Microdialysis sampling is an essential tool for in vivo neuro-chemical monitoring. Conventional dialysis probes are over 220 μm in diameter and have limited flexibility in design because they are made by assembly using preformed membranes. The probe size constrains spatial resolution and governs the amount of tissue damaged caused by probe insertion. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a method to microfabricate probes in Si that are 45 μm thick 180 μm wide. The probes contain a buried, U-shaped channel that is 30 μm deep 60 μm wide and terminates in ports for external connection. A 4 mm length of the probe is covered with a 5 μm thick nanoporous membrane. The membrane was microfabricated by deep reactive ion etching through a porous aluminum oxide layer. The microfabricated probe has cross-sectional area that is 79% less than that of the smallest conventional microdialysis probes. The probes yield 2-7% relative recovery at 100 nL/min perfusion rate for a variety of small molecules. The probe was successfully tested in vivo by sampling from the striatum of live rats. Fractions were collected at 20 min intervals (2 μL) before and after an injection of 5 mg/kg, i.p amphetamine. Analysis of fractions by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed reliable detection of 13 neurochemicals, including dopamine and acetylcholine, at basal conditions. Amphetamine evoked a 43-fold rise in dopamine, a result nearly identical to a conventional dialysis probe in the same animal. The microfabricated probes have potential for sampling with higher spatial resolution and less tissue disruption than conventional probes. It may also be possible to add functionality to the probes by integrating other components, such as electrodes, optics, and additional channels.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Microdialysis is widely used for in vivo sampling. In this technique, a semi-permeable membrane probe is inserted into tissue or fluid and perfused with an isotonic solution. Chemicals in the tissue diffuse across the membrane according to their concentration gradient and are collected in fractions for analysis. The popularity of microdialysis stems from its favorable properties. Samples are continuously removed from a well-defined space without net fluid loss from the tissue. The membrane prevents large molecules and debris from being collected that might interfere with downstream assays. Collection of a series of fractions allows changes in tissue chemistry to be monitored over time. The probe can also be used for local delivery of chemicals. Microdialysis is versatile because it can be used to sample from organs, tissues, tumors, and body fluids.
Despite the advantages, the size of microdialysis probes creates some limitations. Probes are generally made by coupling capillaries to preformed dialysis tubing resulting in a cylindrical shape with a diameter defined by the dialysis tubing, typically no smaller than 220 μm. The relatively large probe diameter prevents sampling from microenvironments such as small brain nuclei. This problem is especially acute in smaller subjects, like mice, which are often preferred for research because of the extensive genetic tools and models available. Tissue damage with potentially confounding effects on measured chemicals is another issue that is likely worse with larger diameter probes. Finally, in clinical applications, smaller probes are desirable to minimize discomfort and increase precision.
A route to miniaturizing microdialysis probes is by microfabrication. Microfabricated needles without membranes have been applied for drug delivery and sampling. We have reported a 70 μm wide by 85 μm thick microfabricated "push-pull" probe for in vivo sampling. (Lee et al., Anal. Chem. 2013, 85, 3828-3831) Sampling occurred by pulling fluid through one channel while pushing an equal volume out the other at 50 nL/min. A limitation of push-pull and needle-type sampling is that proteins and debris can enter the sampling channel potentially interfering with assays or clogging channels. Another issue is that pull-flow connections must be made at the probe. The pull connection complicates sample collection, especially at the low sampling rates used. This plumbing requirement is in contrast to microdialysis where fluids are pumped into the inlet leaving the outlet free for sample collection. Finally, the push and pull flows must be balanced to avoid net fluid loss or gain around the probe. Fluid balancing is challenging at such low flow rates but is not necessary in microdialysis.
A key challenge in microfabricating a microdialysis probe is forming a membrane over an open channel. For example, microdialysis probes have been fabricated in Si with permeable polysilicon or fabricated pores as the permeable layer. (Zahn et al., Biomed. Microdevices 2005, 7, 59-69; Desai et al., J. Membr. Sci. 1999, 159, 221-231; Lebouitz et al., IEEE Int. Conf. Micro Electro Mech. Syst, 12th, IEEE, 1999, 470-475) But the polysilicon membrane was too fragile to use with pressure-driven fluid flows in microchannels. Microfabricated dialysis probes with high pore density and suitable recovery have yet to be demonstrated for in vivo sampling.

Microfabrication of a microdialysis probe with nanoporous membrane

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN


Distillate feeds are hydroprocessed to produce a product having a low content of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The hydroprocessing includes dewaxing and aromatic saturation of the feed. The temperature of the aromatic saturation process can be controlled to make a distillate product having a desired aromatic content, such as less the 0.02 wt % of polyaromatic hydrocarbons having three or more aromatic rings.

Commercially available diesel fuels are subject to a variety of regulatory requirements that constrain the properties of the fuel. For example, diesel fuels are typically required to meet one or more specifications related to cold flow properties.
Another category of requirements for diesel fuels is aromatics specifications, such as a restriction on the total number of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in a diesel fuel. A polyaromatic hydrocarbon refers to a hydrocarbon containing two or more aromatic rings. Various types of hydroprocessing reactions can potentially be used to reduce the PAH content of a hydrocarbon feed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,430 describes a method for processing a diesel boiling range feed. A diesel feed can be separated into a lighter and heavier portion. The feed is described as normally having a sulfur content of greater than 0.15 wt %. The heavier portion is catalytically dewaxed. The dewaxing catalyst may contain silicalite, MFI zeolites, or silicoaluminophosphates. Preferably, the dewaxing catalyst is a non-zeolitic molecular sieve essentially free of Y zeolite. The lighter portion is added to the dewaxed heavier portion prior to an aromatics saturation step. The aromatics saturation process is described as preferably using a hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio of about 5,000 to 18,000 scf H2 per barrel of feedstock (about 890 to 3200 Normal, or standard, m3/m3). The dewaxing process is described as having a temperature at the inlet to the dewaxing process that is at least about 50° F. (30° C.) higher than the temperature at the inlet to the aromatics saturation zone.

Method for making diesel with low polyaromatic content

ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company


The present disclosure relates to a sensor network, machine type communication (MTC), machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and technology for Internet of things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the above technologies, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. A method and an authenticating system for authenticating users in an IoT environment are provided. The method includes receiving an access request to at least one device present in the IoT environment, identifying a type of questions based on at least one of a user interface (UI) type of the at least one device, or an authentication level of the at least one device, generating at least one question corresponding to the type of questions based on at least one of user data of a user associated with the access request, or device data of one or more devices associated with the user, presenting the at least one question to at least one of the user and the one or more devices, and authenticating the user to access the at least one device based on a response for the at least one question received from the at least one of the user and the one or more devices.

The Internet, which is a human centered connectivity network where humans generate and consume information, is now evolving to the Internet of things (IoT) where distributed entities, such as things, exchange and process information without human intervention. The Internet of everything (IoE), which is a combination of the IoT technology and the big data processing technology through connection with a cloud server, has emerged. As technology elements, such as "sensing technology", "wired/wireless communication and network infrastructure", "service interface technology", and "security technology" have been demanded for IoT implementation, a sensor network, a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and so forth have been recently researched.
Such an IoT environment may provide intelligent Internet technology services that create a new value to human life by collecting and analyzing data generated among connected things. IoT may be applied to a variety of fields including smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car or connected cars, smart grid, health care, smart appliances and advanced medical services through convergence and combination between existing information technology (IT) and various industrial applications.
In various interdependent domains of IoT, such as a smart-home, a connected-car, a smart-health, and the like, user authentication is a challenge. There is no intuitive and foolproof method to validate the user in an easy manner.
Currently, each IoT device/application has its own pin and/or password to authenticate the user. Considering large number of IoT devices/applications present today, it's very difficult for the user to remember huge number of pins/passwords for gaining access to individual applications/devices. In addition, currently, there is no fool proof solution in biometric authentications to deal with the challenges of liveness detection, fake identity detection, injured finger for prints, and the like.
In a multi-user environment, typically scenarios are tied with domains like smart-home, smart city, connected car and devices are bound to be used by multiple users. Hence, there is no standard procedure to provide multi-level access to multiple users using intuitive authentication.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for authenticating users in internet of things environment


A cylinder is produced of die cast metal and is for a two-stroke engine in a portable handheld work apparatus such as a motor chain saw. A combustion chamber (3) is formed in the cylinder (2) and this combustion chamber is delimited by a piston (5). In the cylinder wall (16), there is an outlet (10) for conducting away the combustion gases from the combustion chamber (3). Transfer channels (14a, 14b) are provided which open into the combustion chamber (3) via transfer windows (12, 15) and supply the operating medium from the crankcase (4) needed for operating the two-stroke engine. The transfer channels (14a, 14b) are configured in the cylinder wall (16) as channels opening radially to the outside and are closed by a seated cover (23).

A cylinder assembly for a two-stroke engine is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,066 wherein the lateral transfer channels are configured in the cylinder wall as radial channels opening outwardly. The transfer channel of each side is closed radially to the outside by a cover. In this way, curved channels are formed which run curved to the cylindrical axis. If more than two transfer channels are on one side of a cylinder, then the manufacture in die cast is no longer possible because of the different angles and channel paths.
It is an object of the invention to provide a die cast metal cylinder assembly for a two-stroke engine which makes two and more transfer channels possible on opposite-lying sides. The cylinder assembly of the invention is for a two-stroke engine including an engine for a portable handheld work apparatus including a chain saw, brushcutter, cutoff machine or the like. The two-stroke engine includes a piston. The cylinder assembly includes: a cylinder having a cylinder wall defining a cylinder bore surface and a cylinder axis; the cylinder wall and the piston conjointly delimiting a combustion chamber in the engine; an outlet formed in the cylinder wall for conducting combustion gases away from the combustion chamber; a plurality of transfer channels for conducting operating means to the combustion chamber for operating the engine; a first one of the transfer channels having a first transfer window opening into the combustion chamber near the outlet to form an outlet-near transfer window; a second one of the transfer channels having a second transfer window opening into the combustion chamber remote from the outlet to form an outlet-remote transfer window; the first and second transfer channels being open channels directed radially outwardly; a cover mounted on the cylinder to cover the channels; the first and second windows having respective outlet-remote frame surfaces extending approximately parallel to the cylinder axis and facing toward the outlet viewed in the peripheral direction of the cylinder bore surface; and, the outlet-remote frame surfaces lying in respective mutually parallel pull planes.
The alignment of the transfer channels and the transfer channel windows to the combustion chamber is such that the inflow direction of the inflowing gases is different. The different inflow direction causes different angles of the channel side walls. According to the invention, the frame surfaces of the outlet-near and outlet-remote transfer windows on one side are arranged in pull planes parallel to each other. The frame surfaces run approximately parallel to the cylinder axis and lie facing toward the outlet in the peripheral direction of the cylinder bore. For this reason, the possibility is provided to form the two transfer windows, which lie on one side, with core sliders movable radially from the outside without backcuts, projections or the like. The core sliders can be moved individually or together in mutually parallel pull planes. The axial opening of the transfer channels to the crankcase is provided by axial core sliders which are to be moved in the direction of the cylinder axis.
The core sliders forming the transfer windows are so configured that they simultaneously form the outer frame surfaces of the transfer windows together with the external channel side walls.
In order to configure the different inflow directions, it is provided that the frame surfaces of a transfer window, which run approximately in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder axis, lie in planes which intersect in the combustion chamber. The intersect angle of the planes of the first outlet-near transfer channel window is greater, preferably by 0.2 to 0.5 times greater, than the intersect angle of the planes of the second outlet-remote transfer window.
The frame surface of the first, outlet-near transfer window lies facing toward the outlet and extends with a step to the channel center wall configured in the cover. In this way, the edge of the frame surface (which lies facing toward the outlet) of the first transfer window is so arranged that it lies on the inner surface of the cylinder bore as well as in the plane of a side surface (formed by the channel center wall) of the outlet-near transfer channel. This edge of the frame surface of the first transfer window runs along the cylinder axis and faces toward the combustion chamber.
A recess, notch or the like in the material of the cylinder is advantageously provided between the outlet-near transfer channel and the outlet. This is provided in order to avoid an increased thermal transfer from the outlet to the outlet-near transfer channel.

Die cast metal cylinder assembly for a two-stroke engine


A fluid sampling apparatus provided as a unitary structure which automatically collects fluid samples according to modes of operation selected by a user, while monitoring an analyte of interest on a real-time basis on the basis of signals from a fiber optic sensor, and collecting and storing sampling and analyte data for later retrieval. The user may select from various modes of operation, including sampling triggered by a predetermined value(s) of the analyte, flow proportional sampling, and/or sampling at predetermined time intervals. The apparatus includes a self-contained microprocessor, together with associated program and data memory, for automatically controlling sampling operations, calculating analyte values on the basis of signals from the fiber optic sensor, calculating flow rate on the basis of signals from a flow sensing arrangement, and storing data relating to sample collection, analyte levels, and flow rate. The apparatus is further adapted to measure and store the actual discharge volume of the analyte loaded into a receiving fluid body, with the program memory being programmed to calculate loading values on the basis of flow rate values and analyte values as detected from any type of sensor capable of in situ real-time analyte measurement. Stored data can be called up on a display of the apparatus, or transferred to an external output device via a modem and telecommunication network or a portable data transfer unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an integrated automatic sampling and monitoring apparatus capable of automatically performing fluid sampling operations in conjunction with real-time, in situ monitoring of at least one analyte by means of at least one fiber optic sensor.
More particularly, the invention relates to a compact unitary fluid sampling apparatus having a computer control system operably connected with a fiber optic sensor so as to provide a user with various unique modes of operation. One unique mode of operation is the capability of triggering sampling operations on the basis of critical values of a given analyte, as measured by the fiber optic sensor. By thus limiting sample collection to upset conditions only, i.e., where a given analyte exceeds a predetermined critical value, the number of samples collected for subsequent laboratory analysis may be reduced so as to minimize analytical costs.
Other modes of automatic operation provided by the apparatus include sampling on the basis of time, and/or flow-proportional sampling based on flow rate. The apparatus also automatically stores sample collection data and measured values of an analyte(s) of interest. Real-time values of the analyte as measured by the fiber optic sensor can be viewed on an alphanumeric display of the apparatus, transferred to a remote computer, and/or retrieved from memory for transfer to an external output device such as a computer and/or a printer for producing a hard copy record.
The invention provides continuous in situ measurement of an analyte of interest, as measured by the fiber optic sensor, in a fluid discharge or stream. The output from the fiber optic sensor provides real-time values of the analyte, so that the collection of samples for later lab analysis may serve primarily as a back-up monitoring technique and may even be dispensed with entirely. The undesirable time lags necessitated by lab analysis of collected samples may thus be eliminated, with real-time measured values of an analyte serving to immediately alert a technician or other user to an upset condition.
The apparatus according to the invention also provides the unique capability of providing actual loading data, i.e., of measuring the actual quantity of an analyte in the form of a target pollutant discharged into a receiving channel or body of water. Quantitative assessment of actual loadings is performed by the computer control means on the basis of input from the fluid flow assembly of the apparatus and from the fiber optic sensor or any other type of sensor capable of providing in situ real-time measurement of an analyte. The resulting loading data is stored in memory. In addition, the apparatus is capable of averaging the values of a given analyte over time, with averaging data also being stored in memory.
The terminology "analyte" as used herein refers to any one of various physical and/or chemical properties of a fluid which may be measured by a fiber optic sensor for monitoring purposes and/or for triggering sampling operations. Such analytes include, but are not limited to, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, total organic carbon, chloride, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate, total phosphorus, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, oil and grease, total hydrocarbons, pressure, and a variety of other analytes of interest, such as various target pollutants including heavy metals.
The terminology "fiber optic sensor" as used herein refers to a sensor of the type having a fiber optic element which transmits light from a photoemitter to a photodetector, the fiber optic element comprising a fiber optic core made of highly light-transmissive optical fiber. Typically, the photoemitter takes the form of a light-emitting diode (LED). Light input to the fiber optic core by the LED traverses the core and becomes incident on the photodetector, which converts the modulated light into an electrical output signal which may be amplified for displaying or recording data. A sensing element, which is responsive to an analyte of interest, modifies the transmission properties of the fiber optic element, which in turn alters the output signals from the photodetector. Any one of a variety of types of fiber optic sensors may be employed with the invention, such as one in which the sensing element constitutes part of the fiber optic element itself, in the form of a clad surrounding the fiber optic core. The clad is made of material having a lower refractive index than that of the core, while at least a portion of the clad is made of a material responsive to an analyte of interest. The clad material is responsive to a given chemical(s) or other analyte, such that its refractive index changes in the presence of such analyte(s) to thereby alter the light-transmitting properties of the sensor. The analyte-sensitive clad material may be sensitive to a group of analytes, such as total heavy metals, total petroleum, or the like.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
In today's climate of deep concern over environmental pollution, municipal agencies and private companies alike are faced with the responsibility of carefully monitoring fluid waste, particularly in order to comply with stringent statutory and regulatory pollution limits or to conduct pollution research. To this end, an automatic fluid sampling apparatus is commonly used to repeatedly collect samples for subsequent laboratory analysis. In addition, a separate analytical meter may be used for on-site monitoring of a critical fluid parameter, such as pH level, to alert the user to an upset in the process stream. A separate flow meter may also be used for monitoring the volume of fluid flow and for pacing sampling operations in proportion to flow rate. The sampler, analytical meter and/or flowmeter are regularly transported for positioning in municipal or industrial manholes to monitor sewer lines containing fluid waste, or to remote field sites for monitoring, research purposes, or the like.
Various problems arise in using separate sampler, flowmeter and analytical devices at a remote field site or in a sewer manhole. Transporting a number of separate devices to a sampling site is cumbersome and inconvenient, while mounting of the separate devices in a manhole presents additional difficulties. The close confines of the manhole severely restricts manipulation of the devices, so that positioning and mounting of the separate devices often proves difficult, and sometimes impossible. Further, it is important that a record be kept of sample collection and other data in order to comply with federal and state requirements. With prior known sampler and meter devices, the only means by which such a record can be obtained is by recording the data by hand when it appears temporarily on a display of the device. This limitation leads to inaccurate or incomplete records at best.
The apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,863 issued Feb. 25, 1992 overcomes problems associated with using separate samplers and flow meters by providing an integrated, compact automatic liquid sampling and flow measuring apparatus capable of pacing sampling in proportion to flow rate, and of storing sample collection and flow data for retrieval in hard copy form. On the other hand, U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,332 discloses an integrated automatic sampling and monitoring apparatus which overcomes the problems associated with separate automatic sampler and analytical meter devices. By combining a sampler and analytical meter, and a flowmeter if desired, in a unitary compact structure, the size and weight of the equipment is reduced while transport to remote sites and mounting in limited spaces is facilitated. The sampler and meter(s) share the same microprocessor, digital display, keyboard, circuitry, etc. The computer control means of the apparatus automatically calculates a fluid condition(s), such as pH level, and controls sampling operations on the basis of time, the fluid condition(s), and/or flow rate. The apparatus also stores sample collection and fluid condition(s) data, with access thereto being had either via an alphanumeric display or a portable unit for retrieving and transferring the data to a remote device such as a computer or a conventional printer from which a hard copy of the data may be obtained. The disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,091,863 and 5,172,332 are both incorporated herein by reference thereto.
The present invention combines the unique capabilities of the foregoing apparatus with the desirable real-time measuring capabilities of fiber optic sensors. The apparatus according to the invention includes an integral operating unit comprising a fluid sampling assembly, a fluid flow sensing assembly, computer control means, and power means integrally combined in a compact unitary case. At least one fiber optic sensor is operably connected with the integral operating unit such that output signals therefrom are used to trigger sampling operations and/or to monitor real-time values of an analyte of interest. Measured values of the analyte may be viewed on a display of the apparatus, may be transmitted to a remote location, and/or may be stored in memory for later retrieval.

Automatic fluid monitoring and sampling apparatus and method


A guiding unit and a computation unit, the computation unit comprising elements for saturating, if necessary, a usual optimized slope for the landing, following a comparison with a slope computed on the basis of a performance criterion relative to a deceleration capability of the aircraft.

The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the landing of an aircraft on a runway, and a corresponding optimization device.
The present invention applies to a method for computing an optimal final slope for the landing of an aircraft, of "A-IGS" (Adaptive Increased Glide Slope) type.
From the documents US-2012/0232725 and FR-2 972 541, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, a method and a device are known for optimizing the landing of an aircraft on a runway, said landing comprising an approach phase, defined by an approach axis to be followed with which is associated a predefined ground slope and a flare phase. This usual method is such that:                in a preliminary step:
from performance levels and characteristics specific to said aircraft, a target vertical speed is defined relative to the ground which is to be applied to said aircraft on initiation of the flare phase; and
an optimized ground speed is determined, as a function of said target vertical speed and of at least one outside parameter, associated with the approach axis, which is greater than or equal to the predefined ground slope, and                upon interception, by the aircraft, of the approach axis, said aircraft is guided so that it follows the determined optimized ground slope, associated with said approach axis, and that it reaches the target vertical speed previously defined on initiation of the flare phase.
Thus, by this known method, the ground slope of the approach axis is optimized (relative to the ground slope published in the standard operating procedure) from a target vertical speed predefined using characteristics specific to the aircraft. By setting the ground vertical speed of the aircraft on initiation of the flare (at approximately 50 feet) to a previously defined nominal target value, this usual method makes it possible to secure the final approach phase by proposing a more constant, repetitive and easy flare, while increasing the slope by exploiting the conditions of the approach concerned with improving the environmental aspects, without imposing operational constraints.
Energy management on approach depends greatly on factors specific or external to the aircraft influencing the deceleration capabilities of the aircraft. In particular, the weight of the aircraft and the weather conditions are factors which influence the deceleration capability. Particular attention on the part of the crews is required with respect to the monitoring of the flight parameters and, if necessary, the application of corrective actions such as early extension of the high lift flaps of the gear and/or use of the air brakes.
However, the deceleration management can be made more difficult when the slopes are increased, for example for obstacle avoidance considerations.
Similarly, the increased slope proposed by the computation of the optimized slope, of A-IGS type, which is based solely on the final approach speed and the target vertical speed, can, in certain cases, result in approaches being flown that are too steep, which would increase the risk of non-stabilized approach.

Method and device for optimizing the landing of an aircraft on a runway


A data storage system including an array of storage devices and a storage controller is provided. The array of storage devices is configured to store information in the form of a plurality of stripes. The storage controller is configured to write a plurality of code words forming each stripe to the array of storage devices. The plurality of code words includes a plurality of data blocks and at least one redundancy block. K sets of parameters, which are generated based on a generator polynomial, are previously provided. The storage controller includes an encoder for generating the redundancy blocks according to the K sets of parameters. Once up to K storage devices in the array of storage devices are failed, the data storage system recovers the failed storage devices based on the K sets of parameters and the other un-failed blocks, wherein K can be larger than two.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a data storage system. More specifically, the invention relates to a data storage system including an array of storage devices and providing multiple-faults protection.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, the speed and efficiency of computers are continuously raised and the capacities of storage systems are highly increased. Besides capacity and performance, reliability of large storage systems is also extremely important. To achieve better reliability, the abilities of error detection and error correction must be improved in large storage systems.
An array of storage devices is usually used for providing a larger data capacity than one single storage device. A technique named "redundancy" is frequently applied in arrays of storage devices. Redundancy means adding additional storage devices to store information about data in the original storage devices. Once the storage devices for storing data are failed, the data storage system can recover the data in the failed storage devices according to the redundancy information.
In actual applications, an array of storage devices may include a plurality of disks. Existing redundant arrays of independent disks (RAID) can be classified into the following categories: RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10, RAID 0+1, RAID 2, RAID 3, RAID 53, RAID 4, RAID 5 and RAID 6.
However, conventional RAIDs in prior arts can not provide sufficient protection for data or can only provide protection for data with a large amount of additional disk drives. RAID0 doesn't provide any redundancy. RAID1 provides single-fault protection by providing duplicate disk drives for each of the disk drives in the RAID 0 array. RAID 2, RAID3, RAID 4, and RAID 5 can also only provide single-fault protection, and once more than one disk drive is failed, the failed disk drives cannot be recovered. RAID 6 needs two additional disk drives for recovering two failed disk drives and once more than two disk drives are failed simultaneously, the failed disk drives can not be recovered.
The main purpose of this invention is providing a data storage system including an array of storage devices and providing multiple-faults protection. More particularly, once up to K storage devices in the array of storage devices are failed, the data storage system recovers the failed storage devices based on K sets of previously provided parameters, which are generated based on a generator polynomial. Especially, K can be a natural number larger than two. Accordingly, this invention provides a data storage system having multiple-faults protections and the data storage system can tolerate more failed storage devices than prior arts.

Providing multiple faults protection for an array of storage devices


A fuel injection system for a gas trubine engine combustion chamber comprises at least one pilot fuel injector having a fuel discharge passage communicated to the combustion chamber and at least one secondary fuel injector having a fuel discharge passage communicated to the combustion chamber and a fuel purging passage communicated to a higher pressure region upstream of the combustion chamber. A fuel flow control device supplies metered fuel flow to the pilot fuel injector under all regimes of engine operation and to the secondary fuel injector under certain, intermittent regimes of engine operation requiring fuel flow above a selected level. A shuttle valve is movable to a first position to provide fuel flow communication between the fuel control device and the fuel discharge passage of the secondary fuel injector for fuel injection to the combustion chamber. The shuttle valve also is movable to a second position to communicate the fuel discharge passage and the fuel purging passage of the secondary injector to the higher pressure region to purge fuel from the fuel discharge passage to the combustion chamber.

Airblast fuel injectors have been proposed for use in a staged gas turbine engine fuel systems. Airblast fuel injectors are described in the Helmrich U.S. Pat. No. 3,864,186 and others and are designed to achieve atomization of a film of liquid fuel formed on a fuel discharge surface or lip by directing high velocity airflow from the engine compressor at the fuel film as it leaves the orifice surface.
Airblast fuel injectors have been proposed for use in a staged gas turbine engine fuel system. However, use of airblast fuel injectors in a staged fuel system may present so-called coking problems when the airblast fuel injectors comprise the secondary (or main) injectors of the system that are rendered non-operative during some engine regimes (e.g. low engine power regimes such as low speed idle operations) and operative during other engine regimes (e.g. high speed operations). In particular, when the secondary fuel injectors are rendered non-operative during low power operation, fuel remains in the fuel discharge passages of the injectors and can be heated by the elevated temperature of the combustor environment to the extent that the fuel in the fuel discharge passages is carbonized or coked over time, building up carbonaceous deposits therein. These deposits can adversely affect the performance of the airblast fuel injectors in service from the standpoint that injector fuel flow rate and fuel atomization become unsatisfactory. Similar deposits may build-up in the fuel passages of other air atomizing fuel injectors, such as hybrid pressurizing/airblast injectors, that employ high velocity compressor airflow to atomize fuel discharged from a fuel discharge passage/lip.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,023 of common assignee herewith discloses a self-sustaining, fuel purging fuel injection system that employs a purging pressure differential established on fuel residing in interconnected fuel discharge passages of the injectors effective to purge fuel from the fuel discharge passages when the injectors become non-operative. The purging pressure differential is established at the fuel discharge lips of the injectors by controlled geometrical/air flow relationships between air/fuel lips of the injectors, rather than by inherent pressure differentials relative to the engine combustor.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel injection system for a gas turbine engine wherein the system is provided with secondary or main fuel staging and purging capabilities wherein a pressure differential is used for purging and wherein purging is controlled by a purge valve referenced to pilot fuel inlet pressure.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel injection system for a gas turbine engine wherein the system is provided with secondary or main fuel staging and purging capabilities wherein a pressure differential is used for purging and wherein purging is controlled by a purge valve in turn controlled by a three-way servo-controlled valve.
It is another object of the invention to provide a fuel injector having a shuttle valve for providing a fuel injection mode or fuel purging mode.

Staged fuel injection system with shuttle valve and fuel injector therefor


A transmission system for transmitting digital symbols by modulation according to a phase constellation includes a transmitter having a phase modulator and a frequency multiplier in cascade for producing a modulated signal having a desired transmission frequency. To prevent degradation of the bit error rate of such signal, the phase constellation at the input of the phase modulator has at least one additional phase state relative to the phase constellation at the output of the frequency multiplier. Advantageously, the number of phase states of the constellation at the input of the phase modulator is N times the number of phase states of the constellation at the output of the frequency multiplier, where N is the frequency multiplication factor.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to a transmission system comprising a transmitter for transmitting via a transmission medium to a receiver, a carrier modulated by a sequence of digital symbols according to an output constellation having a predetermined number of phase states, said transmitter comprising a cascade connection of a phase modulator and a frequency multiplier.
The invention is further related to a transmitter for transmitting digital symbols modulated on a carrier.
2. Description of the Related Art
A system according to the preamble is known from the Japanese Patent Application laid open under No. 53-110355.
Transmission systems for transmitting digital symbols modulated on a carrier according to a constellation having a predetermined number of phase states are used for a large number of applications. Examples of such applications are mobile radio, radio relay systems, and broadcast systems like Microwave Video Distribution Systems (MVDS). The constellation can vary from BPSK (Binary Phase Shift Keying) or QPSK (Quaternary Phase Shift Keying) to 16.64 and even 256 QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation).
A usual way of generating such a modulated carrier is to modulate a carrier having a fairly low intermediate frequency according to the desired constellation. The desired RF signal, having a frequency that can be in the GHz range (e.g. 27 GHz, 40 GHz), is then obtained by mixing the modulated carrier with a local oscillator signal having a suitable frequency. If the desired frequency is substantially higher than the intermediate frequency complex filters are required to suppress the undesired sideband in the output signal of the mixer. If the desired frequency is above 20 GHz, building blocks such as amplifiers and mixers are required that are able to handle these high frequencies. Such building blocks are difficult to manufacture and are consequently rather expensive.
In the transmission system according to the previously mentioned Japanese Patent Application a cascade connection of a phase modulator and a frequency multiplier is used. The phase modulator modulates a carrier according to a constellation with two phase states .pi./2 radians apart. By using a frequency doubler, a signal modulated according to a constellation with two phase states .pi. radians apart is obtained. This signal is a common BPSK signal. By using a frequency multiplier to obtain the desired RF signal, only the frequency multiplexer must be able to operate at the desired frequency. The remaining building blocks like amplifiers and mixer have only to operate at a fraction of the desired frequencies, and can consequently be less expensive.
Simulations of the transmission system according to the principle of the Japanese Patent Application show a substantial degradation of the bit error rate in comparison with a system that does not use a frequency multiplier for obtaining the final constellation.

Transmission system using transmitter with phase modulator and frequency multiplier


A power-assisted heavy lift chair comprises a base assembly. A chair frame is supported on the base assembly. A lift mechanism communicates with the base assembly and the chair frame, and is operable to actuate the chair frame between first and second positions. A transformer provides electrical power to an electric motor. The electric motor provides rotational power to the lift mechanism at a first rate to lift and/or lower the chair frame. The electric motor draws current from the transformer according to a load upon the chair frame. The rate that the electric motor lifts and/or lowers the chair frame depends upon the voltage provided by the transformer. The transformer is operable to provide a generally constant voltage regardless of the current draw of the electric motor. Therefore, the electric motor lifts and/or lowers the chair at a constant rate independent of the load on the chair.

Conventionally, power-assisted chairs include a motor-operated lift mechanism for aiding persons that require assistance in entering or exiting the chair. More particularly, motor-operated lift mechanisms are interconnected between a stationary base assembly and a moveable chair frame. Alternatively, some power-assisted chairs include separate linkage mechanisms for permitting the seat occupant to selectively extend and retract a leg rest assembly and/or produce reclining angular movement between an upright first position and a reclined second position.
Power-assisted chairs may be adapted to provide the lift and tilt function in combination with a leg rest and/or reclining function. Chairs which provide such a combination of multi-positional functions generally require the use of multiple motors for driving the separate linkages, which results in extremely large and expensive chair units. In addition, most power-assisted chairs incorporate a drive mechanism that employs both a power drive function for extending the leg rest, lifting the chair, and reclining the chair, and a power return function for returning the chair to the normal seated position.
An important characteristic of power-assisted chairs is the ability to support heavy loads during the lift and tilt functions. More specifically, power-assisted chairs are designed to support individuals of a particular weight. Typically, power-assisted chairs that are adapted to support weight above a particular threshold, such as 300 pounds, require multiple motors.


A sand mold shaping material contains an aggregate comprising inorganic particles, and microcapsules enclosing a binder which causes the aggregate to bind. The binder is a liquid binder that is in a liquid phase at room temperature, and is enclosed in an outer shell comprising a resin that forms the microcapsule. The sand mold shaping material is in a dry state when used to fill a molding die for shaping.

A sand core for forming a hollow portion in a cast is made out of sand mold forming material (hereinafter sometimes referred to just as "forming material") that contains aggregate formed of inorganic substance particles, and binder. Specifically, the forming material is filled into and molded in a cavity of a molding die and then subjected to an appropriate hardening process. The binder thereby becomes hardened, so that the aggregate binds via the binder. That is, the forming material hardens into a sand core.
A main mold for forming a cavity of a cast is also made by hardening forming material filled in the cavity of a molding die, as with a sand core. Hereinafter, molds that are made out of forming material (sand), such as main molds and sand cores, will be collectively called "sand molds".
One known process for forming sand molds is a cold box process, which commonly uses an organic binder such as phenol resin and causes the binder to harden with amine gas. While the cold box process has the advantage of allowing the binder to harden in a short time without involving heating, it requires an apparatus for treating amine gas without letting it leak to the outside, leading to the problems of large-sized facilities and increased cost.
In the case of using an inorganic binder, such as clay, water glass, and silica sol, as binder, on the other hand, the binder is mixed and kneaded with aggregate to produce forming material in wet state, which is then immediately filled into a molding die. In such a case, however, filling under high pressure is essential in order to provide sufficient flow of the forming material in wet state; thus, forming devices, including the molding die, are required to be pressure-resistant. This results in increased sizes of the forming devices.
In addition, the hardening of the forming material progresses as it dries, which causes clogging during filling or a reduction in filling ratio. Although some measures are available for avoiding it, such as giving moisture to maintain flowability, it is inherently not easy to have sufficient flowability in wet state. Thus, improvement of the filling ratio is not easy.
Furthermore, since the binder becomes dry and hardened over time even in wet state, long-term storage of the binder in the state of forming material is difficult. Due to this property, any forming material remaining in a blow head has to be discarded. That is, this conventional art has the disadvantages of low manufacturing efficiency or material yields and further the necessity of frequent maintenance of the forming devices.
Thus, in some cases, aggregate with its surface coated with an organic binder capable of remelting at high temperatures (for example, resin-coated sand made from aggregate with its surface coated with resin) is employed as the forming material. The forming material can then be in a dry state, so that the ratio of filling into a cavity can be increased compared to when an inorganic binder is used. However, at the same time, it has the problem of producing unpleasant odor when re-heating remelted organic binder, particularly resin, in order to harden it.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Nos. 2006-346747 and 2007-144511 propose use of microcapsules in which an expanding agent that vaporizes to expand is enclosed in an outer shell made of thermoplastic resin. In such a case, the microcapsules are added to aggregate together with inorganic fiber, organic fiber, and thermosetting resin. Then, slurry made by dispersing these materials in dispersion medium is filled into a cavity and subjected to heat as with the foregoing process.

Sand mold shaping material, and method for shaping sand mold using same


Provided is a capacitor-less DRAM device including: an insulating layer formed on a semiconductor substrate; a silicon layer formed on the insulating layer, wherein a trench is formed inside the silicon layer; and an offset spacer formed on both sidewalls of the trench and protruded upward through the silicon layer. A gate insulating layer is formed on a bottom of the trench, and a gate electrode is formed to be buried in the gate insulating layer and in the trench and the offset spacer. A source region and a drain region are formed in the silicon layer on both sides of the offset spacer so as not to overlap with the gate electrode. A channel region is formed in the silicon layer below the gate insulating layer to be self-aligned with the gate electrode.

The inventive concept relates to dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices and, more particularly, to capacitor-less DRAM (dynamic random access memory) devices.
In general, a unit memory cell of a DRAM device includes a field effect transistor (hereinafter referred to as a 'transistor') and a capacitor that stores charges. The transistor may be a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor that controls reproduction and recording of data. The integration degree of the DRAM device has been continuously increased by reducing the size of the transistor. Also, the integration degree of the DRAM device has been continuously increased by using a capacitor formation process for providing an effective capacity of a capacitor such as techniques of forming a stack capacitor or a deep trench capacitor, techniques of using a capacitor dielectric layer as a high-k dielectric layer, techniques of increasing a surface area of a dielectric layer in a lower portion of a capacitor, and so forth.
However, a short channel effect due to size reduction of the transistor and the complexity of the capacitor formation techniques hinder the further increase of the integration degree of DRAM devices. Accordingly, attempts have been made to modify the structure of the DRAM devices.


Methods and systems are provided for tracking anatomical features across multiple images. One example method includes outputting, for display on a display device, an annotation indicative of a first location of an identified anatomical feature of a first ultrasound image, the annotation generated based on a first output of a model and outputting, for display on the display device, an adjusted annotation based on a second output of the model, the second output of the model generated based on a second ultrasound image and further based on the first output of the model, the adjusted annotation indicative of a second location of the identified anatomical feature in the second ultrasound image.

Medical ultrasound is an imaging modality that employs ultrasound waves to probe the internal structures of a body of a patient and produce a corresponding image. For example, an ultrasound probe comprising a plurality of transducer elements emits ultrasonic pulses which reflect or echo, refract, or are absorbed by structures in the body. The ultrasound probe then receives reflected echoes, which are processed into an image. Ultrasound images of the internal structures may be displayed on a display device in real time or near real time, which may assist a clinician performing a medical procedure on the patient.

System and methods for tracking anatomical features in ultrasound images


There are provided an illumination optical apparatus and an optical apparatus using this illumination optical apparatus that are capable of efficiently collecting light emitted from a light-emitting section for illumination with less illumination nonuniformity, without having to employ a complicated structure. There are provided a light-emitting sections; a lens system for converting a diverging beam emitted from the light-emitting section into a beam of collimated light; an afocal optical system for adjusting the cross-sectional area of a beam of collimated light obtained by the lens array; a fly-eye lens for forming a plurality of light-source images from the collimated light whose cross-sectional area is adjusted by the afocal optical system; and a Koehler illumination optical system that uses the plurality of light-source images formed by the fly-eye lens as a light source.

In an illumination optical system of an optical apparatus, such as a projection apparatus, an exposure apparatus, and a microscope, the ability to illuminate the entire illumination area uniformly and with sufficiently bright light is required.
Known illumination optical apparatuses for realizing such illumination include, for example, the illumination apparatus described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 6-349710 (refer to the section from line 31 in column 10 to line 30 in column 11, as well as FIG. 7).
This illumination optical apparatus improves, for example, the power of illumination light and the illuminance uniformity in relation to beams emitted by a plurality of light sources by using a fly-eye lens. Furthermore, the illumination optical apparatus splits the beam from each light source with a beam-splitting optical system (half-prism) and makes the beams incident upon the fly-eye lens from different angles to prevent illuminance nonuniformity from occurring.
This illumination optical apparatus, however, is problematic in that, for example, it requires a beam splitting system, which causes the optical system to become complicated. The illumination optical apparatus has another disadvantage in that since high parts precision is required to achieve the desired performance, the apparatus becomes very costly. Furthermore, to efficiently receive at the fly-eye lens light emitted from the light sources while preventing, for example, vignetting, the shapes and the layout of the light sources and the shape of the fly-eye lens are subjected to more restrictions. In addition, a desirable structure is one in which the types, intensity, and the like of the light sources are selectable as required according to, for example, the properties of the specimen to be examined. However, such a structure cannot be employed in the above-described known illumination optical apparatus.

Illumination optical apparatus and optical apparatus


An electronic keyboard key apparatus includes a longitudinally extending key pivotally mounted on a supporting base and a simulated hammer assembly including a simulated hammer mounted on a hammer shank that is independently pivotally mounted with respect to the key on the base. A jack means is mounted on the key for striking and pivoting the hammer assembly when the key is struck and a preferably flexible bridle for controlling the hammer assembly connects the hammer assembly to the key. A spring is connected between a back end of the key and the base for quickly returning the key to its at rest position. The bridle may be a flexible strap. The simulated hammer may be a metallic cylinder disposed about a first distal end of the hammer shank. A butt is attached to a second distal end of the shank and the butt has a butt end that is bifurcated to form two hinge lugs that are hinged to a single hinge lug of a lug mount fixedly connected to the base. The shank and the butt may be constructed as a single integral member and made of wood as can be the lug mount. The simulated hammer assembly may be mounted above the key and the lug mount is mounted above the key on a first rail. A hammer cushioning means for cushioning and resting the simulated hammer is mounted to the base beneath the simulated hammer and a hammer stop is disposed above the hammer cushioning means such that the simulated hammer engages the stop when the key is struck causing the hammer shank to pivot upwards. The hammer stop may be a U-shaped stop cushion with a circularly bent end, legs extending away from the bent end, and the stop cushion mounted to a stop bar by a clamp channel that clamp the legs between the channel and the stop bar.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to electronic keyboards having selectively depressed keys designed to simulate piano playing. In particular, the present invention relates to keyboard keys of an electrically operated musical instrument which simulates the feel and action of keyboard keys of a mechanically operated piano.
2. Discussion of the Background Art
Electronic musical instruments frequently use keyboards for determining sounds to be played. Piano-action keyboard provides, in addition to pitch selection, a range of expression generally characterized by a complex function of volume, harmonic structure and envelope which is dependent on the speed and force with which the key is struck. At the same time, a characteristic kinesthetic feedback is provided. The "feel" of a keyboard is a characteristic that is generally of great importance to the player. Various types of electronic keyboard instruments have been developed and disclosed such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,803 which also discloses some of the drawbacks of such instruments that are used to simulate piano-type instruments. One such drawback is that the electronic keyboard lacks of "feel" of mechanical keyboards which is particularly detrimental to a player conditioned by prior training to prefer the piano-action feel. Conventional piano actions are quite complex in nature and their "feel" is determined by the interaction of a large number of moving parts. Careful adjustment of these actions is required during the manufacturing process and this adds to their cost.
Mechanically operated pianos have keys which have a certain feel to the pianist depressing the keys. Towards this end, the present invention provides a piano-action electronic keyboard and key mechanism that provides a realistic piano-like feel and action and kinesthetic feedback to the player simulating the feel and action of the keys on a mechanical piano.

Simulated piano action apparatus for electronic keyboard


A tube picking mechanism is designed for use in an automated, ultra-low temperature (e.g. −80° C. or −135° C.) or cryogenic (e.g., about −140° C. to −196° C.) storage and retrieval system that stores biological or chemical samples. The samples are contained in storage tubes held in SBS footprint storage racks that are normally stored within an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezer compartment. The tube picking mechanism includes a tube picking chamber that is maintained at about −80° C., about −135° C. or at cryogenic temperatures in cryogenic applications. Active electrical and mechanical components are maintained in a compartment above and separate from the refrigerated, ultra-low temperature or cryogenic compartment. Thermal stratification inhibits heat transfer into the lower, ultra-low temperature or cryogenic compartment in which tube picking occurs from the upper compartment in which active electrical and mechanical components are located, and also inhibits heat transfer into the lower, ultra-low temperature or cryogenic compartment via an access door for tube storage racks.

Storage of biological and chemical samples is becoming widespread in biotechnological and medical industries. Many of these samples must be stored at or below freezing temperatures. Generally speaking, a regular freezer operates from about −5° C. to −20° C., an ultra-low temperature freezer operates from about −50° C. to about −90° C. (preferably at about −80° C.) and a cryogenic freezer operates from about −140° C. to −196° C. (boiling point of liquid nitrogen). For some applications, it is advantageous to store samples below about −120° C. For purposes of this patent application, the term "ultra-low temperature" shall mean temperatures below about −50° C. and above temperatures generally considered to be cryogenic.
Large automated sample storage and retrieval systems that store samples within one or more ultra-low temperature (e.g., −80° C.) or cryogenic (e.g., about −140° C. to −196° C.) freezer compartments are known. Biological samples stored in these systems are often contained in sealed plastic laboratory tubes or vials having a diameter of 3.5 mm or larger. Larger tubes are sometimes called vials in the art, but both are referred herein as tubes, storage tubes or sample storage tubes. The tubes or vials are typically held in storage racks having an array of tube receptacles, for example, 384, 96, 48 or 24 tubes and having openings in the bottom of the tube receptacles. In most cases, a two-dimensional barcode containing identifying information is adhered to the bottom of the storage tube and is able to be read through openings in the bottom of the tube storage racks.
A mechanical robot is often provided to place and retrieve the tube storage racks from the ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezer compartment. The dimensions of the tube racks are typically SBS footprint compatible, but the tubes often have a variety of dimensions. The robot interacts with an I/O module in order to introduce samples into the system from the ambient environment and to retrieve samples for use outside of the system. The freezers typically have trays, shelves or cassettes for several hundred or even thousands of tube storage racks. It is not normally desirable to remove an entire SBS tube rack from the system through the I/O module when only one or a few tubes from a given storage rack are desired to be retrieved. The removal procedure may allow for the ingress of moisture into the system, and also renders the other samples held in the same tube rack susceptible to warming and thawing, at least partially, even if the tube rack is removed from the system temporarily. Robotic tube picking mechanisms are used in some systems to pick individual tubes for retrieval from the system. Even pulling storage racks from an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezer in order to pick tubes in a refrigerated, yet warmer environment, such as −20° C. or −30° C., can also allow undesirable warming of samples.
While tube picking mechanisms are generally known in the art, the environment within an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezer compartment is typically too cold to ensure reliable operation of conventional tube picking mechanisms. One issue is that the electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic components are unreliable at such ultra-low temperatures. Also thermal expansion and contraction of robotic components and storage racks can cause significant mechanical difficulties if not properly addressed. Another issue is that the formation of frost and ice is exacerbated due to the low moisture saturation point in ultra-low temperature or cryogenic environments. At such low temperatures, the air can hold very little moisture so any moisture introduced into the freezer environment tends to form frost on the cold surfaces within the environment. Frost and ice accumulation can interfere with the removal of tubes from racks and with the insertion of tubes into the racks. In addition, the moving parts of a tube picker in the freezer environment can become contaminated with ice and cause mechanisms to jam.
To date, tube picking mechanisms have been commercially used in low temperature (e.g. −20° C.) environments, but as mentioned it is difficult or impractical to operate a tube picking mechanism in ultra-low temperature or cryogenic environments. For this reason, some commercial systems compromise and place the ultra-low temperature or cryogenic freezers within a refrigerated −20° C. enclosure and pick sample tubes from the racks in the −20° C. environment. However, as mentioned previously, exposure of samples even to a −20° C. environment may cause undesirable warming.
The present invention is directed to tube picking mechanisms that are particularly well suited for use in an automated ultra-low temperature (e.g., −80° C. or −135° C.) or cryogenic storage and retrieval system. An object of the present invention is to provide a system that can efficiently and reliably pick selected tubes from storage racks within a tube picking chamber maintained at ultra-low (e.g. −80° C. or −135° C.) or cryogenic (e.g., about −140° C. to −196° C.) temperatures. Another object is to provide a system that also efficiently and reliably transfers tubes picked from retrieved source racks to a destination rack in an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic environment so that the selected tubes are ready for export from the system.

Tube picking mechanisms with an ultra-low temperature or cryogenic picking compartment


An efficient method and system for wireless database management that allows database administrators to monitor and manage a plurality of databases from a remote location is disclosed. Included in this description are steps for reducing the amount of data transmitted and received by narrow bandwidth wireless communications, storing the results of requests made by the same user repeatedly for quicker access time, and enabling a single user to access multiple databases within the wireless database management system simultaneously.

Maintaining up-to-date information in stable databases is of the utmost importance to many different companies. Banks, brokerage firms, airlines, and auction houses are examples of companies that depend on databases to produce accurate information without fail. Downtime for a database owned by one of these companies translates directly into lost revenue.
Accordingly, many companies have adopted elaborate and expensive procedures for maintaining their databases. Database maintenance almost always requires the hiring of a team of trained database administrators to perform intelligent monitoring and management of the database facilities owned by their employer. For the kinds of companies mentioned above, an experienced team of database administrators is absolutely necessary.
Traditionally, database monitoring and management has been confined to hard-wired environments where database administrators must be physically present and available at all times to perform routine maintenance and fix problems. Keeping a team of database administrators working twenty-four hours a day, everyday, simply to fix a problem that might occur is too costly for smaller companies/and inefficient for all companies. If it were possible for a database administrator to monitor and manage his or her company's databases remotely, for example, from home or while on vacation, the costs of maintaining the databases might be considerably reduced. A need, therefore, exists for an efficient system and method for monitoring and managing databases remotely.

Method and system for wireless database management


An apparatus for testing the efficiency of the vapor recovery of a liquid dispensing and vapor recovery system wherein the system uses a spout with vapor recovery apertures. The apparatus includes a device for receiving the spout and its vapor recovery apertures with a space located therebetween. A sealing device is connected to the spout receiving device for providing a chamber which is sealed about the spout and vapor recovery apertures. A device is connected to the spout receiving device for responding to flow through the chamber about the vapor recovery apertures. With this arrangement the volume of air recovered can be determined and compared with the volume of liquid dispensed to indicate the efficiency of the vapor recovery system.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device for testing the efficiency of a vapor recovery system, such as that employed with a gasoline dispensing system.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
One form of pollution is gasoline vapors that escape during re-fueling of a vehicle. When gasoline is dispensed into a vehicle, such as an automobile, the gasoline displaces the gaseous vapors in the gasoline tank. This causes the gaseous vapors to vent to the atmosphere. In some instances, these vapors make their way upwardly through the fill tube. However, in most instances, the manufacturer provides a separate tube between the tank and the fill neck for venting the vapors. Because of the potential for pollution caused by re-fueling vehicles, governmental regulations have required many geographical locations to provide a gasoline dispensing system which collects the vapors as the gasoline is dispensed. Within the gasoline dispensing system is a gasoline vapor recovery system which utilizes a vacuum to recover the vapors at the fill neck of the vehicle. This is accomplished by a gasoline nozzle which has a concentric spout, the concentric spout providing a vapor passageway around the liquid dispensing passageway. Apertures near the distal end of the outer spout allow the gaseous vapors to be vacuumed into the vapor passageway and returned to the underground gasoline supply tank. In many locations, government regulations establish acceptable performance levels for the gasoline vapor recovery system. Various tests have been established to check the efficiency performance of an individual vapor recovery system. These tests determine the ratio of the volume of the gasoline vapors recovered to the volume of the gasoline liquid dispensed which is referred to as the V/L ratio. If this ratio is one, for instance, then it can be said that a cubic foot of gasoline vapor is returned for every cubic foot of gasoline dispensed. This ratio is a key indicator of the performance of the vapor recovery system. Government regulations set an acceptable range of V/L ratios based upon measurements made during certification testing. In some areas, government regulations also establish a separate test for determining whether there is a blockage of the vapor recovery system.
The present testing devices for determining the V/L ratio are very bulky and require a considerable amount of time and effort to connect to a vapor recovery system. These devices are also very invasive of the gasoline dispensing system and create a spectacle which arouses curiosity. The use of these devices invariably require the vapor return hose to be broken and a large flow meter installed in the vapor return path. A bucket to hold the dispensed gasoline is also required. The gasoline then has to be disposed of by pouring it into the underground storage tank.
There is a need for a testing device which is compact, for example, briefcase size, and which can quickly test for the V/L ratio with minimal effort. Further, there is a need for a test device which will require no hauling or dumping of gasoline which is dispensed during the test.


A long-haul PCI bridge pier is provided that comprises a PCI interface for connection to a PCI bus, a high speed link interface for connection to a high speed link, and a PCI adapter operative to transform PCI information received at said PCI interface into high speed information to be transmitted through the high speed interface, and operative to transform high speed information received at said high speed interface into PCI information to be transmitted through the PCI interface. The PCI bridge pier permits remote connection of a PCI bus with a high speed link such as a serial link. Two such PCI bridge piers, in combination with a high speed link may be used for implementing a long haul PCI-to-PCI bridge.

A PCI-to-PCI bridge chip has been proposed to extend the PCI bus in a personal computer. This chip provides a connection path between two independent PCI buses, and allows transactions to occur between a master on one PCI bus and a slave on the other PCI bus. This PCI-to-PCI bridge permits creation of hierarchical PCI buses in a computer, so as to overcome electrical and loading limits in the original PCI bus of a computer. Basically, a PCI-to-PCI bridge chip has a first interface for connection to a first PCI bus--e.g. a PCI bus connected to the host bridge of a host bus in a computer--and a second interface for connection to a second PCI bus. 25
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a configuration of a PCI-to-PCI bridge chip. The chip 1 comprises a primary interface 2 for connecting to a first PCI bus, a secondary interface 3 for connecting to a second PCI bus, a data path 4 between the primary and secondary interfaces, and a control path 5 between the primary and secondary interfaces. The control path 5 may for instance comprise a primary slave interface 6 and a primary master interface 8, both connected to the primary interface 2; a secondary master interface 7 and a secondary slave interface 9, both connected to the secondary interface 3. The primary slave interface 6 is also connected to the secondary master interface 7, and the primary master interface 8 is connected to the secondary slave interface 9. The primary slave interface 6 receives a transaction transmitted by a master on a PCI bus connected to the primary interface and passes it to the secondary master interface 7. It also controls the configuration of the data path 4. The secondary master interface 7 transmits the transaction to a slave located on a PCI bus connected to the secondary interface. A transaction from a master on a PCI bus connected to the secondary interface to a slave located on a PCI bus connected to the primary interface is handled similarly by the secondary slave interface 9 and the primary master interface 8.
This PCI-to-PCI bridge is satisfactory as a solution to the above mentioned problem of electrical loading. It is also satisfactory for providing exclusive PCI-to-PCI connection in a computer, that is for transmitting and receiving PCI transactions.


A field effect transistor (FET) biosensor for virus detection of a selected virus within a sample volume is disclosed. The FET comprises a semiconductor substrate, a source and drain electrode on the substrate, the electrodes spaced to form a channel. A gate electrode carried on the substrate and located in the channel between the source and drain electrodes. An insulating layer is coupled to a top surface of the gate electrode and a bottom surface of the source and drain electrodes, with an open channel above the insulating layer. A channel material is coupled to the insulating layer. Aptamers are oriented within the open channel to bind to the channel material and with the selected virus to enable a detection of the selected virus by the FET biosensor based on a change in drain-source current at a selected gate voltage.

As the world population increases and becomes more mobile, the ability to transmit viruses between people and populations has also increased. In addition, the increase in population has amplified the number of interactions between humans and other species of animals that typically live in the wild. The increase in interactions between humans and wild animal species has also increased the transmission of viruses. Most viruses do not cross boundaries between different types of species. However, mutations in viruses can enable a virus to cross a species boundary. When this occurs, the virus is new to a species and can be more deadly since the species' immune system has not developed the ability to defend against the new virus.
Coronaviruses are a group of RNA viruses that cause diseases in mammals and birds.
In humans and birds, they cause respiratory tract infections that can range from mild to lethal. More lethal varieties of coronaviruses can cause SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. The frequency of cross-species transmission of potentially deadly viruses, such as coronaviruses, appears to be increasing.
Two factors can determine the severity of a cross-species transmission of a new virus. The first factor is the transmission rate, also called R0. When R0 is greater than 1, the value infers that an infected person will infect, on average, one more person. When the R0 value for a selected virus is less than 1, then the selected virus usually dies off in a population. However, when the R0 level is greater than one, the virus can spread exponentially in a population. With world travel at an all-time high, a virus can spread across the globe in mere weeks or months.
The second factor is a virus' lethality. Many types of flu viruses kill hundreds of thousands of people each year. The R0 for some flu viruses can be greater than 2, which results in millions of people becoming infected. However, the lethality, or mortality rate of most types of flu is around 0.1%. Those that die of the flu also often have underlying medical conditions which, when combined with the flu, can cause death. These conditions are referred to as comorbid conditions, such as obesity, age, heart conditions, cancer, diabetes, and so forth.
When a new virus, referred to as a novel virus, infects a population, a lack of previous exposure to the population's immune system can result in a higher lethality rate. When a novel coronavirus has a high R0 and a high lethality rate, it can result in a rapid spread in a population and quickly result in a high death rate. The death rate can increase as hospitals fill up and the population's healthcare infrastructure becomes overwhelmed. Millions of people can die in a relatively short time period.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, referred to as SARS-CoV-2 (CV2), a novel coronavirus that entered the human population around the end of 2019, resulted in a pandemic with relatively high mortality rates due to the unexpected volume of patients in critical condition. Healthcare systems were flooded as hospitals were not prepared for the number of individuals that needed intensive care. The inability to rapidly scale up testing resulted in worldwide infections of hundreds of millions of people. Many cities and countries were shut down while they attempted to reduce the number of infected individuals and hospitalized patients.
One way to limit the number of infections, and therefore deaths, is to identify who has become infected with the novel virus. This information can then be used to determine any people that those that are infected may have come in contact with. These people can then be quarantined. Rapid and successful quarantining can be used to significantly decrease the R0 level. If the R0 level can be reduced below 1, the virus can be eradicated from the population over time.
When a novel virus, such as a coronavirus, is introduced into a new population, there is typically no way to detect the virus. Standard virus detection means have to be developed for each new virus. The accuracy of virus detection is critical, as it can be expensive for people in a population to quarantine. False positive tests can result in excessive quarantining. In addition, false negative tests can result in additional spread of the virus in the population.
Standard virus detection means can be expensive, time consuming, and slow. In addition, when a novel virus is detected, it can take significant time (weeks or months) to scale up newly developed tests to enable testing of a large population. The challenges associated with development and production of large-scale testing for a novel virus can result in hundreds of thousands of deaths.
An increased ability to quickly develop, produce, distribute, and conduct testing for novel viruses is desperately needed. Such an ability could allow the rapid detection of infected individuals when a novel virus transmission occurs to a new population. If the infected individuals are quickly detected and quarantined, the cost to a society is relatively small. The ability to rapidly and inexpensively test for a novel virus can help ensure that even a novel virus with a high R0 and a relatively high lethality can be detected and eradicated from a population before exponential spread makes eradication difficult. Without such a means, the exponential growth of a novel virus can cost nations trillions of dollars and millions of lives.
Viruses can have residual positive or negative charges. This charge can be detected by specialized detectors to identify when a virus is present. The potential produced when the virus bonds with sensitive and functionalized surfaces of a sensor can also be measured to detect the virus. Other signals can also be monitored in these sensors and related such as the current through the virus or changes in the electromagnetic properties of regions containing the virus. In these cases, parameters such as the refractive index, extinction factor, and dielectric function are measured to detect the virus. The virus's residual charge can also be used to electrostatically manipulate it inside a sensor for chemical bonding or for repulsion. The specialized detectors typically require high tech laboratory type equipment and conditions to provide accurate measurements.

Whole virus quantum mechanical tunneling current and electronic sensors


To provide a low-cost magnetic detection circuit, in which the differential detection function accomplished by outputting differential signals may not be lost, and which may be hardly affected by temperature fluctuations and may be resistant to noise, and in which the number of magnetic detection elements may be reduced, and to provide an encoder, the costs of which may be further reduced by using such a magnetic detection circuit for the multi-revolution detection part, etc., a magnetic detection circuit includes a bridge circuit formed by two bridge sections between the current-source terminal and the grounding terminal. The first bridge section and the second bridge section of the bridge circuit include magnetic detection elements MR1, MR2, respectively, and, viewed from the output-signal output points, the magnetic detection elements MR1, MR2 in the two bridge sections are arranged on only one of the sides that include the current-source side and the grounding-terminal side. An encoder includes such a magnetic detection circuit.

There are many devices in which a magnetic detection circuit is used. Among these, coding devices, from which high precision and accurate operation is required, may be designated as being representative of examples of application. In general, multi-revolution coding devices are conventional as coding devices that have a magnetic detection circuit. In addition to an arrangement for determining the degree of positional displacement within one rotation, these encoders have a rotating magnetic body, which is referred to as a ring magnet for detecting multiple revolutions and is for determining number of revolutions from one revolution and beyond, and a magnetic detection circuit for detecting the change in magnetism of this rotating magnetic body. FIG. 8 illustrates the arrangement of a conventional multi-revolution encoder.
The encoder having the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 8 has: a rotating shaft 12, which is mounted, and therefore coupled, to a rotating body that is the object to be measured; bearings 15, which rotatably support this rotating shaft 12; and a base element 11, on which these bearings 15 are fixed. In order for the shaft of the rotating body to be attached, a through-hole 12a having approximately the same diameter as this shaft is formed in the lower region of rotating shaft 12. A code disc (slotted plate) 14 is mounted above the section on which bearings 15 are supported, and a rotating magnetic body (ring magnet) 16 is mounted above this code disc. A base plate 13, which is fixed to base element 11, is arranged above code disc 14 and faces this code disc. A light-receptor element 19, which is provided with a fixed slot 20, is mounted to base plate 13 at a point opposite to the code (slot) forming region of code disc 14, and electrically connected to circuits on the base plate. A light-generating element 21 is arranged beneath code disc 14 at a position corresponding to the mounting position of light-receptor element 19, so that the light produced by light-generating element 21 may be detected by light-receptor element 19 via the slots of code disc 14 and fixed slot 20. The degree of positional displacement within one revolution is measured, using light-generating element 21, code disc 14, light-receptor element 19, etc.
Rotating magnetic body 16 attached to rotating shaft 12 in the region above base plate 13 is arranged so that its magnetic poles reverse while making one revolution. A magnetic detection element 17, which detects the change in the magnetic poles, is positioned so that it faces the circumferential surface of the rotating magnetic body. A biasing magnet 18 for providing magnetic detection element 17 with a biasing magnetic field is formed on the side of magnetic detection element 17 opposite to the side facing the circumferential surface of the rotating magnetic body. Magnetic detection element 17 and biasing magnet 18 are mechanically and electrically connected to base plate 13.
Magnetoresistive elements may be used as magnetic detection elements. In the case of a multi-revolution detection circuit that uses magnetoresistive elements, a bridge circuit is formed, as illustrated in FIG. 9, for example, by two pairs of magnetoresistive elements, MR1 and MR2, as well as MR3 and MR4, which are arranged at points that are separated from one another by 180 degrees, so as to surround the rotating magnetic body. Differential signals are output via intermediate points n1 and n2. These differential signals are input into a comparator 5, a comparison or reference waveform is produced, and a detection signal f is obtained.
The circuit illustrated in FIG. 9 is a bridge circuit, which is formed between current-source terminal Vcc and grounding terminal GND. A bridge section made up of first magnetic detection element MR1, of which one terminal is connected on the side of the current-source terminal, and third magnetic detection element MR3, as well as an adjustable resistor R3 connected to a terminal of third magnetic detection element MR3, is provided on the one side of the bridge circuit. A bridge section made up of second magnetic detection element MR2, of which one terminal is connected on the side of the current-source terminal, and fourth magnetic detection element MR4, as well as a fixed resistor R4 connected to a terminal of fourth magnetic detection element MR4, is present on the other side of the bridge circuit. Intermediate point n1 between first magnetic detection element MR1 and third magnetic detection element MR3, and intermediate point n2 between second magnetic detection element MR2 and fourth magnetic detection element MR4 are each connected to a differential signal input of comparator CMP. The output of comparator CMP is connected to an output terminal n3.
The behavior of this circuit is explained in more detail. The revolutions of a rotating magnetic body (ring magnet), such as that illustrated in FIG. 4, in which half of the upper surface of a flat disk surface is magnetized as a north pole (and the back surface as a south pole) and the other half is magnetized as a south pole (and the back surface as a north pole), are detected, or the movements of a linear magnetic body (linear magnet), such as that illustrated in FIG. 5, which is arranged in a straight line, are detected. In the explanation below, the behavior in the case of using a rotating magnetic body is explained, but the behavior in the case of a linear magnetic body is approximately the same.
The magnetic field of the rotating magnetic body is initially sensed by magnetoresistive elements MR3 and MR2 and then, after a half revolution of the rotating magnetic body, by magnetoresistive elements MR1 and MR4. In this context, signals e1 and d1, which are illustrated in FIG. 7 and represent differential signals, are produced at intermediate points n1 and n2 of the bridge circuit, which is formed by the individual magnetoresistive elements. Afterwards, a comparison is made and a waveform is produced in comparator CMP, and the signal produced at output terminal n3 is a pulse, such as that illustrated in FIG. 7, which corresponds to one revolution. This pulse signal is used as a multiple-revolution detection signal of the rotary encoder (referred to in the following as "multi-revolution detection signal").
Although magnetoresistive elements may be expensive, such a bridge circuit requires the use of two pairs of magnetoresistive elements. Therefore, the detection circuit has component costs, which may represent a significant obstacle to reducing the cost of the encoder.
Magnetic detection circuits, which use magnetic detection elements such as magnetoresistive elements, are also described, for example, in Japanese Examined Patent Application Publication No. 2715997 (Japanese Published Patent Application No. 9-5413) and Japanese Published Patent Application No. 11-337368, but in both cases, nothing different is described beyond the fact that two magnetic detection elements, e.g., one pair, are arranged in both or in one of the bridge section that form the bridge circuit. In FIG. 3 of Japanese Published Patent Application No. 11-337368, the number of magnetic detection elements is reduced by one pair, and if only one pair is used in one of the bridge sections that form the bridge circuit, then no differential signals may be obtained in this arrangement.


The present invention provides a magnetic force sensor that can precisely detect and correct variations in a magnetic field generated by a magnetic flux generating source. Therefore, a displacement magneto-electric transducer, which detects a change in the magnetic field caused by an external force, and a fixed magneto-electric transducer, where the change in the magnetic field caused by the external force does not occur, are provided to face end sides of magnetic poles of the magnetic flux generating source. The fixed magneto-electric transducer detects a variation of the magnetic field caused by, for example, changes with time and environmental variations such as a temperature rise in the interior of the sensor. On the basis of a detection amount thereof, an operational section performs a correction operation, so that a sensitivity coefficient or an offset of the displacement magneto-electric transducer is corrected.

When, for example, parts are assembled using a robot arm, a force sensor is mounted to a wrist portion of the robot arm, detects a force or a moment component that is generated during an assembly work, and controls an orientation of a hand portion. A force sensor that makes use of a method of magnetically detecting a displacement of an action portion is discussed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-325328 (Patent Document 1).
A related structure that is discussed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-325328 is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In the related structure, a permanent magnet 14 embedded in a resilient member and four magneto-electric transducers 15a to 15d opposing magnetic poles of the permanent magnet are disposed. When an action force is applied to the resilient member, the permanent magnet 14 is displaced, and the magneto-electric transducers 15a to 15d, such as Hall elements, detect a change in a magnetic field that is generated thereby. On the basis of the detected change in the magnetic field, it is possible to detect force components in an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction, and a Z-axis direction.
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-325328, a permanent magnet is used for a magnetic flux generating source. In general, an absolute value of the strength of a magnetic field that is generated by a permanent magnet is changed by the temperature of the permanent magnet (that is, the absolute value has a predetermined temperature coefficient). When the temperature of the permanent magnet is increased due to heat generated from a circuit board and heat received from the outside, such as a motor disposed in the vicinity thereof, the strength of the magnetic field is reduced. Therefore, an apparatus used in the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet needs to compensate for the change in the magnetic field caused by its temperature. The magnetic field changes due to changes with time of the permanent magnet in addition to the influences of, for example, the temperature thereof.
In contrast, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-321592 (Patent Document 2), a method of performing temperature compensation using a temperature compensation circuit that is provided with a temperature sensor is used.
A related structure discussed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-321592 is shown. FIG. 6A shows a Hall element 16 provided at a position opposite to a permanent magnet 14. FIG. 6B shows a temperature compensation circuit connected to a constant voltage source (not shown) provided adjacent to the Hall element.
When an output voltage from the Hall element to a selector is reduced by a temperature rise, a negative temperature characteristic of the temperature sensor provided in the temperature compensation circuit provided adjacent to the Hall element causes a current value output to the Hall element from the temperature compensation circuit to increase in proportion to the temperature rise.
By outputting the increased current to the Hall element, the output voltage from the Hall element 16 to the selector that has been reduced by the temperature rise is increased.
However, in the related example discussed in Patent Document 2, temperature compensation is performed on the output of the Hall element that receives a magnetic flux. Therefore, when there is a difference between the heat capacities of the permanent magnet and the temperature sensor (specific heat) or a localized temperature rise (for example, the temperature of the Hall element changes whereas the temperature of the permanent magnet 14 itself is increased), it is difficult for the temperature sensor to precisely measure the average temperature of the permanent magnet. In addition, the temperature compensation circuit needs to be provided separately from a sensor of, for example, the permanent magnet and the Hall element, thereby increasing costs and size.
The present invention is carried out to overcome the aforementioned problems, and provides a compact magnetic force sensor that can precisely detect and correct variations in a magnetic field generated by a magnetic flux generating source.