A system for efficiently reauthenticating a client of a network. In a specific embodiment, the system includes an authentication server and a Security GateWay (SGW) in communication with the client. The SGW includes reauthentication information associated with the client. In a more specific embodiment, the authentication server includes an Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) server. The SGW further includes one or more routines for employing the reauthentication information to reauthenticate the client. The AAA server performs initial authentication of the client to enable client access to the network, which yields the reauthentication information. The reauthentication information includes one or more keys and/or counters, such as an authorization key, an encryption key, and a master key, which is/are predetermined by the AAA server.

This invention is related in general to networks and more specifically relates to systems and methods for enhancing network authentication functionality for authenticating and reauthenticating network clients.
Systems and methods for authenticating and reauthenticating network clients are employed in various demanding applications including cellular networks, WiFi networks (e.g. IEEE 802.11 networks), Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) or Generic Access Networks (GANs), combinations thereof, and so on. Such networks often service clients, such as wireless phones or portable computers, called mobile stations. The mobile stations are first authenticated to ensure they are genuine and then authorized in order to verify what network services, if any, the clients are allowed to employ or capable of employing. Reauthentication is often performed when a wireless phone or other client momentarily looses the connection to the network, or when a validity period of previous credentials has expired.
Cellular, WiFi, and UMA or GAN networks often employ one or more Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) servers in communication with one or more Home Location Registers (HLRs) to facilitate client authentication and reauthentication. The HLR often maintains information pertaining to clients, also called subscribers, including International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) numbers, current location, subscribed services, and so on. The AAA server may facilitate retrieving identification information from a client of the IP network and comparing the retrieved identification information with corresponding records in the HLR to determine whether to authorize the client to use certain network services.
Authentication processes are often relatively time-consuming and resource-intensive, consuming network resources at the AAA server and the HLR. Consequently in certain situations, such as when a client network connection is lost, more efficient reauthentication techniques are employed to reauthenticate a client.
An AAA server often communicates encrypted reauthentication information to a mobile station via an associated GAN or UMA within a RADIUS Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)—Subscriber Identity Module (EAP-SIM) message. If the mobile station loses a connection with the GAN or UMA, the mobile station may employ the reauthentication information to reauthenticate relatively quickly if done so within a predetermined time interval. Unfortunately, existing systems and methods for implementing reauthentication remain undesirably time consuming and network-resource intensive.

System and method for implementing fast reauthentication


A vehicle latch including a ratchet (18), a first pawl (20), a cam (22), a second pawl (24) and a drive mechanism (50,52,54,56,58). The ratchet is movable between a striker (12) release position wherein the ratchet is positioned to receive a striker, and a striker holding position wherein the ratchet is positioned to retain the striker. The ratchet is biased to the striker release position. The first pawl is movable between a ratchet locking position wherein the first pawl is positioned to hold the ratchet in the striker holding position, and a ratchet release position wherein the first pawl permits the movement of the ratchet out of the striker holding position. The first pawl is biased towards the ratchet locking position. The cam is operatively connected to the first pawl, wherein the cam is movable between an first pawl enabling position in which the first pawl is enabled to move to the ratchet locking position, and a first pawl disabling position in which the cam positions the first pawl in the ratchet release position. The cam is biased towards the first pawl disabling position. The second pawl is movable between a cam locking position in which the second pawl is positioned to hold the cam in the first pawl enabling position, and a cam release position wherein the second pawl is positioned to permit the movement of the cam to the first pawl disabling position. The second pawl is biased towards the cam locking position. The drive mechanism is configured for moving the second pawl into the cam release position.

An issue relating to vehicle door latches is that it is sometimes desirable to have low effort required to release the ratchet from the striker. Another issue relating to vehicle door latches is that is sometime desirable to have a low effort release to engage (ie. close) the latch. Another issue relating to vehicle door latches is that the release time for the latch may not be consistent from latch to latch due to manufacturing tolerances of the vehicle, and/or the release time can change over time, as certain components age. As another consideration, it is advantageous to provide a door latch that is capable of quickly releasing the ratchet from the striker, but it is also advantageous for the door latch to be capable of providing a high force to open the latch in the event it is needed. For example, if the vehicle is in an accident, it is possible that a high force would be required to open the latch. This is particularly true for electrical latches that do not have a mechanical linkage that can be actuated as a backup for opening the latch.


An optical disc device includes an optical pickup and a controller. The optical pickup is configured to emit light to an optical disc and detect the light reflected on the optical disc. The controller is configured to perform adjustment of at least one of spherical aberration, focus balance and lens tilt of the optical pickup based on a reproduction signal corresponding to the light detected by the optical pickup. The controller is further configured to perform the adjustment based on a level of the reproduction signal of adjustment-use recording. The controller is further configured to perform re-adjustment after performing subsequent adjustment-use recording in response to the level of the reproduction signal of the adjustment-use recording being at or below a specific threshold after the adjustment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an optical disc device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an optical disc device having an optical pickup.
2. Background Information
Optical disc devices having an optical pickup are known in the past (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2011-3254 (Patent Literature 1), for example).
The above-mentioned Patent Literature 1 discloses a recording and reproduction device (optical disc device) having an optical pickup that emits light at an optical disc and detects light reflected by the optical disc, and a system controller (controller) that performs adjustment of the spherical aberration of the optical pickup based on a reproduction data signal (reproduction signal) corresponding to the light detected by the optical pickup. With this recording and reproduction device, the system controller writes test writing data (adjustment-use recording) to the optical disc, and performs adjustment of the spherical aberration of the optical pickup based on the reproduction data signal of the test writing data.


A jet fitting for a hydrotherapeutic receptacle includes an internal chamber which functions as a mixing chamber as well as a suction chamber. A primary stream of water is supplied to the mixing chamber in such a manner that a low pressure condition is created within the mixing chamber for entraining a secondary stream of water which flows from the hydrotherapeutic receptacle to the mixing chamber and for entraining air from an outside source.

Whirlpool-type baths have long been the mainstay of athletic training rooms and physical therapy facilities. These baths are used to treat discomfort resulting from strained muscles, joint ailments and the like. The agitating motion of the warm bath water relieves the soreness and promotes tissue regeneration by increasing the flow of blood to the area of the injury. More recently, whirlpools have been found in increasing numbers in health spas and homes as they have gained in popularity as a means of relaxing from the daily stresses of modern life. The bubbling water and swirling jet streams create an invigorating motion that massages the user's body.
To create the desired whirlpool motion and hydromassage effect, jet fittings are typically employed to inject water into the receptacle at a high velocity. In the past, it has been proposed to enhance the whirlpool motion by adapting the fitting to increase the circulation of the water within the receptacle. Henkin et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,839 discloses such a fitting where water is drawn from the receptacle and mixed with the inlet stream in a mixing chamber located externally of the receptacle and remote from the fitting itself. A major drawback of the fitting disclosed in the Henkin patent involves the extra plumbing required to convey water to and from the mixing chamber.
Henk U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,659 discloses a skimmer apparatus for a conventional swimming pool which enhances the skimming operation by increasing the flow therethrough. The apparatus operates solely within the pool. Flow is increased by using the output from a pool filter as an ejector. More particularly, filtered water is directed into a venturi, which entrains the surrounding pool water and discharges the resulting combined stream into the pool. Although the skimmer apparatus of the Henk patent effectively enhances the flow of pool water, its utility is limited to the performance of a skimming operation.
Henkin et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,887 discloses a hydrotherapy jet assembly which is suitable for mounting in a wall of a spa, bathtub or the like. The jet assembly includes a mixing chamber which is supplied with water under pressure by a water jet nozzle. A passageway extends internally through the assembly between the mixing chamber and the spa or tub so that water can be drawn from the spa or tub for entrainment by the water jet. Thus, the stream discharged from the jet assembly into the spa or tub includes the following components: (i) water supplied under pressure into the mixing chamber by the water jet nozzle; and (ii) water drawn or aspirated from the spa or tub for entrainment by the water jet.
The jet assembly disclosed in the Henkin et al. '887 patent can be adapted to draw or aspirate air, as well as spa or tub water, into the mixing chamber. However, in such an adaptation, it is difficult to strike a suitable balance between the amount of aspirated spa or tub water, on the one hand, and the amount of aspirated air, on the other hand, due to the fact that an increase in the quantity of aspirated spa or tub water results in a decrease in the quantity of aspirated air and vice versa. Thus, in order to ensure that the jet nozzle can create a water flow having a velocity which is high enough to entrain both air and spa or tub water, the jet assembly of the Henkin et al. '887 patent is limited to relatively low flow rate requirements and to relatively small nozzles. A delicate balance therefore exists between the size of the passageway for the entrained spa or tub water and the flow rate, which is a function of the size of the jet nozzle, required to make the assembly functional. If built in a larger size for use with a standard size pump typically employed in the hydrotherapy industry, the jet assembly disclosed in he Henkin et al. '887 patent would not work properly, if at all.


Circuits and methods are provided for implementing programmable sub-integer N frequency dividers for use in, e.g., frequency synthesizer applications, providing glitch free outputs signals with minimal fractional spurs. Phase-rotating sub-integer N frequency dividers are programmable to provide multi-modulus division with a wide range of arbitrary sub-integer division ratios.

Phase-locked loop (PLL) circuits are critical components commonly implemented in various communications systems to provide, e.g., LO (local oscillator) signals for transceiver circuits, clock signals for data-recovery circuits, etc. In general, a PLL circuit uses feedback to maintain an output signal of the PLL in a specific phase relationship with a reference input signal of the PLL, as is well known in the art. When the output frequency of the PLL is equal to the frequency of the reference input signal, the PLL is in a "locked" condition.
PLL circuits are commonly implemented to construct frequency synthesizer circuits for use in various applications which it is desirable to generate one or more of a plurality of new clock signals based on a reference clock signal. Essentially, a frequency synthesizer is a PLL that employs a programmable frequency divider in the PLL feedback loop. By way of example, FIG. 1 is a high-level schematic illustration of a conventional PLL frequency synthesizer circuit (10). The PLL frequency synthesizer (10) comprises a PFD (phase-frequency detector) circuit (11), a charge pump (12), a loop filter (13), a VCO (voltage controlled oscillator) circuit (14), and a frequency divider (15) in a PLL feedback loop.
In general, the PLL frequency synthesizer (10) generates an output signal Vout having a frequency fout that is some multiple N of the frequency fin of a reference clock signal Ref_CLK, where fout=N×fRef. The PFD circuit (11) receives the input reference signal Ref_CLK and a feedback signal fDiv and compares the phases of such signals. The PFD (11) generates a slowly varying phase error output signal that is a function of the phase difference between the reference and feedback signals. The charge pump (12) operates in conjunction with the PFD (1) to generate an output current signal based on the detected phase difference. The loop filter (13) low-pass filters the phase error signal generated by the PFD (11) and CP (12) and outputs a control voltage to the VCO (14). In general, the charge pump (12) and loop filter (13) operate to amplify and filter the phase error signal output from the PFD (11) according to a filter transfer function that is selected to achieve desired loop characteristics such as gain, bandwidth, frequency response, etc., in a manner well known in the art.
The control voltage output from the loop filer (13) is a control signal that is input to a control port of the VCO (14). The VCO (14) may be a voltage controlled LC tank oscillator where frequency tuning is achieved based on the voltage level of the control signal output from the loop filter (13). The control signal voltage incrementally increases or decreases so as to drive the VCO (14) output frequency fout in the direction of N×fRef. The output signal Vout is feedback to the PFD (11) via the frequency divider circuit (15), which divides the VCO output frequency by the division ratio N to generate a low frequency signal fDiv, where fRef=fDiv when the PLL frequency synthesizer achieves the desired "locked" state.
As noted above, a fundamental function of a PLL is to lock the phase of the output signal to the phase of the reference signal. In general, standard Laplace transform theory can be used to show that the PLL tracks the input phase within a certain loop bandwidth, acting as a low-pass filter with respect to the carrier frequency to phase fluctuations on the input reference signal Ref_CLK. From a phase-noise perspective, this means that the phase noise of Ref_CLK is passed within the bandwidth of the loop and actually amplified by the division factor (20*log 10(N)). Similarly, the combined phase noise from the frequency divider (15), the PFD (11), charge pump (12), and the loop filter (13) is amplified by the division factor N within the loop bandwidth.
Conversely, phase noise from the VCO (14) is rejected within the bandwidth of the loop, but is passed outside the bandwidth. In other words, the PLL essentially acts as a high-pass filter with respect to the carrier frequency to phase fluctuations on the VCO (14). In addition to setting the phase-noise profile, the loop bandwidth also determines the locking time of the PLL through a converse relationship, i.e., BW˜1/τ. It is noted that the bandwidth cannot be set arbitrarily large, as loop instabilities can result. Therefore, as a rule of thumb, the loop bandwidth is limited to about an order of magnitude less than the Ref_CLK frequency.
In general, the PLL frequency synthesizer (10) may be implemented as an "integer-N" synthesizer or "fractional-N" synthesizers, depending on the frequency division ratio N of the frequency divider circuit (15). In particular, with an "integer-N" architecture, the division ratio N of the frequency divider (15) is selected such that the output frequency of the VCO is only an integer multiple of the reference frequency Consequently, the reference frequency cannot be higher in frequency than the desired step size (channel resolution). An integer-N PLL synthesizer framework is advantageous in terms of having a simple architecture/design and having fewer spurs in the output spectrum.
On the other hand, a fractional-N synthesizer allows frequencies equal to fractional multiples of the reference frequency fRef to be synthesized. That is, the division ratio N of the frequency divider (15) can be a fractional number, which, for a given channel resolution, allows the reference clock to be at a higher frequency. A fractional-N type synthesizer offers several advantages over integer-N synthesizers. First, the loop bandwidth can be increased, since the bandwidth of the loop is usually confined to be about fRef/10 for stability purposes. The larger loop bandwidth results in suppression of the VCO phase noise over a larger range. Secondly, the higher fREF means that the division factor is smaller, resulting in reduced in-band phase noise.
Conventional fractional-N synthesizers can be implemented using various techniques known in the art. For instance, a fractional-N synthesizer may be built using dual-modulus frequency dividers, where the modulus of the divider is switched between two division ratios, N and N+1, whereby the average division ratio is determined based on the ratio of the time in a predetermined period at which N and N+1 divisor were applied. For example, a dual-modulus divide-by-128/129 frequency divider can be controlled such that it divides by 128 97% of the time and by 129 3% of the time. The overall division ratio is then 128.03.
With this technique, if the switching between the two division ratios is periodic then a fractional spur will result, occurring at multiple frequencies of fRef/100 for this example. Consequently, fractional-N synthesizers typically employ delta-sigma (Δ−Σ) modulators to vary the modulus in a random fashion and to shape to resultant quantization noise to fall outside of the passband of the PLL. For certain applications, however, the channel resolution is not significantly tight to warrant a full-blown Δ−Σ synthesizer, although it is still desirable to realize fractional division ratios.
Another technique for implementing a fractional-N synthesizer, is based on a phase-switched frequency divider architecture, where different divide factors of a multi-modulus prescaler realized using a phase rotator or phase selector to switch between different phase states of a plurality of phase shifted signals generated by the frequency divider, e.g., 4 signals having the same frequency but phases shifted by 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees. For instance, in most implementations, switching is performed by transitioning from one phase state to a next phase state with is 90° lagging in phase (e.g., from I to Q), resulting in a scaling of the period by 1.25. Division by one value can be achieved by selecting one of four phase states while division by another value can be achieved by continuously rotating among the phase states at every cycle.
A key advantage to using phase-switched dividers is that such dividers can be realized with fewer elements operating at the full rate and, therefore, can operate at higher frequencies or lower power consumptions. A key drawback is that the switch between different phase states can result in glitches in the output signal. Also, fractional spurs may result at ¼, ½, and ¾ the reference clock frequency for 90° rotations if the phase difference between I and Q is not precisely 90°.

Circuits and methods for implementing sub-integer-N frequency dividers using phase rotators

International Business Machines Corporation


Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for file transmission validation and failure location identification. The invention provides a cryptographic hashing function to generate a unique hash for each block in a file being transmitted. The hash from the previous block is included along with the contents of the next block to create the hash for the next block. Similarly the hash from the previous blocks is used with the data of that block to generate the hash forming onto a block chain. The files can only be transmitted to a select group of servers forming a private block chain network within the entity server systems after the files are transmitted to the target location. As such, the system can recalculate the hashes and match hash blocks to identify an exact file location of a transmission failure.

In current file transfers between servers, a row count or checksum at the trailer of the file provides an indication of blocks within the file. However, in the case of a transmission issue the trailer validation would fail since the end of the count would not be reached. However, there would be no indication as to which block had an issue. In this way, the entire file or batch transfer must be restarted and transmitted.

File based transmission validation and failure location identification system


A pocket coil spring assembly is provided that includes a coil spring having an upper portion and a lower portion collectively defining an interior cavity of the coil spring. The pocket coil spring assembly further includes a fabric pocket encasing the coil spring with a top area covering the upper portion of the coil spring and a bottom area covering the lower portion of the coil spring. An amount of flexible foam is positioned in the interior cavity of the coil spring such that a top surface of the flexible foam extends above the coil spring. A mattress assembly is further provided that includes a plurality of the pocket coil spring assemblies.

Spring assemblies that make use of pocket coil springs, which are also known as wrapped coils, encased coils, encased springs, or Marshall coils, are generally recognized as providing a unique feel to a mattress when used as a part of a spring assembly because each discrete coil is capable of moving independently to support the body of a user, or a portion thereof, resting on the mattress. In particular, in pocket coil spring assemblies, each coil is wrapped in a fabric pocket and moves substantially independently of the other coils in the pocket coil spring assembly to thereby provide individualized comfort and contouring to the body of a user. Moreover, as a result of moving substantially independently from one another, the pocket coils also do not directly transfer motion from one pocket coil to another, such that the movement of one user resting on a mattress assembly using pocket coils will not disturb another user resting on the mattress assembly. In this regard, mattress assemblies constructed with pocket coil springs are generally recognized as providing a soft and luxurious feel, and are often more desirable than a traditional inner spring mattress. Accordingly, a pocket coil spring assembly that improves the unique feel and support provided by traditional pocket coil springs would be both highly desirable and beneficial.

Pocket coil spring assembly including flexible foam


The present invention provides a method for the treatment of sludge containing iron and between 4.5% to 12% by weight of zinc. This method includes a leaching step wherein leaching agents include hydrochloric acid and chlorate, and wherein the pH of the leachate directly resulting from this leaching step is set at a value below 1.5. A recycling method and treatment installation are also provided.

During production of pig iron, gas containing dusts are emitted and exit through the top of the blast furnace. In order to be recycled, the gases must be cleaned from these dusts. Two methods are used to perform this cleaning step, a dry cleaning using dusts catchers and/or cyclones which collect the biggest dust particles that are then directly sent to the sintering plant, and a wet cleaning, in washers, collecting the finest dust particles in water. The residue of this wet cleaning step constitutes sludge.
The average composition of this sludge is 15% to 25% by weight of iron, 30% to 50% by weight of carbon, 2% to 12% by weight of zinc and 0.5% to 2% of lead. Zinc and lead are present as PbO and ZnO oxides but also notably as ZnS sulfides, also named sphalerite, as PbS sulfides and as pure metals, Zn and Pb.
Due to their high content in zinc and lead, these sludges cannot be directly recycled in the sinter plant. Generally, sinter plants allow the recycling of by-products having content below 0.40% by weight of zinc and below 0.10% by weight of lead. It is therefore necessary to further treat such sludge to lower down their heavy metals contents.
Hydrometallurgical processes are well-known solutions to remove impurities from solids or sludge. These processes include a leaching step basically consisting in mixing the solid to be treated with a liquid containing a leaching agent such as NaOH, NH3 or H2SO4. The impurities of the solid react with the leaching agent and are transferred to the liquid. The result of the leaching step is so a mixture of a leached solid or sludge and a leaching residual liquid, named leachate.
Patent BE 1 001 781 describes a method to remove heavy metals, such as zinc and lead, from blast furnaces or oxygen converters sludges. In this method, pickling liquor resulting from the pickling of steel sheets is oxidized using a solution of Cl2 in order to obtain a solution rich in Fe3+ ions. This Fe3+ enriched solution is then used to leach the sludge. The aim of this leaching step is to solubilize zinc and lead residues so as to remove them from the sludge. This leached solid sludge is washed and sent to the sintering plant.
This method is very complex to implement because it requires performing an additional oxidation step and it implies the recycling of pickling liquor, which is not possible in every plant. Moreover the use of Cl2 in industrial conditions implies to settle drastic safety measures.
Patent EP 1 042 518 describes a method wherein a first step of leaching of sludge containing iron is performed in an acidic oxidizing solution. The leaching residual liquid obtained is submitted to a separation step on at least one ion exchanger in order to remove zinc and lead. Liquid so obtained is then oxidized by a solution of Cl2 in order to convert Fe2+ ions present in the liquid in Fe3+ ions. This Fe3+ enriched solution is lastly used to re-leach the sludge.
In the same way as in the process described in patent BE 1 001 781, this method is very complex and implies the use of Cl2.

Method for the treatment of iron-containing sludge


A mobile device includes a camera module that can alternate between a retracted state and an extended state. In the retracted state, the camera module is retracted into a recess in a housing of the mobile device. In the extended state, the camera module extends from the housing. While in the extended state, one or more cameras of the camera module capture images. A processor of the mobile device stitches the images into a panoramic image that optionally provides a 360 degree view. While in the extended state, the camera module may optionally rotate or fold.

A digital camera is a device that captures images and stores the captured images on a computer-readable storage medium. Mobile devices, such as cellular telephones, sometimes include digital cameras. Since mobile devices are generally intended to be portable, space within and along the exterior of mobile devices is at a premium.
Panoramic stitching techniques are used to stitch multiple images captured by one or more cameras into a single, larger panoramic image. The resulting panoramic image includes a field of view that is larger than the field of view of each of the multiple images that were stitched together to form the panoramic image. Typically, a user of a camera physically moves the camera around to point the camera in different directions for a period of time, during which the multiple images are captured, and after which those multiple images are stitched together to form the panoramic image.
While this technique is useful in that it only requires one camera and no other specialized hardware, the panoramic images that are produced often include undesirable artifacts. Because a user must physically move the camera using this technique, the images captured by the camera can sometimes include artifacts, such as motion blur, warping, or distortion. Such artifacts, along with variations in the speed of the user's movements, can also negatively impact the ability to stitch the resulting images together, often resulting in a panoramic image that includes areas that are poorly stitched together and appear squished, stretched, have missing features, or are otherwise warped or distorted. Furthermore, since the multiple images are captured over a period of time using this technique, movements of objects or individuals within the photographed scene during that period of time, such as movements of an individual walking or running across the photographed scene, can cause the moving individual or object to appear multiple times in the resulting panoramic image, to be missing from the resulting panoramic image, or to appear warped or distorted within the resulting panoramic image.


A patch antenna intended to equip a spacecraft, the antenna comprising a dielectric substrate, a radiating antenna element present on the dielectric substrate, the radiating antenna element having a center of symmetry and an area devoid of material, the center of symmetry being present in the area devoid of material, and a protective layer covering the radiating antenna element.

Spacecraft are equipped with antennas which provide the communication between these craft and the ground stations during the flight phases.
These antennas are in particular used for remote measurement, trajectography, or the satellite positioning system (Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS).
Various antenna structures are known from WO 03/007425, U.S. Pat. No. 5,977,924, EP 0 598 580, WO 2012/069492 and FR 2 736 213.
It is desirable to dispose of antennas intended to equip spacecraft having a hemispherical radiation diagram in order to improve the conferred coverage.

Patch antenna for equipping a spacecraft


A flash removing punch pin is provided with a rotating mechanism wherein a flange is formed on an upper end portion on an outer circumference side portion of a cutting edge portion, and a plurality of grooves are formed in the axis center direction to the side of a casting part from the flange. An inner portion is slidably inserted into an inner cover, and the inner portion and a processing portion are moved by a spring cylinder in a direction to be separated from each other. The spring cylinder is compressed when the punch pin is in proximity to the casting part, and then the flange of the punch pin contacts a flange portion of the casting part. When the inner portion slides into the inner cover, the processing portion rotates along the axis with the inner portion.

Conventionally, in plastic injection molding or non-metallic casting, the film flash which is formed in the flange portion of a casting part is removed by means of just using a punch pin. The film flash may remain as leaned flashes attached to the inside of the flange portion.
The leaned flash can be removed with an abrasive blasting, but the blasting process doesn't have functions that can remove large flashes and collect them because a punching is considered as a process to make a precondition to use a blasting.
Thus if the blasting is used for removing the flashes, an additional manual job is needed periodically to collect the flashes in the blasting cabinet, and then it makes product's cost increased.
There is another means of removing the leaned flashes. The flashes can be removed by designing a diameter of the punch pin almost same as the bore of the flange portion. But, the variation of the bore and the setting location of the casting part cause interference between the punch pin and the flange portion, and the casting part may be scratched and damaged, or the punching process may be stopped with overload.
Some techniques are proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, for example, utilizing another power source with the punch pin to remove the leaned flashes (referring to JP H08-267350 A or JP 2004-223638 A).
JP H08-267350 A proposes the technique that the flashes are removed manually after automatically removed roughly.
JP 2004-223638 A proposes the technique that the tool portion has a rotating power to remove the flashes, which is independent from the power for the punch pin motion.


A display substrate includes a substrate, a pixel electrode and a dummy pattern part. The substrate includes a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area. The pixel electrode is disposed in the display area and electrically connected to gate and data lines. The dummy pattern part is disposed in the peripheral area and includes a plurality of first dummy electrodes connected to each other in a network form through connection electrodes and a plurality of second dummy electrodes respectively disposed over the first dummy electrodes.

1. Technical Field
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a display substrate and a method of manufacturing the display substrate, and more particularly, to a display substrate capable of preventing defects induced by static electricity and a method of manufacturing the display substrate.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, a liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a thin-film transistor substrate, a counter substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the thin-film transistor substrate and the counter substrate. The thin-film transistor substrate includes a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines crossing the gate lines, a plurality of switching elements connected to the gate lines and the data lines, and a plurality of pixel electrodes connected to the switching elements. Each of the switching elements includes a gate electrode extending from the gate line, a channel overlapping the gate electrode, a source electrode extending from the data line and electrically connected to the channel, and a drain electrode spaced apart from the source electrode and electrically connected to the channel.
The gate lines, the data lines, the switching elements, and the pixel electrodes formed on the thin-film transistor substrate are patterned through a photolithography process using masks. Recently, a process for reducing the number of the masks in manufacturing the display substrate has been developed, so that a manufacturing cost and a process time for manufacturing the display substrate may be reduced.


A sliding closet organizer for mounting on an interior vertical surface of a closet wall includes a substantially two-dimensional vertical  storage rack and a sliding means adapted for attachment to the interior vertical closet wall surface, wherein the sliding means guides the vertical storage rack into a first stored position and a second deployed position.

Traditional closet organizers are designed to provide an efficient organizational system intended to maximize the available space within existing closets or other storage areas. To this end, known organizers often employ modular shelves, racks, drawers, and mounting hardware to facilitate design and assembly of units customized to the consumer's needs.
One known organizer includes a main horizontal shelf mounted across the width of the closet at head height (e.g., approximately 5 or 6 feet off the floor). The main shelf is arranged to provide hanging storage of long clothing such as dresses or overcoats and is adapted to serve as a storage shelf. The main shelf is typically mounted using specialized fasteners that include an integral expanding anchor to provide for secured attachment to drywall. Sub-shelves are often mounted below or near the main shelf to equally divide the vertical closet space. In this configuration, shirts and pants or other short clothing items may be hung vertically, relative to each other. Modular shelves, racks, or drawers are further mounted below the main shelf and adjacent to the sub-shelves to provide additional storage for folded items such as bulky clothing, shoes, or other items.
While the known closet organizer described above is designed to maximize the available closet storage space, this organizer neglects (or inefficiently uses) the space on the side walls either behind or to the side of the closet door(s) for the organization or storage of additional items. This inefficient use of space is driven, at least partially, by the fact that the space behind and to the side of the closet door(s) is difficult to access. No known existing solution provides for efficient storage or organization of items in this area.

Side slider for storing or organizing objects


The present invention provides a system and method of use for recovering data from an area. The data are gathered with at least one sensor converting the data to a digital packet. The packet is processed as encoded data and the encoded data is stored as a data frame. A reader transmits a signal to a plurality of the sensors and replicates the signal. Each sensor produces a reflected signal in response to the transmit signal and assigns a modulation frequency to the reflected signal. The reader receives the reflected signal. The reader separates frequency components of the reflected signal into upper and lower sidebands and separates the sidebands into data channels. The reader outputs the encoded data by processing the data channels. The reader decodes the encoded data to retrieve the data packet and the environmental data.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and a method of use for recovering data from an array of sensors deployed over a contiguous region such as a curved earth with a varying surface as would be the case for a large body of water or a large land mass.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
It is known in theatre operations that a need exists for a detection system and method of use that satisfies a requirement for cueing in littoral regions of interest. One type of present system is described as "Large N" because the assumption is that a very large number "N" of sensors will be deployed over a region and that data from the sensors will allow remote detection of entities navigating in the region.
To enhance existing data collection, a need exists for an improved system and method of use to recover environmental data packets from individual sensing elements in a comparatively-inexpensive manner and to transmit the data to a reader and onto a regional data fusing facility. Such a system would comprise a collection of communications links between a single reader and a numerically high amount (approximately 1000) of sensors. Optimally, the method would employ the device of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/061,164; filed Feb. 25, 2005 and entitled "A Low-Power Remotely Readable Sensor".

Method for recovering data from a large array of lost-cost sensors

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


The present invention consists of a safety protective cover for cutting tool head having a protective housing fitted to receive a shape of the cutting tool and the rear portion has a locking mechanism fitted to be inserted inside a hole of the cutting tool. The locking mechanism has at least two locking arms capped at their end by a notch extending outwardly away from the other arm, and each arm comprises at least one rib on the inner surface thereof; and, further, the locking mechanism has a first side opening, a second side opening, a stop opening and a central opening; and has at least one rim on the inner surface of the central opening.

Currently the offerings in the market are a diverse plurality of hand tools, particularly cutting tools such as axes, picks, among others. During transportation, thereof, it is important to be careful with cutting or sharp parts of the heads of said tools.
Likewise, it is important to keep on being careful when the tools are displayed in both specialty stores and common stores, such as department stores or supermarkets. For example, this type of common shops is visited by all kinds of people, including children or seniors. Therefore, it is important to ensure the safeguarding of the sharp edges of cutting tools while they are displayed on shelves. To address this problem, some of the tools have protective packaging in the sharp edges and which ease the hanging tasks for the display thereof.
The prior art shows an example of a tool that can be hung for display or transportation as is described in US patent application US20160361812A1, which cites a multi tool with tool handle and head which can be hung in by an anchoring hook that adapts to a display or to the user. However, this invention is limited only to hanging the tool and does not provide any protection whatsoever from the sharp edge to the user either during transport or display of the tool.
Now, further considering the protection function, in the prior art there exist axe covers or cases manufactured of leather, fabric or plastic, which serve to wrap the cutting edge or edges of an axe head. Said covers are usually fastened with a strap of the same material and/or by a button or lock. In some cases, these covers can be fitted into the user's belt for transportation of the axe. However, this type of covers have existed for several decades now and can be an expensive or luxurious solution. In addition, the vast majority of these covers are generic and are not always correctly suited to all the shapes of the axes. Moreover, in any of these covers, an accidental opening of the strap or lock may occur thereby unintentionally uncovering the sharp edge of the axe. Patents U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,565,680, 4,621,753, 5,248,072, 5,465,889, 5,568,889 and utility model TW250739U may be cited as examples of this type of covers or cases.
In this regard, there are some other patent documents relating to protective covers for cutting tools. For example, utility model CN202825880U describes nighttime axe covered with a fluorescent layer, comprising an axe head, an axe handle with telescopic structure and a rubber protective sleeve. The protective sleeve allows preventing accidents with the sharp of the axe, but has no support or adjustment means, so it can be easily removable.
Additionally, US patent application US20160303731A1 describes a hand tool and a retainer cover, wherein the cover holds a pair of handles of the hand tool in a storage position. The retainer cover is manually adjusted to the hand tool when a user places the hand tool in a storage position. At least one of the handles includes a latch member for securing the retainer to the tool. The latch member includes a button that is exposed through an opening in the cover when the tool is retained in storage position. When the user presses the button, the hand tool is manually released from the retainer cover. The main disadvantage of this application is that it works with hand tools having at least two handles, being limited only to scissors or clamps. Another disadvantage is that the cover does not protect the user from the sharp edge of the tool. Finally, the mechanism and release button are elements which may increase the cost of a cover.
Now then, on its part, utility model CN205394478U discloses a hanging protective cover for an axe comprised by the contour of the ax head that matches said ax head. Furthermore, the cover has grooves matching the axe head and handle, and an anchor ring. The head groove is provided on both sides, respectively, with an axe blade locating and a rear resilient fastener of the axe, while the groove of the handle of the axe has resilient flanges. The cover as a whole can cushion a fall of the tool, reduce the power of an impact and improves the function of protection, safety, practicality and has an elegant appearance. However, the main disadvantage of this axe cover is that the contour of the head wraps the head but lacks any fastening element.
Finally, utility model CN203665560U describes an insertion-type safety axe head cover comprising a body provided with an inwards-concave cavity, wherein the shape and size of the cavity match those of the axe head. The axe can be placed in the cavity from one end of the cavity, while the other end of the cavity is provided with an end wall and an opening suitable for a helve to stretch out in the end wall is formed. The cavity further comprises two side walls and a bottom wall, at least two elastic pieces used for supporting the axe are arranged on the bottom wall, at least one blocking piece facing towards the interior of the cavity is arranged at the top end of each side wall, and at least one blocking piece facing towards the interior of the cavity is also arranged at the top end of the end wall. The entirety of the axe head can be set in the axe safety cover, the sharp of the axe is not exposed. Therefore, the axe can be more safely transported and stored. Meanwhile, the insertion-type safety axe cover is suitable for transportation and storage. This invention has the disadvantage that although the cover protects the sharp edge of the axe and allows hanging the cover, it is true that it lacks a fastening element.
So, there exists the need in the prior art of having safety covers that allow protecting the sharp edges of cutting tools to avoid any kind of accident during the transportation and display thereof. Also, there is the need for this type of protective covers to ease the hanging packaging functions to display the product. Finally, it is important for such cover to include snapping mechanisms to prevent the protective cover from being easily or accidentally removed.


A wafer treating device utilizing a plasma generated by a gas discharge caused by electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) includes a wafer treating chamber and a plasma generating chamber, a microwave supply for supplying microwave energy to the plasma generating chamber, and an electromagnetic coil which surrounds the plasma generating chamber to produce a minimum B-field therein. A plasma generated in the plasma generating chamber by electron cyclotron resonance is confined stably therein by the minimum B-field produced by the coil. Thus, the density and stability of the plasma in the plasma generating chamber are enhanced. The plasma in the plasma generating chamber is conveyed to a wafer in the wafer treating chamber along the diverging lines of a magnetic force. Examples of the minimum B-field producing coil include Ioffe bars, a baseball coil and an Yin-yang coil.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for treating semiconductor wafers utilizing a plasma generated by a gas discharge.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the production of semiconductor devices such as transistors and integrated circuits, semiconductor substrates, or wafers, are subjected to treatments such as thin film formation etching, oxidation, and doping. Some of such wafer treating devices utilize a plasma generated by a gas discharge. Recently, wafer treating devices utilizing a plasma generated by a gas discharge driven by electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) have been developed. These devices have a number of advantages over conventional chemical vapor deposition devices, including low operating temperatures and high treatment quality.
U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 357310 teaches a fundamental structure of such semiconductor wafer treating devices utilizing a plasma generated by electron cyclotron resonance. As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, such a device generally comprises a wafer treating chamber 1 accommodating a holder 8 holding a wafer 9, and a plasma generating chamber 2 disposed adjacent to and in direct communication with the wafer treating chamber 1. Microwave energy generated by a microwave source (not shown) is introduced into the plasma generating chamber 2 through a waveguide 3 and a quartz plate 4. Further, a solenoidal electromagnetic coil 5a surrounds the plasma generating chamber 2 to generate a magnetic field in the plasma generating chamber 2 and the wafer treating chamber 1. A gas introducing port 6 and a gas exhausting port 7 are formed in a wall of the plasma generating chamber 2 and in a wall of the wafer treating chamber 1, respectively.
The operation of the device of FIG. 3 is as follows. After the gas remaining in the chambers 1 and 2 is thoroughly exhausted from the port 7, a reactive gas is introduced into the chambers 1 and 2 through the port 6; at the same time, a part of the gas is exhausted from the port 7 to keep the pressure thereof at a predetermined level. Next, a microwave energy having a frequency of 2.45 GHz generated by the microwave source (not shown) is supplied to the plasma generating chamber 2 through the waveguide 3 and the quartz plate 4. Simultaneously, the coil 5a is energized to produce a magnetic field in the plasma generating chamber 2 and the wafer treating chamber 1; the flux density of the magnetic field in the plasma generating chamber 2 is regulated to 875 G to produce electron cyclotron resonance therein in cooperation with the microwaves; the magnetic field produced by the coil 5a in the wafer treating chamber 1 diverges from the plasma generating chamber 2 to the holder 8.
Thus, the electrons in the plasma generating chamber 2 are accelerated in helical paths in electron cyclotron resonance in the chamber 2, absorbing the energy from the microwave; the collisions of these fast moving electrons generate a dense gas plasma in the plasma generating chamber 2. The plasma thus generated is transported to the wafer 9 along the diverging lines of the magnetic field produced by the solenoidal coil 5a. Thus, the treatment of the wafer 9, e.g. thin film formation or etching, is effected on the surface thereof. As is well known, the kind of the gas utilized in the treatment or the pressure thereof, the power of the microwave source, etc., are chosen according to the type of the treatment which is effected on the wafer.
The conventional ECR plasma wafer treating devices, however, have disadvantages as described below.
Since the conventional ECR plasma wafer treating devices utilize a solenoidal coil to produce a magnetic field therein, the magnetic field thus produced in the plasma generating chamber 2 is the strongest along the central axis thereof. Electrons in the plasma generating chamber 2 are thereby forced to move radially from the central axis toward the outer peripheral portions thereof. As a result, the confinement of the electrons therein is insufficient, and the density of plasma generation therein cannot be made as high as desired. Consequently, the speed of the reaction of the wafer treatment is low. Further, due to the insufficient confinement of the electrons, the plasma generated in the plasma generating chamber 2 is unstable so that the wafer treating process suffers a number of restrictions such as on the kind of the gas utilized in the generation of the plasma or the pressure thereof and the level of the output power of the microwave utilized to produce electron cyclotron resonance.

Semiconductor wafer treating device utilizing a plasma


An educational, decorative, illuminated block set is provided having a low voltage matrix form mounting apparatus for the blocks, so that the blocks can be selectively illuminated if placed in a pre-arranged order of alphabet symbol or number assigned to each of the blocks.

Various educational block matrix devices have been provided so that a block illuminates when the block is properly located within a matrix. Such patents are found at 2,092,577, 2,424,169, 3,237,341, 3,484,984, 3,517,937, 3,654,710, 3,696,548, 4,321,768, 4,508,511, 4,556,393. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,511 (McQueen) the lamps provided are not removable. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,393 (Bolli) there is no educational value to the device. U.S. Pat. No. 2,424,169 (Hoffman) is basically an electrical sign with no provisions for coding. U.S. Pat. No. 3,517,937 (Glass) is basically a lighted jigsaw puzzle. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,654,710 (Barnard) the lamps are not removable. This is also the case in U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,768 (Englehardt) and U.S. Pat. No. 2,092,577 (Hornung). Hornung also does not have a positive coding. Furthermore, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,696,548 (Teller), 3,237,341 (Janning) and 3,484,984 (Fischer), illuminated building blocks are provided with no educational value. Furthermore, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,108 (Castiglia), a low voltage matrix is provided for frictional engagement of C-shaped lamps upon a plurality of parallel horizontal stems.
It is an object of the device to provide a coded matrix for educational blocks which illuminates the blocks if they are placed in the proper position.
A further object of the invention is to provide a low voltage educational illuminated block system.


The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device with vertically integrated pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistors (pHEMTs). The disclosed semiconductor device includes a substrate, a lower pHEMT structure with a lower pHEMT, an isolation layer, and an upper pHEMT structure with an upper pHEMT. The lower pHEMT structure is formed over the substrate and has a first region and a second region that is laterally disposed with the first region. The lower pHEMT is formed in or on the second region. The isolation layer resides over the first region. The upper pHEMT structure is formed over the isolation layer and does not extend over the second region. Herein, the isolation layer separates the lower pHEMT structure from the upper pHEMT structure such that the lower pHEMT and the upper pHEMT operate independently from each other.

With the current popularity of portable communication devices and developed semiconductor technologies, high level integration is becoming a trend in semiconductor fabrications. By integrating different transistors into a single semiconductor device within one fabrication process, the final package size and cost will be reduced. In different applications, these integrated transistors may implement different functions. Isolation of these integrated transistors is desired for different functions.
Pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistors (pHEMTs), due to their high gain up to millimeter-wavelengths and their enhanced noise and power performance, are widely used in high speed communication devices. To implement different functions with optimal performance, the pHEMTs may operate in different modes. For instance, the pHEMTs may operate in an enhancement mode to optimize low noise amplifier (LNA) performance, or the pHEMTs may operate in a depletion mode for high-speed switch implementations. However, a conventional pHEMT structure has a single channel that both the enhancement mode and the depletion mode share. Consequently, it is rarely possible to optimize the performance of both the enhancement mode and the depletion mode independently.
Accordingly, there remains a need for improved semiconductor device designs to utilize the advantages of pHEMTs while optimizing the performance of both the enhancement mode and the depletion mode independently. In addition, there is also a need to keep the size and cost of the final products effective.

Semiconductor device with vertically integrated pHEMTs


This disclosure provides a vapor-liquid reaction device including a vapor-liquid reaction chamber and a projecting member. The vapor-liquid reaction chamber holds a molten metal in a lower portion of an internal space of the vapor-liquid reaction chamber.

Vapor-liquid reaction devices that perform vapor-liquid reactions between liquids and gases are already known.
A vapor-liquid reaction device is employed, for example, as a configuration element of a film forming apparatus using hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HYPE).
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a substrate treatment device to treat a substrate using a processing gas generated by reacting a liquid raw material with a reaction gas, and the substrate treatment device is employed as a device capable of raising the generation efficiency of the process gas generated by reacting the liquid raw material with the reaction gas. The substrate treatment device includes a vessel that holds the liquid raw material generated by melting a metal raw material, and receives supply of the reaction gas from upstream and discharges the process gas downstream. The substrate treatment device also includes at least one partition member installed in the vessel to partition a space in the vessel above the liquid surface of the liquid raw material in the vessel into plural generation spaces arrayed sequentially from upstream to downstream. A through hole is formed in each partition member to place two adjacent generation spaces in communication with each other and allow gas to pass. When the gas in an upstream side generation space passes through the through hole and flows into a downstream side generation space, the speed at which the gas passes through the through hole is increased so as to generate a jet flow, and such that a convection flow of the gas is induced by the jet flow in the downstream side generation space.
Patent Document 2 also discloses a substrate treatment device to treat a substrate using a processing gas produced by reacting a liquid raw material with a reaction gas, and is employed as a device capable of raising the production efficiency of the process gas produced by reacting the liquid raw material with the reaction gas. The substrate treatment device includes a vessel that holds the liquid raw material generated by melting a metal raw material, and receives supply of the reaction gas from upstream and discharges the process gas downstream. The substrate treatment device also includes at least one partition member installed in the vessel to partition a space in the vessel above the liquid surface of the liquid raw material in the vessel into plural generation spaces arrayed sequentially from upstream to downstream. A rectification mechanism (such as a rectification plate) is provided inside each of the generation spaces to cause gas to flow toward the liquid surface of the liquid raw material.
Patent Document 3 discloses a metal chloride gas generator capable of improving the stability of metal chloride gas concentration and improving responsivity to fluctuations in concentration of the metal chloride gas. The metal chloride gas generator includes a raw material vessel for holding a metal raw material, includes a gas supply port provided in the raw material vessel for supplying a chlorine-containing gas containing a chlorine-based gas into the raw material vessel, includes a gas discharge port provided in the raw material vessel to discharge a metal chloride-containing gas, which contains a metal chloride gas produced by a reaction between the chlorine-based gas contained in the chlorine-containing gas and the metal raw material, to outside the raw material vessel, and includes partition plates for partitioning a space above the metal raw material in the raw material vessel to form a gas flow path extending from the gas supply port to the gas discharge port. The gas flow path is formed so as to be a continuous path from the gas supply port to the gas discharge port, with a flow path width of the gas flow path in a horizontal direction not exceeding 5 cm, and the gas flow path including a bent portion.
In HVPE a film of gallium nitride (GaN) is formed by reacting gallium (I) chloride gas (GaCl) with ammonia gas (NH3).
Patent Document 4 discloses a method capable of forming a film of gallium nitride (GaN) at a faster growth rate compared to HVPE by using a method to form a film of gallium nitride by reacting gallium (III) chloride gas (GaCl3) with ammonia gas (NH3). Patent Document 3 discloses a method of reacting gallium (I) chloride gas with chlorine gas (Cl2) as the a method to produce the gallium (III) chloride gas mentioned above.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2016-44342    Patent Document 2: JP-A No. 2016-44341    Patent Document 3: JP-A No. 2012-248803    Patent Document 4: International Publication (WO) No. 2011/142402

Vapor-liquid reaction device, reaction tube, film forming apparatus

National University Corporation Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology


Query history expansion may be provided. Upon receiving a spoken query from a user, an adapted language model may be applied to convert the spoken query to text. The adapted language model may comprise a plurality of queries interpolated from the user's previous queries and queries associated with other users. The spoken query may be executed and the results of the spoken query may be provided to the user.

Adaptation of a language model may be based on a user's historic inputs to a speech recognition algorithm. Conventional language model adaptation has been used in desktop dictation and other applications that can accumulate a significant amount of user historic voice input and related text, with or without supervision. However, this approach allows for only limited accuracy gain in tasks where large amounts of prior history are unavailable, such as voice search tasks.

User query history expansion for improving language model adaptation


In one embodiment, a method includes a computing system receiving information from an autonomous vehicle (AV). Based on the received information, the system may identify a target objective, with an associated target destination, for the AV and determine that the AV is able to transport passengers while furthering the target objective. The system may receive multiple ride requests from ride requestors, respectively. Each of the ride requests is associated with an origination location and a destination location. The system may match the AV with one of the ride requests based on a location of the AV, the target destination of the target objective, and the origination location and destination location associated with the ride request. The system may instruct the AV to perform a transportation task from the origination location to the destination location associated with the ride request, and drive to the target destination after completing the transportation task.

A transportation management system, in response to transportation requests, may match the needs of transportation requestors with transportation providers. For instance, through a transportation application installed on a mobile device, a transportation requestor may request for transportation from a starting location to a destination at a particular time. In response to the request, the transportation management system may match the transportation requestor's needs with an available transportation provider and instruct the transportation provider to transport the requesting party from the specified starting location to the desired destination.
Conventional transportation management systems may respond to requests for transportation by dispatching vehicles with human drivers. In such systems, the human drivers typically manage maintenance and cleaning of the vehicles they drive, and use their own judgment to determine where to be geographically to optimize personal objectives (e.g., servicing the most transportation requests or stay within a region close to home). With technological progress in autonomous vehicles, transportation services may dispatch autonomous vehicles instead of human-driven vehicles to fulfill transportation requests. The capabilities of autonomous vehicles, however, are generally limited to driving autonomously from one location to another. In other words, autonomous vehicles are generally not configured to handle tasks outside of driving and navigating, especially tasks that serve fleet-level objectives. As such, a transportation management system that manages autonomous vehicles may involve more than matching and dispatching autonomous vehicles to fulfill transportation requests.

Autonomous-vehicle dispatch based on fleet-level target objectives


An apparatus and a method for carrying beverage containers, such as milk cartons. The apparatus may include a first wall, a second wall, a base, a first device, and a second device. The first and the second walls may be fixed to the base so that the first and the second walls are substantially perpendicular to the base, and the first and the second walls are parallel to each other and separated by a first distance. The first and second devices may be connected to the base so that the first and second devices can rotate with respect to the base. The first and the second devices may be connected to the base so that the first and the second devices can be rotated into a states in which a wall of each is substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular to the base.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,517,178 to Cheatham discloses a folding container in which the end walls 12 and side walls 13 are hingedly secured to a bottom 11, so that the side walls 13 may be folded inwardly over the end walls 12. (Cheatham, col. 1, Ins. 5-10; col. 2, Ins. 17-32; FIG. 1 ). Bolts 23 are engaged with keepers 21 to prevent the walls when interlocked from folding outwardly or inwardly. (Cheatham, col. 3, Ins. 1-10; FIG. 1). Hinges 14 and 18, and bolts 23 and keepers 21 provide a cumbersome device in Cheatham. The end walls 12 and side walls 13 nearly completely enclose a large chamber area which requires a large amount of material for walls 12 and 13. (Cheatham, FIG. 1). The hinges 18 and the hinges 14 are separate from the walls 13 and 12 and protrude outward and inwards, respectively, from the walls 13 and 12. (Cheatham, FIG. 1).
U.S. Pat. No. 3,371,816 to Ricci discloses assembling two side walls 11, two end walls 12, and a base 10 together to form a receptacle. (Ricci, col. 3, Ins. 1-10; FIGS. 4 and 5). A protrusion at the bottom of an insert 26, is inserted into U-shaped channel 13 of base 10 to connect side walls 11 to base 10. (Id.) An inside sheet 30 of each of end walls 12 is slid until the inside sheet 30 comes to rest within the U-shaped channel 13 of the base 10. (Id.)


A method of stimulating endothelial cell growth is provided which comprises subjecting said cells to a growth stimulating amount of a highly purified vascular permeability factor having the following characteristics:. (a) it has a M.sub.r about 34,000-40,000 as determined by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; PA1 (b) it is a disulfide-linked protein dimer; PA1 (c) it has a N-terminal amino acid sequence as follows: ##STR1## (d) it exhibits substantial mitogenic activity to endothelial cells in culture.

This invention relates to a method of stimulating endothelial cell growth. More particularly, the invention concerns the promotion of endothelial cell growth by subjecting said cells to a growth stimulating amount of a highly purified vascular permeability factor.
Vascular permeability factors (VPFs) are proteins originally obtained from a variety of tumors which cause a rapid and reversible increase in blood vessel permeability when nanogram amounts are injected under the skin of a warm blooded mammal. VPF activity has been found in tumor ascites fluids from guinea pigs, hamsters and mice and is secreted by these tumors and a variety of tumor cell lines in vitro according to Senger et al., Science 219, 983-985 (1983).
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,456,550, a purified VPF is described which has the following characteristics:
(a) in an aqueous solution (0.01 M Na.sub.3 PO.sub.4, pH 7) whose concentration of NaCl is varied linearly, VPF is eluted from a heparin-Sepharose chromatography column in a peak centered at 0.4 NaCl; PA1 (b) in an aqueous solution of Na.sub.3 PO.sub.4 (pH 7.0) whose concentration is varied linearly, VPF is eluted from a hyroxylapatite column in a peak centered at 0.25 M Na.sub.3 PO.sub.4 ; and PA1 (c) when subjected to SDS gel electrophoresis in a 7.5% polyacrylamide slab gel (0.375 M tris-HCl, pH 8.8, 0.1% SDS) at 35 milliamps and 4.degree. C., VPF is localized to a region corresponding to a molecular weight between 34,000 and 45,000 daltons. PA1 (a) affinity chromatography with a column of heparin-Sepharose; PA1 (b) chromatography with a column of hydroxylapatite; and PA1 (c) sodium dodecylsulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. PA1 (a) it has a M.sub.r about 34,000-40,000 as determined by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS/PAGE); PA1 (b) it is a disulfide-linked protein dimer; PA1 (c) it has a N-terminal amino acid sequence as follows: ##STR2## (d) it exhibits substantial mitogenic activity to endothelial cells in culture. PA1 (a) affinity chromatography of said conditioned culture medium with a column of heparin-Sepharose CL-6B; PA1 (b) cation exchange chromatography of the VPF active fractions from said affinity chromatography with a TSK SP-5-PW column; PA1 (c) high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of the VPF active fractions from said cation exchange chromatography with a Vydac C.sub.4 reversed phase HPLC column; and PA1 (d) HPLC of the VPF active fractions from said C.sub.4 HPLC with a Vydac C.sub.18 reversed phase HPLC column.
The VPF was purified about 1800 fold from serum-free conditioned medium of guinea pig tumor cell culture or 10,000 fold from ascites fluid by a series of steps consisting of:
As little as 200 ng (5'10.sup.-12 moles) of this purified VPF increased the vascular permeability equivalent to 1.25 .mu.g (4.times.10.sup.-9 moles) of histamine. Histamine is a standard permeability mediator described by Miles and Miles, J. Physiol. 118, 228-257 (1952). The VPF is said to have therapeutic value insofar as it enables blood nutrients to reach tissue with increased need for nutrients, as in wound healing.
According to Folkman and Klagsbrun, Science 235, 442-447 (1987), VPF causes leakage of proteins, including fibrinogen, from blood vessels, thereby initiating the formation of a fibrin gel which, in turn, may play a role in angiogenesis. See also Dvorak et al., J. Immunol. 122(1), 166-174 (1979); Dvorak, N. Engl. J. Med. 315, 1650 (1986); Kadish et al., Tissue Cell 11, 99, (1979); Dvorak et al., J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 62, 1479 (1979); and Senger et al., Cancer Res. 46, 5629-5632 (1986).
Lobb et al., Int. J. Cancer 36, 473-478 (1985), partially purified a VPF from a human adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 having a molecular weight of 45,000. This VPF, however, does not bind to immobilized heparin as does the VPF derived from guinea pig tumor cell material by Senger and Dvorak.


Method and system for providing seamless match point switching in an adaptive decoder (e.g., an MLSE decoder) that is based on estimation of symbol sequences, according to which statistics regarding samples corresponding to different symbol sequences in alternative match points are collected by a statistics collector, to create a set of figures of merit representing the quality of each alternative match point, while different match points are obtained by changing the delay of symbols decoded by the adaptive decoder and samples entering the statistics collector. A figure of merit of the current match point is compared to the figure of merit of alternative match points. Whenever an alternative match point figure of merit is better than the current match point by a predefined threshold, a decision to switch to the alternative match point is made. Seamless switching to the alternative match point is performed by shifting the sampling phase forward or backward, until obtaining better performance, while performing adaptation of the decoder to the sampling phase shift.

Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation (MLSE) is a mathematical algorithm to extract useful data out of a noisy data stream. An optimized detector for digital signals should do a best estimation of the transmitted data with the least possible number of errors, where the receiver emulates the distorted channel. All possible transmitted data streams are fed into this distorted channel model. The receiver compares the time response with the actual received signal and determines the most likely signal. In cases that are most computationally straightforward, root mean square deviation can be used as the decision criterion for the lowest error probability.
In Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation (MLSE), each sample of the received signal is associated with a sequence of symbols with respect to the (clock) phase of the sample within a received symbol. For example, a sample may be associated with a sequence of 5 decoded symbols, which may be the last 5 symbols that have been received, or the last 4 decoded symbols that have been received+the current decoded symbol.
The selection of which sample best represents the probability for each sequence of N consequent symbols has high impact on the achieved performance and hence called "match point selection".
Mathematically, a match point D can be defined using the following equation for describing the probability metric used for MLSE decoder, defined by Eq. 1. The selection of D is the match point. In this case, the decision metrics is actually the estimated probability per symbol (Prob{ }).metric[symbol(i)]=(Prob{[symbol(i)|sample(i−D),decoded_symbols(i−D−1, . . . ,i−D−N)]}  [Eq. 1]where N is the number of consequent symbols that are assumed as ISA for decoding process and | denotes "given".
However, while making a continuous estimation, a current optimal match point may change due to changes of channel frequency response, such as changes that may occur as a result of temperature changes. This means that there is a match point with better performance.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for seamlessly changing the match point of an MLSE detector, detecting a sequence of symbols passing a communication channel, without disrupting the continuity of the output symbol stream.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for seamlessly changing the match point of an MLSE detector, detecting a sequence of symbols passing a communication channel, without adding errors to the decoded symbols.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Seamless match point switching in MLSE-based modems


Systems and methods for transforming an initial quantum state to a target quantum state are disclosed. The initial quantum state is denoted by superposed initial quantum sample states and the target quantum state is denoted by superposed target quantum sample states. The initial quantum state is initialized with a set of primary registers for the initial quantum state and with at least one ancillary register. The initial quantum state is transformed such that the set of primary registers reflects the initial quantum sample states and the at least one ancillary register is varied to compose an intermediate quantum state. In addition, the intermediate quantum state is amplified by implementing quantum state rotations in accordance with a plurality of reflections on the intermediate quantum state such that the reflections result in the target quantum sample states of the target quantum state with a discarding of the at least one ancillary register.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to quantum computing and, more particularly, to systems, methods and devices for preparing quantum states.
2. Description of the Related Art
Rejection sampling is a technique for producing samples from a target distribution by starting from samples from another distribution. The method has first been formalized by von Neumann (1951) and has many applications in classical computing. The classical rejection method solves the following resampling problem: given the ability to sample according to some probability distribution p, produce samples from some other distribution q. The method works as follows: let γ≦1 be the largest scaling factor such that γq lies under p, formally, γ=mink(pk/qk). A sample k is accepted from p with probability γqk/pk, otherwise the sample is rejected and the process is repeated. The expected number of samples from p to produce one sample from q is then given by T=1/γ=maxk(qk/pk), which has been proved to be optimal. FIG. 11 provides a visualization of this sampling method. In particular, FIG. 11 is a graph 1100 of Probability v. Sample space (denoted by variable k), where curve 1102 is an example of pk and curve 1104 is an example of γqk. As indicated above,
      Prob              (              accept                                                  k            )        =                    γ                                                            q          k                            p        k              .
This technique is at the core of many sampling algorithms and has therefore numerous applications, in particular, in the field of Monte Carlo simulations, the most well-known example being the Metropolis algorithm. It is used extensively in Monte Carlo simulations since the simulations seek to sample from distributions that are defined on some extremely high-dimensional spaces and for which sometimes no direct way of sampling is known. Rejection sampling then permits sampling from the target distribution, provided that another, much easier to obtain, distribution can be sampled from.


A method of forming a tank system and a tank system formed thereby wherein the tank system comprises a plastic tank covered by a metal shell. The inventive method comprises the steps of: (a) covering a first portion of the plastic tank with a first metal shell piece having a first edge wherein the interior shape of the first metal shell piece corresponds to the exterior shape of the first portion of the plastic tank such that the exterior surface of the plastic tank is positioned in close proximity to the interior surface of the first metal shell piece; (b) covering a second portion of the plastic tank with a second metal shell wherein the interior shape of the second metal shell piece corresponds to the exterior shape of the second portion of the plastic tank such that the exterior surface of the plastic tank is positioned in close proximity to the interior surface of the second metal shell piece, and wherein the second metal shell piece has a second edge corresponding to the first edge of the first metal shell piece such that, when the first and second shell pieces are placed over the plastic tank, the second edge is positioned adjacent the first edge; and (c) welding the first and second shell pieces together along the first and second edges.

All-metal tanks (e.g., stainless steel tanks) have been widely used for storing and transporting various chemicals and chemical compositions. All-metal tanks can readily be formed which will accommodate internal vacuum and/or high pressure conditions. All-metal tanks can also be readily formed which are sturdy enough to withstand the general mechanical stresses encountered in loading, unloading, stacking, transporting, minor collisions, etc.
Unfortunately, all-metal tanks are generally very heavy and expensive to build. In many applications (e.g., the storage and/or transportation of acids and other well treating fluids), all-metal tanks are also susceptible to internal corrosive chemical attack. Although, in such applications, certain metallic materials of construction can often be selected which are compatible with the corrosive chemical compositions being stored and/or transported, such materials of construction can be exotic and/or expensive.
Certain elastomers, polyolefins, rubber materials, and the like are highly resistant to corrosive chemical attack. Such materials are readily available, are lightweight, and can be comparatively inexpensive. However, tanks formed from these materials are generally susceptible to mechanical damage.
To alleviate the above-mentioned problems encountered in the use of all-metal tanks and to obtain the advantages of both the metallic and the nonmetallic materials of construction mentioned above, lined metal tanks have been produced which are compatible with the chemical compositions being stored and/or transported therein. These lined tanks have generally consisted of either (1) a metallic tank having a lining adhered to its interior surface or (2) a metallic tank having a thin, flexible bladder inserted therein.
A plastic or rubber lining material can be applied to the interior wall of a metal tank by securing sheets of the lining material to the interior wall using a bonding agent. However, when a lining material is bonded to the interior wall of a metallic tank in this manner, the resulting liner includes undesirable seams, joints, and other regions of non-uniform thickness.
A liner can also be secured to the interior wall of a metal tank by spraying a liquid plastic material thereon. However, when a liquid lining material is sprayed onto the interior surface of a metal tank, it is difficult to ensure that the resulting liner will be free of voids, pinholes, or other defects. Such defects leave the metallic shell exposed to corrosive chemical attack.
It is also noted that, whenever a lining is attached to the interior surface of a metallic tank by either bonding or spraying, tearing or splitting of the liner can occur as a result of thermal expansion and contraction due to the disparate coefficients of thermal expansion of the liner and the metallic shell. An attached liner is also easily ruptured by physical blows to the exterior of the metallic shell.
Tanks having bladder-type plastic linings, on the other hand, have proven to be unsatisfactory for most applications. Thin, flexible, plastic bladders can be easily damaged even during routine filling, handling, and cleaning operations.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,892 discloses a tank system composed of a rigid, linear low density polyolefin tank mounted within a metallic tank. The polyolefin tank is not bonded to the interior wall of the metallic tank. Since, for the most part, the inner polyolefin tank and the outer metallic tank are free to expand and contract independently of each other, the amount of stress imparted to the plastic tank as a result of thermal expansion and contraction is greatly reduced. Further, since the inner plastic tank is not adhered to the outer metallic tank, the likelihood that the inner plastic tank will be damaged by a blow to the exterior of the metallic tank is reduced.
The tank system of U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,892 is produced by forming a linear, low density, polyolefin tank inside an outer metallic tank using a rotational molding (rotomolding) technique. This rotational molding technique includes the steps of: (1) applying a high temperature paint or other release agent to the inner walls of the metallic tank; (2) heating the metallic tank; (3) placing a polyolefin powder (or liquid) inside the heated metallic tank; (4) rotating and continuing to heat the metallic tank such that the polyolefin powder melts and coats the inner walls of the metallic tank; (5) cooling the metallic tank so that the plastic tank formed therein solidifies and shrinks away from the interior surface of the metallic tank; and (6) during the cooling cycle, pressurizing the interior of the plastic inner tank such that the amount of inner tank shrinkage produced during the cooling cycle is minimized.
As part of the production method of U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,892, fixtures are also attached to the flanges and other connections of the metallic tank so that the melted polyolefin material is allowed to flow through the tank fittings and to coat one or more of the outer surfaces of the metallic tank connections. Thus, complete polyolefin connections corresponding to the connections of the metallic tank are formed in the inner polyolefin tank during the rotational molding process. To ensure that the outer metallic material is completely isolated from the contents of the inner plastic tank, the inner tank connections can be sealed along with the connections of the outer metallic tank using polyolefin-lined closures.
Unfortunately, the tank system of U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,896 has substantial shortcomings. The plastic connections formed in the inner plastic tank during the rotomolding process of U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,896 cover and extend over the connections of the outer metal tank. Due to the resulting intimate relationship between the connections of the plastic tank and the metallic tank, the connection areas of the plastic tank are subjected to substantial stress when the plastic tank shrinks away from the outer metal tank during the cooling cycle of the rotomolding process.
Substantial stress can also be imparted to the plastic inner tank of U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,892, and particularly to the connection areas of said inner tank, due to movement of the inner plastic tank within the outer metal tank during loading, transporting, unloading, etc. As indicated above, a substantial gap is created between the exterior wall of the plastic tank and the interior wall of the metal tank due to shrinkage during the rotomolding cooling cycle. Particularly large gaps will typically be created between the longitudinal exterior ends of the plastic tank and the longitudinal interior ends of the metal tank. Thus, the plastic tank is undesirably allowed to flex and move within the metal tank when material is added to or taken out of the tank system and when the tank system payload shifts within the plastic tank.
In tank systems of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,892, attempts have been made to restrict the movement of the plastic tank within the metal tank by injecting an expanding urethane foam into the gap existing between an exterior end of the plastic tank and the corresponding interior end of the metal tank. In order to allow the injection of the urethane material, a port consisting of an internally threaded pipe collar will typically be provided through the elongate cylindrical portion of the metal tank at a point immediately adjacent the end of the metal tank. After the plastic tank is formed in the metal tank, a hose is fed through the port and down to the bottom of the gap existing between the ends of the tanks. The urethane material is then delivered through the hose as the hose is slowly pulled out of the metal tank.
Unfortunately, although this urethane injection technique has been helpful, the degree to which the plastic tank is allowed to flex and move within the metal tank remains undesirably high.

Method of producing metal encapsulated plastic tank systems


An assembly comprising: a nut having a cylindrical body with a threaded external surface, an axially extending interior tool socket, and a radially outwardly extending flange at a proximal end of the cylindrical body; a first component including a hollow cylindrical tube with a connector end having a radially inwardly extending shoulder, the radially inwardly extending shoulder abutting the radially outwardly extending flange of the nut in an assembled position; and a second component including an annular hub with a threaded internal surface matching the threaded external surface of the nut, and an annular mounting surface abutting the connector end of the propeller shaft in the assembled position.

The reduction gearbox (RGB) for aircraft turbine engine may include a planetary gear carrier that must be rigidly secured to a propeller shaft with close fitting connecting surfaces and an axial clamping load. The axial clamping load is provided by a threaded connection, consisting of a nut with an anti-rotation locking feature, engaging the propeller shaft and the planetary gear carrier.
Torque is applied to the nut which provides the appropriate axial clamping load between the joined parts. The anti-rotation locking feature serves to lock the nut in a rotational position and to prevent the nut from rotating relative to the planetary gear carrier during operation. Unintended reverse rotation of the nut during operation reduces the axial clamping load and if the nut is dislodged, catastrophic failure may occur.
The nut connecting the propeller shaft and the planetary gear carrier is generally secured with a specialized tool and torque wrench to transmit a suitable tightening torque and axial clamping load. The nut and associated locking elements must be accessible in the assembled condition for inspection and maintenance. Conventional fastener nuts for a connecting propeller shaft and a planetary gear carrier may extend the axial length of the connection and may be accessible with tools from one side of the connection only. Improvement is desirable.