A vehicle control method comprising: obtaining first vehicle data and second vehicle data, processing the first vehicle data using the first computing system to obtain first structured data; processing the second vehicle data using the second computing system to obtain second structured data; and further controlling safe driving of a vehicle based on the first structured data and the second structured data, wherein the first structured data is used to represent an environment that is of the vehicle at a first time point and that is detected by the first group sensing apparatus, and the second structured data is used to represent an environment that is of the vehicle at the first time point and that is detected by the second group sensing apparatus.

In recent years, with continuous development of artificial intelligence technologies, an autonomous driving technology for vehicles develops rapidly. Safe driving of an autonomous vehicle depends on collection and analysis of a large amount of sensor data, to avoid another vehicle, a pedestrian, or the like on a road.
Currently, to resolve a driving safety problem of an autonomous vehicle, two computing systems are designed in an existing vehicle, to process a large amount of sensor data. When any one of the two computing systems is faulty, the autonomous vehicle does not stop running, and the other computing system that is not faulty may be used to process the sensor data, to control safe driving of the vehicle. Therefore, this effectively ensures driving safety of the autonomous vehicle.
However, it is found in practice that, in the foregoing data processing solution based on the two computing systems, the two computing systems designed in the vehicle are in a complete redundancy relationship. To be more specific, each computing system needs to process sensor data collected by all sensing apparatuses. In other words, when neither of the two computing systems is faulty, same sensor data needs to be processed twice using the two computing systems. This increases power consumption of the vehicle and a computing power requirement, and cannot meet requirements of vehicle mass production for low power consumption and high computing power.

Vehicle control method, related device, and computer storage medium


An interlockingly extending driving mechanism for an electric sofa, including a backrest adjusting assembly provided in a sofa seat frame. A footrest assembly is provided at one end, remote from the backrest, of the backrest adjusting assembly, and the backrest adjusting assembly is connected with the footrest adjusting assembly. The footrest adjusting assembly includes a supporting rod which is vertically and fixedly provided on the surface of one side of the backrest adjusting assembly, a driving unit is provided on the supporting rod, the driving unit is drivingly connected with a transmitting screw, an interlocking unit is movably connected to one end, close to the footrest, of the transmitting screw, the interlocking unit is movably connected with the footrest, and when the transmitting screw drives the interlocking unit to move, the interlocking unit drives the footrest assembly to extend or fold.

People tend to feel fatigued after working for a long time. As commonly used furniture, a sofa can alleviate a user's fatigue with its good embracing feeling. At present, in order to improve user experience, the electric sofa gradually becomes popular. When the electric sofa is used, a footrest of the electric sofa can be lifted to support the lower leg, making the user more comfortable in resting.
For example, the utility model patent with the publication number CN202776984U discloses an electric massage chair with a muscle drawing function. The electric massage chair includes a chair seat and a movable backrest which is articulated on the chair seat; the chair seat is hinged to a movable seat plate which is hinged to a movable foot plate; an electric push rod I is articulated between the movable seat plate and the movable backrest; an electric push rod II is articulated between the movable seat plate and the movable foot plate; an electric air pump is arranged on the chair seat and is communicated with an air bag component; a control circuit is arranged on the chair seat; the electric push rod I, the electric push rod II, the electric air pump and the air bag component are electrically connected with the control circuit.
According to the technical solution, the movable rod is driven to act by the electric push rod II such that the movable foot plate can rotate around the hinge joint with the movable seat plate, and the movable foot plate tends to be in a horizontal state so as to support the lower leg. However, the electric push rod is large in size and has a lot of components such that the overall components and parts of the electric massage chair are too many, the structure is complex, and the overall cost of the electric massage chair is too high.

Interlockingly extending driving mechanism for electric sofa


The method for the representation of video and audio signals on a low-resolution display panel, which includes the steps of: scaling the video or audio frame to fit the display panel, quantization of the video or audio signals to predetermined level values, temporal representation of video data by using the pulse density modulation, sending the signal pulses to the display panel. In further aspect the step of temporal representation contains the anti-flickering signal manipulation technique incorporating maximization of separation of the pulses during the pulse density modulation.

The low-resolution display panels such as Vacuum Fluorescent Display, Light-Emitting Diode, Liquid Crystal Display and others are often used for visual representation of numeric data. The goal of current invention was to use the low-resolution displays for visual representation of gray-scaled video and audio signals. The main problem was how to reconcile the two-value states for each pixel on the low-resolution display (only 'on' or 'off') with requirements to represent the multiple-value gray-scaled data from video sources.
The current invention uses the so-called Pulse Density Modulation to represent gray-scaled video data on the low-resolution display. The property of Pulse Density Modulation is that it conveys the data values by asserting the variable number of pulses in each fixed period of time. This characteristic of Pulse Density Modulation is suitable to transmit the brightness value of each pixel due to the property of human eye to integrate binary (only 'on' or 'off') brightness pulses over the time to perceive them as the gray-scaled pixels.
The two-dimensional spatial Pulse Density Modulation was used in the prior art for halftoning image rendering systems for printing color and gray-scaled documents. The current invention uses temporal Pulse Density Modulation technique to represent changing-in-time signals.

Method and apparatus for representation of video and audio signals on a low-resolution display


Disclosed herein are a perfluoroalkyleneoxy group-substituted phenylethylsilane compound and a polymer thereof. The perfluoroalkyleneoxy group-substituted phenylethylsilane compound represented by Formula 1 has excellent thermal and chemical stability to be solution-processed in a monomer state, and the polymer prepared by thermally crosslinking the compound has a high resistance to organic solvents. Moreover, since an insulating layer prepared by applying the same shows improved thermal and physical properties, it is possible to manufacture organic thin-film transistors having a high on/off ratio in a simple process such as a photolithography for a large-size substrate:

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a perfluoroalkyleneoxy group-substituted phenylethylsilane compound and a polymer thereof and, more particularly, to a perfluoroalkyleneoxy group-substituted phenylethylsilane compound having excellent thermal and chemical stability to be solution-processed in a monomer state, a polymer prepared by thermal polymerization and having a high resistance to organic solvents, and uses thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
It is expected that an electronic circuit board that can be readily manufactured at low cost, not broken by impact but easily bent or folded, will become an essential element in the electronics industry in the future. Accordingly, the development of organic transistors that can meet such requirements has attracted much attention.
The organic transistors can be effectively used in many cases where there is a necessity to form organic elements on a wide area, where a lower processing temperature is required, where bendability is required, especially, where a low-cost process is required; however, it cannot be applied to an element, in which silicon Si, germanium Ge, and the like are employed, requiring a high speed operation due to low charge mobility in terms of characteristics of organic semiconductors.
A transistor element having excellent performance requires high on/off ratio and charge mobility. Moreover, the formation of thin film layer should be available at low temperature. This is because that it is difficult to increase the processing temperature since the glass transition temperature is very low (around 250° C. in case of polyimide) in terms of characteristics of plastic substrates. Moreover, a low current leakage is essential in terms of reliability.
Meanwhile, since a bottom-contact organic thin-film transistor prevents an organic semiconductor polymer from being contaminated in a patterning process, compared with a top-contact organic thin-film transistor, it does not deteriorate the element performance. Accordingly, a development of the bottom-contact organic thin-film transistor is required to fabricate a large-size element and thereby a development of a gate insulating material having excellent solvent resistance is necessary.
However, polymer insulating materials developed so far have a problem in that the on/off ratio is low. Accordingly, it is necessary to develop a new organic material meeting the requirements of the above-described organic thin-film transistor.
As a result of intensive studies to solve the above-described problems, the inventors of the present invention have found that a perfluoroalkyleneoxy group-substituted phenylethylsilane compound can be solution-processed in a monomer state since it has a phenethyl group, a polymerization reaction occurs based on a perfluorocyclobutene (PFCB) during the polymerization of monomers if heat is applied at a temperature below about 200° C., and the thus obtained polymer shows a high resistance to organic solvents, and completed the present invention.
Since the perfluoroalkyleneoxy group-substituted phenylethylsilane compound of the present invention has a high resistance to organic solvents, it is possible to apply a solution process to the compound. Moreover, it has been ascertained that the polymer obtained by thermal polymerization has a high resistance to organic solvents with excellent thermal and chemical stability. Furthermore, it has been found that, if the perfluoroalkyleneoxy group-substituted phenylethylsilane compound and the polymer thereof are applied to an insulating layer, the solution process can be employed due to the above-described characteristics. Especially, it has been also found that, if used as a gate insulating material for organic thin-film transistors, the perfluoroalkyleneoxy group-substituted phenylethylsilane compound and the polymer thereof have excellent thermal and physical resistance and thereby a method of manufacturing a large-size element can be applied using a photolithography process. In addition, it has been confirmed that the organic thin-film transistor in which the gate insulating material is used shows a high on/off ratio.

Perfluoroalkyleneoxy group-substituted phenylethylsilane compound and polymer thereof

Abstract: wherein R1, R2, R3, Z1, Z2, Z3, and n are the same as defined in the detailed description of the invention.

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology


An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for cache synchronization within a multi-tier system having multiple client-server relationships. The apparatus includes a pre-synchronization module, a locking module, and a synchronization module. The pre-synchronization module receives a pre-synchronization call from an upstream node coupled to a first downstream node. The locking module locks a first cache coupled to the first downstream node in response to a synchronization call from the upstream node. The synchronization module synchronizes source data on the upstream node with cached data on the first cache. The apparatus also may include a post-synchronization module to perform any necessary cleanup activities. Advantageously, the apparatus, system, and method reduce the likelihood of a system deadlock due to premature locking of the first downstream cache, which prevents a subsequent downstream cache from synchronizing with the first cache.

1. Technological Field
This invention relates to cache synchronization and more particularly relates to synchronizing cascading caches within a multi-tier environment.
2. Background Technology
In a client-server environment, it is common for a client to cache data that is owned by the server. In other words, the client stores a copy of data from the server on, for example, random access memory (RAM), such as local RAM, that is coupled to the client. In this way, the client can access and modify this cached data locally without requiring communication across a network or other communication channel in order to access the data remotely at the server. The time, processor, and network traffic savings can result in a significant increase in performance of the client-server system.
When the client caches data from the server, the server typically prevents other clients or applications from removing or modifying the data on the server. The client, in one sense, checks out the data from the server and the server may prevent other clients from interrupting that access. In some situations, however, it may be useful to call back the data from the client in order to fulfill a data access request from another client. For example, if another client requires access to the same data, the server may request that the first client synchronize its cached data with the server. In a typical synchronization operation, the client sends the cached data, including any modifications, back to the server and discontinues caching the data locally. The server then has the most recent data available. Sending the cached, modified data back from the client to the server may be referred to as flushing the data back to the server.
In order to prevent a client application or other user from further modifying the cached data while the client flushes the data back to the server, the client conventionally locks the cached data in response to the synchronization call from the server and throughout the synchronization operation. The client releases the lock, or unlocks the cache, only when the cache flush is complete. The client typically responds to the synchronization call-back to notify the server that the synchronization is complete.
The conventional synchronization technology can halt an entire system when applied to a multi-tier system in which cascaded caching and synchronization are present. One example of a multi-tier architecture or environment is an enterprise application running in an application/database server on top of a database/file server. FIG. 1 depicts a conventional synchronization deadlock within a multi-tier system. A simple multi-tier system includes three nodes, which may be referred to as nodes A, B, and C. Nodes A and B form a first client-server relationship and, similarly, nodes B and C form a second client-server relationship at a downstream level. Node B, acting as a client of node A may cache data from node A. Subsequently, node C, acting as a client of node B, may cache data from node B, including some or all of the data originally obtained by node B from node A.
When node A receives a data access request from another client, node A, acting as a server, may request that node B, acting as a client, synchronize (flush back) its cached data. Conventionally, node B locks its cache in response to the synchronization request from node A. With the cache coupled to node B locked, the data cached by node B is unavailable for any modifications. However, node B, acting as a server, recognizes that some of the data that is requested by node A has been cached downstream by node C, acting as a client. Node B, therefore, sends a synchronization request to node C.
Unfortunately, node C cannot flush back its cached data to node B because node B has locked its cache in response to the synchronization request from node A. In this scenario, the entire system may deadlock while node A waits for node B to flush back, node B waits for node C to flush back, and node C waits for node B to unlock its cache so node C can flush back.
One specific example of this problem is apparent in a system where node A is a Storage Area Network (SAN) File System meta-data server, node B is an IBM® TotalStorage SAN File System client to node A, node B also acts as a Common Internet File System (CIFS) server, and node C is a CIFS client to node B. The potential for system deadlock increases substantially if node B supports the CIFS Oplocks protocol, which uses an inverted-locking model that considers locks granted while corresponding synchronization requests are pending.
Multi-phase commit protocols, such as two phase commit, exist and are used within the distributed transaction and protocol environments. However, these protocols are used only for distributed agreement, voting, and potentially locking within a cluster or single-tier or two-tier systems. Multi-phase commit protocols have not been implemented within multi-tier systems having more than two tiers.
From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus, system, and method for cache synchronization within a multi-tier environment. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would overcome the present synchronization challenges that allow synchronization deadlocks.

Apparatus, system, and method for cache synchronization

International Business Machines Corporation


Compositions, systems, and methods for protecting an ink-jet produced image printed on a substrate are provided. The composition can comprise a liquid vehicle and latex particulates dispersed in the liquid vehicle, wherein the latex particulates have a surface dielectric constant from 2.0 to 3.0 at room temperature, and a bulk density from 0.1 g/cm3 less to 0.1 g/cm3 greater than the vehicle density. An alternative composition can comprise a liquid vehicle and latex particulates dispersed in the liquid vehicle, wherein the latex particulates have a reactive surfactant covalently attached thereto.

Ink-jet prints are often known for poor durability when exposed to water or high humidity. This results from the use of water-soluble and water dispersible colorants within the water-based ink. There has been great improvement in the area of water durability of ink-jet inks through incorporation of certain ink-jet compatible latex polymers. When printed as part of an ink-jet ink, a latex component of the ink can form a film on a media surface, entrapping and protecting at least some of the colorant within the hydrophobic print film. However, not all colorant will necessarily be protected upon printing, as would be optimal.
Polymers that form durable films are typically made from copolymers having bulk densities on the order of 1.15 g/cm3 or greater, which is appreciably greater than water, the primary component of thermal ink-jet ink. As such, conventional latex particles are normally designed to flocculate so that latex precipitate may be easily shaken or stirred back into dispersion without agglomeration. Such flocculation behavior is well known with latex paints. Unfortunately, these conventional teachings do not address the unique needs of ink-jet printing applications. For example, the micro-channel ink feeds in ink-jet pens are easily clogged with precipitant, particularly when a pen is stored or otherwise unused for prolonged periods of time. Such precipitation is not easily redispersed by pen shaking, as flow constriction prohibits adequate mixing within micro-channels of pen architecture. Additionally, micro-channels used for jetting can house some of the ink over prolonged periods in preparation for firing, and settled latex particulates can cause further constricting of the micro-channels. This can result in ink-jet pen failure due to clogging of the micro-channels. Further, the micron-order settling distances found in the fluid channels of thermal inkjet pens exacerbate the problem.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Latex-based overcoat for ink-jet printing applications

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A series of current repeaters with localized feedback is provided. Each current that precedes a subsequent current repeater in the series is configured to receive a feedback current from the subsequent current repeater and generate an error signal accordingly with a differential amplifier so as to reduce current repetition errors that would otherwise result from an offset voltage in the differential amplifier.

A system-on-a-chip (SoC) typically includes a number of different circuit blocks. For example, an SoC might include a SERDES, a phase-locked loop (PLL), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and so on. Such circuit blocks often require their own band-gap circuit to provide a band-gap reference signal that is independent of process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations. But providing a band-gap reference circuit for each circuit block is costly because each band-gap reference circuit demands its own off-chip resistor, die space, and power.
To save power and reduce costs, an alternative approach is to distribute the band-gap reference signal to circuit blocks from a common band-gap reference circuit. For example, in an open-loop architecture without repeaters, a band-gap reference circuit that is shared by a group of circuit blocks distributes its band-gap reference signal to the circuit blocks through corresponding traces or leads. But such an approach is plainly unsatisfactory for precise distribution of the band-gap reference signal since the amplitude of the band-gap reference signal received by each circuit block will vary depending upon the resistive loss in the corresponding lead. Due to this loss, those circuit blocks farther away on the die from the band-gap reference circuit will receive a weaker band-gap reference signal in contrast to those circuit blocks that are closer on the die to the common band-gap reference circuit. An open-loop architecture in which the band-gap reference current is distributed through a series of repeaters addresses this resistive loss in amplitude. In the series of current repeaters, the reference current is successively repeated from current repeater to subsequent current repeater. But each repeater introduces some level of error that then propagates down through the subsequent repeaters in the series. For example, if each repeater in a series of five repeaters introduces an error of 5% in its repeated band-gap reference signal, the repeated band-gap reference signal from the fifth and final repeater in the series may have an error of 27% from the original band-gap reference signal that was distributed from the common band-gap reference signal to the first repeater in the series.
To address the error that would otherwise build-up in a series of repeaters, it is known to feedback the repeated band-gap reference signal from the final repeater in a series of current repeaters to the band-gap current source that drives the band-gap reference current to a first current repeater in the series. The band-gap current source may then adjust the band-gap reference current responsive to the feedback so that the error at the final repeater is minimized. Such a feedback scheme may be denoted as a global feedback in that the feedback from the final current repeater applies to all the repeaters in the series. But this use of global feedback does not control the local error at the various repeaters in the series prior to the final current repeater. For example, it may be that the error is unacceptably high for current repeaters in the middle of the series despite the error for the final current repeater being controlled through the global feedback to the band-gap reference circuit.
There is thus a need in the art for improved band-gap reference signal distribution architectures.


An enhanced filtering media composite formed of a first electret media layer attached uniformly onto a second non-woven fibrous media layer by a special needling construction and procedure, so as to provide a needled media composite having increased mechanical strength and particle retention capacity. The first media electret layer is composed of about 50 wt. % mixture of polypropylene and modacrylic fibers, and the second media layer is composed of 80% 3 denier.times.3 inch polyester staple and 1.4 denier.times.1.5 inch polyester staple fibers, the fibers of one layer being selectively needled into the other layer using controlled needling density penetration, depth and repetitions to provide a composite having improved mechanical strength and filtration performance.

This invention pertains to filtration media composites, and pertains particularly to gas filtration media composites formed of a electret media layer attached uniformly to a second media layer by controlled needling so as to provide media composites having enhanced performance for gas filtration systems.
Layered filtration media for removing fine solid particulate matter from gases in which it is suspended are generally known, and may include either a layer of blended electrostatic fibers on an electret layer material and a conventional non-woven fibrous layer. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,724,457 to Besser discloses an electrostatic air filter utilizing loosely woven electrostatic synthetic plastic yams so woven as to form irregular projections and pockets which disturb air flow to cause precipitation of dust particles in the filter. U.S. Pat. No. 2,916,038 to Wade discloses a tobacco smoke filter formed either of organic fiber electrets or a mixture of such electret fibers with non-electret fibers, such as natural or synthetic fibers of non-uniform diameter. The fibers may be rolled together and also twisted to form a cylindrical-shaped mass which can be bonded together by use of a binder or by heat.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,791 to Wald discloses a filtering medium formed of non-woven needled textile material having a bulk density gradient such that the front or facing portion has a greater bulk density than the rear portion of the filter U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,850 to Brown, discloses a blended fibrous filter material in which two types of fibers each carrying opposite electric charges are needled together so as to attract and retain dust particles and provide high filtration efficiency.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,448 to Scherrer discloses a double layer filter insert for an air cleaning apparatus, including a first pre-filter of polyester fibers as an upper or outer layer facing the inflow of dust laden air, and a second layer of an electrostatic nonwoven fabric loosely disposed behind as a lower or inner layer. The two layers are wedded together along their longitudinal edges. U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,942 to Winters discloses a fibrous filtration laminate including a self-supporting non-woven fabric and an intertangled non-woven mat of electret containing microfibers deposited on and adhering to the first layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,677 to Tani et al discloses an electret sheet construction including a porous sheet made of a dielectric polymer and at least one solid material selected from organic, inorganic materials, and metallic materials, and includes material spaced at various intervals on the surface of the dielectric polymer. Also, U.S. Pat. No. Re. 35,236 to Nolan discloses an air filter construction employing layers of woven media within a frame, increasing two layers of electrostatic polypropylene woven fabric in an "egg-crate" pattern, each separated by a centrally disposed polyester pad, and held together through a frame device.
Although these prior filtration media constructions have been found useful, further improvements are desirable to provide filtration media having increased durability and filtration efficiency for fine particle removal from flowing gas streams.

Enhanced electret needled filtration media and composites


An apparatus and method for fastening concrete reinforcement steel members together using deformable metal fastener clips. The concrete reinforcement steel members are used to strengthen concrete structures in a known manner and can be in the form of wire mesh sheets or rebar positioned in a grid pattern. The deformable metal fastener clips are generally U-shaped members that are open on one side before being deformed so that the fastening clips can be easily placed over two or more adjacent reinforcement steel members. The metal fastener clips are deformed around the reinforcement steel members to close the open side of the metal fastener clips, thereby securing the reinforcement steel members together in a desired formation. The free ends of each fastener clip preferably overlap each other after the fastener clips are closed around the reinforcement steel members. The reinforcement steel members can be secured together within a concrete form, or they can be secured together offsite and placed in a concrete form before filling the form with concrete. The deformable fastener clips can be used to efficiently secure reinforcement steel members together during concrete construction with a simple squeeze of the fastener clips around the reinforcement steel members. The steel members can thus be secured together in substantially less time than other conventional methods, and with substantially less cost in both materials and labor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to fastener devices and concrete construction and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for fastening concrete reinforcement steel members together during concrete construction.
2. Description of the Related Art
Deformable metal fasteners called "hog rings" were originally developed in the 18th century to prevent hogs from rooting under fences that confined them. The hog ring device was inserted in a hog's nose and would cause discomfort and irritation if the animal tried to use its snout to dig. The hog ring was later used in a similar fashion on other livestock and also to connect wire fencing in agricultural applications.
In the early 1930's, automobile manufacturers began using hog rings to secure springs and wire in automotive seating. Today, hog rings are still widely used in the automotive industry for this purpose. Hog rings are also employed in the production of low cost upholstered furniture to attach upholstery material to a wire or rod support. Hog rings are similarly used as a fastening device in the bedding industry and in a variety of other industries.
A conventional hog ring fastener consists of a 15-gage wire having a length less than two inches, which is formed into a curved, C-shape with pointed, converging legs. The fastener is deformed when applied by a tool to close and cross the legs and form a loop around a work piece. Known hog ring fasteners are often assembled in strips or sticks and are dispensed in a tool one at a time from a magazine. Conventional C-shaped hog ring fasteners are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,123,273 and 5,483,815.
Hog ring fasteners are generally designed with a structure or shape that prevents the opposed legs of the fastener from abutting and interfering with one another as the fastener is formed into a loop or ring. Such interference is undesirable because it can prevent the desired forming of the fastener into a loop and can cause jamming or wear and damage to a fastener application tool. The most common way to prevent interference between the legs of a hog ring is to provide the opposed legs with points that are offset or oppositely beveled, as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,230. Another known way to prevent interference between the legs of a hog ring is to provide an offset in the legs of the hog ring, as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,040.
Precast concrete, such as pipe, drainage structures, and building components (e.g., lintels, wall, floor, and roof panels) are normally reinforced with a latticework of rebar or wire mesh steel in single or multiple layers to enhance the strength of the concrete. The same is true of prestressed concrete, such as building components, bridge beams, and so forth. This is also the method used to reinforce virtually all cast-in-place concrete. For example, concrete highways are typically reinforced with a double mat of No. 5 rebar on six inch centers. When the concrete is being formed using reinforcement steel rebar or wire mesh, the rebar or wire mesh is typically laid out in a grid-like pattern or framework in a concrete form and secured together loosely using wire ties. The reinforcement steel is thus held in place temporarily by the wire ties while concrete is being poured around it. After the concrete sets, the reinforcement steel members are then permanently positioned within the concrete.
Most reinforcement steel members used in commercial concrete construction have been tied together in the same way for many years. The wire ties used to tie the reinforcement steel members together typically comprise very light gage, mild steel wire supplied on a belt-mounted reel. The wire is pulled from the belt-mounted reel, wrapped around the reinforcement steel members, pulled taut with side cutters or pliers, twisted, and cut. This conventional process of tying together reinforcement steel members is very labor intensive and, therefore, adds considerable labor costs to concrete construction jobs.
For example, reinforcement steel can be tied at concrete construction sites by skilled laborers at a rate of approximately 10 seconds per tie and a cost of $18 to $20 per hour using a reel of wire and pliers. Reinforcement steel can also be tied by semi-skilled laborers at a rate of approximately 25 seconds per tie and a cost of $6 to $8 per hour using a conventional loop or swivel process. The net cost of these two processes works out to be about the same.
Manufactured loop ties and hand swivels have also been used to secure reinforcement steel members together during concrete construction. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,331,179 discloses a grid of reinforcement steel members secured together, in part, using manufactured spacer rings at the intersection points of the reinforcement steel rods. The manufactured spacer rings are formed with a split 7 (FIG. 3) for spreading the ring to mount the ring over the reinforcement steel rods. After the spread ring is mounted over the reinforcement steel rods, release of the spread ring results in reclosing of the ring upon the rods by virtue of the elasticity of the material.
Such manufactured spacer rings are expensive to make because they require a relatively large amount of spring steel material for each ring to perform the intended function of spacing the grid away from the bottom surface of the concrete form, and also to provide the elasticity to reclose the ring upon the rods after the ring is spread to mount the ring over the rods. Moreover, such manufactured spacer rings are inefficient to use because they require a rather difficult and tedious process of spreading the rings during installation.
Hog rings and similar fasteners have not been previously used in the construction industry to secure reinforcement steel, such as rebar and welded heavy gage wire mesh, during concrete construction.

Method for fastening concrete reinforcement steel using deformable metal fastener clips


A soil penetrating tool assembly (10) having a tool shank (18) which is pivotally mounted so as to clear obstructions in the ground. Movement of the shank away from its normal attitude is opposed by a hydraulic ram (22). The force required to be exerted by the shank (18) against the opposing force of the ram (22) is initially high but is reduced upon a predetermined movement of the tool (18) and thus a predetermined retraction of the ram (22). This allows the tool (18) to more easily clear large obstructions without causing damage to the tool (18).

Soil penetrating tool assemblies are commonly used in the agricultural industry to break up soil to facilitate sowing of seeds or for other soil preparation procedures. The tool assemblies often include a shank which is sharpened at one end or alternatively provided with a soil penetrating tool and the shanks are mounted to a cultivator frame that is pulled by a tractor through a draw bar or mounted to a tool bar that is attached to the tractor by means of a three point hitch.
It has been common for the shanks of the tool assemblies to be releasably mounted to prevent damage to the shanks, frame, tool bar and/or the shank carrying implement when an obstruction is encountered in the soil.
Various devices have been used to attach tool assemblies and shanks to a cultivator frame. In one common configuration, a clamping assembly is clamped or bolted to the frame and the shank supported in a yoke to the clamping assembly by a mounting pin or bolt and a shear pin extending through sets of aligned holes. Where excessive obstructions or loads in the ground are encountered, the shank may pivot and cause the shear pin to break. In such arrangements and in other arrangements where shear pin systems are used, the breakage of a shear pin necessitates stopping the prime mover and replacement of the shear pin to enable ploughing to be recommenced.
Other arrangements have provided a spring system wherein a spring applies a biasing force to the shank to maintain the shank in the ground. The spring, however, normally is required to be of such a size as to exert as high as possible force on the shank to maintain it in the ground. Sufficient force to maintain the digging point in the ground in hard compacted soils would require springs of huge and impractical sizes.
Other systems have used hydraulic rams as a means for opposing movement of the shank out of the ground. These systems would require huge and impractical hydraulic rams to maintain penetration in hard compacted soils. Such large rams or large springs also subject the digging points and shanks to possible breakage during the obstruction jumping action when the shanks and points are in the raised non digging configuration. Furthermore, springs and rams in the above configurations are arranged to exert a force on the shank in such a manner that all movements of the shank will be opposed by the same force.
The present invention aims to overcome or alleviate one or more of the above described disadvantages or at least provide an alternative to the soil penetrating tool assemblies of the type described above. Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description.


A rudder pedal mechanism is configured with foreign object strike tolerance and/or with an articulating brake. The foreign object strike tolerance is implemented via a force transfer mechanism that is responsive to an input force supplied to the rudder pedal. The force transfer mechanism is configured to supply a transfer force to a rudder position command unit when the input force is supplied in a first direction, and to not supply the transfer force to the rudder position command unit when the input force is supplied in the second direction and exceeds at least a predetermined force magnitude. The articulating brake is implemented via a brake rod assembly that is rotationally coupled to the rudder pedal, and includes a first rod that is rotationally coupled to the rudder pedal, and a second rod that surrounds at least a portion of the first rod.

Aircraft typically include a plurality of flight control surfaces that, when controllably positioned, guide the movement of the aircraft from one destination to another. The number and type of flight control surfaces included in an aircraft may vary, but typically include both primary flight control surfaces and secondary flight control surfaces. The primary flight control surfaces are those that are used to control aircraft movement in the pitch, yaw, and roll axes, and the secondary flight control surfaces are those that are used to influence the lift or drag (or both) of the aircraft. Although some aircraft may include additional control surfaces, the primary flight control surfaces typically include a pair of elevators, a rudder, and a pair of ailerons, and the secondary flight control surfaces typically include a plurality of flaps, slats, and spoilers.
The positions of the aircraft flight control surfaces are typically controlled using a flight control surface actuation system. The flight control surface actuation system, in response to position commands that originate from either the flight crew or an aircraft autopilot, moves the aircraft flight control surfaces to the commanded positions. For example, during flight the pilot positions the primary flight control surfaces via a yoke or control stick and a pair of foot pedals. In particular, the pilot may control the position of the elevators, and thus aircraft pitch, by moving the yoke or control stick in a relatively forward or rearward direction. The pilot may control the positions of the ailerons, and thus aircraft roll, by moving (or rotating) the yoke or control stick in the left or right direction (or in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction,). Moreover, the pilot may control the position of the rudder, and thus aircraft yaw, by positioning a pair of right and left rudder pedals using their foot. It is noted that in addition to being used to position the rudder, the rudder pedals may also be used to apply the brakes to the landing gear wheels.
The rudder pedals are typically positioned in the aircraft and may be coupled to a system of mechanical mechanisms, such as rods and linkages, that are used to convert rudder pedal movements into rudder movement commands. These mechanical mechanisms are typically disposed below the aircraft cabin floor, and near the nose of the aircraft. Due in part to this location, the mechanical mechanisms are typically designed to withstand being struck by an object. For example, although highly unlikely, it is postulated that a bird (or other foreign object) could strike and penetrate the nose of the aircraft, and cause an inadvertent movement of the rudder pedals and/or rudder pedal mechanisms.
Presently, many aircraft address the postulated object strike event by incorporating break-away links within the mechanical mechanisms. These break-away links are normally in tension during operation. However, if the mechanical mechanisms are struck by an object and experience a compressive force, the links give way and do not, therefore, transmit a command to the rudder.
Although the present devices and methods for rudder pedals and associated mechanical mechanisms are generally safe, reliable, and robust, they do suffer certain drawbacks. For example, present devices may not be useful in current fly-by-wire flight control systems. Moreover, present mechanisms are configured such that brake operation may be undesirably influenced during rudder pedal operation.
Hence, there is a need for a rudder pedal mechanism that is configured to exhibit foreign object strike tolerance and that is useful in current fly-by-wire flight control systems and/or that allows for appropriate rudder control via the pedals without influencing brake operation, and vice-versa. The present invention addresses at least these needs.

Active rudder pedal mechanism with foreign object strike tolerance and articulating brake


A method for transmitting multicast data in a WiMax/WiBro relay system, including transmitting carrier-interference-noise ratios from UEs to corresponding Relays; selecting the minimum value among the carrier-interference-noise ratios; determining the modulation and coding mode according to the selected minimum value; transmitting the modulation and coding mode to BS; selecting a modulation and coding mode with a highest rate for multicast data on an access link; transmitting the final modulation and coding mode to the Relays; and transmitting data via the access link with the modulation and coding mode determined by the BS.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a cellular system including a relay, and in particular, to an effective method for transmitting multicast data in a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access/Wireless Broadband (WiMax/WiBro) relay system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to enhance signal power and suppress interference when transmitting multicast data in a WiMax/WiBro relay system, it is often necessary for both a Base Station (BS) and several Relay Stations (RSs) participating in the multicast service to simultaneously transmit data with the same coding/modulation. In such transmission schemes, the interference from adjacent RSs or BSs usually becomes useful signals. For a User Equipment (UE), signals from different transmitters can be regarded as multi-path signals. As long as the difference between the signals is within the guard interval of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, they can be correctly received as useful signals.
When multicast data is transmitted in a conventional WiMax/WiBro relay system, extreme differences exist between channels because the distances between the receivers and the RSs or the BSs are different. In order to guarantee that the receiver on a channel having poor quality can correctly decode data with some acceptable probability, a lower-order modulation scheme and more powerful coding are usually applied to multicast data. However, this is a severe waste of resources for UEs having good channel conditions.
In a Terrestrial Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-T) scheme, a method called hierarchical modulation is proposed, in which low-order modulation is embedded in high-order modulation for transmission. For instance, QPSK is embedded in 64 QAM or 16 QAM. The hierarchical modulation method bears close relation to the video transmission in DVB-T. A piece of high-definition video can be usually divided into a basic layer and multiple enhancement layers. The basic layer can offer video with standard definition. The video cannot be decoded with only the enhancement layer, and video streams of higher definition can be provided only when the basic layer is used together. Therefore, the basic layer is the stream with high priority and usually adopts lower-order modulation plus strong coding scheme to guarantee that it can be correctly received by UEs; the enhancement layers are the streams with low priority and adopt high-order modulation and weak coding scheme for transmission. With the hierarchical modulation method, the basic layer with high priority is embedded in the enhancement layers levels with low priority for the purpose of transmission. UEs having good channel conditions can decode both the basic layer and the enhancement layers simultaneously in order to obtain high-definition video, and UEs having poor channel conditions can decode the basic layer to obtain video with basic definition.
In the hierarchical modulation method, enhancement layer signals with high-order modulation interfere with basic layer signals with low-order modulation in the constellation. Consequently, an adjustable separation factor α is proposed in DVB-T, which means that, in the constellation, at least the distance of a least constellation points should exist between every two of constellation points of low-order modulation. Therefore, increasing α can reduce the interference caused by high-order modulated signals to low-order modulated signals. However, increasing α also reduces the least constellation point distance. Consequently, higher SINR is required to distinguish two different constellation points of high-order modulation. Actually, the separation factor α can regulate the interference between high-order modulated signals and low-order modulated signals. The greater α is, the more interference low-order modulated signals inflict on high-order modulated signals; the smaller α is, the more interference high-order modulated signals cause to low-order modulated signals.
The hierarchical modulation solution is suitable for video data transmission in broadcast services, but it is not suitable for application in either WiMax or WiBro system for a number of reasons.
First, for the hierarchical modulation solution, it is necessary to modify the receiver greatly, especially when the constellation needs to be adjusted according to the separation factor α. All the current amended versions of WiMax and WiBro system emphasize that the receiver needs to be backward compatible.
Second, the high-order modulation part in the hierarchical modulation solution can only be used by UEs in good channel conditions in signal receiving. In non-video services, if UEs in good channel conditions has no data to receive, resource of such part is still wasted.
Third, with the hierarchical modulation solution, although interference between high-order modulated signals and low-order modulated signals can be regulated by using the separation factor to adjust the constellation, because the two types of signals are transmitted via the same constellation, there is no way to regulate transmitting power for different signals, which leads to the loss of power control, an effective approach for interference suppression.

Method for transmitting multicast data in WiMax/WiBro relay system


A system to determine and dictate individual exercise thresholds to maximize desired neurological responses.

The present invention relates to physical and neurological enhancement systems, and particularly to a system to determine and dictate individual exercise thresholds to maximize desired neurological responses.
Forced-rate exercise, such as threshold-targeted indoor cycling or boxing, has been found to reduce or delay symptoms associated with movement disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease through improved neurological response. Thus, improved neurological response from targeted exercise can bring additional desired effects to many populations.
Existing exercise protocols, however, use general thresholds for frequency or individual power thresholds based on previous exercise sessions. These one-size-fits-all frequency and potentially outdated power thresholds are often ineffective (as they rely on historic performance data from known or assumed participants). As a result, not only is the frequency threshold likely to differ from person to person and day to day, but a power threshold can vary greatly for a person with a movement disorder and can change unexpectedly in any population with atypical neurological patterns or tendencies.
In short, because all other protocols require generalized thresholds or thresholds based on pre-exercise data or testing, current protocols are not helpful to those outside the statistical average nor do they offer a useable starting point for a new participant.
As can be seen, there is a need for a system to determine and dictate individual exercise thresholds to maximize desired neurological responses. The present invention may use only current data from two sensors to initially determine and recalibrate the exercise thresholds for effectuating maximum desired neurological response, such as reducing tremors for people with Parkinson's Disease or improve the walking gait of someone with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
The systemic software embodied in the present invention accepts data in the form of current frequency, and power generated by an exercise routine, applies an algorithm to determine the initial thresholds, continues monitoring and updating thresholds during the exercise and displays easy and intuitive cueing so participants can reach and maintain their thresholds, maximizing the desired neurological results while minimizing unproductive physical effort and strain.

System to determine and dictate individual exercise thresholds to maximize desired neurological response


A self-lubricating bearing is fabricated as a laminate of a metallic substrate and a series of raised structures formed integrally therewith and extending orthogonally therefrom. A fluoropolymer sliding or bearing layer is superposed with the substrate, with the raised structures embedded therein. The raised structures serve to hold the bearing layer in place to help prevent it from sliding along the surface of substrate during bearing operation. This anchorage to the substrate enables a relatively thick bearing layer to be utilized to relatively reduce tendency to creep. Alternatively, the structures provide a bearing having a relatively thin load bearing layer with a relatively constant friction coefficient over its life, with the structures acting as thermal and electrical bridges for relatively high heat and electrical conductivity between the substrate and a supported article such as a rotating shaft. The structures also may be in direct contact with the supported article to help prevent bedding-in. In this regard, the bearings are provided with a relatively low coefficient of friction, long bearing life, resistance to creep and mechanical stresses, and are electrically and thermally conductive.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to bearings, and more particularly to a maintenance free bearing having a lubricious wear layer that is resistant to creep.
2. Background Information
Maintenance-free sliding bearings comprising a metal support and a plastic layer are known. Such bearings provide convenient means for rotatably, pivotably or slidably fastening multiple members to one another in a maintenance free manner. Applications for such bearings include those that utilize continuous rotational movement such as journals for supporting a driven shaft. These bearings are also suitable for applications that employ repeated pivotal movement such as automotive door hinges, door checks, brake and accelerator pedals. Additional applications include those that utilize repeated reciprocal movement such as automotive shock absorbers and struts. These bearings may also be used in lighter duty applications such as multiple bar linkages commonly utilized in the automotive industry for trunk deck lid and hood hinges. Such maintenance free bearings may comprise a variety of configurations, such as, for example, bushes or journal bearings, thrust bearings or washers, locating pads, valve port plates, and wearing components for a variety of mechanisms.
One such bearing in particular is referred to herein as a "DU" bearing available from The Glacier Metal Company Limited, Argule House, Joel Street, Northwood Hills, Middlesex HA6 1LN, England. The DU bearing consists of a composite material in which a porous bronze layer is bonded to a metal backing. The porous bronze layer is impregnated with a polymer such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), with a top layer or lining of polymer disposed thereon.
One aspect of this construction is that the ratio of polymer to bronze tends to change with depth, with the bronze being relatively more concentrated closer to the metal backing. This provides a reduced concentration of low friction material close to the backing metal. Thus, the coefficient of friction tends to disadvantageously vary (increase) over the bearing life. An additional drawback of this concentration gradient is that any operation that removes material from the bearing layer, such as the common practices of boring, broaching or burnishing the bearings to size after installation, generally cannot be accomplished without a reduction in bearing performance.
A bearing developed to overcome these limitations, sold under the designation "Norglide", is available from Norton Pampus, GmbH, of Willich, Germany. Norglide comprises a thin sheet of bearing material, such as, for example, a PTFE compound, bonded onto steel backing using high temperature thermoplastic films, (eg. PFA and ETFE) heat and pressure. Since the bearing layer is fabricated as a discrete sheet, rather than a dispersion as in the case of the aforementioned DU bearings, the Norglide bearing layer is homogeneous. This aspect advantageously provides a coefficient of friction that remains nominally constant throughout the bearing life. Moreover, the coefficient of friction of the Norglide bearing may be lower than other prior art bearings due to the ability to utilize reduced filler content or fillers that have less negative impact on the coefficient of friction. For example, the Norglide bearing may utilize graphite filler rather than bronze as discussed hereinabove. Also, such homogeneity enables the bearing surface of Norglide bearings to be bored, broached or burnished to size after installation nominally without reducing the performance thereof.
This construction, however, is not without limitations. In particular, the relatively high thickness of the PTFE compound and the low filler content tend to enable the bearing layer to creep or bed in under heavy stress. Moreover, the bearing layer may tend to delaminate from the metal backing in the event the laminate is bent to a particularly small radius. PTFE compounds also tend to be poor conductors of heat. As such, these bearings, even when fabricated using bronze filled PTFE sheets (see the discussion of "Norglide M" bearings hereinbelow), tend to exhibit relatively low heat transfer. Finally, although PTFE may be made electrically conductive, the hot melt film used to bond the bearing layer to the metal backing is electrically insulative. This aspect tends to make the Norglide bearings undesirable for use in applications that rely on electrical continuity such as, for example, electrostatic painting in the automotive and other metal fabricating industries.
The creep and delamination problems may be addressed by roughening the metal backing surface, such as by sandblasting, etc., prior to application of the bearing surface. However, the process is relatively cumbersome, time consuming and adds expense to the process.
As mentioned hereinabove, a variation of Norglide also available from Norton Pampus is known as "Norglide M." Norglide M is substantially similar to Norglide, but utilizes a bearing layer having an open-mesh metal fabric reinforcement disposed therein. The use of this reinforcement tends to ameliorate the aforementioned creep and conductivity drawbacks, but does not address the delamination and electrical conductivity concerns.
Thus, a need exists for an improved maintenance free bearing that addresses the problems of the prior art.


An objective lens consists of a single lens element, and has a light source side surface formed into a convex surface having a large curvature and an optical recording medium side surface has a small curvature. The both surfaces are aspheric surfaces. Also, the objective lens satisfies the following expressions (1) to (3):0.7<NA<0.98  (1)0.70<d/f<1.40  (2)0.48<X<0.55  (3).where NA denotes a numerical aperture of the objective lens on an optical recording medium side,                d denotes a thickness of the objective lens on an optical axis in mm, and        f denotes a focal length of the objective lens in mm.X is equal to (X1−X2)·(n−1)/(NA·f), where X1 and X2 denote values relating to sag amounts in the respective surfaces, and n denotes a refractive index.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to an objective lens capable of efficiently converging used light onto an optical recording medium when information is recorded or reproduced, an optical pickup device and a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for the optical recoding medium. Specifically, the invention relates to an objective lens for used in recording/reproducing a high density optical recording medium with blue light having a short wavelength, an optical pickup device, and a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for the optical recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, various optical recording media such as DVD (digital versatile disc) and CD (compact disc which includes CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW) have been widely used in various applications. However, in response to a rapid increase in data volume, an increase in storage capacity of an optical recording medium has been strongly demanded. It has been known that a decrease in wavelength of used light of a light source and an increase in numerical aperture (NA) of an objective lens are effective to increase a storage capacity of an optical recording medium. Based on this knowledge, the blu-ray disc (herein after referred to as "BD") having about 25 GB in a single sided single layer has been put to practical use. For the BD, light which is emitted from a semiconductor laser (for example, emitting laser light having a wavelength of 405 nm) having a short wavelength light output is used as irradiation light, and a numerical aperture is increased to be equal to or greater than 0.7. In the specifications of the BD, the numerical aperture and a thickness of a protection layer (for example, the numerical aperture (NA) is 0.85, and the thickness of the protection layer is 0.1 mm) are set quietly different from those of DVD and CD.
However, in future, a further increase in density will inevitably be demanded, but it might be hard to satisfy this demand by promoting a decrease in wavelength. This is because optical transmittance of lens materials is rapidly reduced in the range of a wavelength λ less than 350 nm and thus, it is hard to obtain sufficient optical efficiency in practice.
Another way for achieving high density is to further increase the numerical aperture of the objective lens.
Meanwhile, when a lens having a large numerical aperture (hereinafter, it is referred to as a "high NA") is designed, a single lens structure is effective to solve problems such as an increase in process number during assembly, deterioration in production efficiency, and an increase in cost.
Furthermore, in the high NA objective lens, it is important to prevent deterioration in aberration. Therefore, it is important to satisfactorily correct various aberrations by providing an aspheric surface or the like.
Generally, an objective lens for use in recording/reproducing an optical recording medium has a peculiar shape, that is, a convex surface which has a large curvature and is directed to a light source. In particular if an objective lens is formed to have a high NA, a shape of the lens has great influence on not only a spherical aberration but also various aberrations.
Hence, in JP 2003-5032 A (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 7,110,344), a conditional expression relating to a sag amount is defined, and a value determined by the conditional expression is set in a predetermined allowable range, thereby preventing deterioration in various aberrations of the high NA lens.
Furthermore, the objective lens for recording/reproducing an optical recording medium tends to be too large in on-axis. Accordingly, in a high NA single lens, an on-axis thickness d is set to be in a predetermined range which is defined based on a relation between the thickness d and a focal length f, and so excellent image height characteristic are obtained (see JP 2001-324673 A (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 6,411,442) and JP 2003-5032 A).
However, in the objective lens described in JP 2003-5032 A, if the NA is increased to be in the range from about 0.7 to about 1.0 within the predetermined range defined by the conditional expression about the sag amount, it is not always possible to satisfactorily correct a spherical aberration.
Furthermore, in the objective lens described in JP 2001-324673 A and JP 2003-5032 A, if the NA is increased to the range from about 0.7 to about 1.0 within the predetermined range defined by the conditional expression of d/f, it is not always possible to satisfactorily correct high-order various aberrations with an image height characteristic being assessed with a wavefront aberration. In addition, in terms of a decrease in power for driving an objective lens and a decrease in size of apparatus, which is expected to be required in future, values relating to reducing weight of the objective lens and ensuring an operating distance are not always satisfactory ones.

Objective lens, optical pickup device having the same, and recording and/or reproducing apparatus for optical recording medium, equipped with the optical pickup device


A program causes a computer to perform determining a display size for each icon image by scaling each icon image with a length-to-width ratio thereof being maintained such that icon images associated with each row are equal in display height in each row in a menu region and by scaling the icon images as a whole associated with each row at an identical ratio such that a width of the row as a whole obtained by scaling each icon image associated with each row is set to a prescribed length, and showing the menu image in which icons of which icon images are shown with corresponding sizes are arranged for each row.

An information processing apparatus on which a plurality of applications are available has been known. In such an information processing apparatus, a menu image for selecting an application to be executed from among a plurality of applications is often provided. Typically, a menu image showing icons representing respective applications in a list is provided. In such a menu image, an order of alignment and a size of shown icons can arbitrarily be changed in response to an instruction from a user.
An icon shown in a normal menu image is created in a predetermined image size. The background art has not studied representation of icon images not identical in image size in a menu image.
An exemplary embodiment provides a configuration allowing appropriate adjustment of a display size or a layout of icons associated with applications in response to an instruction from a user even though icon images used for showing the icons are not equal in display size to one another in showing a menu image including the icons.
An exemplary embodiment provides a program executed by a computer of an information processing apparatus. The program causes the computer to perform setting an order of arrangement of a plurality of icon images for each row in a menu region, wherein the plurality of icon images may include icon images not identical in image size and each of the icon images is associated with an application, changing arrangement of the plurality of icon images in response to an input instruction, determining a display size of each icon image by varying a size of each icon image with a length-to-width ratio thereof being maintained such that the icon images included in a row are identical in display height in each row in the menu region and varying a size of the icon images as a whole included in the row at an identical ratio such that a width of the row as a whole is set to a prescribed length, generating a menu image in which each icon image is arranged in the determined display size for each row, and starting, in response to an instruction onto any icon, execution of an application associated with the instructed icon.
According to the configuration, the order of icon images in the menu region can arbitrarily be varied in response to an input instruction, and a menu image including icons of which display size has been adjusted in accordance with the varied order of icon images can be provided.
The changing arrangement may include processing for inserting a selected icon in any position in any row. According to the configuration, a user can insert a selected icon in any position in any row in accordance with his/her preference. Since sizes of the icon images are varied in accordance with the number of icon images included in a row, the user can designate not only a position of an icon image but also a size thereof in accordance with his/her preference.
The selected icon may be shown with an icon image having a display size relatively greater than before selection. According to the configuration, the user can readily recognize that the selected icon can be inserted in any position.
The changing arrangement may include processing for sorting the plurality of icon images under a prescribed rule. According to the configuration, the user can not only arbitrarily set an order of arrangement of icons but also sort icons under a prescribed rule.
The application may include a game program. According to the configuration, when a number of game programs are provided, the user can generate a menu image in accordance with his/her preference.
The icon image may include a package image of a game program sold in the past. According to the configuration, the user can readily know, by looking at an icon representing a package image, with which application that icon is associated.
The plurality of icon images include a first icon image associated with start of a first application from a first state and a second icon image associated with start of the first application from a second state different from the first state. According to the configuration, even the same application can provide a user with a plurality of ways of having fun.
Start from the second state may be realized by reading and execution by the first application of setting information defining the second state. According to the configuration, the application itself can be common. Therefore, even when the same application is started from a plurality of states, applications corresponding to respective states do not have to be stored and hence undue increase in data capacity can be avoided.
The program may further cause the computer to perform outputting layout information including information on an order of the plurality of icon images and a display size of each icon image and sharing the layout information with other information processing apparatuses during online play. According to the configuration, since the layout information is used, a data capacity can be lower and processing can be faster than in a configuration in which a menu image itself is held. Since the layout information is used, processing for sharing a menu image among a plurality of information processing apparatuses can readily be realized.
The program may further cause the computer to perform showing detailed information on an application associated with a selected icon in response to an input instruction. According to the configuration, the user can know, before start of execution of an application, detailed information on the application.
The program may further cause the computer to perform showing a prescribed icon of an application satisfying a prescribed condition, rather than an icon shown with an icon image associated with the application. According to the configuration, during a period until an icon associated with an application is shown, a user can be given such expectations as what the application is like.
Another exemplary embodiment provides a program executed by a computer of an information processing apparatus. The program causes the computer to perform setting an order of arrangement of a plurality of icon images for each column in a menu region, wherein the plurality of icon images may include icon images not identical in image size and each of the icon images is associated with an application, changing arrangement of the plurality of icon images in response to an input instruction, determining a display size of each icon image by varying a size of each icon image with a length-to-width ratio thereof being maintained such that the icon images included in a column are identical in display height in each column in the menu region and varying a size of the icon images as a whole included in the column at an identical ratio such that a width of the column as a whole is set to a prescribed length, generating a menu image in which each icon image is arranged in the determined display size for each column, and starting, in response to an instruction onto any icon, execution of an application associated with the instructed icon.
According to the configuration, the order of icon images in the menu region can arbitrarily be varied in response to an input instruction, and a menu image including icons of which display size has been adjusted in accordance with the varied order of icon images can be provided.
Another exemplary embodiment provides an information processing apparatus that includes an arrangement module configured to set an order of arrangement of a plurality of icon images for each row in a menu region, wherein the plurality of icon images may include icon images not identical in image size and each of the icon images is associated with an application, an arrangement changing module configured to change arrangement of the plurality of icon images in response to an input instruction, a size adjustment module configured to determine a display size of each icon image by varying a size of each icon image with a length-to-width ratio thereof being maintained such that the icon images included in a row are identical in display height in each row in the menu region and varying a size of the icon images as a whole included in the row at an identical ratio such that a width of the row as a whole is set to a prescribed length, an image generation module configured to generate a menu image in which each icon image is arranged in the display size determined by the size adjustment module for each row, and an application start module configured to start, in response to an instruction onto any icon, execution of an application associated with the instructed icon.
According to the configuration, the order of icon images in the menu region can arbitrarily be varied in response to an input instruction, and a menu image including icons of which display size has been adjusted in accordance with the varied order of icon images can be provided.
The arrangement changing module may perform processing for inserting a selected icon in any position in any row. According to the configuration, a user can insert a selected icon in any position in any row in accordance with his/her preference.
The selected icon may be shown with an icon image having a display size relatively greater than before selection. According to the configuration, the user can readily recognize that the selected icon can be inserted in any position.
Another exemplary embodiment provides an information processing method that includes setting an order of arrangement of a plurality of icon images for each row in a menu region, wherein the plurality of icon images may include icon images not identical in image size and each of the icon images is associated with an application, changing arrangement of the plurality of icon images in response to an input instruction, determining a display size of each icon image by varying a size of each icon image with a length-to-width ratio thereof being maintained such that the icon images included in a row are identical in display height in each row in the menu region and varying a size of the icon images as a whole included in the row at an identical ratio such that a width of the row as a whole is set to a prescribed length, generating a menu image in which each icon image is arranged in the determined display size for each row, and starting, in response to an instruction onto any icon, execution of an application associated with the instructed icon.
According to the configuration, the order of icon images in the menu region can arbitrarily be varied in response to an input instruction, and a menu image including icons of which display size has been adjusted in accordance with the varied order of icon images can be provided.
The changing arrangement may include processing for inserting a selected icon in any position in any row. According to the configuration, a user can insert a selected icon in any position in any row in accordance with his/her preference.
The selected icon may be shown with an icon image having a display size relatively greater than before selection. According to the configuration, the user can readily recognize that the selected icon can be inserted in any position.
Another exemplary embodiment provides an information processing system that includes a display device and an information processing device. The information processing device is configured to perform setting an order of arrangement of a plurality of icon images for each row in a menu region, wherein the plurality of icon images may include icon images not identical in image size and each of the icon images is associated with an application, changing arrangement of the plurality of icon images in response to an input instruction, determining a display size of each icon image by varying a size of each icon image with a length-to-width ratio thereof being maintained such that the icon images included in a row are identical in display height in each row in the menu region and varying a size of the icon images as a whole included in the row at an identical ratio such that a width of the row as a whole is set to a prescribed length, generating a menu image in which each icon image is arranged in the determined display size for each row, and starting, in response to an instruction onto any icon, execution of an application associated with the instructed icon.
According to the configuration, the order of icon images in the menu region can arbitrarily be varied in response to an input instruction, and a menu image including icons of which display size has been adjusted in accordance with the varied order of icon images can be provided.
The changing arrangement may include processing for inserting a selected icon in any position in any row. According to the configuration, a user can insert a selected icon in any position in any row in accordance with his/her preference.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the exemplary embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with executable program stored thereon, information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing


A method and system are provided for protecting an analog video signal sent from a video signal source to a video display enabled to receive a protected video signal. The method includes sending a string of bit values in an encrypted format from the video display to the video signal source. The string of bit values is received in the video signal source and decrypted. The string of bit values is then divided into multi-bit segments in both the video display and the video signal source. A common multi-bit segment in the string of bit values is selected for both the video display and video signal source. A plurality of analog video channels is then sent in a switched order from the video signal source to the video display based on the common multi-bit segment. The plurality of analog video channels is finally decoded in the video display using the common multi-bit segment to decode the switched order.

Video signals that contain television content, movies and other program content have been encrypted in many ways because such signals can be easily transmitted and copied electronically. Content providers who create electronic video content frequently encrypt their products or the associated audio/video signals in order to discourage others from copying those signals. These copy protection methods have met with a certain amount of success in discouraging end users or unlawful copiers from copying copyrighted material.
One way video content has been copy protected is by encrypting or encoding the actual video content as it is saved to a specific media. For example, the data stored on DVDs is encrypted with the CSS algorithm before it is stored on a DVD. Then when the information is played back from the DVD, it is unencrypted by the DVD player with the CSS algorithm and sent via a cable to the video display or television monitor. Such encryption systems have generally been effective in those situations where an individual desires to copy the video data directly from the source material (e.g. DVD).
Unfortunately, source level encryption does not protect the data from being copied in the situation where the information has been decrypted and is then being sent directly across the cable to the video display. In this situation, a knowledgeable individual can tap into the video cable between the video player or source and the video display while the image is being sent in its clear format. In this situation, a cable tap or splitter can be used to copy the signal just before it arrives at the video display. Alternatively, a copying machine can act as the video display and can intercept the direct output. This type of copying system enables the copier to avoid copy protections and copy a clean signal with very inexpensive hardware.
Some analog scrambling systems have been developed for satellite transmissions and for video tape copy protection. For example, some satellite signal copy protection systems strip away the vertical and/or horizontal sync pulses prior to sending the signal. Such copy protection systems send a reference sync signal or pilot signal and the decryption unit can then generate the missing sync signals from the reference signal. Without these control signals, analog video displays or televisions are unable to determine when to trace each new line in the frame or when a new frame begins.
Video tape systems use a similar copy mechanism so that when a video tape is copied the sync pulses are difficult to copy or otherwise modify so that they are not able to be copied properly. This results in a fuzzy or scrambled final picture on a copied tape.
Regardless of what type of scrambling or protection system is used for a video signal, there are some central components of video protection systems. Video protection systems tend to include an encoder to scramble, encrypt, or modify the video signal in some way. A central broadcast system or signal source device is also part of a protection system for distributing the video signals. In addition, at least one descrambler is typically located at the point where the video signal will be used. For satellite television or cable television, a descrambler is most often located with the video display that will display the signal. Accordingly, the video signal is generally decrypted just before it is sent across the analog transmission line to the video display or the television monitor. This means that the video display does not know anything about the scrambled signal that is sent to the descrambler unit because the signal has been descrambled before it is ever sent to the analog video display.

System and method for protection of video signals


A DC power converter consisting of a series-resonant branch used to transform a DC voltage source into a DC current source exhibiting, a uni-polar, zero-current-switching characteristic. Frequency of the series-resonant branch, acting in concert with reflected load parameters, provides a forced oscillation frequency, Fo, component to an AC voltage source generated across the input winding of a power transformer by the resonant capacitor. Complex load parameters allow AC input current, displaced by 90xc2x0 from the AC voltage source, to flow in the transformer primary winding throughout a composite, carrier-frequency cycle. Another component of the carrier-frequency consists of a resonant, natural oscillation frequency, Fn, resulting from resonance by the AC voltage source capacitance with the open-circuit inductance of the primary winding on the input power transformer. The composite carrier-frequency, Fo+Fn, transported through the input power transformer is directed to a rectifier/filter assembly and applied as a DC voltage to an output load. Thus, the uni-polar DC series-resonant branch is converted into an AC power transfer function, fully isolated from the input power switch, by the AC voltage source capacitor. The power transfer function characterizing a bi-polar power inverter requires a single power switch referenced to the input power return bus.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a zero-current switching DC power conversion process. And more specifically, resonant power converters using a series-resonant input stage to source AC voltage to an input power transformer via energy storage in the series-resonant capacitor. Wherein a compound frequency consisting of a forced sine wave oscillating frequency, Fo, couples to a resonant sine wave oscillating at its natural frequency, Fn. The two components combine to synthesize a composite, sine wave carrier-frequency providing a uni-polar and/or a bi-polar power supply transfer function to the power transmission loop.
2. Description of Prior Art
Sundry methods exist for converting an input level of DC power to another level for delivery to a prescribed load. Two conventional design methodologies in popular practice are generally classified as either: linear or switching mode. In view that either finds acceptance in certain application requirements neither enjoys the broad appeal of universal usage. Linear supplies exhibit low noise generation by virtue of internal power current remaining continuous while regulation is implemented by insertion of an artificial resistance exhibiting infinite resolution in series with the output load. While the variable resistance yields a low noise characteristic at the output terminals, objection is based on inefficient power transfer.
Switching supplies present a more efficient method for converting power from one voltage level to another. Power conversion in switching converters takes place by closing a power switch to couple the conversion circuit to an input power source during a portion of the transfer cycle. The power switch is opened during the remaining portion of the transfer cycle decoupling the power conversion circuit from the input power source and allow an energy charge, stored in the output integrating-filter inductance, to circulate through the output load. This method for converting power is very efficient since input current flows only during the time of power switch closure. Thus, input power is described in terms of duty cycle: Pin (pk) D. The principal drawback to this type of power conversion lies in the fact that switching action interrupts input current converting it into a train of discontinuous pulses. The resulting pulse train introduces a broadband frequency spectrum with a high-end, cut-off frequency, several orders of magnitude beyond the actual switching frequency.
Interruption of power current leads to circuit parasitics being bounded by a broadband frequency envelope. Transmission of frequency signals through the range in which parasitic L-C parameters resonate introduces ringing which becomes evident as noise on the output terminals. Suppression of this noise component resident on the output termination is a complex and tedious process that can impose serious penalty on conversion as well as volumetric efficiency.
Fortunately, 5V logic features a sufficiently wide noise threshold as to allow design procedures to become somewhat routine in their application. The same observation, however, does not necessarily apply toward evolving logic of lower voltage levels. Industrial trends toward 3V logic impose serious consideration with respect to tolerable noise envelopes. Further reduction of logic voltages to 1V, or fractional voltage levels, will require very high signal-to-noise ratios. In all probability, larger than can be accommodated by presently acceptable switching converter design disciplines.
An object of this invention is to describe a design process incorporating desired properties associated with either linear or switching power conversion design disciplines. Specifically, the low broadband noise envelope associated with linear power converter designs and the efficient, duty modulated, power transmission of high frequency switching topologies.
Another object of the invention is to define a design discipline in which an over-all DC to DC power conversion process incorporates an inner AC to DC power supply loop, wherein power supply input current is continuous throughout the entire power transmission cycle, and completely isolated from power switch transitions.
Another object of the invention is to illustrate capability of the inner power supply loop to accept any combination of half, or full-wave, rectifier/filter assemblies on the secondary windings of the isolation transformer for delivery of power to prescribed output loads.
Another object of the invention is to demonstrate a fly-back characteristic embedded in the resonant frequency, Fn, component which determines back-EMF impressed on the input power switch relative to design coefficient K selected for the composite carrier-frequency.
Another object of the invention is to illustrate a bi-polar power transmission process allowing non-polarized magnetic transformation and automatic re-set of the flux field in the magnetic core while using a single power switch referenced to the input power return bus.
Another object of the invention is to convey ready adaptability to synchronous rectification due to soft crossover of output and fly-back currents circulated in the transformer and rectifier/filter assembly.
The transfer functions described herein abide by standard industry definition for circuitry employed in power conversion applications. A power converter converts power from a DC source to a DC output. A power supply converts power from an AC source to a DC output. It is in this context that the power transfer function described herein embeds an inner power supply loop within an overall power converter transfer function. A practical circuit for achieving continuous AC current flow in a power transformer while responsive to variable switching for duty cycle control consists of a series-resonant circuit including an input DC voltage source; a resonating capacitor, a resonating inductor, a unidirectional conducting device and a power switch. The second stage, describing an AC voltage source. Is made up of a capacitor/transformer combination upon which a complex impedance, consisting of a reflected load component shunting the open-circuit inductance of the primary winding on the power transformer, acts as a load on the AC voltage source provided by the series-resonant energy storage capacitor. The load component acting on the capacitor introduces a time-constant that while working in concert with the angular velocity of the series-resonant input stage, serves to describe the sine wave frequency for the forced oscillation, Fo, component of the composite carrier-frequency.
The negative region of the AC voltage source waveform consists of a resonant frequency created by resonance between the voltage source capacitor and the open-circuit inductance of the primary winding on the power transformer. This frequency region introduces a resonant frequency component, Fn, to the composite carrier-frequency waveform. Power switch location in the series-resonant circuit places it outside the current loop formed by interactive energy circulation between the transformer""s primary winding and the voltage source capacitor. Therefore, power switch transition does not interfere with continuous current flow through the transformer primary winding providing source energy to the AC power supply inner-loop.
The transformer""s secondary winding acts as an intermediate hand-off to the current loop formed by the output integrating-filter for half-wave circuit configurations. In this instance, secondary winding current flows only during the power transfer stroke. Primary current, however, flows throughout the entire composite frequency cycle, with the negative voltage region providing the core flux re-set volt-seconds. Secondary winding current, however, remains continuous throughout its positive and negative region for full-wave circuit configurations. While primary winding properties remain the same for either half or full-wave rectification.
Design criteria inclusive of objects and brief general description above is further disclosed as a family of new resonant power converters based on primary-side resonance with zero-current-switching. The composite sinewave frequency applied to the primary winding of an input isolation transformer consists of a compound frequency whose constituent elements are predicated on a design coefficient K derived from the desired ratio of: Fn/Fo. The forced oscillation frequency, Fo, appearing as the positive transition in the composite waveform being somewhat dependent on the series-resonant input current source and the complex impedance impressed upon the capacitor/transformer loop by the open-circuit inductance of the isolation transformer acting in parallel with the reflected load resistance. The resonant frequency oscillation, Fn, appearing as the negative transition in the composite waveform is predicated wholly on the resonant elements in the parallel-resonant tank circuit, consisting of the resonant capacitor which terminates the series-resonant input current source and the transformer open-circuit inductance. Parallel-resonant circuitry is designed for maximum impedance in compliance with over-all dictates for minimal internal loss components to insure optimized transmission efficiency. The unloaded parallel-resonant circuit exhibits an inherent tendency for its internal impedance to migrate toward infinity due to regenerative properties characteristic of parallel-resonant tank circuitry.
The complex impedance impressed upon the parallel-resonant tank circuit, by the load resistance acting in parallel with the transformer""s open circuit inductance, shunts the parallel-resonant tank circuit""s inordinately high internal reactance in a manner in which the complex impedance being of a comparatively, low, ohmic value overwhelms the inordinately high value of the parallel-resonant tank circuit""s internal reactance. A resulting 90xc2x0 phase shift between voltage and current in the parallel-resonant tank circuit due to the quadrature relationship between the in-phase load and out-of-phase inductive components spreads the shunting impedance throughout the time-frame of the composite frequency Fo+Fn. Thereby stabilizing the entire power transmission carrier-frequency envelope.

Resonant power converter with primary-side tuning and zero-current switching


An analog to digital converter includes a comparator, an up/down counter and a pulse width modulator. The analog input to the comparator initially causes the counter to count up. The counter output is the converted digital word. The word is used to vary the modulation duty cycle of the modulator output which is compared with the analog input to the comparator. When the modulator output exceeds the analog input, the comparator output changes and the counter counts down, maintaining a digital output from the counter at the value of the converted analog signal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an analog to digital converter.
2. Description of Related Art
Various techniques for converting analog signals into digital signals are known. They are discussed in, for example, "Intelligent Instrumentation--Microprocessor Applications in Measurement and Control" by Barney published by Prentice/Hall International (UK) Ltd.
Particularly for mass-produced items however, it is also desirable to be able to use low-cost components wherever possible as long as the quality of the converter remains acceptable for a given application.
The closed-loop technique of conversion is discontinuous. It takes a sample of an analog input, initiates a count and compares an analog version of the count value with the analog input. When parity is reached, the count stops and a digital output generated. Thus, the count starts at the same base value (usually zero) for each conversion which means the digital output is available only as quickly as the count can reach the correct value. This also means that the digital output is available after different conversion periods, depending on the analog value to be converted.
A form of continuous analog to digital conversion is possible using the simultaneous technique. However, it is rarely cost-effective as it requires 2.sup.n -1 comparators, which .sup.n is the number of bits in the digital output.

Analog to digital converter using up/down counter and digital feedback