A method for providing air to a combustion chamber of an engine, the engine including a compressor and a boost tank selectably coupled to an intake manifold. The method includes varying a relative amount of engine exhaust in air pressurized in the boost tank based on engine operating conditions, and discharging the air pressurized in the boost tank to the intake manifold.

A boosted engine may offer greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions than a naturally aspirated engine of similar power. During transient conditions, however, the power, fuel efficiency, and emissions-control performance of a boosted engine may suffer. Such transient conditions may include rapidly increasing or decreasing engine load, engine speed, or mass air flow. For example, when the engine load increases rapidly, a turbocharger compressor may require increased torque to deliver an increased air flow. Such torque may not be available, however, if the turbine that drives the compressor is not fully spun up. As a result, an undesirable power lag may occur before the intake air flow builds to the required level.
It has been recognized previously that a turbocharged engine system may be adapted to store compressed air and to use the stored, compressed air to supplement the air charge from the turbocharger compressor. Accordingly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,423 describes a system in which compressed air is stored in a boost tank and is dispensed when insufficient compressed air is available from the turbocharger compressor.
However, the inventors herein have recognized that other transient control issues may occur during decreasing engine load. For example, when a throttle valve in a boosted engine system closes, the compressed air charge upstream of the throttle valve is released to the atmosphere to avoid compressor surge. This may be done by opening a compressor by-pass valve, for example. Such actions erode fuel efficiency, however, as the mechanical energy used to compress the air charge is wasted when the air is released to the atmosphere. Moreover, in engine systems equipped with low-pressure (LP) exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR), merely opening the by-pass valve may not adequately prepare the engine for low-load operation. This is because the intake air charge will be diluted with exhaust gas during mid- to high-load operation. When the throttle valve closes, this exhaust gas remains trapped behind the throttle valve. During closed-throttle conditions, however, non-diluted, fresh air may be required for reliable combustion. Thus, even applying the applying the approach of U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,423, combustion instability during closed-throttle conditions may still occur.
The inventors herein have further recognized that a properly configured compressed-air management system can be used to address both of the transient-control issues identified above. Therefore, one embodiment provides a method for providing air to a combustion chamber of an engine, the engine including a compressor and a boost tank selectably coupled to an intake manifold. The method comprises varying a relative amount of engine exhaust in air pressurized in the boost tank based on engine operating conditions, and discharging the air pressurized in the boost tank to the intake manifold. In this manner, air containing an appropriate relative amount of exhaust gas may be stored and later supplied to the engine intake during closed- and open-throttle conditions. For example, by varying the relative amount of exhaust gas in the stored air, it is possible to provide a desired mixture of stored gas, which may be different depending on whether the gas is to be used during open- or closed-throttle conditions.
It will be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description, which follows. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined by the claims that follow the detailed description. Further, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted herein.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Stored compressed air management for improved engine performance


A memory controller for a computer memory which decodes memory requests into individual primitive memory operations which are then queued into separate operation queues. The operation queues independently issue their queued primitive memory operations to the memory in order to initiate the memory request. The operation queues monitor and adhere to timing and ordering dependencies between the primitive memory operations that are queued and those that have already been transmitted to the memory. Once a primitive memory operation is transmitted to the memory, it is dequeued from its respective operation queue. A control queue monitors the progress of the primitive memory operations transmitted to the memory, completes the initiated memory request and provides timing and ordering dependency data to the operation queues.

This invention relates to computer systems and more particularly to memory control mechanisms and techniques employed within computer systems. This invention also relates to performance enhancement and optimization of memory control mechanisms for computer systems.
A variety of techniques have been developed to increase the overall processing speed of computer systems. While improvements in integrated circuit processing technologies such as sub-micron processing capabilities have made it possible to dramatically increase the speed of the integrated circuitry itself, other developments in the architectures and bus transfer mechanisms of computer systems have also led to improvements in performance. Exemplary developments include the incorporation of cache memory subsystems as well as code pre-fetching mechanisms within computer systems.
In a typical computer system, memory accesses (reads or writes) are actually composed of discrete operations. An exemplary memory access to a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) (or alternatively synchronous DRAM (SDRAM or SynchDRAM) takes place as follows. The CPU determines that it needs to read or write some data to or from the memory. Note that DRAM based memory is organized by chip select (CS), bank and row. The CS signal is a unique signal that activates a particular group of memory chips in the memory for access. The bank and row refers to the physical design/organization of the chips themselves. Any access must be made by selecting a particular CS, bank and row (this combination is also known as a page). Further, DRAM type memory chips provide a row buffer (one per bank) which holds the data currently being accessed. Continuing with the example, the CPU will dispatch a request along with an address to the memory control logic to retrieve the desired data. The memory control logic will convert the address into a physical memory location consisting of a CS, bank, and row and then initiate the memory access as described below.
In order to access a particular row in the memory, if this row is not already active (see below), the bank containing that row must be pre-charged. Effectively, pre-charging raises all of the bit lines (the wires that connect the rows in each bank to the row buffer) to a voltage that represents a logical 1. When the page is activated (or connected to the bit lines), any bits in the page containing logical zeroes cause the respective bit lines to drop to logical zero. This saves time versus initializing the bit lines to logical zero and waiting for the bits in the page representing a logical 1 to charge up the respective bit lines. A pre-charge operation also causes any currently active row, from a previous access to the bank, to be written back to the memory array from the row buffer so that the data is not lost (see below). A CS or bank can be pre-charged in several ways. Pre-charging occurs upon initialization of the memory, whenever there is a refresh to that CS or whenever the memory control logic dispatches a pre-charge operation to that CS or bank. If the bank is not currently pre-charged, the memory control logic will issue a pre-charge operation to the desired CS in order to pre-charge the bit lines of the desired bank (or possibly all the banks) on that CS.
Next, an activate operation is sent to the desired CS and bank along with the row address in order to activate the particular page onto the bit lines and transfer the page of data into the bank""s row buffer. Note that, due to the nature of DRAM memory, an activate operation destroys the contents of that row in the memory array in the process of moving those contents to the row buffer. In order to replace the contents back in the memory array and ensure they are not lost, a pre-charge operation (as discussed earlier) is necessary before activating another row into the row buffer. Once the page is in the row buffer, the appropriate read or write operation can be dispatched along with the column address identifying the bits to read or write. These operations initiate the memory request. The memory request is then completed by transferring the data to or from the memory. Note that once a row is activated and in the row buffer, the memory control logic can perform many reads and writes to that row without performing an additional pre-charge or activate operation.
As can be seen from the example, the initiation of an access to the memory can be broken down into the primitive operations of pre-charge, activate and read/write. Once initiated, the data transfer must then be completed to or from the memory. That is, for a read, the data must be taken in from the memory and passed back to the requester and for a write, the data to be written must be sent to the memory.
It is well known in the art that state machine logic can be constructed to efficiently decode accesses, dispatch primitive operations, and control the completion of data transfers to optimize the use of the memory. However, the state machine logic needed to perform these operations, track dependencies among operations and dispatch and complete operations in parallel is often complex. This results in a complex design that requires more gates to implement and is harder to understand and verify.
Further, a complex design usually operates slower. Computer logic is typically designed around a clock signal which keeps operations within the computer synchronized. A typical design has logic stages, each stage of which includes input latches, output latches and combinational logic. The input latches are connected to the inputs of the combinational logic. The input latches latch and hold the input signals steady while the combinational logic operates on them. The output latches latch the output of the combinational logic. The input latches and output latches are also connected to the clock signal. The combinational logic consists of logic gates such as NAND or NOR gates arranged and connected to perform a logic function.
On each pulse of the clock signal, the input latches latch the input signals and make them available to the combinational logic and the output latches latch the output of the combinational logic. The logic stage takes advantage of the fact that the circuits that make up the gates of the combinational logic have propagation delays which introduce a delay between the time the input signals are latched and the time that the result of the combinational logic function is computed. The logic stage is designed so that the combinational logic finishes its computation (that all the signals have propagated through) before the next clock pulse hits the output latches. In this way, on each clock pulse, the inputs to the combinational logic change, and the output latches latch the result of the previous inputs. Since the output latches also form the input latches for the next logic stage, data is thereby moved from one stage of logic to the next.
Notice that the number of gates that can be put in a logic stage between the input and output latches is partly a function of the clock frequency of the computer. A faster clock frequency leaves less time for signals to propagate through the gates. A more complex design may require more gates between the input and output latches necessitating a slower clock. Therefore, the designer must often make a trade off between a fast clock and a complex logic design.
Accordingly there is a need to optimize and enhance the performance of accesses to the memory while simplifying the design of the memory control logic. Further, there is a need to reduce the logical complexity of the memory control logic which will in turn result in a reduction of the gate counts, the design time/cost and the number of design errors. This will further allow for a decrease in the number of gate delays between logic stages which will result in overall faster operation.
The problems outlined above are solved by an apparatus and method to send memory requests to a computer memory according to the present invention. In one aspect of the invention, a memory controller is provided which includes a request decoder that receives a memory request and decodes it into primitive memory operations and operation queues coupled to the request decoder and operative to store the primitive memory operations. The memory controller further includes a multiplexor coupled to the queues and the computer memory which is operative to select one primitive memory operation from the queues and transmit it to the computer memory in order to initiate the memory request. The queues are further operative to clear the selected primitive memory operation once transmitted by the multiplexor. The memory controller also includes control queues which are coupled to the operation queues and the computer memory and complete the memory requests in the computer memory once initiated.
The present invention further contemplates a method for executing memory requests to a computer memory using a memory controller, comprising the steps of: accepting a memory request from a memory request generator; decoding the memory request into one or more primitive memory operations; queuing the primitive memory operations into one or more operation queues; selecting one of the queued primitive memory operations for transmission to the memory; transmitting the queued primitive memory operation to the memory to initiate the memory request; dequeuing the queued primitive memory operation when the primitive memory operation has been transmitted to the memory; queuing control data into one or more control queues which then complete the memory request in the computer memory; and dequeuing the control data as the memory request completes.
As a result of the present invention, memory accesses are optimized and the performance of the main memory is enhanced. These advantages are achieved while simplifying the design of the memory access control logic and reducing its logical complexity. This, in turn, results in a reduction of the gate counts, the design time/cost and the number of design errors. In addition, the decrease in the number of gate delays between logic stages results in overall faster operation. The present invention also provides an easily adaptable structure that can be used with a variety of memory types.


A proposition of the present invention is to acquire necessary data without any chasm in an observation of a specimen containing plural kinds of substances of which exciting wavelengths are different. Accordingly, a spectral observation method of the present invention, irradiating light to the specimen containing plural kinds of substances (RFP, GFP, and so on) of which exciting wavelengths are different, and detecting spectra of light emitted from the specimen, the spectral observation method sequentially acquires spectral data of substances from the one of which exciting wavelength is long while switching a wavelength of the irradiated light among respective exciting wavelengths of the plural kinds of substances, and excludes the exciting wavelength of the substance corresponding to the spectral data to be acquired from detection wavelengths of the spectra each when acquiring the spectral data of the spectral data of the respective substances.

1. Field
The present invention relates to a spectral observation method and a spectral observation system of a specimen containing plural kinds of substances of which exciting wavelengths are different, such as a multiple dyeing sample with plural kinds of fluorescent reagents.
2. Description of the Related Art
A spectral imaging fluorescent laser microscope is effective for an observation of a multiple dyeing sample with plural kinds of fluorescent reagents (refer to Japanese Translation of PCT Publication No. 2004-506191, and so on). This laser microscope irradiates excitation light to the sample, performs a spectral diffraction of fluorescence generated there by a grating (diffraction grating) and so on, and detects intensity of each wavelength component after spectral diffraction by a spectral detector. It is also necessary in this laser microscope to cut excessive excitation light reflected by a surface of the sample, a surface of a lens and so on at any place so as not to prevent the observation, as same as the other fluorescent microscopes.
However, it is necessary to secure a wide wavelength band of the fluorescence in this laser microscope performing the spectral detection, and therefore, a specific channel of the spectral detectors corresponding to an exciting wavelength is excluded from a detection wavelength range of the spectral detector (a masking shield is disposed (fixed) in front of the channel) instead of inserting a barrier filter into an optical path of the fluorescence. When the sample is dyed with two kinds of fluorescent reagents, it is conceivable that each of two channels corresponding to these exciting wavelengths are excluded from the detection wavelength range, and then, these fluorescent reagents are excited simultaneously or sequentially to perform a spectral imaging thereof.
However, there is a possibility in which a part of necessary data may be lost in the spectral imaging as stated above. It is because a necessary wavelength may be excluded from (lost) the detection wavelength range when the exciting wavelength of a certain fluorescent reagent is included in a wavelength range of an emission spectrum of the other fluorescent reagent.

Spectral observation method and spectral observation system


The present disclosure provides for customizable content moderation using neural networks with fine-grained and dynamic image classification ontology. A content moderation system of the present disclosure may provide a plurality of image categories in which a subset of of image categories may be designated as restricted categories. The restricted categories may be chosen by a content provider or an end-user. The content moderation system may utilize a neural network to classify image data (e.g., still images, video, etc.) into one or more of the plurality of image categories, and determine that an image is a restricted image upon classifying the image into one of the restricted categories. The restricted image may by flagged, rejected, removed, or otherwise filtered upon being classified as a restricted image.

With the proliferation of interactive online platforms such as social networking websites, electronic marketplaces, and content sharing websites, the Web is becoming increasingly populated with user-generated content such as images and videos. A particular challenge for online platforms that host user-generated content is moderating user-generated image content to ensure that any uploaded images and videos comply with the policies of the platform, such as the community guidelines. Conventionally, a human moderator may review uploaded image content before permitting the image content to appear on the platform, or the platform may rely on community moderation, in which users are asked to flag any images or videos that are offensive or violate the community guidelines. Both of these approaches are resource intensive and/or take away from the user experience. As such, some image processing solutions have been developed, in which an algorithm is applied to image content to determine if the image content is appropriate or inappropriate. However, such systems may be lacking in accuracy and only offer a binary rating, which may be inadequate for today's increasingly complex and varied applications.

Fine-grain content moderation to restrict images


This disclosure describes methods and apparatus for assembly a roofing structure that incorporates photovoltaic modules as shingles of the roofing structure. A sidelap is used to both establish consistent spacing between the solar shingles and prevent water passing between adjacent shingles from collecting beneath the solar shingles by guiding the water passing through the solar shingles and redirecting the water down-roof. In some embodiments, the sidelaps can have additional functionality. For example, a sidelap can include tabs configured to interact with lateral securing features positioned on downward-facing surfaces of the solar roofing modules to help keep the lateral sides of the photovoltaic modules from pulling away from the roofing structure during severe weather conditions. The sidelap could also include means for attaching a wire clip to one end of the sidelap.

Solar panels are generally added to select regions of an existing roofing structure. Unfortunately, this can leave the roofing structure with a non-uniform appearance that many home or business owners would rather avoid. These conventional installations can include large panels that disrupt the more uniform aesthetic achieved by a traditional rooftop. In some cases, solar panel installation can even cause damage to exterior and/or interior roofing structures. Consequently, methods and apparatus for more seamlessly incorporating solar panels into roofing structures are desirable.

Sidelap interconnect for photovoltaic roofing modules


An optical system is usable to form an illuminating strip on a surface of a material. The optical system includes an illuminating device which contains several light sources which are located at a distance from the surface of the material. The illuminating device uses its light sources to generate the illuminating strip on the surface of the material, which is displaced in relation to the device. The illuminating device includes a mirror which focuses the light emitted by the light source into the illuminating strip, a diffusion body on the light emission side facing the surface of the material. The light sources feed their light into the reflector module. That module, the diffusion body, and the mirror are configured as a single component.

Optical systems for forming an illuminated structure are used primarily in connection with the recording of images of machine-processed material in the field of industrial image processing, such as, for example, in the recording of imprinted material which is processed in connection with stocks and bonds. The optical system is used in or on a printing press, preferably in or on a rotary printing press, and in particular in or on a printing press operated in, for example, an offset printing method, a steel engraving method, a screen printing method or a hot-process embossing method. Alternatively, or in addition to such an arrangement in or on a printing press, an optical system can also be arranged in or on a machine which further processes a printed product. Image recording is performed for the purpose of providing an at least partial, and preferably complete image representation of the moving imprinted material. This image representation can be done with or without taking a measurement of previously determined characteristics of the imprinted material, in order to evaluate this material regarding the quality of a process step previously performed in the machine. Optical systems of this general type are typically employed, for example, in an inline inspection system and therefore are typically a component of such an inline inspection system.
EP 0 477 536 A2 discloses an optical system for producing an illuminated strip or pattern on a surface of a material. An illumination device having multiple light sources is arranged at a distance from the surface of the material. The illumination device, with its light-emitting light sources, produces the illuminated strip or pattern on the material which is moving relative to the illumination device. The illumination device has a mirror that bundles or concentrates the light emitted by the light sources onto the illuminated strip or pattern and to its light exit side facing the surface of the material, with the illumination device having at least one reflector module containing the diffuser and the mirror, with the light sources feeding their light into the reflector module.
An image reading device is known from DE 35 27 300 C2. An illumination arrangement, with several groups of light sources, is provided. The groups of light sources emit light for use in generating an illuminated strip. A control arrangement operates the groups of light sources in a pulsed manner. Photo-sensors, which are arranged in rows, detect light which is reflected from the surface of the material. The photo-sensors constitute a line-scanning camera. An electrical current source, that is controlled by the control arrangement, is assigned to the groups of light sources. A length of time, in which the light sources are switched-on, is synchronized with a length of the line-scanning camera exposure time.
A method for checking web-shaped transparent material, and in particular, for checking a paper web, which is suitable for application in the print industry, is known from DE 41 02 122 A1. Flash bulbs, which are constructed from light-emitting diodes or from laser diodes, radiate through a paper web. Light, which is being radiated through the paper web, impinges on a CCD matrix of a camera to generate a video signal. Light leaving the illumination arrangement, in the direction of the paper web, radiates through a frosted diffusor disk.
A printing press with an inline image inspection system, for use in the inspection of a printed product produced in the printing press, is known from DE 43 21 177 A1. An image detection arrangement is provided, which delivers image data of the printed product to a computing device. The image detection arrangement consists of a measuring module, or of several measuring modules, each of which scans a defined image area of the printed product, and of at least one associated receiving device. The receiving device makes the image data available in an electric form and is preferably spatially separated from the measuring modules. The measuring modules and the at least one receiving device are connected with each other by at least one image conductor. An illumination arrangement, consisting of precision halogen lamps, is assigned to the image detection device. A blow pipe, with openings in the direction of the printed product, when charged with compressed air maintains the printed product at a defined distance from the illumination arrangement and simultaneously cools the illumination arrangement by use of the blowing air.
An illumination arrangement for an optical inspection system, for use in the inspection of surfaces, is known from DE 100 61 070 A1. Several support panels, which are preferably of the same length and are electrically connected with each other, and each of which is provided with several rows of light-emitting diodes, have been inserted in a line-shaped manner into a common rigid, profiled mounting device. The mounting device can be cut in length to correspond to an object surface which is to be scanned by the use of constant light radiation. A thermal connection between the support panels and the profiled mounting device, for cooling the light-emitting diodes and their electronic control device, is provided by a mechanical connection.
A device for the quality control of printed matter is known from DE 202 13 431 U1. This device constitutes an inline image inspection system which is arranged in a printing press. An illumination arrangement, configured as a fluorescent tube, and an image recording device, configured as a line-scanning camera, are employed.
An inline image inspection system for a printing press, and in particular for a sheet-fed offset printing press, is known from DE 203 03 574 U1. An illumination arrangement that is configured as a fluorescent tube, is arranged underneath a foot pedal and close to a counter-pressure cylinder which is conveying an imprinted material. An image recording device, which is provided as a line-scanning camera, is arranged at a comparatively greater distance from the counter-pressure cylinder in association with the last printing group of the printing press.
A device for a line-shaped illumination of sheet material, such as banknotes and securities, is known from EP 0 762 174 A2. A cylindrical mirror with two mirror segments is provided. The mirror segments form an elliptical base surface having two focal lines. The width of the mirror segments has been selected to be larger than or equal to the width of the sheet material. The sheet material, which is transported in the transport direction perpendicularly to the first focal line, is arranged in this first focal line. A cold light source, such as, for example a row of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), is arranged in the second focal line. A detector, such as, for example a CCD array, or photodiodes, which can be arranged individually or in groups, detects the light reflected by the sheet material and converts it into signals for processing in a processing installation.
An inspection system is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,093. A moving test object is subjected to a strobe of light lasting between 20 ms and 200 ms from a light-emitting diode arrangement which is controlled in a pulse-like manner. An area-scanning camera takes a picture of the entire test object.
An optical system for forming an illuminated pattern on a surface of a material which is moved relative to the pattern is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,936,353. An illumination arrangement with several light sources, which are switched in series, emits light for forming the pattern. A detection device, with at least one detector, detects light reflected from the surface of the material. The light sources are arranged on a panel which is arranged on a support. That support has at least one conduit in its interior. A liquid or gaseous cooling medium, for use in cooling the light sources, flows through the conduit.
A device for use in the control of light-emitting diodes with a constant current source, which form a line-shaped illumination arrangement, is known from JP 1-255 371 A. A driving circuit of the light-emitting diodes is connected with a line-scanning camera via a scanning control circuit and a multiplexer. The light-emitting diodes of the illumination arrangement, which are in operative connection with each other, and photo-sensors of the line-scanning camera are synchronized with each other.

Optical system for creating an illuminated strip


It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved process whereby the yield structure of the components can be varied by a simple method, and the products can be produced stably and efficiently in a process for producing propylene and aromatic hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon feedstock containing C4-12 olefins using a medium pore diameter zeolite-containing catalyst. A process for producing is disclosed which comprises a propylene production step wherein a specific zeolite catalyst is used to remove a C4+ hydrocarbon component from a reaction mixture, and part of the hydrocarbon component is recycled as necessary without modification, and an aromatic hydrocarbon production step wherein all or a part of the C4+ hydrocarbon component is used as the raw material.

Thermal cracking has been widely used for obtaining propylene and aromatic hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon feedstock, but by its very nature thermal decomposition requires severe reaction conditions, and a common by-product is methane, which is difficult to use as petrochemical feedstock. Moreover, the product yields of propylene and other olefins and benzene, toluene and other aromatic hydrocarbons as percentages of the decomposition product are generally limited, and the yield structure is not sufficiently flexible among other problems.
Patent Document 1 discloses a method wherein silver is carried on crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite in order to improve selectivity for lower olefins. Although propylene yield is improved by this method, the yield of aromatic hydrocarbons is poor. Also, in methods for catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons using zeolite, coke accumulates on the catalyst and must be frequently removed by combustion to regenerate the catalyst, but the problem is that in the case of the acid zeolite described above, repeated regeneration operations cause permanent degradation of catalyst activity. This occurs because coke combustion generates steam that hydrolyzes the zeolite, causing aluminum to be released from the zeolite crystals and eliminating protons that are active sites in the catalyst. This poses a serious problem that must be solved if proton-type zeolites are to be used in these kinds of reactions.
Patent Document 2 discloses a proton-free zeolite catalyst along with a method for using this catalyst to convert hydrocarbon feedstock into ethylene, propylene and monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The catalyst used in this method has the advantage of being resistant to regeneration degradation, but is still vulnerable to the problem of coking deterioration. Moreover, because the aforementioned paraffin conversion reaction is an endothermic reaction, a large amount of heat must be supplied to the reaction vessel. As a result, this method requires a complex and expensive reaction system.
An effective means of increasing the flexibility of the propylene/aromatic hydrocarbon yield structure is to obtain these components by separate processes. However, the reaction technologies that have been used for each in the past need to be improved in order to obtain both components efficiently and stably.
For the propylene production step, methods of catalytic conversion from hydrocarbon feedstock containing olefins using catalysts containing zeolite have been adopted, and there are many reports of methods for producing propylene from hydrocarbon feedstock containing olefins by catalytic conversion using catalysts containing zeolite. However, efficient, long-term and stable production of propylene from hydrocarbon feedstock containing olefins by catalytic conversion using a catalyst containing zeolite is difficult for the following reasons.
Propylene is an intermediate in reactions for converting olefins into aromatic hydrocarbons in the presence of a zeolite catalyst, and is converted into aromatic hydrocarbons by the subsequent reaction. Consequently, when attempting to produce propylene by catalytic conversion of hydrocarbon feedstock containing olefins using a catalyst containing zeolite, the catalyst activity and reaction conditions need to be strictly controlled in order to obtain the desired product with a high yield. That is, if the catalyst is too active or the contact time is too long, the resulting propylene will be converted to aromatic hydrocarbons by the subsequent reaction. Conversely, if the catalyst is not active enough or the contact time is too short, the propylene yield will be poor. Because olefins are highly reactive, however, deposition of coke on the surface of the catalyst is likely to occur during catalytic conversion of the hydrocarbon feedstock containing olefins using the catalyst containing zeolite. In continuous conversion reactions, the catalyst deteriorates due to coking (coking deterioration), and catalytic activity quickly declines. Regeneration operations are required as described above in order to reactivate the catalyst, but after repeated regeneration operations catalytic activity can no longer be adequately restored.
As discussed above, coking is particularly likely in catalytic conversion reactions of the hydrocarbon feedstock containing olefins using catalysts containing zeolite, and regeneration degradation is also extremely likely because of the consequent need for frequent regeneration operations.
Patent Document 3 discloses a method for converting C4-12 olefins into ethylene and propylene using a proton-free ZSM-5 zeolite containing an IB group metal and having an SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of from 200 to 5000. When a zeolite-containing catalyst is used to selectively convert C4-12 olefins to propylene, olefins with about 4 to 8 carbon atoms are produced as reaction products in addition to ethylene and propylene. This is because the raw material olefins are dimerized and decomposed by the catalyst, resulting in an olefin composition similar to the equilibrium composition under the reaction conditions. Consequently, in order to efficiently convert the raw material olefins into propylene, the C4+ olefins in the reaction product need to be efficiently recycled back to the reaction container by a simple method, and converted to propylene.
Patent Document 3 describes a method for removing the heavy fraction with a boiling point at or above that of the C8 aromatic hydrocarbons from the reaction product and recycling the C4-8 olefins back into the reaction vessel, but this method requires multiple separators to obtain the raw material for recycling, thereby complicating the equipment and operations, so there is a demand for simpler methods, but so far it has not been possible to achieve both efficiency (equipment, operating costs and yield) and stable production. Patent Document 3 also makes no mention of the effect on coking deterioration of the diolefin concentration in the hydrocarbon feedstock. The higher the diolefin compound concentration in the hydrocarbon feedstock, the more activity deteriorates due to coke production. Removal of diolefins from the feedstock is highly unpractical on an industrial scale because it requires that the feedstock be purified by pretreatment such as separation by distillation, partial hydrogenation or the like.
For the aromatic hydrocarbon producing step, however, many methods are known for producing aromatic hydrocarbons using zeolite catalysts. As in the propylene producing step, the biggest problems with methods of producing aromatic hydrocarbons by catalytic cyclization using a zeolite catalyst are controlling coking deterioration during the reaction and controlling regeneration (permanent) degradation that occurs when the coke on the deteriorated catalyst is removed by combustion to regenerate the catalyst.
Many proposals have been made in recent years for preventing both kinds of deterioration. Specifically, Patent Document 4 reports that coke precipitation during the reaction and permanent degradation due to dealumination during catalyst regeneration can be simultaneously controlled by using a high-silica zeolite catalyst of a specific particle size that exhibits a specific surface acid site/total acid site ratio and amounts of pyridine adsorption before and after steam treatment, or in other words specific changes in acid site behavior. In this method, however, the preferred method of synthesizing the zeolite is one using a seed slurry, which has low productivity, and moreover the stable production range of ZSM-5 zeolite is narrow, limiting the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio so that the primary particles are likely to be relatively large. According to Patent Document 4, both coking deterioration and regeneration degradation are controlled, but because the zeolite particle size is relatively large, it does not appear that coking deterioration is adequately controlled. A zeolite with a smaller primary particle size would be preferable, but according to Patent Document 4 this results in greater accumulation of coke during the reaction, and more rapid regeneration (permanent) degradation. These are serious obstacles to the industrial manufacture of aromatic hydrocarbons.
An example using a proton-free zeolite is given in Patent Document 2. The catalyst used in this method is effective at resisting regeneration degradation as described above, but the problem of coking deterioration remains. Consequently, coking deterioration is likely when the hydrocarbon feedstock contains large amounts of olefins. Moreover, this document makes no mentioned of the effect of the particle size of the zeolite used in the catalytic cyclization reaction.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H02-184638
[Patent Document 2] WO 1996/013331, pamphlet
[Patent Document 3] WO 2000/010948, pamphlet
[Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H10-052646

Process for producing propylene and aromatic hydrocarbons, and producing apparatus therefor


The present invention concerns a method and a system for data transmission and control based on Universal Serial Bus (USB). The system comprises a USB Master device and a USB Slave device. The USB Master device comprises a USB Master processor and a Data Storage connected to the USB Master processor. The Slave device comprises a USB Slave processor and a Data Consumer connected to the USB Slave processor. The USB Master processor is coupled with the USB Slave processor via a USB cable. The USB Master processor accepts requests from the USB Slave processor and reads data in the Data Storage connected to it, and then the data is sent to the USB Slave processor via the USB cable, and the USB Slave processor processes the data and transfers them to the Data Consumer for use.

The present invention concerns a method and a system for data transmission and control. More particularly, it concerns a method and a system for data transmission and control based on Universal Serial Bus (USB).
USB, abbreviated from Universal Serial Bus, is a free data transmission specification which transfers data in USB format and is brought forward together by Compaq, DEC, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, NEC, Northern Telecom and etc to simplify the interconnection between PC and peripheral devices. In order to transfer data between devices with CPU therein under the USB format, some software in accordance with USB specification should be installed into the devices which should be coupled with each other via a USB cable to be an USB system. Generally speaking, a USB system comprises three parts: USB host (called USB Master device hereafter in this description), USB device (called USB Slave device or USB function hereafter in this description) and USB interconnection between USB host and USB devices (simply called USB cable or USB connection in this description). USB Master device is coupled with USB Slave device via USB cable. Some software is installed into USB Master device while there is some device configuration information in USB Slave device. After turned on, USB Master device provides power to USB Slave device via a power line in the USB cable. A pulse signal, which is produced by a pull-up resistor, returns to USB Master device through USB cable to inform the existence of USB Slave device to USB Master device and then USB Master device assigns an unique address to USB Slave device. The address is marked by an address register in USB Master device to make sure that corresponding data packets from USB Master device will not be transferred to other USB Slave devices. Meanwhile, a message channel called "ENDPOINT 0" is created between USB Master processor and USB Slave device at first, and then USB Master processor starts to read the device configuration tag word stored in the ROM of USB Slave device through the ENDPOINT 0. The device configuration tag word comprises the device configuration information of USB Slave device. Based on the device configuration tag word, USB Master processor assigns a configuration value to USB Slave device, and then USB Slave device becomes configured. Thus a communication relation is set up between USB Master processor and USB Slave device. The process of setting up a communication relation between the USB Master processor and the Slave device is called "USB Enumeration". In any USB system, there is only one USB Master device, while USB Slave device can be in number from 1 to 127. Under circumstance of lots of Slave devices, USB Master device and USB Slave devices can be coupled with each other by USB hubs and USB cables.
It should be noted that the word "couple" mentioned above should not be limited to the meaning of coupling through a direct connection of a cable. For example, "UNIT A couples in UNIT B" could not be limited to a coupling in which the output of the UNIT A connects directly to the input of the UNIT B. What it means is that there is a channel between the UNIT A and the UNIT B, and the channel may comprise other devices or other parts.
FIG. 1 is a circuit frame diagram of a conventional USB system. This USB system comprises a USB Master device 131 and a Slave device 132 coupled with each other by a USB cable 121 wherein a communication relation was established. In FIG. 1, USB Master device 131 comprises a USB Master processor 111 and a Data Consumer 114. USB Slave device 132 comprises a USB Slave processor 112 and a Data Storage 115. USB Master processor 111 could be coupled with other Slave devices via USB cable 124. When the system works, USB Master device 131 sends a command to USB Slave processor 112 through USB Master processor 111. And USB Slave processor 112 reads from or writes to the storage system in response to the command, and then transfers the resulting data to USB Master processor 111 which processes the data and then transfers it to the Data Consumer 114 for use.
FIG. 2 is a circuit frame diagram of another conventional USB system. USB Master device 331 of the USB system is a DVD player with a USB Master processor 311 and its Data Consumer 314 comprises a video/audio processor for video/audio decoding. USB Slave device 332 is a static Card Reader comprising a USB Slave processor 312 which could control Data Storage 315. Data Storage 315 could be selected from many storage media such as Smart Media, Memory Stick, Compact Flash, SD card, etc. DVD player 331 couples with Card Reader 332 via USB cable 321. DVD player 331 may also establish communication relations with other USB Slave processor devices via the USB cable 324.
In the USB system, the data transmission between USB Master device and USB Slave device is a synchronous transmission which speed is several fold decuple to the speed of the normal serial port transmission (RS232). The USB Specification supports "Hot Plug-unplug" with regard to connection between USB Master device and USB Slave device, and when coupled with USB Master device, USB Slave device can obtain power from USB Master device directly. The USB data transmission in the full speed can reach the speed of 12 Mb/s, which is hundredfold to the speed of RS232 transmission. According to USB specification 2.0, the speed of USB data transmission can reach to 480 Mb/s. As USB specification 2.0 comes into application in state, a variety of storage devices with USB interface have been developed too fast and too many to see. USB hard disk with the speed of 480 Mb/s according to USB specification 2.0 makes a breakthrough in speed bottleneck and become focus of eyes as Portable Disc-carving machine and flash memory become acceptable for the improvement of speed. That makes real-time transmission of high-discriminating, color-real large figure possible. But the limitation for conventional USB systems is that data can only be transferred from the storage of USB Slave device to the USB Master processor to be processed and then provided to the Data Consumer of the USB Master device for use. This function is comparatively simple.

Method and system for transmission and control of data stored in a USB master to and for utilization by a USB slave


A radio (1) for radio communication supportable with repeaters. The radio (1) has a transceiver (2) for receiving information on either a repeater channel or a talkaround channel. A monitor (3) is coupled to the transceiver (2) to provide output signals indicative of channel strengths of the two channels. The output signals are compared by a controller (4) to provide a selected channel from the two channels. Information is then received by radio (1) on the selected channel. When receiving the information, the controller (4) periodically controls the transceiver (2) to receive on an unselected channel of the two channels. The monitor (3) then provides a new output signal corresponding to the unselected channel for the controller (4) to re-compare and re-select the selected channel.

Radio communication provides for information to be modulated onto channels corresponding to carrier frequencies of the radio frequency band. Such information is then transmitted and received on the channels by radios that are within communication range of each other. This communication range can be extended by using what is commonly known as repeaters to receive and re-transmit the information to other radios. When radios communicate via a repeater, a transmitting radio transmits information on a channel to the repeater. The repeater receives this information and then re-transmits the information to other radios on a different channel.
A repeater cannot be use when radios are not within communication range of the repeater or when channels used by the repeater are not available for relaying information by receiving and re-transmitting. When the repeater cannot be used for relaying information, direct communication between radios may still be possible. However, such radios need to be within communication range of each other. Direct communication without using repeaters is known in the art as talkaround.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,055, a radio system is described in which multiple talkarounds are controlled by a system controller based on geographical distances between radios. In the multiple talkarounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,055, users need to manually activate a switch on a radio to enable the radio to communicate directly with other radios using one or more talkaround channels. This can be a problem as the users will then have to determine when talkaround channels are required and may forget to switch back to using repeater channels after talkaround. Incorrectly determining use of the talkaround channels or forgetting to switch to using the repeater channels after talkaround typically cause communication failure. Furthermore, conventional radio systems require use of system resources for determining possibility of talkaround before enabling radios to do so. Such determining puts additional demands on the system resources which can otherwise be used elsewhere in a radio system.
Therefore, it is desirable to overcome or at least alleviate at least one of the problems associated with channel selection for radio communication systems supportable with repeaters.

Channel selection for radio communication supportable with repeaters


A method and an apparatus for enumerating one or more specific elements within a biologic fluid sample are provided. An embodiment of the method includes the steps of: a) providing a chamber formed between a first planar member that is transparent and a second planar member, which members are separated from one another by a substantially uniform height; b) introducing the biologic fluid sample into the chamber, wherein the chamber height is sized such that the sample extends between the first and second members, and sized relative to the specific elements within the sample such that the specific elements non-uniformly distribute within the sample upon introduction into the chamber; c) examining substantially all of the sample within the chamber and enumerating all of at least one of the specific elements; d) determining the volume of sample contained within the chamber; and e) determining the number of the at least one of the specific elements per unit volume.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to chambers for analyzing biologic fluids in general, and to chambers that permit the enumeration of particulate matter within the biologic fluid in particular.
2. Background Information
The complete blood count (CBC) is the most frequently performed set of tests for whole blood and includes a number of separate analyses such as the white blood count (WBC), the red blood cell count (RBC), and platelet count, among others. The methods used vary in completeness of analyte set, complexity and cost of equipment, and per-test cost. The least complex methods, such as the QBC® method described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,156,570, have the least expensive capital costs and are simple to perform, but typically have higher per-test costs. The QBC® method is most suited for point-of-care situations where operator training is minimal and few tests are performed per day. On the other end of the spectrum, large volume blood analyzers used in hospitals or reference laboratories can have a capital cost twenty times greater but a relatively low per-test cost when used on a large volume basis, which makes them much more cost-effective in those settings.
One of the simplest and oldest methods of counting cells involves the use of a hemocytometer. In a hemocytometer, a precise dilution of the blood is made. An approximate amount of that dilution is subsequently placed into a counting chamber with a height sufficient that the diluted sample, when flowing into the chamber, maintains the same uniformity of cells as is found in the diluted samples. That is, the chamber must not selectively concentrate or dilute any of the cells or other elements because of the sample flowing into and through the chamber. This is because only a representative fraction of the cells in a known area of the chamber is counted. If the distribution of cells was skewed, such a count would therefore incorrectly reflect the count of the entire sample.
Larger modem systems, such as the Abbot Cell-Dyn® or the Bayer Advia® are based upon some variation of a flow-cytometer (FC), where a precise quantity of blood is precisely diluted and mixed with reagents in a number-of steps. Fluidic valves route the diluted sample into multiple test areas. As with the hemocytometer, the distribution of cells within the diluent must remain relatively homogeneous so that a count of a representative portion of the diluted sample can represent the count in the original sample. This approach requires a substantial instrumental complexity to the point where the reliability of these instruments is relatively low. In fact, with these larger systems it is not uncommon for preventative maintenance or repairs to be required on a weekly basis, or more often, which requires the skills of specially trained laboratory technologists or service technicians, all of which substantially add to the cost of operation. Another hidden cost of operation is the washing, cleaning and calibration procedures which are required to make the system perform properly.
In the QBC® system, an approximate quantity of blood is placed in a capillary tube, centrifuged and examined. This method, although not requiring an exact sample, does not produce true cell counts and cannot give accurate estimates of cell numbers when very few cells are present.
An intermediate system has been described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,723,290; 6,866,823; 6,869,570; and 6,929,953, wherein blood is placed into a single-use disposable for analysis. These patents describe a reliable, low-cost, and easy-to-use method and instrument that can provide the same breadth of analytic data as the above-described flow-cytometric systems. In this system, an approximate quantity of the undiluted sample is placed in a disposable whose characteristics allow the distribution of cells within the sample to remain substantially uniform. The cells in a given imaged field are counted, the volume of that field is determined, and the cell count per volume is then calculated. In this system, as with that of the hemocytometer, only a portion of the sample added to the chamber needs to be counted because the distribution of cells is substantially uniform. This method, however, requires a single-use disposable, which is advantageous for low-volume testing, but which is not specifically intended for high-volume testing.
It would be advantageous to have a system wherein the elements in an undiluted sample of whole blood could be enumerated in a chamber of sufficient thinness so that cell counts and cell morphology could be obtained from a sample, and one wherein the effects of the non-uniform distribution could be mitigated. Such an analytical system would reduce or eliminate fluid handling and precise measurement or dilution of the sample, resulting in a much simpler and less expensive method for such analyses.

Apparatus and method for performing counts within a biologic fluid sample


The present invention provides an alloyed molten zinc plated steel sheet having an area of the Fe and Zn alloy phase in the unformed parts in the plating layer of less than 10% of the area of the steel sheet as a whole and superior in strength and shapeability and a method of producing this alloyed molten zinc plating steel sheet by a continuous zinc plating production system which enables production at a low cost without modification of the system or addition of steps, said alloyed molten zinc plated steel sheet characterized by comprising a steel sheet including C: 0.05 to 0.40%, Si: 0.2 to 3.0%, and Mn: 0.1 to 2.5%, the balance comprised of Fe and unavoidable impurities, having on its surface a Zn alloy plating layer comprised of Fe in a concentration of 7 to 15 wt %, Al in a concentration of 0.01 to 1 wt %, and the balance of Zn and unavoidable impurities, said plating layer containing oxide particles of at least one type of oxide selected from an Al oxide, Si oxide, Mn oxide, and complex oxides of the same alone or in combination.

In the auto industry, demand has been rising for steel sheet provided with the properties of both shapeability and high strength so as to achieve both lighter weight of the chassis to deal with environmental problems and safety in collisions.
To deal with these needs, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 5-59429 discloses steel sheet having as the steel sheet structure a mixture of the three phases of the ferrite phase, bainite phase, and austenite phase and transforming the residual austenite to martensite at the time of shaping so as to utilize the transformation-induced plasticity exhibiting a high ductility. This type of steel sheet for example forms a complex structure by the addition, by wt %, of C: 0.05 to 0.4%, Si: 0.2 to 3.0% A, and Mn: 0.1 to 2.5% in the steel and controlling the temperature pattern in the process of annealing in the two-phase region, then cooling and is characterized in that the desired properties can be brought out without the use of expensive alloy elements.
When zinc plating this steel sheet by a continuous molten zinc plating system, usually the surface of the steel sheet is degreased, the surface is cleaned, then, for the purpose of forming the above-mentioned structure, the sheet is heated in an nonoxidizing furnace to form an iron oxide layer of a thickness of 50 nm to 1 μm or so on the surface of the steel sheet, annealing the sheet in a reducing furnace to reduce the iron oxide layer, then dipping the sheet in a molten zinc plating bath to plate it with zinc. When producing an alloyed molten zinc plated steel sheet, the steel sheet is dipped in a plating bath in that step, then held at a temperature of 400 to 600° C. or so to alloy the zinc and iron and convert the plating layer to an alloy phase of Fe and Zn constituting an δ1 phase.
Steel sheet, however, contains large amounts of easily oxidizing elements such as Si and Mn compared with the ordinary deep drawn cold-rolled steel sheet etc., so there is the problem that the surface of the steel sheet is easily formed with Si oxides, Mn oxides, or Si and Mn complex oxides in the heat treatment performed in the above series of steps. However, in industrial scale systems, it is difficult to reduce the oxygen potential of the atmosphere in the heating step to an extent where Si or Mn will not be oxidized, so formation of Si and Mn oxides at the surface of the steel sheet is substantially unavoidable. Further, if the surface of the steel sheet is formed with an Si oxide layer or Mn oxide layer, there is the problem that the alloying of the Zn and Fe is inhibited in the alloying step at the time of production of the alloyed molten zinc plated steel sheet and parts where the Fe—Zn alloy phase have not yet been formed remain.
One method easily conceivable as a means for solving these problems is to set the alloying treatment temperature slightly high to promote alloying of Fe and Zn. At the alloying treatment temperature of 450 to 600° C., however, austenitic transformation occurs in the steel sheet, so if setting the alloying treatment temperature slightly high, depending on the holding time, the structure of the steel sheet will not become the desired mixed structure of a mixture of the three phases of the ferrite phase, bainite phase, and austenite phase. As a result, there is the problem that the shapeability and strength of the steel sheet aimed at cannot be secured in some cases.
To deal with this problem, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 55-122865 discloses the method of forming a 40 to 1000 nm iron oxide layer on the surface of a steel sheet in a heat treatment step by a nonoxidizing furnace in a continuous molten zinc plating step so as to prevent outward diffusion of the Si or Mn in the reduction step, suppress the formation of the Si oxide layer, and improve the plating properties. With this method, however, if the reduction time is too long for the thickness of the iron oxide layer, Si will become dense at the surface of the steel sheet and an Si oxide layer will be formed, while if the reduction time is too short, iron oxide will remain on the surface of the steel sheet and defects in the plating properties, that is, the formation of unformed parts of the Fe—Zn alloy phase will be formed. Further, in recent continuous molten zinc plating systems, annealing systems using radiant type heating furnaces rather than nonoxidizing furnaces are becoming the mainstream. In such systems, there was the problem that the above method could not be used.
Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2000-309824 discloses as a method for preventing selective oxidation of the Si or Mn at the time of annealing the method of hot rolling the steel sheet, then heat treating it in the state with the black skin scale still attached in an atmosphere where reduction will substantially not occur and in a temperature range of 650 to 950° C. so as to form a sufficient internal oxide layer in the base iron surface layer. With this method, however, in addition to the conventional continuous molten zinc plating step, a heat treatment step for forming the internal oxide layer and a pickling treatment step become necessary, so there was the problem that a rise in production costs was invited. Further, the plated steel sheet having the internal oxide layer had the problem of easily peeling of the plating layer.

Alloyed molten zinc plated steel sheet and process of production of same


Systems, methods, and devices involving segmented radiation detectors are provided. For example, a segmented radiation detector may include a segmented scintillator and an optical-to-electrical converter. The segmented scintillator may have several segments that convert radiation to light, at least one of which may detect radiation arriving from an azimuthal angle around an axis of the segmented scintillator. The optical-to-electrical converter may be coupled to the segmented scintillator. The optical-to-electrical converter may receive the light from the segments of the segmented scintillator and output respective electrical signals corresponding to the amount of radiation detected by each segment.

The present disclosure relates generally to downhole well-logging tools and, more particularly, to downhole well-logging tools that employ a segmented radiation detector.
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
A variety of downhole tools may be used to determine the properties of a subterranean formation or borehole fluid. Many such downhole tools may emit radiation, such as neutrons, x-rays, and/or gamma-rays into the materials that surround the downhole tool (e.g., the borehole fluid and/or the surrounding formation) to determine certain properties of the materials. To provide one example, X-rays or gamma-rays may interact with the materials of the borehole fluid and/or formation through Rayleigh and/or Compton scattering. The degree to which these interactions occur may affect the amount and energy of the radiation that returns to the downhole tool. Thus, by measuring the returning radiation, certain properties of the surrounding materials may be estimated.
Conventionally, these downhole tools may detect the returning radiation using one or more radiation detectors positioned to detect specific angles outside of the downhole tool. That is, each detector may detect radiation that returns to the downhole tool from only one azimuthal angle. Each detector may detect radiation from one side of the downhole tool, which may present an incomplete understanding of the materials on all sides of the downhole tool. Some techniques have been developed that involve rotating a downhole tool and/or the detectors of the downhole tool to detect radiation from other azimuthal angles. However, such mechanical rotation introduces additional complexity and potential points of failure.
Additionally, downhole tools used to determine the properties of a subterranean formation or borehole fluid may employ radioisotopic gamma-ray sources, but the use of such radioisotopic sources may have a variety of disadvantages. Specifically, such downhole tools may emit radiation using a first radioisotopic gamma-ray source, such as 137Cs, while using other radioisotopic gamma-ray sources of relatively lower strength as reference sources to emit a known amount of radiation directly at the radiation detectors. Because the sensitivity of the radiation detectors may vary and also may depend on environmental factors, which may change greatly as the downhole tool travels through the formation, the gain of the radiation detectors may be stabilized based on the radiation emitted by the reference sources. However, as mentioned above, the use of such radioisotopic sources may have several drawbacks. For example, radioisotopic sources in downhole tools may require special handling when the radioisotopic sources are inserted into or removed from the downhole tool. Additionally, these radioisotopic sources may require additional shielding during transportation and storage, as well as additional security during such transportation and storage. Indeed, in many countries, even very-low-strength radiation sources (e.g., 10−6 Ci) may be considered radioisotopic sources subject to burdensome regulations.

Segmented radiation detector and apparatus and method for using same


Methods and apparatus for performing a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) initialization procedure are described. A terminal profile having a most recent release version format is communicated to a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). An error from the SIM is detected in response to sending the most recent release version format of the terminal profile, since the SIM is incompatible with this most recent release version. Subsequently, a terminal profile having a previous release version format is communicated to the SIM based on detecting the error from the SIM. This may be repeated further until compatibility between the mobile communication device and the SIM is established.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to mobile communication equipment and subscriber identity modules (SIMs) used in connection therewith, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for performing SIM initialization procedures with SIMs.
2. Description of the Related Art
Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) is a globally-accepted standard for digital cellular communication using mobile stations. Like most wireless technology standards, GSM standards are documented in specifications or "specs". GSM specs originally began in committee "GSM" of CEPT (Conference of European Posts and Telecommunications). As CEPT Recommendations, they were allocated a reference number of the form "nn.nn" (for example, "GSM 06.12"). The GSM community (i.e. the Technical Committee "Special Mobile Group" or SMG) continues to use these specification identifiers even after transfer to the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI).
GSM specifications are typically grouped into "releases". Nearly all of the specifications for all releases are published as ETSI deliverables and most have undergone several revisions in each release. The initial specifications were published by ETSI in 1994 and are now referred to as "Phase 1". The next release was known as "Phase 2", and the following one as "Phase 2+". Within Phase 2+, there have been annual releases since 1996, which are known as R96, R97, R98, and R99.
One important component in GSM is a Subscriber Identity Module or "SIM" card which is inserted into mobile equipment for its operation. A SIM is a small and thin card which contains a small chip (i.e. processor and memory) which communicates with mobile equipment. A SIM stores important parameters, such as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), to uniquely identify an end user or subscriber of the mobile equipment. A SIM may store user information for the subscriber as well, including datebook (or calendar) information, recent call information, short message service (SMS) messages, among other data items. In addition, the processor on the SIM typically includes a set of applications and related procedures used during a GSM session, referred to as a SIM Application Toolkit. One advantage of using a SIM is that subscribers are not necessarily bound by any single physical mobile terminal, as they may carry personalized information with them for use with other terminals.
Prior to operation, a SIM initialization procedure must be performed between the mobile terminal and the SIM. A conventional SIM initialization procedure is specified in a GSM specification referred to as GSM 11.11 [14]. During conventional SIM initialization, the mobile equipment may attempt to send its terminal profile to the SIM. The terminal profile of the mobile equipment identifies to the SIM the facilities of the SIM Application Toolkit that are supported by the mobile equipment. That is, the terminal profile of the mobile equipment lets the SIM know what SIM-related features the mobile equipment is capable of so that the SIM can limit its instruction range accordingly.
However, the mobile equipment and the SIM may be manufactured in accordance with different versions or releases of the GSM specification. If so, the mobile equipment and the SIM may fail to operate together as intended. For example, the mobile equipment may be manufactured in accordance with R99, whereas the SIM may be manufactured in accordance with R98. One difference between R98 and R99 is that the terminal profile is 17 bytes in R99 but only 9 bytes in R98. In this case, the mobile equipment may receive an error from the SIM and invalidate it. Thus, the mobile equipment may fail to operate as intended even though these desirable features do indeed exist.
Accordingly, there is a resulting need for methods and apparatus for performing SIM initialization procedures that overcome such conventional deficiencies.

Methods and apparatus for performing a subscriber identity module (SIM) initialization procedure


A section disconnect device for a contact line assigned in particular to railborne vehicles as overhead line and carrying high voltage, having a single section arrangement (10) with multiple line sections extending, such that it is tensioned or can be tensioned, between two contact-wire connecting heads (12, 14) and provided with insulator means (36, 38), which line section arrangement is constructed such that it can be mounted by means of respective accommodating sections (66) of the contact-wire connecting heads in an electrically and mechanically contacting manner between exposed ends (16, 18) of the contact line, as a result of which at least one of the contact-wire connecting heads (12, 14) has adjustable level equalization means (66, 68, 70) for interacting with a head-side end (20, 24) of the line section arrangement (10), which are constructed in such a manner that, with respect to a current collector contact, in particular a current-collector-contact side of the contact line and/or a current-collector-contact plane, the free end of the contact line can be brought into a common plane with the end of the line section arrangement and/or seamlessly aligned with the same.

The present invention relates to a section disconnect device. Devices of this type are generally known from the prior art and are used for disconnecting a contact line—typically realized as a high-voltage carrying overhead line for rail vehicles—in a tension-resistant and at the same time electrically insulated manner. A section disconnect of this type therefore creates sectors of an overhead-line system, which in each case have a separate (high-voltage) energy supply, with the option, for maintenance purposes for example, to switch off individual sectors of an overhead-line or contact-line system by deactivating the supply. In this case, a contact-line length of such a sector, which is disconnected from an adjacent sector by means of a section disconnect device, may be less than 1 km, or else have a length in the double-digit kilometre range, depending on the actual local configuration of the contact-line network and corresponding requirements.
A corresponding section disconnect device, in which a contact wire is kinked by a terminal, is known for example from CN 201 371 753 Y.
Whilst it is traditionally known from the prior art to configure a section disconnect device, in addition to insulator means which are to be provided in a suitable manner, with the aid of elongated rails or runners extending along a contact-line direction, it may likewise be assumed to be known to realize the section disconnect device in the manner of the preamble by means of a line section arrangement, namely usually from a plurality of single line sections running parallel to one another at least in sections, which single line sections are in each case realized in a contact-line wire material and then typically have a suitably high-voltage resistant insulator looped in each single line sections in an interrupting manner. A mechanical and electrical coupling to the contact line, more precisely two mutually opposite exposed ends of the contact line, which are to be connected by means of the generic section disconnect device, usually takes place in the form of contact-wire connection heads, which in each case accommodate an assigned to one of the exposed ends and then connect the same—mechanically and electrically—to the line section arrangement, which typically allows a corresponding fanning out of the arrangement to produce the plurality of single line sections.
Depending on the configuration of such a section device, which is generally known and assumed to form the generic type, this is suitable for a multiplicity of use purposes, in particular for realizing high-voltage overhead-line systems of railborne vehicles, wherein driving voltages to be transmitted therewith may typically be up to 27 kV as AC voltage.
In view of the increasingly rising driving speeds of the vehicles to be loaded with driving voltage using an overhead-line system, it constitutes a particular challenge to configure the section disconnect device interrupting the contact line in particular in such a manner that although this realizes its electrical disconnect or insulator function of the respective connected exposed ends in the required manner, it on the other hand acts as seamlessly and homogeneously as possible in terms of the sliding or tapping behaviour of contacting current collectors of the relevant vehicles. A problem of this type is known in particular in connection with conventional conductor sections, which are rigid in sections, in the form of the known rails or runners on the section insulator: The sliding interaction with a current collector moving (due to the vehicle movement) for a typical average contact force of 100N to 150N leads, especially in the case of high pickup speeds, to dynamic effects in the form of pulse loading, impacts, vibrations and the like of the section disconnect device, with the disadvantageous consequence of (punctiform) tearing down of the contact, sparking, undesired electric arcs, additional wear due to contact bounce or the like. Effects of this type are complex and can only be overcome with difficulty, not least owning to the various possible pickup speeds.
With respect to this, contact-wire terminals with an adjusting device for sections insulators with profile curves are known from the prior art, as described for example in DE 883 617 B.
A similar effect occurs if, instead of the known rail- or runner-based section disconnect devices, these form a line section arrangement realized by (overhead) line wiring section. These are, owing to their realization with a wire material of the contact line (or a wire material which is similar or comparable in terms of properties), inherently more elastic and less susceptible for the described disadvantageous (upward) swinging and colliding, and at the same time in this case they cause an inhomogeneous stepping or transition problem in the region of the respective contact-wire connection heads (at which the free end of the contact line on one side is fanned out into a plurality of contact-wire wiring line of the generic section disconnect device), not least when, to produce the required mechanical tensile stability for minimized electrical contact resistances, the respective wire ends must be enclosed completely. Here also, the section insulator is hard, potentially inflexible, at least in the region of the contact-wire connection heads and tends, owing to unavoidable steps, (particularly in a slider plane decisive for the current collection) due to pulses to sparking in connection with disadvantageous wear both at the section insulator and at the vehicle current collector.
During everyday operation of generic section disconnect devices, this means that a service life of current technology according to previous experience of only slightly more than 100 000 sliding operations (i.e. current-collecting passes of a vehicle current collector systems) is tolerated until maintenance of the system, if appropriate with replacement of the section disconnect device or individual subassemblies. Highly frequented overhead-line sections sometimes reach up to 250 000 sliding operations or more annually, so that a current service life between maintenance intervals of generic section disconnect technologies may be significantly less than one year.

Section insulating device and use of same


A motor vehicle rear end has left and right longitudinal beams (12, 14) forming load-bearing structures of the vehicle, and a receiving housing (18) is between the left and right longitudinal beams (12, 14) for accommodating a traction battery. The receiving housing (18) has left and right side walls (22, 24) and a central wall (26) running in a forward direction of travel. An impact profile (26) is connected to the longitudinal beams (12, 14) at the level of the receiving housing (18) and absorbs impact energy in the event of a rear-end crash. The impact profile (26) has a left and right predetermined buckling points (36, 38) that enable the impact profile (26) to buckle toward the receiving housing (18) in a rear-end crash. The impact profile (26) that buckles in a rear-end crash strikes the receiving housing (18) along the longitudinal extent of the central wall (25).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a rear end for a motor vehicle with a compartment to position articles, such as a traction battery.
2. Description of the Related Art
US 2006/0001228 A1 discloses a motor vehicle rear end with longitudinal beams running in the direction of travel. The longitudinal beams define a load-bearing structure of the motor vehicle and are equipped with vertical slots. The slots introduce a deliberate material weakening into the respective longitudinal beam so that the longitudinal beam can collapse in a defined manner, without excessive transverse bulging in the event of a rear-end collision.
DE 10 2013 204 757 A1 discloses a motor vehicle rear end with a motor vehicle battery arranged in the rear-end region. An impact frame is provided between a bumper and the motor vehicle battery to absorb impact energy in the event of a rear-end crash and hence to protect the motor vehicle battery. A rear end of the impact frame has a rear-end arch connected via deformable longitudinal structures to a trapezoidal front arch. The front arch has a part running parallel to the motor vehicle battery in a transverse direction. This transverse part is connected to longitudinal beams of the motor vehicle via connecting pieces that run oblique to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle so that the front arch engages around a part of the motor vehicle battery.
There is a constant need for sensitive articles in a motor vehicle to be protected against damage with little structural outlay.
It is the object of the invention to protect sensitive articles in a motor vehicle, such as a traction battery, from damage in the event of a rear-end crash, without a large structural outlay.

DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT


The present invention relates to a blade made of composite, comprising a vane formed of woven filaments impregnated with a thermosetting resin with a protective element in the region of the leading edge of the vane comprising a part in the form of a rigid strip, said strip being secured to the vane. The blade is characterized in that at least one layer of a viscoelastic material is at least partially interposed between said rigid strip and the vane so as to form, with the protective element, a means of damping the vibrations of the vane.

The present invention relates to the field of turbomachines; it relates to the damping of a blade made of composite and is aimed more especially at damping turbojet engine fan blades.
Blades, particularly fan blades but also low-pressure compressor blades, made of carbon fiber composite, are produced in different ways. According to one method of manufacture, a stack of unidirectional plies or woven prepregs is formed and placed in a mold, orienting the successive plies differently, before compacting and polymerizing in an autoclave. According to another method, woven dry fiber prepregs are prepared and stitched together or alternatively, a single three-dimensional woven fiber or filament preform is created and then impregnated with resin by injection molding in a closed mold. The blade is made as a single piece comprising the root and the vane. It has various protective features to enhance its thermomechanical strength. Hence, a metallic protection is attached to the leading edge or to the entire contour of the vane comprising the leading edge, the blade tip and the trailing edge, this for example being in the form of a titanium component bonded to the entire surface of the leading edge and to a forward portion of the exterior surfaces of the extrados and of the intrados. Likewise, the exterior face of the intrados is reinforced by fitting a protective film that may be made of a synthetic material, for example polyurethane, bonded directly to the intermediate component.
The invention is aimed at this type of blade that has protection at least along the leading edge. One example of manufacture is described in patent EP 1.777.063 in the name of the present applicant.
Flutter is a phenomenon involving coupling between the aerodynamics and the elastic characteristics of the blade creating unstable situations. Flutter manifests itself asynchronously. A distinction is drawn between subsonic flutter and supersonic flutter. A fan blade is chiefly affected by subsonic flutter.
Flutter is a phenomenon that is difficult to predict because of the complexity of the coupling between the aerodynamic and mechanical responses. Further, mechanical blade damping is also generally not very well understood. Finally, in the present-day design of a blading that is being subjected to increasingly high loading, flutter is a phenomenon that needs to be taken into consideration quite especially.


A controller of a scanning apparatus is used for controlling vertical compensation of the scanned document. The controller includes a vertical compensation circuit. By compensating the image data in the vertical direction, the scanning performance is enhanced.

Image scanners are widely used for scanning documents. In order to enhance the image quality, the image data of the scanned documents are usually subject to image compensation and then transmitted to computers or other data processing devices.
As known, uneven luminance of the lamp tube is likely to occur because the luminance at both ends of the lamp tube is different from the luminance at the middle portion thereof. In addition, during the process of assembling the image scanner, fabrication errors may be generated from some components such as the charge-coupled device (COD). Typically, a shading compensation method was used to compensate the image distortion due to the uneven luminance of the lamp tube and the fabrication errors.
For performing the shading compensation, the pixel data of the scanned document is multiplied by the X-axis compensation gain and the offset value is also incorporated. Depending on the positions of the pixel data for the same scan line, the X-axis compensation gain is varied. That is to say, the shading compensation is used to compensate the errors generated in the horizontal direction.
In order to shorten the warm-up time period of the image scanner, it is necessary to perform the Y-axis compensation to compensate the errors generated in the vertical direction in some circumstances.
A compensation method for compensating the errors generated in the vertical direction was disclosed in for example Taiwanese Patent No. 1243591, entitled "Compensation method of digital image data", which was filed by the same assignee. As disclosed in the patent, the luminance of the lamp tube may approach stable after the image scanner has been turned on for a certain time period. This time period is referred to the warm-up time period. The scanning operation should be performed after the luminance of the lamp tube reaches the stable state. In order to perform the scanning operation with no warm-up time period, this compensation method uses software to compensate the image data in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the pixel data for the same scan lines are multiplied by the identical compensation gain. Whereas, different compensation gains are used to compensate the pixel data for different scan lines.
For a purpose of performing the no warm-up scanning operation, it is necessary to perform the Y-axis compensation. Furthermore, the present inventors found that Y-axis compensation was also inevitable when the image scanner has been used for a long term.
Referring to FIG. 1, a plot of the luminance variation of a lamp tube is illustrated. In the initial stage from start of the image scanner, the luminance of the lamp tube is slowly increased. Later, after the image scanner has been turned on for a certain time period, e.g. t1 seconds, the luminance of the lamp tube approaches stable. Unfortunately, when the image scanner has been used for a long term, e.g. t2 seconds, the luminance of the lamp tube falls down and the scanning performance will be impaired. Under this circumstance, the Y-axis compensation should be use to compensate the image data.
In a case that the image scanner has an automatic paper feeder to successively scan 10˜50 paper sheets at a time, the total time of scanning plural paper sheets is much more than that of scanning one paper sheet. In other words, unlike the scanning operation of scanning one paper sheet, it is necessary perform the Y-axis compensation when plural paper sheets are scanned.
Although the compensation method disclosed in Taiwanese Patent No. 243591 performs the Y-axis compensation by using related software, it still has some drawbacks. For example, the software should be installed in a personal computer before the scanning operation, and some users may have problem in realizing how to install the software. Furthermore, a multifunction peripheral having multiple functions in one structural unit, for example the functions of a printer, a scanner, and optionally a fax machine and/or a copy machine, may be individually operated without communication with the computer. Under this circumstance, using the computer software is not applicable to the multifunction peripheral.
In views of the above-described disadvantages of the prior art, the applicant keeps on carving unflaggingly to develop a controller of a scanning apparatus according to the present invention through wholehearted experience and research.


An electron-beam excitation laser has a laser structure with a light emitter and reflectors on one hand and an electron source on the other hand, wherein at least part of the light emitter or reflectors has a multidimensional photonic crystal structure. An electron-beam excitation laser includes an electron source emitting electrons and a laser structure consisting of a light emitter and reflectors, accelerates electrons from the electron source, and irradiates the electrons to the laser structure to emit a laser beam from the laser structure, wherein the reflectors and/or the light emitter in the laser structure are formed with multidimensional photonic crystals in which dielectrics with different dielectric constants are arrayed in a plurality of directions at periodic intervals, and one of the dielectrics with different dielectric constants may be formed with a light-emitting material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electron-beam excitation laser, and more particularly, to an electron-beam excitation laser emitting light distributed from the visible region to the ultraviolet region. An electron-beam excitation laser according to the present invention can be used as a light source for a laser beam printer, an optical recorder, optical communications, a pointer, a display, and so on.
2. Related Background Art
A laser consists commonly of a laser medium, a resonator including a reflector, and an excitation source. A laser medium obtains energy from an excitation source to emit light with a specific wavelength, so that a laser beam is generated in a state that allows amplification with gain. An optical resonator reflects light emitted by the laser medium to return it to the medium. The light is caused to reciprocate many times to be progressively amplified thereby cause laser oscillation. Lasers come in various types according to what they use as a laser medium: a gas laser which uses a He—Ne mixture, argon gas or the like; a solid laser which uses Nd:YAG, Ti:sapphire or the like; a dye laser which uses a dye; and a semiconductor laser which uses a semiconductor made of GaAlAs or the like. An optical excitation laser which uses light, a current injection laser which uses current, an electron-beam excitation laser which uses an electron beam. As excitation source, such lasers are known as: a light excitation laser which uses light; a current injection laser which uses current; and an electron beam excitation laser which uses electron beam. Resonators include a Fabry-Perot resonator, which uses a reflector, a prism, and a diffraction grating, and a ring resonator. Semiconductor lasers include those which use a cleavage plane or a multilayer film as a reflecting surface, distribution feedback (DFB) lasers, and distribution Bragg reflection (DBR) lasers.
A semiconductor laser is small and light, consumes a small amount of electric power, and offers high electricity-light conversion efficiency. To provide a higher-density optical recorder and a color display (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-89075), a small laser is hoped for which emits light with a short wavelength, especially light distributed from the blue region to the ultraviolet region. For a reason of the exposure performance of a laser beam printer also, such a small laser is demanded. However, it is difficult to cause laser oscillation by current injection, using a wide-band-gap semiconductor because of its electrical characteristics, such as the fact that such a semiconductor cannot freely be doped. On the other hand, all types of direct-gap semiconductors, especially direct-gap semiconductors which are difficult to use for current injection lasers can be used for electron-beam excitation lasers. Because of this, direct-gap semiconductors are expected to be used for laser oscillation from the ultraviolet region to the infrared region.
A common electron-beam excitation laser will be described below. FIG. 17 shows the structure of a conventional electron-beam excitation laser. In the figure, a reference numeral 101 indicates a substrate; 102, a light emitter (active layer); and 103 and 104, reflectors. When electrons are emitted from an electron source, not shown, the light emitter 102 is excited, and the reflectors 103 and 104 serves as resonators, so that laser oscillation occurs, thus emitting a laser beam. In FIG. 17, a reference numeral 200 indicates a direction of electron emission, and a reference numeral 300 indicates a direction of laser beam emission. Such is also the case with other figures. Semiconductors containing a group II–VI group compound, such as ZnS, CdTe, or ZnSe, are mainly used for the active layer. As a light reflector, are used a substrate cleavage plane, a metal reflector made of Al or the like, dielectric multilayer film made of SiO2, TiO2, or the like, and multilayer reflector, that is, a combination of two compound semiconductors with different refractive indexes are used for the reflectors constituting a resonator.
A small electron-beam excitation laser has been reported which was designed using a spint type electron emitting diode and a CdTe/CdMnTe-based laser structure (Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 62, p. 796, 1993).
The following problems have prevented conventional electron-beam excitation lasers as described above from being brought into practical use:
(1) Conventional electron-beam excitation lasers are low in light emission efficiency and high in oscillation threshold value. Laser oscillation occurs over a wide wavelength region in various modes.
(2) When a thick reflecting layer is provided so that its side to which an electron beam is irradiated has sufficient light reflecting capability, an electron beam attenuates by the time it reaches the active layer, thus lowering light emission efficiency. To prevent such a reduction in light emission efficiency, electron-beam accelerating voltage must be increased.
(3) Because a laser structure (a semiconductor layer) is made by vapor-phase growth methods, such as MBE and CBE, the structure is costly, so that lasers using such a structure are difficult to offer at low cost.