A resistance mapping device includes: a first chip including a first surface, a second surface positioned at a side opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of first electrodes provided at the first surface; a second chip including a third surface facing the first surface, a fourth surface positioned at a side opposite to the third surface, and a plurality of second electrodes provided at the third surface; and a measurement part, the measurement part being configured to measure a resistance of a portion of a measurement object, the portion of the measurement object being between the first electrode and the second electrode that correspond to each other among the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, and acquire mapping data in which measured values of the resistances are associated with positions of the measurement object corresponding to the plurality of first electrodes.

A conventional resistance measuring device such as a multimeter or the like measures the resistance of a measurement object disposed between a pair of electrodes by applying a voltage between the pair of electrodes. However, such a resistance measuring device can measure only the resistance of the portion of the measurement object between the pair of electrodes.

Resistance mapping device, resistance measurement method, and recording medium


A display includes a source driver, a demultiplexer, a first data line, a second data line, a first pixel and a second pixel. The demultiplexer includes a first pixel signal transmission unit and a second pixel signal transmission unit. The first pixel signal transmission unit includes a first sub-pixel signal transmission unit, a second sub-pixel signal transmission unit and a third sub-pixel signal transmission unit. The first sub-pixel signal transmission unit and the second sub-pixel signal transmission unit share a drain. A second pixel signal transmission unit next to the first pixel signal transmission unit includes a fourth sub-pixel signal transmission unit, a fifth sub-pixel signal transmission unit and a sixth sub-pixel signal transmission unit. The fourth sub-pixel signal transmission unit and the fifth sub-pixel signal transmission unit share another drain.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display, especially adjacent sub-pixels in a display having a shared drain.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Portable electronic devices such as smart phones, notebook computers and tablets, are gradually designed to integrate multiple functions to improve audio/video functions. However, the improvements of the audio/video functions may cause high power consumption. Since the power of the portable electronic device is provided by built-in battery only, the power of the portable electronic device will soon dry out due to high power consumption, causing inconvenience to users.
Thus, how to reduce the power consumption becomes an important issue. At present, displays can be driven by analog current (AC) in a frame inversion, row inversion, column inversion or dot inversion mode. In general, displays driven in the column inversion mode have better image quality. Please refer to FIGS. 1A to 1C, which show a prior art display 100 transmitting data at various periods. The display 100 comprises a source driver 120, a plurality of switches, a plurality of data lines and a plurality of pixels. The source driver 120 outputs data signals to the pixels through a plurality of three-output demultiplexers, so as to transmit data to the sub-pixels of each pixel in sequence. In the column inversion mode, sub-pixels of two adjacent columns have opposite polarities. Based on the above, the operation of the display 100 is as follows:
In the first period, as shown in FIG. 1A, the switches T1 of the pixels P1, P2 and P3 are all turned on, so that the source driver 120 can output data to the sub-pixel r1 of the pixel P1, the sub-pixel r2 of the pixel P2 and the sub-pixel r3 of the pixel P3 through the data lines s1, s2 and s3, respectively. In the period, the data output to the sub-pixel r1 of the pixel P1 and the sub-pixel r3 of the pixel P3 has a positive polarity. The data output to the sub-pixel r2 of the pixel P2 has a negative polarity.
In the second period after the first period, as shown in FIG. 1B, the switches T1 are turned off and the switches T2 are turned on. While the sub-pixels r1, r2 and r3 stores the data received in the first period, the source driver 120 outputs data to the sub-pixels g1, g2 and g3. In order to provide sub-pixels in the adjacent columns with opposite polarities, the polarities of the data outputted by the source driver 120 in the second period are inversed to the data outputted by the source driver 120 in the first period.
In the third period after the second period, as shown in FIG. 1C, the switches T2 are turned off and the switches T3 are turned on. While the sub-pixels r1, r2 and r3 stores the data received in the first period and the sub-pixels g1, g2 and g3 stores the data received in the second period, the source driver 120 outputs data to the sub-pixels b1, b2 and b3. In order to provide sub-pixels in the adjacent columns with opposite polarities, the polarities of the data outputted by the source driver 120 in the third period are inversed to the data outputted by the source driver 120 in the second period.
In view of above, in order to implement column inversion, the source driver 120 must continuously change the output polarities, consuming a lot of power. Further each column of pixels is provided with a corresponding demultiplexer, the display 100 has to allocate a big space to accommodate the great number of demultiplexers and their associated circuitry.


One or more embodiments of the invention are directed to a system and method for instantaneously deploying packetized alert data in a one to many configuration or a many to many configuration where the data to be received by each recipient can be customized in a way that leaves a publisher with optimum control over the content or revenue generated from each deployment.

Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention described herein pertain to the field of communication oriented computer software. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the computer software described herein enables the instant deployment of alert data across disparate systems.
Description of the Related Art
There are various systems for deploying message data. A commonly used term for this type of real-time exchange is instant messaging. Instant messaging is inexpensive, with most vendors giving away the product and others charging nominal licensing fees. Such instant messaging systems are powerful in that they allow users to communicate in one window while, for example, looking over a document in another. Team members in different locations can set up impromptu conversations, bouncing ideas and strategies off each other.
Some examples of instant messaging systems capable of deploying message data across a network include systems such as Internet Relay Chat (IRC), AIM, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger provide mechanisms for instantaneously transporting data between client computers. Generally speaking these systems provide a plurality of client systems with the ability to transmit data between each client system by transporting the data through a server system. Each of these systems identified above utilizes its own protocol to transport data and message data from one system cannot currently cross over to another system. The best-known instant messaging system is America Online's Instant Messenger (AIM). AIM is software that anyone with an Internet connection can download, whether they are an AOL member or not. After registering a screen name, the user can maintain lists of AOL members and other AIM users, and be alerted whenever one of those in the list comes on-line. When one of those in the list comes on-line, the corresponding screen name appears in an AIM interface window on the screen. By clicking on the name appearing in the AIM interface window, the user may then send an instant message and initiate a conversation session. Users can also sort their buddies into groups.
There are a number of patented system relating to the deployment of data. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,549 describes an information and advertising distribution system. A data server stores and updates a database of information items and advertisements. The information items and advertisements are each categorized so that each has an associated information category. Workstations remotely located from the data server each include a display device, a communication interface for receiving at least a subset of the information items and advertisements in the data server's database and local memory for storing the information items and advertisements received from the data server. An information administrator in each workstation establishes communication with the data server from time to time so as to update the information items and advertisements stored in local memory with at least a subset of the information items and advertisements stored by the data server. An information display controller in each workstation displays on the workstation's display device at least a subset of the information items and advertisements stored in local memory when the workstation meets predefined idleness criteria. At least a subset of the workstations include a profiler for storing subscriber profile data. The subscriber profile data represents subscriber information viewing preferences, indicating information categories for which the subscriber does and does not want to view information items. The information display controller includes a filter for excluding from the information items displayed on the display device those information items inconsistent with the subscriber profile data.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,782,415 describes a closed-loop message distribution system configured to accept documents from a variety or sources via a plurality of media, presenting the documents to a plurality of recipients through their preferred communications channel, document personalization, and suppressing delivery of follow-up documents to those recipients who have responded to an earlier related message.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,602 describes a method and system for interactively responding to queries from a remotely located user includes a computer server system configured to receiving an instant message query or request from the user over the Internet. The query or request is interpreted and appropriate action is taken, such as accessing a local or remote data resource and formulating an answer to the user's query. The answer is formatted as appropriate and returned to the user as an instant message or via another route specified by the user. A method and system of providing authenticated access to a given web page via instant messaging is also disclosed.
There is a need for a system and method for instantaneously deploying packetized alert data in a one to many configuration or a many to many configuration where the data to be received by each recipient can be customized in a way that leaves a publisher with optimum control over the content or revenue generated from each deployment.

System and method for instantaneously deploying packetized alert data


A lubricating device for an internal combustion engine includes an oil tank chamber defined by being separated from a crank chamber by a partition wall that is formed between a crankcase and a crankcase cover of the internal combustion engine. Oil pumped by a scavenge pump is supplied to a tank supply port which is open at an upper portion of the oil tank chamber to the oil tank chamber. The oil stored in the oil tank chamber is sucked from a feed suction port which is open at a lower portion of the oil tank chamber to be supplied to respective regions for lubrication of the internal combustion engine by a feed pump. An oil passage penetrating inside the oil tank chamber is formed below the tank supply port at an upper portion of the oil tank chamber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dry sump lubricating device for an internal combustion engine.
2. Description of Background Art
An internal combustion engine having a dry sump lubricating device includes an oil tank for storing oil pumped by a scavenge pump. The oil tank is generally configured by being defined in a crankcase, or is configured between a crankcase and a crankcase cover, if the crankcase cover is provided. See, for example, JP-A No. 2004-108257.
The lubricating device disclosed in JP-A No. 2004-108257 is configured in such a manner that the oil pumped by the scavenge pump of a trochoid type is supplied to the oil tank from a supply port for the tank located nearest to a front case cover (crankcase cover) through an oil cooler. The oil stored in the oil tank is sucked from a suction port which is open at a lower portion of the oil tank by a feed pump of a trochoid type. In addition, the oil discharged from a discharge port of the feed pump is supplied to respective regions for lubrication of the internal combustion engine.
In the dry sump lubricating device, when the oil is supplied to the oil tank from the supply port for the tank by the scavenge pump, bubbles are mixed in the oil. Further, bubbles are also mixed in the oil sucked by the feed pump. Thus, there is a high possibility that the feed pump causes cavitation.
A hydraulic pressure of the oil to be supplied to the respective regions for lubrication is not stabilized due to the cavitation of the feed pump.

Lubricating device of internal combustion engine


A urethral prosthesis with prostatic and bulbar segments connected by two types of ties allows the prosthesis to assume at least two configurations different with inter-segmental distances adapted to situations where the patient either has or does not have normal control of the external sphincter. This is particularly useful for a patient undergoing an anesthetic procedure that affects the external sphincter muscles. When the muscles are anesthetized, the prosthesis may provide constant urine voiding, and when the anesthetic effects wear off, the prosthesis may assume a different configuration to allow the sphincter to reassert control over urinary voiding.

The invention generally involves urethral prostheses and related methods for draining bodily fluid from a patient.
Normal voiding of urine can be controlled through a patient""s sphincter muscles, including voluntary control through the external sphincter. When functions of sphincter muscles are temporarily compromised, for example, due to anesthesia, a patient""s control over normal urine voiding is likewise temporarily compromised.
Medical professionals that treat patients undergoing an anesthetic procedure currently have limited options for addressing urinary retention during and after the procedure. These include the use of a Foley catheter. In many cases, because post-operation assistance in voiding is needed (such as in the case of a urethral stenosis), the Foley catheter will remain in the patient""s urethra. However, there are disadvantages in the use of a Foley catheter after an anesthetic procedure. For example, because the Foley catheter provides constant drainage through the urethra by maintaining the internal sphincter open, it does not allow the patient to control voiding even after the patient recovers normal sphincter function. This has brought inconvenience and emotional distress to the patient. Also, the Foley catheter extends outside the body, again causing the patient emotional distress and discomfort. The extracorporeal portion of the Foley catheter also subjects the patient to risks of infection.
It is an object of the invention to provide a patient (e.g., a human male) with assisted urinary voiding, while also allowing the patient to control the external sphincter muscle as it regains functionality, such as after an anesthetic procedure. It is another object of the invention to provide the patient with such assisted and controllable release without the discomfort, emotional distress, or infection rates associated with conventional treatments.
In one aspect, the invention relates to a urethral prosthesis capable of adopting at least two configurations depending on the functioning or non-functioning of a patient""s external sphincter muscles. When the external sphincter muscles are not functioning or malfunctioning, the prosthesis may assume a compact configuration (locked or tied), and be placed in the urethra and adjacent the external sphincter muscles to provide constant drainage. When the external sphincter regains its function, the prosthesis may be transformed into an extended configuration. Reconfiguration will allow reposition of portions of the prosthesis away from the external sphincter muscles so that the muscles can contract and control urinary voiding.
An embodiment in accordance with these aspects of the invention includes a first segment, a second segment, and an adjustable tie connecting the two segments. The first segment includes a distal portion with at least one distal opening for receiving fluids such as urine, and a proximal portion with at least one proximal opening. A lumen extends from the at least one distal opening to the at least one proximal opening. The second segment similarly includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a lumen extending from at least one distal opening to at least one proximal opening. The connecting tie is adjustable with a variety of inter-segmental lengths; such adjustments result in a variety of corresponding distances between the segments. The tie may be adjusted to shorten the distance between the segments so that the proximal portion of the first segment directly contacts the distal portion of the second segment. This xe2x80x9ccompactxe2x80x9d configuration of the prosthesis is useful when patient""s external sphincter is malfunctioning because the sphincter muscles may be held open by the prosthesis, resulting in constant drainage. When the external sphincter regains its function and voluntary control over the assisted voiding is desired, the prosthesis can be adjusted to assume an xe2x80x9cextendedxe2x80x9d configuration. To do so, the inter-segmental distance is lengthened to allow insertion of an object, such as a portion of the external sphincter, which intercepts fluid communication between the lumens of the two segments. Under this extended configuration, the prosthesis permits functional sphincter muscles to contract and block, or extend and open fluid communication between the lumens, and therefore, achieving voluntary control over assisted urine voiding.
The adjustable tie in this embodiment may comprise a thread with two-ends. The ends may be connected or unconnected. In a preferred embodiment, the thread forms at least one loop between the proximal portion of the first segment and the distal portion of the second segment. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the thread forms a one-and-a half loop between the segments. The ends of the thread may be knotted together. Upon pulling the knot in a substantially proximal direction, the tie tightens the connection between the two segments, i.e., it shortens the inter-segmental distance.
The prosthesis, in accordance with another aspect of the invention, may further include a second tie connecting the proximal portion of the first segment and the distal portion of the second segment. This second tie has a pre-determined inter-segmental length between the first and the second segments of the prosthesis. The pre-determined inter-segmental length in turn sets the maximum value for the distance between the first and the second segments of the prosthesis. Such a maximum inter-segmental distance may be sufficient for the insertion of at least a portion of the functional external sphincter to effect voluntary control over fluid drainage. To reach this maximum inter-segmental distance, a retrieval piece may be connected to the proximal portion of the second segment. This retrieval piece may be a thread that can be pulled upon to help adjust the distance between the prosthetic segments, e.g., by pulling substantially away from the first prosthetic segment. Furthermore, a third segment may be removably connected to the proximal portion of the second segment. The third segment includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a lumen extending from at least one distal opening to at least one proximal opening. Fluid flowing from the lumens of the first and second segment can be relayed through the lumen of the third segment and emptied into a drainage bag connected to the proximal portion of the third segment.
An embodiment according to another aspect of the invention includes a first and a second segments similar to the ones described above. At least two ties connect the segments. The first tie engages the two segments by holding the two segments close enough to allow fluid communication between the lumens of the segments. In a preferred embodiment, the first tie holds the proximal portion of the first segment in direct contact with the distal portion of the second segment. The second tie connects the two prosthetic segments together at an inter-segmental distance upon disengagement of the first tie. This inter-segmental distance may be long enough to permit bodily control of fluid communication between the tubular lumens (e.g., insertion of portions of a sphincter muscle). Again, a retrieval piece may be connected to the proximal portion of the second segment. This retrieval piece may be a thread that can be pulled upon to help increase the distance between the prosthetic segments. Furthermore, a third segment with a lumen may be removably connected to the proximal portion of the second segment. Again, fluid flowing from the lumens of the first and second segment can be relayed through the lumen of the third segment and emptied into a further connected drainage bag.
Embodiments of the invention may include additional features. For instance, the first segment may incorporate an inflatable balloon. The balloon may be used for proper placement of the prosthesis. The distal portion of the first segment may further comprise a coudxc3xa9 tip. The first and second tubular segments are preferably made of a biocompatible material, such as silicone.
A method is provided for draining bodily fluid from a patient. A prosthesis having two connected segments is inserted into the urethra of a patient, then the distance between the segments is adjusted in response to sphincter functionality. When the patient has temporarily lost his sphincter function, the distance between the two segments may be shortened to allow fluid communication between the lumens of the prosthetic segments. When the patient regains sphincter function, the two segments of the prosthesis can be adjusted further apart to allow the sphincter muscles to come in between the two segments. A prosthesis with an adjustable tie as described above is useful for these purposes. The prosthesis may include a retrieval piece connected to the second segment. Pulling the retrieval piece substantially away from the first segment may help lengthen the inter-segmental distance, while pulling both ends of the adjustable tie shortens the inter-segmental distance. Furthermore, a second tie may be also provided to connect the proximal portion of the first segment with the distal portion of the second segment. The second tie connects the two segments at a distance from each other, limited by a pre-determined length. This pre-determined inter-segmental distance may be long enough to allow the patient""s sphincter muscles to come in between the two segments and control voiding.
Another method is provided for draining bodily fluid from a patient. A prosthesis having two segments is inserted into the urethra of a patient, and the two segments are connected by at least two ties. The first tie engages the two segments by holding the two segments close enough to allow fluid communication between the lumens of the segments. The second tie has a longer inter-segmental length. When the first tie is engaged, constant drainage is provided. However, when sphincter control over urine voiding is desired, the first tie is disengaged from the prosthesis and/or removed from the urethra while at least a portion of the prosthesis remains in the urethra. And the second segment may be pulled away from the first segment through a retrieval piece attached to the second segment, increasing the inter-segmental distance. Because the first tie is disengaged, only the second tie is holding the tubular segments together, and its inter-segmental length determines the distance between the prosthetic segments. This distance may be long enough for the sphincter muscles to assert control over fluid communication between the lumens.
The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description including drawings and from the claims.


A cooling device for cooling a rack-type server of which a housing includes a plurality of electronic devices includes an interior cooling unit and an exterior cooling unit. The interior cooling unit includes a heat-receiving unit, a heat dissipation unit, an outward path pipe, and a return path pipe. The interior cooling unit allows working fluid to be circulated through the heat-receiving unit, the outward path pipe, the heat dissipation unit, the return path pipe, and the heat-receiving unit to thereby move the heat from the heat-receiving unit to the heat dissipation unit. The exterior cooling unit has a heat exchange unit abutted on the heat dissipation unit and allows, by a circulated cooling medium, the heat of the working fluid discharged from the heat dissipation unit to be dissipated to external air.

In recent years, with electronic components having a higher performance and control substrates having a higher density, a remarkably-increased amount of heat has been emitted from control substrates. Furthermore, more electronic components for example have been provided to have a smaller size, a higher integration and a higher amount of information to be processed. Thus, an efficient cooling is required in the vicinity of a heat-generating unit. Thus, a cooling system has been suggested to cool a rack-type server using a water-cooling jacket (see for example Patent Publication 1).
The following section will describe a conventional cooling system to cool a rack-type server. A cabinet constituting an electronic device includes a plurality of electronic devices to form a plurality of stages. One electronic device accommodates a Central Processing Unit (CPU) as a semiconductor device from which heat is generated. This CPU is cooled by liquid circulated by the first pump in the first cooling system.
This first cooling system is thermally connected to the second cooling system having the second pump attached to the rear side of the cabinet. This second pump is connected to a piping. This piping is inserted to the interior of each electronic device of each stage. The piping raised from the second pump to be parallel to the cabinet is abutted on an inner wall face of the cabinet.
The piping inserted to the interior of each electronic device is attached with two heat-receiving units among which one heat-receiving unit is thermally connected to the heat-receiving jacket of the first cooling system and the other heat-receiving unit is thermally connected to a heat exchanger. The cooling liquid discharged from the second pump is circulated through the respective electronic devices of the respective stages and is subsequently collected by the second pump.
By the above configuration, the heat generated from the CPUs of the respective electronic devices is transmitted via the piping to the cabinet. Then, the heat is naturally released in the entire cabinet or is forcedly discharged by a cooling fan provided in the cabinet.
In the case of the conventional cooling system as described above, a disadvantage was caused in that the first cooling system cooled by water requires each electronic device to have the first pump for water circulation, thus causing increased power consumption. Furthermore, the heat from the heat-generating body (CPU) is finally discharged to the exterior of the cabinet, thus causing a disadvantage in an increased temperature in a place whether the cabinet is provided.

Cooling device for cooling rack-type server, and data center provided with same

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


In multichannel audio coding, an improved coding efficiency is achieved by the following measure: the noise filling of zero-quantized scale factor bands is performed using noise filling sources other than artificially generated noise or spectral replica. In particular, the coding efficiency in multichannel audio coding may be rendered more efficient by performing the noise filling based on noise generated using spectral lines from a previous frame of, or a different channel of the current frame of, the multichannel audio signal.

The present application concerns noise filling in multichannel audio coding.
Modern frequency-domain speech/audio coding systems such as the Opus/Celt codec of the IETF [1], MPEG-4 (HE-)AAC [2] or, in particular, MPEG-D xHE-AAC (USAC) [3], offer means to code audio frames using either one long transform—a long block—or eight sequential short transforms—short blocks—depending on the temporal stationarity of the signal. In addition, for low-bitrate coding these schemes provide tools to reconstruct frequency coefficients of a channel using pseudorandom noise or lower-frequency coefficients of the same channel. In xHE-AAC, these tools are known as noise filling and spectral band replication, respectively.
However, for very tonal or transient stereophonic input, noise filling and/or spectral band replication alone limit the achievable coding quality at very low bitrates, mostly since too many spectral coefficients of both channels need to be transmitted explicitly.
Thus, it is the object to provide a concept for performing noise filling in multichannel audio coding which provides for a more efficient coding, especially at very low bitrates.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Noise filling in multichannel audio coding

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.


A switching power supply device includes: a positive voltage output circuit connected to a direct-current power supply, the positive voltage output circuit including a first switching element, a voltage boosting inductor, a first rectifying element and a first capacitor; a negative voltage output circuit connected to the power supply, the negative voltage output circuit including a second switching element, a voltage dropping inductor, a second rectifying element and a second capacitor; and an adder circuit configured to add switching currents flowing when the first and the second switching elements are operated. The circuit elements of the positive voltage output circuit are symmetrical with those of the negative voltage output circuit. The first switching current of the positive voltage output circuit and the second switching current of the negative voltage output circuit are generated in mutually opposite directions and are inputted to the adder circuit.

A switching power supply device of the related art has a configuration in which a pulse voltage is generated from an input voltage by a switching operation and an output voltage is obtained by smoothing the pulse voltage. In the switching power supply device, it is possible to obtain a desired positive voltage and a desired negative voltage. The efficiency of the obtained voltages is as high as 80% to 95%. Thus, the switching power supply device is superior from the viewpoint of power-saving design.
However, if a wireless communication unit for processing ultra-micro signals, such as Bluetooth, GPS (Global Positioning system) or WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), exists in the vicinity of the switching power supply, communication is hindered by even a small amount of noise. This makes it impossible to perform basic operations, thereby causing a malfunction. Major causes of this phenomenon include PI (Power Integrity) noise, EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) and emission noise of the switching power supply.
In the related art, therefore, the switching power supply is used in equipment having no wireless communication unit. If a communication unit exists near the switching power supply, a filter or a choke coil for reducing PI noise or EMI noise is arranged in addition to the switching power supply. It is also known that the switching power supply is wholly surrounded by a tube shield to prevent the influence of a switching noise. In the related art, a noise-cancelling dummy switch is provided to cancel the electric fields between an output-voltage-generating switch node and a noise-cancelling switch node.
In the related art referred to above, however, the costs grow higher. Moreover, the substrate area, the volume and weight of the parts, the number of parts and the reliability work against the switching power supply and become an obstacle in designing a small, lightweight and high-performance product. In addition, the methods of the related art, such as the method of providing a filter or a choke coil for reducing PI noise or EMI noise in addition to the switching power supply, suffer from a problem in that it is difficult to sufficiently reduce noise. In order to obtain a positive voltage output and a negative voltage output, there is a need to separately provide a voltage boosting circuit and a voltage dropping circuit. If the noise-reducing parts stated above are added to the voltage boosting circuit and the voltage dropping circuit, the costs grow higher. The addition of the noise-reducing parts becomes an obstacle in designing a small, lightweight and high-performance product.

Switching power supply device for noise reduction


An electrical junction box main body has a first connector, and a junction box receiving case for receiving the junction box main body has a slanting cam groove. A connector block for receiving a second connector engaged with the first connector has a driving pin slidingly engaged with the cam groove. Insertion of the junction box main body into the junction box receiving case causes the connector block to move toward the junction box main body by the driving pin guided by the cam groove. In another embodiment, a junction box main body has a first driving pin and a first group of connectors; a connector housing includes a second group of connectors engaged with the first group of connectors and is provided with a second driving pin; and a junction box receiving case or bracket has a first cam groove associated with the first driving pin, a second cam groove associated with the second driving pin, and clamping means for clamping the junction box main body to the junction box receiving case or bracket, use of the clamping means drawing the junction box main body towards a wall of the case and causing connectors to be drawn towards connectors.

FIG. 16 shows a known electrical junction box connecting structure disclosed in Japanese Utility Model No. H.6-49064.
This structure has a junction box main body 41 receiving upwardly and locking a plurality of female connectors 42. Further, a plurality of male connectors 43 corresponding to the female connectors 42 are disposed in a box housing 44 that is provisionally received in the junction box main body 41 downwardly. Then, screwing a bolt 45 into nut 46 secured to the junction box main body 41 engages the male connectors 43 with the female connectors 42. The female connectors 42 and the male connectors 43 have been connected respectively to wiring harnesses 47 and 48.
The junction box main body 41, the female connectors 42, the male connectors 43, and the box housing 44 constitute an electrical junction box 49. This electrical junction box 49 is mounted, for example, in an instrument panel for a motor vehicle. Meanwhile, when the male connectors 43 are few in number, they are coupled to the female connectors 42 by hand without a bolt.
However, there is no space in the instrument panel for the engagement work by hand of the known structure, restricting the mounting position of the electrical junction box 49. This is a drawback in the structure. Moreover, in connection of the wiring harnesses 47 and 48 by way of the junction box main body 41 in the instrument panel, the connection must be carried out with the instrument panel having been provisionally assembled, or must be carried out after the wiring harnesses 47 and 48 have been spread out from their provisionally assembled state in the instrument panel. This complicated, fatiguing work or a connector connection work carried out with a blind or abnormal posture working condition tends to cause an incorrect connection of the connectors.

Electrical junction box connecting structure and connecting method thereof


Devices and techniques are generally described for application determination in speech processing. Input data corresponding to a spoken utterance may be received. Speech recognition processing may be performed on the input data to generate text data. A machine learning encoder may generate a vector representation of the input data. A first binary classifier may determine a first probability that the input data corresponds to a first speech-processing application. A second binary classifier may determine a second probability that the input data corresponds to a second speech-processing application. A selection between the first speech-processing application and the second speech-processing application may be made based at least in part on the first probability and the second probability.

Automatic speech recognition (ASR) combined with language processing techniques may enable a computing device to retrieve and process commands from a user based on the user's spoken commands. In some systems, speech recognition and/or voice-controlled devices activate upon detection of a spoken "wake-word" or "wake command". Natural language processing is used to translate the spoken commands into computer-executable instructions. The executable instructions are executed and a corresponding task is performed. Such speech recognition and voice control may be used by personal computers, hand-held devices, telephone computer systems, and a wide variety of other computing devices to improve human-computer interactions.

Skill shortlister for natural language processing


A tensioner for deploying a member such as a pipe or cable, such as a sub-sea cable deployed from a ship, comprises an endless track and drive means for driving the track. The track includes a plurality of traction elements mounted thereon for movement with the track. Each traction element includes one or more cushions for supporting the member, and a pair of opposed arms mounted on respective sides of the base of the traction element. One or more of the arms is pivotally mounted for movement between a clamping position and a release position. In an alternative arrangement, four moveable arms are linked in diametrically opposite pairs to move between a release position and a clamping position. Cushions on the arms clamp the member in conjunction with the cushions of the traction element, when the arms are in the clamping position. Guide means are provided to urge the arms into the clamping position to grip the member as it passes through the tensioner.

Tensioners as such are known in the art and are used to grip pipes or cables as they are deployed from a ship to the sea bed during offshore installation. The tensioners maintain a constant tension in the pipe or cable (hereinafter "member") as it is deployed over the side of the vessel. Conventional tensioners consist of a number of traction devices having a track, each track comprising a number of contacting elements arranged on a continuous belt or loop. The track is driven so that as the contacting elements move with the belt or loop they move along a path or section in which contacting surfaces the contacting elements bear against the member and so control the passage of the pipe or cable through the tensioner. Typically two, three or four tracks are provided arranged equidistantly around the member. Providing a higher number of tracks (for example four rather than two) achieves a more even distribution of the loading on the member gripped by the tensioner and, for a given coefficient of friction between the tensioner and the member reduces the length over which the member has to be gripped in order to achieve a desirably low tensile force.
ISUs are relatively stiff but delicate "cables" which consist of a number of elements such as hoses, power cables and signal cables in a single package, generally of circular cross section. ISUs cannot withstand high clamping loads which are conventionally applied when laying pipes for example. In order to avoid such high clamping loads, ISUs require very long pipe tensioning machines (even where four tracks are provided) to provide the required grip on the ISU while providing sufficiently high hold-back tension (typically of the order of 60 tonnes) which is necessary for laying cable from a ship into very deep water.
Conventional traction devices are arranged so that the clamping forces on the member are reacted by the traction devices themselves, opposing traction devices being urged by hydraulic or mechanical means onto the member to provide the gripping force. The traction devices are thus required to resist both the tensile force resulting from the laying of the member and the gripping forces normal to the longitudinal axis of the member. This necessarily means that each traction device is relatively large and heavy and this problem is multiplied where higher numbers of traction devices are needed.

Longitudinal load varying device for elongate members


A color conversion definition (CCD) creating method of creating CCD converting coordinate points within a color reproduction area (CRA) of 1st device mediating between an image and image data, in 1st RGB color space, depending on 1st device, into coordinate points within CRA of printing in CMYK color space for printing, has 1st CCD creating step of creating 1st CCD for converting the coordinate points within CRA of 1st device in 1st RGB color space into coordinate points within CRA of 2nd device mediating between an image and image data, in 2nd RGB color space, depending on 2nd device, CRA of 2nd device being closer to CRA of the printing than 1st device, and 2nd CCD creating step of creating 2nd CCD for converting the coordinate points within CRA of 2nd device in 2nd RGB color space into coordinate points within CRA of printing in CMYK color space.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to color conversion definition creating method and color conversion definition creating apparatus for creating a color conversion definition converting coordinate points within a color reproduction area of a device (for example, a printer) mediating between an image and image data in a three-dimensional color space (an RGB color space) taking as axes R (red), G (green) and B (blue), depending on the device, into coordinate points within a color reproduction area of printing in a four-dimensional color space (a CMYK color space) taking as axes C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow) and K (black) for printing, and a color conversion definition creating program storage medium storing a color conversion definition creating program which causes a computer to operate as the color conversion definition creating apparatus when the color conversion definition creating program is incorporated into the computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hitherto, as an apparatus for applying a high quality of color processing for printing to image data representative of an image, there is known an apparatus (for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,002,806) in which upon receipt of CMY data representative of a combination (coordinate points within a CMY color space) of density values of C, M and Y, CMYK data representative of a combination (coordinate points within a CMYK color space) of dot % of C, M, Y, and K is outputted.
This apparatus receives the CMY data and performs a color processing. Even recently, while there are proposed various improvements on such an apparatus, such an apparatus is concerned with a well-established technology in base, and there exist many skilled persons capable of operating such an apparatus to perform a high quality of color processing (this color processing is referred to "set up").
Recently, as color management technologies have come into wide use, there is increased a necessity for obtaining a high quality of CMYK data for printing in accordance with color data other than the CMY data. As one of the examples, it may be required that upon receipt of RGB data representative of a combination (coordinate points within a RGB color space) of values of R, G, and B, an image, in which a color of a printed image obtained through an output of a printer based on the RGB data is faithfully reproduced, is printed.
When the RGB data is converted into the CMYK data, not only it is necessary to convert the RGB data into the CMYK data capable of obtaining the same color as the colorimetric value, but also it is necessary to convert the RGB data into the CMYK data excellent in printability. A large factor as to whether there is the printability is a value of K. And when the RGB data is converted into the CMYK data capable of obtaining the same color as the colorimetric value, there is a need to determine the value of K in accordance with a printing company, a printing machine and the like.
Even if the use of various techniques makes it possible that the RGB data is converted into the CMYK data excellent in printability and capable of obtaining the same color as the colorimetric value, matching of a color of an image outputted from a specified printer in accordance with the RGB data to a color of an image reproduced in printing is concerned with only areas wherein a color reproduction area of the printer overlaps with a color reproduction area of printing. In the event that a color reproduction area (an outline of a printer profile) of the printer is greatly different from a color reproduction area (an outline of a printing profile) of printing (usually, the outline of the printing profile is narrower), this involves a problem as to how a portion exceeding out of the color reproduction area of printing, of the color reproduction area of the printer is converted into the color reproduction area of printing (this is referred to as a gamut mapping) so that an image, which has a color very approximating the color of the image outputted from the printer in accordance with the RGB data and involves no feeling of wrongness in a color tone, is reproduced by a printing

Color conversion definition creating method, color conversion definition creating apparatus, and color conversion definition creating program storage medium


A reusable, reclosable, suspendable bag assembly facilitates storage of an object, such as a medical instrument, between uses. The bag assembly includes a suspension tab for hanging or carrying the bag. A closure flap is provided to fold over an opening of the bag to close the interior cavity therein. The bag assembly is formed in two sections, a removable section and a reusable, reclosable bag section. The removable section is attached to the reclosable bag section by tear lines that allow the removable section to be readily detached from the bag section by a user.

Certain medical or other instruments are delivered to the end user in closed pouches or bags. The user opens the bag to remove the instrument. Some instruments are intended for more than one use, such as syringes for enteral feedings or irrigation catheters. In this instance, it is useful to store the instrument in the same pouch or bag between uses.
One type of known bag is formed of two sheets of material sealed along a portion of their peripheries. A line of perforations extends transversely across each sheet above the sealed peripheries, each line offset from the other line of perforations. The user grasps the bag above and below the perforations to separate the sheets at the perforations, leaving one sheet longer than the other. The longer extent forms a flap which can be folded over the shorter sheet to reclose the bag.

Reclosable bag assembly with suspension tab


A removable storate container for a motor vehicle interior is disclosed. The storage container comprises first and second container halves and a hinge. The first container half has an indentation adapted to engage a projection on a floor of the vehicle. The second container half is disposed adjacent a side wall of the vehicle, and includes at least one hole adapted to removably engage a corresponding projection extending from a side wall of the vehicle. The hinge pivotably connects the first container half and the second container half. Optional features include foam padding disposed between the first container half and the second container half, and a handle connected to the storage container for carrying the storage container when the storage container is removed from the vehicle.

Storage space in a motor vehicle largely consists of the trunk of a car or, in the case of minivans or sport utility vehicles, the rear of the passenger compartment. Storage containers for motor vehicles, pre-assembled for convenience or security, have been proposed. Examples of such storage containers may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,931 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,384.
When situated behind a seat in the motor vehicle, however, prior art storage containers often interfere with rearward deployment of the seat.

Removable interior storage container for motor vehicle


A rigid rectangular frame module (44,66,52,80) mounts a printed circuit board (40) and provides a number of edge connector nodes (46) mounted in a multi-connector node carrier (110) forming one structural element of the frame. Service cables, including power lines (200) and input/output fiber optic lines (202) are carried in a guide channel (80) at one side of the frame and coupled to a service cable connector plug (154) fixed in the frame adjacent the multi-connector node carrier (220). Locking cams (210) in frame handles (60,62) are lever actuated to firmly position the frame in a support structure to enable interconnection of its edge mounted connector modules (46) with edge mounted connector modules of a plurality of similar frame mounted printed circuit boards. The printed circuit board and frame module assembly is arranged for use in a closely packed stack (22) of such printed circuit board and frame module assemblies. The frame is configured and arranged to protect the stack of circuit boards and to allow cooling air flow therebetween. Two mutually perpendicular stacks of such printed circuit board and frame module assemblies are mounted in a four sided cage (290,292,294,296) that holds the boards of each stack in direct edge to edge connection. Threaded devices (168,180) force the service cable connector plug (154) into engagement with a service cable connector receptacle (32) carried by the cage. Screw actuated power and fiber optic interconnections (154,32) are provided for connection of electrical power and fiber optic input/output signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to printed circuit board assemblies and more particularly concerns an assembly of a printed circuit board and its supporting frame that facilitates direct edge to edge connection of stacked boards and frames in mutually perpendicular planes.
2. Description of Related Art
As functions and operations of electronic equipment expand in scope and complexity, greater amounts of circuitry are necessarily employed. Circuit boards become larger and increased numbers of such boards are used. For example, very large capacity computers which embody massive parallel processing of data and massive parallel computational operations and some telephone switching circuits for distribution of video and information systems for household use may employ large numbers of identical or nearly identical circuits. Often, groups of similar or identical circuits are mounted on each of a large number of circuit boards that are packaged in a group. In a common type of multi board packaging arrangement, boards of a first group of mutually parallel daughter boards are positioned in parallel planes that are perpendicular to one side of a mother board, and a second group of such parallel daughter boards lie in planes perpendicular to the opposite side of the mother board. System operation requires the ability to interconnect circuits on one daughter board to circuits on another daughter board. The mother board is provided to afford such interconnections. Thus, a circuit on one daughter board is connected to a circuit on a second daughter board by a connection between the first daughter board and the mother board, appropriate circuitry in the mother board, and a connection between circuitry of the mother board and the second daughter board. Such arrangements require complex and costly termination processes and hardware for interconnection of the daughter boards to the mother board. Importantly, length and impedance of the circuit path between the two interconnected daughter boards varies depending upon the location of the daughter boards with respect to one another and with respect to the interposed mother board. The path length of the connection between two daughter boards depends to a large extent upon the length of the interconnection path that is provided within the interposed mother board itself. Such varying path lengths introduce varying impedance and varying timing, so that it may be necessary in some cases to introduce compensating timing circuits that account for differences in the time required for signals to traverse different ones of the circuit paths that interconnect daughter boards. Further, such daughter boards often carry electrical power and fiber optic input/output connectors on back edges, requiring various connections to be made to the board at locations widely separated on the board from the electrical data signal connectors. Moreover, the required use of the interposed mother board and its circuits adds to cost and complexity of the assembly.
To avoid problems such as these it has been suggested, as set forth in the co-pending patent application of Felix M. Oshita, Ronald L. Campbell and Theodore R. Conroy-Wass for Hermaphroditic Interconnection of Circuit Boards, Ser. No. 07/801,977, filed Dec. 3, 1991 and assigned to the assignee of the present application, to provide board edges with hermaphroditic connector nodes to enable the daughter boards to be connected directly to one another in an edge to edge relation. Such a configuration provides significant advantages in the compact interconnection of large numbers of circuit boards. However, it is necessary to provide a support structure for the boards that optimizes the advantages derived from the edge to edge hermaphroditic interconnection of stacks of boards and enables them to be assembled in stacks of interconnected boards.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a frame for mounting a circuit board that is specifically designed for use in a system wherein stacks of circuit boards are interconnected in edge to edge relation.

Printed circuit board frame module assembly


A communication system includes a network-side apparatus and a user-side apparatus. The network-side apparatus includes a transmission function unit configured to perform processing of a transmission function on data received from the user-side apparatus, a quality calculation unit configured to calculate a quality of media data which is transmitted from the user-side apparatus and on which the processing is performed by the transmission function unit; and a transmission function changing unit configured to change the transmission function performed by the transmission function unit in a range in which the calculated quality satisfies a quality required by an application.

In recent years, there have been many efforts to provide new services through networks (hereinafter also described as "NWs") with the spread of Internet-of-Things (IoT) apparatuses (see, e.g., Non Patent Literature 1). Although examples of such services are conventionally limited to aggregation and analysis of sensor information, a system has been devised in which media information, such as images and sounds, is sent from an IoT apparatus to a NW to analyze the information on the NW and feedback is given to the IoT apparatus, as in automated driving and robot control. In addition, applications (also described hereinafter as "apps") that need to give feedback to such IoT apparatuses are required to be low-latency. As such, a system is required to provide a service through edge computing of causing an application to run at an edge, such as an access station located close to IoT apparatuses, rather than providing a service on a conventional cloud.
The advantage of low latency is obtained by placing a server executing such an app in an access station. On the other hand, unlike cloud computing in which servers for executing apps are aggregated in a data center, edge computing is expected to entail increasing equipment costs because communication apparatuses such as an optical line terminal (OLT) and a media converter and servers are deployed in access stations of respective regions. To deal with this problem, a method of achieving edge computing with only a simple server is expected.
The communication apparatuses perform transmission functions (frame synchronization, error correction, and line coding). These functions are involved with a frame reception rate and an error rate of a received signal.
In recent years, software for transmission functions has been implemented (see, e.g., Non Patent Literature 2). As an algorithm requiring a greater amount of computation is used, a higher frame reception rate and a lower error rate can be obtained. However, in communication standards, algorithms requiring a great amount of computation are used to guarantee a high transmission quality.
Image processing is conceivable as an example of an app for edge computing, and images can be processed even with noise incorporated therein. A quality of images is evaluated using a peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR). A PSNR of about 30 dB is a standard value in image compression, which is considered to be a level of image degradation which does not cause a problem in image processing.
A PSNR is defined as follows:
                              [                      Math            .                                                              1                    ]                                                                                PSNR        =                              10            ·                          log                              1                                0                                                                    (                                                            MAX                                                                                2                                            M                                S                                E                                      )                                              (        1        )                                          [                      Math            .                                                              2                    ]                                                                                MSE        =                              1                          m                            n                                                                    ∑                              i                =                0                                            m                -                1                                                                                ∑                                  j                  =                  0                                                  n                  -                  1                                                                                [                                                            I                                                                    (                                                  i                          ,                          j                                                )                                                              -                                          K                                                                    (                                                  i                          ,                          j                                                )                                                                              ]                                2                                                                        (        2        )
MAX represents a maximum pixel value. m denotes an image size in the vertical direction and n denotes an image size in the horizontal direction. I(i, j) denotes an original image, and K(i, j) denotes an image obtained by imparting noise to the original image. The original image is essential for evaluating a PSNR of the noise-imparted image data.
Meanwhile, there are methods of removing noise in image processing. For example, a median filter is a famous technique. The median filter is a method of removing noise by taking the median from a pixel of interest and neighboring pixels in an image. Image filtering utilizes the correlation of the neighboring pixels of an image, and thus requires simple computation, allowing the amount of computation thereof to be less than that of error correction processing that requires complex arithmetic operations.

Communication system, network-side apparatus, transmission function changing method and program

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION


In various embodiments, icons, specific to a type of memory card (e.g., a flash memory card) inserted into a card reader may be displayed. In some embodiments, the card reader may be electrically connected to the host controller each time a memory card is inserted into the card reader. In various embodiments, different device identifications may be reported as if the card reader were actually several different card readers each dedicated to a different memory card type. A registry of an operating system may be preloaded with a different icon for each of the different card reader types. An icon may be displayed on a display specific to the type of memory card inserted. When the memory card is removed, the card reader may be electrically disconnected and the displayed icon may be removed or replaced.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to computer systems and, more particularly, to card readers.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years the electronics marketplace has seen a proliferation of appliances and personal electronics devices that use solid-state memory. For example, traditional film cameras have been losing market share to digital cameras capable of recording images that may be directly downloaded to and stored on personal computers (PCs). The pictures recorded by digital cameras can easily be converted to common graphics file formats such as Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), Graphic Interchange Format (GIF) or Bitmap (BMP), and sent as e-mail attachments or posted on web pages and online photo albums. Many digital cameras are also capable of capturing short video clips in standard digital video formats, for example Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), which may also be directly downloaded and stored on personal computers (PCs) or notebook computers. Other devices that typically use solid-state memory include personal digital assistants (PDAs), pocket PCs, video game consoles and Moving Picture Experts Group Layer-3 Audio (MP3) players.
The most widely used solid-state memory devices include flash-memory chips configured on a small removable memory card, and are commonly referred to as flash-memory cards. The majority of flash-memory cards currently on the market are typically one of: Compact Flash™, MultiMediaMemory™ memory card (MMC) and the related Secure Digital Memory card (SD), SmartMedia™ memory card (SM), xD Picture Cards™ (xD), and Memory Stick™. Most digital cameras, for example, use Compact Flash™ memory cards to record images. Many PDA models use Memory Stick™ memory cards to hold data. Some MP3 players store music files on SM memory cards. Generally, data saved by PDAs and other handheld devices using flash-memory cards are also transferred or downloaded to a PC. In the present application, the term "flash-memory" is intended to have the full breadth of its ordinary meaning, which generally encompasses various types of non-volatile solid-state memory devices.
Typically, a flash-memory card can easily be removed from the utilizing device. For example, a Compact Flash™ memory card can be removed from a digital camera much like film is removed from a standard camera. The flash-memory card can then be inserted into an appropriate flash-memory card reader hooked up to a PC, and the image files directly copied to the PC. It should be noted that while a majority of smaller hand-held computers and PDAs have slots that receive Compact Flash™ memory cards, most PCs do not, hence the need for a flash-memory card reader connecting to the PC. Most recently the preferred interface between flash-memory card readers and PCs has been the Universal Serial Bus (USB), where the flash-memory card reader is connected to a USB port on the PC via a USB cable. Portable computer or notebook PCs typically also have PC-memory card (earlier known as Personal Computer Memory card International Association; PCMCIA) slots that can receive PCMCIA memory cards configured as flash-memory card readers.
In all, the many different memory card formats present a wide array of interface requirements not only for PCs but for other digital systems as well, such as embedded systems. Different adapters are needed for each of the memory card formats. One solution to consolidate the interfacing of flash-memory cards to desktop and portable computer PCs has been the design and manufacture of multi-format flash-memory card readers that are capable of reading the most popular formats. Such memory card-readers are sometimes referred to as 'Seven-in-one' readers indicating that they may be used with the currently popular flash-memory card formats. As indicated above, such multi-format card readers are typically designed with a USB interface. USB based systems require that a USB host controller be present in the host system, and that the operating system (OS) of the host system support USB and USB Mass Storage Class Devices. In addition, screen icons and text for these card readers do not indicate what type of card is currently in the card reader.

Automatic drive icon assignment by media type in single slot USB card readers


A system for managing a structured cabling system, together with the attached equipment and devices, utilises a hand-held scanner to record moves, adds and changes by scanning machine-readable identifiers (such as bar-code labels) attached to structured cabling components, including but not limited to active and passive communications equipment, cross-connects, patch cords, backbone connections and peripheral equipment. The system records or audits cross-connects by scanning the label of each port and cable in a cross-connect and correlating the cable identifiers to infer the connections. Complete end-to-end connections (‘channels’) can be inferred in the same way, and the system provides a mechanism to filter the display of channels to provide the most relevant details, including display of only frequently changed components, incomplete channels and permanent patches (‘patch by exception’). The system can also provide a mechanism to record channel constraints to define which communications protocols (‘applications’) can run over which categories of cabling (‘category’), which combinations of categories are allowed, and what the maximum channel length is for a particular application and category. The system can provide warnings upon connection of components or completion of a channel.

Structured cabling systems allow voice and data services to be delivered to users in a manner that is both flexible and reliable. The disadvantage of this flexibility is that changes can be frequent, making it difficult to keep track of connections between communications equipment and peripheral (workstation or other end-user) equipment. Poor record keeping can result in critical data and voice services being accidentally disconnected, wastage of the infrastructure, difficulty in troubleshooting problems and difficulty in planning and executing disaster recovery strategies.
Historically, structured cabling record management has been done using manual record keeping. This is prone to error and is reliant on the discipline of the engineers to record changes in the system after they have been made.
The problem is made worse by the fact that at least two entries are required for every move or change to be made, where records have to be updated for both the workstation side and the communications equipment side. In the case of links involving backbone connections, up to four entries may have to be cross-referenced in order to determine which workstation is connected to which communications equipment.
The complexity of referencing manual records, coupled with their inherent lack of portability makes manual systems unsuitable for troubleshooting and disaster recovery scenarios.
More recently, computer applications have been used to record structured cabling moves, additions and changes. However the majority suffer the problem that they are not portable and still rely on discipline to keep them up to date. Additionally, most systems are not flexible enough to record details of the plethora of network components, backbone cabling, connection options and necessary data on communications equipment that exist in the real world.
Some vendors supply hardware solutions for managing cabling systems. These consist of specialised patch panels and cables which have an extra conductor to detect changes to the cabling. However, these solutions are costly to install or retrofit to existing systems and do not support all components of the infrastructure.


A computer program is stored on a computer-readable medium and executed by a processor and performs a method of transmitting and receiving signals between a hard disk controller and a read channel. The computer program comprises transmitting a data gate signal; transmitting or receiving data under control of the data gate signal; transmitting a media gate signal; and transmitting mode selection information under control of the media gate signal, wherein said data gate signal controls the transfer of data between the hard disk controller and the read channel and wherein data is transferred between a storage media and the read channel in accordance with the media gate signal.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
As is shown in FIG. 1, a typical disk drive system includes a hard disk controller (HDC) 12 that interfaces with a R/W channel or RDC 14 which is in communication with a disk 16. Data transfer between the HDC and the R/W channel is synchronized by read gate (RGATE) and write gate (WGATE) control signals. In a read operation, R/W channel 14 processes an incoming analog signal from disk 16 and transfers the data to HDC 12. In a write operation, data is transferred from the HDC to the R/W channel to be written to the disk. Latency refers to the time or byte delay that data remains in the R/W channel. Some disk drive systems have latencies of about 20 bytes which, depending on the particular system, amounts to a time delay of between about 800 ns and 5 ms.
Technology such as iterative turbo coding, which is being introduced into modern disk drive systems, requires more processing before the data is available, which, in turn, requires R/W channels or RDCs with higher latencies. One problem is that the interface used in the shorter latency systems is not capable of supporting the higher latencies. Accordingly, a new interface is needed that supports higher latency R/W channel or RDC designs.

High latency interface between hardware components


A device, a system and a method are provided for controllably releasing a product (26) into a container (10) in which the product (26) is mixed with another product contained within an interior (14) of the container 10. The device (12) releases the product (26) due to variations in temperature or pressure that the system experiences during an autoclaving or sterilization procedure, for example. Materials and shapes of the members (20, 20a, 20b, 22) of the device (12) are selected such that the members (20, 20a, 20b, 22) react or otherwise move within the device in a predetermined manner in response to changes in temperature or pressure. As a result, products (26) within the device (12) may be maintained separately from products within the interior (14) of the container (10) in which the device (12) is held. Prior to administration of a solution within the container (10), the product (26) within the device (12) may be mixed with the solution or other product in the container (10) in a controllable fashion.

The present invention generally relates to a valve used in a system for release of a product into the system following occurrence of an event. More specifically, the present invention relates to a valve, a system and a method for controllable release of a product which requires separation from a remainder of the products contained in a system.
A major function of a kidney is to maintain an acid-based homeostasis in the body. A patient requiring renal dialysis relies on a buffer provided in a dialysate for this function. A natural buffer which is present in the body is a bicarbonate buffer. Therefore, using a bicarbonate buffer is a natural choice for combination with a dialysate. However, bicarbonate when mixed with dextrose contained in dialysate causes the dextrose to degrade at the high temperatures that are used during autoclaving. Therefore, lactate has often been used as a substitute for bicarbonate.
Solution biocompatability is, of course, a major concern in dialysis. Therefore, combining dialysate with a bicarbonate buffer has been seriously pursued. Accordingly, many endeavors have been undertaken to develop a bicarbonate solution for use in dialysis.
One such known method is to incorporate a dual-chamber bag. In this system and method, two solutions are contained in two separate chambers of a bag that are integrally formed. Between the chambers of the bag is a frangible. When the frangible is broken, the two solutions are admixed. However, such a system is difficult to manufacture, and the material costs required to produce the dual-chamber bag are high.
Of course, a number of other applications require separation of components prior to use due to compatability issues. For example, a number of intravenous solutions require separation, such as dextrose and heparin, chemotherapy drugs and antibiotic drugs. Other peritoneal dialysis solutions also require separation besides dextrose and a buffer, such as polyglucose and a buffer; dextrose or polyglucose and a peptide or amino acids; and Dianeal.RTM. and heparin.
A need, therefore, exists for an improved device, system and method for controllably releasing a component, such as bicarbonate, into a solution or second component for mixing of the component with the solution.

System, method and device for controllably releasing a product


In some implementations, a system can optimize offline map data updates. For example, a server device in the system can determine a metric for identifying map data objects based on attributes of the map data objects. The server device can then generate a quadtree that stores the map data objects in nodes of the quadtree based on the metric. When processing an update to the map data stored at the server device, the server device can generate update data describing the updates for each node in the quadtree based on a binary difference algorithm and/or a semantic difference algorithm. The server device can select the algorithm based on which algorithm results in the smallest compressed size of the update data.

Mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablet computers, smart watches, and other computing devices, often include applications that provide interfaces that allow users to utilize services from network service providers. An example of such applications and/or services is map and/or navigation related applications and/or services. For example, while a user is using a map application on a mobile device, the map application can use a network (e.g., Internet connection) to obtain map data (e.g., map images, points of interest, etc.) for the mobile device's current location from a map service over the network connection. The map application can then provide various map related services to the user using the map data received from the map service. To enable the user to continue using the maps service while the mobile device is offline (e.g., not connected to the network), the map application on the mobile device can download map data and store the map data on the mobile device so that the map data can be used when the mobile device is offline (e.g., not connected to the network). However, keeping the offline map data stored on the mobile device up to date can be expensive in terms of data storage on the mobile device, network bandwidth usage, processing cycles, and/or time needed to make the updates.


Various embodiments of the present application are directed to a narrow band filter with high transmission and an image sensor comprising the narrow band filter. In some embodiments, the filter comprises a first distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), a second DBR, a defect layer between the first and second DBRs, and a plurality of columnar structures. The columnar structures extend through the defect layer and have a refractive index different than a refractive index of the defect layer. The first and second DBRs define a low transmission band, and the defect layer defines a high transmission band dividing the low transmission band. The columnar structures shift the high transmission band towards lower or higher wavelengths depending upon a refractive index of the columnar structures and a fill factor of the columnar structures.

Many devices include photodetectors to sense incident radiation. For example, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor may comprise an array of photodetectors to convert an optical image to digital data representing the optical image. However, photodetectors typically have little to no ability to discriminate between different wavelengths (or colors) of radiation. Therefore, filters may be paired with photodetectors to allow the photodetectors to sense specific wavelengths of radiation.

Narrow band filter with high transmission

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


Flexible suspension of colter element (1) of a snowplough furnished with a body (5), a blade (3) as its extension, colter element (1) that gets in contact with the surface to be ploughed, where for the colter element (1) a tilt suited for the purpose is arranged, a.o. a cutting angle. Colter element (1) is fitted to dodge an obstacle in its cutting angle by backing up, whereby the fixing arrangement of colter element (1) has an open space formed for moving plate (13) fitted as extension of the colter element, in which space said moving plate is arranged to glide, and the arrangement includes a spring organ (9) the spring impact of which is arranged to hinder the colter element from backing up.

In using flexible colters of polyurethane or rubber, the load of the colter against the surface to be ploughed must be small, but the colter must stay in same colter angle during flexing movement. The smallness of vertical force pressing the colter is important in order to minimize wear and tear of the colter and to lengthen the life of the colter. A correct position keeps the cutting of colter edge sharp without rounding the lower surface. Rounding of colter lower surface makes the cutting edge of the coulter rise from the ground, so that snow getting under the colter lifts the colter to glide on the snow layer. The result is weakened ploughing quality.
Backing of the colter in its movement direction against a spring is known for instance from publications DE 881200, GB 1060335, GB 784049. In these publications, the colter is a plate of large size, which must always be replaced as a whole when sufficiently worn out. For the colter plate, a quite long backward directed steering box portion is arranged, which keeps the colter in the desired direction.
In using an additional colter, this colter must have same possibilities to follow the roughness of surface as the first colter.
Previously known is a suspension of a colter, where the whole plough, that is the blade and colter, is divided into transverse elements which are flexing vertically on levers or on flexible attachments. The disadvantages of this solution are the relatively heavy elements, which cause the colters to have a wearing load and hard strokes on obstacles during ploughing, because of the mass of elements. The moving of the elements gives cause to discontinuity on the blade surface and restricts the blade forming. The circle curve is almost the only possible cross-section of the blade, if the motion is dimensioned to follow the curve. The direction of the evasive movement by means of lever mechanisms is in a relatively great angle in regard to the driving motion direction and thus disadvantageous.
Previously known is also a solution where the colter is divided into separately suspended elements, which suspended elements function simply as steered by springs or separate elements, as in GB 784049. There are wearing parts in the control mechanisms. Colters resting merely on springs have too great colter forces and often insufficient control, which lead to rapid wearing and blade bottom rounding. Known is also a solution where the colter is suspended on springs of elastic rubber or of plastic.
The disadvantage of said solutions is weak control, whereby the colter wears out into a wrong form. Another disadvantage appears in speedy ploughing, and the attendant risk connected to overheating of spring material and to loss of spring material firmness due to inside frictions.
For suspension of an additional colter a further solution is known, where the additional colter is furnished with its own mechanisms both for the vertical and evasive backward motion of the colter. This is an expensive solution containing many parts.