A method for producing a gemstone, in particular a diamond, in the shape of a star with several arms, the method including taking a basic, brilliant cut gemstone, the gemstone including a basic crown, a basic pavilion and a basic girdle joining the basic crown and the basic pavilion and defining a plane, cutting a plurality of facets in the respectively basic crown, pavilion and girdle, to obtain a transformed gemstone delimited by a periphery, laser cutting the periphery of the transformed gemstone to produce the star shape.

In high-end watches, it is known to enhance the dial with precious or semi-precious stones, and especially with diamonds. For example, Patent Nos. WO 2014/122296 and EP0257453 disclose dials provided with gemstones having a conventional round shape.
To obtain a particular aesthetic effect, other original shapes may be envisaged. In this regard, U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,562, which discloses a diamond with a girdle having a contour with several lobes, is found in patent literature. However, the dimensions and especially the thickness of these gemstones of original shape disclosed in the prior art are incompatible with arrangement in a dial. Indeed, the maximum thickness will be limited by the dial thickness, assuming that the gemstone extends over the entire thickness of the dial, and by the space available between the dial and the hands to avoid hindering the hand movements. Typically, the total thickness including the dial thickness and the space between the dial and the hour hand, which is closest to the dial, is on the order of a millimetre. To produce original shapes, the challenge is then to cut a gemstone of very small thickness without breaking it, while preserving its properties of brilliance and an attractive aesthetic appearance.

Gemstone and method for producing the same


A method for providing digital communication using dynamic portable document format (PDF) generation is disclosed. The method comprises a dynamic generation server receiving a request message that includes a plurality of fields, a request type identifier, and a source identifier associated with a requesting source application. The method also comprises parsing the request message, and responsive to the parsing, determining a plurality of output requirement parameters. The dynamic generation server correlates the request message with source content based on the determination of output requirement parameters. The method includes selecting at least one HTML template, CSS string, and graphics file based on the correlation, while further scraping input values from the request message. Additionally, the method includes dynamically building a customized HTML string, and converting the customized HTML string into a PDF document. The method further comprises returning a reply message that includes the PDF document to a reply message destination.

A business service provider may operate a mobile virtual network operator business unit to complement their retail model services. Mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) are organizations that provide mobile communication services but may not have their own licensed frequency allocation of radio spectrum or the physical infrastructure required to provide wireless communication services. Mobile virtual network operators may contract to distribute wireless services provided by telecommunications service providers that have licensed frequency and physical infrastructure. Mobile virtual network operators function as distributors of wireless services and may set their own pricing structures, which thus may require separate contractual or regulatory documentation prior to providing or changing communication service for a customer. The proliferation of mobile virtual network operators has been facilitated by regulatory intervention designed to lower the barriers for market entry and ultimately increase competition. Some telecommunications service providers have made strategic decisions to extend their existing operations by distributing their services to target niche or under-served market segments through a second or perhaps multiple brands that are unique to the type of subscription and/or service experienced by the customer.
An enterprise or business service provider (e.g., a telecommunication service provider) may provide a variety of communication services to numerous customers who operate owned or leased telecommunications equipment via the communication services. The business service provider may allocate communications services and resources to customers based on the type of subscription or agreement and corresponding communication parameters. Communication services may be defined, at least in part, by a customer subscription and/or service level agreement (SLA) that may define a class of service, a bandwidth, and other key communication parameters of operation on a particular communication network. When a customer desires to change their subscription or service (or a new customer is being added), submission of a new SLA and other contractual documentation may be desirable prior to modifying the communications service network that allows for operation of the communication service with the customer according to the change. For legal and/or regulatory reasons, the business service provider may need to ensure that certain content is provided in documentation. Document submission to the business service provider may occur via a physical medium (e.g., mailing a paper document form) and/or via electronic communication of a Portable Document Format (PDF) file. A Portable Document Format is a file format used, at least in part, to capture data structure format and/or content of a document.

System and method for dynamic portable document file generation


A height adjustment apparatus for a projection device comprises a socket, an engaging member, and a lifting member. The projection device comprises a housing having a front and bottom plate perpendicular to each other, the bottom and front plate defining a first and second opening therein, respectively. The socket comprising a locating portion is located on an inner surface of the bottom plate, covers the first opening and defines a third opening therein. The engaging member comprises a main portion, an engaging portion and a deformable portion. The main portion is inserted through the second opening. The engaging portion connecting the main portion defines a fourth opening aligning with the third opening. The deformable portion has a movable portion located in the locating portion. The lifting member comprises an upright lifting portion passing through the third opening and having a toothed face engaged by the engaging portion.

1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates to projection devices, and, particularly, to a height adjustment apparatus for a projection device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, projectors may require height adjustment for proper display. One form of adjustment in use is a hanging fixture suspending the projector from the ceiling. This fixture is inconvenient for height adjustment. In another common solution, projectors are placed on a table and are accordingly height-adjusted by way of one or more threaded posts adjustably extending downward from the underside of the projector. This is also an inconvenient operation.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a height adjustment apparatus for a projection device which can provide a convenient way of adjusting the height of a projector or other applicable devices.

Height adjustment apparatus for projection device


This invention relates to a method for preparing a desired isomer of a substituted 2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acid, which is characterized by comprising: (a) contacting the substituted 2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acid with a chiral amine to form salts, wherein the chiral amine is selected so that the solubility of the amine salt of the undesired substituted 2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acid is greater than the amine salt of the desired substituted 2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acid, and (b) irradiating the mixture with an ultraviolet (UV) light, wherein the irradiation increases the amount of the less soluble chiral amine salt of the substituted of the 2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acid in the mixture.

Substituted 2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acids and derivatives thereof are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,256 (also described in EP0977748, JP4577534, CN1196692, or KR100538258). The substituted 2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acids have a chiral center at the 2-position of the 2H-chromene (2H-1-benzopyran). The ring carbon atom of the chiral center is bonded to four functional groups. Two of these four functional groups are a hydrogen atom and a trifluoromethyl ("CF3") group. The other two of these four functional groups are the oxygen atom and the sp2 carbon atom at the 3-position of the 2H-chromene.
The chiral substituted 2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acids comprise enantiomers having either the (S)- or the (R)-configuration of the four functional groups that are bonded to the carbon atom of the chiral center. The (S)- and (R)-configurations represent the three-dimensional orientation of the four functional groups about the chiral center carbon atom. The enantiomers having either the (S)- or the (R)-configuration about the carbon atom of the chiral center bonded to the 2-trifluoromethyl group are referred to herein as (2S)- and (2R)-enantiomers, respectively. The (2S)-enantiomer is the antipode (i.e., non-superimposable mirror image) of the (2R)-enantiomer and vice versa.
Generally, the (2S)- and (2R)-enantiomers of the substituted 2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acids are physically and chemically identical to each other except for how they rotate plane-polarized light and how they interact with other chiral molecules such as biological enzymes, receptors, and the like. The (2S)- and (2R)-enantiomers of the substituted 2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acids are more potent inhibitors of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 ("COX-2") than those of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-1 ("COX-1"). These enantiomers represent a 3rd generation of "COX-2 inhibitors".
Typically for a particular compound, either the (2S)- or the (2R)-enantiomer exhibits (a) more potency for COX-2, (b) greater selectivity for COX-2-over COX-1, or (c) different metabolic profiles in liver microsome preparations. Sometimes it is the (2S)-enantiomer and other times it is the (2R)-enantiomer, depending upon the particular compound considered, that has the more potent or selective inhibitory activity or superior metabolic profile. Depending upon the potency or selectivity in inhibitory activities, metabolic profile, or other biological activities of the particular compound considered, the (2S)-enantiomer is preferred for drug development in some cases and the (2R)-enantiomer is preferred in other cases.
The substituted 2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acids are synthesized as a racemic mixture because a commercially viable, direct enantioselective synthesis has not yet been devised. In order to make multi-kilogram quantities of a particular enantiomer of substituted 2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acid as a therapeutic agent, a mixture of the enantiomer and its antipode possibly need to be separated by enantioselective fractional crystallization with a chiral auxiliary and/or enantioselective multicolumn chromatography over chiral stationary phase (see "Enantioselective Separation Method." {PL 1} U.S. Patent Publication Number US2006/0020022 A1) and {PL 3} U.S. Patent Publication Number US2006/0016683 A1).
The goal of these enantioselective separation methods is to ultimately produce the desired enantiomer in high (preferably >99.0%) enantiomeric excess ("e.e."). However, the maximum yield is 50% in theory, as the rest is its antipode which cannot be utilized. Thus the enantioselective separation is the economic disadvantage. In fact, enantioselective fractional crystallization of a racemic mixture of certain substituted 2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acids with a chiral auxiliary has been described in Examples 66 and 67 of {PL 2} U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,256 for the purpose of preparing the corresponding (2S)-enantiomers. Although the yields (as theoretical yield) from the corresponding (2S)-carboxylic acids after multiple crystallizations and extractions were 45% and 59% respectively, the yields (as actual yields) from the corresponding racemic carboxylic acids were 23% and 29% respectively.
In case of a compound of (S)-6-chloro-7-tert-butyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acid of the present invention, the actual yield by using known conventional optical resolution method is approximately 20% although the ideal yield of the optical resolution is 50% at maximum.
Accordingly, there is a need for cost-effective method of efficiently obtaining enantiomers, preferably of the substituted 2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acid, that produces a preferred enantiomer in high yield (e.g., >70%) and enantiomeric excess (e.g., at least 95% e.e.). The method of production of the more preferred enantiomer may include enantioselective fractional crystallization, enantioselective chromatography, and/or an optional step that converts a less preferred enantiomer to a new mixture of enantiomers and a subsequent recycle step that separates the new mixture of enantiomers, thereby producing from the less preferred enantiomer additional quantities of the more preferred enantiomer. In general, fractional crystallization can be much more economical and environmentally favorable than chromatography.
The current invention provides a new and cost effective method that converts the isomeric mixture, preferably of a substituted 2-trifluoromethyl-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acid to the desired isomer. The method is to dynamically resolve the chiral amine salt(s), utilizing the solubility differences of the diastereomeric salts in a given solvent system, under irradiation with UV light capable of affecting epimerization (racemization). In this method generally referred to a "crystallization-induced asymmetric transformation (CIAT)", epimerization or racemization of the both isomers, i.e. enantiomers, is on-going during the resolution process. Theoretically, all of the racemates are converted into the corresponding desired enantiomers.

Process for the differential solubility-driven asymmetric transformation of substituted 2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acids


The optical transceiver of the present invention is one type of the pluggable transceiver that is inserted into/extracted from the cage in the host system. The transceiver includes the OSA (Optical Sub-Assembly) unit, which shows the optical function, and the body unit installing the electronic circuit. The OSA unit includes the receptacle member, the tab plate and transmitting/receiving sub-assemblies. The body unit includes the base installing the circuit board, the heat conducting plate to conduct heat generated by the IC on the substrate to the rear end of the transceiver, the supplementary substrate, the supporting plate, and the cover for putting these components therein. In the present transceiver, the heat is effectively conducted to the rear end thereof the heat conducting plate, besides, the tab plate, the heat conducting plate, and the supporting plate are made only by cutting, bending and tapping without any welding and gluing. Therefore, the present invention may provide an optical pluggable transceiver with superior heat dissipating function by cost saved configuration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a structure of a pluggable optical transceiver, and a method for manufacturing the same.
2. Related Prior Art
The pluggable transceiver 1 (hereinafter denotes as transceiver) shown in FIG. 1A is used by being inserted into the cage 2 provided on the circuit board of the host system. The transceiver 1 inserted into the cage 2 is shown in FIG. 1B. On the bottom of the cage 2 is formed with stud pins 2c, and the cage 2 is installed on the circuit board of the host system by soldering these stud pins 2c to the circuit board so as to expose the opened end 2a from the face panel of the host system. In the inner end of the cage 2 is provided with an electrical connector 2b such that the each electrode of the connector 2b is in contact to, or soldered to the wiring pattern on the circuit board. By inserting the transceiver 1 into this cage 2, the electrical plug configured in the rear end of the transceiver 1, mates with this connector 2b within the cage to enable the transceiver 1 to communicate with the host system. In FIG. 1B, the host system, the circuit board and the face panel thereof, are omitted. Moreover, to configure the electrode of the plug makes the transceiver 1 so-called hot-pluggable, by which the transceiver 1 is able to insert into/remove from the cage 2 as the host system is powered on.
The cage 2, as shown in FIG. 1B, is a metal box with one end 2a being opened. Although a tip of the tab plate protrudes from the cover 23 of the transceiver 1, when the transceiver 1 is set within the cage 2, this tab plate 14 is also set within the cage 2 as the tip thereof coming in contact to the inside of the cage 2. Moreover, a plurality of fins 2d extends outward in the front portion thereof to surround the opened end 2a. When the cage 2 is installed on the circuit board of the host system, these fins 2a come in electrically contact to the face panel to shield the transceiver 1 and the host system.
Some multi-source agreements (MSA) rule the outer dimension and the electrical specification for such pluggable transceiver. The normal operation can be ensured as long as the transceiver follows the agreements, even when such transceiver is provided from the extraordinary manufacturer. Further, since the agreement rules the outer dimension, the insertion/extraction of the transceiver is also ensured.
However, the cage itself is made of a thin metal plate to deform in ease by an extra force, even by the insertion/extraction of the transceiver to the cage. The tab plate is necessary to come in reliable in contact to such deformed cage. The tab plate is provided to secure the EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference) shield function for the transceiver 1. Recently, the operational speed, i.e., the clock speed of the transceiver reaches and exceeds 1 GHz. In such high speed operation, the high frequency signal is firmly prevented from leaking from the equipment. The tab plate is necessary to come in contact to the physically deformed cage 2.
Another subject under such high operational speed is that, the active devices, such as ICs and transistors, installed within the transceiver becomes necessary to be provided with large current to operate in a high frequency band, which results in the further heat being generated in the devices and the request to provide a further effective mechanism for the heat dissipation. However, the transceiver is unable to touch the case thereof in tight to the cage because the pluggable transceiver is inherently assumed to be inserted into/extracted from the cage 2. Tightly and firmly touching to the cage disturbs the smooth insertion/extraction of the transceiver.
Further, the transceiver comprises of three parts, namely, subassemblies to covert an optical signal to an electrical signal, or an electrical signal to an optical signal, a body portion installing the electronic circuit and an optical receptacle, and an mechanism to engage the transceiver with the cage. The U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,918 has disclosed the engaging mechanism using a bail and an actuator. Rotating the bail in front of the optical receptacle, one end of the bail pushes up the actuator, accordingly, the other end of the actuator is pressed down to disengage with the cage because the actuator moves in the seesaw motion. The other United States patent application published as US-2003/0142917A has also disclosed a similar mechanism.
Recently, one application has been proposed that, a plurality of transceivers is densely arranged to configure an optical hub system for the optical communication. For example, to arrange the transceiver, the cross section of which is about 1 centimeter square, by 16 pieces in horizontal and two to four in vertical forms the hub system providing 32 to 64 optical channels. In such system, when the target transceiver is to be removed from the cage as the other cages surrounding the target transceiver are set with transceivers each providing an optical cable, the bail of the target transceiver is hard to rotate because the neighbor transceivers and their optical cables prevent from touching thereto, which prohibit the target transceiver from being extracted from the cage.
Therefore, the present invention is to provide a new structure of the optical pluggable transceiver based on the MSA and a method for manufacturing the same. The transceiver according to the present invention, not only satisfies the MSA standard, but also ensures the reliable shielding by effectively covering the body of the transceiver and stably touching body to the cage, provides the effective heat dissipation mechanism from the devices to the outside thereof, and provides a disengaging mechanism with the cage even a plurality of transceivers with the optical cable is densely arranged.

Optical transceiver with a pluggable function


A series delay generator for imposing a programmable delay on the timing edges of an incoming waveform is disclosed. The magnitude of the imposed delay is proportional to the value of a binary programming word. The series delay generator is implemented as a series of delay cells, each of which can be programmed into two delay states, a maximum delay and a minimum delay. The magnitude of the maximum and minimum delays can be set and calibrated using an analog tuning voltage. The series of delay cells can be segmentized in order to provide pipelined operation. The series delay generator is therefore capable of processing more than one timing edge at a time, permitting its minimum reprogramming time to span and even exceed the maximum delay span of the generator. A delay cell is also disclosed that uses a differential input and a digitally controlled current balance circuit to advance and retard the zero crossings of the incoming waveform and its inverse. The output is fed back to the digital control input to reduce pulse width distortion of the incoming waveform. Cells using a double-balanced and single-balanced current balance circuit are disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for imposing onto an incoming signal a time delay the magnitude of which is digitally programmable, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for producing the time delay as a summation of a series of smaller delays to maximize the frequency at which delays may be digitally programmed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Digital delay generators are commonly employed in instrumentation, automated test equipment and communications contexts. A typical automated test application involves the introduction of a variable delay to a timing edge which is then supplied to a circuit under test. The circuit can be observed to ascertain the effect of the delay on its operation.
A typical communications application involves the transmission of data encoded in the phase modulation of a periodic waveform. The phase of the periodic waveform is varied as a direct function of the numerical value of a digital word comprising a digital data stream. Thus, the information transmitted as a digital data stream is encoded in the phase of the periodic waveform, the periodic waveform being less susceptible to distortion during transmission over long distances. As an example, various phase modulation formats are employed by modern computer modems to transmit digital data streams over telephone lines.
Generally, a digital delay generator is an electronic circuit which receives as inputs: an incoming input signal the timing edges of which are to be delayed, and a digital data stream the numerical values of which define the magnitude of the delay for each period or timing edge (i.e. rising edge) of the input signal. The delay generator provides an output which is essentially the input signal with its periods or timing edges delayed in accordance with binary values encoded within the digital data stream. The data stream is typically organized into digital words comprising multiple bits so that a plurality of possible delay values can be encoded for each period or timing edge of the incoming waveform.
An illustration of a generic digital delay generator used to modulate the phase of a periodic waveform is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c. FIG. 1a is a block diagram depiction of a generic prior art digital delay generator 10. The periodic waveform to be delayed (i.e. modulated) is a pulse train V(t) which is fixed in frequency and is present at input 12 of delay generator 10. The pulse train input 22 is illustrated in FIG. 1c. A digital data stream D(k) representing the binary information to be encoded as delays in the periodic waveform is presented at input 14 of delay generator 10, and is represented in FIG. 1c as waveform 26.
With each rising edge (i.e. timing edge) of the period waveform 22 at input 12 of delay generator 10, a new digital word D(k) comprising N bits from data stream 26 is read into the delay generator 10 through input 14. The leading or timing edge of each pulse then appears at output 13 of delay generator 10, subject to a delay (.tau.), the magnitude of which is proportional to the value of the digital word D(k) read from digital data stream 26 and which is associated with that timing edge. The delayed output is illustrated in FIG. 1c as waveform 24. The output is represented as V(t+.tau.), where .tau. for a given value of D(k) is equal to .tau..sub.min +D(k)q. .tau..sub.min is the minimum delay through the circuit due to circuit propagation delay and q is the resolution of the delay circuit. This relationship is illustrated in FIG. 1b.
FIG. 1c illustrates the relationship between the incoming waveform V(t) 22 and the output waveform V(t+.tau.) 24. Each timing or rising edge of V(t) 12 is delayed by some delay 28 that corresponds to the value of D(k) 26 at the time the edge entered the Delay Generator 10.
Typical digital delay generators are implementable in numerous circuit configurations and in numerous circuit technologies used for manufacturing integrated circuits, including complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), silicon bipolar and gallium arsenide.
A typical implementation of a prior art delay generator, sometimes known as a ramp delay generator, is illustrated in FIG. 2a. An incoming waveform V(t) 80 is presented at the input of a ramp generator circuit 82. The incoming waveform 80 can be a pulse train as shown in FIG. 2b. Ramp generator 82 is triggered to produce a ramping output voltage V.sub.R 96 (FIG. 2b) by each timing edge (i.e. a rising edge) of pulse train 80, as the magnitude of V(t) 80 exceeds some threshold value. Just prior to each timing edge of incoming waveform 80, one or more bits of data stream D(k) 90 (FIG. 2b) are latched into digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 92. DAC 92 then outputs a voltage V.sub.DAC 98 which is (virtually) linearly proportional to the binary value of the input word D(k) 90. V.sub.DAC 98 is presented to the negative input of Comparator 84 and V.sub.R 96 is presented to the positive input of Comparator 84.
While V.sub.R 96 remains less than the magnitude of DAC output voltage V.sub.DAC 98, the output voltage V(t+.tau.) 86 of comparator 84 remains low. When the magnitude of ramping output voltage V.sub.R 96 exceeds DAC output voltage V.sub.DAC 98, comparator output voltage V(t+.tau.) 86 switches high and remains high until the ramp generator circuit 82 is reset, causing the magnitude of its output voltage V.sub.R 96 to return to zero.
Because the magnitude of ramp generator output voltage V.sub.R 96 is virtually linear with respect to time (i.e. V.sub.R =dv/dt (.DELTA.t)), its amplitude is directly proportional to the time which has elapsed since the ramp generator 82 was last triggered by a timing edge. Thus, DAC 92 controls the magnitude of the delay imposed on a timing edge of incoming waveform 80 to create output waveform V(t+.tau.) 86 as a function of the binary value of the input word D(k) 90 through V.sub.DAC 98. The operation of the ramp delay generator of FIG. 2a is illustrated by the waveforms of FIG. 2b.
For virtually any delay generator, there will always be some minimum delay .tau..sub.min introduced between the timing edges of an input waveform and the output waveform due to circuit propagation delays. For the ramp delay generator of FIG. 2a, even if D(k) 90 is a binary zero such that V.sub.DAC 98 is zero and the ramp time is virtually zero, there will be a delay (.tau.=.tau..sub.min) associated with the propagation of the incoming waveform through the circuitry comprising the ramp generator 82 and Comparator 84. Thus, the programmable delay of a delay generator is the net delay .tau..sub.net =.tau.-.tau..sub.min, and its programmable delay range .tau..sub.R is equal to the difference between its maximum delay (.tau..sub.max) and its minimum delay (.tau..sub.min).
The fastest rate at which a delay generator can be reprogrammed with a digital word representing a new delay value is typically referred to as the maximum reprogramming rate. For the ramp delay generator of FIG. 2a, ramp generator circuit 82 cannot be retriggered until, at a minimum, a time equal to the maximum programmable delay range .tau..sub.R =.tau..sub.max -.tau..sub.min has elapsed. Ramp generator 82 also cannot be retriggered until the value of V.sub.DAC 98 corresponding to the new value of D(k) 90 has settled sufficiently to provide an accurate and stable switch point for Comparator 84. Finally, the ramp generator 82 cannot be retriggered until it has been completely reset to zero upon completion of the previous delay period.
Typically, the DAC settling time .tau..sub.DAC 97, FIG. 2b is equal to or greater than the ramp generator reset time .tau..sub.reset 99, FIG. 2b, so that the maximum reprogramming rate is equal to 1/(.tau..sub.R +.tau..sub.DAC) The greater the number of bits comprising the input word, the greater the time necessary for the DAC to accurately translate the word into a stable V.sub.DAC value 98.
Because a new timing edge of incoming waveform 80 cannot enter until some finite time (i.e. the greater of .tau..sub.reset and .tau..sub.DAC) after the ramp time reaches the maximum delay range, delay generators such as that of FIG. 2a cannot be operated with a delay range that spans minimum reprogram time without using multiples of such delay circuits in parallel. Such an arrangement greatly increases system complexity. Further, because .tau..sub.DAC is typically greater than .tau..sub.reset, DAC 92 must be very fast and very accurate for a ramp delay generator to achieve high speed performance with reasonable accuracy.
There is a need in the art for delay generators which have higher programming rates and where the programmable delay range equals or exceeds the minimum reprogram time. For example, in the area of data communications, the higher the frequency of the periodic or carrier waveform, the more digital information can be transmitted per unit time. The delay generator, however, must be capable of being programmed at a rate which is substantially equal to or greater than the higher frequency carrier. In another example, test applications may require timing edges to be delayed beyond the desired minimum reprogram time.
Other delay generator performance criteria of interest include the setability (i.e. how finely the delays may be programmed) and accuracy of the resulting delays. Accuracy can be improved if the system has the ability to be calibrated externally. To achieve higher programming rates, prior art delay generators such as the one in FIG. 2a have employed expensive high-speed DAC's capable of maintaining reasonable resolution, linearity and accuracy over the desired delay range, while converting larger binary words into a greater number of threshold voltages. High speed, high resolution DAC's, however, can be costly.
Another technique used in the past to increase programming rates of prior art delay generators is to employ a number of delay generators in parallel as conceptually illustrated in FIG. 3a. This technique is also costly as a result of circuit complexity. Further, this technique is limited by the speed at which the decoding process takes place.
Finally, an attempt has been made to create a desired delay range over a serial delay line as illustrated in FIG. 3b. The delay line is made up of a series of cells 70, each of which has a fixed maximum delay 72 interposed in one of two paths, and a fixed minimum delay 74 interposed in a second path. Each cell includes a 2:1 multiplexer 76 to choose between the two paths through the cell. A digital control input 71 is provided to control the MUX, and each cell's control input is coupled to one of the bits of a digital control word D(k) 73. The fixed maximum delay of each cell is weighted in accordance with the binary weight of its control bit such that each cell provides its weighted fraction of the total desired maximum delay of the delay line.
There are a number of problems associated with this implementation. First, the delay range of the line is fixed and cannot be changed externally in real time. Second, external calibration of the line is not possible. Third, this implementation of a serial delay line cannot be configured to permit reprogramming times less than the established delay range. Finally, glitches can result from improper timing between signals on the control input and the incoming timing edges, thus interfering with the integrity of the incoming waveform as it propagates through the line. An example of such a serial delay line is sold by Motorola, Inc., known as the 10E195. A more detailed description of this product can be found in the Motorola Eclipse Data Book.


An instrument for measuring the dielectric constant of samples with complex or uncertain geometries that can include unusually shaped single sample pieces or collections of differently shaped sample pieces such as powders. The premise of the measurement technique is that a reference capacitor plate and a sample capacitor plate are exposed to a dynamically-changing solvent mixture. When the capacitance of these two fixtures become equal at the point at which a particular solvent mixture is reached, the dielectric constant of the sample is then known.

The dielectric constant of irregularly shaped samples, or collections of small pieces of a sample type, often cannot be measured. This is because the conversion of a capacitance measurement to a dielectric constant requires exact knowledge of sample dimensions.
A number of cumbersome and notably inaccurate methods of estimating the dielectric constant of samples with complex geometry are currently used. But, their shortcomings are widely acknowledged and are often not utilized because of their questionable results. These methods require the application of assumptions concerning the additivity of dielectric constants of mixtures when the sample is mixed with materials such as epoxy resins in proportions which must be known with precision.

International Business Machine Corporation


When an operating point that is determined by the engine speed (Ne), the engine torque (Te), and the vehicle speed falls within the zones of both a first vibration risk region (α1) and a second vibration risk region (α2), the dwell time (ΔT1) thereof is measured, and once this dwell time (ΔT1) reaches a predetermined vibration assessment time (ΔT1_Lim), the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is corrected towards the large side (low side) so that the operating point is moved out of the vibration risk regions (α1, α2).

A patent document 1 discloses an art which suppresses vibration of a vehicle, and in which an operation line of a operating point used for setting of a target engine speed (a transmission input rotation speed) and a target engine torque is switched from an operation line for giving weight to a fuel economy, to an operation line for reducing the vibration to avoid a operating point at which muffled noise and the vibration are generated, in a low-middle engine speed and middle-high torque region in which the vibration is easy to be generated, that is, in which the ratio of the variation amount of the engine torque to the variation amount of the engine speed is large.


A system for monitoring conditions in a wellbore includes a sensor assembly and a controller assembly. The sensor assembly attaches to a portion of a casing disposed in the wellbore and includes a sensor module and an inductive module. The sensor module measures conditions in the wellbore and the inductive module forms a wireless communication channel. The inductive module includes a first set of inductive coils and a second set of inductive coils that substantially surround the first set of inductive coils. The controller assembly attaches to a portion of a production tube housed within the casing and includes at least one coil inductively coupled to the inductive module, and communicates signals over the wireless communication channel.

Overall production when recovering resources from a well may be affected by various downhole conditions such as water, pressure, temperature, fluid flow, formation and fluid properties, and so on. Downhole devices such as monitoring and/or control devices (e.g., flow control devices) are often employed and positioned downhole to measure these various conditions, regulate flow rates, maintain well integrity, and help improve overall productivity. These downhole devices typically from part of a larger completion system and communicate signals such as power and data signals with each other as well as with surface devices/equipment. Electrical cables are often employed to provide electrical power and facilitate data signal transfers between the downhole devices and surface equipment. However, some downhole devices may be positioned in difficult to reach well locations (e.g., outside a casing, in "wet" conditions, etc.). For these difficult to reach well locations, wireless technologies are used to communicate power and data signals. However, many of these wireless technologies rely on specific positions and relative alignments between downhole devices in order to properly function (e.g., inductive coupling). Natural movement in downhole well environments—e.g., due to earth formation changes, pressure changes, temperature changes, and the like—often affect the positions and relative alignments between downhole devices and present unique challenges to wireless communications.

Techniques to improve wireless communications for in-situ wellbore devices


A self-excited TRIAC dimming circuit applied in a panel light includes a dimming module and at least one conversion module, and a power factor controller (PFC) is installed in the dimming module, and the conversion module is a self-excited electronic isolation transformer, and the TRIAC PFC is integrated with the circuit structure of a self-excited electronic transformer to improve the overall circuit stability, so that the panel light complies with a high safety standard to enhance product applicability and competitiveness.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the technical field of a self-excited power conversion circuit, and more particularly to a self-excited TRI-electrode AC switch (TRIAC) dimming circuit applied in a panel light. and a self-excited electronic transformer is provided for simplifying the driving circuit structure in the panel light to lower the product cost, so as to improve the product competitiveness.
2. Description of the Related Art
To create a comfortable, bright and stylish reading space or working space, panel lights with a simple and elegant shape are installed to an interior ceiling. To drive the operation of the panel light, a driving circuit is generally installed between a main circuit and a control circuit of the panel light for converting utility power to output a working voltage required by a load, and an insulation circuit installed between the panel lights and the load has a function of controlling the current of the output voltage.
With reference to FIG. 1 for a driving circuit 1 of a conventional panel light, the driving circuit is a non-insulation boost power converter, comprising an inductor (L), a diode (D), a capacitor (C), a switch 10, a detection resistor (RS) and a PWM controller 11, and the inductor connected in series with an anode of the diode is coupled to a drain of the switch 10, and the PWM controller 11 is coupled to a gate and a source of the switch 10 and the detection resistor, and a cathode of the diode is coupled to the capacitor and then electrically coupled to at least one LED 12. The inductor receives an input voltage (Vin), and the input voltage is used for storing power when the switch 10 is electrically conducted, and the stored power and the input voltage are filtered by the capacitor and transmitted to the LED 12 when the switch 10 is cut off, so that the boosting effect of the driving circuit is achieved through the simple and low-cost driving circuit 1, and the low-voltage circuit structure successfully drives the LED 12 to emit light. As to the non-isolation power converter, the precision of a constant current effect is very low, and thus having the issues of safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and failing to comply with the dimming requirements of the present panel lights.
On the other hand, the self-excited driving circuit of a conventional incandescent lamp or a conventional halogen lamp has an isolation circuit structure and do not have the aforementioned issues. Such self-excited driving circuit achieves the direct conversion effect by a half-bridge resonant circuit and has the advantages and features of quick start, non-flickering, universally applicable for power circuits of different powers, simple structure and low cost. Although the structure of the self-excited driving circuit is simple, it is lack of a constant power control mechanism, so that the output power will increase with the input voltage, and the lamp is unable to maintain a constant brightness, and the lamp has a fast ageing problem.
In view of the aforementioned problems of the conventional self-excited driving circuit applied in a panel light, it is a main subject of the present invention to provide a solution to the safety issue of the non-isolation converter, improve the scope of applicability of the lamp, and improving the output stability of a circuit power while maintaining the simple structure.


In a method of encoding a video frame to be transmitted to a plurality of clients over a plurality of network connections, a set of parameters is associated with each connection. The method comprises:                for each connection, determining a frame size that can be transported over the connection considering the associated set of parameters; and        compressing the video frame to a target frame size based on the minimum of the plurality of determined frame sizes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to encoders for encoding video data such as video streams of the MPEG type. In particular, the present invention relates to encoders that are adapted for delivering the same encoded video stream to a plurality of clients.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional system that allows the delivery of a video stream from a server device 100 to a receiving device 110 referred to as a client. The video stream, obtained from an external source such as a camcoder or from a storage memory, is composed of a plurality of (uncoded) frames. A frame represents typically one image, but it can also represent only part of an image or a plurality of images.
The server 100 includes an encoder 101 that encodes video frames, a packetizer 102 that packetizes the encoded video frames (bitstream) into data packets adapted to the transport protocol in use in the communication network 120 (for example the data packets may represent payload data of "Real-Time Protocol" or RTP packets, headers of the RTP packets will be added just before the sending on the network 120), a transmission buffer 103 for serving those data packets and a packet scheduler 104 in charge of scheduling the sending of the data packets over the network considering the available bandwidth.
The server 100 furthermore includes a network monitor module 106 that estimates the network characteristics based on end-to-end measurements and provides feedbacks to the packet scheduler module 104 and to a frame layer rate controller 105 for properly adjusting the packet sending rate. The network monitor 106 can measure the round-trip time (RTT) or the relative one-way trip time (RoTT) which represents the necessary time for a packet to reach the client after being sent by the server. Also, the network monitor 106 can implement for example the known TCP Friendly Rate Control algorithm (TFRC) that makes it possible to estimate the available bandwidth B(t) between the server and the client from measured round-trip time (RTT) and loss rate. Another example of an algorithm that can be implemented is the Additive Increase—Multiplicative Decrease (AIMD) congestion control algorithm that enables to estimate the available bandwidth B(t) from the measured round-trip time (RTT) and the size of a congestion window.
The frame layer rate controller 105 aims at controlling the rate of the bitstream outputted from the video encoder 101, the objective being to meet the constraints imposed by the connection established between the server and the client. This control is performed on a frame by frame basis. For each new frame to encode, the frame layer rate controller 105 sets a target size S for the resulting encoded frame. The video encoder 101 adjusts accordingly its compression parameters so that the actual frame size of the encoded frame be as close as possible to the target size S.
A first constraint of the connection that is to be met is keeping the sending rate out of the server below the network capacity B(t) as estimated by the network monitor 106. The bandwidth B(t) fluctuates over the time and needs to be estimated at regular intervals.
Another constraint that is usually considered is to have a constant video quality over a predetermined number of frames. When the encoder 101 applies predictive compression using motion compensation according to one of the formats MPEG2, MPEG4 part 2 or H264, the encoded frames are of two types: predicted frames (either predicted from one reference frame called P-frames or predicted from two reference frames called B-frames) and non predicted frames (called Intra frames or I-frames). For these types of encoding, it may be sufficient to have a constant quality over only one group of pictures (GOP). The GOP is defined as a set of frames that contains only one I-frame, which is the first encoded frame of the set, and only P or B frames that refer directly or indirectly to that I-frame. A GOP size can be 12 or 20 frames.
Yet a further constraint that applies for real-time video streaming is to have a bounded transmission delay D between the server and the client to guarantee timely display of video frames at the client. This constraint is particularly important for low latency applications like video-conference applications that require typically a maximum delay of 250 ms between image capturing or compression at the server side and display at the client side.
It is known, for example from "Delay-constrained TCP-compatible rate control for real-time video transmission over the Internet" published in "Annales des télécommunications" on January 2002, to use a rate control algorithm for choosing the encoding size of each new frame by taking into account the transmission delay and the available bandwidth.
When the same video encoded bitstream is to be delivered to a plurality of clients instead of one given client, the setting of the target size by the frame layer rate control needs to take into account the constraints imposed by all the connections established between the server and the plurality of clients.
This is typically the case in a multi-unicast system where the server includes one encoder for encoding the video frames, one packetizer that packetizes the encoded video frames but as many transmission buffers, network monitors and packet schedulers as there are clients to be served. In such a system, the way the constraints imposed by the different connections are taken into account needs to be addressed.
In article entitled "Extending Equation-based Congestion Control to Multicast Applications" published in the Proceedings of SIGCOMM'2001, San Diego, Calif., on August 2001, a sender-driven congestion control protocol is described that extends the TFRC congestion control mechanism into multicast, referred to as TFMCC. In order to avoid the server from being flooded by feedbacks from all clients, one client is designated as the current limiting receiver (CLR). This client can send feedbacks (measured RTT, loss rate and estimated bandwidth) without any limitation, whereas other clients can send feedbacks only after a random delay if their estimated bandwidth is lower. The server echoes received feedbacks in the multicast group and the CLR changes if another client sends feedbacks showing a lower rate.
This proposed approach does not provide however satisfactory results because the congestion control algorithm is based on the most limiting client in terms of bandwidth. Clients with high capacity connections are still served based on the capacity of the connection having the lower rate.
Another approach known in the prior art is the implementation of a video scalable encoder (cf. for example article "Scalable Video Conferencing using Sub-band transform Coding and Layered Multicast Transmission" Proceedings of ICSPAT'99, Orlando, Fla., October 1999). The usage of a scalable bitstream allows to adapt the sending rate to the capacity of the different connections. Scalable video encoding and the associated decoding are however more sophisticated and their implementation is more complex. They also require more processing power.
Therefore, there is a need to be able to provide a more efficient bandwidth utilization when serving a bitstream generated by one video encoder towards a plurality of clients over connections with different parameters, without having to implement complex encodings like scalable encoding.

Encoding of a video frame for transmission to a plurality of clients

Abstract: This method advantageously provides an easy and straightforward way for selecting the appropriate parameters that need to be taken into account for controlling the rate of the generated bitstream, particularly when multiple parameters are associated with each connection.


A trolling motor assembly is provided for attachment to a watercraft. The trolling motor assembly includes a steering assembly having a stepper motor with motor current feedback to prevent stall of the stepper motor during steering of the trolling motor. The stepper motor, which rotates the shaft to which the primary trolling motor is coupled to change the direction of thrust in accordance with a steering command, is dynamically controlled utilizing motor current feedback to change the speed of the stepper motor to adapt to the load conditions on the steering assembly. The feedback control can enable operation of the stepper motor at increased RPMs under relatively low load conditions, while preventing stalls by adjusting the drive signal to decrease the speed of the stepper motor in response to increased loads.

Trolling motor assemblies are often used during fishing or other marine activities. The trolling motor assembly attaches to the watercraft and propels the watercraft along a body of water. While trolling motor assemblies may be utilized as the main propulsion system of watercraft, trolling motor assemblies are often utilized to provide secondary propulsion or precision maneuvering that can be ideal for fishing activities. Typically, trolling motor assemblies include a small gas or electric trolling motor for providing thrust and a steering mechanism for changing the direction of the generated thrust. Known steering mechanisms for the trolling motor include mechanical steering (e.g., via a tiller handle, cables coupled to a foot pedal, etc.) and electronic steering having a secondary motor such that can be controlled remotely (e.g., via a wired foot pedal or wireless remote control) to change the direction of the trolling motor thrust. Because the audio noise associated with the operation of trolling motor assemblies can be an important consideration, such as to avoid frightening nearby fish, advancements have been made in reducing the noise generated by the electric trolling motor itself. However, there remains a need for improved electronic steering mechanisms for precisely and quietly changing the direction of the trolling motor thrust.

Trolling motor steering assembly with stall prevention


A dielectric layer may be formed by depositing the dielectric layer to an intermediate thickness and applying a nitridation process to the dielectric layer of intermediate thickness. The dielectric layer may then be deposited to the final, desired thickness.

Semiconductor devices typically include a semiconductor substrate and one or more thin-films deposited onto the semiconductor substrate. The thin-films form layers that provide the basis for the electrical and optical characteristics of the semiconductor device. The process of forming these layers on the surfaces of a substrate is called thin-film deposition or simply deposition.
The term "dielectric layer" broadly refers to thin-films that are deposited to provide electrical insulation. An exemplary dielectric layer is a transistor gate dielectric film. A transistor gate dielectric film may be used, for example, to electrically insulate a gate electrode from an underlying substrate in a field effect transistor (FET). Nitrogen is typically incorporated into a dielectric layer to enhance the performance of the layer.
Nitridation refers to the process during which nitrogen is incorporated into a dielectric layer. Nitrogen incorporation, if properly performed, suppresses dopant diffusion, mitigates positive flatband voltage shifts, reduces leakage current, and improves reliability. Incorporated nitrogen, however, may not only fail to provide these benefits but also can significantly degrade carrier mobility, if the nitrogen is present in excess or placed at unsuitable locations in the dielectric layer.
In conventional dielectric layer formation, nitridation is applied either before or after the dielectric layer is deposited. The former process is called pre-deposition nitridation and the latter process is called post-deposition nitridation. In post-deposition nitridation, the dielectric layer is deposited to its final thickness and then nitrided, for example, by exposing the film to ammonia (NH3) gas at elevated temperatures (e.g., 300–500° C.) or by exposing the film to a remote plasma for nitridation. The entire dielectric layer is exposed to the nitridation process because the dielectric layer has already been deposited to its final thickness.
Pre-deposition nitridation typically involves applying a thin-film that is rich in N (e.g., a thin nitride film) to an upper surface of a substrate prior to depositing the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is then deposited over the thin nitride film. In contrast to post-deposition nitridation, the nitrogen species are concentrated between the substrate and the dielectric layer. Examples of nitride films that are commonly used in pre-deposition nitridation are silicon nitride (Si3N4) and silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy).
Thus, conventional dielectric layer processing provides two extreme nitridation choices. Nitrogen species are either distributed throughout a dielectric layer in a substantially uniform concentration (e.g., with post-deposition nitridation) or nitrogen species are concentrated at the interface between the dielectric layer and an underlying substrate (e.g., in pre-deposition nitridation).

Method for forming a dielectric layer and related devices


The present invention relates to improved methods for transfecting one or more cells within a target region with an agent by electroporation. The method comprises exposing one or more cells to the agent and to a close electric field created between an anode or anode array and a cathode or cathode array in the target region for sufficient time to allow at least some of the agent to enter said one or more cells.

Electroporation is a well-established methodology for delivery of a variety of molecules into cells, including drugs, proteins and nucleic acids. The latter is highlighted by the electroporation-based delivery of DNA into cells to drive recombinant gene expression. The underlying principle is that an electric field generated by a high voltage pulse between two electrodes causes a transient dielectric breakdown of the plasma membrane of cells within the high intensity electric field, enabling the negatively-charged DNA to enter the cells. However, the process by which the DNA/cell membrane interface responds to the electric field to enable the DNA to enter the cell is not well understood.
The most common use for electroporation-based gene delivery is for molecular biology research, where simple plate electrodes within cuvettes enable routine transformation of competent cells on the bench. Electroporation-based gene delivery has subsequently been extended to in situ, ex vivo, and in vivo applications with development of specialised electroporation systems. These electroporation systems include a variety of electrode designs and voltage pulse shaping as part of optimised electroporation parameters, along with custom electroporation solutions and electrodes, with pulse intensity, pulse duration and repetition frequency being key parameters. These systems have proved effective in facilitating research in a range of tissues, including developmental neurobiology applications.
However, electroporation is still considered problematic for therapeutic gene delivery due to low transformation efficiency, difficulty in placement of electrodes into tissues and the typically high voltages that need to be applied to destabilise the cell membrane. This can detrimentally affect the target organs and tissues, and may also impact on DNA stability.
Despite the breadth of uptake of electroporation both in vitro and in vivo, current technology has been limited to the application of electric fields utilising conventional electrode configurations (typically plates and needles separated by tissue).
To date, no reports exist of electroporation-based gene delivery into the mature bony cochlea, where paddle electrodes or penetrating needle electrodes are untenable. WO 2011/006204 reports use of a single electrode inserted into the base of the cochlea to deliver an electric field and an external current return electrode, with applications of up to 100 V and up to 20×50 ms pulses immediately after injecting plasmid DNA into the cochlea fluid compartments. This achieved a number of transfected cells expressing a fluorescence reporter protein, but transformation efficiency was limited, as was specificity for the region targeted for transformation.
There is therefore a need for improved techniques which allow for more efficient and/or more targeted transfection of cells in vivo.

Method and apparatus for close-field electroporation


A lens includes a surface that includes a seamless profile. The seamless profile is defined by at least one cubic polynomial function to provide a filtering surface that produces a controlled amount of spherical aberration.

Lenses typically have two shaped surfaces that concentrate or disperse electromagnetic waves, such as light. Each lens refracts (or bends) electromagnetic waves that pass through the lens, similar to the way a prism refracts light. Each lens is made out of an optically transparent or translucent material, such as glass or plastic. The refractive index of the lens material and curvature of the shaped surfaces define the refraction of the electromagnetic waves.
Lenses can be found in a broad range of applications including illumination optics and imaging optics. In illumination optics, a lens confines or directs light from a light source into a beam to direct the light into an intended area of illumination. For example, a lens can direct light from an office ceiling lamp in a cubicle to the work area in the cubicle, and not other work areas in other cubicles.
In imaging optics, a lens confines or directs light from an object image to the focal plane of the lens. The light in the focal plane of the lens can be captured on film or with an electronic imaging sensor, such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imaging device.
Digital imaging systems, such as digital picture cameras, digital video cameras, and optical navigation mice, are sampled data systems. These sampled data systems include one or more lenses and one or more electronic imaging sensors for capturing an object image. The electronic imaging sensors include photo detectors that sample the object image. If spatial frequencies in the object image are greater than half the spatial sampling frequency of the electronic imaging sensor, the spatial frequency information exceeds the Nyquist frequency for the digital imaging system and aliasing errors can occur. For example, the electronic imaging sensor may sample the object image at a sample rate of 100 samples per millimeter (mm). If spatial frequencies in the object image are greater than 50 samples per mm, the spatial frequency information exceeds the Nyquist frequency for the digital imaging system and aliasing errors can occur.
Lenses are typically not perfect. Each lens includes aberrations that reduce the sharpness of images viewed through the lens. As a result, each lens operates as a low pass filter that reduces the magnitude of high spatial frequency information passing through the lens, where high spatial frequency information corresponds to fine image detail and a sharper image. The spatial frequency response of a lens is referred to as the lens' modulation transfer function (MTF), which is the contrast at a given spatial frequency relative to the contrast at other spatial frequencies. Lenses in digital imaging systems that pass high spatial frequency information contribute to aliasing errors in the digital imaging system.
One type of anti-aliasing filter includes birefringent material, such as crystalline structures. The birefringent material refracts light in two directions to blur the object image and filter high spatial frequency information. However, anti-aliasing filters that include birefringent material can be expensive.
For these and other reasons there is a need for the present invention.

Lens having seamless profile defined by cubic polynomial function


In a method and apparatus for injection molding a multi-component mixture, in particular liquid silicone rubber; a starting material, containing at least two components and, optionally, at least one additive, is conveyed from a storage and metering assembly through a mixer for mixing the starting material, to a reservoir at an amount which is a multiple of an amount required for an injection molding cycle. The mixed starting material is transferred in increments from the reservoir to an injection unit of an injection molding machine. When the reservoir is emptied to a predetermined level a multiple of the amount of starting material required for the injection molding cycle is fed to the reservoir.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for injection molding multi-component mixtures, in particular liquid silicone rubber.
Silicone rubber is a generic term for a particular elastomer based on siloxane and has a chemical structure which is characterized by the siloxane chain (—Si—O—Si—O—), whereby organic methyl groups, phenyl groups, hydroxyl groups or the like are bounded as ligands. A distinction is made between solid silicone rubbers and liquid silicone rubbers (LSR) whereby the difference is characterized by their chain length. While liquid silicones are composed of a union of up to 1000 molecules, solid silicones contain a union of up to 6000–10000 molecules. As far as silicone cross-linking is concerned, two groups are distinguished: the RTV type (cross-linked at room temperature), and the HTV type (cross-linked at high temperature), i.e. cross-linked under hot-vulcanization condition.
The present invention relates primarily to the area of liquid silicones of the HTV type which become increasingly more relevant in the field of injection molding. This type of liquid silicones are two-component mixtures made of low viscous vinyl—or hydrogen-functional polysiloxanes with fillers and small quantities of a platinum catalyst which react according to the principle of the addition cross-linkage. The term "addition cross-linkage" denotes hereby a reaction of educts with one another under the influence of a catalyst to produce the end product, without formation of a cleavage product. These mixtures contain further an inhibitor, also called pot life regulator, to influence the period until commencement of cross-linkage. The inhibitor is added to one component whereas the catalytic cross-linkage agent is added to the other component of the two-component mixtures. This means in the context of liquid silicones that hydrogen-functional polysiloxane bonds with vinyl-functional polysiloxane under the influence of the catalyst which impacts only the reaction speed and is still in original state after the reaction.
Another method for making a two-component mixture involves peroxide cross-linkage where organic peroxides dissociate into free radicals as a consequence of the instability of the O—O bond under the influence of heat. The radicals react with the vinyl groups or methyl groups of the polysiloxane structure while forming hydroxyl compounds and enable in this way cross-linkage that leads to the formation of an atomic union between the individual monomers.
Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a conventional injection molding machine for injection molding formed parts made of liquid silicone rubber. Reference is also made in this context to German publication no. DE 34 003 09 A1. The injection molding machine includes a metering assembly 1 which has a storage tank 2 for containing component A, a storage tank 3 for containing component B as well as a storage tank 4 for containing an additive or a coloring agent F. A motor 5 drives barrel pumps 6, 7, 8 to transport the starting components A, B and the additive (or coloring agent) F through tubular conduits 9, 10, 11 via respective check valves 12, 13, 14 and a mixing head 15 to a static mixer 16. The actual mixing of the components is implemented in the static mixer 16 by means of flow dividing elements by which the material stream is layered many times. Subsequently, the mixture is fed via a shut-off valve 17 and a fitting 18 into the feed zone 19 of a plastification screw 20 of a plastification and injection unit 21. The rotary motion of the plastification screw 20 moves the material to an antechamber in front of the screw 20 in order to improve a mixing of the components through dynamic mixture. The screw cylinder is equipped with a water-based temperature-moderating structure to prevent excessive heating of the mixture. During subsequent injection operation, the screw 20 operates as plunger which forces material via a, not shown, cold runner system into a molding tool 22. Backflow of the very low-viscous mixture from the antechamber into the leading screw space is prevented by a particular backflow valve (LSR design) 23. Addition cross-linkage is realized in cavity 24 as soon as the required activation energy is exceeded as a result of a heating of the mixture. Vulcanization is effected at a temperature of about 170–200° C. and at cross-linking speeds of about 5 s/mm wall thickness of the formed part.
A main field of application for liquid silicone rubbers are small items such as, e.g., baby bottle nipples, mouth pieces of anesthetic equipments, and seals for various purposes, e.g., seal for a plunger of a syringe in the medical field or O rings in the automobile industry and engineering.
Conventional metering assemblies convey both components A and B at a particular, adjustable pressure from the storage tanks 2, 3, through the static mixer 16 directly into the plastification and injection unit 21 of the injection molding machine. As the distance traveled by the material during transport between the storage tanks 2, 3 and the plastification and injection unit 21 is oftentimes very long, the pressure may fluctuate in the area of the feed zone of the plastification and injection unit so that the material intake is uneven, resulting in metering variations or variations of the shot weight. In particular, when smallest amounts of liquid silicone are processed, problems can be encountered that adversely affect the overall quality of the molding result because injection of material may be insufficient or may even be excessive. Another problem involves the very small throughput of the components through the static mixer as a consequence of the small shot weights because the components are not thoroughly mixed enough.
It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to provide an improved method and apparatus for injection molding liquid silicone rubber or other mixtures comprised of several components, to obviate prior art shortcomings and to allow a thorough mixture of the components while avoiding pressure fluctuations in the area of the feed zone of the plastification and injection unit.

Method and apparatus for injection molding multi-component mixtures


An image scanning method includes pre-scanning a first document to generate a first original image according to the first document; adjusting parameter settings of the first original image to generate and store a plurality of pre-view images corresponding to different sets of parameters; pre-scanning a second document to generate a second original image according to the second document; and scanning the second document to generate a plurality of scanning images according to the different sets of parameters of the pre-view images. The parameter settings of the first original image include brightness, shadow, and contrast settings.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a method of image scanning and outputting, and more particularly to a method of image scanning and outputting, which is applied to an image scanner.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image scanners are known as essential devices in a variety of personal computer peripherals. Referring to FIG. 1, a flow chart of a conventional image scanning method is shown. The conventional scanning method includes following approaches. In the first step 110, a driver is actuated. Accordingly, in the step 120, a document to be scanned on a scan flat bed is pre-scanned for one time by a scanning module driven by the driver to generate an original image. Subsequently, in the step 130, parameter settings of the original image, such as brightness, shadow, and contrast settings, are adjusted by the user to generate a pre-view image. In the step 140, the document to be scanned is then scanned according to the pre-view image by the image scanner. Lastly, in the step 150, the image scanning process is completed to generate a scanning image.
As described above, in the conventional image scanning method, the document to be scanned is pre-scanned firstly to generate an original image. A pre-view image is then generated by adjusting parameter settings of the original image, such as brightness, shadow, and contrast setting. Lastly, the document to be scanned is scanned to generate the scanning image with the set of parameters of the pre-view image and complete the scanning process.
However, only one pre-view image with the adjusted parameter setting and only one set of parameters corresponding to the pre-view image are stored after the pre-scanning operation. When the only set of parameters is applied to the original image generated by pre-scanning another document to be scanned, only one pre-view image of another document to be scanned with the only set of parameters will be generated.
Consequently, the conventional image scanning method has the following disadvantages:
1. The scanning time is too long. The parameter settings of the previous document to be scanned fail to be applied to a new document to be scanned for outputting several scanning images with the same set of parameters. Therefore, the parameter settings should be adjusted again whenever a new document is to be scanned, which increases the scanning time.
2. It is easy to make mistakes during the operation of adjusting parameter settings again. To adjust parameter settings again not only complicates the scanning process but also makes the new adjusted parameter settings inconsistent with the parameter settings of the previous documents easily.


A fast burning, gasoline type composition for spark ignited internal combustion engines having a ASTM D-86, 90% distillation temperature of 310.degree. F. or less and an octane number (R+M)/2 of 80 or less that can be used with a reduced spark advance in the engines to effect a reduction in NOx exhaust emissions.

Pollutants produced by combustion include oxides of nitrogen which are more commonly referred to as NO.sub.x (where x is an integer which represents the number of oxygen atoms in the molecule). Such oxides include NO and NO.sub.2. In the combustion process NO.sub.x is formed by air (a gas containing nitrogen and oxygen) being subjected to high temperatures for a period of time. Recent studies have been made on lower 90% distillation temperature gasoline which show that faster burning gasoline (lower 90% distillation temperature) comes up to high temperature more rapidly increasing the time the nitrogen and oxygen in the air are exposed to high temperature thereby causing an increase in NO.sub.x (see the FIGURE). This type of fuel is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,356 which is incorporated herein by reference.
Gasolines now used as fuel in current spark ignited internal combustion engines require octane numbers (R+M)/2 falling almost entirely within the range of 84-94. Some engines require a higher octane gasoline than others depending on their compression ratio or carbon deposit buildup (age) in order to avoid or reduce engine "knock" or to improve fuel combustion efficiency.
Lower octane gasolines have been used in the past in low compression engines but were abandoned in common practice because of poor efficiency and power output. It would be highly desirable if lower octane gasolines could be efficiently used in currently available engines especially if their use resulted in reduction of NO.sub.x pollution.

E-gasoline II a special gasoline for modified spark ignited internal combustion engines


Liquid concentrate components of a fountain solution are provided, including a liquid film-forming fountain solution concentrate and a liquid surface-tension reducing fountain solution concentrate. The concentrates and water can be combined together to form a fountain solution composition.

Lithographic offset printing utilizes printing plates having a non-image area and an image area. With proper treatment, the image areas are hydrophobic and receptive to inks, and the non-image areas are hydrophilic and water receptive. During the printing process, it is necessary to continuously treat the plate with a water-based fountain solution (dampening solution) in order to maintain the hydrophilic character on the non-image areas.
While an offset printing press is running, fountain solution is continuously applied to the printing plate just before the application of the printing ink. The fountain solution is formulated to have an affinity for the non-image, hydrophilic areas of the plate and wets these areas. The thin film of fountain solution prevents the subsequent application of ink from covering the plate in a non-image area.
Fountain solution compositions vary widely to meet an assortment of applications. Different plate materials such as paper, polyester, and anodized aluminum require different chemistries. The type of printing, ink, paper, water and dampening system also plays a role in the type of fountain solution to be used.
A fountain solution or press ready mix is generally made from a fountain solution concentrate and water for most web applications, plus alcohol or an alcohol substitute for sheet fed and certain web applications. A fountain solution concentrate typically includes about 50-80% by wt water and selected components including film-formers such as gums, synthetic polymers, complex sugars, surfactants, solvents, acids and buffering agents to maintain the pH, desensitizing agents, biocides, non-piling agents, and chelating agents for hard water salts, for example. The surfactants and alcohol or alcohol substitutes act to promote plate wetting by lowering the surface tension of water to make the fountain solution spread more efficiently across the plate surface. The combination of components provide an environment that keeps the plate printing clean while maintaining good ink and water balance. Typically, a standard fountain concentrate is diluted with water to an about 1-5% by volume concentration in a day tank or recirculating system, more commonly to an about 3-5% by volume concentration.
Depicted in FIG. 1, is an exemplary conventional prior art system 10 for preparing fountain solutions that includes a mixing apparatus 12. In conventional systems, a pre-mixed fountain solution concentrate 14 and a water source 16 are flowed through inlets 18a, 18b into a mixer 12, and the reconstituted fountain solution 20 is flowed out of the mixer through a product outlet 22 to a supply tank (day tank) 24. The fountain solution 20 is conveyed through conduit 25 to a recirculating tank 26 where it is chilled to about 45-60° F., and then conveyed through conduit 27a to a press unit 28 for application to a printing plate (not shown). The used fountain solution 20 is then returned through conduit 27b to the recirculating tank 26 for re-cooling.
Thus, with conventional systems, a single concentrate containing the chemical components of a fountain solution is prepared ex situ and then diluted with water to provide a press-ready composition. In cases where an increase in desensitizer is required for a given plate type, the concentration of the fountain solution concentrate is increased, which also increases the concentration of wetting agents and other components of the fountain solution. In certain situations, the increased concentration of such other components can disturb the ink and water balance and reduce the quality of the printed image. It would be desirable to provide a system and a process that eliminates such disadvantages. It would also be desirable to provide a system that eliminates water from the fountain solution concentrate to conserve on space, usage rates and shipping costs.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method of generating a multi-modal prediction is disclosed herein. A computing system retrieves event data from a data store. The event data includes information for a plurality of events across a plurality of seasons. Computing system generates a predictive model using a mixture density network, by generating an input vector from the event data learning, by the mixture density network, a plurality of values associated with a next play following each play in the event data. The mixture density network is trained to output the plurality of values near simultaneously. Computing system receives a set of event data directed to an event in a match. The set of event data includes information directed to at least playing surface position and current score. Computing system generates, via the predictive model, a plurality of values associated with a next event following the event based on the set of event data.

For the past decade in sports analytics, the holy grail has been to find the "one best metric," which can best capture the performance of players and teams through the lens of winning. For example, expected metrics such as wins-above replacement (WAR) in baseball, expected points value (EPV) and efficiency metrics in basketball, and expected goal value in soccer are used as the "gold-standard" in team and player analysis. In American football, defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA) is, perhaps, the most respected and utilized advanced metric in the NFL. DVOA utilizes both an expected value and efficiency metric and analyzes the value of a play compared to expected for every play, and also normalizes the value for team, drive, and game context.

System and method for multi-task learning


A storage device attachable to a vehicle roof rack having a removable boat. The storage device comprises a base with a container. The boat is securely releasably attached in an inverted position to cover the container. A shape of the base conforms to a gunwale of the boat. The base has a flange and rim to engage a first side gunwale when the other side of the boat is lifted from the storage device. The boat is securely fastened to the base, such that the boat fits completely over the container to create a water-tight volume from the container base to the inside bottom of the boat. When the boat is released, securing means remain attached to the storage device, and the boat is easily lifted off of the storage device.

Although many travelers and sports enthusiast carry boats on trailers or inside a vehicle, such as an SUV, car, RV, truck and the like, many simply tie the boat to the roof of the vehicle. Problems arise when carrying a boat on the roof of a vehicle. The boat may shift in transit and damage the vehicle exterior or come off completely and damage another vehicle on the road. Certain boats, such as those made of wood and other materials, are heavy and difficult to lift on and off the vehicle roof. Other boats are wider or longer than the vehicle roof top and may tip if not secured to the bumpers of the vehicle. Ropes or straps used to secure the boat to the bumpers obscure the vision of the driver. When a boat is stored inside the vehicle, space for passengers and storage space for equipment and gear are reduced or eliminated.
There are a number of existing ways to carry a boat on a vehicle roof. Simple, heavy duty bars and racks are standard on, or may be added to many sports vehicles to aid in carrying equipment and gear. Tying the boat to existing racks, while simple, is time consuming, and may not be adequate to prevent the boat from slipping—or the ropes may become untied and cause the boat to fly off the roof with tragic results in traffic.
Thule AB (Murmansgatan 126, 212 25 Malmö, Sweden) and Yakima Products, Inc. (15025 SW Koll Pkwy., Beaverton, Oreg. 97006-6056) make roof rack systems for most cars, trucks, vans, SUVs and RVs to transport boats and kayaks. These systems typically comprise horizontal bars that extend the width of the vehicle with padded supports that cradle a boat or kayak on the vehicle roof rack. While providing better attachment, these systems have drawbacks. Loading and unloading a boat from a vehicle using these systems is difficult and typically takes two people. If the boat is attached to a base along a side, hinges are typically used. Engaging and disengaging the hinges is difficult and requires a ladder in larger profile vehicles. Kayaks present additional problems. Kayak users sometimes cinch tie lines too tightly, which can cause hull damage to the kayak.
Thule AB makes cargo boxes that attach to existing roof racks. Thule® cargo boxes are durable, side opening storage containers that are about 87″L×36″W×15″H. However, no storage space is typically included with boat or kayak rack systems for vehicles.
A need exists for an economical and cost-efficient lightweight boat sized to fit the roof-top of a vehicle that is securely fasted to the vehicle, but can be removed easily by one person. Combining such a boat with the ability to securely and safely store equipment and gear under the boat would be useful to travelers.


An artificial hands having more than one articulated digit wherein the digits are biased in a closed position by springs, and digits are opened by a cord attached to the dorsal side of the digit and a lever, wherein the lever is rotatably mounted to an anchoring plate and pulled by a cable; wherein the cable is pulled manually by means of a shoulder strap, or electronically by a motor.

Artificial hands are well-known in the art. Many artificial hands are biased open, they are at rest in the open position. These hands have an artificial look, in that normal human hands rest in a curved, closed position rather than a flat, spread open position. Further, many of the uses of for an artificial hand are for the closed position, such as gripping, lifting or carrying an object.
Artificial hands that are biased closed are also disclosed in the art. However, these devices are typically complicated, expensive, heavy and difficult to repair. Such hands are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,200,679, 4,685,924, 2,561,383, 2,500,614, 2,285,885 and 1,742,269. The present invention is operated without the use of motors, is simple to construct and repair, is robust, and provides the user with the ability to grasp and lift objects such as a glass to drink from or even to catch a ball.
A mechanical hand amusement device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,650 that discloses articulated digits biased in the open position. The digits are flexed by a flexible strap that is moved by a hand grip. U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,650 fails to disclose the present invention which provides the user with the ability to grasp and carry objects without the use of a human hand, wherein the prosthetic device has more than one articulated joints.


In a properly calibrated accelerator pedal sensor that provides a signal representative of pedal position to an electronic control module for the engine, the point at which the associated idle validation switch switches to distinguish idle from non-idle lies within a limited range of positions proximate closed throttle. The invention is a method for performing an in-vehicle test that can quickly determine if the switch point is in or out of calibration. A jumper is inserted between the sensor and the vehicle wiring harness that normally connects to the sensor. The jumper comprises several test points to which a voltmeter can be connected to measure certain voltages during the test and two LED's that are observed during the test. A special slide calculator is used to convert certain test data into a form that can be readily compared with other test data to make the determination regarding the idle validation switch.

The typical automotive vehicle comprises an accelerator pedal for operating the vehicle's powerplant. Historically, mechanical linkages have been used to couple the pedal with a device that regulates the amount of fuel that is introduced into the engine. With the advent of electronics in controlling engines, coupling of an accelerator pedal with an engine can involve the use of an accelerator pedal sensor that converts a pedal position input into an electrical output that is delivered to an electronic control module (ECM) that in turn controls the engine.
One type of accelerator pedal sensor comprises a potentiometer whose tap is coupled with an accelerator pedal input such that the potentiometer output is correlated with the pedal input. Additionally, this accelerator pedal sensor comprises an idle validation switch that switches at a position proximate closed throttle position for the purpose of distinguishing between idle and non-idle. The position at which the idle validation switch switches is correlated with the position of the potentiometer tap, and when tolerances are taken into account, this position will, in an acceptable pedal sensor, lie within a range of acceptable positions proximate closed throttle. If the actual switching point lies outside of this range of acceptable positions, the sensor is deemed to be out of calibration, and hence unacceptable.
When a number of vehicles each having such an accelerator pedal sensor were placed in service, actual experience showed that testing of the accelerator pedal sensor was often performed as part of diagnostic procedures for those vehicles. The manufacturer's published test procedure for the sensor comprises a number of steps that are documented by eleven pages in a service manual. For whatever reason, actual experience has also shown that many of the accelerator pedal sensors that are deemed out of calibration by servicing personnel in the field, are actually found not to be out of calibration when returned to the manufacturer.
It is believed that a better testing procedure can significantly reduce the number of allegedly out-of-calibration sensors that are returned to the manufacturer and subsequently found not to be out of calibration. It is to an improved sensor testing procedure for achieving such reduction that the present invention is directed. By utilizing the improved procedure of the invention, it is believed that field servicing personnel will be better able to distinguish an out-of-calibration sensor from a properly calibrated one so that it will become less likely either that a properly calibrated sensor will be returned to the manufacturer under an erroneous warranty claim or that a customer will have to pay for replacement of a sensor that does not need to be replaced. Because it will eliminate many erroneous diagnoses, the method of the invention is expected to improve field servicing, and in turn, customer satisfaction.
The present invention provides several significant advantages over the prior procedure that spans eleven pages of a service manual: it can be performed more easily, more quickly, and more accurately. The economy in time and the improvement in accuracy should yield meaningful savings to the customer, the servicer, and the manufacturer, and lead to better relations among all concerned.
In a presently preferred embodiment of the inventive method, the only special equipment needed to perform a test comprises a special jumper, a special instruction and data entry sheet, and a special slide calculator. The special jumper is inserted between existing wiring connectors in a vehicle to enable the sensor to be tested without removing it from the vehicle. The special jumper comprises an interface box containing two LED indicators that are observed by servicing personnel during a test. The interface box also comprises test points to which servicing personnel can connect their own voltmeter to measure certain voltages during a test. The special instruction and data entry sheet provides an organized format for entry of certain data obtained during a test. This data is used in reaching a determination as to whether a sensor is in or out of calibration, and the sheet itself serves as a written record of the test data. The special slide calculator contains instructions for its own use and serves to enable certain test data be quickly converted into data against which other test data is compared in reaching the determination. A final piece of equipment that is used during a test is a voltmeter, preferably a digital one, which is typically a piece of standard service equipment belonging to servicing personnel.
A detailed description of the invention will now be given with reference to the accompanying drawings that show a presently preferred embodiment according to the best mode contemplated at this time for carrying out the invention.

Navistar International Transportation Corp.