A hydrocarbyl polyoxyalkylene urethane of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an alkyl, an alicyclic or an alkylalicyclic radical having from about 4 to about 30 carbon atoms or an alkylaryl where the alkyl group is from about 4 to about 30 carbon atoms; x is an integer from 0 to about 5, y is an integer from 1 to about 49, z is an integer from 1 to about 49 and the sum of x+y+z is equal to 3 to about 50; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each is different and is an alkyl group of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and each oxyalkylene radical can be any combination of repeating oxyalkylene units to form block or random copolymers; R.sup.4 is the same as R.sup.2 or R.sup.3 ; R.sup.5 is hydrogen or ##STR2## where R.sup.7 is hydrogen or an alkyl group of from 1 to 5 carbon atoms and R.sup.6 is an divalent alkylene radical of 1 to about 12 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with at least one hydrocarbyl substituent of from 1 to about 50 carbon atoms and an internal combustion engine fuel composition containing same are provided.

This invention relates to a hydrocarbyl polyoxyalkylene urethane and to an internal combustion engine fuel composition containing same.
The combustion of fuel in an internal combustion engine typically results in the formation and accumulation of deposits on various parts of the combustion chamber and on the fuel intake and exhaust systems of the engine. The presence of these deposits in the combustion chamber often result in the following problems: (1) reduction in the operating efficiency of the engine; (2) inhibition in the heat transfer between the combustion chamber and the engine cooling system; and (3) reduction in the volume of the combustion zone which can cause a higher than design compression ratio in the engine. A knocking engine can also result from deposits forming and accumulating in the combustion chamber. A prolonged period of a knocking engine can result in stress fatigue and wear in engine components such as, for example, pistons, connecting rods bearings and cam rods.
The formation and accumulation of intake valve deposits can interfere with valve closing which eventually can result in valve burning. Such deposits can also interfere with valve motion and valve seating which tend to reduce the volumetric efficiency of the engine and limit the maximum design power.
Deposits can also collect in the tubes and runners that are part of the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow. The collection of these deposits can reduce the EGR flow. This will result in a knocking engine and an increase in nitric oxide emissions.
In view of the foregoing problems associated with the formation and accumulation of deposits in the combustion chamber and fuel intake and exhaust systems of an internal combustion engine, efforts have been made to develop fuel additives which will inhibit the deposition of deposits in the engine. Illustrative of such fuel additives are the amino alkanolamines of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,234,478 and 5,383,942 and the alkylphenoxypolyoxyalkylene amine lactones of U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,364.

Polyoxyalkylene urethane and fuel composition containing same


A video encoding method for reducing encoding error by using a loop filter is provided, the method including: generating a reconstructed image from encoded data of an original image; determining one or more regions on which the loop filter is applied in the reconstructed image; transforming the original image and the reconstructed image which correspond to each region of the determined one or more regions from a spatial domain into a frequency domain; determining loop filter coefficients for said each region by comparing the transformed original image and the transformed reconstructed image; loop-filtering the reconstructed image based on the loop filter coefficients for said each region; and encoding information on the loop filter coefficients for said each region.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and do not constitute prior art.
Decoding a previously compressed and encoded video adds a quantization error and a noise to the decoded video. The inventor(s) has experienced that the video with added quantization error and noise deteriorates the picture quality of the playback video and reduces the prediction efficiency when using the video as a reference image. Therefore, the inventor(s) has noted that using the loop filter is popular as an effective way to reduce the quantization error and noise for improving the picture quality of the playback video and to reduce the difference between the original video and the reconstructed video for increasing the prediction efficiency. The loop filter applies Wiener filters to the reconstructed video for making a sum of squared error (SSE) between the original video and reconstructed video. In order to apply the filter, the video encoding apparatus encodes filter coefficients and flags, which improves the operation efficiency.
In particular, the inventor(s) has noted that in case of inter-frame which uses previously encoded frame, the loop filter improves the efficiency of prediction and thus significantly reduces the amount of bits to be encoded and accordingly enhances the encoding efficiency.
However, the inventor(s) has experienced that in the loop filter according to the prior art, a loop filtering is performed by convoluting the Wiener filter by the unit of pixel. The inventor(s) has experienced that according to such prior art, the greater the size of the Wiener filter, the more complex the video encoding and decoding apparatuses become, and filtering a current pixel needs to use neighboring pixels.

Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding image by using adaptive loop filter on frequency domain using conversion


An optical element is disclosed which has a reflection suppressing function and a color balance correcting function in a minute periodic structure. The optical element has a base member and a minute periodic structure which is provided on a surface of the base member and has a period smaller than a wavelength of incident light on the optical element. The minute periodic structure has a characteristic that the reflectance of light a first wavelength on a short wavelength side in a wavelength range of the incident light is lower than the reflectance of light at a second wavelength on a long wavelength side in the wavelength range of the incident light.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical element having a minute periodic structure with a period smaller than the wavelength of incident light.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various optical elements are used in optical systems for use in an optical apparatus such as a silver-haloid camera, a digital still camera, a video camera, and a projector.
When light passes through an interface between media with different refractive indexes, for example between air and glass, Fresnel reflection occurs to cause degraded optical performance.
An approach to suppress the Fresnel reflection is to provide a reflection suppressing function by applying a low refractive index material such as MgF2 and SiO2 with an appropriate thickness to a surface of an optical element. In addition, an approach recently proposed is to use a reflection suppressing function provided by a minute periodic structure with a period smaller than the wavelength of incident light.
Such an element with the reflection suppressing function having a minute periodic structure has been proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. S58 (1983)-174906, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H1 (1989)-252902, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-183506.
In each of such elements with the reflection suppressing function, since a minute periodic structure is formed directly on a substrate, more flexible design is allowed because of no limitations on the low refractive index material as compared with the case where the thin film is used. When molding is employed to simultaneously form the substrate and the minute periodic structure, the advantage of cost is provided.
The aforementioned proposals, however, do not clearly describe the specific uses of the elements with the reflection suppressing function having minute periodic structures.
By way of example, consider a single lens having a thickness of 10 mm, a radius of curvature R1 of a surface on an object side equal to 100 mm, a radius of curvature R2 of a surface on an image plane side equal to −100 mm, a refractive index Nd of a material equal to 1.84666, and an Abbe number vd equal to 23.8.
A characteristic curve A in a graph of FIG. 9 represents spectral transmittance as an optical system when the single lens have neither a minute periodic structure nor an anti-reflection film formed thereon. In the graph of FIG. 9, the horizontal axis represents a wavelength, and the vertical axis represents the spectral transmittance.
If the optical system having the single lens is used to take images with a silver-haloid film, color representations in taken images are determined by the spectral transmittance of the optical system and the sensitivity of the film. In the spectral transmittance shown as the characteristic curve A in FIG. 9, the transmittance is relatively low at shorter wavelengths, so that white color does not appear as pure while in taken images but looks as yellowy white.

Optical element having minute periodic structure


A process for fabricating a multilayer ceramic circuit board which includes the steps of (i) providing a sintered ceramic substrate having optionally formed via holes already filled with a conductive paste or a conductive substance, (ii) optionally applying an insulating paste layer in a prescribed pattern on one side or each side of the ceramic substrate, (iii) then, providing a ceramic green tape and forming via holes in the green tape, (iv) applying a conductive paste to form a conductive pattern on one side of the green tape, (v) laminating the green tape to one side or each side of the ceramic substrate so that the conductive pattern of the green tape faces the substrate, (vi) optionally pressing and heating the laminate from step (v), and (vii) applying a conductive paste to form a conductive pattern on the other side of the green tape and filling the via holes of the green tape with a conductive paste, before or after step (v).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for fabricating a multilayer ceramic circuit board, wherein a green tape is laminated on a sintered ceramic substrate, followed by sintering, so as to avoid a distortion of the laminate due to shrinkage of the green tape during the sintering.
2. Discussion of Background
As a method for fabricating a multilayer ceramic circuit board having excellent strength, a method has been reported which comprises laminating a green tape on one side of a sintered ceramic substrate having a conductive pattern formed on its surface, then printing a conductive pattern on the surface of the green tape, and further laminating a green tape thereon (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,645,552 and 4,799,984). However, this method requires sintering each time when a green tape is laminated. Accordingly, the number of process steps increases. The conductive pattern formed on the sintered ceramic substrate is raised from the surface of the ceramic substrate, and the green tape laminated thereon will have irregularities on its surface, whereby it will be difficult to form a fine conductive pattern on such a green tape. Further, if a defect is found in a green tape after lamination, such a tape can not be replaced, and the entire assembly of the sintered ceramic substrate and the green tape laminated thereon will be wasted. Thus, the productivity used to be poor.

Process for fabricating a multilayer ceramic circuit board


The present invention relates generally to a system and method of managing a Push To Talk (PTT) conversation while the recipient is watching television. PTT messages may be conveyed by an initiator to a recipient through the use of a telephone connected to a network. The network is also connected to either a set top box (STB) or a Digital Video Recorder (DVR). Within the network resides a presence state machine, which determines if a PTT conversation may be initiated. Upon initiation of a PTT conversation the presence state machine may pause the television by a command to the STB or DVR. If the television has been paused, upon termination of the PTT conversation, the presence state machine instructs the STB or DVR to resume television display.

Push to Talk (PTT) refers to a technology provided by cell phone network providers and cell phone manufacturers. In use, a person wishing to place a PTT call presses a single button and is connected with their intended recipient or group of recipients. Conversation between the initiator of the PTT call and the recipient(s) is akin to what is commonly referred to as "walkie-talkie". In such conversations, only one person may speak at a time, once that person is finished speaking, another may take their turn. PTT is typically used for brief communications, but it can be effective in many situations and has become quite popular among many cell phone users. A parallel in Internet communication would be instant messaging. As with instant messaging, PTT is not efficient for lengthy or complex conversations, but does provide for rapid contact. Just like a walkie-talkie.
Upon receiving a request for a PTT conversation, the recipient must answer the telephone to receive the PTT conversation. Should a recipient of a PTT request be watching television when the request is received, the recipient may desire to have their television viewing automatically paused while accepting the request, or to simply ignore the request. The present invention provides both of these options to the recipient.

System and method for controlling push to talk interruptions while watching television


The present invention is directed to a multiple camera system which captures a photo image on film and captures and stores an electronic image on a magnetic recording media. The system has two operating states. In the "compose" or "view" state the electronic image channel is operated at a first gain setting, color temperature and F-stop to provide a real time moving image on a monitor. In the capture state the electronic gain, color temperature, and F-stop of the electronic camera are altered to collect or capture an electronic image during strobe illumination. The system utilizes a pair of dedicated zoom lenses, which are mechanically corrected for parallax error and the focal length of the two lenses are matched and linked together so that their focal lengths may be altered simultaneously by the operator.

There are camera systems available which combine a video or electronic imaging system with a photographic still camera. In devices of this type the electronic image is immediately available for "proofing" and the like. However it is important that the pose captured by the electronic system be identical to the pose captured by the photographic media. It is also important that the color rendition and other qualitative parameters between the electronically recorded and photographically recorded images, closely match as an aid to the proofing process. Attainment of this goal has remained elusive in practice.
One approach to the problems described above is taught by U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,037 to Noble et al. This patent teaches the use of an optical beam splitter device which divides the image. The electronic camera portion of the system records a video image promptly after the termination of the "strobe" or flash illumination which is used to capture the photo image.

Synchronized zoom electronic camera system


A testing system for a wafer having a plurality of flash memory dies is provided. The testing system includes a testing apparatus and a probe card coupled to the testing apparatus via a specific transmission line. The testing apparatus provides a testing requirement. The probe card includes a plurality of probes and a controller. The probes contact with at least one of the flash memory dies of the wafer. The controller writes a testing data to the flash memory die according to the testing requirement and reads the testing data from the flash memory die via the probes. The controller provides a testing result to the testing apparatus according to the read testing data.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a testing system, and more particularly to a testing system of a flash memory.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, flash memory has been made to have the characteristics of data non-volatility, low power consumption, a compact size, and a non-mechanical structure. Hence, flash memory has been adapted for various electronic devices, especially portable electronic devices.
In general, a flash memory chip of a flash memory storage device comprises one or more flash memory dies according to various storage capacities. Before the flash memory die is packaged in a flash memory chip, a wafer sorting test is performed, so as to test each memory die of the wafer. After completing the wafer sorting test, good memory dies will be packaged into a chip, e. g. multi-chip package (MCP). If the memory dies of the wafer are not entirely tested before a multi-chip is packaged, a chip may be discarded due to some defective memory dies when a package final test is performed for the chip. Thus, damage is made to good memory dies of the chip and package cost is increased.
Furthermore, the testing apparatuses are complex and expensive for wafer sorting tests. Traditionally, when a wafer sorting test is performed, automatic test equipment (ATE) may write a great quantity of testing data into the die of the wafer to be tested, and then read the written data from the die to be tested. Next, the ATE performs an error checking and correcting (ECC) procedure, to determine whether the die to be tested has defects. Because a great quantity of data is needed for an ECC procedure, a higher level ATE is used to test various memory dies simultaneously. If a lower level ATE is used, it is unable to test various memory dies simultaneously, thereby increasing test time and test cost.
Therefore, a testing apparatus and method thereof for decreasing test costs are desired.

Testing system and testing method thereof


A system for developing a metal workpiece in which the center and the periphery have different properties. The workpiece is processed to put it into a first metallurgical condition. Then, a portion of the periphery is dipped into a molten salt bath and the workpiece is rotated so that the periphery is converted to a second metallurgical condition by the heat of the salt bath.

The present invention relates in general to the heat treatment of metals and, more particularly, to the heat treatment of superalloy workpieces in which there is a conflict between the desired properties of the center versus those of the periphery.
In the gas turbine engine industry, to which the present invention has particular application, the achievement of absolute maximum engine performance is often limited by the properties of the materials from which the engines are fabricated. The art and science of alloying and treatment of metals to maximize desired properties has developed to a high level of sophistication. These advances in technology can be frustrated, however, when the properties which must be maximized are contradictory, that is, when the maximizing of one property necessarily precludes maximizing another important property. Where the contradictory properties must exist in the same location in the workpiece, a compromise and some sacrifice of one or both of the properties are almost inevitable.
There is one type of situation where the compromise may be avoided. This is when one of the contradictory properties must exist in a first portion of the workpiece and the other contradictory property must exist in another portion of the workpiece. Theoretically, one need only process the workpiece to maximize the properties appropriate to each portion of the workpiece. There are, however, practical problems with achieving this result.
One situation where the contradictory properties exist on separate portions of the workpiece concerns gas turbine engine discs. In operation, these discs are exposed to extremes and cycles of high temperatures and force, as they rotate at speeds in the order of 10,000 rpm. Air foils are dove-tailed into the periphery of the disc and extend radially from the disc. As the turbine rotates at high speed, the dovetail joint between the periphery of the disc and each blade is exposed to extreme stress. Because the periphery is the part of the disc which is exposed to the highest temperatures, high temperature creep resistance becomes a critical property. Its upper limit, in terms of temperature and force, places a limit on the efficiency and capacity of the turbine of which the disk is a part. Generally, in the alloys used in this-application, a coarse grain structure possesses higher creep resistance than a fine grain structure.
The problem of contradictory properties exists in the disc because, whereas the periphery should have relatively coarse grain, the central portion should have relatively fine grain. To maximize the efficiency and capacity of a gas turbine, it is desirable to maximize the tensile strength and low cycle fatigue resistance of the central portion of the discs. This is achieved by relatively fine grain sizes.
The problem of contradictory properties in gas turbine discs is often further complicated by the fact that, in high performance turbines, it is often the case that reliability must approach 100%, because of the consequences of disc failure. Destructive testing becomes impractical, yet nondestructive testing is often not sufficiently indicative of flaws. Thus, practical manufacture of the turbine discs must often rely on the consistent predictability of the results of the processing. This means that the result of the processing must not only be inherently predictable, but also, the process must be capable of being efficiently monitored to be sure that it is being carried out in accordance with the specifications.
With regard to the turbine disc problem, several approaches could be considered. First, the disc could be formed in two pieces; an inner ring and an outer ring. Each could be processed to have its own properties. Then the rings could be welded or diffusion bonded together. Both welding and diffusion bonding, however, can have serious predictability problems and can cause undesirable changes in the properties of the workpieces.
Second, it would be possible to heat treat the whole disc to a coarse state and then forge the central portion to reduce the grain and cause work hardening. This approach can have predictability problems, would be very complicated to carry out effectively, and would provide poor control of the nature and location of the interface between the two portions. Furthermore, the tooling necessary to carry out the process would be very expensive to develop and would be limited to a specific workpiece and a specific set of properties, i.e., it would be inflexible.
Third, it would be possible to treat the entire disc to form fine grain and then to heat the periphery to coarsen the grain by induction heating. It was found that induction heating can be a very imprecise way of heating a specific portion of the disc and could not always be sufficiently controlled to provide reproducible results, with respect to both grain size and interface nature and location.
These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.
It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide a dual-property workpiece system which can be implemented with a new combination of relatively simple, time-tested equipment and operations.
Another object of this invention is the provision of a dual-property workpiece system which provides precisely predictable results.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a dual-property workpiece system in which the variables can be precisely controlled, monitored and recorded.
It is another object of the instant invention to provide a dual-property workpiece system which can be easily and inexpensively tailored to create a wide range of results in terms to geometry and properties.
A still further object of the invention is the provision of a dual-property workpiece system which is fully compatible with other operations on the workpiece.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a dual-property workpiece system which can create workpieces having geometric property distributions and gradations not practically possible with any other system.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of steps and the details of the structure hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

System for peripheral differential heat treatemnt to form dual-property workpiece


A method according to one embodiment may include: at least one of transmitting and receiving a first portion of a first protected data block within a first frame; and at least one of transmitting and receiving a second portion of the first protected data block within a second frame. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.

Various communication protocols are known for communicating between a sending device and a receiving device. Typically, the communication protocol in a data storage system defines a maximum frame size and various data blocks are transmitted within these frames between the sending device and receiving device. An integer number of data blocks are typically transmitted within each frame and in some instances this may be accomplished with relatively little unused space in the frame.
However, as frame sizes change and/or the size of data blocks change, limiting the number of data blocks within a frame to an integer number may result in an increasing amount of unused space in the data frame. Hence, this results in a reduced utilization of the frame and increased system latency.

Communicating using a partial block in a frame


An image display is disclosed, in which a reference signal is superimposed on image signal in a fly-back period for controlling the bias voltage on the cathode of the CRT or the reference signal or the bias voltage on the grid G2 of the CRT such as to make the beam current in the CRT cathode to be constant by detecting the beam current in the reference signal period, while also obtaining brightness control. The image display comprises a stub pulse generator 2 for providing a stub on the black level side more than the image signal pedestal level, and an adder 3 for superimposing the stub pulse on the image signal. It is possible to change the reference signal voltage level to be on the black level side more than the image signal pedestal level, extend the brightness range, and obtain back luster float-up.

The present invention relates to a variable black level bias image display for video projectors and television receivers and, more particularly, to an image display, in which a reference signal is superimposed on an image signal in the horizontal or vertical fly-back time for feed-back control of the beam current in the CRT cathode by detecting the beam current in the reference signal period and also for a black level bias voltage control according to the signal level of the reference signal.
A prior art image display of the pertaining type has a circuit, which superimposes a reference signal on an image signal in the horizontal or vertical fly-back time for controlling the grid G1 or G2 or cathode of a CRT such as to make the cathode beam current therein constant by detecting the beam current in the reference signal period, as well as for brightness control.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a prior art image display circuit. FIG. 7 is a waveform chart showing waveforms appearing in various parts of the circuit shown in FIG. 6.
An image signal is inputted to an input terminal 1. A reference signal generator 4 outputs a reference signal during the horizontal or vertical fly-back time. An adder 5 superimposes the reference signal on the image signal. An image amplifier 6 amplifies the output of the adder 5, i.e., the image signal with the reference signal added thereto. The amplified image signal is coupled through a beam current detector 7 to the cathode of a CRT 8.
The beam current detector 7 detects a beam current flowing through the cathode of the CRT 8, and converts the detected beam current into a corresponding voltage. The converted voltage is fed to a sample-hold circuit 9. The sample-hold circuit 9 samples the converted voltage at the timing of the input of the reference signal from the reference signal generator 4, and holds the sampled voltage until the input of the next reference signal.
The sampled and held voltage is fed to an inverted input terminal of a voltage comparator 11. A reference voltage 10 is applied to a non-inverted input terminal of the voltage comparator 11. The voltage comparator 11 compares the voltages at the inverted and non-inverted input terminals, and feeds a voltage corresponding to the difference to a bias amplifier 12. The bias amplifier 12 feeds an output signal to the grid G2 of the CRT 8.
The operation of the above image display circuit will now be descried.
The reference signal provided from the reference signal generator 4 is added to the input image signal. The resultant image signal is amplified in the image amplifier 6 to a prescribed voltage level. The amplified signal is coupled through the beam current detector to the cathode of the CRT 8. A beam current corresponding to the coupled signal is caused to flow through the cathode of the CRT 8. The beam current detector 7 detects the beam current and converts the detected beam current into a voltage. The converted voltage is fed to the sample/hold circuit 9. The sample/hold circuit 9 samples the converted voltage in the reference signal period in correspondence to the timing of the reference signal. The sampled voltage is held until the input of the next reference signal. The voltage that is held is fed to the inverted input terminal of the voltage comparator 11.
The reference voltage 10 is applied to the non-inverted input terminal of the voltage comparator 11. The voltage comparator 11 provides the difference voltage to the bias amplifier 12. The bias amplifier 12 feeds an output signal to the grid G2 of the CRT 8.
When the sampled voltage is higher than the reference voltage 10, the voltage comparator 11 reduces the output voltage, thus reducing the output of the bias amplifier 12 to reduce the beam current. On the other hand, when the sampled voltage is lower than the reference voltage 10, the voltage fed to the grid G2 is increased to increase the beam current. It will be seen that the voltage comparator 11 functions to make the sampled voltage to be equal to the reference voltage.
FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) show the relation between the cathode voltage amplitude and the brightness when the amplitude of the reference signal in the above image display circuit is controlled. By increasing the amplitude of the reference signal, the image is caused to sink to the black level side. By reducing the amplitude of the reference signal, on the other hand, the image floats up to the white level side. In this way, the brightness control is obtained.
The above prior art image display had the following problem.
Referring to FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B), when the detected level of the reference signal is set to the vicinity of the black level (i.e., cut-off level) (FIG. 8(A)) by reducing the reference voltage 10 for making the reference signal to be dark, the maximum brightness point on the screen is one, at which the reference signal coincides with the image signal pedestal level. Since the image signal pedestal level is substantially the same as the black level, no back luster float-up can be obtained, and the brightness range is insufficient.
When the detected level of the reference signal is set to be on the white level side more than the black level (FIG. 8(B)) by increasing the reference voltage 10, the maximum brightness at this time is one, at which the image signal pedestal level is on the white level side more than the black level. Thus, the back luster float-up can be obtained, and the brightness range is sufficient. However, since the detected level of the reference signal is shifted to the white level side, the reference signal provides a bright image.
That is, by making the image brighter, i.e., providing a sufficient brightness range, the reference signal provides a considerably bright image. This is so for the following reason. To detect the beam current, it is necessary to cause the beam current to flow through the CRT 8. By causing the beam current, the CRT 8 becomes bright. This is why the reference signal provides a bright image.
Well-known image displays are disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 56-007575 and Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 56-114171 (both published on 1981). These techniques seek to suppress the CRT beam current when an excessive input signal appears. To this end, the amplification factor concerning the image signal or the clamp level is controlled. Therefore, in these cases the reference screen brightness or shade is varied. For this reason, it has been inevitable to adopt the image display circuit as described above for permitting brightness control by holding fixed brightness or shade.


The invention provides a deep ocean current power plant. In one embodiment, the deep ocean current power plant comprises at least one relay platform, a plurality of platform anchorage cables, a plurality of turbine generators, and power conversion equipment. The at least one relay platform floats and is submerged in a deep ocean current. The platform anchorage cables anchor the relay platform to a seabed. The turbine generators are anchored to the relay platform, and convert kinetic energy of the deep ocean current into electrical energy. The power conversion equipment is installed on the relay platform, gathers the electrical energy generated by the turbine generators to generate an electrical power, and modulates the electrical power to be transmitted to a land power station.

Currently, there is no precedent of building a deep ocean current power plant in the world, but there are many testing turbines designed for tidal power plants in shallow sea of which the depth is within 20 meters. For example, the company, Seagen & Seaflow based in UK, set up a single turbine of 300 kW named SeaFlow in Lynmouth, on the North Devon Coast of the United Kingdom on May 2003 (refer to Kuroshio power plant development plan. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 14 (2010) 2655-2668). In 2008, Strangford Lough of Northern Ireland successfully set up a dual turbine of 1.2 MW named SeaGen (refer to Kuroshio power plant development plan. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 14 (2010) 2655-2668). The generator which is running approximately 18-20 h/day has a link to the local power grid.
Recently, a demonstrative power plant with a power capacity of 20-25 kW located on the coast of British Columbia province in Canada, and the Retrofit Bridge Project located in Tacoma City, Wash. state in United States will set up Davis Hydro Turbines under the bridge (refer to Kuroshio power plant development plan. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 14 (2010) 2655-2668). The above projects are still categorized into tidal power plants in shallow sea.
A deep ocean current power plant is the power project in Gulf Stream belonging to Florida Atlantic University (refer to Kuroshio power plant development plan. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 14 (2010) 2655-2668). The nature of ocean currents in the two places is similar in the depth which is mostly more than hundreds of meters. However, the present invention uses different power plant structure and techniques.

Deep ocean current power plant and constructing procedure thereof


A hybrid infrared focal plane array detector employs a detector layer and transparent substrate bonded to a thin semiconductor readout integrated circuit and thicker readout circuit substrate. The readout circuit is rigidly bonded to the readout substrate to form a composite structure having a thermal coefficient of expansion substantially matching that of the detector portion. The hybrid device may be cooled from room temperature to cryogenic operation temperatures without thermal mismatch structural problems.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to infrared detector hybrid arrays. More particularly, the present invention relates to infrared detector hybrid arrays including an infrared detector array mounted on a readout circuit.
2. Description of the Prior Art and Related Information
Infrared detection systems are of significant technological importance for both military and civilian space based and terrestrial monitoring applications. High performance infrared detection systems, typically referred to as infrared focal plane arrays, employ an infrared detector array coupled to a readout circuit. In so-called "backside illuminated" systems, a hybrid detector/readout structure is formed by mounting the detector on top of the readout chip. The detector may typically employ a thin layer of detector material, chosen for sensitivity to the infrared frequency range to be monitored, formed on a suitable substrate transparent to infrared radiation in the frequency range desired. An array of photodetectors is formed in the thin layer of detector material. This detector array is then directly mounted on a readout circuit which is typically a conventional silicon integrated circuit having the necessary circuitry for picking up the signals detected by the detector array, amplifying them and processing them for the specific monitoring application.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional prior art hybrid infrared detector array is illustrated in cross-section. The conventional hybrid array includes a monolithic detector array 1 which includes, for example, a cadmium-telluride (CdTe) substrate 2 with a relatively thin active infrared detection layer 3 of HgCdTe on one major surface thereof. As shown, the IR radiation to be detected enters the detector through the IR transparent substrate. The infrared detector array 1 is "bump-bonded" to a readout circuit 4. The readout circuit 4 will typically be manufactured using conventional integrated circuit semiconductor processing technology and will thus have a silicon substrate 5 with the desired readout circuit formed on the upper surface 6 thereof. The conventional "bump-bonding" technique employs indium interconnects 7. These indium bumps 7 provide both the electrical interconnects between the infrared detector array 1 and the silicon readout circuit 4, as well as providing mechanical bonding between the detector array 1 and readout circuit 4. An epoxy bonding material (not shown) is also commonly employed to further bond the detector array 1 and readout circuit 4.
The indium bump bonded hybrid detector array, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, has the advantage that relatively large two-dimensional arrays may be fabricated. Additionally, the indium bump bonding technique provides low resistance and low capacitance interconnection between the detector 1 and the readout circuit 4.
One significant disadvantage of the prior art infrared detector array of FIG. 1, however, is the lack of reliability introduced by virtue of the difference in the temperature coefficient of thermal expansion between the detector array 1 and the readout circuit 4. The hybrids are manufactured at room temperature under zero stress but operated at very low temperatures, typically less than 100.degree. K. As a result, considerable stress is introduced at the junction of the detector 1 and the readout circuit 4 due to the thermal mismatch. The significance of this problem may be appreciated by comparing the coefficients of expansion of various materials potentially involved in such hybrids through the temperature range of 30.degree.-300.degree. K., as illustrated in FIG. 2. As will be appreciated from FIG. 2, a significant difference in the coefficient of expansion exists between silicon, HgTe and CdTe throughout most of this temperature range.
In practice, the thermal mismatch problem manifests itself as either physical damage in the hybrid array or degraded performance. The physical damage may manifest itself as either local or global delamination of the hybrid, i.e., actual separation of the indium bumps between the detector and readout circuit, or cracking of the detector array. The performance degradation may manifest itself as lack of uniformity between arrays, within an array, or as a general reduction in performance specifications. Additionally, the magnitude of the thermal mismatch problem is directly proportional to the size of the array. For example, for arrays of one inch by one inch, more than 17 microns of mismatch exists between the silicon readout circuit and a HgCdTe detector array after cooling from room temperature to a cryogenic temperature of about 77.degree. K. As a result, in practice the size of practical hybrid arrays have been limited to about 0.25 inches by 0.25 inches by the thermal mismatch and associated reliability problems. This limitation in size has occurred despite the key advantage of large arrays for infrared detection sensitivity and spatial resolution capability.
Several methods have been employed in the prior art to attempt to overcome the thermal mismatch problem and allow increased size detector arrays. One such approach has been to employ taller indium bumps 7, the taller bumps allowing some lateral bending of the bumps to accommodate the thermal mismatch before delamination or cracking occurs. Although this approach can provide some reduction in the thermal mismatch problem for smaller arrays, it is inherently limited in its application to larger arrays, for example, much greater than about 0.3 inches by 0.2 inches. Also, where the hybrid array is required to be back filled with epoxy to provide adequate bonding between the detector array and the readout circuit, the use of taller indium bumps is not a viable solution. Furthermore, such approach has not proven to be viable in applications requiring long term reliability, having multiple thermal cycles, and/or high G force environments.
In another approach, the thermal mismatch problem has been reduced somewhat by the deletion of the epoxy used to bond the detector array and silicon readout circuit together. In particular, some improvement is provided when this is combined with taller indium bumps to allow the bumps to flex somewhat to accommodate the thermal mismatch. Although this approach may be suitable for laboratory demonstrations of hybrid arrays, it is not useful for most practical applications. Since the epoxy is not present to strengthen the bond between the array and readout circuit, the resultant hybrid is quite susceptible to delamination because only the indium bonds provide the bonding. Therefore, the stress introduced during handling and assembly, and in space based applications, where high G forces and/or high vibration will be present, makes this approach unsuitable in practice.
Another approach to solving the thermal mismatch problem has been to employ a substrate which has a closer thermal coefficient of expansion to silicon as the substrate for the infrared detector active layer. For example, sapphire has been employed as a substrate for HgCdTe epitaxial detector layers to provide an improved thermal match with the silicon readout circuit. As may be appreciated from FIG. 2, sapphire has a much closer coefficient of expansion to silicon than does CdTe, the more common detector substrate. Nonetheless, some mismatch in the coefficient of expansion does exist between sapphire and silicon, leading to at most a reduction, not an elimination of the thermal mismatch problem. Also, the use of a sapphire substrate for the detector array has resulted in reduced detection performance levels. As a result, the use of alternate substrates for the detector array has not proven to be an adequate solution to the thermal mismatch problem.
Accordingly, none of the existing approaches to reducing or eliminating the thermal mismatch problem are suitable for solving the problem in applications involving desired large arrays in applications such as space based monitoring where large G forces and high vibration will be present. Accordingly, a need presently exists to provide a solution to the thermal mismatch problem in a manner which is practical for such desired applications.

Thermal mismatch accommodated infrared detector hybrid array


A method of using a generated pilot signal inserted in a CQF slot of an uplink signaling channel to control the transmission power of data information independently of the transmission power of voice information regardless of whether the voice and data information are transmitted simultaneously.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to communication systems and in particular to wireless communication systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
As wireless communication systems evolve, there is an increasing need to accommodate wireless communication systems that not only convey (i.e., transmit and/or receive) voice but also allow data information to be conveyed between users of the communication system. The data information is various types of digital information such as text, graphics and other digital information that are typically not time sensitive. Information such as voice or video are time sensitive in that once transmission has commenced there can be no appreciable delay in subsequent transmissions. Any appreciable delay in consecutive transmissions of the time sensitive information causes the information to become unintelligible to a receiving user equipment (i.e., a mobile station). Data information, on the other hand, can tolerate delays in consecutive transmissions and thus can be processed differently from time sensitive signals.
Wireless communication systems, such as systems that comply with the well known 1x-EV-DO (CDMA 2001x-Evolution-Data Optimized) and 1xEV-DV (CDMA2001x-Evolution-Data Voice) standards as well as the High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) specification in the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) standard can accommodate the conveyance of data information and are hereinafter referred to wireless data systems. A standard is a set of protocols established by standard bodies such as industry groups and/or governmental regulatory bodies. A protocol is generally a set of rules that dictate how communication is to be initiated, maintained and terminated between system equipment and/or user equipment of the communication system. The wireless data systems are structured in substantially the same manner as other wireless communication systems in that they comprise a plurality of base stations located in cells. A cell is a geographical area defined by physical boundaries. Each cell has base station equipment (or cell site) that services user equipment (UE) located in that cell. The UE is being serviced when the base station equipment provides the UE with appropriate amounts of various resources (e.g., power, bandwidth) to enable the UE to convey adequately information to other users or other system equipment. Base station equipment is generally system equipment comprising communication equipment (e.g., radio transmitters, receivers, processing equipment) owned, controlled and operated by system providers. System providers are entities such as local telephone companies, long distance telephone companies, Internet Service Providers (ISP) and other communication service providers. Examples of UE include cellular telephones, pagers and wireless personal computers.
A UE receives information from base station equipment over a downlink and transmits information to base station equipment over an uplink. The uplink comprises at least one traffic channel and at least one signaling channel. Similarly, the downlink comprises at least one signaling channel and at least one traffic channel. The traffic channel is a communication channel over which user information or traffic channel information (e.g., voice, video, data) is conveyed between UEs and system equipment of the communication system. The signaling channels are communication channels used by the system to manage, and otherwise control the operation of communication channels of the communication system. In a communication system that is to comply with the UMTS HSDPA developing standard, a key downlink signaling channel is called the High Speed Shared Control CHannel (HS-SCCH) and a key uplink signaling channel is called the High Speed Dedicated Physical Control CHannel (HS-DPCCH). The signaling information conveyed over the HS-SCCH and the HS-DPCCH is referred to as control information.
In communication systems to comply with the UMTS HSDPA standard (being developed), control information sent over the HS-SCCH (downlink signaling channel) and the HS-DPCCH (uplink signaling channel) are transmitted during a time interval called a Transmit Time Interval (TTI). The TTI is divided into three equal slots. Typically, for UMTS systems the TTI is 2 ms in length whereby each slot is ⅔ ms in length. For the HS-DPCCH, each slot contains 10 bits of information. The information contained in the HS-DPCCH slots are used by the UE to feedback measured information about the downlink channel and success of previous transmissions to adequately manage the amount of power to be allocated to downlink traffic signals transmitted to a UE. Other information contained in the HS-DPCCH slots are proposed to be used by the system to adequately manage the amount of power allocated to the uplink control and/or data and/or other traffic signals transmitted by a UE. In general these information are used to properly manage communications between the UE and the base station servicing the UE. In particular, the first slot contains ACK/NACK information which is acknowledgment information transmitted by the UE to its servicing base station ACKnowledging or Not ACKnowledging the proper reception of traffic channel information from the base station. The remaining two slots, which contain 5 bits of information coded to 20 channel bits (10 bits/slot) are used for CQI (Channel Quality Indicator) information. CQI is also known Channel Quality Feedback (CQF) information. The CQF is information transmitted by the UE to the base station to indicate the relative quality of the signals received by the UE over the downlink.
The servicing base station modifies its transmitted signals based on the CQF information it receives from the UE; in this manner the quality of the downlink signals is adequately maintained to enable the UE to properly receive downlink signals from the servicing base station. In UMTS, 1 bit is actually used for the ACK/NACK and 5 bits are actually used for the CQF. Thus, there are 32 levels of downlink channel quality where level 0 indicates a relatively very low quality signal being received from the base station and level 31 indicates a relatively very high quality signals being received from the base station over the downlink. The CQF thus helps the base station control the quality of the downlink signals. The 5 CQF bits are channel coded into 20 bits to protect the CQF from becoming erroneous when it is propagating through the HS-DPCCH. Channel coding is a well known technique of introducing redundancy in a block of data to protect the data from error causing noise in a communication channel through which the data is transmitted.
To control the quality of the uplink signals, the base station uses another (legacy) signaling channel called the UL-DPCCH (Uplink Dedicated Physical Control Channel) that contains a pilot channel. The pilot channel contains a pilot signal that is periodically transmitted by the UE being serviced by the base station; this pilot signal is hereinafter referred to as the 'legacy pilot.' Based on the power of the legacy pilot signal received by the base station over the uplink pilot channel, the base station sends a legacy pilot power control signal over another "legacy" downlink control channel called the DL-DPCCH (Downlink Dedicated Physical Control Channel) typically instructing or commanding the UE to increase, or decrease the power of its signals being transmitted over the uplink control/traffic channel. The legacy pilot power control command signal is sent during each of the three slots of the HS-DPCCH TTI. The legacy pilot signal is thus used, inter alia, as a reference signal for controlling the proper transmission power of uplink signals. It should be noted that the legacy pilot signal is used for other purposes which are not discussed herein as these purposes are not within the scope of this invention.
The UE sometimes enters into a state called a handoff in which the UE is being serviced by more than one base station simultaneously. Several base stations receive the legacy pilot signal and transmit legacy pilot power control signals to the UE. At this point the UE is transmitting information (signaling and traffic information) to several base stations simultaneously. The traffic channel information received by each of the base stations are transferred to system processing equipment which combine the various received traffic information to obtain the correct block of information that was sent. However, each of the base station is transmitting a legacy pilot power control signal command that may be contradictory to other legacy pilot power control signal commands from the other base stations in handoff with the UE. For example one base station may send an 'increase power command' while another base station sends a 'decrease power command.' To overcome this contradiction in legacy pilot control signal commands, the system typically adopts an "Or of the Down" algorithm. In the "Or of the Down" algorithm, the UE will decrease its transmit power if any of the base stations with which it is in handoff transmits a legacy pilot power control command indicating 'decrease power.' The UE will increase its transmit power only if all of the base station with which it is in handoff transmit an 'increase power' command.
While in handoff with several base stations, the UE may also be receiving data information from another base station (e.g. HSDPA serving base station) over a data traffic channel (e.g. HS-DSCH or High Speed Downlink Shared Channel). At this point in the development of wireless data communication systems (i.e., systems that convey voice and data simultaneously), there is no handoff procedure for packet data traffic (e.g. HSDPA). For example, only one HSDPA serving base station sends packet data at a time on the HS-DSCH traffic channel to the UE. In turn, the UE sends control information and/or packet data to only one base station (e.g. HSDPA) at a time, for example, on the HS-DPCCH . However, the power allocated to the uplink pilot signal does have a direct proportional effect on the power of the control signals being sent over the HS-DPCCH because it is the pilot signal that is used to control the power allocated to the entire uplink. Therefore, a UE in handoff may be decreasing its transmit power due to commands processed in accordance with the "OR of the Down" algorithm while at the same time the base station (HSDPA) which is receiving control information/packet data from the UE needs the transmit power to be increased. Therefore, a contradictory situation can exist while a UE, which is capable of transmitting/receiving both data and voice, is in handoff.
One proposed technique that attempts to address the contradictory problem is to create another pilot signal called the High Speed pilot (HS pilot signal) signal that is used to control uplink transmit power of HSDPA related control information and/or other packet data signals independently of the transmit power of voice, circuit data or other such legacy signals. The HSDPA base station communicating with the UE and receiving the HS pilot signal will transmit HS pilot power control commands signals instructing or commanding the UE to either increase, maintain or decrease its transmit power for the HSDPA related control and/or other packet data signals. The HS pilot power control commands are transmitted during one of the slots of the downlink TTI (DL-DPCCH) replacing one of the legacy pilot control signals. Thus, with this technique, an HS pilot power control signal is transmitted every third slot of the HS-DPCCH TTI while the legacy pilot control signal is transmitted during two slots for every TTI. This technique is not very invasive because only one slot of the legacy pilot control signal is 'stolen' for the use of the HS pilot signal. The power of the legacy pilot signal and thus the power of the uplink for voice, circuit data and other such legacy signals will still be controlled but at a slightly lesser rate.
In the proposed technique, the HS pilot signal is inserted in part of the first slot of the HS-DPCCH. The first slot, as previously discussed, contains the ACK/NACK which is represented by 1 bit of information that is coded to 10 bits. Typically a "1" bit represents an ACK response and a "0" bit represents a NACK response. The coding done is to duplicate the response so that an ACK becomes "1111111111" (10 "1" bits) while a NACK becomes "0000000000" (i.e., 10 "0" bits). It is well known that the best coding that can be done for a one bit piece of information is to simply replicate that one bit. Further, this type of coding is not a very robust type of coding in that it is relatively quite vulnerable to noise in the channel within which it is transmitted. Yet further, the required bit error rate for the ACK/NACK slot is typically on the order of 10−4 or less. In other words, for every 10,000 bits of ACK/NACK information that is sent only one erroneous bit is allowed. The bit error rate requirement for the ACK/NACK is relatively quite stringent because the ACK/NACK signal is crucial in managing the efficiency (in terms of power and bandwidth) of the system downlink. Thus, the usage of some of the ACK/NACK bits for the HS pilot signal will most likely damage the reliability of the ACK/NACK information received by a base station and reduce the base station's ability to efficiently manage the downlink resources.

Method for improving uplink control channel efficiency in a wireless communication system


There is provided an electro-optical device comprising, above a substrate, a first conductor layer, a second conductor layer, an interlayer insulating film formed between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer, and a contact hole, provided in the interlayer insulating film, for electrically connecting the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer in a contact portion. The first conductor layer has a multilayered structure in which an electrolytic corrosion preventing film is provided on a conductor film, in a region including at least the contact portion among the entire region thereof, and the electrolytic corrosion preventing film is not provided in other regions thereof. Thus, an electrolytic corrosion can be prevented and a contact resistance can be reduced. Further, heat can be prevented from generating.

The present invention relates to an electro-optical device which comprises a conductive layer having a light-shielding function, and a method of manufacturing the electro-optical device.
A liquid crystal device is constructed by sealing liquid crystal between two substrates which are made of glass substrates, quartz substrates, or the like. In the liquid crystal device, active elements, such as thin film transistors (hereinafter, referred to as 'TFTs'), and pixel electrodes are arranged in a matrix shape on the one of two substrates. On the other substrate, a counter electrode (transparent electrode (ITO (indium tin oxide)) is arranged. In this way, the optical properties of the liquid crystal layer sealed between both substrates change according to image signals, such that image display can be implemented.
In an electro-optical device, such as an active matrix driving type liquid crystal device using the active elements, the pixel electrodes and switching elements are provided on the substrate (active matrix substrate) corresponding to intersections of a plurality of scanning lines (gate lines) and a plurality of data lines (source lines) which are arranged in longitudinal and traverse directions, respectively.
The switching element, such as the TFT element, is turned on by an ON signal which is supplied to the gate line, and the image signal which is supplied through the source line is written into the pixel electrode (transparent electrode (ITO)). Thus, voltage based on the image signal is applied to the liquid crystal layer between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode, and the alignment states of liquid crystal molecules change. In this way, transmittance of a pixel changes and light passing through the pixel electrode and the liquid crystal layer changes according to the image signal, such that the image display can be implemented.
In the case where elements constituting an element substrate are formed in one plane on the substrate, the occupied area of each element increases and the area of the pixel electrode is reduced, such that the pixel opening ratio is lowered. Therefore, conventionally, a laminated structure in which the elements are separately formed in the respective one of plural layers and interlayer insulating films are disposed between the respective layers is adopted.
Specifically, the element substrate is constructed by laminating a semiconductor thin film, an insulating thin film, or a conductive thin film with a predetermined pattern on a glass or quartz substrate. A TFT substrate or the like is formed by repeatedly performing a film formation step and a photolithography step over various films.
For example, on the TFT substrate, the semiconductor layer constituting a channel of the TFT element, a wiring layer for the data line or the like, or a pixel electrode layer made of an ITO film are laminated. The pixel electrode layer is formed near the liquid crystal layer as an uppermost layer of the active matrix substrate and the pixel electrode is connected to the semiconductor layer through the wiring layer. Generally, the wiring layer for the data line or the like is made of aluminum. However, if aluminum and the ITO film are connected with each other through a contact hole, an electrolytic corrosion that the ITO film blacks due to an alkali delamination solution used for patterning is caused.
Therefore, in order to prevent the electrolytic corrosion, a multilayered wiring layer in which titanium nitride (TiN) is laminated on aluminum is adopted.
Further, for example, when aluminum as the conductive layer is connected with aluminum through a contact hole, a contact resistance increases due to the oxidization of aluminum. In this case, in order to reduce the contact resistance between aluminum and aluminum, an aluminum wiring line also has a multilayered structure of aluminum and titanium nitride.
In an electro-optical device, in order to prevent the TFT element from erroneously operating due to light incident thereon, a light-shielding film is formed. Further, the electro-optical device having the multilayered structure, it is constructed such that the conductive layer such as aluminum also serves as the light-shielding layer. Thus, reflected light or irregularly reflected light, as well as incident light, is effectively prevented from entering into the TFT element or the like.
Titanium nitride has light absorption efficiency much higher than aluminum or the like. For this reason, as regards the multilayered conductive layer (including the light-shielding layer) of titanium nitride and aluminum, there are problems in that much light is absorbed and heat is caused in the substrate.

Electro-optical device with electrolytic corrosion preventing film and multiple relay electrodes


A shade assembly comprises a roller assembly and a pair of mounting brackets secured to opposed walls of a vehicle interior. The roller assembly includes a flexible cover, a roller, rotational biasing structure and first and second attachment members disposed at opposed ends of the roller assembly. The attachment members are attached to a corresponding mounting bracket. A first attachment member is releasably secured to the first bracket at a fixed point. The second mounting bracket supports the second attachment member at adjustable axial points. Thus, the shade assembly is able to accommodate various vehicle interior widths.

The present invention generally relates to a mount for shade assemblies that selectively covers a luggage compartment in a vehicle.
Vehicle compartment shade assemblies are used to cover a luggage compartment. A flexible cover is wrapped around a roller, and wound or unwound to selectively cover items located in the vehicle compartment.
A number of shade assemblies are disclosed in the known art. Generally, the shade assemblies are mounted onto a vehicle by securing opposed ends of the assembly to fixed mounting brackets disposed on interior walls of the vehicle compartment. One problem with known shade assemblies is that the width of the interior varies from vehicle to vehicle because of production variations. Thus, the lateral distance between the fixed mounting brackets varies. This can be a problem in the installation of a shade assembly. The known art has made attempts to address this problem.
In one prior example, spring-biased end members are disposed at opposed ends of the shade assembly. The end members are urged into contact with recesses in the fixed mounting brackets.
In another prior example, a shade assembly includes fixed end members disposed at opposed ends of the shade assembly. The end members are inserted into a mounting hole in a fixed mounting bracket. A small plate is disposed in the mounting hole and a spring biases the plate toward the end members.
Known spring loaded mounts have not been completely satisfactory. Thus, there is a need for a shade assembly for a vehicle compartment which accommodates the varying vehicle interior widths between individual vehicles.

Shade assembly mount for vehicle compartment


The present invention relates to a fermentation process for preparing xylitol with high productivity and high yield using a novel strain of Candida tropicalis, more specifically, for preparing xylitol under optimal fermentation conditions for maximum xylitol production by optimizing the composition of medium containing xylose and the environmental conditions of culture such as pH, temperature and DO concentration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fermentation process for preparing xylitol with high productivity and high yield using a novel strain of Candida tropicalis, more specifically, for preparing xylitol under optimal fermentation conditions for maximum xylitol production by optimizing the composition of medium containing xylose and the environmental conditions of culture such as pH, temperature and DO concentration.
2. Description of Prior Art
Xylitol (Xylo-pentane-1,2,3,4,5 pentol) is a naturally occurring five-carbon sugar alcohol that is present in small quantities in a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms. It can be produced by oxalic acid treatment of plant matters such as jute sticks and beech wood residues. However, only small amount present in natural sources, in compared with the amount of sugar cane and sugar beet, makes its quantitative extraction difficult and uneconomical.
It is also a normal metabolic intermediate of carbohydrate metabolism in mammalian. Xylitol has a number of advantageous natural properties. Xylitol has an anticariogenic property which does not cause acid formation and can promote oral health and caries prevention. Since xylitol does not need insulin to regulate its metabolism, it may be used also as a sugar substitute for the treatment of diabetes. Because its metabolism does not involve glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, it is also an ideal sweetner for the person who has the deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
On industrial scale, xylitol is produced through the chemical reduction of xylose derived from hemicellulose hydrolysates of birch wood or other xylose rich materials. As the hemicellulosic fraction of these raw materials contains polymers of other sugars, the process includes extensive purification and separation steps to remove those by-products from xylose or xylitol. The yield of xylitol is about 50.about.60%. Therefore, xylitol is an expensive product. Since the production of xylitol by the chemical method has been found to be expensive due to its difficult separation and purification steps, it is worthwhile to explore an alternative method for the effective production of xylitol using microorganisms.
To overcome such drawbacks of chemical preparation method, the biological fermentation process for preparing xylitol has been researched. The fermentation process for preparing xylitol using yeast speices from the medium containing xylose or hemicellulose hydrolysate having xylose has been disclosed. Especially, Candida blankii, Candida guilliermondii, Candida tropicalis, Candida utilis, Saccharomyces bailii, Saccharomyces rouxii, Saccharomyces uvarium and Saccharomyces pombe have been known as the microorganism producing xylitol. However, xylitol production is not quite desirable due to its slow production rate.
To improve the yield and productivity of xylitol, a high xylitol producing yeast in the present invention is isolated from the sludge of xylose manufacturing factory, and then identified as Candida tropicalis. The fermentation conditions are optimized using this strain for maximum xylitol production.

Fermentation process for preparing xylitol using Candida tropicalis


A dishwashing machine includes a washing tank for receiving wash water, and a detergent from a detergent dispensing system. A separate dosing system includes a tank for storing bleach, and a pump for supplying bleach from the bleach tank to the washing tank in measured quantities at predetermined times to maintain a desired active oxygen content therein over a complete cycle of operation.

1.0 Field Of The Invention
This invention relates generally to dishwashing machines, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for supplying the washing tank of a dishwashing machine with chemical substances.
2.0 Discussion Of Related Art
In institutional dishwashing machines, with which the present invention is particularly concerned, fresh water is supplied to washing tank--also known as the dosing tank--in the clear-rinse phase. The corresponding quantity of detergent--controlled through conductivity--is subsequently added as required. Alkaline detergents of the described type used in practice contain active chlorine as their bleach component, mostly in the form of liquid chlorine bleach in the case of liquid detergents or in the form of di- and trichloroisocyanurates in the case of powder-form detergents.
The use of active chlorine as bleach in dishwashing machines is ecologically objectionable. As a result, efforts are being made to use environment-friendly bleaches. Considerable difficulties have been encountered in this regard. At the present time, only active oxygen is available as an economically reasonable alternative to active chlorine. However, this bleaching agent cannot be formulated with the generally highly alkaline liquid detergents.
Although solid active oxygen carriers can be incorporated in powder-form alkaline detergents, corresponding detergent formulations quickly lose their bleaching effect after flushing into the washing tank of the dishwashing machine because the active oxygen content of the rinse liquor quickly diminishes--often at around 40 to 60% per hour--during machine stoppage times. When a new rinse cycle begins, insufficient active oxygen is available in the washing tank so that cleaning performance can be unsatisfactory at the beginning of the rinse cycle.
EP-A-0 195 619 describes a method in which rinse cycles are carried out with a substance containing active oxygen after one or more wash cycles in a dishwashing machine comprising a spray unit.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,863 describes an apparatus for supplying the washing tank of a dishwashing machine with chemical substances which consist of a detergent dosing system for supplying detergent and a separate dosing system comprising a pump and a storage container for supplying another substance.
3.0 Summary Of The Invention
The problem addressed by the present invention was to enable active oxygen to be used as bleach in conjunction with an alkaline liquid detergent and to eliminate any significant reduction in the active oxygen content in the washing tank during pauses in dosing, even where a bleach-containing powder-form detergent is used. For the method mentioned at the beginning, the solution provided by the invention is characterized in that, where active oxygen is used as the bleach component, the active oxygen content in the washing tank is maintained during pauses in the dosing of detergent by maintenance dosing of the bleach. The maintenance dosing preferably takes place in individual dosing strokes.
Accordingly, one embodiment of the invention relates to maintenance dosing of the bleach during the stoppage times of the dishwashing machine between two successive rinse cycles. The effect of this maintenance dosing is that fresh bleach containing active oxygen enters the washing tank as the active oxygen content diminishes. Accordingly, the washing tank of the dishwashing machine is always kept in readiness for a new rinse phase and is therefore able immediately to supply dishwashing detergent containing sufficient bleach at the beginning of the rinse phase.
Another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that, where a detergent, particularly a powder-form detergent, basically containing sufficient bleach for immediate rinsing is used, bleach continues to be introduced into the washing tank as the active oxygen content decreases during the machine stoppage times or pauses in the dosing of detergent.
In addition to this maintenance dosing regime, a parallel bleach dosing regime is preferably provided in cases where a bleach-free detergent, particularly a liquid detergent, is used. According to another aspect of the invention, this means that, where a bleach-free detergent is used, bleach is introduced into the washing tank commensurately with detergent consumption during the rinse phases and commensurately with the reduction in the active oxygen content during the stoppage phases or the pauses in the dosing of detergent. Accordingly, the parallel dosing regime mentioned provides for the use of active oxygen carriers, such as for example hydrogen superoxide (H.sub.2 O.sub.2) and/or peracetic acid solution, which cannot be formulated with the usual bleach-free alkaline detergents.
According to the foregoing, liquid or powder-form detergent is only introduced or flushed in during certain dosing times in dependence upon the conductivity control or the like, even during the rinse phases. If the corresponding intervals or the pauses in the dosing of detergent become so long that the active oxygen content decreases to the extent where the cleaning performance of the next rinse phase is impaired, bleach continues to be introduced, again by maintenance dosing, commensurately with the reduction in the active oxygen content, even in intermediate or standard pauses in the parallel dosing occurring during the rinse phases.
In another embodiment of the invention, the bleach input capacity of the maintenance dosing is optimized by determination of the active oxygen content. Once the rate of decomposition of the active oxygen is known, it can be sufficient if the bleach continues to be introduced at certain time intervals. In this connection, it is preferred to commence introduction of the bleach by maintenance dosing after the decomposition of about 20% of the active oxygen present.
In an apparatus for supplying the washing tank of a dishwashing machine with chemical substances, consisting of a detergent dosing system for supplying detergent and a separate dosing system comprising a pump and a storage container for supplying another substance, the solution provided by the invention is characterized in that the other dosing system is a bleach dosing system which has an operational mode for maintenance dosing which is activated during the pauses in the dosing of detergent.
The detergent dosing system may be designed in the usual way, i.e. as a dosing pump in the case of a liquid detergent or as a fresh water or liquor flush-in system in the case of a powder-form detergent. According to the invention, therefore, the only addition is the bleach dosing system separate from the detergent dosing system. This provides for parallel dosing at the same time as dosing of the bleach-free detergent and provides for maintenance dosing during the stoppage times of the dishwashing machine or the pauses in the dosing of detergent so that the consumption of active oxygen during such periods is compensated.
This auxiliary or maintenance dosing is necessary if, as is usually the case, the dishwashing machine is supplied with detergent via a control system which does not take the bleach content into account. This is because, in contrast to active oxygen, the concentration or quantity of detergent remains constant during the stoppage phases. Without the maintenance dosing of bleach, only detergent would be introduced into the washing tank at the beginning of the rinse phase commensurately with the inflow of fresh water. Accordingly, there would be a deficit of active oxygen and the outcome of the dishwashing process would be unsatisfactory, at least in regard to bleachable soil. According to the invention, these problems are overcome by the addition of a bleach dosing system.
According to the foregoing, there are in particular two possible embodiments of the invention, namely: (1) either the bleach dosing system has only one operating mode for maintenance dosing, i.e. when bleach-containing detergent is present, or (2) the bleach dosing system has an additional operating mode--functioning in parallel with the detergent dosing system--for parallel dosing when the detergent dosing system is switched on in cases where a bleach-free detergent is used. Accordingly, both bleach-containing and bleach-free detergent can be used, bleach only having to be introduced once during the entire period of operation of the dishwashing machine and, in the other case, only during the stoppage times between two rinse phases or only during dosing of the detergent. Essentially, parallel and maintenance dosing only differ in the bleach dose, i.e. in the quantity of active oxygen introduced into the washing tank per unit of time.
In another embodiment of the invention, a frequency-controlled peristaltic pump may be used for the parallel or maintenance dosing regime of the bleach dosing system. A pump of this type can be operated with a number of pump strokes per unit of time corresponding to the decomposition of active oxygen. For maintenance dosing, relatively few pump strokes are sufficient whereas a much larger number of pump strokes is necessary for parallel dosing where a bleach-free detergent is used. Accordingly, the associated frequency control of the pump preferably comprises a first control range for maintenance dosing and, optionally, a second control range for the rinse phase of the dishwashing machine--when the detergent dosing system is switched on--with a considerably increased input capacity in relation to the dose of the first control range.

Method for operating a dishwashing machine and maintaining the active oxygen content in the wash tank


The invention relates to the control of leakage from ducts, such as fluid-carrying pipework, without necessarily requiring direct access to the leakage site itself; since leakage sites are often difficult to locate with the necessary degree of precision to permit access to reliably be made thereto, and moreover, even if a site can be located, it is not always convenient or economically possible to secure access thereto. The invention provides an apparatus and methods for duct leakage control wherein a sealing element (1) is introduced into the duct and is automatically drawn or otherwise guided to the locality of a leak; the element being caused, by reason of a pressure differential attributable to the leak, to move into and stem or seal the leak. The sealing element may comprise a plurality of individual members of differing buoyancy, each capable of being carried along at a predetermined level in the duct by the flow of fluid therein. The sealing element may carry a tagging device which can be used to assist in locating the leakage site.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the control of leakage from ducts, such as fluid-carrying pipework, and aims to provide means to reduce or prevent leakage from apertures compromising the integrity of ducts and attributable to causes such as manufacturing faults or blemishes, rust or other corrosive activity, piercing damage, age of pipework, or joints.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97-1.99
It is usually the case, for one reason or another, that significant areas of fluid-carrying ducts, once installed as part of a pipework system, become substantially inaccessible. For example, mains water distribution systems employ vast lengths of buried pipework which involves expensive and time-consuming excavation to expose, for scrutiny and/or repair, areas of pipe from which leakage is suspected.
An efficient technique for locating leakage without resort to major excavation is thus required, and such a technique is described, for example, in International Patent Application No. PCT/GB 99/03742.
That application describes a technique wherein a sensor means is provided within the pipe for detecting characteristics of the fluid. The detected characteristics are recorded and used to evaluate a fluid flow field characteristic which is compared with a reference fluid flow field characteristic for that pipe to obtain thereby data concerning a leak. The comparison may usefully be effected by means including a neural network.
It is thus known that leakage can be localised without excavation or other expensive investigative techniques. However, it may still be necessary to excavate or otherwise uncover the leaking pipework in order to control the leak, and the present invention seeks to reduce or eliminate the need for such activities.
Moreover, there are occasions, particularly in the oil, gas and nuclear industries, when a rapid response to leakage or to a lack of containment generally) is essential. In addition there is often the need, having stemmed the initial flow of fluid from a leak, to accurately locate the leak so that a permanent repair may be made, or other remedial action taken. Still further, there may be a need in some operational circumstances to shield or protect workers, engaged in the location of leaks and/or the associated repairs, from the leaking fluid.


A method and system for building an embedded software package for a target system including creating a cross-compiling stub in the target system, wherein the stub accesses a compiling tool at a remote location, starting a software package building process at the target system, and intercepting a compiling command coming from said software package building process and forwarding the compiling commands to said remote compiling server using the cross-compiling tool stub so that a source file will be compiled by a corresponding cross-compiling tool in the remote compiling server. The method and system allow a developer of software for an embedded system be able to start a software package building process on the target system as in the native compilation situation, and have the actual compiling of the source file in the software package be performed by cross-compiling tools in another computer with high performance.

An embedded system is a computer system that is embedded in various devices and application products for controlling these devices and application products. Generally, the development of an embedded system will involve a cross-compiling approach. So-called cross-compiling means that codes are generated on a platform but executed on another platform. The reason for adopting a cross-compiling approach may be that the target platform (the system where the generated program will be executed) does not allow or is not able to have the required compiler installed on it, yet some features of the compiler are needed in developing software for the target platform. Another reason may be that the target platform is lacking in the necessary resources, so there is no way to run the required compiler. Yet another reason may be that the target platform has not been built up (e.g., no operating system on it) to run the required compiler. With regard to an embedded system, usually there are not sufficient resources for compiling and optimizing application softwares, and there is also not enough space for the whole development or debug effort. Accordingly during the development of embedded software, the cross-compiling approach is usually applied.
However, for the software developers of embedded systems, the cross-compiling is not a simple process. On one hand, the cross-compiling-based building process is usually faster than the native building process. On the other hand, it is much more difficult and complex than the native building process. Taking the transporting of a third-party software as an example, in the case of the native building process, there is rarely a need for the developer to modify the building process, he simply needs to enter a building command. However, in cross-compiling, the developer usually needs to take several hours or days to debug the building process itself before he/she can see the building process running to the end successfully. The troubles in cross-compiling result from the fact that the compile-time platform on which the building process runs is not the same as the target platform, (i.e. the run-time platform on which the built-out program will run). More specifically, this divergence between the compile-time platform and the run-time platform will cause problems in the following two situations:
1) It is common that some steps in the building process will try to run interim programs built out by previous steps. The interim programs may be used to probe characteristics in some aspects of the target platform and, based on the execution results of the interim programs, the building process can adjust the compiling options of some programs accordingly. An example of such an interim program is the one used to test the bit field ordering of the target platform. Another possible use of an interim program is for generating a source code segment to be compiled in later steps.
Obviously, in the cross-compiling setting, these steps will result in errors because the generated target binary code usually is not executable on the building platform, (i.e. compile-time platform).
2) Before compiling a source file, the building process generally will try to probe whether libraries, on which the software package to be built will depend, exist on the target system and where they are located. If the building process could not find some of the libraries, the corresponding invoking codes might not be included in the further compiling results. If the building process could find necessary libraries, the correct paths of the object files and header files of these libraries should be informed to the compiler.
However, in a cross-compiling situation, such library probing is not an easy task. Such a task often incorrectly ends up with "fake" libraries which are installed on the building platform and have the same names but are not the required libraries. This will definitely cause compiling errors in later steps.
An article entitled "Cross-compilation" disclosed a method for solving the problem in the first situation mentioned above for cross-compiling. The article is available on the interne at research.att.com/˜gsf/download/crosscomp.html. The main idea of the method disclosed in the article is that, when the building process needs to run an interim program, the interim program will be remotely executed on the target system instead of on the compiling platform. However, this solution does not address the issue in the second situation mentioned above.

System and method for building software package for embedded system

International Business Machines Corporation


A method comprising configuring a user equipment in a low activity state to operate within a radio access network wherein a radio access network notification area for the user equipment is defined based on a list of logically associated radio access network paging areas, wherein each of the logically associated radio access network paging areas is a subset of a core network tracking area identified by a paging area code value which is unique within the core network associated tracking area.

A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication between two or more devices such as user terminals, machine-like terminals, base stations and/or other nodes by providing communication channels for carrying information between the communicating devices. A communication system can be provided for example by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. The communication may comprise, for example, communication of data for carrying data for voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and/or content data communications and so on. Non-limiting examples of services provided include two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services and access to a data network system, such as the Internet.
In a wireless system at least a part of communications occurs over wireless interfaces. Examples of wireless systems include public land mobile networks (PLMN), satellite based communication systems and different wireless local networks, for example wireless local area networks (WLAN). A local area wireless networking technology allowing devices to connect to a data network is known by the tradename WiFi (or Wi-Fi). WiFi is often used synonymously with WLAN. The wireless systems can be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems. A base station provides at least one cell.
A user can access a communication system by means of an appropriate communication device or terminal capable of communicating with a base station. Hence nodes like base stations are often referred to as access points. A communication device of a user is often referred to as user equipment (UE). A communication device is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, for example enabling communications with the base station and/or communications directly with other user devices. The communication device can communicate on appropriate channels, e.g. listen to a channel on which a station, for example a base station of a cell, transmits.
A communication system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and/or parameters which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. Non-limiting examples of standardised radio access technologies include GSM (Global System for Mobile), EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution) Radio Access Networks (GERAN), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Networks (UTRAN) and evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN). An example communication system architecture is the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology. The LTE is standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The LTE employs the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) access and a further development thereof which is sometimes referred to as LTE Advanced (LTE-A). Since introduction of fourth generation (4G) services increasing interest has been paid to the next, or fifth generation (5G) standard. 5G is sometimes also referred to as New Radio Access Technology (N-RAT) or simply New Radio (NR). N-RAT aims to enable a diverse and wide range of services which need to deliver high throughput, connect numerous devices or terminals and provide immediate feedback on demand. The terms 5G, NR, 5G NR and N-RAT are used interchangeably herein.


Virtual solution architecture for computer data systems. In one aspect, providing an architecture for a computer data system includes creating a virtual solution architecture that includes a plurality of building blocks, each building block characterized by balanced operation, and mapping the virtual solution architecture to a physical solution architecture for the computer data system. Another aspect includes providing at least one balanced configuration unit (BCU) in a computer data system, the BCU including at least one balanced partition unit (BPU) that includes computer resources to provide balanced operation for the BPU.

Data is collected in databases to organize information and allow efficient access to the data. One type of database system that is typically used by businesses or other organizations is a data warehouse. A data warehouse is a repository storing integrated information for efficient querying and analysis, and generally is a combination of many different databases, e.g., across an entire organization. Information is extracted from different sources as it is generated or updated, and then translated into a common data model and integrated with existing data at the warehouse. When a user query is submitted to the warehouse, the needed information is provided with differences between data formats already resolved. This makes it much easier and more efficient to run queries over data that originally came from different sources. Additional advantages of data warehousing include easy and efficient execution of complex queries, a single data model and query language used by end users, simpler system design, and reliable and safe data repository.
Other data systems besides data warehouses can also be used. For example, a "data mart" is a database, or collection of databases similar to a data warehouse, but usually smaller and focused on a particular subject or department in an organization, and may be a subset of a data warehouse. Other data systems may provide for the transformation or loading of data, rather than storing data in databases.
Like other computing systems, a data warehouse is a collaboration of processors, memory, disk, operating system, database engine, applications, data model, and business requirements. In a business environment, a data warehouse is often connected to a corporate network to fulfill a number of essential functions, such as end-user connectivity, data transfers, backup and restore, remote management, potential communication in extract, transform, and load (ETL) processes, and so on. Development of a data warehouse includes development of systems to extract data from operating systems plus installation of a warehouse database system that provides managers flexible access to the data.
One problem with current data warehouses is that their components are difficult to balance and it is difficult to maintain that balance over time as the warehouse is upgraded or is provided additional data to store. A balanced collaboration of components in the data warehouse is essential for successful operation, where all the components have been chosen to fit or integrate with each other for a mixture of compatibility, performance, and reliability reasons. If a proper balance is not maintained throughout the components of a data warehouse solution, the users of the warehouse may not obtain the benefit of the massively parallel functionality of database systems or get full value out of all the components of the system.
Accordingly, what is needed is an architecture for data warehouses or other data systems that promotes flexible and efficient operation over time and a proper balance throughout its components, such that the functionality of the system can be used efficiently and effectively. The present invention addresses such a need.

Computer data systems implemented using a virtual solution architecture