A lithography apparatus including a projection system configured to project a beam of radiation onto a substrate as an array of sub-beams of radiation and an array of individually controllable elements configured to modulate the sub-beams of radiation. The apparatus also includes a data-path including at least one data manipulation device arranged to at least partly convert data defining a requested pattern to a control signal suitable for controlling the array of individually controllable elements to form substantially the requested pattern on the substrate. The data manipulation device is arranged to carry out the conversion by applying a pseudo-inverted form of a point-spread function matrix to a column vector representing the requested pattern. The point-spread function matrix includes information about the shape and relative position of the point-spread function of each spot to be exposed on the substrate by one of the sub-beams of radiation at a given time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lithographic apparatus and a device manufacturing method.
2. Related Art
A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a target portion of a substrate (e.g., a workpiece, an object, a display, etc.). The lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs), flat panel displays, and other devices involving fine structures. In a conventional lithographic apparatus, a patterning means, that is alternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, can be used to generate a circuit pattern corresponding to an individual layer of the IC (or other device), and this pattern can be imaged onto a target portion (e.g., comprising part of a die, one die, or several dies) on a substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer or glass plate) that has a layer of radiation-sensitive material (e.g., resist). Instead of a mask, the patterning means can comprise an array of individually controllable elements that generate the circuit pattern. Lithographic systems utilizing such arrays are generally described as maskless systems.
In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively exposed. Known lithographic apparatus include steppers, in that each target portion is irradiated by exposing an entire pattern onto the target portion in one go, and scanners, in that each target portion is irradiated by scanning the pattern through the beam in a given direction (the "scanning" direction), while synchronously scanning the substrate parallel or anti-parallel to this direction.
The user of such apparatus defines a requested pattern to be formed on the substrate that is characterized by a particular dose-map of radiation. In maskless systems, data representing a requested dose-map is processed with reference to calibration measurements in order to obtain an actuating signal to send to the array of individually controllable elements. Areas of high pattern density in the dose-map require exposed spots on the substrate to overlap with each other. It has been found that, under certain circumstances, these regions of overlapping patterns can cause errors in the processing of the requested dose-map.
The process of joining one region of pattern to another region of pattern is known as seaming. Seaming can be carried out for patterns originating from a single optical column (e.g., receiving input from a single array of individually controllable elements), or between patterns from different optical columns (e.g., each receiving input from a separate array of individually controllable elements). Seaming in these situations can be achieved by arranging for the dose-maps of each of the overlapping patterns to reduce gradually over an overlap region. However, this approach can be difficult to regulate, particularly where the overlap region is narrow.
Therefore, what is needed is a lithography apparatus and device manufacturing method that improves the handling of regions prone to excess exposed spot overlap.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method


A head up display unit equipped at least with transparent and flat image information display means, transparent and flat light irradiating means arranged in an opposed and close contact relationship with the image information display means, light supply means for supplying light to the light irradiating means, image-display control means for controlling image display, and light-supply control means for controlling light supply. The display unit is a compact head up display unit which can be used in any place in the interior of an automobile.

In vehicles, it is important from the point of view of safety that an operator operating (driving) with his or her eyes forwardly fixed to the front, when changing the visual point in an instant and looking at a display such as a velocity display, can accurately read out the displayed contents for the shortest possible time.
In recent years, in vehicles, particularly automobiles, there has been a strong movement to adopt a so-called "head up display (hereinafter referred to as a HUD)" which has been developed in aircraft. In this HUD, the displayed image of a CRT is projected on a combiner (semitransparent reflection plate) disposed at the front of a pilot's seat (or on a windshield) with an optical system such as lenses, mirrors, and holograms, and is displayed in a form superimposed upon the forward scene. As a result, the HUD becomes a unit which makes it possible to reduce movement of one's eyes or focusing as much as possible and to enhance visibility.
In the railroad vehicles, there is plenty of space for housing an image display section, and as shown for example in Published Unexamined Patent Application No. H4-110236, the image display section is comprised of considerably large-scale devices such as a CRT, a lens, a mirror, and a concave mirror.
On the other hand, in the automobiles, space for housing an image display section or an optical system is limited, and as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,780, U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,475 or "Development of Hologram Head-up Display" (SAE TECHNICAL PAPER SERIES 920600, (1992) by H. KATO et al.), liquid crystal or a LED is used as the image display section and is combined with an optical system such as a mirror, and the combined unit is housed in a compact form in an instrument panel. However, in order to form a focus at a great distance, the reflections at the mirrors are repeated to obtain a long optical path leading from the image display section to the combiner. For this reason, a certain space has become necessary. Thus, these optical systems are housed in the instrument panel, but it is desirable that the use of the space be avoided where various kinds of devices or wiring are close together, and if possible, it is desirable that the use of this space be avoided. That is, a conventional HUD such as this is an excellent display where the forward external scene and various kinds of image information and character information from the interior can be superimposed and viewed at front of the driver's seat, but in order to achieve this, the conventional HUD has a large problem that a considerable space must be occupied.
This problem originates in the fact that the HUD takes the projection type display structure that the image generated in the image display section is projected and displayed on the combiner surface. The HUD, as previously described, is originally a system which has been developed in aircraft, and various functions that had been required in that case, as they are, have been applied to vehicles, etc. Therefore, it is considered that the requirements which cannot always be said to be indispensable in vehicles have also been introduced as they are.
In aircraft, the forward view's space is a wide space where the field of view is not much obstructed, and the operator is operating focusing the visual point at the infinite point. Therefore, it is preferable that the image of the HUD be also focused at the infinite point. In addition, even if considerably complicated information were displayed on the display, it would not become an obstacle to the operation of the operator, and conversely, the operator does need such complicated information.
On the other hand, in vehicles, particularly automobiles, the driver is driving, viewing about 10 to 20 m ahead, about 50 m ahead at the most. Also, the forward external scene is full of variety, and the operator is looking at an ever-changing sight, such as scenes, various kinds of display plates, and forward vehicles. If extremely complicated information is displayed on the display, conversely it will become an obstacle to driving. When the driver looking about 20 m to the front looks at an image displayed between the driver and the front, it has been said that the driver can recognize the image without difficulty if the focus is formed about several meters ahead. Furthermore, extremely speaking, it is considered that, as long as the forward scene and the display information are superimposed and can be seen and in a case where both are in the field of view at the same time even if the display information were not in the same focal distance as the forward scene, the forward scene and the display information can be read out without having a feeling of incompatibility or fatigue so much, unlike looking at the displays of the meters of a normal instrument panel section.
If a complicated and fine image is displayed, then a suitable image display device, i.e., a CRT, a TFT transmission liquid display, etc., will be needed. In the present technique, it will be inevitable that the display device will become a projection type in order to display the image while superposing upon an external scene. In addition, in the projection type, in order for an image to be formed so as to have a focus far ahead, an optical system such as a lens or a mirror will become necessary. However, if it is assumed that a complicated image is not displayed unlike the aforementioned case, the limitation that a CRT is used in the image display section in order to make a projection type will be removed, and it will become possible to drastically change the concepts of the HUD.
As described above, in the automobiles, the space for housing an image display unit or an optical system is limited, and if possible, it is desirable that the use of this space is be avoided. A method of solving this problem is by using a transparent and flat image display unit to make a direct view type rather than the projection type, and by arranging this display unit in the vicinity of the windshield. If done like this, the driver can superimpose and look at the forward external scene and the display information at the same time and drive safely. At this time, what is necessary is that the image portion of this image display unit maintains a fixed brightness. A transparent electro-luminescent display can be simply used but is extremely expensive, and a passive image display unit is practical. However, an illumination system is needed in order for making use of this display unit, and this illumination system is also required to be transparent and flat.

Head up display unit, liquid crystal display panel, and method of fabricating the liquid crystal display panel

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A rolling toolbox is provided which has a generally rectangular frame. The frame forms an interior compartment and has a front plate, a rear plate and opposing end plates mounted thereon. The front plate has an opening therein. Mounted to the frame in pivotal relationship is at least one bin which has an end plate, a retaining plate and opposing side plates. Mounted to the retaining plate is a rearwardly extending latch. A drawer is slidingly received within the frame through the drawer opening. The drawer has a handle extending upwardly therefrom. The handle of the drawer matingly fits with the latch of the bin to hold the bin in a closed position during transport of the toolbox. The bin may be opened by pulling thereon, the latch releasing from the handle upon the application of an opening force on the bin.

This invention relates to a rolling toolbox, and more specifically, to a rolling toolbox which can be fully opened at a job site and which can be securely closed so that its contents do not shift during transport.
Toolboxes are used every day by craftsmen, such as mechanics. Often times, these toolboxes are equipped with wheels so that the toolbox may be at or near the job site where work is being performed. The prior art rolling toolbox is also equipped with a series of drawers which slide horizontally to an open position. Further, the prior art toolboxes may be equipped with compartments or bins. In use, these prior art toolboxes suffer from a number of disadvantages.
In use, any number of tools, such as wrenches, screw drivers and sockets are placed within the drawers or compartments of the prior art toolbox. Once at the job site, the mechanic will open the drawer containing the particular tool that is needed for the task being performed. Therefore, the mechanic must remember which particular drawer contains which particular instrument. If the mechanic does not recall the drawer in which a particular tool is housed, the mechanic will simply open a series of drawers until the correct drawer is opened. Once the drawer is open, the mechanic is often confronted with a drawer full of tools which may have shifted during transport of the toolbox to the job site. The mechanic is therefore left to sort through the tools until the correct tool is found. This procedure is time consuming and is also often frustrating. When the mechanic is done with the particular tool, he merely places it back in the particular drawer and closes the drawer. Therefore, upon reopening the drawer at the new job site, the tool may or may not be in the same location within the drawer when the drawer is reopened. Thus, the process described above must again be repeated.
Many mechanics also experience that they use a certain number of the same tools for virtually every job. Further, mechanics are often working in areas which do not allow the entire rolling toolbox to be located adjacent the work area. Therefore, the mechanic must walk back and forth from the job site to the toolbox.
Thus, a novel rolling toolbox is needed to overcome the drawbacks and shortcomings of prior rolling toolboxes. Further, a rolling toolbox is needed that allows tools to be placed within the toolbox in such a manner that the tools will not shift or be displaced during transportation. Still further, a rolling toolbox is needed that can be completely opened at the job site so that its contents can be seen by the mechanic. Further yet, a rolling toolbox is needed which allows a portion of the toolbox to be selectively opened while leaving the remainder of the toolbox closed.


A vehicular muffler mounting structure in which a muffler is supported inside wheels by a body frame is provided. The muffler is connected to the body frame through a fastener that is screwed substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction of a body.

In general, a muffler-supporting portion of a body frame is attached to a muffler with a fastener such as a bolt passing through both the portions in a width direction of the vehicle. One example of such a structure is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2001-280127. In this case, the fastener is screwed in the width direction of the vehicle.
In such a configuration wherein the muffler is supported inside the body frame wheels by the body frame, it is difficult to access the fastener from the width direction of the vehicle with a tool. This makes it more difficult to mount and dismount the muffler.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a muffler mounting structure capable of mounting and dismounting a muffler with ease even if the muffler is supported by a body frame inside a vehicle body.


Identity of software is authenticated with hardware on a system. The hardware may be accessible to the operating system, making the mechanisms available to software makers. The identity of the software may be authenticated using fundamental properties of the software itself, providing greater security than merely relying on transferable identifiers, for example, keys.

Software programs operating on a host system often interact with other software, firmware, or hardware components and/or agents executing on the same host system. The software programs may be divided on the operating environment (hardware and/or software) of the host system based on levels of privilege. For example, some operating systems may have several rings of privilege. The software programs are traditionally protected only by the privilege levels associated with executing code. Each different level of privilege allows software executing within that level to perform a certain set of operations, while disallowing other operations. However, traditional operating environments provide unrestricted access to virtually any platform resources (hardware and/or software) from programs of many different privilege levels. In addition, programs executing within a given privilege level typically have access to some or all of the resources used by other programs executing in that privilege level. Thus, there is no protection of software programs within privilege levels on the platform, making the software programs vulnerable to compromise if another software program of the same privilege level becomes compromised.
Many operations involving interaction with another component either in the host system or external to it over a network normally request identification of the executing software program. However, because identity of a software program is traditionally defined by possession of one or more keys, or software values/strings, any program or software executing that has access to the keys may traditionally be deemed to have the identity represented by the keys. Thus, traditional platforms do not provide adequate safeguards to ensure that a software program is securely identified with software mechanisms prior to performing actions tied to the identity of the software program.
Current hardware-based methods for proving identity of a message sender include system management interrupt (SMI) and trusted platform module (TPM) based core root of trust measurement (CRTM), such as solutions from the Trusted Computing Platform Alliance (TCPA) and Trusted Computing Group (TCG), or an equivalent solution. These methods are generally considered to be more secure than many or all current software-based solutions for at least the reason that access to keys is restricted with hardware components. Disadvantages to these solutions include the complexity of implementation, and the fact that they may be hidden from the operating system (OS). In some cases, for example, the use of a TPM, additional discrete hardware components are required in a protected system, which may increase the difficulty of implementation.

Hardware-based authentication of a software program


A system for data base management using memory devices holding a database containing tables of data occupying extents. A database engine reviews each query to determine an extents list of extents containing the data needed by that said query. A query monitor then re-orders the extents lists so that extents are retrieved and stored in a buffer cache for more efficient use when executing the queries. The database engine retrieves needed extents from the memory devices, as ordered in the extents lists, and stores those extents in the buffer cache. The database engine then executes one or more queries on the data in the extents in the buffer cache to determine respective results.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to data processing apparatus and corresponding methods for the retrieval of data stored in a database or as computer files. More particularly, the invention relates to database or file accessing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Individuals and organizations are increasingly storing data electronically in databases, a collection of the data arranged for ease of storage, retrieval, updating, searching and sorting by computerized means. As the size, number, and complexity of such databases is growing, sophisticated Data Base Management Systems (DBMS) are continually being developed and improved to facilitate database use and management. In a modern DBMS the data may be stored at multiple, non-contiguous locations within one storage volume, or spanned across multiple volumes. Such a DBMS may also be used for multiple purposes, often by multiple users, effectively concurrently.
FIG. 1 (background art) is a block diagram conceptually depicting the basic elements and operation of a DBMS 10 that are most relevant to the problem this invention addresses. For present purposes it is a given that data has been pre-stored in a database 12. A database engine 14 communicates with the database 12 to retrieve and work with the data, and in the course of its work the database engine 14 employs a buffer cache 16. In operation, a query 18 is provided to the database engine 14. The database engine 14 then directs retrieval of the data the query 18 will work with from the database 12 and its storage, all or in part, in the buffer cache 16. The database engine 14 then operates on the data in the buffer cache 16, directing additional data retrieval and storage in the buffer cache 16 if necessary, until processing of the query 18 is complete and a result 20 is arrived at.
FIG. 2 (background art) is a block diagram conceptually depicting the contents of the database 12 of FIG. 1. Specifically, these contents are tables 22, 24, 26. In actual practice, a database may contain a lesser or greater number of tables than is shown in FIG. 2, and databases typically contain many more.
FIG. 3 (background art) is a block diagram conceptually depicting the contents of a table, say, table 26 of FIG. 2. Here it can be seen that table 26 contains a plurality of elements of data 28 stored in a plurality of rows 30. The data 28 in the rows 30 is often referenced by columns 32, and FIG. 3 shows four columns labeled C1, C2, C3, C4. In actual practice, a table may contain a lesser or greater number of rows and columns than are shown in FIG. 3, and it is not unusual for tables to contain tens of columns and thousands of rows. FIG. 3 shows an optimal situation where the table 26 is stored contiguously. In actual practice, constraints often exist that do not permit this.
FIG. 4 (background art) is a block diagram conceptually depicting the contents of table 26 again, now grouped into pages 34 in an extent 36. Data processing systems, including DBMSs and their sub-systems, have limits on the quantity of data they can handle at once. There always is an ultimate limit, and this and other considerations usually motivates selection of a lesser quantity of memory termed a "page" that the system works with. Particularly with respect to moving data into and out of memory, such as the buffer cache 16 in our example here, data is often spoken of as being paged into and paged out of memory. The pages 34 in FIG. 4 are simplified examples containing only three rows of data each. An extent 36 is a set of physically contiguous pages 34 of a table, and the table then consists of a set of such extents 36.
FIG. 5 (background art) is a block diagram conceptually depicting a common situation in a large database, say, database 12 of FIG. 1-2. The totality of the database 12 in our example here thus resides in three disk drives 38, 40, 42. The tables 22, 24, 26 are still stored in the database 12, but it now can be seen that they are stored as extents 36 in the various disk drives 38, 40, 42. In FIG. 5 the tables and extents are represented by the notation: Table_id.Extent_id. For instance, T1.E4=the 4th extent of table T1. Thus, a simple query like "select * from T2" on execution would turn into something like: Scan T2.E1, . . . , T2.E7.
As the DBMS has grown in importance and use, it has become increasingly desirable to optimize performance. Many approaches have been tried, most of which are not germane here. Of present interest, however, is optimizing the processing of queries, i.e., the scanning of particular sub-sets of the stored data. For this, the data that is needed by a query, i.e., its extents, is copied into the buffer cache. Unfortunately, many factors can combine to complicate performing efficient data scans across query extents in this overall arrangement.
Even after optimization in other respects, some queries may need to access hundreds of extents, performing full data scans across those. If there are multiple queries being executed, it is quite possible that those queries will access much of the same data. However, as matters exist now, the ability to share that data is largely arbitrary. Depending on the order of the list of extents for data brought into the buffer cache for a given query and when other queries start, the ability to share the cached data for multiple scans is thus based on luck.
Some database engines today separate each extent into a separate thread, such that each thread is responsible for scanning only one extent and returns the results to a join/merge operator which aggregates the results. But in a system with limited resources where starting that many threads would consume the available resources, a thread may be given a whole list of extents to operate on. For our purposes here, we will assume that a single thread is given the list of extents to scan, and rather than speak in terms of "threads" we will herein use the word "scan" to better represent a list of extents to be operated on.
Let us consider a simple hypothetical case using a query Q1 that uses an extent E1, a Q2 that uses an E2, and a Q3 that uses an E3, wherein E3 is a subset of E1. If E2 is large enough that it "pushes" relevant parts of E1 out of the buffer cache, it follows that Q1, Q2, Q3 is not an efficient ordering of query execution. Generalizing, if two or more scans are active and share a large set of the extents required to satisfy their respective queries and have no coordination between them, buffer cache thrashing can take place where pages of one scan replace pages of the other scan within the buffer cache. This causes increased I/O as well as slowing overall query processing.
Alternately, let us consider a case with queries Q1 through Q25, respectively using extents E1 through E25, wherein E1 and E25 are the same. Running Q1 and Q25 separately is not efficient. Attempting to get "multi-streaming" by utilizing very large buffer pools is an option, but not a viable one in most cases. Buffer cache has inherent "costs" that weigh against unduly increasing its amount, e.g., components cost, power usage, physical footprint, etc. It is also usually desirable for a DBMS to free up available memory resources for other operations, like sorts and hash joins.
The attempts to date to improve DBMS performance have largely involved optimizing queries for execution. For example, Pat. App. U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,101 by MacNicol et al. discloses a "Database System Providing Optimization Of A Group By An Operator Over A Union All." It describes a database system providing methods for optimization and execution of queries aggregating information from multiple database tables. The method here breaks serial operations into a group of child operations that can be individually optimized and processed in parallel. A query including a grouping operator over a union node is split by pushing the grouping operation down into each input arm of the union node. Specifically, grouping operators are inserted into each child arm of qualifying union nodes, enabling separate physical database tables to be summarized in parallel. Each of the child grouping operators concurrently groups data and generates summary results in parallel, taking advantage of capabilities of available parallel processing hardware. The aggregate operators of the original master grouping operator are modified to accept and correctly synthesize sub-aggregated results generated by each of the child grouping operators. The method here also enables individual optimization of operations on each database table, including use of index-only execution plans.
As such, this reference provides background on the problem and teaches one approach that has been tried, but that approach does not include a runtime component to query execution that monitors extent scans across all queries being executed and allows the re-ordering of the extents list for each query so that queries accessing same extents will have a much higher chance of finding the data they need in the buffer cache.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,813,005 and 6,510,428 by Tsuchida et al. both titled "Method And System Of Database Divisional Management For Parallel Database System" and U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,696 by Giordano, et al. discloses a "Parallel Database Serving Mechanism For A Single-Level-Store Computer System" teach parallel approaches. The former references teach parallel processing on multiple platforms with just one I/O server, thus teaching a approach for use in some limited hardware configurations. However, this does not include a runtime component to ensure a much higher chance of finding needed data in buffer cache. The latter reference teaches cross-address space mapping of query results, thus addressing matters after extents are loaded into cache.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved system for managing buffer cache in a DBMS. Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following disclosure.

Shared scans utilizing query monitor during query execution to improve buffer cache utilization across multi-stream query environments

International Business Machines Corporation


A grinding pump for pumping liquid containing solid and semi-solid matter having an improved efficiency and which requires a lower operating rpm while exhibiting an increased flow rate. The pump includes: a housing having a chamber; a shaft rotatably disposed within the housing, a comminutor on the shaft within the housing and having a helical blade, and an impeller having a vane; and a shredding liner secured to the housing structure in the chamber, so as to cooperate with the comminutor and impeller vane in shredding and pulverizing the matter.

Grinding while pumping a mixture containing liquid and entrained solid and semi-solid matter is a concept which has been known and practiced. However, current grinding pumps only grind and pulverize matter at the upstream end of the grinding pump, in a region between the surface of a rotating comminutor and the interior surface of the grinding chamber. After the mixture has been shredded and pulverized, it is moved along to a pumping section where an impeller forces the liquid and the entrained matter out towards an outlet port. Despite the apparent success of these pumps in the industry, they are not very efficient. Notwithstanding the current methods and devices used in the industry, it is perceived that the efficiency of these pumps has not reached its full potential. Therefore the need exists for still further improvement in the efficiency of grinding pumps, by for example increasing the rate of flow of the liquid and the entrained matter as well as by decreasing the energy requirements as would be readily apparent from a reduction in the required operating rpms.
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved grinding pump capable of pumping liquids containing entrained solid and semi-solid matter, such as raw sewage and the like, while reducing energy requirements and increasing efficiency. The discovery underlying the present invention is the realization that by incorporating the use of serrated edges on the outer edges of the centrifugal pump impeller vanes in cooperation with a serrated interior surface, liquid containing entrained solid and semi-solid matter can also be shredded and pumped by the impeller vanes with less energy and higher efficiency. The discovery is contrary to commercially known prior art teachings that require substantially more energy, exhibit a low efficiency, and limit grinding to the comminutor. The present invention is therefore a substantial improvement as apparent in its efficiency rating of approximately 20%. For the purpose of this application, efficiency is defined as: ##EQU1##
Moreover, in order to achieve an efficiency of 20%, the present invention optimally operates in the range of 900-1200 rpms. Such an operating range is unlike other known commercially available grinding pumps which operate at a higher rpm and achieve a lower efficiency.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a grinding pump for pumping liquids with entrained solid and semi-solid matter comprising: a housing structure having a chamber with a longitudinal axis, said chamber having an inlet port, an intermediate portion defined by an irregular wall surface of revolution, an eccentric portion having an irregular wall surface and an outlet port; a rotatable shaft disposed along said longitudinal axis within said chamber; a comminutor mounted on said shaft within the intermediate portion of said chamber for rotation with said shaft, said comminutor comprising, a helical blade mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith, the outer edge of said blade being irregular and when rotating defining a complementary surface of revolution to said surface of revolution of said intermediate portion of said chamber wall and closely spaced therefrom, said blade and said surface of revolution defining means for cutting, grinding and urging said matter downstream; a centrifugal pump impeller including at least one vane, said impeller being mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith, the impeller being located immediately downstream from said blade, and said vane having an irregular edge which when rotating defines a surface of revolution complementary to a portion of said eccentric portion of said chamber and being closely spaced therefrom, said vane and said portion of said eccentric portion of said chamber together defining a second means for cutting and grinding said matter. As used herein, the word "irregular" is not intended to be limited to randomly variable. It is the intention of the applicant that the expression "irregular edge" means an edge having a plurality of projections, that is non-linear and varies from the linear either in a regular periodic or random fashion. Included within the term irregular edge are projections such as saw toothed edges, square toothed edges and serrated edges whether the periodicity of the variations in such edges is constant or varying.
Preferably the irregular chamber wall is provided by an overlay or liner secured to said housing structure along the wall of said chamber, and said liner including one or more shredding liner segments having a surface which is complementary in shape to the surfaces of revolution defined by said comminutor and impeller when rotating. Means are provided for removably securing said liner within said chamber so as to preclude said liner from rotating within said chamber in response to rotation of said shaft; and means for rotating said shaft within said chamber, such as, for example, a motor are also provided.

Improved efficiency grinding pump for slurry


A wearable computing device comprises one or more one eye pieces each of which further comprises a flexible frame surrounding a display screen and tactile elements arranged on the perimeter of the display screen. The tactile elements provide tactile feedback to the user that is synchronous with the display on the display screen. A detection system is also included in the flexible frame to monitor the movements of a wearer's eyes and the eye sockets and to execute various tasks in response to the detected movements. A visual cortex thought detector also coupled to the wearable computing device obtains information regarding the wearer's thoughts and manipulates a display on the display screen based on the obtained information.

Increasing computational power of microprocessors and sophistication of data transmission systems has permitted development of portable devices such as tablets and smart phones to the extent that they are replacing traditional desktops and laptops as preferred devices not only for personal computing but also for business purposes. In a further evolution, wearable computing devices have emerged which are capable of presenting additional information, for example, from the Internet, that can enhance a real world viewing experience of a user. Augmented reality glasses are used to generate overlays on the field of view of an eye to present additional information or to collect and record information from the real world. In order to address the processing requirements for such portable devices, cloud computing systems are used so that the processing intensive tasks associated with data manipulation are executed at a central location, remote from the user while the results of the processing tasks are distributed among the various portable devices.

Tactile elements for a wearable eye piece


An image forming apparatus includes: an upper part cover for covering the upper part of the body; a paper feeding portion disposed rearward of the upper part cover, into which paper is supplied; and a medium sensor disposed opposite the paper feeding portion, which judges the quality of paper; wherein a supporting portion molded integrally with the upper part cover for rotatably supporting the medium sensor is provided, and the medium sensor is provided with the first turning center supported on the supporting portion and the second turning center for rotatably holding the tip end portion at the free end side.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming images on paper; and in particular, to an image forming apparatus having a medium sensor for judging the quality of paper.
2. Description of the Related Art
A prior art image forming apparatus is shown in JP-A-2000-37915. The image forming apparatus has a medium sensor for judging the quality of paper. The medium sensor emits light toward paper, receives reflection light therefrom, and judges the quality of paper such as premium grade paper, transparent paper, coated paper, photograph paper, etc., on the basis of the reflectivity of the paper, whereby the paper feeding speed and ink quantity are varied in compliance with the paper.
FIG. 5 is a side-sectional view showing a prior art image forming apparatus having a medium sensor. The image forming apparatus 1 has the lower part of its body covered by the lower part cover 2 and has the upper part thereof covered by the upper part cover 3. A paper feeding portion 4 is provided rearward of the upper part cover 3 via an opening 4a. The paper feeding portion 4 is formed to be integral with the lower part cover 2 and retains paper fed through the opening 4a.
A printing portion 9 for printing on paper, which is fed from the paper feeding portion 4 by rollers (not illustrated), is disposed forward of the paper feeding portion 4. The printing portion 9 includes an ink cartridge 6 which is held for scanning in the paper width direction by a carrier frame 7. Paper feeding is carried out by rollers 8, and an image is formed on the paper by causing the ink cartridge 6 to scan.
A medium sensor 10 is disposed between the paper feeding portion 4 and the printing portion 9 opposite the paper feeding portion 4. The medium sensor 10 includes an arm portion 12 having an axial hole 10a and a detection portion 13 attached to the tip end of the arm portion 12.
As shown in the upper surface view of FIG. 6, the medium sensor 10 is pivotally supported through the axial hole 10a on the sensor shaft 5 attached extending from the side portion of the lower part cover 2 (Refer to FIG. 5). A pressing spring 11 is provided in the circumference of the axial hole 10a of the medium sensor 10. The medium sensor 10 is pressed into the direction of the arrow A by the pressing spring 11, and the detection portion 13 coheres paper fed into the paper feeding portion 4. The detection portion 13 has a light-emitting element and a light receiving element (both are not illustrated), and emits light to the paper and receives reflection light by its light receiving element, whereby it becomes possible to judge the quality of paper.
However, according to the above-described prior art image forming apparatus 1, the disposing angle of the medium sensor 10 with respect to paper varies, depending on the number of sheets of paper supplied into the paper feeding portion 4. Therefore, there is a problem in that the detection portion 13 cannot sufficiently cohere the paper and the accuracy in judgement on the paper quality is lowered.
Also, the turning center (axial hole 10a) of the medium sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the paper feeding portion 4. Thereby, the detection portion 13 of the medium sensor 10 moves roughly in the vertical direction with respect to the paper feeding portion 4, and the width of the disposing angle of the medium sensor 10 with respect to paper is devised to become smaller. Therefore, it becomes necessary to provide a sensor shaft 5 which is disposed opposite the paper feeding portion 4 in order to cause the turning center of the medium sensor 10 to come close to the paper feeding portion 4, wherein there is another problem in that the number of components is increased.


A method for data exchange with a mobile asset including the step of comparing the quality of the communication link to a predetermined value prior to initiating the communication. Polling of a fleet of mobile assets may be scheduled by considering a map of the communication link quality along the route of the mobile assets. An optimal packet size may be selected for the data transfer by considering the quality of the communication link.

This invention relates generally to a method for exchanging data, and more specifically to a method for exchanging data with a mobile asset, such as a train, to a fixed data center utilizing a wireless communication link.
The transmission of data over a radio frequency channel is well known in the art. There are several wireless communications systems that are commercially available, including both cellular and satellite based systems. It is also known that the. effectiveness of the transmission of data over such systems is dependent upon an appropriately high signal to noise ratio during the data transmission. While the transmission of voice information may be accomplished in the presence of noise in the communication link, the transmission of data will require a much cleaner signal in order to avoid the corruption of the data. Corrupted data may be retransmitted, thereby increasing the time and cost involved with the data transfer. When utilizing such systems on a mobile asset, such as a truck or a train, it is difficult to assure that a sufficiently high signal to noise ratio will be maintained throughout the entire duration of the data transmittal because changes of asset position relative to terrain and man-made obstacles will affect the radio frequency propagation channel characteristics.
Improved communications systems have been developed to address the need for reliable data transmission over a wireless network. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,198 issued on Oct. 20, 1998, to Bergins, et al., teaches an improved cellular telephone network containing a means for measuring the quality of the communications channel for insuring that data transmission is attempted only when the channel signal level is greater than a predefined value. Such systems increase the cost of the communication link, and they may function to inhibit communications without regard for other variables affecting the need for the data transmittal.
Thus, there is a particular need for a method of transferring data from and to a mobile platform that will assure the efficient transmission of data. Described herein is a method of transferring data with a data center from a mobile asset moving along a route, the method comprising the steps of: determining a communication link quality for a plurality of segments along the route; determining the position of the mobile asset along the route; initiating operation of a communication link for data exchange with the mobile asset to the data center only when the communication link quality of the segment including the position of the mobile asset exceeds a predetermined value.

Method for data exchange with a mobile asset considering communication link quality


The invention provides a golf ball having a core encased by a cover of one or more layer, which cover is formed of a material composed primarily of a thermoplastic polyurethane material and containing also a lubricant composed primarily of a montanic acid ester. Paint film adhesion is not adversely affected even when the mold temperature during injection-molding of the golf ball is raised to 60° C. or above.

The present invention relates to a golf ball having a core and a cover of one or more layer which has been molded over the core. More specifically, the invention relates to a golf ball having an outstanding paint film adhesion and a good durability.
Golf ball covers that use conventional thermoplastic polyurethane materials have a poor mold releasability when molded. To address this problem, use has been made of metal salts of stearic acid or polyethylene waxes as lubricant ingredients or dispersants. However, although an advantage of metal salts of stearic acid is that they increase mold releasability, perhaps because metal salts act as decomposition catalysts for thermoplastic polyurethane materials, it has been confirmed that when a metal salt of stearic acid is used as a dispersant, the metal salt lowers the heat resistance of the thermoplastic polyurethane material. As for polyethylene waxes, owing to their poor compatibility with thermoplastic polyurethane materials, when a polyethylene wax is used as a dispersant, the pigment dispersibility tends to worsen.
To provide a thermoplastic polyurethane material having an excellent mold releasability, JP-A 2002-336382 discloses a cover material which is composed primarily of a thermoplastic polyurethane material and includes also a fatty acid amide and/or montan wax.
In addition, JP-A 2001-348467 describes art which uses both a fatty acid amide and montan wax together in a resin composition for golf balls so as to give the composition a good heat resistance, flow properties and moldability, and obtain high-performance golf balls having an excellent rebound. Moreover, JP-A 2011-31020 describes the use of, as lubricants which are compounded with a base polymer for an outermost cover layer, both (A) a fatty acid amide, and (B) a composition based on a fatty acid which has 24 to 34 carbons and is selected from the group consisting of esters of montanic acid, partially saponified esters of montanic acid and metal salts of montanic acid.
In the above-cited art, the cover material contains a base resin such as a urethane resin in which both a montan wax and an amide wax are used. However, in golf balls which use such a cover material, when paint is applied to the surface of the ball, raising the temperature setting of the mold may cause the wax ingredients to bleed out to the surface and form a film, which may lead to undesirable effects such as peeling of the paint film.


The invention provides an active matrix organic light emitting display device and method of fabricating the same in which at least one of a data line and a power supply line of a unit pixel is designed to pass over at least one of a source region, a channel region, or a drain region in the corresponding semiconductor layer, except for in an area corresponding to a contact hole, so that an aperture ratio and a pixel size of the active matrix organic light emitting display device are enhanced. This arrangement of components creates areas of free space that may be used to accommodate additional thin film transistors and/or other circuit components that improve the screen resolution. This arrangement may also increase the aperture ratio and the size of the pixel of the active matrix organic light emitting display device without adding and modifying existing fabrication processes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an active matrix organic light emitting display device and method of fabricating the same and, more particularly, to an active matrix organic light emitting display device and method of fabricating the same, which has a structure in which at least one of a data line and a power supply line of a unit pixel passes over at least one of a source region, a channel region, or a drain region except for a contact hole exposing a corresponding semiconductor layer, so that an aperture ratio and a pixel size of the active matrix organic light emitting display device are enhanced.
2. Description of Related Art
Among flat panel display devices, the organic light emitting display device attracts attention as a next generation flat panel display device because it is capable of providing advantages such as a wide range of use temperature, strong shock-or vibration-resistance, a wide viewing angle, a fast response speed, and a clear moving-picture as compared to other flat panel display devices.
The organic light emitting display device uses a phenomenon whereby light is generated by a process in which electron-hole pairs created by electrons and holes or carriers are excited to a higher energy level and then transitioned to a base level, which is a stabilized level.
The organic light emitting display device may be classified, depending on the position of a reflecting layer, as a bottom emitting organic light emitting display device in which the light generated by the phenomenon is emitted downward from a substrate or as a top emitting organic light emitting display device in which the light is emitted upward from the substrate. Further, the organic light emitting display device may be classified according to a driving method as a passive matrix organic light emitting display device in which an organic electroluminescent (EL) element formed in a portion at which a positive bus line and a negative bus line intersect each other is driven in a line by line scanning manner, or as an active matrix organic light emitting display device in which one or more thin film transistors are formed in pixel to every control the organic EL element.
Specifically, an active matrix organic light emitting display device includes a plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan lines, and a plurality of power supply lines. In addition, the device includes at least one thin film transistor, at least one capacitor, a first electrode, an organic layer having at least an organic emission layer, and a second electrode in each of regions surrounded by the data lines, the scan lines and the power supply lines.
FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating one unit pixel of a conventional active matrix organic light emitting display device. As shown in FIG. 1, one pixel formed on an insulating substrate 11, such as plastic or glass, is composed of two thin film transistors and one capacitor. That is, the pixel may include: a switching thin film transistor TS connected to a relevant scan line 12 of a plurality of scan lines and a relevant data line 13 of a plurality of data lines; a driving thin film transistor Td connected to a relevant power supply line 14 of a plurality of power supply lines to drive an emission region 15 of the organic light emitting display device, the emission region including a first electrode, an organic layer, and a second electrode; and a capacitor C for generating a current source of the driving thin film transistor Td.
However, in the conventional active matrix organic light emitting display device, the number of thin film transistors in the pixel increases with the addition of a compensating circuit, an on/off thin film transistor, and/or the like. Incorporation of these additional components limits the layout and a structure for the formation of thin film transistors, data lines, and power supply lines in the pixel in the design and/or fabrication stages, and tends to reduce both the aperture ratio of the emission region and the size of the pixel.

Active matrix organic light emitting display device and method of fabricating the same


In a computer including two buses, a main memory, a write back cache, and a peripheral device, a method and apparatus for providing an inter-bus buffer to support successive main memory accesses from the peripheral device is disclosed. The buffer is included in a bridge device for interfacing the two computer buses and controlling when the peripheral device may access the main memory. When the peripheral device attempts to read data from the main memory that is duplicated in the cache and that has become stale, the bridge device initiates a write back operation to update specific data portions of the main memory corresponding to the read request. The bridge device uses look-ahead techniques such as bursting or pipelining to streamline the data coming from the cache to the main memory and to the peripheral device. When the peripheral device requests a misaligned memory read operation, upon termination of the read access due to preemption of the peripheral device, the cache line containing the remainder of the requested data is written back to the main memory, and stored in the buffler. The bridge device can then use the data stored in the buffer to respond to subsequent memory access requests from the peripheral device.

Computers are continually progressing in several key areas, including speed of operation and peripheral device support. However, progression in some areas can often impede progression in other areas. For example, to many conventional computers utilize a cache memory system for storing one or more duplicate memory portions of a computer's main memory. The cache thereby allows a device such as a central processing unit ("CPU") to make multiple, quick accesses to a localized area of the main memory. Typically, a cache has relatively fast access times for read and write operations being performed by the CPU, as compared to the main memory, but the cache is more expensive than the main memory. Therefore, a balance must be struck between the size of the cache relative to the main memory of the computer.
The cache is typically organized in cache lines, which are groupings of data words. For example, a cache line may consist of sixteen data words. Also, read and write operations to the cache are focused on one entire cache line at a time. Read operations are fairly straightforward, but write operations can present several difficulties. One difficulty revolves around what to do with stale main memory. A stale main memory occurs when a write operation has been performed on the cache so that the cache no longer duplicates, or is no longer coherent with, the corresponding portion of main memory. To resolve this difficulty, several types of caches have been commonly implemented, two types being "write back" and "write through". Each of the two cache types has benefits and drawbacks well known by those of ordinary skill in the art.
In addition to the CPU, the cache, and the main memory, a computer supports a variety of peripheral devices. The peripheral devices are typically connected to each other through a peripheral bus and interface the CPU, cache and main memory through a bridge device. Due to the operation of the peripheral devices, implementation of the write back cache presents additional difficulties. This is because the peripheral devices request read operations to portions of the computer's main memory which are frequently stale. As a result, when a peripheral device has control of the peripheral bus and begins to perform a memory read operation, i.e., the peripheral device becomes a bus mastering agent, a determination must first be made as to whether the requested portion of the main memory needs to be updated by the cache. Therefore, a snoop operation is typically employed to determine the state of the requested portion of main memory in the cache.
Since both the CPU and the peripheral devices are accessing the computer's main memory and the cache, the slave device should support quick operation of the CPU as well as adequate support of the peripheral devices. To provide such support, the slave device often utilizes one or more memory management techniques. For example, the slave device may utilize look-ahead, or "speculative", techniques for increasing the bandwidth, or rate of data transfer, from memory to the CPU or the bus mastering agent. It is understood that a variety of speculative techniques are well known in the art.
Despite the improvements provided by the use of such speculative techniques, there are certain instances when a single bus mastering agent attempts to monopolize the bus. One such instance is when the bus mastering agent requests a misaligned memory read operation. A misaligned memory read operation is a memory access to a location that does not begin at the beginning of a cache line. In the example above where one cache line is sixteen data words long, a misaligned memory read operation may attempt to read data beginning with the fourth data word of the cache line.
To prevent a bus mastering agent from monopolizing the bus, the slave may utilize a monitored latency period. A monitored latency period is a limit on how long a single bus mastering agent can own or control the bus. Once that limit has been reached, the bus mastering agent is preempted, thereby terminating its ownership of the bus. While this technique prevents monopolization of the bus by a single bus mastering agent, it sometimes has an overall effect of slowing down the computer because the bus mastering agent must again arbitrate for ownership of the bus to finish its request. Furthermore, when speculative read techniques are employed, in conjunction with the monitored latency period, the benefits of the speculative read are somewhat diminished in situations where the data is cached but the bus mastering agent is preempted.

Computer with cache-line buffers for storing prefetched data for a misaligned memory access


Disclosed and claimed is a process for selectively separating hydrogen halides from sulfur-dioxide-containing gases by using an adsorbent made from a porous ceramic support material which is impregnated with an alkaline earth metal salt solution and, after evaporation of the solvent, the alkaline earth metal salt is pyrolysed at 200.degree. to 800.degree. C. to give alkaline earth metal oxide .Xh.sub.2 O, where x is a number from 0 to 1.

1. Field of the Invention
Most of the known processes for removing hydrogen halides from gas mixtures are based on the use of solutions or suspensions of chemicals which bind the hydrogen halides by the absorption principle. In this case, principally solutions and suspensions of alkali metal compounds or alkaline earth metal compounds such as oxides, hydroxides or carbonates are used.
In many absorption processes used industrially, contact of generally hot gases with a liquid absorbent leads to a marked decrease in the gas temperature. Because of the highly corrosive character of many water-containing gas mixtures if the dew point is undershot and the difficult removal of cold gases via a stack, the gas mixture must often be reheated after the absorption, which markedly impairs the energy balance of the process.
In addition, many alkali metal compounds and alkaline earth metal compounds, in particular sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, are extremely aggressive substances, so that safety precautions must be taken in the operation and maintenance of the apparatus for treating the gas mixtures.
Adsorption processes do not have these disadvantages since the temperature is not decreased and thus the dew point is not undershot, for which reason reheating the gas mixture after removal of the hydrogen halides is not necessary. Furthermore, aqueous systems which contain aggressive substances are bypassed in adsorption processes.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 3,278,266 describes the adsorption of hydrogen halide from vapour mixtures of organic compounds. The adsorbent comprises an oxidic compound of the second main group of the Periodic Table of the Elements which is applied to a support and may be regenerated by desorption.
Surprisingly, it has now been found that such an adsorbent offers the possibility of selectively adsorbing hydrogen halide from a sulfur-dioxide-containing gas and thus of separating hydrogen halide from sulfur dioxide.

Process for separating hydrogen halides from gases containing sulphur dioxide


An output voltage stabilizing circuit of a power factor correction circuit, which initially stabilizes an output voltage of a power factor correction circuit by controlling an on/off timing of a reference oscillating waveform which varies in response to an error voltage in accordance with a charge/discharge voltage outputted from a soft start circuit section. The output voltage stabilizing circuit includes a flyback transformer (FBT) connected to a secondary winding of an output transformer for applying a high voltage and outputting a sync signal, a first control driving section for outputting a switching control signal of the FBT, a soft start circuit for charging or discharging according to a first output of the SMPS transformer, a switching section for controlling the operation of charging or discharging of the soft start circuit in response to the sync signal of the FBT, an error amplifier for amplifying the output voltage of the power factor correction circuit section according to the switching operation of the switching section, comparing section for comparing an output voltage of the error amplifier with the initial output voltage of the power factor correction circuit section and outputting a voltage as a result of comparison, and a second control driving section for controlling a duty ratio to stabilize the initial output voltage of the power factor correction circuit section according to the output voltage of the comparing section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an output voltage stabilizing circuit of a power factor correction circuit, and more particularly to an output voltage stabilizing circuit of a power factor correction circuit which, at an initial power-on stage, stabilizes an output voltage of the power factor correction circuit by controlling an on/off timing of a reference oscillating waveform which varies in response to an error voltage in accordance with a charge/discharge voltage outputted from a soft start circuit section.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Generally, industrial or household electric appliances use a direct current (DC) power supply as its operating power supply. The DC power supply is generally produced by a circuit rectifying a commercial alternating current (AC) power supply, such as a capacitor-input type rectifying circuit which has a simple circuit construction. However, the capacitor-input type rectifying circuit has a low power factor because the input current has a pulse type of flowing only over the peak part of the input AC voltage. For this reason, electric appliances generally employ a power factor correction circuit.
FIG. 1 shows a power supply circuit of an electric appliance employing a conventional power factor correction circuit.
Referring to FIG. 1, the power supply circuit of an electric appliance employing a conventional power factor correction circuit including a rectifying section 1 for rectifying a full wave of an input AC power supply; a power factor control section 2 for controlling a power factor or the power supply voltage which has been rectified by the rectifying section 1; a switching mode power supply (SMFS) circuit section 3 for switching a power supply voltage having a power factor corrected by the power factor control section 2 and supplying the switched power supply voltage to a load terminal of the electric appliance; and a digital pulse modulation (DPM) control circuit section 4 for controlling operation of the power supply voltage of the SMPS circuit section 3 in response to a DPM power conservation mode.
The power factor control section 2 is connected to an output terminal of the rectifying section 1 by a coil L1. A diode D1 is connected between one end of the coil L1 and the input terminal of the SMPS circuit section 3. A field effect transistor (FET) Q1 is connected between the coil L1 and the diode D1. A power factor correction control circuit section 2a is connected to a gate terminal of the FET Q1, and a capacitor Cl is connected between one end of the diode D1 and one end of the FET Q1.
The power supply circuit comprising the conventional power factor correction circuit is operated as follows.
If an AC power supply is inputted to the rectifying section 1, the rectifying section 1 full-wave-rectifies the AC current power supply, and inputs the rectified power supply into the SMPS circuit section 3 via the coil L1, diode D1 and the capacitor C1. Then, the SMPS circuit section 3 voltage-converts the inputted power supply voltage to supply the converted power supply voltage to the load terminal. The power factor of the power supply voltage is controlled by the power factor correction control circuit section 2a. For instance, if the power supply voltage inputted to the SMPS circuit section 3 is logic high, the power factor correction control circuit section 2a turns on the FET Q1, thereby lowering the power supply voltage. If the power supply voltage becomes logic low to a certain level by operation of the FET Q1, the power factor correction control circuit section 2a turns off the FET Q1.
The power factor of the power supply voltage inputted to the SMPS circuit section 3 can be corrected by undergoing the above process. In a DPM normal mode described above, the DPM control circuit section 4 outputs a logic high signal to the SMPS circuit section 3, and the SMPS circuit section 3 is operated in a DPM normal mode, thereby supplying a full electric power to the load terminal. In a DPM-off mode, the DPM control circuit section 4 inputs a logic low signal to the SMPS circuit section 3 to operate in a conservation mode. The SMPS circuit section 3 then does not supply the power supply voltage to the load terminal, thereby minimizing consumption or the electric power.
However, the power supply circuit of an electric appliance comprising the conventional power factor correction circuit described above has a drawback that the SMPS circuit section 3 operates a voltage conversion before the power factor control section 2 stabilizes the power factor of the output voltage. This drawback makes the output voltage of the power factor control section 2 very unstable.

Output voltage stabilizing circuit of a power factor correction circuit at an initial power-on stage


A motor control apparatus supplying AC power to a motor having a plurality of motor windings having an inverting part including a bridge circuit having a plurality of switching units, and supplying the AC power to the motor; brake relays short circuiting the motor windings by turning on when the motor brakes; brake resistors, respectively, connected to the motor windings and consuming an overcurrent generated from the motor when the brake relays short circuit the motor windings; and a switching controller turning on and turning off the switching units provided in one of opposite ends of the inverting part so that the overcurrent consumed by the brake resistors is changeable in proportion to a rotation speed of the motor, when the brake relays short circuit the motor windings to improve an effect of a dynamic braking operation and to prevent breakdown thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motor control apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a motor control apparatus and a control method thereof changing an overcurrent, which is generated in the motor, consumed by a brake resistor according to a rotation speed of the motor.
2. Description of the Related Art
A three-phase motor has a coil with a triangular winding. A motor control apparatus 300 for supplying AC power to drive a motor 100, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a rectifying circuit part 110 to rectify commercial AC power (110V/220V) supplied from an AC power supply 200, and an inverting part 120 inverting the commercial AC power rectified by the rectifying circuit part 110 to AC power having various frequencies and supplying the AC power having the various frequencies to the motor 100.
The rectifying circuit part 110 generally comprises a diode rectifying circuit 111 rectifying the commercial AC power (110V/220V) supplied from the AC power supply 200 into DC power, and a capacitor 113 smoothing the DC power rectified by the diode rectifying circuit 111 into a predetermined voltage and transmitting the smoothed DC power to the inverting part 120.
The inverting part 120 comprises a bridge circuit provided with a plurality of first switching units 121, each having a first transistor 121a, and a first diode 121b connected to each other in parallel and a plurality of second switching units 123, each have a second transistor 123a and a second diode 123b. Respective ones of the first and second switching units 121 and 123 are provided in pairs in respective bridges of the bridge circuit, and tap nodes between the first and second switching units 121 and 123 of each of the respective bridges are connected to respective motor windings of the motor 100 via power input ends 100b of the motor 100.
The first and second switching units 121 and 123 are turned on and off by a switching controller 140 to provide the AC power having the various frequencies to supply to the motor 100.
A conventional motor control apparatus may comprise a dynamic braking circuit 130 performing a dynamic braking operation. The dynamic braking circuit 130 comprises a pair of brake relays 131 producing an open circuit or a short circuit in the motor windings of the motor 100, and three brake resistors 133 connected to each motor winding to consume an overcurrent generated in the motor 100 when the motor 100 brakes. The brake relay 131 is turned on when the motor 100 brakes or when the motor 100 stops, and short circuits the motor windings of the motor 100 by being turned on, to suddenly brake the motor 100 or to prevent the motor 100 from rotating by an external force when the motor 100 is stopped. The overcurrent generated from the motor windings when the motor 100 suddenly brakes is consumed through the brake resistors 133 so that the motor 100 or the brake relays 131 is prevented from breaking down by the overcurrent.
According to the conventional motor control apparatus 300, a resistance of the brake resistors 133 to consume the overcurrent generated when the motor 100 suddenly brakes depends on the overcurrent generated when the motor 100 brakes. For example, if a rotation speed of the motor 100 is high, the overcurrent generated when the motor 100 brakes is high so that high-resistance resistors are used as the brake resistors 133. If the rotation speed of the motor 100 is low, the overcurrent generated when the motor 100 brakes is low, so that low-resistance resistors are used as the brake resistors 133.
The low-resistance resistors are relatively advantageous for the dynamic braking circuit 130 to perform the dynamic braking operation, compared with the high-resistance resistors. The reason is that when the dynamic braking operation short circuits the motor windings of the motor 100 such that the resistances of the motor windings are close to "0", an effect thereof is maximized with low resistance resistors. Thus, when the high-resistance resistors are used as the brake resistors 133, an operational effect of the dynamic braking operation is decreased. However, when the low-resistance resistors are used as the brake resistors 133, the motor 100 or the brake relays 131 may be damaged by the overcurrent generated when the motor 100 brakes.

Motor control apparatus and control method thereof


A vehicle collision avoidance apparatus and method are provided. The method includes identifying, by a controller, whether an obstacle is a vehicle or a pedestrian and collecting information required for calculating a minimum braking time and a minimum steering time. The controller is configured to calculate the minimum braking time to avoid a collision with the obstacle and the minimum steering time to avoid a collision with an obstacle. In addition, the a controller is configured to sequentially operating braking and steering of a traveling vehicle based on the minimum steering time depending on a type of identified obstacle.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle collision avoidance apparatus and method, and more particularly, to a technology for differently setting the timing of Autonomous Emergency Braking and the timing of the Autonomous Emergency Steering based on a type of obstacle, while sequentially performing Autonomous Emergency Braking and Autonomous Emergency Steering to avoid a potential collision with the obstacle.
Description of the Prior Art
A conventional collision avoidance apparatus is configured to calculate the distance (hereinafter, referred to a braking avoidance distance) to avoid a collision with an obstacle by braking and calculate the distance (hereinafter, referred to a steering avoidance distance) to avoid a collision with an obstacle by steering, and then based on this, determine the collision risk and output a warning regarding the collision or perform the auto-braking. The braking avoidance distance is calculated using a speed of the vehicle, an acceleration of the vehicle, a relative speed, a relative acceleration, a delay time, and a target longitudinal acceleration value, and the steering avoidance distance is calculated using a speed of the vehicle, a relative speed, a delay time, and a target lateral acceleration value. Generally, since the braking distance of a vehicle is proportional to the square of the speed, when a vehicle drives at a substantially high speed, the collision avoidance by braking control alone may be difficult.

Vehicle collision avoidance apparatus and method


A plasma display apparatus includes a Plasma Display Panel (PDP). A thermal conductive sheet is attached to one side of the PDP, and a chassis base is connected to the side of the PDP on which the thermal conductive sheet has been attached. The chassis base can be a planar plate having edge portions. At least one reinforcing unit is extends along and is attached to at least one of the edge portions of the chassis base.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plasma display apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a plasma display apparatus in which a chassis base thereof is able to withstand bending and twisting loads and thereby maintain its flatness, and in which assembly and disassembly of the chassis base and a Plasma Display Panel (PDP) are easily performed.
2. Description of the Related Art
A plasma display apparatus includes: a Plasma Display Panel (PDP) that displays images using a plasma generated by a gas discharge, a chassis base that supports the PDP, and a circuit board assembly mounted on a side of the chassis base opposite to the side that is adjacent to the PDP. The circuit board assembly is electrically coupled to display electrodes and address electrodes positioned within the PDP via a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC), connectors, or a Tape Carrier Package (TCP).
The PDP includes two glass substrates sealed opposing each other to thereby form a discharge space therebetween. As a result of this structure, the PDP is susceptible to damage from external shock. To ensure a sufficient mechanical strength of the PDP, it is necessary for the chassis base be resistant to bending and twisting loads.
Furthermore, a thermal conductive sheet is interposed between the chassis base and the PDP to transfer the heat of the PDP. To ensure close contact with the PDP, the chassis base must maintain a high degree of flatness. In addition, the chassis base is preferably light in weight so that the overall weight of the plasma display apparatus is minimally increased.
A chassis base made by pressing a thin plate has been used in an effort to satisfy all of the above requirements. To ensure a sufficient strength with respect to various loads, ends of the planar chassis base are bent into an "L" shape, and a plurality of reinforcing units are attached at suitable locations to a rear surface of the chassis base. A sufficient strength and a low weight of the chassis base can be realized by such a configuration.
The reinforcing units are attached to the side of the chassis base on which the circuit board assembly is arranged with screws or a sheet metal fastening method, such as the TOX method. Accordingly, the chassis base is partially deformed during the bending process due to the concentration of stresses in the end portions thereof, to thereby reduce the flatness of the chassis base. Therefore, following the bending process and the mounting of the reinforcing units, an additional step is required to again flatten the chassis base.
The chassis base and the PDP are interconnected as described above. If either the chassis base or the PDP in a plasma display apparatus is found to be defective, it must be discarded. The chassis base and the PDP must therefore be disassembled so as to reuse one of the two elements and discard the other.
To disassemble the PDP and the chassis base, a bracket is provided on the chassis base, and two-sided tape is provided on the bracket. That is, the bracket is removably mounted on the chassis base by screws, and the two-sided tape interconnects the bracket and the PDP. With this structure, by removing the screws, the bracket is separated from the chassis base and is attached to the PDP by the two-sided tape. Hence, the chassis base and the PDP can be separated from each other.
In the plasma display apparatus described above, to ensure the strength of the chassis base, the outer portions of the chassis base are bent to form reinforcing units. Furthermore, to form an assembly/disassembly structure between the chassis base and the PDP, the reinforcing units, a separate bracket, and screws are provided. As a result, manufacturing of the chassis base and its configuration become complicated.


A system and method of playing back 3D animations includes receiving user selection of a 3D file that contains animation parameters of an animated 3D model such as a preset animation or an embedded customized animation and inserting the animated 3D model into a 2D display canvas while preserving the animation parameters of the animated 3D model described in the 3D file. The animated 3D model is played and paused on the 2D display canvas under user control independent of a main thread that enables interaction with and editing of other content besides the animated 3D model in the 2D display. User adjustment of animation parameters of the animated 3D model during playback are received and the animated 3D model with the received user adjusted animation parameters are presented to the 2D display canvas on a display device.

Certain 3D file formats contain customized animation information embedded into the file that enables animation of 3D models in a custom way, e.g., enabling an avatar to run, walk, swim, dance, etc. However, playing these animations generally requires a niche skill set and professional software. For example, Framer Form software exposes an API for rendering 3D-graphics in Framer Prototypes that provide the ability to add animated 3D models to a prototype. However, the Framer Form software requires professional skills in coding and prototyping and is not adapted for productivity enhancement applications such as word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, slide presentation applications, and email applications. Similarly, Maya and Cinema 4D are professional software applications that enable 3D modelers to create, define and play animated models on a two-dimensional display canvas with high levels of fidelity and control. As with Framer Form software, the Maya and Cinema 4D software requires specialized knowledge of 3D modeling to use and is not adapted to use in productivity enhancement applications.
In other applications, the WINDOWS® Mixed Reality Viewer (MRV) is a mixed reality platform that provides holographic and mixed reality experiences where a live presentation of physical real-world elements is incorporated with that of virtual elements such that they are perceived to exist together in a shared 3D environment. The MRV supports a 3D model viewing application that supports animated models. However, users of the MRV may only view the animated 3D model.

Playback for embedded and preset 3D animations


A first search window within a reference frame of video data is identified along with a first correlation threshold value for the first window. The first correlation threshold value is a value to which correlation factors between a pixel set being encoded and pixels sets of the first search window are compared. For example, if a correlation factor between a specific pixel set of the first search window and a pixel set being encoded meets the first threshold value, a successful match between the two pixel sets has been found, and a corresponding motion vector can be assigned to the pixel set being encoded. If none of the pixel sets within the first window meet the first threshold value, a second search window within the first frame is selected along with a second correlation threshold value. The correlation factors for pixel sets in the second window are compared to the second correlation threshold value.

Encoding of digital video data is generally performed in order to compress the amount of data needed to represent a video stream. It is known in the art to encode a frame one set of pixels at a time. For example, each macroblock of a frame can be encoded by comparing the macroblock's pixels to the pixels of other macroblocks of a frame that has been previously displayed, or decoded. Once a set of pixels in the previous frame that corresponds closely to the set of pixels being encoded is found, a motion vector pointing to that set of pixels is identified. Once a motion vector to the set of pixels is identified, any information difference between the two sets of pixels can be quantified and efficiently compressed.
Known methods of encoding will correlate the set of pixels being encoded to sets of pixels in the previous frame or a portion of the previous frame until a correlation threshold is met. Once the correlation threshold is met, it is known that a pixel set in a previous frame that corresponds sufficiently close to the pixel set being encoded has been found. Due to the large amount of data associated with video streams, and video frames, the encoding process can be a very time-consuming process. Therefore, a system or method capable of more efficiently encoding pixels sets would be useful.

Method of video encoding using windows and system thereof


An emergency cutting torch system adapted to be stored within a compartment of a rescue vehicle. The emergency cutting torch system may comprise a wheeled cart adapted to maintain a first gas storage tank and a second gas storage tank to the wheeled cart in all orientations of the wheeled cart. The emergency cutting torch system may comprise a rotateable lifting member adapted to be rotate outward to extend from the wheeled cart to facilitate engagement with a hook, or other lifting member, for lifting the emergency cutting torch system. The lifting member may rotate to a stowed position to reduce the outer dimensions of the emergency cutting torch system. The emergency cutting torch system may comprise a quick-release system to enable a hose assembly wound on a cart be removed quickly without having to unwind the hose assembly from the cart.

The present invention relates to emergency response systems, need more particularly to a flame cutting system useful in freeing trapped victims or in entering into or cutting away structures.
Rescue personnel, such as firemen, police, paramedics, etc. occasionally have to extricate people trapped within a structure, such as a car or a collapsed building. The "jaws of life" is a hydraulic tool that is used to extricate people trapped within a structure. The term "jaws of life" refers to several types of tools known as cutters and spreaders. A spreader is used to pull a structure apart. A spreader typically consists of a pair of arms that are inserted into the side of a vehicle or structure. A portable pump or other means is used to provide pressurized hydraulic fluid to the spreader, which causes the arms of the spreader to spread open forcing the side of the vehicle or the structure apart. Conversely, the spreader can also be used to clamp down on a structure to crush any material located between its arms. A cutter is used to cut through a structure like a pair of bolt cutters. However, instead of arms, a cutter typically has curved extensions. As pressurized hydraulic fluid is applied to the cutter, the curved extensions are driven together to cut through the structure.
However, the "jaws of life" are very expensive. A typical system may cost $25,000 or more. Consequently, many potential users of the "jaws of life" cannot afford to purchase them. In addition, the "jaws of life" have many mechanical parts that may fail. Furthermore, a source of hydraulic pressure is required to operate the tool. A loss of hydraulic pressure will render a "jaws of life" inoperative.
A need exists for a simple, low cost system that enables rescue workers to cut through vehicles and structures. In addition, a need exists for a system that may be transported easily to remote locations by rescue workers in standard rescue vehicles.


A mobile phone and a data processing method thereof are disclosed. The method comprises: reading an ID of a secondary SIM card and determining whether the secondary SIM card is locked out if the secondary SIM card is locked out, then determining whether to copy data of the secondary SIM card according to a user's choice; and if the user chooses to copy the data of the secondary SIM card, then copying the data of the secondary SIM card to the mobile phone or to the primary SIM card of the mobile phone, or to both the mobile phone and the primary SIM card of the mobile phone.

With continuous advancement of mobile terminal technologies, users now demand for more and more functions of mobile terminals.
Take Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards as an example. For the SMI cards currently available, communication operators generally have an absolute control over mobile phones they purchased. Therefore, the operators usually adopt the SIMLock technology to restrict users from using SIM cards of other operators in the mobile phones. For example, mobile phones customized for China Unicom do not allow for use of SIM cards of China Mobile Communication Corporation therein.
In terms of physical hardware, a primary SIM card slot and a secondary SIM card slot are defined in each mobile terminal. The mobile terminal operates normally, only when an SIM card complying with the SIMLock specification is inserted in the primary SIM card slot. When no primary SIM card complying with the specification is inserted in the primary SIM card slot, the mobile terminal will be locked out even if an SIM card complying with the specification is inserted in the secondary SIM card slot.
The SIMLock technology is implemented on the basis of a white list of operators which is built in the mobile terminal, i.e., a list of Mobile Country codes (MCCs) and Mobile Network Codes (MNCs) recognized and specified by the operator. The MCC resource is allocated and managed uniformly by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to uniquely identify a country to which a mobile subscriber belongs, and an MCC code has three bits ("460" for China). An MNC code has two bits and is used to identify a network to which the mobile subscriber belongs. For SIM cards which are not listed in the white list, functions will be restricted: for example, dialing a phone number and sending a short message are forbidden, or even the mobile phone is locked out directly.
Although the dual-card-dual-standby and multi-card-multi-standby technologies have appeared, there still lacks a thorough understanding by the operators on how to effectively utilize such technologies. Currently, practices of controlling functions within a mobile phone are all based on the SIMLock specification of the standard 3GPP/3GPP2 (3rd Generation Partnership Project 2), and all resources of a mobile phone are treated uniformly: either all functions are allowed to be used by the user or only an emergency call can be made.
Obviously, it is impossible for the user to dial a phone number or send a short message through use of the telephone directory on the secondary SIM card when the secondary SIM card is locked out. This greatly restricts the use of the mobile phone and represents great inconveniences to the user.

Mobile phone and data processing method thereof

HUIZHOU TCL MOBILE COMMUNICATION CO., LTD.


A fluidic dampening film supply method for a guiding bearing of a turbine engine shaft, said turbine engine being known to vibrate according to at least one given vibratory mode, said turbine engine being adapted to enter in resonance at a given resonance speed (wr) for said given vibratory mode, a monitoring range (P) being defined around the resonance speed (wr), a method wherein the fluidic dampening film of the guiding bearing being only supplied with fluid when the rotation speed of the turbine engine belongs to the monitoring range (P).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of guiding bearings for a turbine engine shaft and, more precisely, a fluidic dampening film supply method for a guiding bearing.
2. Description of the Related Art
The guiding bearings being used in a turbine engine include an internal ring and an external ring enclosing rolling members, for example rolls. Conventionally, the external ring is integrally mounted on a fixed part of the turbine engine and the internal ring is integrally mounted on a turbine engine shaft, for example by shrunk-fitting. The bearing thus allows the rotating shaft to be guided relative to the fixed part of the turbine engine.
In some configurations, the bearing is mounted between two rotating shaft of the turbine engine. Such a bearing is currently called "inter-shaft" bearing, such a bearing being for example known from the patent application FR 2,939,843 A1 from SNECMA Company.
As an example, referring to FIG. 1, a turbo-jet for an aircraft conventionally comprises several rotating turbine shafts, a high pressure shaft HP of which is rotationally mounted relative to a low pressure shaft BP via an inter-shaft guiding bearing 1. The guiding bearing 1 comprises an external ring 11 being integral with a part of the low pressure shaft BP and an internal ring 12 being integral with a part of the high pressure shaft HP and rolling means 13 enclosed by the ring 11, 12. In this example, the internal ring 11 is shrunk-fitted on the high pressure shaft HP so as to prevent any translation and any rotation of the internal ring 12 of the bearing 1 relative to the high pressure shaft HP. In order to dampen the movements of the shafts BP, HP, the guiding bearing 1 comprises a fluidic dampening film 14 captured between the external ring of the bearing 1 and the rolling means 13 of the bearing 1 thanks to seals, not shown.
A fluidic dampening film 14 of a guiding bearing 1, being known from the man of the art under the designation "squeeze-film" allows the dynamical response of the turbine engine to be improved at a given operation speed. Preferably, the fluidic dampening film comprises oil under pressure. It enables for example to limit the vibrations of the turbine engine during the operation thereof. Conventionally, the turbine engine comprises a main supplying pump 2 being adapted to supply the fluidic dampening film 14 at a supplying pressure Pp which is a function of the turbine engine speed. Thus, the supplying pressure of the fluidic dampening film 14 is higher at high speed (take-off phase of the aircraft) than at low speed. In practice, the supplying pressure of the dampening film is not sufficient at low speed and dampening is not optimal.
In order to obtain the desired dampening and avoid the cavitation of the oil film in the guiding bearing, it is known to increase the oil supplying pressure of the fluidic dampening film 14 with the help of an additional supplying pump 3 being known from the man of the art under the designation "boost-pump". At low speed, the additional supplying pump advantageously allows an additional pressure Pa to be supplied in order to compensate for a defect of the supplying pressure Pp of the main supplying pump 2 so that the fluidic dampening film 14 is supplied at the increased supplying pressure.
In practice, the additional supplying pump 3 is activated at low speed so as to increase the supplying pressure up to a target pressure enabling to bring some dampening to the turbine engine. When the rotation speed of the turbine engine is sufficient to allow the main supplying pump 2 to supply the appropriate supplying pressure, the additional supplying pump 3 is inactivated.
It has been observed that, in spite of a supply of the dampening film at the optimum supplying pressure thereof over its speed range, the amplitudes of the vibrations in the turbine engine are not optimally reduced.

Fluidic dampening film supply method for a guiding bearing of a turbine engine shaft


Most existing noise reduction enclosures used with engines and engine driven equipment have failed to meet the reduced noise emission requirements of today and of the future. A few of the present enclosures meet the reduced noise emission requirements of today and of the future but are extremely expensive to purchase and are large bulky structures. The subject enclosure (10) is reasonably priced and provides an enclosure which is effective in reducing the noise emitted therefrom. The enclosure (10) includes a housing (32) having a generally rectangular configuration and being divided into an engine portion (56) defining an engine compartment (57) and a duct portion (54). The outlet ducts (88) having a length greater than the inlet ducts (84). To further enhance the noise reduction of the enclosure (10) a plurality of dynastic hardware is attached to the housing (32).

Due to the ever increasing use of engine driven equipment, such as generator sets, environmental concerns are forcing the noise emitted from such equipment to be lower and lower. These generator sets are often used in areas where low noise is a requirement. Such uses include construction sites within residential areas, carnivals and movie sets. Thus, the market for sound suppression enclosures is increasing, and the premium charged for such enclosures is currently quite high. For example, the cost of some low noise enclosures is approximately equal to the cost of the engine and generator packages without an enclosure.
An example of an enclosure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,462,949 issued to Howard R. Anderson, et al. on Aug. 26, 1969. An enclosure for a gas turbine engine is comprised of a silencer for the engine's compressor and a specially configured compressor inlet housing to provide uniform flow free of turbulence or separation. The enclosure is comprised of an inlet duct means for turning the incoming air through a plurality of right-angle bends, thus silencing any compressor noise.
Another example of an existing enclosure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,009 issued to Jack H. Kraina on Jan. 31, 1978. The enclosure is mounted around the engine and is comprised of an outer enclosure having a horizontally disposed hood and side walls. An inner enclosure is disposed within the outer enclosure and has a horizontally disposed upper wall spaced vertically between the top of the engine and the hood to define first and second airflow passages therewith. An airflow guide means is secured internally on each of the sidewalls to define a passage therebetween which communicates with the second airflow passage. The hood, sidewalls and upper and forward walls of the inner enclosure each have a layer of sound absorbing material secured thereon.
An example of an existing enclosure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. Re. 29,923 issued to Gerhard Thien, et al. on Mar. 6, 1979. The soundproof casing is divided by at least one partition wall into two cooling air ducts separated from each other. One of the ducts contains all fuel carrying members of the engine, and the second duct contains the exhaust system of the engine.
The noise reduction enclosure defined herein reduces the noise emitted from engine driven equipment and provides noise reduction enclosure at an economical cost to the customer.

Noise suppression enclosure for an engine