In an AFIC, an integration output 1/D.sub.S of the ratio calculation and light amount integrating output i.sub.SS /A.sub.S which are respectively dependent on the ratio and sum of signal currents derived from the electrodes of a pair of PSDs when a spot light emitting section of an IRED is activated are derived. Further, an integration output 1/D.sub.M of the ratio calculation and light amount integrating integrating output i.sub.SM /A.sub.M which are respectively dependent on the ratio and sum of signal currents derived from the electrodes of the pair of PSDs when the spot and area light emitting sections of the IRED are activated are derived. Then, an arithmetic device derives a distance to a subject based on the four outputs. Alternatively, the arithmetic device compares the integration outputs of the ratio calculation and determines the distance to the subject by selectively effecting the distance deriving calculation based on the integration output of the ratio calculation when the spot light emitting section is activated, the distance deriving calculation based on the integration output of the ratio calculation when the spot and area light emitting section are activated, and the distance deriving calculation based on the above four outputs according to the result of comparison.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an active distance measuring apparatus for camera, and more particularly to distance measurement in a wide visual field.
2. Description of the Related Art
As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional distance measuring apparatus is constructed by light projection and reception lenses 101 and 102 having two optical axes which are separated by a preset base length (S), a light projection IRED (near infrared light emitting diode) 103, and a PSD (position sensing device) 104 for light reception having a length t.
The PSD 104 is disposed such that the end face thereof may be set at a distance a from the optical axis 102a of the reception lens 102. In this arrangement, the centroid of a reflected spot 106 from a subject 105 is set on a position at a distance of [(Sf.sub.j /D)+a] from the end face of the PSD 104 where D indicates a distance to the subject and f.sub.j indicates the focal distance of the light reception lens 102. Since the PSD 104 generates a current output corresponding to the position of the reflected spot 106, the following equation (1) can be obtained if one end portion of the PSD 104 which lies near the light projection lens 101 is used as a first electrode (1 ch), the other end portion thereof is used as a second electrode (2 ch), and output variation currents caused in the respective portions when the projection IRED 103 has emitted light are i.sub.1 and i.sub.2. ##EQU1##
The following equation (2) can be obtained by rewriting the equation (1). ##EQU2##
Therefore, the reciprocal 1/D of the distance to the subject can be obtained by calculating [i.sub.2 /(i.sub.1 +i.sub.2)] by use of the currents i.sub.1 and i.sub.2 according to the equation (2).
In the example of FIG. 1, the distance to only one subject 105 disposed at the center can be measured. However, it is possible to use a plurality of IREDs 103 having different optical axes as in a three-point distance measuring device as shown in FIG. 2A which is also similar to that which is disclosed in published Examined Japanese Patent Application (PEJPA) NO. 3-2245, for example.
When the three-point distance measurement is effected as shown in FIG. 2A, no problem will occur if the entire portion of the spot of the IRED 103 is projected on the subject, but if part of the spot is not projected onto the subject as shown in FIG. 2B (that is, a so-called spot eclipse occurs), the centroid of the reflected spot image on the PSD 104 is deviated from that obtained when the entire spot is reflected. As a result, the distance to the subject will be erroneously measured.
As a measure for coping with the spot eclipse, a binocular AF (automatic focusing) method as shown in FIG. 3 is proposed.
The AF is effected by symmetrically disposing two light reception lenses 102L and 102R with respect to the optical axis 101a of the projection lens 101 at a distance of base length S from the optical axis 101a and symmetrically disposing two PSDs 104 (PSD-L 104L and PSD-R 104R) with respect to the optical axis 101a at the distance of base length S from the optical axis 101a. In this case, output currents of PSD-L and PSD-R are respectively indicated by i.sub.1L, i.sub.2L, i.sub.1R and i.sub.2R. If the spot eclipse occurs and the centroid of the subject 105 is deviated from the optical axis 101a of the projection lens 101 by x, the relations between the reflected spot positions of the right and left PSDs and the output currents can be expressed by the following equations (3). ##EQU3##
The following equations (4) can be obtained by connecting the 1-ch portions and 2-ch portions of the right and left PSDs together, and setting the respective output currents to i.sub.1, i.sub.2. EQU i.sub.1 =i.sub.1L +i.sub.1R, i.sub.2 =i.sub.2L +i.sub.2R ( 4)
In this case, since the right and left PSDs are disposed to detect the same subject 105, the following equation (5) can be obtained. EQU i.sub.1L +i.sub.2L =i.sub.1R +i.sub.2R ( 5)
The following equation (6) can be derived based on the equations (3), (4) and (5) and the distance D to the subject can be determined independently from .DELTA.x as shown in FIG. (6). ##EQU4##
However, in the three-point AF (FIG. 2A) described before, when the subject 105 lies in a position other than the three points, for example, a position between the beams, the distance cannot be measured. That is, when none of the projected beams are applied to the subject 105, a so-called spot eclipse occurs and the distance to the subject may be erroneously determined.
In contrast, the binocular AF (FIG. 3) described before can effectively cope with the spot eclipse but it has a defect that the distance cannot be measured in a wide range. That is, if the projection angle of the IRED 103 is increased to measure the distance in a wide range in the AF shown in FIG. 3, the distance to the subject may be erroneously determined by the influence due to something (such as a wall behind a human) other than the main subject.


The present invention relates to a multi-set switched DC brushless electric machine having its rotary part of electric machine being installed with an auxiliary excitation winding set, for being connected in series with a magnetic field winding set of electric machine of another electric machine through the auxiliary excitation winding set installed on the rotary part of electric machine, such that the excitation can be variable through altering the current of the magnetic field winding set of electric machine of the another electric machine thereby changing the operational characteristic of the electric machine.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-set switched DC brushless electric machine having its rotary part of electric machine being installed with an auxiliary excitation winding set, for being connected in series with a magnetic field winding set of electric machine of another electric machine through the auxiliary excitation winding set installed on the rotary part of electric machine, such that the excitation can be variable through altering the current of the magnetic field winding set of electric machine of the another electric machine thereby changing the operational characteristic of the electric machine.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
A conventional switched DC brushless electric machine, e.g. a switched brushless electric machine having permanent magnetic pole or having reluctance rotor, often utilizes a Hall element for sensing locations so as to determine the switch timing, or utilizes an open loop means for allowing the magnetic field winding set to generate sequential excitation for driving the rotary part, so that there is a shortage of the mentioned structure that each switched DC brushless electric machine requires an individual electromechanical control unit.

Cross-interlocked multi-set switch type DC brushless electric machine system having auxiliary excitation winding set


A cooling device includes a cooling tank, a support frame, and a rotary shaft. The cooling tank accommodates coolant and an electronic device. The electronic device is immersed in the coolant. The support frame defines an opening in a first side plate and a receiving space communicating with the opening. The cooling tank is received in the receiving space. The cooling tank includes a base plate and a sidewall. The rotary shaft is rotationally mounted to a bottom corner of the cooling tank formed by the base plate and the sidewall. The rotary shaft serves as a rotating axis of the cooling tank to rotate the cooling tank out of the opening.

Electronic devices, such as servers, may be placed in a heat sink for dissipating heat generated by the electronic devices. Because some heat sinks and electronic devices may be large and heavy, the heat sinks and the electronic devices may not be easy to mount or be removed to repair.

HONGFUJIN PRECISION ELECTRONICS (TIANJIN) CO., LTD.


A position-measuring device includes a position-sensing unit, a processing unit, an interface unit, a clock generator and a time measurement unit position-sensing unit configured to generate digital position values. The processing unit processes instructions from subsequent electronics. The interface unit communicates with the subsequent electronics, according to rules of an interface protocol, via at least one interface line that transmits interface signals having a temporal behavior that is determined by the interface protocol so as to transmit the instructions from the subsequent electronics to the processing unit. The clock generator generates a clock signal that serves as a time base for functions of the position-sensing unit and the processing unit. The time measurement unit uses the clock signal as a time base, receives at least one interface signal and measures a time interval between a start event and a stop event of the at least one interface signal.

A common and widespread application of position-measuring devices is in numerically controlled machine tools. In such machine tools, position-measuring devices are used to determine instantaneous position values which are needed by subsequent electronics, such as a numerical control system, to calculate setpoints for control circuits used to control the feed rate of a tool or workpiece. For this purpose, rotary encoders or angle-measuring devices are directly or indirectly coupled, for example, to the shaft of a motor, and length-measuring devices are coupled, for example, to a movable tool carriage.
Modern position-measuring devices generate digital absolute measurement values, which may be both position values and measurement values that are derived from the variation with time of position values, such as, for example, velocity or acceleration values. Also known are position-measuring devices which additionally acquire measurement values from sensors, such as temperature or vibration sensors, located inside or outside the position-measuring device. Transmission of the measurement values from the position-measuring device to the subsequent electronics is via digital data transmission interfaces. For an example of a position-measuring device of the above-mentioned type having a digital data transmission interface, reference is made here to EP 0 660 209 A1. Another digital data transmission interface for data transmission between a position-measuring device and subsequent electronics is disclosed in WO 2009/149966 A1. In order to provide the necessary functions (acquiring position signals, processing the position signals into digital position values or measurement values derived therefrom, communicating with the subsequent electronics), complex analog and digital circuit blocks are needed.

Position-measuring device and method for testing a clock signal


A surgical scissors for excising tissue in areas of limited access where straight scissors cannot reach. The scissors has a hook-shaped end with cutting blades on a cutting axis which is generally perpendicular to the axis along which handle members of the scissors extend. The hook-shaped end may carry a second pair of cutting blades in a cutting plane which is generally parallel to the axis along which the handle members extend.

The invention relates to surgical scissors and more particularly to an improved surgical scissors which is well suited to excise tissue in areas of limited access such as the oral cavity. When tissue in the third molar area cannot be properly trimmed or sutures cut due to their position, for example, reverse cutting blades are used while the handles of the scissors are held horizontally in the mouth. Also, for example, in the retromolar pad area which is almost vertical additional cutting blades are used having a cutting axis which is generally perpendicular to the axis along which the handles of the scissors extend.
An object of the invention is to provide improved surgical scissors.
Another object is to provide a reverse surgical scissors.
Still another object is to provide a surgical scissors having cutting blades with a cutting axis generally perpendicular to the axis along which the handles of the scissors extend.
A further object is to provide a reverse surgical scissors with a pair of cutting blades one generally perpendicular and one generally parallel to the axis along which the handles of the scissors extend.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings:


A porous sheet material is inserted into a back side of a foam base material at a convex section and forces a mat-shaped fiber reinforcing material set in a mold toward a facing material during molding. Alternatively, an impregnated sheet material is inserted between the facing material and the fiber reinforcing material at the convex section so that a molding material for the foam base material is impregnated into the impregnated sheet material during molding. Further, a concave section is molded on the back side of the foam base material at the convex portion by a mold projecting section of the mold. That is, the fiber reinforcing material set in the mold is forced toward the facing material by the mold projecting section during molding.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interior finishing panel for a vehicle and a method for producing the same. More particularly, it pertains to insert measures for a fiber reinforcing material.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Generally, an interior finishing panel for a vehicle such as door trims and instrument panels is so constructed that a foam base material such as hard urethane foam is integrally molded on the back side of a facing material. Such an interior finishing panel is known and is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid Open Publication No. 58-92041 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-46737 wherein a mat-shaped fiber reinforcing material of glass fiber is inserted into the foam base material for improvement in rigidity.
However, in the above-described interior finishing panel wherein the fiber reinforcing material is inserted into the foam base material, if there is a convex section on a surface of the panel, the fiber reinforcing material set in a mold will get caught between an upper mold element (upper die) and a lower mold element (lower die) of the mold during a molding process and then lift at the back side of the convex section. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 12, at a convex section b of an interior finishing panel a, a fiber reinforcing material d, inserted into a foam base material c, is unevenly distributed in a direction away from a facing material e to form a thick portion g of resin layers between the facing material e and the fiber reinforcing material d.
In the above condition, if a molding material such as hard urethane foam used for molding the foam base material c is fed onto the fiber reinforcing material d, the supply of a molding material is impaired by the fiber reinforcing material d. Therefore, the amount of the molding material corresponding to the volume of the thick portion g will not be fed, resulting in a short supply of the molding material. Owing to this short supply, air is entrapped in the thick portion g, leading to the problem that a void f is most likely to occur.
Accordingly, in the event that the void f occurs between the facing material e and the fiber reinforcing material d, the void expands as the temperature of a vehicle compartment rises during the summer or other similar conditions. Thereafter, the facing material e expands, which spoils the appearance of panels and further leads to peeling of the facing material e. In view of this, it is preferable to prevent the fiber reinforcing material d from being unevenly distributed in a direction away from the facing material e.
In order to avoid such an uneven distribution, there has been proposed one type of interior finishing panel as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid Open Publication No. 63-99912 wherein a fiber reinforcing material is attached to the back side of a facing material by bonding the fiber reinforcing material to the back side of the facing material during a molding process.
However, in the event of the above interior finishing panel, the bonding process, including the application and drying of adhesives, for bonding the facing material to the fiber reinforcing material is time-consuming. Thus, there arises such a drawback that the whole molding time is considerably lengthened.

Interior finishing panel for a vehicle and a method for producing the same


The invention relates to a method (10) and to a device (ALE) for operating a switching element (LHS), said method comprising the following steps: a temperature (Tmp) of the switching element (LHS) is determined (22) and said switching element (LHS) is operated (26) in accordance with the determined temperature (TmP).

The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a switching element. The invention further relates to an electrical system comprising the device, to a computer program for carrying out said method and also to a machine-readable storage medium.
Switching elements, in particular power semiconductor switches, possess a temperature-dependent dielectric strength. In this context, dielectric strength means the ability of a switching element to isolate a voltage applied to the two poles of the switching element in the open state permanently and reliably from one another. At relatively low temperatures, the dielectric strength of a switching element is 600 V, for example. This means that the switching element is designed in such a way that it permanently isolates a voltage of 600 V applied to the poles thereof. At relatively high temperatures, the same switching element is able to isolate voltages of approximately 750 volts from one another. An increase in the dielectric strength of switching elements can be observed within certain limits. For the operation of robust electronic circuits, there is provision for only that voltage that can be reliably isolated by the switching element at the lowest operating temperatures of the circuit to be permitted as the maximum voltage at the poles of the switching element. The potential of the switching elements is therefore not utilized at relatively high operating temperatures, at which even a relatively high voltage at the poles of the switching element would be able to be reliably isolated, and therefore a relatively high power would be able to be switched.
It is accordingly known practice from the prior art, for example from DE 10 2006 047 243 A1, to operate a motor vehicle on-board electrical system using a power transistor, wherein the electrical circuit is configured in such a way that voltages that would exceed the dielectric strength of the transistor are not able to occur.
There is the need to develop alternatives to this that make it possible to utilize the relatively high dielectric strength of switching elements at relatively high temperatures.

Method and device for operating a switching element


A method of and a system for controlling a brightness of a picture displayed on a plasma display panel are provided which are capable of determining whether a video signal to be fed to the plasma display panel is a signal indicating a stationary picture, reducing the brightness of a picture displayed on the plasma display panel if it is determined that a video signal to be fed to the plasma display panel is a signal indicating a stationary picture.

The present invention relates to a method of and a system for controlling the brightness of a plasma display panel (hereinafter referred to as PDP), particularly for controlling the brightness of a picture reproduced from video signals and displayed on the PDP.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view indicating a conventional driving system for driving an AC discharge type PDP whose luminescent units are arranged in a matrix manner.
As shown in FIG. 10, the conventional driving system has a signal processing section 1 for processing inputted composite video signals and for producing DVD driving signals, a display section 2 for receiving the DVD driving signals fed from the signal processing section 1 and for displaying reproduced picture on the PDP.
In the signal processing section 1, composite video signals inputted from the outside are processed in an A/D converter 3, so that said video signals will become in synchronism with a timing pulse produced from a timing pulse generating circuit 7, and are converted into 8-bit digital picture element data signals which are then fed to a frame memory 4.
The frame memory 4, in accordance with a taking-in signal and a reading-out signal both of which are all fed from a memory control circuit 8, is adapted to successively take-in picture element data from the digital picture element data signal fed from the A/D converter 3, and to read-out the taken-in picture element data which is then fed to an output signal processing circuit 5.
The output signal processing circuit 5 is provided to process the digital picture element data signal so as to produce for each field a picture element data signal having a mode (8 bit) corresponding to a brightness gradation of the filed. Then, the picture element data signal is synchronized with a timing signal fed from a timing signal generating circuit 9 and is further fed to a picture element data pulse generating circuit 10.
In the signal processing section 1, composite video signals inputted from the outside are also fed to a synchronizing signal separation circuit 6 which is provided to extract a horizontal synchronizing signal and a vertical synchronizing signal from the composite video signals. The extracted horizontal synchronizing signal and vertical synchronizing signal are then supplied to a timing pulse generating circuit 7.
The timing pulse generating circuit 7 is provided to produce various timing pulses in accordance with the above horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals. The various timing pulses are fed to the A/D converter 3, a memory control circuit 8 and a reading-out timing signal generating circuit 9.
Here, the A/D converter 3 is provided to, in synchronism with the timing pulse fed from the timing pulse generating circuit 7, perform analog/digital conversion for the composite video signals fed from the outside to the signal processing section 1.
The memory control circuit 8 is provided to produce a taking-in signal (in synchronism with a timing pulse fed from the timing pulse generating circuit 7) and a reading-out signal (in synchronism with a reading-out timing signal fed from the reading-out timing signal generating circuit 9) to the frame memory 4. Accordingly, the frame memory 4 can take-in picture element data from digital picture element data signal fed from the A/D converter 3, and can read-out the taken-in picture element data.
The reading-out timing signal generating circuit 9 receives a timing pulse fed from the timing pulse generating circuit 7, and produces a reading-out timing signal in accordance with said timing pulse. The reading-out timing signal is fed to the memory control circuit 8, the output signal processing circuit 5, further to a row electrode driving pulse generating circuit 11 of the display section 2.
In this way, the memory control circuit 8 can produce a reading-out signal to the frame memory 4, and the output signal processing circuit 5 can produce picture element data to a picture element data pulse generating circuit 10 of the display section 2.
Referring to FIG. 11, the display section 2 comprises a PDP 12 which includes a plurality of row electrodes Xi, Yi (i=1, 2 . . . n) arranged in parallel with one another on an inner surface of a front glass substrate 12A serving as a picture display panel.
Further, a dielectric layer 12B is provided to cover the row electrodes Xi, Yi (i=1, 2 . . . n). A magnesium oxide (MgO) layer 12C is formed on the dielectric layer 12B, an electric discharge space 12E is formed between the magnesium oxide layer 12C and a rear glass substrate 12D.
A plurality of column electrodes Dj (j=1, 2 . . . m) are arranged in parallel with one another on an inner surface of the rear glass substrate 12D, in a manner such that the column electrodes Dj (j=1, 2 . . . m) are perpendicular to the row electrodes Xi, Yi (i=1, 2 . . . n).
In practice, each pair of row electrodes Xi, Yi are used to form one displaying line within the PDP, each intersection formed by one pair of row electrodes Xi, Yi with one column electrode Dj forms a picture element cell.
The picture element data pulse generating circuit 11 of the display section 2 is connected with the plurality of column electrodes Dj (j=1, 2 . . . m) for producing picture element data pulses DPj(j=1, 2 . . . m) corresponding to the picture element data fed from the output signal processing circuit 5 of the signal processing section 1, said picture element data pulses DPj (j=1, 2 . . . m) being applied to the column electrodes Dj (i=1, 2 . . . m).
The row electrode driving pulse generating circuit 11 is connected with the plurality of row electrodes Xi, Yi (i=1, 2 . . . n), so as to produce the following pulses to these row electrodes Xi, Yi (i=1, 2 . . . n) in accordance with the reading-out timing signals fed from the reading-out timing signal generating circuit 9 of the signal processing section 1. In fact, the pulses produced by the row electrode driving pulse generating circuit 11 and fed to the plurality of row electrodes Xi, Yi (i=1, 2 . . . n), are reset pulses RPx, RPy for effecting an electric discharge between each pair of row electrodes Xi, Yi (i=1, 2 . . . n) to generate charged particles in the discharge space 12E, priming pulses PP for reforming the charged particles, scanning pulses SP for writing-in picture element data, sustaining pulses LPx, LPy for maintaining discharge luminescence, erasing pulses EP for erasing wall electric charges.
FIG. 12 is a timing chart indicating various timings of the above pulses to be applied to the row electrodes Xi, Yi (i=1, 2 . . . n).
As shown in FIG. 12, a reset pulse RPx of a positive voltage is applied to each of the row electrodes Xi (i=1, 2 . . . n), while another reset pulse RPy of a negative voltage is applied to each of the row electrodes Yi (i=1, 2 . . . n). With the application of the reset pulses RPx and RPy, an electric discharge is induced in a space between each pair of row electrodes Xi, Yi (i=1, 2 . . . n), whereby generating charged particles within the electric discharge space 12E corresponding to all the picture element cells.
By virtue of the charged particles, upon completion of the electric discharge, a predetermined amount of wall charges will form in the same manner in all the picture element cells within the dielectric layer 12B.
Here, a time period until the formation of the wall charges is called an all-at-once reset period.
On the other hand, the picture element data pulse generating circuit 10 operates to successively apply picture element data pulses DPj (j=1, 2 . . . m) (each having a voltage corresponding to picture element data) to the column electrodes Dj (j=1, 2 . . . m).
As shown in FIG. 12, just before the picture element data pulse generating circuit 10 applies picture element data pulse DPj (j=1, 2 . . . m) to the column electrodes Dj (j=1, 2 . . . m), the row electrode driving pulse generating circuit 11 applies a priming pulse PP of a positive polarity to each of the row electrodes Yi (i=1, 2 . . . n). Then, a scanning pulse SP having a predetermined small pulse period and a negative polarity is successively applied to each of the row electrodes Yi (i=1, 2 . . . n), in synchronism with a timing of the picture element data pulse DPj (j=1, 2 . . . m).
With the application of the priming pulse PP, the charged particles formed in the all-at-once reset period but have decreased with the passing of time, can be increased again. Further, when the scanning pulses SP are applied during a period the charged particles are still existing, an electric potential difference between a scanning pulse SP and a picture element data pulse DPj will occur, causing a selected discharge therebetween, thereby effecting a predetermined writing-in of the picture element data.
Namely, a scanning pulse SP can serve as a trigger for selectively erasing (corresponding to picture element data) wall charges formed due to charged particles in each picture element cell within the dielectric layer 12B, thereby effecting a predetermined writing-in of the picture element data, depending upon whether or not electric discharges are caused between the row electrodes Yi (i=1, 2 . . . n) and the column electrodes Dj (j=1, 2 . . . m) and wall electrodes are thus erased.
For example, the voltage of each of the picture element data pulses DPj (j=1, 2 . . . m) applied to a picture element cells will be V (having a positive polarity) if a picture element data indicates a logic xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d, but will be 0 if a picture element data shows a logic xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d. On a line within the PDP 12 to which a scanning pulse SP is applied, when a picture element data indicates a logic xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d, an electric potential difference between a scanning pulse SP and a picture element data pulse DPj (i=1, 2 . . . m) becomes large, thus there will be a minor electric discharge (corresponding to the period of a scanning pulse SP) between a row electrode Yi and a column electrode Dj, thereby erasing wall charges in the dielectric layer 12B corresponding to picture element cells. At this moment, since a time for the electric discharge is short, there would be no wall charges newly formed in the dielectric layer 12B.
On the other hand, when the picture element data (corresponding to picture element cell) indicates a logic xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d, an electric potential difference between a scanning pulse SP and a picture element data pulse DPj (i=1, 2 . . m) is small. As a result, there will not be any electric discharge between a row electrode Yi and a column electrode Dj, rendering wall charges to remain within the dielectric layer 12B corresponding to picture element cells.
Here, a period necessary for writing-in the picture element data by virtue of the erasing of the wall charges is called an address period.
Next, the row electrode driving pulse generating circuit 11 operates to continuously apply a sustaining pulse LPx of positive polarity to each row electrode Xi, and continuously apply a sustaining pulse LPy of positive polarity to each row electrode Yi in a timing slightly later than a timing for applying the pulse LPx.
With the application of the sustaining pulses LPx and LPy, discharge luminescence occurs only in picture element cells where wall charges are remaining within the dielectric layer 12B. Such discharge luminescence may be maintained during a period when the sustaining pulses LPx and LPy are being applied continuously.
By virtue of such discharge luminescence, a picture will then be displayed on the PDP 12.
Here, a period during which the discharge luminescence is maintained by continuously applying sustaining pulses LPx and LPy is called a discharge maintaining period.
After the discharge luminescence has been maintained for a predetermined period, the row electrode driving pulse generating circuit 11 operates to apply an erasing pulse EP having a negative polarity to each row electrode Yi, so as to erase the wall charges remaining in the dielectric layer 12B, thereby finishing the display of one field of picture.
However, with an AC discharge type matrix display PDP, since there is a significant temperature difference between portions of discharge luminescence and the portions of non-discharge luminescence, a problem such as cracking might occur on the PDP.
In order to prevent a possible cracking on a PDP, there has been suggested an Automatic Brightness/Beam Limiter for limiting a picture brightness when displaying a stationary picture on a display panel, as disclosed in the applicant""s earlier application (Japanese Patent Application No. 9-187827).
FIG. 13 is a block diagram indicating a brightness limiting system disclosed by the applicant in the above-mentioned earlier application. With such a brightness limiting system, a composite video signal is decomposed into various analogue color signals R, G, B (Red, Green, Blue) by virtue of a color signal generating circuit (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 13, the color signals R, G, B are applied to A/D converters 20R, 20G, 20B to be converted into digital signals which are further fed to multipliers 21R, 21G, 21B in which each digital signal is multiplied by a multiplication coefficient, thereby setting brightness levels of various color signals R, G, B.
The various color signals R, G, B, whose brightness levels have been set, are fed to a frame memory (not shown) and further to an output signal processing circuit (not shown) so as to be applied to a display section (not shown), in the same manner as shown in FIG. 10.
However, the multiplication coefficients for use in setting the brightness levels of various color signals R, G, B may be determined in the following way.
Namely, color signals R, G, B, which have been converted into digital signals in A/D converters 20R, 20G and 20B, are fed to a synthesizing circuit 22 so as to be synthesized with a brightness signal. The systhesized signal is then fed to an APL (Average Picture Level) calculating circuit 23.
The APL calculating circuit 23 is provided to divide video signal of one field picture into eight blocks in vertical direction (see FIG. 14) and to calculate an APL value for each block. The APL values are then fed to an APL adder circuit 24.
The APL adder circuit 24 is provided to adder together the APL values of two adjacent blocks to obtain an added APL value to be fed to a comparator circuit 25.
The comparator circuit 25 is provided to compare an added APL value with a reference value set in advance in a reference value generating circuit 26, with a comparing result fed to a multiplication coefficient setting circuit 27.
The multiplication coefficient setting circuit 27 operates to set multiplication coefficients for multipliers 21R, 21G, 21B, in accordance with comparison results fed from the comparator circuit 25. Namely, if an added APL value is larger than a reference value, a multiplication coefficient (preset in the circuit 27 and smaller than 1), will be fed to each of the multipliers 21R, 21G, 21B. The multipliers 21R, 21G, 21B will thus operate to multiply the color signals R, B, G with the multiplication coefficient, so as to reduce the brightness level of color signals R, B, G.
On the other hand, if each of added APL values is smaller than a reference value, a multiplication coefficient (preset in the circuit 27 and equal to 1), will be fed to each of the multipliers 21R, 21G, 21B, so as not to reduce the brightness level of color signals R, B, G.
For instance, if a reference value preset in the circuit 26 is 400, in a pattern of FIG. 14A (in which numerical numbers are used to represent APL values of the blocks), since each of added APL values of two adjacent blocks is smaller than 400, only a multiplication coefficient equal to 1 is outputted from the multiplication coefficient generating circuit 27, so as not to reduce the brightness level of color signals R, B, G.
On the other hand, as shown in a pattern of FIG. 14B, if an added APL value of two adjacent blocks (block 4 and block 5) is larger than the preset reference value 400, multiplication coefficient preset in the circuit 27 and smaller than 1 (for example 0.5), will be fed to the multipliers 21R, 21G, 21B. The multipliers 21R, 21G, 21B will operate to multiply the color signals R, B, G with the multiplication coefficient (0.5), so as to reduce the brightness level of various color signals, as shown in FIG. 14C (APL value of each block has been reduced to xc2xd of its original value).
With the use of the above brightness control system, it is possible to reduce the picture brightness on some areas of a PDP where bright picture portions are collected, thereby preventing occurence of cracking on the PDP.
However, it has been proved that the above conventional brightness control system (Automatic Brightness/Beam Limiter) is effective only in a case where a bright portion xcex1 of a stationary picture is collecte in a leteral direction (see FIG. 15), but is not effective in a case where a bright portion a of a stationary picture is collected in a vertical direction (see FIG. 16). The reason responsible for the case of FIG. 16 is that APL values of all the blocks are low, an added APL value of every two adjacent blocks is lower than a predetermined reference value, hence disabling the brightness control system (Automatic Brightness/Beam Limiter), and making it impossible to prevent a cracking in a PDP.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of controlling the brightness of a PDP (plasma display panel), capable of preventing a cracking on the PDP, regardless of what pattern of a stationary picture is displayed on the PDP, thereby solving the above-mentioned problems peculiar to the above-discussed prior arts.
According to the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a brightness of a picture displayed on a plasma display panel by increasing or decreasing said brightness, said method comprising: determining whether a video signal to be fed to the plasma display panel is a signal indicating a stationary picture; reducing the brightness of a picture displayed on the plasma display panel if it is determined that a video signal to be fed to the plasma display panel is a signal indicating a stationary picture.
In one aspect of the present invention, one average brightness level of a video signal to be fed to the plasma display panel is detected during a predetermined period, said one average brightness level is then compared with a former average brightness level detected immediately before the detection of said one average brightness level, so as to obtain a difference between said one average brightness level and said former average brightness level.
In another aspect of the present invention, when the difference between said one average brightness level and said former average brightness level is smaller than a predetermined value and such condition has continued for a predetermined time, it is determined that said video signal is a signal indicating a stationary picture.
In a further aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that a video signal to be fed to the plasma display panel is a signal indicating a stationary picture, the number of sustaining pulses for maintaining luminescent discharge on the plasma display panel is reduced.
In a still further aspect of the present invention, the number of sustaining pulses for maintaining luminescent discharge on the plasma display panel is reduced gradually step by step.
In one more aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that a video signal to be fed to the plasma display panel is a signal indicating a stationary picture, multiplication coefficients are made smaller which will be multiplied with video signals to be fed to the plasma display panel to adjust the brightness of the stationary picture displayed on the plasma display panel.
Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a system for controlling a brightness of a picture displayed on a plasma display panel by increasing or decreasing said brightness, said system comprising: determining means for determining whether a video signal to be fed to the plasma display panel is a signal indicating a stationary picture; brightness reducing means for reducing the brightness of a picture displayed on the plasma display panel if it is determined that a video signal to be fed to the plasma display panel is a signal indicating a stationary picture.
In one more aspect of the present invention, the above determining means comprises: average brightness level detecting means for detecting during a predetermined period one average brightness level of a video signal to be fed to the plasma display panel; calculating means for comparing said one average brightness level with a former average brightness level detected immediately before the detection of said one average brightness level and for obtaining a difference between said one average brightness level and said former average brightness level; monitor means for monitorring whether the difference obtained by the calculating means has continuously been smaller than a predetermined value for a predetermined time. In particular, when the monitor means determines that the difference obtained by the calculating means has continuously been smaller than a predetermined value for a predetermined time, it is determined that said video signal is a signal indicating a stationary picture.
In still one more aspect of the present invention, the brightness reducing means is means capable of reducing the number of sustaining pulses for maintaining luminescent discharge on the plasma display panel.
In still one more aspect of the present invention, the brightness reducing means is capable of reducing the number of the sustaining pulses gradually step by step.
In still one more aspect of the present invention, the brightness reducing means is means capable of reducing multiplication coefficients to be multiplied by video signals to be fed to the plasma display panel so as to adjust the brightness level of the video signals.
The above objects and features of the present invention will become better understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Method of and system for controlling brightness of plasma display panel


An apparatus including a home automation system having a plurality of sensors that detect events within a predetermined geographic area, a first wireless sensor of the plurality of sensors that operates within the home automation system under a Z-wave format wherein the first wireless sensor has a number of predetermined system operating attributes that are not related to a system address of the first sensor, a replacement wireless sensor having a processor that communicates under a Z-wave format and a program executing on a processor of the home automation system that operatively removes the first sensor from the home automation system and automatically enrolls the replacement sensor with the home automation system by assigning the predetermined system operating attributes to the replacement sensor.

Systems are known to automate home functions such as controlling environmental functions such as lighting and providing security. A security system portion of the home automation system protects people and assets within secured areas. Such systems are typically based upon the use of one more sensors that detect threats within the areas.
Threats to people and assets may originate from any of number of different sources. For example, a fire may kill or injure occupants who have become trapped by a fire in a home. Similarly, carbon monoxide from a fire may kill people in their sleep.
Alternatively, an unauthorized intruder, such as a burglar, may present a threat to assets within the area. Intruders have also been known to injure or kill people living within the area.
Sensors and controllers may be placed in different areas based upon the respective uses of those areas. For example, fire and/or carbon monoxide detection devices may be placed near sleeping areas of a home while intrusion detectors may be placed near entrances.
In most cases, threat detectors are connected to a local control panel. In the event of a threat detected via one of the sensors, the control panel may sound a local audible alarm. The control panel may also send a signal to a central monitoring station.
While conventional home automation systems work well, it is sometimes difficult or inconvenient to maintain and/or repair sensors or device controllers. Accordingly, a need exists for better methods and apparatus for simplifying the process for replacement of home automation devices.

Fast replacement Z-wave device in home automation


A fixing control apparatus which controls a fixing apparatus which includes multiple heating elements to fix, to a recording material, an unfixed toner image formed based on image data is disclosed. The fixing control apparatus includes an image presence/absence determining unit which determines presence/absence of an image for each of multiple areas into which the image data are divided; a heating element selecting unit which selects a heating element located at a position corresponding to an area in which the image is present from the multiple heating elements; and a heating element driving unit which causes the heating element selected by the heating element selecting unit to be heated.

Related-art image forming apparatuses include an image foaming apparatus provided with a fixing apparatus using a laser beam, etc., or a thermal head which has a good thermal responsiveness. In the image forming apparatus provided with the fixing apparatus, a technique is known which selectively heats only a position at which toner is put on the recording material or only the vicinity thereof to fix non-fixed toner based on digital image data (Patent Document 1).

Fixing control apparatus, fixing control program product, and image forming apparatus


A connector assembly includes a housing, a current carrying conductor, and an interlock conductor. The housing has a cavity that receives conductive members and a shunt of a first connector. The cavity is bifurcated into a conductor channel and an interlock channel that receives a conductive member of a second connector. The current carrying conductor is in the housing and extends through the cavity and the conductor channel. The interlock conductor is in the housing and extends through the cavity and the interlock channel. The interlock conductor closes an interlock circuit when the interlock conductor mates the shunt of the first connector with the conductive member of the second connector. The current carrying conductors mate to the conductive members of the first connector to begin transferring electric current through the current carrying conductor when the interlock circuit is closed.

The subject matter described herein relates generally to connectors, and more particularly, to connectors used with an interlock circuit.
Connectors may be used in high voltage applications, such as in hybrid or all-electric automobiles, to transfer relatively high voltage current from a power source to one or more electric loads. For example, connectors may electrically couple a battery with heating elements, control systems, transmissions, and the like, in an automobile. The high voltage current that is transmitted using these connectors may require safeguards to ensure that operators of the automobile and other electronic components in the automobile are not harmed by the current.
Some known high voltage (HV) devices or connectors have interlock circuits that control when current is transmitted from a power source to electric loads. The interlock circuits may be used to ensure that a power supply circuit that includes the power source and the loads is closed prior to transferring the current along or through the circuit. For example, some known devices include a header connector that is mounted to the outside of the device. The header connector may be directly wired to an interlock circuit within the device. The header connector also may include contacts that transfer current through a power supply circuit. A plug connector mates with the header connector to electrically couple the contacts of the interlock circuit. For example, the plug connector may include a conductive shunt that bridges the contacts of the interlock circuit to close the interlock circuit. The plug connector also includes contacts that are joined to electric loads. The contacts of the electric loads mate with the contacts of the power supply circuit in the header assembly to close the power supply circuit. In doing so, the header assembly transfers or receives current to the contacts of the plug connector once the shunt of the plug connector closes the interlock circuit.
But, header connectors are fixed in location. For example, header connectors may only be mounted to the exterior of a device. A need exists for a connector that is not mounted as a header connector and that closes an interlock circuit. Another problem is having numerous connectors to mate with each different HV connector having a high voltage interlock (HVIL) circuit.

Connector assembly for an interlock circuit


An electric contact is disclosed. The electric contact has an electric contact section including a plurality of contact springs with different geometrical shapes and a connecting section connected to an electric conductor.

A large number of electric connections, particularly electrical plug connections, are known which serve to transmit electric currents, voltages and/or signals with a largest possible bandwidth. Particularly in the automotive industry, such connections must safeguard a faultless transmission of electric power, signals and/or data in thermally charged, polluted, moist or chemically aggressive surroundings.
Due to a wide range of applications for such connections, a large number of specifically configured electric plug contacts are known, particularly crimp-contacts. In the field of electrical power contacting for the automotive industry, aside from a crimp-contact, only circular high-voltage or high-current contacts are known which could easily be stamped out of milled metal strips. In a rectangular high-voltage or high-current contact, an electric contact is provided by many filigree contact lamellas, wherein all contact lamellas have the same design and are bound to a contact cage at both longitudinal end portions. Due to the position of the contact lamellas in the contact, an amperage varies per contact lamella; a balanced current distribution is not possible with such a contact. Furthermore, the many filigree contact lamellas lead to a non-robust, damageable contact.
A known contact comprises identical contact lamellas wherein some contact lamellas are located more closely to a conductor-crimping section of the contact than several other contact lamellas. When using the contact, because the current always takes the path of least resistance, this leads to the problem that the contact lamellas which are located more closely to the conductor-crimping section carry more electric current than those which are located further away from the conductor-crimping section. The contact lamella located closest to the conductor-crimping section carries the most current and the one furthest away from the conductor-crimping section only carries a very small amount or hardly any current.

Electric contact means and electrical cable assembly for the automotive industry


A personal dog carrier harness system for supporting and carrying a dog at the owner's chest or back. The dog carrier harness utilizes a vertical adjustment mechanism to adapt to shorter or longer dog neck sizes. A double-layer zipper prevents the dog's hair or skin from getting caught in the carrier harness system. Full internal support with stretch-ability is provided to support the dog's rear end, tail, and hind limbs with increased room to accommodate the male dog's crotch area and anatomy. Access points are ruggedized to allow the dog to easily remove and insert their arms and legs during travel in the carrier harness. Fully breathable materials are used in the construction for the comfort of the pet dog. A chin rest neck support is provided to evenly distribute the dog's weight with a pillow-like design for the dog's full neck support. A safety leash and clip is provided to securely attach to the dog's collar or existing harness to prevent the dog from jumping or falling out of the harness system. The dog carrier system is worn by the owner with shoulder straps and pads, waist straps and full lumbar support for even weight distribution and to prevent movement of the dog carrier system while the owner is in motion and during bending over.

A personal dog carrier harness system is described here for safely, securely and comfortably carrying a pet dog at the owner's chest or back. The personal dog carrier harness system utilizes a front opening vertical adjustment mechanism for providing adjustability to comfortably secure various sized dogs, depending on whether the dog has a shorter or longer neck, the harness provides adjustability and allows the dog more visibility. A double-layer zipper mechanism is provided with flaps over the side zippers to eliminate the catching of the dog's hair or skin in the harness system and protect the dog from injury. A softly padded internal support seat with stretch-ability is provided to comfortably support the dog's hind limbs and crotch areas. Additional stretch-ability and roominess is provided at the crotch area for the male dog's anatomy. The dog's legs and arms are provided with rigid, padded rounded access or entry points so that the dog may easily insert and remove their limbs without being caught in the harness. The dog carrier harness system is constructed with breathable and mesh-like materials to provide the dog with a comfortable fit as well as soft padding for the dog's support. The dog carrier harness is also washable. A chin rest is provided for neck support and comfort of the dog while resting the dog's chin, neck or head upon the top of the dog carrier harness which allows for even weight distribution. The chin rest neck support is constructed with a pillow-like padded design for full neck support and for the dog's comfort.
A pocket space is provided to accommodate dog treats or the owner's personal belongings, such as keys, cellphone, or wallet. Additionally, a safety leash clip and strap mechanism is provided to attach to the dog's existing collar or other harness worn by the dog and secure the dog inside the harness system. The safety leash prevents the dog from jumping or falling out of the harness system. Furthermore, the dog carrier harness system is provided with fully-adjustable padded shoulder straps, waist straps, and lumbar support straps for full back support and even weight distribution on the owner's shoulders and body while carrying a dog. Full lumbar support for the dog owner is provided with the dog carrier system straps and webbing to securely support the dog while the owner is in motion, during bending over and other movement. The personal dog carrier system is reversible where it may be worn with the dog supported on the owner's chest, or alternatively reversed and worn backward with the dog supported on the owner's back. The carrier harness straps may be crossed at the owner's chest while the dog is supported on the owner's back or alternatively the straps may be crossed at the owner's back while the dog is supported at the owner's chest.

Personal dog carrier harness system with integrated internal support and padded neck support


An internal combustion engine system includes an engine having an engine housing. The engine system further includes an exhaust system, and a turbine disposed within the exhaust system. A particulate reduction device is disposed in the exhaust system upstream of the turbine. The particulate reduction device includes an exhaust retarder having a flow property which is based at least in part on a residence requirement for combustion of particulates in exhaust gases passing therethrough. The flow property may be a flow restriction property, and the exhaust retarder may include a flow restricting trapping element configured to trap particulates in the exhaust gases. The flow restricting trapping element defines a combustion efficacy to exhaust mass flow and temperature coefficient for the particulate reduction device which is based at least in part on a combustion initiating residence requirement for particulates passing through the particulate reduction device.

Operation of internal combustion engines typically results in the generation of particulate matter, including inorganic species (ash), sulfates, small organic species generally referred to as soluble organic fraction (SOF), and hydrocarbon particulates or "soot." Various strategies have been used for preventing the release of such particulate matter into the environment, including the use of particulate filters, available in a variety of designs. Particulate filters are used in both on-highway and off-highway applications, and typically include a porous ceramic material positioned in the path of exhaust exiting the engine. The particulate filter traps particulate matter in the exhaust gases, reducing its release via the engine tailpipe or exhaust stack.
Over time, accumulating particulate matter in a conventional filter will tend to impede exhaust flow through the filter, resulting in a pressure drop. Periodically, conventional filters need to be cleaned. A variety of strategies are known for "regenerating" a particulate filter, often by heating the particulate matter to a temperature at which the trapped particles combust or oxidize. Specialized hardware such as electrical heaters and fuel injection devices and/or engine operating strategies are commonly used for filter regeneration, adding expense, size and complexity to an engine system and its controls. Filters are also typically sized to allow a relatively large amount of particulate matter to be accumulated without substantially affecting performance, so that regeneration cycles are necessary relatively infrequently. In addition, filter volumes typically account for the need to trap ash from combusted particulates. Certain designs use precious metal catalysts to enable essentially continuous regeneration, reducing the need for other regeneration hardware or controls. These designs, however, have their own drawbacks, notably expense.
Further considerations in particulate filter and overall engine system design relate to the positioning of particulate filters within an engine system. In many modern internal combustion engine systems, particularly compression ignition diesel engine systems, one or more turbochargers are used to extract energy from engine exhaust. Conventional wisdom has been to position turbochargers upstream a particulate filter, in part due to the relatively higher energy of the exhaust prior to its passing through a particulate filter. A further consideration driving filter positioning has been the relative sensitivity of common filter materials to temperature conditions at different locations in an exhaust system. Exhaust temperatures upstream a turbocharger tend to vary relatively widely and rapidly, causing problems in conventional filter materials. The heat release associated with filter regeneration can further compound this problem. It will thus be recognized that many conventional particulate filters tend to be relatively large, complex and expensive pieces of equipment, with limited design and placement flexibility in an engine system.

Engine system having particulate reduction device and method


This invention relates to an optical transmission monitoring apparatus or the like which has a simple structure for identifying causes of variations in the power of WDM signals. The optical transmission monitoring apparatus includes a monitoring section for setting first and second wavelength bands in a monitor wavelength band, comparing variations in the optical powers of a plurality of types of light containing different light signals which are detected from the respective wavelength bands, and identifying causes of the variations in optical power in the optical transmission path.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a monitoring apparatus for monitoring the transmission state in an optical transmission path through which light containing one or more light signals having different wavelengths propagates, a monitoring method, an optical amplification system including the monitoring apparatus, a method of controlling the optical amplification system, and an optical transmission system.
2. Related Background Art
An optical transmission system using a WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) communication scheme includes an optical fiber transmission network through which WDM signals containing one or more light signals having different wavelengths propagates, and can perform large-capacity, high-speed communication. This optical transmission system includes an optical amplifier for amplifying WDM signals altogether, an optical ADM (Add-Drop Multiplexer) for dropping and adding some light signals contained in the WDM signals, and the like as well as an optical fiber transmission path as a transmission medium for light signals.
In the optical transmission system having the above structure, monitoring control of the optical amplifier is one of the important subjects. More specifically, the optical power of each amplified light (light signals) optically amplified by the optical amplifier is required to be controlled to a constant level in either of the following cases: a case wherein the number of light signals sent from the transmitter varies, a case wherein the number of light signals propagating a long an optical transmission path varies due to dropping/adding of light signals by the optical ADMs placed midway along the optical transmission path, and a case wherein a transmission loss in the optical transmission path or the like varies. In order to solve this problem, various proposals have been made.
For example, in xe2x80x9cControl of Optical Output Level for WDM Optical Fiber Amplifierxe2x80x9d (first prior art) proposed in the 1996 IEICE communication society conference B-1096, an acoustooptic filter whose passing wavelength characteristics change in accordance with a change in the frequency of ultrasonic waves is used as an optical transmission wavelength selection element. The acoustooptic filter is controlled by a sweep circuit, sweeps a band of 1,545 nm to 1,557 nm in a cycle of 400 xcexcs, and converts WDM signals into a pulse string on the time axis. This pulse string is photoelectrically converted. A wave counter then detects the number of light signals contained in the WDM signals. Automatic level control (ALC) of the optical amplifier is performed on the basis of the information about the detected number of light signals. Note that the above acoustooptic filter is disclosed in xe2x80x9cWide Tunable Range and Low Sidelobe Level of Double-stage Polarization Independent Acousto-optic Tunable Filterxe2x80x9d proposed in the 1996 IEICE general conference C-254.
According to the method proposed in xe2x80x9cCharacteristics of EDFA with Automatic Level Control for change of number of the wavelengths and input Signal levelxe2x80x9d proposed in the 1996 IEICE communication society conference B-1092 (second prior art), pilot light in the amplification band of an optical amplifier is dropped from an optical transmission path by a branching element placed on the output side of the optical amplifier, the optical power of the dropped pilot light is detected, and the optical amplifier is controlled to keep the optical power of this pilot light constant. As a technique similar to the second prior art, for example, the technique disclosed in Seo Yeon Park and Sang-Yung Shin, xe2x80x9cGain and power controlled EDFA and WDM optical networksxe2x80x9d, 2nd Optoelectronics and Communications Conference (OECC""97) Technical Digest, July 1997, Seoul KOREA is known.
In addition, according to Takashi Ono, xe2x80x9cFiber grating wavelength monitor for optical amplifier control and administration in WDM transmission systemsxe2x80x9d, First Optoelectronics and Communications Conference (OECC""96) Technical Digest, July 1996, Makuhari Messe 17B3-2 (third prior art), part of WDM signals (some light signals) is dropped by a branching element connected to the output terminal of an optical amplifier and output as short pulses by an acoustooptic switch. Delays corresponding to the wavelengths of the respective light signals of the short pulses are given to the respective light signals through an optical circulator and optical fiber grating. The light signals having different wavelengths, to which the delays are given in this manner, are converted into pulses arranged along the time axis. The number of light signals contained in the WDM signals, operating wavelength band, the powers of the respective light signals are obtained from the number, positions, and optical powers of these pulses. In the third prior art, automatic level control (ALC) of the optical amplifier is performed on the basis of the obtained number of light signals contained in the WDM signals.
The present inventors found the following problems upon examination of the first and third prior arts. The first to third prior arts use special optical elements such as acoustooptic filters, acoustooptic switches, and optical circulators, and the second prior art uses pilot light. For this reason, these conventional systems need to have complicated arrangements, and become expensive systems.
In addition, since the first and third prior arts use acoustooptic filters and acoustooptic switches, variations in the power of a light signal of WDM signals which have specific wavelengths cannot be detected, although the number of light signals contained in the WDM signals can be detected. The second prior art using pilot light can neither detect the number of light signals contained in WDM signals nor detect variations in the power of light signals of the WDM signals which has a specific wavelength. The first to third prior arts cannot therefore discriminate whether a cause of a variation in the optical power of WDM signals is a variation in the optical power of a light signal having a specific wavelength or a loss variation in an optical transmission path. This problem is serious especially in an optical transmission system using an optical ADM.
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide an optical transmission monitoring apparatus having a simple structure capable of identifying a cause of variations in the optical power of WDM signals, a monitoring method, an optical amplification system including the optical transmission monitoring apparatus, a method of controlling the optical amplification system, and an optical transmission system.
An optical transmission monitoring apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus for monitoring a transmission state in an optical transmission path through which light belongs in a signal wavelength band and containing one or more light signals having different wavelengths propagates. This apparatus uses light in the signal wavelength band or light in a wavelength band different from the signal wavelength band as monitoring light signals.
More specifically, the optical transmission monitoring apparatus according to the present invention comprises first and second photodetectors and a monitoring section for monitoring a transmission state in an optical transmission path by using the detection results obtained by the first and second photodetectors.
The first photodetector detects at least one of the optical power of one or more monitoring light signals of light in the first wavelength band, which is included in a monitor wavelength band in which light propagating through an optical transmission path and containing one or more monitoring light signals having different wavelengths belongs, and the optical power of noise of the light in the first wavelength band. The second photodetector detects at least one of the optical power of one or more monitoring light signals of light in the second wavelength band included in a monitor wavelength band, and the optical power of noise of the light in the second wavelength band.
The above monitor wavelength band may be a wavelength band which differs from the signal wavelength band and partly overlaps the signal wavelength band. When the monitor wavelength band differs from the signal wavelength band, light propagating in an optical transmission path and belonging in the monitor wavelength band is dropped from the optical transmission path by a demultiplexer. The dropped light in the monitor wavelength band is guided to the optical transmission monitoring apparatus to be used for optical transmission monitoring. When the monitor wavelength band overlaps the signal wavelength band, light signals in the overlapping wavelength band can be used as monitoring light. By placing at least one demultiplexer in an optical transmission path, therefore, light belonging in the signal wavelength band and propagating through the optical transmission path is partly dropped. The dropped light is guided to the optical transmission monitoring apparatus to be used for optical transmission monitoring. In this manner, at least some light signals of the light signals dropped from the optical transmission path can be used as monitoring light signals.
In the above monitor wavelength band, the first and second wavelength bands may be different wavelengths. The first and second wavelength bands may partly overlap each other on condition that they do not coincide with each other. In the mode in which the first and second wavelength band overlap each other, the bandwidth of the first wavelength band is greater than that of the second wavelength band, and the second wavelength band is preferably included in the first wavelength band.
The above monitoring section also compares the variation amount of optical power per unit time in the first wavelength band which is detected by the first photodetector with the variation amount of optical power per unit time in the second wavelength band which is detected by the second photodetector. The monitoring section then identifies a cause of a optical power variation in the optical transmission path as a monitoring target on the basis of the obtained comparison result. More specifically, when the optical power variations in the first wavelength band exhibit a tendency similar to that of the optical power variations in the second wavelength band, transmission loss variations in the optical transmission path (when an optical amplifier is placed in the optical transmission path, gain variations in the optical amplifier are included) are determined. If the optical power variations in the first wavelength band exhibit a tendency different from that of the optical power variations in the second wavelength band, it is determined that the number of light signals propagating through the optical transmission path has increased/decreased. Since this monitoring section uses variations in optical power in both the first and second wavelength bands, light to be detected by the first and second photodetectors may be monitoring light in the monitor wavelength band (corresponding to light signals when the signal wavelength band coincides with the monitor wavelength band), noise such as amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), or light containing these light signals. According to another mode, the light signals to be detected by the first photodetector need not be identical to those detected by the second photodetector. Therefore, for example, the optical power of light signals (monitoring light signals) may be detected by the first photodetector, and the optical power of noise such as ASE excluding the light signals may be detected by the second photodetector. Variations in the optical powers of the detected light signals may be used to monitor the optical transmission path.
A change in the number of light signals can be monitored by the above arrangement when light signals are used as monitoring light signals, and the number of light signals as a group of monitoring light signals increases/decreases in either of the first and second wavelength bands in the monitor wavelength band. More specifically, when the numbers of light signals increase/decrease at the same ratio in the first and second wavelength bands in the monitor wavelength band, since optical powers vary in the same manner in both the wavelength bands, loss variations in the optical transmission path are erroneously detected. In an optical transmission monitoring apparatus designed to solve such a problem, light signals in a wavelength band other than the signal wavelength band are made to propagate as some monitoring light signals, and the optical powers of at least three types of light (containing different light signals) in the monitor wavelength band are detected. This makes it possible to monitor the transmission state in which the number of light signals has changed in the above manner.
In the above mode, light in the signal wavelength band corresponds to light in the first wavelength band of the monitor wavelength band, and light propagating through the optical transmission path independently of the light signal corresponds to light in the second wavelength band. The optical transmission monitoring apparatus further comprises a third detector for detecting at least the optical power of light containing noise in the first wavelength band. With this arrangement, the optical transmission monitoring apparatus detects the optical power of first light (may contain noise in the first wavelength band or monitoring light in the second wavelength band) containing at least monitoring light signals (light signals) in the first wavelength band by using the first detector, detects the optical power of second light containing at least monitoring light in the second wavelength band by using the second detector, and detects the optical power of third light containing at least noise in the first wavelength band by using the third detector. The monitoring section compares the variation amount of optical power of the first light per unit time which is obtained by the first detector with the variation amount of optical power of the second light per unit time which is obtained by the second detector, and the variation amount of optical power of the third light per unit time, obtained by the third detector, and identifies a cause of optical power variations in the optical transmission path on the basis of the comparison result.
An optical transmission monitoring apparatus according to the present invention may have an arrangement for monitoring an optical transmission state by using a light signal of 1-channel in the signal wavelength band as pilot light. In this case, light in the signal wavelength band corresponds to light in the monitor wavelength band, and a wavelength band in which pilot light of 1-channel belongs and which is included in the signal wavelength band corresponds to the second wavelength band. According to this arrangement, therefore, a monitor wavelength band is set such that the second wavelength band is included in the first wavelength band. The monitoring section compares the variation amount of optical power of light signals and noise as a monitoring light signal in the first wavelength band per unit time with the variation amount of optical power of pilot light as monitoring light in the second wavelength band per unit time, and identifies a cause of variations in optical power in the optical transmission path on the basis of the comparison result. Preferably, the optical transmission monitoring apparatus may further comprise a first system for detecting an abnormality in transmission of at least a light signal of 1-channel selected from light signals in a wavelength band of the second wavelength band which overlaps the first wavelength band, and a second system for reselecting light signals to be selected as monitoring light in the second wavelength band from light signals in a wavelength band of the signal wavelength band which over laps the first wavelength band. This is -because a channel as a monitoring target may fail due to some reason or its use may be stopped.
When an optical amplifier is placed in an optical transmission path, the optical transmission monitoring apparatus according to the present invention can also be used as a control apparatus for the optical amplifier. More specifically, the optical transmission monitoring apparatus is placed at a predetermined position on the optical transmission path which the amplified light outputted from the optical amplifier reaches. When the amplification characteristics of the optical amplifier depend on wavelength, the center wavelength of the first wavelength band and that of the second wavelength band are preferably set to coincide with a wavelength at which the gain becomes almost equal to the average gain of the optical amplifier in the signal wavelength band in order to minimize the influences of the wavelength dependency of the optical amplifier. In addition, the bandwidths of the first and second wavelength bands are preferably set on the basis of at least the difference between the amplification wavelength band of the optical amplifier and the monitor wavelength band or between the number of monitoring light signals belonging in the monitor wavelength band.
An optical transmission monitoring method according to the present invention is implemented by using the above optical transmission monitoring apparatus. More specifically, according to the monitoring method, the variation amount of at least one of the optical power of one or more monitoring light signals of light in a first wavelength band included in a monitor wavelength band, in which light propagating through the optical transmission path and containing one or more monitoring light signals having different wavelengths belongs, and the optical power of noise of the light in the first wavelength band is detected per unit time, and the variation amount of at least one of the optical power of one or more monitoring light signals of light in a second wavelength band included in the monitor wavelength band and the optical power of noise of the light in the second wavelength band is detected. In the monitoring method, the detected variation amount of optical power per unit time in the first wavelength band is compared with the detected variation amount of optical power per unit time in the second wavelength band, and a cause of variations in optical power in the optical transmission path is identified on the basis of the comparison result.
An optical amplification system according to the present invention comprises at least an optical amplifier for amplifying altogether light belonging in a signal wavelength band and propagating through an optical transmission path and an optical transmission monitoring apparatus placed at a predetermined position on the optical transmission path which amplified light outputted from the optical amplifier reaches. This optical transmission monitoring apparatus has the above structure. The optical amplification system may further comprise a variable attenuator which is placed at least at a position, on the optical transmission path, through which light signals in the signal wavelength band pass before reaching the optical transmission monitoring apparatus or a position through which light signals pass after passing through the optical transmission monitoring apparatus and attenuates the light signals by a predetermined amount. In this case, the monitoring section of the optical transmission monitoring apparatus adjusts the attenuation amount of the variable attenuator in accordance with the transmission state in the optical transmission path.
In a method of controlling an optical amplification system having such a structure as well, as described above, the variation amount of at least one of the optical power of one or more monitoring light signals of light in a first wavelength band included in a monitor wavelength band, in which light propagating through the optical transmission path and containing one or more monitoring light signals having different wavelengths belongs, and the optical power of noise of the light in the first wavelength band is detected per unit time, and the variation amount of at least one of the optical power of one or more monitoring light signals of light in a second wavelength band included in the monitor wavelength band and the optical power of noise of the light in the second wavelength band is detected per unit time. The detected variation amount of optical power per unit time in the first wavelength band is compared with the detected variation amount of optical power per unit time in the second wavelength band, and an increase/decrease in the number of light signals is determined on the basis of the comparison result. At least adjustment of the gain of the optical amplifier or adjustment of the variable attenuator is performed in accordance with the increase/decrease in the number of light signals on the basis of the determination result.
An optical transmission system according to the present invention comprises at least one or more repeater stations placed at predetermined positions on an optical transmission path through which light belonging in a signal wavelength band and containing one or more light signals having different wavelengths propagates. Each repeater station includes a section monitoring apparatus having the same structure as that of the above optical transmission monitoring apparatus.
Each repeater station may further comprise an optical amplifier for amplifying altogether light belonging in the signal wavelength band and propagating through the optical transmission path. In this arrangement, the monitoring section of the optical transmission monitoring apparatus adjusts the gain of the optical amplifier in accordance with the transmission state in the optical transmission path.
Each repeater station may further comprise a variable attenuator for attenuating light signals in the signal wavelength band by a predetermined amount. In this arrangement, the monitoring section of the optical transmission monitoring apparatus adjusts the variable attenuator in accordance with the transmission state in the optical transmission path. Each repeater station may comprises an optical input/output element such as an optical ADM for dropping some light signals from the light signals propagating through the optical transmission path and adding new light signals. In this optical transmission system, in particular, either of the first and second wavelength bands may include some of light signals to be dropped or added by the optical input element. This arrangement is preferable because no monitoring light signals need to be prepared independently of light signals.
According to this optical transmission system, each repeater station having the above structure may further comprise a system control section for monitoring optical power variations in the overall optical transmission system on the basis of the variation amount of optical power of some light signals separated from the light belonging in the monitor wavelength band and reaching the repeater station per unit time and the variation amount of optical power of some light signals separated from the light belonging in the monitor wavelength band and outputted from the repeater station per unit time. In this arrangement, this system control section corrects control performed by the monitoring section of the optical transmission monitoring apparatus in each repeater station on the basis of the variation amount of optical power of each of input/output light signals in each repeater station.
The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings, which are given byway of illustration only and are not to be considered as limiting the present invention.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Optical transmission monitoring apparatus, optical transmission monitoring method, optical amplification system, method of controlling optical amplification system, and optical transmission system


Separate torque converters are selectively clutched to the hoist and drag drums of a dragline machine with a selectively engageable clutch providing a power interlock of the output of both torque converters to either one of the drums as desired. The application and control of torque from the two torque converters to the hoist drum is in parallel and to the drag drum is in series progressive, i.e., the drag converter being engaged first and going from zero to maximum while the hoist converter goes from zero to about fifty percent of capacity as the drag converter reaches maximum. The reserve torque in the hoist converter may be selectively applied to the hoist drum to step the drag bucket up if the drag drum approaches a stall condition. The hoist converter may also be selectively engaged to apply a predetermined hold back force during bucket lowering. Another clutch may be engaged to interlock the two drums together for joint operation by the hoist converter. Thus, dragline holdback during hoisting may be achieved by the drag drum brakes, the drag drum converter or the drum interlock thereby providing the operator with considerable flexibility in controlling the path of the drag bucket during hoisting.

In a conventional dragline machine the hoist line is wound on one drum and the dragline is wound on a separate drum. After the bucket is dropped and the dragline reeved in to fill the bucket, tension must be maintained on the dragline during hoisting to prevent the bucket from dumping until the desired location is reached.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,856, there is disclosed a split drive from an engine to separate torque converters selectively clutched to the respective hoist and dragline drums with a selectively engageable power interlock for coupling the output of both torque converters together in parallel to jointly power either of the drums as desired. In that system, either of the hoist or dragline controls, when moved in one direction, is operative to modulate both torque converters when the power interlock is engaged.

Dual drive system for dragline with power interlock

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In one or more embodiments, one or more systems, methods, and/or processes may utilize a reactive processing system in an augmented reality (AR) system. The AR system may execute program instructions based on a region of an input video signal and produce an output video signal that includes a first output that includes a video effect from the program instructions. The AR system may determine if the region of the input video signal changes. If so, the program instructions may be executed based on the region of the input video signal and a change of the region of the input video and produce the output video signal that includes the second output that includes the video effect. If not, the output video signal that includes the first output that includes the video effect may continue to be produced.

Augmented reality (AR) can allow virtual objects to be placed in a video stream. For example, AR can augment and/or modify input video with computer-generated sound, video, and/or graphics. In one instance, an AR system can utilize face-tracking software that allows a user to appear to wear a mask that moves with the user's face and/or changes expressions. In another instance, a nod of the user's head can cause the mask to move up and down over the user's face. Consumer-facing offerings like this can drive popularity in AR systems.
Realistic integration of the computer-generated sound, video, or graphics into the input video can be one measure of an AR system. AR systems process various facets of input video, and continually processing the various facets of the input video, regardless of any change or constancy in the input video, can introduce latency into an output video from an AR system. The latency can slow or reduce the integration of the computer-generated sound, video, and/or graphics into the input video.

Augmenting reality with reactive programming


A beverage is provided that is given a colorless and transparent fruit savor that can be felt as the return aroma of fruit or a natural fruity taste, even when the beverage drunk directly from a container having a small opening like a PET bottle. The beverage satisfies “X≥0.01” and “Y≥3.1X+0.85” when the valencene concentration is set to X (mg/L), and the linalool concentration is set to Y (mg/L) in a colorless and transparent beverage.

As consumers become more health conscious and nature oriented, flavored water gains popularity. A flavored water, also referred to as near-water, is a beverage that has a water-like appearance, and it is composed by adding flavors such as fragrance, essence and about 1% of fruit juice to mineral water.
It is noted that flavored waters, particularly those like near-waters that are colorless and transparent similar to water but has a fruit flavor are drunk "in place of water" as a beverage that is drunk when feeling thirsty, particularly when there is a desire to gulp down a substantial amount. However, commercially available near-waters are often considered unsatisfactory as beverages to be drunk "in place of water" due to their artificial scent or persistent sweetness, and there were remarks that their lightness in taste and watery quality reduce their drinkability.
The aroma felt by humans are said to be divided into two types, namely the orthonasal aroma and the retronasal aroma. The former is aroma that enters from the tip of the nose into the nasal cavity with inspiration, and the latter is aroma that travels through the throat to the nose when food is put in the mouth. The retronasal aroma is also called the "return aroma" and includes an aroma arising from a person chewing the food per se that traveled back from the throat to the nose, and aroma that is newly formed through the reaction of the food and various enzymes in the saliva when food is put in the mouth. There has been proposed as a beverage that focuses on the "return aroma" a soft drink having a wine savor having an improved lingering fruit aroma after the beverage has been swallowed (Patent Document 1).