The present invention relates to a TV and a control method of the same which is capable of displaying function information or an error checkup menu etc. of a TV in accordance with a request of a user, in particular to a TV in accordance with the present invention comprises a service-related site server for providing function information and error item information of a product, a storing unit for storing proper information of the product and contact information of the service-related site, and a controlling unit for displaying the function information on a screen of the product by using the contact information and proper information and controlling in order to restore automatically an error occurred in the product, accordingly a user can be provided product information easily and an error occurred in a TV can be restored automatically.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a TV (television), in particular to a TV (Television) and a control method of the same which is capable of providing error checkup and function information of the TV.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, a method for transmitting a broadcast signal has been developed along with technology development about a TV, according to it interest about a digital TV adapting a digital transmission method is on the increase.
Generally, a digital broadcast means transmitting a transport stream, herein the transport stream is a digital signal as video, audio, data and broadcast information are temporal-multiplexed by packet units. More detailed description about the transport stream is mentioned in an international standard 'ISO (International Standard Organization)/IEC (International Electro-technical Commission) 13818'.
Data such as interactive broadcast data, program downloading data, a software program etc. can be comprised in the transport stream.
In the meantime, the broadcast signal comprises a tuning frequency required for a broadcast reception, a packet identifier for identifying a packet of a video/audio/data signal, and broadcast scheduling information. Herein, the broadcast information adapts a different standard according to each broadcast method.
Recently, technology development about the digital TV is proceeding actively, performing a test broadcast or a regular broadcast about the digital TV is possible in the present phase.
Hereinafter, a construction of a general digital TV according to the prior art will be described with reference to accompanying FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of a general digital TV in accordance with the prior art.
As depicted in FIG. 1, the general digital TV comprises a tuner 101 for tuning in to a broadcast signal of a user selection channel among broadcast signals of each channel received through an antenna, an analog/digital converter 104 for converting the user selection broadcast signal into a digital signal, a link 105 for correcting an error by demodulating the digital signal, converting it into a transport stream format and outputting it, a remote controller interface 102 for inputting a user request signal, a controlling unit 106 for demultiplexing the transport stream in accordance with the user request signal or outputting a control signal for controlling the tuner 101, a MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group) A/V (Audio/Video) decoder 107 for being inputted the demultiplexed signal from the controlling unit 106, converting it into decoded audio and video signals and outputting them, a NTSC (National Television System Committee) encoder 108 for outputting a luminance signal and a color signal by encoding the decoded video signal in order to display it on a screen, a digital/analog converter 112 for converting a digital audio signal into an analog audio signal and outputting it in order to output the decoded audio signal through a speaker, a SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 103 for storing data required in the decoding process, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 111 for storing temporary data in accordance with a control operation of the controlling unit 106, and a flash memory 109 for storing a program for a control operation of the controlling unit 106. The operation of the general digital TV will now be described as below.
First, the tuner 101 tunes in to a broadcast signal of a user selection channel among broadcast signals of each channel received through the antenna. Herein, the controlling unit 106 makes a transmitter corresponding to a broadcast signal of the user selection signal convert into an intermediate frequency (497.5 MHz) by transmitting a frequency value of a certain transmitter among transmitters having a different frequency value at every transmitter (not shown) to a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) (not shown) inside the tuner 101.
After that, the tuner 101 outputs the broadcast signal of the user selection channel into the A/D converter 104.
The A/D converter 104 is inputted the broadcast signal of the user selection channel, converts in into a digital signal, and outputs it to the link 105.
The link 105 is inputted the digital signal, demultiplexes it, corrects an error, converts it into a transport stream format, and outputs it to the controlling unit 106 through a bus line. Herein, the controlling unit 106 includes a CPU, a demultiplexer, and a communication port etc. The transport stream means a digital signal as a video signal, an audio signal, data and broadcast information are temporal-multiplexed by packet units.
After that, the demultiplexer of the controlling unit 106 is inputted the transport stream, and outputs it as the demultiplexed video signal, audio signal, and additional information to the MPEG A/V decoder 107. Herein, the demultiplexing means detecting a packet identifier included in the broadcast signal and discriminating it into a video signal sequence, an audio signal sequence, and an additional information sequence.
The MPEG A/V decoder 107 is inputted the demultiplexed video and audio signals, converts them into decoded video and audio signals by passing through the SDRAM 103, and outputs them. Herein, data base structuring of the additional information is performed in order to be displayed with a GUI (Graphic User Interface).
The NTSC encoder 108 outputs a luminance signal and a color signal by encoding the decoded video signal outputted from the MPEG A/V decoder 107 into a NTSC signal in order to display it on a screen.
The D/A converter 112 converts the decoded audio signal outputted from the MPEG A/V decoder 107 into an analog audio signal, and outputs it to a speaker.
In the meantime, the network interface 110 is for performing a two-way communication such as an internet etc., control-related data is transmitted/received to the controlling unit 106 through the bus line, and video and audio related-data is outputted to the MPEG A/V decoder 107 though the bus line.
However, the digital TV in accordance with the prior art can not check an error of itself, and it can not recover the error automatically.
In addition, when there is a question about the TV from a user, the digital TV in accordance with the prior art can not provide each function information according to the question through the network interface, accordingly it is inconvenient for the user.


A system and method for implementing a neural network based vehicle dynamics model are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: training a machine learning system with a training dataset corresponding to a desired autonomous vehicle simulation environment; receiving vehicle control command data and vehicle status data, the vehicle control command data not including vehicle component types or characteristics of a specific vehicle; by use of the trained machine learning system, the vehicle control command data, and vehicle status data, generating simulated vehicle dynamics data including predicted vehicle acceleration data; providing the simulated vehicle dynamics data to an autonomous vehicle simulation system implementing the autonomous vehicle simulation environment; and using data produced by the autonomous vehicle simulation system to modify the vehicle status data for a subsequent iteration.

Autonomous vehicle simulation is an important process for developing and configuring autonomous vehicle control systems. These vehicle simulation systems need to produce vehicle movements and dynamics that mirror the movement and dynamics of vehicles in the real world. However, there are thousands of different types of vehicles operating in the real world, each having different types of components and/or different vehicle characteristics. Conventional simulation systems need detailed information about the engine and transmission or vehicle component types or characteristics of each specific vehicle being simulated. This detailed information for a large number of vehicle types is very difficult to collect, maintain, and use. As such, the conventional vehicle simulation systems are unwieldy, inefficient, and not readily adaptable to new vehicle types.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Neural network based vehicle dynamics model


Provided are a paper pickup device and an image forming apparatus having the same. The paper pickup device and the image forming apparatus having the same include a driving shaft whose end has a first combining portion and a driving shaft having a second combining portion configured to be integrally connected with the first combining portion. When the first combining portion and the second combining portion are combined with each other, the driven shaft bends and separates from the driving shaft. The first combining portion and the second combining portion may be screw-coupled to each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a paper pickup device and an image forming apparatus having the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a paper pickup device which relatively easily replaces a pickup roller to prevent the pickup roller from vibrating.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, an image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer, an LED printer, a digital copying machine or a facsimile forms an electrostatic latent image by radiating light on a photosensitive body charged to a uniform potential. The image forming apparatus develops the electrostatic latent image by supplying a developing agent to the electrostatic latent image using a developing unit and transfers the developed image onto an intermediate transfer belt or a sheet of paper. Then, the image forming apparatus fuses the image onto the sheet of paper. Consequently, a monochrome image or a color image is formed on the sheet of paper.
Sheets of paper are stacked on a paper feeding cassette of an image forming apparatus. Each sheet of paper is picked up by a pickup roller one by one and fed along a predetermined feeding path so that an image may be formed.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional paper pickup device. FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views illustrating an operation of separating a driven shaft from a driving shaft so as to replace a pickup roller.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a paper pickup device 20 includes a frame 10, a driving shaft 23, and a driven shaft 27. The driving shaft 23 transfers a rotating force to the driven shaft 27 and includes a rotating portion 22 to which a driving force is transferred. The driving shaft 23 further includes a sleeve 24 and a spring 25. The sleeve 24 slides along a lengthwise direction of the driving shaft 23. A groove 24a, to which the driven shaft 27 is coupled, is formed on one side of the sleeve 24. The spring 25 surrounds the driving shaft 23 in a lengthwise direction and elastically biases the other side of the sleeve 24 toward the driven shaft 27. The driving shaft 23 is rotatably supported by the frame 10.
The driven shaft 27 includes a rib 27a that will be coupled to the groove 24a. A pickup roller 28 is installed on the driven shaft 27. A rotating force of the driving shaft 23 is transferred to the driven shaft 27 by the rib 27a inserted into the groove 24a. When the driven shaft 27 is rotated, the rotating force is transferred to the pickup roller 28. In this case, the spring 25 elastically biases the sleeve 24 toward the driven shaft 27 so that the groove 24a and the rib 27a are coupled to each other.
The surface of the pickup roller 28 wears after a predetermined number of rotations. Thus, the pickup roller 28 loses the ability to impart a frictional force. Thus the pickup roller 28 should be replaced with another one. In order to replace the pickup roller 28, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sleeve 24 is slid along the directional arrow toward the rotating portion 22. The groove 24a is spaced apart from the rib 27a by a predetermined gap and then the driven shaft 27 separates from the driving shaft 23.
Therefore, the operation of replacing the driven shaft 27 is relatively complicated. Moreover, there is a distance between the rib 27a and the groove 24a so that the rib 27a can be inserted into the groove 24a. Due to this distance, when the rotating force is transferred to the driven shaft 27 from the driving shaft 23, the driven shaft 27 and the driving shaft 23 vibrates up and down. As such, the pickup roller 28 cannot pick up the sheet of paper smoothly.
Accordingly, there is a need for an image forming apparatus having a paper pickup device which prevents a driving shaft and a driven shaft from vibrating.

Paper pickup device and image forming apparatus having the same


A strip-shape softened resin sheet (S) which is continuously extruded from a molten resin extruder is cut to a unit resin sheet and a press molded product is manufactured by press-molding the unit resin sheet in a press-molding machine 20. Prior to press-molding the unit resin sheet (U) by the press-molding machine, the unit resin sheet (U) is heated by a heating machine 16. The heating machine 16 comprises a first heating furnace 84 and a second heating furnace 86. The first heating furnace 84 includes a series of heaters 84-3 and 84-4 whose heat source is infrared ray in a far-infrared region and the second heating furnace 86 includes a series of heaters 86-3 and 86-4 whose heat source is the infrared ray in a middle-infrared region. In the first furnace 84, the unit resin sheet (U) is continuously conveyed with a low velocity and is gradually heated by the far-infrared ray up to temperature which is slightly lower than the temperature which is suitable for press-molding the unit resin sheet (U). In the second furnace 86, the unit resin sheet (U) is stopped and is rapidly heated by the middle-infrared ray. By efficiently heating the unit resin sheet (U), a cycle time can be shortened and the production speed can be improved.

The technology for forming a strip-shape softened resin sheet by extruding a molten resin from a die, making a unit of a resin sheet having a predetermined length by cutting the strip-shape softened resin sheet in a width direction, heating the unit resin sheet whose temperature decreases for cutting up to temperature suitable for press-molding, and performing a press-molding process to a press molded part of the heated sheet by a press-molding machine (conveying one unit resin sheet to a mold, press-molding the unit resin sheet by mold-clamping, mold-opening, ejecting a press molded product and the like), and the technique for continuously performing from melt-extruding of the resin to molding of the press molded part in one product-line by performing in synchronized with extruding the strip-shape softened resin sheet from the die, cutting the strip-shape softened resin sheet to the unit resin sheet, heating the cut unit resin sheet and press-molding the unit resin sheet, and obtaining the press molded product by cooling the ejected press molded part in a cooling apparatus and trimming an unnecessary part from the cooled press molded part (hereinafter, referred to as "a resin sheet continuous pressing method"), are proposed by the applicant (Patent Documents 1 and 2). An efficiency improvement in molding processes of the resin product by integrated manufacturing from the resin to the product in one product-line (cycle time reduction), an improvement in energy saving and cost reduction can be realized. Comparing with the molding method by injection, the pressing pressure which is required for the molding apparatus can be considerably smaller and the above molding method has an excellent feature in a cost reduction of the apparatus.

Continuous press-molding method and heating machine therefor


The invention is directed to a method of transmitting data from a host computer to a printer. Image data is provided which represents at least a portion of a print image to be printed by the printer. Locations of aboslute zero values in the image data and locations of non-absolute zero values in the image data are defined. The locations of the absolute zero values and the locations of the non-absolute zero values are mutually exclusive from each other. Both host computer and the printer are instructed of the locations of the absolute zero values in the image data. Only the image data having non-absolute zero values is transmitted from the host to the printer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to printers for printing an image on a print medium, and, more particularly, to a method of transferring image data from a host computer to such a printer.
2. Description of the Related Art
A "host-based" printer system includes a printer which is electrically connected to a host computer. The host computer executes a significant number of the instructions necessary for printing with the printer. By using the capabilities of the electrical processor in the host computer, the electrical processor and memory requirements in the printer may be reduced, thereby reducing complexity and cost of the printer. A typical host-based printer system is shown in FIG. 1.
For certain types of printing, it is known to move the printhead across the print medium in a direction transverse to the advance direction of the print medium and control the sequencing and/or timing of the placement of the ink dots on the print medium to inhibit the formation of an objectionable print artifact. For example, a "shingling" printing technique uses multiple passes of the printhead and places only a portion of the ink dots on the print medium during any particular pass of the printhead to avoid the formation of a color/black banding artifact on the print medium in the event a color ink jet cartridge is utilized. A shingling technique does not change the location of the ink dots on the print medium, but rather changes the sequencing or temporal placement of the ink dots on the print medium. A 50% shingling technique places 50% of the ink dots on the print medium during a first scan of the printhead in a checkerboard pattern, and places the remaining 50% of the ink dots on the print medium in a complementary checkerboard pattern in a next scan of the printhead across the print medium.
When printing with a shingling technique as described above with a host-based printer system, it is known to provide image data from the host computer to the printer such that the data may be readily usable by the printer for firing the heater elements associated with each ink emitting orifice in the printhead. For example, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, and assuming a 50% shingling technique with a printhead having 8 vertically arranged ink emitting orifices, it is known to provide image data from the host computer to the printer which may be directly used by the printer for firing the heating elements in the printhead. That is, the data bits in the image data may be manipulated by the host computer such that every other bit is assigned a zero value by the host computer (FIG. 3). The image data, including the implied zeros within the image data, is transferred from the host computer to the printer and utilized by the printer for firing the heater elements in the printhead in a checkerboard pattern. In a next pass of the printhead across the print medium, the corresponding image data is manipulated by the host computer such that a complementary every other bit is assigned a zero value and transferred from the host computer to the printer. The amount of data in the image data for the two passes of the printhead across the print medium when carrying out a 50% shingling technique is thus twice the amount of data necessary during normal, non-shingled printing.
A checkerboard pattern as described above is shown in FIG. 2, with implied zeros being represented by a "0" and non-implied zeros (i.e., data having a value of either 0 or 1) being represented by an "X". The data shown in FIG. 2 is arranged in vertical slices, with each slice corresponding to a byte of data in FIG. 3. The data in each slice is arranged in a top down manner. Thus, the first bit of slice 1 is an "0" and the first bit of slice 2 is an "X".
It is also known to transfer all of the original image data from the host computer to the printer during a shingling process and use the electrical processor within the printer to manipulate the data and insert known zero data bits within the image data for each scan of the printhead. For example, referring to FIG. 4, two bytes of image data to be printed by the printer (with each bit labeled 1 through 16), may be directly transferred from the host computer to the printer. The electrical processor in the printer is used to manipulate bits 1-16 during a 50% shingling routine such that known zero values within the two bytes of data are substituted by the electrical processor in the printer. More particularly, during a first scan using a 50% shingling technique, the even numbered bits 2, 4, 6 . . . 16 are assigned a zero value by the electrical processor in the printer, with the actual values of the odd numbered bits 1, 3, 5 . . . 15 remaining unchanged (FIG. 5). The altered two bytes of data are then used by the printer for firing heater elements in the printhead in a checkerboard manner. During a second scan of the printhead across the print medium, the odd numbered bits 1, 3, 5 . . . 15 are assigned zero values by the electrical processor in the printer, and the actual values of the even numbered bits 2, 4, 6 . . . 16 remain unchanged (FIG. 6). This manipulated image data is used by the printer during the second scan of the printhead to print ink dots on the print medium in a checkerboard pattern which is complementary to the first scan of the printhead.

Method of transmitting data from a host computer to a printer to reduce transmission bandwidth


The invention relates to oxide ceramic fiber composite materials that, e.g., according to the invention, are used in energy conversion installations. The present invention discloses a fundamentally new concept for the previously incompatible requirements of improved brittle fracture behavior to secure thermal shock stability and damage tolerance in the temperature range of <1000° C. and of mechanical high-temperature stability to guarantee long-term form stability (creep resistance) of components. This is attained through oxide ceramic fiber composite materials containing fibers with a monocrystalline structure in some areas with an average coherence length of ≧150 μm, with a mesoscopically resistant fiber/matrix interface along the fiber axis at high temperature, which interface on loading above room temperature in a way associated with the propagation of macrocracks shows delaminations that in their extension along the fiber axis are limited microscopically locally to values smaller than the average fiber coherence length and thereby limited to a maximum of 200 μm. The present invention is also directed to the use of the fiber composite materials for components and/or installations for long-term use at high temperatures.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to oxide ceramic fiber composite materials as used, e.g., according to the invention in energy conversion installations.
2. Discussion of Background Information
In the interest of energy outputs to be substantially increased in the future, greatly increased efforts are to be observed to provide ceramic materials for energy production installations at temperatures ≧1400° C. Concurring assessments thereby assume that for load-bearing components under such extreme conditions:                It will be possible to realize both an adequate damage tolerance (i.e., thermal shock stability and high room temperature fracture toughness of the actually brittle ceramics) and the required creep stability of the components only by means of a fiber-composite design, and        The problem of thermodynamic high-temperature stability in oxidizing atmospheres can be permanently mastered only with oxide ceramics that are oxidation-stable per se.
High-performance brake disks have to meet similarly differentiated requirements regarding damage tolerance, temperature stability and corrosion stability. Currently the mechanical and thermophysical requirements are best met by composites of carbon long fibers with reaction bonded SiC matrix. However, the corrosion resistance of these composites is limited due to corrosion progressing along the non-oxide fibers into the interior of the disks. It was observed that, although the use of carbon short fibers improves corrosion stability, it limits the mechanical property level (R. Gadow, p. 15–29 in: Ceram. Eng. Sci. Proc. Vol. 21/3, The Am. Ceram. Soc., Westerville/OH, 2000). Purely oxidic composites could therefore provide an advantageous alternative material here too.
In view of the complex mechanical requirements, it is evident with the above assessments for all such uses that the mechanical properties of the fiber/matrix bond are of decisive importance in realizing such oxidic composite materials. However, it is also evident why it has hitherto been impossible to develop a concept that meets the demands for thermal shock stability and for creep resistance equally:                The requirement for transferring the creep resistance of a (preferably multi-dimensional) fiber structure to the component as a whole, at least in view of a long-term use of ≧10,000 hours, leads to the obvious requirement for a strong fiber/matrix bond (I. W. Donald et al., J. Mater. Sci. 11(1976) 5, 949–972); A.G. Evans et al., p. 929–956 in Creep and Fracture of Engineering Materials, London, 1987). Although one could hope through a multi-dimensional fiber design to achieve a certain macroscopic form stability of the parts even without a strong fiber/matrix bond solely through a high creep resistance of the fiber arrangement, very complex stresses (also with regard to an erosion stress) exist in turbines under the conditions of flowing atmospheres and high pressure gradients, which composite materials with generally weak interfaces can hardly hold out for longer periods at temperatures about 1400°C.        In contrast, the requirement for a ceramic that is repeatedly thermal shock-resistant seems currently to be realizable exclusively by a composite design that realizes a consumption of (brittle) fracture energy (energy dissipation) after strain and partial fracture of fibers by means of a considerable shearing deformation along the fiber/matrix interfaces (crack deflection, "pull-out" or "debonding" effects, rendered possible by weak fiber/matrix bond).
In implementing this realization a number of proposals have been made which all without exception contain formation of weak fiber/matrix interfaces. This is carried out in part by fiber coating and in part by a corresponding design of the matrix.
Pejryd et al. (EP 639 165 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,567,518) thus describe "a ceramic composite particularly for use at temperatures above 1400° C." with a structure of oxide fiber/oxide matrix and a material selection determined by claim and, if necessary, larger coating thickness of the fibers >7 μm such that expressly weak interfaces ("weak bond liable to debonding") are achieved. As in most of the proposals known from the literature, however, the real usefulness for the declared application is not disclosed here either: the "proof" of an energy consumption during fracture (in the form of non-linear stress-strain effects) occurs in the examples only through tests at room temperature, which does not allow any conclusions to be drawn regarding real thermal shock behavior or certainly regarding creep stability with the uses above 1400° C. given as the object.
Saruhan-Brings et al. (EP 890 559 A1) describe a "Process for coating oxidic fiber materials for producing failure-tolerant, high-temperature resistant, oxidation-resistant composite materials." As an example a La aluminate coating on polycrystalline Al2O3 fiber is bonded to a mullite matrix. No high-temperature tests or their results are disclosed. The same defect is shown by the patent of Lange et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,252) where within the scope of "damage-tolerant ceramic matrix composites by a precursor infiltration" a claim describes an "all oxide ceramic composite" of uncoated Al2O3 fibers and porous mullite matrix without disclosing information on the high-temperature behavior; the main content of U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,252 is the description of oxidic composites with damage-tolerant behavior achieved through "delaminations . . . with extensive regions of cracking normal to the rupture plane."
A similar approach is found with Dariol et al. in a "processing method for an interphase material, material obtained, treatment process of a ceramic reinforcement fiber with this material and thermostructural material including such fibers" (FR 27 78 655 A1), where the formation of a microporous fiber/matrix interface area occurs through the use of a pore-forming additive (e.g., carbon that is at least partially oxidized). Lundberg et al. (EP 946 458 A1) have obtained a similar microstructural result. They produced microporous fiber/matrix interfaces for oxide fiber/oxide matrix composites, intended specifically for use in oxidizing atmospheres >1400° C. by immersing the fibers in powder slurry containing carbon and ZrO2.
The proposed solutions thereby overlook the fact that the creep rates particularly of the oxides in question between 1300° C. and 1700° C. increase by approx. 4 orders of magnitude (many non-oxide ceramics are more creep resistant, but are thereby oxidation-susceptible) so that an adequate mechanical long-term stability (≧10,000 h) will be completely impossible to realize with polycrystalline fibers in polycrystalline matrices.
The present invention is therefore based exclusively on composites of oxide ceramic materials with monocrystalline fibers at least in some areas whose average coherence lengths of the monocrystalline areas are at least 150 μm, preferably ≧400 μm, in particular preferably ≧1 mm. Surprisingly, in the above-referenced publications only in EP 639 165 A1 is there an exemplary embodiment that meets this requirement in that thick monocrystalline sapphire fibers (Saphikon, USA; fiber thickness ≧100 μm) are coated with ZrO2 and embedded in an Al2O3 matrix. However, EP 639 165 also lacks any information on the actual behavior under temperature stress relevant as a target value. Also with use or in-situ production of monocrystalline fibers, the concept of weak interfaces is adhered to with the consequence that in the range of low temperatures the fibers tend to reduce rather than improve strengths (A. A. Kolchin et al., Composite Sci. Technol. 61 (2001)8, 1079–1082).
The previously known proposed solutions therefore have in common that even in the case of a target definition for use at temperatures ≧1400° C., the development of properties is oriented exclusively to the thermal shock stress relevant only at lower temperatures and that no disclosure is made of the material properties even here. All known developments have as their goal microstructural construction according to "damage-tolerant" behavior which is realized by weak fiber/matrix interfaces. Incomprehensibly, the achievement of this object is not proven in any case by corresponding thermal shock tests in technically relevant temperature ranges; instead all the listed exemplary embodiments are limited to simply room temperature fracture tests.
When this "weak" fiber/matrix bond is produced by bond-weakening fiber coatings with suitable materials or through artificially produced micropores, it is still overlooked that such micropores in the target use temperature range become unstable, at least in long-term use, and that the bond-weakening effect of a fiber coating is also quite different at higher temperatures, such as, e.g., at 1400° C., than at the room temperature range exclusively tested.
Of course "weak" fiber/matrix interfaces also cannot meet the dominant requirement for creep stability particularly at ≧1400° C.
Therefore, the known approaches for oxide ceramic fiber composite materials for use at temperatures ≧1400° C. do not provide a practical solution or even a hint for the thermal shock stresses associated with heating up/cooling down, or for the serious problem at such high temperatures of creep deformation.

Oxide ceramic fiber composite materials and use thereof

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V.


Methods and apparatus for processing precomputed views for answering user queries on a database are described. In accordance with one aspect, a user database query on precomputation strategy effectiveness is responded to by defining, based upon user database query history, an analysis space consisting of a subset of all possible views for the database, and by characterizing the views in the analysis space. In accordance with a second aspect, a structure is imposed on an analysis space consisting of a subset of all possible views for the database based upon the capabilities of a query rewriting facility, and the views in the analysis space are characterized. In accordance with a third aspect, an analysis space consisting of a subset of all possible views for the database is defined, and a cost formula is applied to the analysis space based upon a user-defined subset of the data contained in the database. In accordance with a fourth aspect, an analysis space that includes a candidate view composed of a combination of two or more constituent views is defined, and the views in the analysis space are characterized.

This application relates to processing (including managing) and characterizing precomputed views in response to user queries on a database.
A database is a collection of data, usually pertaining to some reasonably well defined purpose. The data typically has a known format which is defined by metadata The data in a database is typically stored, retrieved, and modified by a database management system. A relational database management system stores information in tables, in rows and columns of data, and conducts searches. In a relational database, the rows of a table typically represent records (collections of information about separate items) and the columns typically represent fields (particular attributes of a record). A relational database management system may respond to user queries on the database by matching information from a field in one table with information in a corresponding field of another table, and producing a third table that combines data from both tables. For example, if one table contains the fields EMPLOYEE-ID, LAST-NAME, FIRST-NAME, DEPT-ID, SALARY and HIRE-DATE, and another table contains the fields DEPT-ID, DEPT-NAME, and LOCATION, a relational database management system may match the DEPT-ID fields in the two tables to find the names of all employees working in a department in a specified location.
Users typically query, update and manage a relational data base using a data sublanguage (e.g., SQL). A data sublanguage is one that may be used in association with another computer language for the specialized purpose of accessing data. There are many relational data sublanguages, including QUEL from Relational Technology, Inc. (ASK/Ingres), and RDML from Digital Equipment Corporation. SQL has been formally standardized for access to relational databases and is widely implemented and used, although there are many variations of SQL (e.g., RISQL(trademark) from Informix Software, Inc. of Menlo Park, Calif.).
In the relational database model, the basic unit of data is the relation. In SQL, the relation is represented by a table. A relation is typically made up of one or more attributes (represented as columns in SQL), each of which is associated with a data type (e.g., a character string, an integer, or a floating point number). Data typically is stored in a table in tuples (rows in SQL).
Referring to FIGS. 1A-1D, the relational database tables Product, Sales, Time and Result contain columns of attributes and rows of data related to those attributes. For example, the Product table of FIG. 1A, includes prod ID, product type, and bar code. Specific operations can be performed on these tables. One such operation is selection, which identifies a specific row or rows in a table. Selection is typically done by specifying one or more predicates that are used to filter a table to identify rows for which the predicate is true. Predicates are typically found in the WHERE clause of an SQL query. For example, a selection operation could request the selection of prod ID of 1, which would select the first row of the Product table. Another operation in the relational database model is called the join. A join operation is a way of combining data from two tables which is typically based on the relationships between the data in those tables. The Product table identifies the product type by prod ID, and the Sales table identifies the amount of dollars associated with each prod ID/time (time key) combination. The Product table and the Sales table may be joined through their prod ID columns. The Sales table also associates a time key with each row, and the Time table relates a day with each time key. Accordingly, the Sales table and the Time table may be joined through the time key values.
FIG. 2 shows relationships between a fact table and its dimension tables. Fact tables and dimension tables are a subset of detail tables. Fact tables are detail tables which record events (e.g., a sales event). The tables in which information related to the sales event (e.g., a time, a store, and a product) is stored are the dimension tables of the associated fact table. For example, Time table, Store table, and Product table are the dimension tables associated with the Sales table. The Class outboard (dimension of a dimension) table eliminates redundancies by repeated information (the relationships between products and classes) in a separate table. This feature is referred to as normalization.
Another concept in relational database models is functional dependency. A functional dependency is a many-to-one relationship between columns of values in database tables. A functional dependency from column x to column y is a constraint that requires two rows to have the same value for the y column if they have the same value for the x column. A functional dependency may be explicitly declared by a user, such as the database administrator.
Further, relational database models provide for an aggregation query, which is a query that requires the summarization or consolidation of rows in database tables, typically using a set function, such as SUM or COUNT, and an optional GROUP BY clause. An aggregate table is typically a table that summarizes or consolidates detail level records from other database tables.
SQL enables users to define a virtual table (a xe2x80x9cviewxe2x80x9d) and to save that definition in a database as metadata. A view usually is not physically materialized (or xe2x80x9cprecomputedxe2x80x9d) until it is needed (e.g., when a SQL statement references the view). The metadata about the view can include information such as the name of the view, the names and data types of each column and the SQL text describing the data the view produces. The metadata about the view is typically stored in the database""s metadata, but the actual data that the user will see in the view are typically not physically stored. Rather the data typically are stored in detail tables from which the view""s rows are derived. In the case of a precomputed view, data typically is stored in an associated precomputed table. In general, operations can be performed against views just as they can be performed against detail tables.
A user may request information such as how many units of cereal X were sold on Jan. 1, 1999. The result of that query may be derived from the Product table (FIG. 1A), the Sales table (FIG. 1B), and the Time table (FIG. 1C). However, deriving the answers to each question from various tables can be highly inefficient and time consuming. In order to increase efficiency, a database administrator may predict questions which are most likely to be asked and precompute a table which includes the answers to these likely questions prior to these questions actually being asked. For example, a store""s database administrator may determine that a frequently asked question is the total sum of sales of a given product over a period of one day (sum_dollars). Accordingly, the database administrator may create the Precomputed table (FIG. 1D) and a precomputed view associated with that table.
The database administrator typically can not be expected to anticipate all common questions likely to be asked and even if all queries were known it is not feasible to precompute/materialize all results. When a query is asked and the answer is not directly available from a precomputed table, the answer to such a query typically is derived from one or more detail tables, a process which may be highly time consuming and computationally intensive.
The invention features methods and apparatus for processing precomputed views for answering user queries on a database.
In accordance with one aspect, a user database query on precomputation strategy effectiveness is responded to by defining, based upon user database query history, an analysis space consisting of a subset of all possible views for the database, and by characterizing the views in the analysis space.
In accordance with another aspect, a structure is imposed on an analysis space consisting of a subset of all possible views for the database based upon the capabilities of a query rewriting facility, and the views in the analysis space are characterized.
In accordance with another aspect, an analysis space consisting of a subset of all possible views for the database is defined, and a cost formula is applied to the analysis space based upon a user-defined subset of the data contained in the database.
In accordance with another aspect, an analysis space that includes a candidate view composed of a combination of two or more constituent views is defined, and the views in the analysis space are characterized.
Embodiments may include one or more of the following features.
An analysis space may be defined, at least in part, by generating a log record for received user queries. The log record may be generated from query blocks parsed from user queries. The process of generating a log record for a user query may include a determination of whether the query was rewritten to use a precomputed view. The process of generating a log record may include a determination of whether rewritten user queries include aggregation. The process of generating a log record may include an identification of a candidate view that could be used to rewrite user queries. The log record generated for a query may include information about a precomputed view used to rewrite the query. The log record generated for a user query may include information about a candidate view that could be used to rewrite the query.
The analysis space may be defined based upon capabilities of a query rewriting facility. The definition of the analysis space may reflect whether or not user queries have been rewritten. The definition of the analysis space may reflect whether or not rewritten user queries include aggregation. The query rewrite facility may be configured to impose a structure on the analysis space. The imposed structure may include a graph representative of hierarchical relationships between views in the analysis space.
The analysis space may be defined based upon meta data. The analysis space may be defined based upon hierarchical relationships among views. The defined analysis space may include precomputed views. The defined analysis space may include candidate views generated based upon user query history.
The views in the analysis space may be characterized, at least in part, by generating a measure of precomputed view utilization. The views in the analysis space may be characterized, at least in part, by generating a measure of the benefit of a precomputed view relative to other views in the analysis space. The views in the analysis space may be characterized, at least in part, by generating a report that reflects current precomputation strategy effectiveness. The views in the analysis space may be characterized, at least in part, by generating a report that includes information about candidate views that could be created. The views in the analysis space may be characterized, at least in part, by generating a measure of the benefit of a candidate view relative to other views in the analysis space. The views in the analysis space may be characterized, at least in part, by applying a cost formula to the analysis space.
Structure may be imposed on the analysis space based upon meta data. The structure may be imposed on the analysis space based upon hierarchical relationships between views in the analysis space. At least one of the constituent views of the candidate view may be a candidate view. At least one of the constituent views of the candidate view may be a precomputed view. The defined analysis space may include the constituent views of the candidate view. The defined analysis space may not include the constituent views of the candidate view.
Among the advantages of the invention are the following.
The invention helps the database administrator with creating and evaluating the optimal set of precomputed aggregates to satisfy a system""s unique performance and space requirements. The invention provides an analysis of precomputation strategy effectiveness based upon user query history. The invention may perform the analysis on a user-defined subset of the detail data, reducing analysis time. The invention may refine the space of candidate views used in the analysis to consider views that subsume one or more candidate views in the subspace. The invention may define a structure on the analysis space that allows a cost-benefit analysis of a precomputed or candidate view to be determined in relation to other views in the space.
End-users and applications may continue to query the database as they always have and the query rewriting facility transforms the queries to utilize the existing aggregates. The invention enables a database administrator to tune the database""s aggregate performance without affecting the way queries are submitted. In addition, all aggregate-related metadata is integrated into the database system""s catalog, including intra-dimensional hierarchy relationships.
Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description, including the drawings and the claims.

Defining and characterizing an analysis space for precomputed views

International Business Machines Corporation


A lottery game incorporates player direction in determining the outcome of the game and allows a player to reveal one or more elements in a lottery game area according to rules associated with the lottery game. According to one embodiment of the invention, the player may expose initially any element of the lottery game area, and every exposable element includes an indication of at least two other exposable adjacent elements that may next be selected. The player's progression through the lottery game is not predetermined such that the player has significant ability or flexibility to control or direct the play of the lottery game and to influence or direct the outcome of the lottery game (e.g., embodied by the card).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a lottery game and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for playing a lottery game that incorporates player direction in determining the outcome of the game.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are many different types of lottery games and many different forms of state-run and nationally-run lotteries that are conducted. Within a traditional lottery, in exchange for a comparatively small wager, typically one dollar, a customer can select lottery numbers and purchase a lottery ticket having a chance to win a jackpot or other prize. Although the number of lottery tickets sold to customers may ultimately determine an amount of a jackpot, players currently only have limited ways in which to directly influence a game's outcome or their likelihood of winning during any one particular contest. Additionally, organizations offering traditional lottery games typically execute drawings once or twice per week. This infrequency of opportunity can sometimes lead to a lapse in lottery ticket sales, particularly during extended times when jackpots fail to exceed certain thresholds, and consequently do not motivate sales among people who typically would not play.
Another type of lottery game is the instant ticket or "scratch-off" game by which players may receive payouts immediately. This style of lottery game typically involves a purchase of a paper or cardboard game card. In most cases, a player, to reveal combinations of symbols or values, actively uncovers or exposes a portion, selection, or element of the game card concealed by a latex covering or other removable concealer. Certain combinations of symbols or values correspond to prizes, which may be paid out to a player at any participating lottery merchant. Although such game cards offer increased accessibility to games of chance, players currently have only limited means for actively affecting the eventual outcome associated with any particular card. In many instances, players feel that the outcomes associated with scratch-off games are "fixed" or purposely designed to result in an unfavorable outcome, and therefore, that pure luck makes the only difference between winning and losing. As a result, would-be players often abstain from participation in such lottery games. In addition, many players view the act of playing such lottery games as a passive and boring experience. In fact, the vast majority of scratch-off games currently at market require only that a player reveal one generally designated play area of the ticket. Simply purchasing a card, and revealing a predetermined outcome does not appeal to every potential player. Thus, despite the state-of-the-art in lottery games, there remains a need to provide a scratch-off type lottery game and ticket that allows a player to direct the outcome of the lottery game and that incorporates player direction and selection into the outcome of the lottery game.

Lottery game card and method for conducting a lottery game


One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a mobile X-ray unit. The mobile X-ray unit may include a base having a control unit and a power supply. The mobile X-ray unit may further include an articulated arm associated with the base. The articulated arm may be coupled to an X-ray applicator having an X-ray tube. The X-ray tube may include a target for generating an X-ray beam, a collimator for shaping the X-ray beam, and an exit surface through which the X-ray beam is configured to exit the X-ray tube. The mobile X-ray unit may have at least one light source configured to illuminate at least a portion of the X-ray beam emitted from the exit surface.

The incidence rate of skin cancer has substantially increased in the last decade of the 20th century. It is appreciated that over 1.3 million new skin cancers are diagnosed annually, which is increasing at a rate of about 5% per year. Increased exposure to the sun without skin protection and a decreased ozone layer are regarded as the main causes of this increase—a problem estimated to be costing over 1 billion Euros in annual medical treatment expenses. Over 80% of skin cancers occur in the head and neck regions with 50% occurring in patients over 60 years of age. It is expected that a portion of the senior population will double in year 2025 compared to the present demographics. Because of the growing incidence of skin cancer and increasing share of the senior population in the overall demographics, much focus has been placed on cancer treatments and cancer treatment logistics.
Non-proliferative cancers, which are defined by substantially superficial lesions, may be treated in different ways. In one example, non-proliferative cancers may be treated surgically. Surgery, may, however, have certain drawbacks, such as, for example, long waiting lists, complications related to post-treatment care, and risk of infection. Alternatively, patients may undergo irradiation using electrons of soft X-rays. Irradiation may have an advantage of being non-invasive and of a short duration (a treatment session may be as short as 2 to 4 minutes). It will be appreciated that usually the integral treatments using radiotherapeutic techniques may require a number of sessions.
Recently, the use of a mobile and portable X-ray unit has been suggested, which may be used inside a hospital radiotherapy department. An embodiment of such portable unit is described in U.S. 2007/0076851. Existing X-ray units include an X-ray source and a filtering device having a plurality of filters rotatably arranged with respect to a focal point of the X-ray tube for changing filtering characteristics on demand. The plurality of filters are arranged in a filtering device, which is transversely arranged with respect to a longitudinal axis of the X-ray tube. These units, while effective, may have certain drawbacks. For example, it may be difficult to delineate the X-ray beam emitted from the X-ray applicator and a treated region on the patient.


The present invention provides a system and method for manually balancing the volume of air supplied through at least one duct to a conditioned space the system including a damper rotatably mounted within the air duct by a damper shaft having a first and second ends, an electronic pulse actuator responsive to an electronic pulse being associated with the first end, a housing associated with the electronic pulse actuator is generally adapted for operably connecting the electronic pulse actuator to the air duct and a remote positioning unit in electric communication with the electronic pulse actuator where the damper is rotated between an open and a closed position for manually balancing the conditioned space to receive the desired volume of air.

In standard HVAC systems, air is delivered to a space treated to the desired cooling or heating temperature through a series of ducts, dampers, and registers. HVAC systems are engineered to provide conditioned air for the entire building. In designing these systems engineers calculate the preferred air flow; however when these systems are installed the builders construct the duct network based upon the duct specifications on a series of drawings or blueprints. Often the fabricated system does not conform to the designed system. In addition, sometimes the conditioned space needs are different than originally designed or otherwise need to be adjusted. It would therefore be beneficial to provide a device which balanced the airflow to be delivered to a space in conformity with the designed system or the needs of the space.
Generally air balancing is helpful to ensure the HVAC system is capable of providing design airflows to all system components under maximum airflow conditions and to satisfy specific zone operating conditions. When an air distribution system is installed the entire air distribution system goes through an initial system balancing. This is typically an iterative process where an air flow for each conditioned space is measured, the balancing damper is adjusted and the air flow is measured to determined the result of the adjustment. Typically the damper is located a distance away from the space to be conditioned in a hard to reach area. The balancer must repeatedly travel to the conditioned space to perform a measurement and then travel to the balancing damper to perform an adjustment until the desired volume of air is achieved. Balancing one conditioned space may affect the balancing of another conditioned space, requiring the repeated measurement of additional spaces. This process can take a substantial period of time and energy until the building is balanced. In addition, as the use of a conditioned space changes, or additional spaces are provided, the system must be rebalanced, again requiring a substantial investment. Therefore, there exists a need to facilitate the balancing of an air distribution system.
One method of balancing the damper is to use a mechanical linkage system like the Bowden Control Cable. This system consists of a series of mechanical linkages and a lever mechanically fastened to the damper with a cable having a wire inside. In addition, the system consists of a rack and pinion screw drive. The screw drive is used to adjust the damper to the desired position, pushing or pulling the wire inside the cable.
However, these systems have several distinct limitations. To function optimally, the cable must not run more than 30 feet from the damper, placing restrictions on the architectural design. Furthermore, the cable should only be installed in a straight line; otherwise the damper is very difficult to adjust. Finally, if the wire runs more than thirty feet or has any curves or bends in its path, the device requires excessive operational force causing increased system breaks and loss of damper control. In addition, if a break does occur, replacement costs will likely be expensive.
In addition, presently there exists several building control systems which provide for automated building management systems which provide a centralized control center for the remote sensing and adjustment of the conditioned space.
There have been prior art attempts to overcome these limitations.
Additionally, some systems provide for variable volume systems based upon thermostatic controls. These systems include the Ruise powered blower (U.S. Published Patent Application 20050087614) which consists of both a motorized damper and blower placed into a vent. These connect to a permanent thermostat that uses the combination of damper and blower to control the temperature in each room. The damper and blower engage when the room's air needs to be conditioned and turn off when the room has reached the desired temperature. This system also has limitations.
Some building control systems, including Rein (U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,988) attempt to condition spaces with a hierarchical control system based upon multiple sensors including thermostatic sensors located within a conditioned space and located external to the space to be conditioned. These systems are often complex and expensive. Configuring the system can require significant expenses in time, configuration, installation and commissioning. In addition, large buildings are susceptible to installation errors or changes made during fabrication and installation. Prior to operation and after installation, even with an automated building control system, each conditioned space must often be balanced by physically traveling to the space to be conditioned, measurements being taken and adjustments being made to ensure the correct balancing damper is properly configured and associated with the correct conditioned space. Because hierarchical control systems still require commissioning and balancing and because of the excessive cost associated with the design and implementation, there is still a benefit to a simple easy to use, manual balancing system which provides the desired quantity of air to the conditioned space.
Several attempts at providing a quantity of air to the conditioned space include providing an electrically wired motorized damper for adjusting the volume of air delivered to the space. However, in addition to the increased costs, hard-wiring the damper to the power source requires additional electrical circuits, possible points of failure, increased maintenance issues and does not solve the problem of commissioning and implementing the HVAC system to provide the proper quantity of air to the conditioned space.
Another common attempt to provide a volume of air to a conditioned space is promoted by Johnson Control Systems. Here, a system of motorized controls including motorized vent dampers is connected and controlled by a centralized computer located at a remote location away from the space to be conditioned. In addition, the control system being part of a larger control system monitors and adjusts many additional control points as part of its climate control duties. While this would seem to be a solution, it also requires the purchase of expensive equipment that would rarely be used and extensive programming to implement and the prior to operation, each conditioned space must be physically visited to confirm proper operation.
Another example of a centralized control system is under Heitman. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,245) Flow control valves are interfaced with HVAC ducts at the different ends in adjoining rooms of a structure. A flow control command device, mounted on the wall of the structure, is provided to control the flow of air through the HVAC ducts in response to flow control commands. Flow control commands are wirelessly transmitted to a command decoder and converted to flow control signals. A flow control signal bus connects the flow control signals to the flow control valves. A master thermostat is connected directly to the HVAC system and in series with a slave thermostat. This series thermostat connection causes control of the HVAC system to be determined by the thermostat located in the room that receives the highest air flow. Again, a thermostatic control network is expensive and requires extensive programming to simply supply each vent with the same volume of air.
Tamlyn (U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,919) consists of an air-conditioning system which provides for controlling the flow of conditioned air from a duct to a predetermined location of an occupied area of a building. A fitting is secured at one end of the duct and has a moveable butterfly valve mounted therein for selectively controlling flow of conditioned air therethrough, the fitting include a motor and motor control relay for controlling operation of the valve. An outlet is mounted in association with wall means adjacent the location and spaced from the fitting. A flexible conduit is connected to another end of the fitting means and extends from the fitting means and is connected with the outlet means. A remote signal receiver is in electrical circuit with the motor means and motor control relay and is located to receive a transmitted signal and there is a remote controlled signal transmitter signal compatible with the receiver whereby an occupant in the location may remotely control the flow of conditioned air through the outlet means to the location. This system is again local with the controller able to be manipulated by non-engineers and ignores the consequences of changing one damper without adjusting the others.
Kodaveridan (U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,623) is a device that also manipulates air volume for personal comfort. This device allows a sitting airline passenger to control the direction and volume of the airflow from an overhead air-conditioning nozzle by manipulating a remote control keyboard located near the passenger. The invention allows an individual-supplemental air volume to be introduced into an aircraft cabin by means of individual adjustable air outlets to provide a "local" climate zone distinct from the basic cabin climate. Further, the invention also provides a means of remote passenger manipulation of the individual-supplemental air volume and direction and all from the comfort of the passenger seat.
Each of these systems leaves a need for simple reliable system and method for adjusting a damper using a remote positioning unit in communication with an electronic pulse actuator adapted for receiving an electronic pulse from the remote positioning unit until the desired volume of air is received by the conditioned space.


A wedge wedge wire loop is formed with the steps:    a) lowering the capillary onto the first connection point and applying a predefined bond force and ultrasound for producing a wedge connection on the first connection point,    b) raising the capillary by a predetermined distance D1 in an essentially vertical direction,    c) moving the capillary laterally and downwards in order to bend the wire and press it against the wedge connection,    d) raising the capillary and moving the capillary in order to form a wire loop and to attach the wire to the second connection point, and    e) tearing off the wire.

Wire loops serve to produce electrical connections between a semiconductor chip and a substrate. Depending on the application, different demands are placed on the wire loops. The wire loops are mainly produced by a so-called Ball-Wire Bonder. The Ball-Wire Bonder has a capillary with a longitudinal drill hole that opens out into a ring-shaped working surface. The capillary is clamped to the tip of a horn. The wire runs through the longitudinal drill hole of the capillary. The capillary serves to attach the wire to a connection point on the semiconductor chip and to a connection point on the substrate as well as to guide the wire between the two connection points. On producing the wire connection between the connection point on the semiconductor chip and the connection point on the substrate, the end of the wire protruding out of the capillary is first melted into a ball. The ball is then attached to the connection point on the semiconductor chip by means of pressure and ultrasound. In doing so, ultrasound from an ultrasonic transducer is applied to the horn. This process is called ball bonding. The wire is then pulled through to the required length, formed into a wire loop and thermocompression bonded to the connection point on the substrate. This last sub-process is called wedge bonding. After attaching the wire to the connection point on the substrate, the wire is torn off and the next bond cycle can begin.
From the U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,604, a method is known with which the wire loops are attached to both connection points by means of a wedge connection. This means that the formation of the wire ball is omitted and that both wire connections are produced by compressing the piece of wire under the capillary, i.e. the working surface of the capillary presses the wire against the connection point. Compressing the wire is done by applying a predefined force and ultrasound, generally with increased temperature. Because the wedge connections are produced with a Ball Wire Bonder with which the capillary presses the wire onto the respective connection point and not with a Wedge Wire Bonder with which a wedge bond tool serves to attach and guide the wire, the quality of the wedge connection on the first connection point generally does not fulfil the set requirements. FIG. 1 shows the first wedge connection produced on the first connection point 1. The wedge connection comprises a so-called wedge bond 2 and a so-called tail bond 3. In order to achieve good adhesion of the wedge bond on the first connection point, during bonding the wire 4 has to be pressed against the first connection point with a lot of energy, i.e. with a relatively high bond force and under the application of ultrasound. The junction between the wedge bond and the tail bond is therefore very thin or is even completely severed so that the wire is practically only connected to the connection point by the tail bond. Adhesion of the tail bond is naturally much weaker than the adhesion of the wedge bond as because of the geometry of the capillary on the one hand the connection area is very small and, on the other hand, the pressing force of the capillary and the effect of ultrasound here are very low. With the subsequent formation of the wire loop, considerable forces are exerted on the tail bond that lead to weakening of the tail bond and therefore to all the problems that are known in the trade as "wire sway", "neck tilt", "loop height" and "loop shape" variations or even lead to the tail bond being torn away from the surface. In principle therefore this method enables the production of a wedge-wedge connection using a Ball Wire Bonder. However, for the named reasons, the stability of the first contact and therefore of the wire loop is totally insufficient because of the naturally weaker tail bond. For this reason, the wedge-wedge method fell into oblivion and was only taken up again in recent years.
A method for producing a bump-wedge wedge wire loop between a semiconductor chip and a substrate is known from patent application US 2005-0054186. With this method, a bump is first applied to the connection point on the semiconductor chip and then the wire loop is produced in that the end of the wire protruding out of the capillary is attached to the bump as a wedge connection, the wire is pulled out to the required length and attached to the second connection point on the substrate as a wedge connection.
A method for producing a ball bump-wedge wire loop between a semiconductor chip and a substrate is known from patent application US 2004-0152292. With this method, a so-called bump is first applied to the connection point on the semiconductor chip and then the wire loop is produced in that the wire protruding out of the capillary is melted into a ball and attached to the substrate as a ball connection, the wire is pulled out to the required length and attached to the bump on the semiconductor chip as a wedge connection. This method is known as "Reverse Bonding". It is not a wedge wedge method.
The two last mentioned methods enable the wire to be guided away practically parallel to the surface of the semiconductor chip. However "Reverse Bonding" has the disadvantage that a wire ball has to be formed for both wire connections which results in a comparatively long cycle time for the production of the wire loop. The other method has the advantage that only one wire ball has to be formed but has the disadvantage that the wire loop can often not be formed in the required shape.

Method for making a wedge wedge wire loop


When mobile robots having no task exist in the system and tasks not completed are remaining, a control station instructs the mobile robots to evaluate the remaining tasks. The mobile robots having no task then evaluate the remaining tasks and report corresponding evaluation values to the control station. The control station sequentially selects the combination of one of the mobile robots, having no task and one of the remaining tasks which are not assigned to the mobile robots so that the combination presenting the best evaluation value is selected, and assigns the task of the selected combination to the mobile robot of the selected combination.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling mobile robot systems employing a control station and a plurality of mobile robots.
Recent developments of factory automation techniques offer mobile robot systems which employ a control station and a plurality of mobile robots, each of which travels and performs a task according to an instruction given by the control station. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of this kind of mobile robot system. In FIG. 2, C designates the control station; and R1 through Rn designate the mobile robots. Control station C and each one of mobile robots R1 through Rn communicate by means of wire communication or radio communication. The instructions are given to control station C by a host computer UC or an operator OP. These instructions may be sequentially supplied to control station C at short intervals which are shorter than the operation time required for the mobile robots to perform the tasks. Therefore, the instructions are stacked in control station C. When a mobile robot Rk having no task occurs, the oldest instruction among the stacked instructions is selected and transmitted to the mobile robot Rk. The robot then starts to carry out the task designated by the instruction. When a plularity of mobile robots, each having no task, occur simultaneously in the system, control station C instructs the mobile robots to determine the best travel route and to evaluate the route. Each robot then searches the possible travel routes through which the mobile robot can travel to the work point at which the task is to be carried out, and selects the best travel route which is the most preferable, for example, the possible travel route having the shortest length, or the possible travel route generating the lowest loss of the power of the robot. Each robot further calculate the losses which are generated when the robot travels through the best travel route and determines the evaluation value based on the calculated results. The evaluation result obtained by each robot is transmitted to control station C. Control station C selects one of the robots, which transmits the most preferable evaluation value.
In the above system, however, the operation efficiency of the system may often be low due to the above-described instruction selection in which the instructions are selected according to the sequence of the instructions and the older instruction is selected earlier. For example, suppose the following case occurs:
(1) Mobile robots R1 through R3, having no task, are waiting for instructions in the system as shown in FIG. 3. PA1 (2) The instructions corresponding to tasks W1 and W2, which are to be performed at the points respectively indicated by "W1" and "W2" in FIG. 3, are stacked. PA1 (3) The instruction of task W1 is older than the instruction of task W2. PA1 (a) When mobile robots having no task exist in the system and tasks not completed are remaining, the control station instructs the mobile robots to evaluate the remaining tasks. PA1 (b) The mobile robots evaluate the remaining tasks and report the evaluation values to the control station. PA1 (c) The control station sequentially selects the one of the combinations of the mobile robots having no task and the remaining tasks based on the evaluation values of the combinations in such a manner that the combination representing the better evaluation value is selected earlier, and assigns the task of the selected combination to the mobile robot of the selected combination.
In this case, control station C instructs mobile robots R1 through R3 to determine the best travel route and to evaluate the route for executing the task W1 because the instruction of task W1 is older than the instruction of task W2. When the evaluation values are transmitted from mobile robots R1 through R3 to control station C, the control station then instructs the task W1 to one of the robots which presents the best evaluation value. In this manner, task W1 is carried out earlier than task W2. However, task W2 should be carried out before task W1 in the case shown in FIG. 3, because the all mobile robots R1 through R3 are closer to the work point of task W2 rather than the work point of task W1.


The invention relates to a server system for providing at least one service. The system having an interface for connecting a server to a user's computer, an authentication device that is designed and provided for request personal identification data of a user who logs onto the server via the user computer and to permit the user computer access if authentication is successful, and a server protection system. The server protection system is designed and provides to compare additional user's computer specific identification data with identification data stored in advance on the server, after successful authentication by the authentication device, and to grant authorization to the user's computer to access the service or services depending on the comparison of the user's computer specific identification data. The invention also relates to a method for providing at least one service and the method for executing an application program.

The invention relates to a server system for providing at least one service, a method for providing a service via a server system and a method for executing an application program on a user's computer.
Such a server system for providing at least one service has an interface for connecting a server to a user's computer and an authentication means that is designed and provided to request personal identification data of a user who logs onto the server via the user's computer and permits the user's computer access if authentication is successful.
In the present case a server is to be understood as a computer or computer system which offers services in form of services or data and which can be accessed by different user's computers, the so-called clients. Hereby, the server is set up at a central location in a communication network, for instance the internet, via which a multitude of computers and computer systems are connected with each other for exchanging data. A user can connect to the server via a user's computer and thus can access the server.
In order to avoid that non-authorized users access a server, conventional servers use an authentication, which asks for personal identification data of a user, for instance a user name and a password determined in advance. The server requests thereby the user to enter its user's name and password and permits the user only access to the services of the server if user name and password have been verified. This authentication is also called a weak authentication.

Server system and method for providing at least one service based on authentication dependent on personal identification data and computer specific identification data


A method of and apparatus for changing lesion classification data, the method including determining whether at least one mass is included in an image of an object, determining whether the at least one mass corresponds to a lesion by using first data including at least one first information, selecting a false negative (FN) mass which has been determined as not corresponding to the lesion among the at least one mass, based on a first input, and changing the first data to second data by using second information of the selected FN mass.

1. Field
Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to a lesion classification apparatus and a method of modifying lesion classification data.
2. Description of the Related Art
Breast cancer occurs to 8% of women during their lifetime. Currently, the most effective method of screening for breast cancer is through examination of a mammography image obtained by using an X-ray.
The mammography image may include a mass, and the examiner determines whether the detected mass in the mammography image corresponds to a lesion.
The accuracy of the analysis on the mammography image depends on the examiner's experience or knowledge, and in the case of a well-trained examiner, the accuracy rate is about 65 to 75%.
An apparatus for analyzing a mammography image to determine whether a lesion exists in the mammography image is called a computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) or a lesion classification apparatus, and when the examiner is aided by the lesion classification apparatus, the accuracy rate of the analysis may be enhanced.
Therefore, there is a need for an efficient solution for enhancing the accuracy of the analysis of the mammography image by enhancing the performance of the lesion classification apparatus.

Lesion classification apparatus, and method of modifying lesion classification data

KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY


A programmer allows a clinician to identify combinations of electrodes from within an electrode set implanted in a patient that enable delivery of desirable neurostimulation therapy by an implantable medical device. The programmer executes an electrode combination search algorithm to select combinations of electrodes to test in a non-random order. According to algorithms consistent with the invention, the programmer may first identify a position of a first cathode for subsequent combinations, and then select electrodes from the set to test with the first cathode as anodes or additional cathodes based on the proximity of the electrodes to the first cathode. The programmer may store information for each combination tested, and the information may facilitate the identification of desirable electrode combinations by the clinician. The clinician may create neurostimulation therapy programs that include identified desirable program combinations.

Implantable medical devices may be used to deliver neurostimulation therapy to patients to treat a variety of symptoms or conditions such as chronic pain, tremor, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, incontinence, or gastroparesis. An implantable medical device may deliver neurostimulation therapy via leads that include electrodes located proximate to the spinal cord, pelvic nerves, or stomach, or within the brain of a patient. In general, the implantable medical device delivers neurostimulation therapy in the form of electrical pulses.
A clinician may select values for a number of programmable parameters in order to define the neurostimulation therapy to be delivered to a patient. For example, the clinician may select an amplitude, which may be a current or voltage amplitude, and pulse width for a stimulation waveform to be delivered to the patient, as well as a rate at which the pulses are to be delivered to the patient. The clinician may also select as parameters particular electrodes within an electrode set to be used to deliver the pulses, and the polarities of the selected electrodes. A group of parameter values may be referred to as a program in the sense that they drive the neurostimulation therapy to be delivered to the patient.
The process of selecting values for the parameters that provide adequate results can be time consuming, and may require a great deal of trial and error before a "best" program is discovered. The "best" program may be a program that is better in terms of clinical efficacy versus side effects experienced and power consumption than other programs tested. As a portion of the overall parameter selection process, the process of selecting electrodes and the polarities of the electrodes can be particularly time-consuming and tedious. The clinician may need to test all possible combinations of electrodes within the set implanted in the patient, or a significant portion thereof, in order to identify a "best" combination of electrodes and their polarities. In some cases, the clinician may test combinations by manually specifying each combination to test based on intuition or some idiosyncratic methodology, and recording notes on the efficacy and side effects of each combination after delivery of stimulation via that combination. In this manner, the clinician is able to later compare and select from the tested combinations. As an example illustrating the magnitude of such a task, implantable medical devices commonly deliver spinal cord stimulation therapy (SCS) to a patient via two leads that include eight electrodes per lead and provide well over one million potential electrode combinations.

Identifying combinations of electrodes for neurostimulation therapy


A system and method for interfacing a brain with a machine. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention employs a vascular approach in which one or more nano-electrodes are deployed in vasculature having a close geometric relationship with proximal innervation. Each nano-electrode is preferably deployed in a blood vessel so that its sensing end is at or near a nerve passing close to or intersecting the blood vessel. The sensing end of each nano-electrode is adapted so as to be carried along in the blood stream so as to position the sensing end at a desired point within the blood vessel. An array of nano-electrodes of varying lengths can be used to monitor multiple nerves or neurons along a blood vessel.

When considering the role of neuroscience in modern society, the issue of a brain-machine interface (e.g., between a human brain and a computer) is one of the central problems to be addressed. Indeed, the ability to design and build new information analysis and storage systems that are light enough to be easily carried, has advanced exponentially in the last few years. Ultimately, the brain-machine interface will likely become the major stumbling block to robust and rapid communication with such systems.
To date, developments towards a brain-machine interface have not been as impressive as the progress in miniaturization or computational power expansion. Indeed, the limiting factor with most modern devices relates to the human interface. For instance, buttons must be large enough to manipulate and displays large enough to allow symbol recognition. Clearly, establishing a more direct relationship between the brain and such devices is desirable and will likely become increasingly important.
With conventional means, brain activity can be recorded from the surface of the skull. In the case of electro-encephalography (EEG), electrodes are placed on the skull and record activity occurring on the surface of the brain. In the case of magneto-encephalography (MEG), recording probes are also placed on the surface, but through triangulation brain activity can be mapped in three dimensions.
Such methods as EEG and MEG, while minimally invasive, suffer from poor resolution and distortion due to the deformation of electromagnetic fields caused by the scalp and skull. To overcome these limitations with known technology requires the much more invasive option of opening the skull and inserting electrodes into the brain mass. Similarly, to stimulate the brain as is done therapeutically for some patients with Parkinson's disease or the like, the skull must be opened and electrodes inserted.
As the need for a more direct relationship between the brain and machines becomes increasingly important, a revolution is taking place in the field of nanotechnology (n-technology). Nanotechnology deals with manufactured objects with characteristic dimensions of less than one micrometer. It is the inventors' belief that the brain-machine bottleneck will ultimately be resolved through the application of nanotechnology. The use of nanoscale electrode probes coupled with nanoscale electronics seems promising in this regard.
To date, the finest electrodes have been pulled from glass. These microelectrodes have tips less than a micron in diameter and are filled with a conductive solution. They are typically used for intracellular recordings from nerve and muscle cells. A limitation is that activity is recorded from only one cell at a time. It has been possible, however, to obtain recordings from over 100 individual cells using multi-electrode arrays. Nonetheless, this is an invasive procedure as the electrodes are lowered into the brain from the surface of the skull.
In addition to probing large numbers of points in the brain, the need also exists for processing the large number of signals thus captured and analyzing them in a meaningful way. Methods for processing and displaying signals from multiple sites within the brain have been developed for multi-electrode work with animals and for MEG work with human subjects
What is required is a robust and non-invasive way to tap, address and analyze brain activity that is optimized for future brain-machine interaction.
In addition to serving as a means of interacting with machines, a brain-machine interface could also be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of many neurological and psychiatric conditions.

Brain-machine interface systems and methods


An apparatus and method for activating and using a transaction card comprising two storage media is provided. A composite transaction card comprises a transaction portion detachably coupled to an activation portion. The transaction portion comprises a substantially planar transaction portion substrate having a machine readable transaction storage medium applied thereto. The transaction storage medium has transaction card data associated with an account stored therein. The activation portion comprises a substantially planar activation portion substrate having a machine readable activation storage medium applied thereto. The activation storage medium has activation data associated with the account stored therein.

To prevent fraud and theft, transaction cards such as credit cards, debit cards, and stored value cards may be issued in an inactive state, where the card must be activated prior to use. A separate activation step can serve at least two important goals. First, it can ensure that the card is in the possession of the rightful cardholder. For instance, cards may be activated when the rightful cardholder verifies receipt, such as by accessing a central processor (e.g., via phone) and providing personal identification information. Second, activation can ensure that the card has been validly purchased for legitimate value (and not stolen). For instance, a prepaid card may be activated at the time it is purchased for valid funds, e.g., by scanning a barcode on a package that contains the card at a point of sale and receiving payment for the card.
After activation, transaction cards may be used to purchase goods and services from merchants. Most transaction cards such as credit cards, debit cards, and stored value cards have a single magnetic stripe that stores magnetically encoded data associated with an account. The magnetic stripe is swiped at merchant terminals in transactions where cardholders access value or credit in the account to purchase goods and services. Typically the magnetic stripe is encoded with data that enables transactions where card account funds are accessed over a communications network such as a credit or debit network. For instance, the encoded data may comprise a bank identification number (BIN) and an account identifier, such as the card number. While the data encoded on the magnetic stripe enables transactions, it typically is not configured to enable card activation at merchants outside the issuing merchant locations. Thus, activation is typically accomplished using means other than the card's single magnetic stripe. As noted above, a card may be activated over the phone or by scanning the barcode of a package containing the card.
Other cards may be activated by swiping the card's magnetic stripe. However, for these cards, the magnetic stripe encoding is required to be the same for activation and regular use of the card. This is typically not an issue when a single merchant's system handles both the activation and the regular use of the card. However, problems may arise when two different systems are involved, because the different systems must coordinate the activation of the card before enabling its regular use.
The magnetic stripe is encoded only for activation purposes, and the regular functioning of the card does not require a magnetic stripe. For instance, phone cards may display a PIN used for wireless phone calls that is activated by swiping a magnetic stripe on the card; thereafter, the magnetic stripe is not needed to access the value of the PIN.
Another type of transaction card has two or more magnetic stripes on a single, standard-size transaction card. The two or more magnetic stripes may be used to access two different transaction accounts. In this way, a cardholder may carry a single transaction card instead of two different credit cards or other transaction cards.

Transaction card comprising two magnetic stripes


A display apparatus includes a first substrate provided with a closed container, two types of charged particles held in the closed container and having mutually different charge polarities and a substantially identical color, and first, second and third electrodes for generating an electric field in the closed container, with the third electrode being disposed on the first substrate. The display apparatus alternately executes a first display operation and a second display operation, wherein in the first display operation, the charged particles create a first distribution on a first electrode side by changing a voltage applied to the second electrode or the third electrode after a first reset operation in which the charged particles create a second distribution on a second electrode side and on a third electrode side by applying a first voltage to the second electrode and to the third electrode. In the second display operation, the charged particles create a third distribution on the first electrode side by changing a voltage applied to the second electrode or the third electrode after a second reset operation in which the charged particles create a fourth distribution, substantially identical to the second distribution, on the second electrode side and on the third electrode side by applying a second voltage, opposite in polarity to the first voltage, to the second electrode and to the third electrode.

In recent years, an amount of information which an individual can deal with has been significantly measured due to a remarkable advance of digital technology. In connection with this, development of display as information output means has been performed actively, so that technological innovation for displays of high usabilities, such as high definition, low power consumption, light weight, thin shape, etc., has been continued. Particularly, in recent times, a high-definition display which is easy to read and has a display quality equivalent to printed matter has been desired. The display of this type is a technique indispensable to a next-generation product, such as electronic paper, electronic book, etc.
Incidentally, as a candidate for such displays, Evans et al. have proposed an electrophoretic display apparatus in which a dispersion medium containing colored charged electrophoretic (migration) particles and a coloring agent is disposed between a pair of substrates and an image with a contrast color between the colored charged migration particles and the colored dispersion medium is formed, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,758.
In such an electrophoretic display apparatus, however, there has arisen a problem such that a life of the display apparatus and a contrast are lowered due to inclusion of the coloring agent such as a dye. In view of these problems, such electrophoretic display apparatuses that an image with a contrast color between colored charged migration particles dispersed in a transparent dispersion medium and a coloring layer disposed on a substrate is formed without coloring the dispersion medium have been proposed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications (JP-A) No. Hei 11-202804 and Hei 09-211499.
Incidentally, in such conventional electrophoretic display apparatuses, the migration particles are moved by an electric field, so that a DC voltage is applied to a display device at the time of display rewriting. However, when such display rewriting is repeated many times, the DC voltage is consequently applied to the display device for a long time in some cases.
Further, when the DC voltage is applied to the display device for a long time as described above, a spatial electric charge distribution is created in an insulating layer or a dispersion medium by electrons, ions, etc., and is accumulated as a residual DC component. As a result, the voltage applied to the migration particles fluctuates, so that there arises such a problem of display burn-in that a predetermined gradation optical level cannot be obtained.

Electrophoretic display apparatus and driving method thereof