A method for using volatile memory for data storage includes using volatile memory device back up systems to provide power to both the volatile memory and non-volatile memory in the event of power failure. The method also connects the volatile memory directly to an expansion bus of the host computer system, such as a PCI bus. Therefore, the method of the invention includes a high-speed path to the host computer system and the volatile memory devices designed using the methods of the invention are faster than prior art devices, use less power and are lower cost.

The present invention relates generally to electronic data storage and, more particularly, to methods for long-term storage of data in volatile memory.
Computer systems, regardless of manufacturer or size, typically employ at least the following fundamental components: a central processing unit (CPU); a display device; at least one user input device; and memory for data storage.
There are two basic classifications of memory: volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The primary difference between volatile memory and non-volatile memory is that a volatile memory needs to be supplied with external power in order to hold and refresh data while a non-volatile memory can maintain data for extended periods of time without any power being supplied to the device. Consequently, data stored in volatile memory are typically lost when power to the host computer system is removed or cut-off, while data stored in non-volatile memory are typically retained when power to the host computer system is removed or cut-off.
Most computer systems utilize both volatile and non-volatile memory in the same system or device. For instance, in a typical computer system, data intended for high-speed short-term access, such as on-chip memory for the CPU, and often first and second level off-chip memory, are typically stored in volatile memory devices such as a cache or random access memory (RAM, DRAM, SRAM etc.) which typically have nanosecond to microsecond access times. However, in the same computer system, data intended for long-term storage or xe2x80x9cmass storagexe2x80x9d are typically stored in non-volatile storage devices such as magnetic disks, hard disk drives, zip drives, floppy disk drives, tape drives and optical storage media which typically have access times on the order of milliseconds or seconds.
As discussed above, volatile memory devices typically have significantly faster access times and higher data transfer rates than non-volatile storage devices. This, coupled with the decreasing cost of volatile memory over the past few years, makes volatile memory devices more desirable than non-volatile storage devices for use with high-speed systems. One reason non-volatile storage devices are so much slower than volatile memory devices is that non-volatile storage devices, such as disk drives, typically have moving parts and mechanical components such as rotating hard disks, rotating optical disks, rotating floppy disks, optical or magnetic readers, floating heads, lasers, tape drives and tape.
The mechanical components associated with non-volatile storage devices are problematic for several reasons. First, mechanical components slow down data transfer significantly because no mechanical mechanism is capable of achieving data transfer rates approaching the speed of a pure signal transfer between electronic components, i.e., electrical signals travel faster than any mechanical device can move. Second, mechanical components are subject to friction and motion stress and, therefore, even the best components physically wear out and degrade over time. This fact creates a long-term reliability problem and virtually guarantees that parts will need to be replaced in the field. In addition, to overcome friction and other mechanical forces, mechanical components typically require more power and therefore use up power resources faster. This is particularly disadvantageous in the present market that stresses compact size, including smaller battery packs and power supplies, as well as portability, lightweight and extended operation capability.
For the reasons discussed above, non-volatile storage devices are typically slower, less reliable and need more power to function than volatile memory devices. In contrast to non-volatile storage devices, volatile memory devices typically do not employ any moving parts or mechanical components. Therefore, volatile memory devices are faster, more reliable and need less power for operation than non-volatile storage devices. Consequently, volatile memory devices are potentially more desirable than non-volatile storage devices and represent an appealing alternative to non-volatile memory for computer systems requiring highly reliable data access at high-speeds with minimal power used.
As discussed above, volatile memory has numerous advantages in terms of speed, reliability and power consumption over non-volatile memory and non-volatile storage devices. However, the vast majority of long-term memory devices used in the prior art were non-volatile storage devices such as hard disk drives, zip drives and optical media. This industry-wide use of non-volatile memory for long term storage, despite the potential advantages of volatile memory, is primarily the result of the fact that using prior art volatile memory devices for long-term data storage involved unacceptable inherent risks, slow transfer rates between the host computer system and the memory and the addition of significant equipment resulting in significant additional cost.
FIG. 1 shows a typical prior art sub-system 100. Prior art sub-system 100 includes: motherboard 110; host computer system power supply 101; DC power connector 112, coupling motherboard 110 to power supply 101; AC power connector 157, coupling commercial AC power from outlet 199 to host computer system power supply 101; DC power connector 103, coupling power supply 101 to a non-volatile storage device 105 (typically a hard disk drive or optical storage device); disk controller 109; and a single data cable 107 that facilitates the exchange of data between non-volatile storage device 105 and disk controller 109.
In prior art sub-systems, such as sub-system 100 of FIG. 1, when power to sub-system 100 was shut down in a controlled and orderly manner no data were typically lost. However, when power was cut-off to the computer system, for any reason, the volatile memory lost all its data. Thus, using prior art volatile memory devices: if power was cut-off to the computer system in an unplanned manner, such as the user inadvertently unplugging the computer system or, in the case of a laptop or other portable system, allowing the battery to run down, all the data were lost; if power was interrupted by a local power failure such as a blown fuse or circuit breaker, all the data were lost; or if power was interrupted by a major power failure at a relay station or other power company source, all the data in volatile memory were lost. Consequently, using prior art volatile memory devices for long term data storage meant running the risk that even a temporary interruption of power would mean losing data forever.
In some prior art systems, a standard disk bus was used in an attempt to back up volatile memory to a dedicated disk drive. These prior devices addressed some of the problems discussed above. However, since these prior art devices employed dedicated disks and used standard disks buses, the devices were typically expensive to employ and had relatively slow data transfer rates between the host computer system and the memory device.
What is needed is a method that allows a host computer system to use volatile memory as the storage media, i.e., allows use of volatile memory as if it were a disk drive. The method should also provide the stability and security of non-volatile memory and, ideally, connect to an expansion bus of the host computer system, such as a PCI bus, to provide a sub-system that is faster than prior art systems at a relatively low cost.
According to the principles of the present invention, volatile memory devices are provided that are used by the host computer system as the storage media, i.e., they are used as if it were a disk drive. The volatile memory devices of the invention include an integrated controller and volatile memory storage media.
The volatile memory devices of the invention also include volatile memory device back up systems to provide power to both the volatile memory and non-volatile memory in the event of power failure. In one embodiment of the invention, the non-volatile memory that is backed up by the volatile memory device power supply of the invention is a local disk that is normally available to the host computer system. Consequently, the volatile memory devices of the present invention provide long-term data storage capability without the risks associated with prior art devices.
In addition, the volatile memory devices of the invention connect directly to an expansion bus of the host computer system, such as a PCI bus. Therefore, the volatile memory devices of the invention include a high-speed path to the host computer system. Consequently, the volatile memory devices of the invention are faster than prior art devices, use less power and are lower cost.
According to the principles of the invention, a computer system includes at least one volatile memory device and at least one non-volatile storage device. Under normal operating conditions, external commercial power is supplied to the volatile memory device to maintain the data, and to the non-volatile storage device, for normal operation by a host computer system power supply and commercial power source.
According to the principles of the invention, in the event of commercial power source loss, long-term data retention is maintained by using a volatile memory device power supply and rechargeable battery back up and control logic to maintain power to both the volatile memory device and the non-volatile storage device and transfer data from the volatile memory device to the non-volatile storage device through a back up and restore process.
In addition, according to the principles of the invention, the volatile memory device connects directly to a host computer system expansion bus so that a high-speed data path is provided for moving information between the host computer system and the volatile memory device.
In one embodiment of the invention, the volatile memory storage media of the volatile memory device of the invention is used for long-term data storage and is provided with continuous power, even when the host computer system loses power or is turned off. When the host computer system has power and is turned on, the data stored in the volatile memory device of the invention are normally immediately available and accessible with data transfer rates significantly faster than prior art volatile or non-volatile storage devices.
In one embodiment of the invention, data are then read from and written to the volatile memory device during the normal use of the host computer system as if the volatile memory device of the invention were a disk drive. Consequently, the volatile memory device of the invention is used in the same manner that non-volatile storage devices, such as a disk drive, were used in the prior art. However, since, according to the invention, the long-term storage is performed by a volatile memory device, the data transfer rates are faster, reliability is increased and less operating power is consumed.
In one embodiment of the invention, the user may manually initialize a back up procedure at any time. Once initiated, the back up procedure transfers the entire contents of the volatile memory to a non-volatile storage device. When this process is finished, the data in volatile memory are again available for normal use, and the back up data are unchanged. As discussed above, in one embodiment of the invention, the loss of commercial power to the host computer system will initiate an automatic back up from the volatile memory to the non-volatile storage device.
In one embodiment of the invention, upon the loss of commercial power, i.e., when the power at the outlet becomes unavailable, power will be provided seamlessly from a rechargeable battery system coupled to the both volatile memory and the non-volatile storage device. In addition, in one embodiment of the invention, an automatic back up from the volatile memory to the non-volatile storage device will be initiated, an alarm condition will be indicated, and the device will be shut down in an orderly manner.
In one embodiment of the invention, when commercial power is restored to the host computer system and the volatile memory device of the invention, the volatile memory device of the invention will then automatically restore the data previously saved on the non-volatile storage device to the volatile memory. The data are then available for normal access.
In particular, one embodiment of the invention includes a method for using volatile memory for data storage in a host computer system. The method includes: providing a volatile memory storage media; providing a non-volatile storage device; providing a volatile memory device power supply to supply power to both the volatile memory storage media and the non-volatile storage device in the event of power loss to the host computer system; providing control logic to transfer data from the volatile memory storage media to the non-volatile storage device in the event of power loss to the host computer system; and coupling the volatile memory to the host computer system using an expansion bus of the host computer system.
As discussed in more detail below, the volatile memory devices of the invention are used by the host computer system as the storage media and include volatile memory device back up systems to provide power to both the volatile memory and non-volatile memory in the event of power failure. In addition, the volatile memory devices of the invention connect directly to an expansion bus of the host computer system, such as a PCI bus. Consequently, the volatile memory devices of the invention are faster than prior art devices, use less power and are lower cost.
The volatile memory devices of the invention can be also readily used in existing standard computer system architectures that typically already include both volatile and non-volatile storage devices. In one embodiment of the invention, existing local disk dives are used as the non-volatile storage device that is backed up by the volatile memory device power supply of the invention. Therefore, the volatile memory devices of the invention will significantly increase the speed and data transfer rate of long-term data storage in virtually any host computer system.
It will be apparent in the discussion that follows that the volatile memory devices of the invention are a low cost solution to the long-standing problem presented by slow data transfer rates of prior art storage devices.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and following detailed description are intended only to exemplify and explain the invention as claimed.

Method for using volatile memory for long-term storage


A cap-free closeable neck end for a filler neck of a tank of a motor vehicle, the cap-free closeable neck including an upper entry space forming an insertion region for a fuel nozzle and being surrounded by a side wall, a lower sealing flap arranged in the upper entry space and a closing mechanism arranged above the lower sealing flap. The closing mechanism includes an upper filling opening and an upper cover, which in a closed state at least partially covers the upper filling opening and being embodied in such a manner that the upper cover is displaced by inserting an outlet pipe of a fuel nozzle into the upper entry space for releasing the upper filling opening so as to allow for the insertion of the outlet pipe through the upper filling opening and the lower sealing flap. When used for forming a protection against a filling with unsuitable fuel, the upper cover, in its closed state, is blocked by a locking element and wherein the locking element is embodied in such a manner that it is unlocked as a function of a type-specific shape of the outlet pipe of the fuel nozzle, only when the tank is filled with suitable fuel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a neck end for a filler neck of a tank of a motor vehicle, in particular a neck end which can be closed without a cap having an entry space, which is particularly but not necessarily designed as a pipe section having a funnel or pipe-like wall, wherein the entry space can have a continuous or changing cross section of any shape. In the following, the entry space will be identified in this description as a pipe section, without this being associated with a limitation to a certain geometry.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the pipe section, the neck end has a lower sealing flap and, above the lower sealing flap, a closing mechanism, which has an upper filling opening and at least one upper cover, which at least partially covers the upper filling opening in its closed state. The closing mechanism is thereby embodied in such a manner that the upper cover is displaced by inserting an outlet pipe of a fuel nozzle into the pipe section for releasing the upper filling opening so as to allow for the insertion of the outlet pipe through the upper filling opening and the lower sealing flap. Almost throughout the world, the fuel nozzles thereby have a different pipe diameter for diesel fuels and gasoline.
Neck ends of this type are known from DE 203 09 799.8 U1. In this neck end, the neck is closed via two flaps, which are arranged on top of one another in the neck and which are held against a sealing surface by the force of, in each case, a closing spring. The two caps are pressed downward by inserting the outlet pipe of a fuel nozzle or of a spout of a jerry can, thus resulting in a continuous opening.
Even though these closures provide for a good seal, even without an additional tank cap, it would still be desired if they could be further improved and if they additionally had a protection against improper fueling. Particularly in the case of modern engines, it is increasingly important to keep in mind safe fuel grades due to the fact that, for example, modern injection systems of a common-rail diesel injection are lubricated via the lubricant content of the diesel fuel and can sustain heavy damages after being operated with a gasoline for only a short operating time.


This invention relates to solutions and plasticized compositions of electrically conductive substituted and unsubstituted polyanilines and to methods of forming such solutions or compositions and use of same to form conductive articles.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to solutions of electrically conductive substituted or unsubstituted polyanilines and to methods of forming such solutions. Another aspect of this invention relates to a method of using such solutions to form conducting polymer articles, including films, and methods of using such solutions as electrically conducting solutions.
2. Prior Art
There has recently been an increased interest in the electrochemistry and electrical phenomena of polymeric systems. Recently, work has intensified with backbone polymers having extended conjugation in at least one backbone chain.
One conjugated polymer system currently under study is polyaniline. Kobayashi, Tetsuhiko, et al., J. Electroanal. Chem., "Electrochemical Reactions Concerned With Electrochromism of Polyaniline Film-Coated Electrodes", 177 (1984) 281-291, describes various experiments in which spectro electro-chemical measurement of a polyaniline film coated electrode were made. French Patent No. 1,519,729; French Patent of Addition 94,536; U.K. Patent 1,216,549; "Direct Current Conductivity of Polyaniline Sulfate", M. Donomedoff, F. Kautier - Cristojini, R. ReSur-vall, M. Jozefowicz, L-T. Yu, and R. Buvet, J. Chim. Phys. Physicohim. Brol 68, 1055 (1971); "Continuous Current Conductivity of Macromolecular Materials", L-T. Yu, M. Jozefowicz, and R. Buvet, Chim. Macromol. 1, 469 (1970); "Polyaniline Based Filmogenic Organic Conductive Polymers", D. LaBarre and M. Jozefowicz, C. R. Read. Sci., Ser. C, 269, 964 (1969); "Recently Discovered Properties of Semiconducting Polymers", M. Jozefowicz, L-T. Yu, J. Perichon, and R. Buvet, J. Polym. Sci., Part C, 22, 1187 (1967); "Electrochemical Properties of Polyaniline Sulfates", F. Cristojini, R. De Surville, and M. Jozefowicz, Cr. Read. Sci., Ser. C, 268, 1346 (1979); "Electrochemical Cells Using Protolytic Organic Semiconductors", R. De Surville, M. Jozefowicz, L-T. Yu, J. Perichon, R. Buvet, Electrochem. Ditn. 13, 1451 (1968); "Oligomers and Polymers Produced by Oxidation of Aromatic Amines", R. De Surville, M. Jozefowicz, and R. Buvet, Ann. Chem. (Paris), 2 5 (1967); "Experimental Study of the Direct Current Conductivity of Macromolecular Compounds" L-T. Yu, M. Borredon, M. Jozefowicz, G. Belorgey, and R. Buvet, J. Polym. Sci. Polym. Symp., 16, 2931 (1967); "Conductivity and Chemical Properties of Oligomeric Polyaniline", M. Jozefowicz, L-T. Yu, G. Belorgey, and R. Buvet, J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Symp., 16, 2934 (1967); "Products of the Catalytic Oxidation of Aromatic Amines", R. De Surville, M. Jozefowicz, and R. Buvet, Amm. Chem. (Paris), 2, 149 (1967); "Conductivity and Chemical Composition of Macromolecular Semiconductors", Rev. Gen. Electr., 75 1014 (1966); "Relation Between the Chemical and Electrochemical Properties of Macromolecular Semiconductors", M. Jozefowicz and L-T. Yu, Rev. Gen. Electr., 75 1008 (1966); "Preparation, Chemical Properties, and Electrical Conductivity of Poly-N-Alkyl Anilines in the Solid State", D. Muller and M. Jozefowicz, Bull. Soc. Chem. Fr. 4087 (1972).
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,963,498 and 4,025,463 describe oligomeric polyanilines and substituted polyanilines having not more than 8 aniline repeat units which are described as being soluble in certain organic solvents and which are described as being useful in the formation of semi-conductors compositions. European Patent No. 0017717 is an apparent improvement in the compositions of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,963,498 and 4,025,463 and states that the polyaniline can be formed into a latex composite through use of acetone solutions of the oligomers of polyaniline and a suitable binder polymer.
In the general field of conducting polyaniline, it was heretofore believed impossible to dope a high molecular weight polyaniline to the extent that it becomes a semi-conductor or conductor and thereafter dissolve or plasticize the doped, conductive form of polyaniline in common organic solvents. As used herein, a "plasticized composition" is a solid polymer which includes solvent molecules to an extent sufficient to render the article flexible (softened) and not brittle. The liquid additive is known as a plasticizer. The nature of plasticized materials is described in more detail in "Contemporary Polymer Chemistry," Harry R. Allcock and Frederick W. Lampe, Prentice-Hall, Inc. Englewood Cliffs, N.J., p. 13 (1981). In the absence of solutions or plasticized forms, the ability to form certain articles out of conductive polyaniline, and especially homogeneous conducting or semi-conducting polyaniline films, is restricted. Thus, a need exists for techniques to facilitate the fabrication of shaped conductive polyaniline articles, especially articles such as films, fibers and coatings.

Solution processible forms of electrically conductive polyaniline and the method of manufacture of electroconductive articles therefrom


Novel structures and methods for evaluating lines in semiconductor integrated circuits. A first plurality of lines are formed on a wafer each of which includes multiple line sections. All the line sections are of the same length. The electrical resistances of the line sections are measured. Then, a first line geometry adjustment is determined based on the electrical resistances of all the sections. The first line geometry adjustment represents an effective reduction of cross-section size of the lines due to grain boundary electrical resistance. A second plurality of lines of same length and thickness can be formed on the same wafer. Then, second and third line geometry adjustments are determined based on the electrical resistances of these lines measured at different temperatures. The second and third line geometry adjustments represent an effective reduction of cross-section size of the lines due to grain boundary electrical resistance and line surface roughness.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to semiconductor integrated circuits, and more particularly, to the non-destructive evaluation of electrically conducting lines in semiconductor integrated circuits.
2. Related Art
As dimensions reach the deep-submicron level on the order of the mean-free path of electrons of Cu interconnect wires, the size effect on the resistivity of Cu interconnects corresponding to reductions of wire dimensions becomes more significant. While advances in development of integrated circuits continue to lead to higher conductivity Cu and lower effective dielectric constant (k) insulation layer, the size effect in reduced geometries can degrade the benefit of small RC delay provided by Cu and low-k insulation layers. Three types of extra electron scattering mechanisms due to the size effect in addition to the isotropic background scattering were verified. These three scattering mechanisms including scattering at the grain boundaries, diffuse scattering at the external surfaces, and the surface roughness induced scattering deviations, were simultaneously operative in interconnect thin films. For interconnect lines in deep sub-micron regime, electron scattering from the surface and aggravated by line surface roughness and grain boundary is the dominant reason for significantly increasing of wire resistance. Therefore, it is important to control and monitor line surface roughness and line grain boundary resistance to minimize such additional electron scatterings. Besides resistivity increase due to line surface roughness and grain boundary resistance, line long-term reliability such as electromigration (EM) and stress migration (SM) is also dependent on surface roughness and grain distributions. EM mass transport and SM void diffusion usually are very sensitive to surface/interface conditions and grain size. Presently, there is no any simple, non-destructive methodology available to monitor integrated line surface quality and grain size/boundary configuration for manufacture process monitoring, in-line characterization, or reliability pre-screening.
Therefore, there is a need for novel structures and methods for evaluating the impacts of grain boundary electrical resistance and line surface roughness on interconnect line electrical resistance and reliability.

Non-destructive evaluation of microstructure and interface roughness of electrically conducting lines in semiconductor integrated circuits in deep sub-micron regime

International Business Machines Corporation


A method for constructing a bus, wherein a module associated with the front end of the bus is separately constructed and assembled to the shell after interior components of the bus have been installed. The shell of the bus can be fabricated at a first work station. The shell can be made transversely or laterally with respect to the longitudinal access of the bus to one or more work stations. At the subsequent work stations, interior components of the bus can be moved through the open ends of the bus. After the majority of the interior components have been installed with respect to the bus, the module supporting the windshield and bumper can be installed with respect to the shell. The module can also support the dashboard and steering column.

Buses are typically manufactured by forming a closed shell structure including a roof, a structural floor, sides, front-end, and rear-end, moving the closed shell structure along a path aligned with the longitudinal axis of the structure, and loading components of the bus into the shell structure through the windows, doors, or windshield opening. The components may include, for example, the seats and the passenger compartment floor. This method is time consuming and labor intensive since it involves loading individual components into the bus individually and through relatively small apertures in the shell structure.


An electronic component is provided that includes a printed circuit board having first and second battery contacts. A battery clip having a bottom portion is connected to the first battery contact. The battery clip also includes a top portion spaced from the printed circuit board with a tab extending from the top portion in a downward direction toward the printed circuit board. A coin cell battery is arranged between the battery clip and the second battery contact. The present invention battery clip biases the battery into engagement with the second battery contacts with the tab. The second battery contacts may be provided by a solder bump or a printed circuit preferably arranged in a criss-cross waffle shaped pattern. The battery clip is secured to the first battery contacts preferably by applying a solder paste that is heated to electrically join the battery clip to the first battery contacts.

This invention relates to a battery clip, and more particularly, the invention relates to a battery clip for use with a printed circuit board.
Coin cell batteries are used in such devices as key fobs for vehicles. A battery clip is secured to a printed circuit board, and the coin cell battery is inserted into the battery clip. The battery clip may be secured to the printed circuit board by pins which are inserted into holes in the circuit board and soldered thereto, or alternatively, the battery clip may be secured to the printed circuit board by surface mounts or pads that are soldered to a surface on the printed circuit board. The battery clip typically provides the positive terminal, or anode. The battery clip has included a plurality of tabs perpendicular to a portion of the battery clip and parallel to the printed circuit board.
The negative terminal, or cathode, has been provided by a clip or spring-like device centrally located relative to the battery clip. The spring-like clip biases the coin cell battery into engagement with the battery clip to ensure that there is sufficient contact between the positive and negative terminals and the coin cell battery. The spring clip may cost around $0.07 per unit to produce and secure to the printed circuit board. Therefore, it is desirable to eliminate the spring clip to reduce the overall cost of the key fob. Therefore, what is needed is a battery clip and negative terminal that reduces the overall cost of the printed circuit board and key fob while providing sufficient contact between the positive and negative terminals and the coin cell battery.
The present invention provides an electronic component including a printed circuit board having first and second battery contacts. A battery clip having a bottom portion is connected to the first battery contact. The battery clip also includes a top portion spaced from the printed circuit board with a tab extending from the top portion in a downward direction toward the printed circuit board. A coin cell battery is arranged between the battery clip and the second battery contact. The present invention battery clip biases the battery into engagement with the second battery contacts with the tab. The second battery contacts may be provided by a solder bump or a printed circuit preferably arranged in a criss-cross waffle-shaped pattern. The battery clip is secured to the first battery contacts preferably by applying a solder paste that is heated to electrically join the battery clip to the first battery contacts.
Accordingly, the above invention provides a battery clip and negative terminal that reduces the overall cost of the printed circuit board and key fob while providing sufficient contact between the positive and negative terminals and the coin cell battery.


The present invention is directed toward fluid transfer devices including a vial adapter having a top wall and a cannula with a cannula tip, and an elastic O-ring like sealing element sealingly encircling the cannula and initially disposed towards the cannula tip and spaced apart from the top wall, the sealing element being brought into initial contact with the vial stopper subsequent to the cannula tip contacting the vial stopper at a puncture site and thereafter being slidingly urged towards the top wall and continuously sealing the puncture site during snap fit mounting the vial adapter on the vial.

Fluid transfer devices including a vial adapter with a pointed cannula for snap fitting on an aforesaid medicinal vessel or vial are now commonly employed for liquid drug reconstitution and administration purposes. Such devices include inter alia female vial adapters, male vial adapters, Applicant's MIXJECT® fluid transfer device, Applicant's MIX2VIAL® fluid transfer assemblage, and the like. Tears may be formed in a vial stopper during snap fitting of a fluid transfer device thereonto leading to leakage of liquid contents during injection into and aspiration from the vial. Tears also complicate liquid drug reconstitution in fluid transfer assemblages, for example, the aforesaid MIX2VIAL® fluid transfer assemblage, assisted by a negative pressure of a powder containing vial.
Tears often result from an initial inaccurate alignment between a fluid transfer device and a vial due to the latter centering the former as it snap fits thereonto such that the fluid transfer device is concentrically snap fit mounted onto the vial. Initial inaccurate alignment may be in the form of either a skewed alignment between a fluid transfer device and a vial or an eccentric alignment therebetween particularly in the case of a vial adapter with a flared skirt for assisting in guiding a vial adapter onto a vial. But tears may still occur even in the case of an initial concentric alignment between a fluid transfer device and a vial due to the constitution of an elastic vial stopper.
US Publication No. 2004/0236305 entitled Fluid Transfer Device illustrates and describes a fluid transfer device for mounting on a medicinal vessel. The fluid transfer device includes a receiving cap and a piercing mandril for piercing an elastic stopper. Relative to its direction of piercing, the piercing mandril has a front piercing portion and rear sealing portion which is of greater diameter for sealing a tear in a stopper. An alternative embodiment includes providing a rear sealing portion with a fixedly mounted elastic O-ring for providing additional sealing capability.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,264 entitled Universal Fitting for Inoculation Receptacles illustrates and describes a fluid transfer device for mounting on a medicinal vessel. The fluid transfer device includes a vial adapter with a top wall, a skirt and a pointed cannula provided with a sheath for folding accordion like as it is compressed between the top wall and a medicinal vessel's elastic stopper.

Fluid transfer devices with sealing arrangement


An optical adjustment method and an optical adjustment device for a display panel, and a display device are provided. The optical adjustment method includes: displaying N groups of testing images sequentially on the display panel, each group of testing images including M images distributed at different display regions of the display panel, each image corresponding to one to-be-adjusted reference color, N being an integer greater than or equal to 1, M being an integer greater than or equal to 1; and when each group of testing images are displayed on the display panel, detecting, by an optical detection unit, optical parameters of the M images in the group of testing images simultaneously, and performing optical adjustment on the display panel in accordance with the optical parameters.

Due to a structure and a driving mode of an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) panel, it is impossible for a product in an initial state to accurately meet a mapping relationship between electric quantity (digital signal) and optical quantity (analogue signal) defined by a customer and industry standard. Hence, it is necessary to perform optical adjustment, e.g., gamma tuning, on each OLED product.
Usually, a typical serial mode is adopted by a conventional gamma tuning method for the OLED display panel. A driving Integrated Circuit (IC) is provided with n groups of registers, and each group corresponds to m grayscale binding points, i.e., it is necessary to perform a brightness and chromaticity coordinate tuning operation on n*m debugging points. When the above serial mode is adopted, it takes about 98 s for the entire tuning operation, depending on a current algorithm level, so the manufacture efficiency is adversely affected. An improved algorithm policy has been proposed, and it takes about 72 s for the entire tuning operation when n=5 and m=11. Although the time is reduced, the image quality is adversely affected to some extent. A further-improved algorithm policy has also been proposed, and it takes about 25 s for the entire tuning operation when n=1 and m=11. However, due to the lack of characteristic dynamic matching, there is a risk of Not Good (NG) progressive image quality during the production. In addition, the time for the gamming tuning may be greatly adversely affected due to values of n and m in different driving IC architecture. When m has a large value to meet the requirement of the image quality, the time for all the above algorithm policies will be prolonged.

Optical adjustment method and optical adjustment device for display panel, and display device

CHENGDU BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


An inhaler is disclosed. It comprises a housing to receive a strip having a plurality of blisters, each blister having a breachable lid and containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user, an indexing wheel mounted in the housing rotatable to drive a strip to sequentially move blisters into alignment with a blister piercing member, a control element pivotally mounted to the housing and a drive mechanism configured to couple the control element to the indexing wheel during part of the rotation of the control element by a user so that the indexing wheel rotates together with the control element.

Oral or nasal delivery of a medicament using an inhalation device is a particularly attractive method of drug administration as these devices are relatively easy for a patient to use discreetly and in public. As well as delivering medicament to treat local diseases of the airway and other respiratory problems, they have more recently also been used to deliver drugs to the bloodstream via the lungs, thereby avoiding the need for hypodermic injections.
It is common for dry powder formulations to be pre-packaged in individual doses, usually in the form of capsules or blisters which each contain a single dose of the powder which has been accurately and consistently measured. A blister is generally cold formed from a ductile foil laminate or a plastics material and includes a puncturable lid which is permanently heat-sealed around the periphery of the blister during manufacture and after the dose has been introduced into the blister. A foil blister is preferred over capsules as each dose is protected from the ingress of water and penetration of gases such as oxygen in addition to being shielded from light and UV radiation all of which can have a detrimental effect on the delivery characteristics of the inhaler if a dose becomes exposed to them. Therefore, a blister offers excellent environmental protection to each individual drug dose.
Inhalation devices that receive a blister pack comprising a number of blisters each of which contain a pre-metered and individually packaged dose of the drug to be delivered are known. Actuation of the device causes a mechanism to breach or rupture a blister, such as by puncturing it or peeling the lid off, so that when the patient inhales, air is drawn through the blister entraining the dose therein that is then carried out of the blister through the device and via the patient's airway down into the lungs. Pressurized air or gas or other propellants may also be used to carry the dose out of the blister. Alternatively, the mechanism that punctures or opens the blister may push or eject the dose out of the blister into a receptacle from which the dose may subsequently be inhaled.
It is advantageous for the inhaler to be capable of holding a number of doses to enable it to be used repeatedly over a period of time without the requirement to open and/or insert a blister into the device each time it is used. Therefore, many conventional devices include means for storing a number of blisters each containing an individual dose of medicament. When a dose is to be inhaled, an indexing mechanism moves a previously emptied blister away from the opening mechanism so that a fresh one is moved into a position ready to be opened for inhalation of its contents.
An inhaler of the type described above is known from the Applicant's own co-pending international application no. PCT/GB2004/004416 filed on 18 Oct. 2004 and claiming priority from GB0324358.1 filed 17 Oct. 2003. This international application has been published as WO2005/037353 A1.
According to one embodiment described and claimed in WO 2005/037353 A1, and illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, an inhaler 1 has a housing 2 containing a coiled strip 3. The strip 3 has a plurality of individually spaced moisture proof blisters each containing a pre-measured dose of powdered medicament for inhalation. Each blister of the strip comprises a generally hemispherically shaped pocket and a flat puncturable lid permanently heat sealed to the pocket to hermetically seal the dose therein. The strip is preferably manufactured from foil laminate or a combination of foil laminate, such as aluminium, and plastics material.
An indexing mechanism 4 comprising a single actuating lever 5 unwinds the coil 3 one blister at a time so that they pass over a blister locating chassis 6 and successively through a blister piercing station 7, when the actuator 5 is pivoted in a direction indicated by arrow "A" in FIG. 2. The blister 3a located at the blister piercing station 7 on each movement of the actuator 5 is pierced on the return stroke of the actuator 5 (in the direction indicated by arrow "B" in FIG. 2) by piercing elements 8 on the actuator 5 itself so that, when a user inhales through a mouthpiece 9, an airflow is generated within the blister 3a to entrain the dose contained therein and carry it out of the blister 3a via the mouthpiece 9 and into the user's airway.
In another embodiment disclosed in WO2005/037353 A1, indexing and piercing of a blister positioned at the blister piercing station 7 is carried out in response to rotation of a cap that covers the mouthpiece in a closed position, rather than as a result of direct rotation of the actuator by the user.
Each of the devices disclosed in WO2005/037353 A1 have a drive mechanism that includes an indexing wheel. A blister strip passes over the indexing wheel and the wheel rotates in response to pivotal movement of an acutator or cap so as to drive or index the strip through the device. The drive mechanism is configured such that the indexing wheel rotates in response to rotation of the actuator or cap in one direction but remains stationary when the actuator or cap is rotated in the opposite direction.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A free flow conveyance system includes a plurality of linear conveyance apparatuses each having a plurality of unit conveyors linearly arranged, and a pivot conveyance apparatus having a unit conveyor which is arranged between the linear conveyance apparatuses being so arranged as to form a predetermined angle, wherein product sensors are arranged at the conveying-in side as well as at the conveying-out side of the respective unit conveyors of the linear conveyance apparatuses and the pivot conveyance apparatus, when a product is conveyed to a unit conveyor of the upstream side along the conveyance direction and product sensors of the unit conveyor become of the sensing-product state, in case respective product sensors of a unit conveyor of the downstream side along the conveyance direction are of the not-sensing-product state, these unit conveyors are driven respectively to convey the product, and when the product is consequently conveyed to the unit conveyor of the downstream side along the conveyance direction and conveying-out side product sensors thereof become of the sensing-product state, the respective adjacent unit conveyors are stopped, enabling free flow conveyance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a conveyance system that conveys products or pallets and containers having stored therein products (referred to as products, hereinafter) in the free flow manner.
2. Description of Related Art
In the conventional conveyance system that conveys products, a number of conveyance apparatuses such as roller conveyors, belt conveyors, caterpillar conveyors, etc. whose conveyance path is longer than the length of products along the conveyance direction are coupled, and a lot of products are put on the conveyance apparatuses to be conveyed to desired locations.
The conventional conveyance system, in which a number of conveyance apparatuses whose conveyance path is long are coupled to form a conveyance route, is suitable for conveying a large number of products, while raising the following problems when conveying a small number of various products.
That is, when constructing a conveyance system, a number of conveyance apparatuses having a long conveyance path are coupled to meet a required conveyance distance, which inevitably makes the length of thus formed conveyance route longer than a desired distance. Thus, there arise many dead spaces, leading to low space efficiency.
Especially, when changing the conveyance route or conveyance height, since the conveyance path of one conveyance apparatus is long, curved conveyors with desired curvature or sloped conveyors filling the route change requirement need to be intermediately arranged. In this case, it is also required that large curved conveyors or sloped conveyors having a somewhat long conveyance path be used. So, a large arrangement space is required similarly.
Furthermore, when changing a conveyance line, large and heavy conveyance apparatuses having a long conveyance path have to be relocated, which is troublesome and requires much time undesirably.
Moreover, respective conveyance apparatuses have to be equipped with a large-sized electric motor with high torque so as to meet the maximum number of products to be conveyed. Thus, even if the number of products is small, the electric motor has to be driven under the power corresponding to the maxim number of products to be conveyed, which undesirably increases electric power consumption, leading to high driving cost.


The invention describes a rear view mirror including a reflective element in a cavity of a mirror housing with a mirror head and a mirror base. An indicator light for indicating situation information to a vehicle driver is installed, wherein the indicator light includes light sources and an optical element that allows the light to shine through. The indicator light has a split printed circuit board to support at least two light source elements and a light guide wherein the light emitted from the light sources is coupled into the end faces of the light guide.

The invention is based on a priority patent application EP08161721.9 which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Driver assistant systems are well known and are implemented more and more in vehicles.
It is known to provide a blind spot detection/Lane Change Assist (LCA) system for a vehicle that detects the presence of another vehicle or object in the lane next to the host vehicle, where it may be difficult for the driver of the host vehicle to determine whether or not there is another vehicle or object adjacent to the host vehicle. Such a blind spot detection/LCA system often includes a visual indicator that visually indicates to the driver that another vehicle or object has been detected. The visual indicator (commonly a light emitting diode or the like) is often located at the reflective mirror element of the exterior rearview mirror assembly and external of the vehicle cabin, or may be located interior to the vehicle, such as at the A-pillar of the vehicle within the interior of the vehicle cabin (such as on MY 2005 Volvo vehicle models equipped with camera-based BLIS systems). The visual blind spot/LCA indicators indicate or alert the driver of the host vehicle the presence or impending presence of another vehicle in a blind spot in an adjacent side lane that typically cannot be readily seen within the field of view of the exterior mirror reflective element of the exterior mirror assembly mounted at that side of the vehicle, and/or cannot be readily seen by the driver's peripheral vision or the like. The visual blind spot/LCA indicators typically must be viewable principally or solely by the driver of the host vehicle and not by drivers of other vehicles. If the indicator is located external to the vehicle cabin, and especially since it is now common to use turn signals on exterior mirrors, any visibility of the indicator to the driver of another vehicle (such as a trailing vehicle or an overtaking vehicle) may cause confusion to the driver of the other vehicle as to whether or not the indicator is a turn signal indicator or some other vehicle lighting or the like. This may be particularly problematic when the visual blind spot/LCA indicator is located behind (and often supported by) the reflective mirror element of the vehicle exterior mirror assembly, and may be especially confusing if other indicators are also disposed behind/supported by the mirror reflective element, such as turn signal indicators. For example, somewhat costly and complicated visual blind spot/LCA indicator constructions have been contemplated that, when placed behind and supported by the mirror reflective element, attempt to have their projected beam of emitted light shielded from view by other drivers and attempt to be directed principally to be viewed by the driver of the host vehicle. This can be further complicated by the fact that the mirror reflective element (and hence any visual blind spot/LCA indicator supported thereon/there behind) is adjustable via a mirror actuator.
Thus, prior art visual blind spot/LCA indicators are often supported by and to the rear of the movable mirror reflective element, so as to be viewable by a driver of the host vehicle through the reflective element of the mirror assembly. For example, a transmissive window may be formed in the reflective coating or coatings of the reflective element and an illumination source or indicator may be positioned so as to direct or emit illumination through the window and toward the driver of the host vehicle so as to be viewable by the driver of the host vehicle.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved visual blind spot/LCA indicator that is readily viewable by a driver of the host vehicle and not visible or viewable by a driver of another vehicle. In the EP 1652727 an indicator at the rear view mirror is used, wherein the indicator light is adapted to avoid distortion of the driver. For this purpose a special optic with Fresnel lenses is used to adapt power of the light to the different views of drivers in different seat positions.
The EP 0443185 B1 shows a indicator system positioned at the base of the vehicle with a couple of LEDs to indicate dangerous situation with different colors.
The intention of the invention is to provide a simple indicator light for mass production which can installed at different positions of a rear view mirror and allows a simple production of the product.

Exterior rear view mirror with indicator light


According to certain embodiments, a method for use in a wireless device comprise determining a coverage level with respect to a serving cell, selecting one of a plurality of configurations for sharing gaps between intra- and inter-frequency measurements, and performing one or more measurements according to the selected configuration for sharing gaps. The configuration for sharing gaps is selected based at least in part on the determined coverage level. For example, certain embodiments use the determined coverage level to select one of a plurality of tables, wherein each table comprises one or more schemes that indicate how to share gaps between intra- and inter-frequency measurements.

Machine-Type Communication (MTC) is a form of data communication involving one or more entities that do not necessarily need human interaction. MTC is an important and growing revenue stream for wireless network operators. MTC devices, such as monitors, sensors, controls, etc., may also be referred to as MTC user equipment (UE). Operators benefit from serving MTC devices with already deployed radio access technology (RAT). For example, Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a competitive radio access technology for efficient support of MTC.
MTC devices may generally be of low cost and low complexity. A low complexity UE for machine-to-machine (M2M) operation may implement one or more low cost features such as smaller downlink and uplink maximum transport block size (e.g., 1000 bits) and/or reduced downlink channel bandwidth of 1.4 MHz for data channel (e.g., physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH).
A low cost UE may comprise a half-duplex frequency division duplex (HD-FDD) and one or more of the following additional features: single receiver (1 Rx) at the UE, smaller downlink and/or uplink maximum transport block size (e.g., 1000 bits), and/or reduced downlink channel bandwidth of 1.4 MHz for data channel. The low cost UE may also be referred to as a low complexity UE.
The path loss between an M2M device and the base station can be very large in some scenarios, such as when the M2M device is used as a sensor or metering device located in a remote location, such as in a basement of a building. In such scenarios, the reception of a signal from the base station is very challenging. For example, the path loss can be 20 dB worse than normal cellular network operation. To cope with such challenges, the coverage in uplink and/or in downlink has to be substantially enhanced. This is realized by employing one or more advanced techniques in the UE and/or in the radio network node for enhancing the coverage.
Some examples of such advanced techniques include, but are not limited to, transmit power boosting, repetition of transmitted signal, applying additional redundancy to the transmitted signal, use of advanced/enhanced receiver, etc. In general, when employing such coverage enhancing techniques, the M2M may be referred to as operating in "coverage enhancing mode."
A low complexity MTC UE (e.g., UE with 1 Rx and/or limited bandwidth) may support enhanced coverage mode of operation (i.e., coverage enhanced mode B (CEModeB)). The normal coverage mode of operation may be referred to as coverage enhanced mode A (CEModeA).
The coverage enhancement level may be configurable. The enhanced MTC (eMTC) or further enhanced MTC (FeMTC) UE may be configured via radio resource control (RRC) with one of the two possible coverage modes (i.e., CEModeA or CEModeB). These are also sometimes referred to as coverage enhancement levels. The CEModeA and CEModeB are associated with different number of repetitions used in downlink and/or uplink physical channels (e.g., PDSCH and/or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)) as signaled in the following RRC message in Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) TS 36.331 v13.3.2.
PDSCH-ConfigCommon-v1310 ::=SEQUENCE {pdsch-maxNumRepetitionCEmodeA-r13 ENUMERATED {  r16, r32}OPTIONAL, -- Need ORpdsch-maxNumRepetitionCEmodeB-r13 ENUMERATED {  r192, r256, r384, r512, r768, r1024,  r1536, r2048}OPTIONAL --Need OR}pdsch-maxNumRepetitionCEmodeA indicates the set of PDSCH repetition numbers for CE mode Apdsch-maxNumRepetitionCEmodeB indicates the set of PDSCH repetition numbers for CE mode B.PUSCH-ConfigCommon-v1310 ::=SEQUENCE {pusch-maxNumRepetitionCEmodeA-r13 ENUMERATED {  r8, r16, r32 }OPTIONAL, --Need ORpusch-maxNumRepetitionCEmodeB-r13 ENUMERATED {  r192, r256, r384, r512, r768, r1024,  r1536, r2048}OPTIONAL, --Need ORpusch-maxNumRepetitionCEmodeA indicates the set of PUSCH repetition numbers for CE mode A.pusch-maxNumRepetitionCEmodeB indicates the set of PUSCH repetition numbers for CE mode B.
However, if the UE is not configured in any of CEModeA and CEModeB, then according to TS 36.211 v13.2.0, the UE shall assume the following CE level configuration: if the physical random access channel (PRACH) coverage enhancement (CE) level is 0 or 1, then the UE shall assume CEModeA; or if the PRACH CE level is 2 or 3, then the UE shall assume CEModeB.
The UE determines one of 4 possible CE levels (0, 1, 2, and 3) during the random access procedure by comparing the downlink radio measurement (e.g., reference signal received power, RSRP) with the one or more thresholds signaled to the UE by the network node.
MTC devices may use measurement gaps. 3GPP LTE has specified two measurement gap patterns since Rel-8 (36.133), as shown below in Table 1. However, more measurement patterns (e.g., with a shorter length) are being specified within the enhanced measurement gaps work item in 3GPP.
TABLE 1Gap Pattern Configurations supported by the UEMinimum availabletime for inter-Measurementfrequency and inter-GapMeasurementGap RepetitionRAT measurementsPatternGap LengthPeriodduring 480 msId(MGL, ms)(MGRP, ms)period (Tinter1, ms)Measurement Purpose064060Inter-Frequency E-UTRAN FDD andTDD, UTRAN FDD,GERAN, LCR TDD,HRPD, CDMA2000 1x168030Inter-Frequency E-UTRAN FDD andTDD. UTRAN FDD,GERAN. LCR TDD,HRPD, CDMA2000 1x
Traditionally, such measurement gaps have been used for inter-frequency and inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) measurements. In FeMTC, the existing measurement gaps are shared between intra-frequency and inter-frequency measurements because bandwidth-limited UEs need to retune to the central physical resource blocks (PRBs) to receive the primary synchronization signal (PSS)/secondary synchronization signal (SSS), while the UEs may be configured to receive data in other parts of the system bandwidth.
The gap sharing between intra- and inter-frequency can be controlled by the network. More specifically, the network can configure the percentage of gaps (denoted as X) assumed for intra-frequency measurements, and the remaining percentage of gaps (1−X) are assumed for inter-frequency measurements. For example, a network may have four values (e.g., 50%, 60%, 70%, and 80%) for X (which means 2 bits are needed for signaling). The particular values for X may be defined in TS 36.133.


The map information processing device includes a processor. The processor that extracts difference data by comparing a movement track image based on individual movement tracks of a plurality of moving bodies with an image in a scalar form based on vector data that is different from the movement track image; and The processor that decides through machine learning whether the difference data corresponds to a road shape change.

At present, road information is managed in units of administrable districts such as countries, prefectures, cities, or wards, and pieces of information on changes in road shapes (such changes may hereinafter be referred to as "road shape changes") are not unified. Grasping road shape changes so as to create a road map involves determining the positions and shapes of new roads.
One possible method may involve updating a road map by determining how a road shape has been changed on the basis of, for example, a digital map issued by the Geographical Survey Institute of Japan and probe data (track information) acquired from vehicle terminals.
A configuration known for a device for generating such a type of map information is one wherein the road connection situation is correctly estimated on the basis of position information acquired by vehicle-installed terminals so as to generate an updated map (e.g., Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2017-97088).
However, road shapes could be complicated and involve various patterns, e.g., a crossroad being changed intoarotary, and hence it may be difficult to generate an updated map simply from map information and position information.
Accordingly, the configuration described in document alone is insufficient, and there is need for further improvement.

Map information processing device and map information processing method


The present invention relates to a method of evaluating the fracture toughness of a material using the continuous indentation technique. In the method of this invention, the stress coefficient, strain hardening modulus and yield stress of the material are determined using the continuous indentation technique and, thereafter, the reduced elastic modulus (Er) of the material is calculated. The effective elastic modulus and the initial elastic modulus are calculated and, thereafter, the damage parameter is calculated using the void volume fraction. The critical elastic modulus and the characteristic fracture initiation point of the indentation depth are determined using the damage parameter and, thereafter, the fracture toughness of the material is evaluated. The present invention is advantageous in that the fracture toughness of a brittle material can be evaluated precisely using a nondestructive evaluation technique.

Fracture Toughness (KJC), which represents the crack growth resistance of a material, is an important property of the material when evaluating the structural soundness of the material. However, conventional fracture toughness evaluation methods must require test-pieces having specified shapes and sizes in order to be reliable. In other words, a crack is preformed in a test-piece and, thereafter, stress and strain around the crack are mechanically analyzed, so that an appropriate test capable of determining the crack size and the crack growth direction can be conducted. Thereafter, fracture conditions can be determined using the test. Examples of representative fracture toughness tests are a compact tension test and a three-point-single edge notched bend test, each of which uses fatigue precracking. To execute the above-mentioned tests, a plurality of test-pieces having specified crack growth directions and crack sizes (refer to ASTM standards about the loading direction and crack growth direction) must be produced from a material. The crack growth of the material can be determined while fracturing the test-pieces.
However, the complex test procedure, which includes the fatigue precracking and the crack length evaluation, makes it difficult to evaluate the fracture toughness. Furthermore, the conventional fracture toughness evaluation method uses a destructive technique in which a test-piece is cut from a material. Thus, the conventional method cannot be adapted to actively operated industrial structures.
To mitigate the above-mentioned problems experienced in the conventional fracture toughness evaluation method, a variety of fracture toughness evaluation theories and models using indentation techniques have been studied and developed. However, the conventional theories and models to evaluate the fracture toughness of materials using the indentation techniques are limited to use in evaluating the fracture toughness of brittle materials. Furthermore, the conventional evaluation models using the indentation techniques are only effective when a subject brittle material is in a temperature range lower than the ductile-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) of the brittle material. If the brittle material is in a temperature range which is not lower than the ductile-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) of the brittle material, an indentation cannot form a crack in the brittle material, so that the fracture toughness evaluation of brittle materials using indentation techniques must be studied and developed.

Evaluating method of the fracture toughness using the continuous indentation method


An attachment for a fuel tank of a fuel cell powered system is described. The attachment thermally conducts heat generated from an electronic component to the fuel tank. The attachment further affixes to the electronic component by a securing portion. In one aspect, the attachment is comprised in a fuel cell powered electronic device. In another aspect, the attachment is integral to the fuel tank.

Fuel cells have received a great deal of attention in recent years for their potential as electricity generators having a relatively low environmental impact. The basic principles of fuel cells have been understood for a long time, but they have had very little widespread use due to their comparatively high cost of production and the difficulty in managing their operation. In addition, while energy generation by a fuel cell typically produces very little in the way of chemical pollution, this benefit is often negated by the energy needed to produce and package the fuel for the fuel cell.
Different types of fuel cells also tend to have different operating parameters that can limit the effectiveness of a particular type for particular applications. For example, certain fuel cells operate at extremely high temperatures, while others require a compressed gas as a fuel source. These different requirements can create safety issues or limit the power capacity, longevity or other substantive characteristics of a fuel cell which, in turn, limits its utility for certain applications.
Despite the limitations of certain types of fuel cells, they remain a promising technology, particularly for certain power applications. The basic structure of a fuel cell is known in the art, and will not be discussed herein. However, an exemplary arrangement is shown in FIG. 1, in which a fuel cell 100 is depicted schematically as providing electrical power to an electric load 104, which is representative of an electrical system deriving power from the fuel cell 100. For electricity generation, the fuel cell must maintain a reaction that requires a source of an appropriate fuel, e.g., hydrogen (H2). In FIG. 1, this source is represented as fuel tank 102, which has a fluid connection to the fuel cell 100. Depending on the type of fuel cell and fuel being used, different operating conditions must also be kept within a predetermined range. The operating temperature of the fuel cell, for example, is different from one type of fuel cell to another. In addition, the temperature of the fuel tank must be appropriate for the type of fuel being used, so as to ensure a proper flow of fuel into the fuel cell.

Attachment for a fuel tank of a fuel cell powered system and electronic portable device equipped therewith


Disclosed herein a method for preparing a bio-filler for a plastic from woods and a bio-filler for a plastic prepared thereby.

With the emergence of global warming and environmental pollution, much attention is paid to biomaterials that can substitute for petroleum-based materials. Among others, plastics, which are for the most part derived from petroleum, are extensively applied to automobile interiors, construction materials, packaging materials, etc. These materials generate a large amount of carbon dioxide and pollutants when incinerated after disposal. In order to fundamentally solve such a problem, technologies associated with bio-plastic materials have attracted much attention.
Generally, there are three types of materials that are available for manufacturing plastic products. First mentioned are base resin materials for use in plastic products, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polystyrene, and so on, followed by additives for providing additional functions such as colors, oxidation resistance, UV stability, etc. Finally, fillers are used to improve plastic properties, such as strength, etc. The three materials are properly compounded to afford a resin compound which is injected or extruded into desired plastic products.
Thus far, there have been many reports on bio-plastic material production as well as research on the substitution of bio-materials for plastic product materials. Among other things, extensive studies have been carried out on technologies utilizing nonedible lignocellulosic biomass as raw materials. On the whole, such lignocellulosic biomass-utilizing techniques are divided into three groups as follows. First, lignocellulosic biomass is finely pulverized and mixed with conventional petroleum resins before preparation into plastics. In this case, poor compatibility between lignocellulosic biomass and resins results in deteriorated physical properties in the final products. Proposed in order to solve the problem is a technique in which lignocellulosic biomass is simply subjected to thermal treatment in an anaerobic condition (torrefaction), finely pulverized, and mixed with conventional petroleum plastics to produce bio-fillers. However, the technique has not yet been commercialized so far because of limited physical properties of the plastics thus obtained.
In the second group of techniques, lignin is highly purified from lignocellulosic biomass and thermochemically treated. The resulting lignin is used as a filler in plastics. However, the lignin incurs phase separation or undergoes pyrolysis upon compounding with base resins such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyvinylchloride (PVC) due to the intrinsic brittleness and hydrophilicity thereof. In addition, lignin can be obtained only at very low yield because its content is not only as low as 10-30% of biomass, but also is reduced during the purification process.
The third group utilizing lignocellulosic biomass as raw material is a technique in which cellulose purified from lignocellulosic biomass is alkylated and used in producing bioplastic materials. Eastman Chemical Company produced products from such bio-plastic materials. However, the technique is used for specialized products because the high cost of the material and processes prevents the wide acceptance of the products.
Lignocellulosic biomass has the advantages of being able to remarkably reduce the emission of greenhouse gas such as carbon dioxide as well as being widely available and very cheap. Despite these advantages, lignocellulosic biomass has not yet been developed into bioplastic materials which can be incorporated into conventional petroleum-based plastics and are price competitive while exhibiting excellent physical properties for the various reasons mentioned above. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of a general purpose bioplastic material based on nonedible lignocellulosic biomass.
Manufacturing techniques for such bio-fillers have been developed. For example, Korean Patent No. 10-2012-0094393 A (Aug. 24, 2012) discloses a method for manufacturing lignocellulosic fillers for use in papermaking, in which wood flour is bleached with sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, or hydrogen peroxide, and then surface modified by mixing an inorganic filler therewith and adding a polymer electrolyte as a binder thereto. Korean Patent No. 10-1764692 (Jul. 28, 2017) pertains to bioplastic comprising a cellulose-containing biomass filler. In detail, a manufacturing technique is described for a biomass filler modified with a covalent bond between the alcohol group contained in the biomass and the carbonyl carbon contained in vegetable oil in order to increase interfacial bonding force between the biomass filler and the plastic matrix.
Conventional petroleum plastics employ a fine powder of minerals such as talc as a filler in order to improve mechanical and chemical properties. However, when used in a large amount, mineral-derived fillers increase the weight of the plastic because of the high specific gravity thereof. Particularly, much attention is paid to developing light-weight materials for automotiles so as to improve fuel efficiency and decrease emissions by substituting plastic fillers with other types of light filler materials and reduce the amount of mineral-based fillers. In addition, in response to the expansion of the market of electric cars, which will have a key part in future automobiles, a rapid progress has been made of research into lightweighting materials for offsetting vehicle battery weights. In this regard, there is an increasing demand for bio-fillers that can be manufactured in a simple process and show low specific gravity and light weight as well as have desirable properties suitable for eco-friendly bioplastic materials.

Method for preparation of bio-filler for plastic and bio-filler for plastic prepared thereby


A rotary drive, with a drive element, with an outer tube, with an end piece mounted and able to rotate in relation to the outer tube and unable to shift axially, with a helical slider arranged able to move axially in the outer tube but not rotate, with a helical shaft arranged axially parallel in the outer tube, which interacts by a steep thread with a thread profile of the helical slider, wherein the relative axial movement of helical slider and helical shaft brought about by the drive element is transformed into a relative rotation of outer tube and end piece, wherein the drive element is arranged coaxially inside the outer tube, the helical shaft and the thread profile of the helical slider are arranged coaxially in the outer tube, and the end piece is mounted coaxially in at least one end of the outer tube.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rotary drive which serves to turn or swivel two structural parts relative to each other. More specifically, the present invention relates to a rotary drive with a drive element, which serves to turn or swivel two structural parts relative to each other. The drive has an outer tube and at least one end piece that is able to rotate in relation to the outer tube without shifting axially.
2. Description of the Related Art
The related art involves rotary drives which serve to turn or swivel two structural parts relative to each other. Such structural parts can be doors, covers or the like of furniture or vehicles. Likewise, such rotary drives can be used to swivel furniture parts relative to each other, e.g., head or foot parts of bedsteads relative to the bed frame.
In DE 103 21 807 A1, FIGS. 1 and 2, a rotary drive of this kind is shown. In an outer tube is arranged a helical slider, able to move axially but not able to rotate, being moved in the outer tube from an electric motor by means of a threaded spindle. Arranged axially parallel to the threaded spindle is a helical shaft with a steep thread, which meshes with a thread profile of the helical slider. The helical shaft is led out axially from the outer tube at both ends. If the helical slider is shoved axially in the outer tube, the helical shaft will turn, as is known, e.g., for screw drills. The helical shaft led out from the outer tube at both ends is thus rotated relative to the outer tube. The pitch of the nonbraking steep thread of the helical shaft is a multiple of the pitch of the threaded spindle, so that a strong speed reduction or torque transmission results between the drive motor and the rotary drive. The drawback here is that the drive motor is arranged outside the outer tube and makes a bend relative to this. Furthermore, the axially parallel arrangement of the threaded spindle and the helical shaft results in a relatively large overall diameter of the rotary drive.
Moreover, in DE 103 21 807 A1, FIGS. 6 and 7, a rotary drive is shown wherein the threaded spindle, driven by the outer drive motor arranged at a bend, is coaxially arranged in the outer tube. A helical slider runs on the threaded spindle, being led without rotation by additional linear guides, which are arranged axially parallel to the threaded spindle in the outer tube. The outer tube sits on the helical slider with a steep threading, so that the axial displacement of the helical slider leads to a rotation of the outer tube. Besides the drive motor once again being arranged at a bend outside the outer tube, one drawback of this configuration is that the outer tube has helical grooves, so that the outer tube cannot be manufactured in simple fashion in an extrusion or drawing process. The linear guides arranged axially parallel in the outer tube moreover enlarge the diameter of the rotary drive.
What is not appreciated by the prior art is that an axially parallel arrangement of the threaded spindle and the helical shaft in rotary drives results in a relatively large overall diameter of the rotary drive. Additionally, in those configurations utilizing helical grooves, the outer tube cannot be manufactured in a simple fashion by an extrusion or drawing process. The linear guides arranged axially parallel in the outer tube moreover enlarge the diameter of the rotary drive.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved rotary drive so that more compact outer dimensions can be realized and the manufacturing of the rotary drive can be simplified.


A lead frame for ball grid array which is composed of a plurality of inner leads extending from outside to inside and having terminal ball bumps formed somewhere along them, characterized in that said terminal ball bumps are formed in at least two rows, with adjacent ones not overlapping in the lengthwise direction of the inner lead and said rows holding the bonding area between them. The bonding area may plated according to need. The lead frame can be produced in high yields without reduction in the number of pins. Disclosed also herein are a semiconductor device using said lead frame and a process for producing the same.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, particularly to a semiconductor device having a lead frame, and more particularly to a lead frame for ball grid array, a semiconductor device having it, and a process for producing it.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recent semiconductor devices need a higher degree of integration and more functions than before to meet requirements for electronic machines and equipment which are improving in performance and becoming light in weight and small in size. However, this need is not met by conventional QFP (Quad Flat Package) which becomes larger in size and whose external terminals become narrower in pitch as the number of lead frame pins increases. As the result, lead frames are more liable to deformation and defective mounting is liable to occur more frequently.
In order to eliminate this disadvantage, there has been developed the ball grid array (BGA) which uses external terminals with solder balls for the mounting of a semiconductor device.
The BGA enables the lead frame to have more widely pitched external terminals and hence it enables the number of external terminals to increase without adverse effect on the mounting of semiconductor devices.
The lead frame for BGA is usually constructed as shown in FIG. 4. It is formed by etching or pressing. Like conventional QFP, it is designed such that a semiconductor chip is mounted on the die pad and the forward ends of the inner leads are connected by wire bonding to the terminals of the semiconductor element. It differs from QFP in that the terminals for mounting are ball bumps.
The conventional lead frame shown in FIG. 4 suffers the disadvantage that the forward ends 2 of the inner leads with terminal ball bumps 1 have extremely narrow spaces because they are connected by wiring bonding to the semiconductor element. Producing such lead frames with high precision by etching or pressing is necessarily low in yields.

Lead frame for ball grid array, semiconductor device having it, and process for producing it


A device and method for turning and relaxing compressed springs in pocket sections of a spring pocket row is provided. The device comprises a push rod having a lower limb and a connection rod. A first linear drive pivots the push rod about a vertical axis and the second linear drive raises and lowers the push rod. During a working stroke the first linear drive pivots the push rod so at least one compressed spring is seized and displaced in a pocket section. The push rod is returned to its original position before the spring pocket row is advanced. The process is then repeated.

The subject matter of the invention is a method for turning and relaxing springs pressed into a block and applied in a spring pocket row.
The subject-matter of the invention is a method for turning and relaxing springs pressed into a block and applied in a spring pocket row, according to the introductory part of claim 1. The subject-matter is further a device for turning and relaxing springs pressed into a block and applied in a spring pocket row, according to the introductory part of claim 3.
Springs for the manufacture of mattresses, cushioned furniture, cushions and likewise may be connected to one another in various manners in order in the connected condition to be covered over with cover materials and a case material. With the present invention it is the case of springs which are applied in rows in textile pockets of cotton material or fleece, so-called spring pocket rows, these spring pocket rows later being mutually connected to one another, e.g., by way of ultrasound are welded or adhesed. After the manufacture of the springs on a spring winding machine these in the axial direction are pressed together to a block, i.e., the spring windings bear completely on one another. In this pressed-together form there is effected the insertion into the spring pocket row which mostly consists of cotton material band or fleece band folded between its longitudinal edges. Before or after the insertion then between the springs coming to lie in a row pressed together there are incorporated or seamed linear weldings so that there arise individual pocket sections. After insertion of the springs the free edges of the pocket material are connected to one another. The pocketed springs then more or less lie held pressed together within the pocket sections or the spring pocket row and for the further processing must be relocated 90xc2x0 so that they may be least partly relaxed and may assume the usage height.
From EP-A1 0 967 031 there is known a device with which the pocketed, pressed-together springs within the pocket section may be relocated and relaxed. With this known device the spring pocket row along a longitudinal edge of the pocket material is held by a clamping device. Thereafter each individual spring by a propeller-like wing whose horizontally lying axis is arranged above the pressed-together spring is seized by a wing end and the above-lying end ring of the spring is displaced parallel to the seams forming the pocket sections. By way of this the spring may be partly relaxed. As soon as the upper end winding with respect to the lower, stationary end ring has reached a certain distance the spring turns by itself and its axis then lies in the horizontal, i.e. parallel to the weld seams between the individual pocket sections. In another formation of the known device in place of a propeller there is a push finger which is traversable transverse to the spring pockets and which likewise seizes the pressed-together springs at their upper end ring and thus laterally displaces them until the spring by way of the intrinsic tension force turnes by 90xc2x0. A further possibility of setting up the springs is a rotating worm whose thread turns achieve the same effect.
The known devices fulfill their object perfectly as long as all movements and the mutual position of the push finger and spring are exactly coordinated to one another and the spring furthermore is not manufactured of a thin wire. Even if for any reason the relocating (in technical language also called setting-up) of the spring is not effected straight away, the spring remains in the initial position and must subsequently be relocated by hand. This makes a perfect method procedure impossible. Furthermore with the rotating worm there exists the danger of damage to the pocket material.
The object of the present invention is the creation of a method and a device for relocating pocketed springs which ensure that all springs in the pocket sections after running through the device assume the desired position.
This object is achieved by a method with the features of patent claim 1 as well as with a device with the features of patent claim 3.
With the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention one succeeds in a perfect turning of the springs by way of the fact that each spring moves into the active region of the rod with which the spring is set up, not only once but several times. At the same time it is not important whether the spring lies exactly in the middle of the pocket section or not. It is also not important which geometric shape the end rings have. If in the spring pocket rows there are present empty pockets whose width may be unequal to the filled pockets, by way of these position displacements there occur no problems on setting up the springs in the neighboring pockets. Furthermore damage to the pocket material may be prevented since the rod laterally seizes the spring and there are always exerted only the forces necessary for the turning, these being distributed over a large surface onto the springs and onto the textile pocket material lying between the spring and the rod. The method may be retrospectively installed into existing pocket spring machines and has only a few parts which are maintenance-free and which may be adapted to the springs to be machined with little effort. With conventional devices with push fingers the drive of the latter may be directly used for the drive of the push rod. A retrofitting is possible with little effort.

Method and device for turning and relaxing springs


A method for simulating deformation of rubber compound including silica particles and an interfacial coupling agent therefor is disclosed. Using a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), data of STEM images of the rubber compound are acquired. Based on the STEM image data, a dataset of a 3D structure of the rubber compound is reconstructed. Based on the dataset, a model of the rubber compound is generated. Using the model on which conditions are defined, a deformation calculation is made and a physical quantity is acquired. The rubber compound model comprises a rubber component model, silica particle models and interface models surrounding the silica particle models and defined as being harder than the rubber component model.

The present invention relates to a computerized method for simulating deformation of rubber compound comprising a rubber component, silica particles and an interfacial coupling agent, more particularly to a method for generating a finite element model of the rubber compound capable of accurately simulating the deformation.
Conventionally, rubber compounds used in various industrial products, e.g. tires, sports goods and the like contain carbon black as a reinforcing filler to improve mechanical characteristics.
In recent years, on the other hand, silica becomes widely used instead of carbon black for the following reasons. Generally, an energy loss in a silica-rich compound is less in comparison with a carbon-rich compound, therefore, by using a silica-rich compound as the tread rubber of a tire, the rolling resistance can be decreased which contributes to lessen the fuel consumption of the vehicle. Further, silica is a non-petroleum resource, therefore to use silica as reinforcing fillers is environmentally-friendly.
Thus, in view of research and development of vehicle tires, it is very beneficial to accurately simulate deformations of a rubber compound containing silica as reinforcing filler particles.
Computerized methods for simulating deformation of rubber compound are disclosed in Japanese patent No. 3668238 and the following non-patent document.
"A three-dimensional constitutive model for the large stretch behavior of rubber elastic materials" Authors: Ellen M. Arruda and Marry C. Boyce, Publication: Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, vol. 41, issue 2, Pages 389-412, Publication Date February 1993
In Japanese patent No. 3668238, the finite element model of a rubber compound includes a rubber component model and a filler particle model, and by the use of a finite element method, a deformation calculation is made taking account of influence of the filler.
Therefore, in the case of a silica-rich rubber compound, used is a rubber compound model including a rubber component model and silica particle models. And in order to make a deformation calculation, on the silica particle models, physical properties, e.g. elastic modulus as a hard elastic body are defined. On the rubber component model, physical properties, e.g. relationship between stress and elongation as a viscoelastic body is defined.
However, if a deformation simulation is made by applying strain e.g. tensile deformation to such rubber compound model, simulation results are not always coincide with actual phenomena although in the case of a carbon-rich rubber compound simulation results are well coincide with actual phenomena.
Therefore, the present inventors studied the differences between simulation results and actual phenomena and found that such difference is caused by an interfacial coupling agent added in a silica-rich rubber compound.

Method for simulating deformation of rubber compound


A semiconductor laser includes a semiconductor layer including end faces and at least one of the end faces is configured as a light emission end face. The semiconductor layer includes a waveguide and a light window structure region. The waveguide has a first width and is extended between the end faces. The light window structure region includes an opening having a second width greater than the first width arranged along the waveguide and is formed continuously or intermittently from one to another of the end faces.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a semiconductor laser having a structure that less current is injected into an interdiffusion region that is a window structure region of resonator end faces of an active layer. In the semiconductor laser, an injection region of Zn ions and Si ions forms the window structure region, which inhibits degradation leading to end face destruction of a device due to light absorption (for example, specification paragraphs [0018] and [0041], and FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B).

SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION


A technique which in a portable or laptop ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus, optimizes the position of a hinge mechanism for connecting a display section having a touch panel and a main body and the strength of the main body and also reduce the influence of noise between mutual sections, such as an ultrasonic image processing circuit board, a power source, a CPU board and the like, which are arranged inside the main body is disclosed. According to this technique, on a bottom surface of a bottom case 11 in the main body, a supporting section 12 for supporting a display section 20 is formed to stand upright and extend in a width direction, at a position that is dislocated to a front end F side from a rear end R of a main body 10. Also, a region A in which the ultrasonic image processing circuit board is arranged and regions B, C in which a power source unit and the CPU board are arranged, respectively, are partitioned by means of the supporting section 12.

As a display section having a touch panel, for example, there is a type disclosed in the following patent document 1. Also, as a foldable display section, for example, there is a type disclosed in the following patent document 2. Also, as a 2-shaft hinge mechanism of a foldable display section, for example, there is a type disclosed in the following patent document 3.


An apparatus may include a hat. The hat may include a crown. The hat may include a bill coupled to the crown. The bill may protrude away from the crown. The apparatus may include a strip of pliant, resilient material. The strip may be coupled to the hat. The pliant, resilient material of the strip may include a high-density, closed-cell foam. The strip may be coupled to the bill of the hat.

When people go fishing, they use a variety of equipment, such as lures, jigs, hooks, and the like. Fishers need convenient access to this equipment. However, retrieving the equipment can be difficult during fishing. For example, a fisher may be standing in the middle of a river and his or her tackle box may be on the shore of the river, and the fisher may need a new hook, fly, or the like. In another example, the fisher may be holding other fishing equipment and, thus, have limited use of his or her hands. Thus, a more convenient way of holding fishing gear is needed.


An exemplary storage network and methods of operation are disclosed. The exemplary storage network comprises a plurality of storage cells. At least one storage cell comprises physical storage media and a storage media controller that controls data transfer operations with the storage media. The exemplary storage network further comprises a plurality of host computers configurable to execute write operations to at least one storage cell, at least one write control server that regulates the write operations of one or more host computers, and a communication network that provides communication connections between the storage cells, the host computers, and the write control server. In exemplary methods of operation the write control server regulates write access by the host computers. In another exemplary method of operation the write control server broadcasts a write failure signal to one or more host computers in the network.

Effective collection, management, and control of information have become a central component of modern business processes. To this end, many businesses, both large and small, now implement computer-based information management systems.
Data management is an important component of computer-based information management systems. Many users implement storage networks to manage data operations in computer-based information management systems. Storage networks have evolved in computing power and complexity to provide highly reliable, managed storage solutions that may be distributed across a wide geographic area.
Data redundancy is one aspect of reliability in storage networks. A single copy of data is vulnerable if the network element on which the data resides fails. If the vulnerable data or the network element on which it resides can be recovered, then the loss may be temporary. However, if either the data or the network element cannot be recovered then the vulnerable data may be lost permanently.
Storage networks implement remote copy procedures to provide data redundancy and failover procedures to provide data consistency in the event of a failure of one or more network elements. Remote copy procedures replicate one or more data sets resident on a first storage site onto at least a second storage site. A data consistency group (DCG) is a data set comprising a plurality of storage units, each containing a portion of an aggregated data set, with each storage unit having the potential to be individually replicated. The storage units may be logical or physical. A DCG implemented at the disk array level enables data sets to be aggregated across multiple logical units with the assurance that any unsuccessful replication will immediately halt all local and remote write operations, such that the aggregated primary data set and the aggregated secondary data set remain consistent, and therefore useful for continuing operations.
Large storage networks may comprise dozens, or even hundreds of storage cells, and may have hundreds, or even thousands of host computers that execute write operations to data sets in the storage network. Effective storage management techniques must ensure data consistency in DCGs implemented in complex storage networks.

Write operation control in storage networks

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


An electrical wiring device for delivering power to multiple mobile devices including: a housing having a faceplate; a first power delivery port accessible through the faceplate; a second power delivery accessible through the faceplate; an AC/DC converter disposed in the housing and configured to receive an AC signal from a connection to a source of AC mains power and to output a DC signal; a first DC/DC converter disposed in the housing and configured to receive the DC signal and provide a first DC output signal having a first power to a first power delivery port; a second DC/DC converter disposed in the housing and configured to receive the DC signal and provide a second DC output signal having a second power to a second power delivery port; wherein the first DC output signal is different from the second DC output signal.

The ubiquity of mobile devices has made ready access to charging ports a basic requirement in corporate and residential settings. But use of plug-in power adapters is undesirable because they occupy one receptacle and, sometimes, cover another receptacle, rendering both unusable for other devices. Given the widespread need for charging ports, and the variety of mobile devices in use, there exists the need in the art for an electrical wiring device with multiple dedicated charging ports that can provide independent power levels in accordance with the demands of the connected devices and the maximum available power.

Electrical wiring device for delivering power to multiple mobile devices