A method for electronic assembly of signatures where individual printed pages are assembled to form a signature. Contents of the printed pages to be assembled are described in a page description language. Contone Contone maps in which the printed pages are described pixel-by-pixel and line-by-line in the form of gray scale values are generated for the individual printed pages by interpretation of page descriptions in at least one interpreter. The contone maps of the individual printed pages are assembled to form an overall contone map in a raster generator such that lines of the overall contone map of the signature are composed from individual lines of the contone maps of the printed pages taking predetermined parameters into consideration. The overall contone map of the signature is converted into a screened bit map in the raster generator. The signature is recorded pixel-by-pixel and line-by-line on a recording medium based on the bit map.

The invention is in the field of electronic reproduction technology and is directed to a method for the electronic assembly of signatures in a raster generator from a plurality of printed pages that are present as high-resolution contone map.
In reproduction technology, printer's copies that contain all elements to be printed such as texts, graphics and images are generated for printed pages. A separate printer's copy that contains all elements that are printed in the respective color is generated for each ink in chromatic printing. For four-color printing, these are the inks cyan, magenta, yellow and black (C, M, Y, K). The printer's copies separated according to inks are also called color separations. The printer's copies are usually screened and exposed on films with high resolution that are then further-processed for the production of printing forms (printing plates, printing cylinders). Alternatively, the printer's copies can also be directly exposed on printing plates in special recorders. For checking the content and the colors of the printed pages, printer's copies are exposed in proof recorders with a recording process that simulates the printing process in a chromatic output.
FIG. 2 shows the work sequence that was previously mainly employed in the prior art in the exposure of printer's copies for printed pages that had been generated in the page description language PostScript. PostScript data 1 are supplied to a raster image processor (RIP) (2) that can be a computer specifically optimized for this job or a program on a standard computer. PostScript data 1 for every color separation are normally generated in a pre-process for every color separation of a printed page and are forwarded to the RIP (2) (separated PostScript). Alternatively, a chromatic printed page can also be generated in a single PostScript dataset (composite PostScript). The case of separated PostScript data 1 shall be explained in greater detail below.
In a first step, the PostScript data 1 are analyzed in an interpreter 3 and resolved into a sequence of simple graphic objects. For that purpose, the printer's copy is divided into horizontal strips (bands) that are successively processed. FIG. 3 shows a band excerpt 9 with a few objects generated by the interpreter. The band excerpt 9 is divided into recording pixels 10. In the example of FIG. 3, the band excerpt is 8 pixels high, numbered from 0 to 7, and 32 pixels wide, numbered from 0 to 31. The resolution can be symmetrical (the same in horizontal and vertical direction) or asymmetrical, for example twice as great horizontally as vertically. The objects A through E (11,12,13,14,15) describe sub-segments of text, graphics or image elements that fall within the band excerpt 9.
The interpreter outputs the objects A through E (11,12,13,14,15) in a data format that is referred to as display list 4 (FIG. 2). For each object, the data format describes its geometrical shape and the gray scale value with which it is filled. The objects A through E (11,12,13,14,15) appear successively in the display list 4 in the sequence in which the corresponding page elements are described in the PostScript data. Objects that appear later in the display list (4) can thereby partly or entirely cover objects that appeared earlier in the display list 4. In the example of FIG. 3, the object A 11 is partly covered by the object B 12. Likewise, the objects D 14 and E 15 cover the object C.
In a further step in the RIP 2, the display list 4 is supplied to a raster generator 5 that successively converts the objects of the display list 4 into surfaces filled with raster points and enters them into a bit map memory 7 as bit map data 6. The raster point size is thereby varied dependent on the gray scale value of the object in the display list 4. The bit map data 6 of objects that appear later in the display list 4 respectively overwrite the corresponding areas of the bit map memory 7. After all objects of a band have been rastered by the raster generator 5 and written into the bit map memory 7, the content of the bit map memory 7 is forwarded as control signal values to the recorder 8 and exposed thereat.
As a rule, it is not only one but a plurality of printed pages at once that are printed with a printing plate, these being arranged such that the area of the printing plate is used well and such that, after folding and cutting the printed paper sheet, the printed pages yield a brochure, a leaflet or the like. For that purpose, the printed pages that are to be printed on the paper sheet in the same printing event are combined in a signature. The arrangement of the printed pages in a signature is referred to as an imposition pattern. As an example, FIGS. 4a and 4b show the imposition patterns for a brochure with 16 printed pages. FIG. 4a shows a printing plate 16 on which a signature 17 is arranged. The signature 17 unites all elements to be printed, i.e. the printed pages 18 and auxiliary elements such as register marks 19, fold and cut marks 20 and print control strips 21. These auxiliary elements serve for quality control during printing and for simplifying the further-processing (folding, cutting, binding). The numbers in the printed pages 18 in the imposition pattern identify which page of the brochure is printed at which location of the signature. Numbers that are upside down identify pages that are printed upside down. FIG. 4a shows the pattern that is printed on the recto of the paper sheet (obverse) and FIG. 4b shows the pattern that is printed on the verso of the same paper sheet (reverse). With the imposition pattern of FIGS. 4a and 4b, the pages are arranged continuously in the brochure after the printing of both sides of the paper sheet and after the folding and cutting.
In the prior art, there are two essential methods for assembling pages that are present as PostScript data to form a signature, manual assembly and electronic assembly of the PostScript data. In manual assembly, the PostScript data of all pages are first interpreted in a RIP, and the color separation films of the pages are exposed on a recorder, as shown in FIG. 2. 64 color separation films thus arise in the example of the brochure with 16 pages (16 pages.times.4 inks). Eight printing plates each having Eight pages are required for the printing (4 respective inks for the obverse and the reverse). Given manual assembly of the 8 signatures, 8 color separation films of the pages per signature must be glued onto a transparent film having the size of the signature according to the arrangement of the imposition pattern, for example the cyan films of pages 1,4,5,8,9,12,13,16 according to the imposition pattern of FIG. 4a. The films of the other inks are likewise respectively glued onto a large assembly film according to the same pattern. One proceeds accordingly for the color separation films of pages 2,3,6,7,10,11,14,15 but according to the imposition pattern of FIG. 4b. The printing plates are then produced by contact exposure with the assembled films in a photographic process. Manual assembly work must be very carefully and exactly carried out since the signatures of the individual inks must be congruent so that no color fringes occur at the image or text edges in the final print and so that the sharpness of the printed images is not deteriorated. It is obvious that manual assembly of the signatures is extremely work-intensive, time-consuming and susceptible to error as well.
The production of a PostScript description of the entire signature is standard as an electronic assembly method for signatures in the prior art. For that purpose, the PostScript data of all pages are collected in a preliminary process on a computer (server), and, when the are completely present, are linked with PostScript data for the register marks, fold/cut mark and print control strips to form an extensive file of PostScript data for the entire signature. A respective PostScript file is usually generated for each ink and for each side of the paper sheet. In the example of the 16-page brochure, 8 PostScript files thus arise for the 8 signatures (respectively 4 inks for the obverse and the reverse). These PostScript files are then interpreted in the RIP, screened and exposed in a large-format recorder on films having the size of the signatures or directly on printing plates.
It is also standard to mix both methods, for example the PostScript assembly of respectively half of a signature and the manual assembly of the two halves to form an entire signature. On the one hand, a recorder (expensive) with a very large exposure format is not required; on the other hand, however, the manual assembly work is greatly simplified.
PostScript assembly of the signatures also has disadvantages. First, the PostScript data for a signature can be extremely extensive and complex, so that a very high-performance and, thus, expensive computer is required in the RIP for the interpretation. Since the individual printed pages are often produced by used programs from different manufacturers (text processing, graphic design and image processing programs), it can occur that the PostScript data of some pages cannot be correctly processed by the interpreter in the RIP or that the RIP even freezes up during the exposing. This is the case when the manufacturers of the user programs have not exactly adhered to the rules of the PostScript page description language. This is more critical in exposing signatures than when exposing single pages since the signature exposing can only be started when all pages are finished. This, however, often occurs only shortly before that start of printing, so that there is no more time to search for the error.
There would also fundamentally be the possibility of having the individual pages interpreted and screened by the RIP and by not immediately forwarding the bit map data thereby generated to the recorder for exposure but, for example, to intermediately store them on a disk storage. The bit map data of all pages could then be operated in a computer (server) according to the imposition pattern to form a bit map dataset for the entire signature and then be subsequently exposed. Such a system is disclosed in published application DE 40 26 321 A1, whereby images are screened and stored as compressed bit map data. This solution, however, is not practical for higher exposure resolutions as required for the recording of printer's copies since the memory for the signature bit map becomes extremely large and expensive. A memory requirement of 3109 Mbytes per signature derives for a printing plate having the size 70 cm.times.100 cm and a resolution of 2666 pixels/cm horizontally (6772 dpi; dpi=dots per inch) and 1333 lines/cm vertically (3383 dpi). A storage space of 24876 Mbytes is then required for the 8 signatures of the 16-page brochure. Hard disks are also eliminated as a storage medium since they cannot read out the bit map data with the required recorder data rate of 100 to 200 Mbits/s.
Due to the high memory requirement for the finished bit map of a signature, the bit map of a signature cannot be intermediately stored in the previous procedure for the assembly of PostScript data. When the same signature is to be exposed again, for example because the film exposed first or the printing plate was damaged, the entire processing sequence from the interpretation of the Post Script data up to the exposure must be run through again. This costs additional time and occupies the RIP that could already process a new signature during this time. For the same reason, the additional exposure of the signature on a proof output device in the previous procedure again requires the entire run of the PostScript data through the RIP and therefore costs unnecessary time. This is a further disadvantage of the assembly of PostScript data in the prior art.


The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the invention includes: a wound-type electrode group including a long positive electrode, a long negative electrode, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; a nonaqueous electrolyte; and a prismatic battery case accommodating the electrode group and the nonaqueous electrolyte. A horizontal cross-section of the electrode group has a major axis and a minor axis. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material layer disposed thereon, and the negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer disposed thereon. A tensile strength of the positive electrode when an elongation percentage in a longitudinal direction of the positive electrode is 1% is not greater than 15 N/cm.

Recently, in view of environmental problems, there is a demand for a small and light secondary battery that is capable of quick charge and large current discharge, in response to a request for a power source that is to be mounted on an automobile or a request for a large tool with DC (with a direct-current power source). As a battery satisfying this demand, there is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium secondary battery in which a negative electrode active material contains metallic lithium, a lithium alloy, or a material capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions (e.g., carbon material) (see Patent Document 1, for example). Such a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery contains a nonaqueous electrolyte, and the nonaqueous electrolyte contains, for example, an aprotic organic solvent and a lithium salt dissolved in the organic solvent.
The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery can be produced, for example, in the following manner.
A laminate including a sheet-like positive electrode, a sheet-like negative electrode including the negative electrode active material, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode is wound to form an electrode group. The positive electrode and the negative electrode can include, for example, a current collector and an active material layer disposed thereon. The separator has functions of holding a nonaqueous electrolyte, and preventing a short circuit between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
Next, the electrode group is accommodated in a battery case made of stainless steel, nickel-plated iron, or aluminum, and a nonaqueous electrolyte is injected into the battery case. Lastly, the opening of the battery case is sealed with a sealing plate, and, thus, a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery can be obtained.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 5-182693

Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and method for manufacturing the same

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


A computer graphics system for rendering graphics primitives based upon primitive data received from a host computer through a graphics interface includes a plurality of geometry accelerators. A distributor divides the primitive data into chunks of primitive data and distributes the chunks to a current geometry accelerator recipient. A state controller is configured to store and resend selected primitive data to the geometry accelerators based upon whether one or more vertices of a graphics primitive are contained in more than one of the chunks of primitive data. Advantageously, this enables the computer graphics system to efficiently process primitive data while avoiding providing the geometry accelerators with an excessive amount of data than necessary for them to render the primitives. Specifically, the state controller includes in the selected primitive data vertex states which were sent to a previous current geometry accelerator recipient and which are required by the current geometry accelerator recipient to assemble at least a portion of the graphics primitive. In addition, the state controller resends the property states to the current geometry accelerator recipient when the currently-stored local state in the current geometry accelerator recipient is not the same as a currently-effective local state. Furthermore, when the resent vertex states include a first and second resent vertex state, the selected primitive data includes property states which changed from when the first vertex state was sent to the previous current geometry accelerator and the second vertex state was sent to the previous current geometry accelerator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to computer graphics and animation systems and, more particularly, to graphics rendering hardware.
2. Related Art
Computer graphics systems are commonly used for displaying two- and three-dimensional graphics representations of objects on a two-dimensional video display screen. Current computer graphics systems provide highly detailed representations and are used in a variety of applications.
In a typical computer graphics system an object or model to be represented on the display screen is broken down into graphics primitives. Primitives are basic components of a graphics display and may include, for example, points, lines, quadrilaterals, triangle strips and polygons. Typically, a hardware/software scheme is implemented to render, or draw, the graphics primitives that represent a view of one or more objects being represented on the display screen.
Generally, the primitives of the three-dimensional object to be rendered are defined by a host computer in terms of primitive data. For example, when the primitive is a triangle, the host computer may define the primitives in terms of the X, Y, Z and W coordinates of its vertices, as well as the red, green and blue and alpha (R, G, B and .alpha.) color values of each vertex. Additional primitive data may be used in specific applications. Rendering hardware interpolates the primitive data to compute the display screen pixels that represent each primitive, and the R, G and B color values for each pixel.
The basic components of a computer graphics system typically include a geometry accelerator, a rasterizer and a frame buffer. The system may also include other hardware such as texture mapping hardware. The geometry accelerator receives primitive data from the host computer that defines the primitives that make up the model view to be displayed. The geometry accelerator performs transformations on the primitive data and performs such functions as lighting, clipping and plane equation calculations for each primitive. The output of the geometry accelerator, referred to as rendering data, is used by the rasterizer and the texture mapping hardware to generate final screen coordinate and color data for each pixel in each primitive. The pixel data from the rasterizer and the pixel data from the texture mapping hardware, if available, are combined and stored in the frame buffer for display on the video display screen.
The volume of data transferred through the host computer and the graphics hardware is extremely large. For example, the data for a single quadrilateral may be on the order of 64 words of 32 bits each. As a result, various techniques have been employed to improve the performance of graphics systems. Due to the large number of at least partially independent operations which are performed in rendering a graphics image, proposals have been made to use some form of parallel architecture for graphics systems. One common approach to achieving parallelism in computer graphics processing is a technique known as pipelining. In such an approach, the individual processors are, in effect, connected in series in an assembly-line configuration. One processor performs a first set of operations on one chunk of data, and then passes that chunk along to another processor which performs a second set of operations, while at the same time the first processor performs the first set of operations again on another chunk of data.
In addition to providing parallelism among the graphics system subsystems, approaches to achieving parallelism within each of the subsystems is also desirable. One such subsystem that has received recent attention is the geometry accelerator because the operations of the geometry accelerator are highly computationally intensive. One frame of a three-dimensional graphics display may include on the order of hundreds of thousands of primitives. To achieve state-of-the-art performance, the geometry accelerator may be required to perform several hundred million floating point calculations per second.
Although the above parallelism is provided with the intent of increasing performance, considerable processing and communication bandwidth is dedicated to providing the parallel geometry accelerators with the necessary primitive data to enable individual geometry accelerators to properly render the primitives. This presents the graphics system designer with many tradeoffs with respect to how the primitive data is distributed in a multiple geometry accelerator architecture.

Caching and coherency control of multiple geometry accelerators in a computer graphics system


Disclosed herein, without limitation, are activated carbon honeycomb catalyst beds and systems for removing mercury and other toxic metals from a process stream, i.e, from flue gas of a coal combustion system. The activated carbon honeycomb can for example remove greater than 90% mercury from flue gas with a simple design and without adding material to the flue gas. Also disclosed herein, and without limitation, are methods for manufacturing and using the disclosed honeycomb catalyst beds and systems.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to activated carbon honeycomb catalyst beds for removing mercury and/or other toxic metals from fluid process streams and systems comprised thereof.
2. Technical Background
Mercury is both a global pollutant and a contaminant that can be transformed to a potentially toxic species (methylmercury) under natural conditions. Mercury emitted to the atmosphere can travel thousands of miles before being deposited to the earth. Studies show that mercury from the atmosphere can also be deposited in areas near an emission source. According to a National Academy of Sciences study published in July, 2001, there are about 60,000 children, who are born in the USA, potentially affected by mercury toxicity every year. It has been reported that human inhalation of elemental mercury has acute effects on kidneys and the central nervous system (CNS), such as mild transient proteinuria, acute renal failure, tremors, irritability, insomnia, memory loss, neuromuscular changes, headaches, slowed sensory, motor nerve function, and reduction in cognitive function. Acute inhalation of elemental mercury can also affect gastrointestinal and respiratory systems, causing chest pains, dyspnea, cough, pulmonary function impairment, and interstitial pneumonitis. Study also indicates that chronic exposure of elemental mercury can cause the adverse effects on kidneys and CNS including erethism (increased excitability), irritability, excessive shyness, insomnia, severe salivation, gingivitis, tremors, and the development of proteinuria. Children exposed to elemental mercury compounds have been found to have acrodynia that is characterized by severe leg cramps, irritability, paresthesia (a sensation of prickling on the skin), and painful pink fingers and peeling hands, feet, and nose. Reference Concentration (RfC) for elemental mercury exposure set by EPA is 0.0003 mg/m3, which is based on CNS effects in humans. Continuous exposure above the RfC level increases potential for adverse health effects. The main route of human exposure to methylmercury is the diet, such as eating fish. Acute exposure of methylmercury can cause CNS effects such as blindness, deafness, and impaired level of consciousness. Chronic exposure of methylmercury results in symptoms such as paresthesia (a sensation of prickling on the skin), blurred vision, malaise, speech difficulties, and constriction of the visual field. It is estimated that the minimum lethal dose of methylmercury for a 70-kg person ranges from 20 to 60 mg/kg.
Coal-fired power plants and medical waste incineration are major sources of human activity related mercury emission to the atmosphere. It is estimated that there are 48 tons of mercury emitted from coal-fired power plants in the US annually. DOE-Energy Information Administration annual energy outlook projects that coal consumption for electricity generation will increase from 976 million tons in 2002 to 1,477 million tons in 2025 as the utilization of existing and added coal-fired generation capacity increases. However, there has not been mercury emission control regulation enforced for coal-fired power plants. A major reason is that there is not an effective control technology available for a reasonable cost, especially for elemental mercury control.
The state of the art technology that has shown promise for controlling elemental mercury as well as oxidized mercury is active carbon injection (ACI). The method was disclosed early in U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,698. The ACI process includes injecting active carbon powder into the flue gas stream and using fabric fiber (FF) or electrostatic precipitator (ESP) to collect the active carbon powder that has adsorbed mercury. A pilot scale test of ACI-FF with the Norit Darco FGD carbon at a DOE/NETL test facility demonstrated that total mercury removal rate enhanced from 40% to 90% when ACI injection C:Hg ratio increased from 2,600:1 to 10,300:1. Comparison tests at the DOE/NETL facility showed that ACI-ESP could only achieve 70% mercury control at several times higher C:Hg ratio. Generally, ACI technologies require a high C:Hg ratio to achieve the desired mercury removal level (>90%), which results in a high portion cost for sorbent material. The high C:Hg ratio means that ACI does not utilize the mercury sorption capacity of carbon powder efficiently. A major problem associated with ACI technology is cost. If only one particle collection system is used, the commercial value of fly ash is sacrificed due to its mixing with contaminated activated carbon powder. Based on the cost estimation of DOE, the commercial value and disposal cost of fly ash is about 6.7 million dollars. U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,766 disclosed a method of using a system with two separate powder collectors and injecting activated carbon sorbent between the first collector for fly ash and the second collector, or a baghouse, for activated carbon powder. U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,580 described a baghouse with high collection efficiency. DOE estimation shows that the installation of additional baghouse for activated carbon powder collection costs about $28 million dollars, which is high especially for small companies.
Since water-soluble (oxidized) mercury is the main mercury species in bituminous coal flue gas with high concentrations of SO2 and HCl, bituminous coal-fired plants may be able to remove 90% mercury using a wet scrubber combined with NOx and/or SO2 control technologies. Mercury control can also be achieved as a co-benefit of particulate control. U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,939 disclosed a method of adding a chelating agent to a wet scrubbing solution because wet scrubber captured mercury can be reemitted. However, a chelating agent adds the cost due to the problems of corrosion of the metal scrubber equipment and treatment of the chelating solution. Removing oxidized mercury as a co-benefit of using a wet scrubber by injecting a calcium compound to remove SO2 was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,162. However, elemental mercury is the dominant species in the flue gas of sub-bituminous coal or lignite coal and a wet scrubber is not effective for removal of elemental mercury unless additional chemicals are added to the system. Injection of activated carbon into a system containing SCR and SO2 control equipment was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,263 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,579,507. U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,470 described a method of adding sulfide-containing liquors to the flue gas stream and U.S. Pat. No. 6,790,420 described a method of adding ammonia and optionally carbon monoxide to enhance the oxidation of mercury at 900° F. and 1300° F. However, it is undesirable to add additional materials, potentially environmentally hazardous, into the flue gas system.
An activated carbon fixed bed can reach high mercury removal level with more effective utilization of sorbent material. However, a normal powder or pellet packed bed has very high pressure drop, which significantly reduces energy efficiency. Further, these fixed beds are generally an interruptive technology because they require frequent replacement of the sorbent depending on the sorption capacity. Accordingly, reducing the pressure drop and significantly increasing the mercury sorption capacity would allow the fix bed technology to be more practical and economical to the power plant users.

Activated carbon honeycomb catalyst beds and methods for the use thereof


The present invention relates to a method for assessing the likelihood of the presence or formation of fetal heart disease (such as HLHS) in a fetus. In this methodology, the mother, either before or during pregnancy, is tested for the presence of anti-strep antibodies. If positive, the fetus is evaluated and monitored for the presence of fetal heart disease; the fetus can be treated, if appropriate. In addition, either prior to pregnancy or during the first trimester, the mother can be treated to prevent the formation of such antibodies or to neutralize their presence or effect fetal heart tissue.

The present invention relates to a methodology for assessing the likelihood that a fetus will be at enhanced risk to develop fetal heart disease. The methodology utilizes maternal testing for an antecedent streptococcal infection. The invention also encompasses a method for preventing the formation of such heart disease.
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and its variants (including aortic stenosis and mitral stenosis) are severe congenital heart defects with substantial associated morbidity and mortality. The primary disease process involves damage and underdevelopment of the left-side heart structures such that the end result is an abnormal heart not capable of supporting the normal circulation of a newborn. Treatment currently entails either high risk and costly multistage reconstructive surgery or heart transplantation, all commencing immediately after birth. These left-side heart structure defects, as well as similar right-side heart structure defects, are collectively referred to herein as "fetal heart disease."
The etiology of this and associated conditions is not currently known. A genetic etiology has been proposed based on limited familial occurrence, but no genetic mutation has been attributed to this disease or its variants. Indeed, HLHS and associated conditions have been linked to nearly every single chromosomal and syndromic anomaly. Although less common, congenital heart defects affecting the right-side of the heart result in similar underdevelopments of the right-side heart structures (such as pulmonary stenosis or pulmonary atresia or tricuspid valve stenosis). This can also result in disabling heart disease of the newborn and, similar to the previously discussed defects, their etiology remains unknown. It would be a very positive development to understand the etiology of fetal heart disease so that a given fetus's predisposition to such condition could be evaluated and, if the predisposition is high, appropriate palliative measures can be taken, perhaps while the fetus is still in utero.

Diagnosis and prevention of fetal heart disease


A method for providing called party control of telecommunications network services utilizes a call treatment processor having an associated calling party data memory for storing calling party identification data and a call treatment table. Depending on the time of day, day of week and data input by a user of the apparatus, elements of the serving apparatus including one of media conversion and network conversion apparatus are automatically controlled by the call treatment processor to provide telecommunications network services to the calling party as predetermined by the called party. According to the principles of the method of the present invention, at least some calling party identification data is prestored by the called party user of the present invention such as personal identification code, is obtained via the call treatment processor of the present invention at the time of an incoming call such as via automatic number identification, analyzed in view of a predetermined call treatment table having a plurality of priority call treatment levels and a call treatment actuated that is related to the called party's predetermined call treatment stored in the table. For example, a call from the called party's home telephone number, identified by PIN as the called party's spouse and further identified by a predetermined emergency code may have the highest priority level call treatment.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to the telecommunications field and, more particularly to the field of providing called party control of telecommunications network services including store and forward messaging, media conversion, network conversion, home management and personal telecommunications routing services.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Telecommunications equipment manufacturers and service providers have begun to provide new services and features for their customers and subscribers never before contemplated. As the availability of such services and features has increased, so has the opportunity for unwanted manual and even automatic calls to the subscriber, "junk" calls advertising unwanted products and services and delivery of unwanted or unneeded facsimile copies, junk E-Mail, junk voice-mail and the like. Also, it has become desirable to prioritize wanted calls, such as emergency calls. As a result, called party control of incoming calls has emerged. Called parties can now control, for example, via call screening, calling party identification and the like the calls that they choose to take or even refuse to take. Call screening, for one, permits the called party to identify the telephone numbers of parties from whom the called party is willing to accept calls. The customer premises equipment or local switch receiving a call compares the telephone number of the calling party identified through calling party number identification, frequently referred to as automatic number identification, with the stored telephone numbers the called party has entered into memory. Only the calling parties identified on the stored memory list may be permitted to connect to the called party. Also, if the calling party is not on the stored memory list, the call is blocked or other action taken such as voicemail. Moreover, through caller identification, a called party may see the telephone number of the calling party and, recognizing or not recognizing the displayed telephone number immediately make a decision as to whether they wish to take the call.
Called parties may own or lease private telecommunications apparatus permitting such called party control or obtain called party control services from their local or long distance carrier. Such apparatus is typically provided with a computer data processor and computer software for controlling the routing and treatment of an incoming call. At the customer's premises, such equipment may take the form of a telephone set, linked station apparatus or at a small or large business, it may take the form of a private branch exchange (PBX).
In the telecommunications network, serving central offices are classified as to their immediate or more remote (long distance) access to the subscriber. There exist five classes of offices from the end office most proximate to the subscriber to the regional toll office, the most remote. All offices besides the end office may be categorized as toll offices since they connect parties typically removed from one another to the extent that the subscriber must pay a premium for the call.
Recently, there has been considerable discussion and activity regarding the avoidance of the toll network comprising toll offices and connecting long distance facilities. With personal computers and access to the so-called Internet, subscribers are today free to communicate, at least via a data link, with subscribers all over the world.
Other networks exist outside the toll and local public switched telephone networks besides the Internet. For example, cellular networks allow subscribers to be reached in their cars, even as they walk down the street via vest pocket phones. Paging systems provide messaging access to a subscriber who is not equipped with a wireless or wired telephone. Consequently, there is a need in regard to local and toll networks for providing access to Internet and cellular networks
It is customary now for a subscriber to have a telephone number at work, an E-Mail address at their computer, a cellular or mobile telephone number, a pager number and a telephone number at home, etc. It is said that cellular growth has created a great need for new area codes to cover the growing demand for new telephone numbers (for the same customers at work, on the move or at home). Thus, there has been created a great need for harmonization of the several services and interfaces among networks. It would be desirable if a subscriber has one telephone number, wherever they are located, and called party control of all such new services so that the called party may be given the freedom to accept or reject incoming calls no matter what media is presently available to them.
As a result of these recent developments, new services are evolving to deal with the new complexities of the telecommunication arts; for example, store and forward messaging provides an opportunity that, when a subscriber is presently unavailable, a message, fax or the like may be recorded and forwarded upon request to a subscriber.
An example of a service under development is media conversion. The facsimile may require conversion to voice or to image data for display. The voice or data may require conversion to data for display on a pager. Network conversion suggests that a telephone call requires conversion to a paging network or a telephone network call to a cellular network call or an internet call to a voice call or a cable television network call to a public telephone network call, all permutations and combinations of these provided by way of example only and others and vice versa. Personal Reach (TM) service available from AT&T permits the calling party to personally reach the called party, in a 2-way telephone conversation, if the called party so chooses.
In the home management art and from banking and credit card use, it is common for an individual to have a personal identification number or PIN uniquely defining the individual. When an individual enters their credit card or bank account number at an automatic teller machine, the individual must also enter their PIN for security purposes. By home management as used herein is intended the management of one's personal or home life. By way of example, utility, banking, burglar alarm, lights, appliance control and the like can be managed remotely, i.e. from a remote location over the telecommunications network. Yet, there is a need in the art to assure security in any transaction, including business and personal home management transactions.
In the private branch exchange art, Arbel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,731, provide a method and apparatus for handling incoming telephone calls to a business exchange whereby the called party may control the screening or routing of incoming calls over time. Predetermined messages may be delivered to predetermined calling parties; incoming calls may be screened on a priority level basis; and incoming calls may be rerouted on the basis of predetermined selection criteria. For example, a doctor taking a vacation may set up a predetermined rerouting of their patients to three doctors handling the vacationing doctor's calls. A shift foreman can schedule incoming calls to other foremen depending on time of day. In one embodiment, calling parties may be instructed to enter a Personal Identification Number (PIN) before the call will be connected. According to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,497,414 and 5,506,887, there also exist called party control at the network level for control of call routing. A so-called advanced intelligent network (AIN) wireline system connects to and controls processing of calls to a personal communication service subscriber's wireless handset via a home base station or a wireless communication network. For example, in response to incoming calls to the subscriber, if predetermined, the AIN accesses a home location register to determine the current location where the subscriber's handset is located. The AIN can then use that data to route the calls to the subscriber at the preregistered new location. Determination of call processing is thus made as a network feature rather than as a switch feature.
Despite these advances in the telecommunication arts, there remains a need to provide further enhancements to provide called party control of new services including but not limited to store and forward messaging, media conversion, network conversion, home management and so-called Personal Reach or related personal telecommunications routing services.

Method for called party control of telecommunications network services


A night vision clearance light assembly includes a shell, an array of visible light emitting elements, and a night vision device. The visible light emitting elements are preferably LEDs mounted on a ring received in the shell. The night vision device is operatively connected to an associated night vision camera and sees through an opening in the ring and the lens. The assembly is easily mounted in a standard factory-cut clearance light housing in the exterior of a truck cab.

The present invention pertains to an apparatus and a method for adding a night vision camera to a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a simple manner of mounting the camera in a forward facing direction in a visually pleasing way that merges into an existing illumination system without any loss of function of either the camera or the illumination system.
Headlights and fog lights assist a driver in seeing the road ahead but are not always adequate in illuminating potential road hazards in time for the driver to react to the presence of the hazard. Stalled vehicles, road construction, wild animals, road debris, etc. are all potential hazards that a vehicle driver must be constantly vigilant of. The high rate of speed of highway driving allows a driver only a brief time to react once a road hazard is detected and the great mass and momentum of a heavy vehicle such as a truck makes quick evasive maneuvers difficult. This problem may become exacerbated at night when visibility is reduced, even with the aid of headlights and fog lamps that illuminate the road with light in the visible spectrum. Although improvements continue to be developed to improve forward lighting, for example to make these lights even more powerful and illuminate the roadway further ahead, there are limitations to this approach, and more powerful lights can interfere with the vision of drivers of oncoming vehicles.
In recognition of this problem, various night vision aids have been developed to assist drivers in safely navigating roads. These aids include infrared cameras, which differentiate and xe2x80x9cseexe2x80x9d objects based on emitted thermal radiation, and Iight amplification devices, which collect and amplify the ambient light in an area, thus allowing a driver to see as if more actual visible light was present. The output from these night vision devices must be transmitted to the driver in a convenient manner. Often, the output is projected via a projection unit mounted on or in the dashboard, incorporated into the vehicle as a xe2x80x9cheads up displayxe2x80x9d (HUD), or to a video monitor mounted in the vehicle.
The placement of these night vision devices on a vehicle is an important consideration. The device must be positioned so that the night vision camera, display projector, or other components of the night vision device do not obscure a field of vision of the road.
Furthermore, it is important that the device be adequately protected from the elements and located so that the view of the road is presented from substantially the same vantage point as the driver would expect to view the road. In addition, it is preferred that the night vision device be mounted so that it does not detract from the aesthetics of the vehicle.
Thus a need exists for an aesthetically pleasing mounting arrangement for a night vision device that conforms to the vehicle and does not interfere with the field of view of the road in a simple, economical manner without sacrificing performance specifications.
The present invention provides a night vision clearance light assembly suitable for use in trucks that advantageously combines a clearance light and a night vision device within a factory provided opening formed in the cab of the truck.
In an exemplary embodiment, the night vision clearance light assembly includes a visible light source having an opening that accommodates a night vision device. The visible light source is preferably a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or incandescent lamps arranged about an opening through which the night vision camera (for example, a window that operatively communicates with the camera) views the road. The camera of the night vision device detects low light or the infrared spectrum, or may be any other commercially available night vision device.
The annular light source is fitted with a front lens and potted to fit into a pre-existing factory cut opening so that the combined assembly is simply mounted in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
An exemplary method for converting a standard clearance light to a dual function clearance light and night vision device includes the steps of replacing the conventional light source with an annular light source having an opening, covering the annular light source with a lens, and mounting a component of a night vision device to look through the central opening of the light source.
One advantage of the present invention is the provision of a night vision clearance light assembly containing a visible light source and a night vision device that conforms to a pre-existing opening in a truck cab.
Another advantage of the present invention relates to providing a convenient mounting place for a night vision device without sacrificing the visible light that a standard clearance light provides.
Still another advantage resides in the dual function provided by the night vision clearance light.
Yet another advantage of the invention pertains to providing a night vision camera a clear view of the road ahead from a perspective that closely approximates that of the driver.
Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed description.


An audio upmixer, such as a two-channel to three-channel upmixer, employs a difference in a measure of sound at the ears of a listener in accordance with first and second models, one based on a reproduction of the original channels and the other based on a reproduction of the upmixed channels. The difference is minimized while simultaneously causing a, portion of one or more of the stereophonic channels to be applied to the center loudspeaker under some conditions of the signals in the stereophonic channels, the portion being commensurate with the value of a weighting factor, such that the weighting factor controls a balance between two opposing conditions, one in which no signals are applied to the center loudspeaker and another in which no signals are applied to the left and right loudspeakers.

A "central listener" is one located within an ideal listening area (or "sweet spot"), for example, equidistantly with respect to a pair of stereo loudspeakers. An "off-center" listener is one located outside such an ideal listening area. In a two loudspeaker stereo arrangement, a central listener perceives "phantom" or "virtual" sound images generally at their intended locations between the loudspeakers, whereas an off-center listener perceives such virtual sound images as closer to the loudspeaker with respect to which the listener is nearer. This effect increases as the listener becomes more and more off-center (i.e., the virtual sound images become closer and closer to the nearer loudspeaker).
It is known to take two-channel, left and right, stereo audio signals, and from them derive a central loudspeaker feed derived from a combination of the original signals. In some known systems the combination is variable. Some known systems also vary the gain to the left and right loudspeaker feeds as well. The gains in the various paths typically are controlled by analysis of the directional information contained in the stereo input signals. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,344. The purpose of such center-channel derivations is to counteract the above-mentioned effect for off-center listeners such that sound images, particularly central sound images, are perceived as coming from their intended locations. Unfortunately, an unwanted side-effect of employing such a derived center channel is the degradation (narrowing) of the stereo image for central listeners—sound imaging improvements for off-center listeners cause sound imaging deterioration for central listeners. A central listener does not need a center channel loudspeaker in order to perceive sound images at their intended locations. Thus, there is a need to balance the soundfield improvement for some listeners against the soundfield degradation for others.

Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation


A gas turbine engine mid turbine frame having an inner case supporting at least one bearing and at least three spokes extending radially outwardly to an outer case, the mid turbine frame having an interturbine duct extending through the mid turbine frame, the interturbine duct spaced axially closer to an upstream turbine disc than a bearing supporting structure of the mid turbine frame and mounted axially slidingly relative to the bearing supporting structure to substantially isolate the bearing supporting structure from axial loads, for example such as disc loads incurred in the unlikely event a turbine disc shaft shears within the engine.

A mid turbine frame (MTF) system, sometimes referred to as an interturbine frame, is located generally between a high turbine stage and a low pressure turbine stage of a gas turbine engine to support number one or more bearings and to transfer bearing loads through to an outer engine case. The mid turbine frame system is thus a load bearing structure, and the safety of load transfer is one concern when a mid turbine frame system is designed. Among other challenges facing the designer is rotor containment and load transfer in the unlikely event a turbine shaft shear event should occur. Still other concerns exist with present designs and there is accordingly a need to provide improvements.

Mid turbine frame system for gas turbine engine


A communication device (alternatively, device) includes a processor configured to support communications with other communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. In some examples, the device includes a communication interface and a processor, among other possible circuitries, components, elements, etc. to support communications with other communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. A device directs an analog to digital converter (ADC) to perform a sample capture of a communication channel and processes that sample capture to generate a detected power. The device performs an integrate-and-dump (I&D) operation on the detected power over at least one time period to generate an integrated power and then generates an integrated power histogram of the communication channel that includes the integrated power. This integrated power histogram characterizes noise generated by the device, noise entering the device, noise associated with the communication channel, etc.

Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems; and, more particularly, to impairment localization and detection within such communication systems.
Description of Related Art
Data communication systems have been under continual development for many years. The primary goal within such communication systems is to transmit information successfully between devices. Unfortunately, many things can deleteriously affect signals transmitted within such systems resulting in degradation of or even complete failure of communication. Examples of adverse effects include interference and noise that may be caused by various sources including other communications, natural and man-made noise, low-quality links, degraded or corrupted interfaces and connectors, etc.
Some communication systems use forward error correction (FEC) coding and/or error checking and correction (ECC) coding to increase the reliability and the amount of information that may be transmitted between devices. When a signal incurs one or more errors during transmission, a receiver device can employ the FEC or ECC coding to try to detect and/or correct those one or more errors.
A continual and primary directive in this area of development has been to try continually to lower the signal to noise ratio (SNR) required to achieve a given bit error ratio (BER) or symbol error ratio (SER) within a communication system. The Shannon limit is the theoretical bound for channel capacity for a given modulation and code rate. The ideal goal has been to try to reach Shannon's channel capacity limit in a communication channel. Shannon's limit may be viewed as being the maximum data rate per unit of bandwidth (i.e., spectral efficiency) to be used in a communication channel, having a particular SNR, where transmission through the communication channel with arbitrarily low BER or SER is achievable.
Various problems such as equipment failure, degrading interfaces or connectors, etc. may themselves cause problems and/or allow external noise to enter the link and reduce the overall effectiveness of communications within such communication systems.
Diagnosis of such problems is typically performed by service personnel who conduct a service call to one or more locations where customers complain of poor service. Also, such service personnel can only analyze one given location at a time. A great deal of time is required to perform analysis of multiple locations within a multi-user communication system, and this procedure may be very labor and cost intensive.

Upstream (US) transient impairment localization and detection within communication systems


A process for producing a camouflage material having a three-dimensional surface contour comprises providing a plurality of parallel strips of thermoplastic camouflage material having irregular side edges and positioning the strips, preferably with overlapping edges, on an underlying substrate in a multiple head bonding machine, such as a quilting machine, that simultaneously bonds a number of strips of material to the substrate in parallel fashion. Prior to bonding the strips to the substrate, the strips are spaced apart from the substrate and freely suspended. While freely suspended, a series of hot gas pulses (typically hot air) are delivered at spaced, discreet locations along the longitudinal outer surface of the strips of camouflage fabric. The temperature and duration of the air pulses are such that the hot pulses form shallow, cup-shaped depressions in the camouflage fabric, causing the camouflage fabric to spring away from the plane of the substrate at intermittent intervals along its length.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a three-dimensional fabric used in the manufacture of camouflage garments. In particular, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a composite camouflage construction having a pliable substrate and an outer layer comprising parallel strips of a camouflage fabric having irregular side edges, wherein the strips are first thermally deformed by intermittent heat pulses and then are bonded to the substrate along plural spaced lines of attachment. The heat pulses cause the attached leafy shaped material to spring away from the plane of the substrate and give a three-dimensional, high definition, optical impression of the depth of natural foliage used to create camouflaged material garments made from the three-dimensional fabric.
2. Description of Related Art
Camouflage garments worn by hunters, warriors and armed forces personnel for purposes of concealment most likely predate written history. In the more recent past, a variety of garments have been manufactured in an attempt to impart a three-dimensional forest appearance to the surfaces of a garment. One method of manufacture utilizes multiple layers of strips of material to produce a garment known in the art as a "Ghillie Suit." A problem with the Ghillie Suit however is that they are heavy, cumbersome and expensive.
Another method of manufacture utilizes material which is photo-imprinted with naturalistic forest scenes. A problem with this prior art is that photo-imprinted garments do not provide any three-dimensional depth and it does not conceal the silhouette of the garment or its wearer.
Another type of three-dimensional garment is produced by stitching a layer of camouflage material onto an underlying fabric in a "quilting" fashion. The camouflage layer is then cut into a leafy shape and affixed to an underlying fabric or substrate. Although this method of fabric manufacturing provides something of a three-dimensional effect, a problem with the prior art is that the resulting outer "leafy" layer tends to lay flat against the substrate unless and until the fabric is bent around body parts when the garment is worn.
Efforts have been made to attempt to improve these types of garments by minimally heating and shrinking the outer material. Typically, the heating steps are performed subsequent to the attachment of the outer material to the substrate and employ continuous application of hot air or infrared radiation. A problem with the prior art is that heating and shrinking the outer material cannot be used where the substrate is a waterproof material or scent absorbing material whose typical melting point is significantly less than the temperature required to cut the outer layer using a hot air process. Also, heat deformation is impaired when the outer layer is already secured in position on a substrate.
In applicant's copending patent application, filed on even date herewith (which is incorporated herein by reference), an improved process for producing three-dimensional camouflage material is described, wherein wrinkles are mechanically formed in the outer layer of camouflage fabric by effectively feeding the camouflage fabric into a sewing machine at a rate or in quantities in excess of the speed of the substrate material, thereby providing wrinkles in the outer layer of material. The present invention provides an alternative method for accomplishing a permanent three-dimensional contour to the strips of camouflage fabric without employing modified sewing techniques and without requiring more fabric in the outer layer than the inner layer because of the wrinkles in the outer layer.
An object of the present invention is to provide the foregoing advantages in a continuous fabric manufacturing operation whereby three-dimensional fabric can be economically provided to garment manufacturers for fabrication into garments.

Three-dimensional camouflage material having cupped heat deformations at discreet locations and method for making same


A system comprises a first network device and a second network device coupled via a network to the first network device. The first network device initiates a recovery across the network of an operating system of the second network device.

A computing entity (e.g., computer, network-attached storage device, etc.) generally requires a correctly functioning operating system for the computing entity to perform its intended tasks. If the operating system crashes, the storage medium on which the operating system becomes inoperative, or for any of a variety of other reasons, the computing entity may function erratically, or not function at all.

Operating system recovery across a network

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A device for measuring the pollution index of a filtration membrane includes: a raw water supply part; a first filtration membrane; a raw water supply line; a first flow rate measuring part; a first path line; a second path line; a second filtration membrane having a filtration characteristic different from the first filtration membrane; a first path selection valve installed in the first path line in parallel with respect to the second filtration membrane so that a first measuring path from the raw water supply part to the first flow rate measuring part passes through the first filtration membrane and a second measuring path from the raw water supply part to the first flow rate measuring part successively passes through the first and second filtration membranes; and a pollution index measuring part measuring the pollution indexes of the first and second filtration membranes.

Reverse osmosis and nanofiltration are one of the technologies that have recently gained attention in the water treatment field. Especially, processes using reverse osmosis are now coming into widespread use in the field of seawater desalination or sewage recycling.
According to a Global Water Intelligence special report entitled "Water Reuse Markets 2005-2015: A Global Assessment & Forecast", global water reuse capacity is expected to grow from 2 million tons a day today to 5.4 million tons per day in 2015. Over the same period, global desalination capacity is expected to grow from 3 million tons per day to 6.2 million tons per day. Besides, reverse osmosis and nanofiltration are advanced water treatment technologies which are getting attention in the field of surface water and ground water treatment, industrial wastewater treatment, and zero-discharge recycling.
However, membrane fouling, i.e., filtration membrane fouling, has an obstacles to the commercialization or the on-site installation and operation of these membranes of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. Membrane fouling refers to a situation in which foreign substances present in water flowing into a filtration membrane are deposited or adsorbed on the surface of the filtration membrane in a way that degrades the water permeability of the filtration membrane.
There are various types of foreign substances causing membrane fouling, including suspended particles, colloids, organic matters, microbes, and mineral salts such as calcium salts. It is considerably difficult to predict membrane fouling because of these various foreign substances causing membrane fouling.
In general, the SDI (Silt Density Index) is used to predict membrane fouling occurring in reverse osmosis or nanofiltration. The SDI is a measure of the rate at which membrane fouling will occur. The SDI is a method of measurement where influent water is passed through a 0.45 μm pore size filter with 47 mm diameter at a pressure of 30 psi to measure the degree of fouling of membranes by suspended solids (SS).
The initial time T0 to filter 500 ml of water is measured, and then the time T1 to filter 500 ml of water is measured again after 15 minutes. The ratio of T0 to T1 is used as a measure of membrane fouling.
The SDI measuring method is currently the most widely used method to predict the propensity for membrane fouling by influent water in reverse osmosis or nanofiltration. Typically, an SDI value less than 3 is considered to be acceptable, and an SDI value greater than 5 indicates that severe fouling will occur.
However, the above-described SDI has its limits in that it does not use the same situation occurring in a reverse osmosis membrane (RO membrane). That is, the SDI is an indirect method of evaluating the fouling potential of suspended particles larger than 0.45 μm on membranes. Therefore, the SDI cannot evaluate the effects of fine materials such as colloids or organic matters smaller than 0.45 μm.
Moreover, reverse osmosis and nanofiltration systems are operated in a cross-flow mode in which influent water flows in a direction orthogonal to the permeation direction of a filtration membrane, thus making it impossible to measure the surface characteristics of foulants, the main cause of membrane fouling, by the SDI. Accordingly, much research revealed that SDI measurements are different from actual results of operations.
Although MFI (Modified Fouling Index) can be used to compensate for these problems of the SDI, a limited range of membrane foulants are available for this method because the MFI and the SDI basically use the same filtration membrane.
To overcome this, methods such as MFI-UF (Modified fouling index—Ultrafilter) or MFI-NF (Modified fouling index—Nanofilter) were proposed. However, these methods cannot predict the propensity for various types of membrane fouling that may occur in a filtration membrane because they also use a single type of membrane.
In view of this, the present inventor suggested earlier-filed Korean Patent Registration No. 106901 titled 'Device for measuring pollution index of membrane'. The device for measuring the pollution index of a membrane disclosed in the-above Korean Patent Registration is a device for measuring the pollution index of a membrane that predicts membrane fouling, in advance, caused by hydrophilic and hydrophobic particulate materials, colloids, organic matters, etc in a water treatment process using a reverse osmosis membrane or nanofiltration membrane. This device is characterized in that different types of filtration membranes such as hydrophilic microfiltration membranes, hydrophobic microfiltration membranes, and ultrafiltration membranes are combined together to quantify the intensity of membrane fouling by various types of membrane foulants present in influent water to be treated by reverse osmosis or nanofiltration.
The above-mentioned Korean Patent Registration is advantageous in that the measurement can be done simply due to parallel connection and the evaluation differs depending on the properties of membrane foulants, but disadvantageous in that it is difficult to separate different types of membrane fouling according to membrane foulants source and evaluate them.
In addition, the present inventor proposed earlier-filed Korean Unexamined Patent Application No. 2011-0089719 titled 'Device for predicting pollution index of membrane'. In this Korean Unexamined Patent Application, different types of membranes foulants can be separated and evaluated by connecting a plurality of filtration membranes with different filtration characteristics in series. However, this patent application is disadvantageous in that three filtration membranes, three pumps, and three tanks are required and a relatively long period of time is needed for the measurement because of the serial structure.

Device for measuring pollution index of filtration membrane

DOOSAN HEAVY INDUSTRIES & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.


Superalloy components are joined by mating a recess formed in one component with a corresponding projection formed in another component along a contact surface. The components are compressed along the contact surface and resistance heat brazed to each other. Current is passed between the components at a selected flow rate and application time until brazing alloy melting occurs along the contact surface, and they are mutually affixed to each other. When repairing a damaged surface portion of a superalloy material component, the damaged portion is removed to form an excavated recess. A repair splice is formed, preferably of a same material with similar mechanical structural properties, having a mating projection with profile conforming to the corresponding recess profile. The splice and substrate are resistance heat brazed under compression pressure until brazing alloy melting occurs along the contact surface, so that they are mutually affixed.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to structural joining of advanced superalloy components during fabrication and/or repair. In some embodiments, the invention relates to surface repair of superalloy turbine blades and vanes in steam or gas turbines, by use of splice inserts that are affixed to a new or repaired substrate by projection resistance heat brazing under contact pressure, in a manner that does not significantly reduce mechanical structural or material properties of the joined components.
2. Description of the Prior Art
"Structural" repair of gas turbine or other superalloy components is commonly recognized as replacing damaged material with matching alloy material and achieving properties, such as strength, that are close to the original manufacture component specifications (e.g., seventy percent ultimate tensile strength of the original specification). For example, it is preferable to perform structural repairs on turbine blades that have experienced surface cracks, so that risk of further cracking is reduced, and the blades are restored to original material structural and dimensional specifications.
Structural repair or new fabrication of nickel and cobalt based superalloy material that is used to manufacture turbine components, such as cast turbine blades, is challenging, due to the metallurgic properties of the finished blade material. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a superalloy having more than 6% aggregate aluminum or titanium content, such as CM247 alloy, is more susceptible to strain age cracking when subjected to high-temperature welding than a lower aluminum-titanium content X-750 superalloy. The finished turbine blade alloys are typically strengthened during post casting heat treatments which render them difficult to perform subsequent structural welding. Currently used welding processes for superalloy structural fabrication or repair generally involve substantial melting of the substrate adjoining the weld preparation, and complete melting of the welding rod or other filler material added. When a blade constructed of such a material is welded with rods of the same or similar alloy, the blade is susceptible to solidification (aka liquation) cracking within and proximate to the weld, and/or strain age (aka reheat) cracking during subsequent heat treatment processes intended to restore the superalloy original strength and other material properties comparable to a new component.
A past attempt to perform traditional "spot" electric resistance welding of superalloys, in a heat resistance joining apparatus, by passing current between compressed electrodes into a pair of abutting superalloy components also caused solidification cracking within the weld zone. Alternative superalloy welding processes, including laser microcladding with chill fixtures, welding in so-called "hot" boxes at elevated temperatures, and inertia friction welding may still lead to post weld heat treatment strain age cracking. Other friction welding processes, such as friction stir welding, can reduce superalloy cracking propensity, but the employed welding apparatus has relatively limited tool life. The same cracking concerns occur during superalloy component fabrication, when separate components constructed of superalloy material are joined by welding processes.
In comparison to structural repair or fabrication, "cosmetic" repair or fabrication of superalloys is recognized as replacing damaged material (or joining two components of newly fabricated material) with unmatching alloy material of lesser structural property specifications, where the localized original structural performance is not needed. For example, cosmetic repair may be used in order to restore the repaired component's original profile geometry. As noted above, it is desirable to perform structural repairs on surface cracks in order to reduce their likelihood of subsequent spreading when the component is returned to service. Conversely, an example of cosmetic repair is for filling surface pits (as opposed to structural cracks) on a turbine blade airfoil in order to restore its original aerodynamic profile, where the blade's localized exterior surface is not critical for structural integrity of the entire blade. Cosmetic repair or fabrication is often achieved by using oxidation resistant weld or braze alloys of lower strength than the blade body superalloy substrate, but having higher ductility and lower application temperature that does not negatively impact the superalloy substrate's material properties.
In the past, electric resistance brazing has been commonly used for cosmetic metal joining of common ferrous and non-ferrous (e.g., copper) alloys. As shown in FIG. 2, brazing is performed by passing current between compressed electrodes 22, 24 into a pair of abutting components 30, 32. Solid sheet, powder or paste brazing alloy 34 is interposed between the components 30, 32. As electric current is passed between the electrodes 22, 24 the brazing alloy 34 melts and affixes the common ferrous or non-ferrous alloy components 30, 32 to each other. However, the present inventor has no knowledge of past attempts to join superalloy components by a resistance brazing process. Moreover, filling a superalloy component surface crack with braze alloy may not be considered a sufficiently conservative repair approach to avoid future crack growth when the component is returned into service.
Given the shortcomings of superalloy structural repair welding, often the only commercially acceptable solution is to scrap damaged turbine blades that require structural repair, because past experience has shown limited success of such structural repairs. Thus repairs have been limited to those that have in the past been proven to be performed successfully by alternative superalloy welding processes described above, or by cosmetic welding, employing more ductile welding rod filler materials with reduced structural strength.
Thus, a need exists in the art for a method for performing structural joining or repairs on surfaces of superalloy components, such as turbine vanes and blades, so that subcomponents can be joined; or that structural cracks and other surface defects can be repaired.
Another need exists in the art to increase successful rates of structural repairs on surfaces of superalloy components, such as turbine vanes and blades, so that damaged blade scrap rates can be reduced.
Yet another need exists in the art for a method for performing structural joining or repairs on surfaces of superalloy components, such as turbine vanes and blades, with proven, repeatable repair techniques and machinery, that do not require complex welding or post-repair heat treatment procedures.

Projection resistance brazing of superalloys


A connector for use in flushing or drawing fluid through an inner lumen of a tubular member has a body with a proximal end, a distal end, and a flushing lumen extending therethrough. The body has a distal portion wherein the flushing lumen increases in size from a first proximal cross-sectional area to a second larger distal cross-sectional area so that an annular surface within the distal portion presses against an end of the tubular member when the end of the tubular member is inserted into the distal end of the body. A temporary fluid seal is created between the body and the tubular member when the tubular member is pressed against the annular surface. In one preferred embodiment, a flange is disposed within the connector, the flange being designed so that a portion of the flange extends into the inner lumen of the tubular member when the tubular member is pressed against the annular surface, thereby providing a path for leading a guide wire into the inner lumen. In another embodiment, a longitudinal groove extends the length of the connector to provide for the lateral removal of the connector from a guide wire.

The present invention relates to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and device for removing fluids, tissue and other debris from an inner lumen or chamber of a tubular member of a medical device. In addition, the present invention relates to a method and device for introducing a guide wire into an inner lumen of a tubular member of a medical device.
There are numerous medical procedures that involve inserting tubular members within the body of the patient. In particular, a typical angioplasty procedure requires inserting at least a guide catheter and a dilatation catheter into the vascular system of a patient to open a stenosis within that vascular system. One type of dilatation catheter is an over-the-wire catheter. The standard over-the-wire catheter has an inner or guide wire lumen that extends from the distal end of the catheter to the proximal end of the catheter. A manifold is attached at the proximal end of the catheter to provide an attachment for fluid communication with the guide wire lumen.
A single operator exchange catheter, or S.O.E. catheter, is a variation of the over-the-wire catheter. The S.O.E. catheter has a guide wire lumen that only extends through a portion of the catheter. The guide wire lumen extends from the distal end of the catheter to a distal porthole on the catheter tube.
The guide wire lumen is provided on a standard over-the-wire catheter and an S.O.E. catheter so that a guide wire can be used to establish a path through the vascular system to the stenosis of the patient. The use of the guide wire enables the catheter to be advanced through the blood vessel relatively quickly, thereby reducing the time required for the procedure. In some angioplasty procedures, it may be desirable to use dilatating catheters having different balloon sizes or configurations. Therefore, it is common for the operator to remove a catheter from the vascular system and set that catheter aside to be reinserted at a later time in the procedure.
One concern that arises when the operator attempts to reinsert the catheter into the vascular system relates to the fact that the inner or guide wire lumen of the catheter was in fluid communication with the vascular system of the patient. Therefore, blood and other tissues from the patient may have collected within the guide wire lumen of the catheter. Such blood and tissue may coagulate and block the guide wire lumen of the catheter when the catheter is removed from the vascular system. The coagulated tissue then makes the catheter inoperable, since it prevents the operator from effectively guiding the catheter over the guide wire. Accordingly, the operator must flush the inner lumen of the catheter after removing it from the patient if the operator wants to reinsert the catheter later during the procedure.
The flushing procedure for a standard over-the-wire catheter is relatively simple because a luer-fitting is attached to the manifold on the proximal end of the guide wire lumen. The operator can simply attach a standard syringe to the proximal end of the guide wire lumen and force flushing fluid through the lumen. The flushing procedure for an S.O.E. catheter is more difficult to perform because there is no fitting on either end of the guide wire lumen to connect a syringe to the guide wire lumen.
The standard technique for flushing the inner lumen of an S.O.E. catheter involves inserting a blunt needle into the guide wire lumen of the catheter to provide a means for fluid communication between the guide wire lumen and a syringe connected to the blunt needle. This procedure is inherently difficult to perform and is potentially dangerous. The guide wire lumen of an angioplasty catheter is generally very small in size. For example, an angioplasty dilatation catheter having a guide wire lumen with a diameter as small as 0.016 inches is common in the medical industry. Therefore, it is very difficult to insert a lumen flushing needle (which commonly has an outside diameter of 0.012 inches) within the guide wire lumen of such a catheter. This problem is magnified by the fact that an angioplasty procedure is generally performed in a darkened room, making it very difficult to see the guide wire lumen of the catheter and the needle.
This procedure also creates a situation that is inherently dangerous to the operator. It is extremely easy for the operator to accidently stick a finger while attempting to insert the needle into the lumen ("needle stick"). Such an accident exposes the operator to a potential inadvertent transfer of dangerous or fatal diseases.
There are also numerous medical procedures besides angioplasty that require an operator to use a lumen flushing technique similar to that described above. For example, some tissue collection procedures present the need for removing tissues from a collection chamber to perform further pathological studies on the tissue. It would be advantageous to provide an efficient and effective means to flush the inner lumen of certain medical devices without exposing the operator to the inherent dangers of the current needle-based method.
Another concern that arises during an angioplasty procedure occurs when the operator attempts to load the guide wire into the catheter while the guide wire is in the vascular system of the patient. Generally, the relative diameters of the guide wire and the guide wire lumen make it difficult for the operator to load the guide wire into the inner or guide wire lumen. Once again, this problem is magnified by the fact that the angioplasty procedure is generally performed in a darkened room. This basic problem of loading a guide wire into the guide wire lumen increases the time it takes to exchange a catheter, thereby increasing the time of the procedure. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide an efficient and quick means to load the guide wire into the guide wire lumen of an angioplasty catheter.

Medical lumen flushing and guide wire loading device and method


An automatic door opener adaptable to manual doors which includes a door hinged along at least one edge to a door frame, and manually movable between open and closed positions; an automatic door opener mechanism secured to the door, which further includes a motor; a first gear driven by the motor; at least an output gear for driving an output shaft secured to the door; a pair of gear dog portions on a face of the output gear defining free travel spaces therebetween; a pair of pins extending from the output shaft within the travel spaces, so that when the output gear is rotated by the motor, the gear dog portions engage the pins on the output shaft and rotate the door from a first closed position to a second opened position; a timer for allowing the door to remain in the opened position a pre-determined amount of time before returning to the closed position; and when the door is moved manually to the opened position and allowed to close, the pin members are not engaged by the gear dogs, and travel within the free travel spaces without imparting movement to any components of the automatic door mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The apparatus of the present invention relates to automatic door openers for manually operated doors. More particularly, the present invention relates to an automatic door opener that is adaptable to a manually operated door which allows for automatic opening of the door, yet when the door is opened manually, the manual opening of the door does not impact or effect any operation of the automatic opener for reducing wear and tear on the automatic opener.
2. General Background of the Invention
In the field of door openers, it is a required standard that doors which provide ingress and egress to public facilities have the ability to open automatically in order to allow passage through the doorway of people who are handicapped such as in wheelchairs, walkers or the like. Automatic door openers are quite common in companies such as Horton, Door-O-Matic, Beasom, and others, and have provided automatic door openers over an extended period of time. Normally, there is a mechanism which is engaged to the door frame and the door itself, so that when it is electronically activated, an arm of the like would move the door from the closed position to the open position and return it back to the closed position after passage through the doorway. Such a door may be operated either by an electric eye, or through a manual depression of a button or the like on a door frame.
For those door openers which are placed into automatic operation through the manual depression of a button or the like, in not all cases would the door have to be opener automatically, but if a person chose to, could move through the doorway manually as through any other doorway. This is currently found in the art. However, one of the drawbacks in such a feature is that as the door is pushed open and allowed to returned to the closed position by a manual door operator which would override the automatic system, in the current state of the art, the automatic system is still engaged to the door, and would operate as the door is opening and closing through the manual force of the person moving through the door. The problem with this is that because of the constant passage of people through the doorway, for example, through public doorways of office buildings or the like, the gear assembly which is normally part of the automatic door opener becomes worn over time, and the components of the automatic system, although not used that frequently by a handicapped person, or operated every time a person manually goes through the door and therefore, wear and tear is quite high on these types of systems.
Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a system which allows a door to have an automatic door operation component so that a person who is handicapped can move through the doorway easily. However, in the event a person moves the door to the open position manually, the door is allowed to open without engaging any of the components of the automatic door opener, and therefore saving on the wear and tear on the components in the automatic system which would be in use only when the power button is engaged.

Automatic door opener adaptable for manual doors


An antenna installation adapted for long-/medium-/short wave and television frequency ranges for use in a motor vehicle windowpane having a conductive window frame. The installation includes an antenna conductor disposed on the windowpane, an antenna conductor connection point located near the window frame and within the zone of the windowpane adhesive, which acts as a dielectric, and an electrical unit mounted on the windowpane. A receiving and transmitting unit is provided and an HF-cable is connected to the output contacts of the electrical unit at one end and to the receiving and transmitting unit at the other end. A flat capacitive element having a conductive surface located within the zone of the HF-mass reference point and extending along the edge of the windowpane within the windowpane adhesive provide the connection between the electrical unit and the antenna conductors.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a windowpane antenna for use in motor vehicles. More particularly, it relates to a windowpane antenna installation operating in the frequency range for the meter and decimeter wave bands and being used for ultra short-wave and long-wave, medium-wave and short-wave radio reception, as well as terrestrial television reception.
2. The Prior Art
Antennas of this type are described in EP 0 124 055 B1, DE-3410415 A1, as well as De-3618452, among others. With all of the prior art antennas, antenna conductors are printed onto the windowpane, or embedded in laminated glass. In all of these antennas, the antenna conductor connection points are located on the edge of the windowpane and are installed in a conductive windowpane frame represented by the conductive body of the vehicle. According to current technology, the antenna connection points are connected to an electrical unit via feed lines that are made as short as possible. The mass connection of the electrical unit is connected in the shortest possible way to the conductive frame of the rear windowpane.
The electrical unit, which is frequently an antenna amplifier, is connected at its output to the HF-cable, which further transmits the signals to the receiver. Generally, the electrical unit is mechanically fastened near the mass connection on the body of the vehicle. Frequently, the mass connection to the body of the vehicle is established via the installed connection as well.
This method of mounting the electrical unit on the body of the vehicle is both expensive and complex. The method also requires fastening means such as bolts or holes for fastening the unit. It is much more economical and more advantageous for the production of motor vehicles if an electrical unit, designed as a miniaturized unit, is mounted on the edge of a windowpane. Sufficient space is available for the miniaturized unit within the zone of the black printing on the edge of the window. In designing an antenna installation that can be used for high-frequencies, it is generally necessary to connect the high-frequency impedance, which develops between the antenna conductor connection point and an adjacent HF-mass reference point, in a defined way in terms of high frequency to the input of the electrical unit.


A hydraulic tilting device for tilting the cab of a vehicle between a driving position, in which the vehicle can be driven normally, and a tilted position, in which, for example, maintenance can be carried out on a vehicle engine positioned beneath the cab. The tilting device comprises a double-acting tilting cylinder having a first and a second connection, a reservoir for hydraulic fluid and a pump having a single pumping direction, which pump has a suction port which is in communication with the reservoir and a single delivery port for delivering pressurized hydraulic fluid. The tilting device has a valve, in inlet passage of which is connected to there delivery port of the pump, which valve has an actuable shut-off member, so that in a first position thereof the delivery port is connected to the first connection of the tilting cylinder and in the second position thereof the delivery port is connected to the second connection of the tilting cylinder. The valve also has hydraulic actuating means for actuating the shut-off member, which hydraulic actuating means are designed in such a manner that, as a result of the pump supplying hydraulic fluid to the inlet passage, the shut-off member is moved into the first position or the second position, and as a result of this supply begin stopped or reduced and then being restored again, the shut-off member is moved into the second or first position, respectively.

By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,194 has disclosed a hydraulic cab-tilting device. This known device has a pair of double-acting tilting cylinders, each having a first and a second connection. Furthermore, there is a pump having one single pumping direction, which pump has a suction port which is in communication with a reservoir for hydraulic fluid and a single delivery port for delivering pressurized hydraulic fluid to the tilting cylinder(s). A manually actuated valve, the inlet passage of which is connected to the delivery port of the pump, is provided for retracting or extending the piston rods of the tilting cylinders as desired, which valve has a shut-off member, so that in a first position thereof the delivery port is connected to the first connection of the tilting cylinder and in the second position thereof the delivery port is connected to the second connection of the tilting cylinder.
Cab-tilting systems are also known in which the pump is of the type having two pumping directions, i.e. having two pump ports which act as a suction port or delivery port depending on the direction of rotation of the generally electric drive motor. The pump ports are each directly connected, via a line, to the connections of the cylinder. Rotating the drive motor in one direction then, for example, causes the piston rod of the cylinder to be retracted, and when the drive motor is rotating in the other direction the piston rod slides outwards. The direction of rotation of the pump in this case therefore functions as a control parameter.
One drawback of a pump with two pumping directions compared to a pump with a single pumping direction is that the pumping efficiency of a two-direction pump is often lower, and two-direction pumps are often also more expensive. This is offset by the fact that the additional control valve which is required in a pump having a single pumping direction represents additional costs and requires an additional feature for activating this control valve.

Hydraulic tilting device for tilting the cab of a vehicle


The data processing circuit contains a non-volatile memory. Error correction is provided for computing individual correction data for correcting an error in an individual data unit in the non-volatile memory. The individual correction data is computed from a combination of a plurality of data units read from the non-volatile memory. A correction data store stores the individual correction data. Memory access is signaled to the correction data store, which outputs data corrected according to the correction data when said individual data unit is read. The circuit comprises error correction trigger means for triggering the error correction computing means to perform said computing independent of reading of the individual data from the non-volatile memory.

Non-volatile memories, like flash EEPROMs, are capable of retaining information indefinitely, also when the memory receives no power. Although information is retained indefinitely, some loss of information may still occur due to memory errors. Such errors will be small in number. Therefore it is possible to detect and correct these errors with a limited amount of redundant information for a large number of data units in the non-volatile memory. However, because redundant information is used for a large number of data units, detection and correction require reading a large number of data units from the memory.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,719,808 (Harari et al.) teaches a flash EEPROM circuit that corrects such errors. The flash EEPROM of Harari et al. operates in the manner of a disk drive, reading a file of data at a time. The memory contains EEPROM memory locations for the data of the file, EEPROM memory locations for a header of the file, a defect map and error correcting code data. Furthermore, spare memory locations are provided for corrected data for data units that have been found to be in error in the memory. The circuit uses DMA to transfers a series of data units from a file. At the start of DMA the circuit first loads the defect map into a defect pointer memory file. Subsequently the circuit reads successive data units from the file. If the defect map indicates that a data unit contains an error, the corrected data from a spare location is substituted for the data unit. Once a block of data has been read from the memory, the data from the block and the error correcting code data is used to locate and correct errors in the block. Information indicating the memory location that contains an error is stored in the defect map and the corrected information is stored in a spare memory location. When the memory location is accessed again in a subsequent DMA operation, the circuit notes from the defect map in the defect pointer memory file that the memory location is in error. In response thereto the circuit uses the corrected information from the spare memory location.
Harari et al. note that a flash EEPROM develops an increasing number of defects during its life cycle. Eventually these errors might overwhelm the error correcting capacity of the error correcting code. To prevent this from happening, Harari et al. correct errors each time the file is read and store corrected information when the errors are identified during reading a data block. Thus, the number of uncorrected errors will not usually becomes so large as to exceed the error correcting capacity of the error correcting code.
Harari et al. do not consider reading of data units outside the context of a file. Data units can only be read as part of a file. If a single data unit is needed, the error correcting code can be used only if a large amount of unnecessary information from the file is read together with the data unit.
Amongst others, it is an object of the invention to provide for correction of errors in a non-volatile memory were data units are randomly accessed during use, not as part of reading a whole file.
According to the invention, the circuit detects and corrects errors in the non-volatile memory autonomously from access to the memory by the processor for normal use the data. In addition, error correction may be triggered by read errors that occur when the processor accesses the memory to read data. Preferably the correction is triggered start-up of the circuit, or periodically during use, triggered like refresh cycles in a DRAM. Thus, error correction is performed during memory use and its activation does not depend on normal access to data units.

Data processing circuit with non-volatile memory and error correction circuitry