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Patent application title: METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF DETERMINING PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH OBJECTS TAGGED WITH RFID TAGS
Inventors: John R. Tuttle (Boulder, CO, US)
Assignees: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
IPC8 Class: AG08B1314FI
USPC Class: 3405727
Class name: Article placement or removal (e.g., anti-theft) detectable device on protected article (e.g., "tag") specified antenna structure
METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF DETERMINING PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH OBJECTS TAGGED WITH RFID TAGS - Patent application <?php require_once('/home/patents/php/mtc.config.php'); require_once('/home/patents/php/mtc.class.php'); $MTC = new MTC(); $MTC->init(); ?>
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Inventors: John R. Tuttle
Agents: GREENBERG TRAURIG, LLP (SV);IP DOCKETING
Origin: SANTA MONICA, CA US
Methods and systems of determining physical characteristics associated with objects tagged with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising making a first reading of a RFID tag coupled to an object (an electromagnetic signal received from the RFID tag having a first received signal strength indication (RSSI)), making a second reading of the RFID tag (an electromagnetic signal received from the RFID tag having a second RSSI), and a determining whether the object is moving using (at least in part) the first and second RSSI. Other illustrative embodiments, may determine (in addition to or in place of determining movement) orientation of the object based, at least in part, on the electromagnetic signals.
1. A method comprising:receiving a first electromagnetic signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag coupled to an object;calculating a first received signal strength indication (RSSI) based on the first electromagnetic signal;receiving a second electromagnetic signal from the RFID tag;calculating a second RSSI based on the second electromagnetic signal; anddetermining whether the object is moving using, at least in part, the first and second RSSI.
2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein determining whether the object is moving further comprises determining whether the object is moving toward or away from a reading antenna, the determining based, at least in part, on the first and second RSSI.
3. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein receiving the first and second electromagnetic signals further comprise receiving from the RFID tag having an antenna being one or more selected from the group consisting of: a dipole antenna; a loop antenna; a patch antenna; and a dual-sided patch antenna.
4. The method as defined in claim 1 further comprises determining orientation of the RFID tag.
5. The method as defined in claim 4 wherein determining orientation further comprises determining which side of the RFID tag substantially faces a reading antenna.
6. The method as defined in claim 5 wherein determining which side of the RFID tag substantially faces the reading antenna further comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of: receiving a value from the RFID tag that indicates which side of the RFID tag faces the reading antenna; and receiving the electromagnetic signal with a particular polarization, the polarization indicates which side of the RFID tag faces the reading antenna.
7. The method as defined in claim 4 wherein determining orientation further comprises determining which of a plurality of RFID tags substantially faces a reading antenna.
8. The method as defined in claim 7 wherein determining which of a plurality of RFID tags substantially faces a reading antenna further comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of: receiving an identification value that indicates which of the plurality of identification tags faces the reading antenna; and receiving the electromagnetic signal with a particular polarization, the polarization indicates which of the plurality of RFID tags faces the reading antenna.
9. The method as defined in claim 4 wherein determining orientation further comprises determining rotational orientation of the RFID tag.
10. The method as defined in claim 9 wherein determining rotational orientation of the RFID tag further comprises receiving the electromagnetic signal with a particular polarization, the polarization indicative of the rotational orientation of the RFID tag.
11. A system comprising:a frequency identification (RFID) tag configured to couple to an object;a reading antenna in operational relationship to the RFID tag; anda reader circuit coupled to the reading antenna, the reader circuit configured to generate a received signal strength indication (RSSI) for each interrogation of the RFID tag;wherein the system is configured to determine whether the RFID tag is moving based on RSSI as between two interrogations of the RFID tag.
12. The system as defined in claim 11 wherein the reader circuit is configured to determine whether the RFID tag is moving.
13. The system as defined in claim 11 further comprising an electronic system coupled to the reader circuit, wherein the electronic system is configured to determine whether the RFID tag is moving.
14. The system as defined in claim 11 wherein the system is configured to determine a direction of movement of the RFID tag.
15. The system as defined in claim 14 wherein the system is configured to determine whether the RFID tag is moving toward or away from the reading antenna based, at least in part, on RSSI as between two interrogations.
16. The system as defined in claim 11 further comprising:wherein the RFID tag has two faces; andwherein the system is configured to determine which face of the RFID tag is exposed to the reading antenna.
17. The system as defined in claim 16 further comprising:wherein the RFID tag further comprises a dual-sided patch antenna, each particular patch of the dual-sided patch antenna transmits an electromagnetic signal when the particular patch is interrogated;wherein the system is configured to determine which face of the RFID tag is exposed to the reading antenna based on the electromagnetic signal.
18. The system as defined in claim 17 wherein the system is configured to determine which face of the RFID tag is exposed to the reading antenna based on data payload encoded in the electromagnetic signal.
19. The system as defined in claim 17 wherein the system configured to determine which face of the RFID tag is exposed to the reading antenna based on the polarization of the electromagnetic signal.
20. The system as defined in claim 19 further comprising:wherein the reading antenna comprises:a first antenna having a first polarization; anda second antenna having a second polarization different than the first polarization;wherein the system is configured to determine polarization of the electromagnetic signals based, at least in part, on which of the first or second antennas have greater RSSI for the electromagnetic signal.
21. The system as defined in claim 11 further comprising:wherein the RFID tag couples to a first side of the object; anda second RFID tag couples to a second side of the object;wherein the system is configured to determine which side of the object faces a reading antenna.
22. The system as defined in claim 21 further comprising:wherein the RFID tag has a first identification value;wherein the second RFID tag has a second identification value different than the first identification value; andwherein the system is configured to determine which RFID tag faces a reading antenna based on which of the first or second identification values are received from an interrogation.
23. The system as defined in claim 21 further comprising:wherein the RFID tag has a tag antenna with a first polarization;wherein the second RFID tag has a tag antenna with a second polarization different than the first polarization; andwherein the system is configured to determine which RFID tag faces a reading antenna based on polarization of an electromagnetic signal received by the reading antenna.
24. The system as defined in claim 11 wherein the system is configured to determine rotational orientation of the RFID tag.
25. The system as defined in claim 24 wherein the system is configured to determine rotational orientation of the RFID tag based on the polarization of the electromagnetic signal.
26. The system as defined in claim 25 further comprising:wherein the reading antenna further comprises:a first antenna having a first polarization; anda second antenna having a second polarization different than the first polarization;wherein the system is configured to determine rotational orientation of the RFID tag based, at least in part, on portions of the electromagnetic signal received by each of the first and second receiving antennas.
[0001]1. Field
[0002]The various embodiments are directed to determining motion and/or orientation objects tagged with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.
[0003]2. Description of the Related Art
[0004]Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are used in a variety of applications, such as goods identification in wholesale and retail sales, access cards (e.g., building access, garage access), and badging and identification of employees. However, most RFID systems constrain the RFID tags to be stationary, or only slowly moving, such that reading or interrogating of RFID tags is not adversely affected by movement of the RFID tags. In situations where tagged objects move quickly, special equipment is needed to read the RFID tags. Moreover, existing systems are typically concerned with reading RFID tags and in some cases determining location, but system and methods to determine whether the RFID tag is moving and/or orientation of the RFID tag (or the object to which the tag attaches) are not commonly employed.
[0005]For a detailed description of various embodiments, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0006]FIG. 1 shows a system in accordance with at least some embodiments;
[0007]FIG. 2 shows a dual-sided patch antenna in accordance with at least some embodiments;
[0008]FIGS. 3A and 3B show far-field radiation (or reception) patterns for the antenna elements of the dual-sided patch antenna considered individually;
[0009]FIG. 4 shows far-field radiation (or reception) pattern for the dual-sided patch antenna of various embodiments;
[0010]FIG. 5 shows an electrical block diagram of circuitry for coupling to the dual-sided patch antenna in accordance with at least some embodiments;
[0011]FIG. 6 shows an electrical block diagram of circuitry for coupling to the dual-sided antenna in other embodiments;
[0012]FIG. 7 shows an electrical block diagram of circuitry for coupling to the dual-sided antenna in yet still other embodiments;
[0013]FIG. 8 shows a system in accordance with other embodiments;
[0014]FIG. 9 shows an electrical block diagram of circuitry for coupling to multiple reading antennas;
[0015]FIG. 10 shows an electrical block diagram of circuitry for coupling to multiple reading antennas;
[0016]FIG. 11 shows a method in accordance with at least some embodiments; and
[0017]FIG. 12 shows a method in accordance with at least some embodiments.
NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE
[0018]Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, design and manufacturing companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function.
[0019]In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to . . . . " Also, the term "couple" or "couples" is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other intermediate devices and connections. Moreover, the term "system" means "one or more components" combined together. Thus, a system can comprise an "entire system," "subsystems" within the system, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a RFID reader, or any other device comprising one or more components. Further, various embodiments are directed to determining which side of an object faces a particular direction. Even though cylindrical and spherical objects may not have precisely defined "side" boundaries, for purposes of this specification and the claims cylindrical and spherical objects nonetheless are considered to have sides (e.g., a first hemisphere of a spherical object is a first side, and a second hemisphere of the spherical object is a second side).
[0020]The various embodiments disclosed herein are discussed in the context of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags; however, the systems and methods discussed have application beyond RFID tags to other types of radio frequency technologies. The discussion of any embodiment in relation to RFID tags is meant only to be illustrative of that embodiment, and not intended to intimate that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.
[0021]The various embodiments are directed to determining physical characteristics associated with objects tagged with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. FIG. 1 shows a system 100 in accordance with some embodiments. In particular, system 100 shows an object 10 on a conveyor system 12, with the object 10 selectively moving in the direction indicated by arrow 14. Conveyor system 12 is merely illustrative of any situation where an object 10 moves in two- or three-dimensional space. For example, the object 10 and conveyor system 12 are illustrative of wafer boats in semiconductor manufacturing production line, luggage in an automated luggage handling system, parcels in an automated sorting facility, or participants in a war game. The object 10 has an associated RFID tag 16, which as illustrated is visible both from in front of the object 10, and from behind the object 10. The system 100 further comprises a reading antenna 18, which as illustrated is positioned downstream of the direction of travel of the object 10. The reading antenna 18 is shown as a Yagi antenna, but other antenna types (e.g. dipole, loop or patch antennas) may be equivalently used.
[0022]In accordance with some embodiments, a RFID reader 19 and electronic system 21 couple to the reading antenna 18. The RFID reader 19 may be equivalently referred as an interrogator. The RFID reader 19 passes data obtained from the RFID tag 16 to the electronic system 21, which performs any suitable function. For example, the electronic system 21, based on the data received from the RFID tag 16, may identify the next step in a semiconductor manufacturing processes, direct a piece of luggage down a particular conveyor, direct a parcel to a particular shipping container, or identify participants in a war game. In accordance with some embodiments, the RFID reader 19 and/or the electronic system 21 (which may be a computer system) determine whether the object 10 is moving using, at least in part, a received signal strength indication (RSSI). Thus, the discussion turns to a description of RSSI.
[0023]In active and semi-active RFID tags, once queried by the RFID reader, the RFID tag broadcasts an electromagnetic signal using power from a battery internal to the RFID tag. The electromagnetic signal has encoded therein an identification value pre-programmed in the RFID circuit of the RFID tag. Stated otherwise, the electromagnetic signal carries a message, and the identification value is encoded in the data payload of the message, possibly along with other information and values. The electromagnetic signal is received by the reading antenna 18, and the RFID reader 19 extracts the message from the electromagnetic signal. When the active and/or semi-active RFID tag is very close to the reading antenna 18, the signal strength of the electromagnetic signal is high. Conversely, when the active and/or semi-active RFID tag is far from the reading antenna 18 (e.g. at a far edge of an operational zone), the signal strength of the electromagnetic signal may be low, and yet the RFID reader may still be able to extract the message and corresponding value of interest. In accordance with at least some embodiments, the RFID reader 19, in addition to extracting the message from the electromagnetic signal, also generates and/or calculates a parameter indicative of the signal strength of the electromagnetic signal that carried the message, the RSSI. For example, when the active and/or semi-active RFID tag is very close to the reading antenna, the RSSI may be a maximum (e.g., a RSSI value of 100), and when the active and/or semi-active RFID tag is at the far reaches of the usable range, the RSSI may be a minimum (e.g., a RSSI value of 1).
[0024]Passive RFID tags, unlike active and semi-active RFID tags, have no internal battery. The antenna of the passive RFID tag receives an interrogating signal transmitted from a reader circuit and attached antenna, and the power extracted from the received interrogating signal is used to power the tag. Once powered, the passive RFID tag sends a response comprising a data or identification value; however, the value is sent in the form of backscattered electromagnetic signals to the RFID reader 19 antenna 18. In particular, the RFID reader 19 and antenna 18 continue to transmit power after the RFID tag is awake. While the RFID reader 19 transmits, an antenna of the RFID tag is selectively tuned and de-tuned with respect to the carrier frequency. When tuned, significant incident power is absorbed by the antenna of the RFID tag 16 (and is used to power the underlying circuits). When de-tuned, significant power is reflected by the antenna of the RFID tag 16 to the antenna 18 of the RFID reader 19. The data or identification value thus modulates the carrier in the form of reflected or backscattered electromagnetic wave. The RFID reader 19 reads the data or identification value from the backscattered electromagnetic waves. Thus, in this specification and in the claims, the terms transmitting and transmission include not only sending from an antenna using internally sourced power, but also sending in the form of backscattered signals.
[0025]In reading of passive tags, a RSSI value may also be calculated. When the passive RFID tag is very close to the reading antenna 18, the difference in backscattered signal strength as between when the antenna of the RFID tag is absorbing power, and when the RFID tag is reflecting power, may be very high. Conversely, when the passive RFID tag is far from the reading antenna 18, the difference in backscattered signal strength as between when the antenna of the RFID tag is absorbing power and when the RFID tag is reflecting power may be very low, and yet the reader circuit may still be able to extract the message and corresponding value of interest. Here too, the RFID reader 19, in addition to extracting the message from the electromagnetic signal, also generates a parameter (RSSI) indicative of the signal strength of the electromagnetic signal that carried the message. In the case of RSSI for passive tags, the RSSI may be an indication of the ratio of the peak reflected signal strength (i.e., RFID tag reflecting power) to the background signal strength (i.e., RFID tag absorbing power). In other embodiments, the RSSI for passive tags may be the ratio of a maximum possible reflected power (i.e., signal strength with RFID tag close to the reading antenna and the RFID tag reflection) to the actual reflected power. As an example of possible RSSI, when the passive RFID tag is very close to the reading antenna, the RSSI may be a maximum (e.g. a RSSI value of 100), and when the RFID tag is at the far reaches of the usable range, the RSSI may be a minimum (e.g., a RSSI value of 1).
[0026]Regardless of the active or passive construction of the RFID tag used, in accordance with some embodiments a determination is made as to whether the RFID tag 16 and attached object 10 are moving by evaluating RSSI for multiple readings or interrogations of the RFID tag. For embodiments where the electronic system 21 (as opposed to the RFID reader 19) makes the determination of whether the object 10 is moving, the RFID reader 19 passes the identification value derived from the interrogation of the RFID tag 16 along with the RSSI for the particular interrogation to the electronic system 21, and the electronic system 21 compares RSSI values to make the determination. In other embodiments, the RFID reader 19 is configured to retain identification values and RSSI from previous interrogations. Using retained RSSI, the RFID reader 19 makes the determination of whether the object is moving and passes an indication of the movement, or lack of movement, to the electronic system 21. Independent of the precise location where the determination is made, in some embodiments movement is determined as a difference in RSSI values for different interrogations of the RFID tag 16. For example, if a first interrogation yields a RSSI of 50, and a subsequent (though not necessarily immediately subsequent) interrogation yields a RSSI of 75, the difference in the RSSI as between the two interrogations is indicative of movement of the RFID tag 16 and thus the underlying tagged object 10.
[0027]Further embodiments determine not only whether the object is moving, but also direction of movement. Consider the example above of a first interrogation resulting in a RSSI of 50, and a subsequent interrogation resulting in a RSSI of 75. As the RFID tag 16 moves closer to the reading antenna 18, the RSSI increases, and given that the subsequent reading has a higher RSSI, the RFID reader 19 and/or the electronic system 21 deduce that the RFID tag 16 and attached object 10 are moving toward the reading antenna 18. Now consider the opposite situation, where a first interrogation yields a RSSI of 75, and a subsequent interrogation yields a RSSI of 50. As the RFID tag 16 moves away from the reading antenna 18, the RSSI decreases, and given that the subsequent reading has a lower RSSI, the RFID reader 19 and/or electronic system 21 deduce that the RFID tag 16 and attached object 10 are moving away from the reading antenna 18. Stated otherwise, increasing RSSI as between two interrogations indicates movement toward the reading antenna 18, while decreasing RSSI as between two interrogations indicates movement away from the reading antenna 18.
[0028]Many atmospheric conditions affect electromagnetic signal propagation (e.g. dust and other suspended particles, and to a lesser extent relative humidity), and thus a user implementing embodiments illustrated by FIG. 1 may desire confirmation as to movement and/or direction of movement. In such situations, a second reading antenna 20 may be positioned within the system and, as illustrated, the reading antenna 20 is positioned upstream of the expected path of travel of the RFID tag 16 and attached object 10. As shown, the reading antenna 20 may have a dedicated RFID reader 23, and in other embodiments the reading antennas 18 and 20 share a RFID reader, with the reader multiplexing between the two (or more) antennas. In embodiments using multiple reading antennas, each reading antenna is used to make a plurality of interrogations of the RFID tag 16. While analysis of calculated RSSI of the plurality of interrogations from one reading antenna may show movement toward the reading antenna, analysis of RSSI associated with the plurality of interrogations from the second reading antenna may confirm the movement. The confirmation may be either by recognizing movement away from the second reading antenna (where the second reading antenna is upstream of the expected path of travel) or by recognizing movement toward the second reading antenna (when the first and second reading antennas are substantially co-located). If the movement determination associated with the second reading antenna is contradictory to the determination of the first reading antenna (e.g. both antennas show movement toward the respective antenna when the antennas are upstream and downstream respectively), then the movement determination for both antennas may be ignored, or the contradictory determinations may signal the need for calibration and or maintenance.
[0029]The embodiments discussed to this point are operational with RFID tags having any of a variety tag antennas. For example, RFID tag 16 may comprise a dipole antenna, a loop antenna or a single-sided patch antenna. In the case of a single-sided patch antenna, assuming the patch antenna faces the reading antenna 18, reading antenna 20 may not be able to interrogate the RFID tag 16. In some embodiments, object 10 may be fitted with a RFID tag system comprising a plurality of RFID tags 16 (e.g., one on the upstream face, and one on the downstream face, to address having both upstream and downstream reading antennas). Other embodiments address certain shortcomings of the single-sided patch antenna by employing a dual-sided patch antenna, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0030]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a dual-sided patch antenna 200 in accordance with at least some embodiments. The dual-sided patch antenna 200 comprises a first radiative patch or antenna element 30. The antenna element 30 comprises a sheet of metallic material (e.g. copper) in the form of a square or rectangle in this example. The length and width of the antenna element 30 is dictated by the wavelength of the radio frequency signal that will be driven to the antenna element 30 (or that will be received by the antenna element 30), for example driven by way of lead 32. More particularly, the length and width of the antenna element 18 are each an integer ratio of the wavelength of the signal to be transmitted (or received). For example, the length and width may be approximately half the wavelength (λ/2) or a quarter of the wavelength (λ/4).
[0031]The dual-sided patch antenna 200 also comprises a ground plane or ground element 34. The antenna element 30 and the ground element 34 each define a plane, and those planes are substantially parallel in at least some embodiments. In FIG. 2, the ground element 34 length and width and the antenna element 30 length and width are shown to be approximately the same; however, the ground element length and width may be larger or smaller in other embodiments. Although the antenna element 30 and ground element 34 may be separated by air, in some embodiments a dielectric material 36 (e.g. printed circuit board material, silicon, plastic) separates the antenna element 30 from the ground element 34.
[0032]Still referring to FIG. 2, the dual-sided patch antenna 200 further comprises a second radiative patch or antenna element 38. Much like antenna element 30, the antenna element 38 comprises a sheet of metallic material (e.g. copper) in the form of a square or rectangle in this example. The antenna element 38 defines a plane, and in some embodiments the plane defined by antenna element 34 is substantially parallel to the plane defined by ground element 34. The length and width of the antenna element 38 is dictated by the wavelength of the radio frequency signal that will be driven to the antenna element 38, for example driven by way of lead 36, and in some embodiments the length and width as between the antenna elements 30 and 38 are the same. Although the antenna element 38 may be separated from the ground element 34 by air, in other embodiments a dielectric material 40 (e.g. printed circuit board material, silicon, plastic) separates the antenna element 38 from the ground element 34. Each antenna element 30, 38 comprises a centroid axis 42 (i.e., centroid being the point considered to be the center), and in some embodiments the centroid axis 42 of each antenna element are substantially coaxial.
[0033]Radio frequency signals are driven to each of the antenna elements 30 and 38 by way of probe feeds or feed points (i.e., the locations where the radio frequency signals couple to the antenna elements), such as feed point 44 for antenna element 30 (the feed point for antenna element 38 not visible in FIG. 2). The feed points are coupled to their respective leads 32 (for feed point 44) and 36 (for the feed point of the antenna element 38). The following discussion is directed to antenna element 30 and feed point 44, but the discussion is equally applicable to antenna element 38. As illustrated, the feed point 44 resides within (internal of) an area defined by the length and width of the antenna, and the internal location of the feed point is selected based on several criteria. One such criterion is the impedance seen by a radio frequency source that drives the antenna element 30. For example, shifting the feed point toward the center of the antenna element 30 along its length ("L" in the figure) tends to lower the impedance seen by the radio frequency source, while shifting along the length towards an edge (e.g., edge 46) tends to increase impedance seen by the radio frequency source. Moreover, the placement of the feed point 44 also controls polarity of the electromagnetic wave or signal created. For example, the feed point 44 as shown creates an electromagnetic signal whose electric field polarization is substantially along the length L. Shifting the feed point toward a corner (e.g., corner 48), or also using a second feed point centered along the length L, creates a circularly polarized electromagnetic wave. Thus, the feed points are internal to the length and width to meet these, and possibly other, design criteria. The discussion now turns to directivity of the dual-sided patch antenna.
[0034]Consider for purposes of explanation that the centroid axis 42 lies along the 0°-180° axis in an overhead view (i.e., looking down on the length L from above) of the dual-sided antenna of FIG. 2, and that antenna element 30 faces the 180° direction while antenna element 38 faces the 0° direction. FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a far-field radiation pattern for each of the antenna elements 30 and 38 respectively. In particular, FIG. 3A shows that antenna element 30 considered alone has a far-field radiation pattern that is substantially directed along the centroid axis away from the ground element 34. The plot of FIG. 3A is valid for both overhead and elevational (i.e., looking horizontally toward the width W) plots of far field radiation. Likewise, antenna element 38 considered alone has a far-field radiation pattern that is substantially directed along the centroid axis away ground element 34, and the plot (of FIG. 3B) is equally valid for both overhead and elevational plots of far-field radiation. Considering the far-field radiation patterns of antenna element 18 and antenna element 24 together, the dual-sided patch antenna 200 has a quasi-omnidirectional radiation (or reception) pattern, as illustrated in FIG. 4, with FIG. 4 equally valid for both overhead and elevational plots of far-field radiation. Stated otherwise, the far-field radiation pattern for the dual-sided patch antenna is substantially the same in all three spatial directions.
[0035]The far-field radiation patterns of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 show directivity, but one or more parameters of the physical system may affect the ultimate far-field radiation pattern. For example, ground elements larger than the antenna elements 30, 38 increase the size of the dips 50A and 50B at the 90° and 270° orientations, while a ground element the same size or slightly smaller may make the radiation pattern more circular (as indicated by dashed lines 52A and 52B). The far-field radiation patterns of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 also show gain (in decibels (dB)), but no specific numbers except that the gain may be greater than 0 dB in all directions. The actual gain values are related to parameters of the physical system such as frequency of operation and the dielectric strength of the dielectric material 36 and 40.
[0036]FIG. 5 illustrates an electrical block diagram of RFID tag 16 (of FIG. 1), where the RFID tag 16 comprises a dual-sided patch antenna 200. In particular, in the embodiments of FIG. 5 the antenna elements 30 and 38 are coupled to a matching or tuning circuit 54. The purpose of the tuning circuit is to tune the two coupled antennas to be resonant at a particular frequency or set of frequencies. The tuning circuit, in turn, is coupled to an RFID circuit 56. The tuning circuit 54 and RFID circuit 56 may comprise an integrated product, such as the MCRF42X family of products available from Mirochip Technologies, Inc. of Chandler, Ariz. The RFID circuit 56 holds the identification value or values, and is responsible for transmitting the value to the reader (i.e., through broadcasting using power from in internal battery, or by backscatter using power from the interrogating signal).
[0037]FIG. 6 shows an electrical block diagram of other embodiments where the two antenna elements of the dual-sided patch antenna 200 are electrically isolated from each other by way of isolation circuits. In particular, antenna 30 is coupled to tuning circuit 58, which in turn couples to an additional isolation circuit 60 and RFID circuit 56. In these embodiments, the isolation circuit 60 may comprise one or more of a power supply (PS) 62 and additional buffer 64. Likewise, antenna 38 is coupled to tuning circuit 66, which in turn couples to isolation circuit 68 and RFID circuit 56. Further in these embodiments, the isolation circuit 68 may comprise one or more of a power supply (PS) 70 and buffer 72. Operation of the power supply and buffer is discussed with respect to antenna 30, but the discussion is equally applicable to antenna 38. When antenna 30 is not exposed to an interrogating signal from a RFID reader (e.g. RFID reader 19 of FIG. 1), the buffer 64 electrically isolates (or de-couples) the antenna element 30 from the RFID circuit 56. However, when exposed to an interrogating signal, the buffer 64 couples the antenna 30 to the RFID circuit 56. In active tags, a battery may be the power supply 62 to provide power to sense electromagnetic signals received by the antenna element 30, and to control the additional buffer 64. Because the power supply 70 may be self powered, the location of the power supply 70 and the buffer 72 may be reversed. Moreover, a rectifying circuit may be present either in the power supply 70 or buffer 72 to convert incoming data and commands to baseband data. Using battery power, the buffer 64 continuously or periodically determines if antenna element 30 is receiving an interrogating signal. If so, the buffer 64 couples the antenna element 30 the RFID circuit 56 (e.g., by biasing the gate of a transistor to allow coupling of at least a portion of the interrogating signal to the RFID circuit 56), with power to run the buffer provided from the battery.
[0038]In semi-active and passive tags, the power supply 62 rectifies received power from the interrogating signal, converts the received power to direct current (DC) (e.g. using Schottky diodes), and uses at least some of the converted power to control the buffer 64. For example, the buffer 64 may be configured to electrically isolate the antenna element 30 from the RFID circuit 56 when no power is provided from the power supply 62 (i.e., when there is no interrogating signal received by the antenna element, or where the interrogating signal is of insufficient strength to power the buffer 64). When an interrogating signal is incident upon the antenna element 30, the power supply 62 extracts power from the signal, and uses the power to drive the buffer and couple the antenna element 30 to the RFID circuit 56. Thus, regardless of the tag type, when an interrogating signal is received on antenna element 30, the signal is coupled to the RFID circuit 56, which responds to the reader 19 (FIG. 1) with an identification value.
[0039]FIG. 7 illustrates yet still further alternative embodiments of a RFID tag 16. In particular, in the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 7 each antenna element 30, 38 of the dual-sided patch antenna 200 couples to its own tuning circuit and RFID circuit. Antenna element 30 couples to tuning circuit 74 and RFID circuit 76, while antenna element 38 couples to tuning circuit 78 and RFID circuit 80. RFID circuits 70 and 74 may be designed and configured to hold and provide the same identification values when interrogated, or different values. Thus, when interrogated the RFID circuits 76 and 78 may respond with the same value, or with different values. Further, the two RFID circuits may be coupled in order to share data or to enable other functionality.
[0040]Returning to FIG. 1, with RFID tag 16 having a dual-sided patch antenna 200 with one antenna element facing or exposed to the reading antenna 18, and the other antenna element facing or exposed to the reading antenna 20, then embodiments discussed above where movement and direction of movement are verified by reading antenna 20 may be used. Additionally, using RFID tag 16 with dual-sided patch antennas enables determination of more than just movement and direction of movement.
[0041]Consider situations where the RFID tag 16 of FIG. 1 has a dual-sided patch antenna 200, with each antenna element having a dedicated RFID circuit pre-programmed with different identification values (i.e., FIG. 7 with RFID circuits 76 and 80 having different identification values). In the illustrative situation of FIG. 1 with the assumptions of different identification values, when reading antenna 18 is used to interrogate the RFID tag 16, a particular value is determined. When reading antenna 20 is used to interrogate the RFID tag 16, a different identification value is determined. Thus, if a first identification value is associated with a first side 82 of the RFID tag 16 (and thus the first side 84 of the object 10), obtaining the first identification value by interrogation of the RFID tag 16 with the reading antenna 18 reveals an orientation of the RFID tag 16 and attached object 10 (i.e., which direction the RFID tag 16 and attached object 10 are facing). Likewise, if a second identification value is associated with a second side 86 of the RFID tag 16 (and thus the second side 88 of the object 10), obtaining the second identification value by interrogation of the RFID tag 16 with the reading antenna 20 reveals an orientation of the RFID tag 16 and attached object 10 (i.e., again, which direction the RFID tag 16 and attached object 10 are facing). The system 100 may thus determine an orientation, in these embodiments the orientation being which side of the RFID tag 16 and attached object 10 face or are exposed to a particular direction. Moreover, combined with the various embodiments using RSSI to determine whether the RFID tag 16 and attached object 10 are moving (and in some cases which direction), the system 100 may thus determine which face of the object is exposed to the particular reading antenna, and in which direction the face is moving.
[0042]Detecting orientation by determining which side of the RFID tag 16 and attached object 10 face a particular direction are not limited to embodiments having RFID tags 16 with dual-sided patch antennas 200 and dedicated RFID circuits for each antenna element. Consider a situation where the RFID tag 16 of FIG. 1 has a dual-sided patch antenna 200, but only a single RFID circuit shared between the two antenna elements (i.e., embodiments of FIG. 5 or 6). While the identification value received from the RFID tag 16 will be the same regardless or independent of which antenna elements is interrogated (because of the shared RFID circuit), the antenna elements of the dual-sided patch antenna 200 may be configured with different physical characteristics to distinguish the two antenna elements.
[0043]FIG. 8 illustrates a system 800 in accordance with further embodiments that distinguish the two antenna elements based on characteristics of the electromagnetic signal transmitted by each antenna element. In particular, system 800 shows object 10 on the illustrative conveyor system 12, with the object 10 selectively moving in the direction indicated by arrow 14. The object 10 has an associated RFID tag 16 comprising a dual-sided antenna 200 (only one antenna element 90 is visible). The system 900 further comprises reading antennas 92, in this example comprising two patch antennas 94 and 96. The reading antennas 92 are shown positioned upstream of the direction of travel of the object 10 such that the feed points of the respective patch antennas are visible in the drawing, but the patch antennas may be alternative positioned downstream of the path of travel, or there may be reading antennas both upstream and downstream of the path of travel. Electronic system 21 and RFID reader 19 couple to the reading antennas 92, and the RFID reader 19 reads the RFID tag 16 by way of an antenna element of the RFID tag 16 positioned so as to be exposed to the reading antennas 92 (in the illustrative situation of FIG. 8, the antenna element of the RFID tag 16 that is exposed to the reading antennas 92 is not visible).
[0044]In accordance with these embodiments, the reading antennas 92 are configured to preferentially receive electromagnetic signals of different polarizations. For example, because of the location of the feed point 98 for patch antenna 94, the patch antenna 94 preferentially receives electromagnetic signals having vertically oriented electric field components. Stated otherwise, patch antenna 94 is said to have vertical polarization. Because of the location of the feed point 99 for patch antenna 96, the patch antenna 96 preferentially receives electromagnetic signals having horizontally oriented electric field components. Stated otherwise, patch antenna 96 is said to have horizontal polarization. While the illustrative reading antennas 92 are shown as patch antennas, any set of antennas having different polarizations (even if the difference in polarization is by way of identical antennas in different physical orientations) may be used. If RFID tag 16 responds to an interrogation from the RFID reader 19 with a vertically oriented electromagnetic signal, patch antenna 94 will have a high RSSI for the response, while patch antenna 96 will not receive the response, or will receive are response with a low RSSI. Conversely, if RFID 16 responds to an interrogation from the RFID reader 19 with a horizontally oriented electromagnetic signal, patch antenna 96 will have a high RSSI for the response, while patch antenna 94 will not receive the response, or will receive a response with a low RSSI.
[0045]In these embodiments, in order to determine which face of the RFID tag 16 is exposed to the reading antennas 34, each antenna element of the dual-sided patch antenna 200 is configured to have different polarizations. In the illustration of FIG. 8, antenna element 90 of the dual-sided patch antenna 200 is shown to have a feed point 102 configured for transmitting electromagnetic signals with vertical electric field polarization. Though not visible, in accordance with these embodiments the antenna element of dual-sided patch antenna 200 that is exposed to the reading antennas 92 is configured for transmitting electromagnetic signals with horizontal electric field polarization. Thus, in spite of the fact that each antenna element of the dual-sided patch antenna 200 in these embodiments responds with the same identification value, the RFID reader 19 and/or electronic system 21 may determine which face of the RFID tag is exposed to the reading antennas 92 by the polarization of the response to the interrogating signal (so long as the object 10 is constrained to a particular rotational orientation). Moreover, in addition to determining orientation being which face of the RFID tag 16 is exposed to the reading antennas, the RFID reader 19 and/or electronic system 21 may make determinations as to whether there is movement of the RFID tag 16 and attached object 10, and if there is movement detected, the direction of movement may be determined based on RSSI values of a plurality of readings of the RFID tag 16.
[0046]The embodiments with respect to determining an orientation based on the polarization of electromagnetic signals are discussed as having vertical and horizontal electromagnetic signals and related antennas; however, any two different polarizations may be used. For example, one face (first antenna element) of the RFID tag 16 could be identified by a right circularly polarized electromagnetic signal, and the second face (second antenna element) of the RFID tag 16 could be identified by a left circularly polarized signal. Further still, one face of the RFID tag 16 could be identified with a circularly polarized electromagnetic signal (right or left), and the second face could be identified by a vertical (or horizontal) polarized electromagnetic signal.
[0047]Consider now a situation such as FIG. 8 where the RFID tag 16 uses dual-sided patch antenna 200, with each antenna element having a dedicated RFID circuit (as shown in FIG. 7), and further with each antenna element having different polarizations. In these embodiments, not only does the RFID reader 19 and/or electronic system 21 distinguish which face of the RFID tag 16 is exposed to the reading antennas 92, but also determines the rotational orientation of the RFID tag 16 and attached object 10. In particular, because each antenna element of the dual-sided patch antenna 200 has a dedicated RFID circuit, programming each RFID circuit with separate identification values means that the RFID reader 19 and/or electronic system 21 is capable of deducing which face of the RFID tag 16 is exposed to the antenna system 92. If antenna element 90 of the dual-sided patch antenna 200 is configured to have vertical polarization when the object 10 is vertically oriented, and the second antenna element of the dual-sided patch antenna 200 is configured to have horizontal polarization when the object 10 to his vertically oriented, then the polarization of the electromagnetic signal received at the reading antennas is indicative of the rotational orientation of the RFID tag 16 and object 10.
[0048]With the illustrative orientation and polarizations in mind, if the RFID reader 19 receives an identification value indicating antenna element 90 is exposed to the reading antennas 92, and moreover that the received electromagnetic signal was vertically polarized, then the face of the RFID tag 16 comprising antenna element 90 is exposed to the reading antennas 94, and the RFID tag 16 and object 10 are vertically oriented. Similarly, if the RFID reader 19 receives an identification value indicating antenna element 90 is exposed to the reading antennas, and moreover that the received electromagnetic signal was horizontally polarized, then the face of the RFID tag 16 comprising antenna element 90 is exposed to the reading antennas 92, but the RFID tag 16 and object 10 are horizontally oriented (i.e., rotated 90° about an axis defined by line 14). A similar situation exists for the antenna element of RFID tag 16 that is not visible in FIG. 8; nevertheless, the RFID reader 19 and/or the electronic system 21 may determine that the particular face of the RFID tag 16 comprising the antenna element is exposed to the reading antennas (based on the identification values), and a rotational orientation of the RFID tag 16 and object 10 (based on the polarization of the electromagnetic signals).
[0049]Embodiments that determine which face of the RFID tag 16 is exposed to the reading antennas (based on the identification values) and the orientation of the RFID tag 16 and attached object 10 (based on the polarization of the electromagnetic signal) may also determine movement of the RFID tag 16 and attached object 10 (as discussed above using differences in RSSI as between a plurality of interrogations), and also direction of movement (again as discussed above using the rising or falling difference in RSSI as between a plurality of interrogations).
[0050]Still referring to FIG. 8, yet still other embodiments determine physical characteristics being orientation and/or movement, but not necessarily which face of the RFID tag 16 is exposed to the reading antennas. Consider a situation where the RFID tag 16 delivers the same identification value regardless of the antenna element exposed to the reading antennas (i.e., shared RFID circuit as in FIGS. 5 and 6, or separate RFID circuits programmed with the same identification value as in FIG. 8), and also that each reading antenna element has the same polarization (e.g. vertical polarization). The reading antennas 92, RFID reader 19 and/or electronic system 21 may thus determine rotational orientation based on the polarization of the electromagnetic signal received. In the specific case of vertically polarized antenna elements when the object 10 is vertically oriented, a received electromagnetic signal with a vertical orientation (i.e., received by patch antenna 94) indicates the object 10 is vertically oriented. Likewise, a received electromagnetic signal with a horizontal orientation (i.e., received by patch antenna 96) indicates the object 10 is horizontally oriented. Moreover, the RFID reader 19 and/or electronic system 21 may determine movement of the movement of the RFID tag 16 and attached object 10 (as discussed above using differences in RSSI as between a plurality of interrogations), and also direction of movement (again as discussed above using the rising or falling difference in RSSI as between a plurality of interrogations).
[0051]The embodiments discussed with respect to FIGS. 1 and 8 show multiple reading antennas (i.e., reading antennas 18 and 20 for FIG. 1, and reading antennas 92 for FIG. 8 comprising patch antennas 94 and 96). FIG. 9 illustrates at least some embodiments of coupling the reading antennas to underlying RFID reader. In particular, FIG. 9 shows two reading antennas 104A and 104B (which antennas could be, for example, antennas 18 and 20 respectively of FIG. 1, or patch antennas 94 and 96 respectively of FIG. 9). The reading antennas 104A and 104B in FIG. 9 couple to a single RFID reader 19 by way of multiplexer 106, and the RFID reader 19 also couples to an electronic system 21. FIG. 10 illustrates yet still further embodiments, where reading antennas 104A and 104B couple to reader circuits 19A and 19B respectively, and each reader circuit 19A and 19B then couples to electronic system 21.
[0052]The various embodiments where the face of the RFID tag 16 exposed to the readers is determined were discussed in relation to a dual-sided patch antenna 200 with each element having a RFID circuit, or a dual-sided patch antenna 200 having a single RFID circuit but with different polarizations of the antenna elements; however, in other embodiments RFID tags with a dual-sided patch antenna may be replaced with multiple RFID tags coupled on each face of the object. For example, each face of the object may have an RFID tag, but each RFID tag provides a different identification number when interrogated. Thus, the face of the object may be determined based on the identification number. As yet another example, each face of the object may have a RFID tag where each RFID tag provides the same identification number when interrogated, but the polarization of the electromagnetic signals is different for each RFID tag. In this example, the face of the object may be determined based on the polarization of the received signal.
[0053]In a related manner, the various embodiments of determining the rotational orientation of the RFID tag and/or attached object were discussed in relation to a dual-sided patch antenna 200 with each antenna element having specific polarization; however, in other embodiments RFID tags with dual-sided patch antennas may be replaced with multiple RFID tags coupled on each face of the object. For example, each face of the object may have an RFID tag, with the polarization of the antenna for the each RFID tag related to a particular orientation of the object. Thus, by determining the orientation of the electromagnetic signal at the reading antenna, the orientation of the object can be determined.
[0054]FIG. 11 shows a method in accordance with at least some embodiments. In particular, the method starts (block 1100) and moves to receiving a first electromagnetic signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag coupled to an object (block 1104). Next, a first RSSI is calculated based on the first electromagnetic signal (block 1108). The method also comprises receiving a second electromagnetic signal from the RFID tag (block 1112) and calculating a second RSSI based on the second electromagnetic signal (block 1116). Finally, a determination is made as to whether the object is moving using, at least in part, the first and second RSSI (block 1120), and the illustrative method ends (block 1124). In some embodiments, determining whether the object is moving may also comprise determining whether the object is moving toward or away from a reading antenna, with the determining based, at least in part on the first and second RSSI. For example, if the first RSSI is a relatively low number and the second RSSI is a relatively high number, then it may be deduced that the RFID tag is moving toward the reading antenna. Conversely, if the first RSSI is a relatively high number and the second RSSI is a relatively low number, then it may be deduced that the RFID tag is moving away from the reading antenna.
[0055]FIG. 12 illustrates other methods in accordance with the various embodiments. In particular, the method starts (block 1200), and moves to sending an interrogating signal to the RFID tag coupled to an object (block 1204). Based on the interrogation the RFID tag sends an electromagnetic signal, and thus the next step in the illustrative method may be receiving an electromagnetic signal transmitted by a RFID tag (block 1208). Thereafter, a determination is made as to the orientation of the object, with the determination being based, at least in part, on the electromagnetic signal (block 1212), and the method ends (block 1216). Determining the orientation may take many forms. In some embodiments determining the orientation further comprises determining which side of the object substantially faces a reading antenna. In yet further embodiments, determining orientation further comprises determining a rotational orientation of the object.
[0056]The dual-sided patch antenna 200 of FIG. 2 may be constructed in several ways. In some embodiments, the antenna 200 may be constructed using flexible sheets of metallic and dielectric material adhered together and cut to appropriate dimensions. In alternative embodiments, the antenna 200 may be manufactured, such as by deposition of the metallic portions and growth of dielectric portions by way of semiconductor manufacturing techniques. In yet still other embodiments, the antenna 200 may be constructed using a combination of techniques, such as depositing metallic layers on a dielectric material such as a printed circuit board (PCB), and then mechanically coupling two or more PCBs to form the antenna.
[0057]The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. For example, while the antenna 200 is shown with a single ground element, the dual-sided patch antenna 200 may be manufactured by adhering two patch antennas back-to-back, meaning that two ground elements may be present, yet same advantages achieved. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.
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Patent applications by John R. Tuttle, Boulder, CO US
Patent applications by MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Patent applications in class Specified antenna structure
Patent applications in all subclasses Specified antenna structure
2010-06-03 Method of detecting a conterfeit rfid tag
2011-06-09 Sensing mechanical energy to appropriate the body for data input
2011-12-01 Cleaning indicator, associated test specimen and method for testing cleaning processes
2010-09-16 Method of detecting presence of subject on bed
2011-08-25 Method and apparatus for enhanced indoor position location with assisted user profiles
2016-03-24 Dual eas-rfid security tag
2015-12-17 Sheet casting with integrated cables
2015-01-22 Anti-counterfeit and anti-theft buttons
2014-09-18 Electronic article surveillance portal
2014-04-24 Method for backfield reduction in electronic article surveillance (eas) systems
2014-04-17 Systems and methods to determine motion parameters using rfid tags
2013-09-19 Systems and methods to determine kinematical parameters using rfid tags
2013-07-04 Systems and methods to selectively connect antennas to receive and backscatter radio frequency signals
2012-10-25 Systems and methods to use radar in rfid systems
2012-10-25 Method and systems of tagging objects and reading tags coupled to objects
Top Inventors for class "Communications: electrical"
1 Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
2 Roderick A. Hyde
3 Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
4 John R. Tuttle
5 Jordin T. Kare


text:
A Szemerédi–Trotter-tétel a matematika, ezen belül a diszkrét geometria egyik fontos tétele.

A tétel állítása
Ha a síkban adott n pont és m egyenes, akkor a köztük levő illeszkedések száma .

A tétel másik formája
Ha a síkban adott n pont és k>2, akkor azon egyenesek száma, amelyek a pontok közül legalább k-t tartalmaznak .

Szemeredi Trotter tetel
Szemeredi Trotter tetel
Diszkrét geometriai tételek
Kombinatorikai tételek

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
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Home > Things to do > Harmonia Chamber Singers at the Regina A Quick Center
Harmonia Chamber Singers at the Regina A Quick Center
Cattaraugus County , Chautauqua-Allegheny | Arts & Culture
7 p.m. Monday, April 30, at the Quick Center: Harmonia Chamber Singers: An Evening of A Capella. A highly regarded regional choir out of Buffalo, this 20-member group presents a variety of modern and Broadway a cappella choral pieces.
The Martine Performing Arts Series is funded by a grant from the James J. Martine Faculty Development Endowment. Named after a longtime former English professor, the endowment funds activities designed to improve the quality of teaching and learning within the core curriculum at St. Bonaventure.
The series expands the arts curriculum beyond the classroom walls, said Sabina, offering students a convenient, no-cost way to experience a variety of performing arts genres. Faculty in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts select the artists, choosing performances that complement the arts curriculum at SBU.
All performances are free for St. Bonaventure University students, faculty and staff. The series is open to the public as well, although general-public tickets are limited and there is a nominal per-person fee of $5 for each event held at the Quick Center. For ticket information, call the Quick Center Box Office at 716-375-2494.
For more information on this event please visit http://www.sbu.edu/about-sbu/news-events
Regina A. Quick Center, 3261 W. State St., St. Bonaventure,, NY 14778, NY
Make the most of New York State!
The best way to plan a vacation in any of the great destinations of New York State is to know what are the things to do in upstate New York. With listings of events, including festivals, music, theatre, breweries, wineries and more, DestinationsOfNewYorkState.com is a great resource to help decide where you're headed for your getaway - a weekend, a day trip or a vacation. In the weeks ahead we will fill the site with more and more information on every region and county... we've only just begun. If you would like your establishment listed, or events featured on the site, or you want to advertise, write to us: [email protected]
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Nestled in a decorative floral ceramic pot the aromatic lavender plant is a beautiful Housewarming gift. The lavender's budding and whimsical flowers deliver an ideal present for the new homeowner. Known for its fragrance this lavender plant will brighten up any room presenting the homeowner with a wonderful surprise! Lavender plants cannot be shipped to CA.


text:
What next, after Buhari rejected electoral reform amendment bill [Justbaze Editor's Opinion]
Our legislators have to realize that throwing away the baby with the bathwater would have long-term consequences for us all.
President Muhammadu Buhari presents the 2021 budget proposal of N13.08 trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, October 8, 2020. [twitter/@NigeriaGov]
I was half expecting President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Amendment Bill 2021 into law, especially since the man labels himself a "reformed democrat" these days.
So I wrote this beautiful piece, urging the nation's number one citizen to go on and write himself into the annals as the one man who changed the course of our elections for good.
Except that no one in Aso Rock read my piece nor did the president give two hoots about history books and all that jazz.
On December 20, the president wrote the National Assembly (NASS) to say he was withholding his assent and gave reasons for doing so.
One reason the president tendered bothered on the direct primary election provision in the bill.
In the president's esteemed reasoning, political parties should be allowed to decide how they elect candidates for elections.
According to the president, the prevailing security situation in the country would not allow him to sign the bill into law.
Among other reasons, the president cited the "high cost of conducting direct primaries, the security challenge of monitoring the election, violation of citizens' rights, marginalization of small political parties," etc.
In refusing to sign this bill, however, the president conveniently threw away the baby with the bathwater.
The direct primary proviso, which allows all political party members to vote during primary elections–as opposed to handing super delegates the power to choose election flagbearers–is not all that the electoral amendment bill is about.
I also understand that a lot of politicking went into the president's rejection of the bill. All kinds of vested political interests mounted enormous pressure on the president to dump the bill for all it's worth.
Even some members of the national assembly who belong to the president's political party may have been complicit.
The electoral bill the president rejected had about 25 amendments. It also provided for the electronic transmission of election results. What was not to like about that?
There are many other clauses in the rejected bill that could do our democracy and elections a world of good.
What should the lawmakers do now? For once, I would go with former Senate President Bukola Saraki who says: "We cannot sit back and allow one contentious clause to throw away all the positives in the proposed Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.
"At this point, two options are open to the National Assembly. They either veto the president's decline of assent or remove the contentious provision on direct primaries and send it back to the president for his assent.
"Whichever option our legislators choose can be accomplished in the shortest possible time. We could have a new electoral law in January 2022.
"Anyone that has been following the mood of the nation knows that Nigerians desire to have a new electoral law that will lead to having a credible, free, fair, and peaceful process of electing our leaders.
"They want a system that will ensure that their votes truly count in the election of those who govern them."
So, yes, reforming our electoral system is a continuous process. For the moment, any small wins would do. The national assembly should remove "direct primary" from the bill and send the rest to the president in the new year.
Again, I go with Saraki here, who says: "As representatives of the Nigerian people, the National Assembly must take a decision in the interest of our nation and its long-term democracy. The option of not doing anything after the refusal of the assent by the president is not an option."
True. We shouldn't have expected a 79-year-old man who will soon retire to his farm in Daura, to do our electoral system any favours.
To stand at akimbo and watch like the Ostrich as the presidency refuses to lift a finger in making our elections free, fair and transparent, is not an option. We have come too close now to return to Egypt.


Bittersweet nightshade is a perennial climbing or trailing vine that is found in many areas such as fence rows, yards, gardens, woodlands, and waste areas. This plant prefers areas that have been disturbed but it can also be found in natural areas. Bittersweet prefers partial to full sun and can adapt to a variety of different soil types. There are two shapes of leaves that can be found on bittersweet. The smaller leaves are ovate in shape and often are void of lobes. The larger leaves have a triangular shape with 3 deep lobes. The terminal lobe is much larger than the other 2 lobes. Foliage and stems can emit a foul odor if disturbed.
This plant flowers during the summer and flowers are present for several months. The flowers are purple, approximately 1/3", and have 5 triangular lobes with yellow anthers that are fused together. The flowers are then replaced with green shiny fruit which changes from green to yellow/orange to red later in the season. This fruit is eaten by various birds and small mammals such as skunk and raccoon. Humans should not eat the fruit because it is toxic; the foliage should also be handled with care as it is also toxic.


text:
/*
 * To change this license header, choose License Headers in Project Properties.
 * To change this template file, choose Tools | Templates
 * and open the template in the editor.
 */
package caillou.company.clonemanager.gui.service.task.impl;

import caillou.company.clonemanager.background.exception.CloneManagerIOException;
import caillou.company.clonemanager.background.log.ErrorMessage;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Path;
import org.aspectj.lang.annotation.After;
import org.aspectj.lang.annotation.AfterThrowing;
import org.aspectj.lang.annotation.Aspect;
import org.springframework.stereotype.Component;

/**
 *
 * @author pierre
 */
@Aspect
@Component
public class CloneManagerIOExceptionAdvice {

    private CloneManagerIOExceptionBean CloneManagerIOExceptionBean;

    @AfterThrowing(pointcut="execution(* caillou.company.clonemanager.background.service.classifier.impl.Classifier.classify(..))", throwing = "e")
    public void handleFileToTreat(Exception e) {
        if(CloneManagerIOException.class.isAssignableFrom(e.getClass())){
            CloneManagerIOExceptionBean.getReadingErrors().add((CloneManagerIOException) e);
        }
    }

    @After("execution(* caillou.company.clonemanager.background.service.impl.FileVisitor.visitFileFailed(..)) && args(path, exception)")
    public void handleFailedToVisit(Path path, IOException exception) {
        String message = this.getErrorMessageForIOException(path);
        CloneManagerIOException cloneManagerIOException = new CloneManagerIOException(message, exception.getMessage(), path.toString());
        CloneManagerIOExceptionBean.getReadingErrors().add(cloneManagerIOException);
    }

//    @AfterThrowing(pointcut="execution(* caillou.company.clonemanager.background.service.impl.FileVisitor.visitFile(..)) && args(path, ..)", throwing = "exception")
//    public void handleVisitFile(Path path, Exception exception){
//        if(IOException.class.isAssignableFrom(exception.getClass())){
//            String message = this.getErrorMessageForIOException(path);
//            CloneManagerIOException cloneManagerIOException = new CloneManagerIOException(message, exception.getMessage(), path.toString());
//            CloneManagerIOExceptionBean.getReadingErrors().add(cloneManagerIOException);
//        }
//    }

    public void setCloneManagerIOExceptionBean(CloneManagerIOExceptionBean CloneManagerIOExceptionBean) {
        this.CloneManagerIOExceptionBean = CloneManagerIOExceptionBean;
    }

    private String getErrorMessageForIOException(Path path){
        String message;

        if(path.toFile().exists() && path.toFile().isDirectory()){
            message = ErrorMessage.VISIT_DIRECTORY_FAILED;
        }else{
            message = ErrorMessage.VISIT_FILE_FAILED;
        }
        message += path.toString();
        return message;
    }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Prospective students who wish to learn more about the Joint Bachelor's Degree Program may email cityuhk-jointba@columbia.edu for more information.
Students may also visit CityU's Facebook and Twitter pages for up-to-date information about the school.
Students may also follow Columbia University School of General Studies on Facebook and Twitter for news and events.


This retreat provides an exhilarating experience that combine daily yoga immersions surrounded by waterfalls, wildflowers, and high alpine lakes with moderate level hiking in the captivating wilderness of San Juan National Forrest. We stay in charming B&Bs and explore Telluride along wiTh neighboring quintessential Rocky Mountain towns.
Join us to fully explore all corners of Telluride and neighboring towns as we hike hand-selected trails highlighting the best scenery of the area, including a gondola ride up Telluride Mountain for a bird's-eye view of the sweeping mountain terrain. We'll take a day trip to Orvis Hot Springs Resort for a yummy dive into relaxation and rejuvenation. You'll have a chance to book spa services and soak in the several indoor or outdoor natural lithium water springs with temperatures ranging from 65 to 112 degrees. Biking anyone? If wheels are your jam, join us for a moderate ride on The Wasatch Trail. If you'd rather opt out of biking to chill and wander, enjoy some solo time or meet us later to roam the lively streets full of delicious food, live music, breweries, specialty shops and daily festivities before we go back to the hotel. The schedule is still in the works and subject to slight changes that will enhance your experience.
This retreat is designed for all levels of yoga practitioners including beginners. All hikes are graded easy to moderate averaging around 3-5 miles (2-4 hours) along well–marked and well-traveled dirt trails. This retreat is perfect for beginner to seasoned hikers who enjoy hiking in the mountains and high alpine forest, to explore the terrain and striking scenery of Colorado's Rocky Mountain Range. We'll have the opportunity to discover new trails each day, conveniently located a short walking distance from overnight B&Bs in historic mountain towns.
We stay in a luxurious hotel in Mountain Village located on the opposite side of the mountain as Telluride. The staff is impeccable and dedicated to ensure you enjoy every minute of your stay while exploring Telluride.
We are conveniently located only a short walking distance to the gondola, the main plaza, and nearby trailheads.
This trip is based on two people sharing a room. If you'd like separate rooms, a single supplement is required.
If you would like to request a twin room (same room with two separate beds), please notify me upon registration so I can request this option.
Either breakfast or a picnic lunch will be provided each day depending on our schedule. I'll know more closer to our retreat.
Note: Lunches and dinners are not included in this trip, so you can choose from nearby options. For lunches, you can find markets, cafés or restaurants located within each town for dining out or to purchase a packed lunch to take with you on hikes. For dinner, you can dine at local restaurants all within a short walking distance from your night's stay. If we end up lodging in the onsite luxury cabin style home rental, there'll be more opportunities for cooking and reduced food costs.
On the final day of departure, a private transfer will pick us up from your overnight accommodation in Telluride for a shuttle back to Montrose Regional Airport (approx. 1 hour, included).
For additional transportation services outside the provided itinerary, check out the Galloping Goose, a local round town free shuttle or check out the multiple bike rental options in town. Both Mountain Village and Telluride are easily walkable and the gondola is free. If you require a taxi to a specific restaurant or location, the concierge at the hotel can help assist you in making the necessary arrangements.
Personal equipment- a list will be sent to you upon completion of registration.
What if I become ill during my trip?
This trip allows for plenty of flexibility, so if you're not up for hiking, that's Ok. If you need medical services, I'll have a list of all local resources. In addition, we can ask for assistance at our B&B.
Book Now: This destination is popular in the summer months and the lodging has limited availability.


text:
Q: Npgsql assembly error in Classlibrary output type I have to connect to postgresql via Npgsql provider in nunit test, but I'm facing an assembly error:

System.IO.FileLoadException : Could not load file or assembly 'Npgsql,
  Version=4.0.1.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=5d8b90d52f46fda7' or
  one of  its dependencies. Strong name signature could not be verified.
  The assembly  may have been tampered with, or it was delay signed but
  not fully signed with  the correct private key. (Exception from
  HRESULT: 0x80131045) at PostgresTest.Testink.ConTest()

If I change application output type to Console Application everything works correctly.

*

*I've checked dll in bin path -  Npgsql.dll is in bin path

*I've tried    different net versions(>=4.5.1)

*I've tried to use xunit - the same problem

Guys, any ideas what am I doing improperly?
[Test]
public void ConTest()
    {
        var connString = "Host=127.0.0.1;Username=root;Password=pwd;Database=database";

        using (var conn = new NpgsqlConnection(connString))
        {
            conn.Open();

        }
     }

A: This was an issue with the building of 4.0.1 (see issue) and will be fixed in 4.0.2 (to be released in a few days). In the meantime stick with 4.0.0.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Slag & fälttåg
Inbunden (Hardback)
Illustratör/Fotograf
When Paris Went Dark
Ronald Rosbottom
Homewreckers
Aaron Glantz
The Volunteer: One Man, an Underground Army, and the Secret Mission to Destroy Auschwitz
We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled
Wendy Pearlman
Farah Pandith
Road to Disaster: A New History of America's Descent Into Vietnam
Brian Vandemark
Karina Longworth
Sudden Courage
Youth in France Confront the Germans, 1940-1945
av Ronald C Rosbottom
Inbunden Engelska, 2019-06-17
Ännu ej utkommen
The author of the acclaimed When Paris Went Dark, longlisted for the National Book Award, returns to World War II once again to tell the incredible story of the youngest members of the French Resistance-many only teenagers-who waged a hidden war against the Nazi occupiers and their collaborators in Paris and across France. On June 14, 1940, German tanks rolled into Paris. Eight days later, France accepted a humiliating defeat and foreign occupation. Most citizens adapted and many even allied themselves with the new fascist leadership. Yet others refused to capitulate; in answer to the ruthless violence, shortages, and curfews imposed by the Nazis, a resistance arose. Among this shadow army were Jews, immigrants, communists, workers, writers, police officers, shop owners, including many young people in their teens and twenties. Ronald Rosbottom tells the riveting story of how those brave and untested youth went from learning about literature to learning the art of sabotage, from figuring out how to solve an equation to how to stealthily avoid patrols, from passing notes to stealing secrets-and even learning how to kill. The standard challenges of adolescence were amplified and distorted. Sudden Courage brilliantly evokes this dark and uncertain period, from the beginning of the occupation until the last German left French soil. A chronicle of youthful sacrifice and courage in the face of evil, it is a story that holds relevance for our own time, when democratic nations are once again under threat from rising nativism and authoritarianism. Beyond that, it is a riveting investigation about what it means for a young person to come of age under unpredictable and violent circumstances.
De som köpt den här boken har ofta också köpt When Paris Went Dark: The City of Light Under G... av Ronald C Rosbottom (häftad).
Fler böcker av Ronald C Rosbottom
When Paris Went Dark: The City of Light Under German Occupation, 1940-1944
Ronald C Rosbottom
&#8220Following up on his marvelous...When Paris Went Dark, Ronald Rosbottom now recounts movingly the inspiring story of young people who resisted the Nazi occupation. With far-right forces rising again in Europe and the United States one can only hope that such sudden courage will not be needed again." -- William Taubman, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Khrushchev: The Man and His Era, and of Gorbachev: His Life and Times "Ron Rosbottom brings his demonstrated mastery of the German occupation of France, plus decades as a college professor, to vividly revise our understanding of the French resistance, and how dependent it was upon the energy and moral courage of very young women and men." -- Joseph J. Ellis, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of American Dialogue: The Founders and Us &#8220Active resistance to the Nazi occupation of France in 1940 to1944 often depended on young people. The adolescents among them brought special assets to dangerous actions and faced stresses particular to their age. Ronald Rosbottom explores these matters sensitively and vividly. . . .A thoughtful and stirring book." -- Robert O. Paxton, professor emeritus of history, Columbia University, and author of Vichy France: Old Guard and New Order &#8220Ronald Rosbottom masterfully explores the crucial role played by the young people of France, many still in their teens, in resisting the Nazis during World War II." -- Lynne Olson, author of Madame Fourcade's Secret War "An exceptional account about the French Resistance... Highly recommended for Francophiles and those interested in World War II." -- Library Journal (starred review) "Captivating... a moving chronicle of youthful courage and sacrifice." -- Publishers Weekly &#8220A fine history that brings back to light the contributions of the younger, often forgotten resistance fighters." -- Kirkus Reviews &#8220A complicated and inspiring portrait of youthful resistants: their successes, their failures, their occasional inconsistency and their undoubted courage." -- Shelf Awareness &#8220A fine story-teller... has many inspirational tales to tell." -- Wall Street Journal
Bloggat om Sudden Courage
Ronald C. Rosbottom is the Winifred L. Arms Professor in the Arts and Humanities and a professor of French, European Studies, and Architectural Studies at Amherst College. Previously he was Dean of the Faculty at Amherst; he is a Chevalier de l'Academie des Palmes Academiques. His previous book, When Paris Went Dark: The City of Light Under German Occupation, 1940-1944, was longlisted for the National Book Award for Nonfiction. He divides his time between Amherst, Massachusetts, and Paris.


text:
Q: Why is the fundamental group of the circle so non-trivial? I've recently learned that the fundamental group of the circle is isomorphic to $\mathbb{Z}$. I'm having a hard time picturing loops in $S^1$; can you give some intuition for why that group has such a rich structure?

A: I think one thing that may be confusing you is that you are envisioning a "loop" in a space as a circle sitting inside the space.  This picture is incorrect: a loop is a map from a circle to your space, but this map does not need to be injective!  So your vision of a loop should be dynamic: it is a a path that you can trace in the space which may cross or repeat itself, not just a fixed subset of the space.
With this picture, the loops in $S^1$ corresponding to the elements of $\mathbb{Z}$ are quite simple.  Namely, a nonnegative integer $n$ corresponds to the path that goes all the way around the circle $n$ times counterclockwise.  Negative integers are similar, except you go around clockwise instead.  So even though a circle has only one "loop" to go around, a path can traverse that loop multiple times (and can go either forward or backwards), and that's how you end up with an entire $\mathbb{Z}$ in the fundamental group.

A: Imagine any loop $\gamma$  in the punctured plane $\dot{\mathbb R}^2$. The normalization map
$$\nu:\quad (x,y)\mapsto{1\over\sqrt{x^2+y^2}}(x,y)$$
converts $\gamma$ into the loop $\gamma':=\nu\circ\gamma$ on $S^1$. The given $\gamma$ has a winding number
$$N(\gamma,0)={1\over2\pi}\int_\gamma\nabla{\rm arg}({\bf z})\cdot d{\bf z}\qquad\left(={1\over 2\pi i}\int_\gamma{dz\over z}\right)$$
with respect to the origin, and this is also the winding number (or the degree) of $\gamma'\subset S^1$.
It is one of the most basic and all important facts of geometry and analysis that this degree characterizes $\gamma$, resp. $\gamma'$, up to homotopy – in other terms: that the fundamental group of $S^1$ is cyclic.


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text:
The Slatest
Sweet Jesus, Will the NYT's Conservatives Ever Write About Anything but the "Intolerant Left" Ever Again?
By Ben Mathis-Lilley
David Brooks in New York City on Oct. 11, 2014. Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for The New Yorker
David Brooks published a column in the New York Times on Friday complaining about the manner in which "[s]tudents across the country," having become obsessed with "group identity," are engaged in "tribalism" and the oppression of dissenting viewpoints on campus.
Here's selection of other recent work from the corner of the Times op-ed page occupied by Brooks and the other conservative writers who have either been hired for or jumped enthusiastically on board with (relatively) new op-ed editor James Bennet's mission to challenge the presumed orthodoxy of the Times' readership:
• "We're All Fascists Now," Bari Weiss, March 7—a complaint that "leftists," particularly "on campuses," are attacking the ideals of "free speech."
• "Free Speech and the Necessity of Discomfort," Bret Stephens, Feb. 22—a complaint, delivered originally as a speech at the University of Michigan, about intolerant behavior by the "progressive left."
• "On Venezuela, Where Are Liberals?", Bret Stephens, Feb. 15*—a complaint that "campus activists" on "the left" are too forgiving of political repression abroad.
• "The Rise of the Amphibians," David Brooks, Feb. 15—a complaint, in part, about society's tendency toward conceptions of "tribal identity" that cultivate "mistrust, division and emotional frozenness."
• "The Retreat to Tribalism," David Brooks, Jan. 1—a complaint that "identity politics" fomented on campus are "tear[ing] a diverse nation apart."
• "What's Wrong With Radicalism," David Brooks, Dec. 11—a complaint, in part, about "woke activists" on "the left" who are fixated on "identity."
• "Mugabe and Other Leftist Heroes," Bret Stephens, Nov. 17—a complaint that academics and others on "the left" are too forgiving of political repression abroad.
• "The Siege Mentality Problem," David Brooks, Nov. 13—a complaint about the politics of "collective victimhood" espoused by, among others, "campus social justice warriors."
• "America's Best University President," Bret Stephens, Oct. 20—a complaint that "the left" is assaulting "free speech" and creating an atmosphere of "Orwellian double-think" on too many campuses.
• "When Progressives Embrace Hate," Bari Weiss, Aug. 1—a complaint that the organizers of the January 2017 Women's March are too forgiving of, among other things, political repression abroad.
Look: Most of the opinions held by college students, including many of those I held myself when I was in college, should be dumped into an abandoned coal shaft. Some people on the left can be snide, reductive, and needlessly aggressive in dismissing others' viewpoints. It's a thing.
I genuinely don't think it's helping anyone, though, to hear this point made endlessly and as if it is the most important, high-stakes subject in the entire world, by a certain segment of conservatives on the New York Times opinion page. (Not even all Times conservatives have been sucked into this particular black hole. It is a niche interest.)
When James Bennet and his defenders are asked why he keeps pumping this one type of take so relentlessly into the Discourse, they respond with answers in the vein of "It's important to challenge readers with beliefs from 'outside the bubble.' " So I'd like to say this, formally, on behalf of Times readers: Thank you for introducing the invigorating diversity of opinions about left/campus speech held by affluent Pennsylvania native and Columbia graduate Bari Weiss, affluent Pennsylvania native/University of Chicago graduate/Yale fellow David Brooks, Yale graduate James Bennet, and University of Chicago graduate Bret Stephens into our bubbles. Our bubbles have been popped. Now can we move on?
*Correction, March 9, 2018: This piece originally misstated the publication date of Bret Stephens' piece about Venezuela. The piece was published on Feb. 15, not Feb. 18.
Media New York Times
Ben Mathis-Lilley is a Slate senior writer.


Liquor King Carlton have held the official opening party for the exciting new flagship experience we designed.
Context's Murray Jervis and Natalie Snowden attended the Market Day Launch at Liquor King Carlton – the brand's official opening party for the exciting new flagship experience we designed.
With the barbeque fired up on the newly created deck and eight vendors serving and sampling various beverages inside, it was a fun-filled day that cemented the store as a new social hub in central Christchurch. Congratulations to the Liquor King team on a fantastic event!


United Kingdom, 2018- Global Energy News magazine announces the winners of the 2018 Global Energy Awards.
Local Training business, Tillycroy Support Services were named as "Workplace Training Providers of the Year 2018 – Scotland" on Tuesday 18th December 2018. The company is based in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire and specialise in fully accredited, First Aid & Health & Safety training. Company owner, Alister Clark said: "It is excellent for a local business from the Deeside area to have won this national award, especially when we were nominated in the first place by one of our regular oil & gas clients".
As such, through the 2018 Global Energy Awards Global Energy Magazine recognises those that go above and beyond in this hugely important industry, from those who supply us with traditional energies, to those who are striving to find alternative energy sources.


Rain or other types of precipitation that contain elevated hydrogen ion levels, making it acidic, are referred to as acid rain. Elevated levels of hydrogen ions cause the rain to have a low pH, making it damaging to aquatic animals and plants and it can cause paint to peel and corrode steel buildings, bridges and stone sculptures. Acid rain develops when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions react with atmospheric water molecules and produce acid. Although the effects of pollution on structures were noted in the 1600s, the relationship between atmospheric pollution and the acid rain it produces was first brought to attention in 1852 in Manchester, England. Governments have been working since the 1970s to reduce these emissions and their efforts have had very positive results.
Acid rain can also be produced from volcanic eruptions, burning coal and even rotting plant life.
Acid rain cannot rot your skin. It usually doesn't taste or smell any different than normal rain.
The sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide that creates acid rain can cause diseases such as cancer, asthma and even heart disease. It's a concern in the air, but not in the rain itself.
The acid in acid rain can damage a car's paint job, but it won't melt the car.
Acid rain can actually kill a forest. The acid rain can kill the leaves on the trees by cutting off their light and nutrient supply. It also changes the acidity in the soil, making it impossible for trees and other plant life to grow. It also poisons the soil and plant life.
When acid rain lands in the water such as streams, lakes and rivers, it changes the pH and makes the water toxic to the fish and other life in the water.
Entire lakes have been declared dead because of acid rain.
Acid rain has a pH of 4.3 while pure water is perfectly balanced at 7.
Acid rain has the same approximate pH as vinegar and orange juice.
Rain is not the only type of precipitation that can be called acid rain. Snow, fog, and even dust can contain the same damaging toxins as acid rain.
Acid rain can be neutralized the same way as acid can be. In some environments acid rain is more problematic. For instance, Eastern Canada lacks a natural alkalinity. Lime is able to neutralize acid, but there is no lime in the ground in some areas and because of this the acid rain is able to do more damage.
Sulphur dioxide, which is a major contributor to acid rain, is produced by burning fossil fuels and it is a by-product of many industrial processes.
A large amount of the acid rain that reaches Canada is the result of emissions in the United States.
Nitrogen oxide, a major contributor to acid rain, is produced by the exhaust from vehicles, from furnaces and other equipment. A large amount of Canada's nitrogen oxide emissions originate in the United States.
Despite major efforts to decrease acid rain, it is still killing lakes and aquatic life. 95,000 lakes in North America have been damaged by acid rain.


The sleek and flat profile of the Milo Modular Sectional marries sophisticated style with casual comfort. Milo's subtle curves of the padded armrest add visual elegance while delivering plush and stable support for the spacious seating. Milo is a modular design that can be customized to a configuration that fits your unique space. Much like the grandeur of Italian design, Milo is especially suited for large luxury spaces as each sectional piece is formed with more width than the average sofa, providing an overall grander feel for your home. Enjoy our preset configuration or customize your own design by purchasing pieces separately.
Just ordered the couch so cannot write a review yet, but will share my thoughts once it comes in.
Perfect size for my medium apartment. I love the clean lines and that fact it isn't sloppy and overstuffed. I looked for a long time and it's exactly what I was hoping for. The sofa is quality and super heavy. I was skeptical of buying sight unseen but would highly recommend this sofa. Color is perfectly neutral. I am very happy.
I've never bought such a large (expensive) item online before but I read the reviews and couldn't find a similar item in the stores so I thought I'd take the chance. I just love it. The color is great, it's soft yet firm. You can't beat the price. I compared to a ton of sites and other stores and couldn't find anything similar. Overall, I am MORE than pleased and would recommend highly.
Its amazing how luxurious this sectional is in real life. I got the light grey color which i love because with kids it wont get dirty as fast. I bought all 4 pieces and very happy with how it looks and the fact I can move the ottoman around is great!
Love this sectional, perfect, modern style. Deep seating, sits like a $20,000 italian sofa.
No issues with shipping, indeed arrived before time. The sectional looks good. Materials are top notch. Assembly is very easy, it takes about 10 mins to put it together. This review is based on 4-5 days of utilization, the sectional is very comfortable and we consider a good purchase.


I'm not sure why I'm paying for cable these days. For the past two or three months, I've perhaps watched about three hours of actual broadcast television. Due to a hectic schedule and a limited attention span, I've been watching DVDs almost exclusively. A lot of bad low-budget movies and a lot of episodes of How I Met Your Mother.
Which brings me to the first official post of the Summer Screen Review. I finished up Season Three of HIMYM on DVD. This was a season with several episodes I hadn't seen before, which was enjoyable. Watching so many episodes in a short period (I've gone through three seasons in the past month or so), a few things become evident.
Barney is truly a horrendous human being. He's great for comedy, but in the real world he would not be my friend.
The writers really play interestingly with narrative structures, with sometimes ingenious results, nesting flashbacks within flashbacks within flashbacks, having fun with the unreliable narrator concept, and enjoying the chance to mislead the audience.
Lily's hair poses a lot of problems for continuity.
It's also nice to enjoy all of the extras on the DVDs. This was a show being made when the business of DVD sales was already acknowledged, so there are lots of commentaries, extras, and amusing tidbits. Commentaries were done immediately, so the next seasons (already in reruns for me now) are still unknown to those speaking, generally. Enjoyable.
I also ventured out to see The Amazing Spider-Man on the ole big screen. I don't seem to make it out to the cinema that often (I'll try to do better this summer) so this was my first outing in a while. It's true that the reboot is coming awfully quickly following the Sam Raimi trilogy, but it's a decent little superhero movie. It's not brilliant, and seemed to lag for a while, but it's enjoyable enough. I thought they took shortcuts with the introduction of his costume and webbing (what, was that stuff mail-ordered?) but it's forgivable enough in the big picture. I enjoyed both Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone and, although it seems to be reaching to be Marvel's answer to the darker edge of Christopher Nolan's Batman films, it doesn't quite pull off the tone it seems to be shooting for. Regardless, I was entertained for a couple of hours and enjoyed it for what it was.
Posted by Jerome at 10:16 p.m.