An apparatus of the invention includes a non-linear optical element (NLOE) and an optical frequency discriminator (OFD). The NLOE receives an optical data signal, and introduces chirp at the leading and trailing portions of the optical pulse(s) therein or induces chirp on a continuous wave (CW) optical source coupled to the NLOE. The OFD is coupled to receive the chirped signal, and uses this signal to generate an optical clock signal. The OFD discriminates frequency content associated with chirp to enhance the optical clock signal, and may also suppress non-chirp frequency content such as may be associated with an optical carrier signal or a continuous wave (CW) signal. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

1. Background of the Invention
This invention is directed to an apparatus, system, and method for extracting and enhancing an optical clock signal from an optical data signal. The optical data signal can be a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) or a return-to-zero (RZ) signal, for example. The apparatus and methods can be applied to extract and enhance the optical clock signal to recover the optical data signal, or for other purposes.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1A is a diagram for an optical clock signal. As can be seen in FIG. 1A, the optical clock signal is in general a sinusoidal signal with a fundamental period of xe2x80x9cT.xe2x80x9d Using the optical clock signal, a data signal can be encoded in different ways. Examples of encoding schemes are indicated in FIGS. 1B and 1C for return-to-zero (RZ) and non-return-to-zero (NRZ) signals, respectively. The RZ-formatted signal is such that it contains data pulses that return to zero in each bit period. In FIG. 1B, an exemplary byte of data xe2x80x9c01101001xe2x80x9d is encoded using the RZ signal format. The RZ signal has a xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d state upon the occurrence of a xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d in the data signal being encoded followed by a return to the xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d state in the later part of the period. The RZ signal remains xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d if the data bit is a xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 1C, the non-return-to-zero (NRZ) signal will assume a xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d state upon the occurrence of a xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d in the data to be encoded in the entire duration of the bit period, and becomes xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d upon the occurrence of a xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d in the data to be encoded.
It will be appreciated that because the RZ and NRZ signals only change their state in synchronism with the optical clock signal, the RZ and NRZ optical data signals have some inherent information regarding the timing of the clock used in their generation. Determination of the clock signal used to generate the optical data signal is generally required to recover the optical data signal. There are many schemes for extracting a clock signal from the transmitted optical data signal at a receiver. For NRZ signals, a nonlinear operation is generally required for extracting a clock component since there is not clock component present in NRZ signals. When the nonlinear operation is performed in the electronic domain, an optical-to-electrical (OE) conversion is required. Such devices for OE conversion and the required nonlinear operation are relatively complicated in construction, and correspondingly costly to develop and manufacture. Another relevant consideration is that the conversion of a signal from optical to electronic form necessarily limits data processing rates due to inherent speed limitations of electronics. For future generations of optical networks, it is believed that such conversion will become a limiting factor in network performance. Hence, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus, system, and methods useful for extraction of an optical clock signal from an optical data signal without the need to convert to an electronic signals, to avoid attendant limitations in data rates imposed by such conversion. Furthermore, it would be desirable to enhance the clock component prior to performing all-optical clock recover for both the RZ and NRZ formats.
The disclosed invention in its various embodiments overcomes the above-noted disadvantages of previous devices and techniques, and achieves significant benefits over previous technologies.
A disclosed apparatus receives an optical data signal that can include data modulated on an optical carrier signal. The optical data signal can be a return-to-zero (RZ) signal or a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) signal, for example. The apparatus comprises a non-linear optical element (NLOE) and an optical frequency discriminator (OFD). The NLOE is coupled to receive the optical data signal, and generates a chirped signal based on the optical data signal. The OFD is coupled to receive the chirped signal from the NLOE. The OFD generates an optical clock signal based on chirped frequency components of the chirped signal. The NLOE can comprise a semiconductor optical amplifier, an optical fiber, or a non-linear crystal, for example. The OFD can comprise an optical filter for passing chirped frequency components of the chirped signal, but rejecting its non-chirp frequencies. The optical filter can comprise a grating such as a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) or a planar waveguide grating, for example. Alternatively, the optical filter can be implemented as a Fabry-Perot filter (FPF). The OFD can enhance the optical amplitude of the chirped frequency components of the chirped signal to produce the optical clock signal. More specifically, the optical data signal includes at least one optical pulse whose leading and trailing portions are chirped by the NLOE. The OFD can discriminate at least one of the blue-shifted and red-shifted components of the leading and trailing edges of the optical pulse(s), respectively, to generate the optical clock signal. The OFD can also suppress the optical carrier signal relative to the chirped frequency components of the chirped signal in generating the optical clock signal.
The NLOE can operate in transmission or reflection mode. If used in reflection mode, the apparatus can comprise a circulator, for transmitting the optical data signal to the NLOE and receiving the reflected chirped signal, and for supplying such chirped signal to the OFD. Similarly, the OFD can operate in transmission or reflection mode. In the reflection mode, the apparatus can comprise a circulator coupled to receive the chirped signal from the NLOE. The circulator can be coupled to supply the optical clock signal generated by the OFD using the chirped signal, to a downstream element.
The NLOE can be undirectional or bidirectional, meaning that light travels though the NLOE in one or both directions, respectively. Unidirectional mode can be used for chirping an optical data signal with the NLOE. In either unidirectional or bidirectional operation, the NLOE can be used to mediate the optical data signal""s cross-modulation of the CW signal to produce the chirped CW signal supplied as the chirped signal to the OFD. This provides the capability to extract a clock signal independently of the wavelength of the optical data signal. In the unidirectional case, the optical data signal and chirped CW signal travel in the same direction through the NLOE, and in the bidirectional case, such signals travel in opposite directions.
In one configuration, the apparatus can comprise a continuous wave (CW) source generating a CW signal. The CW source can be coupled to supply the CW signal to the NLOE. The NLOE can be an SOA or other element that mediates the optical data signal""s cross-modulation of the CW signal to produce chirped frequency components in the CW signal. The resulting chirped CW signal is supplied as the chirped signal to the OFD. The OFD can discriminate chirped frequency components of the chirped CW signal to enhance the frequency components indicating the timing of the optical clock signal used to modulate data onto the optical carrier signal to produce the optical data signal.
A disclosed system receives an optical data signal. The system comprises a clock extraction apparatus having a non-linear optical element (NLOE) and an optical frequency discriminator (OFD). The NLOE is coupled to receive the optical data signal, and generates a chirped signal based on the optical data signal. The OFD is coupled to receive the chirped signal from the NLOE. The OFD generates an optical clock signal based on chirped frequency components of the chirped signal. The system also comprises a clock recovery circuit coupled to receive the optical clock signal, or a signal based thereon. The clock recovery unit generates a recovered clock signal based on the received signal. The system comprises a decision circuit coupled to receive the recovered clock signal and a signal based on the optical data signal. The decision circuit generates an electric data signal representing data extracted from the optical data signal. The recovery circuit can be electronically- or optically-based. The system can comprise one or more optical-to-electronic (O/E) converters to transform the optical data signal and the optical clock signal into electronic form for supply to the decision circuit.
A disclosed method comprises generating a chirped signal based on an optical data signal, and discriminating chirped frequency components in at least one of the leading and trailing portions of one or more pulses in the chirped signal from non-chirp frequency components of the chirped signal, to produce an optical clock signal. The optical data signal can be a return-to-zero (RZ) signal or non-return-to-zero (NRZ) signal, for example. The chirping can be performed with a non-linear optical element (NLOE). The NLOE can be a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA), an optical fiber, or a non-linear crystal, for example. The NLOE can operate in either transmission or reflection mode, and can be unidirectional or bidirectional. The discriminating can be performed with an optical frequency discriminator (OFD). The OFD can comprise an optical filter that can be implemented as a fiber Bragg grating (FBG), a planar waveguide grating, or a Fabry-Perot filter (FPF), for example. The OFD can operate in either transmission or reflection mode. The method can comprise generating a continuous wave (CW) signal, and the chirping can be performed by using the optical data signal to cross-modulate the CW signal. The chirped CW signal can be used as the signal subjected to discrimination in the method. The chirping and discriminating can be performed so as to enhance optical amplitude of the chirped frequency components of the chirped signal to produce the optical clock signal. Furthermore, the discriminating can be performed to suppress non-chirp frequency components of the chirped signal relative to the chirped frequency components of the chirped signal in generating the optical clock signal. The non-chirped frequency components of the chirped signal can be those of the optical carrier signal or the CW signal, for example. The discriminating can be performed on at least one of the blue-shifted and red-shifted components of the leading and trailing edges of the optical pulse, respectively, to generate the optical clock signal.
These together with other features and advantages, which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation of the invention as more fully hereinafter described and claimed. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this document, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustration of the principles of the invention.

Apparatus, system, and method for extracting an optical clock signal from an optical data signal


To realizes a speaker device with a simple construction capable of keeping stable statement, regardless of vehicle types. A speaker device for applying electromagnetic force to a voice coil based on a supplied audio signal and generating a sound wave based on the audio signal by vibrating a vibratory plate fixed to the voice coil is provided with: a frame with one end supporting the vibratory plate and the other supporting an electromagnetic force generation means for applying the electromagnetic force to the voice coil; a first connector provided at the one end of the frame and having an input terminal for the audio signal; a first wire drawn from the first connector and connected so as to be conducted to the voice coil via the vibratory plate; a second connector provided at the other end of the frame and having an input terminal for the audio signal; and a second wire drawn from the second connector and connected so as to be conducted to the voice coil.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a speaker device and is suitably applied to an audio system which is installed in a vehicle, for example.
2. Description of the Related Art
As audio systems to be installed in vehicles, such systems has been popularized that a plurality of speakers are arranged not only at the front and rear cabinets of a vehicle but also at places surrounding a driver, including the inside of doors, so that the listening driver can feel of "being there".
Out of these speakers, speakers to be installed at the doors are attached so that its vibratory plate side (hereinafter, referred to as a dry side) faces the inside of the vehicle and its magnetic circuit side (hereinafter, referred to as wet side) faces the outside of the vehicle.
Normally, because rain or car wash water enter from gaps of glass windows, the outsides of vehicle doors are provided with various waterproof functions. Considering that water enters when the windows are opened and closed, a surface facing the wet side of a speaker to be installed is covered with a rain cover.
Conventionally, as cone speakers to be installed on doors of this type, cone speakers (hereinafter, referred to as wet speakers) in which a lead line drawn from a voice coil is wired so as to be contained on the wet side are mainly used. Recently, however, such speakers (hereinafter, referred to as dry speakers) that a lead line drawn from a voice coil is wired so as to be drawn to the dry side via a coil vibratory plate are also used in many cases.
That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the wet speaker 1 has a conic cone vibratory plate 2 with its end opened. The outer circumference of the cone vibratory plate 2 is supported via a gasket 5 by an edge 4 formed on a frame 3. The opening of its inner circumference is supported by a damper 6 attached to the frame 3, so as to be movable forwards and backwards to the frame 3.
The bottom of the opening of the cone vibratory plate 2 is fixed to a cylindrical voice coil bobbin 8 having wounded thereon a voice coil 7 comprising a lead line. Above the opening, a hemisphere head cap 9 is attached with its projecting side facing outwards so as to cover the opening, thereby preventing deformation of the cone vibratory plate 2 in the radial direction and preventing dusts from entering inside.
In addition, to the bottom of the frame 3, a magnetic circuit 10 to vibrate the cone vibratory plate 2 forwards and backwards is fixed. This magnetic circuit 10 is composed of a disk yoke 11 with a column pole piece 11A placed at the center, on the top surface, a toric magnet 12 surrounding the outer circumference of the yoke 11, and a toric plate 13 laminated and fixed on the magnet 12.
The magnetic circuit 10 is attached to the frame 3 so that the top surface of the plate 13 is fixed to the bottom of the frame 3, and the voice coil bobbin 8 having the voice coil 7 wounded thereon is held in a contactless manner in a magnetic gap g formed between the pole piece 11A and the plate 13.
Therefore, in the wet speaker 1, when electromagnetic force is applied to the voice coil 7 according to applied current based on an audio signal externally supplied, the voice coil 7 and the magnet 12 attract or repel each other, thereby generating a sound wave according to the audio signal by vibrating the cone vibratory plate 2 forwards and backwards.
In this wet speaker 1, a connector (hereinafter, referred to as wet side connector) 14 having a plurality of connecting terminals provided thereon is provided on a projecting part 3P projecting from the outer circumference on the bottom of the frame 3. In addition, wires drawn from playback devices (not shown) such as external Mini Disc (MD) players and tuners are connected to the connecting terminals.
In this wet side connector 14, a harness 15 is drawn from each connecting terminal and the harnesses 15 are connected so as to be conducted to the lead line 7A of the voice coil 7.
In FIG. 2 where the same reference numerals are applied to parts corresponding to those of FIG. 1, the dry speaker 20 is identical to the above-described wet speaker 1 (FIG. 1), excepting for the shape of a frame 21 and the drawing state of a lead line 7A of a voice coil 7.
In this dry speaker 20, a connector (hereinafter, referred to as a dry side connector) 22 with a plurality of connecting terminals is provided on a projecting part 21P projecting from the outer circumference of the top of the frame 21. And wires drawn from playback devices (not shown) such as external MD players and tuners are connected to the connecting terminals.
In this dry side connector 22, a harness 23 is drawn from each connecting terminal and the harnesses 23 are connected so as to be conducted to the lead line 7A of the voice coil 7 through a prescribed part 2H of the cone vibratory plate 2 (Refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-274285).
By the way, although many genuine cone speakers to be installed in manufacturing stage of vehicles are wet speakers, various makers mainly produce dry speakers as cone speakers.
Therefore, in a case where the user replaces a wet speaker installed in a door of his/her vehicle, with a desired dry speaker, he/she has to change connection of harnesses conducted to the lead line of the voice coil from the wet side to the dry side. This work is very troublesome for the user and a worker, and becomes a problem.
In addition, in a case where the connection of the harnesses conducted to the lead line of the voice coil is changed to the dry side via the wet side connector, the wet side connector contacts the rain cover. This makes the attachment of the speaker difficult and generates rust due to beading. In addition, if the user forcedly changes the connection of the harnesses, the speaker may be easy to come off.


The invention relates to method for positioning a rock drilling rig and to a rock drilling rig. The rock drilling rig is moved using combustion-engine-free drive equipment with an electric drive motor. The torque is transmitted from the drive motor to the traction wheels over a mechanical anti-slip transmission connection. The ratio between the drive motor rotation rate and the traction wheel rotation rate is kept constantly the same during positioning. The drive motor is not only used for moving but also for stopping.

The invention relates to method for positioning a rock drilling rig. The rock drilling rig is driven to a drilling site for drilling. The rock drilling rig is moved during positioning entirely by means of combustion-engine-free electric drive equipment. The necessary rotation torque is generated with an electric drive motor controlled by a control device. From the drive motor, the rotation torque is transmitted over a transmission connection to the traction wheels.
The invention further relates to a rock drilling rig.
The field of the invention is described in more detail in the preambles of the independent claims.
In mines, rock drilling rigs are used to drill boreholes at planned drilling sites. When the boreholes have been drilled, the mining vehicle is transferred to the next drilling site for drilling a new drilling fan or face. In underground mines, in particular, it is advantageous to perform the transfer drive by means of power produced by an electric motor. The energy required by the transfer drive may be stored in a battery. Exact positioning at a drilling site is often a demanding procedure. The task is further complicated by the fact that the ground may be uneven at the drilling site and the drilling site may be in a narrow tunnel. It is difficult to drive the known rock drilling rigs into drilling sites, because their drive equipment is poorly suited for exact positioning.

Rock drilling rig and method for positioning the same


A system, method and computer program for ordering, paying for and delivering goods and services through the use of certificates. These certificates insure that the buyer is only billed once for the good or service purchased and only for the correct amount. This system, method and computer program employs the authentication center used to enable access to a telecommunication infrastructure to bootstrap a public-key infrastructure. This system, method and computer program will validate the identity of the mobile station being used utilizing long term keys stored in the mobile station and an authentication center. The system, method and computer program will then utilize these keys and variables to generate digital certificates and signatures which enable the purchase of goods and services using a mobile station. The gateway will then verify the authenticity of any charges made based on the digital certificates and signatures received. Thus, a user of this system, method and computer program can purchase goods and services without fear of fraud or errors. This mobile station may be a cellular phone and when used with this system, method and computer program the cellular phone may be used similarly to a credit card but with the advantage of little possibility of fraud or error.

It has been common for buyers to pay for goods and services using credit and debit cards. The use of credit cards has eliminated the need to carry large amounts of cash in order to pay for these goods and services. Further, the use of a credit card has eliminated the need for car rental agencies and hotels to require large deposits in order to assure return of vehicles or to reserve rooms. Thus, the use of credit cards has facilitated the transacting of business and thus provides a significant convenience to the buyer. However, credit cards have also facilitated the occurrence of fraud and errors in which the customer is double billed for the same item or billed the incorrect amount.
With the explosion in Internet access and usage, an increasing volume of business is occurring between individuals and firms, who have never seen each other, let alone engaged in any prior business transactions. Currently, a typical Internet user would have a browser installed in his local computer or server such as Internet Explorer™ or Netscape™. Using this browser, the user would access an Internet service provider, such as America-On-Line (AOL™), via a modem over the local public switched telephone network (PSTN). Once logged onto the Internet server, the user may utilize one of the many search engines, such as Yahoo™ or Lycos™, to specify search terms. The user may also use a web crawler, spider or robot to attempt to find a product, service or information desired. The search engine or web crawler would then respond with a list of web sites which matched the search terms the user provided. The user would then log onto a web site and view the products or services available for sale. If the user decides to buy the item from the web site, the firm operating the web site would again frequently request a credit card number be entered by the user in order to pay for the product or service. Once the credit card charge is approved, the operator of the web site will then typically ship the item to the user. In the case where the item ordered is digital in format, such as software, graphics, text, video, or music, the item ordered maybe downloaded into the user's PC, server, lap top, palm computer or other processor-based system.
With the advent of cellular phones with and without wireless access protocol (WAP), a user may also "surf" the Internet and order goods and services directly through the WAP-capable phone or a processor-based system connected to the cellular phone in a similar manner as that used with a PC. Thus, a user may order goods and services from anywhere with a cellular phone, satellite phone, or other type of mobile station. Therefore, a person could be sitting in the middle of a remote area, many miles away from another human being, let alone a telephone line, and order a video game from a web site on the other side of the planet and download it into his palm computer connected to a cellular or a standalone WAP or HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) capable phone and play the game on the spot.
However, the user or consumer may not know who is operating the web site and may have a legitimate fear of supplying a credit card number over the Internet to a stranger who may or may not deliver the desired product. Further, the user may be concerned that the agreed upon price will not be the price actually charged to his credit card even when the buyer is dealing directly in a face to face transaction with the seller. In addition, there is also the possibility even in a face to face transaction that the buyer may be double billed for the same item. Also, in an Internet transaction there is no guarantee that the goods will be delivered if the web site operator is less than honest.
Credit card companies have attempted to resolve the issues related to double billing or billing the incorrect amount by providing dispute resolution services in which a customer may challenge a charged amount and the credit card company will launch an investigation. However, such an investigation may take a long time and the buyer is not guaranteed of a satisfactory resolution. In the case of fraud due to a stolen credit card, the credit card company will normally limit liability if the card is promptly reported as stolen. In the case of a debit card, the bank may not be required to limit liability in case of loss or theft.
Other methods utilized to prevent fraud and error in commercial transactions has been through the use of digital signatures that may not be repudiated. In public key systems, an entity called the certification authority (CA) performs two central functions: issuance and revocation of certificates. A certificate is used to connect a name or an authorization, such as permission to make purchases, to a public signature verification key. The certificate is signed by the CA. To verify the certificate an authentic copy of CA's public signature verification key is required. For example, assuming a person or entity has the public key of a certain CA (CA1). This person or entity can verify certificates issued by a certain CA (CA2), only if CA2's public key has been certified by CA1. This type of cross-certification of CAs is referred to as a "public key infrastructure" (PKI). Thus, in order for digital signatures to have widespread usage such digital signatures require the presence of a global PKI which is difficult to develop since it requires contracts and agreements between a large number of parties. Attempts to create such a global PKI system have so far met with failure. Public key certificates and cross certification are discussed in further detail in Section 13.4.2 "public key certificates" and Section 13.6.2 "Trust models involving multiple certification authorities" of Handbook of Applied Cryptography by A. J. Menezes et al., CRC Press 1997, ISBN 0-8493-8523-7, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Therefore, what is needed are a system and method which allows a user or consumer to pay for goods and services while ensuring that an hacker or criminal may not listen in or tap into a payment transaction between a legitimate buyer and seller and later use this knowledge to make purchases which are charged to the legitimate user. This system and method should further not allow the legitimate user from repudiating legitimate charges he has made. This system and method should also prevent a seller from forging payment transactions in the name of a legitimate consumer. This system and method should also not require the establishment of a new infrastructure in order to operate properly.

System and method of bootstrapping a temporary public-key infrastructure from a cellular telecommunication authentication and billing infrastructure


A combination weigher of the present invention comprises a plurality of base groups into which a plurality of combination hoppers (4) which are circularly arranged are divided; a plurality of collecting chutes (6A to 6D) which are respectively disposed to respectively correspond to the base groups, a plurality of collecting hoppers (7A to 7D) respectively provided at the outlets of the collecting chutes; and a control means (21) wherein the control means (21) is configured to perform: a combination process to determine p discharge groups each including one or more base groups and perform combination calculation for each of the discharge groups to select combination hoppers forming optimal combination, a process to cause the combination hoppers forming optimal combinations in all discharge groups to discharge the objects to be weighed simultaneously; and a process to sequentially select the discharge groups and to cause the collecting hoppers corresponding to the base groups including the combination hoppers forming the optimal combinations in the discharge groups to discharge the objects to be weighed, according to the selected sequence.

Objects to be weighed, such as detergents and confectionary, which are weighed by a combination weigher to have a predetermined weight, are typically packaged by a packaging machine. A schematic construction of a conventional combination weigher which weighs objects to be weighed is shown in FIG. 12. In addition, a schematic construction of the packaging machine disposed below the combination weigher is shown in FIG. 13.
The combination weigher shown in FIG. 12, whose operation is entirely controlled by a control unit 20, is provided with a dispersion feeder 1 at the center of an upper part of the combination weigher. The dispersion feeder 1 has a conical shape and serves to radially disperse objects to be weighed supplied from an external supplying device by vibration. Around the dispersion feeder 1, linear feeders 2 are provided to transfer the objects to be weighed sent from the dispersion feeder 1 into the corresponding feeding hoppers 3 by vibration. The plurality of feeding hoppers 3 and weighing hoppers 4 are disposed below the linear feeders 2 and are arranged circularly in such a manner that each feeding hopper 3 and each weighing hopper 4 correspond to the associated one of the linear feeders 2. The feeding hoppers 3 receive the objects to be weighed transferred from the linear feeders 2 and open their gates when the weighing hoppers 4 disposed therebelow become empty to feed the objects to be weighed to the weighing hoppers 4. Weight sensors 41 such as load cells are attached to the weighing hoppers 4, and measure the weight of the objects to be weighed inside the weighing hoppers 4. The control unit 20 performs combination calculation to select a combination of hoppers to discharge the objects to be weighed therefrom from the plurality of weighing hoppers 4. The objects to be weighed are discharged from the weighing hoppers 4 corresponding to the combination onto the collecting chute 6. The collecting chute 6 is provided below the weighing hoppers 4. The objects to be weighed discharged from the weighing hoppers 4 slide down on the collecting chute 6, and are sent out from an outlet provided in a lower portion thereof to the packaging machine shown in FIG. 13.
In the packaging machine, bags are manufactured while the objects to be weighed discharged from the combination weigher are charged into the bags and packaged. In this packaging machine a sheet of wrapping material 50 withdrawn from a roll of a wrapping material is caused to be wound around a tube 51 by a former 52 to form a cylindrical shape and is suctioned by a pulldown belt 53 to be transferred downwardly, and the superposed vertical edges of the cylindrical wrapping material 50 are sealed (sealing by fusion adhesion) by a vertical sealing machine 54. The objects to be weighed which have been weighed are then charged into the cylindrical wrapping material 50 through the tube 51, and a horizontal sealing machine 55 disposed below the tube 51 seals horizontally across the upper end of a preceding bag and the lower end of a following bag (sealing by fusion adhesion). By this horizontal sealing, the preceding bag is completed with its upper and lower ends sealed since the lower end of the preceding bag has been sealed by the previous horizontal sealing. The center of the horizontally sealed portion is then cut by a cutter built in the horizontal sealing machine 55 so that the preceding bag and the following bag are separated from each other.

Combinational machine that performs a first combinational calculation among each of a plurality of base groups, discharges them into respective discharge chutes, and then performs a second combinational calculation among the discharged groups


The invention relates to a transcoder comprising a drift compensating loop (DCL) for compensating a drift signal (Ei) introduced in the transcoding path by a quantization operation (Q2). This drift compensation loop performs a motion compensation of a signal (F1) issuing from a previous dequantization (IQ1) resulting in a prediction signal (P1). The motion compensation is based on the drift signal stored in a memory unit (MEM). The drift signal and the prediction signal may be conveyed in an interlaced or de-interlaced structure. According to the invention, an AMC unit adapts the motion compensation operation with the de-interlaced or interlaced structures of the drift and prediction signals.

The invention relates to a method of transcoding an input coded signal comprising the steps of:
decoding the input coded signal leading to a decoded quantized signal,
dequantizing the decoded quantized signal leading to a decoded signal,
requantizing a compensated signal leading to a requantized signal,
reencoding the requantized signal leading to a reencoded signal,
compensating a drift introduced in the reencoded signal by said requantization step, said compensation step being performed between said dequantizing and requantizing steps.
The invention also relates to a transcoder for carrying out said method.
The invention may be used, for example, for the transcoding of an MPEG-compressed signal of a given bit rate into another MPEG-compressed signal of a lower bit rate.
A transcoder may convert a compressed signal of a given bit rate into a compressed signal of a lower bit rate. Basically, a transcoder used for such a purpose consists of a cascaded decoder and encoder. This combination is rather complex and this complexity can be significantly reduced. In the particular case of video signals, some other aspects have to be taken into account. A coded video signal consists of a succession of encoded frames, where each frame is subdivided into a two-dimensional array of macroblocks, each macroblock being composed of blocks. A frame may be in the spatial domain, which is the pixel domain, and is transmitted in the frequency or transform domain, which results from a Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) of the frame in the spatial domain. Besides, any frame may be separated into two fields: the top field formed by the odd lines of the frame and the bottom field formed by the even lines of the frame. A macroblock may be conveyed in two different formats: an interlaced format, hereinafter referred to as frame format, and a de-interlaced format, hereinafter referred to as field format. In the frame format, a macroblock is composed of lines from the two fields alternately and each DCT-block of the macroblock is formed by data from the two fields. In the field format, a macroblock is composed of lines from the two fields, and each DCT-block of the macroblock is formed by data from only one of the two fields.
A possible transcoder for carrying out a method of transcoding such as described in the introduction is proposed by Assuncao et al., IEEE Trans. on CSVT, vol. 8, no. 8, December 1998. This paper discloses a particular transcoder dedicated to MPEG-2 video signals. A transcoder 1 according to the prior art, such as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a decoding part and a subsequent coding part with motion compensation. The decoding part is composed of a variable length decoder VLD and a dequantizer IQ1. The coding part is composed of a quantizer Q2, a drift compensation loop DCL and a variable length encoder VLC. Quantization by Q2 introduces an error macroblock E or drift for each decoded macroblock F to be quantized into the transcoding path of the transcoder 1. This error macroblock E is derived in the drift compensation loop DCL as follows. The error macroblock E is derived at the output of a tap adder S2 as the difference between a compensated macroblock to be quantized provided to Q2 and a dequantized macroblock issuing from a dequantizer IQ2. This error macroblock E may be provided either in the frame or in the field format. In the latter case, the macroblock is converted into the frame format in a field/frame converter f/F. The error macroblock is then stored in the frame format in a memory unit MEM with all the other error macroblocks corresponding to the same frame. Thus the error macroblocks of the entire frame are stored in the memory unit MEM, and so are the error macroblocks of the previously transmitted frame. All these stored macroblocks may be used as references for the prediction by motion compensation of the decoded macroblock F in a MC-DCT unit. A prediction macroblock of the decoded macroblock F is finally obtained and added to the decoded macroblock F in a tap adder S1, resulting in a compensated decoded macroblock passed through Q2 for quantization.
The transcoder described by the prior art includes a drift compensation loop performing motion compensation exclusively on macroblocks in the frame format. The transcoder comprises a field/frame converter located separately from the motion compensation unit and upstream of the memory unit, so that the macroblocks may be stored in the frame format. The method of transcoding carried out in this transcoder involves many separate operations which are time consuming and which result in a complex hardware implementation.
It is an object of the invention to provide a method of transcoding which involves a reduced number of operations for time efficiency and leads to a simple hardware implementation of a transcoder for carrying out the method.
According to the invention, therefore, the drift compensation step of a method of transcoding such as described in the introduction comprises at least the consecutive sub-steps of:
deriving an error signal corresponding to said drift,
deriving a prediction signal of the decoded signal by means of a simultaneous motion compensation and field/frame conversion based on the error signal and adapted to the interlaced or non-interlaced transmission mode of the error signal and of the prediction signal,
subtracting the derived prediction signal from the decoded signal, leading to the compensated signal to be requantized.
The drift compensation step of a method according to the invention comprises a motion compensation combined with field/frame conversion. The field/frame conversion operation mentioned here concerns a conversion from the field format into the frame format as well as a conversion from the frame format into the field format. In fact, the error macroblock resulting from quantization is stored in the format in which it was provided without any necessary prior conversion into the frame or field format. The motion compensation operation may be performed indiscriminately on a macroblock in the field format or on a macroblock in the frame format. Similarly, the motion compensation operation may provide indiscriminately a macroblock in the field format or a macroblock in the frame format. Besides, the motion compensation step is performed on the basis of frames stored in the memory unit, whose macroblocks can either be stored in the frame format or in the field format. Thus the field/frame conversion operation is performed simultaneously with the motion compensation, depending on whether a field or a frame format is required for the input and output macroblocks. The combined motion compensation and field/frame conversion step may be considered as an adaptive motion compensation step.
An advantage of the present invention is therefore a reduction in the number of operations and thus the cost as compared with the prior art. Involved operations in the invention are combined, and as a result a hardware implementation of the method according to the invention is simplified.
In an embodiment of the invention, the adaptive motion compensation step is carried out on frames in the transform domain. An advantage of transcoding frames in the transform domain is memory reduction.
Furthermore, the invention also relates to a transcoder for carrying out a method in accordance with the invention.

Drift-free transcoder and related method


Methods, systems, and devices for implementing and managing order fulfilment processes are generally described. An order fulfilment system may include order management device configured to manage order information associated with a plurality of orders having one or more units orders for the order fulfillment system. The system may also include an order procurement device configured to receive order information from the order management device and to implement the fulfilment of the orders. The order procurement device may transmit completed order information to the order management device. The order management device may assign orders to the order procurement device responsive to receiving an indication that the order procurement device has completed an order. The orders may be assigned based on various order assignment factors, such as travel costs, order ranking, unit characteristics, customer characteristics, or the like.

Many industries rely on warehouses and distribution centers to store products and fulfill customer orders. One example is the direct-to-consumer (DTC) market in which consumers submit individual purchases to a vendor, such as an e-commerce website operator, who then relies on a distribution center for order fulfillment by direct shipment to the customer. At the distribution center, workers ("pickers") may locate ("pick") ordered products from a storage system ("pick line"), such as a series of shelves, boxes, containers, or the like, and place the products in a cart. The products are then packaged, labeled and shipped directly to the consumer.
Batch picking generally involves picking multiple orders at a time. For instance, a picker may push a mobile cart through a warehouse to pick products associated with multiple orders. The mobile cart may include certain automated features, such as wireless radio frequency (RF) communication elements, that may direct the picker where to go and what to pick in a logical walk sequence. Multiple orders ("N") may be assigned to a cart. Each order may be assigned a designated location on the cart, for example, based on size or other characteristics of the ordered product. A controller (for example, a processor, computer, or the like) may join the orders together, making them one large order or "batch."
A cart may be assigned "N" orders as a batch and a picker may walk a pick line from a start point to an end point picking items as directed by the cart in a walk sequence. After the length of the pick line is completed, "N" orders are completed. The picker may then empty the cart, which can reloaded with "N" new orders and the picking process may be repeated.
In a conventional order fulfillment system, a picker or cart is assigned a finite set of orders that may be received at a time (for example, a cart may only be able to hold three orders). For instance, a picker may be assigned a first, a second and a third order (i.e., N=3), with each order including multiple units to be picked. The picker starts at the starting point of the pick line and picks the units in the set of orders as they travel along the pick path toward the end point of the pick path. When the first, second and third orders are complete, the picker may proceed back to the start, unload the orders, and repeat the process again, for instance, for a fourth, a fifth and a sixth order. At the end of two complete cycles of picking, the picker has completed six orders after walking two times around the pick line.
One limitation of such systems is that they become progressively less efficient as more orders are completed. For example, if a picker starts with "N" orders and progresses along a route eventually completing one of the orders, the batch now becomes a batch of only N-1 orders. This degradation of picker efficiency continues until the batch has only 1 order with the remaining units of the order to be picked. Thus, at the end of one walk through the pick path, the picker has only picked a maximum of "N" orders.
The efficiency of the picking process may be improved by locating warehouse items based on their pick volume. For example, placing the most commonly picked items near the beginning of the pick line may improve the potential that the "N" orders are completed prior to walking the entire pick path, thereby allowing the picker to return to the start point earlier. However, the process of locating high volume items at the front of the pick line is time consuming and labor intensive, and warehouse managers are challenged by moving stock around to maintain a conforming product placement arrangement. Accordingly, a system configured to effectively and efficiently manage the time and effort required to complete a dynamic set of orders would be highly beneficial.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The invention relates to an electromotively operating device (1) for forming a leno selvedge, comprising a rotor (10) having two thread-guide eyelets (14) arranged diagonally opposite each other in the rotor (10) for the leno threads, and a stator (30) accommodating the rotor (10). The rotor (10) has a magnetic disk (16), wherein the magnetic disk (16) has a plurality of alternately positive and negative magnetized segments (17), which are oriented in an axial direction of the rotor (10).

Such an electromotively operating apparatus for forming a leno selvage comprises a rotor having two thread guiding eyes for the leno threads arranged diagonally opposite one another in the rotor and a stator receiving the rotor, wherein the stator has a spool holder, wherein the spool holder accepts a plurality of spools, and wherein the apparatus comprises a control.
Apparatus for forming a leno selvage, in particular for shuttleless looms, comprising an electric motor having a rotor are known from the prior art, wherein the rotor has at least two guide elements spaced apart from one another for the leno threads for forming the leno selvage with the corresponding weft threads. An apparatus is known from DE 44 05 776, for instance, in which an electrically controllable actuating motor is provided which drives a selvage disk, wherein the selvage disk forms the rotor of the electrically controllable actuating motor. The stator itself is attachable to the loom by a support part, and indeed preferably in a free space disposed between the longitudinal strut before the first heddle shafts of the loom s. Provision is made in detail in this respect that the leno disk which forms the rotor of the electrically controllable actuating motor has as guide elements two openings for the leno threads, the openings being arranged opposite one another. This known rotary leno selvage of a loom now works such that it carries out a few revolutions in the one direction and in so doing binds off a weft thread after at least half a respective revolution. A full leno selvage is thus produced here. On the side of the feed of the two leno threads, said leno treads twist in accordance with the number of revolutions of the selvage disk such that a reversal of the direction of rotation is indicated to cancel this twist, that is the leno disk consequently has to rotate in exactly the opposite direction. The number of revolutions in each direction must in this respect be the same on average over time. If no reversal of the direction of rotation were made, the leno threads would tear at some point due to the increasing tension as a result of the increasing twisting.
A similar rotary leno selvage having an electromotive drive is known from DE 19733261 C2, wherein this motor works in the manner of a servo motor. A measurement of the rotational angle for the purpose of detecting a defined angular position of the leno disk is provided to this extent to bind the rotation of the leno disk with the shed opening of the loom. This means that the leno disk carries out a continuous movement coordinated with the speed with respect to the stroke movement of the heddle shafts toward the shed opening or toward the shed closing of the loom.
A so-called propeller leno is now known from EP 839219 B1. Such a propeller leno is characterized by two arms arranged diagonally opposite at the rotor of an electric motor and thus by a small moved mass so that, as is described in EP 1019571 B1, such a propeller leno is controllable independently of the movement of the heddle shafts. This means that the acceleration of the propeller leno is such that, at the time of the start of the opening of the weft insertion, the arms of the propeller leno having the eyes which are arranged at the end side and through which the leno threads run have already raised the shed. The propeller leno is thus controlled independently of the shaft. This means that it is ensured by the known propeller leno that at the start of the weft insertion of the leno selvage apparatus, the two leno threads are in the position "shed open" and the leno threads are moved directly into the closed position of the shed after the end of the weft insertion. It is thus only important that the respective end position, that is shed open or shed closed, is achieved by the apparatus at the latest when the heddle shafts have adopted a corresponding position. This means that a movement procedure synchronous for any point in time of the movement of the rotor of the electric motor with the movement of the heddle shafts is not required.
It is additionally known to provide a so-called cutting lane in looms having long warp beams in the fabric. The fabric is divided in this respect, wherein two leno selvage apparatus are provided in the region of the cutting lane to prevent a rippling of the fabric in order to prepare a leno selvage at each side. The arrangement of one or more propeller lenos in the cutting lane has the disadvantage, however, that, because said propeller leno has a broad construction, the cutting lane is correspondingly wide, which means that "fabric is lost".
To keep the cutting lane as small as possible, it is still endeavored in this respect to use electromotively operating apparatus of the initially named kind that are relatively slim in construction and that have a comparatively large diameter. They have to be slim because two of these apparatus have to be arranged in one cutting lane and the space requirements can be minimized to this extent. Large in diameter means that the thread guiding eyes for the leno threads should have a comparatively large spacing, which has the consequence that the shed raised by the apparatus is comparatively large so that it is always ensured that the weft thread does not catch in the shed raised by the leno threads.

Electromotively operating device for forming a leno selvedge for a loom and a projectile loom having such a device


An integrated position mapping system and an integrated sonar mapping system both permit recording, storage and playback of audio data. Audio data is provided to the integrated sonar mapping system or the integrated position mapping system so that it may be correlated to position data or echo data. The integrated sonar mapping system includes a sonar transducer for emitting and receiving sonar signals that may be subsequently be processed to provide echo data from objects in the water which reflect sonar signals. The integrated position mapping system includes a position receiver for providing position data. A controller not only processes the data for storage, but also correlates the audio data to echo data or position data. The correlated data may therefore be retrieved for playback of the audio data and display of the position data or echo data.

Mapping and navigation systems typically determine the relative position of a user based upon positioning signals received from one or more land-based beacons, one or more orbiting satellites comprising the Global Positioning System ("GPS"), or other sources. Based upon these positioning signals, the mapping and navigation system can determine other navigational data, such as the present latitude and longitude position and the present compass heading, course over ground, bearing and speed over ground. In addition, mapping and navigation systems allow the operator to enter several event markers to identify specific positions and several waypoints to mark a course which the operator desires to follow. Accordingly, the mapping and navigation system can also determine the distance and bearing to the nearest event marker or to the nearest waypoint based upon the positioning signals.
In order to record historical positioning data, many GPS systems have recording and storage elements to allow waypoints and event markers to be stored for later use. For example, it is often desirable to mark a location with otherwise undefined map features for later return. Maps often include only the most relevant highways markers, elevation contours, and notable landmarks. When none of these distinguishing features are present, then marking a position may be helpful for future purposes, such as return or event marking. In navigation systems that do include event and waypoint markers, the event markers are limited to position and perhaps a brief identifier. If additional data is necessary, it might be manually written in an accompanying log or the like. Accompanying logs, however, require carrying additional materials, which may not always be desirable when using these systems.
In addition to referring to maps, such as paper maps or graphically displayed maps, in order to determine navigational information, boaters and sport fishermen commonly employ sonar systems, such as sonar depth finders and sonar fish finders, to provide detailed information regarding the contour of bottom surface of the body of water and objects submerged therein. A number of sonar systems have been developed which display the reflected sonar signals in a variety of manners. For example, some sonar systems include rotating disk lamps or "flashers" which produce a pulse of light upon the reception of a reflected sonar signal.
Other sonar systems were developed that included a chart recorder in order to provide historical mapping data indicative of the contour of the bottom surface of the body of water as well as the relative location of submerged objects, such as fish. These sonar mapping systems generate a strip chart on which markings indicate the contour of the bottom surface of the body of water as determined from the reflected sonar signals. Still, other sonar mapping systems having display devices have been developed to provide a historical graphical display of the bottom surface of the body of water over which the boat is passing as well as to identify submerged objects from which the sonar signals reflect. The associated display devices typically include cathode ray tubes, electroluminescent panels, liquid crystal displays and LED displays. These sonar systems also generally include advanced electrical circuitry, including one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers.
Microprocessors and microcontrollers not only provide a number of features that allow the operator to customize the resulting display, but are also easily adapted to permitting historical mapping of sonar data to be stored in memory. In particular, external memory systems allow storage and subsequent transfer to other compatible systems. One example of external storage in use today includes MMC cards, which is a flash memory storage and typically compatible numerous electronic systems including most home computers. External storage, therefore, permits a user to maintain historical data in other areas besides the sonar and navigation mapping systems themselves.
The above described sonar mapping systems and position mapping systems have, on occasion, been integrated into single systems relevant for marine fishing and navigation purposes. The features described above, when integrated into a single system, permit historical sonar and position data to be stored for future reference. As described above, however, these systems are limited in the amount of data that can be provided. In particular, subjective data regarding a location or sonar conditions at a location are not recorded by these systems. For example, it may be advantageous to identify a location by the events that happen, like the observation of fish concentration, or the objects that you see, such as the hull of a shipwreck sticking out of the water. While event logs may permit maintaining such data, they still require additional supplies, and it is often cumbersome or inconvenient to take the time to prepare journal entries to maintain such data. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide an alternative method or apparatus to record such data.


The invention relates to functional norbornenes as initiators for radical polymerization, its polymer and fabrication method thereof. More particularly, the functional norbornenes can be selectively polymerized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization or radical polymerization to obtain various polynorbornene derivatives or grafted copolymer materials. The polynorbornene derivatives and grafted copolymer materials not only exhibit excellent functional properties but also enhanced physical and chemical properties after modification. The polynorbornene derivatives and grafted copolymer materials disclosed in the invention exhibit excellent heat resistance, transparency and water resistance. The invention also deals with a process for producing such derivatives and materials having controllable molecular weight with narrow molecular weight distribution.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a series of high performance polymeric materials derived from norbornene derivatives and particularly to functional norbornenes as initiators for radical polymerization and polymers thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Polycarbonate (PC) has commonly been used as macromolecular material for optical purposes. Considerations which may influence the use of the optical material include birefringence and water adsorption. With the development of high-density compact disks, it has become more difficult for the conventional polymers to meet such requirements.
A commercial material ZEONEX has been developed by Nippon Zeon, a polynorbornene with lower birefringence and water adsorption and improved optical characteristics. Such material can be prepared by ring-opening metathesis polymerization of a norbornene monomer in the presence of a metathesis catalyst and hydrogenated to become a saturated polynorbornene.
With the development of high-density compact disks, a method for producing a new polymeric material with lower birefringence and high transmittance for low wavelength range (blue light) has been developed. Non-crtystallinity of the polynorbornene is such that transmittance with respect to light of wavelength about 400 nm may approach 90%, since no aromatic ring is present in the main chain. In addition, the absence of a hydrophilic functional group in the main chain allows a ratio of water adsorption below 0.01%. Under the same condition, the polynorbornene has water absorption ratio far lower than that of the polycarbonate (PC). Further, glass transition temperatures of the polynorbornene and polycarbonate (PC) fall within the same temperature range (about 123° C.).
Recent attention has been paid to hydrogenated products of polymers produced by ring-opening metathesis polymerization of norbornene-type monomers such as tetracyclododecene, dicyclopentadiene (DCP), and tricyclopentadiene, etc. These hydrogenated products can serve as optical material for use in an optical disk, optical lens, or transparent film, etc. (see JPO60-26024, JPO1-24826, JPO63-264626, EP303, 246, JPO-63-317520 and JPO-1-132656), since such hydrogenated products have excellent transparency and heat resistance and low susceptibility to moisture gain, with comparatively low briefringence and excellent moldability.
Olefin metathesis polymerization is a popular method in polymer synthesis. In recent years, the ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cycloolefin and the metathesis polymerization of non-cyclodiolefin have become very important in polymer synthesis. Along with development of new catalysts, the synthesis method of polymeric materials which contain various functional groups has further developed correspondingly.
While organometallic catalyst use in metathesis polymerization has been popular for some time, the organometallic catalysts are not suitable in metathesis polymerization of the monomer which contains various functional groups and is also sensitive to moisture and oxygen gas. For example, tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), molybdenum (Mo) and ruthenium (Ru) catalysts are the most popular catalysts used in the ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cycloolefin, wherein ruthenium (Ru) catalyst is the most tolerant catalyst with respect to water and oxygen gas in the metathesis polymerization. The metathesis polymerization can be carried out in an aqueous solution in the presence of ruthenium (Ru) catalyst. For example, the catalyst of {Cl2Ru(CHPh)[P(C6H11)3]2} developed by Grubbs et al. in 1996 is suitable for ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cycloolefin. More particularly, the polymerization of the monomers with functional groups can be carried out in the presence of such a catalyst because it is stable in air. In addition, such metathesis polymerization provides a high polymerization rate and large molecular weight of resulting polymer. Generally speaking, such reaction has accompanied with living polymerization.
The ring-opening metathesis polymerization of a norbornene-type monomer is carried out, in general, in the presence of a catalyst system consisting of an organometallic compound such as an organoaluminum compound and a tungsten and/or molybdenum-based metathesis catalyst (please refer to JPO46-14910), or a catalyst system containing an organometallic compound such as an organoaluminium compound and a transition-metal compound such as titanium tetrahalide (please refer to JPO41-20111 and JPO50-12199).
However, with use of the first catalyst system, the resultant polymer has a broad distribution of molecular weight and thus high birefringence, despite being obtainable in such high yields, that the residual monomer is minimally present in the reaction system when the reaction is complete.
With use of the second system, the molecular weight distribution of resulting polymer can be easily controlled. However, as the concentration of monomer in the reaction system decreases, the rate of polymerization also decreases accordingly. Hence, polymers by the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of the present catalyst system cannot be obtained in high yields. Moreover, a large amount of unreacted monomer remains in the reaction system when the polymerization has completed. It is very difficult to remove this unreacted monomer during purification of the polymer.
Hence, extensive research has been directed at ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cycloolefin derivatives to improve the reactivity of catalysts, focused on the development of side-chain-type liquid crystal, a triblock copolymer synthesized by two-step method, a polymer with various functional groups and a polymer having cross-linkable functional groups remained in the side chain thereof, etc. The introduction of the functional groups improves the optical characteristics and biochemical activity of the polymer. In addition, the cross-linkable functional groups such as methacryloyl in the side-chain can be introduced and applied as UV curing agent, coating material and photoresist.
Polynorbornene and its derivatives, the first commercial products genereated by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), are an important engineering material. The materials are used with shape-memory polymers, shining apparatus, machine, electrical elements, tube, food packages and the like because of good transmittance, wide usable temperature range, good mechanical properties, and excellent moldability. In addition, the derivatives of polynorbornene such as acidic and aromatic polymers can serve as a photoresist for use in semiconductor manufacturing.
Although the polynorbornene and its derivatives have good transmittance, wider usable temperature range, good mechanical properties and excellent moldability, synthesis of new norbornene-type monomers and polymers are not well developed and problems associated therewith not easily overcome. Hence, the development of new norbornene-type monomers and their derivatives has great potential in various applications.

Functional norbornenes and polymeric derivatives and fabrication thereof

National Taiwan University of Science & Technology


A composite side shield structure is disclosed for providing biasing to a free layer in a sensor structure. The sensor is formed between a bottom shield and top shield each having a magnetization in a first direction that is parallel to an ABS. The side shield is stabilized by an antiferromagnetic (AFM) coupling scheme wherein a bottom (first) magnetic layer is AFM coupled to a second magnetic layer which in turn is AFM coupled to an uppermost (third) magnetic layer. First and third magnetic layers each have a magnetization aligned in the first direction and are coupled to bottom and top shields, respectively, for additional stabilization. The top shield may be modified to include an AFM scheme for providing additional stabilization and guidance to magnetic moments within AFM coupled magnetic layers in the top shield, and to the third magnetic layer in the side shield.

In a magnetic recording device in which a read head is based on a spin valve magnetoresistance (SVMR) or a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect, there is a constant drive to increase recording density. One method of accomplishing this objective is to decrease the size of the sensor element in the read head. The sensor is a critical component in which different magnetic states are detected by passing a sense current through the sensor and monitoring a resistance change. A GMR configuration includes two ferromagnetic layers which are separated by a non-magnetic conductive layer in the sensor stack. One of the ferromagnetic layers is a pinned layer wherein the magnetization direction is fixed by exchange coupling with an adjacent antiferromagnetic (AFM) pinning layer. The second ferromagnetic layer is a free layer wherein the magnetization vector can rotate in response to external magnetic fields, and is aligned either parallel or anti-parallel to the magnetic moment in the pinned layer to establish a "0" or "1" memory state. When an external magnetic field is applied by passing the sensor over a recording medium at an air bearing surface (ABS), the free layer magnetic moment may rotate to an opposite direction. Alternatively, in a tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) sensor, the two ferromagnetic layers are separated by a thin non-magnetic dielectric layer. A sense current is used to detect a resistance value which is lower in a "0" memory state than in a "1" memory state. In a CPP configuration, a sense current is passed through the sensor in a direction perpendicular to the layers in the sensor stack.
Ultra-high density (over 100 Gb/in2) recording requires a highly sensitive read head in which the cross-sectional area of the sensor is typically smaller than 0.1×0.1 microns at the ABS. Current recording head applications are typically based on an abutting junction configuration in which a hard bias layer is formed adjacent to each side of a free layer in a GMR spin valve structure. As the recording density further increases and track width decreases, the junction edge stability becomes more important so that edge demagnification in the free layer needs to be reduced. In other words, horizontal (longitudinal) biasing is necessary so that a single domain magnetization state in the free layer will be stable against all reasonable perturbations while the sensor maintains relatively high signal sensitivity.
In longitudinal biasing read head design, hard bias films of high coercivity are abutted against the edges of the sensor and particularly against the sides of the free layer. In other designs, there is a thin seed layer between the hard bias layer and free layer. By arranging for the flux flow in the free layer to be equal to the flux flow in the adjoining hard bias layer, the demagnetizing field at the junction edges of the aforementioned layers vanishes because of the absence of magnetic poles at the junction. As the critical dimensions for sensor elements become smaller with higher recording density requirements, the free layer becomes more volatile and more difficult to bias. Traditional biasing schemes using a hard magnet bias have become problematic due to randomly distributed hard magnetic grains within the hard bias layer. Since current technology is unable to provide an improved biasing structure that is capable of stabilizing a sensor in an ultra-high density recording device with high reliability, a new concept for effective biasing is needed.

Thin seeded antiferromagnetic coupled side shield for sensor biasing applications


Methods, systems, and products are discussed for conducting a conference. The conference is established amongst a host communications device, an intermediate host communications device, and a participant communications device. A command is communicated from the host communications device to the intermediate host communications device that instructs the intermediate host communications device to retrieve an object from memory during the conference. The object is communicated from the intermediate host communications device to the participant communications device.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to conferencing over telecommunications and/or data networks and, more particularly, to data transfer via an intermediate host for conferencing and for synchronizing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Bandwidth is a problem when conferencing. Video and/or desktop conferencing, such as training sessions and other distributed presentations, often requires real-time streaming of the presentation materials. If the remote participants are few in number, and if the file size of the presentation materials is manageable, then real-time data streaming may provide an adequate quality of presentation. If, however, there are a large number of remote participants or the file size of the materials is quite large, then real-time streaming poses problems. As the number of remote participants increases and/or as the file size of the presentation materials increases, the required bandwidth also increases. Fifty (50) remote participants, for example, require fifty (50) real-time data streams fanning out from the host computer. As the number of remote participants increases, the host computer is also taxed to manage communications with all the remote computers. All the participants to the conference, then, eventually suffer from network congestion and from degradation in processor performance. The quality of the conference is reduced, and all the participants to the conference have a less-than-desirable experience. There is, accordingly, a need in the art for methods, systems, and products for improved conferencing among remote participants. There is also a need for reducing the bandwidth required when conferencing that does not rely upon real-time streaming.

Systems, methods, and products for conducting conferences


An improved power supply (10) for an electrical circuit (12) mounted on a projectile. The inventive power supply (10) includes a mechanism (14) on the projectile for generating electrical energy on the acceleration thereof. The energy is stored and released to a load on the deceleration of the projectile. In a particular implementation, the energy producing mechanism (14) is a piezo-electric transducer. Storage of electrical energy in the transducer is facilitated by the connection of a diode (16) across the output terminals thereof. An acceleration switch (18) is provided which is mounted on the projectile to be open on acceleration and closed on deceleration thereof. The switch (18) thereby releases a predetermined amount of stored energy to the load (12) only on the impact of the projectile with an object.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to communication systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to inexpensive, expendable power supplies for low power radio frequency transmitters.
While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.
2. Description of the Related Art
In many applications, there is a need for an inexpensive power supply for a low power radio frequency transmitter. For example, in military applications, the conventional technique for determining the ability of a gunner to hit a target with a projectile is visual. That is, the target is simply visually examined to determine the number of hits and, hence, the score of the gunner.
Unfortunately, the visual scoring method is costly due to the requirement that the target be retrieved and examined to provide a score. Visual scoring from a remote location is often complicated by numerous range and/or battlefield conditions including darkness, haze, smoke, dust, and etc. In addition, there is no real time feedback of a gunners score during the firing operation. Accordingly, the opportunity for real time correction is not provided with conventional scoring techniques.
U.S. patent application entitled RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICE, FOR MARKING MUNITION IMPACT POINT, Ser. No. 07/798,480, filed Nov. 26, 1991, by J. O. Muirhead and G. E. Held discloses a unique and advantageous automatic system for gunnery scoring. The system includes a plurality of miniature radio transmitters which are mounted on one or more of the projectiles. The transmitters are energized when the projectile impacts the target. The transmitted signal is detected by one or more receivers. Detection occurs when the received signal exceeds a fixed threshold. By accurately monitoring the time of arrival at a number of different locations, the angle of arrival may be determined at each receiver from which the impact point of the round can be determined by triangulation.
When widely separated receivers are used, the difference between the times of arrival of the radio frequency (RF) energy at any pair or receivers defines a hyperbolic line of position which is the locus of all points which have that difference in distance from the pair of receivers. The use of three (or more) receivers will define three (or more) lines of position. Where these lines intersect is the origin of the RF energy in the plane of the system.
When closely spaced receivers are used, the difference between times of arrival between the receivers and the distance between the receivers define the direction from which the energy arrived at the pair. With two or more pairs of receivers at known locations distant from the impact area, the location of the origin of the RF energy can be determined. The use of wide beam, directional antennas eliminates ambiguity in location of the RF emission source.
In any event, since the energy for the transmitter is generated by the impact of the projectile with the target, the amount of electrical energy available to the transmitter oscillator varies in accordance with the hardness of impact points for different objects and the angle at which the projectile strikes the object. This produces differing decelerations and therefore differing amounts of electrical current into the transmitter oscillator. The amount of energy into the transmitter determines the amount of energy radiated by the transmitter. Accordingly, the energy of the signals radiated by the transmitters of this system varies considerably from round to round. This complicates detection and scoring.
Thus, a need remains for an improved power supply for radio frequency (RF) projectiles which provides a consistent amount of radiated power on impact with soft as well as hard objects.

Power supply for an electrical circuit mounted on a projectile


An evaporative cooling band device adapted to be positioned upon a user's body, the apparatus comprising: a horizontally disposed band formed in a circular configuration, the band including a hose with a plurality of apertures and a moisture absorbing covering, the hose having two free ends, a Y-shaped tube connector being coupled to the free ends of the hose.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an evaporative cooling band device and more particularly pertains to evaporatively cooling a user's body by activating the air suction device of the assembly.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of head cooling devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, head cooling devices heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of cooling the heads of users by a variety of different methods are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, the prior art discloses in U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,411 to Maxted a scalp cooling device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,585 to Karlan discloses a cool cap.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,347 to Apisdorf discloses a helmet-mounted air system for personal comfort.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,757 to Dearing discloses a helmet cooling system.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,021 to McCall discloses a thermo-electric cooled head gear.
Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,743 to Elkins discloses a liquid cooled helmet.
In this respect, the evaporative cooling band device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of evaporatively cooling a user's body by activating the air suction device of the assembly.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved evaporative cooling band device which can be used for evaporatively cooling a user's body by activating the air suction device of the assembly. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


In order to easily set IP addresses required for communicating with apparatuses connected to a network, an MFP includes a port scan unit for acquiring, by port scanning, an IP address of a server having a predetermined port open from one of the servers connected to the network, and a network environment storage part for storing a set of acquired IP address and a port number of the predetermined port.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication device, a network parameter setting method and a network parameter setting program product. More particularly, the present invention relates to a communication device suitable for setting an IP address of a server connected to a network, a network parameter setting method and a network parameter setting program product.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, there have been developed copying apparatuses equipped with E-mail sending/receiving functions and file transfer functions. These copying apparatuses are connected to local area networks (LAN) for use. In connecting a copying machine to a network, the setting of network environment must be performed. The setting of network environment means, in addition to assigning an IP address to the copying machine to be connected to the network, registering an IP address of a SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) for sending E-mails in order to make the E-mail sending function effective.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-274806 discloses an information processing device which facilitates the operation for assigning an IP address to a copying machine to be connected to a network. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-274806 discloses an information processing device including a packet capturing portion for acquiring packets from a network 200, a packet analysis unit for extracting network parameters from the acquired packets, a storage unit for constructing and storing an input-supporting data base containing usage information regarding the usage of the extracted network parameters in the network, and a control panel for creating and displaying a user interface image plane for setting network parameters in the information processing device 10 based on the aforementioned usage information contained in the input-supporting data base.
The information processing device disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-274806 can facilitate the operation for registering an IP address assigned to the information processing device. However, the registration thereof can not be performed when the IP address of a server connected to the network, for example, a SMTP server, is unknown.

Communication device suitable for setting IP address of server connected to network, network parameter setting method and network parameter setting program product

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


A security architecture, a battery, and a motor vehicle that has a corresponding battery are configured to be used to combine battery packs of a lower security integrity level into a battery system that has a higher security integrity level. The security architecture is for at least two batteries and each battery includes at least one electrochemical cell. The at least two batteries are each combined with at least one data processing unit to form a respective module. The security architecture is configured such that input signals of at least one second module are processed by the at least one data processing unit of at least one first module.

The present disclosure relates to a safety architecture, a battery and a motor vehicle having a corresponding battery that are able to be used particularly in order to combine battery packs of a relatively low safety integrity level to form a battery system having a relatively high safety integrity level.
For the supply of power to electric drives in electric and hybrid vehicles, high-voltage lithium ion batteries are frequently used. The chemistry in these batteries means that they have a hazard potential. By way of example, if operating limits are exceeded then a battery fire or leakage of dangerous chemical substances may occur.
Examples of safety-relevant operating limits are:                upper threshold for the charge (voltage) of a battery cell,        lower threshold for the charge (voltage) of a battery cell,        upper threshold for the temperature of a battery cell,        upper threshold for the charging current of a battery (temperature dependent).
The charging and discharging of a battery are regulated by a battery management system (BMS) such that safety is assured under given requirements. For this, the sensor means, the logic and the actuator means need to be designed in line with the safety requirements or the safety integrity level (ASIL [Automotive Safety Integrity Level] from ISO 26262). Exceeding of the operating limits is usually monitored by monitoring functions, e.g. in the central logic.
Hybrid vehicles frequently require only relatively small batteries. The lower energy content means that these sometimes comply only with a low ASIL B.
By contrast, batteries for electric vehicles have to comply with a relatively high ASIL C or D on account of their higher hazard potential. This often has great repercussions on the software processes and the hardware structure. This is disadvantageous particularly because it means that different battery systems have conventionally had to be used on the basis of the safety requirements.

Security architecture, battery and motor vehicle having a corresponding battery


An integrated stand-off for a printed circuit board (PCB), and methods of making the integrated stand-off, and mounting such integrated stand-off to the PCB are disclosed. The integrated stand-off includes a metal grounding contact and a plastic element. The metal grounding contact is stamped on a first surface of a sheet metal chassis and the plastic element is overmolded on the metal grounded contact. The metal grounding contact is completely encased within the plastic element to distance the sheet metal chassis from contacting the PCB for preventing electrical shorts there between.

A standoff can be defined as a threaded separator of defined length used to raise one assembly above another. In electronics standoffs are used to raise a printed-circuit board (PCB) above a mounting surface as e.g. a metal enclosure. Hence, standoffs can keep these two parts from touching each other, thereby preventing electrical shorts and allowing cooling of the PCB. Furthermore, mechanical fixation elements applied on the standoffs as e.g. mounting screws, can permit the PCB to be securely fastened to the metal enclosure by the standoffs.

Integrated stand-offs for printed circuit boards

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP


The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for preventing disbondment in an insulated piping system that is used for conveying high temperature fluids. More specifically, an external slip wrap is shown, capable of surrounding the outer protective jacket of the insulated piping system at a location along the piping before an elbow shaped or angular change in direction. The slip wrap comprises a loosely received outer sleeve which surrounds the outer protective jacket of the piping without being bonded thereto, thereby allowing the insulated and jacketed pipe to move axially relative to the slip wrap for a selected distance once the pipe is buried in the ground.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for preventing disbondment in a bonded foam insulated piping system of the type used for conveying high temperature fluids.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Insulated pipelines are needed in a variety of situations. For example, distributed HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) applications utilize chilled water for cooling and steam for heating. The chiller and boiler are typically contained in a central location and the chilled water and steam are distributed to other locations. For example, on a school campus the chiller and boiler may be located in a power plant building. The chilled water and steam are distributed to classrooms in separate buildings. A set of insulated pipelines is used to convey the chilled water from the chiller to other locations and back to the chiller. Another set of insulted pipelines is used to carry the steam from the boiler to the other locations and back to the boiler. Oftentimes, the temperature inside the pipe is either higher or lower than the ambient temperature surrounding the pipe. It is necessary for the pipes to be insulated in order to retain the internal temperature of the fluids and keep heating and cooling losses at a minimum. The insulated pipelines are usually located underground.
Insulated pipe of the type under consideration is conventional and commercially available. There are predominately two types of piping systems in use: Class-A drainable dryable testable (DDT); and polyurethane or polyisocyanurate bonded foam systems. The present application is directed toward the bonded foam type system. These systems utilize a steel pipe to convey fluid, and often the fluid is a different temperature as compared to the ambient environment. Around the outside of the steel pipe is a layer of insulating foam such as, for example, polyisocyanurate foam. In the case of high temperature piping systems, the insulating foam serves to keep heat loss from the starting location of the pipeline to the ending location at a minimum. Around the outside of the foam is a thin jacket of thermoplastic material, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE). The plastic jacket protects the foam from mechanical damage and also provides a watertight seal to prevent corrosion of the steel pipe. Although steel is commonly used for the inner pipe which carries the media to be piped, copper, aluminum or other metals as well as fiberglass, PVC, and similar materials may be utilized, as well.
The most important engineering criteria for a foam system of the type under consideration is that it must be treated as a bonded system. In other words, the foam is bonded to both the carrier pipe and the outer jacket. In such a case, the bonded system acts as a monolithic unit moving underground. Higher temperatures can act adversely upon the bonded foam system, however. The hot fluid in the steel carrier pipe causes the carrier pipe to thermally expand. At temperatures of 400° F. this expansion is on the order of 2.8 inches per 100 feet of pipe. This expansion is not a problem as long as the system remains bonded and the carrier pipe, foam and jacket move together as one unit underground. This movement is controlled by the expansion force of the steel carrier pipe, but it is the bond strength of the foam to the pipe and jacket that is important in keeping the system moving together. This monolithic movement of the system occurs along each incremental length of a particular run, and as long as total movement is not greater than 4 to 6 inches and the system remains bonded, no undue stress is subjected at any one point of the jacket. If the system were to disbond, however, the surrounding soil would fix the jacket in place and the carrier pipe would still thermally expand thereby pushing through and destroying the jacket at the first change of direction.
Generally speaking, the proper choice of insulating materials can counteract many of the thermal expansion effects discussed above. It has been well established by industry case history that the polyurethane foam bond for systems running at 250° F. to 300° F. is strong enough to keep the entire system acting as a bonded system. However, for systems running above these temperatures a higher temperature rated foam, such as polyisocyanurate foam, is generally required. Even in systems utilizing "high temperature" polyisocyanurate foam, the higher heat can, in some instances, begin to fry the foam at the foam/carrier pipe interface, thereby bringing into question the strength of the foam bond to the steel carrier pipe.
Various approaches have been taken to control this undesirable expansion in insulated pipe systems of the type under consideration. For example, expansion "bolster" materials are supplied in the form of resilient pads which can be used at elbows or expansion loops. These pads are placed adjacent to the piping and create a cushion which acts as a stress relief area in critical areas, such as angles and elbows.
Despite the advances seen in the high temperature piping industry, a need continues to exist for improved systems for preventing disbondment in bonded foam insulated piping systems.
A need also exists for such an improved system which utilizes many of the conventionally available materials and manufacturing techniques commonly used in the industry.
A need also exists for such a system which is simple in design and economical to implement.

Method and apparatus for preventing foam disbondment


Logic array devices having complex macro-cell architecture and methods facilitating use of same. A semiconductor device comprising an array of logic cells and programmable metal includes gate structures that are pre-wired, where, inputs and/or outputs are available for routing in programmable metal, possibly as part of a hybrid process. The device can also include selectable, in-line inverters, which can share the input/output tracks with logic inputs. A bubble-pushing algorithm can take advantage of the selectable in-line inverters to reduce the number of inverters in a design. In some embodiments, an embedded clock line is common to a plurality of logic cells. The clock line is terminated in a clock cell, which can include test logic, so that a clock group is formed. Flexibility to power down cells, or groups of cells can be provided by power traces with programmable connections.

For many years, gate arrays have been used to provide quick-turnaround (quick-turn), low non-recurring-expense (NRE) semiconductor devices for a variety of purposes. Traditionally, wafers are processed up to but not including the first (bottom) metal layer, and saved in inventory. When a customer orders a device to be fabricated for a specific application (an application specific integrated circuit or "ASIC"), the customer only pays for the masks to configure the metal layers, and not the transistor layers below. Thus, NRE is reduced. The wafers can be completed quickly, since only the metal layers remain to be fabricated, reducing turn-around time.
Recently more and more layers of metal have been incorporated into gate array semiconductor devices. Rather than two or three layers of metal, six to eight layers of metal is now common. As a result, gate arrays are often no longer very low-NRE, or quick-turn. In order to regain the advantages of earlier gate arrays, several vendors have developed logic arrays, consisting of multiple, substantially identical logic cells, which can be configured for an application with either fewer or cheaper masks. In the case of fewer masks, the total number of metal layers and hence masks used to create the finished device often does not change. Rather, only a reduced subset of the total number of metal layers in a finished device is used to impart the custom configuration to the device. For example, so-called "one-mask" devices, in which only a single metal layer and hence a single mask imparts customization, can in theory reduce both NRE and turn-time.
In parallel with the above developments, many modern wafer fabrication facilities ("fabs") that are capable of 0.18 u or better transistor channel lengths, have given up flexibility in manufacturing. Operators of these fabs are generally un-willing or unable to hold wafer inventory as had previously been done for gate arrays. This lack of inventory eliminates the quick-turn-time advantages of gate arrays. Also, these fabs typically require minimum orders of 25 to 100 wafers or more per mask set per month. Thus, the savings in NRE that a one-mask architecture can provide is typically less than the cost of a minimum order of wafers, reducing the advantages achievable from one-mask devices while leaving penalties of increased die area, increased power, and lower speed in place.
There have been attempts to achieve the benefits of advanced silicon from advanced fabs while providing the manufacturing flexibility needed to take advantage of quick-turn low NRE architectures. Laser-programming for prototyping ASIC's has been used, thus reducing turn-times. Another technique is reduced mask or one-mask finishing of advanced wafers. For these products, an initial architecture on an advanced wafer process is used, and then is held by the fab customer. The cell design of this initial architecture is often referred to as the "macro-cell." A less advanced fab is then used to finish the wafers by configuring the few or single configuration masks. Such a process, split between two types of fabs, is often referred to as a "hybrid process." A hybrid process has the advantage of low turn-times, low NRE, and high manufacturing flexibility in being able to handle small orders. However, the combination of reduced or one-mask programming and a less advanced process geometry to accommodate the finishing can result in low achievable logic density.