A scheme data structure is used for applying a set of coordinated attributes to any number of components within a composition such as a document, Internet web page, computer screen etc. A scheme data structure allows a user to easily apply variations of professionally designed font, color, graphic, paragraph and other schemes to a composition. The data structure includes a scheme instance category indicating a type of scheme and a number of attributes corresponding to the scheme instance category. The structure has a number of scheme slots, and each scheme slot can be associated with zero or more components of the composition. Each of the scheme slots is arranged to hold a distinct value for each of the attributes. Thus, for each of the scheme slots, the scheme instance data structure may be used to apply values of attributes to the components of the composition associated with each scheme slot. Each scheme instance data structure may also have a number of levels. Each level contains a complete set of values for the attributes of that scheme. User input is used to determine which level should be applied to each component. A user specifies an amount value indicating number of components affected and a diversity value indicating diversity of scheme attributes affecting the components. A threshold value for each component indicates a range of difficulty for changing default values for attributes of that component. A method also applies values in a determined scheme level to components of a composition in response to user input.

The present invention relates generally to the processing of data by a computer system. More specifically, the present invention relates to applying a flexible scheme technique to information within a particular medium.
Since the introduction of PC-based layout and publishing software in the late-1980""s, the explosive growth of this market has underscored graphic design as a vital component of effective business communications. The information explosion has resulted in hundreds of messagesxe2x80x94many enriched with clip art, custom illustrations, and scanned imagesxe2x80x94vying for attention across a wide variety of media (print, electronic, multimedia, etc.). Businesses have a significant need to visually differentiate their documents above the market noise. Pages that emphasize content with minimal attention to formatting, illustrations, layout, and visual appeal, will no longer attract the attention of increasingly sophisticated business audiences. Business users competing for readers"" time now place a premium on creating and publishing graphically attractive communications.
The proliferation of software tools, ready-made content (e.g., on-line photo libraries and CD-ROM disks of clip art), and desktop peripherals (e.g., color printers and scanners), have made attractive content and output affordable for anyone with a personal computer. In addition, the Internet has had a profound impact on both the breadth of content and distribution opportunities. However, producing professional-quality materials for disparate media, including the Internet, requires design expertise, a variety of authoring tools, and advanced computer skills; a rare combination among most business people. Home and small business users in particularxe2x80x94already taxed for time to cover multiple business rolesxe2x80x94seldom have the time or the tools needed to enhance their design and computer expertise.
To assist in the creation of materials, a number of word processing programs, desktop publishing tools, Internet authoring tools and the like have been developed. Many of the word processing programs allow the user to include tables, columns, pictures, rudimentary graphics, etc., within a document. However, these programs are typically not designed to easily facilitate the incorporation of professional looking design styles. Whereas a professional designer may find it relatively easy (albeit time consuming) to design a document having a professional looking and a coordinated set of fonts, colors and graphics (for example), such a result is beyond the reach of the typical personal or business user. Typical users know that they would like to be able to produce a design having a particular look in terms of fonts, colors, graphics, paragraph styles, etc., but lack the professional skills needed in order to produce a professional looking document in a short space of time.
For example, a typical user who is creating a document, web page, computer user interface or the like, may wish to produce a document having a xe2x80x9ctraditionalxe2x80x9d business like font scheme, but may not have the practiced eye of a professional layout designer in order to choose the correct font for their document title, the body of the text, its captions, etc. A profession designer would be able to choose appropriate fonts for each of these parts of the document that go well together. The typical user, though, has no such expertise.
In a further example, a user may wish to produce a web page having a rather subdued color scheme appropriate for a corporation. The average user may not be able to choose appropriate colors for different parts of the web page that go well together, as would a professional graphic artist. Further, another user who is creating a newsletter for a local club may wish to provide a certain whimsical style to the graphic elements of the newsletter, but may lack the skills of a professional graphic artist in choosing appropriate styles for the graphic elements of the newsletter such as boxes, ornamentation, backgrounds, or borders.
To address this need, certain software programs provide very rudimentary color or font settings for a document, but these lack flexibility and have other drawbacks. For example, recent versions of the WINDOWS operating system available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., allow a user to choose different colors for desktop items on the computer screen. Within WINDOWS, a user may choose the xe2x80x9cgaudyxe2x80x9d colors and receive a matched set of gaudy colors for all of the items on his or her desktop computer screen. However, this choice of particular colors for items is very rudimentary and has no flexibility. Each item is assigned a particular color and the user may not easily experiment or select from a coordinated set of a range of possible colors for the items. And because each item on the screen is assigned a particular color, should the user change to different colors, the relationship between items on the screen and their colors are lost. For example, if the color designer wished the border of a document to always be two shades brighter than the background, he or she would have to program (or xe2x80x9chard wirexe2x80x9d) this preference into each and every set of colors. Even worse, if the component designer of the components on the screen wanted the border component to always be two shades brighter than the background component, he or she would have to coordinate with the color designer, and oversee his or her work in order to make sure that the colors always made the border two shades brighter. Also, a user is not able to indicate that he or she desires more items being in color, or desires a greater variety of colors within a particular color setting.
In a further example of rudimentary settings, recent versions of Microsoft Word allow a user to define a particular style for a paragraph or a document. This defined style may then be applied to other paragraphs or documents. However, like the colors described above, this definition of a style does not allow a user to incrementally vary the look of a particular style in order to achieve a finer grained control over a given style. Also, the elements of a document rendered in a particular style are not coordinated. In other words, the styles do not allow relationships between elements of a document to be defined and maintained as a user switches from style to style.
In general, existing techniques for applying particular settings to a document are not flexible enough to allow the user greater control in choosing variations of a particular setting. Also, these existing techniques do not always allow the user to apply a particular setting at all levels of a document ranging from a particular word or heading, on up to the complete document itself. In addition, these techniques do not establish and maintain relationships between parts of a design that can be maintained when a particular setting changes. Therefore, a technique is desired that would remedy the above drawbacks in document production and that would bring the skills of professional designers and graphic artists to the fingertips of the average user.
To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, a flexible scheme data structure and technique is disclosed that allows an average user to easily apply professional quality schemes to a variety of media.
In one embodiment of the invention, a scheme instance data structure is used for applying a set of coordinated attributes to any number of components within a composition. The data structure includes a scheme instance category indicating a type of scheme and a number of attributes corresponding to the scheme instance category. Also included are a number of scheme slots, and each scheme slot is associated with zero or more components of the composition. Each of the scheme slots is also associated with each of the attributes. In other words, each scheme slot is arranged to hold a distinct value for each of the attributes. In this fashion, for each of the scheme slots, the scheme instance data structure may be used to apply values of attributes to the components of the composition associated with each scheme slot. In a further embodiment, a scheme instance includes a number of levels, each level having a complete set of values for the attributes.
In another embodiment of the invention, a method of applying a scheme to a number of components in a composition uses a scheme instance data structure as described above. The method includes various steps, including receiving a chosen scheme instance category and receiving a chosen scheme instance name indicative of the scheme instance associated with the chosen scheme instance category. Once a scheme instance is indicated, a value is determined for a scheme attribute for one of the scheme slots using the scheme instance. Next, the determined value is assigned to one of the components in the composition associated with the scheme slot. In this fashion, the component takes on a characteristic consistent with the scheme instance.
Among other advantages, an embodiment of the present invention allows a user to apply a coordinated set of properties to a collection of objects within a composition such as a document. These coordinated properties define professional looking relationships between objects in a document, such that if a new scheme is applied to the document, the professional looking relationships between the objects remain. In addition, these coordinated properties are independent of a specific design. For example, a set of colors that look pleasing to the eye for a newsletter may also be applied to a business memorandum. Also, a particular scheme may be applied at a different granularity within a document such as to a particular element, a particular product grouping, a given page, or the complete document. Furthermore, the user is supplied with tools that allow him or her finer grained control in adjusting levels within a particular scheme. For example, for a particular color scheme, the user may easily adjust this color scheme incrementally from a xe2x80x9csubduedxe2x80x9d version to a xe2x80x9cgaudyxe2x80x9d version of that color scheme.

Flexible schemes for applying properties to information in a medium


A rotor of an ultra high speed induction motor includes a stacked body having a plurality of loop type steel sheets stacked to form a cylinder, with a plurality of slots circumferentially formed in a lengthwise direction of the stacked body. Loop type upper, lower end rings are disposed on the upper and lower portions of the stacked body and having a plurality of upper and lower through-holes, respectively, to correspond to the slots. Conductive bars are coated with fusible bonding flux and are inserted into the upper through-holes, the slots, and the lower through-holes such that the conductive bars are integrally bonded into the upper through-holes, the slots, and the lower through-holes, following the fusion and solidification of the fusible bonding flux.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to a rotor of an ultra high speed induction motor, in which a conductive bar is coupled to a slot of the rotor, and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, induction motors are apparatuses that receive electric energy and convert it into a rotational motion, and include a stator, around which windings are distributed, and a cylindrical rotor which is inserted into the stator to cause an induced current by a magnetic field that is induced by alternating current flowing through the stator windings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a rotor of a conventional induction motor.
The rotor of the conventional induction motor includes a cylindrical stacked body 10 which consists of a plurality of loop type electric steel sheets that are stacked to form a cylinder, with slots (not shown) formed at regular intervals around circumferences of the sheets, a conductive bar 20 made of a conductive material (copper, aluminum, copper alloy, or the like) and inserted into the respective slots, and an end ring 30 which is coupled to upper and lower portions of the stacked body 10 such that it is combined with the conductive bars 20.
The conductive bar 20 has the length larger than the cylindrical stacked body 10, and is welded to a plurality of through-holes 32 of the upper and lower end rings 30 by means of brazing, soldering, or Ar-type welding, with the opposite ends thereof inserted through the through-holes of the upper and lower end rings.
In manufacture of the rotor, as shown in the figure, the lower end ring 30, the cylindrical stacked body 10, and the upper end ring 30 are sequentially arranged on a jig, and a fastening cover 110 is placed thereon and tightly fastened by a nut 120.
Then, the conductive bars 20 are inserted through the through-holes 32 of the end rings 30 and the slots of the cylindrical stacked body 10, and are welded to the end. rings by performing welding on a gap g between themselves and the through-holes 32 using the above-mentioned welding method. The gap g is created because the diameter of the slot and through-hole 32 is made larger than the diameter of the conductive bar 20 in order to facilitate the insertion of the conductive bar 20 into the slot and the through-hole 32.
While the rotor having the above-mentioned construction has mainly been applied to a high speed electric motor, with a tendency to demand an ultra high speed electric motor in the industrial fields, problems should be solved in connection with materials, strength, or deformation, for example, of the rotor for realizing the ultra high speed revolution.
This is because the rotor is subjected to deformation or defectiveness in joint parts due to a centrifugal force occurring upon ultra high speed revolution of the rotor, thereby causing a weakened balancing feature and reduced lifetime.
Particularly, since the conductive bars are only welded and bonded to the end rings, but are simply inserted into the cylindrical stacked body while maintain the gap therewith, upon high speed revolution, the above-mentioned problems may be intensified.

Rotor of high speed induction motor and manufacturing method thereof


A network based installation management system that dynamically manages secure software installation on a client. The server is configured to determine the software required and prepare an appropriated response containing the list of software and an information file containing the respective attributes of the list of software. The server encoded this response and the encoded response is transmitted to the client. The client on receiving the response is configured to authenticate the response and install the encoded response after authentication. Highly accurate and reliable software installation using the network based installation management system may be achieved using a respective hardware element on the client and the server, which is configured to encode and decode a request and/or response suitably thereby providing a high level of security and trust in an un-trusted network environment.

Software installation is a challenging task for most vendors. Typically, vendors need to provide a mechanism for installing software that is performed securely from a server. The server may be hosted by the vendor or at a remote location. To ease the process of software installation on a client, software installations are typically made over a private and/or a public network connecting the client with the server. For example, the server and the client are coupled via the Internet, where the Internet has emerged as a preferred transmission medium.
In typical network based software installations, the client identifies the required software to be installed and transmits a request to the server for the software products. The software products are transmitted to the client over a network and then installed on the client. Installing the received software on the client may be performed with or without human intervention. Security of the network finds importance, where for example, software such as an anti-virus product update and/or a security patch needs to be installed on the client. Network based software installation is vulnerable to malicious attacks as software products transmitted over the network can be accessed by hackers and spoofers, causing permanent and/or critical damage to the client and/or to the server. The malicious elements can then execute on the client causing damage to the client, and may further be configured to transmit a part of the malicious element back to the server and/or other devices coupled to the network from the client, thereby causing damage to the server and/or other connected devices as well.
In one example the client computing device (client), is coupled to an imaging device (e.g., an ultrasound scanner, a computer tomography scanner, etc.) at a hospital. The client is configured to collect data from the imaging device and generate images based on the collected data, which are then displayed on the imaging device for diagnosis of a patient. To process the data collected into respective images, the client requires imaging software, which is configured to collect data from the imaging device and generate a suitable image. In addition to the imaging software, other software products (e.g., operating system, etc) may also be required. In the example, a new version of the vendor's imaging software is available via the internet, for installation by the client. Preferably, receiving and installing of the new version of the vendor's imaging software at the client is performed as a background task. However, a disadvantage is that software transmitted over the internet (i.e., the vendor's imaging software) is prone to malicious attacks, which might harm the client, server, or other devices in communication with the client or server over the network. A further disadvantage is that the malicious elements may expose critical data (e.g., personal data, financial data, medical data, etc.) to malicious sources.
In another example, the client is coupled to an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM). In addition to running the financial software which needs to update each transaction with a server, the client also includes various other programs (e.g., the operating system). Typically, when the client transmits the request to a bank server, the request is digitally signed by a third party vendor and at the bank server the third party's digital signature needs to be verified before the transaction can be processed. The transactions that are transmitted over the Internet are prone to malicious attacks, where such attacks may compromise critical data associated with the transactions. Also, where the ATM requires installation of a security patch to the financial software product, the server is configured to transmit the security patch to the client. The client receives the security patch and installs the security patch on the client. However, because the security patch is transmitted over the internet it may be vulnerable to malicious attacks. If the security patch were tampered with during transmission, such tampering may result in damage to client, server, or other devices in communication with the client or server over the network. A further disadvantage is that such malicious elements may expose critical data from the client and/or the server. Yet a further disadvantage is that the security patch may need authorization of a third party vendor which consumes resources and is expensive.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,036 discloses a system and method for verifying that a peer is a trusted peer using signed receipts in a peer-to-peer network environment. The method generally comprises broadcasting a request over the network by a requesting peer for a task with respect to a remote non-local backend server, receiving a response to the request from the service-providing server, verifying a digital certificate of the response issued by the remote non-local backend server indicating that the responding service-providing server is trusted for the requested task, and forwarding the task to a local alias URL of the responding peer for performance of the task by the responding server if the verifying is successful. The digital certificate may be a 1024-bit VeriSign digital certificate. The verifying ensures that the local alias URL is approved by the non-local backend server for the requested task. A disadvantage is that verifying the digital certificates requires a remote non-local backend server as the digital certificate belongs to a third party and such transmission to a third party server may be intercepted by hacker. Further, it requires significant resources to maintain the non-local backend server for the verification process and is expensive.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved network based installation management system and a secure method preventing malicious alterations to software.

Method and system for software installation

International Business Machines Corporation


A flexible package having an integrated reclose strip, and method for manufacturing same, constructed by modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The reclose strip comprises a length of tacky two-sided adhesive tape. The apparatus for applying a reclose strip is incorporated into the mechanism which supplies the continuous sheet of packaging material to the vertical form, fill, and seal machine. The invention involves producing a pillow pouch or vertical stand-up pouch having an integrated reclose strip from a single sheet of packaging film. In one aspect, the reclose strip comprises a release liner on one side after package formation. In one aspect, the reclose strip comprises no release liner and is attached along the longitudinal axis of the sheet of packaging material such that the reclose strip is disposed in a channel or recess in the fill tube. The reclose strip permits the package to be reclosed after initial opening without folding the package.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a pillow or vertical stand-up pouch having an inside reclose strip constructed using a modified vertical form and fill packaging machine, and the method for making same, that provides for a single piece construction of a reclosable vertical stand-up bag suitable for retail snack food distribution. The invention allows for use of existing film converter and packaging technology to produce a package for moisture sensitive food products or the like with minimal increased costs and minimal modification. The resulting package may be opened, a part of the contents removed and the package resealed to prevent premature deterioration of the quality of the contents because of exposure to moisture.
2. Description of Related Art
Vertical form, fill, and seal packaging machines are commonly used in the snack food industry for forming, filling, and sealing bags of chips and other like products. Such packaging machines take a packaging film from a sheet roll and forms the film into a vertical tube around a product delivery cylinder. The vertical tube is vertically sealed along its length to form a back seal. The machine applies a pair of heat-sealing jaws or facings against the tube to form a transverse seal. This transverse seal acts as the top seal on the bag below and the bottom seal on the package being filled and formed above. The product to be packaged, such as potato chips, is dropped through the product delivery cylinder and formed tube and is held within the tube above the bottom transverse seal. After the package has been filled, the film tube is pushed downward to draw out another package length. A transverse seal is formed above the product, thus sealing it within the film tube and forming a package of product. The package below said transverse seal is separated from the rest of the film tube by cutting across the sealed area.
The packaging film used in such process is typically a composite polymer material produced by a film converter. For example, one prior art composite film used for packaging potato chips and like products is illustrated in FIG. 1, which is a schematic of a cross-section of the film illustrating each individual substantive layer. FIG. 1 shows a sealable inside, or product side, layer 16 which typically comprises metalized oriented polypropylene ("OPP") or metalized polyethylene terephtalate ("PET"). This is followed by a laminate layer 14, typically a polyethylene extrusion, and an ink or graphics layer 12. The ink layer 12 is typically used for the presentation of graphics that can be viewed through a transparent outside layer 10, which layer 10 is typically OPP or PET.
The prior art film composition shown in FIG. 1 is ideally suited for use on vertical form and fill machines for the packaging of food products. The metalized inside layer 16, which is usually metalized with a thin layer of aluminum, provides excellent barrier properties. The use of OPP or PET for the outside layer 10 and the inside layer 16 further makes it possible to heat seal any surface of the film to any other surface in forming either the transverse seals or back seal of a package.
Typical back seals formed using the film composition shown in FIG. 1 are illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b. FIG. 2a is a schematic of a "lap seal" embodiment of a back seal being formed on a tube of film. FIG. 2b illustrates a "fin seal" embodiment of a back seal being formed on a tube of film.
With reference to FIG. 2a, a portion of the inside metalized layer 26 is mated with a portion of the outside layer 20 in the area indicated by the arrows to form a lap seal. The seal in this area is accomplished by applying heat and pressure to the film in such area. The lap seal design shown in FIG. 2a insures that the product to be placed inside the formed package will be protected from the ink layer by the metalized inside layer 26.
The fin seal variation shown in FIG. 2b also provides that the product to be placed in the formed package will be protected from the ink layer by the metalized inside layer 26. Again, the outside layer 20 does not contact any product. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2b, however, the inside layer 26 is folded over and then sealed on itself in the area indicated by the arrows. Again, this seal is accomplished by the application of heat and pressure to the film in the area illustrated.
Regardless of whether a lap seal or fin seal is used for constructing a standard package using a vertical form, fill, and seal packaging machine, the end result is a package as shown in FIG. 3 with horizontally oriented top and bottom transverse seals 31,33. Such package is referred to in the art as a "vertical flex bag" or "pillow pouch," and is commonly used for packaging snack foods such as potato chips, tortilla chips, and other various sheeted and extruded products. The back seal discussed with reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b runs vertically along the bag and is typically centered on the back of the package shown in FIG. 3, thus not visible in FIG. 3. Because of the narrow, single edge base on the package shown in FIG. 3 formed by the bottom transverse seal 33, such prior art packages are not particularly stable when standing on one end.
One method and apparatus for making a vertical stand up pouch is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,106, assigned to the same assignee of the present invention and hereby incorporated by reference. One benefit of a vertical stand-up pouch is that it can function as a bowl. Thus, it can be set on a table in the opened position without fear of spilling product. It would be desirable to add a reclosable feature to a vertical stand up pouch.
Many of the reclosable packages disclosed in the prior art utilize a mechanical reclosure means such as interlocking mechanical profiles to fasten the interior package walls together to close the package mouth or an adhesive reclosure means whereby at least a portion of the adhesive is adhered to the outside of the package to close the package mouth. Use of interlocking strips, however, such as zippers or sliders is costly, and complicates the manufacture of packaging. For example, a pair of interlocking strips typically requires that a different interlocking strip, one male and one female, be adhered, by a heat seal or by an adhesive, on opposite inner package walls. Even if the interlocking strips are initially fastened together and initially mated to only one inner package wall, the interlocking strips must eventually be adhered to both opposite inner package walls to function as a reclose strip. If the strips are not fastened prior to adherence to an inner package wall, the strips must then be placed in opposite alignment with one another while on the bagmaker so as to properly function as a reclose mechanism.
Another prior art solution is to use a single sided tape adhered to the outside of a package to close the package. Adhesive adhered to the outside of packages is undesirable because it is difficult to achieve the tight seal desired to keep the contents of an open, rolled-up bag fresh. Further, if the adhesive is strong enough to effect such a bond, it is usually difficult to effect initial release from the outer package wall. Consequently, a need exists for an apparatus and method for making a reclosable pillow pouch in an economical manner that does not use mechanical or interlocking strips and does not require an adhesive on the outside of the package to keep the package closed. Further, use of the reclosable mechanism should be intuitive to a consumer.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,468, issued on Jul. 27, 1971, discloses an improved opening device for boil-in-the-bag type packages. The '468 Patent discloses feeding a "heat-sealable strip or tape 34" onto the web face 16 from a supply roll 38. Placement of the strip 34 is below two terminal ends 58 60 of the package extending between two end seals 46 and uses heat and/or pressure to form a seal between the two inner face portions 54 56 of the package. The '468 Patent is not directed towards use in a vertical form, fill and seal machine.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,874, issued on Oct. 19, 1971, discloses a reclosable package having a tape heat-sealed between facing members of a flexible pouch adjacent a top edge. Immediately below and parallel to the tape 20 is a tear strip 30. The tear strip 30 extends across the entire front panel of the pillow-pouch type package and around the two side edges and part way across the back panel of the package. Thus, when the tear strip 30 is removed, the front panel above the tear strip is also removed, exposing a pressure sensitive adhesive 7, or tape on the remaining back panel. The back panel having the tape must then be folded over the exterior of the lower portion containing unconsumed product. The '874 Patent requires placement of the adhesive in the transverse direction rather than the machine direction and does not utilize the adhesive to adhere the inner facing package members.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,139, issued on Sep. 24, 1985, assigned to Avery International Corporation, discloses a high adhesion or permanent type first pressure sensitive adhesive 11 adjacent a second low adhesion pressure sensitive adhesive 12. The adhesive combination 11 12 can then be placed between a first substrate portion 31 and a second substrate portion 32 to resealably hold the portions 31 32 together. The patent teaches that an end user's action in reopening and redosing the package gradually and progressively mixes the adhesives 11 and 12 to compensate for the adverse effect of contamination on reseal adhesion at the reseal surface 16. The patent is directed towards placement on the outside of a package.
Consequently, a need also exists for a simpler apparatus and method of incorporating an inside reclose strip into a pillow or a vertical stand-up, flat bottom pouch using the vertical form, fill, and seal machine technology. The apparatus and method should allow for ease in size change, and little capital outlay, all while maintaining bag forming speeds typical of vertical form, fill, and seal machine pillow pouch production. Such apparatus and method should ideally produce a pillow pouch or a vertical stand-up pouch having an inside reclose strip, and constructed of material commonly used to form standard vertical flex bags.

Method for making a flexible reclosable package


The programmable clock circuit of the present invention provides the means to generate lower frequency clock signals from a higher clock frequency signal while maintaining the synchronous relationship of the signals as well as compatible electrical characteristics of the signal. The advantages to the circuit are realized in a system in which the processor core operates at a first higher frequent clock frequency while components coupled to the processor, such as memory, operate at a lower frequency. In order to maintain electrical and timing compatibility, it is desirable to derive the lower clock frequency used to communicate with external components from the clock frequency utilized by the processor core. In the clock circuit of the present invention, the high frequency input clock signal is input to the clock circuit which has the ability to generate multiple lower frequency output signals. The actual signal output is programmable to conform to system clock requirements. Clock signals at the programmed lower frequency are then generated from the selected output signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a circuit to generate different clock frequencies from the processor clock. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a pulse swallower circuit to generate clock signals in the processor to communicate with peripherals and the system bus.
2. Art Background
Processors are being developed which utilize faster and faster clock speeds and therefore achieve a higher performance. Furthermore, some processors include an internal cache which is able to operate at a higher frequency compared to the rest of the system. However, peripherals which couple to the processor are typically not able to operate at as high a clock speed. Therefore, in order to provide a clock signal at a slower speed while maintaining proper timing with the processor, a divide down circuit or pulse swallower circuit is typically implemented to generate a compatible but slower clock signal that is synchronized with the higher speed processor clock.
It is not uncommon that different peripherals have different clock requirements. Some peripherals are able to operate at speeds higher than other peripherals and therefore enable the system to achieve a higher throughput. It is therefore desirable to provide a pulse swallower circuit that is programmable to provide different clock speed outputs to communicate with peripherals having differing clock requirements. Furthermore, different systems may be configured to operate at different frequencies. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a programmable pulse swallower circuit that enables the same processor to be used in systems having varying clock frequencies.


This invention relates to a rotary drill bit having a body with leg members, where each of the leg members has a projecting conical cutter receiving journal. A conical cutter having an axially extending recess open at one end has friction reducing bearings interior to the conical cutter for rotatably mounting the cutter on the journal. A plurality of lubricant carrying conduits interior to the leg members extending into the bearings provides lubricant for the bearings. This invention provides an improved sealing arrangement for preventing an excessive loss of lubricant from the bearings. The conical cutter is adapted with seal receiving grooves at its open end of the recess to receive two seals, with a circumferential seal gap located between the seals. The outer seal is less rigid than the inner seal and when the circumferential seal gap is supplied with lubricant it bleeds past the outer seal to wash away drilling debris. Lubricant can be supplied to the circumferential seal gap by lubricant carrying conduits which carry lubricant from the bearings and/or separate reservoirs, or the inner seal could be a hydrodynamic seal which permits migration of some of the lubricant from the bearings into the circumferential seal gap but prevents contaminates and lubricant from the circumferential seal gap from traveling past the hydrodynamic seal back into the bearings.

Rotary drill bits are typically used in drilling through the earth such as in oil field drilling. The body of a drill bit is attached to a drill pipe by a threaded member on the body of the bit. The drill pipe is supported and rotated by a drilling rig. The body of the rotary drill bit typically has three legs, each of the legs having a projecting, conical cutter-receiving journal. Three conical cutters, each having an axially extended recess open at one end, are rotatably mounted on respective journals through the use of interior friction reducing bearings interior to the conical cutters. Each conical cutter has rock cutting teeth or inserts on the surface of the conical cutter. The conical cutters cut through the rock when the weight of the drill pipe above the drill bit and the rotation of the drill pipe causes the conical cutters to independently rotate about their individual journals and to cut through the rock. In order to reduce interior wear of the rotary drill bit, fluid carrying conduits interior to the leg members and extending to the bearings inside the conical cutters, supply lubrication to the bearings. In order to prevent loss of lubricant, typically each conical cutter will have some sort of sealing means to seal in this lubricant. The sealing means, which is located at the open end of the conical cutter recess, also prevents abrasive materials from entering through any space between the base of the journal and the open end of the conical cutter mounted on this journal, inside the conical cutter to the bearings.
Failure of the seal might result in the bearing lubricant escaping and might result in abrasive material migrating into the bearings. Therefore, various prior art patents have taught sealing techniques for rotary drill bits. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,453,836 and 4,552,233, both by Klima, disclose sealed rotary drill bits which use more than one seal placed in seal grooves in the journal to prevent escape of lubricant from inside the cones and to provide a barrier to prevent entry of drilling debris. Klima U.S. Pat. No. '836 also discloses the use of a relief valve where when a predetermined pressure is exceeded, lubricant is conducted to the bottom of a seal groove to provide a lubricant function for an outer seal as well as to prevent the application of undue destructive pressure forces to an inner seal. In Klima U.S. Pat. No. '233, as the pressure of lubricant inside the cone increases due to heat, lubricant may exit a port and fill the space between seal rings and the journal. In both Klima patents, lubricant supplied to the seals is continuously lost into the environment. Since neither patent provides an internal reservoir for replenishing lubricant when lubricant is lost, the lubricant must be replenished by refilling the drill bit. Since lubricant is continuously lost, the drill bit must be refilled often, many times after each period of operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,144 by Zitz et al. discloses a way of sealing the gap between a cutting head and a cutting arm of a drilling machine used in mining. In this patent, an inner cavity is sealed in the outward direction by sealing elements of one type. An additional sealing element of a second type is formed by a lip seal. A pressurized grease conduit opens into space located between the two types of sealing elements and into labyrinth gaps. This grease conduit can be connected to a grease pump or grease press. The resistance of the flow of grease for the lip seal is smaller than the flow resistance for the first type of sealing elements. The sealing lip is arranged in such a direction that the grease emerges in an outward direction via the labyrinth gaps so that any dust particles having entered the sealing gap will be transported in the outward direction.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a sealing arrangement of two seals placed in seal grooves in the conical cutter separated by a circumferential seal gap filled with lubricant supplied from the bearings, where the lubricant has a tendency to flow past an outer seal in the outward direction, and where a separate reservoir holds a large enough supply of lubricant to replenish lubricant to the bearings to replace lubricant lost past the outer seal, so that the drill bit can be operated for long periods of time before requiring refilling. It is another object of this invention to provide the above sealing arrangement where lubricant having a lower penetration value than the bearing lubricant is first supplied to the circumferential seal gap, followed by bearing fluid also supplied to the gap. It is a further object of the present invention to provide for a sealing arrangement where the innermost seal is a hydrodynamic seal which carries lubricant from the bearings into the circumferential seal gap, but prevents migration of lubricant or contaminants from the gap into the bearings.

Double seal with lubricant gap between seals for sealed rotary drill bits


A liftgate force control assembly (20) adjusts the force required to move a liftgate (12) that is pivotally secured to a motor vehicle (10) using a hinge (14). The liftgate force control assembly includes a track (42) that is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A follower (46) is movably secured to the track. A strut (34, 36) has a movable end (26, 28) and a secured end (30, 32). The secured end (30, 32) is pivotally secured to the liftgate (12) and the movable end (26, 28) is pivotally secured to the follower (46). The strut (34, 36) defines a moment with respect to the hinge that secures the liftgate to the motor vehicle. A motor (50) is connected to the follower (46) to move the follower (46) along the track (42) changing the moment of the strut such that the force required to move the liftgate (12) changes as the moment changes.

The invention relates to a liftgate assembly having force assist struts. More specifically, the invention relates to a liftgate assembly having adjustable force assist struts.
Liftgates for motor vehicles require counterbalancing. The counterbalance allows the operator thereof to lift the liftgate with a minimal of effort. Further, the counterbalance prevents the liftgate from falling after the liftgate has been opened. This avoids injury to the operator as the liftgate will not fall on him or her.
Struts are usually used as the counterbalance for the liftgate. The struts are pneumatic cylinders typically filled with a gas material. A rod extends out from the pneumatic cylinder whereas the pressure created by the gas within the pneumatic cylinder provides a force assist for two purposes.
The first purpose is to aid the user in lifting the liftgate to its open position. The liftgate, including a large windowpane, is heavy and many users of the liftgate would be challenged to fully open the liftgate. The struts utilize the gas pressure to force the liftgate upwardly to assist the user in raising the liftgate.
The second purpose for using struts is for maintaining the liftgate in an open position without requiring a latch or support member that needs to be released when closing the liftgate. The struts allow the users to access the cargo area easily without much effort.
A liftgate is normally over-counterbalanced to auto open beyond a neutral force zone at the closure position. When a liftgate latch releases, the user urges the liftgate through the neutral zone until the counterbalance acts to swing the liftgate fully open. And in closing the liftgate, the user must first pull down and then change hand position to push in overcoming the counterbalance bias.
There are disadvantages to using the struts for providing force assist for the liftgate. In many instances, the liftgate is raised by the struts to a position that is unreachable to those users who are not able to reach up to the fully open liftgate. These users must either tie tethers to the liftgate or find objects to step up to reach the fully open liftgate.
Another disadvantage to the strut lift assist is that there is little regulation as to the fully open position. The finish of the liftgate may be damaged when the liftgate is opened in a low clearance area, e.g., under an open garage door. If opening the liftgate in a low clearance area is done routinely, adjustment to the fully open position may be desirable.
Yet another disadvantage associated with the current arrangement of using struts to assist in forcing the liftgate to an open position is that it is temperature dependent. Because the gas pressure in the strut obeys the characteristics of an ideal gas, the strut""s force is significantly dependent on ambient temperature. As the ambient temperature rises, so too does the temperature of the gas within the pneumatic cylinder of the strut. This increases the force that the strut is able to generate resulting in a liftgate that rises quickly and is more difficult to close. Likewise, as ambient temperature decreases, so too does the force that the strut is able to produce. This reduction of force may result in little or no force assisting requiring the user to provide a force equal to the weight of the liftgate and windowpane to open the liftgate.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a liftgate force control assembly that adjusts the force required to move a liftgate that is pivotally secured to a motor vehicle. The liftgate force control assembly includes a track that is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A follower is movably secured to the track. A strut defines a moving end and a secured end. The secured end is pivotally secured to the liftgate and the moving end is pivotally secured to the follower. The strut defines a moment with respect to the hinge that secures the liftgate to the motor vehicle. A motor is connected to the follower. The motor moves the follower along the track changing the moment of the strut such that the force required to move the liftgate changes as the moment changes.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle having a liftgate mounted thereon by hinges. The liftgate is pivotally movable to open and close an opening in the vehicle. A pair of struts is operably connected between the liftgate and the vehicle to effect a lifting force on the liftgate. Each of the struts is pivotally mounted at one end to one of the liftgate and the vehicle and slidably mounted for reciprocating movement at an opposite end to the other of the liftgate and the vehicle. The reciprocating movement changes a magnitude of the lifting force being transferred to the liftgate. A drive motor operably engages the slidable end of each of the struts and operable to effect the reciprocating movement.


A vehicle heating and/or air-conditioning system has an automatic heating and air-conditioning function. In a manual control mode, corresponding to an air quantity settable by the user with a first setting device and a desired interior temperature settable by a second setting device, a manual control of the actual interior temperature and the air quantity takes place. In an automatic-function control mode, corresponding to the desired interior temperature settable by the user and a selected air-conditioning style, an automatic-function control of the actual interior temperature takes place by controlling fans and air distribution flaps corresponding to the selected air-conditioning style. A characteristic fan curve and/or a characteristic air distribution curve is assigned to each air-conditioning style. A display unit, in which at least the air quantity manually selected by the user in the manual mode, and the air-conditioning style selected in the automatic mode uses identical illuminated symbols as its display.

The invention relates to a vehicle heating and/or air-conditioning system with an automatic heating and air-conditioning function.
Currently, many motor vehicles are known which have a vehicle heating and/or air-conditioning system with an automatic heating and air-conditioning function wherein the automatic air-conditioning system function is activated by operating an automatic-function key. In this operating state of the air-conditioning system, the entire air-conditioning actuator system, such as the fan and the air distribution flaps, is automatically controlled. The controlling of the actuator system for setting a desired interior temperature preset by the user takes place as a function of a fixedly stored automatic-function program or "air-conditioning style". In the manual control mode, a manual control of the temperature and air quantity takes place as a function of the driver's defaults.
From German Patent Document DE 102 54 112 A1, a so-called "automatic four-zone air-conditioning function" is known for a left upper, left lower, right upper and right lower interior area. An operating element is assigned to each of these four areas, by which operating element a thermal output desired for this area can be selected without leaving the automatic-function mode. In addition, the total quantity of air to be fed into the vehicle interior can be preselected by an additional operating element. As a function of the selected total quantity of air and the selected thermal output, the automatic air-conditioning function controls the outflow temperature of the air as well as the distribution of the air quantity separately for each area by controlling the air flaps at the individual air outlets. For reasons of simplicity, it may be provided that the additional operating element for selecting the desired total air quantity has only a few operating positions (weak—medium—strong); i.e., each position of the operating element activates an air-conditioning style corresponding to the desired total air quantity.
Finally, German Patent Document DE 103 24 571 B3 discloses a vehicle heating and/or air-conditioning system with an automatic heating and air-conditioning function, wherein, corresponding to a presettable desired interior temperature, an automatic control of the actual interior temperature takes place by the automatic control of a fan and of the air distribution flaps. The control takes place as a function of predefined characteristic automatic-function curves, in which case a characteristic automatic-function curve can be selected by the operation of an operating element provided for this purpose. In this case, the different characteristic automatic-function curves are adapted to the user's individual sensitivity to drafts.
In the case of the above-mentioned vehicle heating and/or air-conditioning system, when activating the automatic-function program by use of an operating element, the user can select the desired characteristic automatic-function curve or an air-conditioning style by way of an operating element without leaving the automatic-function program. After the selection of a characteristic curve, an automatic control of the air quantity and of the air distribution flaps corresponding to the selected characteristic curve takes place within the scope of the automatic-function control to the desired interior temperature; i.e., a different controlling of the air quantity and of the air distribution takes place which, in each case, is adapted to the user's needs with respect to his draft sensitivity. It is not disclosed whether and how the characteristic curve desired by the user within the scope of the automatic-function control, which corresponds to his sensitivity to drafts, is displayed. It is also not disclosed how the characteristic curve can be selected.
It is an object of the invention to improve upon a heating and/or air-conditioning system with an automatic heating and air-conditioning function with respect to the selection and display of an air-conditioning style or of the pertaining characteristic curve when the automatic-function control is activated.
This and other objects are achieved by a vehicle heating and/or air-conditioning system having an automatic heating and air-conditioning function which can be operated in a manual control mode or an automatic-function control mode. In the manual control mode, a manual control of the actual interior temperature and the air quantity is carried out corresponding to an air quantity selected by the user by way of a first setting device for the manual selecting of a desired air quantity from a given number of defined air quantities and a set interior temperature selected by way of a second setting device for selecting a desired set interior temperature. In the automatic-function control mode, which can be activated by operating an automatic-function operating element, corresponding to the set interior temperature predefined by the user and a selected air-conditioning style, an automatic-function control of the actual interior temperature takes place by the automatic control of one or more fans and of air distribution flaps corresponding to the selected air-conditioning style. An individual characteristic fan curve and/or a characteristic air distribution curve is assigned to each air-conditioning style, corresponding to which the automatic-function control will then take place; i.e., by selecting a certain air-conditioning style, the user can adapt, for example, the level of the quantity of air corresponding to his needs and wishes.
In accordance with the invention, the selection of an air-conditioning style in the automatic-function control mode also takes place by way of the first setting device by which the selection of the desired air quantity takes place in the manual control mode. An additional operating element can thereby be saved. Furthermore, the selection of an air-conditioning style during the automatic-function control by way of the setting device for setting the air quantity in the manual control mode appears to be particularly suitable because, also in the automatic-function control mode of the air-conditioning system, the user will intuitively push the first setting device, thus the fan key, when he is exposed to the problem of excessive draft. Thus, when he supposedly controls the fan downward, he really sets a softer air-conditioning style and will also immediately feel (and hear) that the right thing has happened: that the draft is reduced. However, in the background, the automatic air-conditioning function has adapted not only the characteristic fan curve but also the air distribution.
In another aspect of the invention, a display unit is provided in the vehicle heating and/or air-conditioning system in which, in the manual control mode, at least the air quantity manually selected by the driver and, in the automatic-function control mode, the air-conditioning style selected by the driver can be displayed. The advantage that the display of the selected air-conditioning style also takes place by way of the display of the air quantity or fan stage selected in the manual control mode, analogous to the first aspect of the invention when the air quantity is changed, the driver is accustomed to having this displayed to him by way of a certain display. By using the same display for the representation of the selected air quantity and of the selected air-conditioning style, the driver does not have to change his habits and can utilize this one display as an information source for the actual air quantity or the actual air-conditioning style for both types of control mode.
Advantageously, in the manual control mode, at least the air quantity manually selected by the user according to a first type of display, and, in the automatic-function control mode, the air-conditioning style selected by the user according to a second type of display can be displayed in the same display unit. As a result, the driver will immediately see by means of the display whether he is in the manual control mode or in the automatic-function control mode.
The air-conditioning style selected by the user in the automatic-function control mode and the air quantity selected by the user in the manual control mode can advantageously be displayed by use of identical illuminated symbols. No additional costs are therefore incurred for the manufacturing of the display unit.
In the first type of display, a certain number of activatable illuminated symbols is advantageously assigned to each defined air quantity, which number becomes higher as the air quantity increases. A corresponding number of illuminated symbols will then be activated as a function of the air quantity manually selected by the user. Thus, when the vehicle heating and/or air-conditioning system is not in an automatic-function control but in the manual control mode, a number of illuminated symbols corresponding to the manually selected air quantity will be activated.
In contrast to the above, although the identical illuminated symbols can be activated in the second type of display, when the automatic-function control is active and an air-conditioning style is selected by the user, in this type of display, precisely one illuminated symbol is assigned to each defined air-conditioning style. As a function of the air-conditioning style manually selected by the user, exactly only one of the illuminated symbols will then be activated.
Advantageously, the selection of an air-conditioning style in the automatic-function control mode also takes place by way of the first setting device by which the selection of the desired air quantity takes place in the manual control mode. As a result, an additional operating element can be saved. Furthermore, the selection of an air-conditioning style during the automatic-function control by way of the setting device for setting the air quantity in the manual control mode appears intuitive because this setting device is not needed in the automatic-function control mode. In addition, the selection of the air-conditioning style indirectly is a selection of the air quantity, so that the assignment of the setting device for setting an air quantity or a fan level is similar.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Vehicle heating and/or air-conditioning system with an automatic heating and air-conditioning function

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A spray cooling system includes a spray delivery device and a cooling liquid delivered to the spray delivery device. The spray delivery device includes one or more inlet apertures and one or more corresponding outlet apertures, at least one pair of inlet aperture and corresponding outlet aperture being positioned relative to each so as to form an asymmetric non-uniform density full-cone spray pattern.

Demand for higher performance supercomputers continues to create challenging thermal and packaging design environments. One cooling method utilizes direct liquid cooling with dielectric fluids. Direct liquid cooling circumvents the problems of high thermal interface resistance associated with conventional technologies and is capable of providing very high heat transfer rates. One method for cooling high heat flux electronic components is spray cooling. Spray cooling is a process where a fluid is sprayed onto the surface of a heat generating component at a rate that maintains a continuously wetted surface. The fluid on the hot surface absorbs the heat thus removing the heat from the surface of the component. However, there is a need for improvements to present spray cooling systems to better tailor the cooling to the specific application.

Method and apparatus for cooling electronic components


The refinement of a lower-pel resolution motion estimation vector is made more effective by preceding the actual refinement with a determination of a context out of a set of context candidates based on coding costs of a set of lower-pel resolution vectors within a neighborhood of the lower-pel resolution motion estimation vector, wherein each context candidate is associated with a ranking among a set of higher-pel resolution candidate vectors surrounding the lower-pel resolution motion estimation vector. The actual refinement of the lower-pel resolution motion estimation vector to obtain the higher-pel resolution motion estimation vector may thus use the ranking associated with the context determined: sequentially arranged accordingly, the set of higher-pel resolution candidate vectors may be tested sequentially.

The H.265/MPEG-H High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard allows dramatic bit-rate savings of about 50% for essentially the same subjective quality when compared to its predecessor H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) standard. Thereby, it efficiently tackles challenges posed on modern communication networks and storage media resulting from the dramatically increasing video bandwidth demands. The H.265/MPEG-H HEVC standard was designed to be applicable for almost all existing H.264/MPEG-4 AVC applications, while making a special emphasis on the High Definition (HD) and Ultra High-Definition (UHD) video content, since need for these formats is expected to increase significantly during the next years. However, the above-mentioned coding performance gain comes at the cost of tremendously increased computational complexity, mainly due to supporting a relatively large number of coding modes [1], [2].
During the HEVC encoding process, in addition to determining the quadtree block partitioning [3], [4], the mode decision process enables to determine whether a coding unit (CU) should be encoded by using intra- or inter-picture prediction techniques, thereby exploiting spatial or temporal redundancies, respectively. The decision process is commonly implemented by means of a rate-distortion optimization (RDO) technique. A cost function, as shown in Equation (1), has to be minimized, whereas the overall cost J is based on the bit rate cost R and on the distortion cost D, which are weighted by using a Lagrange multiplier A [5]. Therefore, in order to determine the best coding mode, the CU is usually encoded in a plurality of coding modes, which leads to a high computational burden at the encoder end.J=D+λR  (1)
Inter-picture prediction plays a crucial role in modern video coding applications due to its high potential to significantly improve coding efficiency. Temporal redundancy is removed by encoding a block in terms of a displacement to one or more reference blocks, which are located in prior encoded reference frames. The displacement information is encoded as a so-called motion vector (MV), which is identified by executing the motion estimation (ME) process. Generally, in recent video encoders, the ME process is usually regarded as a 3-step process, including the motion vector prediction (MVP), integer-pel accuracy search, and sub-pel refinement. Regarding the latter, similarly to H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, the HEVC standard allows to address the motion information on a quarter-pel precision level. Such sub-sample positions may be obtained by applying computationally costly interpolation methods, which are followed by a search around the position of the prior-determined integer-pel MV. However, the implementation of such methods is very challenging for real-time encoders, which may be useful to meet a predefined ultra low processing latency.
A comprehensive overview of the HEVC standard is provided in [6], and a detailed analysis of the coding efficiency can be found in [7]. In addition, a comparison to other recent video coding schemes is presented in [8] with a particular focus on low delay applications in [9]. Also, additional studies with regard to the HEVC decoding performance and complexity are shown in [10], while making a special emphasis on 4K resolution videos (i.e. the 3840×2160 resolution in terms of luma samples).
Further, with regard to video coding standards that employ inter-picture prediction, intensive research has been conducted for carrying out sub-optimal strategies in the field of integer-pel accuracy ME, thereby targeting an optimal trade-off between computational complexity and coding efficiency. Most of the proposed algorithms sub-sample a search space, while trying to avoid the risk of getting trapped in a local minimum, which does not correspond to the global minimum for a given cost function. A recent survey on fast block matching algorithms can be further found in [11].
In the following, several traditional search techniques regarding sub-pel ME are discussed: first, the conventional interpolation-and-search method is described, followed by a discussion of recent pattern-based approaches, and finally several error surface approximation techniques are outlined.
The traditional so called interpolation-and-search method for sub-pel refinement is presented in FIG. 8a,b. It relies on the common assumption that an optimal sub-pel position is located adjacent to the optimal full-pel position, which in turn gives rise to 48 possible quarter-pel positions. However, the corresponding search is typically divided in two steps as follows. First, the interpolation and search is performed on a half-pel accuracy level, as depicted in FIG. 8a. Second, this procedure is repeated on a quarter-pel accuracy level, while reducing the search space to the neighborhood of the previously selected half-pel position, as further shown in FIG. 8b. Consequently, this approach is limited to 8 half-pel positions and 8 quarter-pel positions. Also, if no better sub-pel position can be determined, the MV stays on a full-pel position.
In the light of the popularity of approaches that have been developed for integer-pel search, various pattern-based strategies have also been developed with regard to sub-pel refinement. However, while adopting the assumption that the optimal sub-pel position is adjacent to the selected integer-pel position, it is important to note that the search space has rather a limited size. Additional attempts have been made to sub-sample this search space by first trying to predict a restricted search space, and then to conduct a search within the predicted sub-pel space, which appears to be limited by definition. For example, in [12], the authors propose to reduce the number of search points (from 8 points to only 6) both for half-pel and quarter-pel search by first checking only 4 "near-located" samples, and subsequently 2 "far-located" samples, which in turn are positioned next to the best "near-located" sample. It should be noted that the authors of [12] treat the samples, which are adjacently located in horizontal and vertical directions, as "near-located" samples and those adjacently located in the diagonal directions as "far-located" samples. As a result, this approach clearly favors the "near-located" samples over the "far-located" samples by providing them a larger weight during the decision process. Another example is shown in [13], where the authors propose to limit the search to one quadrant. The corresponding quadrant is determined by checking 2 fixed samples. In addition, in [14], the search space is restricted to only a few points depending on the direction of the integer-pel accuracy MV. Further, in [15], a pattern application being dependent on the distortion distribution of surrounding full-pel positions is proposed.
Another type of techniques related to sub-pel refinement attempts to approximate the error surface on a sub-pel level around the selected integer-pel position. In [16], the authors propose three mathematical models for determining a sub-pel accuracy motion vector. This approach may use the computation of 9 integer-pel position errors, some of which can be already known (depending on the applied integer-pel search algorithm), while omitting the interpolation and search on a sub-pel level. While the authors present results at a half-pel accuracy level, it is obvious that this approach can easily be extended to quarter-pel accuracy. In addition, in [17], those models are applied by considering the obtained coding costs for the integer-pel positions that may be used rather than the distortions values. According to this approach, an early termination criteria is also applied based on the shape of the resulting surface, whenever no significant improvement through the sub-pel refinement is expected.

Refinement of a low-pel resolution motion estimation vector

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.


Methods and apparatus for Real-time Satellite Imaging System (10) are disclosed. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention an imaging sensor (14) on a geostationary satellite having one or more co-collimated telescopes (18). The telescopes (18) illuminate local planes (22) which are sparsely populated with focal plane arrays (24). The focal plane arrays (24) record the entire observable Earth hemisphere at one time, at least once every ten seconds.

Currently available satellite based imaging sensors provide images of an entire hemisphere of the Earth, but these images are delayed by minutes, or even tens of minutes. Current satellites produce images of an entire hemisphere at moderate to low resolution, specifically, of fire hundred meters to four kilometers per pixel. In some cases, conventional satellites provide images of small regions at high resolution delayed by tens of minutes, or even days. Over the last forty-five years, since the first weather monitoring satellite was placed in geostationary orbit (GSO), various satellite systems have been used to monitor features on the Earth and in the Earth's atmosphere.
Current commercial satellites are unable to produce Real-time images of a full hemisphere of the Earth due to the limitations imposed by their conventional design.
FIG. 1 offers a schematic view of the prior art, which includes a scanning mirror SM on a satellite in orbit. The scanning mirror SM collects light L from the Earth's surface ES, and directs it to imaging optics IO. The output from the imaging optics IO illuminates a conventional focal plane array FPA on a focal plane FP, which produces an electronic signal that is used to form an image.
FIG. 2 reveals another schematic view of the prior art. Conventional satellites may scan the observable Earth disk ED. Many scans SC1, SC2, SC3 through SCN, are generated in a sequential South to North fashion to produce an image of a full hemisphere. Non spinning satellites scans must include a scan retrace SR.
Conventional satellite imaging systems use scanning sensors, and produce images according to the method shown in FIG. 2.
Conventional satellite imaging systems using scanning sensors produce distorted images items that are time varying or moving as the scanning element of the sensor observes and records afferent parts of the images at different times. FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a moving object SO being scanned. The object is moving in direction of object motion OM and is being scanned by successive scans SC A, SC B, SC C, and SC D over time. In the time each scan is done and the scanning sensor retraces as shown in FIG. 2 retrace SR, the object SO has moved causing the distortions shown with the successive scans displaced horizontally in the final image. If an object of interest is moving in two or three dimensions rather than in one dimension as being shown in FIG. 3, the resulting distortions will be even more severe and complex.
Because almost all natural phenomena change over time or move and many man-made items change over time or move, scanning sensors inherently produce a distorted image of tire area being imaged.
The fastest satellite imaging system is the U.S. GOES-R weather Satellite started operations started operations in 2017. The GOES-R uses a scanning sensor, and requires a minimum of five minutes to generate the scans that are then utilized to produce a full hemisphere image scanning sensors.
The GOES-R full hemisphere image is downlinked and transferred into a data processing center at NASA's Goddard Space Center, where it is processed for several minutes. The processed image is then sent back up to the GOES-R satellite, which then relays the image to users within the observable hemisphere (predominantly North and South America). This entire process takes about ten or more minutes.
A satellite which would be able to produce an image of MB hemisphere of the Earth in truly real-time would provide "persistent" imaging. These images would be extremely useful, especially in the fields of weather monitoring and forecasting.
A satellite using a staring sensor rather than a scanning sensor would produce imagery without the inherent distortions of a scanning sensor.
No conventional commercial satellite currently provides persistent imaging, defined as once every thirty seconds or more often, of an entire observable hemisphere. No current satellite provides high resolution of one hundred meters per pixel resolution in real-time of hemispherical imagery.
The development of a system that enables remote access using mobile devices over trusted and secure links to these networks would be a major technological advance, and would satisfy long-felt needs in the satellite and telecommunications industries.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A receiver spur adapted to be mounted behind the trigger and the trigger guard of a firearm such as the AR-15. The spur is configured to substantially conformingly abut the surface of the receiver immediately behind the trigger guard and is secured to the receiver.

The AR-15 firearm has been one of the most popular firearms in the United States, with both rifle and pistol configurations and versions for military use and civil use. The original AR-15 was designed and built by ArmaLite as an assault rifle for the United States armed forces. ArmaLite later sold its design to Colt, which made a few modifications to the design. The redesigned rifle was known as the M16 and became the United States military's standard service rifle during and since the Viet Nam War. The term AR-15 has been the Colt trademark for the civilian, semi-automatic versions of that design. Other manufacturers have made firearms having similar designs, but under different trademarks. Such similar designs include designs with different lengths and configurations of stocks and different barrel lengths. Further, due to the firearm's modular design, the upper portion of the receiver can be quickly and easily replaced with another upper receiver designed to accommodate different calibers of cartridges as well as associated barrels adapted to function with those different calibers of cartridges.
States within the United States have recently enacted laws that restrict the characteristics of so-called "assault weapons", including semi-automatic firearms such as the AR-15 firearm. Notably, the state of California has banned the civilian possession of semi-automatic, centerfire rifles that have the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and possess a "pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon", which is defined as meaning "a grip that allows for a pistol style grasp in which the web of the trigger hand (between the thumb and index finger) can be placed below the top exposed portion of the trigger while firing."
The AR-15 style firearms heretofore manufactured are typically provided with pistol type grip that places the web of the trigger hand in a position that extends below the upper, exposed portion of the trigger.
The present invention was designed to provide a spur that may be substituted for or may replace a typical pistol grip employed with AR-15 style firearms, but which may be advantageously employed in other firearms as well. The spur is believed to avoid the aforementioned legal characteristic that results in such firearms being banned from civilian possession.


A semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting is provided. The package includes a wiring substrate having a first surface on which a first wiring pattern is formed and a second surface on which a second wiring pattern is formed, the first wiring pattern and second wiring pattern being electrically connected to each other; a semiconductor chip placed on the first surface of the wiring substrate and electrically connected to the first wiring pattern; a sealing resin layer sealing the semiconductor chip and the first wiring pattern; a thickness direction wire passing through the sealing resin layer in a thickness direction and having one end electrically connected to the first wiring pattern and the other end exposed at the surface of the sealing resin layer; and a lower surface connecting electrode formed on the second surface of the wiring substrate and electrically connected to the second wiring pattern.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting, a fabrication method thereof, and a semiconductor device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting which is easy to fabricate and has high packaging density, a fabrication method thereof, and a semiconductor device in which the semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting is mounted onto a mother board.
2. Description of the Related Art
An example of a conventional BGA (i.e., ball grid array) type semiconductor package is illustrated in FIG. 15.
As illustrated in FIG. 15, a conventional BGA type semiconductor package includes a wiring substrate B and a semiconductor chip A placed on one surface of the wiring substrate B.
A first wiring pattern B2 is formed at the surface of the wiring substrate B on which the semiconductor chip A is placed, while a second wiring pattern B4 is formed at a surface of the wiring substrate B opposite the aforementioned surface. The first wiring pattern B2 and the second wiring pattern B4 are connected to each other via plated through holes B6 passing through the wiring substrate B.
The semiconductor chip A and the first wiring pattern B2 are connected to each other by wires D. A sealing resin layer C is formed at the surface of the wiring substrate B on which the semiconductor chip A is placed. The semiconductor chip A, the first wiring pattern B2, and the wires D are embedded in the sealing resin layer C.
On the other hand, the surface of the wiring substrate B on which the second wiring pattern B4 is provided is covered with a resist layer E formed by a photoresist resin. Openings E2 are provided at predetermined positions of the resist layer E, and the second wiring pattern B4 is exposed at the openings E2. Solder balls F are connected to the second wiring pattern B4 exposed at the openings E2.
When the above-described BGA type semiconductor package is mounted on a pad of a mother board via the solder balls F, a semiconductor circuit on the mother board is electrically connected to the semiconductor chip A via the pad, the solder balls F, the second wiring pattern B4, the plated through holes B6, the first wiring pattern B2, and the wires D.
However, the BGA type semiconductor packages are mounted onto a mother board only in a two-dimensional manner and cannot be stacked. Thus, there are limitations on the packaging density of the semiconductor packages which can be achieved on a mother board.
Use of small BGA type semiconductor packages can be considered as a means for increasing the packaging density of the BGA type semiconductor packages on the mother board. However, if the BGA type semiconductor packages are made compact, the pitch at which the solder balls are disposed is decreased. Therefore, mother boards manufactured by a buildup process or the like need to be used. As a result, a drawback arises in that mother boards are expensive.
In view of the aforementioned facts, an object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting which can be mounted at a higher packaging density than conventional BGA type semiconductor packages and is easy to fabricate, a fabrication method thereof, and a semiconductor device formed by mounting the semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting on a mother board.
A first aspect of the present invention is a semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting comprising: a first substrate (a wiring substrate) having an upper surface on which a first metal pattern (a first wiring pattern) is formed and a lower surface on which a second metal pattern (a second wiring pattern) is formed, said first metal pattern and second metal pattern being electrically connected to each other; a semiconductor chip which is placed on the upper surface of the first substrate and is electrically connected to the first metal pattern; a sealing resin layer which is formed on the upper surface of the first substrate and seals the semiconductor chip and the first metal pattern; a conductive wire (a thickness direction wire) which passes through the resin layer and has one end electrically connected to the first metal pattern and the other end exposed at a top surface of the resin layer; and a first electrode (a lower surface connecting electrode) which is formed on the lower surface of the first substrate and is electrically connected to the second metal pattern.
When the semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting is mounted on a pad of a mother board, and then a semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting having a similar structure or a daughter board is stacked on the semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting, the lower surface connecting electrode functions as a connecting terminal which electrically connects the semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting to the mother board. The other end of the thickness direction wire functions as a connecting terminal which electrically connects the semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting to the semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting or the daughter board stacked above.
Therefore, the semiconductor chip is electrically connected to the mother board via the first and second wiring patterns on the wiring substrate and the lower surface connecting electrode. Further, the semiconductor chip is electrically connected via the first wiring pattern and the thickness direction wire to a semiconductor chip of the semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting stacked above or to a semiconductor circuit formed on the daughter board.
A second aspect of the present invention is a semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting according to the first aspect, further comprising a second substrate (a rewiring substrate) placed on the surface of the resin layer, having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, wherein the second substrate includes a third metal pattern (a third wiring pattern) which is electrically connected to the other end of the conductive wire from the lower surface of the second substrate, and a second electrode (an upper surface connecting electrode) which is formed on the upper surface of the second substrate and is electrically connected to the third metal pattern.
In the semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting according to the second aspect, the third wiring pattern may be different from the first and second wiring patterns. Thus, connecting wiring which is different from the lower surface connecting electrode at the wiring substrate can be formed at the rewiring substrate.
Moreover, the upper surface connecting electrode can be provided above the semiconductor chip. Therefore, as compared with the semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting in which the other end of the thickness direction wire is used as the upper connecting electrode, more upper surface connecting electrodes can be formed, and the interval between the upper connecting electrodes can be made larger.
A third aspect of the present invention is a semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting according to the first or second aspect, further comprising: a fourth metal pattern which is formed on the surface of the resin layer and is electrically connected to the other end of the conductive wire; an insulating layer which covers the fourth metal pattern; and an third electrode which is exposed from the insulating layer and is electrically connected to the fourth metal pattern.
In addition to the advantages of the semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting according to the second aspect, the semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting of the third aspect has the advantages that it can be made thinner since no rewiring substrate is necessary and that it is highly reliable.
A fourth aspect of the present invention is a method of fabricating a semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting, comprising: (a) placing a semiconductor chip on an upper surface of a substrate, said substrate having the upper surface on which a first metal pattern is formed and a lower surface on which a second metal pattern is formed, said first metal pattern and second metal pattern being electrically connected to each other; (b) electrically connecting the semiconductor chip and the first metal pattern to each other; (c) sealing the semiconductor chip and the first metal pattern with sealing resin; and (d) forming, in the sealing resin, a through hole which reaches the first metal pattern, and forming a wire inside the through hole to electrically connect to the first metal pattern.
In accordance with the method of fabricating a semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting of the fourth aspect, the semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting of the first aspect can be easily fabricated.
A fifth aspect of the present invention is a semiconductor device in which the semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting of the first to third aspects is mounted on a mother board.
As described above, according to the present invention, elements can be mounted on a mother board in a three-dimensional manner. Therefore, there is provided a semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting which can be mounted at a higher packaging density than conventional BGA type semiconductor packages and is easy to fabricate. Further, there are also provided a fabrication method of the semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting, and a semiconductor device formed by mounting the semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting on a mother board.

Semiconductor package for three-dimensional mounting, fabrication method thereof, and semiconductor device


A class of ceramic compositions according to the formula Pb(1-z)Mz(Mn1/3Sb2/3)x(ZryTi1-y)1-xO3 where M is selected to be either Sr or Ba, x is selected to be between 0.01 and 0.1, y is selected to be between 0.35 and 0.55, and z is selected to be between 0.01 and 0.10. In some embodiments of the above composition, one or more dopants is added to the compositions. The dopant(s) may be selected from the group comprising: PbO, CeO2, SnO2, Sm2O3, TeO2, MoO3, Nb2O5, SiO2, CuO, CdO, HfO2, Pr2O3, and mixtures thereof. The dopants can be added to the ceramic composition in individual amounts ranging from 0.01 wt % to up to 5.0 wt %. The preferred ceramic compositions exhibit one or more of the following electromechanical properties: a relative dielectric constant (∈) of between 1200 and 2000, a mechanical quality factor (Qm) of between 1500 and 2800; a piezoelectric strain constant (d33) of between 250-450 pC/N, a dielectric loss factor (tan δ) of between 0.002-0.008 and a thickness electromechanical coupling coefficient (kt) of between 0.45 and 0.7.

Piezoelectric elements are widely used in a variety of electronic components including ceramic resonators, ceramic filters, piezoelectric displacement elements, buzzers, transducers, ultrasonic receivers and ultrasonic generators, etc. As a result of the increased demand for piezoelectric elements, there is an increasing use of piezoelectric ceramic compositions to form the elements. There is a drive towards increasingly smaller electronic components, causing an increased demand for smaller piezoelectric elements for use in these electronic components.
However, many of the smaller electronic components require that the piezoelectric elements provide the same or even greater output power, despite their reduced size. The different uses or applications require different electromechanical characteristics from the piezoelectric ceramics. In order for piezoelectric ceramic elements to be used in high power applications, they must exhibit certain characteristics, including high mechanical quality factor (Qm), a high relative dielectric constant (∈), and a high coercive field (Ec). Additionally, the dielectric loss factor (tan δ) must be sufficiently low to minimize internal heating effects.
Existing high power piezoelectric ceramics often do not exhibit suitable electromechanical properties for use in miniaturized electronic devices. In the current state of the art, the existing piezoelectric elements that are sufficiently small to be used in the miniaturized devices exhibit low capacitance and high electrical impedance. This is inadequate to drive the miniaturized devices. Additionally, if the permittivity is high, the dielectric loss factor (tan δ) of current piezoelectric elements is also high—resulting in internal heating and dissipative loss which significantly decreases the efficiency and output of the device. Consequently, existing piezoelectric ceramics have not provided adequate electromechanical properties for these miniaturized electronic devices.
The electromechanical properties of the piezoelectric ceramics can be altered by varying the specific ceramic composition, the molecular structure, and/or the methods and parameters for fabricating the piezoelectric ceramic.
In light of the above problems, there is a continuing need for advances in the relevant field including new piezoelectric ceramic compositions and piezoelectric elements formed from the compositions. The present invention addresses that need and provides a wide variety of benefits and advantages.

Compositions for high power piezoelectric ceramics


A spinner bait lure includes a wire harness having a line eye. A fishing hook is coupled to the wire harness. A spinner blade is rotatably coupled to the wire harness. A bead is rotatably coupled to the wire harness. Retrieval of the spinner bait lure through a water body causes the spinner blade and the bead to rotate. The spinner blade and the bead rotate about a common axis of rotation and a path of rotation of the bead intersects with the spinner blade. Therefore, the bead knocks into the spinner blade, causing deflection and noise.

The present invention relates to fishing lures and, more particularly, to a spinner bait with a hydro-drive rattle.
Spinner bait lures are one of the most effective types of baits for catching fish, and particularly bass. Spinner bait lures are generally characterized by a body portion which may be shaped into a desired configuration, a hook extending rearwardly of the body portion, a skirt mounted on the body portion for concealing the hook and lending a life-like appearance to the lure as the lure is retrieved, and a straight or L-shaped wire harness extending from the body portion for mounting one or more spinners, attaching a fishing line and retrieving the lure.
The spinner bait lure is characteristically used in shallow water and is retrieved at varying speeds at depths ranging from a few inches to several feet beneath the surface of the water, with the spinner or spinners rotating as the lure is pulled toward the fisherman. The flashing spinner or spinners attract fish from a wide area of water and the plastic or rubber-stranded skirt undulates and ripples as the lure is retrieved, thereby further enhancing the attractiveness of the lure to the fish. In other designs, the spinner or spinners may be tandem-mounted on a single wire or flexible member and the lure may or may not have a skirt attached thereto.
Current spinner baits are pulled in a straight line through the water when retrieved by a fisherman, resulting in action limited to retrieval speed. Current spinners are unable to mimic deflection unless the spinner strikes a submerged object which often causes a fish to strike. Additionally, current spinner baits do not have a built-in noise maker.
As can be seen, there is a need for a spinner bait that produces increased action and noise.


A method for establishing an identity management trust, and an IDentification Provider (IDP) and a Service Provider (SP) are provided in the present disclosure. The method comprises: after receiving an access from a user, an SP determines whether an IDP to which the user attaches is located in a trust domain of the SP (S102); if the IDP to which the user attaches is not located in the trust domain of the SP, the SP inquires of an IDP in a local trust domain about the IDP to which the user attaches (S104); if the SP receives information of the IDP to which the user attaches, wherein the information is returned by an IDP in the local trust domain, the SP adds the IDP to which the user attaches to a temporary trust list to establish a trust for the IDP to which the user attaches (S106). The present disclosure can establish a trust relationship between an SP and any IDP in case of adding or not adding extra devices, ensuring the user to obtain desired services after logging on for one time.

Concerning to a support from an SP for a limited IDP, if an IDP used by a user, i.e., an IDP to which the user attaches (such as IDP A), is not in the coverage which is supported by the current SP (such as SP1), the user authentication can not be completed; the authentication of the user can be completed only when the user is registered by using the IDPs (such as IDP B, C and D) which are supported by the SP, or when the user accesses an SP (such as SP2) which supports the IDP used by the user and provides similar services. This is inconsistent with the object of the IDM. However, it seems that it is impossible to unify the IDPs because of the respective benefit of the IDPs which are used currently.
IDM refers to administrating a life cycle (usage process) of a user identity and a relationship between the user identity and network application services, based on the network and related support technologies. For example, the IDM performs authentication or authorization for a user who accesses applications and resources, and the like. Currently, IDM systems are still located in a vertical structure and independent of each other, and most of these IDM systems are established for particular application services, wherein interconnection and intercommunication cannot be achieved between various IDM systems, and the sharing of user information (such as user's trust information, and authentication trust) cannot be achieved between various IDM systems.
Interoperation refers to the capability of performing mutual cooperation between various independent IDM systems and performing operations such as exchange and communication of valid information (such as user's trust information) and the like. The interoperation is established generally on the basis of mutual trust between IDM systems. The trust relationship establishment relationship between the current IDM systems is generally a one to one trust establishment, the trust relationship is generally static, and generally the IDM systems who have a trust relationship with each other is only within one trust domain (or in one union). The trust relationship establishment of cross trust domains (unions) and the trust relationship establishment based on trust chains (trust paths) can make the trust relationship of the current IDM systems expand to a lager scope, so that the trust relationship establishment is more dynamic, flexible and convenient.
Currently, an SP authentication mode which is primarily studied on are the mode based on invariable IDP, wherein if an IDP used by a user is not in the trust coverage of the SP, the user sometimes needs to log on different IDPs many times to obtain the service of a certain SP, which brings inconvenience to practical applications.

Method for establishing identity management trust, identification provider and service provider