Connectors with a lever in which a pair of male and female connectors are mated with and disconnected from each other by rotating the lever. The lever having cam grooves and a lock portion is rotatably attached to the female connector. Cam pins are attached to the male connector. When both connectors are initially mated with each other, the cam pins engage with the cam grooves, and when the lever is rotated in a direction in which both connectors are mated with each other, the male connector moves toward the female connector. An elastic locking member is interposed between the lever and the female connector. An operational portion, reverse spring portions for urging the lever toward a direction opposite to that in which both connectors are mated, and lock spring portions to be engaged with the lock portion of the lever so as to maintain the lever in a locked position, are all integrally formed in the elastic locking member. The elastic locking member is elastically displaced by pressing the operational portion so as to disengage the lock portion of the lever from the lock spring portions of the elastic locking member. The reverse spring portions retain the lever in the released position. The locking member for locking the lever and the reverse spring portions for retaining the lever in a released position are integrally formed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to connectors with a lever in which a pair of male and female connectors are mated with and disconnected from each other by the rotation of the lever. More particularly, it pertains to connectors, having a lever, which are mated with and disconnected from each other by a small force.
2. Description of the Related Art
As connectors have become diversified and the number of built-in terminals have increased, it requires a great force to connect male and female terminals together or to disconnect them from each other because of the contact resistance of the terminals, thus making it difficult for the connectors to be mated with and disconnected from each other. To solve such a problem, a pair of connectors are employed in which a lever having cam grooves is rotatably mounted on one connector, and cam pins engaging with the cam grooves are provided on the other connector. By the operation of the lever, more connectors can be mated with each other by a force much smaller than that usually required to mate male and female connectors.
An example of such connectors with a lever is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No . 2-56876. One connector is provided with a reverse spring for urging a lever toward a released position. Another connector is provided with a member for locking the rotation of the lever when both connectors are joined together. The locking member is provided separately from the latter connector (housing) so as to increase the life of a locking portion.
In the known conventional art utilizing the locking member separate from the connector, when the connectors are mated with each other, the locking member must be slid in a predetermined direction to either lock or release the lever. Two operations are required; the lever must be rotated, and the locking member must be slid . The locking member and the reverse spring are separate members, thus increasing the number of components and processes for assembling them. This in turn creates the problem of controlling components.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object thereof is to provide connectors with a lever in which reverse springs and a member for locking the lever are integrally formed, and in which the lever can be rotated to mate a male connector with a female connector and locked simultaneously.


A fluid containment ring for use in a processing chamber used to deposit a material onto a semiconductor wafer and/or remove material from a wafer by subjecting the wafer to an electric field and an electrolyte is described. The fluid containment ring is located at the base of the processing chamber in close proximity to the outside edge of the wafer being processed in the processing chamber. After each processing step is completed, the used electrolyte is diverted from the processing chamber into the fluid containment ring for containment such that no electrolyte contacts the unprocessed side (or back) of the wafer. One or more drains coupled to the fluid containment ring provide means for disposal and/or recirculation of the electrolyte.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of semiconductor wafer processing and, more particularly, to a fluid containment ring used in a processing chamber for disposal of the processing fluid used to deposit and/or remove a material on a semiconductor wafer.
2. Related Applications
The present invention is related to the U.S. Patent Applications entitled "Process Chamber and Method for Depositing and/or Removing Material on a Substrate," Ser. No. 08/916,564, filed Aug. 22, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,437 incorporated herein by reference, and "Multiple Station Processing Chamber and Method for Depositing and/or Removing Material on a Substrate," Ser. No. 09/118,664 filed Jul. 17, 1998, pending.
3. Description of the Related Art
In the manufacture of devices on a semiconductor wafer, it is the practice to fabricate multiple levels of conductive (typically metal) layers above a substrate. The multiple metallization layers are employed in order to accommodate higher densities as device dimensions shrink well below one-micron design rules. Likewise, the size of interconnect structures also need to shrink in order to accommodate the smaller dimensions. Thus, as integrated circuit technology advances into the sub- 0.25 micron range, more advanced metallization techniques are needed to provide improvements over existing methods of practice.
One approach has been to utilize copper as the material for some or all of the metallization of a semiconductor wafer (see for example, "Copper As The Future Interconnection Material;" Pei-Lin Pai et al.; Jun. 12-13, 1989 VMIC Conference; pp. 258-264). Since copper has a better electromigration property and lower resistivity than aluminum, it is a more preferred material for providing metallization on a wafer than aluminum. In addition, copper has improved electrical properties over tungsten, making copper a desirable metal for use as plugs (inter-level interconnect) as well. However, one serious disadvantage of using copper metallization is that it is difficult to deposit/etch. It is also more costly to implement than aluminum. Thus, although enhanced wafer processing techniques are achieved by copper, the potential cost associated with copper processing is a negative factor. Accordingly, it is desirable to implement copper technology, but without the associated increase in the cost of the equipment for copper processing.
In order to fabricate features, circuits, and devices on a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer, various techniques are known to deposit and etch materials on the wafer. Deposition techniques include processes such as physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), sputtering, and immersion of the wafer in an electrolyte. This last technique can be used for either electroless deposition or for electroplating. In an electroplating technique, the substrate is immersed in an electrolyte (or processing fluid) and positioned in an electric field between a cathode and an anode such that charged particles are deposited onto the surface of the wafer. (See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,629, which is titled "Apparatus and Method of Electroplating.")
Similarly, a number of techniques are known for removing a material from a wafer. These techniques include reactive ion etching (RIE), plasma etching, chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP), and immersion of the wafer in an electrolyte. Material removal by subjecting an immersed wafer to an electric field employs an equivalent set-up to that used for electroplating, but with an opposite result, since charged particles are removed from the wafer in this instance.
Various processing chambers have been used in which a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer, is exposed to an electrolyte (or processing fluid) for processing. The chamber has then been emptied through openings along the sides of the chamber and/or through a drain at the base of the chamber. As the electrolyte is drained from the processing chamber, however, the unprocessed side (the back) of the wafer is often exposed to the electrolyte.
The present invention describes a method and apparatus that allows an electrolyte to be drained from the processing chamber into a separate fluid containment ring for storage, disposal, and/or recycling without exposing the back of the wafer to the electrolyte. Thus, the present invention facilitates an efficient use and re-use of the electrolyte through the reduction of the surface area of the wafer exposed to the electrolyte. Further, the present invention allows the separation of the various processing fluids used to process the wafer, which allows separate consecutive processes to be applied within the same process containment chamber. By allowing each processing fluid to be drained from the containment ring of the present invention into a different storage area, the present invention provides an improved control over impurities and particles left within the processing fluid and allows the processing fluids to be more easily filtered and recycled/reused.

Method and apparatus for the disposal of processing fluid used to deposit and/or remove material on a substrate


A spline for joining two adjacent structural insulated panels each having an insulating core disposed between and joined to first and second outer facings includes a backer member attached to a metal strip by a conventional coupler such as an adhesive. The backer member and metal strip form an elongated, linear combination, and the outer surface of the backer member may be provided with a groove or slot extending the length thereof. The backer member slot facilitates bending or folding the backer plate and metal strip combination along the length thereof into two connected sections for use as a spline. The angled spline is used for connecting adjacent panels which may be oriented at a relative angle .alpha., where .alpha.>0.degree., by placing each section of the spline in intimate contact with a respective panel along the lengths thereof. Conventional connectors such as screws or nails are inserted through each panel and its associated spline section to connect adjacent panels. In one embodiment, the angled spline is positioned in abutting contact with and attached to each of the inner and outer facings of a pair of connected panels to increase the strength of the joint. The backer member may be comprised of any of the more common building materials such as wood or a gypsum or cement composite.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are commonly used in building construction and are comprised of two outer rigid faces on either side of a light insulating foam core. Panels of this type are generally joined by means of lumber and nails, but are increasingly connected using steel studs rather than the conventional 2.times. dimensional lumber approach. The junctures of such panels typically employ a lumber spline with nails and screws for joining.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a sectional view of a prior art panel coupling arrangement 10 for connecting adjacent first and second structural insulated panels 12 and 14 which are oriented with an obtuse angle between the planes of each of the panels. The relative orientation of the first and second panels 12,14 is such as would be encountered in the ridge of a roof. The first structural insulated panel 12 includes first and second outer facings 12a and 12b and an insulating core 12c disposed between and attached to each of the outer facings. Similarly, the second panel 14 includes first and second opposed outer facings 14a and 14b and an insulating core 14c disposed between and affixed to the two outer facings. The outer facings of each of the panels may be comprised of any of the more conventional construction materials such as wood, waferboard, sheet metal, gypsum, or oriented strand board (OSB). Each of the insulating cores 12c and 14c is preferably comprised of a plastic foam such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS) or polyurethanes or polyisocyanurates. Each of the outer facings is securely bonded to its inner rigid foam core by conventional means such as mastic, epoxy cement or urethane glue. As shown in the prior art panel coupling arrangement 10 of FIG. 1, the ends of the insulating cores 12c and 14c of the first and second panels 12,14 have been omitted or removed from the edge of the panel. This permits adjacent edges of the first and second panels 12,14 to each receive a respective panel support beam 16a and 16b between the outer facings of the panel. First and second sealant beads or strips 18a and 18b are respectively positioned between beam 16a and insulating core 12c and between beam 16b and insulating core 14c. The first and second panels 12,14 are respectively attached to panel support beams 16a and 16b by means of upper connectors 20 and 22, and lower connectors 24 and 26. Each of the connectors 20,22,24 and 26 is in the form of either a nail or screw and is inserted through an outer facing of a panel and into one of the panel support beams. Thus, connectors 20 and 24 are respectively inserted through outer facings 12a and 12b and into panel support beam 16a. Similarly, connectors 22 and 26 are respectively inserted through outer facings 14a and 14b and into panel support beam 16b.
Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a sectional view of another common prior art coupling arrangement 30 for connecting adjacent structural insulated panels 32 and 34 such as in forming the ridge of a roof. Adjacent edges of the first and second panels 32,34 are positioned on a ridge beam 36. First and second threaded connectors 38 and 40 are respectively inserted through the first and second panels 32 and 34 and into ridge beam 36.
Another prior art panel coupling arrangement 30 for connecting first and second structural insulated panels 48 and 50 which are oriented at 90.degree. relative to one another is shown in the sectional view of FIG. 3. The panel coupling arrangement 46 shown in FIG. 3 is typical of a connection between adjacent corner wall panels. Adjacent ends of the first and second panels 48,50 are hollowed out, or are provided with a channel, to respectively receive wood splines 54 and 58. The first wood spline 54 is attached to the outer facings of the first panel 48 by means of connectors 56a and 56b. Similarly, the second wood spline 58 is connected to the outer facings of the second panel 50 by means of connectors 60a and 60b. Sealant beads 62 and 64 are respectively positioned on the first and second wood splines 54 and 58 between the wood spline and its associated insulating core, and extend the length of the wood spline. A threaded coupler 52 is inserted through the end of the first panel 48 and into the second wood spline 58 of the second panel 50 as shown in FIG. 3 for connecting the two panels.
The panel coupling arrangements described above involve the use of substantial amounts of lumber which increased the cost of the installation. These prior art panel coupling arrangements also frequently require the ripping of lumber to special angles in the field, particularly in the case of pitched roofs, which also increases the cost and complexity of the installation. In some cases, the lumber spline is in contact with the outer and inner facings of the panel and acts as a through-conductor for heat resulting in energy loss. In addition, the panel corner coupling arrangement of FIG. 3 is not easily adapted to receive electrical wiring around the corner. Access holes must be cut or drilled in at least two wood splines to accommodate electrical wiring around the corner. Finally, the aforementioned panel coupling arrangements employ connectors such as nails and screws extending through plastic panel facings and into wood splines and beams which affords only limited joint strength.
The present invention addresses the aforementioned limitations of the prior art by providing a metal faced angled spline for use in connecting adjacent structural insulated panels arranged at virtually any relative angular orientation in forming a high strength, sealed joint.

Metal-faced angled spline for use with structural insulated panels


Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for configuring a system information transmission resource for an MTC terminal. The method may include configuring a system bandwidth including two or more physical resource blocks with one or more subbands defined by two or more physical resource blocks to enable at least one remaining physical resource block to be located in a center of the system bandwidth and transmitting the system information to a predetermined user equipment (UE) using the subband.

MTC (Machine Type Communication) means communication between devices or things without human intervention. From the perspective of third generation partnership project (3GPP), 'machine' indicates an entity that does not require direct operation or intervention on the part of a user, and 'MTC' is defined as a type of data communication including one or more machines.
A representative example of the machine may include a smart meter, a vending machine, or the like, which is equipped with a mobile communication module. However, as a smart phone has been introduced that automatically accesses a network and executes communication without user operation or intervention based on the location or situation of a user, a portable terminal having an MTC function has come to be considered as a type of machine.
To support MTC user equipment having extended coverage, System Information (SI) needs to be repeatedly transmitted in a plurality of subframes in the time domain. When SI is repeatedly transmitted in most downlink subframes for user equipment having extended coverage for each transmission period, a PDSCH transmission resource for a DTCH (Dedicated Traffic CHannel) transmission may be insufficient. To overcome the above, an intermittent repetitive transmission method has been suggested. The intermittent repetitive transmission method repeatedly transmits SI only in a predetermined subframe or a predetermined transmission period.
In this instance, a transmission resource for transmitting system information for MTC user equipment needs to be configured.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving system information


A disk array device includes: a plurality of disk devices including a strip that stores divided data or a parity; a control device to divide the stripe for each of the plurality of disk devices into the divided data having a size of the strip and write the divided data; and a memory to store new data that corresponds to the divided data stored in the strip, wherein the control device detects whether or not the new data is discrete and performs a first write operation or a second write operation when the new data is discrete.

A Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) device records a large amount of data handled by a computer system. For example, a RAID 5 protects data with a cost-effective and simple configuration. A RAID 6 that demonstrates higher reliability than the RAID 5 is also used.
Related techniques are discussed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-87094, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 7-311659, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 7-110788, and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-163474.

Disk array device, control device and data write method


The cone-type clamping arrangement is arranged in the intermediate space between the external circumference of a shaft and the internal circumference of the bore of an external member. It comprises a double-cone member, a cone ring arranged on the first cone surface of the double-cone member, and, arranged on the second cone surface of the double-cone member, a cone member which has an axial extension with cylindrical internal circumferential surface, which extension overlaps the cylindrical external circumferential surface of the cone ring and forms an overlap. During clamping, friction only occurs on three surface pairs. During loosening, the cone ring is supported, with a radial circumferential projection, on the flank of a circumferential groove of the double-cone member.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a cone-type clamping arrangement, in which two elements with a conical internal circumferential surface, which are arranged one behind another in the axial direction, are pulled up onto a double-cone surface by means of axial clamping screws and radial clamping is brought about.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A clamping arrangement, designed as a separate clamping assembly, for clamping a hub on a shaft is known from DE-OS 21 59 813, in which there is arranged on the shaft in the intermediate space between hub and shaft a thin-walled double-cone ring. The greatest outside diameters of the individual cone surfaces are adjacent to one another in the center, and, in this central region, the clamping arrangement has a circumferential groove of rectangular cross-section. Arranged on the two cone surfaces are external cone rings which, with their cylindrical external circumferential surfaces, bear against the internal circumferential surface of the hub. The external cone rings have collars at mutually facing ends, which project radially inward from their cone surfaces and engage in a hook-like manner in the circumferential groove. The clamping screws extend axially between the external cone rings.
During tightening of this clamping assembly, the external cone rings are subjected to friction in each case on their external and internal circumferential surfaces, that is to say, friction occurs overall on four surfaces. As a result of this, a considerable proportion of the useful axial clamping force of the clamping screws for conversion into radial clamping force is lost.


New and substantially improved methods for the detection of bacteria, bacterial fragments and/or bacterial antigens are described. Novel methods for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, "essential" hypertension and a variety of diseases found to be associated with bacteriuria are also described. Additionally, the specification discloses that the new and improved methods for direct microscopic examination are advantageously used for examination of formed elements in samples of other body fluids.

1. Conventional methods for Detecting bacteria in Urine
Urine originates as an ultrafiltrate of plasma and is normally thought to be free of bacteria as it moves from the upper urinary tract to the bladder. Therefore, bladder urine obtained by suprapubic needle aspiration, and perhaps urine properly obtained by a catheter inserted via the urethral meatus, should contain no bacteria. As it is voided from the body however, the urine is frequently contaminated with microorganisms which colonize the distal urethra and/or the perianal area. The most common non-invasive method of obtaining urine samples which attempts to minimize, but rarely completely eliminates contamination involves meticulous swabbing of the urethral meatus and periurethral areas with a bactericidal agents, followed by the collection of a mid-stream "clean-catch" specimen. By current teaching, the specimen should be examined within 1 hour of collection (two hours if the unpreserved urine specimen is refrigerated) to obviate proliferation of bacteria. Although most contaminating microorganisms are avoided by this "clean-catch" method, the collected samples may still contain some contaminants.
Quantification of the viable bacteria has been the essential parameter used for determining the presence of "significant" (i.e. clinically relevant) bacteriuria. Today it is generally accepted that "clean-catch" urines which on culture are shown to contain: (1) 10.sup.5 colony-forming-units per ml (cfu/ml) represent true urinary tract infection (i.e., "significant bacteriuria"); (2) from 10.sup.3 to 10.sup.5 cfu/ml represent probable infection (varying with the author); and (3) less than 10.sup.3 cfu/ml represent probable contamination. Although "significant" bacteriuria refers to at least the presence of 10.sup.5 cfu/ml of urine, consistent findings of 10.sup.4 -10.sup.5 cfu/ml probably represent more than mere colonization if the distal urethra, particularly if only a single species of organism is present.
Traditionally, direct microscopic examination of urine to detect and to approximate the number of bacteria in specimens has been performed according to four general methods. As described by C. Cobbs (in Urinary Tract Infection and Its Management, D. Kaye, ed., C. V. Mosby Company, St. Louis, Mo., ch. 4, pp. 43-44), these include: (1) A small sample of uncentrifuged urine is spread on a slide, covered with a cover slip, and examined with the high dry objective (at 400X magnification) i.e., a wet mount preparation). A dye such as methylene blue may be added to the urine to enhance visibility of the bacteria. (2) A small sample of uncentrifuged urine is placed on a slide, heat-fixed, stained, e.g., using Gram stain, and examined with the high dry objective (at 400X magnification) or under oil immersion (at 1000X magnification). (3) A known volume of urine is centrifuged, the sediment resuspended in the residual fluid. A small sample of the sediment is spread on a slide, covered with a cover slip, and examined directly using the high dry objective (i.e., a wet mount slide preparation). (4) The centrifuged urine sediment is prepared as in (3) above, but the sample is heat-fixed, stained, e.g., using Gram stain, and examined with the high dry or under oil immersion objective. Using the above methods, detection of one or more bacterial organisms per microscopic field has been correlated with the minimum bacterial counts obtained by conventional culture of urine samples according to Cobbs' data illustrated in Table I.
TABLE I ______________________________________ Bacteria Magnifi- Correlation with Urine Sample Observed Field cation Bacteria on Culture ______________________________________ Unstained 1 Organism 400 .times. 10.sup.6 per ml. Uncentrifuged or more Stained 1 Organism 1000 .times. 10.sup.5 per ml. Centrifuged or more Unstained 1 Organism 400 .times. 10.sup.5 per ml. Centrifuged or more Stained 1 Organism 1000 .times. 10.sup.4 per ml. Centrifuged or more ______________________________________
Under good conditions bacteria may be seen in an aqueous medium under the microscope at as low at 100 diameters or less magnification, but they are usually visualized at 1000 diameters magnification after drying and staining with appropriate dyes. In the past both methods of visualization have been used to examine urine for the presence of bacteria. Using conventional wet mount slide preparations, bacteria usually observed in urine are Gram negative bacilli (rods). Group D streptococci are also seen in classical urinary tract infections (Todd et al., 1984, in Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods 17th ed., Henry, ed., W. B. Saunders, N.Y.).
Much more commonly bacteria are demonstrated in urine by allowing the bacteria to grow in a designated culture medium until the colonies are visible to the naked eye. By counting the colonies and multiplying by the dilution of the urine, and by assuming that one colony consists of the progeny of a single bacterium (or a small cluster of bacteria such as a pair) in the original specimen, the number of bacteria (or more accurately, colony forming units of bacteria) in a given volume of urine may be estimated.
Using conventional urine culture techniques, it has been uniformly reported since Kass in 1956 (Transactions of the Association of American Physicians, 69, 56-64) that the Gram negative bacillus E. coli. is the most common causative agent in acute urinary tract infections. In chronic urinary tract infections, especially those in which there are structural abnormalities (e.g., obstructive uropathy, congenital abnormalities, neurogenic bladder, fistulous communications involving the urinary tract etc.), infection is often associated with antimicrobial-resistant Gram negative bacilli such as E. coli, Proteus sp., Pseudomonas sp., and the Klebsiella-Enterobacter group. Finally, largely as a result of technology, urinary tract infections are associated with the presence of Gram negative rods such as E. coli, Proteus, the Klebsiella-Enterobacter group, and a lesser number of cocci such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, and the enterococcus.
In the literature since Kass in 1956, Gram positive organisms are much less frequent as causative agents than are Gram negative bacilli, and they are often observed as "contaminants" because they yield low colony counts. This skewing against the incidence of Gram positive organisms has been made worse by the selection of culture media for routing laboratory use. Since the incidence of Gram negative rods had been reported to be higher, media have been selected to favor the rapid growth of Gram negative rods at the expense of Gram positive cocci, and this selection of media has further distorted the incidence.
Direct microscopy and culture methods each have disadvantages. With regard to the direct examination of the urine, it must be noted that bacteria may be seen in urine at only 100 or more diameters magnification, but the size of the image is not the only consideration influencing visibility. Should the optical density and refractive index of an object be near that of the medium, then it would not be detected by an ordinary light microscopy. Such an object might be seen by appropriate staining with dyes or by specialized lighting such as dark-field illumination, phase illumination, or differential interference. Even then, as pointed out by Kunin (1961, New Eng. J. Med. 265: 589), round bacteria cannot be distinguished from other near round particles such as crystals. Moreover, in a staining procedure, if for any reason the bacterial preparation does not adhere to the slide, the preparation is lost.
In the past 20-25 years, direct visualization of bacteria in urine has largely been abandoned in favor of methods involving culturing and counting the colonies of bacteria. Indeed, virtually all of the studies of the significance of bacteriuria since 1956 are based upon culturing the urine, and direct microscopic examination of urine has been relegated to the status of a quick but inadequate screening procedure which may be helpful because it is rapid and can be correlated with the culture methods.
Any useful culture method requires that the bacteria will grow in the laboratory in the medium selected and in the time allotted. If the medium used is inappropriate for the growth of the particular organisms present, they will not grow. If the time allotted is too short, colonies will not be visible and positive cultures may be mistakenly reported as negative; and if oxygen tension or oxidation potential is either too high or too low, fastidious anaerobic or aerobic organisms may be missed.
If the bacteria are dead when excreted from the body, then they will not grow. Dead bacteria were once alive, and dead ones in the urine were probably alive in the body. They are unable to multiply in the bladder, an important consideration in Kass' rule of 10.sup.5 cfu/ml. In addition, there are many reasons why bacteria in urine might display less than optimal viability. For example, the ionic strength or osmolarity of the urine may be outside the requisite range. The wall of the bacterium may be damaged so that it will require a special medium to grow. The oxidation potential potential of urine may be too high for growth of a particular bacterial species (e.g., the typical oxidation potential of urine observed by me is about +0.22+0.25 Volts, referenced to a saturated calomel electrode. This potential is sufficiently high to inhibit the growth of many bacteria). There may be agents in urine which inhibit bacterial growth. For example, antibodies against bacteria have been identified in urine and they have been demonstrated to be deposited on bacteria in urine. Moreover, antibiotics administered to a patient may be excreted in urine in active form at a higher concentration than in other body fluids. The more concentrated antibiotic or antibiotic metabolite is likely to inhibit bacterial growth. Urea (and perhaps other metabolites) present in all urine inhibits bacterial growth. Any one or a combination of these factors may inhibit or diminish bacterial grown in vitro.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,669, issued on Sept. 30, 1980 to Melnick et al., describes methods for semi-quantitative and semi-qualitative detection of bacteria in fluid specimens including urine, blood, water, samples and pharmaceutical products. The methods employ compositions of chelating agents and basic dyes capable of staining bacteria at pH of 7 or greater and observing the stained bacteria with the naked eye. Neither culture nor microscopic examination of bacteria is necessary. By intention and design, Melnick's method is referenced to the cultures and is used as a screening procedure prior to culture.


An IP telephone set 4 is provided with a power failure adapter 5. During power failure, a function of the power failure adapter 5 is enabled so that the IP telephone set 4 is connected to an analog network 3 via the power failure adapter 5. As a result, the IP telephone set 4 is allowed to perform telephone communication via the analog network 3. The IP telephone set 4 includes an emergency call detecting portion 40a and a transmitting portion 40b. The emergency call detection portion 40a detects that an emergency telephone number is dialed as a dialed emergency telephone number. The transmitting portion 40b enables the function of the power failure adapter 5 when the emergency call detecting portion 40a detects that the emergency telephone number is dialed and transmits the dialed emergency telephone number to the analog network 3 via the power failure adapter 5.

This invention relates to an IP telephone set, an IP telephone system having the IP telephone set, and a dialing method in the IP telephone set.
JP-A-2005-26898 (Patent Document 1) discloses an emergency connection system. As briefly stated in the abstract of the above-referenced publication, in the emergency connection system, an IP (Internet Protocol) telephone set is connected, in a normal mode, to an IP network to perform telephone communication as an extension telephone set under control of an IP-PBX (Internet Protocol-Private Branch eXchange). If a failure occurs on the IP network or a power supply is disconnected or interrupted due to power failure or the like, the IP telephone set is connected to a general public network via a gateway to perform telephone communication as an outside line telephone set.

IP telephone set, IP telephone system, and dialing method in the IP telephone set


In accordance with an embodiment, a method for determining an overall memory size of a global memory area configured to store input data and output data of each layer of a neural network includes: for each current layer of the neural network after a first layer, determining a pair of elementary memory areas based on each preceding elementary memory area associated with a preceding layer, wherein: the two elementary memory areas of the pair of elementary memory areas respectively have two elementary memory sizes, each of the two elementary memory areas are configured to store input data and output data of the current layer of the neural network, the output data is respectively stored in two different locations, and the overall memory size of the global memory area corresponds to a smallest elementary memory size at an output of the last layer of the neural network.

Neural networks are massively used for solving various statistical problems, notably the problem of the classification of data.
After an automatic learning phase, generally supervised, in other words on an already classified reference database, a neural network "learns" and becomes capable on its own of applying the same classification to unknown data.
Convolutional neural networks (or CNN) may for example be mentioned which are a type of neural network in which the pattern of connections between the neurons is inspired by the visual cortex of animals. They allow the efficient recognition of objects or of persons in images or videos.
A convolutional neural network generally contains four types of layer successively processing the information: a convolution layer which processes for example blocks of the image one after another; a non-linear layer which allows the relevance of the result to be improved; a pooling layer which allows several neurons to be grouped into a single neuron; and a fully-connected (or dense) layer which connects all the neurons of a layer to all the neurons of the preceding layer.
Each layer takes data as input and delivers output data (or "features") at the output, after processing by the layer. The convolution layer generally corresponds to a scalar product between the neurons of the preceding layer and the weight of the neural network. It constitutes the first layer of a convolutional neural network. "Weight", which is a term whose meaning in the field of neural networks is well known to those skilled in the art, is understood to mean parameters of neurons that are configurable for obtaining good output data.
The aim of the convolution layer is to identify the presence of a set of specific data in the images received at the input. For this purpose, a filtering is effected by convolution. The principle is to slide a window representing the data to be detected, and to calculate the convolution product between the window and each portion of the scanned image.
For each convolution product, output data is obtained that indicates where the specific data is situated on the image.
The pooling layer is often placed between two convolution layers. At its input, it receives the output data from the convolution layer to which a "pooling" operation is applied which consists in reducing the size of the data while at the same time preserving its significant features. It allows the number of parameters and of calculations in the network to be reduced, and the efficiency of the network is improved as a consequence.
The fully connected layer forms the last layer of a convolutional or non-convolutional neural network; it allows the data input into the neural network to be classified.
The typical architectures of neural networks stack a few pairs of convolution layers and non-linear layers then add a pooling layer and repeat this pattern until output data of a sufficiently small size is obtained, then finish with two fully connected layers.
Today, neural networks are becoming more complex and take up a significant space in memory.
Several types of volatile memory are compatible with the use of a neural network, for example a TCM (for "Tightly Coupled Memory") memory or a static volatile memory SRAM (for "Static Random Access Memory") or an external memory.
If the neural network needs a large memory, the system in which the neural network is implemented could combine several types of memory, for example the memory TCM with the external memory, slowing down the execution time of the network.
There accordingly exists a need to limit as far as possible, or to optimize, the memory size needed for the execution of the neural network.
The optimization of the memory size also leads to an optimization of the surface area of the system and to a reduction in its power consumption when the neural network is executed.
One solution described in the French Patent application, filed on the Dec. 6, 2018 under no 1872443, includes an optimization of the memory size for each elementary memory area allocated to each layer. In other words, the optimization is performed layer by layer independently of the topology of the neural network, which allows the memory size and, as a consequence, the execution time of the neural network to be reduced.

Method and device for determining a global memory size of a global memory size for a neural network


The present invention discloses apparatus and methods for perforating, completing, testing, and abandoning a wellbore in a single trip. One embodiment of the invention is a method that comprises perforating an interval within the wellbore, positioning a sand screen assembly adjacent the perforated interval, gravel packing the perforated interval, performing testing on the perforated interval, and then abandoning the well, all in a single trip in the wellbore.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to tools used to complete subterranean wells. More particularly the present invention describes a means of perforating, gravel pack completing, testing, and abandoning a well in a single trip.
2. Description of Related Art
Hydrocarbon fluids such as oil and natural gas are obtained from a subterranean geologic formation, referred to as a reservoir, by drilling a well that penetrates the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Once a wellbore has been drilled, the well must be completed before hydrocarbons can be produced from the well. A completion involves the design, selection, and installation of equipment and materials in or around the wellbore for conveying, pumping, or controlling the production or injection of fluids. After the well has been completed, production testing of the well can begin.
Sand or silt flowing into the wellbore from unconsolidated formations can lead to an accumulation of fill within the wellbore, reduced production rates and causing damage to subsurface production equipment. Migrating sand has the possibility of packing off around the subsurface production equipment, or may enter the production tubing and become carried into the production equipment. Due to its highly abrasive nature, sand contained within production streams can result in the erosion of tubing, flowlines, valves and processing equipment. The problems caused by sand production can significantly increase operational and maintenance expenses. The loss of sand from the formation can create void areas and undermine the formation stability, and this can lead to formation collapse and to a total loss of the well""s productive capacity. One means of controlling sand production is the placement of relatively large sand (i.e., xe2x80x9cgravelxe2x80x9d) around the exterior of a slotted, perforated, or other type liner or screen. The gravel serves as a filter to help assure that formation fines and sand do not migrate with the produced fluids into the wellbore. In a typical gravel pack completion, a screen is placed in the wellbore and positioned within the unconsolidated formation that is to be completed for production. The screen is typically connected to a tool that includes a production packer and a cross-over, and the tool is in turn connected to a work or production tubing string. The gravel is pumped in a liquid slurry down the tubing and through the cross-over, thereby flowing into the annulus between the screen and the wellbore. The liquid forming the slurry leaks off into the formation and/or through the screen, which is sized to prevent the gravel in the slurry from flowing through. The liquid that passes through the screen flows up the tubing and then the cross-over directs it into the annulus area above the packer where it can be circulated out of the well. As a result of this operation, the gravel is deposited in the annulus area around the screen where it forms a gravel pack. The screen prevents the gravel pack from entering into the production tubing. It is important to size the gravel for proper containment of the formation sand, and the screen must be designed in a manner to prevent the flow of the gravel through the screen.
At times it is desirable to complete a zone, perform production tests and then abandon the well, either temporarily or permanently. Offshore exploration wells are often drilled, completed and then flow tested to gain information on the productive capabilities of the field and the extent of the potential recoverable reserves. As there are usually no production facilities, platforms or pipelines in place when these exploration wells are drilled, they must be abandoned following the flow testing. Field development, if it is commenced at all, may occur several years after the discovery well is tested and abandoned. Field development can include the design and construction of fixed or floating production facilities, pipeline design and construction to transport the product to market, and detailed reservoir studies to determine the most economical development plan and the most efficient production rates that can be achieved.
Current methods to complete a well, perform flow tests and then abandon the well involve a number of trips in and out of the well. For example, one trip can be used to perforate the well, another trip can place the sand screens and perform the gravel pack operation, and yet another trip may be required to plug and abandon the well. Each trip in and out of the wellbore results in increased time and expense. Any reduction in the number of trips required to perform these procedures will result in significant cost savings.
There is a need for improved tools and methods to enable an operator to complete a well, perform flow tests and then abandon the well.
One embodiment of the present invention is a completion apparatus for perforating, completing, testing, and abandoning a wellbore in a single trip that comprises a perforating gun, a sand screen, an isolation valve, a packer, and a workstring. The perforating gun, sand screen, isolation valve and packer can be directly or indirectly mechanically attached to the workstring. The sand screen is typically located above the perforating gun, and the packer and isolation valve are both located above the sand screen and are releasably attached to the workstring. The perforating gun is capable of imposing perforations into a predetermined zone within the wellbore to create a perforated zone. The completion apparatus is longitudinally movable within the wellbore and is capable of positioning the sand screen assembly adjacent to the perforated zone in preparation of a gravel pack operation and flow testing. The workstring is capable of being released from the packer and the isolation valve, thus enabling removal of the workstring from the wellbore after gravel packing and flow testing have been performed.
The isolation valve is movable between an open position and a closed position and comprises a longitudinal flow path and a sealing mechanism whereby fluid flow through the longitudinal flow path is possible when the isolation valve is in its open position and fluid flow through the longitudinal flow path is restricted by the sealing mechanism when the isolation valve is in its closed position. The isolation valve is typically in its open position when the workstring is engaged with the packer and is in its closed position when the workstring is disengaged from the packer. The completion apparatus may also comprise a second packer located between the perforating gun and the sand screen. This second packer is capable of being set within the wellbore to isolate the zone to be perforated and to facilitate well testing subsequent to perforating.
The completion apparatus can further comprise a testing tool that is in communication with the workstring. The testing tool is capable of being located within the wellbore during well testing or can be attached to the well at the surface and capable of performing well testing operations.
Another embodiment of the invention is an apparatus for completing, testing and abandoning a well in a single trip into the wellbore. The apparatus comprises a perforating gun, a sand screen, a testing member and an isolation valve. The apparatus is longitudinally movable within the wellbore and is capable of positioning the perforating gun at a desired location to create a perforated zone and then capable of being re-positioned so that the sand screen is adjacent to the perforated zone. The isolation valve is capable of moving between an open and closed position, and when in its closed position is capable of isolating a perforated zone. The apparatus may further comprise a packer.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of completing, testing, and abandoning a wellbore in a single trip that comprises perforating an interval within the wellbore, positioning a sand screen assembly adjacent the perforated interval, gravel packing the perforated interval, performing production testing on the perforated interval, and abandoning the wellbore, all in a single trip in the wellbore. The well can be killed with hydrostatic fluid pressure after the wellbore is perforated and after the production testing if it is needed. The method can further comprise inserting a tool assembly into the wellbore that includes a perforating gun, sand screen, and packer attached to a workstring, the sand screen being located above the perforating gun and the packer being located above the sand screen, and setting the packer prior to gravel packing the wellbore. Abandoning the wellbore comprises releasing the workstring from the packer and spotting plugs while removing the workstring from the wellbore. The plugs spotted within the wellbore comprise material circulated down the workstring, such as sand or cement. The method can further comprise closing an isolation valve after the well testing and prior to abandoning the wellbore. The above mentioned tool assembly can comprise an isolation valve that closes and isolates the perforated zone either prior to or in conjunction with the release of the workstring from the packer. The isolation valve is capable of restricting the flow of fluids from the formation through the packer. A second packer may be located below the sand screen assembly and above the perforating gun, and set prior to gravel packing. This second packer set below the sand screen can isolate the sand screen from the portion of the wellbore below the perforated zone, sometimes referred to as a sump. Having the sand screen isolated from the sump area will generally enable a better gravel pack than would be achieved if the sump area were left open to the sand screen and the perforated interval.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of completing, testing, and abandoning a wellbore comprising inserting a tool assembly into the wellbore. The tool assembly comprises a perforating gun, a retrievable packer, a sand screen assembly, a permanent packer, and an isolation valve on a workstring. The method involves positioning the perforating gun at a predetermined location within the wellbore, setting the retrievable packer, perforating the wellbore and creating a perforated zone. The retrievable packer is then released, the tool assembly repositioned to place the sand screen assembly substantially adjacent to the perforated zone and the retrievable packer located below the sand screen assembly is set. The permanent packer located above the sand screen assembly is set and a gravel pack operation is performed adjacent the sand screen assembly thereby depositing a gravel pack in the annulus area between the sand screen assembly and the perforated zone. Testing of the perforated zone is then performed. After testing the isolation valve is closed, the workstring is released from the permanent packer, and the wellbore is abandoned while pulling the workstring out of the wellbore. All of the above steps occur in a single trip into the well.
The perforated zone can be flowed back after the well has been perforated if that is desired. If needed, the well can be temporarily killed with hydrostatic fluid pressure prior to releasing the retrievable packer and prior to releasing the workstring from the permanent packer.


A welding apparatus that includes a welding rod pliers connected to a portable head shield by an elongated flexible articulated tube. The person can hold the pliers in one hand, with the flexible tube acting to position the shield in a proper location for viewing the weld connection. This feature leaves the person's other hand free to manipulate a clamp or other tool for holding the work pieces in place during the welding process.

In the field of arc welding with a welding rod and a portable head shield there is a problem, due to the fact that the person performing the welding operation must use one hand to hold the welding rod pliers and the other hand to hold the portable head shield. It is therefore impossible to position or maintain the work pieces (with a suitable tool) during the welding process.

Structure of head shield for welding pliers


A padlock includes a lock body, a shackle, and a sleeve. The lock body includes opposed front and rear longitudinally extending side walls terminating at first and second end portions. The shackle extends from the first end portion of the lock body. The sleeve covers at least a portion of each of the longitudinally extending side walls, and an internal surface of the sleeve includes at least one longitudinally extending rib contacting at least one of the front and rear longitudinally extending side walls to define a gap between the sleeve and the lock body.

Padlocks are used in a variety of applications, including, for example, with enclosures such as lockers, storage sheds, and various gates and doors. A typical padlock includes a generally rectangular lock body having a generally U-shaped shackle extending from one end and a keyway disposed on an opposite end. When a proper key is inserted in the keyway, a key cylinder within the lock body may be rotated to disengage a locking mechanism from the shackle, allowing the shackle to slide out of the lock body until a short leg of the shackle is fully removed from the lock body, allowing removal of the lock from a hasp or other such portion of an enclosure to be locked.
One type of padlock includes a laminated lock body, in which a series of plates are secured together in a stack to define a lock body having internal cavities for receiving the shackle, the key cylinder, and the locking mechanism. These plates are commonly manufactured from a sheet or strip of material in which the plate is stamped or otherwise cut from a larger web or portion of the strip. Cutouts are formed in each plate (by stamping or other cutting operations) to define internal cavities of the lock body and/or openings for fasteners (such as rivets) for securing the plates together in a stack.
While such a technique may provide a cost efficient lock body for a padlock, the conventional laminated padlock may be subject to some cost, design, and security limitations. For example, excess material from which the lock body plates are stamped may result in additional manufacturing costs, particularly where the lock body has a non-rectangular horizontal cross section (such as a generally diamond shaped horizontal cross section, as is commonly used). These efficiency concerns may limit the shape and other external appearance characteristics of a laminated padlock. Also, exposed seams between the stacked plates may be subject to unauthorized attack or environmental corrosion or contamination, which may weaken, damage, or otherwise compromise the lock.


An apparatus comprising a packaging machine, which comprises a control unit having a process parameter generator designed to determine specific process parameters for a production process of the packaging machine. The control unit of the packaging machine also comprises a recipe generator for an adjustment process of the packaging machine preceding the production process or can be connected to a recipe generator of the apparatus, which generator is designed as a separate unit. The respective recipe generator comprises a set of rules for determining recipe variables for the adjustment process of the packaging machine and is designed to generate the recipe variables with reference to a plurality of data and to form therefrom a recipe data set for the adjustment process of the packaging machine. A method for using the apparatus is also included.

In practice, packaging machines are frequently preprogrammed before the actual production process to be carried out therewith, i.e. before specific products can be packed according to orders, by means of great efforts during an adjustment process carried out in advance with a plurality of product and machine dependent process data. Thereby, often several test runs are required in order to determine the optimal process data. Due to the plurality of required process data, often only skilled machine adjusters can carry out the adjustment process on the packaging machine.
Specifically, if a new product, a new film or a new tool are used on the packaging machine for the first time, a program (recipe) with suitable machine adjustments (parameters) does not yet exist therefor. For the operators, it is often impossible and even for a machine adjuster, it involves a considerable effort to create a program on the packaging machine for the new product, the new packaging material, and/or the new tool used therefor so that a process-reliable production can start according to changed parameters.
Document DE 10 2012 005 179 A1 discloses an apparatus as well as a method for operating the apparatus for a molding process of a heated thermoplastic film. Thereby, a control unit of the apparatus supplies a controller with machine adjustments controlling a thermoforming process as first input values, determines measurement values from the thermoforming process, and supplies the controller with the measurement values as second input values, and the operator supplies the controller with inputs as third input values via the operating input interface HMI, wherein the controller processes the first, second, and third input values and supplies the control unit with the controller results as adapted machine adjustments.

Packaging machine having an improved adjustment function


Disclosed are methods and apparatus for performing a better PLMN (BPLMN) search during connected mode DRX. In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) detects a trigger to begin a BPLMN search while in connected mode discontinuous reception (CDRX); determines whether it is configured for a manual BPLMN search; determine whether the CDRX duration is greater than or equal to the minimum amount of time required to perform the manual BPLMN search; and when determined that the CDRX duration is greater than or equal to the minimum amount of time required for the BPLMN search, performs the manual BPLMN search while in the CDRX.

1. Field
Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for performing a better PLMN search during connected mode discontinuous reception (CDRX).
2. Background
A Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) is a radio access network (RAN) that provides mobile telecommunications services. The PLMN is typically a multiple-access system capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., bandwidth and transmit power). Multiple PLMNs may be operated by different operators in the same geographic area. These PLMNs may use different radio access technologies (RATs) and communication standards, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), etc.
Due to the large variety of PLMNs with often overlapping coverage areas, popularity of multimode user equipment (UE) capable of supporting multiple RATs has grown significantly. These multimode UEs may have one or more radios for communication with multiple RATs. During operation, a multimode UE typically searches for available PLMNs and registers with one of them. The UE may then periodically search for a better PLMN (BPLMN), which may use the same or different RAT as the serving PLMN. If a better PLMN is found the UE may handover to the new PLMN. However, due to network differences, performing BPLMS search and inter-technology handovers are resource intensive processes. Accordingly, there is a need to improve a better PLMN search and inter-technology handover processes.

Apparatus and method for performing better PLMN search during connected mode DRX


Apparatus and methods for deactivating pulmonary nerves extending along the main bronchi of a mammalian subject to reduce ARDS effects by advancing an ultrasound transducer into the right and subsequently left main bronchus. The ultrasound transducer emits circumferential ultrasound so as to heat a circumferential tissue volume encompassing the right and left main bronchus. The energy of <10 W acoustic for <5 sec will not be sufficient to cause tissue necrosis but sufficient to inactivate nerve conduction. This treatment can be performed without locating or focusing on individual pulmonary nerves.

As the COVID 19 pandemic made painfully clear ARDS can be a fatal respiratory issue. There are no successful treatments currently known other than to increase the oxygen supply with ventilators for the patient.
Increased mucus production, airway inflammation and smooth muscle contraction resulting in airway obstruction would amplify ARDS and have to be avoided. This obstruction can be treated by injuring and scaring the bronchial walls. This remodeling of the bronchial walls stiffens the bronchia and reduces contractility. Mechanical means and heat application have been proposed as in U.S. Pat. No. 8,267,094 B2. Other approaches focus on destruction of smooth muscle cells surrounding the bronchia as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0143099A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,906,124B2. Others describe applying RF energy to the bronchial wall and thereby directly widening the bronchia through a process which is not disclosed as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,740,017B2 and 8,161,978B2. Whatever the process, the bronchial wall will be damaged and the procedure therefore has to be staged as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,740,017B2. European Patent No. 2405841 describes applications of heat shocks through infused agents.
Inactivating conduction of the nerves surrounding the bronchia has been proposed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2012/0203216A1 through mechanical action i.e. puncturing, tearing, cutting nerve tissue. In U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0118 nerve tissue ablation is proposed by applying energy (RF, HIFU, Microwave, Radiation and Thermal Energy) directly to the nerves percutaneously. It is not taught how to identify the nerve location in order to align the energy focal point (i.e. HIFU) with the nerve location. This is an issue since nerves are too small to be visualized with standard ultrasound, CT or MRI imaging methods. Therefore, the focal point of the energy field cannot be predictably aligned with the target or nerve location. U.S. Pat. No. 8,088,127B2 teaches to denervate by applying RF energy to the bronchial wall with the catheter positioned inside the bronchial lumen. It is proposed to protect the bronchial wall through simultaneous cooling of the wall. This is of course a very time intensive treatment approach since the RF ablation is limited to the electrode contact area. Therefore numerous ablation zones need to be pieced together to obtain a larger ablation zone with increased probability of affecting nerves. Efficacy might be severely limited due to the cooling action.
However, how to selectively target predominantly nerves without affecting bronchial wall and surrounding tissue in a quick 5 to 10 min procedure even tolerated by a critically ill patient is not taught. There is a need for a device and method to selectively ablate bronchial nerves without causing damage to bronchial walls and surrounding tissues. If this can be achieved, treatments would be much easier and faster to perform. Today's multiple treatments (see U.S. Pat. No. 7,740,017B2 and Alair System description, BSX) could be reduced to a one time treatment much better tolerated by the critically ill patient suffering from ARDS.

Method and apparatus for performance of thermal bronchioplasty to reduce COVID-19-induced respiratory distress and treat COVID-19-damaged distal lung regions


A closed type battery case having a lower base, an upper lid, and a battery plate device. The upper lid is slidably connected to the lower base. At least a separator is disposed in the lower base parallel to the lateral walls. The battery plate device has at least a positive-negative plate, a negative plate and a positive plate being attached to the separator and the lower base so as to be located in place in accordance with the principle of series circuit. A base chamber is formed between a front wall of the lower base and the battery plate device and provided with a chamber hole. An output terminal is connect with the positive-negative plate of the battery plate device and received in the base chamber, and an input end of an electronic produce is connected to the output terminal through the chamber hole for the power supply.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a closed type battery case, and particularly to closed type battery case, which can offer the power supply temporarily in case of urgency.
2. Description of Related Art
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,022, which is owned by the present inventor, has disclosed an enclosed battery holder and the enclosed battery holder comprises a seat engaging with a cover and a conductive plate means is received in the space enclosed therein. The seat near a lateral side thereof has two opposite grooved supports for locating a first conductive plate and near the other lateral side thereof has further grooved supports for locating a second and a third conductive plates respectively. Both of the lateral walls and the front wall on the seat provide a rib respectively and the cover at both lateral sides thereof also has a rib respectively corresponding to that on the seat so that the cover can slide on the seat as soon as the cover engages with the seat. Further, the front wall provides a hole for the lead wires extending outward through the hole. It is characterized in that the seat provides partitions to avoid the conductive plates contacting each other, the front wall extends a hook piece and the rear wall provides an engaging hole, the respective rib on the cover with an extended rib section to enclose the rib on the seat, and the cover further provides a slot corresponding to the hook piece on the seat and a hook piece corresponding to the engaging hole on the seat such that the seat and the cover can engage with each other firmly.
The preceding hole at the front wall on the seat is essentially for the two lead wires extending outward to supply the power source to the electronic product so that the enclosed battery holder mostly is thought as an accessory for the electronic product. However, the portable consumptive personal electronic product such as the mobile phone or the personal digital assistant (PDA) is so popular that the electronic product may become useless in case of the power in the battery (mostly the configuration and the specification thereof are special) equipped in the electronic product having been out and no place being available for recharging. Hence, how to utilize the conventional standardized battery associated with a battery box with a function of being able to recharge the electronic product temporarily is a bottleneck worth us to overcome.
An object of the present invention is to provide a closed type battery case, which has a base chamber is disposed in a lower base next to a battery plate device with a chamber hole at a proper place therein, an output terminal is in conjunction with the battery plate device and received in the base chamber to connect with an input end of an electronic product through the chamber hole for the power supply such that the closed type battery case can perform a function for temporarily recharging the electronic product.


An underwater electrical connector having an electrically insulated contact chamber (21) receiving a pin (5) of a male coupling element in a contact area (41). A piston element (29) and the contact pin (5) slide in the contact chamber (21) in a sealingly connectable manner by at least two joints, one (45) placed near an opening (27) and the other (45′) downstream of the pin and the contact chamber contact area (9, 41). The surface of the piston element (29) between the two joints (45, 45′) is connected to a chamber filled with an electrically insulating fluid (49), arranged inside the connector element and connected to an external flexible wall element (51) deformable so as allow the introduction and removal of the contact pin (5). The contact area is filled with the electrically insulating fluid and separated from the remaining part of the connector by a third joint (47).

Patents EP 0 493 375 and EP 0 251 655 disclose electrical connectors that can be connected in sea water, comprising two expansion chambers containing an electrically insulating fluid for drying the contact part of the connector when the male element of the connector is coupled in the corresponding female element, the external expansion chamber forming the body of the casing of the female connector element. However, this external, deformable expansion chamber mainly comprises a wall made of elastomer material, the external surface of which can be attacked by solvents, particularly in the case of oil drilling. Furthermore, the mobile shuttle receiving the contact pin of the male element is returned toward the front of the female element by means of a helical spring housed in the rear part of the shuttle housing. This arrangement makes it complicated to construct, particularly when it comprises multiple contact elements, and increases the coupling force in proportion to the number of contact elements.

Electrical connector connectable in water or in a liquid medium


Apparatus for an automatic bottle handling machine (2) operating in conjunction with a bottling line (25), with light material bottles (23) initially orderly arranged on trays or several packings (22) stacked on a pallet (21), comprises a device (1) having grippers (9, 17) for gripping the groups of bottles (23) in a packing (22), transporting (5) the bottles and dumping them out of their packing into a hopper (18) to recover them in bulk, and discharging the packing, an automatic machine (2) to re-erect and align the containers, fed with the bottles in bulk from the device (1), and a bottling line (25) coupled to the automatic machine.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an automatic apparatus for feeding a bottling line with groups of different bottles, or containers, made of light material, such as plastic, initially orderly arranged on trays or several packings stacked on a pallet.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Known devices designed to transfer plastic bottles toward a bottling line are of the type already used with glass bottles, wherein an accumulation table commonly constituted by a plurality of conveyors, adjacent and coplanar, are coupled with a single output carrier. That is to say, the bottles, initially upright, are uprightly handled up to the bottling line and the apparatus is operated so that they all remain so.
Even if the devices are set and achieve excellent results with glass bottles, it is unfortunately not so for light material bottles, such as plastic, which because of their flexibility and lightness provoke jamming and crushing, resulting in the bottles falling over. These drawbacks result in the requirement for surveying and handling personnel in a rather significant number resulting in costs for additional personnel having to be added to equipment costs which are significant.

Automatic apparatus for feeding a bottling line


A quiver is adapted for detachable mounting on an archery bow to hold hunting arrows, while they are spaced upright with their sharp hunting heads quickly, releasably positioned in a protective hood above, and with their nocks quickly, releasably held below on a cross-retainer or nock bar, while all their nocks are aligned. The arrows are removed upon a quick uplifting motion, followed by a quick offset lowering motion, and then followed by a ninety-degree vertical rotational motion, whereby the nock of a withdrawn arrow is in alignment for quickly fitting the bowstring in a shooting position. To accommodate groups of arrows having the same overall lengths, which are different from groups of arrow having the same common longer or shorter lengths, an embodiment of the quiver is longitudinally adjustable. The nocks preferably snap on and snap off the cross-retainer. The sharp hunting heads have their entry portions positioned in a resilient material within the protective hold.

In respect to holding hunting arrows, Messrs. King, Schampel and Becking, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,958 issued in 1955, provided a quiver, strappable to an archer's back, holding arrows upright with their hunting heads below and exposed, and their nock ends protected above, with resilient materials receiving both the entry portions of their points below and the nock ends above. Later, in 1972, Gerald Gentellalli in U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,978, provided an adjustable length quiver, strappable to an archer's back, holding arrows upright with their hunting heads below, partially exposed, and their nock ends protected above within a rectangular covered enclosure.
Other persons have provided quivers attachable to hunting bows, placing the hunting arrows upright when the hunting bow is held vertically in the shooting position. In 1961, Bert Haggard provided an arrow-holding attachment leaving both the hunting heads and nocks exposed, with the shafts of the arrows being removably held at one location spaced downwardly from the arrowhead, and at another location spaced upwardly from the nocks. In 1963, James Ramsey, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,108,725, disclosed his arrow holder for bows wherein the hunting heads were protectively received above and the depending arrow shafts were received in notches in a lower plate located well above the nocked ends. In 1971, James Ramsey, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,561,651, provided a quiver attachable to an archer's bow to protectively hold the arrows in an upright position with the hunting heads held from above and the arrow shafts held at a point spaced from the nocks. In 1973, Harry Ehlert, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,174, disclosed a bow-mounted arrow quiver protecting hunting heads above and received arrow shafts below, having a vertical support, in turn, secured above and below to the bow. In 1981, Arthur Spitzke, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,101, provided a detachable bow-mounted quiver having an upright support secured to the bow and, in turn, providing a protective cover above to receive the hunting heads and a lower receiver to hold the arrow shafts at about their mid lengths. Later in 1982 Arthur Spitzke, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,312, illustrated and described a similar bow-mounted quiver. In 1986, John Schaar, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,606, disclosed a bow-mounted quiver having an upright support secured to the bow, in turn, providing a protective cover above for hunting heads substantially pushed into a filler material, such as rubber or styrofoam, and an arrangement of snap-in receivers below to receive arrow shafts at about their mid length.
These quivers supported on an archer's back or on an archer's bow have served and serve archers well. However, there remained a need for having a quiver detachably supported on a bow, which could securely hold a hunting arrow in place, with the sharp hunting head well protected and the arrow held securely until intentionally released by the archer, and with the nock directly held in the same aligned position with the other nocks.

Quiver having a neck-gripping and alignment mechanism


A method, antenna switching integrated circuit (IC), and communications device that connect a transmitter to a selected antenna to propagate at least one transmission signal to the selected one of at least two antennas, based on feedback information associated with one or more antennas. An antenna tuning and switching (ATS) controller receives feedback information about a current status of an antenna tuner, wherein the current status of the antenna tuner is either locked or unlocked. In response to the current status of the antenna tuner being in a locked state, the ATS controller triggers an antenna selection switch to connect the antenna (that is associated with the antenna tuner) to the transmitter in order to propagate the transmission signal(s) from the transmitter to the antenna. If the antenna tuner is in an unlocked state, the ATS controller selects a different antenna that is not associated with an antenna tuner.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to wireless communications devices and in particular to antenna tuning and switching in wireless communications devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the number of mode combinations, features and functions in wireless communications devices increase, providing high quality communications with these devices becomes increasingly difficult. In addition, today's wireless communications devices are integrated with many applications including gaming applications and other electronic functionality including, for example, the use of a camera. While these applications and electronic functions are being used, ensuring that communications signals have a clear, unobstructed path to and from the antenna presents a unique challenge. The communications challenges further increase as a result of the wide range of transmission requirements associated with the various communications modes that the device is expected to support.
Traditional approaches to this challenge involve the use of multiple antennas with spatial-time signal processing. However, as handset designers continue to shrink their products for the user's convenience, the space available for radiating structures is becoming increasingly limited.

Tunable filter feedback to control antenna switch diversity


A method and system for automatically transitioning configuration settings among computer systems. Multiple configuration settings comprising a computer xe2x80x9cpersonalityxe2x80x9d are located on a source computing system using multiple transition rules from a personality object. The computer personality includes customization choices, data files, electronic mail, system preferences, application customization choices, the network environment, browser information, etc. The configuration settings are extracted from multiple locations on the source computing system. The multiple extracted configuration settings are stored in a pre-determined transition format. The multiple extracted configuration settings are manipulated. A transition package is created from the multiple manipulated configuration settings. The transition package includes the multiple manipulated configuration settings. The transition package is sent to a target computing system. The transition package is infused on the target computing system to automatically transition configuration settings from the source computing system to the target computing system. The method and system may vastly reduce transition, configuration and deployment times for service providers, corporations, and end-users when a new computing system is deployed.

The present invention relates to configuration of computers. More specifically, it relates to a method and system for automatic transitioning of configuration settings among computer systems.
In today""s world, where technology changes very quickly, it is very common to replace an old computer system every few years with a new computing system. It has been estimated that approximately 90,000,000 personal computers are sold each year, with approximately 90% of the sales comprising new computing systems to replace old computing systems. The new computing systems typically include more memory, larger hard-disks, faster central processing units, better quality monitors, updated versions of operating systems, new software applications and other improved features.
Any old computer system typically includes a large number of configuration settings that have been added and/or customized by a user or a network manager. The configuration settings may include Internet settings, modem or other network settings, dial-up phone numbers, a desktop xe2x80x9clook and feel,xe2x80x9d file system folders settings, application settings, folder names and locations, macros and editing options, custom dictionaries, electronic mail (xe2x80x9ce-mailxe2x80x99) address books, inboxes, passwords, subscriptions, certificates and other configurations or setting customized by a user or a network manager, or other configuration parameters used over time such as cookies, etc.
There are several problems associated with making a transition from an old computing system to a new computing system. First, there is currently no easy way to determine what configuration settings a user or a network administrator may have customized, since there is no one central location where such configuration files are stored. Operating systems and other hardware and software applications typically have unique directories and unique file names to store configuration files and settings. These unique directories and configuration files can exist virtually anywhere on an old computer system. Trying to collect configuration settings is a difficult task. The average user or network administrator may have to spend large amounts of time reading documentation or help screens to figure out where the configuration files are stored for any given application.
Another problem is that there is no easy way to collect and store heterogeneous configuration settings when they are located. The operating system and applications typically use unique data layouts and data storage features that do not allow for homogenous collection and storage.
Another problem is that there is no easy way to transfer old configuration settings to a new computing system. When a new computer system is used, a user or a user""s agent typically has to re-configure the new computing system to include configuration settings that were used on an old computer system. All but the most rudimentary pieces of xe2x80x9cthe migration processxe2x80x9d are done by hand. This requires many hours of hands-on time, with lost productivity and a xe2x80x9cstart from scratchxe2x80x9d resignation. Many users often decide to stick with an obsolete old computer system rather than wrestle migration and manual re-configuration required for a new computing system.
Yet another problem is that configurations settings on an old computing system may be stored in a new location, in a new file, or in new format on a new computing system. An old configuration setting may have to be translated or otherwise modified to provide the same results on the target computing system. Such translation and/or modifications are typically completed by hand and are prone to errors that lead to user frustration.
Yet another problem is that the migration to a new computing system typically requires training on new features of new target computing system before migration can take place. This training often delays the migration process. In addition, a manual migration process used without adequate training on the new computing system can decrease quality of service on the new computing system since one or more configuration settings may be missed on the old computing system and not be transferred to the new computing system.
Yet another problem is the Year 2000 (xe2x80x9cY2Kxe2x80x9d) problem, which may force companies to quickly migrate large numbers of computing systems to new technology before the year 2000. The issues of migration in the face of a Y2K breakdown is a daunting problem by itself. A manual migration process acts to increase the complexity of the Y2K problem.
Thus, it is desirable to automatically determine configuration settings customized by a user or a network administrator on a old computing system. It is also desirable to provide an automatic migration of configuration settings from an old computing system to a new computing system without using a time consuming manual migration process.
In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, some of the problems associated with transferring configuration settings from an old computer system to a new computer system are overcome. A method and system for automatically transitioning configurations among computer systems is provided. One aspect of the invention includes a method for automatically transitioning configuration settings from source (i.e., old) computing system to a target (i.e., new) computing system.
This method includes locating multiple configuration settings on a source computing system using multiple transition rules from a Personality object. The multiple configuration settings are extracted from a multiple locations on the source computing system. The multiple extracted configuration settings are stored in a pre-determined transition format on the source computing system. The multiple extracted configuration settings stored in the pre-determined transition format are manipulated. A translation package is prepared from the multiple manipulated configuration settings stored in the pre-determined transition format. The translation package is used to transfer the multiple manipulated configuration settings from the source computing system to a target computing system.
The translation package is transferred to a target computing system, or stored as an intermediate step in the transition process. The translation package may also be created stored on an intermediate computing system. The translation package is infused on the target computing system to transition configuration settings from the source computing system to the target computing system. The configuration settings in the translation package may be optionally verified to ensure that the configuration settings have been correctly applied to the target computing system.
Another aspect of the invention includes an automatic transition system. The system comprises a database, and extraction application, a preparation application, an injection application and a user interface application. However, more or fewer system components could also be used and the present invention is not limited to the system components described.
The database is used for storing configuration settings extracted from a source computing system, manipulated configuration settings from a source computing system, and transition packages to transition configuration settings from a source computing system to a target computing system. The database may include data stored in a database format or in other formats such as a data structure format, a file format, or other volatile or non-volatile formats. The extraction application is used for locating and extracting configuration settings on a source computing system for transition to a target computing system. The preparation application is used for manipulating configuration settings extracted from a source computing system and for preparing a transition package. The injection application is used for infusing manipulated configuration settings from a transition package to transition configuration settings from a source computing system to a target computing system. The user interface application is used for preparing an extraction plan and a transition plan to extract and transition configuration settings from a source computing system for a target computing system.
The method and system provide an automated transition process for transition configuration settings from a target computing system to a host computing system. The method and system may vastly reduce transition, configuration and deployment times for service providers, corporations, and end-users for transitions from a target computing system to source computing system. The method and system may save time, resources, improve transition quality, and reduce user frustration.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description. The detailed description proceeds with references to the accompanying drawings.

Method and system for automatically transitioning of configuration settings among computer systems


A frequency plan is provided for particular use in a transceiver. Advantageously, a single oscillator may be used to generate desired frequency signal. One or more power splitters receive the signal and equally divide the signal into first and second signals having a frequency substantially equal to the original. Multipliers on each arm of the transceiver receive a signal and increase the frequency of the signal. Ultimately, multiple signals having different frequencies may be transmitted over the same cable due in part to the generated frequency separation between the signals. In one particular aspect, the frequency plan provides a two-thirds relationship between the frequencies of the multiple signals.

In general, conventional transceiver frequency plans include two separate LOs (local oscillators) to drive mixers in the system and enable a wider range of frequency use. Multiple oscillators, however, are problematic. For example, oscillators have a tendency to drift (shift from the desired frequency range). A system containing two or more oscillators will experience a drift in each oscillator at a different rate unless it is phase locked to a reference frequency. Thus, the exact transmit frequency of the system can unknowingly vary, resulting in a need for constant sampling of the transmit local oscillator. Moreover, as is common with most electrical equipment, increasing the number of elements or components increases hardware costs and consumes valuable PWB (printed wire board) space.
Accordingly, an improved system and method for a frequency plan in a transceiver system is needed. Specifically, a system and method for a single oscillator transceiver frequency plan. In addition, a transceiver frequency plan operable at lower frequencies is needed.


A screening deck is shown and described including an intermediate frame structure mountable to the screening deck in a manner similar to that of an original screen component, but providing mounting formations for attachment of a plurality of screen modules thereon. The screening deck need not be modified in order to receive the intermediate frame. The intermediate frame may be applied to either a crowned screening deck or a flat screening deck. In the crowned configuration, the intermediate frame takes a form similar to the original screen, but includes mounting rails for receiving the screen modules. In the flat screening deck configuration, individual intermediate frame components mount along the longitudinal support beams and provide formations for mounting of screen components thereon. In each illustrated embodiment, individual screen components are mounted and dismounted without separate fastening elements and enjoy support along at least two edges thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to screening decks for screening particulate material and particularly to an apparatus and method for mounting modular screens on a screening deck without altering the deck structure.
2. Background of the Invention
Crowned screening decks are prevalent in industries segregating particulate matter, e.g., gravel, by size. The screen is typically a lattice of resilient, high strength, wear resistant wire providing a selected screen aperture size. The screen extends across the full width of the deck. Longitudinal support beams of uneven height support the screen and define a radius of curvature for the crown. The screen, which has formed hooks or the like along each side, is tensioned and forced to conform to the crown by attachment at longitudinal side clamps of the deck. This assures that the screen bears tightly against the support beams to maintain the crown and to minimize wear between the beams and the screen.
The screen does not always wear uniformly. An entire screen is replaced even for excess wear only in a small area or for localized damage during use. The screen itself is expensive and the changeover is tedious and time consuming. The longitudinal side clamps, which have multiple bolt fasteners, must be removed before the screen can be removed and replaced. To avoid the cost and down-time associated with replacing an entire screen, screening decks often employ modular screen components. Thus, a large screen is replaced with multiple small screens or modules covering the entire screening deck, but which may be individually replaced upon the occurrence of localized wear or damage. Generally, such modular screen systems have been applied to flat screening decks, i.e., a screening deck with support beams of even height defining a flat screen area as opposed to a crowned screening area.
A plank type screening system disclosed by Trelleborg in International Publication No. W083/02075 as published Jun. 23, 1983 under the Patent Cooperation Treaty. The screens of the Trelleborg system must extend the full width of the screening deck and clamp down at the side clamps of the deck in a manner similar to that of the full width crowned screen. The clamps must be removed from the sides of the deck when removing and replacing a screen. The clamps, however, typically hold several screens and the release of one pair of side clamps releases all screens held by those clamps. Thus, in replacing a single screen of the Trelleborg system several screens are necessarily unclamped, and may require repositioning in reassembly of the system.
Small individual screen modules, i.e., less than the full width of the screening deck, have been utilized- The individual screen modules cannot mount to the crowned deck in the same manner as that of the full width crowned screen or that of the plank type module. The support structure of the crowned deck, therefore, must be replaced or altered in order to accept the smaller screen modules. Generally, such modification converts the crowned screening deck to a flat screening deck. In other words, the longitudinal support beams are converted to or replaced with support beams of even height. Also, lateral support beams are, in some cases, are added between the longitudinal support beams to complete a matrix-like support structure for receiving screen modules. The new beams have mounting holes for receiving fasteners for holding individual screen modules. Screening decks rarely have width dimensions matching an even multiple of the screen module width. Accordingly, in converting a crowned screening deck into a screening deck for receiving screen modules, the conversion must include fortification along the side walls and extending toward the center of the screening deck to fill in the side gaps therealong left by a matrix of screen modules not filling the entire screening deck width. While the deck alteration provides the capability of accepting modular screens, such alteration may void the manufacturer's warranty. In addition, the altered deck is no longer a crowned screening deck and is no longer useable with the full width tensionable screens.
Various fasteners have been developed to attach the screen modules to the support beams. Most of the fasteners are separate from the screen modules and are easily damaged, dropped, misplaced or lost in the process of screen changeover. Generally, such fasteners have been point-to-point attachments, e.g., as by engaging the screen module by mounting pins or plugs at the screen module corners and provide no freedom of mounting position. U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,245 issued Apr. 28, 1987 to Rutherford et al shows a modular screen assembly with downward protruding formations coupling to corresponding formations of the underlying screen deck.

Modular screen system for screening deck