A voice recognition system is disclosed. A device receives a signal indicating a user ID and transfers a signal indicating its device ID and the user ID to a processing system. The processing system obtains a device profile based on the device ID and obtains a user profile based on the user ID. The processing system generates voice recognition data customized for the device and the user based on the device profile and the user profile. The processing system transfers a signal indicating the voice recognition data to the device. The device indicates voice command readiness in response to the voice recognition data. The device receives a voice command from the user and translates the voice command based on the customized voice recognition data.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to the field of voice recognition, and in particular, to a system that provides customized voice recognition data to various types of voice recognition devices.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A device capable of voice recognition receives an audible voice command from a user and translates the voice command into an electronic or optical signal indicating the command. There are two primary types of voice recognition—speaker dependent and speaker independent. With speaker dependent voice recognition, the device recognizes voice commands by using a user profile that is specific to the user. With speaker independent voice recognition, the device recognizes voice commands with a generic profile that is the same for all users. Speaker dependent voice recognition devices generally operate better than speaker independent devices.
For speaker dependent voice recognition, the user creates their user profile in a time-consuming process referred to as "training". The user trains a device by recording several voice commands prior to normal device operation to generate a user profile with the pre-recorded voice commands. During normal operation, the device then compares newly received voice commands to the pattern made from pre-recorded voice commands to translate the new voice command into an electric signal indicating the command. The device then implements the command. The device may also modify the pre-recorded commands based on successful command translations or based on the introduction of new commands.
Unfortunately, the above system requires the user to re-train each new voice recognition device. To address this problem, centralized voice recognition systems have been developed to house multiple user profiles. When a device receives a voice command from a user, the device transfers an electronic version of the voice command to the central system along with a user identifier (ID). The central system uses the user ID to retrieve the user profile and uses the user profile to translate the voice command. The central system then transfers the translated command to the appropriate device for implementation. Advantageously, the user may use voice commands to control multiple devices without re-training each device. Unfortunately, centralized command translation requires every device to transfer each voice command over a quality communication link to the central system for voice translation.
To address this problem, a central system that stores multiple user profiles may be adapted to download a user's profile to the given device that the user desires to operate. When a user starts to operate the device, the device transfers the user ID to the central system. The central system uses the user ID to retrieve the appropriate user profile and transfer that user profile to the device. The device then uses the selected user profile for voice command translation. Advantageously, the user may operate various devices using their own profile without re-training and without centralized command translation.
Unfortunately, this adapted central system treats all devices the same. Different types of devices may have different voice recognition capabilities and commands. Different devices may also use different protocols for communicating with the central system. For example, a voice-activated telephone will have different capabilities, commands, and protocols than a voice-activated toy or a voice-activated word processor—although some capabilities, commands, and protocols may be the same. A voice recognition system is needed that can provide voice recognition data that is customized for both the user and the device.

User mobility in a voice recognition environment


The present disclosure provides a video jitter detection method and an apparatus. The video jitter detection method includes: acquiring a video; inputting the video into a detection model to obtain an evaluation value of the video, where the evaluation value is used to indicate a degree of jitter of the video; where the detection model is a model obtained by training using video samples in a video sample set as inputs and evaluation values of the video samples in the video sample set as outputs. By inputting the video to be detected into the detection model, the evaluation value of the video can be acquired through the detection model, thereby whether the video is jittery is determined, which realizes the video jitter detection end-to-end, and improves the detection accuracy and robustness of video jitter.

In recent years, the way people acquire information and the way of entertainment have gradually changed, and the demand for video-type products has grown rapidly. If there is a phenomenon of picture jitter in a video, a user who is watching the video will suffer a poor experience.
Several common methods for detecting whether there is jitter in a video include: an optical flow method based on image displacement, a feature point matching method, and a video jitter detection method based on image gray distribution characteristics. Since video jitter will cause a certain degree of back and forth shaking of pictures, the optical flow method based on image displacement identifies the moving direction of the pictures through optical flows between image frames, thereby detecting whether a video is jittery. The feature point matching method identifies the moving direction of an object in an image by utilizing a feature point matching algorithm, thereby detecting whether a video is jittery. The video jitter detection method based on image gray distribution characteristics performs hypothesis testing in the row direction and in the column direction, respectively, by acquiring the expectation and variance of the row gray value and the expectation and variance of the column gray value, thereby detecting whether a video is jittery.
The above methods all perform detection on a video by utilizing image processing technology, and have complex calculation, lower accuracy and poorer robustness.

Video jitter detection method and apparatus


The bird carcass container includes a closed container body adapted to be mounted to a sidewall of a facility. A tubular extension or inlet extends from a side of the container body to the interior of the facility. The inlet includes an access door accessible from the facility interior so that users may deposit dead carcasses into the container body. A trap door is disposed on the bottom of the container body and selectively opened by a bracket actuator attached to the trap door. The door is maintained in a closed position by a system of counterweights. The bracket actuator is operated on by the bucket of a skid steer to open the trap door. The interior of the container includes sloping sides forming a chute towards the bottom of the container body. The rear side of the container may also include an access door.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to waste disposal devices, and particularly to a bird carcass container for temporary storage of dead birds from a chicken house.
2. Description of the Related Art
Poultry, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese, are a mainstay in the diets of many people around the world. The meat is relatively cheap and healthy for the consumer, and poultry is a source for other commonly used products, e.g., eggs and feathers. To meet the relatively large demands, any sizable farm has to raise and process significant numbers of poultry. In the process, there will inevitably be casualties among the poultry population, which, if not promptly disposed of, have the potential to cause widespread harm to the rest of the animals and ultimately to the consumers. A dead animal left for prolonged periods of time among the flock raises the potential for harmful bacterial growth, e.g., salmonella, botulism, and camplylobacter. This is more of a concern in today's climate where outbreaks of swine flu have surfaced.
To rid a facility of dead poultry, manual labor is commonly used to sweep the coop of the dead animals, where they are dumped in a centralized location or a bin. The resulting pile or bin must then be transported to a designated site to dump its contents for further processing. In the case of the former, the pile results in a disorganized mess that increases the time and effort required to remove the same, i.e., more physical strain on the manual labor and prolonged use of facility equipment, such as Bobcats™, skid steers or tractors. In the case of the latter, transporting the bin increases operational costs due to fuel and maintenance of the equipment.
Another method of disposal also requires manual labor, but a system of tracks and hooks are utilized to attach the dead carcass and automate delivery of the same to a disposal bin. While the above relieves some of the physical strain from the manual labor, the complexity, costs and maintenance of such a system may be unappealing to a majority of poultry farms with limited resources. It would be beneficial in the art to provide a means of disposing dead carcasses or wastes with minimal physical strain and more efficient use of facility equipment.
Thus, a bird carcass container solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


A method for forming shallow junctions using rapid thermal gas-phase doping (RTGPD). A wafer (26) is placed in a process chamber (14). After evacuating the chamber, a dopant gas combined with a carrier gas is introduced to the chamber (14) while the pressure is increased from a base pressure to on the order of 200-3000 Torr. The gas flow is shut off when the desired elevated pressure is reached. A rapid thermal cycle is then performed using a static gas flow and elevated pressures to create a shallow junction (40).

A significant requirement in sub-half-micron high-performance semiconductor technologies is junction depth reduction in, for example, CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) source and drains and bipolar emitters and bases. Reducing the junction depth suppresses MOS (metal-oxide-semiconductor) transistor punchthrough leakage and minimizes short channel effects such as drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) in CMOS devices. Devices junctions with relatively high dopant concentrations, ultra-shallow depths (e.g., below 1000 .ANG.), low contact sheet resistances, and low junction leakage currents will be critical for advanced subquarter-micron technologies.
Rapid thermal gas phase doping (RTGPD) is one advanced manufacturing doping technique for low defect density ultra-shallow junction formation for 0.25 .mu.m and sub-0.25 .mu.m ULSI (ultra-large scale integration) semiconductor technologies. This doping method provides a wide range of surface concentrations and junction depths on both planar and high-aspect ratio trench surfaces. In addition, this doping method is compatible with advanced submicron IC (integrated circuit) process flows while offering reliable, high throughput, and low cost options for high quality ultra-shallow junction formation.
RTGPD involves a three step process based on surface chemical adsorption of dopant gas molecules. First, the native oxide of the silicon surface is removed. Then, an adsorbed dopant layer is formed on the silicon surface. Finally, solid phase diffusion of dopants from the adsorbed layer into the silicon substrate is accomplished. Dopants are incorporated into the silicon substrate by diffusion in an oxygen-free atmosphere at a relatively low temperature. This process differs from conventional diffusion in which dopant diffusion is performed in an oxygen-rich ambient. Ultra-shallow junctions (e.g., junction depths of 700 .ANG.) with excellent electrical characteristics (e.g., leakage current less than 2 .times.10.sup.-16 A/.mu.m.sup.2) have been achieved. In an effort to deal with uniformity problems both inter-wafer and intra-wafer, complicated gas distribution systems have been developed. However, these problems with uniformity have not been satisfactorily solved. Accordingly, there is a need for a RTGPD system that improves dopant uniformity both interwafer and intra-wafer.

Approaches for shallow junction formation


The present invention provides a polypeptide of 26 amino acid residues that comprises the minimal ankyrin binding (MAB) domain. The MAB domain is responsible for the interactions between a Na,K-ATPase and ankyrin. The present invention also provides the three dimensional structure of the MAB domain. Also provided by the present invention are methods for modulating the interaction of a Na,K-ATPase and ankyrin.

The present invention relates to the identification of the minimal ankyrin binding domain (MAB) responsible for the interactions between a Na,K-ATPase and ankyrin. The present invention also relates to a method of determining the minimal ankyrin binding domain and its three dimensional structure in other integral membrane proteins that associate or bind to ankyrin through the use of deletion analysis and carrier mediated crystallization.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of screening for compounds, including small peptides or peptide analogs, that inhibit, promote or modulate the interaction of a Na,K-ATPase and ankyrin. Lastly, the present invention relates to a method of inhibiting, promoting or modulating the interaction between a Na,K-ATPase and ankyrin in the presence of a compound, including small peptides or peptide analogs, that inhibits, enhances or modulates the interaction between a Na,K-ATPase and a
Tethering interactions between the cytoplasmic domains of integral membrane proteins and other macromolecules, mediated by ankyrin or proteins containing ankyrin-like repeat structures, play fundamental roles in diverse biological activities including growth and development (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), protein trafficking (6, 7, 8, 9), the establishment and maintenance of cellular polarity (10, 11, 12, 13), cell adhesion (14, 15), signal transduction (2, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20), and mRNA transcription (21, 22). Ankyrin, including its many isoforms (reviewed in 23, 24), is also the most ubiquitous adapter protein mediating linkage of membrane proteins with the spectrin-based skeleton, both at the plasma membrane (reviewed in (25, 26) as well as with internal membrane compartments including the Golgi apparatus (6, 7, 8). A characteristic feature of most ankyrins is the presence of a variable number of well conserved 33-residue repetitive units (ankyrin repeats) that individually or in combination bind specifically a large repertoire of transmembrane proteins (reviewed in 24). Since no data on the structure of a ankyrin binding domain in an integral membrane protein exists, there is little understanding of how such broad but specific binding capacity is achieved, or of how so many different membrane proteins can interact with a single ankyrin molecule (27, 28).
The xcex1-subunit of Na,K-ATPase interacts specifically with ankyrin (12, 29). This interaction is required for the stabilization of Na,K-ATPase at the basolateral plasma membrane of epithelial cells, and for the transport of NaK-ATPase from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus (8). Distinct regions of both cytoplasmic domains II and III of xcex1-Na,K-ATPase bind ankyrin in vitro. These sequences appear to act independently, and those in cytoplasmic domain II (residues 140-290) account for most of xcex1-Na,K-ATPase""s affinity for ankyrin (29, 30).
The present inventors have for the first time discovered the threedimensional structure of the minimal ankyrin binding domain of a integral membrane protein that binds to ankyrin. The present invention is based on the inventors"" discovery that an ankyrin 33 residue repeating motif, an L-shaped structure with protruding xcex2-hairpin tips, mediates specific macromolecular interactions in cytoskeletal, membrane and regulatory proteins. The association between ankyrin and xcex1-Na,K-ATPase, a ubiquitous membrane protein critical to vectorial transport of ions and nutrients, is required to assemble and stabilize Na,K-ATPase at the membrane. xcex1-Na,K-ATPase binds both red cell (ANK1) and Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cell ankyrin (ANK3) predominately by residues 142-166, located within its second putative cytoplasmic domain. Fusion peptides of glutathione-S-transferase incorporating these residues bind specifically to ankyrin. The three-dimensional structure (2.6 xc3x85) of this minimal ankyrin-binding motif fusion peptide reveals a 7 residue loop with one charged hydrophilic face capping a double xcex2-strand. Comparison of this structure with putative ankyrin binding sequences in p53, CD44, neurofascin/LI, and the IP3-receptor suggests that the versatility and specificity of ankyrin binding to its ligands is achieved by interactions involving the xcex2-hairpin tips of the ankyrin repeats with 5-7 residue loops presented at the surface of other such macromolecules.

Structure of the ankyrin binding domain of a xcex1-Na, K-ATPase


A method for designing a system to be implemented on a target device includes generating bounding boxes on the target device for nets in the system where a bounding box identifies routing resources available for routing its corresponding net. The nets in the system are assigned to a plurality of threads to be routed. The threads are executed so that a plurality of the nets are routed in parallel within their corresponding bounding box.

Logic devices such as FPGAs and ASICs are used to implement large systems that may include million of gates and megabits of embedded memory. The complexity of large systems often requires the use of EDA tools to create and optimize a design for the system onto physical target devices. Among the procedures performed by EDA tools in a computer aided design (CAD) flow are synthesis, placement, and routing. Even with the assistance of EDA tools, the routing phase often takes hours and sometimes days to complete for large designs.
In the past, new processors in computer systems increased clock speeds and reduced the number of cycles required per instruction. This allowed the routing run times for EDA tools to be maintained relatively constant over the years despite the increase in the sizes of the target devices. However, new generations of processors being released today are not using clocks that are significantly faster than previous models. Instead, the new generation processors include more than one processor core inside to allow computers to simultaneously run several "threads" of execution in parallel.
Although a limited number of parallel routing algorithms exist to take advantage of these new generation processors, these parallel routing algorithms typically require significant overhead for broadcasting large amounts of data between threads to support synchronization of data. In addition, prior parallel ASIC global routing and parallel FPGA routing algorithms are not deterministic in that they do not reproduce identical routing results despite being run with exactly the same inputs. This is very problematic for testing.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for performing parallel routing using a multi-threaded routing procedure


The present invention provides: a method for preserving an aqueous solution containing a leuco chromogen, comprising adding a compound having at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of a nitroso group and an azo group and having an ability to coordinate a metal ion or a salt thereof to the aqueous solution containing a leuco chromogen; a method for stabilizing a leuco chromogen, comprising allowing the leuco chromogen to coexist in an aqueous solution comprising a compound having at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of a nitroso group and an azo group and having an ability to coordinate a metal ion or a salt thereof; and a liquid reagent comprising a leuco chromogen and a compound having at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of a nitroso group and an azo group and having an ability to coordinate a metal ion or a salt thereof.

A leuco chromogen is a chromogen that generates a dye through reaction with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a peroxidative substance such as peroxidase. Unlike a coupling-type chromogen, the leuco chromogen generates a dye by itself. For example, phenothiazine leuco chromogens, triphenylmethane leuco chromogens, and diphenylamine leuco chromogens are known (see e.g., patent documents 1 to 3).
The leuco chromogen is often used, as in the coupling-type chromogen, in the quantification of an analyte component such as cholesterol and glycated hemoglobin contained in a sample such as serum. Specifically, clinical laboratory examinations often involve: converting an analyte component in a sample into hydrogen peroxide; reacting the generated hydrogen peroxide with a leuco chromogen in the presence of a peroxidative substance such as peroxidase to convert the chromogen to a dye; and quantifying the analyte component in the sample on the basis of the absorbance of the generated dye. Particularly, the leuco chromogen is preferably used as a highly sensitive chromogen in the quantification of an analyte component contained only in a trace amount in a sample (see e.g., non-patent document 1).
Thus, the leuco chromogen is used as a highly sensitive chromogen in the quantification of a trace amount of an analyte component in a sample, while the leuco chromogen has poor storage stability and undesirably develops color spontaneously with time, particularly in a solution. To solve this problem of poor stability of the leuco chromogen, methods for stabilizing the leuco chromogen in a solution have been studied and reported so far (see e.g., patent documents 4 and 5). These methods for stabilizing the leuco chromogen, however, are not always satisfactory, for example, because they must be performed under strict conditions.

Method for preserving aqueous solution containing leuco chromogen


A pair of transistors (110 and 112) configured with their channels connected in series. The gate of the "upper" transistor (110) is coupled to a relatively low-voltage, DC power supply voltage by a voltage-clamping and current-steering diode (144); to a relatively high-voltage, DC power supply voltage by the series combination of a current-steering diode (152) and one voltage-clamping zener diode (154 and 156) and coupled to the source of the "upper" transistor by a charge-removing resistor (162).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to switching circuits generally and more particularly to a high-voltage switching circuit employing relatively inexpensive transistors.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is not uncommon for transistors to be employed in relatively high-voltage switching circuits. However, in most case, the voltages involved subject the transistors to relatively high stresses. Heretofore, to withstand the stresses, it has usually been necessary to employ relatively expensive transistors.
In some prior-art-type switching circuits, two (or more) transistors are configured with their channels connected in series, to reduce the level of stress each of the series-connected transistors must withstand. However, the problem has been one of ensuring that the voltage developed across the series-connected transistors is divided relatively equally. In one prior-art-type configuration, the gate of the "upper" transistor is connected to a fixed low-level potential and the gate of the "lower" transistor is connected to receive a switching signal. Unfortunately, in such a configuration, the "upper" transistor is usually subjected to a disproportionally high level of stress.
One application for high-voltage switching circuits is in electronic ballast circuits employed to drive fluorescent lamps. A "Single-Ended Ballast Circuit," is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,846. Briefly, the above-mentioned circuit employs a DC power supply, a free-running oscillator, a switching circuit (transistor), and a current-limiting (ballasting) network, all configured to generate a high-frequency AC power source on a line. Specifically, the transistor is configured as a switch to be responsive to a signal generated by the oscillator and to be operative to periodically couple the line to a circuit common. For this purpose, the transistor is connected with its gate connected to the output of the oscillator, with a drain connected to the line, and a source connected to the circuit common. The current-limiting (ballasting) network includes a first capacitor connected between the line and the circuit common. In addition, the network includes a transformer (inductive means) having a transformer primary winding connected between a DC power supply potential and the line, and a transformer secondary winding. Finally, the network includes an inductor and two capacitors all connected in series across the transformer secondary winding. Two fluorescent lamps are connected in series across one capacitor. The network is operative to provide an impedance transformation to couple the fluorescent lamps to the high-frequency AC power source developed on the line. Also, the network develops the desired open circuit output voltage for starting the fluorescent lamps. In addition, the network provides the desired source impedance, as seen by the lamps. Also, the network establishes the operating Q for the desired output waveform. Further, the network provides the desired load impedance and phase angle as seen by the transistor for both the operating and open circuit conditions. Finally, the network is operative to provide an inductive power-supply feed for the transistor. Unfortunately, in this ballast circuit, voltage stresses are generated in the switching circuit transistor which require the use of a relatively expensive transistor, especially for AC line source voltages of 240 volts and higher.


A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: forming a first insulating film on a semiconductor substrate; forming a mask with an opening of a predetermined pattern in the first insulating film; performing anisotropic etching on the semiconductor substrate with the mask used as an etching mask to form a trench; forming a second insulating film on a surface of an inner wall of the trench with the mask used as a selective oxidation mask; removing the mask; forming a conductive film on the semiconductor substrate to fill the trench with the conductive film; and etching back the conductive film until at least a surface of the semiconductor substrate is exposed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. In particular, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a trench gate structure.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, attentions have been paid to a device with a gate electrode embedded in a trench, a so-called semiconductor device having a trench gate structure along with improvements in degree of integration of the semiconductor device.
Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3D and FIGS. 4E to 4G, an example of a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a trench gate structure is described.
FIGS. 3A to 3D and FIGS. 4E to 4G are longitudinal sectional views schematically illustrating a method of forming a trench gate structure in a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device of the related art.
First, as shown in FIG. 3A, a silicon oxide film 52a is formed on a semiconductor substrate 51 made of single crystal silicon.
Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, an opening 53 of a predetermined pattern is formed in the silicon oxide film 52a by photolithography and etching to thereby form a mask 52 made of silicon oxide.
Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the mask 52 is used as etching mask upon anisotropic etching to form a trench 54 in the semiconductor substrate 51.
After that, as shown in FIG. 3D, the mask is removed.
Next, as shown in FIG. 4E, a gate insulating film 55 made of silicon oxide with a thickness of about 500 Å is formed on the semiconductor substrate 51 inclusive of a surface of an inner wall of the trench 54 by thermal oxidation.
Next, as shown in FIG. 4F, a conductive film 56 for forming a gate electrode, which is made of polycrystalline silicon is formed on semiconductor substrate 51 by CVD. As a result, the trench 54 is filled with the conductive film 56.
After that, as shown in FIG. 4G, the conductive film 56 for forming a gate electrode is etched back by dry etching to thereby form a gate electrode 57. One of a similar technique is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-326273.
However, the above manufacturing method of the related art requires over-etching to complete remove the conductive film 56 from the surface of the gate insulating film 55 at the time of etching back the conductive film 56 to form the gate electrode 57.
Then, upon the over-etching, the gate insulating film 55 functions as an etching stopper, so etching is stopped on the surface of the gate insulating film 55 and etching proceeds on the conductive film 56 in the trench 54.
Therefore, it is inevitable that an upper surface of the gate electrode 57 is positioned below the surface of the semiconductor substrate 51 by a predetermined depth, that is, a difference in level L is formed.
If this difference in level L is formed, there is a possibility that the upper surface of the gate electrode 57 is positioned below the bottom of a source region (not shown) formed in the semiconductor substrate 51 in a subsequent step, and the manufactured device cannot operate as an FET.

Method of manufacturing semiconductor device


A mass air flow sensor (MAFS) is disclosed wherein silicon members carrying a resistive film are bonded to a glass substrate and extend out over an air flow opening through the glass substrate. The silicon members may be either bridges across the air flow opening or cantilevered beams having one end bonded to the substrate and a second free end. Silicon frames around the air flow opening can also be provided, to which an environmental seal can be formed. A novel method of making such sensors includes providing the glass substrate with the air flow opening therethrough and aligning thereover a silicon wafer selectively passivated to define the silicon member(s) and any frame element. The glass and silicon wafers are bonded and subsequently anisotropically etched, after which the resultant bonded and etched assembly can be employed in accordance with known mounting techniques.

This invention relates to mass air flow sensors for measuring the mass flow of air or other fluid. The invention relates also to methods of making such sensors, including batch fabrication methods.
Mass air flow sensors employing the principle of hot film anemometry are well known for use in instrumentation applications, including especially various process control applications. Typically, electrical current is used to maintain a resistor film at a certain temperature above the temperature of the air flow by electronic sensing and feedback circuits. The electronic circuit senses changes in heat transfer rate to the air flow. Such sensors are used for measuring the mass of a fluid flow, for example, the mass of air flowing in an air conditioning system, the air intake of a motor vehicle engine, gas chromatography eluted gas flows, etc. One such mass air flow sensor (MAFS) is that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,889 to McCarthy, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The McCarthy device is a so-called monolithic silicon mass air flow sensor (SiMAFS), preferably batch fabricated by chemically etching ("micromachining") 100-millimeter (4-inch), oriented single-crystal silicon wafers. The silicon wafer is typically about 600 .mu.m thick, the top and bottom surfaces being (100) crystallographic planes. The McCarthy patent discloses MAFS having an air flow opening formed through a silicon substrate. Elongate silicon members bridge across the air flow opening and carry platinum metal coatings exposed to the air flow for use as the sensor's hot wire and temperature sensing wire. Conductive terminals at the ends of the silicon members are in electrical contact with the metal coatings. An integrated circuit associated with the silicon chip generates a signal corresponding to the mass air flow. The MAFS of the McCarthy patent is especially suitable for use in measuring the mass of air introduced into an automobile engine. For such application, the MAFS would be located typically between the air cleaner and the engine throttle body.
A recognized difficulty concerning MAFS of the type disclosed in the McCarthy patent is the excellent thermal linkage between the main silicon chip and the silicon members unitary therewith which bridge across the air flow opening carrying the metal resistor films. This thermal linkage imposes a constraint on the size of the silicon members. For silicon members larger than about 50 .mu.m across, the heat loss to the chip via conduction becomes significantly large. This reduces the sensitivity of the sensor and requires greater power levels for operation of the sensor. Temperature compensation is also made more difficult. The influence of changes in chip temperature on the accuracy of measurement is increased. While these difficulties can be reduced by making the silicon members smaller in cross-sectional area, they then become more fragile, perhaps even breaking under the impact of dust particles in air flows of sufficient velocity. In the automotive engine application mentioned above, for example, the sensor preferably can survive and operate under conditions of vibration, temperature extremes, and bombardment by dust and the like for years without requiring service. Thus, for such prior known MAFS, thermal isolation, and hence accuracy, may be compromised with robustness of the sensor.


The invention relates to a calibration unit (2) for a monitoring device (1), wherein the monitoring device (1) is designed as man-overboard monitoring of a ship section (4), wherein the monitoring device has at least one camera (5a, 5b) for video-monitoring the ship section (4) and for providing video data, wherein the camera (5a, 5b) has at least one intrinsic calibration parameter (11) and at least one extrinsic calibration parameter (12), wherein the video data is provided to the calibration unit (2), comprising an input module (9) for a user to input one or more calibration elements (10) and comprising an evaluation module (8), wherein the evaluation module (8) is designed to determine the unknown calibration parameters (11, 12) based on the calibration elements (10), in particular their orientation and/or extension.

A calibration unit for a monitoring device is proposed. The monitoring device is designed as a man-overboard monitor of a ship section. The monitoring device has at least one camera for video monitoring of the ship section, wherein the video monitoring is provided as video data. The camera has intrinsic calibration parameters and extrinsic calibration parameters. The video data are provided to the calibration unit.
On ships and in particular on passenger ships it is a known problem that passengers can fall overboard unnoticed during the journey. Such events are referred to as man-overboard events. The chances of survival during such an event sink increasingly with the time which passes until the event has been discovered. Shipping companies have an interest in being able to notice such events as quickly as possible. In particular, government regulations and/or requirements of insurance companies exist which require increased monitoring and improved detection of such events. On cargo ships, such monitoring is implemented by means of armbands or transponders.
In video monitoring and also in other contactless monitoring devices, it is a conceivable problem that moving objects, for example spray, birds, or things thrown overboard could be incorrectly detected as a man-overboard event. A monitoring device has to reduce such incorrect detections under a specific value to be practical. For example, the ISO norm ISO/PAS21195 "Ships and marine technology" requires that monitoring systems for man-overboard monitoring have a "true positive" detection rate of greater than 95% and on average have a false alarm rate ("false positive rate") of less than one single false alarm per day per ship.

Calibration unit for a monitoring device, monitoring device for man-overboard monitoring, and method for calibration


A microphone shock mount includes an inner housing, an outer housing extending around the inner housing and top and bottom dampeners which extend between the inner and outer housings. An annular groove is formed in an outer surface of the inner housing adjacent a top thereof and a stepped shoulder is formed in the outer surface of the inner housing adjacent a bottom thereof. A pair of stepped shoulders are formed in an inner surface of the outer housing adjacent a top and bottom thereof. The top and bottom dampeners are ring-shaped with a generally U-shaped cross-section. An annular rib extends inwardly from an inner portion of the top dampener and engages the groove of the inner housing. An outer portion of the top dampener engages the top stepped shoulder of the outer housing. The bottom coupling engages the bottom stepped shoulders of the inner and outer housings. A pair of axially aligned circular holes are formed in the inner and outer housings for receiving a stop pin which limits the vertical movement of the inner housing relative to the outer housing. A radial flange extends from a top edge of the outer housing for mounting the shock mount to a support surface.

1. Technical Field
Generally, the invention relates to microphone mounts. Particularly, the invention relates to a shock mount for gooseneck microphones which isolates the microphone from vibration while supporting the microphone on a podium or table. Specifically, the invention relates to a shock mount with an outer housing which mounts to the podium, an inner housing which supports the microphone and top and bottom resilient dampeners which suspend the inner housing within the outer housing.
2. Background Information
Microphone mounts are generally used to reduce vibrational noises that are induced into microphone systems from external mechanical sources. These vibrational noises travel readily through solid objects such as a podium or table upon which microphones are mounted. Conventional shock mounts use some type of elastomer or rubber to isolate the microphone housing from the internal transducer to reduce the vibrational pickup of the microphone. The elastomer absorbs the vibrations and converts a majority of the vibrations into heat energy, thus attenuating the vibrations to a large extent.
Also, low frequency vibrations cause noise in the microphones by setting the microphone into motion and inducing the noise through the motion of the microphone diaphragm itself. Since the diaphragm of any microphone has mass, and therefore inertia, the motion of the microphone causes the diaphragm of the microphone to move in relation to its mounting structure. This movement of the microphone produces an output voltage in response to the external vibration. Usually this type of vibrational noise is suppressed by reducing the resonant frequency of the microphone by either using very compliant elastomers, increasing the microphone's mass or usually a combination of both. If the resonant frequency is low enough, the vibrational noise may be below the normal 20 Hz lower frequency hearing limits. Usually, some type of dampening is used to reduce these low level vibrations.
Examples of various types of mounts used to dampen vibrations induced by external mechanical sources can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,153,123 which discloses a stand for carrying a microphone. A plurality of vibration absorbing rubber rings are interposed between the microphone stand and the microphone carried thereby. The rings absorb vibrations and insulate the microphone from the stand.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,573,401 discloses a mount for a microphone in which a circular elastomeric body has an annular groove on one side to receive an annular portion of a microphone clamp assembly. A continuous groove is formed in the periphery of the elastomeric body which engages the edge of a correspondingly dimensioned opening in the base of the microphone stand. A groove is also formed in the opposite side of the elastomeric body to improve vibration insulation.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,653,625 discloses a microphone mounting apparatus which includes a compact resilient mounting member defining a socket. The socket is adapted to receive a microphone body and a support for supporting the mounting member. The mounting member defines an enclosed space encircling the socket that is preferably filled with a liquid or pressurized gas. The vibrations of the microphone are dampened to different degrees depending upon the viscosity of the gases or liquids within the mounting member.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,947,646 discloses a resilient microphone holder which includes a microphone supporting cylinder for mounting a microphone therein, an attaching cylinder located outside the supporting cylinder and a stepped connecting cylinder formed with supporting and attaching cylinders together. The microphone holder is formed of a resilient material which suspends the microphone and isolates the microphone against oscillations.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,096 discloses a microphone shock mount and assembly which includes upper and lower semi-cylindrical frames hingedly connected to one another at one edge thereof. Each frame includes a pair of closed elastomeric bands extending transversely around each end thereof. The microphone is suspended between the bands of the upper frame and the bands of the lower frame when the upper frame is latched to the lower frame. The mass of the microphone and the resiliency of the bands form a mechanical moving system with a resonance below the frequency range of the microphone.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,045 discloses a supporting arrangement for electro-acoustic transducers which includes a housing with a housing casing having a transducer within the casing and being supported by at least one elastic support ring provided between the transducer and the casing. The supporting ring is formed of electrically conducting material to provide electrical connection to the housing. The housing or a portion thereof provides an electrical terminal for connecting the electrical transducer to an energy source.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,598 discloses a microphone shock mounting apparatus designed for receiving and holding a microphone which isolates the microphone from surrounding structure-borne environmental vibration. The apparatus includes a cradle which flexes when opened to receive the microphone and which closes firmly around the microphone body to hold the microphone in place. The cradle permits the microphone to be received into and removed from the shock-mounting apparatus without requiring disconnection from the signal output cable.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,578 discloses a resiliently fastened support device for a microphone of a mass which is a multiple of the mass of the microphone and an arrangement carrying the microphone. The supporting device is either suspended in an outer container by a pair of springs attached to the top thereof or is supported on the bottom of the outer container by a spring attached to the bottom thereof. The resiliently mounted support device dampens mechanical vibrations and has a low resonance frequency which is at the lowest end or below the transmission range of the microphone.
Although these prior art microphone mounts are adequate for the purpose for which they were intended, these mounts fail to provide a dual point suspension Which vertically supports the microphone and which prevents a gooseneck microphone from tipping or leaning while mounted on a table or podium. Further, many of these prior art microphone stands are constructed to hold a microphone of a specific size or type and can not be used to hold other microphones.
Therefore, the need exists for an improved microphone mount which provides dual point suspension to vertically mount the microphone on a table or podium and to prevent tipping or leaning of the top-heavy gooseneck microphone, which holds a usual 3-pin disconnect connector to allow the microphone mount to be used with any microphone that has a 3-pin connector and which dampens noise induced from external mechanical vibrations.


A method of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging is proposed for the rapid detection of oscillatory motion of spins or charged particles to generate shear waves or oscillating electrical currents to induce alternating magnetic fields to the object being imaged, subjected to a fast train of radio-frequency (RF) pulses to induce within the sample a steady-state NMR signal. A scan using an NMR imaging system is carried out with a RF repetition time (TR) matched to the externally imposed oscillatory motion. Small oscillatory displacements of spins in combination with imaging gradients or oscillating magnetic fields related to charge motion generating alternating spin phase dispersions during the rf pulse train disturb the steady-state magnetization. Depending on the amount of spin-phase dispersion, the amplitude and phase of the NMR signals are modulated, generating a brightness-modulation of the reconstructed phase and amplitude images revealing mechanical or electrical properties of the object, such as stiffness or electrical impedance.

The invention relates to the field of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), in particular to NMR imaging methods and systems. Even more particularly, the invention relates to the enhancement of magnetic resonance (MR) image contrast.
The publications and other materials, including patents, used herein to illustrate the invention and, in particular, to provide additional details respecting the practice are incorporated herein by reference. For convenience, the publications are referenced in the following text by author and date and are listed in the appended bibliography.
A physician generally checks for the presence of tumors and other tissue abnormalities by palpating a patient and feeling differences in the compliance or "stiffness" of soft tissues, such as muscles, brain, liver and adipose tissue, thereby detecting potential irregularities. Palpation is in fact the most common means for detecting tumors of the prostate gland and the breast. However, unfortunately, deeper lying structures are not accessible for evaluation via palpation.
Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) offers a non-invasive diagnostic method that extends the physician's ability to assess the mechanical properties of soft tissues throughout a patient's body (R. Muthupillai et al., Science 1995, and R. Muthupillai et al., Magn Reson Med, 1996). Many pathologies of these tissues cause a change in their mechanical properties and a number of studies have demonstrated the potential use of quantitative measurements of tissue elasticity to identify the affected region, such as in the prostate (M. A. Dresner et al., Proc. ISMRM, 1999 and R. Sinkus et al., Proc. ISMRM, 2003), head (J. P. Felmlee et al., Proc. ISMRM, 1997; S. A. Kruse et al., Proc. ISMRM, 1999; J. Rydberg et al., Proc. ISMRM, 2001; and J. Braun et al., Proc. ISMRM, 2002), skeletal muscle (M. A. Dresner et al., J Magn Reson Imaging, 2001; I. Sack et al., Magn Reson Imaging, 2002; and K. Uffmann et al., Proc. ISMRM, 2002), and breast (A. J. Lawrence et al., Proc. ISMRM, 2002; R. Sinkus et al., Phys Med Biol, 2000; and E. E. van Houten et al., J Magn Reson Imaging, 2000).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,757,185 to Hennig describes a method based on a principle similar to MRE, namely, on the motion of charged particles or time-dependent magnetic fields generated by moving particles which are measured with phase sensitive imaging methods to assess the properties of soft tissue throughout a patient's body. Two radio-frequency (RF) pulses are applied to a sample located in a homogeneous external magnetic field and a spatially variable magnetic gradient field (GF) is applied in the time interval between the first RF pulse exciting the NMR signal and the read-out of the corresponding signal. The magnetic gradient field (GF) is chosen so as to cause a velocity-dependent change in the phase and/or amplitude of the signals from spins moved in the direction of the magnetic field gradient by application of external electric fields to the sample. The techniques are known as Magnetic resonance current density imaging (MRCD, G. C. Scott et al., 1989) or Magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT, E. J. Woo et al. 1994). The information gathered by these methods about electrical conductivity of a biological tissue is useful for many purposes, such as for locating the source of electrocardiogram (ECG) and encephalogram (EEG) signals, modelling tissues to investigate action potential propagations, estimating therapeutic current distribution during electrical stimulation, and monitoring physiological functions.
During MRE measurements, a stress which varies periodically in magnitude is used to impart mechanical motion to spins to produce shear waves which have wavelengths that are determined by/correlate to the mechanical properties of the sample.
Similarly, during MRCDI/MREIT measurements, a time-dependent electric field which varies periodically in magnitude is used to induce motion to charged particles. This induces time-dependent magnetic fields or motion-related spin dephasing in the sample being tested that relate to the sample's electrical conductivity.
As disclosed in U.S. reissue Pat. No. RE 32,701 to Moran, NMR can be used to detect and image the movement of spins. NMR signals can be sensitized to detect moving spins by applying a bipolar magnetic field gradient (GF) at the appropriate time in each NMR measurement sequence. The phase of the resulting NMR signal measures the velocity of spins along the direction of the motion sensitizing field gradient. Generally, the method is based on the differing development of the signal phase of stationary and moving particles in a bipolar magnetic field gradient along the direction of motion (see L. E. Crooks, N. M. Hylton in Vascular Diagnostics, eds. P. Lanzer and J. Rosch, Springer Verlag, Heidelberg, 1994, p. 366). The signal phase of stationary nuclei return to their initial value after application of a bipolar magnetic field gradient, whereas the signal phase of moving nuclei undergoes a dephasing proportional to the velocity of motion as well as to the strength of the magnetic field gradient, thus resulting in a spatial phase dispersion. Small cyclic displacements, e.g., on the micron to submicron level, can be detected by synchronizing a motion sensitizing gradient (MSG), which constitutes a combination of bipolar gradients, with an oscillating mechanical excitation of the tissue of interest (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,592,085 and 5,825,186). Images of low frequency transverse acoustic strain waves in tissue are generated using gradient-echo or spin-echo MR phase contrast techniques (R. Muthupillai et al., Magn Reson Med, 1996, and R. Sinkus, Phys Med Biol, 2000). These techniques are applied in combination with MSG for several cycles in synchronization with the applied stress to allow for significant phase accumulation. The cyclic MSG waveforms can be applied along any desired axis with variable frequency and number of gradient cycles and normally two acquisitions are made in an interleaved fashion to reduce systematic errors. Consequently, standard MRE experiments, as, e.g., disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,592,085 and 5,825,186, suffer from long acquisition times due to the time needed for magnetization preparation for motion sensitizing, followed by a single readout of NMR signals. Furthermore, there is some technical demand for synchronization of MSG gradients with the mechanical excitation. Similar considerations apply to the generation of MRCDI/MREIT images.
Contrast enhancement in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging can extend its diagnostic potential.
Thus, there is a need for a system and method that provides an improved contrast mechanism for NMR images which reveals the mechanical and/or electrical properties of a sample.
There is also a need for a system and method that provides a very fast modality for generating NMR images revealing mechanical and electrical properties of the sample/object, such as stiffness or electrical impedance with high sensitivity.
There is furthermore a need for a system and method that adds contrast and enhances the sensitivity by subtraction and/or summation of steady-state images.
There is also a need to reduce the technical demand posed by synchronization of MSG and mechanical motion of spins or charged particles.

Method for detection and imaging of synchronous spin and charged particle motion


Disclosed is an image projector of the type in which an LCD matrix screen is illuminated by two polarized beams after 90.degree. rotation of the direction of polarization of one of these two beams. Each of the two polarized beams is reflected at least once towards an optical axis on which the matrix screen is centered and at least once again towards the matrix screen. Furthermore, the image projector has means to make each beam polarized, so that each polarized beam forms an image of the light source before illuminating the matrix screen. The two polarized beams may thus be oriented towards the matrix screen in forming a small angle with one another, thus enabling the use of a projection objective with a small aperture.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to projectors of images in which a spatial modulation of light is carried out by means of a liquid crystal display screen.
More particularly, it relates to the projectors of images using the two directions orthogonal and complementary directions of polarization of light.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In image projectors, the image projected on a screen results from a spatial modulation of light. The light produced by a source is guided up to a light modulation unit grouping together with the means needed to achieve the spatial modulation of light. It is common practice to use a liquid crystal display (LCD) matrix screen as a spatial modulator of light. This LCD matrix screen comprises a matrix network of elementary liquid crystal cells controlled by means of a video signal: each cell represents an elementary image dot.
The simplest way of forming an image by means of an LCD matrix screen is to illuminate it by means of a linearly polarized light. To do this, it is common practice firstly to interpose a polarizer between the light source and the LCD matrix screen in order to select a particular direction of polarization for the illumination of the LCD matrix screen and then, secondly, after the LCD matrix screen, to place a second polarizer (also called a "polarization analyzer") that converts the angular modulation of polarization produced by the LCD matrix screen into a modulation of intensity. The main drawback of this method is that, by the selection of a particular direction of polarization, for the illumination of the LCD matrix screen, more than half of the light energy is lost.
A known way to improve the efficiency of illumination of the LCD matrix screen is to separate the light spatially into two polarized beams having complementary directions of polarization in order to use all the light produced by the source. Several methods may be used to this effect:
a) In a first method (see European patent application No. 0.372.905), each polarized beam illuminates a different LCD matrix screen, and the images formed separately by the two LCD matrix screens are superimposed. The major drawback of this method is that it calls for the use of two LCD screens, the result of which is that the cost of the image projector is very high;
b) In another method, the direction of polarization of one of the two polarized beams is made to rotate by 90.degree. so that the direction of polarization is the same for both polarized beams. Then the two beams are directed so as to illuminate the LCD matrix screen. A structure such as this has been shown and described in the report (page 90) of the "EURODISPLAY" conference organized by S.I.D. in Amsterdam in 1990.
The structure described in the above-mentioned document has at least one major drawback which lies in the fact that it either leads to a relatively substantial bulkiness of the projector (the distance between the polarization separating element and the LCD matrix screen) needed to prevent the two beams from being propagated towards the LCD matrix screen in forming a relatively large angle between them, or makes it obligatory to use a wide-aperture projection objective. Another drawback of this structure is that it cannot be used to being the two polarized beams with symmetrical optical paths so that it becomes difficult to achieve perfect superimposition of the illumination spots formed by these two beams on the same LCD matrix screen, i.e. to superimpose the sections of these two beams.

Liquid crystal projector including a polaration rotating element


A hand tool of a type where relative movement between operative elements is required. The hand tool includes a handpiece (C) and a separate fluid displacement device (P) which are coupled together by a flexible hose (H). The handpiece (C) has a fixed blade (36) and a movable blade (34). The displacement unit (P) has a handle (10) which can be moved relative to a ground engageable foot (18) thereby causing a piston (16) to displace fluid along the hose (H) and drive a piston (28) in handpiece (C) against the bias of a spring (38). Movement of piston (28) against the spring (38) causes cutting blade (34) to move toward blade (36). Spring (38) causes reverse movement of piston (28) upon pressure being released from the handle (10) to retract blade (34) from blade (36). The blades (34) and (36) can be replaced by other operative elments such as clamping jaws.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to hand tools and more particularly hand tools where relative movement between a pair of operative elements is required.
2. Description of the Related Art
Pruning tools and more particularly long handled pruning tools (commonly referred to as "loppers") are well known and in common usage. One of the problems with loppers is that despite the long handles it is often difficult to obtain the required mechanical advantage in order to achieve the required cutting action. This is especially the case when thick branches or the like are to be cut or where remotely positioned branches need to be accessed. Due to the length of the handles such access is often achieved by the user stretching to the utmost but due to this the required manipulation of the handles to achieve the cutting action cannot be carried out.
Yet again, there is often a problem associated with pruning tools where the user is unable to apply either the necessary squeezing action with a tool held in one hand. This can also be a problem with the so-called loppers where a handle is gripped in each hand of the user but strength factors can prevent the necessary purchase being applied.


An in ground termiticide/bait tube for insect detection and control includes a first outer housing tube fixedly implanted into the ground and a second inner tube removably receivable within the housing. The inner tube contains bait for detecting and controlling termite activity, and can be inspected or replaced by removing the inner tube from the outer tube. The inner tube is mounted within the outer tube by rotation along a lead thread such that maximum relative rotation assures alignment of openings in the inner and outer tubes. The device further includes a flexible cap to provide tampering resistance when the inner and outer tubes are installed below ground, a metering cup removably received in the inner tube, and lugs on the metering cup to provide rotational movement of the metering cup and the inner tube relative to fixed outer tube.

The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for detecting and controlling termite activity by bait containing devices implanted in ground.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,726 discloses a system for termite detection and control including embodiments of the invention in which a bait cartridge is removably received within a housing implanted into the ground. A non-toxic bait material is provided within the cartridge for periodic removal from the housing for inspection for termite activity. If termite activity is present, the original bait material is replaced with a toxicant for controlling the termite activity. Openings in the permanently implanted housing permit access by the termites to the material within the housing, and maintain passageways established in the ground by the termites in alignment with the openings in the housing to assure that the termites will be guided to the openings. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,726 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
It is an object of the present invention to provide improved in ground devices for monitoring and controlling termite activity including an apertured outer housing permanently implanted in ground, and a bait-containing inner housing removably received within the outer housing and threadably coupled thereto for monitoring and controlling termite activity, and assuring that openings in the inner and outer housings will maintain alignment.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device of the aforementioned type including a removable, flexible cover for providing resistance to tampering of the device when installed in ground, and for providing child and pet safety.
Further objects of the invention are to provide improved means for fixedly implanting the outer housing in ground, and to provide improved means for rotating the inner housing relative to the fixed outer housing.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following discussion.

Termiticide bait tube for in ground application


A method for controlling a braking system for motor vehicles having a hydraulically actuatable wheel brake which can be actuated by an electronically controllable pressure supply device having a cylinderpiston arrangement with a hydraulic pressure chamber, the piston of which can be displaced by an electromechanical actuator such that a pre-defined desired pressure value can be adjusted, a position of the pressure supply device being detected, and an actual pressure (Pv, act) of the pressure supply device being determined by a measurement device. To allow braking pressure to build dynamically at low or medium desired pressure values, manipulated variables (ωact,soll,Mact,soll) are formed for the electromechanical actuator (1) on the basis of the pre-defined desired pressure value and of an actual pressure value (PV,Dach), determined on the basis of the desired pressure value (Pv,soll) by weighted addition of the actual pressure (Pv,act) and of a model pressure (Pv,Mod) calculated from a current position (Xact) of the pressure supply device.

In motor vehicle engineering, "brake-by-wire" braking systems are becoming ever more widespread. Such braking systems often include not only a master brake cylinder which can be actuated by the vehicle driver but also an electrically controllable pressure supply device, by means of which the wheel brakes are actuated in the "brake-by-wire" operating mode, either directly or via the master brake cylinder. In order to convey a pleasant pedal sensation to the vehicle driver in the "brake-by-wire" operating mode, the braking systems usually include a brake pedal sensation simulation device which is operatively connected, for example, to the master brake cylinder. In order to actuate the braking system, a setpoint value transmitter is provided which evaluates, for example, the electrical signals of one or more sensors for sensing the driver's braking request (actuation request), in order to determine a setpoint value for controlling the pressure supply device. In these braking systems, the pressure supply device can, however, also be actuated on the basis of electronic signals without active engagement by the driver. These electronic signals can be output, for example, by an electronic stability program (ESC) or an adaptive cruise control system (ACC), with the result that the setpoint value transmitter determines a setpoint value for controlling the pressure supply device on the basis of these signals.
International Patent Application WO 2008/025797 A1 discloses a braking system in which it is proposed that the pressure medium which is required for electrically controlling the pressure applied in an intermediate space used for actuating the master brake cylinder be kept available in a pressureless state in the pressure supply device and placed under relatively high pressure when necessary, in order to be able to dispense with the buffering of hydraulic actuation energy which is costly and energetically disadvantageous. The pressure supply device is for this purpose formed by a cylinder-piston arrangement, the piston of which can be actuated by an electromechanical actuator. A method for controlling the braking system, in particular the pressure supply device, is not described.
DE 10 2011 076 675 A1 describes a method for controlling an electrohydraulic braking system for motor vehicles having an electronically controllable pressure supply device which is connected to hydraulically actuable wheel brakes. The pressure supply device includes a cylinder-piston arrangement with a hydraulic pressure chamber, the piston of which can be displaced relative to a position of rest by an electromechanical actuator. For the purpose of control, an actual pressure value and a setpoint pressure value are determined and are fed to a controller device as input variables. The cylinder-piston arrangement is controlled by the controller device in such a way that the setpoint pressure value in the hydraulic pressure chamber is adjusted by displacing the piston.
The object of the present invention is to make available a method for controlling a braking system for motor vehicles and a corresponding control device and braking system which permit a dynamic brake pressure buildup at low or medium setpoint pressure values.
This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a method, a control device and a braking system as described herein.

Method for controlling a braking system for motor vehicles


A digital camera has an electronic image sensor and an electronic viewfinder, which is configured to display images and/or videos acquired by the image sensor. The digital camera additionally has a display screen, which is also configured to display images and/or videos acquired by the image sensor. The display screen, which is independent of the electronic viewfinder and which is bounded by a circumferential border, has a touch-sensitive surface, wherein a touch of the surface is recognizable in the electronic viewfinder. A haptically perceptible structure, which is located inside the circumferential border, is configured such that a finger of a user can orient itself on the structure. The surface of the display screen has two planar sections which are arranged inclined in relation to one another. The haptically perceptible structure is formed as a buckled edge, at which the two sections adjoin one another.

For some years, digital cameras have become established in the market for recording photos and videos. While a light-sensitive film is used as the recording medium in conventional analog cameras, digital cameras acquire the images with the aid of an electronic image sensor. The digital image data generated by the image sensor are stored in a storage medium and can be further processed digitally.
Presently, digital cameras may be differentiated into two main types, namely the classic camera and the smartphone having a photo function.
In the classical digital camera, which has since also usually become capable of recording videos, the housing has an optical or electronic viewfinder, through which the user can observe the image to be recorded before the triggering. Since the eye of the user is in the immediate vicinity of the viewfinder in this case, no or only very little light reaches the viewfinder image from the outside. The user can therefore aim at a motif and determine the image detail without problems with the aid of the viewfinder even in dazzling sunlight or other bright conditions. In addition, a larger display screen is usually provided on the rear of the housing, by which the recorded images may be observed. If the digital camera has the so-called live view mode, the display screen can also be used instead of the viewfinder to determine the image detail.
The housing of classic cameras generally has multiple mechanical operating elements such as pushbuttons, adjustment wheels, or rocker buttons, by which the user can select particularly frequently used functions. The advantage of these mechanical operating elements is that the user can feel them with the fingers and operate them "blind", i.e., also while simultaneously using the viewfinder. Therefore, such cameras are widespread above all among (semi-)professional photographers. Less practiced users sometimes have difficulties in learning the mechanical operating elements, in contrast.
Smartphones, which have an installed optical unit and an image sensor, are increasingly becoming popular as a second type of digital cameras. The touch-sensitive display screen of the smartphone is exclusively used for aiming at the motif and determining the image detail. Since no mechanical operating elements are available for photography, the operation is exclusively performed with the aid of the graphic user interface of the smartphone, which is usually context-dependent. Therefore, only those functions which can be used in the respective context are offered to the user in the form of icons or other characters. Thus, for example, a volume controller only appears on the display screen when the smartphone is in the video recording mode.
Because of the context-dependent graphic user interface, smartphone cameras may be operated intuitively and are therefore beloved above all by non-professional users. For professional applications, smartphones have heretofore only been usable to a limited extent, which, in addition to the limited imaging properties of the optical unit, is also because no accessory parts such as external flash devices may be connected. Moreover, laypeople also perceive it to be a disadvantage that in dazzling sunlight, the image on the display screen can hardly be recognized.
For some time, digital cameras have been offered which attempt to combine the advantages of the classic cameras and of smartphones. In these digital cameras, the display screen on the rear of a classic camera housing is touch-sensitive, so that the digital camera can also be operated similarly to a smartphone.
For example, in the Samsung EK-GN120, the back of the housing is actually formed by a smartphone. The operation is primarily performed via an app based on the Android operating system. In addition to the trigger, there are only a few other mechanical operating elements. The icons displayed on the touch-sensitive display screen are not reproduced in the electronic viewfinder, however. The camera thus may only be operated with difficulty while the user observes the display screen of the electronic viewfinder.
The Nikon D5500 also has a similar functionality, the display screen of which can be angled and rotated. In the live view mode, the autofocus measuring field may be placed freely in the image by tapping the display screen. However, the live view via the display cannot be operated simultaneously with the optical viewfinder.
A digital camera is known from JP 2012-89973 A, in which not only an autofocus measuring field, but rather also icons for the program selection or a slide controller for setting the color saturation can be displayed in an electronic viewfinder. By way of tapping or pulling gestures on the touch-sensitive display screen, the user can select the corresponding functions or perform settings while he observes the display screen of the electronic viewfinder.
These known operating concepts have the disadvantage that the user cannot recognize while using the electronic viewfinder—in contrast to a smartphone—where his thumb or another finger is located above the touch-sensitive display screen. If he places the thumb anywhere "blindly" on the display screen, this can thus have the result, for example, that a setting is performed unintentionally.
DE 20 2014 006 401 U1 describes a digital camera having a touchscreen monitor on which virtual dials are displayed. The surface of the touchscreen monitor is provided with a haptically perceptible structure in the area of the displayed adjustment wheels. This structure may in particular be ribbed glass. This prevents a user from making unintentional changes by accidentally brushing over the virtual dials.
DE 10 2011 120 265 A1 relates to a digital camera including a touchscreen display and an electronic viewfinder. Haptic markings are arranged in the neighborhood of the touchscreen.
DE 11 2015 003 690 T5 relates to OLED displays, which may be designed on flexible substrates and can be touch-sensitive. A foldable, portable information terminal using such a flexible and touch-sensitive substrate is described. During the folding process, the touchscreen is bent.
DE 10 2011 012 838 A1 describes a method of providing a user interface in which an operating intention for manual operation of a control unit is detected. Depending on the detected operating intention, the haptic user surface changes from a first haptic condition to a second haptic condition. In this way, the haptic user interface can be controlled as required and adapted to the current user situation.


A system and method for simulating a structure is disclosed. An adjustable interior mockup for simulating a structure has a base with a first elongated side and a second elongated side, the first elongated side being nonadjacent the second elongated side; and an adjustable frame secured to the base. The adjustable frame includes a plurality of girder members secured along the first and second elongated sides to form an arc; a plurality of brackets; a plurality of arms having a latch attached to one end; and a sheet of fabric. The girders are securely fastened along the first elongated side of the base at predetermined intervals; the brackets are secured to the girders; the arms are received by the brackets and adjustably anchored to the girders via a fastener; and the latches engage the sheet of fabric, thus pulling the fabric into a shape that resembles the structure.

The vehicular design industry continually strives to make vehicles lighter and more fuel efficient. The use of composite materials in the design and manufacture process has created a multitude of options in optimizing a vehicle's shape. Vehicular shapes have since become increasingly more complex. Ensuring a sufficient amount of usable space within the vehicle is an important consideration with new vehicle shapes. Both space maximization and passenger comfort are a concern. Of particular interest is aircraft fuselage design.
Currently, reviewing digital mockups of the interior of an aircraft is the dominant method of performing an early evaluation of new aircraft design concepts. Two-dimensional floor plans provide preliminary dimensions for the inside of the aircraft. Three-dimensional models may also be used to get a better idea of how the inside of the aircraft might look, and more accurately show the amount of space that passengers are allotted inside the aircraft. Persons having an expert level of aircraft knowledge are required to read and interpret the plans. It is eventually necessary to have a life-size interior mockup of the aircraft in order for the designers and engineers to make educated decisions regarding spacing of seats, overhead bins, et cetera.
Traditional interior mockups use machined materials to represent interior surfaces of an aircraft to allow designers to make cabin-sized adjustments to proposed interior arrangements before the final aircraft is built. The traditional mockups require significant time to construct and are expensive. Furthermore, once the original mockup has been constructed, tests often identify unanticipated customer comfort aspects. The resulting modifications require an entire new set of machined materials. This re-fabrication adds to the cost and can also delay projects.


A process for improved, lossless data transformation with options for adaptive compression, multidimensional prediction, multi-symbol decoding.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to lossless data transformation, such as compression and decompression. More particularly, the invention concerns lossless transformation utilizing adaptive compression, multidimensional prediction, and/or multi-symbol decoding.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Video data is typically encoded in large blocks of memory. Even a single video frame can require megabytes to describe it. Video data requires large amounts of memory to store and high communication bandwidths to transfer. It therefore is highly advantageous to compress video data. However, some compression methods lose information in the process.
Some applications can tolerate various degrees of loss, but still others require loss-less compression.
The typical loss-less video data compression methods use differential pulse code modulation (DPCM). A current pixel value is replaced by the difference between it and the previous pixel. Since pixel values change rather slowly along scan lines, the difference values will near zero, making compression algorithms particularly effective. However, many times, the slow change between pixel values occurs in vertical or diagonal bands. Techniques that can only take advantage of horizontal bands in the image are compromised.
Huffman coding can be used to compress real-time video data. A Huffman-tree is built and the tree is used to recode the data. The basic idea is that frequently occurring video codes are replaced by a Huffman code that requires fewer bits. Occasional video codes that occur infrequently are described with Huffman codes that require more bits than the video code itself. In spite of this, the mere use of Huffman codes does result in an overall gain in compression.
In spite of the advantages provided by Huffman coding and other advancements in the field of data compression, the present inventor(s) has worked to develop enhancements, improvements, and solutions to various problems in the related field.

Method and apparatus for lossless data transformation with preprocessing by adaptive compression, multidimensional prediction, multi-symbol decoding enhancement enhancements


A liquid thermosetting sealing agent for a polymer electrode membrane fuel cell having separators and a membrane electrode assembly laminated, whose the viscosity at the application is from 1,000 to 9,000 Pa·S, can be used to prepare a highly durable seal for a polymer electrode membrane fuel cell, to produce a single cell having a highly durable seal and to recover the fuel cell whose seal becomes abnormality.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid thermosetting sealing agent for a polymer electrode membrane fuel cell composed of membrane electrode assembly having separators laminated thereon, a single cell of a polymer electrode membrane fuel cell and a polymer electrode membrane fuel cell having a seal formed by the liquid thermosetting the sealing agent, a process for producing or regenerating them.
2. Description of Related Arts
A fuel cell system is a power generation system mainly due to a fuel cell in which hydrogen as a fuel gas is supplied to the side of a hydrogen pole of the fuel cell, while oxygen as an oxidant gas is supplied to the side of an oxygen pole of the fuel cell to generate electric power. The fuel cell system, which directly converts chemical energy into electric energy, has been recently attracted from the viewpoints of high power generation efficiency and very little exhaust of harmful substances.
Configuration of the general fuel cell system will now be described by referring to FIGS. 1 and 2.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a fuel cell FC is composed of single cells C comprising separators 1 and 2 and a membrane electrode assembly MEA (hereinafter referred to as "MEA", and is composed of a lamination of approximately 200 single cells C.
The separators 1 and 2 cut off the fuel gas, the oxidant gas and a coolant, and possesses passages PH and PO, respectively for introducing the fuel gas and the oxidant gas into the interior of the MEA, and a passage PW for introducing the cooling water into the MEA to allow the MEA to cool. On the other hand, an oxygen pole E0 (cathode) and a hydrogen pole EH (anode) are provided on the MEA. Also, diffusion layers D are provided on the MEA at both sides of the oxygen pole E0 and the hydrogen pole EH. The MEA is thus configured.
As the material for the electrolyte membrane M, for example, a perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid membrane, which is a proton-exchanging membrane, has been used. This electrolyte membrane has a plurality of proton-exchanging groups in the solid macromolecule, exhibits a proton specific resistance as low as approximately 20 Ω/cm proton and, thus, acts as a proton-conductive electrolyte. As described above, because of using the electrolyte membrane M, the fuel cell FC is referred to as a polymer electrode membrane fuel cell.
A catalyst contained in the oxygen pole EO is a catalyst which produces oxygen ions form oxygen, while a catalyst contained in the hydrogen pole EH is a catalyst which produces protons from hydrogen.
Outside the oxygen pole EO, a gas passage PO at the oxygen pole side which allows a supply gas as the oxidant gas for flowing into the oxygen pole EO, is provided, and outside of the oxygen pole EH, a gas passage PH at the hydrogen pole side which allows a supply hydrogen H2 as the fuel gas for flowing into the hydrogen pole EH, is provided. The inlet and the outlet of the gas passage PO at the oxygen pole side are connected to an air-supplying apparatus (not shown), and the inlet and the outlet of the gas passage PH at the hydrogen pole side are connected to a hydrogen-supplying apparatus (not shown)
The diffusion layers D are each provided in contact with the gas passage PO and the gas passage PH on the surface of the separators 1 and 2, respectively, has a function of transmitting the electrons between the electrode EH and the separator 2, and the function of diffusing the fuel gas or the oxidant gas, and generally is composed of carbon fibers.
The separators 1 and 2 each is composed of carbon type materials, has a function of separating the fuel gas and the oxidant gas from the coolant gas, respectively, and possesses a passage PW as well as the above passages PH and PO, and has an electron-transmitting function.
In this fuel cell FC, when the supply air is supplied into the gas passage PO at the oxygen pole side and the fuel gas is supplied into the gas passage PH at the hydrogen pole side, the hydrogen is ionized into protons by the catalytic function of the catalyst at the hydrogen pole EP, and the produced protons are migrated in the electrolyte membrane M to arrive at the oxygen pole EO. The protons arriving at the oxygen pole EO are readily reacted with oxygen ions produced from the oxygen contained in the supply air to form water. The supply air containing the water thus produced and the oxygen remaining unused is discharged from the outlet of the fuel cell FC at the oxygen pole side as an exhaust gas (the exhaust gas having a large moisture content). Electrons e−, which are produced during the ionization of the hydrogen, reach the oxygen pole EO via an external load such as a motor.
In the fuel cell FC having such a configuration, the fuel gas, the supply gas and the coolant are supplied into each single cell via dependent passages PH, PO, and PW, respectively. In order to partition each system in a gas sealed manner, a technique for applying a seal q1 becomes important.
Although the portions where the seal q1 should be applied somewhat depends upon the construction of the fuel cell FC, for example, in the case of the fuel cell shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there can be mentioned portions around the communication ports pierced through the fuel cell for the purpose of supplying the fuel cell, the humidified water, and the coolant into respective single cells C, an outer circumference of the membrane electrode assembly MEA, an outer circumference of the surface of the coolant passage allowing the coolant for flowing along the surface of the separator in order to cool the surface of the separator, and outer circumferences of the separators 1 and 2, such as front and rear surfaces thereof.
As the sealing technique for gas-tightly sealing such portions, a technique in which a laminate comprising sheets or O-rings composed of a fluorine- or silicone-series organic rubber compressed and laminated with a liquid curing material which is adhered and cured is used to apply a seal due to the resilient force of the rubber, a technique in which graphite or any other ceramic fiber sheets are compressed and the compressed material is sealed in a state of left fastening, or a mechanical sealing techniques using a caulking, etc. has been conventionally utilized.
If the fuel cell is a portable type or is carried on a vehicle, etc., the fuel cell is required to have a restricted size. Particularly, the single cell making up the fuel cell FC is required to be thin. For this reason, it is an important how to produce the membrane electrode assembly MEA and the separators 1 and 2 in a thinner form particularly, since the separators 1 and 2, which are directly in contact with the seal q1, are mainly composed of brittle carbon type materials, they are easily fractured at the time of the lamination when they are configured to be a thin form.
For this reason, it is the present situation that a soft sealing material having an adequate resilient force such as an organic rubber is used to apply the seal q1.
Recently, the sealing agent for applying the seal q1 to the single cell C of the fuel cell has been developed (see WO99/53559). According to this publication, the sealing agent comprises an oligomer having prescribed addition-polymerization properties, a curing agent having at least two hydrogen atoms bonded to silicon atom, and a hydrosilylation catalyst.
However, when a seal is applied to the single cell of the fuel cell utilizing any of the conventional techniques, there poses the following problems:
(1) In the operation of the fuel cell FC, the atmosphere at the power generation portion is at a high temperature and under a highly acidic condition and the coolant is flowing at the cooling portion; thus, the seal is required to have durability, which can separate such severe atmospheres from each other as a rule. However, if the conventional adhesive is used to apply a seal (if a seal is formed by the intervention of organic rubber or by using an adhesive), it is difficult to secure the durability over a prolonged period of time. Particularly, only by the function of the adhesion property due to the sealing agent it is difficult to secure the durability under these atmospheres over a prolonged period of time.
For this reason, it is desired that the surface pressure during the lamination of the single cells is kept substantially constant to secure the sealing properties and the difference in the stresses is decreased to prevent the fracture.
(2) In the fuel cell FC composed of laminating the separators 1 and 2 and the membrane electrode assembly MEA, when the normal thermosetting adhesive is intervened between the laminates among the separators 1 and 2 and the membrane electrode assembly MEA to form seals, the thermosetting sealing agent for a polymer electrode membrane fuel cell, the membrane electrode assembly MEA, and the separator 1 are exposed to the same heating conditions. However, since the electrolyte membrane M of the membrane electrode assembly MBA has a temperature which decreases a kinetic viscosity-elastic modulus as low as from 75 to 110° C., the electrolyte membrane M is unduly crept when being exposed under such conditions over a prolonged period of time to decrease the mechanical durability. Accordingly, it is desired to thermally cure the thermosetting sealing agent for a polymer electrode membrane fuel cell at a temperature as low as possible for a minimized period.
A typical example of sealing agent, which has been commonly utilized, includes a fluorine-series sealing agent, which can be used at a high temperature, at a high humidity, and under a strongly acidic conditions. The curing temperature of this sealing agent is not less than 150° C. If this sealing agent is merely thermally cured at a temperature lower than the appropriate temperature as disclosed in WO99/53559, the durability of the resulting seal is decreased. For this reason, the development of the sealing techniques has been desired, which can impart sufficient durability to the resulting seal q1 without deteriorating the electrolyte membrane M.
(3) In the fuel cell composed of the lamination of the separator 1 with the membrane electrode assembly MEA, when the seal q1 is intervened between the lamination of the separator 1 and the membrane electrode assembly MEA, unevenness of the thickness of the membrane electrode assembly MEA causes unevenness in the gap of the seal. Due to the unevenness of each gap in the laminate state, difference in stresses is generated at the portion where the separators 1 and 2 are in contact with the seal q1. With regard to this difference in stresses, a separator produced by caving sintered graphite or a separator formed by mixing carbon powders with 15–30% of resin, which has low fracture stress, is easily fractured at the time of lamination and fastening.
For this reason, it has been desired to provide a process for the application of the seal in which difference in the stresses to unevenness of the gap of each seal is difficult to be brought about.
(4) The thermal strain and the seal stress (to the carbon type separator) vary depending upon the hardness of the seal q1 after curing. Specifically, a seal q1 having relatively low hardness, which is a raw material having low cross-linking degree, is easy to undergo thermal strain, but due to its low degree of increasing the counterforce against the amount of the compression, the difference between stress between the seals q1 in the laminated state of the single cell C becomes small.
In contrast, a seal q1 having relatively low hardness can decrease the thermal strain, but has large difference in the stresses in the laminated state of the single cell.
Consequently, it has been desired to provide a sealing agent for a polymer electrode membrane fuel cell having hardness with well-balanced properties between the two antimony properties and to provide a process for producing a polymer electrode membrane fuel cell FC utilizing such a sealing agent.
(5) Moreover, if the seal q1 is deteriorated or if any other abnormality of the seal q1 occurs, the fuel cell must be immediately recovered. Such recovery requires much more times and labors. Consequently, there is a demand to develop a process for easily recovering the fuel cell by applying a seal q1 having high durability under the utilization of the fuel cell.

Liquid thermosetting sealing agent for polymer electrode membrane fuel cell, single cell formed with sealing agent, its process, and process for regenerating polymer electrode membrane fuel cell


A siding layout tool includes a body having a first face, a second face and at least one alignment guide. A plurality of holes extend through the body from the first face to the second face. A member is provided having a working end. The member is received in a selected one of the plurality of holes in the body, with the working end extending from the second face. The siding layout tool, as described, permits one handed operation, which leaves the users other hand free.

The present invention relates to a siding layout tool
U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,090 which issued to Bouska et al in 1993 describes a siding layout tool. The siding layout tool of Bouska et al consists of a plate with an upper panel, a lower panel and a step positioned inbetween. The upper panel and the lower panel each have a number of openings. A pencil or a blade of a utility knife is inserted into a selected one of the openings. The step is positioned against a ridge on a piece of siding. The ridge of the piece of siding is then used as a guide in making a longitudinal mark on the siding with either the pencil or the blade of the utility knife.
When using the Bouska et al siding layout tool, two hands are required. One hand holds the siding layout tool and the other hand holds the pencil or the utility knife. This two handed operation has proven to be a limiting factor for the Bouska et al tool. It would be preferable if it was capable of one handed operation, in order to free up one of the users hands to prevent movement of the siding.
What is required is a siding layout tool capable of one handed operation.
According to the present invention there is provided a siding layout tool which includes a body having a first face, a second face and at least one alignment guide. A plurality of holes extend through the body from the first face to the second face. A member is provided having a working end. The member is received in a selected one of the plurality of holes in the body, with the working end extending from one of the first face and the second face.
With the siding layout tool, as described above, the member that scores or marks the siding forms part of the tool. This permits one handed operation. There is no need to hold a pencil, utility knife, or scoring instrument in position with one""s other hand.