A network switch automatically detects undesired network traffic and mirrors the undesired traffic to a security management device. The security management device determines the source of the undesired traffic and redirects traffic from the source to itself. The security management device also automatically sends a policy to a switch to block traffic from the source.

Hacking is a term that is often used to describe the acts of a computer user who trespasses on computer systems for any number of reasons. Oftentimes, these intruders hack into a system/network with the intention of launching some form of attack against the system/network. An attacker, as used herein, refers to any computer user who hacks, trespasses, or intrudes onto a computer system or network and attempts to compromise the integrity or performance of the system or network. The term attacker may also be used herein to refer to a host system or remote host through which an attack is launched (i.e. the source of harmful or potentially harmful traffic).
Attackers can be very sophisticated and difficult to detect. Most attackers operate through a remote system or even a chain of several remote systems to obscure their identity and/or location. Attackers are often very thorough and methodical in using reconnaissance to create a detailed map of a network that provides details on any network vulnerabilities.
Reconnaissance typically involves a process of gathering information, scanning the target network, and probing for weaknesses in the target network before launching an attack. In the information-gathering phase, attackers collect information about a network (e.g. a company network) in an attempt to obtain as many domain names as possible. The domain names are then used to query domain name servers (DNS servers) for network Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. This process is sometimes called footprinting. Additionally, attackers may also perform a broad sweep of a network to probe for IP addresses.
In the scanning phase, an attacker can learn which services are running on each host and which ports the services are using. Application services can be accessed from a network through a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or User Datagram Protocol (UDP) port address.
In the final phase of reconnaissance, attackers search the target network specifically for resources such as devices and file resources in order to acquire information about network security and network vulnerabilities.
Once the reconnaissance process is complete, an attacker may launch an attack. There are many types of network attacks that can cause serious performance problems on a network. Attacks including, but not limited to, Denial of Service (DoS), Distribute DoS (DDoS), viruses, worms, polymorphic viruses, blended attacks, and Day-Zero threats can be launched against a network to disrupt configuration and routing information and physical network components. Attacks can also tie up and/or consume network bandwidth, central processing unit (CPU) time, and disk space.
One example of a DoS attack is a TCP Flood attack. In a TCP flood attack, an attacker sends a flood of TCP synchronize (SYN) packets to a target system, often with a forged source address. Each of these packets is handled like a connection request by the target system. Thus, the target device responds to the request by sending a TCP synchronize/acknowledge (SYN/ACK) packet and waits for a TCP ACK packet from the attacker (or the forged source address) to complete the connection as part of the normal TCP three-way handshake used to set up a connection. However, in a TCP flood attack, no TCP ACK packet is ever sent back to the target system to complete the connection. This causes half-open connections, which tie up the target system until the attack ends.
Another example of a DoS attack is a Smurf attack, which uses the PING (Packet Internet Grouper) utility to flood a target system with PING responses. In this case, the attacker broadcasts a PING request to an entire network. However, the attacker uses a source address in the PING request to make it appear that the request is coming from the target system's IP address. Thus, a flood of PING responses is sent to the target system, bogging down the target system.
Most networks employ some form of network security to help against many of the attacks discussed above. However, many network security systems and/or devices rely on signature-based security techniques. In other words, these security systems maintain a list of known security threats, or signatures, and can only prevent or mitigate damage based on these known security threats. One problem with signature-based security is that it is not effective in preventing or mitigating unknown security threats and Day-Zero attacks. Additionally, many of today's network security systems need to be "in-line" with the network to mitigate threats and can, therefore, end up being bottlenecks or points of failure.


An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit coupled to an input pad comprises a diode formed in a substrate and coupled to the input pad; a P deep well formed in the substrate; an N well formed in the P deep well; a first P+ doped region in the N well; and an NMOS transistor formed on the substrate, comprising a gate, a source and a drain, wherein the drain is formed in the N well and coupled to a Vcc, and the source is formed in the P deep well; and a second P+ doped region formed in the P deep well. The ESD protection circuit uses a smaller area than the conventional ESD protection circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit. More particularly, the present invention relates to an ESD protection circuit adapted for high-speed input pads.
2. Description of Related Art
Electrostatic discharge is a phenomenon of releasing electrostatic charges from non-conductive objects. The phenomenon causes damage to devices and circuits in integrated circuits. For example, a person walking over a carpet can generate electrostatic charges of hundreds or thousands of voltage under high humid environment. Under dry environment, electrostatic charge of more than ten thousand voltages is generated. In packaging or testing machines, static charge of hundreds or thousands of voltages is generated as well. When objects like human bodies or machines are in contact chips of integrated circuits, electrostatic charge is discharged into the chips. The electrostatic discharge pulse can damage the integrated circuits of the chips.
In order to prevent damage caused by electrostatic discharge, electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuits are designed and applied to integrated circuits. There are a variety of traditional designs of the ESD protection circuits. One of them is the application of MOS transistors. Although the ESD protection circuit with MOS transistors is capable of discharging electrostatic charges, it needs a larger area and therefore occupies larger space. The larger circuit area of the traditional ESD protection device obviously result in loading effect due to parasitic capacitance. As a result, signal transmission speed is adversely affected. For the devices requiring high-speed or high-voltage input, the loading effect has to be suppressed.
Another prior art ESD protection circuit includes diodes and MOS transistors in the circuit design. Generally, diodes have excellent electrical conduction efficiency. Although the diodes are capable of resolving the loading effect caused by parasitic capacitance, diodes, however, cannot discharge electrostatic charges. Due to this disadvantage, the use of MOS transistors is still required. However, the use of MOS transistors in the ESD protection circuit requires a large area. When MOS transistors are designed in the ESD protection circuit, they are usually designed close to input pads. The design of the ESD protection circuit including MOS transistors is complicated and this design inevitably increase of the circuit area.


A lighting device has a base body of translucent material, in which several light-emitting diodes, which are applied to a flexible adhesive strip having integrated conductors, are arranged at intervals. A cavity is milled into the rear of the base body, the width and length of the cavity being slightly smaller than the width and length of the base body. A closed edge web is created along the periphery of the base body. An adhesive strip having light-emitting diodes is applied to the interior side of the edge web over the entire length in such a way that light-emitting diodes are arranged on the interior sides of opposing edge web sections. The light-emitting diodes illuminate a solid section of the base body in front of the cavity and produce a high luminous density on the front side. The rear side of the cavity is closed by a cover.

Such lighting devices are known, for example, from the document WO03/075249 A1. The base body, which is labeled with reference numeral 2 in FIGS. 1 through 9 of this document, is made of bent sheet metal. It is sealed with a light-conducting cover element 3 made of acrylic glass in particular. Using two-sided adhesive tape, the light-emitting diodes are glued to one of the two parallel sections of the U-shaped sheet metal body close to the transverse leg. The distribution of light over the total light-emitting surface of the U-shaped base body should occur due to reflection on the strips formed by the sheets. FIG. 8 shows a measure which should improve the illumination of the entire area. One angle is glued to the lower surface of the leg between the two sections of the U-shaped base body parallel to one another to permit reflection of the rays of light of the light-emitting diodes onto the entire area of the light-permeable light-emitting surface. Alternatively, the specific embodiments of the drawings in FIGS. 26 and 27 disclose a U-shaped sheet metal housing as the base body, which is open toward the wall and permits light to be emitted only toward the wall. Furthermore, a specific embodiment in which the visible front surface as well as the rear surface facing the wall is used as the light-emitting surface(s) is disclosed.
In all cases, the base body must have a substantial height in relation to its width in order to ensure that reflection of the beams of light on the walls of the U-shaped sheet metal housing will lead to complete illumination of the entire light-emitting surface.
The document US 2002/0159257 A1 describes a lighting device having a housing which includes a bottom and inside walls as well as a cover. A strip having electrical conductors, on which the light-emitting diodes are arranged, is applied to the external side wall of the housing. Here again, it is problematic to achieve homogeneous illumination of the visible surface. The document DE 299 12 986 U1 describes a symbolic luminous mark having a light-conducting body made of plastic, in particular in the form of a sheet, assembled with lights. The light-conducting sheet has a narrow channel in its lateral edge area in which light-emitting diodes are arranged. Alternatively, a narrow channel is applied in the middle of the plate, where light-emitting diodes sending light into the exterior regions of the plate are arranged back-to-back.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to create a lighting device which is easily manufactured and has excellent lighting properties, the base body of which may be designed to be very compact. In addition, it would be desirable is to create a method for manufacturing such a lighting device.

Lighting device with light emitting diodes


Systems and method of diarization of audio files use an acoustic voiceprint model. A plurality of audio files are analyzed to arrive at an acoustic voiceprint model associated to an identified speaker. Metadata associate with an audio file is used to select an acoustic voiceprint model. The selected acoustic voiceprint model is applied in a diarization to identify audio data of the identified speaker.

The present disclosure is related to the field of automated transcription. More specifically, the present disclosure is related to diarization using acoustic labeling.
Speech transcription and speech analytics of audio data may be enhanced by a process of diarization wherein audio data that contains multiple speakers is separated into segments of audio data typically to a single speaker. While speaker separation in diarization facilitates later transcription and/or speech analytics, further identification or discrimination between the identified speakers can further facilitate these processes by enabling the association of further context and information in later transcription and speech analytics processes specific to an identified speaker.
Systems and methods as disclosed herein present solutions to improve diarization using acoustic models to identify and label at least one speaker separated from the audio data. Previous attempts to create individualized acoustic voiceprint models are time intensive in that an identified speaker must recorded training speech into the system or the underlying data must be manually separated to ensure that only speech from the identified speak is used. Recorded training speech further has limitation as the speakers are likely to speak differently than when the speaker is in the middle of a live interaction with another person.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method of video capture and search optimization for creating an acoustic voiceprint


A self-locking coin receptacle cover for use in telephone paystation. A rotating shutter is controlled by a draw bar to lock into an open position automatically in response to insertion into a paystation, and automatically locks into a closed position in response to removal. Reset is accomplished manually.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to coin telephones and more particularly to a self-locking coin receptacle cover for use in coin telephones.
2. Background Art
The presently used self-locking coin receptacle covers as found in telephone paystations, i.e., coin telephones manufactured by AT&T, GTE and Palco Telecom Inc., as well as others have utilized essentially the same configuration and design for many years. Such a unit is shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,566 which issued on Sept. 24, 1974.
In most of these units, when the coin receptacle, or vault unit as it is known, is inserted into the coin telephone, a shutter is forced into an open position. In this position coins deposited in the phone may be deposited in the vault. When the coin vault is inserted into the coin telephone, a release latch is also activated. This release latch then permits a second latch to activate when the shutter is forced to its close position upon removal of the coin receptacle or vault. In this manner, the second latch functions to lock the shutter closed over the opening to the coin receptacle. Reset then is typically accomplished by breaking the seal of the coin receptacle, opening the receptacle, then collecting the coins found therein, and subsequently rewinding with a screwdriver the second latch to its home position. The receptacle is then closed and resealed. Obviously, a disadvantage of existing designs is the inclusion of an over abundance of costly parts which are exceedingly difficult to assemble. Because of the high cost, manufacturers of coin telephones have been forced, in order to remain competitive, to utilize off-shore sources for coin receptacle covers, which, however, are frequently inferior in design and construction. Accordingly, it is the intent of the present invention to provide a new and more economical coin receptacle cover which is sturdy, utilizes a minimum number of parts, and provides for easy assembly during the manufacturing process.


An apparatus (100, 200) and method (300, 400) include an improved architecture for data processing that maintains data throughput while maintaining a reasonable circuit complexity. The method utilizes a system of calculating subsets of desired results that are independent of results of subsets not yet calculated, while providing a system of storage for data yet to be used and previously calculated results.

Many signal processing designs require hardware arithmetic support in the form of dedicated adders, subtracters, and multipliers. These operations generally have to be completed in a specified amount of time and with a minimum of circuitry. Typically, these operations require operands and/or results of several digits (bits, in a binary structure) arranged in monotonically increasing orders of magnitude. A need for such circuits has grown in response to demands of digital signal processing and complex analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters. As system requirements become more stringent, the number of digits required for an operation increases accordingly.
There are two standard forms of adders. One is the ripple-carry adder, in which each stage provides a carry bit or digit to the following stage. Thus, each digit of the result is dependent on the results of a computation performed on a lower adjacent digit. In this structure, the Nth digit cannot be calculated until the (N--1)th operation is completed. While this is a very space-efficient approach, with the size of the structure increasing linearly with the number of digits required, the speed at which the calculation can be performed is limited by this restriction and is often unacceptable in high-speed systems with wide data paths. The other standard form is the carry look-ahead adder, which bases its calculation for each digit not on outputs of the previous stages, but on inputs to previous stages. In this type of structure speed is enhanced, since each stage of the adder can perform its calculations simultaneously, without waiting for previous stages to complete; however, each successive stage requires approximately twice the circuitry of that preceding it. The complexity of the structure thus grows exponentially with the number of bits or digits in the data path, and is often unwieldy or completely impractical for large data paths. Further, technological restrictions on gate widths often force a compromise on higher-order stages, limiting operational speed.
It is not uncommon for the above two standard adder forms to be combined into a partial look-ahead adder comprised of N ripple-carry stages of M digits each, the M digits being organized into a traditional look-ahead structure. This has neither the speed of a full look-ahead implementation, nor the space efficiency of a ripple-carry structure, but represents a trade-off between the two.
There is a need for an accumulation apparatus that is more efficient than the combination of the two standard forms, and that simultaneously maintains a relatively low level of hardware complexity.

Pipe-staggered apparatus and method utilizing carry look-ahead signal processing


A grip responsive sleep alert system includes a normally-closed trigger mechanism, an audible alert device electrically connected to the trigger mechanism and a battery electrically connected to the trigger mechanism and the audible alert device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a sleep-preventing alarm system. The invention is, however, more particularly directed to a grip responsive sleep alert system and method, for providing an audible alert to preclude a driver of a motor vehicle or any other user from falling asleep with a sleep-preventing alarm.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Driver fatigue and falling asleep at the wheel is a major cause of car crashes. Fatigue can be very difficult to identify as the source of accidents because estimates are made based almost solely on police reports and driver statements. Estimates are that 10-20% of fatal accidents and about 5 to 10% of all car accidents may be related to tired drivers.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there may be as many as 100,000 crashes resulting from driver fatigue each year, with an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 people injured, causing $12.5 billion economic losses. These figures may be the tip of the iceberg, since currently it is difficult to attribute crashes to sleepiness.
In accordance with a recent survey, more than 10 percent of drivers admit to having fallen asleep at the wheel, while more than 20 percent say they have momentarily dozed while driving, according to a study of 1,024 drivers. Referred to as "the silent killer" because it is so often overlooked as the cause of an accident, drowsy driving's full effect is not yet known because reporting is imprecise, police are not trained to detect sleep-related crashes and there is no device to determine whether someone was driving while dangerously drowsy.
Some of the tactics drivers resort to in an effort to fight drowsiness on the road are, in descending order, stop driving or switch drivers, open the windows or turn on the air conditioning, listen to the radio or CDs, stop eating or drinking, drink caffeine, among others.
Another method drivers have used to stay awake at the wheel include talking or singing to themselves, splashing water in their faces and slapping, hitting, or pinching themselves.
Sleep deprivation is a common problem not only for car drivers but also among airline pilots and other workers who are required to perform any type of tasks over a prolonged period of time. Just as an example, on Mar. 4, 2004, a commercial pilot and his first officer fell asleep while approaching Denver International Airport in an A319 Airbus jet, going twice the speed as allowed, according to a report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Loss of sleep and fatigue in these settings can significantly impair cognitive function, and can lead to dangerous decrements in human performance. In particular, falling asleep at the controls of a commercial vehicle such as a truck, tanker, or airplane can lead to potentially catastrophic consequences. Besides the transportation context, drastic consequences may result by an operator falling asleep at the controls of a nuclear power plant, an electrical power grid, or other system that could impact many lives.
There are several patents in the prior art related to devices and methods for providing an audible alert to the user. For example, a sleep alert apparatus adapted to be worn upon the head of the operator of a transportation vehicle includes a baseball-type cap, a flexible pouch attached to the exterior surface of a side portion of the cap, an upwardly directed entrance opening, and a tilt monitoring device removably inserted into the pouch. The tilt monitoring device includes a housing confining a gravity activated switch, a noise generator, and a battery power source.
Another example is a fatigue alarm comprising a housing, with the housing including a first fixed handle plate extending from the housing and a second movable handle plate separated from the first handle plate in a biased separation relative to one another, such that a first electrical contact secured to the second handle plate within the housing is in contiguous communication with a second electrical contact within the housing in a normal configuration, such that upon separation of the first electrical contact relative to the second electrical contact against a spreader member within the housing effects disengagement and deactivation of an audible alarm, whereupon fatigue permits movement of the second handle plate away from the first handle plate to engage the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact to actuate the audible alarm to alert an individual at an onset of sleep.
There is also an apparatus known which decides the presence or absence of an anomaly by detecting the gripped state of a steering wheel by the driver steering a road vehicle, or by measuring fluctuations in the heart rate and heartbeat period of the driver, and which issues an alarm of "Take a rest", etc. or control the vehicle speed to be lowered, if any anomaly occurs. A detecting means is attached to a steering wheel, steering wheel cover or a band-shaped member. The detecting means comprises a plurality of reflection type optical sensors, which are each composed of a light emitting element and one or lighter receiving elements, and which are set in such proper arrangement and orientation as to permit detection in any of various conditions.
An alarm system formed by a wrapper includes an energy source, an operator grip pressure controlled switch, an orientation responsive switch, and an audio resonator is also known. The wrapper is secured to an operator controllable member, such as a steering wheel, by being folded over the member upon itself and secured using, for example, a fabric fastener interlock. In operation, the user places his/her hand upon the pressure control switch included within the wrapper. When the grip of the user becomes relaxed, for example, due to inattention or fatigue, the switch operates the resonator and an alarm is sounded. The orientation responsive switch controls disablement and enablement of the alarm system in response to displacement of the operator controllable member.
Another grip responsive alert system includes a pressure sensor associated with a mechanism for controlling a vehicle. The pressure sensor detects operator fatigue as exhibited by a change in operator pressure on the control mechanism. An operator stimulus is coupled to the pressure sensor and, upon sensing fatigue, produces a stimulus such as a visual or audible alarm whereby alertness of the operator is maintained.
The above cited solutions are basically focused on waking the driver, but this is not an appropriate solution to this serious problem. Just as an example, a vehicle traveling at 60 miles per hour (MPH) goes 88 ft. per second, almost a football field every 4 seconds. Sleep must be prevented instead of waking a driver.
Those devices for detecting the movement of the driver's head involve a delay needed to run the process that it is not acceptable. Every road has a crown for water runoff. On a common one lane each way road, the crown is in the middle, therefore when the driver falls asleep, the vehicle is directed to steer slightly left. Every vehicle has the front wheel geometry adjusted to causing the vehicle to travel in a straight line when there is no driver physical input. That would be fine if the driver only travels across two-lane roads. However, if the driver is on a four or more lane road, the steering geometry increases a left steering action, and a crossover accident may be imminent.
Even though the above cited systems and devices for awaking an operator address some of the needs of the market, an economical and simple sleep alert system to prevent the operator from failing asleep, may be used by different type of users, including car drivers, airline pilots, security personnel, among others, is still desired.

Grip responsive sleep alert system and method


This invention relates to intraocular lenses. More particularly, this invention relates to intraocular lenses that have the ability to alter the light refractive power in response to changes in the tension of the ciliary muscle or ciliary body of the eye or any other accommodative forces. Lenses of this invention are generally referred to as interfacial, i.e., lens properties being defined as the interface of two liquids having different refractive indices, refractive accommodating lenses (IRAL).

The natural lens of a human eye is a transparent crystalline body, which is contained within a capsular bag located behind the iris and in front of the vitreous cavity in a region known as the posterior chamber. The capsular bag is attached on all sides by fibers, called zonules, to a muscular ciliary body. At its rear, the vitreous cavity, which is filled with a gel further includes the retina, on which light rays passing through the lens are focused. Contraction and relaxation of the ciliary body changes the shape of the bag and of the natural lens therein, thereby enabling the eye to focus light rays originating from objects at various distances on the retina.
Cataracts occur when the natural lens of the eye or of its surrounding transparent membrane becomes clouded and obstructs the passage of light resulting in varying degrees of vision impairment. To correct this condition in a patient, a surgical procedure is performed in which the clouded natural lens, or cataract, is extracted and replaced by an artificial intraocular lens. During cataract surgery, the anterior portion of the capsular bag is removed along with the cataract, and the posterior portion of the capsular bag, called the posterior capsule, is sometimes left intact to serve as a support site for implanting the intraocular lens (IOL). Such conventional IOLs, however, have the drawback that they have a fixed refractive power and are therefore unable to change their focus in response to changing focal distance needs of the patient, such as reading, or working on a computer.
Various types of intraocular lenses having the capability of altering their refractive power have been suggested in an effort to duplicate the performance of the natural lens within the eye. Such accommodating intraocular lenses, as they are known in the art, have a variety of designs directed to enable the patient to focus on, and thereby clearly see, objects located at a plurality of distances. Examples may be found in such publications as U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,509; U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,966; U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,641; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,494.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,506 to Garabet discloses a variable focus intraocular lens which alters the medium between the two surfaces the lens to alter its accommodation. The lens of the '506 patent has continuous flow loops which couple a channel in first portion of the intraocular lens. The continuous flow loops, in addition to providing a channel, provide the means by which the intraocular lens is positioned and held in the eye. In one embodiment, the continuous flow loop(s) comprise the lens haptics i.e., the lens body supporting structures.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,302 discloses an accommodating intraocular lens for implantation in the posterior chamber of the eye. This lens comprises a short tubular rigid frame and transparent and resilient membrane attached thereto at its bases. The frame and the membranes confine a sealed space filled with a gas. The frame includes flexible regions attached via haptics to the posterior capsule. Upon stretching of the capsule by the eye's ciliary muscles, the flexible regions are pulled apart, thereby increasing the volume and decreasing the pressure within the sealed space. This changes the curvature of the membranes and accordingly, the refractive power of the lens.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,171 discloses an accommodating intraocular lens which is contained inside an encapsulating rigid shell so as to make it substantially insensitive to changes in the intraocular environment. The lens is adapted to be implanted within the posterior capsule and comprises a flexible transparent membrane, which divides the interior of the intraocular lens into separate front and rear spaces, each filled with a fluid having a different refractive index. The periphery of the rear space is attached to haptics, which are in turn attached to the posterior capsule. Upon stretching of the capsule by the eye's ciliary muscles, the haptics and hence this periphery is twisted apart to increase the volume of rear space and changes the pressure difference between the spaces. As a result, the curvature of the membrane and accordingly, the refractive power of the lens changes.
Another approach to varying the focus of an IOL is to form a conventional hard intraocular lens with a flexible outer surface made from a material such as silicone. Water is then injected in between the conventional hard portion of the lens and the flexible outer surface of the lens. The water will stretch the outer flexible layer to change the radius of curvature of the intraocular lens and thereby change the accommodation of the lens. One disadvantage of this approach is that a fluid source, a fluid pump and a flow control valve all must be provided within close proximity to the lens. As the area around the crystalline lens of the eye is quite confined, most of the fluid injection components have to be provided on the lens itself. Further, an energy source must be provided to pump the fluid. As there is no mechanical force generated in the eye that is strong enough to pump the fluid, an external power supply is required to run the pump. Such an external power supply is usually implemented using a battery which has a limited life cycle.
A further approach that has been used to vary the accommodation of an IOL is the coating of a conventional IOL with a liquid crystal material. A voltage source is applied to the crystal material to polarize the crystals. Once the crystals are polarized the refractive index of the crystalline material changes thereby changing the accommodation of the IOL. One principal disadvantage of this type of system is the relatively large amount of energy that is required to polarize the liquid crystal material, on the order of 25 volts. As there is no known manner of generating that level of voltage within the body, an external power source, such as a battery, is therefore necessary.
Some conventional accommodating IOLs rely on a solid curved surface to provide refraction. As such the force required for a change of curvature significant enough to induce an increase in diopter and accommodating power is much larger than that provided by the ciliary muscles especially in an aging lens. Other accommodating IOLs involve a displacement of the whole IOL along the optical axis to create accommodation. This does not only require a relatively larger force but also fails to deliver larger changes in diopter due to the lack of space in the anterior chamber.
The above described and other prior attempts to provide an intraocular lens with variable accommodation are generally complex systems. These complex systems are costly and difficult to manufacture and often times impractical to implement in the eye of a human. Therefore, current accommodating lenses provide little accommodating power (about 1 to 2.5 diopters "D"). A true accommodating lens with vastly improved performance should have at least about 4D, preferably at least about 6D or more of accommodating power. Therefore, a need exists for a simple IOL with greater levels of accommodating power that relies only on the forces provided by the human eye for operation.

Interfacial refraction accommodating lens (IRAL)


A cartridge for use with a mounting head for the preparation of fluid comestibles comprising a cartridge inlet, a chamber connected to said cartridge inlet for containing suitable flavor-containing or particle materials, a cartridge outlet connected to said chamber and a handle enabling a user to hold the handle to attach and secure the cartridge inlet to the mounting head to allow the liquid to be delivered under pressure through the flavor-containing or particle materials in the chamber, through the cartridge outlet and directly into a receptacle such as a cup or carafe for consumption, thereby dramatically simplifying the preparation of the fluid comestibles and relieving the user from the tedious cleaning work. The handle comprising at least part of the wall of the chamber, which is sufficiently rigid. The cartridge inlet has a cross-section area significantly smaller than that for the chamber to reduce the force exerted by the liquid pressure to the cartridge inlet, thereby lowering the risk of breaking the seal between the cartridge inlet and mounting head. The cartridge outlet may have a restrictive opening such as an orifice for forming a high-speed fluid jet or stream and an arrangement to allow it to interact with air to generate a foamy head for the fluid comestible. A freshness promoter can be used to prolong the freshness of the flavor-containing materials.

The present invention relates to a cartridge and method for making drinks and other fluid comestibles. Particularly, the present invention relates to a cartridge and method that allows a user to make better-tasting beverages in faster, safer and a cleaner manner.
It has been known for centuries to interact flavor-containing or absorbent materials with water to prepare coffee, tea, espresso, milk, cocoa, herb, filtered water, soup and other fluid comestibles. The steeping of roasted coffee grounds under ambient pressure emerged in late 14th century and has been automated with the inventions of stove-top percolator in 1820xe2x80x2s, electric percolator in 1950xe2x80x2s, and automatic drip coffee maker in the 1970s. The steeping of roasted coffee under elevated pressure, resulting in the well-known espresso drinks, emerged with the invention of steam espresso machine in 1910xe2x80x2s and later improved by the inventions of piston espresso machine in 1940xe2x80x2s and pump espresso machine in 1960xe2x80x2s.
Currently, coffee and espresso drinks are mostly made by measuring and filling loose coffee grounds into a filter basket, mounting the basket to the brew head of an espresso machine or coffeemaker, delivering hot water through the grounds either under ambient or high pressure, and receiving the extraction in a cup or a carafe. After enjoying the coffee or espresso, the user must face the tedious tasks of removing the dripping basket, discarding the wet grounds, cleaning the filter basket, the machine, countertop and the carafe, and replacing the filter basket and carafe back into the machine. The above process, although simple, involves too many steps and is too time-consuming for some users, especially when espresso drinks are concerned. In addition, it is messy since most users will splutter the loose coffee grounds when filling the filter basket and drip brown coffee around the kitchen when discarding the wet, used grounds. Furthermore, the quality of the brew, especially espresso, is inconsistent due to many difficult-to-repeat process variables such as ground size, the degree of tamping of the grounds and the amount of grounds.
To make latte, cappuccino, mocha and other milk-containing coffee drinks, the user must heat or froth milk with steam from a steam source such as a steam or pump espresso machine. The heated or frothed milk is then mixed with espresso by pouring milk into espresso or vice versa. To heat or froth milk the user inserts a steam nozzle into the milk in a cup or pitcher, bobs the cup up and down to generate foam, and watches the milk carefully to avoid overheating or overflow. Such milk frothing is intimating to most consumers, which contributes in preventing most people from enjoying latte, cappuccino and mocha at their homes.
To simplify the process of making coffee and espresso, it has been proposed to seal ground coffee in individual air-impermeable packages. For example, coffee pouches, comprising a dose of ground coffee for one or more cups of coffee loosely packed in a paper filter bag and sealed in an air-impermeable film pouch, are available in most hotel rooms having a coffeemaker. To make coffee, the user tears open the film package and place the paper filter bag in the filter basket of the coffeemaker. Such coffee pouch, although relieving the users from measuring and handling loose coffee grounds, requires them to perform much tedious work such as cleaning the filter basket, machine, countertop and carafe, mounting the basket to the machine, and replacing the filter basket and carafe after cleaning back into the coffeemaker.
Such coffee pouch concept has also been applied to espresso. In xe2x80x9cespresso podsxe2x80x9d such as those offered by STARBUCKS Coffee company and illy espresso of the America, the dose of coffee grounds is compactly packed in the paper filter bag and then sealed in an air-impermeable film pouch. To make espresso, the user opens the sealed pouch, places the pod into the holder and places the holder firmly into the brew head before starting the brewing. Such espresso pod removes the variability of tamping the coffee grounds and relieves the user from measuring and handling loose grounds. Like coffee pouch, the espresso pod, however, requires the users to perform much tedious work such as cleaning the holder, machine and countertop, mounting the holder to the machine, and replacing the holder after cleaning back into the machine.
Fond, Lavanchy and Yoakim in U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,316 and Favre in U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,719 taught a sealed coffee cartridge that is to be placed into a brewing chamber of a holder. The holder is then mounted in an espresso machine. To make coffee or espresso, the cartridge is pierced by a needle for injection of water into the cartridge and by perforator tips or relief surface elements for the flow of the fluid comestibles from the cartridge. Compared to espresso pods, such sealed cartridges do not need the air-impermeable film pouch to prevent the loss of aroma and retain the freshness of the coffee grounds for prolonged period of time, thus saving the user the step of opening the film pouch. However, like the espresso pods the sealed cartridges also require the much tedious work such as cleaning the holder, machine and countertop, mounting the holder to the machine, and replacing the holder after cleaning back into the machine. In addition, there exists some risk that the user""s fingers get injured by the needle and perforator tips used to pierce the sealed cartridges.
Accordingly, the present invention intends to provide a cartridge and method to relieve the users from the tedious work of cleaning the holder or filter basket, machine and countertop. The present invention also intends to provide a cartridge and method to drastically simplify the process of making drinks and other liquids and reduce the time needed. The present invention further intends to provide a package and method for improving the freshness of the coffee grounds the taste of the drinks.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a new cartridge and method for making fluid comestibles such as cappuccino, latte, mocha, espresso, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soup or frothed milk. The cartridge comprises a cartridge inlet for connecting to a mounting head and introducing water under pressure into the cartridge, a chamber connected to said cartridge inlet for containing suitable flavor-containing or particle materials and for allowing the interaction of the materials with water under pressure therein to form the fluid comestibles, a cartridge outlet connected to the chamber for discharging the fluid comestibles, and a handle enabling a user to hold the handle to attach and secure the cartridge inlet to the mounting head. The cartridge may contain one or more types of flavor-containing or particle materials in the chamber to make the desired beverage. In one embodiment, the chamber contains only roasted ground coffee supported on a filter sealed to the bottom of the chamber for making coffee or espresso. In another embodiment, chamber comprises granular or powdered milk supported on a first filter (or a separator) sealed to the bottom of the chamber and roasted ground coffee separated from the granular or powdered milk by a second filter. The first filter (or a separator) has larger openings than the second filter to prevent the gel or gel-like protein materials in the granular or powdered milk from clogging the first filter (or a separator). A freshness promoter is provided to prolong the freshness of the flavor-containing materials in the chamber.
The cartridge inlet, chamber, cartridge outlet may be formed as one single and integral part and adapt a generally spherical or cylindrical shape to increase the cartridge""s resistance to liquid pressure and lower manufacturing cost. In one embodiment, the handle comprises the wall of the chamber, which is sufficiently rigid to prevent deformation or damage. In another embodiment, the handle comprises only part of the wall of the chamber or may be even a separate part attached to or formed on the cartridge body.
The cartridge outlet comprises an opening for issuing the beverage and an arrangement to allow the beverage from the opening to enter a receptacle such as cup or carafe directly without contacting any other parts, thus relieving the user from the tedious work of cleaning the machines used to make beverage as required by all existing cartridge. The opening can be a restrictive opening such as a nozzle or orifice to produce a high-speed fluid jet or stream. In one embodiment, the arrangement allows the high-speed fluid stream or jet from the restrictive opening to collide or interact with a solid surface such as the inner wall of the cartridge outlet, thereby producing foamy head or crema for the fluid comestible. In another embodiment, the arrangement allows the high-speed fluid stream or jet to inject directly into the receptacle such as a cup or carafe. In the process, the high-speed fluid stream or jet carries the surrounding air into the fluid comestibles in the receptacle such as a cup or carafe thereby generating foamy head or crema for the fluid comestibles. In another embodiment, the cartridge outlet further comprises a outlet chamber below the restrictive opening for receiving the high-speed fluid stream or jet and causing the mixing of air with fluid, thereby producing fine air bubbles. In another embodiment, the cartridge outlet further comprises at least one additional restrictive opening. These restrictive openings being so constructed that the resulting high-speed fluid streams or jets will meet or collide in the space inside or outside the cartridge outlet, thereby generating foamy head or crema for the fluid comestibles. The restrictive opening can be normally very small or closed and but can increase in size when the pressure above increases.
To lower the risk of breaking the seal between the cartridge inlet and the mounting head, which may cause personal injury, and to reduce the structural strength on the cartridge inlet, the cartridge inlet is constructed to have a cross-section area significantly smaller than the chamber. The cross-section area of the cartridge inlet can be approximately {fraction (1/200)} to approximately xc2xd, preferably {fraction (1/100)} to xc2xc that for the chamber. A valve can be located in the cartridge inlet to prevent the flavor-containing materials and the pressurized liquid from gushing out of the cartridge inlet in case that a user removes the cartridge from the mounting head when the cartridge is still under pressure. The cartridge inlet may also comprise a safety element to prevent the user from removing the cartridge when the cartridge is still under pressure. A valve may also be located in the cartridge inlet or the cartridge outlet to prevent the dripping of the wet flavor-containing materials or chamber before or during the removal of the used cartridge.
The mounting head for the cartridge inlet comprises a cylindrical chamber, a flow channel connected to a pressurized water source, an extension tube having a smaller diameter near its end and being connected to the flow channel, and two parallel spiral- or helix-shaped ledges or ridges as the lock element to form a bayonet joint with the flange. The cylindrical chamber is dimensioned to receive cylindrical body of the cartridge inlet and to allow the flange of the cartridge inlet to move upwards along the spiral-shaped ledges as one rotates the cartridge. The extension tube is extended a large distance beyond the bottom of the cylindrical chamber of the mounting head to act as a guide for the user to insert the extension tube into the cylindrical opening of the cartridge inlet and to mount the cartridge to the mounting head.
To make the beverage, one simply holds the handle of the cartridge to secure the cartridge inlet to the mounting head, and then causes the liquid to be delivered under pressure through the flavor-containing or particle materials in the chamber and through the cartridge outlet directly into a receptacle such as a cup or carafe for consumption. This is a simple two-step process to make beverages like espresso, latte, cappuccino and mocha, compared to the complex process employed today. In addition, there are no machine, no baskets and no holders to clean after preparing the fluid comestibles, thus relieving the user from the traditional tedious cleaning work after making coffee or espresso.
In another embodiment of the invention, the cartridge comprises a flavor-containing or particle materials, a filter for the flavor-containing or particle materials, a lower body comprising an lower chamber having a generally closed end and a generally open end, a first flange formed at said generally open end, and a cartridge outlet formed at the generally closed end for discharging the beverage, and an upper body comprising an upper chamber having a generally closed end and a generally open end, a second flange formed at said generally open end, and a cartridge inlet formed at the generally closed end. The cartridge inlet have a sealing surface for forming a hermetic seal with a mounting head and a liquid opening located near the center part of the sealing surface for introducing the pressurized liquid from the mounting head into the upper chamber. The upper and lower bodies being sealed together at said first and second flanges to form a chamber to contain the flavor-containing or particle materials. The liquid opening has a sufficiently small size to lower the force exerted by the pressurized liquid to the hermetic seal thereby improving the hermetic seal, whereby, in use, the sealing surface of the cartridge inlet is brought against the mounting head to form the hermetic seal around the liquid opening thereby allowing the pressurized liquid to be introduced into the chamber wherein it interacts with the flavor-containing or particle materials to form the beverage.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge and method for making better tasting beverages such as better tasting coffee, espresso, milk, soup, hot chocolate, cappuccino, latte, mocha or tea.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cartridge and method to dramatically simplify the process of making beverages.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cartridge and method to relieve the users from the tedious cleaning work after preparing beverages.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cartridge, cartridge connector (or mounting head), and method to reduce the safety risk to the user associated with hot or pressurized liquid.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cartridge that can be manufactured at very low cost.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cartridge that can produce a beverage with a visually appealing layer of crema or foamy head.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package and method to preserve the freshness and aroma of the flavor-containing materials like roasted coffee beans or grounds.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cartridge and method to make beverage fast thus reducing the waiting time for customers or users.


The present technology relates to a sound processing device, a method, and a program capable of suppressing an excessive amplitude and obtaining higher quality of sound. A sound processing device includes: a prediction value calculation unit that calculates a prediction value of a displacement of a speaker according to an input signal supplied to the speaker on the basis of an equivalent model of the speaker; and an amplitude control unit that performs amplitude control on the input signal in a case in which the prediction value is greater than a predetermined threshold value. The present technology can be applied to a sound reproduction system.

In the related art, many technologies for improving the quality of sound output from a speaker have been proposed. For example, as such a technology, a technology for detecting an impedance of a speaker, forming sound information of a frequency characteristic corresponding to a detection result, and supplying the sound information to the speaker so that a sound output of a stable frequency characteristic is able to be obtained has been proposed (refer to, for example, Patent Literature 1).

Sound processing device and method to suppress an excessive amplitude


A shaft assembly comprising a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft has a plurality of first splines that each have an end portion and a chamfer disposed on the end portion. The second shaft is coaxial with the first shaft and has a plurality of second splines. The plurality of second splines each have a base portion and an end portion. The end portion defines an inverted chamfer having a base and a tip. The tip projects from the base radially away from the second shaft and axially away from the base portion of the plurality of second splines. The base of the inverted chamfer undercuts the tip of the inverted chamfer. The plurality of first splines engage with the plurality of second splines to couple the first shaft and the second shaft for common rotation.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
A typical motor vehicle automatic transmission includes gear elements and multiplate clutches that are selectably engageable to establish one of several forward speed ratios between the transmission input and output shafts. The various rotatable shafts in the transmission may be rotatably coupled by cooperating splines on the components to be coupled. These component parts are often assembled by sliding one of the components over or into the other component so that the splines on each component engage with the splines on the other component. Traditional chamfers may be employed on one or both of the components to promote a coaxial alignment of the components.
Although the chamfers promote coaxial alignment of the components, the splines of the components are often rotationally misaligned in a condition known as "tooth butt." In a tooth butt condition the splines of one component are not disposed in the grooves of the other component, but rather the splines of each component are at least partially rotationally aligned to resist axial translation of the components. Additionally, when in a tooth butt condition the contact interface between the components results in frictional resistance to rotation. Such frictional resistance must be overcome to rotate the components into rotational alignment. Existing solutions are often costly or complex.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a spline that promotes coaxial alignment of components, has improved tooth butt characteristics, and is cost effective.

Shaft assembly with inverted chamfers on splines


A system and method for monitoring a dry gas seal positionable between a stationary housing and a rotatable shaft. A plurality of sense elements may rotate in response to the rotation of the rotatable shaft and a speed sensor may sense the speed of the rotatable shaft at speeds below one thousand rotations per minute based on sensing the plurality of sense elements. A processor may receive output signals from the speed sensor and may establish a position of the dry gas seal or an operating condition of the dry gas seal based on the signal from the speed sensor.

Seals, such as dry gas seals, are used in a wide variety of applications including, for example, gas compressors and other rotating equipment such as gas and steam turbines, turbo expanders, centrifugal pumps, and the like. Such seals are used to seal a rotating interface between a shaft and a housing of a compressor and/or other rotating equipment. The principle of dry gas seal technology is that the sealing faces are non-contacting and a clean and dry gas is allowed to pass through the seal interface. During operation, a portion of the flow of the gas being processed may be diverted from the operating flow and filtered to remove particulate and liquid mist that may be present in the operating flow. This diverted gas flow may be further processed, for example, superheated to a temperature above its dew point, and provided to the dry gas seal as an operating fluid.


Battery parts having retaining and sealing features and associated assemblies and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery part includes a base portion that is configured to be embedded in battery container material of a corresponding battery container. The battery part and base portion include several torque resisting features and gripping features that resist torsional or twist loads that are applied to the battery part after it has been joined to the battery container. For example, the base portion can include several internal and external torque resisting features and gripping features that are configured to resist twisting or loosening of the battery part with reference to the battery container material, as well as prevent or inhibit fluid leakage from the battery container.

Battery terminals are typically cold formed or die cast from lead or lead alloys. In a conventional battery, the terminals protrude from a casing or container which carries electrolyte. The container is typically formed from a moldable thermoplastic resin, such as polypropylene. During manufacture of the container, the resin flows around the base of the terminals so that the resin will secure the terminals in place once it hardens. After a terminal has been secured, a lead anode can be inserted into a central hole in the terminal and melted to fill the hole and form a mechanical and electrical connection to a battery grid positioned within the container.
Battery terminals can include annular acid rings that extend around the base of the terminal to provide an extended interface between the base of the terminal and the adjacent container material. This interface can provide a torturous path or "labyrinth seal" that inhibits or prevents electrolyte from escaping the battery container. Various types of terminal seals, and methods for making such seals are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,338,539, titled "Die Cast Battery Terminal and Method of Making Same," filed Mar. 4, 2004, and US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0147882, titled "Battery Part," filed Dec. 3, 2004, each of which are incorporated into the present application in their entireties by reference. Conventional battery terminals may become loose in the container wall if subjected to repeated or excessive twisting or torsional loads. Additionally, shrinkage of the battery container may also contribute to loosening of conventional terminals over time.

Battery parts having retaining and sealing features and associated methods of manufacture and use


A device and method for determining the status of an anti-lock brake system in a tractor-trailer configuration. The device includes a connector that can be connected to the trailer or tractor separately or connected to both the trailer and tractor simultaneously. Once connected the device begins to operate self-sufficiently by monitoring the data transmissions in a communication medium. Initially from monitoring the data transmission, the device detects whether it is attached to the trailer, tractor or both. From this determination, it either continues to monitor or proceeds to transmit data.

The present invention relates generally to anti-lock braking systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to the testing of anti-lock braking system in trailers and tractors.
Advances in technology have brought about great changes in the operation of braking systems in transportation vehicles. Some of these changes enable braking systems to sense current road conditions and adjust the operability of the brakes in response to these conditions. These systems have been installed on a wide range of vehicles from personal automobiles to single high-volume transportation vehicles such as buses and trucks. With the latter, a need has developed to quickly and accurately test the current condition of these braking systems especially in companies that have a large number of vehicles.
In a conventional brake system without antilock brakes, when the driver presses the brake pedal, fluid, usually oil on cars and smaller trucks and air on large trucks, is forced to the actual brake mechanism at each wheel.
The pressure from the oil forces a stationary braking surface against a rotating surface, which is attached to the wheel. Friction is induced as it slows the rotating wheel. The rotating surfaces are, respectively, drums or rotors. The slowing wheel also slows the vehicle because of friction between the tire and the road surface. A component known, as the xe2x80x9crelay valve,xe2x80x9d is a significant part of an air brake system on a trailer. This component xe2x80x9crelaysxe2x80x9d a control air pressure signal from the driver""s brake pedal in the cab to the brakes. A control line, a small diameter tube running the length of the vehicle, becomes pressurized when the driver applies the brakes. A separate source of compressed air also exists. This is the xe2x80x9cpowerxe2x80x9d air and a reserve is stored in a tank on the trailer. This power air flows to the brakes to affect the actual braking work. The relay valve isolates the control air signal from the power air.
Conventional brakes systems tend to suffer from driver-induced errors. For example, when driving on wet surfaces, excessive pressure on the brakes could force the wheels to stop rotating and eventually to lock before the vehicle stops. The vehicle does slow down, but directional control is lost, and, depending on which wheel locks, and on the road conditions, the vehicle may spin. To further complicate the problem, drivers attempt to take directional control of the car, which can further exacerbate the problem. Additional complications are dictated by regulation and failure mode considerations.
To overcome this inherent disadvantage of conventional braking systems, antilock brake systems (ABS) have been developed. The ABS is a system that prevents wheel lockup by automatically modulating the brake pressure during an emergency stop. These systems offer significant safety and control advantages and ABS is now in common use on most types of vehicles. ABS prevents wheel lock-up by controlling brake torque so that the tire to road interface makes most use of the available friction while at the same time providing a reasonable level of lateral stabilizing force. In an emergency or a panic braking situation, ABS functions by keeping the brake pressure at a level just below that which would cause the wheels to lock-up. The vehicle remains stable during emergency or panic brakingxe2x80x94that is, the vehicle does not spin. In addition, the vehicle remains steerable during emergency or panic braking. In effect, ABS utilizes the available friction between the tires and the road while ensuring that a high side force (perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle) is also available, thus providing vehicle stability and steerability. Stopping distances are shorter than with locked wheel stops under most conditions. Finally, the lifetime of the tire is increased when ABS is used.
A conventional ABS includes a wheel speed sensing mechanism, an electronic control module (ECM) and a modulation system, which controls the brake actuation fluid (air for heavy trucks) pressure. The modulation system consists of one or more modulators and includes a pneumatic control module (PCM).
The wheel speed sensing mechanism, the ECM and the modulation system are additions to the conventional brake system, which, for most vehicle types, remains largely unchanged. The wheel speed sensors determine the speed of the wheels and sends this information, in an electrical format, to the ECM. The ECM analyzes the wheel speed information and, if appropriate, electrically signals the modulation system to prevent wheel lock-up. The modulation system responds to these signals and physically reduces the brake pressure to optimum level for the conditions. As noted above, the modulation system controls the brake air pressure. This control becomes active only during hard braking, and/or slick conditions, where the wheels would have stopped rotating (lock-up) in the absence of an anti-lock brake system.
As one can see, the use of ABS systems have become an integral part of the motorized transportation system. Improvement in braking is achieved using ABS systems only if the systems are operating appropriately. The operation of ABS systems must therefore be maintained and monitored. Therefore, there is a need to quickly determine the operability and status of an ABS system.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an apparatus that is able to determine the operability and status of an ABS system. The system needs to be discrete enough to use on multiple trailers, vehicles or cars with minimum amount of effort.
It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to provide a device that obtains the status of an anti-lock brake system of a trailer.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a device that obtains the status of an anti-lock brake system of a tractor.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a device that automatically obtains the status of an anti-lock brake system upon connection of the device to a communication medium.
It is aspect of the present invention to provide a method for obtaining the status of an anti-lock brake system of a truck tractor or trailer.
In one aspect of the invention a novel device that activates automatically upon connection to the anti-lock brake communication medium as is provided. The device for testing the status of an anti-lock brake system in a tractor trailer configuration includes a connector that links the device to a communication medium in a trailer or tractor or simultaneously to the tractor and trailer. A receiver is linked to the connector wherein the receiver detects data transmissions in the communication medium and a processor is linked to the receiver wherein the processor monitors the data transmissions at the receiver and determines whether the device is linked to either the trailer or tractor. The processor determines the status of the anti-lock brake system. The processor is activated automatically on being linked to the communication medium, which for the truck trailer or tractor is the electronic control unit (ECU).
In another aspect of the invention, the device can further includes a transmitter that is linked to the processor and transmits data through the communication medium upon detection by the processor that the device is linked to a trailer. At this point, the transmitter transmits specific codes to the truck tractor anti-lock brake system. In the preferred embodiment, the anti-lock brake system indicator light is flashed, meaning the system is operational.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a device for testing the status of an anti-lock brake system in a tractor trailer configuration includes a means for connecting the device to either a tractor or trailer or simultaneously to a tractor and trailer, a means for detecting data transmissions in a communication medium. The means for detecting is linked to the means for connecting. Another element is a means for monitoring the data transmission received at the means for detecting, The means for monitoring is activated automatically upon connection the communication medium. The device can also be comprised of a means for transmitting in the communication medium and a means for powering that is connected to the device wherein the means for powering can be a battery.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for testing the status of an anti-lock brake system in a tractor trailer configuration comprises the steps of connecting a device to a communication medium in the tractor or trailer or simultaneously to the tractor and trailer, monitoring the data transmissions in the communication medium through the device, and determining from the data transmission if the device is connected to a tractor or trailer or both and determining the operability of the anti-lock brake system. The device activates automatically upon connection to the communication medium.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Apparatus and method for testing an antilock brake system


An air filtration system is described that is suited for CBRN and ColPro applications, and has an integrated inertial particle separator (IPS) and scavenge fan blower as a pre-dust/particle filter, a variable speed fan blower, and a filter housing that mounts two gas-particulate filter sets. The variable speed fan blower, managed by a motor control unit and motor speed algorithm, automatically adjusts its speed to maintain constant air flow regardless of its altitude.

The present invention relates to efficient, low power air filtration for Chemical, Biological, Radiation and Nuclear (CBRN) applications and especially for Collective Protection (ColPro) applications. Filtering for CBRN and/or ColPro applications typically involve the utilization of modular fan blower assemblies that deliver a light-weight, low-power, weather-proof, stackable air filtration system. This system is typically used to pressurize a Toxic Free Area (mobile or permanent shelters) or Chemical Biological liner, which may be placed outside a military shelter to prevent the infiltration of chemical or biological vapors and liquids.
Existing air filtration systems are typically not capable of meeting the performance requirements for the above application, for example, because they are unable to operate at high air flow and static pressure, (400 cfm/15 iwg), or are unable to maintain the low power draw. Hence, an improved air filtration system is needed to address the shortcomings of present systems.

Portable, low-power air filtration system


A case with a partitioning member in which the welding between a case and a cover and between the case and the partitioning member can be confirmed by an airtightness test. The case with a partitioning member includes a cover and a partitioning member held between the case and the cover. On the inside of a first welding portion in which the case and cover are welded to each other, a second welding portion in which the case and partitioning member are welded to each other is provided, and on the inside of the second welding portion, a third welding portion in which the case and the partitioning member are welded to each other is provided. Holes open to the atmosphere are provided in the case between second and third welding portions.

A three member welded structure in which three members of a case, a cover, and a partitioning member are welded at the same time has been known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). FIGS. 6 and 7 show an example in which the three member welded structure is applied to an automatic transmission oil filter. In the three member welded structure in which the three members are welded at the same time, a filter element 2 used as the partitioning member is fitted in a cover 1, and a case 3 is welded to the filter element 2 at the same time the case 3 is welded to the cover 1. In FIG. 7, hatched portions show a welding portion 4 between the case 3 and the cover 1 and a welding portion 5 between the case 3 and the filter element 2.
The automatic transmission oil filter is subjected to an airtightness test after welding. The airtightness test is carried out as follows: an opening 3a of the case is closed by a lid jig 6, and a negative pressure is produced at an opening 1a of the cover 1. In the state in which the negative pressure is produced, a change of pressure in the automatic transmission oil filter is detected.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-277628


The described embodiments provide a system for executing instructions in a processor. While executing instructions in an execute-ahead mode, the processor encounters a store instruction for which a destination address is unknown. The processor then defers the store instruction. Upon encountering a load instruction while the store instruction with the unknown destination address is deferred, the processor determines if the load instruction is to continue executing. If not, the processor defers the load instruction. Otherwise, the processor continues executing the load instruction.

1. Field
The described embodiments relate to computer systems. More specifically, the described embodiments relate to techniques for handling store instructions with unknown destination addresses during speculative execution.
2. Related Art
Some modern microprocessors support speculative execution of program code. This generally involves executing instructions speculatively while preserving a pre-speculation architectural state of the processor. The processor can discard speculative results and return to the pre-speculation architectural state if certain conditions occur during speculative execution (e.g., encountering an error/trap, a coherence violation, unavailability of processor hardware resources, executing certain types of instructions, etc.). If the speculative execution completes without encountering one of the conditions, the processor can commit the speculative results to the architectural state and continue with normal, non-speculative execution.
Some of these processors support an execute-ahead mode and a deferred-execution mode for speculatively executing instructions. In these processors, upon encountering an instruction with an unresolved data dependency while executing instructions in a non-speculative normal-execution mode, the processor defers the instruction by placing the instruction into a deferred queue and marking the destination register of the instruction "not there" to indicate that the register is awaiting a result from a deferred instruction. The processor then transitions to the execute-ahead mode to speculatively execute subsequent instructions. During the execute-ahead mode, instructions with unresolved dependencies are deferred, but instructions without unresolved data dependencies are executed in program order. When a data dependency is eventually resolved (e.g., data returns from a cache), the processor can transition to the deferred-execution mode, during which instructions in the deferred queue are issued in program order for execution. In these processors, unless one of the above-described conditions is encountered, upon executing all deferred instructions, the processor can join the speculative results to an architectural state of the processor and resume execution in a normal-execution mode.
Some of these processors also support a scout mode. In these processors, upon encountering one of the above-described conditions while speculatively executing program code, the processor can transition to the scout mode and can execute program code in the scout mode until any data dependencies are resolved. The processor then restores the pre-speculation architectural state and resumes operation in the normal-execution mode. During the scout mode, the processor executes memory operations to pre-fetch data for the subsequent re-execution of the program code in normal-execution mode, but does not commit any speculative results to the architectural state of the processor. Although scout mode enables these processors to perform useful work during a stall condition, the processors are forced to re-execute the program code upon resuming the pre-speculation architectural state and resuming operation in normal-execution mode.
One of the conditions that can cause some of these processors to transition from execute-ahead mode to scout mode occurs when the processor encounters a load following a store with an unknown address. For example, processor can execute a first load instruction to load a register with a value that is then to be used to compute the address for a store instruction. Assuming the first load instruction misses in the L1 cache, the processor defers the first load instruction and sets a bit in the destination register for the first load instruction to mark the destination register as "not there." The processor can then encounter a subsequent store instruction that uses the value in the not-there register as an input for computing a destination address for the store. However, because the register is not there, the processor cannot resolve the address for the store. Thus, the store instruction is deferred and an entry is made in the store buffer that indicates that a store operation with an unknown destination address is outstanding (i.e., has been deferred). When the processor encounters a subsequent load instruction during speculative execution, the processor immediately transitions to scout mode. As described above, the transition to scout mode means that the processor will eventually restore the checkpoint and re-execute all of the speculatively executed instructions, which can mean that the processor is duplicating a significant amount of computational work.
In order to avoid restoring the checkpoint and hence duplicating the computational work, some processors simply defer all load instructions following a store with an unknown address and continue to operate in execute-ahead mode. However, because load instructions are common in program code, this can lead to a large number of instructions being deferred (i.e., both load instructions and instructions that are dependent on deferred load instructions). Because the deferred queue in these processors is typically limited in size, forcing the deferral of the load instructions and the instructions that depend from them can cause the deferred queue to overflow, which in turn leads the processor to immediately restore the pre-speculation architectural state and resume operation in the normal-execution mode (thereby discarding all speculatively-performed computational work).

Selectively defering load instructions after encountering a store instruction with an unknown destination address during speculative execution


An electrically motorized wheel assembly is provided which may be used in automotive vehicles. The wheel assembly is equipped with at least one electric motor having an output shaft located eccentrically from an axle of a wheel. The wheel assembly includes a protective cover which closes an opening of the wheel to define a substantially enclosed inner chamber within which a belt-driven torque transmission mechanism is disposed to protect it from foreign objects.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an electrically motorized wheel assembly in which an electric motor is located eccentrically from an axle of a wheel for use in, for example, automotive vehicles, electrically-powered chairs, or electrically-powered carriers of robots, and more particularly to such an electrically motorized wheel assembly equipped with a protective cover.
2. Background Art
There are known electrically-powered carriers such as electric vehicles equipped with at least one pair of right and left motorized wheels each of which is driven by an electric motor. Motorized wheels of this type have the advantage that a differential gear or a long axle is not needed, thereby resulting in decreases in total weight of the carrier and inertia mass of rotating parts or a simplified structure of the carrier as compared with carriers in which a single electric motor is used to drive a pair of right and left wheels.
Japanese Patent First Publication No. 2004-90822 teaches an eccentric motor layout motorized wheel in which an output shaft of an electric motor is located eccentrically from an axle of the wheel. This structure has the advantage of increasing the degree of freedom of layout of the electric motor.
The eccentric motor layout motorized wheel requires the need for installation of a gear mechanism therewithin in order to transmit torque from the motor to the axle. In the case of use in automotive vehicles, the motorized wheel is sometimes placed in severe environments such as dust or muddy water conditions, which leads to a greater concern about an increase in wear of the parts, loss of torque transmission, or mechanical noise.
The above problem usually underlies all types of motorized wheels, but however, the eccentric motor layout motorized wheel has the output shaft of the motor not located coaxially with the axle and, thus, encounters a difficulty in protecting the gear mechanism from dust without mechanical interference with the motor and the axle. Of course, it is also difficult to employ a large-sized, complex sealing mechanism or a high-friction sealing mechanism.

Electrically motorized wheel with protective cover


A method for fabricating a nitride semiconductor device comprising steps of forming a low-temperature deposited layer composed of a Group III-Group V nitride semiconductor containing at least Al onto a surface of substrate (101) at a first temperature; subjecting the low-temperature deposited layer to heat treatment at a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature, and converting the low-temperature deposited layer into a faceted layer (102); initially growing a GaN based semiconductor layer (103) onto a surface of the faceted layer at a third temperature; and fully growing the GaN based semiconductor layer at a fourth temperature that is lower than the third temperature. By employing the method for fabricating a nitride semiconductor device according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a nitride semiconductor device with high quality and high reliability.

The present invention relates to a method for fabricating a nitride semiconductor device. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for fabricating nitride semiconductor devices, such as semiconductor lasers, light emitting diodes, ultraviolet detectors and like GaN based light receiving/emitting devices, the application of which is anticipated in the field of optical information processing; and field-effect transistors, transistors with high electron mobility, and like GaN based electron devices, the application of which is anticipated in the field of high-frequency and high-output communications.
Group III-Group V nitride semiconductors that contain nitrogen (N) in the Group V element are excellent candidates as useful materials for short-wavelength light emitting devices because of their wide band gap. Among these, extensive research has been conducted on gallium nitride based compound semiconductors (AlGaInN and like GaN based semiconductors), and blue light emitting diodes (LED), and green LEDs have already been put to practical use. Furthermore, in order to increase the storage capacity of an optical disc apparatus, a semiconductor laser with its oscillation wavelength in the 400-nm band is in strong demand. For this reason, semiconductor lasers using GaN based semiconductors have attracted widespread attention, and are now approaching a level of practical use.
Furthermore, since the nitride semiconductor has a wide band gap as described above, as well as an electric field with high dielectric breakdown and high electron saturation drift velocity, it is believed that development of a GaN based transistor that can be operated under high temperatures and high electric power, and that has a high-speed switching characteristic, is feasible, thus leading to its research. The performance of this GaN based transistor is expected to be superior to the heretofore-used silicon (Si) based and gallium arsenide (GaAs) based transistors.
According to examples of prior art (laser structure: Appl. Phys. Lett., VOL. 69, NO. 26, P4056-4058 (1996), and transistor structure: Appl. Phys. Lett., VOL. 73, NO. 21, P3147-3149 (1998)), the GaN based semiconductor device structure is fabricated onto a sapphire substrate in the following manner using metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) technique.
First, a GaN low-temperature deposited layer or an AlN low-temperature deposited layer is grown on the substrate on top of which a GaN layer is subjected to crystal growth until the thickness thereof becomes 1 xcexcm to 10 xcexcm. This method is called a two-step growth method. Then, using the resulting GaN layer as a template, AlGaInN based heterostructures are formed one by one to obtain the GaN based semiconductor device structure.
Such a film formation method in which a semiconductor crystal is grown on a substrate is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1997-40490, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1996-8185, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1993-82447, etc. According to the method for preparing a GaN crystal disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1997-40490, the temperature program shown in FIG. 10 is followed wherein, first, the surface of the sapphire substrate is treated under a hydrogen atmosphere at 1,125xc2x0 C. Then, the temperature is lowered to 550xc2x0 C. and the low-temperature deposited layer of AlN is grown. Thereafter, the temperature is raised to 1,000xc2x0 C. and, after the GaN layer is grown, the substrate is cooled.
It has long been known that the GaN layer in the GaN template obtained by this two-step growing method is subject to compressive strain or tensile strain due to the differences in growth conditions. As an example, FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the a-axis lattice constant and the c-axis lattice constant in the GaN layer formed on a C-plane sapphire substrate. In FIG. 11, the vertical axis indicates the c-axis direction (the direction perpendicular to the substrate) and the horizontal axis indicates the a-axis direction (the direction parallel to the substrate). This figure indicates the lattice constant of a GaN layer that is subjected to elastic deformation due to lattice strain as it is formed on a sapphire substrate, by converting the lattice constant into an amount of lattice strain and comparing it to the bulk lattice constant of a free-standing GaN crystal.
The GaN layer formed on the sapphire substrate exhibits lattice strain because of differences in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the sapphire substrate and the GaN layer (sapphire: 7.75xc3x9710xe2x88x926Kxe2x88x921, GaN: 5.59xc3x9710xe2x88x926Kxe2x88x921) and in their growing mechanisms. This lattice strain varies depending on the difference in the growing conditions of the GaN layer, and either compressive or tensile elastic lattice strain is applied to the C-plane (substrate surface).
By increasing the crystal growth pressure of the GaN layer, for example, from a low-pressure (0.9 atm.) to a raised-pressure (1.6 atm.) atmosphere, it is possible to increase the compressive strain in the C-plane. Furthermore, if hydrogen (H2) is used as the carrier gas during GaN crystal growth, compressive stain occurs in the C-plane, while, on the other hand, if nitrogen (N2) is used, tensile strain occurs in the C-plane (raised-pressure growth: phys. stat. sol., (a) 176, 23 (1999), variation of carrier gas: Appl. Phys. Lett., VOL.75, NO.26, P4106-4108(1999)).
Heretofore, it has been known that the lattice strain applied to the GaN layer varies depending on the growth conditions as described above. However, the method for controlling the lattice strain has not been sufficiently investigated. This has resulted in threading dislocation in the GaN layer at high densities, reducing the fabrication yield. For example, it is known that in GaN layers grown on a sapphire substrate by known two-step growth methods, threading dislocation exists at a density of 1xc3x97108 cmxe2x88x922 to 1xc3x971010 cmxe2x88x922; however, in order to improve device performance, the threading dislocation density should be reduced to about 1xc3x97105 cmxe2x88x922. Therefore, the demand is growing for a technique to reduce threading dislocation density.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for fabricating a nitride semiconductor device with high quality and high reliability.
The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a method for fabricating a nitride semiconductor device comprising the steps of forming a low-temperature deposited layer composed of a Group III-Group V nitride semiconductor that contains at least Al onto a surface of a substrate at a first temperature; subjecting the low-temperature deposited layer to heat treatment at a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature, and converting the low-temperature deposited layer into a faceted layer; initially growing a GaN based semiconductor layer onto a surface of the faceted layer at a third temperature; and fully growing the GaN based semiconductor layer at a fourth temperature, which is lower than the third temperature.

Method for fabricating a nitride semiconductor device

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A composition useful as a well lubricant, solvent and emulsifier that is preferably formed by the reaction and distillation of a tall oil fatty acid with a fatty alkanolamide, preferably in the presence of methyl ester of fatty acids, and most preferably when further reacted and distilled with an emulsifier such as coconut oil diethanolamide or distilled tall oil amide of AEP. The fatty acids and oils useful in the invention can range from C.sub.8 to C.sub.24, with C.sub.12, C.sub.14, C.sub.16, C.sub.18 and C.sub.20 fatty acids and oils being most preferred. The presence of methyl ester is preferred because it functions as a foam supressant, diluent and amine scavenger during distillation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to compositions useful as lubricants for spotting fluids in well drilling operations with either oil-based or water-based muds. The compositions of the invention are non-toxic and biodegradable, are especially useful in fast hole drilling, and also function as performance extenders for corrosion inhibitors in high velocity gas, oil or water drilling, production or gathering applications. The invention also relates to a method for making the subject lubricant using a controlled mixing process and distillation under controlled conditions to remove more volatile components and promote esterification and further reaction with amine substituents.
2. Description of Related Art
International Publication No. WO 97/12947, which claims priority based on U.S. Ser. No. 08/538,262, filed Oct. 3, 1995, discloses high flash point, low vapor pressure, cleaning compositions for oil and gas wells, said compositions containing about 40 to 99 weight percent of a fatty acid alkyl ester blend and about 1 to 25 weight percent of at least one lower alkyl glycol ether. The disclosed compositions, when injected into wells, are said to produce a coating on well casings, lines, pumps, pipes and other equipment, to prevent the adhesion and accumulation of paraffins, other related soils, and scale on these parts to help retard corrosion, and to allow more efficient operation and consistent production between cleanings. Preferred fatty acid alkyl ester blends for use in the invention are selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 esters of C.sub.4 to C.sub.22 fatty acids. Preferred lower alkyl glycol ethers are selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl either, and mixtures thereof. The optional use of from 1 to 40 weight percent polyoxyalkylene glycol ethers is also disclosed.
Various other prior art drilling fluid additives, spotting fluids and lubricant compositions are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,500,163; 3,108,068; 3,298,954; 3,396,105; 4,263,465; 4,282,392; 4,436,636; 4,464,269; 4,502,963; 4,525,285; 4,587,368; 4,652,385; 4,876,017; 5,421,907; and 5,547,925.
A well lubricant composition is needed that has a low acid number, and is therefore much less likely to form calcium soaps from lime in downhole formations, which can in turn cause undesirable foaming in drilling muds. The desired composition should also be nontoxic and not susceptible to foaming during manufacture.