A date querying system processes free-form text in documents to identify and locate some or all of the dates in the documents using extended regular expression matching to capture various date formats. The system packages a canonicalized format of each identified date to support various types of queries such as, for example, specific date querying, hierarchical date querying, range date querying, proximity queries comprising a date and any keywords, and any combination of types of queries. The system scans a document to identify the various format dates occurring in the document, disambiguates the resulting occurrences of dates, and canonicalizes the dates according to one or more predetermined formats.

Searching for dates is a useful primitive in understanding and extracting relevant pieces from large collections of documents. Locating a source date for content on the web is especially useful in determining relevancy to a search request comprising a date. However efficiently performing a query for dates is challenging since dates tend to occur in various formats in unstructured text.
For example, the date October 11, 2004 can occur in text as 11th of October 2004, 11-10-2004, 11 October, '04, Oct. 11th 04, 11/10/04, 10.11.2004, 2004 Oct 11, etc. Variations in date expression can be even more pronounced on a diversified collection such as the web, where many different people and organizations write web content such as free-form text. This is a natural consequence of the decentralized nature of the web and the few rigid requirements imposed on free-form text.
Nevertheless, the free-form text on the web is an important source of information, both current and archived. Newspapers and magazines provide news articles online on the web; an estimate for news sources on the web is over 10,000. Covering a range of topics, these new articles cater to the needs of both businesses and individuals. Moreover, organizations such as companies and universities post a wealth of information available online. Some search engine sites estimate the number of web pages indexed at over 8 billion. Given the large number of sources and the large number of pages on the web, the need for automated techniques for searching and navigating such a large collection is increasing.
Dates are an important means to understand the temporal context of the information found near the dates or on the same web page as the dates. Queries such as:                Show all pages that mention a particular date D (e.g., 11 Oct 2004),        Show all pages that mention any date in a given month (e.g., Oct 2004), or        Show all pages that mention any date in a given year (e.g., 2004) with one or more keywords with a specified context such as "on the same page", "on the same line", etc. are natural and useful ways to filter and navigate such large collections of pages.
Although conventional web search engines perform well using standard keyword and proximity searches, it would be desirable to present additional improvements. Conventional web search engines do not adequately search by dates. Even a basic date query such as "find all pages that mention 11th October 2004" requires a separate search for each possible date format. Such a search is tedious and unmanageable since the number of possible date formats is sizeable. Furthermore, some formats such as 11.10.2004 are difficult to search because some search engines ignore the numbers and periods in a date format if they occur frequently.
Searching on dates using a conventional web search engine becomes more unmanageable for hierarchical date queries such as "find all pages that mention any date in October 2004".
Conventional web search engines have further difficulty searching for dates in ambiguous format. For example, 11.10.2004 can mean either 11th October 2004 or 10th November 2004, depending on the context. The ambiguity is further compounded when the year is specified as a two-digit number and the month, day, and year are in similar in value (for example, 01/04/05).
Another conventional approach for finding a source date finds a single date for each page, representing when the page may have been written, i.e., a date-of-page. However, this date-of-page may not exist for all web pages. A date-of-page is typically not well defined and is usually a best guess based on different dates that appear on the page or in the http header of the page. Furthermore, this conventional approach still retains only one date per page even when a page contains additional dates. Consequently, the information about other dates is lost, including the locations of the other dates for proximity queries.
A further conventional approach that identifies named entities such as different forms in which a keyword can be referenced in text lists all possible alternatives explicitly. This conventional approach works well in cases where the number of variants is a small number. However, in the context of locating source dates on the web, the large number of possible formats for each date and the large number of possible distinct dates renders this approach cumbersome. Consequently, regular expression-based spotting is a better alternative for dates.
Yet another conventional approach comprises a natural single-step regular expression matching. In particular contexts such as weblogs (also known as blogs), this conventional approach addresses identification of dates to some extent based on the structure of blogs. However, this conventional approach does not address the wide range of possible formats for dates that appear on the web and the resulting disambiguation required to identify dates. Furthermore, efficiency and processing time become serious issues for this conventional approach considering the large number of possible formats and the large number of pages requiring processing.
What is therefore needed is a system, a computer program product, and an associated method for searching dates efficiently in a large collection of web documents. The need for such a solution has heretofore remained unsatisfied.

System and method for searching dates efficiently in a collection of web documents

International Business Machines Corporation


A display apparatus comprises: pixels arranged in a matrix, gate lines, source lines, and a control unit. The gate lines are connected to pixels arranged in a row direction and select, in order, pixels in each row at a given frame period. The source lines supply a voltage according to a given gray scale to the pixels in the selected row. The control unit controls, based on gray scale data indicating gray scales included in one frame of video, a timing to cause the pixels in each row to display, in order, gray scales for one row in the video. The control unit corrects, with a target pixel as a reference, gray scale data indicating a gray scale to be displayed by the target pixel, based on an integrated value indicating an integration of voltage applied to a source line connected to the target pixel in one future frame.

A phenomenon called a vertical shadow is known as one of phenomena that degrade the image quality of video displayed on a liquid-crystal display apparatus.
Patent Document 1 discloses an active-matrix type display apparatus aimed at preventing a vertical shadow. In the display apparatus in Patent Document 1, given data is determined based on data for each column that are included in input image data and, based on the determined data, voltage driving of a data signal line (a source line) to which a display element (a pixel) is connected is carried out within a vertical blanking period after the valid period of image displaying using the above-mentioned image data. This adjusts a voltage held at each display element collectively within the vertical blanking period after the image data is supplied and suppresses the vertical shadow.


The present invention relates to microbiota compositions and their preparation methods and uses. Particularly, the present invention provides microbiota compositions collected from a dual-specificity phosphatase 6 (dusp6) deficient mammal, which is effective in altering a relative abundance of gut microbiota and also useful in reducing body weight, fat mass, and/or size of adipocytes and increasing oxygen consumption and/or energy expenditure and thus can be used to treat or prevent obesity or its associated disorders or conditions in a subject in need.

Obesity is now a plague in developed countries as well as in many developing countries40. Since obesity increases the risk of many health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver and certain cancers41, it is important to understand the detailed mechanism of obesity development and search for novel ways to treat obesity.
Dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) are canonically characterized as negative regulators of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway1,2. Some studies have demonstrated that DUSP6, also known as MKP-3, negatively regulates ERK1/2 activity via dephosphorylation, although this dephosphorylation activity could be context-dependent3,4. Dusp6-deficient mice have been shown to have enlarged hearts and an increased resistance to some heart diseases4. Recently, it has been reported that dusp6 is upregulated in the liver of obese and diabetic mice and promotes glucose output in both cultured liver cells and mouse livers5. Furthermore, it has been shown that systemic dusp6 deficiency could significantly decrease blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity and increase the resistance to diet-induced obesity (DIO)6. Besides host genetic and environmental factors, the gut microbiota has been recognized as a major regulator in the development of obesity7-9. However, whether or not dusp6-deficiency-mediated effects on obesity function via the gut microbiota remains unclear.

Anti-obesity microbiota compositions and preparation methods and uses thereof


A method for performing BIS correction includes scanning an object with a computed tomography (CT) system to obtain data, reconstructing an image using the obtained data, and using the image to perform BIS correction.

This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for computed tomography (CT), and more particularly to methods and apparatus that provide for Bone Induced Spectral (BIS) artifact correction.
BIS artifacts are produced due to differential beam hardening owing to the presence of bone in an object being scanned. These artifacts cannot be corrected or accounted for using the traditional water based beam hardening correction. The non-linear spectral response in the detector can be characterized and corrected as long as the amount of bone in the object being scanned can be measured.
A significant artifact can be produced by a relatively small error in the projections. Like most CT artifacts, the center of the field of view of the detector is most sensitive to BIS artifacts.
Therefore, described below are methods and apparatus for correcting for BIS artifacts in the image space.

Methods and apparatus for BIS correction


Described is a procedure for investigating the mechanical-dynamic properties of a work piece, whereby the work piece is subjected to cyclical tensile and/or compression stress in a first direction. A power signal representing the tensile and/or compression stress of a work piece is produced with the use of a power-registering device and produces a length change representing at least one specified section of the work piece my means of a distance-registering device. The power signal and distance signal are fed to an evaluation device, which determines a characteristic value for the mechanical-dynamic properties of the specified section from the power signal and distance signal obtained during one stress cycle. The procedure is distinguished by the fact that the work piece provided with a raster made of contrasting coding strips along a second direction is continuously swept by a laser beam with a specified scanning frequency along the second direction, and the intensity of the laser light modulated by the coding strips is registered. The time path of the distance signal corresponds to the registered intensity of the modulated laser light, and the evaluation device determines, from the time path of the distance signal, the length changes of different sections of the work piece defined by two or more coding strips and swept by the laser light and the characteristic values of these different sections for the mechanical-dynamic properties.

In many areas of material and construction technology a study of the properties of work pieces under stress is of great importance because such studies make statements about the properties of the serviceability and fatigue of the work piece possible. Such stress studies are not only performed on work pieces that consist of homogenous material, but also on work pieces of heterogenous materials such as fiber-reinforced plastics, etc.; in addition, the stress properties of connections (glued and screwed connections, weld joints) can be examined in multi-component work pieces.
It is already known to perform so-called stress-strain tests when investigating properties of work pieces under stress. In a stress-strain test the work piece is acted upon with increasing tensile stress and the resulting extension of the work piece measured. The extension can be measured, for example, by a wire strain gauge stuck onto the work piece or by a clip-on extensometer that has been clamped onto it--designated also as a "set extension sensor" Stress-strain tests can be carried out without damaging the object or until breakage occurs. They make possible a quasi-static characterization of the properties of the work piece under tension, but do not provide any information about the fatigue strength of the work piece.
To examine the fatigue strength of a work piece it is already known to perform a so-called hysteresis measurement by applying cyclical dynamic stress to the work piece in the tensile or compression area in accordance with the specifications of claim 1 and determining the mechanical-dynamic properties of the work piece and their change during the dynamic stress (see FIG. 1). Through such hysteresis measurements statements concerning damping, stiffness, and non-elastic deformation properties, in particular with polymer materials, can be made, as well as statements concerning the plastic extension properties of the work piece that cannot be obtained by clear stress-strain tests. In this regard it is of special practical significance that practical evaluative criteria concerning the fatigue properties of the work piece under real conditions of use can be collected from such mechanical-dynamic measurable characteristics of the work piece and that statements about the onset and the course of the damaging phenomena in the work piece, such as, for instance, micro-cracks, can be gathered.
As with clear stress-strain tests, hysteresis measurements can also be carried out until the work piece breaks.
In summary, it can be said in general that dynamically stressed piece parts can be considerably better characterized and more safely designed by using hysteresis measurements.
In the case of known hysteresis measurements a wire strain gauge or a clip-on extensometer is used to measure the strain.
Use of the wire strain gauge has proven disadvantageous in that it has only a relatively limited measurement area and thus is not suitable for all investigations.
Clip-on extensometers have a considerably larger measurement area (about 100% relative extension and better). Because the two measurement points between which a length change (extension) of the work piece is measures are made by cutting edges that are clamped onto the testing objects in the case of a clip-on extensometer, the danger that the cutting edge will slip arises especially with hysteresis measurements--a situation that can lead to a falsification of the measurement results with respect to the values of the interval. The effects of friction between the cutting edges and work piece can also lead to false statements, e.g., in the case of polymer materials with respect to mechanical damping. Moreover, it is unfavorable that damage to the surface of the work piece can occur through the mechanical contact between cutting edge and work piece and for this reason effects on the fatigue strength cannot be ruled out.
A fundamental disadvantage of determining the extension both by using wire strain gauges and clip-on extensometers consists in the fact that these sensors always make possible an integral measure of the extension between two fixed measurement points. In other words, the extension property is not determined outside of the measurement points, and the extension between the measurement points can only be determined with the set, specified definition given by the distance between the measurement points. Because in general only a clip-on extensometer is clamped onto the work piece due to space considerations, measurements at multiple sites are usually not possible. Different workpiece extension properties that are a function of the place therefore cannot be determined for this reason or are only capable of determination on a very limited basis.
From EP 0194354, the use of a laser measuring procedure with clear tensile tests on a sample to measure relative length changes of a sample without contact to the object is already known; in this laser measuring procedure a laser beam continuously scans the sample in the direction of draw and is reflected on a raster attached to the sample, and the reflected laser beam, whose intensity is modulated by the raster, is registered by a photodetector, through which the change in the sample's extension can be inferred by measuring the modulation frequency of the reflected laser beam.
The task of the invention is to develop the hysteresis procedure described in the introduction in a way that considerably extends the possibilities of characterizing a work piece subjected to dynamic stress known up to now, which makes possible statements about the workpiece fatigue strength and the fatigue properties, as well as possible damage processes--which can be of considerable importance to designing and dimensioning the work piece and which could not be obtained in a comparable form until now. It is, moreover, a further task of the invention to create a device through which the continuing characterization possibilities of the work piece mentioned are realized and can be distributed in suitable form.
The claimed subject matter is intended to solve these tasks.
Different sections of the work piece can be examined at the same time with respect to their mechanical-dynamic properties through the procedure according to the invention, as a result of which, for example, the determination of a local material nonhomogeneity of the work piece due to anomalous damping, stiffness, or deformation properties are made possible in one of the observed sections. In this way a weak spot that can occur in the work piece with dynamic stress can be localized and characterized in connection with different dynamic stresses. In addition, the existence of nonhomogeneities and their local spreading can be followed by monitoring the local dynamic stress properties of the work piece over time with the assistance of characteristic values measured for the different sections. In this way the fatigue properties of the work piece with respect to time and place can be characterized specific to stress. For example, a multi-component work piece that is connected by a weld seam can be examined locally in the seam area for solidification or loss of cohesion (especially with metals) under external dynamic stress. Such statements are of great interest when one is interested in testing different work pieces to determine their capability for a given use or when one is faced with the task of improving a given work piece in a way that does justice to the given demands with respect to its stability properties.
A further advantage of the procedure according to the invention consists in the fact that the workpiece sections that are to be investigated are variable--i.e., before each measurement both their position and length can be freely defined. As a result, the simple adjustment of the procedure according to the invention to different measuring demands (e.g., the demanded spatial definition of the measurement) and a reduction of the obtained test data are made possible.
Due to its property as a local investigative procedure, the procedure according to the invention is especially well suited for the investigation of multi-component work pieces or heterogenous work pieces with locally differing structures.
Instead of laser beams, a collimated light beam from a non-laser scanning source can be used for scanning the raster.
When the direction of the cyclical tensile and/or compression stress (first direction) coincides with the direction of the raster and the laser scanning (second direction), the measurement of the characteristic value(s) occurs directly in the direction in which the power is introduced. The direction of the longitudinal extension of the raster--i.e., the direction vertical to the coding strips that make up the raster--is designated by the direction of the raster.
Because the laser beam has a finite scanning speed, the values for the length changes of the monitored sections are recorded at different points in time by a laser scan. To rule out this undesired effect and increase measuring precision it is preferred to assign a particular absolute reference time (t.sub.i) to the distance signal of each laser scan within the framework of the evaluation and to calculate the length changes of the different sections with respect to the assigned fixed reference time (t.sub.i) for each laser scan.
In accordance with an appropriate variation of the model of the present invention, for each workpiece section the distance signal (which, if applicable, is previously formed by impulses) is transformed into a digital signal of the section length change that represents the length change of the corresponding section between two successive laser scans. These digital signals of the section length changes assigned to the respective sections can then be fed to a sequential computer, which determines one or several of the characteristic values of each workpiece section by means of a stored computer program while taking into consideration the digitized power signal from an A/D converter.
In this case the correction of the signal of the section length change obtained during a single laser scan that was already mentioned can be carried out by a calculation of the computer program. It calculates the corresponding corrected values valid for the fixed reference time t.sub.i from the values of the signals of the section length change obtained during the scan by means of an interpolation procedure. The characteristic values are then determined on the basis of these corrected values.
A comparison of the characteristic values determined for different sections of the work piece--for example through difference formation--makes possible considering the changes of the characteristic variables along the path of the raster on the work piece.
Moreover, the properties of the curves of the damping distribution and/or the tensile and compression stiffness and/or the non-elastic deformation and/or the plastic extension over time can be followed by using a graphics program in real time stored in the sequential computer; and those curves can be represented graphically, for example, by transforming the work piece into a false color representation.
Although in principle cyclical stress can be carried out alone in the tensile or compression area, the preferred method is to exert cyclical stress by alternating between the tensile and compression areas because in this way different properties in the tensile and compression areas can be determined and characterized in a single experiment.
The dynamic path of an oscillation cycle can be varied in a wide range, and it has been proven that especially sine-shaped and triangular or rectangular dynamic paths create favorable conditions for the mechanical-dynamic investigation of a work piece.
According to an especially preferred working model of the procedure, the work piece is exposed to a time sequence of different stress levels, which are superimposed by cyclical tensile and/or compression stress (i.e., tensile or compressional vibration). Through such so-called stress-increase tests information can be obtained about the stress-dependent properties (for example, with respect to the transition from the linear visco-elastic area at the low stress levels that occur with polymers to the nonlinear visco-elastic area at higher stress levels; and statements can be made about the onset of irreversible damage to the work piece. In addition, by the cyclical repetition of the stress-increase test, clues can be obtained about the speed of deterioration and by comparing the characteristic values obtained at each repetition of the sequence of the stress level with respect to the same stress level each time, it is possible, in the meantime, to follow the effect of low or high stress on irreversible damage.
According to an especially preferred variation of the stress-increase test, the stress can be brought back down to a basic stress level with a low stress value after each stress level and the comparison of the characteristic value(s) mentioned can be carried out at this basic stress level. In this way possible damage caused in the meantime by higher stress can be exactly recognized and analyzed.
According to another advantageous variation of the model of the invention the procedure can be used, moreover, to determine the transversal contraction of the work piece by having a stationary pencil of light, emitted from a light source, partially shaded by a cross dimension that is larger than the cross dimension of the work piece, whereby the intensity of the remaining light that is not shaded by the work piece is captured by a detector and transformed into a signal characterizing the cross dimension of the work piece. This, for example, makes possible determining the transversal contraction of the work piece by varying the tensile stress.
If the extension of the light spot produced from the pencil of light on the work piece in the second direction (i.e., the direction of the raster) essentially corresponds to the length of one or several of the workpiece sections under consideration, determining the transversal contraction of the work piece in the area of one or several of the sections under consideration becomes possible.
A refinement of the cross dimension measurement of the work piece can be obtained when the work piece is equipped with another raster made of contrasting coding strips in a third direction and another laser is used whose laser beam sweeps the additional raster; thus the extension properties of the work piece are determined locally in the third direction in a way similar to the way the extension in the first direction is measured. In this way the contraction or extension properties of the work piece can be obtained at the same time; and they can be obtained locally in the second and third direction (i.e., for instance, in the longitudinal and transverse direction to the direction from which the power is introduced) and put into relationship with each other--which can then be of interest if the cracks that form in fiber-reinforced material with longitudinally running fibers are to be analyzed.
Both the integral (if applicable, limited to a section) measurement of the cross dimension and the local measurement of the distribution of the cross dimension of the work piece by using the additional raster make determining Poisson's ratio--the ratio of the longitudinal extension to the transversal contraction--possible in a single experiment. In the case in which the distribution of the cross dimension is measured, the additional raster on the work piece can be attached to a side across from the first raster.
Through a possible local and/or temporary warming or cooling of the work piece the procedure according to the invention can be extended advantageously to the analysis of temperature-dependent phenomena. For the analysis of the mechanical-dynamic properties of the work piece under consideration warming without contact to the object is appropriate.
The problem that the present invention seeks to clear up is solved by the device according to claim 13.
Accordingly, the maximum spatial definition is determined by using the device to measure through the center distance of two successive coding strips, whereby one must, however, take into consideration the fact that with a reduction of the center distance, the thickness of the coding strip must necessarily be reduced, as a result of which the modulation intensity of the modulated laser beam decreases. This has the consequence that in practice a lower limit is specified for the center distance of two successive coding strips. It has been shown that favorable measuring conditions exist when the center distance lies in the range between 0.5 and 10 mm, and especially between 2 and 5 mm.
Within the framework of the stress-increase tests already mentioned, the data-processing device preferably has a computer program that compares the characteristic values obtained for the same stress levels with each repetition of the sequence of stress levels.
Further advantageous refinements of the procedure according to the invention and the device according to the invention can be inferred from the subclaims. The invention is described by using examples with the help of the drawings below. The following figures are used.

Method and apparatus for examining the mechanical-dynamical properties of a workpiece


Graphics processing units (GPUs) and other compute units are allowed to enqueue tasks for themselves by themselves, without needing a host processor to queue the work for the GPU. Built-in functions enable kernels to enqueue kernels for execution on a device. In some embodiments, ndrange kernels execute over an N-dimensional range to provide data-parallel operations. Task kernels provide task-parallel operations. In some embodiments, kernels may be defined using clang block syntax. The order of execution of commands on a compute unit may be constrained or allow execution of commands out-of-order. Compute units may control when kernels enqueued by the compute unit begins execution.

This disclosure relates generally to the field of computer programming. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, it relates to an execution model for allowing a graphics processor unit (GPU) to enqueue kernels for execution on the GPU.
As GPUs continue to evolve into high performance parallel compute devices, more and more applications are written to perform parallel computations in GPUs similar to general purpose compute devices. Today, those applications are limited because the execution model used by compute systems employing GPUs requires all work to be processed on the GPU to be created by a host processor. The GPU cannot create work for itself.
Standards have evolved for programming high-performance compute systems incorporating CPUs and GPUs. One such standard is the OpenCL (Open Computing Language) industry standard, which is an open, royalty-free standard for general-purpose parallel programming of heterogeneous systems, which may be used in personal computers, servers, and handheld or embedded devices. These standards provide an execution model to enable programmers to write code with enhanced performance and functionality.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Enqueuing kernels from kernels on GPU/CPU


A method for collaborating between Web-based shopping carts can include the step of identifying a Web-based shopping cart associated with an online store and a shopper of the online store. Access privileges can be established between the shopping cart and at least one other shopping cart, the other shopping carts being associated with shoppers different from the shopper. A linkage can be established between the Web-based shopping cart and the at least one other shopping cart in accordance with the access privileges. Through the linkage, the shopper can be permitted to access items in the another shopping cart.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of electronic commerce and, more particularly, to Web-based shopping collaborations.
2. Description of the Related Art
Web-based shopping is primarily a solitary experience involving little to no interactions among online shoppers. That is, no online analog exists for a typical real world experience where two or more individuals often collaborate on purchases. The collaboration often involves pleasurable social interactions, impulse purchases, mutual compromise, a synthesis of ideas regarding a purchase, and other such benefits. The lack of collaboration associated with Web-based shopping results in a less robust shopping experience for many and, thereby, reduces the market effectiveness of Web-based shopping.
Known attempts to enhance an online experience using conventional collaboration technologies suffer from significant drawbacks. A simple solution is for several shoppers to individually conduct Web-based shopping sessions and to communicate the results of these sessions to the other shoppers via phone, email, chatting, instant messaging, or any other communication means. The complexity of these manually maintained communication sessions geometrically increases as the number of collaborating shoppers increases. Additionally, this manual collaboration process is extremely slow, cumbersome, and often frustrating. For instance, shoppers attempting to communicate session results with other shoppers often fail to provide sufficient details to permit a result to be located or inadvertently specify a different item than they intended. Further, the process of searching for each referenced item, even when specified in sufficient detail, can be arduous. Finally, online shopping Web sites often dynamically change, causing items to be sold out, re-priced, and related, all of which can be problematic.
Another way to collaborate is to establish a co-browsing session where several session participants share a desktop, so that each participant can commonly experience a single online shopping session. This results in all items being placed within a single shopping basket. It also requires all participants to view the same session at the same time. This can be very annoying to shoppers, who will often be forced to focus upon items in which they have little interest or forced to rush in examining items of interest in consideration of others. This approach poorly mirrors a real world shopping scenario, where shoppers can independently shop and intermittently gather in a common location to collaborate upon purchases.

Method and system to enhance web-based shopping collaborations


A method and apparatus for optically reading out pre-recorded signals on an optical disc by way of data reproduction. If the quantity of playback data read out from an optical disc 1 and stored in a memory 6 during data reproduction is found to be in excess of a quantity for one rotation of the optical disc, data writing in the memory 6 is discontinued and an optical pickup 3 is caused to make track jump to a reproduced track under control by a controller 7. A servo gain control signal or a servo offset control signal is sent to a servo circuit 8 which then performs focusing servo control or tracking servo control of the optical pickup 3. The writing stop position on the optical disc 1 is then detected and data playback is re-initiated. Stabilized data playback is enabled even if servo error signals are fluctuated within the optical disc or the servo error signals are changed due to temperature changes in the optical pickup or in the error signal detecting amplifier.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for optically reading out previously recorded signals on an optical disc by way of data reproduction. In an optical disc reproducing device for reading out and reproducing recorded signals on the optical disc used as a disc-shaped recording medium, an optical pickup device is employed for optically reading out the recorded signal. This optical pickup includes laser outputting means, made up e.g., of a laser diode, and is configured for condensing and illuminating the laser light outgoing from the laser outputting means on the optical disc and for receiving the light reflected from the optical disc for outputting the received reflected light as electrical signals by way of reading out the pre-recorded signals as RF signals.
At the same time as the pre-recorded signals are read out, servo error signals in the vertical direction and in the tracking direction of the optical pickup with respect to the optical disc are outputted as focusing error signals and as tracking error signals, respectively. As the recorded signals are read out, focusing servo and tracking servo are carried out using the focusing error signals and the tracing servo signals. For the case in which the optical disc presents significant warp, it is contemplated to perform skew servo for controlling the tilt of the optical axis the optical pickup with respect to the optical disc.
For stable readout of the pre-recorded signals, it is necessary to maintain the respective servo gain values in a pre-set range. On the other hand, it is also necessary to set the converging positions of the laser light beams at an optimum position for signal readout during the respective servo operations.
On the other hand, since the servo error signals employed in these servo operations, such as focusing error signals or tracking servo signals, are produced by monitoring the light reflected by the optical disc, it may occur that these servo error signals are fluctuated under the effect of optical disc fluctuations or temperature changes in the optical pickup. These fluctuations tend to change the gain or offset of the servo error signals, this producing variations in the servo gain values or converging positions.
However, the effect of the fluctuations in the servo gain or offset has so far not been taken into consideration.
Heretofore, if servo error signals are fluctuated within the optical disc during data reproduction from the optical disc, or if variations are produced in the servo error signals due to temperature changes in the optical disc reproducing apparatus, the servo gain or offset is changed thus rendering stabilized data reproduction impossible.

Optical disc reproducing method and apparatus for controlling servo gain and/or offset


A master control system for a rolling mill, especially a mill train, having at least one rolling stand driven by means of a drive system, and the master control system having an automation device for the open-loop and/or closed-loop control of the rolling stand. The master control system also has a commissioning computer for the commissioning of the drive system and of the automation device.

It is customary in the commissioning of individual components of a rolling mill or a mill train to connect said components by a data link to a commissioning computer and to commission them by transferring a program code or operating parameters. After completion of this process, this operation is repeated with the next system component. System components in this sense may be, for example, drive systems or automation devices. When individual components, for example defective components, are exchanged, the new component, for example a new automation device or a new drive system, is also correspondingly commissioned.

Master control system for a rolling mill


A Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) system enables high efficiency and high quality. The CAM system of this invention includes a unit that uses a computer aided design (CAD) model that is solid model data of a metal mold to be made and a measured work geometric model that is geometric model data of a work, which is obtained by measuring a work to be machined, to generate a cutting margin model that is difference between the measured work geometric model and the CAD model, and unit that generates numerical control (NC) data based on the generated cutting margin model. According to this invention, one of ordinary skill in the art can easily machine an actual article in conformity with the actual shop floor in the actual factory to make a metal mold.

At one time, artisans specializing in manufacture of metal molds were well aware of the know-how of metal mold machining from the beginning to the end thereof, and contrived a means in conformity with components to be machined, to make inexpensive and high-quality metal molds.
However, by introduction of the NC machine and CAM technology, the work process was divided into NC data generation, NC machining, and finishing. The current CAM program assumes a uniform working method, and aims to enable anyone to machine the metal molds with simple operations by standardization of the working condition, datalization of the working pattern, and usage of the high-speed machine.
Therefore, it is assumed that a work to be machined has a specific shape and tools are new.
In such an environment, information communication between an NC data generation department and a machining department is carried out by using communication document forms, such as instruction sheets and/or working drawings, feedback document forms used when a machining failure occurred and the like. Incidentally, these document forms are paper sheets or electrical data.
As a result of unnoticed progress of the division of work and the partial optimization, a communication gap between persons in charge of the NC data generation and machining operators existed, and a wall against the improvement of technology and skill was formed.
JP-A-08-257874 discloses a technique in which outside dimension of a work piece is measured by a distance measuring device, and in a case where the outside dimension is smaller than machining dimension described in a NC machining program mentioned above, a machining start position is corrected so as to be adjacent to a side of the work piece in accordance with the dimensional difference.

CAM system and program, and method for controlling CAM system


A measurement apparatus has a body that includes a reference surface that defines a reference line. The body further includes a first elongate window defining a first measurement line and a first measurement indicia positioned in association with the first elongate window. The first measurement line and the reference line define a first angle having a first magnitude. The first measurement indicia corresponds to the first magnitude.

The present disclosure relates generally to measuring devices, and more particularly, to apparatus for measuring an angle of a guide wire relative to a bone.
A procedure regularly performed by orthopedic surgeons is the reduction of a hip fracture caused by trauma. The site of this type of fracture typically exists at the proximal portion of the femur below the head. In order to reduce a fracture of this type, an elongated lag screw is threadingly advanced over a guide wire into the shaft, neck, and head of the femur, and secured to a bone plate. Cortical screws are used to secure the bone plate to the femur distal to the fracture site. Tightening of the lag screw compresses the bone fragments together and facilitates healing of the femur. Many devices have been designed for this type of reduction including the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,438,762, 3,554,193, and 2,526,959, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
One step in the above-described procedure is to measure the angle of the guide wire relative to the femur to obtain an anteversion angle of the femur. In response to this measurement, an appropriately configured barrel (or fastener guide) may be selected for use in the lag screw assembly that is to be implanted in the femur. In particular, a barrel having a configuration that corresponds to the anteversion angle of the femur is selected, and thereafter joined with a lag screw to form a lag screw assembly that is then implanted over the guide wire in the femur.
Measurement of the guide wire relative to the femur may be made by a surgeon while the guide wire is located within the body of a patient, and in particular, positioned in the shaft, neck, and head of the femur of the patient. Alternatively, the measurement may be made while the guide wire is not located in the body of the patient, but rather is merely positioned on top of the patient's body in a position over the shaft, neck, and head of the femur.
One measurement apparatus that has been used to measure the angle of a guide wire relative to a femur to obtain an anteversion angle of the femur is a goniometer. Another measurement apparatus that has been used to measure such angle is a protractor.
It would be advantageous to design a measuring apparatus that facilitates precise measurement of the angle of a guide wire relative to a femur. It would be beneficial if such measuring apparatus was relatively easy to use. It would be additionally advantageous if such measuring apparatus could be used in association with an X-ray procedure to obtain highly accurate measurements. It would also be beneficial if such measuring device would facilitate advancement of a guide wire into the femur at a predetermined angle.
What is needed therefore is an apparatus for measuring an angle of a guide wire relative to a bone such as a femur that facilitates precise measurement. What is also needed is such a measuring apparatus that is relatively easy to use. What is further needed is an apparatus for measuring an angle of a guide wire relative to a bone that could be used in association with an X-ray procedure to obtain highly accurate measurements. What is additionally needed is an apparatus for measuring an angle of a guide wire relative to a femur that facilitates advancement of a guide wire into the femur at a predetermined angle.

Apparatus for measuring an angle of a guide wire relative to a bone


A process for diazotizing an amine comprises the steps of oxidizing nitric oxide in solution with an oxidizing agent to maintain an equilibrium concentration of a diazotizing agent and reacting a primary aromatic amine in situ with said diazotizing agent in said solution.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a diazotization process for amines. More particularly, the invention relates to a diazotization process for producing azo dye compounds.
2. Description of Related Art
Numerous diazotization processes for primary aromatic amines are known. Many of these processes are commercially important because of their use in the production of dyestuffs. The most commercially significant diazotization processes are batch processes carried out at temperatures from -5.degree. to +5.degree. C. and use nitrous acid (HONO) as the diazotizing agent. It is formed in situ from NaNO.sub.2 and HCl producing significant amounts of salt that must be separated from the dye and discarded as hazardous waste. In most processes, a large excess of HCl is used. This is neutralized during the ensuing coupling reaction producing more salt that also must be removed and discarded. Both the separation and disposal of the salt are costly procedures. To form an azo dye, the aromatic diazonium ion is coupled with a second electron rich molecule (i.e. coupler) or coupling agent to form the dye.
Some unreactive or insoluble amines cannot be diazotized in aqueous solution. Many of these are diazotized using nitrosylsulfuric acid prepared by dissolving sodium nitrite in 90 to 96 percent sulfuric acid at 0.degree. C. to 10.degree. C. The nitrosylsulfuric acid is added to a solution of the arylamine in 96 percent sulfuric acid at 0.degree. C. to 10.degree. C. The diazonium compound is then coupled with an amine, a phenol, or any molecule which offers electron pair availability to form an azo linkage.
A process for producing diazonium ions without by-product salt would offer advantages and be environmentally desirable. No such commercial process is known to be in operation.


A method for manufacturing an enzymatic reagent ink for use in analytical test strips (such as electrochemical-based analytical test strips configured for the determination of glucose in blood) includes determining a first relationship between wetability of a representative hydrophobic silica material (e.g., a hydrophobic fumed silica material) and at least a first calibration characteristic (for example, a calibration slope) of an analytical test strip that includes an enzymatic reagent ink containing the representative hydrophobic silica material. In the method, the first relationship defines a minimum wetability that provides an acceptable first calibration characteristic. The method also includes determining a second relationship defining wetability of a mixture of a particular hydrophobic silica material and a particular surfactant across a range of relative amount of the particular hydrophobic silica material and the particular surfactant and, subsequently, combining an amount of the particular hydrophobic silica material, an amount of the particular surfactant, and an amount of enzyme (such as glucose oxidase) to form an enzymatic reagent ink. Moreover, the amounts of the particular hydrophobic silica material and the particular surfactant are predetermined based on the second relationship to provide at least the minimum wetability defined by the first relationship.

This application is related to the following co-pending applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/429,393, filing date Apr. 24, 2009 (now abandoned) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/429,405, filing date Apr. 24, 2009 (now abandoned).
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to reagent inks and, in particular, to enzymatic reagent inks, related manufacturing methods and related analytical test strips.
2. Description of Related Art
The use of enzymatic reagent inks in analytical test strips has experienced widespread commercial exploitation. For example, enzymatic reagent inks have been employed in electrochemical-based analytical test strips for the determination of glucose in whole blood samples. Such enzymatic reagent inks and analytical test strips are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,465,380; 7,462,265; 7,291,256; 7,112,265; 5,708,247; 7,250,105; U.S. Pre-Grant Publication No. 2004/0026243; and International Publication No. WO2004039600, each of which is hereby incorporated in full by reference. The commercial exploitation of enzymatic reagent inks has consequentially led to an increased interest in the methods used to manufacture such inks.

Method for manufacturing an enzymatic reagent ink


The portable corral has a series of fence sections. Each fence section is preferably formed by a telescoping panel, which has a first female panel and a second male panel, which telescope into or out of each other, thereby permitting the length thereof to be adjusted. The slidable or telescoping panels have base receivers to support the panels or the fence sections as desired. Fasteners also join adjacent sections together, in order to form the corral into its desired shape.

This invention relates to a portable corral, and more particularly to a portable corral, which can be collapsed when desired and easily set up in a desired configuration.
With horses, transportation is necessary. The horses must be transported to races, exhibits, or other events. Usually, the horses are transported in a trailer. However, upon arrival at the site of an event, the owner must obtain shelter for both humans and horses.
This is a difficult procedure. Such events are very crowded and arrangements for owners and horses are difficult to find. When the horses are transported to an unknown place, it is critical to permit the horse to exercise. However, it is necessary to prevent the animal from running away.
Conventional fence assemblies are generally time consuming and tedious. Such fence assemblies are difficult to erect and require considerable handling. Furthermore, the fence sections sometimes lack the height necessary to contain a particular animal.
Sometimes it is also desirable to divide a portable structure into one or more chambers or corrals. This is difficult to achieve. The different structures require different features in storing and carrying. Thus, the required features to achieve the desired result cannot always be accomplished.
It is also necessary to brace the corral and have it stand in an appropriate position. Such a structure is difficult to handle at times. The bracing and standing of the corral are required for the containment of horses.
Also, other animals can be contained in a corral. Thus, the corral can also be used for sheep, goats, cattle, or other animals.
Sometimes, the area provided requires various configurations of the portable corral. If the corral can be portable with ease of assembly and disassembly, along with a variety of configurations, great advantages can be obtained. However, these requirements work against each other. Clearly, a device maximizing all of the advantages and minimizing the disadvantages at the same time.
Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of an easily transported corral.
A further objective of this invention is the provision of an easily transported corral for horses.
Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of an easily assembled corral.
A still further objective of this invention is the provision of an easily disassembled corral.
Another objective of this invention is the provision of a corral with an adjustable size.
Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of a corral with a variety of configurations.
Still, another objective of this invention is the provision of a corral, which can be braced.
These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a corral assembled from telescoping panels and fasteners.


Systems and methods for processing methane and other gases are disclosed. A representative method in accordance with one embodiment includes directing a first portion of a gas stream through a first adsorbent while exchanging heat between a second adsorbent and a third adsorbent. The method can further include directing a second portion of the gas stream through the third adsorbent while exchanging heat between the first and second adsorbents. The method can still further include directing a third portion of the gas stream through the second adsorbent while exchanging heat between the first and third adsorbents. In further particular aspects, the adsorbent can be used to remove carbon dioxide from a flow of methane. In other particular aspects, a heat exchange fluid that is not in direct contact with the adsorbents is used to transfer heat among the adsorbents.

Global warming and climate change are presently receiving significant scientific, business, regulatory, political, and media attention. According to increasing numbers of independent scientific reports, greenhouse gases impact the ozone layer and the complex atmospheric processes that re-radiate thermal energy into space, which in turn leads to global warming on Earth. Warmer temperatures in turn affect the entire ecosystem via numerous complex interactions that are not always well understood. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, but also include other gases such as methane, which is about 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, and nitrous oxide, which is over 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas.
In addition to the foregoing greenhouse gas concerns, there are significant concerns about the rate at which oil reserves are being depleted and that the United States imports over 60% of the crude oil it consumes from a few unstable regions of the globe. Accordingly, there is an increasing focus on finding alternative sources of energy, including clean, renewable, less expensive, and domestic energy sources. These sources include municipal solid waste, food processing wastes, animal wastes, restaurant wastes, agricultural wastes, and waste water treatment plant sludge. These sources also include coal seam methane, coal mine gas, and stranded well gas.
Many of the foregoing organic waste streams can be converted to biogas via anaerobic bacteria to produce mixtures of methane. Examples include covered landfills where the landfill gas contains approximately 48% methane, 38% carbon dioxide, 12% nitrogen and oxygen, water vapor, and small amounts of numerous other compounds. Biogas from anaerobic digestion of organic waste streams consists of approximately 65% methane, 33% carbon dioxide, water vapor and small amounts of other compounds. Coal mine gas contains approximately 64% methane, 32% nitrogen, 3% carbon dioxide, water, and small amounts of other compounds. Stranded well gas has a wide range of compositions depending on the location but typically contains approximately 80% methane, 13% nitrogen, several percent ethane and propane, plus water and 2% carbon dioxide. These stranded or waste sources of methane are widely geographically distributed rather than in large, localized sources like a large gas field. With enhanced technology these distributed methane sources are being converted to compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquid natural gas (LNG) and used as low emissions vehicle fuel for light and heavy duty vehicles.
The processes associated with producing both LNG and CNG include purifying the incoming methane gas stream to remove, among other constituents such as those that freeze out in or otherwise degrade LNG process equipment, constituents that contribute to an increase in emitted greenhouse gases. For example, the carbon dioxide present in the methane mixtures from most of the distributed waste or stranded sources must be efficiently removed to a concentration of about 100 parts per million to avoid freezing out in LNG. The small, distributed nature of many biomass waste streams or stranded gas wells or landfills makes the capital and operating costs associated with a waste-to-energy plant a key component in the price of the LNG or CNG vehicle fuel. Accordingly, there is a need for, better purifier and liquefier technology that reduces capital and operating costs and results in a more competitively priced methane fuel.


A method and an apparatus for generating a tomographic image are provided. The method for generating a tomographic image may involve: detecting a principal frequency region corresponding to a portion of a frequency data corresponding to a tomographic image, determining a plurality of sub frequency regions within the principal frequency region, and generating, by a processor, the tomographic image by synthesizing data of the plurality of sub frequency regions.

1. Field
The following description relates to methods and apparatuses for generating a tomography image.
2. Description of Related Art
Tomography relates to a technique of acquiring a sectional image or tomographic image of a target. Such tomographic imaging technologies are used in a variety of fields, such as medicine, radiology, archaeology, biology, geophysics, oceanography, materials science, astrophysics, and the like. For example, in medicine, a tomographic imaging device may be used to inspect target tissues of a human body for the purpose of obtaining diagnosis. Some representative examples of tomographic imaging devices used in medicine include computed tomography (CT) scanners, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices. In the field of archaeology and geophysics, tomography may be applied to analyze a geological structure from a tomographic image of a geological exploration target obtained using penetrating waves such as X rays, radio waves, sound waves, or laser radiated to the geological exploration target.
In many such tomographic imaging techniques, a technique of analyzing data of a frequency region is used to generate a cross-sectional image of a target. For example, a CT scanner produces a sinogram from a graph obtained from X-ray photographs taken from 180° or greater angles around a target, and uses a computer to convert the sinogram into data of a frequency region in order to transform the sinogram into sectional image data or a tomographic image data. An OCT device detects an optical coherence signal generated according to different durations while light beams pass through a tissue and are reflected from the tissue, and transforms the detected optical coherence signal into data of a frequency region, thereby producing a high-resolution sectional image for a biological tissue of a human body, such as mucous membranes, skin, and an eyeball. Tomographic images produced by tomographic imaging devices include noise, and a tomographic image generating system capable of reducing such noise is needed.

Apparatus and method of generating a tomographic image


A communication network uses intermediate nodes to resolve local traffic contention. Intermediate nodes receive upstream signals from end users, derive traffic information signals from the upstream signals, and transmit the traffic information signals to end users. By listening to the traffic information signals from the intermediate node, the end users know whether the upstream transmission channels are idle or busy, or whether a collision has occurred. The intermediate nodes derive and transmit the traffic information signals with or without the assistance of the central office or head end.

The invention relates to providing bi-directional broadband data services over resource-sharing networks using distributed local access control.
Communication networks can be divided into two major categories: (a) central-control and (b) peer-to-peer. The central-control networks deploy a central office (CO) to control all the transmissions to and from end users (EUs). In peer-to-peer networks, the EUs control their own transmission in coordination with other EUs with or without the help of the CO.
a. Central Control Systems
Central control systems could be either point-to-multipoint systems, such as passive optical networks (PONS) and hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) networks, or point-to-point systems, such as active star networks (ASN) used in current local telephone systems.
In point-to-multipoint systems, multiple users share the same physical transmission media. For downstream transmission, information is broadcast to all or groups of users over the downstream channel(s) and each EU selects the information addressed to this particular user. For upstream transmission, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) is one of the methods often used to avoid collision over the shared transmission path. Using TDMA, in which multiple EUs share the same frequency or wavelength channel, certain media access control (MAC) has to be deployed at both CO and EUs to coordinate the traffic and let the EUs access the same channel in turn.
Reservation-like or reservation-contention combined MAC protocol is usually used, in which the CO either preschedules all the EUs"" upstream transmission or dynamically assigns the upstream channel (time slot) for each EU based on its request.
Several difficulties or complexities arise with these point-to-multipoint systems using the aforementioned protocol. Because the distance from the CO to each EU is different, the MAC protocol has to be able to resolve problems arising as a result of the different distances. Delay and overhead in transmission are therefore unavoidable. Further, in systems like conventional HFC, the limited upstream bandwidth and noise also make it necessary to use certain modulation schemes such as quadranture phase shift keying (QPSK) or quadranture amplitude modulation (QAM) techniques, because they are bandwidth efficient and robust to noise. However, these systems are also complicated and expensive.
In point-to-point systems, the CO has dedicated physical lines to each EU. Therefore, no MAC is needed. However, the implementation and maintenance could be very expensive. Some systems deploy remote nodes which perform the concentration or multiplexing function to achieve equipment sharing, thus reducing the cost (Active Double Star: ADS; Fiber-to-the-curb: FTTC). Nevertheless, the remote nodes could become a potential bandwidth bottleneck for future capacity requirement.
b. Peer-to-peer Systems
Peer-to-peer systems are very popular in computer networks, especially in Local Area Networks (LANs). In these systems, each EU controls its own transmission in coordination with other EUs with or without the assistance of the CO. The MAC algorithm could be contention or reservation-based Aloha, Carrier-Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD), or token pass, which are all protocols well known in the art. The most widely used LAN is the Ethernet using CSMA/CD protocol.
Based on the CSMA/CD protocol, each EU listens to the traffic before transmitting (carrier-sense), transmits as soon as channel is idle, stops as soon as collision is detected (collision detection), and retransmits after back-off (the user defers transmission for a certain time period based on certain algorithms). The network is therefore self-controlled or self managed.
Because all the users share the same logical path for bidirectional transmission which is broadcast to the entire network, when one user is talking all the other users have to listen. Therefore, only half-duplex transmission can be achieved. This method is suitable for local area communication under low-load conditions, and allows only a small amount of traffic from the outside world to be efficiently transmitted into the LAN. It also requires that each EU detect collisions before finishing sending the packet. Therefore, the round trip delay over the entire network needs to be shorter than the time necessary to transmit an Ethernet packet having minimum packet size (512 bits or 51.2 xcexcs at 10 Mbps). This limits the transmission distance to only a few kilometers. In addition, the broadcasting scheme also gives EUs no privacy because they are required to listen to other EUs"" transmission.
Compared to the reservation-based MAC protocol used in central control networks, the contention-based CSMA/CD has the advantages of simplicity, low delay and less overhead at light traffic load, and no CO is necessary to coordinate the traffic. However, its local-broadcasting nature with limited transmission range and half-duplex operation makes it unsuitable for applications beyond LANs.
On the other hand, the directional topology of a central-control network such as a passive optical network (PON) or Hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, prevents each EU from listening to its neighbor""s upstream transmission or monitoring the traffic over the bus or trunk. Therefore, it is difficult to directly implement CSMA/CD over a central-control network unless the CO echoes at least part of the upstream traffic downstream to enable the EUs to monitor the upstream traffic, such as in 10Broad36 Ethernet (See IEEE 802.3). In typical networks with miles of coverage, the large round trip delay is beyond the limitations of the commonly used IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) standard. Even with certain protocol modifications, this delay will significantly reduce the transmission efficiency.
The invention overcomes the difficulties and limitations associated with Ethernet-like LANs and complexities in reservation based MAC protocols often used in central control systems.
Intermediate nodes (INs) are provided to coordinate local signaling and provide traffic information to each EU without involving the CO. The INs derive traffic information signals from upstream signaling and send the traffic information signals (TIS) downstream to each EU. The INs either generate the TIS or loop back at least a part of the signals or signaling from the EUs. The standard CSMA scheme with Collision Detection or Collision Avoidance (CA) can then be deployed with the help of those INs regardless of whether the original network topology is central-control or peer-to-peer, and independent of CO-EU distance. The intermediate nodes can implement several alternative methods of traffic regulation.
By separating two-way transmission over different communication paths or channels, and enabling two-way operation schemes in the user terminals (i.e. Ethernet cards inside computers), full-duplex transmission can also be achieved with high efficiency and dynamic traffic control. From an operations point of view, the boundary between central control and peer-to-peer control therefore disappears, and customers can use standard Ethernet cards to access the network.

Method and system for providing low-cost high-speed data services


Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a harness assembly including a substrate having a plurality of vias, and a trace formed atop the substrate, the trace extending between each of the plurality of vias. The harness assembly may further include a surface mounted device disposed within a via of the plurality of vias.

Surface mounted devices (SMDs) and sensors, such as negative/positive temperature coefficient sensors, reed switches, Anisotropic Magneto-Resistance (AMR) Giant Magneto-Resistance (GMR) sensors, Tunnel Magneto-Resistance (TMR) sensors, and/or fuses, or their combination, require connection to a control circuit. One conventional assembly approach includes placing sensors on a printed circuit board (PCB) and connecting the sensors by wires afterwards. In some cases, wire harnesses are also employed to carry out the connection. However, wire harnessing can be expensive. Therefore, how to wire one or more devices, such as SMDs or sensors, without the use of conventional wire harnesses, is a critical problem to be addressed.

Flexible harness assembly for surface mounted devices


A slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail. The first rail includes a supporting feature. The second rail can be displaced with respect to the first rail. The third rail is movably disposed between the first rail and the second rail. When the slide rail assembly is in a predetermined state, the supporting feature protrudes beyond an end portion of the third rail by a predetermined distance and supports the second rail.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,954 B2 (hereinafter referred to as the '954 patent for short) discloses a slide rail assembly that includes an outer rail, a middle rail, and an inner rail. When the outer rail, the middle rail, and the inner rail are extended with respect to one another such that the slide rail assembly is in an extended state, the inner rail is locked with respect to the middle rail via a controller (see FIG. 6 or FIG. 16 of the '954 patent). The '954 patent, however, neither discloses that the inner rail is supported by the outer rail (or a related component on the outer rail) when retracted with respect to the outer rail, nor discloses that the slide rail assembly has a locking mechanism for locking the inner rail when the inner rail is retracted with respect to the outer rail.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,244,868 B2 (hereinafter referred to as the '868 patent for short) discloses a slide rail assembly that includes a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail, all of which can be displaced with respect to one another. The second rail can be locked at a retracted position with respect to the first rail (see FIG. 17 of the '868 patent) to shorten the overall length of the slide rail assembly, thereby allowing the slide rail assembly to be used in a narrow space (see FIG. 21 of the '868 patent). The '868 patent, however, neither discloses that the third rail is supported by the first rail (or a related component on the first rail) when retracted with respect to the first rail, nor discloses that the slide rail assembly has a locking mechanism for locking the third rail when the third rail is retracted with respect to the first rail.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,631,639 B2 (hereinafter referred to as the '639 patent for short) discloses a slide rail assembly that includes a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail movably mounted between the first rail and the second rail. When the second rail is at a retracted position with respect to the first rail, an operating member and a blocking member are blocked by each other to prevent the second rail from being displaced from the retracted position in a first direction (e.g., an opening direction) (see FIG. 5 of the '639 patent). The operating member, however, is not supported by the first rail (or a related component on the first rail) when the second rail is at the retracted position with respect to the first rail; in other words, the structural strength or supporting strength of the slide rail assembly still leaves something to be desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,282,176 B1 (hereinafter referred to as the '176 patent for short) discloses a slide rail assembly that includes a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail movably mounted between the first rail and the second rail. When the second rail is at a retracted position with respect to the first rail (see FIG. 6 of the '176 patent), a locking member and a stop are blocked by each other to prevent the second rail from being displaced from the retracted position in an opening direction, and the operating portion of a release member can be pulled outward to pivot the locking member away from the stop. The release member, however, is not supported by the first rail (or a related component on the first rail) when the second rail is at the retracted position with respect to the first rail, meaning the structural strength or supporting strength of the slide rail assembly still leaves something to be desired.


A resource indication method and apparatus and a computer storage medium are provided. The method includes that: a terminal device receives first indication information from a network device, the first indication information indicating an active transmission resource and/or an inactive transmission resource; and based on the first indication information, the terminal device detects a downlink control channel on the active transmission resource and/or does not detect a downlink control channel on the inactive transmission resource.

In a New Radio (NR) system, a network may configure a Control Resource Set (CORESET) and a search space (SS). Each CORESET may include time-frequency resources (for example, specific frequency-domain resources that are to be occupied and the number of continuous time-domain symbols that are to be occupied) and some other configurations.
In an NR design, both a CORESET and an SS are configured by radio resource control (RRC) configuration. User equipment (UE), after receiving an SS configuration, may detect a Physical downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) according to the SS configuration. Such a design is flexible to some extent but is not flexible enough in some cases.
According to a present mechanism, the abovementioned configuration needs to be changed by RRC configuration. RRC configuration has a relatively large latency, which is usually dozens to hundreds of milliseconds or more.

Resource indication method and apparatus and computer storage medium

GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.


A spray cooled motor system with a motor housing with an interior and an exterior, a stator mounted within the interior of the motor housing, a rotor mounted within the interior of the motor housing, a coil winding mounted within the interior of the motor housing, a plurality of atomizers configured to spray a coolant on at least one of the stator and the rotor, a coolant pump in fluid communication with the plurality of atomizers; and an output shaft extending through an output shaft aperture from the interior to the exterior of the motor housing.

While motors have been known for years, their performance has been limited by thermal constraints and their ability to remove heat from m part or all of the motor. Improved thermal characteristics and/or enhanced motor operational characteristics may be achieved with internal spray cooling.
It is an object of this invention to provide a spray cooled electric motor system.


Disclosed herein is an animal isolator and method for isolating one or more animals from a herd. The animal isolator comprises a meshing enclosure for confining the animals. The meshing enclosure comprises a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of opposing side walls, a partially closed base partially closing a first end of the open ended enclosure, a vehicle mounting assembly, and a gate. The meshing enclosure is detachably attached to the rear end or the front end of a vehicle using the vehicle mounting assembly and is raised above ground surface. The vehicle is driven through the herd. The meshing enclosure is then lowered over the animals and the animals are captured through the opening of the partially closed base. The captured animals are driven onto the platform and are confined to a region defined by the platform using the gate.

The apparatus and method disclosed herein, in general, relates to animal husbandry. More particularly, the apparatus and method disclosed herein relates to isolating one or more animals from a herd using an animal isolator.
Typically, in animal husbandry, animals are required to be isolated from a herd of animals for vaccination and for other medical reasons. The possessiveness of animals for their off-spring generally elicits violent reactions from the animals towards a person attempting to isolate the off-spring from the herd. Consequently, medical procedures and animal rearing processes that require isolating the animal off spring from the herd are hindered due to aggressive reactions from the animals.
The conventional techniques used for isolating animals include manual isolation which requires a significant amount time, effort and risk to a person who tries to isolate the off-spring. The off-spring, for example, a calf is conventionally isolated from the mother cow using a permanent fence or pens. However this technique requires a farmer performing the isolation to drive away the mother cow outside the fenced area and in the process the farmer is unprotected and is often attacked by the mother cow. There is a need for an isolation device mounted on a vehicle without requiring manual segregation and that allows isolation of the calf from the mother cow in a safe manner.
Hence, there is an unmet need for an animal isolator that facilitates the process of isolating one or more animals from the herd.


A memory controller apparatus for controlling access to a memory array from a microprocessor and a plurality of devices is described. The memory controller apparatus interfaces the microprocessor and the plurality of devices. The microprocessor functions asynchronously with the plurality of devices. The memory controller apparatus comprises a delay line circuitry coupled to receive a selected request for accessing the memory array from one of the microprocessor and the plurality of devices, the delay line means further including means for generating a plurality of memory timing control signals. The memory timing control signals are used for accessing the memory array. The delay line circuitry functions independently of any clock signal. The delay line circuitry is only triggered by the selected request. The memory controller apparatus further comprises a memory state circuitry coupled to the delay line circuitry for controlling sequence and timing of the memory timing control signals. The memory state circuitry is clocked by the memory timing control signals. A method of generating memory timing control signals in a memory controller apparatus is also described.

In a prior microprocessor based system having memory, a microprocessor, as well as other circuitry, it is necessary to have clock or timing signals for various uses. For instance, when a microprocessor accesses a DRAM (i.e., dynamic random access memory) in the system, many clock signals are required from the microprocessor to latch addresses, decode the addresses, access the memory array, precharge nodes, control refreshing, etc.
The advances in the microprocessor technologies have led to the creation of high speed and high performance microprocessors. However, interfacing such a high speed, high performance microprocessor to a DRAM array requires the microprocessor to analyze many timings, to examine refresh cycle effects on bus timing, and to note minimum and maximum signal widths, which adversely affects the speed and performance of the microprocessor.
One prior solution to these problems is to design a DRAM controller that interfaces the microprocessor and the DRAM device. A prior DRAM controller typically provides complete control and timing for the DRAM device. The microprocessor interfaces to the DRAM controller. In such a prior DRAM controller, many techniques have been employed to generate the required timing signals internally.
Generally in the prior art, an internally generated system clock signal in the microprocessor is delayed to provide timing signals to access the DRAM array by using the charge-discharge characteristics of a resistor-capacitor network or of an MOS transistor-capacitor network. The length of the delay is controlled in these cases by the amount of resistance, capacitance or by the characteristics of an MOS transistor. The timing signals are then used to access the DRAM array.
One prior problem associated with this technique is that it does not provide accurate timing signals. The large variations, for example, in MOS circuit characteristics due to typical wafer processing, supply voltage variations and operating temperature cause substantial variations in timing delays.
One prior solution to solving this timing problem is to generate the timing signals in the DRAM controller by the use of a synchronous delay line. The synchronous delay line typically receives a clock signal and provides a series of taps, wherein each tap provides a timing pulse that has a precise delay from the commencement of a clock cycle which is initiated by the clock signal. The clock signal is applied from the microprocessor external to the DRAM controller and coupled to the synchronous delay line. The delay line is operating synchronously with the external microprocessor. The synchronous delay line then generates timing designed to have precise delays from the start of the clock signal. In addition, the timing signals are insensitive to variations from wafer processing, supply voltage and temperature.
Prior synchronous delay lines are described in (1) U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,861, issued on Jan. 29, 1985, entitled "INTEGRATED CIRCUIT SYNCHRONOUS DELAY LINE", in (2) U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,605, issued on Dec. 4, 1990, entitled "SYNCHRONOUS DELAY LINE WITH AUTOMATIC RESET", and in (3) U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,695, issued on Feb. 19, 1991, entitled "SYNCHRONOUS DELAY LINE WITH QUADRATURE CLOCK PHASES".
One disadvantage of the use of the synchronous delay lines in the DRAM controller is that the synchronous delay lines are designed to operate synchronously with the microprocessor's clock signal at a particular frequency. Because the synchronous delay lines in the DRAM controller function under the particular frequency of the clock signal, the delay lines depend on the type and speed of the external microprocessor. When the microprocessor is replaced with a new type of microprocessor having a higher frequency clock signal, the synchronous delay lines in the DRAM controller cannot generate the timing signals required for the DRAM under the new clock signal. Thus, the DRAM controller must also be replaced.
Another disadvantage of the use of the synchronous delay lines in the DRAM controller is that all input signals to the delay lines have to be delayed in order for the signals to be synchronized with the clock signal at the delay lines. This is typically done by having the controller wait for at least a couple of clock pulse periods in order to assure that an input signal is received and synchronized at the delay lines. In this case, the controller does not respond to the input signals immediately and much time is wasted in synchronizing the input signals.
Another disadvantage associated with the use of the synchronous delay line in the DRAM controller is that it is difficult, though not impossible, to transfer high frequency clock signal accurately and free of noise within the system. When the frequency of the clock signal of the microprocessor becomes higher and higher, more chip space is needed to ensure an accurate transfer of the clock signal to other devices within the system. Therefore, it is desirable to distribute the high frequency clock signal to as few places in the system as possible.
Another disadvantage associated with the use of the synchronous delay line in the DRAM controller is that the interface logic between the controller and other system devices becomes more complicated when the controller is a dual ported controller. A dual ported DRAM controller is connected both to the microprocessor in the system via a host bus and to other devices, such as system bus controller, peripheral controller, via a system bus. These other devices typically have access to the DRAM array through the controller directly without the involvement of the microprocessor. In this case, the controller is operating synchronously with the microprocessor under a higher frequency clock signal while these other devices in the system are operating under their clock signals of much lower frequencies. The clock signal of the microprocessor and that of the system devices are not synchronized to each other. Because the controller is operating synchronously with the microprocessor's clock signal, the communication between the controller and the other system devices typically requires a handshake operation. Therefore, additional logic is required to accomplish the operation.

Memory controller with integrated delay line circuitry


Method for the condition monitoring of the safety switches of the safety circuit of an elevator. Inferences can be made about the condition of a safety switch by measuring and examining the current of the safety circuit of the elevator after the state of the safety circuit has changed. The current signal is filtered, after which the amount of interference caused by contact malfunctions of the switch is determined from it. Based on the amount of interference it is possible to determine in what condition the switch is.

It is of primary importance for the operation of an elevator system that the elevator system operates faultlessly and above all safely. For this reason numerous different safety devices are in use in elevator systems. One of these is the so-called safety circuit. A safety circuit, which travels from one safety device of the elevator to another, is the most important part of the electrical safety system of an elevator. The circuit comprises chained contacts and switches such as the switches of a static circuit, the switches of the car and landing door, the switches of locks and the contactor of the elevator. If even one safety device disconnects the safety circuit, the elevator stops or it will not start moving. If e.g. the doors of the elevator car are open, the safety circuit is open and the elevator will not start moving before the doors are closed and the safety circuit in its entirety is closed.
An elevator that is already in use must be serviced and its condition checked under legal requirements to ensure its safe operation. In the inspection of the condition of the elevator operating tests are performed on it, i.e. the functioning of the safety devices and alarm devices are tested and it is checked that the elevator will not move before the car and landing doors are closed, and that they will not open before the elevator is at a floor. The safety circuit and its contacts and switches thus have an important role in the condition monitoring of the elevator. When inspecting the condition of an elevator different condition monitoring appliances can be used, the analyzers of which can utilize information about the current traveling in the safety circuit.
Inferences can thus be made about the condition of the elevator by examining the operation of the safety circuit of the elevator and its safety switches. On the basis of the strength of the current traveling in different points of the safety circuit it can be inferred which switches that belong to the safety circuit are open or closed at each moment in time, and whether the switches of the safety circuit operate according to the regulations set for them.
Depending on the states of the contacts of the safety circuit, i.e. whether each switch is open or closed, the current traveling in the safety circuit receives different levels of strength. During the start-up of the elevator samples are received of all the current levels of the safety circuit, which are classified. As a result of this a class center of current strength corresponding to each state of the safety circuit is ascertained. After start-up, during normal operation of the elevator, the state of the safety circuit can be determined by means of the current measured from the safety circuit, e.g. by seeking the class center most closely corresponding to the strength of the measured current.
The switches in the dynamic part of the safety circuit change their state all the time during normal operation of the elevator, in which case they wear and do not necessarily connect properly. Also dirt, grease, etc., that enters the switches may cause contact malfunctions. If even one of the contacts of a safety circuit does not connect, the elevator is not able to move or, if the elevator is moving, it stops. Finding a defective switch is awkward because all the switches are in series and they are situated on different sides of the elevator shaft far apart from each other. The malfunctioning may also be concealed, in which case one of the switches causes random switching interference.
Bad contacts of the switches can be indirectly monitored e.g. via failed starts or by re-openings of a fully-closed door. The use of monitoring of re-openings of the doors in determining contact malfunctions is based on the fact that the control system endeavors to make the safety circuit unbroken by re-opening a door. A traditionally awkward situation from the standpoint of the serviceman is if the elevator has stopped between floors in the middle of a run. If the source of the problem is the contacts of the door or of the lock of a landing, and there is no remote monitoring in the elevator, locating the fault can be awkward. In this case it is possible that the elevator starts to run e.g. after a restart (reset), in which case the fault remains concealed and causes a new fault situation after some time has passed. The location of the switches may also be awkward to access, in addition to which the switches are located in the elevator shaft a considerable distance from each other, especially in a high-rise building.
Thus by means of also modern remote monitoring it is possible to indirectly monitor contact malfunctions via re-openings and attempted starts. In this case, however, contact malfunction has progressed very far and they cause fault situations. In addition, re-openings and failed starts erode the transportation capacity of the elevator and impair ride comfort.


An electric motor in a work apparatus has a power characteristic line which runs between a lower rotational speed of the electric motor and an upper rotational speed of the electric motor. The power characteristic line has a power characteristic with a pronounced maximum (M) and an operating plateau (AP) which lies in a working rotational speed range (AD) of the work apparatus. A method for operating the electric motor provides for configuring the position of the operating plateau (AP) to be variable with respect to the rotational speed of the electric motor to achieve stable operating points over a wide rotational speed range.

German patent publication DE 10 2007 046 111 A1 discloses a portable, handheld work apparatus which is configured as a harvesting apparatus. A drive motor drives a shaking rod, which is hooked on a branch to be harvested via a hook, by means of a crank drive. In dependence on the rotational speed of the drive motor, a shaking vibration develops which detaches the fruit to be harvested from the shaken branch. Different degrees of ripeness of the fruits as well as different types of fruits require different shaking vibration frequencies, wherefore the user must adapt the drive rotational speed of the harvesting apparatus according to the fruits to be harvested, their degree of ripeness and the strength of the branch to be shaken.
In such handheld work apparatuses, continuous operation with reduced rotational speed can be advantageous. Advantageously, a rotational speed is set in dependence on the degree of ripeness of the fruit to be harvested and the strength of the branch to be shaken. Operation with reduced rotational speed can also be desirable for noise reduction. For this, the user must set the desired rotational speed by partially depressing the operating handle, which is uncomfortable and not very ergonomic when the user has to hold the operating handle in a partially depressed position for a relatively long period of time.
Also in chain saws having an electric motor for driving a saw chain, as is disclosed in United States patent application publication 2010/0218966, a reduced rotational speed can be practical for certain types of tasks, for example cutting branches.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,652,438 discloses a power characteristic line for an electric motor in an electric work apparatus for agriculture, forestry and gardening, whose power characteristic line has a maximum with respect to the rotational speed. During operation, the user selects different operating points on the characteristic line by changing the operating rotational speed. Operating points, which lie ahead of a power maximum of the characteristic line, are unstable operating points and are very difficult to maintain for a user; operating points beyond the maximum of the power characteristic line are stable operating points which the user can easily run up to and maintain.

Method for operating a work apparatus having an electric motor