The demercaptanizaiton of petroleum distillates can be carried out by sorption of the mercaptan with activated carbon and oxidation of the sorbed mercaptan to disulfide at between approximately 20xc2x0 C. to 55xc2x0 C. The activated carbon used in the process is commercially readily available. Its surface area typically ranges from between approximately 500 to 1500 m2/g and has substantial percentage of the pores in the 10 to 100 Angstrom range.

The invention relates to a novel process for the removal of mercaptan sulfur from petroleum distillates by sorption, or simultaneous sorption and oxidation, over activated carbon, and may be used in petroleum refining for the demercaptanization of gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fractions.
Petroleum distillates such as gasoline, naphtha, jet fuel, kerosene, diesel fuel, or fuel oil containing mercaptans are commonly referred to as xe2x80x9csourxe2x80x9d and usually are not satisfactory for their intended use. Mercaptans are corrosive and have a highly offensive odor even In minute concentrations.
Mercaptan removal processes can be broadly classified as (i) those involving extraction using an aqueous alkaline solution (usually sodium hydroxide) followed by regeneration of the spent alkaline solution by oxidation of the sodium mercaptides to non-corrosive disulfides, generally in the presence of a catalyst, (ii) and those involving direct catalytic oxidation of the mercaptan to disulfide in the distillate medium itself.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,998,863 discloses a method of non-catalytic regeneration of the spent caustic (used to extract the mercaptans) by elevated temperatures air oxidation. An undesirable side reaction involving hydrolysis of higher mercaptides occurs causing them to be released with the air stream as mercaptans. U.S. Pat. No. 2,324,927 attempts to overcome this disadvantage by separating the distillate into a low boiling and a high boiling fraction and then treating them separately. However, the resultant process scheme appears highly complicated and costly.
More recent patents on mercaptan removal teach the use of a catalyst to speed up the oxidation and possibly lower the required oxidation temperature. The Merox process (Assalin, G. F. and D. H. Starmont, Oil and Gas Joumal, 63, pp. 90-93, 1965) uses an iron metal chelate catalyst in an alkaline medium to oxidize mercaptans to disulfides. Oxidation is performed either in the presence of the distillate when sweetening (a process of removing essentially all mercaptan sulfur) only is desired, or in the caustic phase after it has been separated from the distillate when mercaptan extraction is practiced. The catalyst is either in solution in aqueous alkali, or it may be deposited on a solid support in such a manner that it is not soluble in the alkali solution. The disadvantage of the Merox process is in the use of an expensive catalyst involving a chelate and possible contamination of the distillate with the catalyst.
Other patents teach the use of even more exotic and expensive catalysts, such as phthalocyanine catalyst (U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,022), fabric/felt/rope shaped carbon with deposits of Cu, Fe, Ni or Co (U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,415), metal chelate on basic anion exchange resin (U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,305), metal complex of benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,551) and metal porphyrin or metal azoporphyrin (U.S. Pat. No. 2,966,453). Many of these catalysts provide high activity but are rapidly deactivated in practice.
Use of these exotic, expensive catalysts present the undesirable potential of degrading the distillate quality. Thus an object of this invention is to provide a process based on simple rugged sorbent catalysts (or catalyst impregnated sorbents) that eliminate the potential for distillate degradation, while providing high efficiency for mercaptan removal without deactivation of the catalyst.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a process for demercaptanization of mercaptan containing distillates by means of sorption or sorption and oxidation with oxygen or air on commercially available activated carbon (or catalyst impregnated carbon at low temperature (approximately  less than 50xc2x0 C.). An aqueous alkaline extraxtion step is not used, thus eliminating the use of corrosive sodium hydroxide. The process concept involves the use of high surface area (between approximately 500 to 1500 m2/g) activated carbons that are inexpensive and commercially available in bulk quantities. Preferably, the pores in the carbon should be, but are not limited to, the 10 to 100 Angstrom range. The high surface area and wide pores allows the selective retention of mercaptans in the fine porous structure of the carbon. The carbon also adsorbs a portion of the distillate; however, the catalysts of the present invention exhibit high mercaptan selectivity. As the mercaptan enters the pores, oxygen from air or some other source, also enters the pores. When the mercaptans adsorb on the surface within the pore, oxygen then attacks it to convert it to disulfide, which is highly soluble in oil within the pore. Thus, a concentration gradient allowing influx of the mercaptan into the pores and outflux of the disulfides carried out with the distillate occurs, resulting in a sweet distillate product.
One embodiment of the present invention involves a fixed-bed of granular or pelletized activated carbon such as F-400 or BPL from Calgon (Pittsburgh, Pa.). The sour distillate is trickled down through the bed and air is sparged from the bottom in the form of fine bubbles. The bed is maintained at low pressures (typically normal atmospheric) and between approximately 20xc2x0 C. to 55xc2x0 C. The sweet distillate will be removed from the bottom. The air stream containing traces of volatile compounds is cleaned by contacting with the sweet distillate. The clean air pressure is slightly boosted above bed pressure and then recycled to the bottom of the fixed bed.
While the following non-limiting examples utilize jet fuel as the source of mercaptan containing distillate, the present invention can be applied to other distillates such as, but not limited to, gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, diesel, and fuel oil. Also, although a fixed-bed is used in one embodiment, moving-beds, fluidized-beds, stirred tanks and other gas-liquid-solid contact configurations can also be used.
The following non-limiting examples will provide the reader, and persons of ordinary skill in the art, a better appreciation and understanding of the present invention.

Process for the demercaptanization of petroleum distillates


A self-powered powerline sensor includes a core layer for wrapping about an a.c. powerline; a winding layer, including of a plurality of windings to be energized by the a.c. powerline, disposed about the core layer; means for sensing a condition in or about the a.c. powerline; and means, powered by the windings, in communication with the means for sensing, for transmitting a signal representative of the sensed condition over the a.c. powerline.

Monitoring a.c. powerlines, in both overhead and underground and primary and secondary applications, is useful to electric utility companies in order to anticipate outages which occur due to faulty equipment and overloads on a.c. powerlines and which result in loss of service for potentially a large number of end customers. The potential for an outage and for the loss of the greatest number of customers is increased during peak periods when power usage is at a maximum and delivery of continuous power is most critical. Outages caused by faulty and overloaded lines are expensive to repair, costly to the electric utility company in terms of dollars lost for lost service and in terms of damage to the utilities reputation and can be dangerous for utility company employees.
The effects of an unexpected outage as a result of a faulty or overloaded powerline are exacerbated if the powerline is underground. Replacing a damaged underground line requires more man hours and increased safety precautions due to the fact that the majority of work required occurs underground in cramped, sometimes wet, and always less than ideal conditions. As a result, repairing such a damaged underground line is even more costly, time consuming and dangerous.
Thus, a.c. powerline sensors which sense electrical conditions, such as power, voltage and current are very useful to electric utility companies in monitoring a.c. powerlines in order to better anticipate the likelihood of an unexpected outage occurring due to faulty and overloaded lines. If the electric utility companies are able to monitor the conditions on the powerlines, they are better able to perform maintenance on and replacement of powerlines which are likely to become deenergized as a result of an overload or fault, thereby lowering the number of unexpected outages. By replacing and maintaining such equipment the utility company can significantly decrease outage time to the end customer. The costs associated with repair or replacement of damaged cables will also be decreased. The cost of replacing or repairing damaged cables may be significantly greater in comparison to normal scheduled maintenance or replacement because of the overtime pay involved.
However, conventional commercial powerline sensors typically require an invasive electrical connection to the power circuit that is being monitored. This type of installation is expensive for the utility company, potentially dangerous for the installer and can cause a service interruption for the end user. Due to these limitations, powerline sensors have not been widely used in the electric utility industry.


A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a non-volatile memory built into the semiconductor integrated circuit, the non-volatile memory electrically writing and erasing data and including a memory cell, the memory cell including: a selecting transistor controlled by a word line; an impurity diffused region formed inside a semiconductor substrate, the impurity diffused region being coupled to one of a source and a drain of the selecting transistor; a first electrode formed above the semiconductor substrate with an insulating film therebetween, the first electrode receiving a control signal and part of the first electrode having an opening; a second electrode formed above the first electrode so as to oppose the first electrode with an insulating film therebetween, the second electrode having a protrusion which opposes the impurity diffused region with a tunnel film therebetween and projects toward the semiconductor substrate through the opening of the first electrode, and storing information based on an applied voltage; and a sensing transistor operating based on charges accumulated in the second electrode, so as to sense the information stored in the memory cell.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-153961, filed Jun. 12, 2008 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit that has a built-in non-volatile memory in which data is electrically writable and erasable.
2. Related Art
Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM) devices are widely used as non-volatile memory devices which allow repeated erasing and writing-in of data. Types of EPROM include Ultra-Violet Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (UV-EPROM) and Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM). Memory content of UV-EPROM is erased by ultraviolet light while the memory content of EEPROM is erased electrically. EEPROM is convenient to use due to the above property. However, there is a problem that the physical size of the memory device increases in order to store a large amount of data. Therefore, it is required to reduce the size of the EEPROM memory cell. At the same time, it is required to simplify the manufacturing process of semiconductor integrated circuits with a built-in EEPROM.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are drawings illustrating a structure of an EEPROM memory cell in a semiconductor integrated circuit according to related art. FIG. 6A is a plan view and FIG. 6B is a sectional view of FIG. 6A taken along the line VI-VI. Illustration of an interlayer insulating film is omitted in FIGS. 6A and 6B in order to indicate a positional relationship of conductors.
As shown in FIG. 6B, a p-type semiconductor substrate 110 includes thermal oxide films 111a and 111b, lightly doped n-type impurity diffused region 112, and n-type impurity diffused regions 113a, 113b, 114a, and 114b. Here, the impurity diffused regions 113a and 113b respectively constitute a source/drain of an n-channel MOS transistor Q11 (sensing transistor), and the impurity diffused regions 114a and 114b respectively constitute a source/drain of an n-channel MOS transistor Q12 (selecting transistor).
An upper electrode 132 and a floating gate electrode 131 as a polysilicon underlayer are formed over the semiconductor substrate 110, respectively separated by a gate insulating film 121 and by a tunnel film 122. The upper electrode 132, the tunnel film 122 and the impurity diffused region 112 constitute a capacitor CA. A gate electrode 141 (word line WL) made of a polysilicon layer is formed over the semiconductor substrate 110 with a gate insulating film 123 interposed therebetween.
As shown in FIG. 6A, a lightly doped n-type impurity diffused region 115 is formed in the semiconductor substrate 110. An upper electrode 133 as a polysilicon underlayer is formed over the semiconductor substrate 110 with the interlayer insulating film interposed therebetween. The upper electrode 133, the interlayer insulating film, and the impurity diffused region 115 constitute a capacitor CB.
Moreover, n-type impurity diffused regions 116a and 116b are formed in the semiconductor substrate 110. The n-type impurity diffused region 116a is coupled to the impurity diffused region 115. Here, the impurity diffused regions 116a and 116b respectively constitute a source/drain of an n-channel MOS transistor Q13 (selecting transistor). A word line 141 constitutes a gate electrode of the MOS transistor Q13.
Moreover, wirings 151, 152, and 153 made of an aluminum wiring layer are formed over the semiconductor substrate 110, separated by the interlayer insulating film. The wirings 151, 152, and 153 are respectively electrically coupled to the impurity diffused regions 113a, 114b, and 116b.
In this structure, the capacitors CB and CA are coupled in series between the source/drain of the transistor Q13 (impurity diffused region 116a) and the source/drain of the transistor Q12 (impurity diffused region 114a), and a connection point between the capacitors CB and CA (upper electrodes 132 and 133) is coupled to the floating gate electrode 131 of the transistor Q11.
Applying a high-level selection signal and a prescribed control voltage respectively to the word line 141 and to the serial connection of the capacitors CB and CA via transistors Q13 and Q12 causes the Fowler-Nordheim (FN) tunneling current to flow through the tunnel film 122, and one of positive and negative charges are accumulated in the upper electrodes 132 and 133. Consequently, information is stored in the memory cell. This information is sensed when the transistor Q11 is fixed to one of an on-state and an off-state. This transistor Q11 includes the floating gate electrode 131 coupled to the upper electrodes 132 and 133.
However, in this structure shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the memory cell size increases since the capacitors CA and CB are arranged in a planar configuration. Moreover, the process of forming the gate insulating film 121 and the tunnel film 122 needs to be handled separately from the process of forming the gate insulating film 123, thereby complicating the manufacturing process of the semiconductor integrated circuit that includes a built-in EEPROM.
As an example of related art, JP-A-2000-12709 discloses a non-volatile semiconductor memory which operates with reduced voltages for writing-in and erasing. This non-volatile semiconductor memory includes a trench in a semiconductor substrate, and has a higher coupling ratio realized by an expanded area in which the floating gate electrode opposes the control gate electrode. In this non-volatile semiconductor memory, the trench has two different widths. In a narrow trench region, an insulating layer is entirely buried into the trench, and in a wide trench region, the insulating layer is buried inside the trench in a concaved shape. The floating gate electrode is formed on a channel region of an active region with a gate insulating film therebetween, as well as inside the concave of the insulating layer. The control gate electrode is formed on the floating gate electrode across the inside and outside of the concave. However, forming the trench inside the semiconductor substrate complicates the manufacturing process of the non-volatile semiconductor memory.
As another example of related art, JP-A-2002-246485 discloses a non-volatile semiconductor storage device which improves a coupling ratio of a floating gate electrode and a control gate electrode. This non-volatile semiconductor storage device includes: a semiconductor substrate with a main surface; a floating gate electrode including a first conductive film formed on the main surface with a tunnel insulating film therebetween, and a second conductive film deposited on the first conductive film, the second conductive film having a convex (wall); an insulating film formed covering the second conductive film; and a control gate electrode formed on the insulating film. However, forming the floating gate electrode with two conductive films complicates the manufacturing process of the non-volatile semiconductor storage device.


A system for remontaging EEG signals includes acquiring a first set of bipolar signals in a first montage defined by the locations of electrodes on a patient, synthesizing a second set of bipolar signals corresponding to a second montage defined by the electrode locations, and displaying, printing, or recording the second set of signals. Preferably, the first set of bipolar signals is converted to a set of monopolar signals, from which bipolar signals corresponding to any desired montage defined by the electrode location may be synthesized. This system permits remontaging of signals without the drawbacks of existing remontaging systems, which use monopolar signal acquisition.

Two basic techniques have been used for recording and displaying EEG signals. Such signals are obtained from electrodes coupled to the head of a patient being monitored. Electrodes are located on a patient and signals are obtained from the electrodes in a pattern known as a "montage". In the first method, "bipolar" recording, differential signals are obtained from and recorded between pairs of electrodes which are generally adjacent, and each electrode may be used in more than one such differential measurement. Bipolar signals are typically acquired in a chain-like array, with differential signals being obtained between first and second electrodes, second and third electrodes, third and fourth electrodes, and so forth. In the second method, "monopolar" or "referential" recording, one of the electrodes is used as a reference electrode for all signals, and signals are obtained and recorded from each of the other electrodes with respect to the reference electrode.
Bipolar recording has the advantage of providing relatively high quality signals, since the signal between adjacent electrodes has a relatively small spurious noise signal component and the differential signal obtained is in principle unaffected by common mode signals. However, in the past a bipolar signal could be displayed only for the electrode montage in which it was acquired and recorded.
Monopolar recording has provided the ability to "remontage" the recorded signals, i.e. to compute and display EEG signals corresponding to any bipolar montage which may be defined by the locations of the electrodes, to simulate the signals which would have been recorded if bipolar signals were obtained from the electrodes. The monopolar method has several disadvantages. First, the monopolar recording is entirely dependent on the integrity of the reference electrode. This is particularly troublesome in unattended ambulatory monitoring, where patient movement increases the likelihood that an electrode may become detached, and an entire recording session may be compromised by loss of electrode integrity. Second, monopolar signals include relatively high common-mode signals. This necessitates expensive, high-precision amplifiers to obtain signals which are suitable for remontaging, and such amplifiers tend to be high powered devices which limits their use in battery-operated recording such as ambulatory monitoring. The high common-mode signal components also substantially impact other aspects of the signal processing required. While 8 bit digitization is generally acceptable in bipolar recording, even 12 bits may not provide sufficient dynamic range to properly record a monopolar signal during a seizure. If an EEG signal hits a power supply rail and is clipped, a remontaged signal will not be valid. The extra dynamic signal range of monopolar recording requires more expensive and precise electronics, greater speed, and greater recording capacity for a given monitoring period. Third, monopolar acquisition and recording substantially impedes analysis of EEG signals. Raw monopolar signals cannot be directly read by an electroencephalographer, particularly during a seizure when all channels contain what appears to be significant generalized activity. Moreover, existing algorithms for automatic detection of seizures and other events do not work with monopolar signals. Thus, to enable automatic event detection in monopolar recording, either such algorithms must be rewritten or the monopolar signals must be converted "on the fly" to bipolar signals prior to applying a conventional algorithm.

Electroencephalographic signal acquisition and processing system


The trusted computer network is protected behind a gateway that includes a bastion host and screening router which blocks all URLs associated with the trusted network. The bastion host includes a remote client authentication mechanism and web proxy component that verifies and translates incoming URL requests from authenticated remote clients. Authentication is performed using one-time passwords that are stored on a portable storage device. The user configures the portable storage device by operating configuration software from the protected side of the gateway. The portable storage device also stores plug-in software to enable the client computer to properly retrieve the one-time password and exchange authentication messages with the bastion host. Further security is obtained by basing the one-time password on an encrypted version of the user's PIN. A symmetric key used to encrypt the PIN is stored in a protected area within the portable storage device.

The present invention relates generally to computer network security systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a security system that allows secure access by a remote authenticated user via a remote client that utilizes a portable storage device containing user-generated one-time passwords.
With the proliferation of computer network-propagated viruses and worms, and with the increasing frequency at which computer networks are being broken into, there is considerable interest today in computer security. Sophisticated network administrators construct secure firewalls to prevent such attacks. Less sophisticated system administrators, including most home network computer users, employ security measures that are far less robust. At present, many home computer networks are simply unprotected. Computer network security is a complex issue, and many home network users simply do not have the skill or training to ensure that their networks are free from attack.
The present invention provides a network security solution that is both highly secure and easy to use. The invention is thus ideal for home network security applications, where the network "administrator" may not necessarily have a great deal of training or experience in security issues.
The invention employs a portable storage device that maintains a set of one-time passwords. Using system software from a secure vantage point within the home network, the user generates a set of one-time passwords that are stored on the portable storage device. The portable storage device may then be installed in or connected to any remote client computer, giving that remote client computer the ability to establish and authenticate a secure connection with the home network. Each password is used only once, and session management software within the home network has the ability to limit a session to a predetermined length of time (e.g., 30 minutes). Although communication between home network and remote client is preferably over a secure channel, communication of the one-time password over this channel is further protected by using an encrypted version of the user's PIN number. The PIN number is encrypted at the remote client using a plug-in module that accesses a protected area within the portable storage device to retrieve the key used for this encryption.
The preferred embodiment takes the form of a home gateway that includes a firewall which functions as a screening router. The screening router screens out all requests to access content on the home network. All URLs associated with the home network are unreachable directly from the outside, and are thus maintained as protected URLs. The remote client, even after authentication, cannot issue URLs for the home network directly. Rather, upon authentication, a web proxy system is employed to communicate with the home network on behalf of the authenticated remote client. The proxy system works in conjunction with URL modification and URL verification processes. The URL verification process verifies the authenticity of the client, while the URL modification process gives the web proxy system the correct reference for the trusted domain resource. The URL modification process is unique for each authenticated client and for each authenticated session. Thus URLs that have been modified for a given authenticated client and for a given session cannot be re-used by other clients, or even for the same client during a later session.
In the preferred embodiment the authentication function is performed by a bastion host system forming part of the home gateway. The bastion host has software to perform the remote key authentication process by which the remote client authenticates itself using the one-time password obtained from the portable storage device. The bastion host also performs the URL verification and modification functions mentioned above.
The invention thus affords a high level of security in an easy-to-administer package. Everything a user needs to gain access to the home network from a remote client computer (except for knowledge of the user's personal identification number) is stored on the portable storage device. In a presently preferred embodiment the storage device also includes suitable browser plug-in software that supplies a remote client computer's browser with the capability of performing the authentication process, including the process of accessing and using the appropriate one-time password.
Unlike other security systems that rely on a trusted third party source for key distribution, the invention allows the user to create his or her own keys by operating configuration software at the trusted home network site. The user thus configures the portable storage device, supplying it with a set of one-time passwords using the configuration software.
The configuration software also installs a corresponding set of authentication codes in a secure database associated with the gateway. In this way, both the gateway and the portable storage device are provided with the corresponding keys needed to perform authentication. This solves the problem of how to securely distribute keys to a remote client, so that the remote client can then gain access to the home network.
For a more complete understanding of the invention, its objects and advantages, refer to the following specification and to the accompanying drawings.

Computer network security system employing portable storage device

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A communication subsystem used in an aircraft entertainment system employs a microcontroller and a dual-ported RAM to relieve burden from the host processor in handling low-level operations in communicating with external devices. The host processor and the microcontroller accesses the dual-ported RAM by testing the semaphore to determine if the DPRAM is available. If available, the processor and/or the microcontroller will read/write the messages from/to the DPRAM as appropriate. The microcontroller controls the communication interface controllers directly and will send messages read from the DPRAM to the CICs or write to the DPRAM messages received from the CICs without host processor's intervention. The microcontroller also performs other low-level operations such as header/trailer processing and error checking/correcting free from the host processor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to architecture of a communication subsystem used in In-Flight Entertainment Systems on aircraft. In particular, the invention relates to the use of a dual-ported RAM and a microcontroller to streamline the communication activities between peripheral subsystems and a host processor.
2. Description of Related Art
In-Flight Entertainment Systems (IFES) are now becoming popular on commercial aircraft. A typical new IFES may offer a variety of services including music, news, movies, video on demand, telephone, and games to passengers right at the passengers' seats with the convenience of individualized control. A timetable is generally provided from which a passenger may choose options when he or she requests services. Such a system involves a large number of interconnections to various peripheral subsystems. The communication between these subsystems and the main processor (or the host processor) can be quite complex. A host processor, referred to as a System Control Unit (SCU), communicates with a large number of external Line Replacement Units (LRUs) for various operational and control functions, as overhead display, video and audio control. In addition to maintaining and managing a large communication load, the host processor also has to perform its own tasks. The communication problem is even more severe when the host processor is required to process error information and/or other ancillary data as part of the communication messages.
To solve this problem, a system may employ either an interrupt or polling communication scheme. In an interrupt scheme, the peripheral subsystem generates a request signal to the host processor to interrupt the host and request service. This interrupt mechanism may be sufficient when the number of peripheral subsystems is small and the host has a relatively light workload. However, when there is a significant number of peripheral subsystems that need to communicate with the host and the host itself has to perform a large number of operations, the interrupt scheme is unsatisfactory. The host becomes overloaded with too many interrupt requests resulting in the situation that the host cannot timely respond to all requests, and/or acquire the time to perform other tasks.
In a polling scheme, the host determines whether a peripheral device needs service by checking certain status information that indicates whether a peripheral device requires service. By polling, the host is able to control when the status is checked and therefore when the service is performed. However, if the host does not check the status frequently enough, many requests may be pending concurrently thus creating a long waiting time. The problem is further compounded when the system includes a large number of devices requesting service as peripheral devices operate at slow data transfer rates.
In a typical prior art IFES architecture, the host processor interfaces to a group of Communication Interface Controllers (CICs) through the host bus. The Communication Interface Controller may be one of a variety of communication interfacing devices such as the Universal Asynchronous Receiver and Transmitter (UARTs). The CICs are connected to the corresponding external devices. If an interrupt mechanism is implemented, CICs generate interrupt signals which usually go to an interrupt controller. The interrupt controller resolves the priority and processes the interrupt requests to produce a host interrupt signal connected to the interrupt request of the host processor. The host processor and the external devices may exchange messages using an interrupt or polling mechanism. Both the interrupt and polling schemes operating in this manner have the following disadvantages:
1) The host spends too much time checking the status (for polling) or responding to interrupt service routines. When the number of external devices increases or the size of the messages is large, the host is busy communicating with these devices and does not have the time to perform its own tasks. PA1 2) The CIC itself can only either transmit or receive, not both simultaneously because the host can only read or write at any point in time. Therefore, when the host and the external device send messages to each other, there will be some delay or a buffering mechanism is needed to temporarily store the messages.
The above disadvantages result in degraded performance of the IFES. A passenger in a crowded aircraft, for example, may perceive slow responses to his or her requests. A video program may be interrupted frequently. An on-going game may be suspended.
It is therefore desirable to have a system to act as a communication handler which manages the communication load to relieve the burden from the host processor and at the same time can process the messages to and from the host in an efficient manner.

Efficient message processing using a multi-ported RAM and a dedicated microcontroller


A process is disclosed for discharging and transferring upwardly fluidized particles from a dense fluidizing layer forming section to a high-velocity transferring section having a diameter which is smaller than that of the dense fluidizing fluidized layer forming section, wherein at least one intermediate cylindrical section is provided between the dense fluidizing fluidized layer forming section and the high-velocity transferring section. The process can decrease the degree of changes in the amount of particles to be discharged from the dense fluidizing layer forming section and transferred by the riser, thereby proving a stable and uniform transfer of the fluidized particles.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process for discharging and transferring fluidized particles from a dense fluidizing layer forming section to a high-velocity transferring section having a diameter smaller than the dense fluidizing layer forming section.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventionally, fluidizing layers (beds) have been widely used in the treatments or chemical reactions of particles or gas. Fluidizing layers vary in form, and particularly fluidizing layers which circulate fluidized particles through the outer equipment have been applied to a reaction such as a petroleum catalytic cracking process which requires the continues regeneration of catalyst.
In order to improve the operation stability and reaction result of a system using such a circulating fluidizing layer, it is necessary to continuously circulate the fluidizing layer in a stable manner. For that purpose, it is important to permit the smooth continuous discharge, transfer and supply of particles from the fluidized layer. In recent years, there has been proposed a high-performance petroleum catalytic cracking process known as downflow type fluid catalytic cracking process hereinafter referred to as "downer type FCC". In this process, the catalyst flows downwardly through the reactor. Therefore, thereafter it is necessary to transfer the catalyst upwardly while being regenerated. The present invention is the most effective when being applied to such a system.
Description of the Prior Art
Typical examples of conventional downer type FCC reactors are disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 2,523,325 and 2,590,009. In these methods, the catalyst regenerator wherein a dense fluidizing layer is formed has an upper portion which is conical and connected to a high-velocity transferring section hereinafter referred to as "riser", thereby making it possible to transfer the catalyst up to a height which is required by the downer, i.e., down flow reactor as well as continuous regeneration of the catalyst. In such systems, sufficient contact time required for the regeneration in the dense fluidizing layer can be ensured and the regenerated catalyst can be transferred and discharged by the riser without additional gas flow and mechanical operation.
However, although these systems excel in principle, they can not avoid the amount of particles to be transferred from the dense fluidized layer to the riser from varying due to the changes of the fluidizing state in terms of time and position which are peculiar thereto. As a result, there occur pressure loss in the riser and changes in the residence time of particles in the regenerator, leading to changes in the results of the treatments in the decomposition section and the catalyst- and adhered oil removing sections. These factors cause the decrease of the total reaction results and unstable operation.

Process for discharging and transferring fluidized particles


The invention relates to a nutraceutical composition such as infant formula or infant food comprising a) a defined aroma composition; b) a methodology for developing, maintaining certain aroma constituents in the infant formula and an aroma or fragrance composition to be used to increase the acceptance of a person or an object by the baby or new born.

Breast-feeding is believed to exhibit a series of advantages for the newborn compared to bottle-feeding. Human milk has been shown to impart several nutritional and health benefits, for example promotion of the infant's neuronal and intestinal development and fortification of the immune system 1, 2, 3. Apart from these aspects, many studies point out that human milk exhibits certain olfactory clues that foster the newborns' ability to orient themselves versus the human milk source 4, 5, 6, and that might even play an important role in the development of certain food preferences in later life 7, 8, 9, 10. Moreover, newborns are able to distinguish between human milk and cow's or artificial milk, they can separate between their own mother's Milk and that of other women, and are even able to distinguish between different types of human milk according to their individual temporal needs, that means between e.g. colostrum and mature human milk 4, 6, 11, 12. Even more interesting is that it was shown in these studies that babies prefer the odor attributes of human milk compared to those of artificial infant formula or milk products based on milk compositions of animal origin such as cow's milk etc. To date, most studies in the area of milk research dealt with the characterization of odor-active volatiles in processed animal milks, predominantly UHT or pasteurized milks 13, 14. From these, the conspecific odor compositions of the milks from for example cows, ewes, etc. cannot be deduced as odorants might be degraded during the heating and further processing steps, or might be formed as new and additional odor constituents. Several effects forming artificial non-natural flavor attributes in milk have been well-documented such as the sunlight-flavor etc. 13, 14.
On the other hand, there are some studies dealing with the identification and quantification of conspecific volatiles or odorants in fresh or raw animal milk 14. However, most of these studies are based on techniques such as gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric methodologies that do not allow any weighting of a possible sensory contribution of the respective compounds 15. Only a few studies targeted at the identification of odor-active substances in animal milk such as water buffalo and ewe's milk 16, 17, 18, 19. Among the most common volatiles were aldehydes, ketones, esters, lactones and several diverse substances such as terpenes and aromatic compounds.
Also, as for human milk, the influence of mother's diet on the milk odor profile compositions is not yet understood. For cow's milk and ewe's milk, there are a few studies characterizing the changes of milk odor profiles with regard to specific feeding regimes, but in most cases just on a sensory, not on a chemical-analytical basis 19, 20, 21.
While there is numerous evidence on the psychophysics level that human milk displays a very characteristic and individual olfactory composition, the molecular principles behind these phenomena remained relatively unclear. This was predominantly due to the fact that, on the one hand, sample size is very limited for comprehensive investigation of the odor composition and of the odor-dynamics of human milk in relation to single breastfeeding episodes. On the other hand, the commonly used techniques for odor analysis of human milk such as solvent extraction techniques or gas chromatographic analysis in coupling with mass spectrometry or flame ionization detection were very limited with regard to odor specificity.
This might be regarded as the main reason that only limited data on the chemical characterization of odor-active compounds in human milk is available to date 22. In this cited study, authors succeeded in identifying a total of five odorants which were detectable in all four analyzed breast milk samples. These compounds were the fatty-tallowy smelling (E)non-2-enal, the mushroom-like smelling oct-1-en-3-one, the caramel-like compounds 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone and maltol, and the milky smelling 2-nonanone. All of these compounds were also detectable in formula milk. On the other hand, some additional compounds were identified in formula milk: the buttery smelling butane-2,3-dione, the cooked potato-like smelling 3-methylthio propanal (methional) and the meat-like smelling 2-methyl-3-furanthiol. In conclusion, no human milk-specific compound has been reported in this study. A second study reported a series of volatiles in human milk, with 6 esters, 13 ketones, 6 fatty acids, 2 lactones, 24 aliphatic aldehydes, 9 alcohols, 18 hydrocarbons, and 6 miscellaneous compounds 23. Authors used an isolation procedure based on simultaneous steam distillation-extraction under reduced pressure using diethyl ether as the solvent with a distillation temperature of 62 to 65° C. during two hours of extraction. Detection and identification of the volatile compounds was accomplished by means of gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry based on comparison of mass spectral data with library MS spectra. However, in the cited study, the sensory properties and the sensory contribution or impact of the identified compounds with regard to human milk was not elucidated. Moreover, the list of detected volatiles comprises a series of substances which are, to the specialist of the field of odor research, highly unlikely to be odor-active contributors of human milk, for example toluene, n-propylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, m-, p- and o-ethyltoluene, 1H-pyrrole, N-butyl-N-nitrosobutanamine, N,N-dibutylformamide etc. Identification of such volatiles is more likely to be produced either by artifacts, by drawbacks of the analytical outline (identification by comparison with mass spectra library data only) or by environmental contaminations of the human milk as it has been described in different aspects 24, 25. In conclusion, it seems highly improbable that these substances are natural human milk odor constituents that are supposed to compose the human milk aroma attributes. This is supported by the aspect that there are no common biochemical routes known that would explain the occurrence of such substances in human milk as endogenous compounds. In addition, it is not clear whether some of the given volatiles have been generated due to the thermal treatment during the analytical procedure as specified above, or have been destroyed. Therefore, it is not possible to identify potential odor contributors for human milk aroma among the identified volatiles presented in the cited study, and to rate their possible impact and contribution to human milk aroma.
So far the addition of natural odorants of human milk for improving the acceptance of nutraceutical compositions has not been described.
In order to find an optimal infant formula, wherein the amounts and composition of the odor-active substances are as dose as possible to mother's milk, the present inventor has studied the odor composition of fresh human milk by appropriate analytical tools without thermal exposition, predominantly taking into account the aspect of odor-activity. The analytical approach comprising gas chromatographic-olfactometric characterization of the odor volatiles was used that allowed the unambiguous identification of odor-active compounds even in small-scale human milk samples.
This approach offers the possibility to analyze milk from individual donors with minimal disturbance of the normal breast feeding procedure, and without the need to pool samples from a number of donors, as it was done in other studies. Also, the technique allows the analysis of separate individual milk sample portions from within one feeding session. That means the target was to develop an approach that allowed collection of a small portion of milk right at the beginning of the feeding episode, followed by one or more additional sampling events later on during the same feeding episode.
To achieve this goal, a very versatile and sensitive extraction technique for gaseous and liquid samples, the stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) was used 26. In SBSE, a PDMS-coated stir bar is exposed for a certain extraction time to a certain volume of sample either with or without preliminary application of derivatization techniques. After sorption of the analytes into the PDMS material, and removal of the matrix system, the analytes can be easily recovered via solvent extraction or thermo-desorption, and analyzed for example by means of high resolution-gas chromatography or liquid chromatography in combination with the respective detector systems. Compared to other sorptive sample preparation techniques such as SPME, the SBSE has several advantages such as convenient handling, high extraction capacity, very low amounts of PDMS breakdown products and many more 27. Apart from environmental investigations such as pesticide analysis and several others 27, 28, 29, first applications of SBSE have been reported for the direct analysis of e.g. benzoic acid or dicarboximide fungicides in foods and beverages 30, 31, for the elucidation of biochemical pathways, and for the analysis of odorous compounds in foods, mainly liquids 33, 34, 35. Combination with multidimensional gas chromatography using chiral chromatography systems allowed the assignment of the stereochemistry of aroma compounds in foods such as strawberries 36. In-vitro studies of biological markers, drugs, their metabolites or other artificial contaminants such as PCBs have been just recently performed on body fluids such as sperm, blood and urine 37, 38. Recently, SBSE was used in the context of a new in-vivo approach called BOSS (Buccal Odor Screening System) 39, 40. It was successfully applied for the characterization of volatile coffee and wine aroma "aftertaste" substances within the oral cavity. A variation of the system was applied to monitor the development of breath odor profiles after consumption of beer 43. The use in milk has not been described. An adopted approach for characterization of human milk odorants will be presented in the following.
Trace volatile and odorous substances that were characterized in fresh human milk with regard to their molecular composition and their sensory characteristics. The methodology was successfully applied for identification of more than forty characteristic odorants in human milk. The technique comprises a modified stir bar sorptive extraction system in combination with two-dimensional gas chromatographic separation and parallel mass spectrometric and olfactometric characterization of the analytes. The present invention shows that the technique can be used both for direct extractive sampling, but also for headspace analysis. Due to its applicability for small sample volumes, even day-to-day physiological variations in the profiles of volatile organic compounds in human milk samples, but also fluctuations within e.g. one breastfeeding episode can be monitored.
Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide nutraceutical compositions that are more attractive for babies and newborns.

Infant formulation containing an aroma composition for use as fragrance

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.


The present disclosure relates to a method for scanning a patient in an imaging system. The imaging system may include one or more cameras directed at the patient. The method may include obtaining a position of each of the camera(s) relative to the imaging system. The method may also include obtain image data of the patient captured by the camera(s), wherein the image data may correspond to a first view with respect to the patient. The method may further include generating projection image data of the patient based on the image data and the position of each of the camera(s) relative to the imaging system, wherein the projection image data may correspond to a second view with respect to the patient different from the first view. The method may further include generating control information for scanning the patient based on the projection image data of the patient.

Imaging systems, such as CT scanners, MRI scanners, PET scanners, are widely used for creating images of interior of a patient's body for medical diagnosis and/or treatment purposes. Generally, a region of interest (ROI) covering a portion of the patient's body, such as a limb or an internal organ, is selected before an imaging session starts. Data is then acquired from within the ROI and analyzed, giving swift and accurate diagnosis thereafter. Thus, to ensure high quality imaging and accurate diagnosis, the ROI must be properly targeted during imaging.
Patient positioning is an increasingly important consideration for medical imaging, of which application ranges from dental treatment to radiotherapy. Traditional patient positioning methods include the use of a laser pointer to mark the ROI on a patient's body, thereby allowing the imaging system to properly align with the patient.
However, some traditional positioning methods require human intervention, such as requiring a system operator to manually manipulate the laser for locating the ROI, which affects accuracy. Further, traditional positioning methods lack the feature for monitoring the ROI in real time. Thus, when the location of an ROI changes during an imaging session, such as due to body movement of the patient, the system cannot be easily adjusted to target the ROI properly.
Additionally, an imaging system usually need to know the patient position (e.g., whether the patient is lying in a prone or supine position) before an imaging session may be performed. Traditionally, a system operator may instruct a patient to take and maintain a particular patient position during an imaging session, and manually input that information for the imaging system to perform, such as choosing and executing a scanning protocol particularly designed for that patient position. When the patient position changes during an imaging session, such as mandated by the diagnosis or the patient's health condition, the operator may need to manually update the information before the imaging session may continue. Thus, the updating process again depends on human intervention, leaving room for human error. Further, the manual updating process sometimes consumes considerable amount of time, causing substantial delay and patient discomfort.
Thus, there exists a need for developing a new positioning method and system that is capable of real-time monitoring of a patient and accordingly adjusting an imaging system for any positional change with less or no human intervention. The new positioning system and method thus improve efficiency and accuracy of medical imaging.

Systems and methods for scanning a patient in an imaging system

SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.


A system and method allow card issuers to securely add applications during the lifetime of the card after the card has already been issued (post issuance). Loading of an application and/or objects from an application server via a card acceptance device (and its supporting system infrastructure delivery mechanism) onto a card post issuance is performed in a secure and confidential manner. A smart card includes a card domain application that manages the card. Any number of security domain applications on the card provide security for loaded applications by managing keys; each application is associated with a security domain. Each of the card domain and security domains has a command interface for off-card communication, and an API for internal card use. The card life cycle includes the states of masked, initialized, load secured and blocked. An application life cycle includes the states of not available, loaded, installed, registered, personalized, activated and blocked. An application can block the card.

A smart card is typically a credit card-sized plastic card that includes a semiconductor chip capable of holding data supporting multiple applications.
Physically, a smart card often resembles a traditional "credit" card having one or more semiconductor devices attached to a module embedded in the card, providing contacts to the outside world. The card can interface with a point-of-sale terminal, an ATM, or a card reader integrated into a telephone, a computer, a vending machine, or any other appliance.
A micro-controller semiconductor device embedded in a "processor" smart card allows the card to undertake a range of computational operations, protected storage, encryption and decision making. Such a micro-controller typically includes a microprocessor, memory, and other functional hardware elements. Various types of cards are described in "The Advanced Card Report: Smart Card Primer", Kenneth R. Ayer and Joseph F. Schuler, The Schuler Consultancy, 1993.
One example of a smart card implemented as a processor card is illustrated in FIG. 1. Of course, a smart card may be implemented in many ways, and need not necessarily include a microprocessor or other features. The smart card may be programmed with various types of functionality, including applications such as stored-value; credit/debit; loyalty programs, etc.
In some embodiments, smart card 5 has an embedded micro-controller 10 that includes a microprocessor 12, random access memory (RAM) 14, read-only memory (ROM) 16, non-volatile memory 18, a cryptographic module 22, and a card reader interface 24. Other features of the micro-controller may be present but are not shown, such as a clock, a random number generator, interrupt control, control logic, a charge pump, power connections, and interface contacts that allow the card to communicate with the outside world.
Microprocessor 12 is any suitable central processing unit for executing commands and controlling the device. RAM 14 serves as storage for calculated results and as stack memory. ROM 16 stores the operating system, fixed data, standard routines, and look up tables. Non-volatile memory 18 (such as EPROM or EEPROM) serves t o store information that must not be lost when the card is disconnected from a power source but that must also be alterable to accommodate data specific to individual cards or any changes possible over the card lifetime. This information might include a card identification number, a personal identification number, authorization levels, cash balances, credit limits, etc. Cryptographic module 22 is an optional hardware module used for performing a variety of cryptographic algorithms. Card reader interface 24 includes the software and hardware necessary for communication with the outside world. A wide variety of interfaces are possible. By way of example, interface 24 may provide a contact interface, a close-coupled interface, a remote-coupled interface, or a variety of other interfaces. With a contact interface, signals from the micro-controller are routed to a number of metal contacts on the outside of the card which come in physical contact with similar contacts of a card reader device.
Various mechanical and electrical characteristics of smart card 5 and aspects of its interaction with a card reading device are defined by the following specifications, all of which are herein incorporated by reference.
Visa Integrated Circuit Card Specification, (Visa International Service Association 1996).
EMV Integrated Circuit Card Specification for Payment Systems, (Visa International Service Association 1996).
EMV Integrated Circuit Card Terminal Specification for Payment Systems, (Visa International Service Association 1996).
EMV Integrated Circuit Card Application Specification for Payment Systems, (Visa International Service Association 1996).
International Standard, Identification Cards--Integrated Circuit(s) Cards with Contacts, Parts 1-6 (International Standards Organization 1987-1995).
Prior to issuance of a smart card to a card user, the smart card is initialized such that some data is placed in the card. Initialization refers to the population of non-volatile memory with data that is common to a large number of cards while also including a minimal amount of card unique terms (e.g. card serial number and personalization keys). For example, during initialization, the smart card may be loaded with at least one application, such as credit or stored cash value, a file structure initialized with default values, and some initial cryptographic keys for transport security. Once a card is initialized, it is typically personalized. During personalization, the smart card is loaded with data which uniquely identifies the card. For example, the personalization data can include a maximum value of the card, a personal identification number (PIN), the currency in which the card is valid, the expiration date of the card, and cryptographic keys for the card.
A limitation of conventional smart cards is that new applications typically can not be added to an issued smart card. Smart cards are traditionally issued with one or more applications predefined and installed during the manufacturing process of the card. As a result, with traditional smart card implementation, once a card has been issued to a card user, the smart card becomes a fixed application card. If a new application is desired, the smart card is typically discarded and a new smart card, which includes the new application, is issued.
It would be desirable to provide a smart card which would allow applications to be loaded after the card is issued. Further, it is desirable to provide a mechanism to manage the loading of an application as well as general management of the applications on the smart card. Additionally, it is desirable to allow an application provider to keep cryptographic keys confidential from the issuer of the smart card and to securely allow applications from different entities to coexist on a card.

System and method for a multi-application smart card which can facilitate a post-issuance download of an application onto the smart card


A method of efficiently forming a finished part, the method includes providing a cutting tool having a first cutting edge extending from a first end of the cutting tool, a second cutting edge extending from a second end of the cutting tool, and a shaping edge disposed between the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge. The cutting tool is advanced into a rotating workpiece such that the first cutting edge removes a trailing end of the rotating workpiece, the shaping edge shapes a working portion of the rotating workpiece, and the second cutting edge removes the working portion of the rotating workpiece to form the finished part.

In lathe machining, a workpiece is rotated along a horizontal axis for cutting (i.e., shaping) of the workpiece, typically using a single-point cutting tool. A nearly finished workpiece still requires several machining steps to have material of the workpiece cut away to create/shape the desired finished part. These steps often include multiple passes of the workpiece with respect to the cutting tool where, for example, the positioning of the workpiece or cutting tool is changed after each pass and/or the cutting tool is replaced with another cutting tool having a different shape or size. These additional steps and passes increase the time and equipment needed in creating a finished product using turning operations. Further, the additional steps and passes often results in wasted material being removed from the workpiece. These inefficiencies often make the process of preparing and machining a particular shape prohibitively expensive.
Additionally, in certain machining operations, it may be desirable to perform a chemical analytical test on excess material from a machined part using the theory that the excess material will have the same chemical makeup as the machined part. In such situations, a machinist may take a sample from the excess material. For example, in casting operations, a small rectangular-shaped aliquot may be saw-cut from the casting lug. The sawing of the aliquot is a cost saving measure as compared to machining the aliquot on a lathe using the process described with various machine passes and/or different cutting tools. Due to the sawing process, the aliquot is rough on the sides and the ends. To further save money, the aliquot is often further cut into additional pieces using a pair of side cutters, which squeeze and deform the aliquot until it separates into the additional pieces. The pieces with the clipped ends are then typically used as samples for the analytical testing. Two problems with this sampling process are (1) it is time consuming to form the samples; and (2) the samples formed by sawing and clipping introduce uncertainty in the testing due to errors associated with the surface roughness.
What is needed therefore is a cutting tool configured to efficiently cut desired shapes out of a rotating workpiece with minimal machining steps.
Additionally, it is desired to provide a cutting tool that can efficiently cut one or more samples from excess material of a machined part (e.g., samples from a casting lug) such that the sample has an ideal geometry for chemical analytical testing.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Shaped cutting tool and method of use to efficiently form a finished part


This invention involves the use of smart cards configured with data indicating a specific meal plan for use in the food vending industry. Examples of typical applications are student meal plans purchased in college or other school systems where the user purchases a plan allowing the user to eat specific meals or at specific times. Usually the meal plan is purchased at the beginning of the school term and terminates at the end of the school term. The invention uses a memory based smart card that is preconfigured on a specific date. The smart card contains data such as the meal plan type, the expiration date of the plan, the last transaction date, the user's weekly quota of meals, the number of meals a user can eat in a day, the user's daily quota and the operator identification. The smart card is configured by a computer at the start of the meal plan. Smart card readers are used to update data on the smart card and decrement existing data as the user purchases meals.

This invention relates to smart cards and their use in an offline, automated meal plans scheme for use in school cafeterias or corporate restaurants.
Background of the Prior Art
Smart card systems employ two types of cards. One employs a microprocessor and a memory storage area. The second type of smart card employs only a memory storage area. Smart cards are approximately the same size as a standard credit card and contains read only memory or read/write memory (random access memory) on the card. The information stored in the card's memory can then be used by the card reader or card interface device to detect certain information stored on the card. The information stored in the card's memory can also be instantaneously updated based on changing conditions.
Card readers for use with smart cards typically employed data contacts to engage pads on the cards themselves. When the smart card is fully inserted into the card reader, the card reader or interface device is activated and data is transmitted to or from the smart card.
Existing smart cards systems do implement meal plan systems for use in school and university cafeteria-style settings or corporate restaurant settings. However, the prior art systems utilize an on-line network based system using magnetic tape stripe or bar code readers and offer limited meal plan choices. Some systems might also use smart cards having a stored electronic cash value for purchasing meals. However, they do not constitute a pre-paid meal plan system. They typically track information that allows for the restocking of the food storage areas based on the purchase of particular food products. In addition, these systems tend to be very expensive and impractical for environments serving smaller crowds such as those in smaller colleges or corporate settings.
This invention attempts to provide a low cost alternative by implementing a smart card using inexpensive point-of-sale terminals linked in a continuous or noncontinuous environment to a computer running the administration software. By implementing the smart card system, a flexible low cost meal program can be implemented.

Smart card for offline automated meal plans


In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) receiving a contact center interaction request via a device coupled to a display screen; (ii) accessing information about the device or a user of the device from a customer database of a content provider; and (iii) establishing an interaction path between the contact center and a viewer. The method can further include providing information to the user via the interaction path in response to a request by the user for the information. The device can be a set-top box (STB) or a cable card and the display screen can be a television, for example. Also, the content provider can be a cable or satellite television provider, for example.

Contact centers can allow for a matching of an agent to a contact such that the contact or customer's needs can be met. Conventionally, such interaction may be via a customer-initiated telephone call, such as by a customer calling a contact center to request help. However, conventional methods of contact center interaction may be too restrictive or possibly too inefficient for meeting many customer needs.

Set-top box initiated contact center interaction


A lens for a charged particle beam comprises first, second, third and fourth quadrupoles, a first aperture electrode placed in front of the first quadrupole, a second aperture electrode placed between the first quadrupole and the second quadrupole, a third aperture electrode placed between the second quadrupole and the third quadrupole, a fourth aperture electrode placed between the third quadrupole and the fourth quadrupole, a fifth aperture electrode placed behind the fourth quadrupole, means for exciting the quadrupoles to cause them to converge the charged beam to a line near the third aperture electrode, and means for applying voltage to excite the first to fifth aperture electrodes and cause them to produce an octupole lens action for correcting aperture aberration.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a lens for a beam of charged particles that enables aperture (spherical) aberration control.
2. Prior Art Statement
Most charged particle beam lenses for use in electron and ion beam apparatuses have been of the type constituted as magnetic or electrostatic lenses whose configuration is rotationally (axially) symmetrical with the optical axis (Z axis), where the optical axis is defined as the center of the charged particle beam trajectory. Such axially symmetrical lenses do not allow correction for aperture aberration (spherical aberration).
On the other hand, in the quadrupole lens, which has four electrostatic or magnetic poles placed in parallel with the optical axis, a strong lens effect can be obtained owing to the fact that the main component of the electrostatic or magnetic field acts perpendicularly to the beam axis of charged particles. In its single stage configuration, however, the quadrupole lens is extremely asymmetrical, because it acts as a convergent (convex) lens in the XZ-plane and as a divergent (concave) lens in the YZ-plane.
Therefore, when the quadrupole lens is used for beam convergence in an ion microprobe mass analyzer, electron and ion beam lithography system, Auger electron spectroscopy system, x-ray microanalysis system or the like, it has to be combined with like lenses in two, three or more stages.
The characteristics and throughput of the aforementioned charged particle beam apparatuses improve in proportion as the beam current value rises when the beam is converged to a minute diameter. Insofar as there are no problems regarding the source size and radiation current, the beam current can be increased solely by enlarging the effective beam converging angle.
The size of the beam converging angle is, however, limited by the aperture (spherical) aberration of the lens. The blur .DELTA.r caused by aperture aberration at the image position of a magnetic lens, cylinder lens, three-electrode lens or the like which is rotationally symmetrical to the beam axis can be expressed as EQU .DELTA.r=C.sub.S .beta..sup.3 ( 1)
where .beta. is the beam convergence angle and C.sub.S is the spherical aberration coefficient.
The aperture aberration of a quadrupole lens with non-rotationally symmetrical lens action is more complex than that of the aforesaid rotationally symmetrical lens. If the beam convergence angles in the XY-plane and the YZ-plane of the quadrupole lens system are defined as .alpha. and .beta., respectively, the aperture aberration coefficient, which is proportional to the third power of the beam convergence angles, .alpha..sup.p .beta..sup.q, can be expressed as C.sub.Apq and involves four terms. Specifically, in the XZ-plane the aperture aberration coefficient becomes C.sub.A30 for p=3, q=0 and C.sub.A12 for p=1, q=2, and in the YZ-plane becomes C.sub.A21 for p=2, q=1 and C.sub.A03 for p=0, q=3. The blurs .DELTA.X, .DELTA.Y caused by the aperture aberrations can be expressed as EQU .DELTA.X=(C.sub.A30 .multidot..alpha..sup.2 +C.sub.A12 .multidot..beta..sup.2).alpha. (2) EQU .DELTA.Y=(C.sub.A21 .multidot..alpha..sup.2 +C.sub.A03 .multidot..beta..sup.2).beta. (3)
In a lens system obtained by combining three or more quadrupole lens stages and used in the same manner as a rotationally symmetrical lens, if the XZ-plane lens magnification .vertline.Mx.vertline. and the YZ-plane magnification .vertline.My .vertline. are both equal to unity, then since it follows that .alpha.=.beta., it also follows that the coefficients C.sub.A21 and C.sub.A12 are equal. This is called the stigmatic condition.
It is a principle of the lens design that the lens characteristics improve as the aperture aberration becomes smaller. It is therefore important to reduce the aperture aberration coefficient as far as possible. The reduction in the aperture aberration coefficient can be attained by the excitation control which is facilitated under the aforementioned stigmatic condition in the lens system.
It is generally possible to correct for aperture aberration in a quadrupole lens system by introducing an octupole lens into the system. Moreover, Japanese Patent Application Publications Sho 53-30628 and Sho 55-28179 teach that correction of aperture aberration can be achieved in a quadrupole lens system having no round lens effect, even without introducing an octupole lens. Specifically, these publications teach that the correction can be realized by introducing aperture electrodes to have the same optical axis as the quadrupole lens system and creating an octupole lens effect by exciting the aperture electrodes.
In the three-stage quadrupole lens systems disclosed in these prior art references, however, the coefficients C.sub.A12 and C.sub.A21 are not equal if the quadrupole lens excitation condition is not laterally symmetrical at the second quadrupole lens. Therefore, it becomes impossible to correct the four aperture aberration coefficients exactly the same.
In other words, since, for example, correcting coefficient C.sub.A30 increases the coefficients C.sub.A12 and C.sub.A21 while correcting the coefficients C.sub.A12 and C.sub.A21 increases the coefficients C.sub.A30 and C.sub.A03, it becomes necessary to cancel out very large coefficients against each other. It is therefore necessary to induce a strong octupole lens effect for this purpose. Since a small amount of remaining misalignment therefore produces a large aberration and also owing to mechanical aberration caused by misalignment, the correction characteristics are markedly degraded.
By way of example, consider the correction system taught by Japanese Patent Application Publications Sho 63-9340 and illustrated FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b). The system consists of a combination of three quadrupole lens stages 1, 2 and 3 and two aperture electrodes 4 and 5. The potential distribution of the system is shown in FIG. 7, in which curve X is the beam trajectory in the XZ-plane, curve Y is the beam trajectory in the YZ-plane, and reference numbers 31, 32 and 33 designate the potential distributions of quadrupole, octupole and round lens components, respectively. In this correction system, since the aberration correction is performed under excitation conditions wherein the quadrupole lens system comprises three stages (for a detailed explanation of the potential distribution of these lenses, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,488) and C.sub.A12 .noteq.C.sub.A21, there remains the problem that there cannot be realized a perfect correction system enabling free correction control of the aperture aberration coefficients.
In the same correction system, as is clear from the excitation strength (expressed as the ratio of applied voltage to accelerating voltage and indicated above the quadrupole lens system and the aperture electrodes in FIG. 7), the charged particle beam can be converged to a line near the beam entrance end of the second quadrupole only if the first-stage quadrupole is strongly excited. However, strong excitation of the first-stage quadrupole gives rise to problems such as that at the second quadrupole the separation of the beam from the axis in the XZ-plane (divergence-convergence-divergence) becomes large.
The present invention was accomplished in the light of the foregoing circumstances and has as its object to provide an axially symmetrical lens for a charged particle beam that enables control of correction and control of spherical aberration.

Agency of Industrial Science and Technology

Ministry of International Trade and Industry


The present invention is directed to an adaptive phase controller employing a threshold level and a method of controlling a phase. In one embodiment, the adaptive phase controller includes a comparator configured to receive a comparison signal representing a phase and to provide a vernier signal based on comparing first and second samples of the comparison signal when the comparison signal is below the threshold level. Additionally, the adaptive phase controller also includes an adder/decoder coupled to the comparator and configured to adjust a current number corresponding to the phase based on the vernier signal.

The recent growth of high-speed telecommunications has placed increasing demand for more signal bandwidth. While attempting to augment the available bandwidth of channels within a given transmission frequency range (e.g., 2.5 to five gigahertz range), the combined use of amplitude and phase modulation, such as may be found with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), has proven difficult to implement in practical applications.
More specifically, the delivery of improved spectral efficiency of transmitted signals in linear modulation schemes typically undergoes significant distortion of both phase and amplitude when the modulated signals are boosted by a power amplifier for transmission to a receiver. The distortion is especially prevalent in transmitters that employ power efficient, but nonlinear, radio frequency (RF) power amplifiers. As a result, linearization techniques have been developed to produce a desirable trade-off between a transmitter's efficiency and its linearity.
Cartesian feedback may be employed as a linearization technique for reducing distortion in a transmitter system. Cartesian feedback linearization compares in-phase and quadrature phase baseband input signals with distorted in-phase and quadrature phase baseband feedback signals that are usually demodulated from the RF power amplifier output. To provide a reliable comparison between the in-phase and quadrature phase input and feedback signals, their respective components must be substantially in phase. In many important cases, there is an unacceptably large phase difference between the in-phase and feedback signals due to feedback loop delay, which may include both RF delay (or propagation delay) and baseband delay. This typically results in crosstalk between the in-phase and quadrature phase feedback signals.
Propagation delay dominates the phase characteristics at RF and provides a maximum limit to the unit loop gain bandwidth. This propagation delay, which is introduced mainly by the power amplifier, usually varies with frequency and power level. To synchronize the baseband and feedback signals, a phase adjuster or a phase shifter is necessary to reduce the average phase shift. Adjustment of this phase shifter may be accomplished by a phase-alignment control block or phase controller.
It is not unusual for the phase controller to be required to accommodate a phase shift ranging from zero to 360° to compensate for phase adequately. This attribute makes implementation of the phase controller quite difficult, since overall performance of the transmitter is extraordinarily sensitive to the phase of the feedback signals.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a way to effectively control a phase adjustment associated with a transmitter employing Cartesian input and feedback signals that reduces feedback loop error and distortion associated with power amplification.

Adaptive phase controller, method of controlling a phase and transmitter employing the same


An imaging lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens L1 having negative refractive power, a second lens L2 having positive refractive power, a third lens L3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens L4, a fifth lens L5, a sixth lens L6, a seventh lens L7, and an eighth lens L8 having negative refractive power, wherein said eighth lens L8 has an aspheric image-side surface having at least one inflection point.

The present invention relates to an imaging lens for forming an image of an object on an image sensor such as a CCD sensor and a CMOS sensor. Particularly, the present invention relates to an imaging lens suitable for mounting in a relatively small camera to be built in portable devices such as cellular phones and portable information terminals, digital still cameras, security cameras, onboard cameras and network cameras, and so on.
Multifunctional cellular phones, so-called smartphones, have been more widely used that allow use of various functions as well as a voice call function. One of the most frequently used functions among them is a camera function. To implement such a camera function, one or more cameras are mounted in a smartphone. In recent years, with the improvement in image processing capability and the development of the image processing technique, the number of cameras mounted in such a smartphone tends to increase. In the smartphone in which two or more cameras are mounted with different resolutions, a field of view, and the like, images taken through the imaging lenses of the respective cameras are synthesized by software to achieve higher resolution of images and a zoom function. Such a camera to be mounted in the smartphone is expected to grow in demand in the future as well.
To take a picture of an object with high definition or acquire more information on the object, the camera has to have a high-resolution imaging lens as well as an image sensor with high pixel count. As a method for achieving higher resolution of an imaging lens, there is a method of increasing the number of lenses that compose the imaging lens in accordance with the difficulty of correcting aberrations. However, an irresponsible increase in the number of lenses is prone to cause an increase in size of the imaging lens. In development of the imaging lens, an extension of the total track length should be prevented and the resolution has to be improved.
A lens configuration including eight lenses has, due to the large number of lenses of the imaging lens, high flexibility in design and thus allows proper correction of aberrations. As the imaging lens having the eight-lens configuration, for example, an imaging lens described in Patent Document 1 has been known.
Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging lens comprising a first lens with negative refractive power having a meniscus shape with a convex object-side surface, a second lens having a biconvex shape, a third lens having a biconcave shape, a fourth lens with positive refractive power having a meniscus shape with a convex object-side surface, a fifth lens having a biconvex shape, a sixth lens having a biconcave shape, a seventh lens with the negative refractive power having a meniscus shape with a convex image-side surface, and a eighth lens having a biconvex shape.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-154481
According to the conventional imaging lens of Patent Document 1, although the field of view is as wide as 64° at a wide-angle end, aberrations can be relatively properly corrected. However, having a long total track length relative to the focal length of the overall optical system of the imaging lens, it is unsuitable for mounting in a small camera to be built in a thin device such as a smartphone. In the case of the conventional imaging lens described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to achieve more proper aberration correction while achieving downsizing and a low profile.
Such a problem is not specific to the imaging lens to be mounted in smartphones. Rather, it is a common problem for imaging lenses to be mounted in such as the cellular phone, the portable information terminal, the digital still camera, the security camera, the onboard cameras, and the network camera.
An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging lens that can achieve both downsizing of the imaging lens and proper correction of aberrations while achieving a wide field of view.


An axial piston machine includes a housing, an actuating piston, and a closing screw. The housing includes a cylinder bore, a recess, and a fluid channel. An end of the bore open to an outside of the housing has an internal thread. The recess is located in a region of the internal thread, and is deeper than a thread depth of the internal thread so that a floor region of the recess is free from thread turns. The piston is linearly moveable in the cylinder bore, and is configured to adjust a displacement volume of the machine. The screw is screwed into the internal thread so as to form a closed chamber between the piston and the screw. The fluid channel opens into the floor region of the recess, and is fluidically connected to the cylinder chamber.

The catalogue which, on Oct. 4, 2018, could be retrieved under the Internet address http://www.boschrexroth.com/various/utilities/mediadirectory/download/index.jsp?object_nr=R D91706-01-B, discloses an axial piston machine. This is operated as a motor, wherein the present disclosure may also be used for pumps. This axial piston machine is configured in a swash plate design, wherein the present disclosure may also be used for axial piston machines with bent axis design.

Axial piston machine with recess in the region of the loading pressure channel


The present invention provides an in vitro T-lymphopoiesis system in which a population of T-cells is produced from precursor cells expressing CD34. The T-lymphopoiesis system of the present invention produces a population of T-cells of which approximately 17-74% express CD2, approximately 1.5-34% express CD3, and approximately 16-61% express CD4, and approximately 0-15% express CD8. A method of producing such a population of T-cells in vitro, as well as various compositions including T-cells of the present invention, are also provided.

T-lymphocytes, or T-cells, are cornerstones of the mammalian immune system, responsible for cell-mediated immunity against foreign antigens. T-cells, like other lymphocytes, develop from pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells produced primarily in hematopoietic tissues (i.e. in the liver in fetuses and in bone marrow in adults). Some of these precursor stem cells migrate through the blood to the thymus, and T-cell differentiation occurs there.
The majority of T-lymphocytes are immune system regulators, known as helper T cells and suppressor T cells, that act either to enhance or suppress the immune responses of other white blood cells. Other T-lymphocytes, called cytotoxic T-cells, act to kill virus-infected cells. These different types of T-cells are distinguished from one another by the presence of different antigenic markers on their surfaces. Specifically, helper T-cells express a cell-surface glycoprotein known as CD4, and cytotoxic T-cells express a different cell-surface glycoprotein, CD8. As T-cells mature, they express the CD2 cell-surface protein, and, ultimately, the CD3 cell-surface protein complex.
T-cell development has been intensively studied in vivo. The evidence indicates that pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells are present in populations of cells expressing CD34 surface molecules (CD34.sup.+ cells; see, for example, Terstappen et al. Blood, 79:666-677, 1992 and references cited therein). Such CD34.sup.+ cells represent about 1% of nucleated bone marrow cells. CD34.sup.+ cells have been used to successfully repopulate the thymus of an irradiated host with T-cells (see, for example, Exine et al. Nature 309:629-632, 1984; Goldschneider et al. J. Exp. Med. 163:1-17, 1986; Berenson et al. J. Clin. Invest. 81:951-955, 1988); and engraftment of human CD34+ progenitor cells into mice with genetically determined severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID mice) has been observed to result in development of mature T-lymphocytes in those mice (see, for example, McCune et al. Science 241:1632-1639, 1988; Namikawa et al. J. Exp. Med. 172:1055-1063, 1990; Berenson et al. Blood 77:1717-1722, 1991).
Efforts have also been directed at developing an in vitro T-lymphopoiesis system (see, for example, Benveniste et al. Cell. Immunol. 127:92-104; Peault et al. J. Exp. Med. 174:1283-1286, 1991; Toki et al. Proc. natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:7548-7551, 1991; Tjonnfjord et al. J. Exp. Med. 177:1531-1539; Hurwitz, J. Immunol. 17:751-756, 1987). Peault et al. have developed a system in which CD34+ cells from human fetal liver and bone marrow are microinjected in vitro into HLA-mismatched fetal thymus fragments previously depleted of hematopoietic stem cells by low temperature culture. Peault et al. have not achieved complete in vitro T-cell development, however, as the in vitro-colonized thymuses were subsequently engrafted into SCID mice, and T-cell differentiation occurred in vivo.
Tjonnfjord et al. have reported in vitro T-cell differentiation from adult human CD34+ bone marrow cells cultured in thymic stromal cell supernatant and in the presence or absence of recombinant murine c-kit ligand. Nevertheless, Tjonnfjord et al. found that only a small fraction of their total cell culture (see FIG. 3 of Tjonnfjord et al.) developed into mature T-cells, as indicated by the presence of T-cell-specific surface markers such as CD2, CD3, CD4, and CD8. Thus, there remains a need for the development of an in vitro T-lymphopoiesis system in which a significant fraction of the cultured cells develop into mature T-cells.


The present invention relates to a method for identifying and/or, authenticating, and/or authorizing a first radio station in a radio network, comprising the steps of (a) at the first radio station, transmitting to a second radio station a first radio station identifier computed from a set of identity parameters based on the identity of the first radio station, comprising at least one identity parameter, (b) at the first radio station, transmitting at least one identity parameter from the set of identity parameters, (c) at the second radio station, comparing an authentication identifier computed on the basis of the transmitted identity parameter to the first radio station identifier for enabling a subsequent communication between the first and second radio stations.

Conventional Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) comprise wireless sensor and actuator nodes that wirelessly communicate with each other enabling different applications such as pervasive healthcare or smart lighting environments. For instance, a medical sensor network (MSN) is a wireless sensor network where patients are equipped with wireless medical sensors (WMSs) that measure, process and forward users' vital signs in real time. Clinical staff can monitor patient's vital signs by means of, e.g., PDAs or bedside monitors.
In this particular context, the provision of basic security services such as entity identification, authentication and access control to wireless sensor networks are essential. Indeed, such a network must be robust and secure enough to prevent attackers from gaining control over the network. General data protection policies such as the European directive 95/46 or healthcare rules such as HIPAA in the United States must be taken into account when designing security systems for MSNs. For instance, only authorized doctors should be able to monitor patient's vital signs.
To enable the network to be robust, the distribution of encryption keys is crucial. These encryption keys are used to establish a secure connection between two nodes, avoiding thus eavesdropping. Thus, key distribution among the nodes is the security's cornerstone as it defines how to distribute the cryptographic keys used to enable those security services. However, the efficient provision of both key distribution and security services is challenging due to the resource-constrained nature of wireless sensor nodes as WMSs in MSNs.
α-secure key distribution schemes (KDSs) have been identified as a feasible and efficient option for key distribution and key agreement in wireless sensor networks such as medical sensor networks (MSN). Here, α designates the security level of the network. These schemes offer a trade-off between scalability, resilience, connectivity, and computational overhead. In α-secure KDSs, nodes do not share ready-made keys. Instead, nodes are provided with some node-specific information that allows them to compute a shared key with any other node in this security domain on input of that node's identifier. This node-specific information is derived from a keying material root (KMRoot) and the node-specific keying material share for node i is denoted by KM(i). Hence, the different keying material shares KM(i) are all different but correlated. This approach is especially interesting for mobile wireless sensor and actuator networks due to different reasons including: (i) its efficiency on resource-constrained wireless sensor nodes; (ii) its feasibility in mobile scenarios such as patient monitoring or wireless control networks addressed by the ZigBee Alliance where both scalability and distributed operation are key features.
However, current state-of-the-art does not specify how to allow for efficient identification and authentication of a node, for instance concerning the aspects entity identification and access control based on α-secure key distribution schemes, and thus, new techniques addressing these problems are required.
Typically, the provision of these security services can be carried out either in a centralized or distributed fashion. When centralized, a central trust center controlling the network security keeps a list of the different entities in the network, their digital identities, and access control rights. When a party A requests a communication with B, both parties rely on the central trust center (TC) to authenticate both parties. The use of a central TC is not convenient for wireless sensor networks as it requires the presence of an online TC, and requires a high amount of communication towards the Trust Center, overloading the Trust Center etc. This is not possible for a resource constrained network like a Zigbee network.
Distributed identification and access control is more adequate for wireless sensor networks, such as MSNs, as it fits their operational requirements: efficiency, minimum delay, no single point of failure. However, usually distributed identification and access control is based on digital certificates and an underlying public-key infrastructure (PKI) based on public key cryptography (PKC); based on various mathematically hard problems (e.g., the integer factorization problem, the RSA problem, the Diffie-Hellman problem or discrete logarithm problem). However, the use of public key cryptography is computationally too expensive for resource-constrained devices such as PDAs or wireless sensor nodes used in this kind of network.

Method for distributed identification of a station in a network