The invention provides vitamin K-dependent polypeptides with enhanced membrane binding affinity. These polypeptides can be used to modulate clot formation in mammals. Methods of modulating clot formation in mammals are also described.

Vitamin K-dependent proteins contain 9 to 13 gamma-carboxyglutamic acid residues (Gla) in their amino terminal 45 residues. The Gla residues are produced by enzymes in the liver that utilize vitamin K to carboxylate the side chains of glutamic acid residues in protein precursors. Vitamin K-dependent proteins are involved in a number of biological processes, of which the most well described is blood coagulation (reviewed in Furie, B. and Furie, B. C., 1988, Cell, 53:505-518). Vitamin K-dependent proteins include protein Z, protein S, prothrombin, factor X, factor IX, protein C, factor VII and Gas6. The latter protein functions in cell growth regulation. Matsubara et al., 1996, Dev. Biol., 180:499-510. The Gla residues are needed for proper calcium binding and membrane interaction by these proteins. The membrane contact site of factor X is thought to reside within amino acid residues 1-37. Evans and Nelsestuen, 1996, Protein Sci., 5:suppl. 1, 163 Abs. Although the Gla-containing regions of the plasma proteins show a high degree of sequence homology, they have at least a 1000-fold range in membrane affinity. McDonald, J. F. et al., 1997, Biochemistry, 36:5120-5137.
Factor VII functions in the initial stage of blood clotting and may be a key element in forming blood clots. The inactive precursor, or zymogen, has low enzyme activity that is greatly increased by proteolytic cleavage at the R152I153 bond to form factor VIIa. This activation can be catalyzed by factor Xa as well as by VIIa-tissue factor, an integral membrane protein found in a number of cell types. Fiore, M. M., et al., 1994, J. Biol. Chem., 269:143-149. Activation by VIIa-tissue factor is referred to as autoactivation. It is implicated in both the activation (formation of factor VIIa from factor VII) and the subsequent activity of factor VIIa. The most important pathway for activation in vivo is not known. Factor VIIa can activate blood-clotting factors IX and X.
Tissue factor is expressed at high levels on the surface of some tumor cells. A role for tissue factor, and for factor VIIa, in tumor development and invasion of tissues is possible. Vrana, J. A. et al., Cancer Res., 56:5063-5070. Cell expression and action of tissue factor is also a major factor in toxic response to endotoxic shock. Dackiw, A. A. et al., 1996, Arch. Surg., 131:1273-1278.
Protein C is activated by thrombin in the presence of thrombomodulin, an integral membrane protein of endothelial cells. Esmon, N. L. et al., 1982, J. Biol. Chem., 257:859-864. Activated protein C (APC) degrades factors Va and VIIIa in combination with its cofactor, protein S. Resistance to APC is the most common form of inherited thrombosis disease. Dahlback, B., 1995, Blood, 85:607-614. Vitamin K inhibitors are commonly administered as a prophylaxis for thrombosis disease.
Vitamin K-dependent proteins are used to treat certain types of hemophilia. Hemophilia A is characterized by the absence of active factor VIII, factor VIIIa, or the presence of inhibitors to factor VIII. Hemophilia B is characterized by the absence of active factor IX, factor IXa. Factor VII deficiency, although rare, responds well to factor VII administration. Bauer, K. A., 1996, Haemostasis, 26:155-158, suppl. 1. Factor VIII replacement therapy is limited due to development of high-titer inhibitory factor VIII antibodies in some patients. Alternatively, factor VIIa can be used in the treatment of hemophilia A and B. Factor IXa and factor VIIIa activate factor X. Factor VIIa eliminates the need for factors IX and VIII by activating factor X directly, and can overcome the problems of factor IX and VIII deficiencies with few immunological consequences. Hedner et al., 1993, Transfus. Medi. Rev.,7:78-83; Nicolaisen, E. M. et al., 1996, Thromb. Haemost., 76:200-204. Effective levels of factor VIIa administration are often high (45 to 90 xcexcg/kg of body weight) and administration may need to be repeated every few hours. Shulmav, S. et al., 1996, Thromb. Haemost., 75:432436.
A soluble form of tissue factor (soluble tissue factor or sTF) that does not contain the membrane contact region has been found to be efficacious in treatment of hemophilia when co-administered with factor VIIa. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,064. In dogs, sTF was shown to reduce the amount of factor VIIa needed to treat hemophilia Membrane association by sTF-VIIa is entirely dependent on the membrane contact site of factor VII. This contrasts to normal tissue-factor VIIa complex, which is bound to the membrane through both tissue factor and VII (a).
It has been discovered that modifications within the xcex3-carboxyglutamic acid (GLA) domain of vitamin K-dependent polypeptides enhance their membrane binding affinities. Vitamin K-dependent polypeptides modified in such a manner have enhanced activity and may be used as anti-coagulants, pro-coagulants, or for other functions that utilize vitamin K-dependent proteins. For example, an improved factor VII molecule may provide several benefits by lowering the dosage of VIIa needed, reducing the relative frequency of administration and/or by providing qualitative changes that allow more effective treatment of deficiency states.
The invention features vitamin K-dependent polypeptides that include a modified GLA domain that enhances membrane-binding affinity of the polypeptide relative to a corresponding native vitamin K-dependent polypeptide. In some embodiments, activity of the vitamin K-dependent polypeptide also is enhanced. The modified GLA domain is from about amino acid 1 to about amino acid 45 and includes at least one amino acid substitution. For example, the at least one amino acid substitution can be at amino acids 2, 5, 9 11, 12, 29, 33, 34, 35, or 36, and combinations thereof. In particular, the at least one substitution can be at amino acids 11, 12, 29, 33 or 34, amino acids 2, 5, or 9, amino acids 11 or 12, amino acids 29 or 33, or amino acids 34, 35 or 36. The modified GLA domain may include an amino acid sequence, which, in the calcium saturated state, forms a tertiary structure having a cationic core with a halo of electronegative charge.
The vitamin K-dependent polypeptide may be, for example, protein C, activated protein C, factor IX, factor IXa or active-site modified factor IXa, factor VII, factor VIIa or active site modified factor VIIa, protein S, protein Z, or factor Xa or active-site modified Xa. The modified GLA domain of protein C or activated protein C may include substitution of a glycine residue at amino acid 12. Further substitutions in the GLA domain of protein C or activated protein C can include a glutamic acid residue at amino acid 33 and an aspartic acid residue at amino acid 34, a glutamine or glutamic acid residue at amino acid 11, a phenylalanine residue at amino acid 29, an aspartic or glutamic acid residue at amino acid 35, or a glutamic acid residue at amino acid 36. The modified GLA domain of factor VII, factor VIIa, and active site modified factor VIIa may include at least one amino acid substitution at amino acids 11 and 33. For example, a glutamine residue at amino acid 11 and a glutamic acid residue at amino acid 33 may be substituted. The modified GLA domain also can include an aspartic acid or glutamic acid residue at amino acid 35.
The modified GLA domain of protein S can include a substitution of an isoleucine, leucine, valine, or phenylalanine residue at amino acid 9. Further substitutions can include an aspartic acid or glutamic acid residue at amino acids 34 or 35. The modified GLA domain also can include a phenylalanine residue at amino acid 5, and further can include an amino acid substitution in the thrombin-sensitive loop, such as at amino acids 49, 60, or 70. The modified GLA domain of active-site modified Factor IXa can include a phenylalanine residue at amino acids 29 or 34, a phenylalanine, leucine, or isoleucine residue at amino acid 5, or an aspartic acid or glutamic acid residue at amino acids 34 or 35, and combination thereof.
The modified GLA domain of active-site modified Factor Xa can include a glutamine at amino acid 11 or an aspartic acid or glutamic acid residue at amino acid 35. The modified GLA domain of protein Z can include an asparagine or glutamine residue at amino acid 2 or an aspartic acid or glutamic acid residue at amino acids 34, 35, or 36.
The modified GLA domain of vitamin K-dependent polypeptides further can include an inactivated cleavage site. For example, factor VII can include an inactivated cleavage site, such as a substitution of an alanine residue at amino acid 152.
In another aspect, the invention features a vitamin K-dependent polypeptide that includes a modified GLA domain that enhances membrane binding affinity and activity of the polypeptide. The modified GLA domain of such a polypeptide includes at least one amino acid insertion at amino acid 4. The polypeptide can be factor VII or VIIa, protein C or activated protein C, factor X or Xa, or protein S. For example, the polypeptide can be factor VII or IIa, and can include the insertion of a tyrosine or glycine residue.
The invention also features a mammalian host cell that includes a vitamin K-dependent polypeptide. The polypeptide includes a modified GLA domain that enhances membrane-binding affinity of the polypeptide relative to a corresponding native vitamin K-dependent polypeptide. The modified GLA domain includes at least one amino acid substitution as described above. The vitamin K-dependent polypeptide may be, for example, factor VII or factor VIIa
The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition that includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an amount of a vitamin K-dependent polypeptide effective to inhibit clot formation in a mammal. The vitamin K-dependent polypeptide includes a modified GLA domain that enhances membrane-binding affinity of the polypeptide relative to a corresponding native vitamin K-dependent polypeptide. In some embodiments, activity of the polypeptide also is enhanced. The modified GLA domain includes at least one amino acid substitution. The vitamin K-dependent polypeptide may be, for example, protein C, activated protein C or active site modified factor VIIa, protein S, or active site modified factor IXa. The composition can include an anticoagulant agent (e.g. aspirin).
The invention also features a pharmaceutical composition that includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an amount of a vitamin K-dependent polypeptide effective to increase clot formation in a mammal. The vitamin K-dependent polypeptide includes a modified GLA domain that enhances membrane-binding affinity of the polypeptide relative to a corresponding native vitamin K-dependent polypeptide. The modified GLA domain includes at least one amino acid substitution. The vitamin K-dependent polypeptide may be, for example, factor VII, factor VIIa, factor IX or factor IXa. The pharmaceutical composition may also include soluble tissue factor.
A method of decreasing clot formation in a mammal is also described. The method includes administering an amount of a vitamin K-dependent polypeptide effective to decrease clot formation in the mammal. The vitamin K-dependent polypeptide includes a modified GLA domain that enhances membrane-binding affinity of the polypeptide relative to a corresponding native vitamin K-dependent polypeptide. In some embodiments, activity of the polypeptide also is enhanced. The modified GLA domain includes at least one amino acid substitution. The vitamin K-dependent polypeptide may be, for example, protein C, activated protein C or active site modified factor VIIa or factor IXa, or protein S.
The invention also features a method of increasing clot formation in a mammal. The method includes administering an amount of a vitamin K-dependent polypeptide effective to increase clot formation in the mammal. The vitamin K-dependent polypeptide includes a modified GLA domain that enhances membrane-binding affinity of the polypeptide relative to a corresponding native vitamin K-dependent polypeptide. The modified GLA domain includes at least one amino acid substitution. The vitamin K-dependent polypeptide may be, for example, factor VII, factor VIIa, factor IX or factor IXa
In another aspect, the invention features a method for identifying a vitamin K-dependent polypeptide having enhanced membrane binding affinity and activity. The method includes modifying the GLA domain of the polypeptide, wherein modifying includes substituting at least one amino acid in the GLA domain; monitoring membrane binding affinity and activity of the polypeptide having the modified GLA domain; and identifying the modified vitamin K-dependent polypeptide as having enhanced membrane binding affinity and activity if membrane binding affinity activity of the modified polypeptide is enhanced relative to a corresponding native vitamin K-dependent polypeptide. Suitable substitutions are described above. The polypeptide can increase clot formation or inhibit clot formation.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice the invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.

Modified vitamin K-dependent polypeptides


A CVD apparatus in which a reaction chamber includes a pair of electrodes which define a plasma generating space therebetween. A metallic enclosure surrounds the plasma generating space thereby preventing plasma which has been produced within the space from escaping. The enclosure can be utilized to support one or more substrates to be coated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a CVD apparatus for depositing films on substrates through a CVD epitaxial growth process.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A variety of CVD apparatus have heretofore been proposed but they encounter difficulty in forming a film uniformly all over a substrate surface of a large area.

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


A packaging film is described. The packaging film comprises an exterior layer comprising a first polyolefin having a density of less than or equal to 0.925 g/cm3 and a first polyolefin-silicone copolymer. The packaging film is adapted for exposure to temperatures from 88° C. to 177° C. (154° F. to 350° F.). Various embodiments of the packaging film are also described.

A heat seal is generally strongest after it has cooled to ambient temperature. However, in order for packaging equipment to operate at a commercially relevant pace, packages are often filled with product before the heat seals have had time to completely cool or completely solidify (or recrystallize). As such, the peak seal strength may be reduced. Therefore, for relatively fast-moving sealing operations, heat seals need to rapidly exhibit sufficient hot tack strength to maintain seal integrity. Otherwise, the heat seals will be destroyed by the weight of the product when the package is filled. Additionally, the films also should exhibit minimal average blocking force so that the films do not stick to films of the same or another package or to the packaging equipment.
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. recently introduced Exfola™ silicone-based surface modifier. This material is stated to modify surfaces to assume characteristics of silicone, such as release properties, water repellency, oil repellency, and abrasion resistance. Characteristics specific to peak seal strength, hot tack strength, or average blocking force with exposure to temperatures from 68° C. to 177° C. (154° F. to 350° F.) are not addressed.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,426,519 (Cogen et al.) discloses copolymers, reactive blends, and crosslinkers for improved morphology in blends of silicones and polyolefins. U.S. Pat. No. 9,701,859 (Chen et al.) discloses a cable jacket polymeric composition comprising an ethylene-based polymer and a slip agent comprising a silicone and a fatty acid amide. International Publication WO 2014/141512 (Mitsui Chemicals Tohcello, Inc.) discloses a polyester release film for flexible printed circuit board that has heat resistance and does not require application of a silicone-based release agent.

Packaging film for high temperature materials


A surgical heart valve includes a non-collapsible frame having features that enable the frame to expand from an initial condition having a first diameter to an expanded condition having a second diameter larger than the first diameter after the valve has been implanted within a patient. The frame may include members that prevent the unintended expansion of the frame, such as during implantation, and members that prevent the over-expansion of the frame. The surgical heart valve further includes a valve assembly connected to the frame and including a plurality of leaflets.

The present disclosure relates in general to a heart valve for heart valve replacement and, in particular, to bioprosthetic heart valves. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to surgical heart valves that facilitate the performance of subsequent valve-in-valve implantation procedures.
When a native heart valve in an individual is diseased or damaged, a bioprosthetic heart valve may be surgically implanted in that individual to replace the native heart valve. At some time after the bioprosthetic heart valve has been successfully implanted within the individual, the heart valve may become damaged or worn out such that it ceases to function properly. If the implanted heart valve fails to function properly, a new replacement prosthetic heart valve may be surgically implanted to resume normal functions. However, at the point at which the original implanted heart valve needs replacement, patients are often too old and frail for another invasive surgical procedure. For these patients, a less traumatic valve-in-valve procedure (hereinafter referred to as "VIV procedure") may be performed. In a VIV procedure, a new prosthetic heart valve is implanted inside of the surgical heart valve using a minimally invasive transcatheter procedure.
One challenge that arises from VIV procedures is that the diameter of the surgical heart valve limits the size of the transcatheter heart valve that can be implanted inside of it. When the originally implanted surgical valve is small (e.g., 19 or 21 millimeters in diameter), the size of the implanted transcatheter heart valve may be too small to the meet the patient's blood flow requirements. This results in the phenomenon of patient-prosthesis mismatch (hereinafter referred to as "PPM"). PPM has shown to be associated with increased mortality after VIV procedures. Thus, there exists a need for a mechanism by which surgical heart valves can be expanded in vivo so that they can accept a sufficiently-sized transcatheter valve and minimize the potential for PPM.

St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.


A robot system can include a main body; a manipulator installed on the main body; a sensor configured to detect an object approaching a restricted region including the manipulator; a camera configured to monitor the restricted region and the object approaching the restricted region; a storage configured to store a material for an operation of the manipulator, the storage including an inlet for receiving the material; a remaining amount sensor configured to detect an amount of the material remaining in the storage; and a controller configured to change the restricted region based on at least one of a result of detection of the remaining amount sensor and image information of the camera, and in response to the sensor detecting that the object is within the restricted region, stop manipulation of the manipulator.

The present disclosure relates to a robot system including a manipulator and a control method thereof.
In general, a machine that performs similar tasks to the human using an electrical or magnetic action is referred to as a robot. Recently, robots have been used in various fields by virtue of the development of control technologies, and may be, for example, an endobot, a home-help robot, a service robot, a remote aerospace robot, or hazardous materials robot. Such a robot performs an operation using a manipulator configured to move in a similar manner as an arm or a hand using an electrical or mechanical mechanism.
In particular, a home-help robot is configured by coupling a specific tool to the manipulator to perform a specific operation. For example, a cooking robot is configured by coupling various tools, such as a ladle, tongs, or a pot to perform cooking.


There is provided herein a system and method for generating downhole electricity from wells or similar apertures that penetrate sufficiently deep into the subsurface to allow liquid water to be converted to steam. In the preferred embodiment, a well that reaches to a point in the subsurface where the ambient temperature at depth is significantly above the boiling point of water (i.e., greater than 212° F.) will be used, said steam providing the force necessary to turn the blades of a turbine which, in turn, provides rotational force a downhole generator, thereby resulting in the generation of electricity.

Geothermal energy has been used in one form or another for many thousands of years to make life better. Beginning with early hot springs that were valued for their curative or restorative properties and continuing today with geothermal electrical generation at geothermal hotspots, this energy source has been valued for its renewability and low environmental impact.
Turning specifically now to generation of electrical power by geothermal means, possibly the most common approach is to utilize hot water and/or steam that originates beneath the surface of the earth into a heat exchanger or a turbines, etc. with the goal of generating electric power. Typically, these sorts of power plants are large-scale operations that are situated near geothermal hot spots. Obviously, such large-scale facilities are best situated near a correspondingly large near-surface heat source, of which there are not that many candidates. For example, Yellowstone National Park would be a tremendous source of geothermal energy but is off limits to commercial development for obvious reasons.
This fact (i.e., the relative rarity of near-surface geothermal heat sources) has made utilization of this source of energy for power generation problematic. Of course, the general scarcity of geothermal hot spots near population centers has made it correspondingly more difficult to attract the funds that would be necessary to build a generating plant at a remote location and transmit the power to the consumers that need it.
That being said, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that it is possible to find extremely high subsurface temperatures almost anywhere if a sufficiently deep penetration into the subsurface available. Of particular interest for purposes of the instant application are wells that might have been drilled to depth specifically for purposes discussed hereinafter or, possibly, hydrocarbon (e.g., oil and/or gas) wells that might either be wells that have exhausted their oil source or wells that failed to uncover any petroleum deposits at all depths (e.g., dry holes). These sorts of abandoned or otherwise available well shafts provide access to the deep subsurface where temperatures at the bottom might be well above the boiling point of water at atmospheric pressure (e.g., 212° F. or 100° C.). In fact, and depending on the local geothermal gradient, a well of depth 10,000-20,000 feet is likely to encounter temperatures more than sufficient to boil water and, in many cases, temperatures high enough to superheat water.
However, one problem with utilizing the thermal energy that might be available at the bottom of such wells is that existing approaches are not well suited to exploiting geothermal energy on such a small scale. That is, in order to be economic conventional geothermal power plants require a substantial heat source that can continuously produce a high quantity of steam for a long period of time. But, preexisting deeply penetrating wells are typically not drilled close enough together to likely be of much use in this context. Further, even if there are multiple wells located in close proximity the economics of collecting, collating, and transporting the steam from the wells to the generator will make the project uneconomic. On the other hand, there are large numbers of individual abandoned wells that, if the technology existed, could be relied upon to produce steam or superheated steam on a small scale.
Thus, what is needed is a system and method that would make it possible to utilize the extreme temperatures that are available in individual, deeply drilled wells for purposes of power generation.
Heretofore, as is well known in the power generating arts, there has been a need for an invention to address and solve the above-described problems. Accordingly, it should now be recognized, as was recognized by the present inventor, that there exists, and has existed for some time, a very real need for a system and method that would provide small scale power generation from a single or very small number of individual wells.
Before proceeding to a description of the present invention, however, it should be noted and remembered that the description of the invention which follows, together with the accompanying drawings, should not be construed as limiting the invention to the examples (or preferred embodiments) shown and described. This is so because those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will be able to devise other forms of the invention within the ambit of the pending claims.

System and method for downhole geothermal electrical power generation


A carburetor for a stratified charge two cycle engine with a choke bore, venturi, and throttle bore configuration matching an irregularly shaped choke valve. The trailing and leading edges of the choke and throttle valves, respectively, preferably overlap during wide open throttle operation to separate a single intake passage bore into an air intake passage above the choke and throttle valves and an air/fuel intake passage below the choke and throttle valves. The choke valve is preferably bent to minimize operational rotation and limit fuel spit back.

In accommodating a stratified charge two-cycle engine, different approaches carburetor design have been taken to separate an air-fuel mixture intake from an air intake. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,090,204, a plastic separator plate is inserted into the venturi of a single bore carburetor. The plate is intended to facilitate the separation of the air-fuel mixture staying on one side of the throttle valve and air only on the other side during wide-open throttle operation of a stratified charge two stroke engine. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,991, the bore of a single bore carburetor is divided into separate passages.
It is desirable to provide systems and methods that facilitate the separation of the air-fuel mixture intake from the air intake for operation of a stratified charge two stroke engine without the need for a separate separator plate or complex die casting to cast a fixed separator to split the bore in a carburetor body.

Carburetor for stratified charge two-cycle engine


A system for mounting a sign on a stanchion and a method of using the system for mounting signs are provided. The system includes a bracket that can be mounted onto the upper end of the stanchion and a sign frame that can be mounted onto the bracket. The sign frame supports the sign in an upright position. The bracket has a base with an open lower end that can be lowered down onto the upper end of the stanchion to mount the bracket. The bracket has a support member attached to the base for mounting the sign frame onto the bracket. The support member has a pair of opposing openings that extend through the support member. The sign frame has a pair of frame mounting rods that can be inserted downward through the openings to mount the sign frame onto the bracket.

Signs may be mounted in a variety of ways to support a sign in an upright position for optimal viewing of sign graphics. Signs used as yard signs or roadside signs are often made of corrugated material and mounted on metal frames commonly referred to as H-frames, which typically have two downwardly pointing rods and two upwardly pointing rods. The downwardly pointing rods may simply be forced down into the ground to support the frame in an upright position, and the upwardly pointing rods can be inserted into the sign itself between the internal corrugations of the sign to support the sign in an upright position relative to the frame. These frames may be used to set up signs quickly and easily but also have certain disadvantages. For example, signs set up using H-frames are typically positioned at a relatively low height relative to the ground, which may limit the visibility of sign graphics as viewed by passersby. Because H-frames are typically constructed of small metal rods, which typically have some bendability, increasing the height of the frames sufficiently to position signs at certain heights may not be feasible.
Accordingly, a need exists in the art for an improved system for mounting a sign, as well as a method of using the system for mounting signs.

Sign mounting system and method of use thereof


A method and apparatus that utilizes a simple test and flush mechanism to implement branch instructions of one Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) using instructions of another ISA is described. During the decoding and sequencing of microinstructions to implement a branch instruction, a fix-up address, which represents the remedial branch target in the event of a mispredicted target or branch condition, is determined and stored. A test condition is set to determine if the prediction or the branch condition was correct. When the test condition fails, the instruction execution pipeline is immediately flushed to avoid executing any instruction remaining in the pipeline following the branch instructions. The flushing of the pipeline signals the instruction fetch control mechanism to redirect the instruction flow to the instruction corresponding to the fix-up address. A method and apparatus according to the present invention further allows flushing of the pipeline when conditions other than ones involved in branch instructions occurs, e.g., to flush stale instructions.

The invention relates to computers and microprocessor architectures. Particularly, this invention relates to emulation of an instruction set architecture (ISA) using another instruction set architecture. More particularly, this invention relates to a method of and apparatus for emulating branch instructions of an instruction set architecture using instructions from another instruction set architecture.
Designing of a microprocessor architecture includes the provisioning of a set of basic instructions (typically referred to as the xe2x80x9cinstruction setxe2x80x9d) that comprises the basic building block instructions, e.g., the instructions that manipulate register contents and/or movement of data between registers. An Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) refers to the design of the instruction set of the microprocessor architecture.
A particular ISA may be better than other ISAs in some respect, e.g., providing a wider range and richer instruction set to promote easier programming, while being inferior in some other respect, e.g., requiring a complex hardware to support the more complex and greater number of instructions in the instruction set. Thus, selecting the most suitable ISA may be one of the most significant aspects of a computer architecture.
Even when a new ISA is employed to realize the benefits associated thereto (e.g., improved performance), some newer computer architectures are provided with the capability to run legacy applications that were written for a legacy ISA (which may represent a substantial capital investment). Typically this is done by emulating the instructions of the legacy instruction set with a series of one or more instructions of the native ISA. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, an instruction of the legacy instruction set 101, referred to hereinafter as xe2x80x9cmicroinstructionsxe2x80x9d, (e.g., the instruction A 103), is expanded into, or emulated by, a sequence of the native ISA instructions 102, referred to hereinafter as xe2x80x9cmicroinstructionsxe2x80x9d, (e.g., the sequence 104 (or a xe2x80x9cflowxe2x80x9d) of instructions 1-4). The microinstructions may be generated by a decoder/sequencer of the emulation hardware (not shown).
Unfortunately, an emulation of the legacy ISA instructions as described above usually results in an increased number of instructions executed and/or requires elaborate and complex additional hardware due at least in part to the differences in the semantics between instructions of the legacy ISA and the native ISA.
This is particularly true for emulation of a branch instruction. Because the branch semantics, (e.g., target prediction and/or branch conditions, etc.) between the legacy ISA and the native ISA may be significantly different, it is often not possible to map a macroinstrcution branch with a single microinstruction. Consequently, multiple microinstructions are needed to implement a macroinstrcution-branch, further increasing the number of instructions that must be executed, and thus reducing the performance of the computer system.
Moreover, the branch target prediction of a macroinstruction branch at the time the flow of microinstructions is generated by the decoder/sequencer of the emulation mechanism, is not always accurate. In particular, for example, FIG. 2 shows a number of microinstructions A, B, C, D, etc., 201 being emulated by the microinstructions 202. The macroinstruction B may be a branch instruction, e.g., branch to D. The branching may be unconditional, i.e., the macroinstruction D is executed following the retirement of the macroinstruction B, or it may be conditional, i.e., branch to D only when a given condition is met, and otherwise proceed to the next instruction C if the condition is not met. A macroinstruction branch, e.g. the branch 203, is referred to hereinafter as a macrobranch.
On the other hand, the microinstruction 7 may be a branch instruction, in which based on a condition being met, may take one of several possible flow paths. For example, if the condition is met, after the microinstruction 7 is executed, instructions 10 and 11 may be executed next before the particular flow to emulate the macroinstruction B ends. On the other hand, if the condition was not met, then the flow may continue on to instruction 8 before it ends. A microinstruction branch, e.g., the branch 204, is referred to hereinafter as a microbranch.
The decoder/sequencer of the native hardware generally is not able to generate the branch target of a macrobranch, e.g., the macrobranch 203, when the macroinstruction, e.g., instruction B, is decoded. This is because, the target prediction semantics and/or hardware of the two ISAs are very different from each other. For example, the target may be stored in a register in a microbranch instruction, and may be specified within the instruction itself for a macrobranch. Moreover, the instruction lengths of the two ISAs may be different, making it difficult for the hardware of one ISA to determine where, in the instruction of the other ISA, the branch target is specified.
Because the decoder/sequencer is unable to calculate the correct target of a macrobranch, additional hardware must be added to ensure that the decoder/sequencer does not fill the execution pipeline of the computer system with erroneous macroinstructions fetched according to the native ISA prediction mechanism, and allow the legacy ISA emulation fetch engine to calculate and branch to the correct target.
Furthermore, the differences in the ISAs make it difficult to share the same branch prediction hardware. Extra hardware would be required to ensure that predictions made during the execution of the native instruction set and during the execution of the emulated instruction set do not effect each other.
Thus, in order to emulate a branch instruction of one ISA using the instructions of the other ISA, new instructions and additional hardware must be added to handle the different semantics used by the other ISA, negatively impacting the physical layout size requirement and/or performance of the system.
In addition, it may be desirable to have a mechanism to facilitate microbranches that re-steer the execution path of a particular microinstruction flow independent from any macroinstruction branches. For instance, the instruction decoder/sequencer, while expanding a macroinstruction into a corresponding microinstruction flow, may require the ability to select a different flow path (e.g., the microinstruction 7 as shown in FIG. 2) based, e.g., on the value of a bit in a register. The instruction/decoder would need this ability in order to conserve the number of microinstructions required to implement the macroinstruction.
However, because of the differences in the remedial actions required in the event of mispredictions, and in order to ensure that the microbranches do not affect the predictions made by the macrobranch prediction mechanism, there must be additional hardware components added to distinguish between the microbranches and the macrobranches.
Moreover, performing these predicted microbranches requires the ability to, in the event of misprediction of the target, flush the execution pipeline and to redirect the sequencer/decoder to proceed through a different flow path. To this end, an event, e.g., a fault condition, may be inserted into the pipeline, which will cause the pipeline to be flushed if a target of a microinstruction branch is mispredicted (or be ignored if the target is correctly predicted).
However, due to timing delays caused by the detection of the misprediction, signaling the misprediction to the legacy ISA emulation control block, then injecting the flush event back into the pipeline, it becomes necessary to add extra xe2x80x9cpaddingxe2x80x9d instructions after the branch instruction, or otherwise provide a mechanism, to avoid execution of any subsequent instructions that should not be executed in the event of misprediction. The padding instructions reduce the performance of the system.
Furthermore, there are times when it is desirable to restart fetching anew, independent from any branching instructions. For instance, when a retiring instruction has changed instruction fetch resources, affecting the fetching of the instructions subsequent to the retiring instructionxe2x80x94referred to herein as a stale instructionxe2x80x94, the pipeline may need to be completely flushed, and filled with new instructions in light of the resource update.
Thus, there is a need for an efficient branch mechanism that does not require substantial new hardware and/or new instructions to implement macrobranches and/or microbranches.
There is also a need for an efficient branch mechanism that causes a pipeline flush immediately upon a mispredicted branch. This is needed to avoid execution of any instructions that may be present in the pipeline, without the delay in detecting and signaling the misprediction to, and waiting for a response from, the instruction fetch control mechanism.
There is also a need for an efficient branch mechanism which ensures that a branch operation for a macrobranch does not affect the flow of microinstructions, and that a microbranch does not affect the proper fetching of macroinstructions.
There is a further need for an efficient branch mechanism that does not require an addition of complex hardware for branch predictions and/or control of macrobranches.
There is also a need for a mechanism to flush any stale instructions in the instruction pipeline whenever desired, e.g., when fetch resources are changed by an earlier retired instruction.
A method and apparatus for implementing branch instructions in a computer system is described. More particularly described is a method of, and an apparatus for, implementing a branch instruction in a computer system having an execution pipeline which comprises the steps of, and means for, setting a test condition representing the correctness of a predicted target and/or whether a branch condition is met, and flushing the execution pipeline immediately upon a failure of the test condition.
Also described is a method of executing instructions in a microprocessor having an execution pipeline which comprises providing an instruction set having a conditional flush instruction that flushes the execution pipeline immediately upon a failure of a predetermined condition.

Apparatus and method for conditionally flushing a pipeline upon a failure of a test condition

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP.


A pixel control system and method of controlling the intensity of pixels on a raster video display screen with scan lines grouped in 20 pixel increments across the scan line to display an object. In a first operational sequence for a given polygon that represents a part of the object separate red, blue, green and depth sections use the value (R) of a reference pixel in a first pixel group at the left side of the object to determine the pixel by pixel change (delta) in intensity and depth across the first pixel group. The sections are operated in successive operational sequences to process the other pixel groups along the scan line until the pixel group at the right side of the polygon is processed. The operations are repeated in respect to successive scan lines to process the entire polygon. Each section has two adder stages. The first stage produces signals representing R, R plus and minus certain deltas and selected other deltas. The second stage produces other R plus delta signals so that after set up there is one signal for each of the 20 pixels per pixel group output at the same time to provide intensity signals for each group, where the intensity varies uniformly on a pixel by pixel basis across each group and from group to group.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of computer graphics and more particularly to the field of displaying objects on the screen of a cathode ray tube.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Computer graphics systems for displaying objects on the screen of a display device required very rapid processing of large amounts of data to enable the displayed object to be moved or the shading of the surface of the object to vary with movement of the object or variations in the location of a source of light that is shining on the object. This need for rapid computation has resulted in reduction of the time required to specify the object to be displayed in terms of the many points or vertices that are organized to form polygons that define the surface of the object.
With the location of such points defined, the next step in displaying the object is to rapidly convert such points into data indicating which picture elements ("pixels") on the screen of a display device must be illuminated or turned ON in order to display the object. This involves the steps of processing pairs of vertices that define an edge to indicate which pixels on the screen must be turned ON to draw the edge between pairs of vertices. Also, because the screen may have hundreds of pixels in each of the x and y coordinate directions (such as 1280 by 1024), the data defining which pixels must be turned ON must be stored in a manner suitable for controlling the video function of the display device. For example, when the display device functions on a scan line by scan line basis as is customary, the manner in which the pixels of the screen are processed for drawing lines and for data storage purposes must be specially related to the scan lines so as to minimize storage requirements without reducing the speed of the scanning operation.
To achieve some of these objectives, in the past the screen of the display device has been divided up into row address blocks that are related to DRAM chips that are selected for storing the pixel ON data. Such row address blocks have been identified with respect to addresses within the DRAM, such as by having a given block for a given row address extend 128 column addresses in the x direction on the screen and two column addresses in the y direction on the screen. To reduce the number of times that a given edge drawn on the screen must be re-addressed into different DRAM row addresses, others have arranged the row address blocks more symmetrically by providing a block for a given row address in DRAM that extends in both the x and y directions 16 column addresses. As a result, unless the edge is horizontal, the edge can extend through more column addresses before a new row of the DRAM must be addressed.
Having reduced the number of times that the DRAM row addresses must be re-addressed as the edge is drawn from row address block to row address block, others have then organized the pixels within a given row address block into groups, such as groups of 64 pixels formed by 8 pixels in the x direction on the screen and 8 pixels in the y direction on the screen. Others have used groups of 20 pixels formed by groups of 5 pixels in the x direction and 4 pixels in the y direction. Such group of pixels has been referred to as a "matrix". Each matrix in a given row address block has a specific DRAM column address.
Such pixel group or matrix has been used in the past to define a unit or group of pixels that are written into the DRAM at the same time. Initially, the determination of which pixel out of the 20 pixels in such matrix will be ON has been performed on a pixel by pixel basis using a number of machine cycles, where one machine cycle occurs for every one clock cycle of a bit slice processor, for example. Once the determination has been completed for all the pixels in the matrix, then the entire matrix, representing the pixels that should be ON and OFF of the group of 20 pixels, is written into the DRAM in one or more additional machine cycles. In this approach, there is no need to determine which matrix the edge will extend into next (the "next matrix") during the computation of the pixels for a particular or "current" matrix. Rather, only when the next "ON" pixel of the next matrix is identified is the next matrix identified. This occurs after the writing of the current matrix into the DRAM. In this prior method, it may be understood that it required 5 machine cycles to identify the 5 pixels that must be turned on in order to have an edge completely cross a given matrix. Thus, at least 5 machine cycles were required to identify such ON pixels and one or more additional cycles to write them into the DRAM. However, there have also been reductions in the number of machine cycles required to identify the ON pixels in such matrix.
Having defined the pixels that must be ON in order to draw the edge between two vertices, the display of surfaces of the object and the removal of hidden edges of the object have involved shading the surfaces and determining the depths of such surfaces relative to each other along a field of view. When the object is displayed in color, the shading is performed for each color component, such as red, blue, and green.
In the past, intensity interpolation shading, referred to as Gouraud shading for its developer, has been used to linearly interpolate vertex intensities along each edge of a polygon. Then, the intensities of pixels along a given scan line that extends between such edges are obtained by linear interpolation from one polygon edge to the other. Certain general purpose computers have been used for shading. However, experience with them indicates that the determination of the intensity per pixel has required more than one machine cycle. In some cases from 3 to 10 machine cycles have been required for each instruction of the shading process, and one or more instructions are required per pixel. As a result of such number of machine cycles required to determine the intensity of each pixel, such computers have not been able to perform shading as fast as the rate at which line drawing systems define the objects to be displayed. With further increases in the available speed for specifying the vertices that define the surface of the object, and with further increases in the speed at which line drawing apparatus operates to define the ON pixels that define a polygon edge, there are increasing requirements for faster ways to shade the surfaces of the object and to define the relative depths of such surfaces.

Method and apparatus for interpolating groups of pixels on a scan line


A laminate comprising an inner layer containing an acid/base indicator and an outer layer containing no acid/base indicator, wherein the inner layer is capable of undergoing a color change upon its contact with an acid or an alkali.

In the manufacture of electronic parts and elements such as semi-conductor devices and so forth, a variety of chemicals such acids, alkalis, solvents and so forth are used in various treatment operations, starting with deburring of substrates and surface washing.
In carrying out such operations, conventionally it has been practice to make use of working gloves made of material of a laminate structure, comprising rubber or a resin having a rubber elasticity and a substantial resistance to chemicals. However, the treatment operations deal with strongly harmful chemicals such as strong acids and strong alkalis, so that penetration of chemical into the gloves contacted with the chemical, which can occur through any rupture in the glove material, tends to result in a serious accident. Therefore, measures are taken, for example such as to carry out an inspection to locate any breakage in the gloves by a pinhole finding test or to discard used gloves as waste after the lapse of the prescribed length of time of use of the gloves regardless of the possibility that the gloves can still be used.
In the above circumstances, it has been strongly desired in the art to develop such gloves having a laminate structure which have a high degree of safety and are economical.
The present invention has been made in order to obviate the above indicated problems in the art, and is directed in its object to provide a laminate which includes a layer capable of undergoing an internal color change in contact with an acid or an alkali (hereinafter referred to as a color indicator layer) and thereby provide the ability to detect permeation of acid or alkali into the laminate. According to the present invention, it is feasible to provide gloves having such a laminate structure containing a detecting function as above, which are relatively thin and can be used safely and, through the use of which, operations can be facilitated.


An improved system implements Fitness Gradient Consensus including hash distance and bucket consensus variations within a digital blockchain by calculating the highest fitness value among competing blocks to resolve conflicts and allocate the rewards associated with building new blocks. The consensus system applies conflict resolution formulas to incentivize block-building nodes to share blocks generated, as it completes construction, to improve chances of a reward, resulting in enhanced speed and security of blockchain.

Distributed electronic ledgers or blockchains may be held or maintained by individual parties, or may contain entries for different parties and be replicated and distributed amongst various participants on a network. Distributed electronic ledgers are utilized for various applications, including exchange and recording of transactions in crypto currencies, such as, for example, transactions involving Bitcoin, Etherium, Ripple (XPR) and other crypto currencies.
In addition, blockchains may also be used for recording and confirming the identity or existence of a person, object or event. The data records confirming such identity or existence may then be utilized for such application as confirming the identity of an account holder, or to confirm the relationship between two account holders, or to confirm the occurrence of an event in the real-world, and then to use that information to direct contract behavior.
Blockchains may also be utilized as a solution for recording, tracking and mediating ownership of an asset or multiple assets, the latter encoded as a token (or multiple tokens) on a blockchain, which may be transferred or otherwise manipulated via distributed electronic ledger elements such as smart contracts and on-chain data records.
In addition, blockchains may also be utilized to facilitate foreign exchange trading and money remittance by serving as a record of transactions represented on-chain by currency-backed asset tokens. For example, currency-backed asset tokens may be created by a trusted institution (ex. a bank) that issues such tokens and trades or contracts with another institution (ex. a different bank) using smart contracts on a blockchain, in order to effect the transfer of asset tokens (and underlying assets) from one third-party entity to another. Such a transfer may be conditioned upon the verification that such requirements as may be set forth in the associated smart contract for that asset token have been met.

System and method using a fitness-gradient blockchain consensus and providing advanced distributed ledger capabilities via specialized data records

Abstract: The hash distance consensus utilizes a hash distance scalar value as part of its fitness metric, and the bucket consensus assigns tokens to buckets and calculates an aggregate value of the assigned tokens. A trust-but-verify variant increases transactional throughput and reduces linearity and computational constraints.

Abstract: The system also utilizes novel record types, such as token genesis, transfer, transaction, trade order, settlement, proposition, determination, and pattern linkage records to facilitate the automation of financial, commercial and legal processes.


The invention relates to preloaded cleaning and sanitizing wipes comprising a nonwoven substrate, and a cleaning formulation loaded onto or within the nonwoven substrate. The cleaning composition may include about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of an antimicrobial compound comprising a quaternary ammonium compound, less than about 4% by weight of an alcohol solvent containing a single hydroxyl group, a preservative, about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of a glycol solvent (e.g., preferably a glycol ether solvent), about 0.05% to about 10% of one or more surfactants, and water. The composition may have a pH from about 4 to about 8.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cleaning and sanitizing formulations, particularly such as those impregnated on or within a wipe or similar substrate.
2. Description of Related Art
Cleaning product formulations with antimicrobial sanitizing abilities typically include high concentrations of lower alcohols (e.g., ethanol), and/or employ a quaternary ammonium compound as an antimicrobial agent. Reduction of the surface tension exhibited by such formulations is often directly related to the effectiveness of the wetting of solid surfaces and hence the antimicrobial processes, and can be manipulated through the use of mixtures of surfactants, as is known in the art. Care must be taken in selection of any surfactants, depending on the intended use. For example, where such a formulation loaded within a cleaning wipe is used for hard surface cleaning (e.g., of mirrors, tiles, countertops, etc.), it is undesirable for the composition to leave behind a film residue or exhibit "streaking" upon drying. On the other hand, where a sanitizing wipe is intended for sanitizing the skin of a person (e.g., for sanitizing hands), this may be less of a concern. Similarly, where a formulation may be intended for application to hands or other skin tissue, it may be desirable to include emollient components capable of hydrating and aiding the skin in retaining moisture. Such components are often incompatible for inclusion in a formulation for hard surface cleaning, as such components would be expected to cause streaking and leave a residue.
Thus, while one formulation may be suitable for use in hard surface sanitizing, it may not be particularly well suited for use in sanitizing hands or other skin. It would be an advantage in the art to provide a formulation which could provide dual uses, providing benefits of an emollient to the skin, while at the same time minimizing streaking and similar surface residues.

Preloaded dual purpose cleaning and sanitizing wipe


By selecting access points specific to the various components of call-content of a call, a monitoring agency is ensured of obtaining the call-content of each participant in telephone call irrespective of call transfers and network reconfiguration. Devices in the telecommunications system such as network devices can provide appropriate access. Examples of suitable network devices may include gateway, an access gateways, trunk gateways, portals, ATM switches, routers, and border elements.

Through the passage of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (CALEA), 47 U.S.C. §§ 1001-1010, the United States has mandated that telecommunications carriers provide law enforcement agencies with access to the telecommunications networks to enable lawfully-ordered intercept of the voice content of telecommunications. Industry standards such as Lawfully Authorized Electronic Surveillance (ANSI-J-STD-025A), incorporated by reference herein, provide a framework for achieving this goal.
When a person involved in a call has been identified as an intercept subject, i.e., the person under law enforcement surveillance, one or more law enforcement agencies may seek to obtain the call content transmitted and received by that person. In a traditional public switched telephone network ("PSTN"), this is a reasonably straightforward undertaking. There, the bearer path (or paths) of calls are routed through fixed points for the duration of the call. To intercept the call content, all that is usually required is access to one of these fixed points.
By contrast, the interception of the transmitted and received call content in a soft switch environment presents certain challenges not encountered in the traditional network. Under the soft switch scheme, the call content travels along bearer paths that may be reconfigured during the course of a call and, hence, the paths themselves may be routed through different points over the course of that call. Thus, while a desired component of the call content may be passing through a given point at the outset of a call, after reconfiguration it may no longer be accessible from that point. For example, this may occur when telephone calls are handed off in transfers and forwarded calls. Therefore, one access point will not necessarily provide access to the transmitted and received call content for the duration of the call.
The difficulties discussed above may be overcome in part by selecting access points in the telecommunications system from which to obtain the various components of the call content, namely, the intercept subject's transmitted call content and the call content received (or that could be received) by the intercept subject from other parties to a call. Since the call content transmitted and received by the intercept subject must pass through some point in the telecommunications system, any point within the system will suffice for access to that component, provided that it passes through that point irrespective of any reconfiguration of the bearer path. Another criteria is that the device be capable of receiving and responding to instructions from the soft switch. One type of device where a call component may be obtained is a network device controlled by a soft switch, at or near the periphery of the network where the call content enters or passes into the network. Examples of network devices include access gateways, media gateways, network edge devices, trunk gateways, and border elements, although this list is not exclusive.
In some telecommunications systems, however, there is no convenient network device such as a gateway that will provide an access point for an unobtrusive interception. Rather, the subscriber or participant connects directly to the network through an access device on its premises and therefore interception of call content at such points might be detected by the intercept subject. In such a case, a soft switch-controlled network device through which a subscriber connects, such as an ATM switch, an edge router, or another border element, may provide a point for interception of a call content component.

Call-content determinative selection of interception access points in a soft switch controlled network

Siemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc.- Boca Raton


A dynamic vibration absorber for reducing vibrations of a platform induced by an oscillating mass mounted thereon is provided by mounting a mass of equal mechanical resonant frequency as that of the oscillating mass and oscillating this mass in a manner to establish an equal and opposite vibration of the platform, thereby cancelling the vibrations induced by the oscillating mass. In one embodiment, a signal from the oscillating mass representative of the frequency and amplitude of its mechanical oscillation is phase shifted and utilized as a driving signal to the drive motor of the absorber mass. In another embodiment, electrical signals representative of the platform vibrations are detected to provide phase and amplitude vibration error signals. These error signals are applied to a reference signal coupled to the drive motor of the canceller mass causing the oscillations of the canceller mass to induce vibrations in the platform which counter the vibrations induced by the oscillating mass.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of dithered ring laser gyroscopes, and more particularly to apparatus for reducing the vibrations of the mounting plate induced by dithering the ring laser gyroscope.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A ring laser gyroscope utilizes two monochromatic laser beams propagating in opposite directions in a closed loop around an axis about which motion is to be sensed. Rotation of the apparatus about this axis effectively increases the beam path length in one direction and decreases the beam path length in the opposite direction. Since the laser frequencies of the two counter-rotating beams are functions of the lasing path, the differential path length established by the rotation of the ring laser gyros establishes a frequency difference between these beams. The magnitude and sign of this frequency difference are representative of the rate and direction of rotation about the sensing axis and may be monitored for that purpose in manners well known in the art. At low rotational rates, the difference in frequency between the two counter-rotating beams is small and the beams tend to resonate together or "lock-in" to oscillate at the same frequency. This lock-in prevents the ring laser gyroscope from sensing rotational rates that are at or below the lock-in rotational rate. To reduce the lock-in rate, the ring laser gyroscope is dithered, mechanically oscillated about the axis to establish rotation in one direction and then in the other, to provide motion cancellation at the output terminals while maintaining an apparent rotation in each direction, thus reducing the lock-in rate.
This dithering causes the ring laser gyroscope mounts to vibrate thereby, acting as a noise generator which adversely affects other equipment. Though well known techniques for vibration, damping, and isolation reduce the dither generated vibrations, the degree of vibration reduction is insufficient to prevent an adverse affect upon other equipment vibration coupled to the ring laser gyro mounting plate.

Method and apparatus for countering vibrations of a platform


A shut-off valve interactive between a sprinkler head and a riser pipe, and adapted to stop water flow in the event the sprinkler head is inadvertently broken off, includes a coupling sleeve suitably threaded to engage the sprinkler head and riser pipe, and having an annular frangible zone. A sealing member movably confined within the sleeve abuts the sprinkler head and is thereby held in a stand-by position which permits water flow. However, when the sprinkler head is broken off at the site of the frangible zone, water pressure forces the sealing member upwardly into abutment with an apertured washer, thereby stopping water flow.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a shut-off valve for sprinkler systems and more particularly to a valve which shuts off the water flow through a sprinkler outlet when the sprinkler head has become dislodged.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a typical sprinkler system such as employed, for example in a lawn, a single water source supplies water simultaneously to several sprinkler outlets, interconnected by a network of underground supply pipes. Generally, at each outlet, a vertical riser pipe extends upward from a T-fitting or elbow in the supply pipe to the surface, where it is capped by a sprinkler head.
When designing a sprinkler system to spread water over a specified area, the water pressure, water flow volume, and the number, placement and type of sprinkler heads must all be considered. If a sprinkler head becomes broken off as by lawn maintenance equipment or becomes otherwise dislodged, the system will generally not function properly. First, the water flow through that particular outlet will increase dramatically due to the reduced resistance. Second, this increased flow will not be dispersed, often causing localized flooding or erosion. Third, the water flow to the remaining outlets will be diminished, causing incomplete watering by the remainder of the circuit.
Therefore, it would be beneficial to have a mechanism which would shut off the water flow through an outlet from which the sprinkler head has Home dislodged. This would prevent the increased, undispersed flow through that particular outlet, as well as the decreased water flow through the remaining sprinklers.
Specific mechanisms have been designed to automatically shut off the flow of water through a sprinkler outlet in the absence of a sprinkler head. Generally, the existing mechanisms rely upon hydraulic pressure--the local increase in water flow due to the missing sprinkler head--to close a valve, thereby shutting off water flow through the outlet.
Such mechanisms, as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,976,141; 4,848,661; 5,372,306; 5,523,824; 5,758,682; and 5,857,487 are generally multi-component devices, and require specialized components and/or techniques for installation. The prior devices also do not clearly address the problem of protecting the sprinkler head and riser pipe from damage resulting from an impact that would sever the sprinkler head from the riser pipe.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a shut-off valve for a sprinkler head, said valve being installable without tools onto sprinkler heads and associated riser pipes of conventional design.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a shut-off valve as in the foregoing object having a durable and simple construction amenable to low cost manufacture.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a shut-off valve of the aforesaid nature which affords protection to an associated sprinkler head and riser pipe with respect to impact damage.
These objects and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.


The present invention includes a disc drive including an integral inertial latch comprised of a single material having a fixed pivot, an inertial mass and at least one spring. The at least one spring attaches the inertial mass to the fixed pivot. In one embodiment the disc drive has an integral inertial latch that includes a plurality of spoke springs that radiate outwardly from the fixed pivot to a ring shaped inertial mass. In one embodiment the disc drive includes an integral inertial latch that includes two leaf springs that attach the inertial mass to the fixed pivot. The inertial mass translates perpendicular to the fixed pivot.

The present invention relates to the field of mass storage devices. More particularly, this invention relates to an integral inertial latch for a mass storage device.
One key component of any computer system is a device to store data. Computer systems have many different places where data can be stored. One common place for storing massive amounts of data in a computer system is on a disc drive. The most basic parts of a disc drive are a disc that is rotated, an actuator that moves a transducer to various locations over the disc, and electrical circuitry that is used to write and read data to and from the disc. The disc drive also includes circuitry for encoding data so that it can be successfully retrieved and written to the disc surface. A microprocessor controls most of the operations of the disc drive as well as passing the data back to the requesting computer and taking data from a requesting computer for storing to the disc.
The transducer is typically placed on a small ceramic block, also referred to as a slider, which is aerodynamically designed so that it flies over the disc. The slider is passed over the disc in a transducing relationship with the disc. Most sliders have an air-bearing surface (xe2x80x9cABSxe2x80x9d) which includes rails and a cavity between the rails. When the disc rotates, air is dragged between the rails and the disc surface causing pressure, which forces the head away from the disc. At the same time, the air rushing past the cavity or depression in the air bearing surface produces a negative pressure area. The negative pressure or suction counteracts the pressure produced at the rails. The slider is also attached to a load spring that produces a force on the slider directed toward the disc surface. The various forces equilibrate so the slider flies over the surface of the disc at a particular desired fly height. The fly height is the distance between the disc surface and the transducing head, which is typically the thickness of the air lubrication film. This film eliminates the friction and resulting wear that would occur if the transducing head and disc were in mechanical contact during disc rotation. In some disc drives, the slider passes through a layer of lubricant rather than flying over the surface of the disc.
Information representative of data is stored on the surface of the storage disc. Disc drive systems read and write information stored on tracks on storage discs. Transducers, in the form of read/write heads attached to the sliders, located on both sides of the storage disc, read and write information on the storage discs when the transducers are accurately positioned over one of the designated tracks on the surface of the storage disc. The transducer is also said to be moved to a target track. As the storage disc spins and the read/write head is accurately positioned above a target track, the read/write head can store data onto a track by writing information representative of data onto the storage disc. Similarly, reading data on a storage disc is accomplished by positioning the read/write head above a target track and reading the stored material on the storage disc. To write on or read from different tracks, the read/write head is moved radially across the tracks to a selected target track. The data is divided or grouped together on the tracks. In some disc drives, the tracks are a multiplicity of concentric circular tracks. In other disc drives, a continuous spiral is one track on one side of a disc drive. Servo feedback information is used to accurately locate the transducer. The actuator assembly is moved to the required position and held very accurately during a read or write operation using the servo information.
When the disc drive is not operating the actuator assembly is rotated away from and parked in a parking area. Because of the adverse consequences if the actuator contacts or impacts the data region of the disc, disc drives that park the actuator typically have some type of actuator lock to prevent the actuator from moving the carrier toward the data region of the disc in the event of external shock. Passive magnetic or spring locks apply restraining forces that are overcome when the drive is turned on and the actuator is activated.
Existing latch designs include several different parts that require assembly and inventory of each part. Multiple parts complicate assembly and create additional inventory resources.
What is needed is an inertial latch design that overcomes the problems of prior art latch systems.
The present invention provides an inertial latch for a mass storage device that reduces the cost and complexity of the latch mechanism. The present invention includes a disc drive including an integral inertial latch having a fixed pivot, an inertial mass and at least one spring. The at least one spring attaches the inertial mass to the fixed pivot.
In one embodiment the disc drive has an integral inertial latch that includes a plurality of spoke springs that radiate outwardly from the fixed pivot to a ring shaped inertial mass. In one embodiment the disc drive includes an integral inertial latch that includes two leaf springs that attach the inertial mass to the fixed pivot. The inertial mass translates perpendicular to the fixed pivot. In one embodiment the integral inertial latch is comprised of a single material, such as plastic.
In one embodiment the integral inertial latch is comprised of a single material and includes an inertial mass, a plurality of spoke springs, and a fixed pivot. The spoke springs radiate outwardly from the fixed pivot to the inertial mass attach the inertial mass to the fixed pivot. The inertial mass is rotatable about the fixed pivot.
One embodiment provides a method of latching an actuator of a disc drive including providing an integral inertial latch having a fixed pivot, an inertial mass, and a spring connecting the inertial mass to the fixed pivot, and latching the actuator with the integral inertial latch upon translational or rotational movement of disc drive. Additional features and benefits will become apparent upon a review of the attached figures and the accompanying description.


In a ball end mill, cutting can be carried out with high precision, and abrasion or breakage of the cutting blade can be reduced. The ball end mill is provided with a cutting blade section having a cutting blade, which is U-shaped in front view, at the end section of a shank. The cutting blade is provided on a flat surface deviated by a predetermined distance from the shank axis, and comprises blade faces having rake faces, which become negative angles at the time of cutting. In cross-section intersecting the cutting blade, all the blade faces have the same shape.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a ball end mill.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, there have been strong demands for higher precision die molding. In response, much research and development has been conducted in relation to more precise and longer-lived cutting tools. One of these, a ball end mill, performs extremely high-precision half-spherical cutting, and is needed in cutting of the curved surface, particularly in finishing processes.
A conventional ball end mill comprises two approximately quarter-circular cutting blades, which are provided opposite each other at the front tip along the diameter; the cutting blades touch at a point on a rotational axis of the end mill, or alternatively, they are given deviating rotational axes, so as to form a chisel section between the cutting blades near the rotational axis of the end mill.
In the ball end mill disclosed in Japanese Patent Application, First Publication No. 2002-52412, approximately circular cutting blades are provided continuously through the rotational axis at the tip of a tool main body, which rotates around the rotational axis; a rake face and a flank are provided continuously on both sides along each cutting blade, the rake face and the flank facing each other with the cutting blades therebetween. The rake angle and clearance angle change continuously on both faces on either side of the cutting blades.
However, the conventional ball end mill described above has problems such as the following.
In a ball end mill having two cutting blades touching at a point on the rotational axis, the contacting parts of the cutting blades have poor rigidity, making the cutting blades and the tool liable to break and shortening the life of the tool.
Providing a chisel section near the rotational axis reduces breakage of the cutting blades and the tool, however, since the cutting force in the chisel section is insufficient, the cutting blades move sideways and pressing against a work material. Consequently, tears and the like occur in the chisel section, making it impossible to obtain a smooth cutting surface having low surface roughness. As a result, this type of ball end mill has a drawback that it cannot be used in work requiring high precision, such as finishing.
In the end mill disclosed in the above Japanese patent application, the cutting blades are continuous, solving the problems mentioned above; however, since the circumferential speed of the cutting blades on the rotational axis is zero, the cutting resistance increases near the rotational axis, and as a result, abrasion of the cutting blades is severe, leading to breakage and shortening the life of the tool.
Furthermore, the ball end mill described in the above Japanese patent application has another drawback, namely, that the rake face and flank must be made into complex concaved surfaces, increasing the manufacturing cost. This work is particularly difficult when using highly rigid material which is essential for highly precise cutting, and makes the manufacturing cost extremely expensive.


A device for drawing current from an electric fence to attract and electrocute insects. The device includes a grounded hollow tubular member with apertures in liquid communication with a source of insect lure. A single or double strand of wire is supported by insulators mounted in parallel along said tube. The wires engage said electric fencing such that insects attract to said tube by the aroma of the lure and are electrocuted by contacting the wires and grounded base.

Electronic insect control devices are generally known as a means for eliminating insects and other pests near homes and gardens. These devices have large housing structures permanently supported and connected to a source of electrical current. Lights or scented lures are used to attract the insects into contact with electrified structures which electrocutes the insect. Although the above devices are effective in controlling insects, they require a source of alternating electrical current which limits their use to areas where current is available through convenient outlets or by special wiring to remote locations. Such devices are fine for barns and sheds where current is available but often present wiring problems when insect control is needed in remote locations. In particular, it is often impractical to wire many livestock enclosures which are located far from an existing outlet of alternating electric current.
However, farm areas are wired with pulsed direct current in the form of electric fencing which may serve as an enclosure or as a barrier. The livestock in these areas attract a great number of insects, especially flies. An abundance of flies or similar pests can lead to many health related problems for certain forms of livestock., i.e. spread of disease among farm animals. Control of the insect population is necessary to maintain animal health which in turn leads to efficient production by the livestock. What is needed in the livestock industry is a simple and effective electronic insect control device which operates on direct current from electric fencing.

Apparatus for killing insects along an electric fence


Various embodiments of the invention relate to a CMOS device having (1) an NMOS channel of silicon material selectively deposited on a first area of a graded silicon germanium substrate such that the selectively deposited silicon material experiences a tensile strain caused by the lattice spacing of the silicon material being smaller than the lattice spacing of the graded silicon germanium substrate material at the first area, and (2) a PMOS channel of silicon germanium material selectively deposited on a second area of the substrate such that the selectively deposited silicon germanium material experiences a compressive strain caused by the lattice spacing of the selectively deposited silicon germanium material being larger than the lattice spacing of the graded silicon germanium substrate material at the second area.

Increased performance of circuit devices on a substrate (e.g., integrated circuit (IC) transistors, resistors, capacitors, etc. on a semiconductor (e.g., silicon) substrate) is typically a major factor considered during design, manufacture, and operation of those devices. For example, during design and manufacture or forming of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor semiconductor devices, such as those used in a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), it is often desired to increase movement of electrons in N-type MOS device (NMOS) channels and to increase movement of positive charged holes in P-type MOS device (PMOS) channels.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Strained transistor integration for CMOS


A device for shifting the imaging axis of a microscope for inspecting endfaces of a fiber-optic connector having multiple rows of endfaces has a supporting body for receiving a microscope; a first swinging lever mounted on top of the supporting body and rotatable about a first swinging axis perpendicular to the imaging axis of the microscope; a first connecting piece extending from the first swinging lever towards the imaging axis; a second swinging lever pivoted on the first connecting piece and rotatable about a second swinging axis perpendicular to the first swinging axis; and a fitting tip connected to the second swinging lever for interfacing with the fiber-optic connector. Using two sets of biasing means and adjustment drivers, the imaging axis passing through the supporting body and the fitting tip can be shifted in two mutually perpendicular directions to selectively align with any endface of the fiber-optic connector.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to fiber-optic connector inspection microscopes and more particularly to an inspection microscope with an adaptive device, which allows the imaging axis of the microscope to be shifted in two mutually perpendicular directions, for inspecting individual endfaces of a fiber-optic connector having the endfaces arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns.
2. Description of the Related Art
The widespread implementation of fiber-optic communications for high-density interconnections has driven more and more multi-fiber connectors to be adopted in the industry. This creates an urgent need for regularly inspecting and maintaining the multi-fiber connectors in place, which are often situated behind backplanes or in locations which are very difficult to access.
It is well known in the fiber-optic communication industry that the endfaces of optical fibers within communication systems must be kept clean and undamaged, otherwise serious signal loss could result. The demand for cleanliness for fiber-optic endfaces has become even more stringent as the communication bandwidths increase and new communication technologies requiring higher laser power are applied.
Many types of microscopes are already available for inspecting endfaces of a fiber-optic connector to make sure the endfaces are undamaged and clean. Due to the need for sufficient magnification, the endfaces are typically inspected only one or two at a time. For a multi-fiber connector having optical fibers arranged in a single row, with the centers of the endfaces spaced typically at 0.25 mm, the microscope must be able to scan from one side to the other side of the connector in order to inspect each of the fiber-optic endfaces. Lately, multi-fiber connectors with optical fibers arranged in multiple rows (up to 6 rows and 12 optical fibers per row) have been developed and gradually adopted in the fiber-optics industry. For such multi-row fiber-optic connectors, the microscope must be able to shift its imaging axis, not only from side to side within each row but also from row to row, in order for all the endfaces to be inspected.
Cassady (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,751,017 and 6,879,439) discloses a microscope for inspecting fiber-optic endfaces in a (single row) multi-fiber connector. The microscope comprises a slider assembly, a slider chassis and a drive assembly, in which the driver assembly interfaced with the slider assembly is capable of selectively displacing the slider chassis along an axis of motion to selectively direct the imaging axis of the microscope between adjacent fiber-optic endfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,336,884 (to Zhou et al.) provides an adaptive device for inspecting fiber-optic endfaces arranged in a single row through the microscope. The device comprises a supporting body; a pendular arm rotatably mounted to the supporting body; a fitting tip attached to the pendular arm; and a bevel wheel fastened to the supporting body. The bevel wheel is adapted to swing the pendular arm relative to the supporting body so that the imaging axis of the microscope is shifted relative to the fitting tip to selectively align with the endfaces for inspection. However, with this device, the imaging axis of the microscope moves along a circular track relative to the fitting tip and may not be aligned with the center of some of the endfaces in a (single-row) multi-fiber connector.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,104,976 to Zhou et al. discloses an improved adaptive device for shifting the imaging axis of the microscope in a straight line over the endfaces of a single-row multi-fiber connector for inspecting the endfaces. The adaptive device is capable of bringing each endface of the multi-fiber connector into the field of view of the microscope for inspection. More specifically, the adaptive device comprises an adjustment driver and a swinging lever connected to a fitting tip, wherein the adjustment driver is adapted to swing the optical tube of the microscope relative to the swinging lever, thereby selectively shifting the imaging axis of the microscope relative to the fitting tip along a straight-line over the endfaces of a single-row multi-fiber connector interfaced with the fitting tip.
However, none of the inspection microscopes mentioned above are capable of shifting the microscope's imaging axis from one row of endfaces to another for selectively inspecting the endfaces of a multi-fiber connector having multiple rows of endfaces.
Therefore, an improved adaptive device for inspecting endfaces of a multi-row fiber-optic connector is needed, wherein the imaging axis of the microscope can be shifted relative to the fitting tip in two mutually perpendicular directions, so that the imaging axis can be precisely aligned with the center of each and every endface in the multi-row fiber-optic connector.

Adaptive device for inspecting endfaces of fiber-optic connector having multiple rows of fibers


A method of operation of a social network system includes: receiving a service request for accessing a peripheral device revealed through a social graph of a social platform; determining a request type for matching the service request to a device service provided by the peripheral device; authorizing the device service through the social graph for accessing the peripheral device; and generating a service command based on the request type of the device service authorized for executing the device service for the peripheral device.

A social network is a social structure made up of individuals or organizations called "nodes", which are tied by one or more specific types of interdependency of relationships. Social network analysis (SNA) is the mapping and measuring of relationships and flows between people, groups, organizations, computers, URLs, electronic devices, and other connected information/knowledge entities. The nodes in the network are the people and groups while the links show relationships or flows between the nodes. SNA provides both a visual and a mathematical analysis of human relationships.
To understand networks and their participants, we evaluate the location of actors in the network. Measuring the network location is finding the centrality of a node. These measures give us insight into the various roles and groupings in a network—who are the connectors, mavens, leaders, bridges, isolates, where are the clusters and who is in them, who is in the core of the network, and who is on the periphery?
However, a social network system without has become a paramount concern for the consumer. The inability decreases the benefit of using the tool.
Thus, a need still remains for a social network system. In view of the increasing mobility of the workforce and social interaction, it is increasingly critical that answers be found to these problems. In view of the ever-increasing commercial competitive pressures, along with growing consumer expectations and the diminishing opportunities for meaningful product differentiation in the marketplace, it is critical that answers be found for these problems. Additionally, the need to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and performance, and meet competitive pressures adds an even greater urgency to the critical necessity for finding answers to these problems.
Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

Social network system with access provision mechanism and method of operation thereof


A vehicle seat comprises a backrest, an active headrest, a release device, and an energy store. During normal operating situations of the vehicle seat the energy store is blocked. During an accident, particularly a rear-end accident, the energy store is released for actuation of the active headrest. The energy store is arranged in the active headrest or in the backrest. The backrest includes an actuating device, and a transmission device is arranged between the actuating device and the active headrest.

The invention relates to a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle, with a seat part and a backrest.
The present invention is based on a vehicle seat with a backrest and an active headrest, the vehicle seat comprising a release device and an energy store, during a normal operating situation of the vehicle seat, blocking of the energy store being provided, during an accident a release of the energy store being provided, and by means of the release of the energy store the actuation of the active headrest being provided. Furthermore, the present invention is based on a vehicle seat which is disclosed in the German patent application DE 10 2005 021 482 A1. Reference is expressly made to the disclosure in this patent application which forms the subject-matter of this patent application.
So-called active headrests are generally known. For the actuation thereof, it is known to provide operating devices and/or actuating devices in the lower part of the backrest of a seat provided with such an active headrest.


An interface circuit includes a plurality of receivers, a multiplexer, a plurality of shift registers and a latch circuit. Each of the receivers receives one of a plurality of sub-pixel values in one time period. The multiplexer multiplexes the sub-pixel values received by the receivers. The shift registers corresponds to the receivers, and each of the shift registers temporarily stores at least one of the multiplexed sub-pixel values. The latch circuit receives the sub-pixel values temporarily stored in the shift registers according to a shift register signal. Under a selection mode, a number of the receivers are turned on to receive the sub-pixel values and the rest of the receivers are turned off. A method for transmitting data through an interface circuit is also disclosed herein.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an interface circuit. More particularly, the present invention relates to an interface circuit and a method for transmitting data through the interface circuit.
2. Description of Related Art
A variety of electronic devices utilize high-speed differential data transmission. Differential data transmission is commonly used for data transmission rates greater than 100 Mbps over long distances, as well as in transfer of data to various display monitors.
However, the conventional differential transmission interface circuit is only one of the 3-pair and 6-pair types. Thus, when the 3-pair type interface circuit receives data, it cannot receive 6-pair data, and vice versa. Accordingly, it is not flexible when utilizing the interface circuit and may increase the costs.

Interface circuit and method for transmitting data through the same