    2    =            t      0      2        +                  (                  X          V                )            2        -                  (                  X          W                )            4
For each zero-offset time to, two parameters, V and W, need to be defined. Extending the standard semblance-based velocity analysis method to this case would imply picking peaks in 3-dimensional semblance panels (one for each CDP location, the three axes being time, V and W). This would be cumbersome and require special graphics. For this reason the most common approach is to first get an estimate of V, using the near offset data, then fix V and estimate W and then repeat the process until satisfactory alignment of the events has been achieved. The disadvantage of such an approach is that its application is time-consuming, because several iteration steps may be required for converging to a good set of coefficients for 2-nd and 4-th order terms.
Tsvankin and Thomsen derived an expression which they claimed to be an improvement upon the Taylor expansion formula in the presence of velocity anisotropy (wave velocity different for different propagation directions). (Tsvankin, I., and Thomsen, L., 1994, xe2x80x9cNonhyperbolic reflection moveout in anisotropic mediaxe2x80x9d, Geophysics, 59, 1290-1304.) This expression was re-written by Alkhalifah. (Alkhalifah, T., 1997, xe2x80x9cVelocity analysis using nonhyperbolic moveout in transversely isotropic mediaxe2x80x9d, Geophysics, 62, 1839-1854.) Their expression is:       t    2    =            t      0      2        +                  X        2                    V        2              -                  2                η                          xe2x80x83                                  X          4                                      V          2                                  [                                                    t                0                2                                                          V                2                                      +                                          (                                  1                  +                                      2                                        η                                                  )                                                          X                2                                              ]
where xcex7 is an effective anisotropy parameter and V is the NMO velocity.
In addition to the above formulas, other types of equations have been proposed. Byun et al. introduced a xe2x80x9cskewedxe2x80x9d hyperbolic moveout formula. (Byun, B. S., Corrigan, D., and Gaiser, J. E., 1989, xe2x80x9cAnisotropic velocity analysis for lithology discriminationxe2x80x9d, Geophysics, 54, 1564-1574.) Castle and de Bazelaire proposed the use of a shifted-hyperbola equation. (Castle, R. J., 1994, xe2x80x9cA theory of normal moveoutxe2x80x9d, Geophysics, 59, 983-999; de Bazelaire, E., 1988, xe2x80x9cNormal moveout revisited: Inhomogeneous media and curved interfacesxe2x80x9d, Geophysics, 53, 143-157.) Yilmaz proposes the use of parabolas to describe the residual moveout of reflections after NMO has been applied. (Yilmaz, O., 1989, xe2x80x9cVelocity-stack processingxe2x80x9d, Geophysical Prospecting, 37, 351-382.)
All of the above methods suffer from the following shortcomings:
Non-hyperbolic moveout can be caused by vertical velocity heterogeneity, curvature of the reflecting horizon, lateral velocity variation and velocity anisotropy. Given this number of factors and the geologic complexity of the subsurface, it is unlikely that a single mathematical expression can provide a universal description applicable to all situations. Locations where reflection events exhibit anomalous moveout are often the places where hydrocarbon traps exist (vicinity of faults, salt domes). Failure of moveout algorithms to work adequately under such situations is a significant defect.
Even in cases when such algorithms can work, their application can be cumbersome and time-consuming, because several iteration steps may be required for determining the parameters included in the expressions (see the comments on the truncated Taylor series approach above).
Depth Migration with Detailed Subsurface Velocity Models
Since non-hyperbolic moveout is caused by geologic complexity and heterogeneity, an imaging method that can handle those complications accurately should be able to produce CDP gathers with flattened reflection events. Depth migration is the most accurate imaging method available today, and algorithms are available that can deal with velocity anisotropy and heterogeneity. Yet, depth migration is extremely sensitive to the accuracy of the velocity model used for imaging and very expensive to do in a manner that preserves AVO information. Numerous publications exist on methods for determining velocity models for depth migration. The basic scheme in such methods is to depth migrate with an initial velocity model, inspect the results, modify the velocity model and migrate again, performing a number of iterations until reflection events in CDP gathers are flat. This process is extremely time consuming and usually requires geologic input for constructing adequate velocity models.
Near-surface Correction Models
In situations where non-hyperbolic moveout is caused by topographic relief or near-surface heterogeneity (for example presence of shallow gas, permafrost), methods are available to address the problem. Of course, such methods will be effective only if near-surface heterogeneity is the only cause of non-hyperbolic moveout and if the near-surface properties are known with a high degree of accuracy.
Automatic Event Detection Methods
Such methods do not assume any model for the moveout of reflection events. Rather, they use pattern recognition techniques to track the events in the data. Once the events are tracked, they can be flattened using time shifting. An example of such a method is the one proposed by Boyd et al. (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,899.) The problem with such methods is that they fail to work adequately under the presence of noise, since noise can easily cause erroneous event tracking.
In view of the preceding description of current technology, a need exists for a method that:
Is generally applicable for addressing non-hyperbolic moveout problems, independent of the geologic factor causing non-hyperbolic moveout. The method should work adequately even for areas of large geologic complexity, large source-to-receiver offsets and large amounts of velocity anisotropy.
Is efficient to apply, because it is not based on an iterative procedure.
Is based on familiar velocity analysis tools and displays, readily available in most commercial processing packages.
The present invention satisfies these needs.
In one embodiment, the invention is a method for moveout-correcting a common-depth-point (CDP) gather of seismic data where the range of offsets is large enough that the moveout is nonhyperbolic for the longer offsets, which method comprises the steps of (a) dividing the offsets into discrete ranges, (b) fitting an analytical function for reflection time as a function of offset within each offset range, (c) combining these functions, enforcing continuity at range boundaries, into a single, piecewise-continuous function, and (d) moveout-correcting the seismic data using the piecewise-continuous function.
Hyperbolic functions are used in some embodiments of the invention; others use quartic polynomials or a combination of hyperbolic and quartic. Higher-degree polynomials or other functions may be used. Preferred embodiments of the invention use hyperbolic or quartic velocity analysis in forms currently available in standard seismic processing packages. The invention includes methods for flattening the reflection events over all offsets with a minimum number of offset ranges, thereby speeding up the process further.
The invention also includes methods for efficiently moving out the seismic data to offset the increase in computation time due to using more than one velocity function for moveout. Curves called pseudo-horizons are generated from the piecewise-continuous velocity function, and moveout is accomplished in some embodiments by interpolating between the pseudo-horizons.
In another embodiment, before horizon-based moveout, the input trace is interpolated to a finer sampling interval using high precision interpolation such as frequency-domain, sinc-function interpolation.
Potential uses of the present invention include AVO (Amplitude vs. Offset) applications.

Method for non-hyperbolic moveout analysis of seismic data


Valve seals are described. An example seal for use in a valve includes a ring-shaped cartridge having a first portion, a second portion opposite the first portion, and a compressible sealing portion between the first and second portions. The first and second portions have respective first and second curved surfaces adjacent a sealing surface of the compressible sealing portion. The first and second curved surfaces enable a flow control member to compress the sealing portion prior to contacting the curved surfaces as the flow control member transitions to a closed position.

Valves are often used to control fluids in industrial processes. Process conditions such as temperatures and pressures generally dictate the type of seal that may be used in a valve. In high temperature conditions, metal seals are often used because softer, non-metallic seals (e.g., a polytetrafluoroethylene seal) may sublimate or burn when exposed to temperatures exceeding 450 degrees Fahrenheit. However, metal seals typically cannot achieve tight shutoff (e.g., ANSI Class VI shutoff). A valve with a triple offset design may achieve tight shutoff when exposed to high temperatures by using a seal containing a graphite laminate material, but a triple offset valve requires an expensive, large actuator to drive a flow control member (e.g., a disk) in the valve.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method for determining a mean time to failure of an electrical device, and a method for adjusting a predetermined mean time to failure of an electrical power supply and for evaluating the adjusted mean time to failure. The method determines the mean time to failure by taking into account both operating conditions and operational load.

Multiple methods are known for determining the mean time to failure of an electrical device, commonly referred to as MTTF for "Mean Time To Failure". In particular this information is very important to improve predictions on the lifetime of a device and to anticipate its maintenance or replacement. This information is especially important for electrical equipment whose proper functioning is essential for the performance of an industrial process. This is the case for example of the electrical power supply modules used in programmable logic. The power supply module is in effect a key component of a programmable controller and it is necessary to have permanently an understanding of its operating life before failure to anticipate maintenance or replacement, whether permanent or temporary.

Method for determining a mean time to failure of an electrical device


A powder feed system for delivering a quantity of particulate material to a die cavity of a powder press is provided. The powder press has a table-like platen surface which is flush with and surrounds a die in which the die cavity sits, an upper punch appending from an upper ram and a lower punch. The powder feed delivery system includes a receptacle for receiving and delivering particulate material to the cavity. The receptacle has an ingress through which particulate material is received under pressure and an egress for registering with the interior of the cavity and through which particulate material is delivered under pressure from a feed conduit to the cavity. The feed conduit is attached at a first end to the receptacle ingress. At least one pressure generator is attached to a top end of a pressure vessel attached at a second end to the feed conduit. The pressure generator provides supra atmospheric pressure to push particulate material from the vessel into the die cavity when the die cavity is sealed from the atmosphere. The pressure generator is optionally used to fluidize the particulate material within the die cavity to create a substantially uniform density distribution of the particulate material within the cavity. At least one exhaust portal is provided for releasing pressure from within the die cavity.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to powder feed systems and to delivery methods for feeding and depositing finely divided or particulate material into a die cavity of a powder press for compacting. More particularly, the invention relates to a feeding system and delivery method that provides for uniform density distribution of the particles throughout the die cavity. The feeding system and delivery method also provides a uniform, predetermined constant weight of particulate material into the die cavity. In one embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus and method for delivering particulate material to the die cavity of a powder press without the use of a shuttle. The invention is also directed to a feeding system that includes a scale apparatus for accurately measuring the weight of particulate material before it is delivered to a die cavity.
2. Description of Related Art
In powder metallurgy, products and parts are formed by pressing finely ground or atomized metal powders into a desired shape within a die cavity of a powder press. Generally, the metal powders are compacted in the die cavity at room temperature and the then semi-dense "green" compact is removed from the die and heated at very high temperatures (at or near the melting point of the material) to bond the powders into a unified mass. The heat bonding procedure is generally known in powder metallurgy as sintering or analogously in the fields of ceramics and carbides, firing.
When these and similar procedures are employed, means are required for delivering amounts of powder or particulate material to the die cavity of the press. Typically, feed shoes operate to deliver the powder or particulate material to the die cavity during the press cycle by using a gravity fill system. This system involves the movement of the feed shoe containing particulate material on a shuttle which slides the shoe forward along the table of the die press to a position at which the bottom feed hole of the feed shoe is exposed, overlies and registers with the die cavity furnishing enough loose powder under the action of gravity to fill the die cavity volumetrically. Thereafter, the shuttle slides the shoe back along the table of the die press into a retracted position. This action cuts off the gravity induced flow of particulate material from the bottom hole of the feed shoe. The particulate material in the die cavity is then compressed into an article and the article is ejected from the die. The shuttle then slides the shoe forward along the table of the die press displacing the ejected article and again exposing the bottom hole of the feed shoe as it overlies and registers with the die cavity. Gravity is thereby once again used to fill the die cavity with particulate material more or less volumetrically. Very small recesses of the die cavity do not however fill uniformly. The feed shoe is then once again retracted to cut off the gravity flow of particulate material into the cavity.
The aforementioned typical example of a feed shoe delivers particulate material by volume (volumetric). Such volumetric feed shoes depend on a consistent bulk density and good flow characteristics (low Hall Numbers) of the powder material they are delivering for an accurate and uniform feed rate. However, because many of the powdered materials used are heavy and dense, they have a tendency to self compact. Furthermore, the die cavities used to make very large parts with fine detail are particularly difficult to fill uniformly. Thus, these and other volumetric feed shoes and delivery methods are generally inadequate and unsatisfactory to provide for very precise uniform distribution and hence density of the powder throughout the die cavity. Consequently, the density of parts made from these powder compacts is not uniform throughout and is not consistently uniform from part to part. These parts are then prone to stress related cracking, especially upon ejection from the die cavity. To make matters worse, the cracks oftentimes become visible only upon sintering.
Additionally, complex part shapes and parts having tight dimensional tolerances such as helical gears and sprockets cannot be satisfactorily produced using commonly available powder feed methods and feed shoes. Since these prior art methods and feed shoes use gravity alone to induce the flow of the particulate material into the die cavity and are thus unable to deliver powder uniformly to all regions of the complex die shapes needed to produce an item such as a helical gear or sprocket.
Specifically, powder simply falls from the feed shoe into the die without any particular pattern or regularity of density. Certain regions of the dies, particularly complexly shaped dies, receive more particulate material than other regions. The resultant parts are therefore irregular in density, subject to failure, and as a result, of questionable commercial use.
Traditional volumetric powder feed methods are further hindered by the inability to control the weight of material delivered into the die making it impossible to provide uniform weight from part to part. Hence, this further limits the uses for parts made by powder metallurgy.
Typically, as a solution to the problem of irregular powder density in the die cavity, when using a powder such as for example, aluminum powder, shaking or vibrating the feed hopper is employed for inducing flow of the particulate material and regularizing the density of the powder in the die. This is, however, time consuming, inaccurate, and not adequate to achieve sufficiently uniform density from part to part and throughout the part itself.
As a further disadvantage, shaking fine powders dislodges "fines" and dust from the powder which are then air borne to coat and contaminate the surrounding environs. Many of the powdered materials used in powder metallurgy to make parts are frequently quite costly and in some cases toxic. Airborne aluminum powders are also quite explosive. Hence, the dust problem can represent a considerable economic loss or health and safety hazard. Consequently, relatively elaborate and costly dust recovery systems and personnel safety precautions, such as filtered masks are presently used.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,697,208 to Munk et al. is directed to an apparatus for filling molds with comminuted fibrous materials by blowing the material into the mold. The air used to blow the material into the mold escapes out of a perforated plate or screen placed on top of the mold for preventing the loss of material from the mold during the blowing step. This apparatus is however, unsuitable for delivering all types of particulate material into a mold, especially metals which tend to be heavier and would therefore not move in the open system described in Munk et al. The Munk et al. process works like a sand-blaster to draw powder into an air stream that precedes the powder supply. The air to powder ratios are large and the time to fill is small. Moreover, uniform density of pressed powder parts could not be satisfactorily obtained because of the powders that fly up toward the perforated plate or screen during delivery. The requirement of a screen also makes it impossible to make parts that do not have flat top surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,818 to Sanzone discloses a feed shoe having a hopper for receiving powder materials from a source that communicates through a feeder tube with an enclosed filling chamber. The filling chamber is equipped with a vacuum. The vacuum is applied to assist the gravity flow of the powders through the feeder tube into the filling chamber. Such evacuation of the chamber does not however provide for the strict uniformity of density that is necessary to produce articles such as materials for thermal management applications, articles having tight dimensional control, etc. In thermal management materials strict uniformity of properties (i.e., coefficient of thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, etc.) throughout the article and from article to article is required. The Sanzone evacuation also does not provide for delivery of precisely controlled weights of powder to the die cavity. Further, using Sanzone, the driving force on the powders can never exceed atmosphere.
In addition, there presently exists technology for controlling and moving mechanical parts of die presses at much faster rates than are presently being used. The rate at which die presses can produce articles is limited by the rate at which the die cavity can be filled with particulate materials. This rate is relatively slow using known methods for delivering particles and feed shoes which use gravity to feed powders into the die cavity. Hence, known methods do not therefore allow the die presses to reach their maximum capacity for producing parts. The rate of production for the die presses is even slower using vibratory methods to induce more regular powder flow.
Moreover, in some instances there is an additional loss of time involved in shuttling the feed shoe back and forth from the die cavity to a retracted position in order to avoid the upper punch of the die press during the press cycle or "stroke." The stroke time is also lengthened by the requirement to allow sufficient time to raise the upper punch high enough to allow the feed shoe to pass thereunder en route to a retracted position.
In the aforementioned and other known methods and feed shoes for delivering particulate material to a die cavity, the step of retracting the feed shoe by dragging the feed shoe over the upper surface of the wear plate of the die table has been necessary to cut off the flow of particulate materials from the feed shoe. This retraction of the feed shoe after filling the die cavity results, however, in the buildup of powders in the die near the trailing edge of the feed shoe. This friction induced "wedging" effect further exacerbates the problem of obtaining parts and articles having non-uniform density upon compacting the particulate material in the die cavity, with all of the accompanying aforementioned disadvantages.

Pulsed pressurized powder feed system and method for uniform particulate material delivery


A one-piece double-step offset axle with an offset center section located between two eccentric steps is disclosed. The offset center section locates and supports the front wheel and may be adjusted to a plurality of locations relative to the forks by rotating the axle in the fork axle housings before the axle pinch bolts or nuts are tightened. The axle facilitates adjustments to the front wheel location and allows riders, mechanics, and designers to alter the chassis or frame geometry, and thus the manner, in which any given motorcycle or bicycle steers and handles according to personal preference.

Motorcycles frequently use straight or step axles to connect the wheels to the frame or suspension components. Typically, the front wheel suspension components are front forks, while the rear wheel suspension components are swing arms. The three attributes commonly associated with the geometry of the front end of a motorcycle are the trail, the length of the fork, and the rake of the steering stem, also referred to as the steering axis angle or castor. The axis of rotation fixed by the axle is the transverse axis about which the wheel rotates or spins.
The location of the front wheel axis of rotation relative to the steering stem and the rake are significant factors in how a motorcycle handles and steers. Previous methods for changing the front end geometry of motorcycles utilized different offset retrofit triple clamps, adjustable offset triple clamps, fork bottoms with adjustable axle carriers, and adjustable eccentric front motorcycle axles. However, these approaches involve additional manufacturing costs and assembly steps to make adjustments to the front wheel location. They also utilize a multi-piece design that is more difficult to manufacture and service than a one-piece axle.


An improved vehicle body repair apparatus comprising a rigid planar framework, horizontal bars adjustably attached to the framework, and extension members adjustably attached to and depending from the horizontal bars, the extension members comprising set point members for making contact with set points on undamaged portions of a damaged vehicle, and the extension members including a repair set point extension member for creating a reference point with respect to which the damaged portion of the vehicle can be repaired.

This invention relates generally to automotive repair equipment, and in particular to an improved apparatus for use in repair of vehicle bodies. This invention relates more specially to vertical realignment repairs of vehicle bodies. This invention also relates to an inexpensive, portable improved apparatus for use in repairing upper body portions of automobile vehicle bodies.
For the proper repair of damaged vehicle bodies the correct measurements of the damaged portion of the vehicle must be accurately determined relative to the undamaged portion of the vehicle. Typically repairs are effected by bending major structural portions of the vehicle, e.g., the aprons, radiator support,. inner structure or undercarriage, into proper alignment with the undamaged portion of the vehicle. Generally the structure of the vehicle must be aligned properly both horizontally and vertically. Alternately, where the structural misalignment is relatively minimal, the structure itself may not need to be realigned. If sufficient adjustments in position can be made in attaching component parts, e.g., the hood, fenders, bumpers or quarter panels, onto the misaligned major structural components, the component parts can be secured in place in correct reference to the undamaged portions of the vehicle.
Very sophisticated and powerful machines are available directed primarily to repairing the undercarriages of vehicles. Typically these machines are supported on a strong surface and the vehicle is brought into position over the device. Repairs are effected by determining the position of portions of the undercarriage relative to the device, frequently using reference data in book form. While these machines perform well for undercarriage repairs, they are large in size, cumbersome, and very expensive. Such machines are designed primarily for portions of the vehicle body above the undercarriage and thus have diminished utility when used for upper body repairs. Notably, upper body repairs constitute the majority of all vehicle body repair work. Consequently, for body repair shops handling primarily upper body repair work, machines designed primarily for undercarriage repairs can be inefficient and prohibitively expensive.
Myriad mechanisms exist to assist in alignment of vehicle bodies, but most of them provide beneficial assistance only with horizontal alignment. Absent very sophisticated and costly equipment, the body shop may be left with no accurate method of vertically aligning the vehicle and must resort to visual estimation. Therefore, it is not unusual for the major structural elements of the vehicle body to be properly aligned horizontally, but left misaligned vertically. This creates problems with the proper fitting of component parts and is aesthetically unacceptable.
Body alignment machines in the prior art require anchoring the vehicle in place with respect to the alignment machine and are inefficient for upper body repairs. Others suffer from being overly complicated to use, or from being prohibitively expensive. The less expensive devices are best suited to horizontal alignment repairs, leaving vertical repairs unaddressed.


A scintillator panel includes: a flexible substrate; a phosphor arranged on the flexible substrate; and a thermal expansion compensation layer disposed between the flexible substrate and the phosphor, wherein a linear expansion coefficient of the thermal expansion compensation layer is greater than a thermal expansion coefficient of the phosphor, and surfaces, of the thermal expansion compensation layer and of the flexible substrate, in contact with each other each contain an organic substance.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a scintillator panel with reduced warpage of the panel itself and reduced crack formation in a phosphor layer, and also to a radiation detector using the scintillator panel.
Description of the Related Art
In recent years, clinical sites use, for diagnoses of disease conditions, radiation detectors that convert a radiation emitted from a radiation source and transmitted through an imaged site of the subject, into an electrical charge to generate a digital radiological image. Such radiation detectors are categorized into two groups: (1) those of a scintillator type, which each convert a radiation into visible light through a phosphor layer containing Gd2O2S, CsI, or other material, and then convert the light into an electrical charge by means of a photoelectric conversion device (PD), and (2) those of a type that each convert the X-ray directly into an electrical charge by means of an X-ray detection device, which is typically formed of Se. The scintillator type draws more attention.
As far as a radiation detector of a scintillator type is concerned, JP 2005-114456 A, for example, discloses a radiation detector that has in combination a scintillator panel and a photoelectric conversion device that uses a thin film transistor (TFT) and a charge-coupled device (CCD).
In order to meet market demand for smaller size, lighter weight, and/or wider variation of radiation detectors, materials having lighter weight, thinner thickness, and good workability are desired. A technique that uses a resin substrate as a substrate for supporting the phosphor has been proposed to meet these demands (JP 2012-47487 A).
However, when a highly flexible material such as a resin substrate is used, a difference in the linear expansion coefficient between a phosphor and a resin substrate presents a problem in that, due to heat generated during a manufacturing process and/or in a use environment, the scintillator panel warps, and is then separated from the photoelectric conversion device, or a crack develops in the phosphor to cause deterioration in image quality, for example.
In order to solve these problems, patent documents such as WO2011/010482 and WO2010/140410 disclose techniques to prevent warpage by attaching a warpage prevention resin film on a surface that is to face the resin substrate, of the phosphor layer, or by sandwiching the scintillator panel between a sensor substrate disposed on the photoelectric conversion device and a rigid plate made of a material similar to that of the sensor substrate. Nevertheless, a technology that controls warpage by the scintillator panel by itself has not been disclosed.

Scintillator panel and radiation detector


A plasticized ceramic-forming mixture and a method for stiffening the mixture, the mixture comprising a combination of inorganic powder, one or more plasticizing organic binders, a radiation-curable monomer, a photoinitiator, and water, and the method comprising stiffening the surfaces of extruded shapes of the mixture by applying electromagnetic energy to the surfaces following extrusion.

This invention is in the field of ceramic powder extrusion, and relates to a plasticized powder mixture and a method for stiffening the mixture. In particular, this invention relates to a ceramic-forming powder mixture and a method for stiffening the mixture by applying electromagnetic radiation to the extruded material.
A long-standing problem with forming of plastically deformable materials which use liquids as part of the plasticizing system has been the delicate balance which is necessary to maintaining material which is plastic enough to form with relative ease, and creating a body which is self-supporting and is able to be handled upon formation. This is a particular problem with pseudoplastic or thixotropic materials which use a liquid as part of the plasticizer since such a material tends to exhibit lowered viscosity immediately after forming as a result of the effects of "shear-thinning" inherent in any forming operation involving the application of shear stress on the material.
Generally, as the viscosity of the plastically deformable material is lowered, the wet, formed structure or article tends to collapse since it is not completely self-supporting. Conversely as the viscosity of the plastically deformable material is increased to create a self-supporting final extruded body, forming of the material tends to require significantly higher forming pressures which in turn means that it becomes necessary to use heavier equipment, more substantial forming members, and abrasion resistant parts.
With current technology, there is extreme difficulty in forming a thin-walled self-supporting body from a plastically deformable material which can be firmly handled without deforming the body, particularly when liquid is used as part of the material plasticizing system. The solution to this problem generally has been either to form only relatively thick-walled bodies, or to create bodies from materials that can be stiffened by rapid cooling or heating. After a self-supporting body has been formed from a plastically deformable material using liquid as part of a plasticizing system, it has been necessary to dry it to remove the liquid prior to sintering particulate material or to harden the formed material to enable machine handling.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,188 discloses a method of stiffening plastically deformable material that has been newly formed into a shaped body. The method includes exposing the material, which includes body-forming matter, polar molecules, and a polymeric agent having a thermal gel point, to electromagnetic radiation within the frequency range 107 to 1013 Hertz. The radiation is applied to effect thermal gelling as the shaped body emerges from an extrusion die.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0093209 discloses an apparatus and method for stiffening a wet extruded ceramic body for improved handling prior to drying and firing. The ceramic body, for example an extruded honeycomb shape, is formed from a plastically deformable material including inorganic raw materials, and organics, such as a binder having a thermal gel point. As the ceramic body exits the extrusion die it is passed through a microwave energy field to be heated to above the gelling point of the organic binder. The ceramic body then stiffens and can be easily handled without deformation.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, numerous problems remain relating to the forming of wet extruded ceramic bodies in a way that can accurately retain a formed shape through handling and until drying. According, efforts continue toward the development of improved methods by which shape retention in wet extruded ceramic bodies could be more effectively achieved, and most preferably achieved using simplified processes and equipment more compatible with existing manufacturing methods.

Plasticized mixture and method for stiffening


Methods and systems for replicating a virtual machine and its associated data containers are provided. The virtual machine is placed in an inactive state and a replication directory is generated for cloning each data container from an active directory to the replication directory. The clone of each data container references a physical location where data associated with each data container is stored; and thereafter, the virtual machine is placed in an active state after the cloning is completed.

Various forms of storage systems are used today. These forms include direct attached storage (DAS) network attached storage (NAS) systems, storage area networks (SANs), and others. Network storage systems are commonly used for a variety of purposes, such as providing multiple users with access to shared data, backing up data and others.
A storage system typically includes at least one computing system executing a storage operating system for storing and retrieving data on behalf of one or more client computing systems ("clients"). The storage operating system stores and manages shared data containers in a set of mass storage devices.
Storage systems are being used extensively in virtual environments where a physical resource is time-shared among a plurality of independently operating processor executable virtual machines. Typically, storage space is presented to a virtual machine as a virtual hard disk (VHD) file. A storage drive (for example, C:\) is then presented to a user via a user interface within a virtual machine context. The user can use the storage drive to access storage space to read and write information.
Replicating (or backing-up, used interchangeably throughout this specification) virtual machines today is challenging. Conventional techniques today use snapshot technology to replicate (or backup, used interchangeably throughout this specification) virtual machines and the associated files. A snapshot is a point in time copy of a storage volume at any given time.
Snapshot technology has inherent limitations because typically, a storage system allows a fixed number of snapshots (for example, 255) for a logical storage container that may have hundreds or thousands of virtual machines. The VMs may not all be replicated at the same time because they may be assigned to different clients, business groups and others. As an example, assume that there are 100 VMs in a storage container and assume that only 10 VMs can be replicated at the same time, then only 25 snapshots can be generated for each VM. If each VM is replicated separately, then only 2 snapshots can be generated for each VM. This is undesirable today, especially in the popular social media and cloud computing environments, where data is constantly changing and one may need more than 2 or 25 snapshots. Continuous efforts are being made to efficiently replicate virtual machines and their associated files.

Method and system for replicating virtual machines


A spark plug including a ground electrode having an arcuate arm portion coupled with an annular upper end portion of the outer portion of a spark plug. The ground electrode has a concave portion secured to a distal end of the arcuate arm portion with the concave portion disposed over an open end portion of a central electrode within the spark plug. The concave portion has an aperture formed therethrough.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spark plug and more particularly pertains to providing better sparks for an internal combustion engine with a spark plug.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of spark plugs is known in the prior art. More specifically, spark plugs heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of igniting internal combustion engines are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,754 to Hanitijo et al. discloses a spark plug.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,890,518 to Tombs discloses a spark ignition plug.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 289,998 to Lubbers discloses the ornamental design for a spark plug.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,612 to Takamura et al. discloses a spark plug for internal-combustion engine.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,468,004 to Bretsch discloses a spark plug.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,451,110 to Bray discloses spark plug.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a spark plug for providing better sparks for an internal combustion engine.
In this respect, the spark plug according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing better sparks for an internal combustion engine.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for new and improved spark plug which can be used for providing better sparks for an internal combustion engine. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A method of manufacturing a plurality of semiconductor laser elements having; preparing the semiconductor wafer; forming grooves that extend along second lines on a first main surface side of the semiconductor wafer, and forming a first texture pattern along second lines on a bottom surface of the grooves, the second lines being parallel to a cavity length direction; forming a second texture pattern along the second lines by covering at least part of the first texture pattern with a protective film; and splitting the semiconductor wafer along first lines, the first lines being parallel to a cavity width direction, and splitting along the second lines using a second main surface, which is an opposite side of the first main surface, of the semiconductor wafer as an origin.

Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor laser element, methods of manufacturing the same and semiconductor laser device.
Related Art
As prior art related to splitting up a semiconductor wafer, JP-H10-70335A discloses that a groove extending parallel to a stripe electrode is formed in the lower surface of a substrate, a blade is placed along the groove, and force is exerted on the blade to split the semiconductor wafer.
With a splitting method such as this, the segmentation of the semiconductor wafer commences as a crack originating in the groove formed on the lower surface of the substrate, and this crack proceeds from the lower surface of the substrate toward the upper surface of the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor wafer is then completely separated on the upper surface side of the semiconductor structure. In the complete separation of the semiconductor wafer, the semiconductor structure is sometimes chipped in a direction parallel to the stripe electrode at the portion where the semiconductor wafer is completely separated, so that burrs sometimes are produced. The burrs have such a shape that just one of the ends is linked to the semiconductor structure, and the remaining portion is cut away from the semiconductor structure. If the burrs are of at least a certain length, then when, for example, a semiconductor laser device is produced in which an upper surface side of the semiconductor structure in a semiconductor laser element obtained by dividing a semiconductor wafer faces to a support member, and the semiconductor laser element is fixed via an adhesive member to a metal film provided to the surface of the support member, the burrs may come into contact with the metal film or the adhesive member and may cause a short-circuit. If such short-circuiting occurs, it can lead to lower reliability of the semiconductor laser device.

Methods of manufacturing semiconductor laser element and semiconductor laser device


A method and apparatus for generating a dynamic security certificate. The method creates an entropic element from user input, receives metadata from user input and generates a dynamic security certificate using the entropic element and the metadata. The dynamic security certificate is then trusted through user input.

Data traffic flow on the Internet is secured using security certificates (i.e., secure sockets layer (SSL) certificates). Security certificates are supplied to web servers from trusted certificate authorities such that a client application, (e.g., a web browser), executing on a user device may securely access the web server and securely receive data from the web server. Using certificates, the server's data (e.g., web page content) is transmitted using Transport Layer Security (TSL) to send encrypted data to the user device. Unfortunately, the data from a web server may carry a virus or malware which, when received by the user device, may infect the device. Because the data is encrypted until the user device application (e.g., browser) receives the data, any malware or virus detection application executing on the user device has no ability to inspect the encrypted data. Consequently, the encrypted data may carry viruses and malware into the user device.
To provide access to the encrypted data flow for inspection, a man-in-the-middle (MITM) proxy technique can be used to enable anti-malware/virus software to have access to the data. To do so, the MITM proxy application must convince the client application that it is connected to the server and convince the server that it is connected to the client application. To accomplish this deception, the MITM proxy application automatically generates a "dummy" certificate (e.g., a dynamic or self-signed certificate) to convince the client application is connected to the server and allow the MITM proxy application to decrypt the data flow and enable monitoring for malware or viruses.
The dynamic certificates used in a MITM proxy application are automatically generated without user input, monitoring, or understanding. Since these automatically generated certificates do not require input from the user or any indication of trust from the user, such automatically generated certificates may be recognized by the client application as a security risk and may cause the application to disconnect from the proxy application.
Therefore, there is a need for improved methods and apparatuses for generating security certificates.

Method and apparatus for generating a dynamic security certificate


The present invention relates to novel 4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran compounds containing benzyloxymethyl, 3-phenylpropyl, or other araliphatic substituents in their 8-position. These compounds show a leukotriene-antagonistic activity. The compounds are characterized by good oral adsorption. The compounds of the present invention may be used as anti-inflammatory and antiallergic medicaments, and in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

It is well known that most eicosanoids, prostaglandins, leukotrienes and related compounds derive from a fatty acid having 20 carbons and 4 unsaturations, called arachidonic acid (AA), which fundamentally esterifies the hydroxyl at the 2-position of the glycerol of the phospholipids contained in the cell membranes. AA is released from the phospholipid containing it by the action of a lipase, phospholipase A.sub.2 (PLA.sub.2) ("CRC Handbook of Eicosanoids and Related Lipids", vol. II, Ed. A. L. Willis, CRS Press Inc., Florida (1989)). After being released AA is metabolized in mammals mainly by two different pathways or enzyme systems. Through cyclooxygenase it produces prostaglandins and thromboxanes, the most significant being PGE.sub.2 and TxA.sub.2, which are directly involved in inflammation (Higgs et al. Annals of Clinical Research, 16, 287 (1984)). Through lipoxygenase it produces leukotrienes, the most important being LTB.sub.4, and the peptide-leukotrienes LTC.sub.4, LTD.sub.4 and LTE.sub.4. All of them are also involved in inflammatory reactions, exhibiting chemotactic activities, stimulating the secretion of lysosomic enzymes and playing an important role in immediate hypersensitivity reactions (Bailey and Casey, Ann. Rep. Med. Chem., 17, 203 (1982)). Leukotriene LTB.sub.4 is a strong chemotactic agent which promotes the infiltration of leukocytes and their subsequent degranulation. (Salmon et al., Prog. Drug Res., 37, 9 (1991)). It has been widely shown that LTC.sub.4 and LTD.sub.4 have strong constrictive action on human bronchi (Dahlen et al., Nature, 288, 484 (1980)), causing the obstruction of airways by inflammation and mucus production (Marom et al., Am. Rev. Resp. Dis., 126, 449 (1982)), being thus involved in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, etc. Peptide-leukotrienes also bring about a blood extravasation caused by the increase of vascular permeability (Camp et al., Br. J. Pharmacol., 80, 497 (1883)) and are involved in some inflammatory diseases such as atopic eczema and psoriasis. On the other hand, several effects of peptide-leukotrienes on human cardiovascular system have been observed; they are mainly involved in the pathogenesis of the ischaemic cardiopathy. This relationship has been confirmed by the fact that coronary arteries can produce these mediators (Piomelli et al., J. Clin. Res., 33, 521A (1985)). These effects, together with the strong contractions observed in heart tissue caused by LTC.sub.4 and LTD.sub.4, suggest that these mediators might contribute to other cardiovascular disorders, such as coronary spasm, heart anaphylaxis, cerebral oedema and endotoxic shock.
From what said above it follows that the control of the biological activity of leukotrienes through compounds which inhibit their release or antagonize their effects, represents a new rational approach to the prevention, elimination or improvement of different allergic, anaphylactic, inflammatory and thrombotic conditions, in which such mediators are involved.
In literature some compounds have been described that can be considered as structurally related to the compounds of the present invention, having moreover an inhibitory action on leukotrienes. Toda M. et al. described N-[4-oxo-2-(1H-5-tetrazolyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-8-yl]-4-(4-phenylbutoxy)benza mide and the derivatives thereof (EP 173,516) as strong leukotriene antagonists. All these derivatives have an amide or thioamide group in their structure as a bridge between a lipophilic moiety and a carbocycle containing an acid moiety. Therefore, the compounds disclosed in the present invention, besides other functional groups as bridges between other lipophilic and polar moieties, can have amides as well, in any case such derivatives being not included within the general formula of the patent of Toda et al. On the other hand, the derivatives of the present invention show the advantage of a very high oral bioavailability thanks to their metabolic and/or chemical stability.
On the other hand, Huang F. C. et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,162 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,849) described 4-oxo-7-[[3-(2-quinolinylmethoxy)phenyl]methyloxy]-2-(1H-5-tetrazolyl)-4H- 1-benzopyran and the derivatives thereof as potent leukotriene antagonists. All of said compounds are quinoline derivatives containing ethers, thioethers, sulfoxides, sulfones, amides, ketones, vinylenes and amines as bridges between the chromane heterocycle or equivalent with an acid function and the quinoline-containing lipophilic moiety. Therefore such compounds differ from those of the present invention in that they contain a quinoline within their general formulae, which heterocycle is never present in the general formulae and claims of the present invention.
However, the obtention of compounds with high leukotriene antagonistic activity and good oral bioavailability is still an unresolved problem in a number of antagonists up to now. The present invention provides a series of novel compounds that exhibit the above mentioned antagonistic action, that show a good oral adsorption and are useful in therapy.

Benzopyran derivatives having leukotriene-antagonistic action


An apparatus, method and computer-readable medium for estimating a bulk shale volume of an earth formation. In one aspect, measurements are obtained at a plurality of depths in a wellbore penetrating the earth formation and a first distribution is produced of the obtained measurements. A measurement is obtained at a selected depth in the wellbore and a second distribution is produced using the measurement at the selected depth and the measurements obtained at the plurality of depths. A cumulative distribution is produced cumulative of the first distribution and the second distribution. The bulk shale volume is estimated at the selected depth by comparing the cumulative distribution and the second distribution.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure is related to estimating bulk shale volume in an earth formation during drilling of the formation by processing in situ measurements obtained downhole.
2. Description of the Related Art
In petroleum exploration, various parameters of earth formation are measured to estimate a presence of oil. One useful parameter is bulk shale volume (BSV), which is related to the amount of shale in the earth formation. Bulk shale volume estimates are generally useful for real-time pore pressure prediction, real-time petrophysical analysis and for real-time rock mechanical issues. As a result, real-time processing of measurements related to BSV is desirable.
Various methods are in use for obtaining estimates of bulk shale volume. In wireline testing, for example, a wireline conveys various measurement sensors into a wellbore to obtain measurements related to BSV. In such operations, large amounts of data are typically acquired and later transported to a surface location and downloaded to a surface processor for analysis. Although analysis at the surface processor yields a reasonable estimate of the desired parameter, due to the need to transport the data to the surface for calculations, real-time estimation is not possible. In another method known as Logging-While-Drilling (LWD), sensors are conveyed into the wellbore on a bottomhole assembly (BHA) of a drill string along with a drilling apparatus. Data can be stored in a memory downhole and later dumped to a surface processor for calculations as in wireline testing. In general, however, since data is acquired continuously during the drilling operation, it is desirable to perform relevant calculations downhole.
Several issues concerning estimating bulk shale volume in LWD operations are well-known. Representative measurement values of shale and sand are generally need to obtain an estimate of bulk shale volume. Ideally, both sand and shale would be encountered upon pentration of the formation at the beginning of drilling and would thereby give immediate initial estimates usable in ensuing BSV calculations. However, this is seldom the case. In general, at the start of drilling, the drill string may at first penetrate only shale or only sands, rendering it difficult to obtain an initial estimate of the percentage of bulk shale in the formation. Also, the amount of data obtained typically depends on the amount of the time the sensor is in the wellbore and the rate of penetration of the drill string. Thus, first estimates tend to suffer due to the small amount of data initially available. There is therefore a need for a method of providing a quick estimate of bulk shale volume in real-time during logging while drilling operations.

Method for estimation of bulk shale volume in a real-time logging-while-drilling environment


Multiplex communication equipment 1A used in a multiplex communication system, has a memory portion 12 memorizing the equipment number for the communication test. When there is an incoming call with reference to the same equipment number as one of the multiplex line 1A from the multiplex line 2A, the accommodation line portion 14a under setting a loop receives the incoming call and the communication test is done through a route for the communication test. When there is no accommodation line under setting the loop, the incoming call is rejected.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a multiplex communication equipment used in a multiplex communication system consisting of a plurality of multiplex communication equipment, and a communication test method for the multiplex communication equipment, and is suitable to a multi-media multiplex equipment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, according to the multiplex communication system, a communication test of the multiplex communication system is carried out by connecting test appliances at both ends of an accommodation line while carrying out the operations of connecting communication routes through a common line signal system, or by setting a loop on the one end of an accommodation line and connecting a test appliance to the other end of the accommodation line.
However, the conventional communication test method mentioned above must control the connections from a side of accommodation lines, so it is necessary to use connection appliances and it is necessary to prepare such appliances corresponding to each kinds of an accommodation line interface. Furthermore, the communication test can be done only at the positions of both the ends of the accommodation line. Accordingly, when a line trouble happens, it has been difficult to select and sort out the trouble position or the trouble part of the line. It is necessary to attach and dismantle these test appliances to and from the accommodation lines to which the test appliances are connected, increasing the number of chance of uncompleted connection and wrong connection after having carried out the communication test.
The invention is invented to solve the problem of the prior art and a purpose of the invention is to provide a multiplex communication equipment and a communication test method for such equipment, which can carry out the communication test without connecting test appliances to a side of accommodation lines.

Multiplex communication equipment and communication test method thereof


A method and system for contention resolution in a communications network are disclosed. As one example, a method for contention resolution in a communications network is disclosed. The method includes the steps of transmitting a first contention message during a first time interval, determining if a second contention message has been received during the first time interval, if the second contention message has been received during the first time interval, deferring a use of a network resource in the communications network, and if the second contention message has not been received during the first time interval, using the network resource during a second time interval.

In the telecommunications field, contention is a problematic condition that arises when two or more devices attempt to use the same network resource at the same time. For example, contention arises when two network devices attempt to transmit over a shared channel at the same time. Contention resolution is the process of deciding which device can access the network resource first.
In existing telecommunication networks, contention resolution is accomplished in numerous ways. For example, Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) is a shared-medium contention resolution scheme typically used in Ethernet networks. Basically, with CSMA/CD, as a user (device) is transmitting a packet, that user also measures the energy level of the transmission medium at the same time. If any user determines that one or more other user(s) is also transmitting packets, all of the users terminate their transmissions, and wait a random amount of time (known as back-off delay) before attempting to transmit again.
CSMA with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) is another shared-medium contention resolution scheme typically used in wireless communication networks (e.g., WLANs, Wi-Fi, etc.). With CSMA/CA, when a user (device) wants to transmit a packet, that user first has to listen to the channel for a predetermined amount of time, in order to check for any activity on the channel. If the user determines that the channel is idle, then that user is allowed to transmit. If the user determines that the channel is busy (a second user is transmitting a packet), then the first user has to defer its transmission.
Notwithstanding the numerous advantages of the CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA contention resolution schemes, there are numerous contention situations where these schemes are not applicable. For example, both CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA are not applicable if the devices in contention for the same network resources are incapable of hearing each other.
A typical situation that arises, in which CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA are not applicable contention resolution schemes, is where two (or more) Base Stations (BSs) are contending for spectrum ownership, and each BS is located outside of the other's radio coverage area. In this case, the contending BSs are unable to hear each other, and CSMA/CA for contention resolution is not a viable approach. Also, in this case, the contending BSs are not located within one Ethernet network, so CSMA/CD for contention resolution is also not a viable approach. Notably, for Cognitive Radio-based (CR-based) network designs (IEEE 802.22 standard) with dynamic frequency selection, this situation raises a legitimate concern.
Specifically, in CR-based networks using dynamic frequency selection, each BS is designed to cover a distance that corresponds to the radius of one cell (i.e., not the double-radius distance between two neighbor BSs). Consequently, in CR-based networks with dynamic frequency selection, the ability to establish direct wireless links between neighbor BSs is not guaranteed. Also, in CR-based networks with dynamic frequency selection, the use of CSMA/CD for contention resolution is not a viable approach. For example, availability and reliability design requirements impose limitations on carrier sensing distances in the Ethernet networks involved. These limits are generally much smaller than the direct distances between neighbor BSs. As a practical matter, these limits are even smaller due to the signal propagation effects of various terrains.
In this regard, FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example CR-based network 100, which illustrates a related problem of determining how to resolve contention if a wireless or wireline network resource is not to be directly shared. Referring to FIG. 1, assume that there is only one channel (e.g., television channel) available at a certain time, and a time-division channel sharing scheme is to be used. However, if the BSs 102, 104 and 106 in network 100 are unable to communicate and coordinate with each other directly over the air, then the CPEs 108-118 in network 100 will experience inter-cell interference, and the time-division channel sharing scheme will fail. Consequently, the BSs 102, 104, 106 will have to be able to communicate and coordinate with each other in some way, in order to resolve the time-division channel sharing contention issues involved. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a contention resolution technique that can be used in wireless or wireline telecommunication networks if the devices in contention are unable to communicate with each other, and CSMA/CD and CSMS/CA are also not applicable contention resolution techniques.
Additionally, inefficiency is a contention-related problem that arises when two or more devices use the same network resource at the same time. For example, in conventional wireless communication networks, the BSs typically assign frequency channels to users on an as-needed basis from dedicated radio spectrum purchased by the network operators. However, there is a substantial amount of unused radio spectrum that could be used, if the networks could recognize that the channels are available and then assign the unused channels to the users involved. A practical illustration of this problem involves the use of idle television channels.
The IEEE 802.22 Working Group on Wireless Regional Area Networks (WRANs) is developing the specifications for a fixed point-to-multipoint WRAN that will utilize specific television channels and guard bands for communications in the UHF and VHF television bands. A primary goal of the Working Group is to develop the standard for a CR-based Physical Layer/Medium Access Control (PHY/MAC) air interface for use by license-exempt wireless communication devices on a non-interfering basis in a frequency spectrum allocated for broadcast television. Essentially, the broadcast television spectrum is divided up into numerous channels, but many of these channels remain unused for long periods of time. However, using CR-based techniques, it is now possible to deploy a WRAN that can allocate portions of the unused television spectrum to Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) for use during a set period of time. The WRAN can allocate these unused television channels in such a way that broadcasts on these channels will not interfere with broadcasts by the stations that normally use the television spectrum.
In certain CR-based network configurations, a WRAN may include a plurality of BSs, and each BS in the WRAN has a radio coverage area that may include several cells and sectors. Thus, the WRAN can be designed to cover an entire metropolitan area with a network of BSs. However, notwithstanding the advantages of such a network configuration, a number of significant contention-related problems exist in this regard.
For example, the radio coverage areas of numerous BSs in the WRAN may overlap. The CPEs located within the radio coverage area of a BS are able to determine the strength of the signal received from that BS, by searching for a pilot signal being broadcast by that BS on an idle television channel. Consequently, a CPE located in a region covered by multiple BSs may see several pilot signals at once. As another example, two or more CPEs may be located in close proximity to each other, but each such CPE may be served by a different BS.
Notably, in CR-based network designs, contention issues arise whenever two BSs are allowed to use the same unused television channel. Consequently, it would be advantageous if the BSs were able to share the channel between them. However, in order to share a channel, the BSs have to be synchronized, and they also have to be able to communicate with each other with respect to scheduling the channel for their respective CPEs. In conventional networks, these functions are accomplished for dedicated spectrum deployments, by using network signaling over the air between the BSs involved. However, in WRAN deployments using CR-based methods to sense the unused spectrum, the conventional techniques will require the CPEs to inform each other and the BSs about their channel assignments. Unfortunately, this approach will use up a substantial amount of the valuable television broadcast spectrum for these signaling functions.
Furthermore, in order to avoid interference, it would be advantageous if the BSs did not assign the same channel to the CPEs they are servicing. Thus, the BSs are able to avoid interference if they can keep each other informed about their spectrum allocations. In conventional networks, these functions are accomplished for dedicated spectrum deployments, by using network signaling over the air between the BSs involved, or using pre-assigned frequencies for each BS. However, in WRAN deployments, the conventional techniques will require the CPEs to inform each other and the BSs about their channel assignments. Unfortunately, this approach will use up a substantial amount of the valuable television broadcast spectrum for these signaling functions.

Method and system for contention resolution in telecommunication networks


In various embodiments, a method, computer system and computer program product for displaying information are provided. A first subset of information of the file is presented in a scrollable area. The first subset of information comprises, at least in part, a second subset of information. The second subset of information is designated as a materialization entity. When the file in the scrollable area is scrolled and at least a portion of the materialization entity is scrolled out of the scrollable area, the materialization entity is displayed, at least in part, in a materialization area.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to displaying information in windows, and more particularly, to dynamically materializing disappearing entities.
2. Description of the Related Art
Large files in combination with a limited amount of display area on display devices continue to present problems for a user of applications and tools encompassing those files. Although many enhancements have been made over the years, significant problems still remain.
One conventional method used to display the information in a large file is to present the file in a scrollable area on the display, with various user controls, such as a scroll bar or search dialog box, and display a portion of the file containing the information or data (text and/or graphic) of interest. When the user scrolls the file, the previously displayed information may be entirely scrolled off the display screen. For example, a user may be scrolling or searching through a large file containing a historical document. The user is searching for particular passages to illustrate a particular point. The document is so large that two passages-of-interest cannot be displayed simultaneously in the scrollable area. However, the user would like to see the passages-of-interest simultaneously on the display, and not have them scrolled out of view with each successive search or scroll operation.
The user could open a second application and copy and paste the desired information on the window of the second application. However, manually opening another application and performing the copy and paste is cumbersome and inconvenient.
One word processing application, Microsoft® (Registered Trademark of Microsoft Corporation) Word, displays a clipboard with copied text alongside a file in a scrollable area. However, text is not automatically placed on the clipboard as it scrolls out of view.
Therefore there is a need for a technique that allows a user to automatically view information that has scrolled out of view.

Dynamic materialization of disappearing entities

International Business Machines Corporation


A convertible wet suit system is provided that includes a torso fitting portion having tubular, partial limb coverings that terminate in first end portions, extended limb coverings having second end portions, and a coupling assembly for detachably connecting the first and second end portions. The coupling assembly includes a slide fastener that only partially circumscribes the first and second end portions, and at least one VELCRO® or snap-type fastener that detachably connects only part of the region between the first and second end portions that is uncircumscribed by the slide fastener such that some areas of the end portions remain unconnected when the coupling assembly is joined. Such unconnected areas between the first and second end portions advantageously maintain the elastomeric flexibility of the wet suit in the area of the coupling assembly. Additionally, the extended limb coverings may be formed from a sheet material having a different thickness than the sheet material forming the torso fining portion to enable the user to customize the warming ability of the wet suit to a broad variety of water temperatures and conditions.

Convertible wet suits are known in the prior art. Such wet suits allow the user to convert a full length wet suit into a short-length wet suit, and vice versa, in accordance with ambient water temperature conditions.
All such convertible wet suits require some sort of joint mechanism for detachably joining an extended sleeve or legging to a short sleeve or short legging. One common type of prior-art joint structure is the provision of a 360 degree zipper surrounding the interface between the short sleeves and short leggings of the wet suit and the detachably connectible extended sleeves and leggings. In another prior art design, a zipper is provided along the longitudinal axis of the short sleeves and short legs of the wet suit so that the outer ends of the short sleeves and legs may be widened to receive a coupling portion of the extended sleeves and leggings, and then closed around the coupling portion.
Unfortunately, such prior art joint designs are not without shortcomings. While a joint structure that employs a 360 degree zipper provides a secure coupling between the limb covering components of the wet suit, the inherent inelasticity of the two opposing strips of intermeshing teeth that form such zippers interferes with the ability of the wet suit to stretch at the joint areas, which in turn obstructs the ability of the wet suit to conform to the body shape of the wearer. Hence many wearers of the full size version of such wet suits may have difficulty putting on the wet suit due to the loss of flexibility in the joint areas caused by the zippers. Additionally a muscular person may experience an uncomfortable pressure around the joints of the wet suit. Conversely, a thinner person may experience an uncomfortable amount of slack area around the joints of the wet suit which in turn might promote the accumulation of too much water in the joint areas, thereby chilling the wearer.
While the second prior art joint design that utilizes longitudinally-oriented zippers can successfully maintain elasticity in the joint areas if the coupling portions are made from, for example, neoprene, the full size version of such a suit must be assembled over the body of the user. The resulting necessity of pulling each long sleeve and legging over each arm and leg of the user and positioning the coupling portions so that they overlap with the end portions of the short sleeves and legs is a troublesome and time consuming operation for the wearer as the user must remove or put on five pieces of the suit instead of one single suit. Additionally, the resulting overlapping coupling is less secure than the 360 degree zipper type joint and is therefore prone to leakage and being inadvertently pulled apart. If the coupling portions are made of a more rigid material to obviate the need for the wearer to assemble the full size suit over his own body, the elasticity of the resulting joints is substantially reduced, creating the same problems as the previously discussed convertible wet suit utilizing 360 degree zippers.
Clearly, what is needed is a convertible wet suit having a joint structure which provides a secure coupling between the components of the wet suit while maintaining the elasticity of the suit in the joint areas. Ideally, such a joint structure should allow the wearer to easily and quickly convert the suit from a short suit to a long suit, and vice versa, without the need for assembling the full size suit on his own body. Finally, such a joint structure should effectively discourage leakage of ambient water into the suit so that the warming characteristics of the suit are not compromised.


An air handling system with an air intake device is provided. The air intake device includes first and second air/water separators having a baffle device positioned between the two separators to redirect the air flow from the first separator so that it is flowing generally longitudinally of the air intake device flow passage. A heater is provided to heat flowing air and snow for collection on a second separator having a foraminous device for subsequent collection and drainage from the air intake device.

Air handling systems for the intake and distribution of air within a building are well known. They generally comprise an air intake device positioned at the intake end of a ductwork system, and some form of air pump, for example, a fan, that will induce air flow into the inlet and through the ductwork system to points of distribution within a building. The moving air may be processed by heating devices, cooling devices, dehumidifying devices and/or humidifying devices, as is desired. The air is then discharged through one or more discharges at desired locations within the building.
Outside air is normally drawn into the building. The air is brought through an intake device which, is designed to reduce the amount of liquid water, e.g., rain, that might try to enter the inlet of the intake device. Typically, this is done through the use of upwardly and inwardly inclined louvers. The incoming air impinges on the louvers and entrained liquid water will impinge on the louvers and be collected in a collection pan for subsequent discharge through one or more drains. The air speed across the louvers is such as to assist in the impingement of the water on the louvers and its subsequent collection and draining. If the air flow is too fast, the liquid water may be carried past the louvers and into the remainder of the air handling system. This can present several problems, including damage to moisture sensitive materials and equipment, and provide an environment for microbial growth within the air handling system.
The construction and operation of such systems are well known and generally effective. However, frozen water in the form of snow or sleet and in particular snow may, because of its properties, bypass collection at the louvers and enter the air handling system, thaw, and create problems similar to the intake of liquid water. Various attempts have been made to solve this problem. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,984 discloses an air handling system with snow removal capabilities. It utilizes a mesh pad interposed in the flow path immediately downstream of the louvers. Snow will impinge on the mesh pad which is heated by a heater to effect melting of the snow for subsequent collection and drainage from the air intake. However, this device has had its drawbacks. The mesh pad tended to plug up with snow in the upper portion rendering that portion impervious to or restricted flow through thereby elevating the flow rate through the remaining open portion of the flow path, forcing the water thru the pad requiring more energy to move the needed amount of air.
Air inlet sections of air handling systems tend to be short in the direction of flow, on the order of two feet or less, providing limited space for added air handling devices or other modifications. There is thus a need for an improved air intake device of an air handling system that will reduce the amount of frozen water entering the air handling system downstream of the air intake.


In a header having a movably mounted knife and a guard for shielding the moving and rotating components operating the knife, the guard preferably comprising two interconnected parts of which the first part is mounted on the header so as not to move with the knife and the second part is coupled for movement with the knife. In this way, the area shielded by the guard automatically expands and contracts with movement of the knife.

In some headers of a combine or forage harvester, crop is cut near the ground by an oscillating cutter. Though the cutter may use a scissoring action, it is commonly referred to as a "knife" and this term will be used herein to include any form of cutter. A reel with tines rotates in front of the knife about a horizontal axis to gather the cut crop and to drive it onto an auger which advances the crop towards the vehicle centerline. From there, conveyors carry the crop into the processing machinery. In the case of a combine harvester, the processing machinery separates the grain from the stalks and the chaff. The grain is stored in a grain tank while the stalk and the chaff are discharged from the rear of the harvester. In a forage harvester, the processing machinery chops the entire crop into small pieces and discharges it from a spout into a second vehicle driven alongside the harvester.
Commonly, the knife is mounted in a fixed position on the header and the various rotating and moving parts that drive the knife are covered by a guard. The guard is constructed as a door which can be hinged open to allow access to the parts which drive the knife. These parts include the so-called "wobble box," which reciprocates a blade of the knife, and the pulley driving the wobble box.
In some headers, the knife can be moved forwards and backwards from a central position by about 50 cms. In headers having an adjustably mounted knife, a problem is encountered because the movement of the knife can result in some rotating and moving parts becoming exposed, as they are no longer shielded by the guard.


An image sensor includes a row driver, a pixel array, an analog-to-digital converter, and an output compensating circuit. The row driver generates a photo-gate control signal, a storage control signal, a transfer control signal, a reset control signal and a row selecting signal. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixels, and each pixel uses a deep trench isolation (DTI) region as a photo gate. The pixel array receives optical signals, converts the optical signals to electric signals, and outputs the electric signals as image signals in response to the photo-gate control signal, the storage control signal, the transfer control signal, the reset control signal, and the row selecting signal. The analog-to-digital converter performs an analog-to-digital conversion on the image signals to generate first signals, and the output compensating circuit compensates the first signals.

Field
Embodiments of the present inventive concepts relate to an image sensor and an image processing device including the image sensor.
Description of Related Art
An image sensor, particularly a CMOS image sensor, may be mounted in a camera of a mobile phone, a digital still camera, or the like. The CMOS image sensor takes images in the field of view, converts the images into electric signals, and converts the electric signals into transmittable digital image signals. The digital image signals output from the CMOS image sensor are color image data having three colors (red, green, and blue). A signal processing is performed on the digital image signals to drive a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD).

Image sensor having pixels each with a deep trench isolation region as a photo gate for outputting image signals in response to control signals from a row driver and method of operating the image sensor