A method and device for controlling a fluid-actuated control system, to optimize post-switching times for actuation of control elements in such systems. The system includes at least one pressure medium source, at least one hydraulically controlled control element and a device for controlling the fluid-actuated control system. The optimum post-switching time after hydraulic actuation of the control element, depends on a number of different factors such as a control-element-specific parameter, a specific mounting location of the control element, at least one operating parameter of the fluid-actuated control system and/or of the vehicle. A post-switching time control device controls and/or regulates at least the duration of a post-switching time of the at least one control element and with the above factors determines the post-switching time.

Nowadays severe demands are made on fluid-actuated control systems, also referred to hereinafter as fluid medium systems, and especially on control systems of such type for automatic or automated transmissions in motor vehicles. Besides special requirements in relation to low weight at the same time as high reliability, long life and low maintenance, particularly in the case of passenger cars, vibrations and noise caused by the device constituents of the fluid medium system must be avoided or at least damped as much as possible. In addition, there are special requirements with regard to the actuation speed of control elements to be actuated since a traction force interruption caused by a gear change should last for as short a time as possible. At the same time, the fluid medium system should be produced and assembled as inexpensively as possible.
Thus until now, it has been usual in fluid-actuated transmissions, following a control action, i.e., a change in the position of at least one fluid-actuated control element, to switch off the pressure on the pressurized control element(s) or at least reduce it to a lower pressure sufficient for maintaining the desired position of the pressurized elements. This enables the load on the pressure medium lines and other pressurized parts of the pressure medium system and control elements to be relieved and, therefore, makes it possible to reduce the loads on the fluid medium system as a whole and correspondingly to design it weaker and lighter and/or increase its service life. In addition, if the system is only acted upon by high pressure while shift actions are actually taking place then, on account of the leak flows that always exist, this has advantages in relation to the energy required in order to produce the pressure and in relation to fluid loss if there are leaks in the system components concerned.
In order to prevent or at least reduce the rebound of a pressurized movable component of a control element, for example off a fixed stop abutment, and bring the pressurized movable component reliably to rest in a desired nominal position, it is usual, when the component has reached the desired position, for example against a mechanical stop abutment, to continue still acting upon it with pressure for a short time; the so-termed post-shifting time.
In the case of a fluid medium system with a plurality of control elements, it was sometimes regarded as advantageous, when a shift process or some other desired movement of at least one pressure-medium-actuated control element had to be carried out, for example to use a main valve to impose upon the system as a whole a standardized pressure for a standardized time consisting of a movement time and a post-shifting time, whereby the control element(s) to be actuated or their moving parts are moved to the desired actuation position while the other control elements or their moving parts are maintained fixed in their position by the action of the pressure.
Often, however, the control elements are also connected, via control valves fitted near them, to a pressure medium line that is kept continuously under a standardized operating pressure during operation and to a pressure medium outflow line under a lower pressure or to an unpressurized line so that, for the actuation of a control element, for example by corresponding valve actuation, the control element is selectively pressurized with the operating pressure for a standardized time. In the case of pneumatic systems, the pressure medium outflow line can often be replaced by simple means for venting to the surroundings. In this case as well, it is usual and has until now often been regarded as advantageous to provide a predetermined post-switching time.
To fulfil its function, in both cases the post-switching time should be chosen such that it can perform its intended purpose of damping rebound off stop abutments and securing the desired position of the pressurized moving parts of the control elements, so far as possible for all the control elements in the system and under all operating conditions.
However, the control method with a fixed post-switching time described above suffers from the following disadvantages:
Since the post-switching times required for the optimum operation of or desired for different control elements and locations thereof are very different, compromises are often necessary so that the post-switching times for one or some control elements have to be shorter or longer than actually needed.
The result is either that system components for which a shorter post-switching time would suffice are pressurized for an unnecessarily long time or else that system components which need particularly long post-switching times, or for which these would be desirable, are pressurized too briefly or at any rate for times that are not optimum under all operating conditions or not completely sufficient.
A design of the pressure medium system to give optimum post-switching times as similar as possible would, in most cases, result in disproportionate expense and/or a neglect of more important design objectives, such as simple and assembly-friendly line positioning and the use of lines with cross-sections as uniform as possible.
However, even if such a design were to achieve at least approximately equal post-switching times without neglecting other design objectives, a uniform post-switching time could at best only be optimized for a standard operating situation or for an extreme operating situation. Here the problem arises that an extreme operating situation demands a considerably longer, or perhaps a considerably shorter post-switching time than a standard operating situation and, therefore, either the post-switching time is set unnecessarily long or undesirably short during most of the operating time, or in extreme operating conditions the post-switching time is too short or too long.
Furthermore, with a system of the type usual until now it is as difficult to take into account different optimum post-switching times for different actuation directions of a control element, as it is to allow for differences in the definition of an optimum post-switching time determined with reference to different parameters.
For example, a minimum post-switching time that is still sufficient for moving a control element accurately enough to a nominal position and securing it there may be optimum in the event of a pressure drop in the fluid medium system, or other difficulties related to the pressure medium supply, whereas in the case of comfort-optimized shifting behavior of the transmission controlled by the fluid medium system, as desired by the driver, relatively long post-switching times have to be set in order to damp possible continuing oscillation of the moving parts of a control element as effectively as possible and to minimize pressure waves in the system and vibration caused by them.
In contrast, if the driver wants the shifting behavior to be made as sporty as possible, it can also sometimes be advantageous to have a relatively short post-switching time, so as to be able to bring the system back as quickly as possible to a defined starting condition and enable a repeated gear change. The resulting, slightly louder shift noise or vibrations may even be regarded as desirable in some cases, since they serve as indications of uncompromising design for power or sporty behavior.
Against that background the purpose of the present invention is to propose a control method for a fluid medium system, for example for an automated or automatic motor vehicle transmission, which is exempt from the disadvantages outlined above or at least substantially reduces them. A further objective is to describe a control system for implementing such a method.

Method and device for controlling a fluid-actuated control system


A circuit system includes: a first optoelectronic semiconductor component situated with an n-conductive surface facing an electrically conductive support surface and connected to the support surface in an electrically conductive manner; and a second optoelectronic semiconductor component situated with a p-conductive surface facing the support surface and connected to the support surface in an electrically conductive manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit system which includes at least two optoelectronic semiconductor components, and to a method for manufacturing this type of circuit system.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 shows an example of a known circuit system 2000 which includes a series circuit made up of two optoelectronic semiconductor components 2002, 2004 which are VCSEL arrays, for example, i.e., systems which each include a plurality of surface-emitting semiconductor lasers (vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs)).
The known VCSEL arrays have a layer structure made of an n-conductive semiconductor material, a p-conductive semiconductor material, and an active zone situated in between for generating laser radiation. In addition, on a first side both VCSEL arrays 2002, 2004 have a connecting area 2002′, 2004′, respectively, at which they may be electrically contacted with the aid of bonding wires. The known series circuit is implemented in that first VCSEL array 2002, with its second side opposite from its first side, is situated on an electrically conductive support surface, not shown in greater detail in FIG. 1, and is connected to same in an electrically conductive manner. Similarly, second VCSEL array 2004 with its second side is situated on a further support surface (likewise not shown) associated with the second VCSEL array, and is electrically connected to same. The series circuit of VCSEL arrays 2002, 2004 is implemented with the aid of bonding wires BD2 which electrically connect the support surface of first VCSEL array 2002, in a manner known per se, to a contacting or connecting area 2004′ of second VCSEL array 2004.
An electrical power supply of the series circuit made up of VCSEL arrays 2002, 2004 is provided via power supply connections V1, V2. An electrical connection between connections V1, V2 and the known series circuit is implemented with the aid of additional bonding wires BD1, BD3, respectively.
One disadvantage of the known configuration is a relatively large intercomponent distance d24 due to the presence of connecting area 2004′, the electrical insulation of the support surfaces of VCSEL arrays 2002, 2004 with respect to one another, and the mounting surface of bonding wires BD2 on the lower area of the support surface of first VCSEL array 2002 in FIG. 1. Therefore, the known circuit emits no laser radiation within the area defined by intercomponent distance d24. Thus, the brilliance of known circuit system 2000 is disadvantageously relatively low, since the space having dimension d24 in the vertical direction in FIG. 1 is not able to contribute to the generation of laser radiation.
Another disadvantage of known configuration 2000 is the relatively large component size. In addition, the connection which is necessary for electrically contacting VCSEL arrays 2002, 2004 with the aid of bonding wires is costly and time-consuming.

Circuit system and manufacturing method for same


A method of and system for locating a single passive underground marker type may distinguish false indications caused by other marker types. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, minimization or elimination of false marker indications may be accomplished by processing the response from a marker to determine which frequency has the largest response.

The locations of underground utilities such as power, water, sanitary, telephone, gas, cable television (CATV), and non-potable may be marked with devices known as passive underground electronic markers. Typically, each marker contains one or more Inductor-Capacitor (LC) circuits, or equivalent circuitry, each of which is tuned to a unique frequency associated with a particular utility type. In that regard, each circuit typically includes a coil of wire that responds to reception of a signal transmitted at a particular frequency. The markers are buried in a trench with the utility structure to be located during surveying, maintenance operations, or other activities requiring precise location of the utility.
In order to locate a buried marker, an operator moves across the surface of the ground with a locator, which typically includes both a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter sends out an electromagnetic signal tuned to the unique frequency of the marker associated with a particular utility type. Upon receiving the transmitted signal, the marker resonates and thus produces an electromagnetic response to the transmitted signal. This response is received by the receiver and converted to a signal that is detectable by the operator. The operator may mark the pinpointed location on the ground using chalk, paint, or other surface marking indicia, and then move on to find the next marker buried along the utility structure. Examples of passive marker and locator systems are disclosed U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,699,048, 6,097,293, 6,380,857 and 6,388,575, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The locator sends out a specific frequency that is the same frequency as the marker sought to be identified. Electronic markers sensitive to the transmitted frequency will be stimulated. A common problem associated with conventional utility marker location technologies arises due to the fact that markers associated with other utility types (i.e., different from the type sought to be identified) may be stimulated and respond to the transmitted frequency as well. Current marker locators receive signals back from any marker that has been stimulated. The response from those markers not at the transmit frequency have a detectable signature or response characteristic. The amplitude of this response generally decreases as the transmit frequency gets further from the resonant frequency of the marker.
Problematically, current locators cannot determine that the response received at a particular transmit frequency is from a different marker type from the marker type intended to be detected. In that regard, the response from a particular marker decreases as the distance between the marker and the locator increases; mathematically, the response can be expressed as the function 1/r^4, where r is the distance between the marker and locator. In accordance with the 1/r^4 response signal loss, a marker at the wrong frequency, but at a distance of only six inches from the locator, can have a greater response at the detection frequency than the correct frequency marker at a distance of five feet.

Method of and system for locating a single passive underground electronic marker type that distinguishes false indication caused by other marker types


A method is provided in one embodiment and includes receiving at a network element a flow offload decision for a first service node that includes a portion of a service chain for processing a flow; recording the flow offload decision against the first service node at the network element; and propagating the flow offload decision backward on a service path to which the flow belongs if the first service node is hosted at the network element. Embodiments may also include propagating the flow offload decision backward on a service path to which the flow belongs if the flow offload decision is a propagated flow offload decision and the network element hosts a second service node that immediately precedes the service node on behalf of which the propagated flow offload decision was received and a flow offload decision has already been received by the network element from the second service node.

"Service chaining" involves delivering a list of services in connection with selected traffic in a specific order. A network node that selects, or classifies, the traffic is referred to as the "classifier." Services are delivered in service nodes. The actual forwarding path used to realize the service chain is referred to as the "service path." Currently, service paths are realized in the form of overlays, which stretch within network infrastructure or between the infrastructure and service nodes. In other words, overlays extend from the classifier to the service node and from service node to service node. The overlays are in the form of transport encapsulation, such as UDP, GRE/NVGRE, VLXAN, SNAP, etc., carrying the original traffic to be serviced as payload. In all such overlay schemes, a service header, such as vPath or NSH, is layered in between the L3 protocol or L4 port numbers. The service headers serve to carry metadata from the classifier to service nodes as well as from one service node to the other service nodes. Additionally, the same service headers carry metadata from the service nodes back to the infrastructure to enable advanced functions to be performed.
One such advanced function is "flow offload." Flow offload occurs when a service node is not interested in the packets of the flow form a certain point in the life of the flow and requests the infrastructure to handle the flow on its behalf. Once offloaded, the infrastructure by passes the service node for the life of the flow, thereby shortening the service path for that flow. This shortening of the service path for a flow improves the performance of service delivery for that flow. Currently, this shortening is limited to bypassing the service node at its closest node in the infrastructure, such as the switch to which the service node is connected.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Shortening of service paths in service chains in a communications network


A method and system for tracking attitude of a device includes fixing a two-dimensional array of photosensors to the device and using the array to form a reference frame and a sample frame of images. The fields of view of the sample and reference frames largely overlap, so that there are common imaged features from frame to frame. Sample frames are correlated with the reference frame to detect differences in location of the common features. Based upon detection of correlations of features, an attitudinal signal indicative of pitch, yaw, and/or roll is generated. In the preferred embodiment, the attitudinal signal is used to manipulate a screen cursor of a display system, such as a remote interactive video system (RIVS). However, attitudinal tracking using the invention may be employed in other applications. Another aspect of the invention is that the two-dimensional array is configured to compensate for any curvilinear distortions introduced by a lens system for imaging the features within the field of view of the array.  A movable device, such as an optical mouse, includes a housing, a lens system in the housing and an array of photosensors in the housing for acquiring images in light applied to the array by the lens system, the array disposed in a plurality of rows and columns defining an optical axis, adjacent columns being spaced apart by boundaries having curvatures increasing with departure from the optical axis sufficient to compensate for curvilinear distortion introduced in the images by characteristics of the lens system, the array comparing data from the images to indicate motion of features of the images relative to the housing.

A device may be used to control the cursor of a video display.
There are applications in which video systems require that a person interact with information presented on a display screen. At times, the interaction is to occur while the person is situated at a distance from the display screen. As will be described more fully below, the interaction may be accomplished by remotely controlling a screen cursor in one of a variety of manners. The interactions may include selecting from a variety of choices presented as a screen menu, or "typing" text using an on-screen keyboard. Examples of remote interactive video systems (RIVS) include interactive television (ITV), TV-style Internet browsers, and conference-room video projectors.
One key component of a RIVS is the "pointing" device for controlling the on-screen cursor. The pointing device fulfills a function analogous to that which mice, trackballs, and graphic tablets perform for computers. However, the environment for RIVS presents difficulties that are typically not encountered in operation of a computer. For example, an operator of a RIVS is typically further away from the controlled device than is the operator of a computer. As another example, the operator of a RIVS is more likely to be in an unstructured immediate environment, e.g., an ITV operator seated across a living room from a television set. In many situations, the environment precludes use of conventional computer pointing devices, such as mice. Moreover, a RIVS is rarely equipped with a keyboard, so that the pointing device may have to accommodate the extra burden of providing a text entry.
There are a number of known pointing devices for a RIVS. Most of the known pointing devices implement some variation of a four-key cursor pad on a hand-held controller. The four-key cursor pad is manipulated to step the screen cursor up, down, left or right among various menu choices. Such interfaces emulate the computer keyboard cursor keys used with old-style textural interfaces. However, these interfaces are typically much slower and less intuitive to use than computer mice and other pointing devices developed for modern graphical software interfaces.
In an effort to improve upon cursor control within the RIVS environment, more advanced computer pointing devices of mice and trackballs have been adapted. In one adaptation, a miniature trackball is mounted atop a controller, with the trackball being operated by the person's thumb. The trackball controller is faster than the use of cursor keys and facilitates diagonal moves. Unfortunately, the trackball may require repeated strokes to accomplish large cursor movements and, in general, thumb control taxes the user's thumb dexterity. For example, it is difficult to trace the cursor in a circle on the display screen.
The use of a mouse for ITV cursor control has been demonstrated. The advantage of the mouse is that it provides excellent and intuitive cursor control. The concern is that there may not be a suitable planar operating surface that is convenient to the operator.
A further refinement in the RIVS pointing art is the use of devices that enable control of a cursory by merely gesturing with a controller. These devices may measure the attitude, i.e. pitch, yaw, and possibly roll, of the controller. A first category of such an approach employs light beams to measure attitude. PCT International Publication Number WO 95/19031 describes a system for determining the pointing orientation of a remote unit relative to a fixed base unit. The fixed base unit includes one or more light sources for emitting a light beam. The emitted light is polarized in at least one predetermined orientation. The movable remote unit includes a photodetector for detecting the polarized emitted light. The attitude of the movable remote unit may be determined by measuring the intensity of received light from various directions.
Another implementation of the emitted-light category of measuring attitude is one in which an infrared (IR) signal is beamed from the area of the video display. The IR signal is defocused and is imaged onto a quad photodiode array in the controller. The relative signal amplitudes from the four photodiodes may be used to determine the relative orientation of the controller to a line drawn from the display. One concern is that the system may undesirably flood the room with intense IR, rendering other nearby IR-coupled appliances (e.g., a VCR controller) inoperative. A second concern is that the limited range of transmission of defocused IR signals may render this system of measuring attitude unreliable when the controller is more than a relatively short distance from the video display.
A second category of devices that measure attitude of the controller is one in which inertial navigation principles are employed. Gyroscopes or encoded gimballed masses establish inertial frames in the controllers, against which attitude changes can be measured. The attitude information may then be transmitted to the video display via a radio-frequency link to a small dipole antenna affixed atop the video display.
The third category is related to the first category. A hand-held object that provides cursor control has a number of light sources mounted on one surface. A single electronic camera is directed to capture images of the light sources mounted on a hand-held object. Locations of the images of the light sources are detected in each camera image, and a computer is used to determine the attitude of the light-emitting hand-held object. Such a device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,059 to DeMenphon.
A closely related need exists in the field of virtual reality. In games, simulations, and other visualization situations, it is often necessary to encode the attitude of a user's head, or other body part. In many cases, systems for encoding head pitch and yaw may be applied to RIVS controllers, and vice versa. One known virtual reality system encodes pitch and yaw by means of instrumented compasses and gravimeters.
While the known cursor control devices and attitude-determining systems operate adequately for their intended purposes, each is associated with a concern or a problem. Operation may be slow or tedious, or may require use of a specific operating surface. Devices and systems that include IR radiation may adversely affect operation of other devices. Attitude-sensing devices that are based on gravity may have difficulty in distinguishing tilting from traverse acceleration, thereby rendering control erratic. This last problem conceivably could be solved by gyro stabilization, but the cost and power consumption make this solution unattractive. Known systems that utilize light detection require adding a second contrivance at the display, again adding additional cost.
What is needed is a method and a system for reliably tracking attitude of a device. What is further needed is such a method and system that is cost efficient when used in controlling a screen cursor or when used in other remote interactive video applications.


A medical image data processing apparatus comprises a registration unit configured to perform a non-rigid registration of a first set of medical image data and a second set of medical image data, wherein the registration unit is further configured to determine, for at least one region, a rigid or affine registration that is an approximation of the non-rigid registration.

It is often desirable when viewing images obtained from volumetric medical image data to view simultaneously images for the same patient or other subject. The anatomy displayed in each image may be largely identical, but the pathology or other properties of the anatomy may differ.
The different images may be obtained from scans or other measurements on the patient or other subject performed at different times, such that there may be differences in a pathology or other condition between the images as the pathology or other condition develops over time. Alternatively, the different images may be obtained from multiple phases of the same set of scans taken during a single measurement procedure, for example images of parts of the respiratory, cardiac or vascular systems at different times during a respiratory or cardiac cycle.
In each case, there may be movement of anatomical structures between the phases or times when the images were obtained. In the case of images obtained at different phases of a respiratory, cardiac or vascular cycle, there may be expansion or contraction of different anatomical structures.
It can be desirable for a radiologist or other operator to be able to navigate synchronously through the different, simultaneously displayed images. For example if two images are displayed, each in a respective display window, and the operator moves one image in its display window they may desire the other simultaneously displayed image to move automatically in the same or similar fashion in its display window. Thus, for example, the same or corresponding anatomical features may be displayed at corresponding positions in both display windows.
In another example if a display indicator, such as a pointer, cross-hairs or cursor is displayed on each of two medical images, it may be desired to synchronise movement of the display indicator on each image, relative to the anatomy displayed in each image. Thus, for example anatomy under MPR (Multi-Planar Reformat) cross-hairs may be aligned, scale and rotation of MPR views may be aligned, or anatomy under cursors may be aligned in different images regardless of movement of the images, cross-hairs or cursors.
When the differences between the sets of image data used to produce the different images are sufficiently large, it can be necessary to register the sets of image data to define a spatial (anatomical) relationship between the simultaneously displayed images, so that substantially the same anatomy can be displayed in substantially the same position in each image. Such registration may be required, for example, if the acquisitions of the images are widely separated in time or if there is significant movement of the anatomy between images.
Registration of image data sets can be performed either manually or automatically using known image analysis techniques.
It is preferred that the radiologist or other operator should not have to manually register the images or manually adjust registration while viewing the images as this can add significant time to the interpretation process.
In the case of automatic registration techniques used in synchronous navigation, it is known to apply a transformation obtained from a rigid or affine registration to display indicators, such as cursors, cross-hairs or pointers, in an attempt to ensure that the position of the display indicator is mapped between different simultaneously displayed images and that the movement of the display indicator is uniform between the different images.
A rigid registration in this context may be considered to be a registration in which the co-ordinates of data points in one data set are subject to rotation, translation and/or scaling in order to register the data set to another data set. An affine registration in this context may be considered to be a registration in which the coordinates of data points in one dataset are subject to rotation, translation, scaling and/or shearing in order to register the dataset to another dataset. Thus, a rigid registration may be considered to be a particular type of affine registration.
It is also known to apply registrations obtained from a rigid registration to the synchronised movement of the simultaneously displayed images themselves, such that the relative appearance of the images is rotated, scaled and/or translated. Generally that does not affect diagnostic quality of image as relative proportion of anatomy is not affected.
Rigid registrations can be performed using an average of data points over the full volume in question, or relative to specific fiduciary points or small anatomical region. However, such registrations may be inaccurate away from fiduciary point(s) or specific anatomical regions. Furthermore, the radiologist or other operator will usually have to make several manual adjustments to registration while viewing the images depending on the anatomical region of interest. Manual adjustments to registration are time consuming and lead to an increase in the time required to view the images. Furthermore, there can be significant issues when analysing small structures across multiple time points (for example, lung nodule tracking).
An example of a problem that can arise from use of rigid registration is illustrated schematically when navigating through images derived from volumetric data sets in FIGS. 1a and 1b.
FIG. 1a shows schematically a series of slices 2a, 2b through a lung volume 4a, 4b obtained from scans at the current time and a prior time. The scans are taken during different breath holds by the patient and, in this case, the lungs are less full at the current time than they were at the prior time. The volumes are registered using a rigid registration. Two of the slices 6a, 6b from the current scan and the prior scan that, according to the rigid registration represent the same region of the lung, are selected for display, as shown in FIG. 1a.
The user then navigates through the volume using known image processing and navigation techniques, and a further two slices 8a, 8b from the current scan and the prior scan that, according to the rigid registration, represent the same region of the lung, are selected for display. In this case it can be seen that the slice 8a selected from the current scan data is at a position outside the lung. Due to the limitations of the rigid registration, navigation has become out of synchronisation with anatomy. In this case it would be necessary for the operator to make a time-consuming manual adjustment of the registration.
In alternative automatic registration techniques, it is also known to apply a transformation obtained from a non-rigid registration to navigation of images or to display indicators, such as cursors, cross-hairs or pointers, again in an attempt to ensure movement of the display indicator or navigation through the images is synchronised. Such non-rigid registrations usually provide a local deformation field, which is not dependent on fiduciary points or anatomical region. However, generally it can be problematic to apply such non-rigid registrations to images if the images are to be used for diagnostic purposes, as the non-linear mapping can cause a distortion of the images that can interfere with diagnosis. Furthermore, the use of non-rigid registrations to display indicators such as cursors, cross-hairs or pointers can lead to non-uniform navigation between studies and can be confusing or misleading.
Non-rigid registrations include free-form registrations, in which the coordinates of data points in one datasets are subject to a flexible, free-form deformation in order to register the dataset to another dataset. Freeform transformations may be defined using dense vector fields, defining an individual displacement for each voxel in a three-dimensional data set. Freeform transformations may also be defined using other fields or functions, for example using B spline functions or thin plate spline functions.
An example of a problem that can arise from use of non-rigid registration is illustrated schematically when navigating through images derived from volumetric data sets in FIGS. 2a and 2b.
FIG. 2a shows schematically a series of slices 12a, 12b through a lung volume 14a, 14b obtained from scans at the current time and a prior time. The scans are taken during different breath holds by the patient and, as with FIG. 1a, the lungs are less full at the current time than they were at the prior time. The volumes are registered using a non-rigid registration in this case. Two of the slices 16a, 16b from the current scan and the prior scan that, according to the non-rigid registration represent the same region of the lung, are selected for display, as shown in FIG. 2a.
The user then navigates gradually, slice-by-slice through the volume using known image processing and navigation techniques, until a further two slices 18a, 18b from the current scan and the prior scan that, according to the non-rigid registration, represent the same region of the lung, are displayed. In this case, the use of the non-rigid registration causes non-linear movement and some of the image slices of the prior image data set are skipped as the user navigates through the images, which can be confusing or misleading for the user.

Medical image data processing apparatus and method


A camera having an automatic focusing system includes a focus detector in a camera body to which a photographing lens can be detachably mounted for detecting a focus state for an object image formed by the photographing lens mounted to the camera body. A lens driver in the camera body drives a focusing lens group of the photographing lens to a focal position in accordance with the deflected focus state. A controller in the camera body drives the focusing lens group at a moving-object prediction mode, taking into account a movement of an image surface of the object when the object is a moving object. A memory in the photographing lens stores lens data used to either permit or prohibit an operation at the moving-object prediction mode. The controller determines whether to permit or prohibit the operation at the moving-object prediction mode in accordance with the lens data rear from the memory of the photographing lens.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a camera having an automatic focusing system, to which a photographing lens can be attached.
2. Description of the Related Art
A single lens reflex camera having an automatic focusing system (referred to as an AF single lens reflex camera) in which an amount of defocus for an object to be photographed is detected, so that a focusing lens group is moved to eliminate the defocus to thereby focus on the object, is known. In the known AF single lens reflex camera, the camera body is provided therein with a focusing system (object distance measuring device, defocus detecting device) and a lens drive motor for driving the focusing lens group of the photographing lens, etc., so that when the photographing lens is attached to the camera body, the focusing lens group can be moved by the lens drive motor in accordance with the amount of defocus detected by the defocus detecting device.
In the automatic focusing operation in a known AF single lens reflex camera, if the object is moving, that is, if the distance of the object from the camera changes, there is a possibility that a no in-focus state is obtained by the movement of the focusing lens group by the lens drive motor in accordance with the amount of defocus detected by the defocus detector. This is because the object moves close to or away from the camera after the detection of the focus, but before the completion of the movement of the focusing lens group. Moreover, there is a certain period of time (release time lag) between the depression of the release button and the commencement of the movement of the shutter. Consequently, upon photographing a moving object, even if an in-focus state has been established when the release button is depressed, the object which moves close to or away from the camera in the release time lag could be out-of-focus when the shutter is opened (at the beginning of the exposure).
In recent years, an AF single lens reflex camera having an action mode (focus prediction mode), called a "moving-object prediction mode" or an "object-tracing mode", has been proposed in which the focus can be adjusted in accordance with an algorithm on the action mode, so that the in-focus state can be established upon viewing the moving object or upon the operation of the shutter. In this AF single lens reflex camera, information on the focal length and the displacement of the focusing lens group necessary to move the image surface, on which an object image is formed, by the photographing lens is formed, or the angular displacement of the drive shaft of the lens drive motor, etc., is transmitted from the photographing lens to the camera body.
In general, in an AF single lens reflex camera, the detection of the defocus amount and the movement of the focusing lens group are carried out so as to establish an in-focus state. The defocus detection and the movement of the focusing lens group are repeated until the amount of defocus is zero. If a defocus amount of zero cannot be obtained even after a predetermined number of defocus detection operations and focusing-lens-group moving operations have been carried out, the object is then deemed as a moving object. Consequently, the control enters the moving-object mode in which the moving velocity of the object image surface is calculated based on the previous defocus amount and the current defocus amount detected when the focusing lens group was moved by a displacement corresponding to the previous defocus amount. Consequently, the lens drive motor is driven in accordance with the defocus amount which has been obtained, taking into account the moving velocity of the image surface, the space of time between the movement of the focusing lens group and the detection of the defocus amount.
If the release button is depressed when in the moving-object mode, the defocus amount caused by the movement of the moving object in the release time lag from the mirror-up operation to the commencement of the movement of the shutter blinds is predicted, so that the focusing lens group is moved in accordance with the predicted defocus amount to establish a nearly in-focus state when the shutter blinds are opened.
However, in some photographing lenses in which the change in the movement of the image surface relative to the angular displacement of the drive shaft of the lens drive motor (drive amount of the drive motor) when the focal length or the object distance varies is large, the above-mentioned solution is not useful. In this case, the drive amount (unit drive value) of the drive motor necessary to move the image surface by a unit displacement must be set to a minimum value to prevent over-movement. Consequently, there is a possibility that an in-focus state is not obtained by the number of the focus detection operations and the lens movement operations corresponding to the number of moving-object mode entries that are executed, so that even if the object stops moving, the object is judged to be a moving object. Thus, the control enters the moving-object mode. As a result, it is impossible to stop the focusing lens group at the focal position, and hence the focusing lens group moves beyond the focal position. Consequently, hunting occurs.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a single lens reflex camera having an automatic focusing system, to which various types of photographing lenses can be detachably mounted, wherein the entry into the moving-object mode is prohibited depending on the characteristics of the photographing lens to be mounted.


A rotor with lobes for use in a turbomachine having a rotation shaft is disclosed. The rotor comprises a rotor shell having a shell member, which is made of a sheet strip metal and having profile curvatures to conform to a required shape of the lobe of the rotor, and a connecting portion for connecting the rotor to the rotation shaft. By making a rotor from a sheet strip metal through bending process to form a rotor shell, a rotor having thin walls can be produced efficiently and economically to provide a light weight rotor of reduced inertial moment so that the startup process or shut down process can be performed quickly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to rotors for use in turbomachines, such as displacement type vacuum pumps or compressors operating in dry state, i.e., without using lubricant in the fluid passages, and relates also to a method of manufacturing such rotors.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are turbomachines of displacement type vacuum pumps and compressors comprising a pair of rotors, each of which has lobes with an involute or cycloid peripheral profile. The rotors are synchronously rotated so that the lobes of each rotor are engaged with that of the other rotor thereby for pressurizing and transporting fluid.
Conventional rotors generally have been made as a unitary solid part. Those solid rotors are manufactured, for example, by casting the rotor and rotation shafts as an integral unit, or by an insert casting around the rotation shaft, or by mechanically fixing a solid rotor to a rotation shaft by a keyed arrangement.
However, such solid rotors are heavy to result in inefficiencies in fabrication and assembly operations, as well as a high material cost. Further, since these rotors have a high inertial moment, they cannot be accelerated or decelerated quickly during the startup or stopping operation. Other problems relate to the possibility of damaging the casing should the rotating rotor fail by fracture, and to the difficulty in dynamic balancing because of non-uniformness of the surface of the rotor.
Techniques to produce hollow rotors have been developed comprising lamination process of punched sheet metals, but this approach presents a productivity problem because of the difficulty of bonding of the laminates, and the cost of assembly tends to be high. For this reason, there has also been a suggestion to produce hollow rotors by making hollow sections inside the rotors, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application, First Publication H7-151082, for example.
However, the approach disclosed in Japanese Patent Application First Publication No. H7-151082 presents a limitation in reducing the weight, because the rotors are made by casting which creates a limit on the wall thickness reduction achievable. The approach also presents another problem regarding uniformness of the wall thickness because of the limitations inherent in the casting technique.
Therefore, there has been a need to provide light weight and low inertial rotors for use in turbomachines, which can be produced efficiently and at low cost, and an accompanying need for a new method of production of such rotors.


Methods and systems for receiving shouted-out user responses to broadcast entertainment content, and for determining the responsiveness of those responses in relation to the broadcast content. In particular, entertainment broadcasts can be accompanied by mark-up data that represents various events within a given broadcast, which can be compared to the shouted-out responses to determine their accuracy. For example, if a game show was broadcast and an individual started shouting out answers during the broadcast, embodiments disclosed herein could utilize a voice-controlled electronic device that captures the shouted-out answers and passes them on to a language processing system that determines whether they are correct by comparing the answers to the mark-up data. The voice-controlled electronic device can also “listen” to background sounds to capture the broadcast of the entertainment content, and send that content to the language processing system, which can use that captured data to synchronize the actual broadcast with the analysis of the shouted-out answers to provide individuals with an immersive entertainment experience.

With each passing day, more and more entertainment is provided in a variety of ways, delivered to display screens on various electronic devices, such as televisions, computers, tablets, etc. In many cases, people may find themselves immersed in the entertainment experience, shouting out answers to questions or trying to predict what their favorite team will do next. Some electronic devices, such as voice activated electronic devices, are capable of performing various functionalities based on spoken words.

Interactive voice controlled entertainment


A mixing apparatus for and a method of supplying a mixture having a required homogeneity, the mixing apparatus comprising: a mixing device (1; 101) for mixing a plurality of materials, the mixing device (1; 101) including a mixing vessel (7; 107) and having at least one inlet port (8, 9; 108, 109, 110) and an outlet port (11; 111); a supply line (19; 119) connected to the outlet port (11; 111) of the mixing device (1; 101); and at least one measuring device (23, 25, 27; 123, 125, 127) for measuring on-line at at least one point in the supply line (19; 119) the composition of the mixed material passing in use through the supply line (19; 119).

The present invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of mixing a plurality of materials, specifically powders, to supply a mixture having a required homogeneity.
The present invention provides a mixing apparatus for supplying a mixture having a required homogeneity, comprising: a mixing device for mixing a plurality of materials, the mixing device including a mixing vessel and having at least one inlet port and an outlet port; a supply line connected to the outlet port of the mixing device; and at least one measuring device for measuring on-line at at least one point in the supply line the composition of the mixed material passing in use through the supply line.
Preferably, the at least one measuring device is configured to measure on-line the composition of the mixed material passing in use through the supply line at a plurality of points in the supply line.
In a preferred embodiment the mixing apparatus comprises a plurality of measuring devices for measuring on-line at a plurality of points in the supply line the composition of the mixed material passing in use through the supply line.
Preferably, one measurement point is at the inlet end of the supply line.
Preferably, one measurement point is at the outlet end of the supply line.
In a particularly preferred embodiment one measurement point is at the inlet end of the supply line and another measurement point is at the outlet end of the supply line.
Preferably, the mixing apparatus further comprises at least one flow diversion mechanism for selectively diverting from at least one point in the supply line mixed material passing in use through the supply line which is measured as not having the required homogeneity. More preferably, the at least one diversion point is downstream of the upstreammost measurement point.
In a preferred embodiment the mixing apparatus comprises a plurality of flow diversion mechanisms for selectively diverting from one or more of a plurality of points in the supply line mixed material passing in use through the supply line which is measured as not having the required homogeneity.
Preferably, each diversion point is downstream of a respective measurement point.
In a particularly preferred embodiment each flow diversion mechanism comprises a valve disposed in the supply line, the valve having an inlet port and a first outlet port connected in the supply line and a second outlet port through which mixed material measured as not having the required homogeneity is in use diverted.
Preferably, the mixing apparatus further comprises a transfer line into which mixed material measured as not having the required homogeneity is in use diverted.
More preferably, at least a section of the transfer line is configured such that the mixed material diverted thereinto can flow by gravitational flow therethrough.
Preferably, the second outlet port of each valve is connected to the transfer line.
Preferably, the mixing apparatus further comprises a flow control mechanism for causing the mixed material to flow through the supply line.
In one embodiment the flow control mechanism is a feed mechanism for feeding the mixed material through the supply line.
In another embodiment the supply line is configured such that the mixed material can flow by gravitational flow therethrough and the flow control mechanism is a valve for selectively permitting the mixed material to flow through the supply line.
Preferably, the supply line is substantially vertically directed.
Preferably, the mixing apparatus further comprises a plurality of supply vessels for containing separately the materials to be mixed in the mixing vessel of the mixing device and a further supply vessel for containing a mixture of the materials to mixed, the supply vessels being connected to the at least one inlet port of the mixing device by respective feed lines which each include a flow control mechanism operable to meter per unit time to the mixing device amounts of the respective materials to be mixed and the mixture of the materials to be mixed.
More preferably, the mixing apparatus further comprises a further measuring device in the feed line connected to the further supply vessel for measuring the composition of the mixed material passing in use through the feed line connected to the further supply vessel.
Preferably, at least one of the at least one measuring device is a spectroscopic measuring device.
More preferably, the spectroscopic measuring device is one of a reflectance, transflectance or transmission device.
In one preferred embodiment the spectroscopic measuring device is an infra-red spectrophotometer.
In another preferred embodiment the spectroscopic measuring device is a near infra-red spectrophotometer.
In yet another preferred embodiment the spectroscopic measuring device is an x-ray spectrophotometer.
In still another preferred embodiment the spectroscopic measuring device is a visible light spectrophotometer.
In a further preferred embodiment the spectroscopic measuring device is a raman spectrophotometer.
In a yet further preferred embodiment the spectroscopic measuring device is a microwave spectrophotometer.
In a still further preferred embodiment the spectroscopic measuring device is a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrophotometer.
Preferably, at least one of the at least one measuring device is a polarimeter.
Preferably, the mixing vessel of the mixing device is a non-rotating vessel.
In one embodiment the mixing device is a continuous mixer.
In an alternative embodiment the mixing device is a batch mixer.
The present invention also provides a method of supplying a mixture having a required homogeneity, comprising the steps of: introducing a plurality of materials to be mixed into a mixing vessel of a mixing device; mixing the plurality of materials in the mixing vessel; supplying mixed material from an outlet port of the mixing device through a supply line; and measuring on-line at at least one point in the supply line the composition of the mixed material passing through the supply line.
In a preferred embodiment the method comprises the step of measuring on-line at a plurality of points in the supply line the composition of the mixed material passing through the supply line.
Preferably, one measurement point is at the inlet end of the supply line.
Preferably, one measurement point is at the outlet end of the supply line.
In a particularly preferred embodiment one measurement point is at the inlet end of the supply line and another measurement point is at the outlet end of the supply line.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of diverting from at least one point in the supply line the mixed material passing through the supply line which is measured as not having the required homogeneity.
More preferably, the at least one diversion point is downstream of the upstreammost measurement point.
In a preferred embodiment the method comprises the step of selectively diverting from one or more of a plurality of points in the supply line the mixed material passing through the supply line which is measured as not having the required homogeneity.
Preferably, each diversion point is downstream of a respective measurement point.
In one embodiment the materials to be mixed are introduced continuously into the mixing vessel.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of transferring the mixed material diverted from the supply line to a further vessel.
More preferably, the step of introducing the materials to be mixed into the mixing vessel of the mixing device comprises the step of selectively metering per unit time to the mixing device amounts of the mixed material from the further vessel and the respective materials to be mixed and further comprising the step of measuring on-line the composition of the mixed material metered from the further vessel such that amounts of the respective materials to be mixed can be separately selectively metered to the mixing device in addition to mixed material metered from the further vessel so as to achieve the required composition.
In an alternative embodiment the materials to be mixed are introduced as a batch into the mixing vessel of the mixing device.
Preferably, the mixing vessel of the mixing device is a non-rotating vessel.


An electrode material comprising a powdery mixture of a metal material (particularly, an intermetallic compound) and a capacitive carbon material each capable of doping and dedoping lithium, and an optionally added fine electroconductive additive, and containing the metal material and the capacitive carbon material in amounts of 5-60 wt. % and 40-95 wt. %, respectively, is used as an active substance for an electrode, particularly a negative electrode, of a non-aqueous solvent secondary cell. As a result, there is provided a non-aqueous solvent secondary cell which has large charge-discharge capacities, a small irreversible capacity determined as a difference between the doping capacity and the de-doping capacity, and also excellent cycle characteristics.

As a type of high-energy density secondary cell, there has been proposed a non-aqueous solvent-type lithium secondary cell using a carbonaceous material for the negative electrode (e.g., Japanese Laid-Open Patent Appln. (JP-A) 57-208079, JP-A 62-90863, JP-A 62-122066 and JP-A 02-66856). The cell utilizes a phenomenon that a carbon intercalation compound of lithium can be easily formed electrochemically, and when the cell is charged, lithium in the positive electrode comprising, e.g., a chalcogenide compound, such as LiCoO2, is electrochemically inserted between carbon layers in the negative electrode (doping). The carbon thus-doped with lithium functions as a lithium electrode to cause a discharge, whereby the lithium is liberated (de-doped) from the carbon layers to return to the positive electrode.
For a carbonaceous material as such a negative electrode material, or also for a carbonaceous material as a positive electrode material doped with lithium source, an amount of electricity utilizable per unit weight is determined by a lithium-dedoping capacity, so that such an electrode-forming carbonaceous material should desirably have a large lithium-dedoping capacity.
In recent years, along with development of various portable appliances, there has been an increasing demand for a secondary cell of a higher energy density as a power supply for such appliances. For this reason, it has been proposed to use as an active substance of negative electrode various intermetallic compounds having a larger capacity per volume than a carbonaceous material which is doped with lithium in the form of atoms, because such intermetallic compounds can be doped with lithium in the form of ions having a much smaller size than the atoms at least at a higher rate than a carbonaceous material (e.g., JP-A 11-86853).
However, a non-aqueous solvent secondary cell using such an intermetallic compound as a negative electrode material suffers from a problem of wasting lithium in the positive electrode because of a large irreversible capacity (non-dedoping capacity) expressed as a difference between the doping capacity and the dedoping capacity of lithium in the intermetallic compound, and also a problem of an inferior secondary cell cycle characteristic (repetitive charge-discharge performance) due to crystal structure destruction and fine powder formation of the inter-metallic compound caused by repetitive expansion and contraction accompanying the repetition of doping-dedoping cycles in the inter-metallic compound.

Electrode material for non-aqueous solvent-secondary cell, electrode and secondary cell

Kureha Chemical Industry Company, Limited


A method, a system, and a computer program product are provided for determining roadwork extension data for identification of at least one roadwork extension. The method, for example, includes clustering a first plurality of lane marking observations captured by a plurality of vehicles, based on a lane marking location and a lane marking heading of each of the first plurality of lane marking observations to generate at least one lane marking cluster and map-matching the lane marking cluster to one or more links to obtain one or more map-matched links. The method further includes searching for one or more missing links associated with each of the map-matched links based on link attributes of the map-matched links and a distance threshold and generating the roadwork extension data based on the map matched links and the missing links.

Road works or roadwork zones are typically found on a section of a road or an entire road that is occupied for the purpose of, for example, road surface repairs, work on power lines, water works, etc. Roadwork zones may also be found when a major accident occurs and road debris from the accident needs to be cleared. Such roadwork zones are indicated to users of vehicles or autonomous vehicles using road signs, such as, "men at work" sign, "roadwork ahead" sign etc., or temporary signs such as traffic cones, barrier boards, etc. In some countries, the roadwork zones are indicated to the users of vehicles or autonomous vehicles using lane markings from a distance of the roadwork zone and speed limit signs from a distance of the roadwork zone. For autonomous vehicles, identifying such lane markings well in advance may help avoid collisions and undue mishaps.

Methods and systems for determining roadwork zone extension based on lane marking data


An electric power tool having a housing, a motor, a jack for receiving a connection plug of an electric cable, and a swivel unit mounted on the housing and carrying the jack, wherein the swivel unit includes a first head mounted on the housing for rotation about a first axis, and a second head mounted on the first head for rotation about a second axis. The first and second axes form an angle between them, and provide for freedom of rotation of the jack, thereby providing for positioning of the jack and routing of a connected cable in desired directions relative to the housing.

A problem concerned with today's power tools of this type is that the possible ways of positioning the jack and routing the cable in the vicinity of the tool are still limited. Accordingly, there is still a problem not only to obtain a comfortable handling of the tool but to get a well protected routing of the cable in different tool operating positions. This is a particular problem in multiple tool arrangements where two or more power tools are operated together.

Electric power tool with swivelled cable connection


An apparatus for locking and unlocking a vehicle door includes a cylinder lock having a rotor, a door lock mechanism including a key operation input shaft which rotates to switch a locked state and an unlocked state of a door, and a torque cable for transmitting rotation of the rotor to the key operation input shaft. One end of the torque cable is connected to the rotor via a gear transmission mechanism accommodated in a gear case. The gear transmission mechanism is constructed by a face gear coaxially connected to the rotor, and a pinion gear which has an axial line perpendicular to an axial line of the face gear, is connected to the torque cable, and is meshed with the face gear. The pinion gear is accommodated in the gear case to be capable of being displaced in an axial direction in a limited range while keeping a meshed state with the face gear. Therefore, even if a variation occurs to the mounting position of the cylinder lock and the door lock mechanism to the door, reduction in the ease of assembling the torque cable to the door lock mechanism can be avoided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for locking and unlocking a vehicle door, comprising a cylinder lock in which a rotor which rotates in response to a key operation is rotatably supported at a cylinder body, a door lock mechanism including a key operation input shaft which rotates to switch a locked state and an unlocked state of a door, and a torque cable for transmitting rotation of the rotor to the key operation input shaft, in which one end of the torque cable is connected to the rotor via a gear transmission mechanism accommodated in a gear case mounted to the cylinder body.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, the apparatus using the torque cable as means for transmitting the rotating force of the rotor of the cylinder lock to the key operation input shaft of the door lock mechanism in order to bring the door lock mechanism into an unlocked state in response to the key operation of the cylinder lock is known by U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,382, for example. In this apparatus, a second bevel gear fixed to one end of the torque cable is meshed with a first bevel gear coaxially connected to the rotor, whereby the torque cable makes a twisting operation in response to the rotation of the rotor.
When a variation occurs to the mounting position of the cylinder lock and the door lock mechanism to the door, there arises a possibility of lowering the ease of assembling the torque cable to the door lock mechanism due to excess or insufficiency of the torque cable.
In the above-described conventional apparatus, the torque cable is placed to have bending, and therefore some of the aforementioned variation is considered to be absorbed, but when the torque cable is placed linearly without having bending, or when the torque cable is guided by a guide member which cannot be bent, there is a possibility that the ease of assembling the torque cable to the door lock mechanism is lowered due to the variation.

Apparatus for locking and unlocking vehicle door


The present invention provides experimentally-generated cold-adapted equine influenza viruses, and reassortant influenza A viruses comprising at least one genome segment of such an equine influenza virus, wherein the equine influenza virus genome segment confers at least one identifying phenotype of the cold-adapted equine influenza virus, such as cold-adaptation, temperature sensitivity, dominant interference, or attenuation. Such viruses are formulated into therapeutic compositions to protect animals from diseases caused by influenza A viruses, and in particular, to protect horses from disease caused by equine influenza virus. The present invention also includes methods to protect animals from diseases caused by influenza A virus utilizing the claimed therapeutic compositions. Such methods include using a therapeutic composition as a vaccine to generate a protective immune response in an animal prior to exposure to a virulent virus, and using a therapeutic composition as a treatment for an animal that has been recently infected with a virulent virus, or is likely to be subsequently exposed to virulent virus in a few days whereby the therapeutic composition interferes with the growth of the virulent virus, even in the absence of immunity. The present invention also provides methods to produce cold-adapted equine influenza viruses, and reassortant influenza A viruses having at least one genome segment of an equine influenza virus generated by cold-adaptation.

Equine influenza virus has been recognized as a major respiratory pathogen in horses since about 1956. Disease symptoms caused by equine influenza virus can be severe, and are often followed by secondary bacterial infections. Two subtypes of equine influenza virus are recognized, namely subtype-1, the prototype being A/Equine/Prague1/56 (H7N7), and subtype-2, the prototype being A/Equine/Miami/1/63 (H3N8). Presently, the predominant virus subtype is subtype-2, which has further diverged among Eurasian and North American isolates in recent years. The currently licensed vaccine for equine influenza is an inactivated (killed) virus vaccine. This vaccine provides minimal, if any, protection for horses, and can produce undesirable side effects, for example, inflammatory reactions at the site of injection. See, e.g., Mumford, 1987, Equine Infectious Disease IV, 207-217, and Mumford, et al., 1993, Vaccine 11, 1172-1174. Furthermore, current modalities cannot be used in young foals, because they cannot overcome maternal immunity, and can induce tolerance in a younger animal. Based on the severity of disease, there remains a need for safe, effective therapeutic compositions to protect horses against equine influenza disease.
Production of therapeutic compositions comprising cold-adapted human influenza viruses is described, for example, in Maassab, et al., 1960, Nature 7,612-614, and Maassab, et al., 1969, J. Immunol 102, 728-732. Furthermore, these researchers noted that cold-adapted human influenza viruses, i.e., viruses that have been adapted to grow at lower than normal temperatures, tend to have a phenotype wherein the virus is temperature sensitive; that is, the virus does not grow well at certain higher, non-permissive temperatures at which the wild-type virus will grow and replicate. Various cold-adapted human influenza A viruses, produced by reassortment with existing cold-adapted human influenza A viruses, have been shown to elicit good immune responses in vaccinated individuals, and certain live attenuated cold-adapted reassortant human influenza A viruses have proven to protect humans against challenge with wild-type virus. See, e.g., Clements, et al., 1986, J. Clin. Microbiol. 23, 73-76. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,531, by Youngner, et al., issued Sep. 22, 1992, the inventors of the present invention further demonstrated that certain reassortant cold-adapted human influenza A viruses also possess a dominant interference phenotype, i.e., they inhibit the growth of their corresponding parental wild-type strain as well as heterologous influenza A viruses.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,137, by Coggins et al., issued Jul. 28, 1987, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,693,893, by Campbell, issued Sep. 15, 1987, disclose attenuated therapeutic compositions produced by reassortment of wild-type equine influenza viruses with attenuated, cold-adapted human influenza A viruses. Although these therapeutic compositions appear to be generally safe and effective in horses, they pose a significant danger of introducing into the environment a virus containing both human and equine influenza genes.

The University of Pittsburgh - of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education


A method of an embodiment of he invention is disclosed in which image data is bi-directionally color calibrated using one or more online color calibration tables. The image data, as has been bi-directionally color calibrated is output.

To increase the performance of inkjet printers, one pass bi-directional printing may be employed. This means that ink is ejected in both directions when the inkjet printheads are moving rom left to right across a swath of media, and also when they are moving from right to left across a swath of media. Bi-directional printing is distinguished from single-direction printing, in which ink is ejected when the inkjet printheads are moving from either left to right or from right to left across a media swath, and not in both directions. Using bi-directional printing can typically increase the performance of inkjet printers by roughly a factor or two.
For color printers, a color space conversion is usually performed on an image prior to its being printed. A color space is a mathematical model that is used to represent the colors of an image. By combining the corresponding constituent colors of a color space in different ways, any desired color can be represented. The typical color space for display purposes is red-green-blue (RGB), whereas a type of color space used for printing purposes is cyan-magenta-yellow (CMY), or cyan-magenta-yellow-black (CMYK). Depending on the color space being used, combining the constituent colors of the model produces different visual results.
Color space conversion, such as from an RGB color space to a CMY, CMYK, or other color space, typically employs a three-dimensional table, called a color map. For each unique combination of red, green, and blue values, the map provides corresponding values for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Once all the pixels of an image are converted from RGB to a given printer's resident color model, printing may occur.
To avoid visual artifacts, such as hue shift, when using bi-directional color inkjet printers, color space conversion can be performed for each direction in which the inkjet printheads travel over the media. For instance, there may be a first color map that translates , G, B values in the RGB color space to C, M, Y, K values in the CMYK color space that is used when the inkjet printheads travel from left to right over media swaths. There may also be a second color map that translates the same R, G, B values in the RGB color space to C, M, Y, K values in the CMYK color space that is used when the printheads travel from right to left over the media swaths.
Usually, such bi-directional color maps are constructed offline, under nominal conditions for a given color inkjet printer. These nominal conditions include a nominal printhead being used with ideal ink drop weights, ideal inks, particular types of target media, as well as standard operating temperature, humidity and other environmental factors. In real-world applications, however, the conditions in which the printer is used may depart from the nominal conditions in which the bi-directional color maps were developed. This can affect the accuracy of the bi-directional color maps, affect printer output quality, and affect bi-directional printing robustness. For instance, some banding artifacts may become visible, mainly due to the color hue shift between the swaths printed by the printheads traveling from left to right and the swaths printed by the printheads traveling from right to left.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


To provide a device capable of providing input force by striking to an object while providing object movement that is not based on a mechanical structure.                Image signals from a data processing board 15 are supplied to a display 9. An image that is to be struck or another essential image is thus displayed on the display 9. The player uses an input device 2 in the form of a hammer to strike the object displayed on the display 9. An operating signal Ss is thus output from a vibration switch 22 in the input device 2. The operating signal Ss is supplied to the data processing board 15. Based on the operating signal Ss, the entire image on the display 9 is brightened for the prescribed time by the data processing board 15. At this time, the photodetector signals detected by a photodetector substrate 23 in the input device 2 are supplied to the processing board 15. Based on the photodetector signal, the processing board 15 specifies the position where the input device 2 has struck the display 9, and determines the impact between the struck object and the input device 2.

In the past, game devices referred to as "whacking games" have been constructed in such a way that something which is in the shape of a mole, for example, and which is to be struck (herein after referred to as "object") is mechanically moved up and down or back and forth according to a prescribed system through openings in the front of a case unit. The player strikes the object with a special hammer in a contest with other players over the strikes.
To determine the winner, the game device determines whether or not the strikes are successful under a fixed system. When a strike is judged to be successful, the game device awards a point, which is displayed to the player, and the player can thus compete with other players over these points.
The following problems occur in conventional "whacking" games, however, because the object appears mechanically.
(i) The special hammer is usually furnished with a buffer material to soften the impact of the strike, but the mechanical structure from which the object emerges must be durable because of the substantial force and vigor with which the object is struck. The design of the mechanical structure is thus limited. For example, mechanical parts with high strength must be used, or the front of the object must meet certain requirements, such as the need to be formed into a spherical shape with excellent performance in dispersing stress. This limits the shape of the object, adding to the cost of manufacturing this type of game device.
(ii) Because the object pops up and drops down by means of a mechanical structure, the movement of the object is limited to a reciprocating movement either up and down or backward and forward, making it difficult to achieve more diverse object movement.
An object of the present invention is thus to provide a device, or a peripheral structure thereof, that gives input by contact based on strikes or the like to an object while affording object movement that is not limited to a mechanical structure, and that executes prescribed image processing based on this input. Another object of the present invention is to provide a game device employing this input.

Image processing device, image processing method, input device used therin, game device and recording medium


A method and a signal evaluator determine a noise part in a signal mix of a reception signal of a CDMA receiver. An additional spread code with which the reception signal is despread is formed at the reception side in addition to the individual spread codes of the individual CDMA connections. The resulting reference signal is subsequently evaluated and the noise part is determined from the reference signal.

CDMA methods (CDMA stands for code division multiple access) are standard transmission methods in satellite and mobile radio telephone systems for the radio interface between a transmission means and a reception means. CDMA methods are thereby band spread methods (spread spectrum) wherein a narrow-band useful signal is spectrally spread by a usually whole-number factor using a spread code and receives a noise-like characteristic. For unintended receivers, the band-spread signal represents additional noise that is additively overlaid on the useful signals from other transmission equipment. However, an intentional disturbance of the band-spread signal can also be opposed.
In standard CDMA receivers, the reception signal is despread or, respectively correlated with the spread code of the transmission means. A narrow-band jammer is spectrally spread by the despreading, so that its interfering effect is reduced by low-pass filtering.
The broadband transmission via the radio interface enables the reception means to resolve significantly more multi-path paths than would be possible given a narrow-band transmission. The transmission ensues at the same time for a plurality of connections and with the same carrier frequency. In a mobile radio telephone network, thus, a plurality of base stations can simultaneously maintain connections to a mobile station. Further improvements in the quality of the connection can thus be achieved.
This complexity of the reception conditions at the reception station with, usually, a plurality of propagation paths, with disturbances between the individual, transmitted symbols and with interference of further connections of the same carrier frequency, as well as noise disturbances, makes the separate interpretation of the parts for the useful signal and for the noise signals more difficult.
It is known to implement the measurement of the noise power using a reference channel. The reference channel is established either in a neighboring frequency band or, separated from the useful signals on the basis of time-division multiplex, in the same frequency band. However, only the thermal noise part of the disturbances can be identified with such a method, so that only an imprecise determination of the noise part is achieved for the CDMA method.

Method and signal evaluation means for determining the noise part in the signal mix of the reception signal of a CDMA reception means


Techniques for manipulation of a recursive neural network using random access memory are disclosed. Neural network descriptor information and weight matrices are stored in a semiconductor random access memory device which includes neural network processing logic. The network descriptor information and weight matrices comprise a trained neural network functionality. An input matrix is obtained for processing on the memory device. The trained neural network functionality is executed on the input matrix, which includes processing data for a first layer from the neural network descriptor information to set up the processing logic; manipulating the input matrix using the processing logic and at least one of the weight matrices; caching results of the manipulating in a storage location of the memory device; and processing recursively the results that were cached through the processing logic. Additional data for additional layers is processed until the neural network functionality is complete.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) impacts our world in many ways. AI assistants like Siri interact with humans. Robotic vacuums identify obstacles and remember the most efficient paths for cleaning. The automotive industry uses AI-driven predictive capabilities and safety features. AI systems help doctors analyze MRIs and tissue samples to make more accurate diagnoses and to propose treatments. The financial sector uses AI to scan market data and propose stocks for portfolios. Banks use it to detect fraud. Social media and e-commerce companies use AI to personalize experiences for users. Marketers use AI-powered tools to develop customer profiles and create powerful content.
AI is a branch of computer science that focuses on building smart machines that perform tasks which require human intelligence. The machines learn from experience and adjust to new inputs. AI computer systems are powered by machine learning. Some use deep learning and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). An ANN is a system of hardware and software patterned after the human brain. It involves a large number of processors operating in parallel and arranged in layers. The first layer receives raw data, like a human optical nerve. Each subsequent layer receives output data from the previous layer at network nodes. The layers and nodes are highly interconnected using links like synapses. Each node has an area of knowledge including its experience, rules it was originally programmed with, and any rules it developed for itself. These processing nodes receive, create, store, and transfer data, like human neurons transfer signals, until the last layer produces a system output. ANNs are adaptive because they modify themselves as they learn from initial training and then additional runs provide more information. Whereas a computer is given step by step procedure to perform a task, an ANN is taught to do the task.
During the training phase, an ANN receives training data into the first layer of the network. Individual neurons assign a weight to the input based on the task being performed. Each layer, each node, weights inputs until the total of those weightings produces a final output. Then the training algorithm replies "right" or "wrong." When it's wrong, the ANN adjusts its weights and goes through the process again. The ANN reiteratively continues perfecting its weights until it receives the "right" answer almost every time. A properly weighted network is a massive database. After the ANN has been trained, it's applied to a specific implementation for inference. During this process, the ANN is modified to more quickly apply its learning to data it's never seen.

Recursive neural network using random access memory


A data line defect avoidance structure for a display device having an array of display elements arranged in rows and columns includes a plurality of repair lines overlapping the ends of data lines which extend between the columns. Each repair line spans a set of data lines, and there is a sufficient number of repair lines to span all the data lines in the array. One end of each repair line can be welded to a data line during fabrication to decrease the number of steps required for avoiding an open in a data line.

This invention relates generally to display devices and particularly to a data line defect avoidance structure for display devices, for example liquid crystal displays.
Liquid crystal television and computer displays are known in the art. A simplified prior art liquid crystal display is shown in FIG. 1. The display includes an array of liquid crystal display elements 11 arranged in rows and columns. Each display element is associated with a switching device 12, such as a thin film transistor (TFT). The gate of each TFT 12 is connected to a select line 13 whereby a complete row of TFT's is simultaneously biased on by each select line 13. The select lines 13 are electrically connected to the output terminals 17 of a select line scanner 21, which provides the biasing voltages to the select lines. Data lines 14-1 through 14-N extend between the columns of display elements 11. The display elements 11 are connected to the data lines 14 by the conduction paths of the TFT's 12. The individual data lines 14 are connected to output terminals 15 of it data line scanner 16. The data lines 14 individually apply brightness voltages to the respective columns of display elements.
Liquid crystal displays for television and computer monitors have a large number of columns of display elements, for example 1,440. A data line 14 and a data line scanner stage are needed for every column of display elements. Accordingly, 1,440 data lines, and 1,440 data line scanner stages are required for the display. Each line is only microns wide and every scanner stage includes a number of solid state devices. For these reasons, the probability that one, or more, scanner stages includes a defective solid state device, or that one, or more, data lines includes an open circuit is very high. A faulty scanner stage is a serious defect because the result is a permanent visible line extending the full length of a column. An open in a data line, such as 18 shown in FIG. 1, is also a serious defect. Display elements which are located on the data line scanner 16 side of an open will receive the proper brightness voltages and operate in the normal fashion. However, display elements which are located on the other side of an open will not receive brightness voltages and therefore these display elements will appear as a permanent visible line in the display. Such visible lines are unacceptable for television and computer monitor uses.
The open data line problem has been addressed in tile prior art by providing a single repair line 19 immediately outside of the display area. Repair line 19 passes over, but is insulated from, the ends of data lines 14-1 through 14-N. The permanent visible line result of an open 18 is avoided by using repair line 19 to connect the open data line to a fully conductive unopen data line. For example, data line 14-3, which includes open 18, and either unbroken data line 14-2 or 14-1 can be welded to repair line 19, preferably using laser welding. Connecting non-adjacent data lines can be preferable because it prevents adjacent data lines from getting the same brightness signal, thereby resulting in a less noticeable defect. Also, repair line 19 is opened on both sides of the two data lines which have been connected together. The opening of repair line 19 is needed to isolate the connected data lines from the remainder of repair line 19 in order to make the remainder of the repair line available for use with other open data lines. The opening of repair line 19 also decreases the parasitic capacitance of the repair line. After the welding and cutting are complete, the display elements which are located on the data line scanner side of defect 18 continue to receive the proper brightness voltages. The display elements which are located on the other side of defect 18 will receive the same brightness voltages as the data line to which they have been connected, data line 14-2 in the example given. Such display elements are thus turned on and off along with the other display elements in the selected row, although they receive the wrong brightness voltages. However, the improper brightness of a portion of one column is a much less noticeable defect than a permanently visible line. The prior art technique is disadvantageous because the avoidance of every data line defect 18 requires two welding and two cutting steps and therefore is time consuming and costly. The prior art technique is also disadvantageous because the effects of defective data line scanner stages can not be avoided using the technique. For this reason there is a need for a data line defect avoidance structure which substantially decreases the number of repair steps needed to avoid the adverse effects of an open data line and which permits the avoidance of the adverse effects of failed data line scanner stages. The present invention fulfills these needs.


A method of passivating a semiconductor substrate includes singulating (13) a semiconductor substrate (23) from a semiconductor wafer, coupling (14) a heatsink (21) to the semiconductor substrate (23), etching (15) the semiconductor substrate (23) in a chamber of an etch tool, and passivating (17) the semiconductor substrate (23) with an oxide layer (31). The semiconductor substrate (23) is kept in the chamber of the etch tool from the etching (15) step through the passivating (17) step. The etching (15) of the semiconductor substrate (23) does not substantially etch the heatsink (21), and the passivating (17) of the semiconductor substrate (23) does not substantially passivate the heatsink (21).

This invention relates, in general, to semiconductors, and more particularly, to passivating semiconductor substrates.
Diodes used in high power or high voltage applications are often manufactured with an open junction. The diode is fabricated in a semiconductor substrate where the p-n junction of the diode is open or is exposed along a surface of the semiconductor substrate. Accordingly, the diode is known in the art as an open junction diode.
Individual open junction diodes are singulated from a semiconductor wafer by a conventional sawing or mechanical dicing technique. Afterwards, the open junction diodes are subjected to a wet caustic chemical etch to remove the structural damage created by the mechanical singulation process. Then, the open junction diodes are assembled and packaged. However, the open junction diodes are often damaged by physical handling or contaminated by particulates or humidity after the caustic chemical etch and before the packaging process because the junctions of the diodes are open or exposed to ambient environment that may contain contaminants.
Accordingly, a need exists for a method of passivating an open junction diode or any semiconductor substrate. The method should be cost-effective, simple, and compatible with existing semiconductor process flows.

Method of passivating a semiconductor substrate


A power factor correction circuit, usable with, for example, a switching power supply of a discharge lamp. The power factor correction circuit includes a shaping system that shapes an input current of a power line during a predetermined period proximate a zero line crossing point of the input current; and a minimizing system that minimizes a pulsating of the input current.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to single phase AC to DC converters with power factor correction (so that the power factor of the input current is at a power factor in excess of that of an otherwise comparable low-power-factor converter design), used, for example, in switching mode power supplies employed with discharge lamps (electronic ballast).
2. Description of the Prior Art
The demand for and development of power factor correction (PFC) circuits has been fueled by a concern over the massive use of electronic power converters, such as, for example, AC-DC-DC and AC-DC-AC power converters employed in electronics ballasts, and the resulting potential for electrical contamination of AC power lines. Because of cost considerations, it is usually desirable to employ a simple PFC circuit and increase the efficiency of the whole system.
PFC circuits are classified into two groups. A first group is defined as active PFC circuits. A second group is defined as passive PFC circuits. Boost-type active PFC circuits are popular due to the efficiency of such a PFC circuit. However, the efficiency of active PFC circuits is still lower than the efficiency of passive PFC circuits, due to, for example, active power switching circuits associated with the active PFC circuits. Further, the control of an active PFC circuit is complex (as compared to passive PFC circuits), resulting in increased manufacturing costs and reduced reliability of the circuit. Since passive PFC circuits do not employ active control circuitry, the manufacturing cost is low and the operating efficiency of the circuit is high (in comparison with active PFC circuits). However, passive PFC circuits exhibit higher levels of total harmonic distortion (THD) of the input current, as compared to active PFC circuits, and the power factor (PF) of passive PFC circuits is not as high as with active PFC circuits.
With respect to passive PFC circuits, valley-fill circuits provide better performance than other passive type PFC circuits, while being low in manufacturing cost. However, such circuits have their own unique problems. A conventional valley-fill circuit typically comprises two electrolytic capacitors C1 and C2, and three rectifying diodes D1, D2 and D3, as shown in FIG. 1.
Around the line peak, capacitors C1 and C2 are charged in series through diode D3 to half of the peak power line voltage. As long as the power line voltage remains above the voltage of each capacitor, the power line directly supplies power to the load. When the power line voltage falls below the voltage of each capacitor (e.g., the voltage falls to a valley voltage), bridge rectifier BR is back-biased, and diodes D1 and D2 become conductive, resulting in capacitors C1 and C2 feeding the load in parallel. Thus, the voltage supplied to the load follows the rectified power line voltage for about 120 degrees of the electrical waveform around the peak and follows the capacitors' voltage for about 60 degrees near the zero line crossing points.
A pulsating line current charges the capacitors near the peak power line voltage, resulting in a deteriorated PF (of about 0.95) and a high THD (e.g., about 40%), as shown in FIG. 2A. The output of the valley fill circuit exhibits a large ripple from the half of the power line peak voltage to the power line peak voltage, with the ripple frequency being equal to twice the line frequency, as shown in FIG. 2B.
In the valley fill circuit, the power line directly feeds energy (e.g., electrical energy) to the load through the rectifier diodes for approximately 120 degrees around the peak voltage. As noted above, capacitors C1 and C2 feed energy to the load through diodes D1 and D2 for approximately 60 degrees near (proximate) the zero line crossing points. Most of the input energy is directly fed to the load, with a small portion of the input energy being first fed to capacitors C1 and C2, and then fed to the load through capacitors C1 and C2. As a result, such a circuit offers a relatively high operating efficiency.
A great deal of time and effort has been spent in attempts to improve the PFC performance of valley-fill circuits. This work has been directed to shaping the input current during the approximate 60 degree dead time near the zero line crossing points, and to limiting the pulsating line current that charges the capacitors near the peak line voltage.
A paper entitled "A Unity Power Factor Electronic Ballast for Fluorescent Lamp Having Improved Valley Fill and Valley Boost Converter" from Conference Record PESC'97, describes the use of an active boost circuit to shape the input current during the approximate 60 degree dead time near the zero line crossing points, as shown in FIG. 3. Because a boost switch still suffers the peak input voltage and the switch only works during the 60 degree dead time, as shown in FIG. 4, a complex control method is required. In addition, the complexity of the circuit increases the total manufacturing cost.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,764,496 illustrated in FIG. 5, discloses the use of a high frequency output voltage or current of an inverter to drive a charge pump circuit Z. As shown in FIG. 5, the charge pump circuit shapes the input current during the approximate 60 degree dead time and charges two electrolytic capacitors C1 and C2. The two electrolytic capacitors C1 and C2 are not directly charged from the power line, so as to avoid the pulsating line current. However, because the charge pump is driven by the inverter and the charge pump works full time, the active switches are exposed to extra current and/or voltage stresses.
Japanese Patent HEI 8-205520, illustrated in FIG. 6, describes the load current of a PFC converter as being discontinuous, and discloses that the insertion of a suitable inductor L1 in the input power line avoids (prevents) pulsating of the power line current. Because an instantaneous line voltage is higher than the voltage of each DC bulk capacitor C1 and C2, while being less than the sum of the voltages of the two capacitors, the inserted inductor provides a boost function to boost the sum of the voltage of the two capacitors. However, this disclosure fails to solve the above-described problem that exists at the input current during the approximate 60 degree dead time near the zero line crossing points.

Power factor correction circuit for a power supply

Matsushita Electric Works R&D Laboratory, Inc.