An object of the present invention is to provide a recording device for hierarchical overwrite recording of video and/or audio data to a recording disc without an accompanying complicated mechanical operation. To achieve the object, a block generator generates blocks of a uniform size from data belonging to hierarchical layers produced by the hierarchical coding operation of a hierarchical encoder. A recording controller controls a recorder to record the blocks generated by the block generator in a linear consecutive sequence to the recording disc until the recording disc becomes full. After the recording disc becomes full, the recording controller selects lower layer blocks from the blocks generated by the block generator, selects higher layer blocks from the block sequence on the recording disc, and controls the recorder to record the selected lower layer blocks by overwriting them to the selected higher layer blocks in sequence starting from a block near the beginning of the block sequence.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a video and/or audio recording apparatus, and more specifically relates to a digital video and/or audio recording apparatus for recording video and/or audio data to a recording device.
2. Description of the Background Art
Conventionally, digital audio recording devices for recording music and other audio data include the Digital Audio Tape (DAT) recorder, and, more recently, audio recording devices using the Mini Disc (MD) recording medium. Audio recorders using the CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable) medium have also been developed and are currently available.
Digital video recording devices for recording movies and other moving picture data (including the associated audio data) include recording devices using the Digital Video Cassette (DVC) medium. Video recorders using the DVD-RAM (Digital Versatile Disc-RAM) medium are also being developed.
Audio recording devices using semiconductor memory are also used in answering machines and similar devices, while video recording devices for recording still picture similarly using semiconductor memory are used in digital cameras.
Such conventional video and/or audio recording devices record the video and/or audio data to a recording medium having a finite capacity, which varies depending upon the device. A problem with such devices, therefore, is that when the recording medium becomes filled to capacity while recording is in progress, an interruption occurs in video and/or audio reproduction.
This problem is addressed in many such devices by, for example, enabling the user to select a xe2x80x9cstandardxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9clong playxe2x80x9d mode to change the total recordable time of the medium. This causes the recording device to change the compression rate used for video and/or audio encoding according to the user-selected recording mode and the writing speed to the physical media, thus changing the effective recording time.
Even with this method, however, there is no change in the fact that the maximum recording time is predetermined, and the above-described problem is not truly resolved.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 6-259099 (1994) teaches an audio recording apparatus for hierarchically coding and recording audio data to semiconductor memory.
FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the major parts in a conventional audio recording apparatus as taught in the above-noted Patent Application Publication (referred to below as the conventional audio recording apparatus). As will be known from FIG. 24, this conventional audio recording apparatus comprises: a hierarchical encoder 240 for hierarchically encoding audio data supplied thereto; recording unit 242 for recording data output from the hierarchical encoder 240 to the semiconductor memory 241, which is integral to the recording unit 242; and a recording controller 244 having a recording management database 243, which it uses for controlling the recording unit 242.
The operation of the above-described conventional audio recording apparatus is described next below with reference to FIG. 24.
The hierarchical encoder 240 first hierarchically codes audio data input thereto. That is, the hierarchical encoder 240 codes the audio data using an orthogonal transformation or subband coding method, divides it into a plurality of frequency bands, and hierarchizes the frequency bands (that is, assigns a priority level to the frequency bands) such that a low frequency band is assigned to a low hierarchical layer (a high priority level), and a high frequency band is assigned to a high hierarchical layer (a low priority level). Alternatively, frequency bands that are audibly difficult to discern are assigned to a high hierarchical layer for masking.
The recording unit 242 then records the data output from the hierarchical encoder 240 to the semiconductor memory 241 in which the data is divided into groups of blocks in each hierarchized layer.
The recording controller 244 monitors the recording unit 242 during this process to measure the amount of data recorded to the semiconductor memory 241, detects where in the semiconductor memory 241 the data (code blocks) for each layer is stored, and generate to hold a recording management database 243 indicating this detected address information. The amount of data stored to the semiconductor memory 241 and the capacity of the semiconductor memory 241 are compared, and when the recorded data exceeds the available capacity, the recording controller 244 controls the recording unit 242 as follows.
When the data to be recorded exceeds the storage capacity of the semiconductor memory 241, the recording controller 244 refers to the recording management database 243 described above and instructs the recording unit 242 to continue recording data output from the hierarchical encoder 240 by overwriting data to an address in the semiconductor memory 241 where data associated with a higher layer is recorded. As a result, output data from the hierarchical encoder 240 continues to be recorded to the semiconductor memory 241 while leaving intact the lower layer data that was recorded before the storage capacity of the semiconductor memory was exceeded.
It should be noted that audio data recorded as described above to the semiconductor memory 241 can be reproduced by again referring to the recording management database 243 stored by the recording controller 244 to first read and decode lower layer data recorded before the semiconductor memory storage capacity was exceeded, and then read and decode data recorded after the storage capacity was exceeded.
This is because lower layer data can be decoded with reference only to, that lower layer, but higher layer data must be decoded with reference to a lower layer. Therefore, even if a higher layer is lost due to data overwriting, the remaining lower layer data can still be decoded. (It should be noted, however, that the sound quality of the reproduced audio drops because of high frequency band elimination.)
As described above, the conventional audio recording apparatus hierarchically codes audio data supplied thereto for recording to semiconductor memory 241. When the semiconductor memory 241 becomes full, audio data is recorded by overwriting previously recorded data from a high hierarchical layer. This method is referred to below as xe2x80x9chierarchical overwrite recording.xe2x80x9d As a result, recording continues even when the semiconductor memory 241 becomes full, and there is, therefore, no interruption in the reproduced audio. Furthermore, if recording is completed before the semiconductor memory 241 is filled, high quality audio can be reproduced.
However, semiconductor memory 241 typically does not have enough capacity for practical use as a video and/or audio data recording medium. Applications for such conventional audio recording apparatuses are therefore limited to applications having a relatively short recording time and not requiring particularly high sound quality, including, for example, answering machines as noted above, recorders for language study practice (such as English conversation as a second language), and toys (such as a toy parrot) for mimicking a person""s voice.
The present inventors therefore invented a method for realizing the above-noted hierarchical overwrite recording method using a large capacity, random access, disc-type recording medium (such as a floppy disk, fixed disk, MD, CD, or DVD; such media are below referred to as xe2x80x9crecording disksxe2x80x9d).
Using this method, it is possible to record video and/or audio data for a movie or music for which both a long recording time and high quality reproduction are required without the reproduced video and/or audio being interrupted when the recording disk becomes full during recording. In addition, if recording is completed before the recording disk is filled, recording can be completed so that the recorded video and/or audio data can be reproduced with high quality.
It should be further noted, however, that recording data to a disk generally involves some mechanical operation, such as moving the recording head and spinning the recording disc. As a result, the seek time is long compared to a semiconductor memory 241. Because the above-noted conventional audio recording apparatus uses a semiconductor memory 241, however, the seek time is so short that it can be effectively ignored, and no particular considerations are therefore taken with respect to the seek time.
The following problems can therefore result when recording video and/or audio data to a recording disc using a method such as that employed in the above-noted semiconductor memory-based conventional audio recording apparatus. That is, if the input data is recorded by overwriting previously recorded data associated with a higher layer, the complicated mechanical operation required to access the overwrite address can incur a long seek time depending upon where the data to be overwritten is recorded. As a result, a delay can occur in the recording process. Furthermore, even if a delay in the recording process does not result, power consumption is increased by the mechanical operation.
In addition, when the above-noted conventional audio recording apparatus writes twice, for example, the reproduced sound quality in the first and second parts of a recording will not necessarily be the same. This is also true when data is written three times, that is, the sound quality will not necessarily be the same in the beginning, middle, and end parts of a recording.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a video and/or audio recording apparatus and method for hierarchical overwrite recording of video and/or audio data using a recording disc without an accompanying complicated mechanical operation.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a video and/or audio recording apparatus and method whereby video and/or audio data recorded to a recording disc by means of hierarchical overwrite recording can be recorded so that, when data is recorded to a first recording stage from the start of recording until the disc is full, and is thereafter recorded to a xcex3th recording stage (where xcex3=2, 3, . . . ), the quality of the reproduced video and/or audio gradually deteriorates as hierarchical overwrite recording progresses from recording stage 1 to recording stage 2, recording stage 3, and so forth, and the quality of the reproduced video and/or audio corresponding to recording stage 1 to recording stage xcex3 is the same when hierarchical overwrite recording ends at recording stage xcex3.
A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a video and/or audio recording apparatus for recording input video and/or audio data, comprising:
a hierarchical coding means for hierarchically coding input video and/or audio data so that data in a bottom layer is independently decoded, and data in a layer other than the bottom layer is decoded by referring to lower layers;
a block generating means for generating a plurality of blocks of a uniform size from data in each hierarchically coded layer obtained by the hierarchical coding means;
a recording means for recording a block generated by the block generating means to a recording medium, the recording medium being rewritable, randomly accessible, accompanied by mechanical operation in recording, and contained in the recording means; and
a recording control means for controlling the recording means;
wherein the recording control means:
until the recording medium becomes full, controls the recording means to record a plurality of blocks generated by the block generating means to the recording medium so that blocks are arranged in a linear and consecutive sequence; and
after the recording medium becomes full:
selects a plurality of lower layer blocks as blocks to be recorded from blocks generated by the block generating means;
selects a plurality of higher layer blocks from a block sequence on the recording medium as blocks to be overwritten; and
controls the recording means to record a lower layer block to be recorded by overwriting to a higher layer block to be overwritten in sequence from a block near a beginning of the block sequence
By means of this first aspect of the invention, it is possible, using a rewritable and randomly accessible recording medium which is accompanied by mechanical operation in recording, to record video and/or audio data by means of hierarchical overwrite recording without an accompanying complicated mechanical operation.
A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a video and/or audio recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the recording control means:
controls the recording means to record a plurality of blocks in a predetermined hierarchical sequence when recording blocks generated by the block generating means; and
when selecting a higher layer block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten, refers to an overwrite block table, the overwrite block table recording a location of a block to be overwritten in block sequence.
By thus holding an overwrite block table in which the overwrite block locations in the block sequence are recorded, it is possible by means of this second aspect of the invention to easily select the overwrite blocks by referring to this overwrite block table.
A third aspect of the present invention is directed to a video and/or audio recording apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the predetermined sequence has a cycle; and
the overwrite block table records a location of a block to be overwritten in one cycle.
By means of this third aspect of the invention, it becomes sufficient to store a small overwrite block table recording information for only one block cycle.
A fourth aspect of the present invention is directed to a video and/or audio recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the recording control means:
controls the recording means to record a plurality of blocks in a sequence of xcex2 block cycles in a first recording stage until the recording medium becomes full, where xcex2 is the least common multiple of {xcex1, xcex1xe2x88x921, xcex1xe2x88x922, . . . , 2} and xcex1 is a desirable constant integer value of two or greater; and
in a xcex3th recording stage (where xcex3=2, 3, . . . , xcex1) after the recording medium becomes full:
selects a block from layer 1 to layer (xcex2/xcex3) when selecting a lower layer block as a block to be recorded from blocks generated by the block generating means;
selects a block from layer (xcex2/xcex3+1) to layer (xcex2/(xcex3xe2x88x921)) when selecting a higher layer block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten; and
when recording the lower layer block to be recorded by overwriting to the higher layer block to be overwritten in sequence from a block near a beginning of the block sequence, controls the recording means to record the layer 1 to layer (xcex2/xcex3) blocks by overwriting to the layer (xcex2/xcex3+1) to layer (xcex2/(xcex3xe2x88x921)) blocks in a sequence of (xcex2/xcex3) block cycles.
By means of this fourth aspect of the invention, the block sequence on the recording medium when recording stage xcex3 is completed evenly contains blocks recorded in recording stage 1 to recording stage xcex3.
It is therefore possible to record video and/or audio data such that the quality of the reproduced video and/or audio gradually deteriorates as hierarchical overwrite recording thus progresses from recording stage 1 to recording stage 2 and recording stage xcex1, and the quality of the reproduced video and/or audio is the same in every recording stage irrespective of the recording stage at which hierarchical overwrite recording ends in the range recording stage 2 to recording stage xcex1. In other words, if hierarchical overwrite recording ends at recording stage xcex3, the quality of the video and/or audio reproduced for recording stage 1 to recording stage xcex3 will be same for every stage.
A fifth aspect of the present invention is directed to a video and/or audio recording apparatus for recording input video and/or audio data, comprising:
a hierarchizing means for hierarchizing input video and/or audio data so that data of a highest priority is hierarchized to a bottom layer, and as data priority decreases, the data is hierarchized to a higher layer;
a block generating means for generating a plurality of blocks of a uniform size from data in each hierarchized layer obtained by the hierarchizing means;
a recording means for recording a block generated by the block generating means to a recording medium, the recording medium being rewritable, randomly accessible, accompanied by mechanical operation in recording, and contained in the recording means; and
recording control means for controlling the recording means;
wherein the recording control means:
until the recording medium becomes full, controls the recording means to record a plurality of blocks generated by the block generating means to the recording medium so that blocks are arranged in a linear and consecutive sequence; and
after the recording medium becomes full:
selects a lower layer block as a block to be recorded from blocks generated by the block generating means;
selects a higher layer block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten; and
controls the recording means to record a lower layer block to be recorded by overwriting to a higher layer block to be overwritten in sequence from a block near a beginning of the block sequence.
By means of this fifth aspect of the invention, it is possible, using a rewritable, randomly accessible recording medium which is accompanied by mechanical operation in recording, to record video and/or audio data by means of hierarchical overwrite recording without an accompanying complicated mechanical operation.
A sixth aspect of the present invention is directed to a video and/or audio recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the invention, wherein the recording control means:
controls the recording means to record blocks in a predetermined hierarchical sequence when recording blocks generated by the block generating means; and
when selecting a higher layer block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten, refers to an overwrite block table, the overwrite block table recording a location of a block to be overwritten in block sequence.
By thus storing an overwrite block table in which the overwrite block locations in the block sequence are recorded, it is possible by means of this sixth aspect of the invention to easily select the overwrite blocks by referring to this overwrite block table.
A seventh aspect of the present invention is directed to a video and/or audio recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the invention, wherein the predetermined sequence has a cycle; and
the overwrite block table records a location of a block to be overwritten in one cycle.
By means of this seventh aspect of the invention, it becomes sufficient to store a small overwrite block table recording information for only one block cycle.
An eighth aspect of the present invention is directed to a video and/or audio recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the invention, wherein the recording control means:
controls the recording means to record a plurality of blocks in a sequence of xcex2 block cycles in a first recording stage until the recording medium becomes full, where xcex2 is the least common multiple of {xcex1, xcex1xe2x88x921, xcex1xe2x88x922, . . . , 2} and xcex1 is a desirable constant integer value of two or greater; and
in a xcex3th recording stage (where xcex3=2, 3, . . . , xcex1) after the recording medium becomes full:
selects a block from layer 1 to layer (xcex2/xcex3) when selecting a lower layer block as a block to be recorded from blocks generated by the block generating means;
selects a block from layer (xcex2/xcex3+1) to layer (xcex2/(xcex3xe2x88x921)) when selecting a higher layer block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten; and
when recording the lower layer block to be recorded by overwriting to a higher layer block to be overwritten in sequence from a block near a beginning of the block sequence, controls the recording means to record the layer 1 to layer (xcex2/xcex3) blocks by overwriting to the layer (xcex2/xcex3+1) to layer (xcex2/(xcex3xe2x88x921)) blocks in a sequence of (xcex2/xcex3) block cycles.
By means of this eighth aspect of the invention, the block sequence on the recording medium when recording stage xcex3 is completed evenly contains blocks recorded in recording stage 1 to recording stage xcex3.
It is therefore possible to record video and/or audio data such that the quality of the reproduced video and/or audio gradually deteriorates as hierarchical overwrite recording thus progresses from recording stage 1 to recording stage 2 and recording stage xcex1, and the quality of the reproduced video and/or audio is the same in every recording stage irrespective of the recording stage at which hierarchical overwrite recording ends in the range recording stage 2 to recording stage xcex1. In other words, if hierarchical overwrite recording ends at recording stage xcex3, the quality of the video and/or audio reproduced for recording stage 1 to recording stage xcex3 will be same for every stage.
A ninth aspect of the present invention is directed to a video and/or audio recording apparatus for recording input video and/or audio data, comprising:
a block generating means for generating a plurality of blocks of a uniform size from input video and/or audio data;
a recording means for recording a block generated by the block generating means to a recording medium, the recording medium being rewritable, randomly accessible, accompanied by mechanical operation in recording, and contained in the recording means; and
a recording control means for controlling the recording means;
wherein the recording control means:
until the recording medium becomes full, controls the recording means to record a plurality of blocks generated by the block generating means to the recording medium so that blocks are arranged in a linear and consecutive sequence; and
after the recording medium becomes full:
selects a block to be recorded from blocks generated by the block generating means;
selects a block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten; and
controls the recording means to record a block to be recorded by overwriting to a block to be overwritten in sequence from a block near a beginning of the block sequence.
By means of this ninth aspect of the invention, it is possible, using a rewritable, randomly accessible recording medium which is accompanied by mechanical operation in recording, to record video and/or audio data by means of fragmented overwrite recording without an accompanying complicated mechanical operation.
A tenth aspect of the present invention is directed to a video and/or audio recording apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the invention, wherein the recording control means, when selecting a block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten, refers to an overwrite block table, the overwrite block table recording a location of a block to be overwritten in block sequence.
By thus storing an overwrite block table in which the overwrite block locations in the block sequence are recorded, it is possible by means of this tenth aspect of the invention to easily select the overwrite blocks by referring to this overwrite block table.
An eleventh aspect of the present invention is directed to a video and/or audio recording apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the invention, wherein the location of a block to be overwritten has a cycle; and
the overwrite block table records a location of a block to be overwritten in one cycle.
By means of this eleventh aspect of the invention, it becomes sufficient to store a small overwrite block table recording information for only one block cycle.
A twelfth aspect of the present invention is directed to a video and/or audio recording apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the invention, wherein when selecting a block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten in a xcex3th recording stage (where xcex3=2, 3, . . . , xcex1; and xcex1 is a desirable constant integer value of two or greater) after the recording medium becomes full in a first recording stage, the recording control means selects a total of (xcex2/xcex3) blocks, including (xcex2/(xcex3(xcex3xe2x88x921))) blocks recorded in each recording stage 1 to (xcex3xe2x88x921) as overwrite blocks in each cycle of xcex2 blocks, where xcex2 is at least common multiple of {xcex1, xcex1xe2x88x921, xcex1xe2x88x922, . . . , 2}.
A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is directed to a video and/or audio recording apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the invention, wherein when selecting a block from a block, seqence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten in a xcex3th recording stage (where xcex3=2, 3, . . . , xcex1; and xcex1 is a desirable constant integer value of two or greater) after the recording medium becomes full in a first recording stage, the recording control means selects a total of (xcex3xe2x88x921) blocks, including 1 block in each recording stage 1 to (xcex3xe2x88x921) as overwrite blocks in each cycle of blocks, where the number of blocks in each cycle is equal to the least common multiple of {xcex1, xcex1xe2x88x921, xcex1xe2x88x922, . . . , 2}.
By means of the twelfth and thirteenth aspects of the invention, the block sequence on the recording medium when recording stage xcex3 is completed evenly contains blocks recorded in recording stage 1 to recording stage xcex3.
It is therefore possible to record video and/or audio data such that the quality of the reproduced video and/or audio gradually deteriorates as fragmented overwrite recording thus progresses from recording stage 1 to recording stage 2 and recording stage xcex1, and the quality of the reproduced video and/or audio is the same in every recording stage irrespective of the recording stage at which fragmented overwrite recording ends in the range recording stage 2 to recording stage xcex1. In other words, if fragmented overwrite recording ends at recording stage xcex3, the quality of the video and/or audio reproduced for recording stage 1 to recording stage xcex3 will be same for every stage.
A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for recording input video and/or audio data, comprising the following steps:
a hierarchical coding step for hierarchically coding input video and/or audio data so that data in a bottom layer is independently decoded, and data in a layer other than the bottom layer is decoded by referring to lower layers;
a block generating step for generating a plurality of blocks of a uniform size from data in each hierarchically coded layer; and
a recording step for recording a generated block to a recording medium, which is rewritable, randomly accessible, and accompanied by mechanical operation in recording;
wherein the recording step for recording a generated block to the recording medium:
records a plurality of generated blocks to the recording medium so that blocks are arranged in a linear and consecutive sequence until the recording medium becomes full; and
after the recording medium becomes full:
selects a lower layer block as a block to be recorded from generated blocks;
selects a higher layer block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten; and
records a lower layer block to be recorded by overwriting to a higher layer block to be overwritten in sequence from a block near a beginning of the block sequence.
By means of this fourteenth aspect of the invention, it is possible to record video and/or audio data by means of hierarchical overwrite recording to a recording medium without an accompanying complicated mechanical operation.
A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for recording input video and/or audio data, comprising the following steps:
a hierarchizing step for hierarchizing input video and/or audio data so that data of a highest priority is hierarchized to a bottom layer, and as data priority decreases, the data is hierarchized to a higher layer;
a block generating step for generating a plurality of blocks of a uniform size from data in each hierarchized layer; and
a recording step for recording a generated block to a recording medium, which is rewritable, randomly accessible, and accompanied by mechanical operation in recording;
wherein the recording step for recording a generated block to the recording medium:
records a plurality of generated blocks to the recording medium so that blocks are arranged in a linear and consecutive sequence until the recording medium becomes full; and
after the recording medium becomes full:
selects a lower layer block as a block to be recorded from generated blocks;
selects a higher layer block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten; and
records a lower layer block to be recorded by overwriting to a higher layer block to be overwritten in sequence from a block near a beginning of the block sequence.
By means of this fifteenth aspect of the invention, it is possible, using a rewritable, randomly accessible recording medium which is accompanied by mechanical operation in recording, to record video and/or audio data by means of hierarchical overwrite recording without an accompanying complicated mechanical operation.
A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for recording input video and/or audio data, comprising the following steps:
a block generating step for generating a plurality of blocks of a uniform size from input video and/or audio data; and
a recording step for recording a generated block to a recording medium, which is rewritable, randomly accessible, and accompanied by mechanical operation in recording;
wherein the recording step for recording a generated block to the recording medium:
records a plurality of generated blocks to the recording medium so that blocks are arranged in a linear and consecutive sequence until the recording medium becomes full; and
after the recording medium becomes full:
selects a block to be recorded from generated blocks;
selects a block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten, and
records a block to be recorded by overwriting to a block to be overwritten in sequence from a block near a beginning of the block sequence.
By means of this sixteenth aspect of the invention, it is possible to record video and/or audio data by means of fragmented overwrite recording to a recording medium without an accompanying complicated mechanical operation.
A seventeenth aspect of the present invention is directed to a recording medium for recording a computer-executable program for recording input video and/or audio data, the program achieving on the computer an operating environment comprising the following steps:
a hierarchical coding step for hierarchically coding input video and/or audio data so that data in a bottom layer is independently decoded, and data in a layer other than the bottom layer is decoded by referring to lower layers;
a block generating step for generating a plurality of blocks of a uniform size from data in each hierarchically coded layer; and
a recording step for recording a generated block to a recording medium, which is rewritable, randomly accessible, and accompanied by mechanical operation in recording;
wherein the recording step for recording a generated block to the recording medium:
records a plurality of generated blocks to the recording medium so that blocks are arranged in a linear and consecutive sequence until the recording medium becomes full; and
after the recording medium becomes full:
selects a lower layer block as a block to be recorded from generated blocks,;
selects a higher layer block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten; and
records a lower layer block to be recorded by overwriting to a higher layer block to be overwritten in sequence from a block near a beginning of the block sequence.
An eighteenth aspect of the present invention is directed to a recording medium for recording a computer-executable program for recording input video and/or audio data, the program achieving on the computer an operating environment comprising the following steps:
a hierarchizing step for hierarchizing input video and/or audio data so that data of a highest priority is hierarchized to a least significant layer, and as data priority decreases, the data is hierarchized to a higher layer;
a block generating step for generating a plurality of blocks of a uniform size from data in each hierarchized layer; and
a recording step for recording a generated block to a recording medium, which is rewritable, randomly accessible, and accompanied by mechanical operation in recording;
wherein the recording step for recording a generated block to the recording medium:
records a plurality of generated blocks to the recording medium so that blocks are arranged in a linear and consecutive sequence until the recording medium becomes full; and
after the recording medium becomes full:
selects a lower layer block as a block to be recorded from generated blocks,;
selects a higher layer block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten; and
records a lower layer block to be recorded by overwriting to a higher layer block to be overwritten in sequence from a block near a beginning of the block sequence.
A nineteenth aspect of the present invention is directed to a recording medium for recording a computer-executable program for recording input video and/or audio data, the program achieving on the computer an operating environment comprising the following steps:
a block generating step for generating a plurality of blocks of a uniform size from input video and/or audio data; and
a recording step for recording a generated block to a recording medium, which is rewritable, randomly accessible, and accompanied by mechanical operation in recording;
wherein the recording step for recording a generated block to the recording medium:
records a plurality of generated blocks to the recording medium so that blocks are arranged in a linear and consecutive sequence until the recording medium becomes full; and
after the recording medium becomes full:
selects a block to be recorded from generated blocks;
selects a block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten; and
records a block to be recorded by overwriting to a block to be overwritten in sequence from a block near a beginning of the block sequence.
A twentieth aspect of the present invention is directed to a program supply method for supplying over a network a computer-executable program for recording input video and/or audio data, the program achieving on the computer an operating environment comprising the following steps:
a hierarchical coding step for hierarchically coding input video and/or audio data so that data in a bottom layer is independently decoded, and data in a layer other than the bottom layer is decoded by referring to lower layers;
a block generating step for generating a plurality of blocks of a uniform size from data in each hierarchically coded layer; and
a recording step for recording a generated block to a recording medium, which is rewritable, randomly accessible, and accompanied by mechanical operation in recording;
wherein the recording step for recording a generated block to the recording medium:
records a plurality of generated blocks to the recording medium so that blocks are arranged in a linear, consecutive sequence until the recording medium becomes full; and
after the recording medium becomes full:
selects a lower layer block as a block to be recorded from generated blocks;
selects a higher layer block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten; and
records a lower layer block to be recorded by overwriting to a higher layer block to be overwritten in sequence from a block near a beginning of the block sequence.
A twenty-first aspect of the present invention is directed to a program supply method for supplying over a network a computer-executable program for recording input video and/or audio data, the program achieving on the computer an operating environment comprising the following steps:
a hierarchizing step for hierarchizing input video and/or audio data so that data of a highest priority is hierarchized to a bottom layer, and as data priority decreases, the data is hierarchized to a higher layer;
a block generating step for generating a plurality of blocks of a uniform size from data in each hierarchized layer; and
a recording step for recording a generated block to a recording medium, which is rewritable, randomly accessible, and accompanied by mechanical operation in recording;
wherein the recording step for recording a generated block to the recording medium:
records a plurality of generated blocks to the recording medium so that blocks are arranged in a linear and consecutive sequence until the recording medium becomes full; and
after the recording medium becomes full:
selects a lower layer block as a block to be recorded from generated blocks;
selects a higher layer block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten; and
records a lower layer block to be recorded by overwriting to a higher layer block to be overwritten in sequence from a block near a beginning of the block sequence.
A twenty-second aspect of the present invention is directed to a program supply method for supplying over a network a computer-executable program for recording input video and/or audio data, the program achieving on the computer an operating environment comprising the following steps:
a block generating step for generating a plurality of blocks of a uniform size from input video and/or audio data; and
a recording step for recording a generated block to a recording medium, which is rewritable, randomly accessible, and accompanied by mechanical operation in recording;
wherein the recording step for recording a generated block to a recording medium:
records a plurality of generated blocks to the recording medium so that blocks are arranged in a linear and consecutive sequence until the recording medium becomes full; and
after the recording medium becomes full:
selects a block to be recorded from generated blocks;
selects a block from a block sequence on the recording medium as a block to be overwritten; and
records a block to be recorded by overwriting to a block to be overwritten in sequence from a block near a beginning of the block sequence.
These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction the accompanying drawings.

Recording apparatus for performing hierarchical overwrite recording of video and/or audio data to a recording medium

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Motor control device includes a controller controlling a motor (a calculator controller and an electric current controller), and a detector (an electric current loop) detecting an electric current of the motor and returning the detected electric current to the controller. The electric current loop includes a first detection system, a second detection system, and an electric current calculator which sums output signals from each system. Each detection system includes a sensor detecting the electric current of the motor, and a weight adjuster outputting to the electric current calculator, a detection electric current value from each sensor multiplied by a weight coefficient.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a feedback control device and also relates to a control device performing feedback control of a motor of various mechanical devices.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, an electric motor is used as a driving source of various mechanical devices. Particularly, operation at high accuracy is required while ensuring sufficient driving force for a measuring apparatus, a machine tool, and the like. To meet such a requirement, a feedback control device having triple control loops (position loop, speed loop, and electric current loop (torque loop)) is used as a control device controlling the motor (see Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2013-021804).
Of these loops, the electric current loop may be subjected to performance restriction by an electric current sensor for feeding back. For example, a sensor detecting micro currents at high accuracy experiences difficulty in securing a wide detection range extending from micro currents to large currents. On the other hand, a sensor detecting large currents experiences difficulty in detecting electric currents with a high degree of accuracy. In order to eliminate such restrictions, a method has been suggested in which a plurality of electric current detection systems are used on the electric current loop (see Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2014-183609).
In Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2014-183609, a sensor capable of measuring over a wide range covering a large current is used and its output is divided into two systems and an amplifier is provided to a first system. For large currents, sensor output obtained through a system without the amplifier is used as is, while for micro currents, the sensor output is amplified by the amplifier to obtain high accuracy.
In a case where the plurality of electric current detection systems mentioned in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2014-183609 are used by switching between the systems, a difference in the signals output by each system may arise. When the signal output difference is generated by each system, an electric current value that is fed back changes abruptly due to switching between the plurality of electric current detection systems, and therefore concerns may arise such as an excessive flow of the electric current and instability of the electric current loop. Accordingly, the output difference which accompanies switching between the electric current detection systems is preferably kept to a minimum.
This has been addressed by Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2014-183609 such that each system is preferably provided with an equivalent or common sensor (paragraph [0007] of Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2014-183609). However, even with a sensor having identical characteristics, a difference may arise due to changes over time. In addition, even with a common sensor, an output difference may be generated by having the amplifier.
Further, there may be a desire for selectively using a sensor for the large current and a sensor for the micro current. For such different sensors, in order to eliminate the output differences of each, a case may be considered where an amplifier is provided to adjust each output. However, even with such techniques, the amplifier adjusting each output may experience changes over time. Therefore, a configuration is desired which is capable of preventing or reducing a dramatic change in the detection value at the time of switching between the detection systems.
These concerns are not limited to feeding back the electric current loop, but may also be concerns for feeding back the speed loop and the position loop. Particularly, in the electric current loop, an excessive flow of the electric current is a serious concern for circuits and wiring.


The present invention provides a porous glass having excellent antireflection performance for visible light.

Porous glass produced utilizing the phase-separation phenomenon of glass should be industrially used for optical members having various optical functions, such as antireflection.
In general, a porous glass utilizing the phase-separation phenomenon of glass is produced by subjecting a borosilicate glass having a composition that can be phase-separated to heat treatment at 500 to 700 degrees (Celsius) to cause phase separation and performing etching to form pores. PTL 1 discloses that a porous surface layer of glass is formed by controlling etching conditions, providing an antireflective surface layer. NPL 1 discloses that the control of detailed etching conditions results in a porous layer having a gradient-index structure determined from reflectance characteristics of the porous layer formed on a surface of glass. PTL 2 discloses a porous glass film having a two-layer structure, the two layers having different average pore sizes. The porous glass film in which the pore size of an upper layer is smaller than that of a lower layer is produced by stacking glass layers having different phase-separation rates, forming the stack into a shape, firing the stack, and etching the stack with an acid. PTL 3 discloses a porous antireflection film formed by etching a film composed of two or more substances.
It is known that the formation of a subwavelength structure is commonly used as a method for achieving good antireflection performance. For example, in the case where an ideal film having a subwavelength structure is formed on a base (letting the refractive index of the base be equal to that of the film), suppose that the film is divided into layers, the space occupancy of the layers is continuously changed from 0% to 100% at greater distances from air toward the base. The effective refractive index is continuously changed from the refractive index of air to the refractive index of the base. This significantly reduces reflection at interfaces between the layers, thereby achieving antireflection performance having good wavelength-band characteristics and incident-angle characteristics.
PTL 1 and NPL 1 each report that the porous surface layer of glass is formed to provide the antireflective surface layer. However, the formation of the antireflective surface layer depends on an etching process of a phase-separated leached phase. So, the formation of the layer is limited to the etching conditions. The conditions of the etching process which can be selected are narrow. In addition, it is difficult to strictly control the etching process. Accordingly, the control range of the layer formation is limited, and the degree of flexibility in the resulting gradient-index structure is low. So, the subwavelength structure is not sufficient. It is thus difficult to achieve excellent antireflection performance.
In the case of the porous glass film having the two-layer structure disclosed in PTL 2, the two layers having different average pore sizes, the structure is not continuous; hence, the porous glass film is not suitable as an antireflective component. In the case of the porous antireflection film formed by the selective etching of a film composed of two or more substances disclosed in PTL 3, the resulting porous structure significantly depends on the etching conditions as described above. This limits the control of the structure. Thus, the porous antireflection film is not satisfactory as an antireflective component.
As described above, in the related art, the formation of an antireflective layer significantly depends on an etching process, thus leading to a low degree of flexibility in the formation of an excellent antireflective structure. There is no literature on the production of a porous glass having excellent antireflection performance by widely controlling a porous structure.

Abstract: A porous glass includes a porous layer which is mainly composed of silica and which has pores attributed to spinodal phase separation and pores attributed to binodal phase separation.


The laser system features a plurality of thin solid-state gain channels mounted radially about a common axis. These gain channels may be excited by multiple flashlamps or by extended arrays of light-emitting-diodes. The gain channels are also mounted in a parallel configuration within a single optical resonator and thereby share a common cavity mode. The resonator may be a stable resonator, a conventional unstable resonator, or a toric resonator. Each resonator configuration may be externally phase-locked via external reference oscillator injection or by self-injection via an internally generated master oscillator. When incorporating a very large number of gain channels, the concept provides an efficient and inexpensive means for constructing extremely high powered, optically-pumped, lasers in very small physical packages. The technique, which is applicable to a wide variety of laser gain media, either solid or liquid, permits high average power operation to be achieved without serious beam quality degradation. Typical solid state gain media include Nd:YAG, Nd:Glass, GSGG, GGG and Alexandrite.

In recent years considerable interest has been shown in the development of solid state lasers featuring high average optical output power. Laser systems such as Nd:YAG and Nd:Glass have received particular attention, as a candidate for a moderately short wavelength energy source, to be utilized for more efficient laser materials processing. However scaling to higher average power has proven to be very difficult, especially if high efficiency and good beam quality are to be maintained.
Two particularly difficult power limiting problems in these solid-state systems have been non-uniform excitation and non-optimum waste heat removal from the active media. Such non-uniformities in excitation and cooling induce refractive index inhomogeneity within the gain media, thereby leading to serious degradation in beam quality and possibly even to fracture of the solid state gain material. In an effort to ameliorate such difficulties, an number of novel geometries for pumping and cooling solid state laser gain material have been proposed and implemented. Of particular note have been the "axial-gradient", "segmented", "slab" and "zig-zag" configurations developed in the mid 70s. See: E. Matovich, "The Axial Gradient Laser", Proc., Fourth DOD Conf. Laser Tech., San Diego, Jan. 1970, Vol. 1, pp. 311-362; W. F. Hagen, C. G. Young, D. W. Cuff, and J. E. Keefe, "Segmented Nd Glass Laser", Proc., Fourth DOD Conf. Laser Tech., San Diego, Jan. 1970, pp. 363-377; J. M. Eggleston, T. J. Kane, J. Unternahrer, and R. L. Byer, "Slab-Geometry Nd:Glass Laser Performance Studies", Optics Letts. Vol. 7, pp. 405-407, 1982; G. J. Hulme, and W. B. Jones, "Total Internal Reflection Face Pumped Laser: Concepts and Design Considerations", SPIE, Vol. 69, pp. 38-44, 1975.
Similar configurations, and more recent inside-pumped approaches have raised the average output power extractable from Nd:YAG devices well into the 1 kilowatt regime. See: J. L. Emmett, W. F. Krupke and W. R. Sooy, "Potential of High Average-Power Solid State Lasers", Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory report # UCRL-53571 and UC-21,22; Walter Koechner, "Solid-State Laser Engineering", Springer-Verlag Series in Optical Sciences, Chap. 7, Spring-Verlag; U. Wittrock and H. Weber, "Inside-pumped Nd:Yag Tube Laser", Optics Letts. Vol. 16, pp. 1092-1094, Jul., 1991.
The attainment of even these modest power levels has however come at considerable cost, and usually also at the expense of mode quality. These aspects follow directly from the fact that high average power has hitherto required the growing of very large, single crystal rods, slabs, or cylinders, for the gain medium. In this context, experience has shown that the growing of large crystal units is not only very expensive, but that the optical quality in such a single crystal extended volume gain medium is also compromised. As such, near diffraction limited performance, under high average power operating conditions, is not achieved.
Indeed most high average power Nd:YAG lasers operate at more than 50 times their diffraction limit. This aspect seriously degrades the focusability and brightness of the beam; thereby greatly reducing the effectiveness of the laser for high speed, deep penetration materials processing.
There is disclosed here an alternative method for the attainment of high average optical power output from a solid state laser system. The technique, which utilizes a multi-channel approach for the establishment of the gain medium, appears equally applicable to a wide variety of optically-pumped gain material, either single crystal or glass. The approach is an extension of the multiple gain channel with common unstable optical extraction configuration developed previously by the same inventor for gas lasers: H. J. J. Seguin, "Laser System With Multiple Radial Discharge Channels", U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,173, Jul., 1991.
Thus in one embodiment, there is provided a laser system in which plural pairs of solid state gain channels are arranged about and extend radially from a first common central axis within an enclosure. The active media within the gain channels are cooled by conduction cooling, for example by the circulation of fluids within the enclosure. Means adjacent the gain channels provide uniform laser excitation energy to the gain media, such laser excitation energy being in the form of optical radiation derived from a plurality of strategically positioned flashlamps or arrays of light-emitting diodes.
Optical extraction means having a second axis coinciding with the gain media common central axis are disposed about the pairs of gain channels and generate a common resonator mode for all the gain channels and extract laser energy from all of the gain channels simultaneously.
The means for extracting the laser energy may include an optical resonator having a common unstable cavity mode and a segmented annular output, and may include an output axicon mounted to receive the segmented annular output, (one beamlet from each gain channel), and compact it into a continuous annular output beam.
Means for injecting an externally generated reference oscillator signal provides simultaneous phase-locking of the plurality of gain channels, thereby yielding an a externally-injection-locked "MOPA" system, (Master-Oscillator Power-Amplifier), having a phase coherent output beam.
The effect of combining identical phase-locked beamlets from a plurality of gain channels into a single beam is such that, in the limit of a very large number of individual channels, the resultant combined output beam exhibits an exceptional uniformity of illumination and intensity profile, far superior to that of any individual beamlet. As such, the performance of a radial geometry laser with MOPA approaches that of an ideal source, with high stability and near diffraction limited optical quality, at high average power.
The gain channels may be mounted in a toric resonator, which may include an output compacting axicon for uniform intensity laser beam extraction along the centerline and means for injecting an externally generated reference oscillator signal into the toric resonator system, for providing simultaneous injection-phase-locking of the plurality of gain channels, thereby providing near diffraction limited optical performance at high output power level.
A separate solid state cylindrical gain section (rod) may be mounted along the common central axis and pumped with laser excitation energy from the plurality of surrounding flashlamps or light emitting diode arrays. A portion of the coherent optical laser output radiation, produced by the centrally mounted gain section (rod) may be fed back into the plurality of radially mounted gain channels, thus providing a self-phase-locking feature for each individual radial gain channel and thereby yielding a self-injection-locked "MOPA" system, featuring a combined phase coherent output beam of high stability and near diffraction limited optical quality with high average power.
In a still further embodiment of the laser system, the radial gain channels are provided with Brewster Angle end sections, such that the optical cavity mode propagation executes a Zig-Zag path through each of the individual gain channels.


This invention relates to a method of refrigeration purification and power generation of industrial gas and apparatus therefor. The apparatus is comprised of two parts, the front part of which is constituted by a multi-stage phase changeable refrigeration cycle of pure-phase changeable non-heat refrigeration technique for effectively obtaining cool quantity; the rear part of which makes use of the feature that the toxic and harmful gas in the waste gas has the higher boiling point than clean gas, the waste gas is firstly condensed and liquefied to be separated; the liquefied clean gas and the liquid refrigeration medium of the last stage absorb heat from waste gas in order to be evaporated into steam to drive expansion turbine groups respectively to work, while collecting a mechanical power in a negative compression region and adding a mechanical energy loss of initial cooled waste gas during compression. The invention can thoroughly remedy the effect of the industrial waste gas on polluting the atmosphere and effectively generate power.

The present invention relates to the environmental protection and electric power industry, especially to the method and the apparatus of deep refrigeration purification of industrial waste gas, in particular the furnace flue gas, and electric power generation with utilizing heat energy work of the waste gas.
Waste gas discharged in modern industrial production seriously pollutes the atmosphere. Toxic and harmful gaseous constituents in the waste gas threaten human survival. Apparently, worldwide environmental protection is very important and the conventional technical solutions for solving the industrial waste gas pollution are only limited to the methods of smoke prevention, dust control and simple desulphurization or the like to abate pollution. Up to now, mostly all of the industrial furnace waste gas is discharged to the atmospheric space relying in the manner that the pollutants are directly discharged into atmospheric layer by adopting chimneys.

Method of refrigeration purification and power generation of industrial waste gas and the apparatus therefor


The invention comes within the field of equipment control. A method of shifting a moving unit from a first position to a second position by means of a stepping motor driven by a finite sequence of pulses, said moving unit being liable to oscillate about its equilibrium point, characterized in that as a function of the period and of the damping factor of the oscillation, the time intervals which separate said pulses are chosen so that the last pulse is applied to the motor at an instant when the oscillation resulting from the set of preceding pulses brings the moving unit substantially to the required final position and reduces its speed substantially to zero. It applies in particular to disc-type printers.

The invention will be described with reference to the example of a rotary movement such as that of a printer disc, but it is applicable to all stepping movements in which the moving unit is liable to describe oscillations which can be substantially represented by a second-order system which is not critically damped.
If said time intervals between successive steps are not suitably chosen, the oscillating movement which follows the last pulse (and which may be due e.g. to the inertia of the moving unit and to the elasticity of the mechanical transmission parts) may continue for a relatively long time during which the position of the moving unit varies continually about the required position without stopping there. It is known to mitigate this disadvantage by means of a damping device; however, to be effective, this damping device must be able to damp appreciable energy; this increases its weight its bulk and its cost and subjects the motor to extra stresses.
German published patent application no. 2 042 903 describes an attempt to obtain this result by a particular method of defining the time interval between the last two pulses. However, it is clear that if the teaching of the application is followed, the desired result is not obtained, since it requires both the rotor inertia to be matched to a specific value and the total number of pulses to be sufficiently large with respect to the damping coefficient for the moving unit to have achieved steady state motion before the last pulse but one is applied thereto. These requirements are not specifically stated in the said specification, but they follow from the analysis of the problem.
The present invention provides a method of shifting a moving unit from a first position to a second position by means of a stepping motor driven by a finite sequence of pulses, said moving unit being liable to oscillate about its equilibrium point, the time intervals which separate said pulses being chosen as a function of the period and of the damping factor of the oscillation so that the last pulse is applied to the motor at an instant when the oscillation resulting from the set of preceding pulses brings the moving unit substantially to the required final position and reduces its speed substantially to zero, and wherein the last pulse but one of the sequence of pulses is applied to the motor at an instant when the point which represents the shift of the moving unit caused by said pulse and as shown in the phase-plane chart at a point centred on the equilibrium point resulting from said pulse is substantially located on the spiral which passes through the zero speed point and through the point of the x-axis equal to the amplitude of the last step.
Preferably the pulses other than the last and the first are applied at instants when the point which represents the shift of the moving unit, said shift being caused by each pulse and shown in the chart on the equilibrium point resulting from said pulse, is substantially located on said spiral.
The invention further provides a disc-type printer which includes a rotating disc which bears a set of characters and which can be driven by a stepping motor to place the required character in the required printing position, said disc being liable to oscillate about its equilibrium position; means for positioning the paper and making it advance; means for pressing the paper against the disc when said disc is substantially motionless; means which supply the motor with pulses; and means for triggering pulses at defined intervals; characterized in that the last pulse but one is applied to the motor in such a manner that the point on the phase plane chart representative of the motion of the moving parts after said last pulse but one, and with respect to the equilibrium position of the parts at that moment is situated on the spiral which passes through the zero speed point on the x-axis at a displacement corresponding to the last pulse and wherein the last pulse is applied to the motor substantially at the moment when the moving parts are in the desired final position.
The invention will be better understood from the description of an embodiment given hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Method of positioning a moving part and a printer operating in accordance with said method


A system for recording, transmitting and compiling information indicative of actual vehicle operation and usage includes a device installed within a vehicle. Sensors communicate with the device to provide information relating to operation of the vehicle. A location module utilizes satellite signals to determine the current location of a vehicle. A data extraction module sends data to a central process server. The central processor compiles and summarizes the information from the device for determination of vehicle usage for use in determining an insurance premium.

This invention relates to a device and method for recording driving characteristics. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and device for recording driving characteristics utilized to monitor and compile vehicle usage data for determining an insurance premium.
Vehicle insurance is currently determined substantially through the use of historical data combined with information from other sources concerning the vehicle owner and operator. The information concerning the operator typically includes general vehicle usage information such as how the operator typically uses the vehicle, such as for going back and forth to work. The places and locations in which the vehicle is utilized by the operator are also considered in the determination of the vehicle insurance premium.
A principal disadvantage with this method of insurance premium determination is that much of this information is not verifiable. In other words, an operator may exaggerate or under estimate the actual usage of the vehicle. Accordingly, an insurance provider is therefore at a disadvantage in applying a premium based on predicted or non-verifiable information. Some of these instances can be corrected through the periodic updating of information through available driving records such as available from state and local governments to reveal driving violations or accidents.
However, in the absence of such data the actual operating characteristics and use of a vehicle are not easily determinable. Accordingly, the insurance provider relies on the operator provided information.
Accordingly, it would be beneficial to develop a process and device for installation within a vehicle that could easily gather useful data that can be utilized for the determination of insurance premiums based on actual vehicle use.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Recording and reporting of driving characteristics


An electrochemical battery with mobile electrodes of the so-called "reserve" type. According to one characteristic of the invention, the battery includes a holder for holding the electrodes outside the cells during a storage period of the battery, and for placing these electrodes inside the cells in order to activate the battery.

This application is a 371 of PCT/FR92/00826 filed Aug. 28, 1992.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to electrochemical batteries, especially electrochemical batteries of the so-called "reserve" type. It particularly relates to means for producing the activation of such batteries.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electrochemical batteries of the reserve type are batteries intended to be set in operation after a storage period whose duration is variable and may extend for example up to 15 years and more.
This type of battery is widely used in order to provide electrical energy in ballistic devices, for example shells, missiles, etc. However, these batteries are also of great interest in other fields, for example that of security devices.
Batteries of the reserve type provide electrical energy from the instant when they are activated. The activation of the battery consists in uniting the different elements which, conventionally, convert the chemical reaction into electrical energy.
Such an electrochemical battery may comprise one or more electrochemical cells, the number of these cells being a function of the voltage to be obtained. In operation, that is to say after activation, each cell comprises two electrodes of opposite polarities in contact with a quantity of liquid electrolyte.
Most often, the liquid electrolyte is held outside the cell in a storage reservoir until the instant of activation. The activation of the battery consists in releasing the electrolyte.
In the case for example of rockets or artillery shells, during the storage period, all the quantities of electrolyte necessary for all the cells are most often contained in a single storage reservoir. The activation of the battery consists in releasing the liquid electrolyte from the reservoir and in bringing it into the cell or different cells. This activation may be obtained by combining the effects of the strong acceleration and of the speed of rotation which appear at the start of the shot: the electrolyte is released for example by breaking a cap under the effect of the longitudinal acceleration, at the instant of firing; and the electrolyte is distributed in the cells, aided to this effect by the centrifugal force due to the rotation of the device on itself.
In structures having a single storage reservoir for several cells, a significant problem resides in the balancing, that is to say the most even distribution possible of the electrolyte between the various cells, while minimising communication between the cells. In fact, in the most common case when the electrodes are of the "bipolar electrode" type, any quantity of electrolyte contained in communication ducts between cells generates a self-consumption phenomenon of the battery, which decreases the capacity of the latter for supplying energy to the working load. Furthermore, the electrolyte contained in these ducts may generate a troublesome fluctuation of the voltages delivered by the battery.
This leads in practice to the adoption of various compromises in the production of these batteries, which make the structure more complex, without thereby completely eliminating the problem of self-consumption. Examples of production of such reserve electrochemical batteries which "can be activated on firing" are found in particular in U.S. No. Pat. 2,996,564 and in French Patent Applications No. 8,815,331 and 8,909,637.
It should be noted that the problem posed by the activation of the reserve batteries, in the case of rotating ammunition, is made still more difficult in the case when the battery is mounted in a missile or projectile, which can undergo low accelerations, for example a mortar shell. The case of the mortar shell is actually particularly difficult, because of its low possible acceleration on starting, and the absence of rotation.
Thus, the principles explained above for producing the release and distribution of the electrolyte in the cells are inapplicable. Other solutions are envisaged, which are technologically much more complex.
In fact, these more complex solutions do not yet appear to have been achieved industrially. Hitherto, the electrical supply in mortar rockets has been effected using turbine and alternator systems whose implementation is complex and expensive but which have the advantage of being in existence.
The present invention relates to electrochemical batteries, in particular of the reserve type. It particularly relates to means for producing the activation of such batteries, and is applicable equally well in the case of high or low accelerations, with or without centrifugal force. It makes it possible to bring about very rapid activation while avoiding the defects of self-consumption and of poor distribution of the electrolyte. Furthermore, the invention is well suited to economical industrial production, so much so that it may be applied in numerous domains other than those already cited, for example the electrical supply of security devices, such as extinguishers, beacons, etc.

Electrochemical battery with mobile electrodes


An improved fried snack product is provided which is fabricated by a two step process including initial extrusion followed by frying, preferably in a wet condition wherein the extrudate has a moisture content of from about 16-40% by weight. The starting mixture fed to the extruder preferably includes an amount of low protein flour (e.g., cake flour) in order to increase the expansion of the product upon frying. Fried snacks in accordance with the invention exhibit a smooth, even appearance, and have excellent organoleptic properties. Extrusion is advantageously carried out using an initial preconditioner and a co-rotating twin screw extruder equipped with a venting apparatus along the length thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is broadly concerned with improved fried snack products, as well as a method of fabricating such snacks. More particularly, it is concerned with snacks which have improved appearance and organoleptic characteristics by fabrication using initial low-temperature extrusion followed by frying while the extruded products are relatively wet, e.g., at a moisture level of from about 16-40% by weight. In another aspect of the invention, use of low protein flour, and especially cake flour, in the snack mixture gives improved, expanded products. Such low protein flours may be used exclusively, or in combination with pasta-type flours such as Durum or Semolina.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known that desirable snack products can be produced via a two-stage process wherein a starting flour/water mixture typically including pasta flour (e.g., Durum or Semolina) is first extruded, followed by drying of the extrudate and frying. As a class, these snacks are known as "third generation" products, and are characterized by an expanded, crunchy texture and mouth feel.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,439 describes a very successful process for the low temperature extrusion of pasta products to produce instant or quick-cooking pastas. In the preferred process, a starting pasta flour/water mixture is first preconditioned and then passed through a co-rotating twin screw extruder having a vent in the barrel thereof. Processing temperatures and retention times are controlled in the extruder, so that the final product is largely or completely cooked upon emerging from the extruder. Thereafter, the extrudate is dried to a moisture content of about 10-12% by weight. In use, the pasta products can be readily rehydrated and exhibit very desirable eating qualities.
The step of frying the dried, quick-cooking pasta product, although an obvious expedient in light of third generation snack technology, tends to yield a product which is characterized by irregular blistering on the surface thereof and minimal expansion. Therefore, while the extrusion fabrication of quick-cooking pasta and pasta-type products is known, as well as the advantages of such products, frying of these extrudates has not produced first-quality snack products.

Fried snack product and method of preparing same


System and method for managing networks addressed via common network addresses. The system and method facilitate proper routing and processing of network packets within a network data processing environment. The system and method include and involve a router that has an interface for communicating a network packet. The network packet includes a network address. The interface has a unique interface identifier relative to the router. The router is configured to map the network address and the unique interface identifier to a unique network address and to replace the network address in the network packet with the unique network address. The system and method also include and involve a management system that is coupled to the router. The management system is configured to receive the network packet from the router, to map the unique network address in the network packet to a customer and/or usage identifier, and to process the network packet and data contained therein based on the customer/usage identifier.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems and methods that are used to manage networks that are addressed with common network addresses.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the increase in popularity of the Internet, the widespread deployment of intranets, and the growing use of Internet protocol (IP) based network technologies, many corporations and enterprises have established private networks which have become difficult and costly to manage effectively. Often, such private networks require deployment of large resource pools to service user populations, work forces that are highly skilled in resource management operations, and extensive physical facilities. As such, many enterprises have elected to outsource the management of their networks to third-party service providers. Although outsourcing has enabled enterprises to efficiently and effectively manage their private networks, service providers now face significant problems in managing such networks on behalf of their customers. For example, service providers now face having to manage two or more networks which may use common network addresses for internal network addressing and processing.
The problems associated with managing networks which are addressed by common network addresses are compounded when enterprises use IP technologies. For example, it is well known that there are not enough publicly addressable IP addresses to serve the needs of all who seek to utilize IP technologies. Accordingly, enterprises often must use network addresses in ranges that are approved by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) in standard RFC 1918. The RFC 1918 standard provides the following network address ranges for private IP-based networks:
10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255 PA1 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255 PA1 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255
Although the above-listed network address ranges have allowed enterprises to adopt corresponding address blocks for internal use, it remains possible for two enterprises to select, adopt, and use one or more of the same network address. Since such a situation would result in two or more enterprises being addressable via a common IP address, service providers face a serious challenge in servicing more than one enterprise. In particular, service providers face deployment of separate resource farms (e.g., separate routers, computing systems, peripherals, etc.) if they desire to service two or more customers with common IP addresses. The costs associated with deploying such resources can outweigh the profits realized from managing a network on behalf of a customer. Such problems can lead to lost sales for service providers and a lack of network management options for enterprises who seek reliable network management services without being required to re-map or re-address their resources.
Thus, there exists a need to provide systems and methods for managing networks which may be addressed with commonly selected network addresses. To be viable such systems and methods must be capable of mapping otherwise common or duplicated network addresses into unique addresses which a management system may use in routing and processing corresponding network packets and data on behalf of a customer.


In a wireless local area network, a method and apparatus for providing a multicast address data packet from a single access point to one or more mobile units coupled to the access point is disclosed. A data frame packet is formed containing two or more data packets, each packet targeted for different mobile units having unique unicast addresses. The data frame is transmitted to the mobile units and each of the mobile units derives the proper data intended for it from the data packets, by examining the unicast addresses of each packet.

This invention relates to wireless local area networks, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for using multicast packet addressing for use by base stations in wireless local area networks communicating with wireless local mobile units.
Wireless local area networks (WLANs) use infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) communications channels to communicate between portable or mobile computer terminals and stationary access points or base stations. These access points are connected by a wired or wireless communication channels to a network infrastructure which connects groups of access points together to from a local area network (LAN), which can include one or more host computers. In turn, the LAN can be connected to another larger network such as the Internet and the World Wide Web (Web). Several protocols, including the IEEE 802.11 standard, xe2x80x9cWireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specificationsxe2x80x9d (as in place on the filing date of this application) have been designed to standardized WLAN communications. Such standardization is useful for optimizing user requirements, including spatial layout, response time, loading and throughput requirements of the network.
xe2x80x9cRoamingxe2x80x9d terminals are mobile units that can associate with any access points (AP) associated with a WLAN and seamlessly move from AP to AP. Each roaming terminal analyzes received signals from access points in its vicinity and associates with a single access point. Communication with an access point connects a terminal with the LAN and therefore with external networks such as the Internet. The region around an access point can be referred to as a xe2x80x9ccellxe2x80x9d. Roaming terminals can move from cell to cell and remain connected to the LAN and any other network to which the roaming terminal has connected.
A mobile unit user typically roams from one AP to another AP. It takes a certain delay period for the mobile unit to be associated with the new AP before the mobile unit is able to receive data packets. During this delay period, the user will experience a disruption of communication because an association with the new AP has not yet been established. The disruption causes data packets to be lost or become useless due to the time lost during the association period. While this disruption is acceptable for non real time services such as data file transfer, it is not acceptable for real time services such as real time video or phone conversations.
The number of simultaneous telephone conversations that can be handled between a single access point and multiple mobile units within range and associated with the AP is limited by the processing speed of the AP. Since conventional APs may not distinguish traffic classes (e.g. voice and data traffic), packet delay on voice traffic channels may result in degraded quality of service.
Streaming multicast video systems send a video stream to a multicast group of computers using a specific compression rate. These systems currently lack the ability to scale up or down the bit-rate according to the connection speed available and/or computing power of the receiver. This may result in inefficient bandwidth utilization because the source would have to send multiple multicast streams to each homogenous group of computers.
When a mobile phone user, having a fixed IP address, roams to a foreign subnet, they cannot be located since they have left the home subnet. In current mobile IP systems, the calling party communicates with the mobile computer through the mobile""s home subnet. Although the subnet knows the location of mobile, there is an unacceptable time delay. While this may be acceptable in non real-time services such as file transfer, it is not acceptable in real-time services, such as voice, since the long time delay causes the phone conversation to become non-interactive.
Although the applications described above relates to multicasting as applied to layer 2 or MAC addresses associated with communications over a wireless link of a network, the same concepts can be applied to the wired segments of the network and layer 3 or IP addresses. By way of background, it is useful to discuss the framework associated with communications between APs, such as that considered by IEEE P802.11 Task Group f as part of the evolving IEEE P802.11 standard. One issue is the requirement that stations must have a layer 3 address that is local with respect to the layer 3 address of the AP, e.g., the station must have an IP address that is valid in the subnet in which the AP is operating. How the station obtains this local address is immaterial to the AP and the inter access point protocol. A station might perform a DHCP renew on reassociation, or it might be running operating under Mobile IP. Knowing that all the stations in a BSS will have local layer 3 addresses reduces the complexity of the task of delivering frames for the stations via the wired network or distribution system. That task can now be done by the normal routing functions available to any station on the subnet. How a message is distributed with the Distribution System Service, as defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard.
The requirement that the station have a local layer 3 address is problematic with respect to any long-lived TCP connection which would be lost when the station moved from one subnet to another, unless Mobile IP is used. However, in most of today""s applications, the connections are not long lived. Examples of applications that might be adversely affected (without Mobile IP) are FTP and Telnet.
The invention relates to a method of operating a data communications network including a plurality of mobile or stationary access points and optionally at least one host computer connected to said access points, and a plurality of remote mobile wireless units, at least some of the mobile units being capable of communicating with at least one of the access points when located within a predetermined range there from and being normally associated with and in communications with a single one of such access points, each mobile unit having a unique user address. The invention provides establishing communication and association between the mobile units and the access points utilizing a packet frame addressing protocol including a multicast address; receiving in one of the access points at least two distinct sequences of packets addressed to at least two mobile units respectively associated with the access point; forming a frame, with a multicast address including the addresses of the at least two mobile units, in the access point and including in the data field of said frame unicast packets addressed to each of the at least two mobile units; and transmitting the frame to the mobile units by the one access point.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method and system for managing transparent roaming in a wireless LAN system using multicast IP. By using multicast IP to establish an association between a mobile unit and an AP, a mobile unit is able to roam from one cell to another without experiencing a disconnection or delay in communication from packet to packet.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus is disclosed for distributing and updating software in a mobile unit wireless LAN using multicast IP. The software is transmitted throughout the network using a multicast IP address, and any mobile unit on the network receives the information by simply xe2x80x9ctuningxe2x80x9d into the IP address at its own convenience.
In another aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus is disclosed for streaming multicast scalable video to heterogeneous computers in a wireless LAN. The source transmits multiple bit rate video streams to computers with different bit-rate requirements. Each computer is able to reconstruct the video stream according to its own requirements.
In another aspect of the invention, a wireless LAN using multicast IP is configured for managing mobile phones. The IP address of a mobile unit at a home AP is mapped to a multicast IP address, the mobile unit roams to a foreign AP, a user calls the mobile unit using the IP address related to the home AP, the mobile unit receives the IP request, and the mobile unit transmits back the new IP address that it was assigned when it roamed to the foreign AP.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Local addressing of mobile units in a WLAN with multicast packet addressing


A compressor for a domestic refrigerator has a horizontally oriented cylinder assembly at the top of a motor with a body forming a suction passage connected to the cylinder depending from the latter along side the motor and juxtaposed with a wall of a lower housing part holding the oil which is pumped through the shaft of the motor to the eccentric. The body has a suction port spaced from but aligned with a hole in the wall to which the refrigerant is delivered by a tube terminating at that wall.

Compressors for domestic refrigerators functioning with Freon and provided with a housing are known. Inside the housing there is an electric motor provided with a shaft entraining an eccentric which, in turn, entrains a piston inside a cylinder subassembly.
The Freon, which is the working agent, is conducted along a tube that enters a body supporting the whole assembly.
The lubrication is obtained by a pump entrained by a shaft, and the suspension of the assembly inside the housing is realized by springs arranged radially or perpendicular to the horizontal plane and fitting in lugs fixed on the housing and on the respective assembly.
The supply of energy is performed through a three-pole terminal disposed near the suction tube conducting the working agent from the evaporator.
These compressors have the following disadvantages, the fitting of suspension springs of the compressor assembly, requiring the use of inner lugs, leads to a larger size of the housing; and the mounting of the suction tube through which the cold vapor of the working fluid enters, leads to the heating of the vapor and implicitly to the diminution of the volumetric efficiency of the compressor.
Further the oil pump, and its pallet, are attached by pressing which does not secure a reliable contact therebetween. Also the total capacity of the pump is low.
Still another disadvantage is the tube, through which the suction of the working agent in the cylinder subassembly is conducted, the manner of suspension, the large clearance between the moving parts, and their weight, leading to a high noise level.


The present disclosure relates to a system readily configurable for use as either a step rail along a side of a motor vehicle, or also as a loading ramp for use in loading and unloading cargo to and from a cargo bed of the motor vehicle. The system makes use of a ramp assembly and a plurality of hangers. The hangers each have a first end which is affixed to a portion of the vehicle, and a second end on which the ramp assembly may releasably be supported from and secured to, and thus used as a step rail. The ramp assembly has at least one latching mechanism that can be secured to a striker post on one of the hangers, and a release element. The release element allows the ramp assembly to be detached from the striker post and used as a loading ramp.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
The popularity of pickup trucks is presently rising, in part because of the high degree of utility that pickup trucks provide to individuals in transporting a wide variety of cargo. One particular type of cargo that individuals often transport in the bed of a pickup truck is all terrain vehicles (ATVs). Another is off road motorcycles (i.e., dirt bikes) as well as everyday motorcycles. Riding lawn mowers, bicycles and other wheeled vehicles often also transported in the bed of a pickup truck.
At the present time conventional lightweight ramps, typically made from aluminum, are usually used to help load such wheeled vehicles into an out from the bed of a pickup truck. While using ramps can be a satisfactory means for loading and unloading wheeled vehicles, storage of the ramps on the vehicle presents some significant drawbacks. Perhaps the biggest drawback is that storage of the ramps in the bed of the pickup truck takes up valuable space. As a result, there is less space in the bed available for use in the bed when the ramps are not needed and are being stowed. There is also no quick and convenient way to secure the ramps in the bed. Typically bungee cords or other like implements are used by an individual to secure the ramps in the bed. And if a bungee cord or other like implement is not available, then the user may be forced to simply let the ramps rest on the floor of the bed. This may result in shifting or bouncing of the ramps in the bed if the vehicle must be driven off road or on uneven road surfaces. Having the ramps bouncing and shifting around in the bed can be unsettling to the driver, as well as noisy. Movement of the ramps in the bed might potentially damage other cargo being carried in the bed.
Still further, with no convenient place to store the ramps on a pickup truck, there is an increased chance that the user may not have the ramps with him/her if (or when) the need arises for their use. Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to have a system in which the ramps are stowed on the vehicle when not needed for use, but which does not take up valuable space in the bed of the pickup truck. It would also be highly desirable if the ramps could operate as step rails for the vehicle when placed in their stowed positions. Such a system would ideally not involve any extensive disassembly or removal procedures to remove the ramps from their stowed positions and place them in an operative position. Still further, such a system would allow the ramps to be stowed after use without complicated securing procedures and external tools being required. Still further, such a system would ideally add little or no appreciable weight to the pickup truck itself, detract from its aerodynamics or otherwise significantly complicate the construction/design of the bed or any other area of the vehicle.

Combination step rail assembly for use as a step platform or a ramp on a vehicle


A protective fabric suitable for use in hazardous environments such as those in which nuclear, chemical and biological warfare agents or similar hazardous elements exist. In general, the protective fabric comprises a plurality of layers of air- and water-vapor-permeable, thin, stretchable fabric materials, each being treated to provide separate or combined protective functions. The protective fabric may be fashioned into articles of protective apparel suitable for applications where close-fitting and conforming garments are required and where heat-stress and bulk of material is of concern.

In hazardous environments such as those where toxic chemicals or vapours exist or where nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) warfare agents are present or may be impending, personnel must wear protective clothing in addition to, or integral with, their regular clothing and equipment in order to protect themselves from these perilous elements. For personnel such as aircrew, who require helmets or other headgear, such protective clothing must not impair the intended functions of the headgear. For instance, the helmet that is worn by aircrew has several functions that must be maintained, even during NBC operations. These functions include protection of the head in the event of a crash, protection of the ear against excessive aircraft noise, and provision of means for electronic communications, to name a few. In most instances, the headgear or helmet is very tight fitting and the smallest protrusion or pressure point can cause considerable discomfort after only a few minutes of wear. If a protective hood is to be worn under the headgear, then it must not cause discomfort to the wearer and must maintain the functions of the headgear (i.e. hearing protection and communications intelligibility) to a specified level.
There are only a few under-the-helmet NBC respirators intended for aircrew use, each of which utilizes impermeable rubber or other rubberized materials. Impermeable rubberized materials are not always suitable for use in an NBC protection system as they create heat stress which is a major concern in the design of modern NBC equipment. The current breathable NBC garments are thick and bulky, and are generally only acceptable because nothing else is available.

Stretchable protective fabric and protective apparel made therefrom

Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence