A system and method for determining airborne particle concentrations. When in a fixed time period mode of operation, the system determines actual airborne particle concentration when a normal particle count is detected, and determines an "upper limit" particle concentration based on Poisson statistics when a low particle count is detected. In a fixed precision mode of operation, the system determines in advance the number of particles needed to be detected to achieve an airborne particle concentration measurement having a precision equivalent to a user selected fixed precision, and prints out airborne concentration measurements only when such measurements have the user selected fixed precision.

Currently, the typical method for monitoring the presence and concentration of airborne particles is a process wherein the air is continuously sampled and particles are detected by means of light scattering. This method is incorporated in most aerosol particle monitors which monitor the environment by Continuously illuminating air samples. The pattern of light scattered by any particle present in the air sample makes it possible to identify and count each particle on a real time basis. Airborne particle concentration (C) is then determined by dividing the number of particles counted (p) by the elapsed sampling time (t) multiplied by the detection flow rate (Q.sub.d) of the air sample through the monitor. Thus, by equation: ##EQU1##
Prior art particle monitors then display the particle count and related particle concentration in real time on a display means, usually a light emitting diode ("LED") or a liquid crystal display ("LCD") screen. Additionally, these devices allow the particle count and concentration to be continually outputted to a strip chart recorder, data logger and/or telemetry system.
Prior art real time particle monitors are able to
determine an environment's actual airborne particle concentration with statistical meaning when the concentration is relatively high, that is, when the total particle count (p) is sufficiently large for a particular sampling period (t) or if the sampling period is made sufficiently long. Problems arise when these prior art devices attempt to determine an environment's actual particle concentration when the concentration is very low, that is, when the total particle count (p) is very low for a particular sampling period (t). Specifically, a particle count of zero during a test sampling period is not necessarily equivalent to zero particle concentration. Similarly, a very low particle count, for example a count of 1, 2, or 3, will result in a particle concentration measurement with an implied large degree of uncertainty. As a result, when these devices are used in environments having a low airborne particle concentration, such as in clean rooms or when monitoring fibers in ambient outside air, they must be operated for long periods of time to achieve a statistically meaningful determination of particle concentration. For example, if an environment has an expected airborne particle concentration of 0.1 p/cc (particles per cubic centimeter), a particle monitor sampling air with a detection flow rate of 10 cc/min must be operated for approximately 100 minutes to determine the environment's actual particle concentration with adequate precision. When a particle monitor is used in an environment having an even lower particle concentration, the required operating time increases correspondingly,
Accordingly, it would be desirable to be able to determine over shorter periods of time an "upper limit" particle concentration with a significant degree of confidence. That is, to be able to state that the probable airborne particle concentration is below a certain value. Additionally, it would be desirable to be able to determine the required sampling time at a zero or low particle count to state with a significant degree of confidence that the actual particle concentration is below a certain value.
Prior art particle monitors are also unable to determine and printout particle concentrations having a constant, preferably user selected, fixed measurement precision. The inability to determine and printout particle concentrations having a selected measurement precision (i.e. to monitor an environment in a fixed precision mode) complicates particle monitoring when an environment's expected particle concentration is not known. In this situation, a required sampling time period (t) for a selected precision must first be determined. Then, the monitor must be operated for the predetermined time period to achieve an actual airborne particle concentration within the selected precision level. For example, to use a particle monitor in an environment where the expected particle concentration is not known, the user must first operate the monitor continuously to determine the time required to count 20 particles (t.sub.20). Then, to determine the required total sampling time (t) to achieve a particle concentration within a selected constant precision (PR) (at a confidence level of 95%), the user must solve the following equation: ##EQU2##
Finally, the user must operate the monitor for t minutes to determine the actual airborne particle concentration within the selected precision P (at a confidence level of 95%). Therefore, if it took 40 minutes to count 20 particles (t.sub.20 =40), and a user selected a measurement precision of .+-.20% (PR=20), the required total sampling time (t) is 200 minutes (200=40 (44.72/20).sup.2). The user must then operate the monitor for 200 minutes to determine the actual airborne particle concentration with a precision of20% at a confidence level of 95%.
The inability to output airborne particle concentrations in a fixed precision mode also prevents the user from obtaining more frequent concentration outputs when the airborne particle concentration increases, a situation where such information is most needed, or from obtaining concentration outputs having only a selected precision.

System and method for determining and outputting airborne particle concentration


A cantilever parking lift system having columns and a platform includes a lift mechanism employing a vertically movable dynamic cross chain sheave assembly positioned adjacent a column, a vertically movable static cross chain sheave assembly positioned adjacent a second column, a cross chain extending from the first base and functionally engaged with the dynamic cross chain sheave assembly and static cross chain sheave assembly and to a block assembly housed in a base, wherein the block assembly is movable along a length of the first base and operable to raise the dynamic cross chain sheave assembly, and wherein the cross chain extends beneath and transversely across the platform. An actuator is positionable in the base, rather than in or around the vertical column.

Cantilever-type vehicle lifts typically employ a lift mechanism such as a hydraulic lift cylinder in or around a vertical column, which requires the vertical column to have undue width to accommodate the lift mechanism and results in the lifting mechanism and all the moving parts associated with it being in the area of the vertical column, which is undesirable. In addition, currently available cantilever lifts employ a raised edge on the platform that gives it longitudinal strength, but it is a tripping point and very awkward to walk around. Another drawback of most current cantilever designs that use a common column is that the sliding portion for each side is affixed to the column on that side of the column. The columns are generally made with a sliding area, if using plastic slides, or a rolling area if using rollers, on each side of the column. The front and back sliding areas are then connected together with a single center connection piece. The problem with this arrangement is that the force placed on the sliding area by the cantilevered load of the platform causes a twisting movement that pivots about the center connecting piece in the column. In addition, current cantilever lift devices do not allow the platform to sit flat on the ground in circumstances when the ground is sloped.
Thus, there is a need for a cantilever parking lift system that addresses these drawbacks.


The present invention relates to polyurethane elastomer systems for industrial and paper mill rolls and more particularly to polyurethane covered rolls made from a new polyurethane composition of a polyurethane prepolymer cured with an aromatic diamine and a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene resin. Rolls made with this new polyurethane composition exhibit improved dynamics, hydrolytic stability, and reduced water vapor transmission over conventional polyurethane elastomer systems.

Conventional castable polyurethane elastomers have been used in various industries for over fifty years. Polyurethane is generally the product of a reaction between a polyurethane prepolymer and a curing agent. The polyurethane prepolymer is typically made by combining a polyol with a diisocyanate, such as toluene diisocyanate (TPI). The curing agent is often either a diamine or a short chain dial. In many instances, a catalyst is added to the polyurethane prepolymer and curing agent to promote the reaction that forms the polyurethane.
Polyurethane elastomers have been employed in the construction of industrial rollers, such as paper mill rolls. Polyurethane elastomers have been selected for use in paper mill rolls because they exhibit advantages in load bearing capability and abrasion resistance over natural and synthetic rubber materials; this is particularly important for paper mill rolls, where they experience high dynamic loads. In some papermaking machines, the rolls are also exposed to high moisture and elevated temperatures. These conditions can cause melting or debonding of the polyurethane, thereby rendering it unsuitable for use.
Some researchers have attempted to address these problems by employing polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) as the polyol of the prepolymer. For example, International Publication No. WO94/137 22 to Rosenburg, et al., discusses a low free toluene diisocyanate (TDI) prepolymer system modified with aliphatic diisocyanate methylene bis(4-cyclohexyl isocyanate) to reduce the propensity to crack during processing. To produce high performance polyurethane elastomers with low heat build-up, the modified TDI prepolymers are cured with aromatic diamine 4,4'-methylene-bis-(3-chloro-2,6-diethyl aniline) (M-CDEA). However, these elastomer systems exhibit inferior water diffusion and water vapor transmission characteristics when compared to conventional PTMEG polyether-based systems at the same hardness.

Castable polyurethane elastomers for industrial rollers


An image processing apparatus includes: an image data acquiring unit that acquires image data formed of plural pixel data having an M-ary (M≧3) gradation value; a grouping unit that divides the image data acquired into J (J≧2) image data areas and sections the J image data areas into K (2≦K≦J) groups; a pixel data selecting unit that selects, for each of the image data areas forming the respective groups, predetermined pixel data out of pixel data included in the image data area; an N-arization processing unit that applies the N-arization (M>N≧2) processing to the pixel data selected on the basis of a predetermined threshold value; and an error diffusing unit that diffuses a difference between a value of the selected pixel data and a value after the N-arization processing for the selected pixel data to pixel data not subjected to the N-arization processing, wherein the error diffusing unit diffuses the difference in directions different from one another in two or more groups of the K groups.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to image processing for converting image data represented by an M-ary (M≧3) gradation value into N-arized (M>N≧2) image data, and, in particular to an image processing apparatus, an image processing program, and an image processing method that are suitable for reducing deterioration in an image quality caused by error diffusion processing, and a printing apparatus, a printing apparatus control program, a printing apparatus control method, a print data generating apparatus, a print data generating program, a print data generating method, a display apparatus, a display apparatus control program, and a display apparatus control method to which an image processing technique of any one of the image processing apparatus, the image processing program, and the image processing method is applied.
2. Related Art
In the past, a threshold method was used as a method of converting image data represented by an M-ary (M≧3) gradation value into N-ary (M>N≧2) image data with a certain threshold value as a boundary. In this threshold method, each pixel value of N-ary image data and a predetermined threshold value are compared and the pixel value is converted into any one of N kinds of values depending on whether the pixel value is equal to or larger than the threshold value or smaller than the threshold value. However, in the threshold value, since a difference between the pixel value and a value after conversion is discarded, N-ary image data without information equivalent to the discarded value is generated. As a result, depending on an image, deterioration of an image quality is noticeable. For example, most parts of the image lose gradations.
In the past, to solve the problem of the threshold value, a technique called an error diffusing method of, in N-arizing an M-ary image data, rather than discarding a difference between a pixel value and a value after conversion as in the threshold value, diffusing the difference to plural unprocessed pixels as an error and utilizing the difference was devised. By using this error diffusing method, information that is completely lost in the past is diffused in peripheral pixels and remains. Thus, it is possible to improve image quality after n-arization compared with the threshold value in the past. However, for example, in an error diffusing method of the Floyd & Steinberg type in the past, pixels are subjected to binarization processing in order for each row or each column and an error that has occurred in the binarization processing is diffused to unprocessed pixels in the same direction in all the pixels. Thus, a diffusion range of the error becomes unique and deterioration in an image quality is conspicuous, in particular, in an image in which a gradation changes stepwise such as a gradation image.
Therefore, as a technique for solving the problem in the error diffusing method of performing error diffusion in a regular direction such as the Floyd & Steinberg type, there is an image processing apparatus described in JP-A-9-135351.
This image processing apparatus has an object of creating, in image processing using the error diffusing method, a pseudo halftone image with the occurrence of an eyesore pattern controlled. The image processing apparatus divides a halftone image into plural areas consisting of n image lines and, in each of the areas, sequentially performs binarization processing tracing adjacent pixels in a zigzag shape in such a manner as to traverse the n image lines from a top of the image lines to an end of the image lines. Consequently, unlike the error diffusing method in the past, even if regular binarization processing is performed, the processing is divided for each of the areas. Thus, continuity of a pattern is lost in boundary parts of the areas and the eyesore and regular pattern become less conspicuous.
However, in the image processing apparatus described in JP-A-9-135351, a moving direction of processed pixels is simply switched for each of the lines. A direction in which an error is diffused is a direction of unprocessed pixels nearly in one direction of each of the lines (e.g., a downward direction (a direction from a start line (a first row from the top) to an end line (a bottom row) of the error diffusion processing in lines of pixels of plural rows). A diffusion property of the error is not improved much. Therefore, the image processing apparatus is not sufficient for improving an image quality of an image susceptible to deterioration of an image quality because of error diffusion.

Image processing apparatus, image processing program, and image processing method with error diffusion


In a telephony call management system, a method of distributing calls among a plurality of packet-based load balancing resources can include receiving over a telephony channel a call request specifying call information, comparing the call information with selection criteria to select one of the plurality of packet-based load balancing resources, and querying the selected packet-based load balancing resource to resolve the call request. A response from the selected packet-based load balancing resource can be received which indicates whether the call request can be resolved.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to the field of telephony, and, more particularly, to utilizing load balancing resources within a telephony environment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Presently, when implementing a telephony environment, a system developer must select a particular telephony communications environment. Once selected, the system developer is constrained to work within that telephony environment. That is, a system developer choosing to build a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based telephony solution implements the entire design within the context of SIP. Similarly, a telephony solution which relies upon H.323 will be implemented within the context of H.323. The system designer can select the telephony environment which best suits the overall needs of an organization.
Still, constraining a telephony solution to a single communications environment can have unavoidable consequences. As is often the case, although the selected telephony environment provides significant benefits with respect to the overall needs of the organization, inevitably, the selected telephony environment also will have deficiencies with respect to smaller, more specific organizational needs or implementation details.
For example, while the telephony environment can provide for most needs of the organization, the system designer must select only those components which are compatible with the selected telephony environment and protocol. In consequence, the system designer often cannot select "best of breed" components when constructing the telephony system. In other words, particular components which may be preferred by the system designer may not be available or compatible with the telephony environment selected for the organization. Accordingly, the system designer can be forced to sacrifice preferred components in favor of designing an overall system which generally accommodates most needs of the organization. In other cases, to incorporate a preferred component within a system design, the system designer may be forced to implement a custom programmed interface. This can add significant time and expense when implementing the telephony system.

Connection manager for integrating legacy telephony environments and IP networks

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention provides high foaming aqueous liquid compositions with levels of oil/emollient equal to or in excess of level of surfactant. It is surprising that good levels of foam can be maintained at such high levels of emollient. In addition to surfactant and emollient, compositions also preferably comprise C.sub.12 -C.sub.24 fatty acid and/or cationic polymer.

Liquid cleansers and shower gels are well known in the art. The use of such aqueous liquid cleansers with moisturizers is also known (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,526 to Dias et al. or U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,619 to Greene et al, for example).
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,619 to Greene et al., for example, it is taught that moisturizers may be included at levels up to about 20% and among moisturizers taught are included petrolatum, mineral oil, silicones and various animal or vegetable oils (see claim 3, lines 8-28).
In these and other references of which applicants are aware, however, the level of oil/emollient used is always below the level of surfactant used. Applicants are aware of no reference in which the level of oil/emollient is equal to or greater than the amount of total surfactant.

Stable liquid composition comprising high levels of emollients

Levers Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.


Methods, devices and systems for patterning of substrates using charged particle beams without photomasks and without a resist layer. Material can be deposited onto a substrate, as directed by a design layout database, localized to positions targeted by multiple, matched charged particle beam columns. Reducing the number of process steps, and eliminating lithography steps, in localized material addition has the dual benefit of reducing manufacturing cycle time and increasing yield by lowering the probability of defect introduction. Furthermore, highly localized, precision material deposition allows for controlled variation of deposition rate and enables creation of 3D structures. Local gas injectors and detectors, and local photon injectors and detectors, are local to corresponding ones of the columns, and can be used to facilitate rapid, accurate, targeted, highly configurable substrate processing, advantageously using large arrays of said beam columns.

The present application relates to systems, devices and methods for maskless material deposition on substrates using charged particle beams; and more particularly to directly depositing material at precise locations as defined in a design layout database using multiple, matched charged particle beams, with the assistance of gas and/or photon injection, and/or of gas and/or photon process control, metrology and endpoint detection.
Note that the points discussed below may reflect the hindsight gained from the disclosed inventions, and are not necessarily admitted to be prior art.
FIG. 2A shows an example of a wafer 200 being scanned by multiple charged particle beams 204 emitted by respective miniature electrostatically-deflected beam columns 206. Individual columns 206 are able to target a portion 202 of the substrate surface with their respectively emitted beams 204.
FIG. 2B shows an example of a wafer 200. Example die 208 size and column 206 center-to-center spacing 210 (column separation) are shown. A regular grid of columns 206 (columns 206 are shown via their center positions, represented here as plusses) can use different spacing 210 in different (generally, orthogonal) directions. Die 208 size and column separation 210 are not required to (and generally, will not) correspond. Column separation 210 generally corresponds to the "writing area" of corresponding columns 206. A column's 206 "writing area" is defined as the substrate area 202 targetable by a charged particle beam 204 emitted from the column 206, taking into account stage movement.
The multiple column 206 array comprises miniature (small enough to fit multiple columns in an array) charged particle beam columns 206 arranged in a regular grid. For example, column 206 arrays with center-to-center column spacing 210 of 30 mm×30 mm have been implemented, though other column spacings 210 (e.g., 24 mm×33 mm) can also be used.
A stripe is the portion of the wafer 200 surface that a charged particle beam can target while the stage is moving predominantly in a single direction, i.e., before the stage moves laterally and switches predominant directions to give the beam access to a different stripe. A "frame" is defined herein as the portion of the wafer surface that a beam can target at a given time, corresponding to the main-field deflection area at that time, as designated by the design layout database. A frame is typically designated to be rectangular, for convenience (e.g., to tile the writing area); and smaller than the furthest extent to which the beam can be deflected (e.g., to preserve beam targeting accuracy).
"1-D" refers to 1-D gridded design rule. In a 1-D layout, optical pattern design is restricted to lines running in a single direction, with features perpendicular to the 1-D optical design formed in a complementary lithography step known as "cutting". The complementary step can be performed using a charged particle beam lithography tool comprising an array of columns 206—for example, electrostatically-controlled miniature electron beam columns 206. A 1-D layout is separated in the design layout database into a "line pattern" and a "cut pattern". The design layout database contains the information needed by lithography tools to pattern one or more layers on a substrate. A line pattern generally comprises an array of unidirectional lines. Cut patterns generally comprise line-cuts and holes.
Generally, line patterns are written by an optical lithography system, which can be followed by other process steps to increase the density of lines on the substrate. Cut patterns are written by a complementary (generally higher-resolution) process, such as electron beam lithography. Use of electron beam lithography for this complementary process is also called complementary e-beam lithography, or CEBL. The combination of the line-forming process followed by line-cuts written with CEBL to pattern a substrate layer is called complementary lithography.
FIG. 2C shows an example of a prior art process for depositing material onto a substrate surface.
Typically, as shown in FIG. 2C, a design layout database is used to designate where on a substrate material should be deposited 212 (e.g., to form new pattern or repair previously-formed pattern). One or more optical masks are fabricated based on the design layout database 214 using a mask making tool 216. Fabrication of an optical mask typically takes weeks and costs millions of dollars at advanced process nodes.
A pattern material (a material in which it is desired to express the pattern designated by the design layout database, e.g., a functional or structural material) is blanket deposited 218 and a hard mask is blanket deposited 220 on the substrate surface by a deposition tool 222. A photoresist layer is blanket deposited on the substrate surface 224 by a resist deposition tool 226.
"Blanket" deposition and etch generally refers to deposition and etch on the entire surface of the substrate.
"Resist" refers herein to a class of materials used in substrate lithography. When a resist is deposited on a substrate and exposed to an energy source corresponding to the type of resist (e.g., photons for a photoresist) in a chosen pattern, its chemical properties change such that when the resist is developed (in ways similar to developing a photographic film), a portion of the resist corresponding to a positive or negative image of the pattern (depending on the type of resist) will remain, allowing the pattern to be expressed in the material underlying the resist, e.g., using etch steps.
The photoresist is then exposed using the optical mask(s) 228 by an optical lithography tool 230. The exposed portion of the substrate (as designated by the optical mask(s)) is removed 232 using a resist developing tool 234, and the resulting patterned resist layer is inspected for defects and process control metrology (After Develop Inspection (ADI) and metrology) 236 by an inspection tool 238.
The hard mask is then blanket etched through the pattern expressed in the resist layer 240 by an etch tool 242 to express (substantially) the same pattern in the hard mask layer. The resist layer is then removed 244 by a resist removal tool 246, and the material underlying the hard mask is blanket etched through the pattern expressed in the hard mask 248, using an etch tool 250 (e.g., a reactive-ion etch or ion milling tool, generally the same type of tool as etch tool 242), to express (substantially) the same pattern in the underlying (pattern) material (newly added in step 220). The hard mask is then removed 252 using a hard mask removal tool 254. One of ordinary skill in the arts of charged particle beam material deposition will understand that other and/or additional steps can be used in a conventional material deposition process.
Ti represents the amount of time added by a corresponding process step. Yi represents the yield impact of a corresponding process step (one minus probability of introducing one or more yield-reducing defects). Where T is the total time taken by a material deposition process, and Y is the expected yield following a material deposition process:T=Σi=1NTi  Equation 1:Y=Πi=1NYi  Equation 2:
Numerous steps in conventional semiconductor lithography material deposition processes are expensive and time consuming, and potentially introduce defects into the desired pattern, lowering yield. Process-induced defects can be introduced by, for example, wafer handling, resist spin and heating, lithography, resist development, etch, deposition, inspection, implantation, thermal processing, and chemical-mechanical polishing.

Precision deposition using miniature-column charged particle beam arrays


In a network-based mail processing system and method of the invention, the originating presort bureau or node is defined as the first bureau to receive and process mail, usually near the point of creation. Each presort bureau or node in the network is generally also a destination bureau or node since each processes mail from other nodes for delivery to recipients in its respective region by the postal regional sorting centers associated with its destination codes. Interactive network processing enables higher density of sorts at destination nodes and reduces overall sorts, postage, and sort costs over non-interactive processing centers. The term “presort bureau” is used to connote a service bureau or any other entity which is a) part of the enterprise network, b) processes mail created and entered by itself or by mailers it services, and/or c) processes mail interactively with other network nodes. A similar network is described for mail-like items.

In certain industrialized and automated countries, mail processing is performed primarily by a federal or public mail processing entity, the entity often having a monopoly to collect, sort, transport, distribute, and deliver mail. This process is usually funded via collection of postage. In some countries, notably the United States, this process is augmented by work-sharing, wherein major mailers and/or service bureaus preprocess mail via computers or computer-based automation in order to facilitate efficient processing of mail. Work-sharing performed by major mailers, service bureaus, or other third parties, is known in the United States as presorting for discount. A postage discount is earned via preprocessing mail by performing a certain level of barcoding and sorting of the mail before entry into the public postal authority or postal service.
The requirements for worksharing can be met by data processing using mailing lists and/or databases at or prior to the point of mail creation, or by a combination of software driven systems and automation after mail creation. Both methods achieve the objective of applying a barcode which is standard within at least a national framework, and presorting at the point of origin or creation of the mail. In private, mail-like systems, such as private express carriers and courier services, an equivalent relationship exists between customers or mailers and service providers through contracts or rule-based processes in which savings are achieved in "mailing" or shipping costs when the customer (1) uses standard labels/manifests and organizes the shipment according to weight, volume and type; (2) meets certain volume requirements; and/or (3) uses certain pickup or deposit points to facilitate the physical entry of the items into the service system at the point of origin. As will be seen, such practices are relevant since the present invention can be applied to postal systems, whether public or private, and to competing private networks to good effect.
Presorting operations are typically located in major metropolitan areas where mail is created and entry into the postal service is done locally. Where a company owns more than one service bureau in separate geographical locations, the current operating process is substantially the same as if the bureaus were independently owned. Presorting cooperatively with the federal post is relatively efficient as a result of post-driven standardization of addressing, machine readable codes, and rules for sorting to levels compatible with the delivery system used by the federal post, particularly in the United States and Europe.
Efficiency includes at least the ability to (1) sort and code mail with a high piece rate/man-hour by automation and (2) achieve predictability of arrival at the destination address as measured from the time of entry into presort bureaus or into federal post processing centers. Predictable arrival time is important for mail with a time dependent marketing message, allowing businesses to coordinate fulfillment and product distribution processes in order to maximize sales, service, and customer satisfaction, or for financial transactions, such as billing or payment events.
Available data demonstrate that preprocessing of mail is cost-effective for all involved since cost avoidance by the federal post is greater than discounts available and/or permitted by regulation or postal rates approved by rate making authorities. At the same time, the discounted cost of postage represents a savings to mailers and is sufficient to compensate for value-added processes contributed by presort functions.
Greater efficiency can be obtained, however, by 1) further improving productivity of the overall presort function on a network basis, 2) information exchange between presorters or cooperative major mailers, and 3) improving predictability of delivery by process changes that permit entry of presorted mail into the federal post at destination points closest to the destination address. The present invention describes the physical processes, information processes, and financial arrangements which make possible improvements in both productivity and predictability. The new processes described should be of interest to mailers whose communications are time dependent and for whom the separation of such mail from general collection mail, which may not be so time dependent, inherently provides for expedited and efficient processing and delivery of mail, whether or not processing is done within or external to the federal post. Similarly, productivity and service enhancements will be attractive to bureau operators in view of competitive advantages of network members over non-networked operations. In some cases, economic gain from efficiencies inherent in the new network process will be enhanced through changes in rates designed as incentives to reward the new value created by the process.
Current public and private network process methods employ exception item processing for reading addresses and obtaining appropriate bar codes in cases where automation-based optical reading technology is used to accomplish address reading in real-time machine processing. Semiautomatic methods include on-premises and remote encoding methods, both of which use image-lift data captured during automated processing. Image data is identified via an identification (ID) number, which is printed on the individual mail piece and is later used to match exception item coding results with the physical mail piece/item. In remote encoding cases, images are transferred from a particular process node to a remote site(s) where computer databases and keyboard CRT stations enable operators to enter otherwise unreadable information to obtain desired bar code information. This information is then relayed back to the original presort center (process node) where, in a subsequent process, bar code information is printed on the appropriate mail piece/item using an ID number as a matching device. This process will change under information based network processing systems as a result of the changes inherent in the new physical process method.

Information based network process for mail sorting/distribution


Systems, methods, and apparatus are described herein related to steering assemblies to maintain a predetermined Ackerman geometry as well as for determining dimensions of modified elliptical gears based on ratios between angles of steerage implemented at first and second steerable wheels of a vehicle to maintain a predetermined Ackerman geometry.

When a vehicle turns, the wheels (or tires) on the inside and outside of the turn may trace out circles of different radii. Otherwise, one or both tires may skid and/or slip sideways, which may make the vehicle more difficult to control and/or may cause excessive wear and tear on the tire surfaces, not to mention scuffing of the surface on which the tires are traveling. In various steering systems, so-called "Ackerman geometry" may be imposed to ensure that the wheels on the inside and outside of a turn trace out different circles in a manner that avoids skidding and excessive wear and tear. As commonly understood with regard to wheels for moving objects, and as used herein, a wheel generally rotates about an "axle", and that wheel's axle is collinear with that wheel's axis of rotation. A "steering axis" is an axis of rotation about which a steering input is made to a steerable wheel in order to turn the wheel in a different direction, and that wheel's steering axis is perpendicular to that wheel's axis of rotation. As a vehicle is steered by turning the steerable wheel(s), the vehicle traverses a circle ("turning circle"), and the turning circle has center. Where a vehicle has only one steerable wheel, the turning circle has a radius defined as the distance from the center of the turning circle to the steering axis of the wheel. Where a vehicle has more than one steerable wheel, each steerable wheel may define its own radius about the center of the turning circle. In order to maintain Ackerman geometry in a vehicle with one or more steerable wheels (often front wheels) and two or more non-steered wheels (often rear wheels), lines extending from the axles of the steerable wheels must intersect a line extending from an axle shared by the non-steered wheels at a common point, which may be referred to as the center of the steering circle. Thus, a turn may require that the inside wheel be rotated more than the outside wheel.

Steering system and methods for determining gear dimensions


An online purchaser subscribes for substitute delivery address service with a delivery address service. The online purchaser provides the delivery address service with his/her mailing address. As part of the subscription service, the delivery address service provides the online purchaser with one or more substitute delivery addresses for use to engage in online purchase transaction. As a result, online businesses from which the online purchaser purchases goods attempt to deliver the purchases goods to the purchaser at the substitute delivery address or addresses. The delivery address service facilitates redirection and delivery of the purchased goods to the purchaser, thereby protecting the privacy of the purchaser's mailing address. In an alternate embodiment, the beneficiary may be another subscriber designated as recipient by the purchaser.

The Internet is a well-known collection of public and private data communication and multimedia networks that operate using common communication protocols to form a world wide network of networks. Recently there has been an explosion in the availability of "virtual storefronts," e.g., online commerce sites, reachable over the Internet. This rapid growth is due, in part, to the availability of fast, reliable and affordable computing devices and the general simplification of networking hardware and configuration. Thus, consumers and businesses alike now have access to hardware that makes effective online commerce commercially practicable.
To facilitate conduct of online transactions with their customers, a business typically sets up an e-commerce web site, and makes it accessible to online customers, as part of the World Wide Web (which is a logical overlay of the Internet). Each web site typically includes a number of web pages, developed using programming languages such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). The web pages are typically augmented with client side applets, developed using programming languages/techniques, such as Java, and ActiveX, as well as server side scripts, developed using programming languages/techniques, such as JavaScript and CGI. The web pages are typically accessed using common messaging and communication protocols, such as the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
To make a purchase via a web site, the consumer executes a generic agent, such as a "browser," e.g. Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator, or an equivalent network aware application program that is configured to communicate with a business web site. The consumer locates a particular product by interacting with the product web pages, and then proceeds to a "check out" web page (or equivalent) to process a purchase transaction. At this point, the consumer typically enters his/her mailing address and other data sufficient to identify the consumer, render payment, and allow delivery of goods to occur, unless the consumer has previously provided the information, e.g. by registering with the business.
Consumer information, such as mailing addresses are considered valuable from the businesses' point of view because advertising and so forth use mailing addresses to send catalogues and marketing information to lure more consumers. Often times, businesses may offer services or products in exchange for, not money, but for consumer information such as mailing addresses and so forth. Because of the value associated with consumer information such as mailing addresses, many businesses, including online businesses, will often times, sell this information to other businesses.
As a result, soon after a consumer makes an online purchase from a particular online business, and has the purchase delivered to his/her mailing address, the consumer may find himself or herself receiving advertising and other catalogues from unsolicited businesses filling his/her mailbox.
Thus, what is needed is an environment that provides consumers the ability to purchase products online and have the products delivered to the consumers or designated recipients, without necessarily disclosing their mailing addresses.

Method and apparatus for masking private mailing address information by manipulating delivery transactions


The invention relates to a process for forming a buried drain or collector region in monolithic semiconductor devices comprising an integrated control circuit and one or more power transistors with vertical current flow integrated in the same chip. The process allows optimization of the current-carrying capacity and the series drain resistance of the power stage and operating voltage by the implantation of a buried gate region in a first epitaxial layer after the formation of said epitaxial layer. These buried gate regions high dopant concentrations where the dopants have low diffusion coefficients. These low diffusive dopants permit more accurate and form defined buried gate regions than current formation techniques utilizing formation of buried gate regions implemented in the substrate where these gate regions contain highly diffusive dopants.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for forming a buried drain or collector region in monolithic semiconductor devices comprising an integrated control circuit and one or more MOS or bipolar power transistors with vertical current flow integrated in the same chip.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Association in the same chip of power transistors with vertical current flow and an integrated control circuit provides a very compact and efficient device which is advantageous as compared with separate components.
A recurring problem in providing such devices is minimization of the differences S between the distance 1 separating the drain or collector junction of the power transistor from the substrate and the distance d separating said substrate from the lower margin of the isolation region of the integrated control circuit (for reasons which are explained below).
To minimize said differences S there is usually provided a buried drain region (or a buried collector region for bipolar devices) by means of selective implanting of phosphorous (a highly diffusive dopant) on the substrate. During the epitaxial growth and the subsequent diffusions the phosphorous rises to the top of the chip faster than the antimony with which the substrate is doped.
This technique has considerable drawbacks. A first problem consists of the large tolerances which must be respected for the layout rules because of the high lateral diffusion of the buried collector region. Moreover very thick epitaxial growths are necessary because allowance must also be made for rising of the antimony to the surface; yields are thus penalized because of the quality of the epitaxial layer. In addition there arise considerable difficulties of alignment of the subsequent photomaskings because plotting topographies through the thick epitaxial layers is a source of problems.
Moreover, implantation of high quantities of phosphorous (even higher than 10.sup.15 atom/cm.sup.2) then gives rise to a very high defect rate; among other things about half of the dopant introduced diffuses to the substrate and is thus unused.
Finally, because of the thermal cycles necessary for manufacturing the device, the transition between the epitaxial and diffused collector regions is not sharp, but displays a trend with a low dC/dX gradient of the concentration C of dopant along the depth X in the chip. This low dC/dX gradient has very unfavorable consequences for the series drain resistance (Ron) of a MOS power transistor (or the current-carrying capacity in the case of a bipolar power transistor).

Process for forming a buried drain or collector region in monolithic semiconductor devices


A system and method are provided for integrated registration of images, the system including a processor, a first registration portion for performing rough registration of an image, a first segmentation portion for performing segmentation of an object of interest in the image, a second registration portion for performing fine registration of the image, and a second segmentation portion for performing segmentation of structures of the object of interest in the image; and the method including receiving a sequence of images, selecting an image from the sequence, cropping a region of interest (ROI) from the selected image, performing rough registration of the cropped ROI, performing segmentation of an object of interest from the rough registered ROI, performing fine registration of the ROI, and performing segmentation of structures of the object of interest from the fine registered ROI.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (MRI) has been used for the assessment of renal perfusion. In renal perfusion MRI, the abdomen is scanned rapidly and repeatedly following a bolus injection of a contrast agent. The kinematics of the contrast agent are reflected in the intensity changes of the obtained time series of MR images. Analysis of the dynamic behavior of the signal intensity can provide valuable functional information.
Unfortunately, a perfusion MR image sequence often suffers from motion induced by breathing during acquisition. To ensure the correspondence of anatomical structures in different time frames, registration of time-series images is necessary.
The registration of time-series images is a challenging task because the appearance of the kidney changes rapidly over the course of contrast enhancement, and therefore it is not accurate to use the common approach of block matching and looking for a best match in intensities across frames. In addition, different renal tissue types do not enhance uniformly, which results in a rapidly changing image contrast.
There has been limited work on the registration of dynamic renal perfusion MR images. An image processing system was proposed to correct organ displacements using model-based segmentation. A phase difference movement detection method and a semi-automatic contour registration method were also proposed. These methods all start with a manually drawn kidney contour in one time frame. That initial contour is used to obtain a mask or a model, and then it is propagated to other images in the sequence.
Accordingly, what is desired is an integrated image registration algorithm to correct the motion induced by patient breathing for dynamic renal perfusion MR images.

Integrated registration of dynamic renal perfusion magnetic resonance images


A vehicle seat including a fixed rail assembly, a translatable rail, and a translatable bracket. The fixed rail assembly includes a fixed rail and a fixed bracket extending from the fixed rail assembly. The translatable rail is configured to translate in a longitudinal direction along the fixed rail. The translatable bracket is fixed relative to the translatable rail such that the translatable rail and the translatable bracket translate in unison. The translatable bracket is configured to retain portions of the translatable rail within portions of the fixed rail. The translatable bracket includes a translating stop. The translatable rail is configured to translate between a first position in which the translating stop engages a fixed stop and a second position in which the translating stop is spaced apart from the translating stop.

Vehicle seats may include a fixed rail and a translatable rail that translates along the fixed rail to move the vehicle seat in a longitudinal direction. Portions of the translatable rail may be nested within the fixed rail so that during a crash event the translatable rail is retained within the fixed rail. Vehicle seats may also include a number of stops so that the translatable rail is stopped as the translatable rail moves between a first position and a second position.

Reinforcement bracket with integrated end stop

Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg


Methods of making copolymers are described.

Glatiramer acetate (also known as copolymer-1 and marketed as the active ingredient in COPAXONE® by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Israel) is used in the treatment of the relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis (RRMS). According to the COPAXONE® product label, glatiramer acetate (GA) consists of the acetate salts of synthetic polypeptides containing four naturally occurring amino acids: L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-tyrosine, and L-lysine with a reported average molar fraction of 0.141, 0.427, 0.095, and 0.338, respectively. Chemically, glatiramer acetate is designated L-glutamic acid polymer with L-alanine, L-lysine and L-tyrosine, acetate (salt). Its structural formula is:(Glu, Ala, Lys, Tyr)x.xCH3COOH (C5H9NO4.C3H7NO2.C6H14N2O2.C9H11NO3)x.xC2H4O2CAS-147245-92-9

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Water-mediated control of depolymerization step of glatiramer acetate synthesis


A method and a memory device for testing and repairing memory cells during a power-up sequence are provided. The memory device includes a built-in self test (BIST) unit for testing a memory cell array during the power-up sequence. The BIST unit performs a test on the memory cell array in response to a power stabilization signal, or performs a test on the memory cell array in response to an impedance control (ZQ) calibration command. The BIST unit terminates a test being performed in response to a write leveling command, or terminates a test being performed in response to an active command.

The inventive concept relates to a memory device, a memory module, and a memory test method, and more particularly, to ensuring operational stability of a memory device by testing and repairing a memory cell during a power-up sequence.
At a booting of a computing system, trainings and/or tests are performed, as a portion of a power-on self test (POST), on devices such as memory modules and graphics cards in the computing system. In the POST, trainings and/or tests of the memory module mounted with dynamic random access memory (DRAM) include interface tuning tasks for parameters related to an interface between a central processing unit (CPU) and DRAM, such as clock training, write/read leveling, write/read de-skew, and write/read centering. The tests for a DRAM cell are performed in a data write/read operation after the interface tuning operations are completed. When a DRAM cell failure occurs, there may be performance degradation of the memory module caused by the DRAM cell failure.
Accordingly, there is a need for repairing defective cells by testing the DRAM cell during the power-up sequence.

Method of test and repair of memory cells during power-up sequence of memory device


A communication is jack adapted to connect a cable that has an exposed ground wire mesh. The communication jack includes a first member, a second member, and a clamping component. The second member and the first member are capable of pivotally rotating relatively to be combined to form a clamping area. The cable is gripped by the clamping component and the second member in the clamping area, and the clamping component and the second member keep in contact with the ground wire mesh of the cable. Thus, the cable is fixed and grounded by simply combining the first and second members.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an electric signal connector, and in particularly, to a communication jack capable of fixing and grounding a cable at the same time.
2. Related Art
Connectors are basic parts commonly seen in the electro-communication field, and almost various electronic devices are installed with connectors serving as the medium for connecting the electronic devices to an external electric signal. Among various types of connectors, some can be directly inserted with a cable (for example, a network line or telephone line) so as to be electrically connected thereto, and this kind of connector is referred to as a communication jack for connecting cables of two different interfaces.
Referring to FIG. 1, a common network or telecommunication jack is shown. The jack mainly includes a jack body 10, a wire harness cap (not shown), and two covers 12. One side of the jack body 10 is provided for insertion of a cable 14 with a plug, and the other side is connected to a cable 15 with exposed wires. The cable 15 is electrically connected to the cable 14 through IDC terminals and contact terminals electrically connected to an inner case of the jack body 10. The cable 15 is formed by a plurality of wires and a woven wire mesh 151 wrapped around the wires. In addition, the wires are arranged on the wire harness cap, and the woven wire mesh 151 is usually uncovered on the surface of the cable 15 during the layout. The covers 12 press the wire harness cap, so as to extrude the wires of the cable 15 into the IDC terminals to complete the electrical connection. The cover 12 has a ground ring 13 corresponding to the cable 15, and the cable 15 is tightly bound to the ground ring 13 by a strap 16. Thus, the cable 15 is fixed to the covers 12, and meanwhile the ground ring 13 keeps in close contact with the woven wire mesh 151 of the cable 15, so as to achieve grounding through the covers 12 and the jack body 10.
However, in the communication jack of FIG. 1, an additional accessory (i.e., the strap 16) independent from the communication jack is used to complete the fixing and grounding operation. Thus, the strap 16 must be attached to the communication jack when shipped and sold, so the number of separate parts is increased. The increase of the parts will result in the increase of complexity of assembling the communication jack and the cable 15, and cost more labor hours. Besides, the additional parts may easily fall apart or get lost, thus resulting in inconvenience in assembly. Further, the strap 16, exposed out of the communication jack without any protection, may easily be damaged under an external force, which further results in the loss of the grounding and fixing effects. In addition, usually, the strap 16 can be used only once. Moreover, in order to install the strap 16, an operating space must be reserved on the periphery of the communication jack, so the strap 16 is inapplicable to the communication jack in an electronic device with a limited inner space.


The video retrieving method provides a video retrieval man-machine interface which visually specifies a desired video out of many stored videos by using previously linked picture data corresponding to the videos. Also, a video reproduction operating man-machine interface visually designates the position of reproduction out of the picture group indicative of the contents. The video retrieving method employs video data, character information linked to the video data, picture data linked to the videos, and time information corresponding to the picture data in the video data. The character information is composed of a title of each video and a creation date thereof. The picture data include, as retrieval information, one picture data representing the content of the relevant video (one picture expressing the video, i.e., a leaflet or the like), and a plurality of picture data adapted to grasp the contents of the entire video. The time information indicates the temporal position of the picture data in the video data.

In retrieving stored videos, it is known to selectively obtain a desired video based on secondary information such as the title of the video, its creation date, the creator of the video and the amount of data in the video, by using character strings which are added to the videos. A desired video may be reached by using a fast-forward or rewind operation until a specific part is reached. However, when the number of videos that are stored is large in both number and quantity of data, this retrieval method is disadvantageous in that it requires a substantial amount of time to search for a desired video.
An example of a technique used for retrieval in a motion picture database is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. HEI 6-101018 (1994). According to this example, a frame of a moving picture is divided into blocks on the basis of the motion of objects in the motion picture data. A specific object is retrieved from the motion picture data by using the calculated motion data as a retrieval index. However, still pictures included in the motion pictures are not used as a retrieval index.


An integrated computing device (tool) and method for creating a floor layout, analyzing the layout from the simulated point of view of a patron within the floor, and assessing the performance of a layout in real time or with historical data.

A modern casino is a fully networked environment where the games and even the tables contain computing devices. Optimizing the performance of the equipment is essential to maximize return on very significant investment in hardware and real estate. Often times in a casino a person may have no idea that a game or other attraction of interest lies just around the corner.
Additionally, as a game machine can now be reconfigured to play different games by configuring the machine over the network, many aspects of the gaming environment can be reconfigured. Efficiently laying out the gaming floor, and understanding the impact and consequences of various arrangements and configurations aids in maximization of both patron enjoyment and casino revenue.

3-D casino gaming floor visualization utilizing real-time and batch data


Method and devices are described for visually detecting anomalies in non-repetitive signals. One device may take the form of an oscilloscope capable of displaying segments of a complete waveform record that includes non-periodic triggering events. The segments may be displayed vertically and horizontally offset from one another to aid in the visual detection of anomalies within the record. Decayed or aged segments of a waveform may also be simultaneously displayed.

It has been recognized that the ability to visually detect anomalies within electrical, communications and other similar signals is very helpful in the design, development, manufacture and troubleshooting of electrical, electronic and telecommunications circuitry, devices, systems and the like. U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,374 entitled Methods For Displaying Jitter And Other Anomalies In Long Acquisition Data Records ("'374 patent"), assigned to the same assignee as the present application, discusses various examples of methods and devices for visually detecting anomalies in mostly, so-called periodic waveforms. To enable the visual detection of an anomaly in very long data records (where a "record" is, for example, a stored representation of a waveform), the '374 patent provides embodiments that allow for the display of the record on a pulse-by-pulse basis (i.e., a single instance of the basic shape of a periodic waveform). More recently, non-periodic or less-repetitive waveforms (interchangeably referred to herein as "waveforms", "signals" or "signal") have been increasingly generated by electronic and communication devices.
Accordingly, there is a need for methods and related systems for visually detecting anomalies in less repetitive signals, among other needs. Yet further, there is a need to more easily, visually detect anomalies within a waveform record.

Methods and systems for generating displays of waveforms


A powertrain which is used for a 5-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain includes a first planetary gear unit and a second planetary gear unit. The first planetary gear unit comprises first and second simple planetary gearsets having first, second, third, and fourth operating elements, while the second planetary gear unit comprises a simple planetary gearsets having fifth, sixth, and seventh operating elements. The fifth operating element acts as an output element, one of the operating elements of the second planetary gear unit being fixedly connected to one of the operating elements of the first planetary gear unit, and the remaining two operating elements of the second planetary gear unit are variably connected to one operating element of the first planetary gear unit. Clutches are provided for variably connecting the two operating elements of the second planetary gear unit to the one operating element of the first planetary gear unit, and a brake is provided for selectively connecting at least one of the operating elements of the first and second planetary gear units to a transmission housing.

Generally, automatic transmissions include a transmission control unit (TCU) for automatically controlling shift ratios according to variations in vehicle speed and load.
The TCU controls friction elements, a plurality of which are provided in a powertrain, to ON and OFF states to select one of the three elements of a planetary gearset (sun gear, ring gear, and planet carrier) to be an input element, another a reaction element, and the last an output element, thereby controlling the number of output revolutions.
To design a powertrain so that four forward speeds and one reverse speed can be output, one compound planetary gearset, comprised of two simple planetary gearsets, and at least five friction elements are used. The compound planetary gearset is structured such that elements from one planetary gearset are integrated or shared with elements from another planetary gearset.
However, the powertrain structured as in the above has the disadvantage of having a limited number of forward speeds, i.e., four. As a result, the powertrain can not make full use of the power provided by increasingly high-output engines. Also, the powertrain is not fuel efficient.
As a solution, there is provided a prior art powertrain having five forward speeds and one reverse speed. Such a powertrain is comprised of three simple planetary gearsets and at least six friction elements.
However, in such a powertrain for a 5-speed automatic transmission, to drive the vehicle in fourth or fifth-speed overdrive, there is a need for an element which rotates at a higher speed than that of a final output element. This results in a substantial amount of power loss. In addition, the large number of friction elements results in a heavy and large-size automatic transmission.

Powertrain for 5-speed automatic transmissions


A method and apparatus are provided to test an integrated circuit by identifying first and second components of an integrated circuit. The first and second components may share a relationship that causes the first and second components to generate a matching binary output in response to an input to the integrated circuit. A tap point may be selected within the integrated circuit. The tap point may be located at a point in the integrated circuit where an insertion of a bypass structure would affect the relationship. The bypass structure may be inserted at the tap point, and the bypass structure may be used to conduct a test of the integrated circuit.

Scan testing of circuits is accomplished by connecting scan elements (e.g., latches) in series in a test path. The output of each scan element is fed to an input of a next scan element in a scan chain. Faults resulting from manufacturing defects can cause timing related errors in the test path. Faults that reflect interdependencies of scan elements can prevent certain data paths from being executed. The unexecuted paths can prevent failing locations from being detected, diagnosed and corrected. Diagnosing failing locations can lead to fabrication process and design changes to improve later yield and reduce waste.

Inserting bypass structures at tap points to reduce latch dependency during scan testing

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


Provided is an optical module in which a temperature of a semiconductor element to be subjected to temperature control is controlled to fall within a desired operating temperature range regardless of whether an environmental temperature is outside or inside the operating temperature range of the semiconductor element, and which is stably operated with low power consumption. A control section 30 determines, based on the environmental temperature having a temperature range of from a first temperature to a second temperature, a target temperature from a predetermined operating temperature range of from a third temperature to a fourth temperature. The control unit 30, an ATC circuit 34, a TEC control IC 12, and a TEC 24 control the temperature of a laser module 20 to become the target temperature. The first temperature is lower than the third temperature, and the second temperature is higher than the fourth temperature.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical module and a method of controlling an optical module.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is known an optical module including a laser module in which a semiconductor laser and an electro-absorption modulator (EAM) element that operates as an optical modulator are integrated. As one example of such an EA element included in the optical module, there is known a cooled EA element that is used while being controlled to have a constant operating temperature regardless of the temperature in the vicinity of the EA element (environmental temperature). The operating temperature of the cooled EA element is relatively high. Therefore, when the environmental temperature decreases, it is necessary to heat the cooled EA element by a thermo-electric cooler (TEC), which requires a large amount of power.
Further, as another example of the EA element included in the optical module, there is known an uncooled EA element. As an example of a technology relating to the uncooled EA element, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2010-239056 discloses an uncooled-type distributed feedback laser integrated with an electro-absorption modulator that is capable of performing long-distance transmission at high speed. The range of the operating temperature of the uncooled EA element is wide to some extent. Therefore, it is known that, when the uncooled EA element is used as the EA element included in the optical module, as compared to the case where the cooled EA element is used, the optical module can be operated with low power consumption.

Optical module and method of controlling optical module


A light sensitive photographic element is disclosed having a support bearing at least one light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, an overcoat layer, and at least one non-light sensitive stress absorbing layer between the emulsion layer and the overcoat layer, wherein the stress absorbing layer comprises a polymer and a hydrophilic colloid in a mass ratio of greater than or equal to about 1:1, the polymer having a glass transition temperature of less than about 5.degree. C. It has been found that pressure fog can be substantially reduced when such a stress absorbing layer is present.

Pressure applied to silver halide photographic emulsion coatings can produce both reversible and irreversible effects on the sensitometry of the photographic product. Various types of pressure effects on silver halide photographic systems have been known for long periods of time. In general, pressure sensitivity can be described as an effect which causes the photographic sensitometry of film products to change after the application of some kind of a mechanical stress to a coated photographic film. Sufficient pressure can cause irreversible distortion of the emulsion grains or cause the formation of physical defects that alter the sensitivity for latent image formation. The prior art, such as described in James, The Theory of the Photographic Process, 4th Ed., MacMillan (1977), describe various mechanisms in association with the various types of pressure sensitivities observed with photographic products, wherein the transmission of mechanical and thermal stress to silver halide crystals cause a change in sensitometry for the photographic products.
Pressure sensitivity may manifest itself in photographic products in the form of pressure desensitization or pressure fog, resulting in decreased or increased density marks, respectively, after development. Pressure fog, which is often called photoabrasion, is an increasingly large impediment to the manufacture and use of photographic recording materials. The problem is generally believed to arise from large local stresses applied to the recording materials when small particles of dirt on transport mechanism rollers are pressed against the materials in cameras or other exposing devises or possibly during processing operations.
Attempts to control this problem include use of gelatin overcoat layers. Such layers, however, even if relatively thick as disclosed in Japanese Kokais 01-267638(1989) and 01-291251(1989), do not offer adequate protection themselves. Dry gelatin is hard and can thus easily transmit applied stress to the silver halide crystals in a coated photographic system. Japanese Kokai 01-61748(1989) discloses the use of protective overcoat layers containing colloidal silica and an ester on photographic elements in order to improve pressure fog resistance, and discloses that synthetic polymer latexes may be present in the emulsion or other layers of the photographic elements. U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,462 discloses that the presense of an ultraviolet ray absorbing polymer latex in a photographic element does not have an adverse influence on fog, but there is no teaching that the occurance of pressure fog is decreased by its presense.
The prior art also describes the inclusion of polymer latexes into coated emulsion layers to decrease pressure desensitization in photographic products as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,576,628, to distribute hydrophobic addenda in a hydrophilic colloid layer as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,627, and as plasticizers for gelatin as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,036. While the inclusion of polymer latexes in emulsion layers may help reduce pressure desensitization problems, this approach has generally caused an increase in the pressure fog problem. The prior art also describes in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,551,412 and 4,822,727 the use of polymer latexes having glass transition temperatures of both above 20.degree. C. and below 20.degree. C. in overcoat layers in order to decrease brittleness and reticulation while improving sticking resistance in photographic elements. Similarly, the prior art describes the use of organic solvent dispersions in photographic silver halide emulsion and overcoat layers as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,840,881, 4,499,179, and 4,399,213.
In general, pressure sensitivity problems increase with the physical size of the emulsion crystals. Its manifestation is most severe in the high aspect ratio highly deformable "Tabular Grain Emulsions," used in many current photographic products and extensively described in prior art. There is, therefore, a need to produce photographic elements that are less sensitive to mechanical stress in order to improve the quality of many of today's current photographic products. It would be desirable to reduce pressure fog in such photographic products without detrimentally affecting other photographic qualities.

Photographic element containing stress absorbing protective layer


On a main rocker arm, there is arranged a pivotal sub-rocker arm. A rocker arm coupling mechanism is employed which, under a given condition of an associated engine, couples tightly the main rocker arm and the sub-rocker arm to cause the main rocker arm to pivot in accordance with rotation of a higher lift cam. First and second tappet members are carried by the main rocker arm to actuate two intake or exhaust valves of the engine in response to the pivoting movement of the main rocker arm. The second tappet member is loosely connected to the main rocker arm so that, under a certain condition, the second tappet member fails to transmit the pivoting movement of the main rocker arm to the associated valve. A tappet locking mechanism is further employed which, under a given operation condition of the engine, locks the second tappet member to the main rocker arm thereby to ensure the transmission of the pivoting movement of the main rocker arm to the associated valve.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to valve operating mechanisms of an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to valve operating mechanisms for use in an internal combustion engine which has at least two intake or exhaust valves for each cylinder. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with valve operating mechanisms of a type which has a plurality of cams for actuating the valves, the cams being automatically switched in accordance with the operation condition of the engine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As is known, in internal combustion engines, there is a type in which, for improving the output performance of the engine, two intake valves are provided for each cylinder. One of the engines of this type is shown in Automotive Journal named "Automotive Technique" Volume 45 No. 8 which was issued in 1991 from "Automotive Technology Society". In this prior art engine, under lower speed operation necessitating only a small amount of intake air, one of the two intake valves is kept closed to assuredly create a swirl in the associated combustion chamber. With this, stable combustion is obtained in the combustion chamber under such lower speed operation.
In order to clarify the task of the present invention, a valve operating mechanism for the above-mentioned prior art engine will be outlined with reference to FIG. 10 of the accompanying drawings.
As is seen from the drawing, the valve operating mechanism generally comprises a cam shaft 73 having two cams 71 and 72 mounted thereon and a hydraulically actuated rocker arm unit 77. The profile of the cam 72 is so formed as to induce a smaller valve lift. The rocker arm unit 77 includes a main rocker arm 75, a sub-rocker arm 76 and a hydraulic piston 74. Upon higher speed operation of the engine, a hydraulic pressure is applied to the piston 74 to move the same rightward in the drawing thereby uniting the two rocker arms 75 and 76. Thus, thereafter, the two associated intake valves (not shown) are forced to operate in accordance with the rotation of the cam 71. While, under lower speed operation of the engine, the piston 74 keeps the illustrated position permitting the two rocker arms 75 and 76 to operate independently in accordance with rotation of the respective cams 71 and 72. Thus, under this lower speed operation of the engine, the two intake valves are operated in accordance with the cams 71 and 72 respectively. In this case, because the cam 72 is so formed as to induce a smaller valve lift as mentioned hereinabove, one intake valve controlled by the cam 72 is kept substantially closed, so that a swirl is produced in the combustion chamber. That is, under such condition, the intake valve controlled by the cam 72 substantially takes a rest.
In general, a swirl produced in the combustion chamber is greatly affected by the flow speed of the intake air introduced into the combustion chamber through the intake ports. Thus, when, under lower speed and lower load operation necessitating only a small amount of intake air, the lift of the other intake valve (viz., the intake valve which is not subjected to the rest) is controlled relatively small, the flow speed of the intake air through this intake valve is increased and thus higher or stronger swirl is obtained in the combustion chamber.
However, if this measure is simply applied to the prior art valve mechanism of FIG. 10, that is, if the cam profile of the cam 71 is so formed as to induce a smaller valve lift, the air intake efficiency at the higher speed operation is greatly lowered due to the reduced lift of the two intake valves, which means lowering in output power of the engine. While, when, for the purpose of increasing the air intake efficiency at the higher speed operation, the cam 71 is so formed as to induce a larger cam lift, it becomes impossible to obtain a satisfied swirl at the lower speed operation of the engine.
That is, in the above-mentioned conventional valve operating mechanism, satisfied intake efficiency at the higher speed operation and satisfied swirl at the lower speed operation are not obtained at the same time.

Valve operating mechanism of internal combustion engine


A method and apparatus for supplying information, and a storage medium on which an information supplying program is stored are disclosed, in which backup files of Web pages which were laid open in the past and those which will be laid open in the future are stored in a WWW server so that any Web page can be presented to a client in response to a request issued by the client. WWW server creates a file name used as a key when being retrieved, by adding data representing updating date and time at the end of an original file name of a Web page stored in an open storage area of an HDD which is allowed to be freely accessed via the Internet. The created file name serving as a key in retrieval is assigned to a backup data created from update data, and the backup data is stored in a retrieval storage area. In response to a request issued by a client via the Internet, the WWW server retrieves backup data having a file name corresponding to specified date and time from the retrieval storage area and transfers the retrieved backup data to the client.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information supplying method, a medium including an information supplying program stored thereon, and an information supplying apparatus, which are advantageous in particular when being applied to a WWW (World Wide Web) server for supplying, to a client via a net work, a requested HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file and a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) image linked to that HTML file.
2. Description of the Related Art
Net surfing is now very popular. A lot of people are enjoying accessing various WWW servers via the Internet using a WWW (World Wide Web) browser running on a personal computer to read character information and associated image information of Web pages (also referred to as home pages) or listen to audio files such as a music file supplied from WWW servers.
To access a desired Web page, a user operates a personal computer on which a WWW browser is running so as to send a message to a WWW server to request that an index file in the HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) format and an image file linked to that HTML file be transmitted.
Hereinafter, Web page files including an index file and other files such as an image files linked to the index file are collectively referred to as an HTML file.
In WWW systems, any Web page is specified by an address called a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) which uniquely identifies a file on the Internet. Each URL consists of a scheme name, a domain name (host name), and a file name. For example, in the case of a URL "http://www.test.com/index.html", its scheme name is "http" (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), and its domain name and file name are "www.test.com" and "index.html", respectively. In practice, access to a WWW server is performed in accordance with an IP address which is acquired on the basis of the domain name. More specifically, before accessing the WWW server, the WWW browser acquires the IP address of the WWW server by asking a DNS (Domain Name Server) about the IP address.
If a WWW server receives a request for an HTML file specified by a URL, the WWW server transfers via the Internet a Web page including the requested HTML file and other files such as an image file linked to that HTML file to the personal computer which has issued the request (that is, to the personal computer which is accessing the WWW server).
Upon reception of the Web page including the HTML file and other files such as an image file linked to that HTML file, the personal computer displays character information contained in the HTML file and image information linked to the HTML file on the screen of the WWW browser running on the personal computer.
When a user has his/her own Web page stored in a WWW server managed by an Internet service provider or the like, if the user updates his/her Web page via a network, the Web page including HTML files (index.html, for example) currently stored in the WWW server is generally overwritten, that is replaced, with new data except for the case where a Web page is uploaded for the first time. Also in the case where an Internet service provider updates an existing Web page being open to clients, the existing Web page is generally overwritten with a new Web page.
If HTML files (index.html, for example) of Web pages are kept fresh by performing updating in the above-described manner, users can read a Web page including newest information simply by inputting the same URL (for example, "http://www.test.com/index.html") or by specifying the same URL using a bookmark capability of a WWW browser.
Although updating of HTML files (index.html, for example) of Web pages stored in a WWW server to newest data at an arbitrary time brings about an advantage that clients can access newest information, a disadvantage is in that when a client requests a Web page which was available in a past period but not available now, the WWW server cannot present such a Web page to the client.
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technique of automatically creating a backup file of a past Web page or a Web page which will be released in the future and saving it in a WWW server thereby making it possible to present it to a client in response to a request issued by the client.

Method and apparatus for supplying information, and storage medium on which an information supplying program is stored


An optical collimator device, for use in aligning a riflescope with the bore of the rifle, is formed using a small aperture lens for viewing a reticule through a prismatic assembly. The collimator is magnetically attached to the muzzle of the rifle, and when a target is viewed through the riflescope the image of the reticule and the riflescope cross wires are seen simultaneously with the image of the target.

The present invention relates to bore sight collimators that are used to align a sight with the bore of a gun.
At present an optical boresighter uses an optical collimating system consisting of a lens that is optically aligned with a reticule marked on a glass plate, positioned at the focal plane of the lens. The lens and the reticule plate are mounted at either end of a housing.
The alignment of the collimator housing to the bore of the gun is achieved by use of a close fitting pin inserted into the end of the barrel, to which the collimator housing is clamped. Alternatively a magnetic strip is built into to the collimator housing, such that the collimator can be attached to the end of a gun barrel magnetically. The end of the barrel is by necessity, square with the bore, and this gives the necessary alignment.
In both these systems the optical element of the collimator is relatively large, it is similar to, or larger in size, to the objective lens of a riflescope. When the collimator is viewed with a riflescope, only the collimator reticule and the riflescope cross wires can be seen.
A large aperture of the optical element requires the optical path length to be long and consequently the collimator housing is large.
To prevent internal fogging, the void between the lens and the reticule plate is usually filled with dry Nitrogen gas, and the housing is usually of metal construction to contain the gas, which results in a relatively heavy unit.


The method of the invention comprises the steps of proportioning a foam concentrate into a non-flammable liquid to form a foam concentrate/liquid mixture and creating a flowing stream of the foam concentrate/liquid mixture. Nitrogen is introduced into the stream of the foam/liquid mixture to initiate the formation of a nitrogen expanded foam fire suppressant. In one embodiment the nitrogen is chilled below ambient temperature. The flowing stream carrying the initially nitrogen expanded foam is dispensed, which completes the full expansion of the nitrogen expanded foam fire suppressant, into the confined area involved in fire thereby to smother the fire and to substantially close off contact between combustible material involved in fire and the ambient atmosphere substantially reducing the danger of explosion or flash fires. The system for creating and dispensing the nitrogen expanded foam can be self-contained and includes a proportioner, a source of foam concentrate, a source of nitrogen and a dispenser for completing the extension and dispensing of the nitrogen expanded foam. A chiller can be included to chill the nitrogen below ambient temperature. Optionally a power generator can be incorporated into the system in instances where power is not available. The apparatus for expanding and dispensing foam comprises a housing defining an interior through which extends a discharge line. The ends of the housing are closed about the ends of the discharge line and the ends of the discharge line extend beyond the ends of the housing to define a connector at one end for receiving a stream of foam concentrate/liquid and at the opposite end to define the foam dispensing end of the apparatus. A portion of the discharge line in the housing defines an eductor for introduction of the expanding gas into the stream of foam concentrate/liquid flowing through the discharge line.

Fires in sites that are partially or totally confined are extremely difficult to contain much less to extinguish due to a number of factors among which are included, but not limited to, factors such as heat buildup, the ready availability of fuel and the presence of toxic gases, all of which make delivery of fire suppressant material and extinguishing of the fire very difficult. Confined areas include locations such as structures, storage tanks, subway and highway tunnels and underground mines as well as other types of below surface fires, such as landfill fires for example. These sites can combine the worst dangers to property and life in that the hot combustion gases are confined and can be prone to explosion and can provide additional fuel to the fire. In addition the combustion gases normally contain toxic levels of carbon monoxide gas, methane gas and other toxic substances. In coal mine fires, for example, the abundance of fuel in a confined, poorly accessible area practically guarantees that the fire will burn for extremely long periods of time with resultant loss of production and substantial property loss. Many coal mines must be abandoned in the event of a fire because of the great difficulty in extinguishing the fire. For example the Jonesville coal mine fire started more than 30 years ago and is still burning. The town of Centrala, Pa. has been abandoned because of a coal mine fire that began in 1961 because of the seeping of noxious gases to the surface. The residents of the City of Youngstown, Pa. have seen their priority values drop to near zero and they are concerned that they will lose their homes due to the Percy mine fire in Fayette County, Pennsylvania that has been burning for more than 30 years.
Although not necessarily prone to the extremely long burning periods encountered in coal mine fires, other fire locations such as underground fuel storage tanks, above ground chemical storage tanks and the like present similar problems in extinguishing fires occurring therein. It is difficult to apply fire suppressant material to the fire because of the location of the fire in a confined area and the resultant danger to the fire firefighters from explosion, heat buildup and toxic gases.
The usual fire suppressant material utilized in the fires even for fire in confined areas is water. However, water is quickly vaporized at the high temperatures encountered in confined areas engulfed in fire and relatively ineffective in extinguishing such fires. Furthermore, areas of active burning and/or high surface temperatures that can result in ignition can occur on the sides or upper surfaces of a confined area. These areas must be contacted with fire extinguishing material in order to smother the fire and to reduce the surface temperature. Liquid fire extinguishing materials are effective only for the lower surface of a confined area, unless the area is completely filled with the liquid. In most situations, this is impractical, if not impossible, and highly expensive. Air expanded foam has been suggested as a fire suppression material for a confined areas. However, air expanded foam actually supplies additional fuel, oxygen, to the fire which, as it is consumed, results in a breakdown of the foam so that the foam does not have the smothering properties necessary for effective fire extinguishing. Accordingly, foam has not generally been accepted as a suitable fire extinguishing material for fires in confined areas. The latest concept uses a jet engine thrust of water vapors and inert gases into a mine to smother the fire. This requires months of preparation, including the development of a mounting structure to support the jet when subjected to the engine load on thrust dynamics. Moreover, a new mounting structure would have to be designed for each mine that would appear to be cost prohibitive.
Therefore, a need exists to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

Method for fighting fire in confined areas using nitrogen expanded foam


A system that incorporates teachings of the exemplary embodiments may include, for example, means for generating a disparity map based on a depth map, means for determining accuracy of pixels in the depth map where the determining means identifies the pixels as either accurate or inaccurate based on a confidence map and the disparity map, and means for providing an adjusted depth map where the providing means adjusts inaccurate pixels of the depth map using a cost function associated with the inaccurate pixels. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Media consumption has become a multibillion dollar industry that continues to grow rapidly. High resolution displays are being introduced into the marketplace that can now present two-dimensional movies and games with three-dimensional perspective with clarity never seen before. However, capturing and/or generating the three-dimensional content still remains a costly and time-consuming effort.

Apparatus and method for providing three dimensional media content