The present invention uses site diversity reception and RAKE combining reception for the method for a CDMA communication mobile terminal to carry out a cell search to search for a base station with which to communicate. Even if the reception power levels of synchronization acquisition signals sent from a plurality of base stations are lower than a predetermined threshold, in the case where the power level of a signal combining those signals is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the mobile terminal continues processing of requesting position registration to any one of the plurality of base stations and thereby improves communicability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a base station search method and mobile terminal apparatus in a CDMA-based mobile communication.
2. Description of the Related Art
A CDMA-based mobile communication system includes a plurality of base stations in a service area and a mobile station transmits/receives signals to/from a nearest base station.
A radio zone covered by one base station is called a "cell (or sector)".
When power is turned on, a mobile station searches for a nearest base station, then transmits/receives predetermined information to/from the searched base station and finally enters into a communication ready state (ready for receiving a call signal from the base station: standby state).
A CDMA system is broadly divided into W-CDMA system (European-Japanese system) and CDMA2000 (IS-95 system: USA system).
According to the first system, each base station operates asynchronously. On the other hand, the second system supplies each base station with an absolute time base using a GPS satellite, etc. so that each base station operates synchronously.
However, a procedure for a mobile station to search for a nearest base station (a method whereby a mobile station searches for a cell to which it belongs, and which is generally called a "cell search") is basically common to both systems.
That is, in a first stage of a cell search, the mobile station detects signals that reach a minimum reception limit level out of signals (pilot symbols included in a perch channel and long code mask symbols, etc.) sent by each base station to acquire synchronization.
Then, the mobile station selects a signal with maximum reception power out of a plurality of detected signals and then controls the phase of a despreading code in an attempt to establish synchronization with the base station corresponding to the selected signal.
In a second stage of the cell search, the mobile station requests the nearest base station with which synchronization has been established to proceed with position registration and at the same time sends information on the current reception power.
Upon receipt of a request for position registration, the base station newly registers the position of the mobile station in memory and controls the transmit power.
This allows the mobile station to perform transmission/reception with the base station and the mobile station enters into a so-called standby status.
A plurality of base stations is located in a service area in such a way that any part of the service area is covered by radio zones (cells) of any of those base stations.
However, there are actually a wide variety of topographic features and radio wave propagation environments in the regions where mobile communication services are provided and there are regions in the same service area where radio waves from base stations cannot be received with ease.
Moreover, a communication environment changes from moment to moment due to variations of weather, an amount of communication requested to one base station (amount of traffic) or construction of new buildings and so on. Therefore, even in an area where communications could be conducted under normal circumstances, communications may become impossible when unfavorable conditions are combined.
As described above, the mobile station decides whether communication is possible or not based on whether reception power of a perch channel signal (pilot symbol and long code mask symbol) received from the nearest base station reaches a minimum reception limit level or not.
That is, when the reception power of a pilot signal received from the nearest base station does not reach the minimum reception limit level, the mobile station decides that mobile station is located outside the radio zone (cell) covered by the nearest base station and stops sending a position registration request or power control information, etc.
In this condition, the base station (and a base station control apparatus) decides that there is no more mobile station that can communicate with the base station in the cell and deletes the position registration, which makes further communications impossible.
However, there are also a variety of modes in which it is difficult to receive radio waves from the nearest base station and communication is decided to be impossible in the same way as in the aforementioned case and there can also be cases where it is possible to maintain or secure communication by taking some action.
According to conventional technologies, when there is none of a plurality of received signals that exceeds the minimum reception limit level, the mobile station gives up communication of a position registration request across the board, which eliminates the possibility of communicating with the base station.
In a communication using a mobile terminal such as a cellular phone, it is extremely important to allow the user to communicate wherever the user is located.
Therefore, it is useful to allow a mobile radio terminal to access the base station more easily with high reliability even in a region where the electric field of a received signal is weak and where power of the received signal is at a minimum limit level from the standpoint of enhancing convenience of a mobile communication.

Base station search method and mobile terminal apparatus

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A switching resistance linear regulator. The regulator comprises an output terminal producing a regulated output voltage, a first comparator, a second comparator, a first sourcing circuit coupled to the output terminal, and a first sinking circuit coupled to the output terminal. The first comparator compares a feedback signal representative of the output voltage and a first sourcing reference signal that is less than a reference signal. The second comparator compares the feedback signal and a first sinking reference signal that is greater than the reference signal. The first sourcing circuit is configured to be responsive to the first comparator by sourcing a first current to the output terminal. The first sinking circuit is configured to be responsive to the second comparator by sinking a second current from the output terminal.

Conventional linear regulator is accomplished by the linear regulation of the pass element (e.g., MOSFET). The pass element is used as one half of a potential divider to control the output voltage. A feedback circuit compares the output voltage to a reference voltage in order to adjust the input to the pass element, thus keeping the output voltage reasonably constant. The pass element operates in its "linear region" and acts like a variable resistor. The pass element continuously adjusts a voltage divider network to maintain a constant output voltage.
However, the linear regulation of the pass element faces stability issues due to wide load requirements. The pass element used in the conventional method is scaled based on load requirements, which will constitute an internal pole. Therefore, the output pole which shifts with the load current would compromise the stability issue as it moves too close to the internal pole of the conventional linear regulator. In other words, the regulator stability becomes an issue because of the interaction of this internal pole with the pole at the regulator's output.
There are a lot of existing methods for voltage regulators. Virtually, all of these existing methods deal with the tough constraints imposed by the use of the pass element, which usually gives an internal pole.
In that sense, any regulator with the pass element having amplification (e.g. a common-source connected PMOS) will have issues with the loop stability. Thus, stability is among the most difficult issues to address in traditional linear regulators.

Switching resistance linear regulator architecture


An apparatus for comparing compliance of a grade to a predetermined slope includes a block and a level. The block has at least one notch positioned at a distance from a first end of the block such that when the method of this invention is practiced, a level indicator will indicate whether a grade on which the apparatus is resting matches a predetermined grade. A method of this invention includes the steps of inserting an arm of predetermined length into the notch and placing the joined block and arm on a grade. A level is placed at the arm to thereby compare compliance of the grade to a predetermine slope.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as state regulations, mandate construction guidelines to facilitate access for disabled individuals. Among these regulations are those that specify the maximum slope of access ramps and that set limitations on the permissible degree of slope in walkways and parking lots. Under the laws enacted in accordance with these regulations, the maximum slope of an access ramp is 1:12, meaning that a ramp cannot elevate more than a foot over a 12-foot horizontal span. Further, a parking lot or walkway should not have a slope of greater than 1:20. I.e., paving may not rise or drop at a ratio of greater than one foot per 20-foot horizontal span.
When constructing building access areas, the slope in each of these areas must be surveyed to ensure that the appropriate regulations are met. Tools generally available for the purpose of determining the slope of a grade, such as surveying equipment, are typically expensive, bulky, and difficult to use.
Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus and method for evaluating the slope of an access area that overcomes or minimizes these problems.

Apparatus and method for comparing a grade to a predetermined slope


A method and device for intracorporeal knot tying. The device comprises an elongated, tubular member formed of a shape memory material for carrying a suture thread through an internal passage. A distal end of the tube is formed with a bight. An outer sheath supports the remaining length of the tube. When a knot is to be formed, a free end of the suture is pulled through the preformed bight. The tube and sheath then move relative to each other to straighten the bight and throw off a knot in the suture thread for subsequent tightening.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to surgical apparatus and procedures and more specifically to a device and method for facilitating intracorporeal knot tying during endoscopic surgical procedures.
2. Description of Related Art
In endoscopic surgical procedures, all the techniques of dissection, cutting, suturing and knot tying must be performed with various elongated instruments that extend through trocars into a cavity of a patient. These instruments include needle holders, tissue graspers, introducers and related instruments for facilitating both extracorporeal and intracorporeal knot tying during endoscopic surgical procedures. Many of these systems utilize preformed loops to form ligatures or needle sutures. However, when preformed loops are used for ligatures, they can only be applied to tissue appendages. They can not, for example, be tied around ducts between two organs. Preformed loops also have a tendency to lock prematurely, that is, before the ligature is finally cinched in place. Extracorporeal knot tying can produce lost insufflation and requires extra time that can extend the overall time for completing a surgical procedure. Transferring a knot from the exterior of the body to the suture site is subject to premature cinching of the knot and the knots are subject to breakage when very thin sutures are used. Intracorporeal knot tying has been difficult to master and is also very time consuming.
The following patents disclose a number of apparatus that have been proposed for facilitating extracorporeal suture tying:
U.S. Pat. No. 3,580,256 (1971) Wilkinson PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,741 (1990) Hayhurst PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,498 (1990) Caspari et al PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,263 (1992) Li PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,137 (1992) Wardall PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,285 (1990) Wilk PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,418 (1992) Yoon et al PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,421 (1992) Christoudias
The Wilkinson patent discloses apparatus that supports a suture in an overlapping loop formation so one end of a suture can be threaded through the loop to form a throw and when pulled tight, a knot. However, in the Wilkinson patent the suture loop must be encased in wax prior to the surgical procedure and a separate casing or structure must be formed independently for each knot.
The Hayhurst patent discloses apparatus in which leading and trailing members guide a pair of suture knots, such as overhand knots, to a tissue surface. The first overhand knot is secured against the tissue as the second knot advances.
The Caspari et al patent disclose a suturing instrument that enables an extracorporeally tied knot to be moved into the body. The apparatus uses a throw stick to advance a knot to the tissue through a cannula.
The Li patent discloses a suture throw holder and rundown system. This apparatus includes a shaft with a cavity and longitudinal and radial slots for receiving a knot and extensions of a suture.
The Wardall patent discloses a structure for forming a knot, extracorporeally. It comprises a fork-like device with first and second tines.
The following patents disclose other proposals for suturing tissue:
The Wilk patent discloses a specially formed suture having at one end a preformed loop, a specially formed adjacent surface and a special capture structure.
The Yoon et al patent discloses a suture tie and applicator which holds preformed suture ties comprising rigid or semi-rigid segments of sutures disposed within and extending out of the distal end of a tubular locking member. The locking member displaces along the tie until it closes the open side of a tissue receiving area.
The Christoudias patent discloses a suture assembly that includes a needle holder, needle transporter and a needle suture.
None of the foregoing references disclose apparatus that enables or can be adapted to enable a surgeon to tie knots intracorporeally. Consequently a typical intracorporeal knot tying method involves wrapping one free end of a suture thread into a series of loops around a needle holder proximate a tissue site. Then the surgeon uses a grasping instrument to remove the loops from the needle holder without dropping a loop. Next the surgeon picks up the other free end of the suture thread through the loops. Finally the surgeon manipulates both ends of the suture tie to advance the resulting knot toward the tissue and to tighten the knot. Then, as this is a form of slip knot, the procedure is repeated.
As will be apparent, this process is time consuming and complex. It requires great dexterity by the surgeon and is difficult to master. Various instruments must be withdrawn after the suture has passed through the tissue and this further complicates the procedure. Moreover, each time an instrument is replaced, any gas being used in conjunction with the procedure can escape through an open trocar. Notwithstanding these problems, surgeons continue to use either of these extracorporeal or intracorporeal knot tying procedures.

Method and device for intracorporeal knot tying


A support foot assembly (10) for use with a elongated load bearing device such as a cane (16) or crutch. The support foot assembly includes a mounting structure (12) having a generally planar bottom surface (12.1) and an upper surface (12.2) which, in the preferred form of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, is provided with a large, deep generally cylindrical cavity (12.3). Securing means (14) are provided to secure the elongated load bearing device to the mounting structure, and to this end a rubber-like crutch or cane tip (18) is mounted within the cavity (12.3), the tip (18) being retained within the cavity by a rubber-like cord (22) which passes through a small aperture (12.5) below the cavity (12.3), the cord having an enlarged portion (22.1) which engages the bottom surface (12.1) of the mounting structure. Engaging means (26) project downwardly from the bottom surface of the mounting structure, the engaging means including a plurality of spaced apart bristle tufts (28), and a plurality or rubber fingers (32) interspersed among the bristle tufts. In the preferred form illustrated the rubber fingers are formed by coating alternating bristle tufts with neoprene.

Walking aids, such as canes and crutches, are typically provided with removable rubber-like tips, the purpose of the tip being to prevent damage to a walking surface from the walking aid, and also, more importantly, to give good adhesion between the bottom of the walking aid and the walking surface. The most common cane tip in use today is circular, when viewed from the bottom, and has concentric grooves in a slightly concave surface. This form of tip does not work well on all surfaces, and particularly ice and some wet floors. It has a further disadvantage in that, as dust packs within the cane tip, it loses its ability to adhere to wood floors. An ice pick, which can be swung over a rubber tip, is commonly used by people with canes, and a pick will give them some feeling of security on icy surfaces. However, it is necessary for them to swing the ice pick out of the way when they enter a building in order to prevent damage to the floors within the building. Another disadvantages of the common rubber-like cane tips is that they will not permit the cane to stand upon the floor in a free standing mode. Also, because the common tip has only limited flexibility, it does not give the user of the cane security when the cane is extended far in front of the user.
Various patents have issued which have attempted to address the above problems. For example U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,154 to Edwards discloses a no-slip crutch foot with flexible fingers 56. U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,882 to Levasseur discloses a walking stick tip or foot having a large area and has 5 spaced apart cylindrical projections. U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,771 to Wilkinson discloses a cane tip of rectangular design, the tip having a large area with ridges 20 on the bottom surface thereof. In addition to the above patents, U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,746 to Sheenan discloses a shoe-like crutch tip, wherein the shoe shown in FIG. 7 is provided with cleats 22. Another U.S. Patent which discloses tips for walking aids is 4,098,283. However, none of the foregoing patented designs have successfully provided a structure which will adhere to virtually all walking surfaces.


Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for providing an electronic document processing system, an electronic document generation mechanism, an encrypted digital certificate generator, a tool for coordinating the processing of electronic documents, a packaging mechanism for finalizing and authenticating electronic documents, a tracking log for recording relevant electronic document information, and a transferring protocol for transferring the ownership of electronic documents. The present disclosure also is directed to an electronic authentication system including an electronic document authentication watermark seal or signature line for confirming a document's signing within the view. The present disclosure also is directed to a system, software program, and method for generating electronic documents, coordinating the signing of electronic documents, digitally authenticating and certifying electronic documents, and organizing electronic documents for retrieval and transfer in a mortgage closing and/or other financial services application.

The mortgage closing process is traditionally very paper intensive and tedious. Borrowers must affix wet signatures to many, many documents and lenders subsequently must physically copy, distribute, register and store the signed documents.
The Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO) has laid the foundation for paperless, electronic mortgages by defining the SMART Document specification. SMART is an acronym for Securable, Manageable, Archivable, Retrievable, and Transferable. The specification, based on XML, is a general-purpose, flexible technology that can be used to implement any paper document in electronic format. It binds together the data, page view, audit trail and signature(s) into a single electronic file. The page view may be XHTML or PDF.
Other enabling/foundational industry breakthroughs include eSignatures and the eNote Registry. The National eNote Registry is an electronic mechanism for identifying, tracking and verifying electronic promissory notes (eNotes) in a manner compliant with requirements imposed by the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) and the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN). UETA and ESIGN stipulate that the owner of an eNote (the Controller) has legal rights similar to those that a "Holder in Due Course" has with a paper negotiable promissory note. Moreover, ESIGN stipulates that eSignatures bear the same weight legally as wet signatures. Rounding out the eNote Registry are eCustodians or eVaults. Since the eNote Registry does not actually store the eNotes, proprietary electronic custodial repositories must exist to store and manage eNotes.
The mortgage closing process and other such financial transactions are traditionally paper intensive and tedious. Parties to the transaction must affix wet signatures to many documents, and these documents must subsequently be copied, distributed, registered, and securely stored.
The tedious nature of financial transactions opens the possibility for errors and discrepancies to occur. The necessity for each party to a transaction to sign multiple documents allows for differences in the signatures, which can give rise to dispute. For instance, a single party can sign one document 'John Smith,' another document 'John A. Smith,' another document 'J. Smith,' and yet another document 'J. S.' Because there is no way to ensure the uniformity of signatures or the terms of paper documents, the validity of these documents can be subject to question.
Furthermore, developments in digital imaging, photography, and image capture have created new opportunities for document tampering and counterfeiting. Paper documents can now be manipulated and tampered with, and such modifications are often difficult, if impossible, to detect. Signature forgery has also become widespread, further calling into question the validity of paper documents. Because such tampering is possible, an alternative to paper documents and wet signatures is preferred, to provide a more secure and efficient method of preparing, signing, and certifying documents.
The authenticity of hard documents can also be called into question when these documents have changed hands a number of times. Banks and other lending institutions frequently buy and sell mortgage agreements, and the value of these agreements can only be guaranteed inasmuch as the agreements can be shown to be authentic documents. A tracking system is therefore necessary, which securely tracks the ownership of a document from the moment it is signed.
Kishore, Nanda (United States Patent Publication No. 2004/0049445) appears to disclose a financial services automation system for automating financial transactions. However, Kishore does not impose a time limit on the signing process. Kishore does not allow for the scanning of outside documents, their conversion into digital format, and the insertion of digital signature lines. Additionally, Kishore does not allow for a second authentication and certification step at the culmination of the signing process, and the destruction of the documents if the process is not completed. Lastly, Kishore does not teach a watermark imprint or signature line that appears on all certified documents, confirming their signing.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Digitally signing electronic documents using a digital signature


A motion sensing program for executing a motion sensing based on at least a biaxial output of a magnetic sensor, which includes the steps of determining with respect to execution of the motion sensing based on the output of the specific biaxial output of the magnetic sensor upon its rotation in a predetermined direction, and identifying the rotating direction when execution of the motion sensing is determined.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motion sensing program for executing a motion sensing using a magnetic sensor for detecting geomagnetism, and an electronic compass having the motion sensing program installed therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, the mobile terminal device with a function for detecting tilted and shaken states of the main body of the device has been developed. The aforementioned mobile terminal device requires the tilt sensor for detecting the tilt angle of the tilted main body of the device, and the acceleration sensor for detecting the oscillation resulting from shaking of the main body of the device. There has been provided a mobile terminal device for enabling the operation (motion) such as screen scroll based on the output of the magnetic sensor for detecting geomagnetism without installing the aforementioned tilt sensor and the acceleration sensor (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-128789). In the related art, the user executes the motion sensing while being directed in the specific orientation so as to execute the function correlated with the motion.
In the aforementioned related art as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-128789, the output value may vary accompanied with the change in the orientation to which the user who holds the mobile terminal device is directed. In other words, the output value obtained when the user is directed eastward is different from the one obtained when the user is directed westward. For this, the process for identifying the orientation to which the user is directed, for example, calibration is required. Otherwise the motion sensing cannot be executed accurately.
The "motion" involuntarily performed by the user in the normal use range, for example, lifting up the horizontally placed mobile terminal device is likely to be erroneously detected. The detection error may also be caused by the magnetic source which moves around the device.

Motion sensing program and electronic compass with motion sensing program


Queues are scheduled for outputting data using a hierarchical tree. Each level of the hierarchical tree includes multiple entries for storing status information associated with the queues. For example, a given entry of the tree stores multi-parameter status information associated with a corresponding queue to be serviced. To determine which of the queues is next in line for servicing, a logic circuit compares the multi-parameter status information stored in two or more entries of the tree. The next scheduled queue or highest priority queue in the tree is then serviced by outputting at least some of its data.

In general, schedulers manage when to allocate system resources to service different tasks. When employed in router applications, schedulers manage many queues and ensure overall fairness of outputting data packets from the queues by selectively servicing queues at different times. Queues are sometimes guaranteed at least a minimal rate of outputting data. Consequently, it is important to service such queues often enough so that the queue outputs data at the corresponding guaranteed rate and the queues do not become congested with data.
One implementation of a scheduler is a calendar. Calendars schedule servicing of tasks in real-time by maintaining linked lists. Each linked list includes task entries that are to be serviced in a particular time slot of the calendar. As a real-time clock advances, tasks stored as entries in the linked lists are serviced. In one application, scheduled tasks includes servicing one or more queues.
A linked list typically includes a head pointer, a tail pointer and next pointers. Thus its size is almost entirely determined by how many things it contains. A calendar is an array of linked lists. Thus, a calendar consumes space for a head and tail pointer for each slot it maintains. In one application, a calendar including 256 slots includes 256 head pointers and 256 tail pointers. If each pointer is 2 bytes, the 256 slot calendar consumes 1 Kilobyte. If a scheduler maintains 100 such calendars for scheduling independent tasks, then 100 kilobytes of memory is required to maintain these calendars.
In the context of a router application, it is not uncommon to schedule over thirty thousand independent groups of (tasks) queues for servicing. Maintaining many calendars is sometimes inefficient. For example, if hundreds of thousands of queues divided into 32,000 groups, there is a need for 32,000 calendars. Consequently, this would require 32 Megabytes of storage (e.g., at 1 Kilobyte per calendar). If the calendars are more granular and include 1024 slots each, such a system of 32,000 calendars consumes 256 Megabytes.
Another implementation of a scheduler is a sorting tree such as a heap or a B-tree. In these applications, tasks are scheduled for servicing based on their relative priority, which indicates precedence in an arbitrarily complex service ordering. For example, an entry at a highest root node of the tree stores a highest priority task for servicing. After servicing the highest priority task, the tree is updated so that the next highest priority task moves to the highest root node of the tree.

Methods and apparatus for scheduling tasks


A retrievable flow control device comprising a housing configured to sealably couple with a completion component. The housing may comprise a first port and a second port establishing a fluid pathway. The fluid pathway may regulate a fluid flow as the fluid flow passes through the fluid pathway. The housing may further comprise a coupling mechanism configured to releasably couple with a corresponding feature of the wellbore completion. The downhole flow control device may be configured to be retrievable independently of the completion component. The flow control device may comprise a check valve in the fluid pathway in order to substantially constrain the fluid flow to a single direction. In some cases, the flow control device may be configured to couple with a side pocket. In other cases, a concentric flow control device may be configured to couple with a screen base pipe, tubing, or stinger.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to inflow control devices used for producing hydrocarbon or injecting water with uniform flow across a reservoir, and more particularly to retrievable inflow control devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
The following descriptions and examples are not admitted to be prior art by virtue of their inclusion in this section.
Intelligent flow control valves with variable chokes are typically run above the screen or inside of the screen for controlling the flow from each zone of interest. A hydraulic control line or an electric cable is run from the surface to the valve for operating the flow control valve. Intelligent completions are generally complex and expensive. Therefore, permanent mounted inflow control devices (ICD) are run in the completion as an integral part of the screen or slotted liner in order to simplify the completion and reduce cost. The choke size of the ICD is predetermined at the surface before installation in the well based on the knowledge of the reservoir. However, it has not been possible to vary the choke size of the permanent mount ICD without pulling the completion out of the well.

Method of completing a well using a retrievable inflow control device


A steel sheet with a thickness of at least 0.30 mm is made of an ultra-low carbon steel with a chemical composition including C: at most 0.010%, Si: at most 0.5%, Mn: at most 1.5%, P: at most 0.12%, S: at most 0.030%, Ti: at most 0.10%, Al: at most 0.08%, and N: at most 0.0080%. The total number of non-metallic inclusions observed under a microscope in sixty fields in a sample prepared in accordance with JIS G0555 is at most 20. During manufacture of the steel, the amount of FeO+MnO in slag in a ladle at the time of continuous casting is controlled to at most 15%, and the throughput at the time of casting is made at most 5 tons per minute. The steel sheet does not develop pin hole defects or press cracks caused by inclusions when used for applications such as motor housings or oil filter housings requiring severe press forming.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an ultra-low carbon steel sheet and a method for its manufacture. More particularly, it relates to an ultra-low carbon steel sheet having a thickness of at least 0.30 millimeters and having a low tendency to experience forming defects such as pin hole defects or press cracks originating at inclusions even when subjected to press forming of products of complicated shape with large deformation, such as during the manufacture by press forming of products such as electric motor housings or oil filter housings, and to a method for manufacturing such an ultra-low carbon steel sheet.
2. Description of the Related Art
Annealed cold rolled steel sheet has typically been used as a material for the manufacture of products by press forming. The cold rolled steel sheet for this purpose has primarily been low carbon aluminum killed steel which has been annealed by batch annealing.
In recent years, in the manufacture of cold rolled steel sheet for press forming, there has been a shift towards the use of continuous annealing because of its higher productivity. Furthermore, there has been a shift towards the use of ultra-low carbon steel sheet having good formability in applications to products formed with large deformation.
However, when ultra-low carbon steel is used to manufacture products such as motor housings or oil filter housings requiring a high degree of pressing, there are cases in which forming defects such as pin hole defects and press forming cracks occur.
Can manufacture, which is similar to the manufacture of products such as motor housings or oil filter housings, typically employs cold rolled steel sheet having a thickness of less than 0.30 millimeters. Can manufacture entails an even higher level of forming than does the manufacture of motor housings or oil filter housings, and many measures have been proposed for suppressing forming defects during can manufacture.
For example, Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application Hei 6-172925/1994 and Hei 7-207403/1995 disclose methods for finely dispersing the amount of inclusions in a slab.
Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application Hei 6-17111/1994 discloses a method for reducing the amount of inclusions in steel by decreasing the amounts of FeO and MnO in slag using a Ca-, or Mg-containing alloy or a reducing agent.
Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application Hei 11-36045/1999 and Hei 11-279678/1999 also disclose controlling the composition of inclusions as a method of preventing defects.
However, the above-mentioned disclosures relate to low carbon aluminum killed steel. These steels have many aspects which make them inappropriate as cold rolled steels to be subjected to severe forming in the manufacture of products having a complicated shape such as automotive components. In this specification, severe forming for such applications will be referred to as complex deep drawing.
Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application Hei 11-279721/1999 discloses a method of decreasing inclusions in a low carbon steel, but that steel is for use as tin plate or tin-free steel for can manufacture having a thickness of at most 0.26 millimeters.
Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application 2000-1746 discloses a method of preventing the formation of inclusions, but that method requires the addition of Ca and/or rare earth metals, so it has the drawback that even if oxide inclusions mainly comprising FeO or MnO are reduced, Ca-containing inclusions or rare earth metal-containing inclusions are increased.
An RH vacuum treatment apparatus is usually used for secondary refining during the manufacture of ultra-low carbon steel, as described in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application Hei 11-36045/1999 and Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application 2000-1746. Vacuum decarburization and deoxidation after the decarburization employing an RH vacuum treatment apparatus are typical secondary refining methods.

Method of manufacture of ultra-low carbon steel


A method of remotely initializing at least one device is disclosed. The method includes initializing at a local host a cryptographic authorization sequence after receiving a secure input value. The method further includes receiving at a local host cryptographic controller a first authorization request from a first remote device. After a challenge-response authentication protocol, the first remote device is authenticated and receives a public key infrastructure certificate. The method includes receiving at a first remote cryptographic controller a second request from a second remote device. After a challenge-response authentication protocol, the first remote device is authenticated, but does not receive a public key infrastructure certificate. A system for remotely initiating at least one device is also disclosed.

Cryptographic controllers are employed in a variety of infrastructures to secure access to certain devices or network resources. Existing systems typically require that a device remain unauthorized (i.e. not sending or receiving secure data) until initialized or powered on. Cryptographic initialization schemes are commonly implemented according to contextual security requirements. For example, several applications require cryptographic ignition keys (CIKs) for device initialization, requiring that a user directly enter a code into a user interface of the device or physically insert a CIK into a receiving port. In some applications, the user may be alternately enabled to bring the CIK within threshold proximity of the device, such as in the case of electromagnetic or optically interfacing CIKs.
Under some circumstances, a device may be remotely initialized by a CIK-initialized device. In this CIK-less method, a remote device, such as a device on board an aircraft, may send an authorization request to the CIK-initialized device, typically a ground-based device. CIK-initialized device may then authorize the remote device for device initialization.
Once the remote device is out of range of the ground-based CIK-initialized device, the remote device may lose authorization. For example, power surges, software faults, or other accidental zeroization incidents may de-authenticate the remote device, and require the aircraft to return to within range of the ground-based CIK-initialized device in order to reinitiate. Re-initiation in this manner results in a loss of time and increased fuel costs, as well as increasing the potential for failing mission objectives. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a solution that cures the shortcomings described above.

System and method for authentication and cryptographic ignition of remote devices


A variable control threshold (RS) is formed by a circuit configuration for the traction slip control through brake management, with the control threshold being composed of a basic threshold (GS) and a portion derived from the wheel slip acceleration. The wheel slip (VR) is compared to the control threshold to determine a control deviation, i.e. the difference between the control threshold (RS) and the wheel slip (VR). The brake pressure pattern (p), during a traction slip control process is controlled in response to the wheel slip acceleration.

For traction slip control through brake management, hitherto, the brake control in the wheel brake of the wheel tending to race has been effected in response to one or two predetermined acceleration thresholds. Moreover, a firm slip threshold optionally dependent on the vehicle speed has been used as a criterion for commencement of the traction slip control. Firmly predetermined thresholds of this type are not capable of handling all situations which are likely to occur. In some cases, commencement of the traction slip control is too early, in others far too late.

Circuit configuration for an automative vehicle having traction slip control


A method pertaining to the baking of products (B) in a baking oven (1) in which the products are supported by at least one rotary oven trolley (17) comprises rotating the trolley through a number of revolutions in one direction (R1) during the baking process, and thereafter reversing the direction of rotation and continuing rotation of the trolley through several revolutions in the opposite direction (R2) before again reversing the direction of rotation of the trolley. The trolley (17) keeps the same axial position in both directions of rotation. An arrangement for carrying out the method includes a drive device (20-26) for alternating rotation of the oven trolley through an equal number of revolutions in both directions during the baking process.

It is known, and generally common practice, to bake bread, buns, etc., in an oven wherein the bread, buns, etc., are supported in tiers on oven plates or oven sheets carried by an oven trolley which can be moved into and out of the oven. The trolley can be connected to floor-mounted or ceiling-mounted drive means for rotating the trolley slowly about its vertical centre axis. The trolley is rotated to obtain more uniform baking of the product, therewith obtaining a product of better quality than would otherwise be the case.
A baking oven of this kind is known from SE 395 595 and EP 112 786. When the trolley is to be removed from the oven, The rotational direction of the trolley is reversed so as to lower or lift the trolley in the process of removing the same. The trolley rotates in one direction during the actual baking process.


Various examples are provided related to anisotropic constitutive parameters (ACPs) that can be used to launch Zenneck surface waves. In one example, among others, an ACP system includes an array of ACP elements distributed above a medium such as, e.g., a terrestrial medium. The array of ACP elements can include one or more horizontal layers of radial resistive artificial anisotropic dielectric (RRAAD) elements positioned in one or more orientations above the terrestrial medium. The ACP system can include vertical lossless artificial anisotropic dielectric (VLAAD) elements distributed above the terrestrial medium in a third orientation perpendicular to the horizontal layer or layers. The ACP system can also include horizontal artificial anisotropic magnetic permeability (HAAMP) elements distributed above the terrestrial medium. The array of ACP elements can be distributed about a launching structure, which can be excited with an electromagnetic field to facilitate the launch of a Zenneck surface wave.

Jonathan Zenneck first published the basic theory of the properties of a Zenneck surface wave (ZSW) in 1907. The Zenneck solution to the wave equation, as derived from Maxwell's field equations, exactly describes in theoretical mathematics the properties and behavior of such waves in terms of the directional propagation constants and the impedance relationships among the various electric and magnetic vector field components. The term "Zenneck surface wave" (ZSW) refers to a unique mode of wave propagation wherein electromagnetic energy is guided from point to point by and along the interface between lossy and lossless dielectrics such as the earth and air. Conventional power-line delivery of electrical energy is accomplished through electromagnetic waves that are guided by the transmission line wires that span from tower to tower or pole to pole. Radiated electrical energy, like that used for radio, television and cell phones, is unguided and spreads out in all directions as it travels, being reflected and refracted in multiple directions as it encounters the surface of the earth and other objects.
ZSWs exist in the domain between conductor-guided waves and waves that are launched and propagate from antennas. Specifically, a ZSW takes advantage of the electrical current densities that are induced in the surface of the earth whenever a wave strikes the earth with propagation characteristics comprising the complex Brewster's angle of incidence with the surface. A familiar Brewster effect is seen when light strikes the highway at an angle such that the reflection appears like it is coming from a pond of water, or even a mirror, lying in the plane of the roadway. The "complex" feature of the Brewster's angle needed for a ZSW refers to the phase relationships that exist among the field components comprising the Zenneck surface wave.

Anisotropic constitutive parameters for launching a Zenneck surface wave


Simulating risk circumstances can reveal new information to risk assessment personnel about how to mitigate risk. In one embodiment, the present invention includes selecting an asset from a plurality of heterogeneous assets of a business enterprise. The user can then input a plurality of simulated risk factors for the selected asset into the system which receives this input. The risk assessment system can then generate a non-determinative simulated risk score using the simulated risk factors, the simulated risk score being a simulated measure of risk associated with the selected asset if the selected asset were to be associated with the plurality of simulated risk factors.

1. Field
Embodiments of the present invention apply to the field of network security and risk assessment, more specifically enterprise risk assessment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Modern business enterprises operate in a complex regulatory environment. Many enterprises must comply with various government regulations both on the federal level and on the state and local levels. For example, most public corporations (at the present time any publicly traded corporation with fifty million or more market capitalization) must comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Financial enterprises, heath related enterprises, and other more stringently regulated industries have their own regulatory frameworks.
Furthermore, many business enterprises have internal policies and controls independent of government regulation. These controls and policies may be concerned with security, confidentiality maintenance, trade secret protection, access control, best practices, accounting standards, business process policies, and other such internal rules and controls. The cost of complying with all regulations, rules, policies, and other requirements can be substantial for a large scale business enterprise.
One common problem faced by business enterprises in the control/policy/regulation compliance area is risk assessment and mitigation. Current risk models use determinative formulas and models to calculate risks associated with assets. One problem with determinative risk formulas and models is that no new information can be gained by attempting to mitigate risks by simulating inputs to the determinative formulas and models. For example, a determinative risk formula may calculate risk as threat severity multiplied by likelihood of threat and then multiplied by impact of threat. Since the formula is fixed, it is clear how much a reduction in the inputs will reduce the risk. Thus, a risk assessment professional can gain no new knowledge about risk mitigation from such linear determinative models and formulas.


A smart airport automation system gathers and reinterprets a wide variety of aircraft and airport related data and information around unattended or non-towered airports. Data is gathered from many different types of sources, and in otherwise incompatible data formats. The smart airport automation system then decodes, assembles, fuses, and broadcasts structured information, in real-time, to aircraft pilots. The fused information is also useful to remotely located air traffic controllers who monitor non-towered airport operations. The system includes a data fusion and distribution computer that imports aircraft position and velocity, weather, and airport specific data. The data inputs are used to compute safe takeoff and landing sequences, and other airport advisory information for participating aircraft.

Large, busy airports often include a control tower and staffed with air traffic controllers. Some airports are so busy the air traffic control is maintained 24-hours a day, and seven days a week. But some control towers are closed at night. Other airports are so small, or used so infrequently, that there never was a control tower installed so there never are any air traffic controllers on-hand.
At a minimum, pilots flying in or out of airports need to know about other traffic in the area, runways to use, taxi instructions, weather, crosswind advisories, etc. When there is no control tower or staff, pilots must depend on their own sight and hearing, and then self-separate using the Common Traffic Airport Frequency (CTAF) radio channel.
Gary Simon, et al., describe an automated air-traffic advisory system and method in U.S. Pat. No. 6,380,869 B1, issued Apr. 30, 2002. Such system automatically provides weather and traffic advisories to pilots in an area. An airspace model constantly updates records for a computer processor that issues advisory messages based on hazard criteria, guidelines, airport procedures, etc. The computer processor is connected to a voice synthesizer that allows the pilot information to be verbally transmitted over the CTAF-channel.
Kim O'Neil for Advanced Aviation Technology, Ltd., wrote that there are significant opportunities to improve communication, navigation and surveillance services at Scatsta Aerodrome in the Shetland Islands and in helicopter operations in the North Sea, including approaches to offshore installations. See, http://www.aatl.net/publications/northsea.htm. These improvements can allegedly lead to radical improvements in safety, efficiency and reductions in costs. A key element in achieving these improvements, according to O'Neil, is the full adoption of satellite navigation and data link services and in particular ADS-B. Various forms of VHF and other frequency data links make these improvements possible, and they provide major cost/benefits over existing costs and services. O'Neil says it is time to upgrade existing procedural services to a level more in line with modern aircraft operations. Current procedures, methods and operating practices are expensive, inefficient and adversely affect the commercial operation of air transportation services. Satellite navigation can significantly improve operating procedures, reduce decision heights at airports and improve routes and holding patterns. These all lead to corresponding gains in safety, efficiency and cost reduction. ADS-B messages also provide a communication infrastructure on which many other services can be built at low cost.
Additional services suggested by the prior art include: Airline Operational Communications for aircraft operations efficiency, maintenance and engine performance for improving flight safety, Flight Watch, automated ATIS and related meteorological services, differential GPS corrections and integrity data for improved navigation and flight safety, asset management, emergency and disaster management and coordination, remote monitoring and many other functions. The publication of RTCA MASPS and MOPS, ICAO SARPs, EUROCAE MOPS and American and European Standards for data link and ADS-B, indicates that these technologies can be introduced and certified for many beneficial and cost/effective operational services.


A method is disclosed for the prediction of a likely contrast medium behavior for a contrast medium-assisted examination of an object under investigation. In an embodiment, the method includes detecting patient-specific blood flow behavior data in a pre-measurement making use of a defined examination protocol and determining an individual impulse response function from the blood flow behavior data; detecting a pre-measured heart rate signal associated with the pre-measurement; and predicting the likely contrast medium behavior based on the individual impulse response function, the pre-measured heart rate signal and a current examination protocol, and a currently detected heart rate signal. A method for activation of a medical imaging system is also disclosed. Also disclosed are a device for predicting a likely contrast medium behavior, a control device with a device of this type for an imaging system, and an imaging system with a control device.

The older patent application DE 10 2012 209 410.5 discloses a method for determining an individual patient-specific contrast medium impulse response function (known hereinafter, for short, as "impulse response function" or "patient function") based on test bolus data, with which a prediction of the contrast medium behavior can later be created in the context of a contrast medium-assisted imaging measurement.
This patient function describes the cardiovascular properties of the patient at the time point when the test bolus was measured. In principle, the contrast medium behavior could be predicted for any desired injection protocol under the assumption that the individual patient function is still valid at the later time point. An injection protocol is a precise time-related stipulation according to which the quantity of contrast medium is administered to the patient and includes, for example, the starting time point, the flow rate and the end time point of the contrast medium administration.
Algorithms for this purpose, referred to as contrast enhancement prediction (CEP) algorithms, are generally known from a variety of publications such as, for example:                Dominik Fleischmann et al., "Mathematical Analysis of Arterial Enhancement and Optimization of Bolus Geometry for CT Angiography Using the Discrete Fourier Transform", Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography, 1999, vol. 23, No. 3, pages 474 to 484, and        Andreas H. Mahnken et al., "Quantitative prediction of contrast enhancement from test bolus data in cardiac MSCT", Eur. Radiol. 2007, 17, pages 1310 to 1319.
These CEP algorithms calculate the likely behavior of the contrast medium in the patient and are usually constructed from two sub-algorithms. A first sub-algorithm determines a patient-specific contrast medium impulse response function (or arterial impulse response, AIR) and is known as the "AIR algorithm". The second sub-algorithm calculates a prediction of the likely contrast medium behavior in the patient and is known as the "PRED algorithm". A CEP algorithm therefore usually includes a combination of an AIR algorithm and a PRED algorithm.
In all these known methods, the patient being examined is regarded as being a linear time-invariant (LTI) system. This means, in general, that the contrast medium accumulation in the patient C(t) can be expressed mathematically as a convolution of the injection protocol IF(t) with the impulse response function or patient function AIR(t):C(t)=IF(t){circle around (x)}AIR(t)  [1]
As a consequence, the CEP algorithms carry out all the calculations in the time domain and/or the Fourier domain which is derived from the time domain.
However, this is based on the assumption that the driving force for the contrast medium, the blood circulation, is invariable and stable over time. However, this is often not the case.
A typical area of application for contrast medium-assisted imaging methods is, for example, CT angiography (CTA), that is, the imaging of the vessels by way of computed tomography. A CTA scan is an operation of a computed tomography scanner to image the vessels, and a heart CTA or heart scan is the imaging of the heart and representation of the heart vessels.
It can occur, in heart scans during CT angiography (CTA), in particular, that the heart rate (number of heartbeats per time interval) is lastingly raised or lowered following the test bolus, for example, under the influence of beta blockers (e.g. metoprolol), which are typically administered shortly before the scan to patients with a raised heart rate. Since the recirculation time of the blood changes at a different heart frequency, the patient function also changes in this case. This would lead to an imprecise prediction of the contrast medium behavior.

Prediction of a likely contrast medium behavior


Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining an input, e.g., from a human operator, comprising a request. A number of activities are identified, e.g., by a virtual assistant, based on the request. Performance of the number of activities is facilitated, e.g., by the virtual assistant. A result is determined, e.g., by the virtual assistant, based on the performance of the number of activities, wherein a response to the request is based on the result. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Recent developments have resulted in new and improved computer programs or agents that simulate intelligent conversations with one or more human users. Such interactive speech services are sometimes referred to as "chatbots" or "chatterbots." Apple Inc.'s iOS operating system provides a SIRI® personal assistant, as one example of a voice-activated personal agent that can understand human speech and act based on a specified set of actions. SIRI is registered trademark of Apple Inc. Personal agents can be used today for both enterprise and consumer services using either chat or speech.
Currently available personal agents are understood to operate in a dialog form, sometimes referred to as a "tic-tac flow" format. Namely, the user says something and the machine responds. The user may follow with another instruction to which the machine similarly responds. Such interactions can be considered synchronous, e.g., in that machine responses immediately follow or are otherwise synchronized to a preceding dialog.


A diode unit (9) including at least one diode (13) and a pair of terminals (15) is mounted on a switch body (2) having an actuate-able key (6) and at least two terminal points (4). The diode unit (9) is positioned on the exposed end of the key (6) such that surface parts of the diode unit (9) is brought into engagement with corresponding surface parts of the switch body (2) so as to prevent the diode unit (9) from movement in relation to the switch body (2) in a predefined plane. The diode unit terminals (15) extend in a direction transverse to said plane, and the diode unit terminals (15) are connected to the terminal points (4) of the switch body (2) so as to prevent movement of the diode unit (9) in relation to the switch body (2) transversely to said predefined plane.

Electronic switches are available in a range of versions depending on the actual application, the manufacturing methods used, etc. U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,557 discloses different designs of switches comprising one or more diodes mounted thereon. The switch is intended to be mounted e.g. in a keyboard panel by the so-called the Surface Mounting Technique (SMT). However, the diodes cannot withstand this process wherein the tin may be heated for e.g. 240° C. for approximately 60 seconds, and they are therefore mounted afterwards. The diode is mounted in a socket received in the inner space of a push button extender, and the diode terminals extend through slits of the push button extender and further through apertures of the housing component of the switch.

Switch having a complementary diode unit


A phase detecting module includes a phase detecting unit, a comparator and a counter. The phase detecting unit is arranged to compare a first input signal and a second input signal to generate a phase detecting result. The comparator is arranged to compare the phase detecting result and a predetermined voltage to generate a comparing result. The counter is arranged to count one of the first input signal and the second input signal to generate a counting value. The phase detecting result and the counting value are reset if the counting value reaches a predetermined value, and the comparing result is outputted to a target device from the comparator if the counting value reaches a predetermined value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a phase detecting module and phase detecting method thereof, and more particularly, to a phase detecting module capable of avoiding noise influence and a phase detecting method thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many signal processing circuits, e.g., phase locked loops (PLLs), usually comprise phase detectors each implemented for determining a phase relationship between two signals, and transmit the comparing result generated from the phase detector to other signal processing units for further processing.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a PLL 100 according to the prior art. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional PLL 100 usually includes a phase detector 101, a charge pump 103, a low pass filter (LPF) 105, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) 107, and a plurality of frequency dividers 109 and 111. The frequency divider 111 is for frequency-dividing an input signal IS which has an input frequency Fin to form a reference signal RS which has a reference frequency Fr. The phase detector 101 is for comparing the reference signal RS with an output signal OUS which has an output frequency Fou to generate a phase detecting signal DS. The charge pump 103 determines to increase or decrease outputted charges according to the phase detecting signal DS which could be an up signal or a down signal. The voltage outputted by the charge pump 103 is processed via the LPF 105 to form a filtered control voltage VCF, and the VCO 107 thereby determines the outputted oscillation signal OS which has an oscillation frequency Fo according to the control signal VCF. The frequency divider 109 frequency-divides the oscillation signal OS to form the output signal OUS. As other detailed architecture and operations should be readily comprehended by those skilled in the art, further description is omitted for succinctness.
From the aforementioned description, the charge pump 103 primarily operates to raise or lower a following voltage according to the phase detecting result generated from the phase detector 101. However, when the phase difference between two signals is very small, the phase detector 101 will not be able to determine the phase relationship between the two signals due to the noise or jitter attached onto the two signals, leading to a problem in the following signal processing.

Phase detecting module and related phase detecting method


In order to meet the legal requirements regarding color of light from a headlight, especially at the light-dark boundary and how much scattered light can occur in the dark region, a lens (5) is provided, which has a diffractive structure on at least one of its surfaces (8). This lens (5) is built into a headlight with a diaphragm (4) arranged between the lens (5) and a light source (3) so that the diffractive structure is arranged substantially only in a region of the lens surface that is not masked by the diaphragm. In various embodiments a computer-generated hologram (17a-17e) can be arranged in the other region of the lens surface that is masked by the diaphragm, so that the lighting apparatus can perform other functions, such as improving driver visibility, displaying an image, measuring the distance to an object or detecting rain or snow.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lighting apparatus, especially for the automotive field, which comprises a light source, a lens having a diffractive structure on at least one of its surfaces and a diaphragm arranged between the light source and the lens. Furthermore the invention also relates to a lens of this type for the above-described lighting device and to a method of making this lens.
2. Description of the Related Art
A lighting apparatus is described in DE 42 15 584 A1, which has a light source, a reflector and a light disk. A diffraction grating is arranged between the light source and the light disk, through which the light reflected from the reflector and originating from light source travels. The diffraction grating has regions with micro-prisms as diffraction elements, through which light aimed in a certain direction is diffracted or deflected. The diffraction-optic elements are formed as scattering elements in other regions of the diffraction grating. These scattering elements distribute or scatter the light uniformly within a certain angular range. This sort of lighting device can, for example, be used as an auto headlight.
A headlight with a parabolic reflector based on these principles is described in DE 42 15 584 A1. It comprises a lamp, a parabolic reflector, a diaphragm and a scattering disk, which is built into the front disk.
A comparable auto signal light is also described in FR 2 785 364 A1. This light comprises a light source and a screen, which has the diffractive elements at least in one region, in order to produce a spread out light beam, whose angular distribution is continuous. The screen region is divided into blocks, which each have a diffractive structure. A very uniform light beam may be produced by division into individual blocks, which all produce the same light distribution.
A motor vehicle headlight for low beam or fog light is described in DE 35 07 013 A1. This headlight has a non-color correcting objective, which images the diaphragm edge as a light-dark boundary of the light beam on the road, and a projection element, which guides the rays of the light beam forming a color fringe at the light-dark boundary into its bright region. Since the light beam again mixes the different colors, the white light beam prescribed by law is produced without the troublesome color fringe. If a corrective element, which divides the light beam propagated from the objective into a differentiated light beam, i.e. into very many small light beams, is used, a white light-dark boundary is obtained with a slight coloration. A suitable corrective element has a cylindrical lens or an annular lens, which are formed as a collecting lens or a scattering lens with different indices of refraction and/or widths. These lenses require that the useful surfaces of the corrective elements must be only partially covered. The objective and the corrective element can be made from one piece. Pressing especially is used to make the part or side of the objective including the corrective element.
The so-called poly-ellipsoidal headlight (PES), which has a plane-aspheric lens instead of a light scattering disk, has been available since the mid-80s. In more recent times the lens has been lens is mated to a threefold ellipsoid reflector or also to a free-form reflecting surface.
The so-called poly-ellipsoidal headlight (PES) is described, for example, in WO 99/00623 A1. The motor vehicle headlight described there comprises a light source and a lens. The lens has a non-holographic surface structure, which acts as diffractive microstructure. Preferably refractive elements, i.e. lenses, are provided with a diffractive microstructure. The refractive-diffractive elements can be designed so that certain optical functions can be performed by the diffractive microstructure. These functions result in altogether thinner refractive elements without thickness variations. The most important optical function is based on legal requirements, which define or proscribe the direction in which the light beam is guided and the intensity distribution it must have over the surface. Additional parameters, which can be controlled by the design of the diffractive microstructure, are the uniformity, the color and light scattering properties. The facts that blue light is refracted most strongly and red light is diffracted most strongly are used for color correction. Since the design of the lens and the diffractive microstructure are harmonized with each other, the chromatic aberration of both elements can be compensated. The scattered light can also be compensated in the manner described according to WO 99/00623. Furthermore the diffractive microstructure can be used to provide the light from the signal lights with a predetermined pattern. For example the trademark of the automobile manufacturer can be made to appear in the brake lights or back lights. Also the color of the light beam can be adjusted by means of the diffractive microstructure. Thus one could conceive that different colors could be integrated in lights for different applications by means of diffractive microstructures.
Front headlights for low beam light generally produce a light distribution, which must be wider than it is higher. This is primarily produced by a threefold-ellipsoidal reflector with different half axes in the case of a poly-ellipsoidal headlight (PES). The upper half of the light beam is masked by a diaphragm and projected by a lens on the street. A sharp image of the diaphragm is thereby produced at a distance of about 10 meters. The transition between the illuminated region and the region blocked by the diaphragm is called the light-dark boundary. This light-dark boundary is adjustable so that it is clearly sharper with a poly-ellipsoidal headlight (PES) than with a headlight with a paraboloid reflector. In the standard headlight test the light distribution of a headlight on a measuring wall at a distance of 25 meters from the headlight is divided into a number of different zones and a plurality of test points. A significant parameter is the light intensity at the so-called HV point, which is about 25 cm above the light-dark boundary in the center of the light beam. There the light intensity may not exceed a defined value. The HV point is in the dark region of the light intensity distribution. When the image is not focussed or sharp the light-dark boundary spreads out and the light intensity at the HV point exceeds the permitted value. The light intensity at the HV point is thus also a measure of the scattered light. Up to now it has proven to be very difficult to keep the light intensity at the HV point below the permitted limiting value while maintaining all the remaining test standards.

Lighting apparatus, lens and method of making the lens


A system and method for configuring lightpaths within an optical circuit wherein the source node stores requests for a lightpath between the source node and the destination node. Upon receipt of a token at the source node indicating an available space within a wavelength, the source node selects a request stored within the queue based upon a best fit window protocol. A lightpath is then established between the source node and the destination node responsive to a selected request.

The insatiable appetite for Internet connectivity and network applications drives the current explosion of network traffic volume worldwide. It is expected that this exponential growth of traffic volume will continue in the foreseeable future. Optical fiber communication technology based on Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) has been employed as the major means to cope with the traffic volume growth. While WDM technology has already revolutionized the backbone network by enabling unprecedented increases in the leveraged capacity of a single fiber, a parallel paradigm shift is now taking place in the metropolitan network.
One of the most critical challenges in designing today's access and metropolitan networks is the fact that bandwidth demands have been consistently exceeding the most aggressive network planning predictions. In addition, the individual user's traffic burstiness makes static bandwidth reservation (e.g., SONET/SDH like) neither bandwidth efficient nor adequate to delay sensitive traffic. This situation has generated an increasing interest towards all-optical networks that are capable of allocating network resources, i.e., bandwidth, in a dynamic way. Such networks must be able to reserve the necessary bandwidth on-demand to allow the transmission of a user's traffic burst. Once the burst transmission is completed, the reserved bandwidth is promptly released to be made available to other burst transmissions.
In order to be of practical use, the bandwidth on-demand concept requires few but fundamental features. Three of the features are:                fast set-up time of the optical circuit (or lightpath);        fair blocking probability irrespective of the lightpath span (or the number of fiber lines the lightpath is routed through)        good bandwidth efficiency, i.e., the fraction of reserved bandwidth actually used to transmit data.
To understand how challenging it is to achieve these three features at once in the same architecture, one must observe that user requests for a lightpath are unpredictable and may occur simultaneously at distinct and geographically separated nodes. As a result, concurrent lightpath requests will compete to secure common resources, i.e., the available wavelengths in the network. This may result in a number of reservation attempts being failed as they are blocked by other lightpath requests that book the resources first. In this scenario, it is thus possible to incur in long set-up times and unfair blocking probabilities that are a function of the lightpath span. Lightpaths with longer spans are more likely to be blocked since they require successful wavelength reservation on each and every fiber line they are routed through.
Solutions so far proposed to solve the problem of routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) to establish lightpaths dynamically in a WDM ring can be categorized as centralized approaches and distributed approaches. With a centralized approach, the source node sends the request for a lightpath to a special node called controller. The controller keeps track of the available network wavelengths and serves the node requests on a first-come-first-serve (FCFS) basis. The resource contention is resolved at the controller. On a unidirectional ring, latency of the signaling required between the source and the controller to set up and eventually tear down the lightpath is proportional to the ring latency, i.e., round trip propagation time within the ring, and may considerably delay the set-up time and reduce bandwidth efficiency in metro applications.
With a distributed mechanism, every node solves the RWA problem for its own newly requested lightpaths. One way to achieve this objective is to allow every node to keep track of network-wide wavelength availability. The RWA problem is solved based on shared global information. In another approach, each node makes use of a routing table for each wavelength which specifies the next hop and the cost associated with the shortest path to each destination on this wavelength. Since different nodes may concurrently try to assign the same wavelength to distinct lightpath requests, both approaches require at least one round trip time from source to destination to be assured that their reservation was completed successfully. In a unidirectional ring this time equals the ring round trip time.

System and method for configuring optical circuits

University of Texas System Board of Regents


A method of storing configuration data for mobile computing devices can comprise the steps of providing a master configuration file including one or more parameter records and providing a device file including one or more device records. Each parameter record can map a parameter value to a parameter identifier. Each device record can map a parameter identifier to a mobile computing device identifier.

Various organizations, including retail and manufacturing businesses, can employ sizable fleets of mobile computing devices (e.g., encoded information reading (EIR) terminals configured to read bar codes and/or other types of encoded information). A number of actions typically need to be performed upon the mobile computing devices as part of the device fleet management operations, including device configuration updates. Effectively storing device configuration data and configuring mobile computing devices can require substantial planning and effort.

Method of configuring mobile computing device


An appliance electronic control system which tends to maintain a constant total cycle time, and thus an accurate "Time Remaining" display, notwithstanding variations in the actual time required for a water fill operation. The control system includes a count down timer and a time remaining display indicating cycle time remaining based on the state of the count down timer. The count down timer is initialized to a state representing nominal total cycle time, which includes the sum of a nominal fill time for water filling operations, a nominal time duration for each of several pause intervals, and the time durations of operational modes under the direct control of the control system, such as agitate time and spin time. During operation, the count down timer is decremented at regular predetermined intervals. The first time the machine fills, the actual time for the filling operation is measured. If the machine takes time less than the nominal fill time to fill (fast fill), the pause intervals are lengthened to compensate for the unused time allocated for the fill. If the machine takes more time than the nominal fill time to fill (slow fill), the pause intervals are shortened to compensate for the extra time required for the fill. In situations where the actual fill time exceeds the compensation capability, a one-time adjustment of the "Time Remaining" count down timer occurs at an appropriate point in the cycle. A safety feature to prevent excessive flooding due to faulty water level sensors is included.

The present invention relates generally to electronic appliance controllers and, more particularly, to an appliance electronic control system which tends to maintain a constant total cycle time, and thus an accurate "Time Remaining" display, notwithstanding variations in the actual time required for a water fill operation.
The subject invention may be implemented as a part of an appliance electronic control system which is disclosed in concurrently-filed application Ser. No. 07/968,991, filed Oct. 30, 1992, by Thomas R. Payne and Steven A. Rice, entitled "Reconfigurable Appliance Electronic Control System with Automatic Model Determination, Internally Restructurable Control and Flexible Programmable Test Modes", and concurrently-filed application Ser. No. 07/969,139, filed Oct. 30, 1992, by Thomas R. Payne, William W. Wead and Steven A. Rice, entitled "Appliance Electronic Control System with Programmable Parameters Including Programmable and Reconfigurable Fuzzy Logic Controller", the entire disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
Application Ser. No. 07/968,991 discloses a microcontroller-based electronic control system which is able to handle a variety of different appliances which are members of a family of commercial laundry products In a particular embodiment disclosed, the appliance electronic control system is applicable to each of a two-speed clothes washer, a one-speed clothes washer, an electronic dryer and a gas dryer.
A desirable feature in such appliances is a "Time Remaining" display which indicates cycle time remaining based on the state of a count down timer maintained by the controller. In a commercial, coin-operated laundry environment, a dryer cycle is entirely time driven, so little difficulty is involved in maintaining an accurate "Time Remaining" display The controller simply initializes the count down timer with the total cycle time, and then decrements the count down timer at regular predetermined intervals.
However, a clothes washer is both time and event driven, such that an accurate measure of cycle time remaining is more difficult to achieve. Thus, in the case of a washing machine, in order to initialize the count down timer, the control system must sum the time requirements of the various portions of the cycle, referred to herein as operational modes. These operational modes include wash water fill time, soak time, wash agitate time, spin time, rinse fill time, rinse agitate time, final spin time, and several pauses that occur between these operational modes. The pauses are required in order to allow the machine to come to a complete stop upon completion of one operational mode and the commencement of another operational mode in certain situations. In particular, a washing machine would likely be damaged if an attempt were made to switch instantaneously from an agitate mode to a spin mode, since a change in motor direction is involved.
The operational mode times just mentioned are under the direct control of the controller, with the exception of wash water fill and rinse water fill. Since the cessation of water fill is event driven, based on closing of a water level sensor switch or equivalent, rather than time driven, the actual time required to fill is known only after the water fill has occurred. This prevents an accurate initializing of the count down timer and thus prevents an accurate display of time remaining in the wash cycle.
In the past, this problem has been addressed by simply stopping the timer during water filling operations. However, when such an approach is employed, the displayed "Time Remaining" has little actual meaning since the operational cycle is not complete after the number of displayed minutes.
Another approach in the context of an electronically-controlled washing machine is to maintain a history of each particular machine to learn the actual fill times for that particular machine. This may be accomplished using a data filtering technique whereby a running average is kept for the fill time, and running average data is used in a time calculation for determining nominal fill time. This approach would offer a great deal of accuracy in estimating cycle time and thus in displaying "Time Remaining", but the displayed time may be different for different machines. It is considered less desirable by many users, especially in commercial laundry applications, to have a number of machines sitting side by side with different displayed cycle times.

Electronic laundry control with fill time compensation


A magnetic yoke also serves as a case for an irreversible circuit element. The magnetic yoke has a surface which is covered with such a high-conductivity metal coating film that an electric resistivity is 5.5 .mu..OMEGA. cm or less. Thereby, a signal energy is efficiently maintained. An input signal is transmitted to an output terminal with less loss.

(1.) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an irreversible circuit element having an irreversible transmission character relative to a high-frequency signal. More specifically, the present invention relates to an irreversible circuit element for use in a mobile communication system such as a portable telephone, generally referred to as an isolator and a circulator.
(2.) Description of the Related Art
Users of a portable telephone and a mobile telephone have recently increased in number with an increase of their coverage area and a smaller size of an equipment for them. One main component of the portable telephone, the mobile telephone and the like is an irreversible circuit element. The irreversible circuit element allows a signal to be passed in a transmission direction alone, and it prevents the signal from being transmitted in an opposite direction. The irreversible circuit element is referred to as a circulator and an isolator.
When the irreversible circuit element is inserted into its circuit system, a loss of a signal power to be transmitted occurs. Accordingly, the irreversible circuit element is heated, and battery consumption is increased. Many attempts have been made to efficiently operate the irreversible circuit element without losing a high-frequency signal and to reduce a signal power loss.
For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-106809/1995, a loop strip line to be resistance-connected has a different width from the width of other loop strip lines whereby an impedance mismatch which is caused by a resistance connection is corrected. That is, a design of a central conductive material attempts to solve the above problem.
Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-164211/1994, an auxiliary ferrite is disposed whereby the design of a magnetic circuit attempts to solve the problem.
Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-204712/1994, an earth potential of a yoke achieves a reduction of power loss. The yoke is used to form an outermost of the irreversible circuit element. The yoke holds many components which are incorporated in the irreversible circuit element so that they may be positioned in place. In addition, the yoke serves not only as a case for protecting the components but also as one part of the magnetic circuit which the whole irreversible circuit element is composed of. The yoke also has an electric shield effect so that it may reduce an interference between an inside and an outside of the irreversible circuit element. When the power loss is high within the irreversible circuit element, the yoke plays an important role in efficiently dissipating the generated heat.
One of the most important functions is to efficiently construct the magnetic circuit having an excellent uniformity. Thus, a nickel-plated iron plate is generally used for a material of the yoke. Furthermore, the iron is silvered and the silvered iron is then coated with an insulating resin. The resultant is proposed as the lower yoke.
The above-described conventional magnetic yoke for the irreversible circuit element employs the nickel and the iron which have an intermediate electric conductivity as a metal material. Accordingly, the materials do not always have an excellent signal transmission efficiency for a high-frequency electric signal which is sensitive to the electric conductivity. More effectively, the base-metal iron is improved so that it may be replaced by the high-conductivity material. However, a performance for the magnetic circuit might be deteriorated.


A variable differential adjustor for a fluid pressure-actuated switch, with the fluid, in the preferred form of the invention, being air. The restrictor has a restrictor housing having a passage through which a pressure source has a portion which passes on its way to a pressure-actuated switch. A restrictor is provided for engaging the portion of the pressure source passing through the restrictor housing and is adjustable to variably alter fluid flow through the pressure source portion. The restrictor comprises a screw-like plug in the pressure source portion which is acted upon by a tube throttle to variably alter the passageway past the plug.

This invention relates to fluid control, and in particular to a variable differential adjustor for a fluid pressure-actuated switch, with the fluid, in the preferred form, being air.
In dwellings and other structures using sump pumps to drain subterranean building footings and avoid ingress of water into the structure, it is important that the sump pump be actuated when water removal limits occur. Thus, sump pumps have switches that are activated by many different types of actuation devices, such as floats, pressure pads and pressure tubes. It is the latter type of structure that is utilized with the invention of the present application.
Pressure tubes typically extend into a sump pit or other water collection area, and as water rises in the sump pit, pressure within the tube increases until a pressure-actuated switch is closed, thus activating the sump pump. Once the water level is reduced below a certain level by the sump pump, the pressure-actuated switch is deactivated, and pumping ceases. To control the level at which pumping begins, typically the tube is repositioned up or down, which then translates into a higher or lower water level which commences actuation of the sump pump. If repositioning of the pressure tube is impossible or inconvenient, then the only manner in which to change the actuation of a pressure-actuated switch would be to restrict air pressure to the switch, effectively delaying actuation or deactivation of the switch.
One form of such a delay is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,084,363, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In the device of the '363 patent, a restrictor is provided having a restrictor housing with a fluid passage in which a restrictor plug, typically a set screw, is engaged. By judicious adjustment of the position of the set screw, fluid flow to and from the pressure the pressure-actuated switch is controlled, controlling when the switch is activated to control activation and deactivation of the sump pump.


Methods using novel cathode, electrolyte and oxygen separation materials operating at intermediate temperatures for use in solid oxide fuel cells and ion transport membranes include oxides with perovskite related structures and an ordered arrangement of A site cations. The materials have significantly faster oxygen kinetics than in corresponding disordered perovskites.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to novel cathode and electrolyte materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells and ion transport membranes based on oxides having perovskite related structures and an ordered arrangement of A site cations.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a family of compositions including at least one compound having the general formula (I):(ABO3)p(A′BO2+x)q(A′O2+x)r  (I)where p, q, and r are integers, x is a real number, A is a divalent metal, A′ is a trivalent metal and B is a metal capable of ready conversion between its plus three oxidation state and its plus four oxidation state or mixtures or combinations of such metals and where the cathode compositions possess both oxygen ion diffusivity and electronic conductivity. Cathode compositions also find applications in ion transport oxygen separation membranes and cathode.
More specifically, the present invention also relates to a family of electrolyte compositions including at least one compound having the general formula:(AB′O3)p(A′B′O2+x)q(A′O2+x)r  (II)where p, q, and r are integers, x is a real number, A is a divalent metal, A′ is a trivalent metal and B′ is a non transition metal and where the electrolyte compositions is a pure ionic conductor. Electrolyte compositions can be used in chemical sensors.
More specifically, the present invention also relates to fuel cells and separation cells including a composition of formulas (I) and/or (II) and the methods for making and using same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have the promise to improve energy efficiency and to provide society with a clean energy producing technology. The high temperature of operation enables the solid oxide fuel cell to operate well with existing fossil fuels and to be used in combined heat and power applications or efficiently coupled with turbines, to give very high efficiency conversion of fuels to electricity. SOFCs are quiet and non-polluting and their inherent high efficiency leads to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
At present, solid oxide fuel cells operating at 1000° C. utilize a yttria stabilized zirconia electrolyte (YSZ), a lanthanum strontium manganite cathode, and a nickel-YSZ cermet anode. Cells are connected by a lanthanum strontium chromite bipolar plate. Various geometries for the cell design have been investigated, but the most developed is the Siemens-Westinghouse tubular configuration in which the YSZ electrolyte film (30-40 μm) is supported on a 1.5 m long tube of porous lanthanum strontium manganite. The Siemens-Westinghouse design has been demonstrated successfully at the 100 kW scale.
While the technology has been successfully established, costs remain too high to permit widespread introduction of SOFCs into the marketplace. Cost reduction requires both improvements in the properties of the materials, particularly the electrodes, and the development of inexpensive fabrication processes. Lowering the operating temperature has a significant impact on cost by allowing the use of less expensive materials in interconnects and heat exchangers. Lower temperatures also lead to an increase in the reliability of SOFC systems by reducing problems associated with thermal cycling and performance degradation due to inter-diffusion or reaction of the individual components. Intermediate temperature SOFCs in both planar and tubular configurations at the 3-10 kW scale, for distributed combined heat and power and for auxiliary power are currently being developed in the U.S. by several organizations.
Operation of SOFCs at intermediate temperatures (500-800° C.) requires new combinations of electrolyte and electrode materials that will provide both rapid ion transport across the electrolyte and electrode-electrolyte interfaces and efficient electrocatalysis of the oxygen reduction and fuel oxidation reactions.
Mixed ionic electronic conducting (MIEC) oxides are the major functional component of ion transport membranes (ITMs). ITMs operate at high temperature by catalyzing the dissociation and reduction of an oxygen molecule at one membrane surface followed by coupled transport of an oxygen ion and two electron holes through the bulk material. On the second surface, the oxide ion acts as an oxidant for the catalyzed reaction of hydrocarbons such as methane to form synthesis gas or recombines to give molecular oxygen releasing electrons back into the membrane. In the latter case, the membrane functions as a high temperature oxygen separation device. Ion transport membrane systems are simpler in design than SOFCs in that no external circuit is required, but at the same time the materials requirements are very demanding because of the large gradient in oxygen activity across the membrane. The overall performance of an ITM is determined by the bulk transport and surface reactions which are strongly coupled together.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a new class of materials that will allow SOFCs and ITMs to operate at intermediate temperatures.

Methods for using novel cathode and electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells and ion transport membranes


A head-mounted display system includes a see-through display that is configured to visually augment an appearance of a physical environment to a user viewing the physical environment through the see-through display. Graphical content presented via the see-through display is created by modeling the ambient lighting conditions of the physical environment.

Augmented reality typically refers to a view of a physical environment that is augmented with the addition of virtual content. One implementation of augmented reality includes the addition of graphical content to a camera view captured through a camera of a mobile computing device. The camera view and added graphical content may be presented via a graphical display of the mobile computing device to change an appearance of the physical environment or to provide information relating to objects located within the physical environment.


System and method for tracking inventory of a multiplicity of products. First RFID tags are associated with respective products or groups of products. Second Active RFID tags are associated with respective first containers for the multiplicity products. A third Active RFID tag is associated with a second container for the first containers. First RFID tags broadcast their respective identifications. Second Active RFID tags hash the identities of the first RFID tags within their respective first containers and broad their hashed values. Third Active RFID tag hash the hashed values broadcast by the second Active RFID tags. An expected value is compared to a result of the third Active RFID tag hashing the hashed values broadcast by the second Active RFID tags.

Active RFID tags are well known today. For example, the Matrics Group manufactures "MicroSensys™" Active RFID tags, and KSW Microtec manufactures "Smart Active Label™" Active RFID tags. An Active RFID tag includes a small battery, and transmits RF signals via an integral antenna. The battery adds significant cost to the Active RFID tag. The Active RFID may be preprogrammed with an identity that represents the identity of the product which bears the RFID tag. The transmitted RF signals typically include the identity of the Active RFID tag. If the Active RFID tag includes data such as a recorded temperature, the Active RFID tag may transmit the data as well. An Active RFID tags can effectively transmit to a receiver up to 100 meters away.
Passive RFID tags are also well known today. A Passive RFID tag does not include a battery; instead, the Passive RFID tag has an integral antenna which receives RF signals from an Active RFID tag or remote transceiver. The transmitted RF signals power the Passive RFID tag, i.e. the Passive RFID tag captures the energy of the RF signals which it receives and uses the energy to drive transceiver and other circuitry on the Passive RFID tag. The transceiver circuitry on the Passive RFID tag transmits the identity coded into the Passive RFID to identify the product which bears the Passive RFID tag. The Passive RFID tag may also include a memory to store any type of information transmitted by the Active RFID tag or other remote transceiver. Typically, Passive RFID tags have a range of about three meters.
A known remote transceiver reads the identity information broadcast by the Passive RFIDs or Active RFIDs. The remote transceiver can read RFID tags on packages contained in a box to determine what packages the box contains or to confirm that the packages are all there. Also, the remote readers can read RFID tags on packages at a cash register to determine an amount to charge to the customer (as does a known bar code reader). Also, the remote readers can detect packages at a store exit which bear RFID tags which have not been "disabled" at a cash register, and thereby detect shoplifters.
An object of the present invention is to track inventory such as boxes and packages within the boxes.
Another object of the present invention is to track inventory of boxes and packages within shipping containers.

System and method to track inventory using RFID tags

International Business Machines Corporation