A cache for use with a network filter that receives, stores and ejects local rule bases dynamically. The cache stores a rule that was derived from a rule base in the filter. The cache rule is associated in the cache with a rule base indicator indicating from which rule base the cache rule was derived, and a rule base version number indicating the version of the rule base from which the cache rule was derived. When the filter receives a packet, the cache is searched for a rule applicable to a received packet. If no such rule is found, the filter rule base is found, and an applicable rule is carried out and copied to the cache along with a rule base indicator and version number. If a cache rule is found, it is implemented if its version number matches the version number of the rule base from which it was derived. Otherwise, the cache rule is deleted. The cache provides an efficient way of accurately implementing the rules of a dynamic rule base without having to search the entire rule base for each packet.

A common information systems security measure that regulates the flow of information between two automated information systems (AIS) is a filter. Here, the term "AIS" refers to a computer, network of computers, internetwork of computers, or any subset thereof. A computer with a network address is known as a "host." A host may be a computer with either a fixed or temporary network address. A host with its own rules (known as a local rule base) for regulating the flow of information is called a "peer." Information on certain AIS flows in discrete quanta called "packets." Each packet on certain AIS has a header and a payload. The header comprises packet identification data. An example of packet identification data is a circuit identification number, which occurs in packets flowing in a circuit switched network. Another example of packet identification data is a 5-tuple consisting of a network source address and destination address, a source port and destination port, and a protocol identifier. The 5-tuple occurs in packets flowing in a connectionless packet switched network.
In accordance with the invention disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 08/785,501, entitled System and Method for Providing Peer Level Access Control on a Network, and filed on the same date as this application, a dynamic filter loads and stores a peer's local rule base when the peer is authenticated, and deletes (or "ejects") the rule base when the peer loses authentication. The filter is positioned between the peer and another AIS, such that packets that flow between the peer and the AIS pass through the filter. The filter receives a packet, and then searches for rules (usually in global and local rule bases) that that match the packet. A rule comprises a key and an action. The key identifies to which packets the rule applies, based upon the packet identification data of each packet. The action is generally either PASS or DROP, meaning that the packet is either forwarded to its intended destination, or else deleted. If a matching rule is found, the action prescribed by the matching rule is applied to the packet. One of the novel features of the dynamic filter is the ability to accommodate frequent changes in its local rule bases.
A filter in a typical setting is shown in FIG. 1. A corporate network 10 may wish to provide access for peers A 11, B 12 and C 13 to Internet 14, but may wish to limit the access that Internet hosts G 15, H 16 and I 17 have to the corporate network 10, which may contain trade secrets and proprietary information. The corporate network 10 places a filter 18 at the interface between the corporate network 10 and the Internet 14.
A filter operates on a packet by receiving a packet and searching for a rule whose key matches the identification data of the packet. If the received packet identification data matches the key of a rule, then the action of the rule is carried out on the packet.
In one embodiment, the filter stores rules that take the form of a 5-tuple, of similar structure to a packet's header, and an action, which is either PASS or DROP. The 5-tuple is advantageous to use because it allows the filter to distinguish packets not only based upon source and destination, but on the particular process with which the packet is involved. This is because several well-known processes (file transfer protocol, e-mail, etc.) use standard port numbers that are recognizable by the filter. Thus, in accordance with this embodiment, a filter may advantageously enforce a security policy which, for example, allows files to be transferred from host A to host B, but forbids the exchange of e-mail between the same two hosts.
An example of a rule base for corporate network 10 having peers A 11, B 12 and C 13, connected through filter 18 to the Internet 14 having hosts G 15, H 16 and I 17 is as follows:
SOURCE DESTINATION Address,Port Address, Port PROTOCOL ACTION A,21 G,32 4 PASS A,22 H,19 3 DROP G,11 A,64 4 DROP C,9 I,23 4 PASS
This rule base is defined by the network system administrator in accordance with the security requirements of the hosts on the network.
When a packet arrives at the filter, the filter determines if the packet 5-tuple matches any rule 5-tuple. Here the rule 5-tuple is the rule key. If there is a match, the filter carries out the matching rule action, either PASS or DROP.
A filter generally has a default rule for transactions that are not explicitly specified in the rule base. Thus, if there are no matching rules in the rule base, the packet is compared to the default rule. If there is a match, then the default action is carried out, which is usually to DROP the packet. If there is no match to the default rule, then an error message is generated. In one embodiment the default rule may be structured so that all packets match the default rule so that no error message is ever generated.
By selectively passing and dropping packets between peers and hosts, the filter regulates the flow of information to and from AIS which are said to be "behind" or "protected by" the filter. In FIG. 1, the corporate network 10 is behind filter 18.
A traditional filter is only able to load and store rules through the intervention of a system administrator, a slow and cumbersome process. Indeed, the system administrator generally must hand-code rules in a format specific to the filter platform. These rules are based upon a security policy promulgated by the protected AIS. Hence, a traditional rule base is inflexible and cannot easily accommodate the changing security needs of the protected AIS.
This inflexibility often necessitates rule bases that are too broad for a given application. Without the possibility of easy updates, it is simpler to mandate global rules that apply to all AIS behind a filter rather than to load rules that apply to specific hosts. In such a case, all AIS behind the filter must conform to the most restrictive security requirements of any such AIS, resulting in overly restrictive filtering.
Even when rules are formulated to apply to individual hosts behind a firewall, such a level of access control may be insufficient. An example of this situation occurs for Internet Service Providers (ISP). An ISP has subscribers that are generally stand-alone personal computers having modems. The ISP has one or more hosts, each host connected to the Internet and having a pool of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. When a subscriber dials-in to an ISP host (called a Point-of-Presence, or POP), the POP assigns the subscriber a temporary IP address from its pool of IP addresses. This temporary address generally corresponds to the calling subscriber only for a single session of connectivity. A future session is likely to result in another IP address being assigned to the subscriber.
This is problematic because rules are based in part upon network source and destination addresses. Thus, known filters cannot effectively control access to subscribers because their IP addresses change on a session by session basis.
The dynamic filter disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 08/785,501, entitled System and Method for Providing Peer Level Access Control on a Network, and filed on the same date as this application, remedies this deficiency by providing a system and method by which a subscriber's rules may be dynamically loaded into the filter when the host is authenticated, and ejected when the host is no longer authenticated. While the rules are stored in the dynamic filter, the rules correspond to the subscriber's temporary IP address, and thus can be effectuated.
The dynamic filter has yet broader application because it can also easily and dynamically change the rules in the filter for any peer, including a peer with a fixed IP address, not just for an ISP subscriber. Hence, the dynamic filter provides better access control that may be tailored to a specific peer's security needs and easily accommodates changes in those security needs. Thus, the novel utility of a dynamic filter derives from its ability to accommodate and implement frequently changing local rule bases.
An exemplary embodiment of a dynamic filter operates by receiving a packet and searching a pre-global rule base for matching rules. If no matching global pre-rules are found, a local rule base is searched using hash tables for matching local rules. If no matching local rules are found, then a global post-rule base is searched for matching rules. If no matching global post-rules are found, then a default rule is applied if it matches the packet. If the default rule does not match the packet, then an error condition is generated. When any matching rule is found, and the rule's action is DROP, the packet is dropped and no further rules are searched.
Searching rule bases for matching rules consumes both time and processor power. Hash tables for the local rule base in the dynamic filter improve the efficiency of the search process substantially. However, the dynamic filter must perform a hash function and carry out a search of the rule bases for each packet the filter receives. This involves substantial and unnecessary redundancy, because all of the packets in a particular message generally have the same 5-tuple.
For example, suppose data file A is broken into 320 packets for transmission from host A through host A port 20 to host B through host B port 21 using protocol X. The header for each of the 320 packets will comprise the 5-tuple: EQU A,20,B,21,X
When the first of such packets arrive at the dynamic filter, the filter searches the rule bases for matching rules and applies them. When the next packet arrives, it again carries out the same search, finds the matching rules, and applies them.
A known solution to this problem is to keep a short list (known as a "cache") of rules for recently processed packets that have been derived from the filter rule base. Each rule in the cache stores a cache entry comprising a key (such as a 5-tuple) and action derived from a full-scale search of the filter rule bases for the first packet received in a given message. When a packet is received, the cache is searched first for a matching entry (i.e., for an entry whose key matches the received packet identification data.) This is more efficient than searching the rule bases for subsequent packets in the same message that have the same key. If a cache entry matches, the action of the entry is carried out on the packet without having to search the rule bases. In other words, subsequent packets essentially benefit from the search done for the first packet in the message. This saves processor time and increases the throughput of the filter.
It should be noted that this known caching technique is designed for traditional, static filters with rule bases that are fixed and do not change. This technique cannot be used effectively with a cache for a dynamic filter whose local rule bases change frequently. This is because this known technique provides no way of tracking and ensuring the currency of a cache entry. In other words, a rule from which an entry is derived in a dynamic filter may change frequently. Known caching techniques cannot ensure that outdated entries are not applied to packets. Traditional filter caches are completely emptied whenever there is a rare change in the underlying rule base, and is subsequently reconstructed in accordance with the new rule bases as packets are received and filtered. This is inefficient because the cache is flushed even if the vast majority of cache rules unaffected by the rule change and are still valid, and is only acceptable because such rule changes occur so infrequently in traditional static filters.
Emptying a cache for a dynamic filter every time the rule bases changes would be unacceptably inefficient because the local rule bases change so frequently. A known cache implemented on a dynamic filter would have to be rebuilt so often that it would bring few, if any, advantages in efficiency to the filter.

Session cache and rule caching method for a dynamic filter


The foregoing and additional objects are obtained by the oil measuring system according to the present invention. A first oil level measuring device is in fluid communication with the oil pan and generates a first signal indicative of the oil level within the first measuring device. A second oil level measuring device is also in fluid communication with the oil pan and generates a second signal indication of the oil level with the second measuring device. An imaginary line passes from the second measuring device, through the middle of the oil pan, and to the first measuring device. Also provided is a means for indicating the oil level in the oil pan in response to the first and second signals. Accordingly, the oil level may be checked without using a standard dipstick. Further, the present system is effective regardless of the tilt of the engine.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for measuring the oil level in the oil pan of the crankcase of an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to such a system for use in motor vehicles and motor boats.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
The oil pan of the crankcase of an internal combustion engine should contain an amount of oil between a maximum level and a minimum level to ensure optimum operation of the engine. However, the oil level drops over the course of time as the operating engine consumes oil. It is therefore necessary to measure the oil level with an oil measuring rod and, if necessary, add oil to the crankcase at specific time intervals or after specific driving performances of the engine. Unfortunately, this maintenance is occasionally forgotten so that the oil level in the oil pan gets too low, thereby resulting in engine damage from increased friction.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system which displays the oil level of the engine at the dashboard when the ignition is turned on.
It is a further object of the present invention to accomplish the foregoing without interfering with the flow of oil from the oil pan.
It is yet another object of the present invention to accomplish the foregoing objects regardless of the tilt of the engine.
Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the drawing and specification which follow.

System for measuring the oil level of an oil pan of the crankcase of an internal combustion engine


A spin-torque transfer memory random access memory (STTMRAM) element, employed in a STTMRAM array, receives electric current for storage of digital information, the STTMRAM element has a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). The MTJ includes an anti-ferromagnetic (AF) layer, a fixed layer having a magnetization that is substantially fixed in one direction and that comprises a first magnetic layer, an AF coupling layer and a second magnetic layer, a barrier layer formed upon the fixed layer, and a free layer. The free layer is synthetic and has a high-polarization magnetic layer, a low-crystallization magnetic layer, a non-magnetic separation layer, and a magnetic layer, wherein during a write operation, a bidirectional electric current is applied across the STTMRAM element to switch the magnetization of the free layer between parallel and anti-parallel states relative to the magnetization of the fixed layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STTMRAM), and, more particularly, to an STTMRAM element having a low-crystallization temperature free layer MTJ structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STTMRAM) is one of the next generations of non-volatile memory currently under development. In STTMRAM, writing magnetic bits is achieved by using a spin polarized current through the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), instead of using a magnetic field. The STTMRAM write current scales down with smaller MTJ size in future technology nodes. STTMRAM has significant advantages over magnetic-field-switched MRAM, which has been recently commercialized. One of the main drawbacks associated with field switched MRAM are its more complex cell architecture, which utilizes typically two additional metal lines for applying the switching field, in a one transistor and one MTJ design. These require additional processing steps and make the memory-cell size too big and too expensive. Additional drawback includes its high write current (currently in the order of milli Amps (mA)) and poor scalability, which is currently limited to about 65 nano meters (nm). On the other hand, in the STTMRAM, the spin transfer torque (STT) writing technology, by directly passing a current through the MTJ, overcomes these hurdles with much lower switching current (in the order of micro A) and ease scalability. This results in a simpler cell architecture that can be as small as 6 F2 (for single-bit cells) and reduced manufacturing cost, and more importantly, improved scalability. Additionally, due to its fast read/write speed and lower voltage requirement, STTMRAM is believed to be an ideal candidate for replacing SRAM as an embedded memory into Logic devices such as from microprocessors.
Currently, most microprocessors and like logic devices utilize 40 to 80 percent of the memory area as SRAM. These SRAMs have extremely large cell size, and at the same time consumes large energy. This is becoming a limiting factor impacting the scaling of future microprocessors. Current MRAM and STTMRAM require processing temperatures requiring much higher temperature than 300 C.
What is needed is a non-volatile memory having smaller cell size that can easily be integrated into the back-end of the CMOS process and requires a low-temperature processing of typically below 300 C for a low-cost high volume manufacturing.

Spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STTMRAM) using a synthetic free layer


A method of bypassing a programmable processing element can include examining data where the data has at least a header, removing the header from the data, encrypting the data through a cryptographic component, rejoining the removed header and the encrypted data, and outputting the rejoined header and encrypted data.

The advent of the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) has created a software defined radio (SDR) based on the Software Communications Architecture (SCA). SDR radios that are being built for the Department of Defense (DoD) must be SCA compliant. If the radio needs to receive or send secure data, the requirements of the Security Supplement apply. The Security Supplement defines that the user side of a radio (where the user data is supplied) be defined as red. Once the data is encrypted, it is called black. When implementing a radio with embedded security, different types of data exist that need to move across the red-to-black or black-to-red sides of the radio. The user traffic data must be encrypted. However, not all of the data can be encrypted. Some of the data (which will usually exist in packet form) must bypass the encryption process, but must be reunited with the other data on the black side of the radio. The bypass process from red-to-black must be carefully monitored to prevent inadvertent disclosure of user data. Also, the traffic data packet may contain embedded real-time commands, which must also be bypassed.
Currently implemented bypass functions for encrypted/unencrypted data are slow, i.e., the data is not transferred at traffic rates. One current solution under consideration is to build in a bypass as part of the algorithm. However, such a solution requires a unique algorithm design and recertification of that algorithm. This solution is not really feasible, particularly in terms of expense and time.
There are two currently practiced methods for performing the bypass function. Generally, the first method intercepts the data stream, removes the header or real-time command from the data stream, and routes the header outside the en/decrypt module. Additional logic and/or circuitry validate the contents of the header. This method has been the traditional implementation for many years, and requires a significant amount of bypass circuitry.
The second method allows the header to enter the en/decrypt module. The en/decrypt algorithm checks the header contents and performs the en/decrypt function. This method requires unique implementation of the en/decrypt algorithm for each header scheme.
A processing element that can efficiently and cost effectively bypass a cryptographic component without the need for a unique algorithm for each implementation is desirable.

Method of implementing a high-speed header bypass function


The invention discloses an error-detecting method for a Chinese article, handling a Chinese sentence including a first erroneous Chinese character string in a first location. The method includes subdividing the first erroneous Chinese character string into a plurality of first subgroups, wherein each of the first subgroups consists of two consecutive and non-consecutive Chinese characters out of the first erroneous Chinese character string. The method further includes providing a database containing a plurality of first correct Chinese character strings and a plurality of corresponding first correct indices, wherein the first correct indices consist of two consecutive and non-consecutive Chinese characters out of the first correct Chinese character strings. The method further includes acquiring one of the first correct indices according to the first subgroup, and one of the first correct Chinese character strings according to the acquired first correct index. The method further includes generating a best candidate sentence according to the acquired first correct Chinese character string, and showing the Chinese sentence and the best candidate sentence on a display device.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to an error-detecting apparatus for Chinese articles, and more particularly, to an error-detecting apparatus that introduces the bi-gram mechanism.
2. Description of the Related Art
In light of increasing computer use, more and more people use computers to write Chinese articles instead of handwriting. However, because of the characteristics of the Chinese language, there are many Chinese characters with the same pronunciation or similar appearance. This makes the Chinese language complicated, and therefore users can easily end up using a wrong Chinese character that just looks similar (or is pronounced identically) to a correct one.

Error-detecting apparatus and methods for a Chinese article


A method for manufacturing a sensor having pixels on a substrate, each pixel including a photoelectric converter, a charge-voltage converter, and a gate for forming a channel for transferring charges in the photoelectric converter to the charge-voltage converter, comprises a step of implanting ions into target regions of the substrate, where the photoelectric converters are to be formed, wherein the step is performed N times, and in each of the steps, the ions are implanted along a direction with an inclined angle with respect to a normal to the substrate surface, the target regions where the ions are implanted are different in each step, and for each step, a mask is formed on the substrate, having an opening for every N pixels, a plurality of the openings periodically arranged in a direction along an intersection line between the surface and a plane determined by the normal and the direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a solid-state image sensor.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is known a solid-state image sensor having an arrangement which transfers, by a transfer switch, charges generated by photoelectric conversion in a photoelectric converter to a charge-voltage converter such as a floating diffusion region. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-311803 discloses a method for implanting ions into a substrate at an inclined angle with respect to the normal to the surface of the substrate in order to form an impurity region constituting a photodiode. According to this method, ions are also implanted under the gate (transmission gate) of a transfer switch.
If ions are implanted into a substrate at an inclined angle with respect to the normal to the surface of the substrate, a region which is shaded by a mask defining an ion implantation region is produced. If ion implantation into part of a region where the charge accumulation region of a photodiode is to be formed, that is, a region where ions are to be implanted is interfered with, the quantity of charges to be accumulated, that is, the saturated charge quantity, becomes small, thereby narrowing the dynamic range of the solid-state image sensor.

Method for manufacturing solid-state image sensor


A marine vessel, system, and process provides for reducing or eliminating fuel consumption and emissions of marine vessels. System and method for charging an electricity storage element of an energy storage system of a floating marine vessel may include applying a power source from a marine platform to an electrical power bus of the floating vessel to charge the electricity storage element. A power generator of the marine vessel configured to supply electrical power to the power bus may be configured from an ON state to an OFF state.

Managing operations of marine vessels is challenging. Marine vessels are used for a variety of functions, including cargo shipping, commercial fishing, military operations, cruising, maintaining windmills and other marine green energy systems, and many other purposes. Reducing unnecessary power usage of marine vessels is important for a number of reasons (e.g., financial and environmental), including reducing fuel consumption and reducing emissions.
Large marine vessels that use large diesel engines consume a lot of fuel per hour. The diesel fuel used by the marine vessels is expensive, and produces undesirable emissions that have recently been under scrutiny because of pollution and CO2 emissions, such as contemplated by the recent Paris Accords in which many countries agreed to reduce carbon emissions. It is therefore desirable to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by marine vessels.
There are a number of environments and uses of marine vessels in which reduction of fuel consumption is possible. In some cases, marine vessels have legacy propulsion systems such that it is extremely expensive to retrofit the marine vessels to modify those propulsion systems. Legacy marine vessels will likely be utilized for many years into the future. These marine vessels that are too expensive to modify will at some point be under scrutiny as a result of high fuel consumption and emissions, so modification in a cost effective manner for certain uses is needed.
For new marine vessels, it is possible to redesign the vessels to address fuel consumption and emissions. For such redesigns, low or no emission marine vessels that are commercially viable is needed for cost and environmental purposes.

System and method for reduction of power consumption and emissions of marine vessels


Methods and apparatus for improved scrambling and/or descrambling of packets in a communications network are described, e.g., improved scrambling/descrambling of MPEG-2 transport stream packets over an Internet Protocol network. Advance Encryption Standard (AES) under cipher block chaining is utilized in scrambling some transport stream packets. Methods and apparatus for computing an initialization vector or vectors used by the AES are also described. The initialization vector can be set to either a constant or a programmable random number. Scrambling methods and apparatus directed to scrambling solitary termination blocks with a reduced size packet payload e.g., less than 128 bits in an MPEG-2 transport stream packet, are also described. Various features are useful for and can be implemented in set-top boxes and IPTV scramblers in the headsets.

To protect video/audio content from unauthorized consumption, encryption techniques are usually used to scramble video/audio content during delivery or during recording. The Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) standard has specified a common scrambling algorithm (CSA) to scramble video/audio transport stream packets encoded in the form of MPEG-2. The DVB common scrambling algorithm is a proprietary algorithm and details of the algorithm have not been published. However, it has long been stipulated in the communications industry that the DVB common scrambling algorithm is weak and should be replaced by a stronger encryption algorithm based on modern cryptographic techniques.
The US Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) has standardized a method, referred to as SCTE-52, for scrambling MPEG-2 transport stream packets using the Data Encryption Standard (DES) under Cipher Block Chaining (CBC) mode. However, the SCTE scrambling standard does not specify how to generate the initialization vector (IV), a parameter which will be used by the DES encryption under cipher block chaining mode. Moreover, the DES encryption algorithm is no longer a strong algorithm due to a number of rigorous cryptanalysis during the last two decades. For this reason, the common scrambling standard developed by the Advance Television Systems Committee (ATSC) replaces DES with the cryptographically stronger triple-DES (TDES) with 168-bit key. The ATSC common scrambling standard also mandates that the initialization vector for the triple-DES under cipher block chaining mode be all zero. Nevertheless, both the DES algorithm and triple-DES algorithm are inferior to the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with respect to both security strength and implementation efficiency. In view of the above, it would be beneficial if methods and apparatus were developed which utilized AES for the scrambling of video/audio transport stream packets over Internet Protocol (IP) networks.

Methods and apparatus for content scrambling in a communications system


A method and apparatus is provided to transport parisons from the extrusion die to a second location. The parison is extruded and a collar means is provided to contact the parison near its upper end and create a holding geometry whereby the parison is retained by the collar means without pinching the parison. The parison is then transported vertically or horizontally to the mold unit without closing or pinching the parison. The holding geometry is created by slightly deforming the parison wall near the collar means. The parison is therefore transported to the second location, for example a mold unit, instead of moving the mold unit, to the parison.

It is well known in the art to make hollow plastic products such as containers or other like products using the extrusion blow-molding process. In the extrusion blow-molding process, plastic in a melted state is introduced into a mold. The molten plastic is generally extruded into a cylindrically-shaped tube or hose referred to as a parison. The mold is closed and the interior of the mold is then pressurized to force the melted plastic onto the interior walls of the mold, which is then allowed to cool so that the plastic solidifies. The end product is a hollow plastic product having the shape of the interior of the mold. In some applications, such as the production of fuel tanks for automobiles, the parisons may be 8 feet or more in length.
In the extrusion blow-molding process, the parison is formed by pressing the melted plastic through a die in one of two ways, either by the accumulator method or by the continuous extrusion method. In the accumulator method, a hydraulic means intermittently forces the melted plastic through the die to form the parisons. In the continuous method, the melted plastic flows continuously through the die to form the parison.
Previously, only small and mid-size plastic hollow products could be produced using the continuous extrusion blow-molding method. Recent developments in the art of blow-molding have allowed the production of larger sized products using the continuous method. In order to produce the larger containers, however, correspondingly larger equipment is required. As well, the parison must be correspondingly larger in diameter and length.
For this reason, two different versions of the continuous extrusion blow-molding process are known. In the first version, the die is located above the mold unit and the parison is transported vertically down into the mold unit. The disadvantage with this version of the method is that the equipment is very tall where large products are to be produced. In some applications, the equipment can be as high as 40 to 45 feet. Therefore, much taller buildings are required to house the equipment.
A further disadvantage of the vertical transportation version of the continuous process is that the parison must be carried into the mold unit, which is now done by pinching the upper end of the parison, separating it from the die and lowering it into the mold unit. This pinching and vertical movement, however, often causes the larger sized parisons to collapse or flatten onto each other. That is, the pinching of the upper end causes the parison wall to collapse throughout the entire length of the parison rather than the parison retaining its generally cylindrical shape. This creates further difficulties in the overall manufacturing process since the lower end of the parison closes, thereby preventing the parison from being located properly in the mold area. By "pinching" it is meant that the wall of the parison is closed.
The second version of the continuous extrusion process includes shuttling of the machine clamping units. In this method, at least two mold units mounted on individual clamping units are used for each parison-forming die. The die is typically located between the two or more mold units, and the clamping units are each moved in turn under the die so the mold units can receive the parison. Thus, this method requires a substantial amount of floor space in order to operate the equipment and accommodate the two or more clamping units. As well, the clamping units used for larger products can be very heavy (up to 100,000 lbs each), therefore they must be mounted on moving steel frame structures with drives and rails. This, of course, makes the equipment relatively very expensive. As well, the power consumption required to accelerate, move and stop the units is great.
Various devices for carrying parisons are disclosed in the art. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,000,051, a method and apparatus for manufacturing hollow articles from melted plastic tubes (i.e. parisons) is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for handling a heated, vertically extruded tube or rod of thermal plastic material prior to enclosing the tube into a mold. The parison is extruded between two vertically-spaced pairs of horizontally aligned holding members. The two lower holding members are provided in opposed vertical surfaces with identical tube-engaging notches having a generally tapered configuration. The parison is extruded and the bottom tube holding members are moved toward each other until they abut. At that point, the cooperating notches define an aperture that is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the extruded parison so that the lower portions of the parison are grasped with sufficient firmness by the holding members to provide vertical support for the parison. On the other hand, the top pair of tube holding members also have tube engaging notches, but the aperture defined by the top tube holding members is slightly larger than the diameter of the parison so that the top holding members do not engage the parison wall. Therefore, only the bottom pair of tube holding members actually engage and vertically support the parison. The top tube holding members do not engage the parison wall. As well, the parison is only moved vertically from the extruder to the mold; there is no mention of the holding members being capable of moving the parison horizontally.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,408 discloses a gripping device for holding the parison, and a method for extrusion blowing hollow articles in which the parison is transferred from the extrusion die to a blow mold by means of the gripper device. The gripper device includes gripper jaws that grip the parison as it issues from the extruder. The gripper jaws move in scissor-like fashion so that the top of the parison is pinched by the gripper jaws. Therefore, this gripper device requires the parison to be pinched in order to be retained within the gripping device.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,130 discloses a method and apparatus for blow-molding square-shaped articles. The parison must be pinched at both ends. U.S Pat. No. 4,770,839 also discloses a blow-molding method in which the parison must be pinched.
The present invention eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art, and of the vertical transportation and shuttling versions of the continuous extrusion blow-molding process known so far. The present invention provides a parison carrying device that carries the parison to the mold unit without moving the mold units themselves, without requiring the mold unit to be located immediately under the die and without pinching the parison. The parison carrying device of the present invention includes a collar means that retains the parison without pinching the parison wall thus minimizing the likelihood of the parison collapsing. The present invention also provides means for closing the upper end of the parison without necessarily pinching the parison wall in applications where the interior of the parison is pressurized prior to the mold closing.

Method and apparatus for transporting plastics in a melted state


Ear candle with an air-permeable retaining member disposed at least partially within the ear candle, wherein the retaining member comprises a wall and an interior space, wherein at least two lamellas directed into the interior space are disposed on the wall, wherein the at least two lamellas are disposed opposite from each other in the interior space, and wherein the at least two lamellas are configured so as to overlap in the axial direction.

An ear candle with an integrated retaining member, wherein the retaining member is disposed within the ear candle at a rear end, i.e. at an end of the ear candle at the side of the ear, is part of the prior art (DE 10 2006 004 138 A1).
This retaining member is an air-permeable retaining member having a cross-sectional surface area which has the shape of a pointed cone or a frustrum of a cone or a dome or a pitched roof or a pyramid or a hollow cylinder, the point or the frustrum or the curvature of this retaining member being oriented towards a front end of the ear candle.
The ear candle substantially consists of a cotton fabric impregnated with wax. The wax used can be a natural wax such as beeswax, for instance. It is also possible to use synthetic waxes such as stearin or paraffin. However, natural waxes are preferred. The cotton fabric is rolled into a tube in such a way that, during rolling, at least one layer of the fabric overlaps or that several layers of the fabric lie one on top of the other.
With one end, this tube is placed on the external ear canal and the other end is set alight so that an open flame is produced.
The action of the ear candles is purely physical. A slight negative pressure (chimney effect) and the vibration waves of the air in the candle caused by the movement of the flame act like a gentle massage of the eardrum. This leads to an intense feeling of pleasant warmth and a pressure equalization in the area of the ears, the frontal and nasal sinuses that is perceived as liberating.
The amount of wax in the cotton fabric is adapted to the combustion process. This means that optimally, the ear candle is supposed to burn as residue-free as possible.
A plume of ash, which usually snaps off at the end, is left during burning.
A gas mixture is produced inside the ear candle. The gas mixture cools off in the ear candle, falls down, condensates and would enter the external ear canal unimpeded but for the retaining member.
Moreover, when the ear candle burns down, the wax melts. In rare cases, if too large an amount of wax is provided, the wax may also flow downwards in the ear candle and would enter the external ear canal but for the retaining member.
The ear candle with a retaining member described in the prior art (DE 10 2006 004 138 A1) is disadvantageous in that the retaining member described therein either does not sufficiently retain the condensate produced and possible run-off wax, depending on what material the retaining member consists of, for example, if it consists of a fly screen or a fine-mesh wire. If the retaining member consists of a filter paper or a filter fabric, it will easily clog so that air-permeability is not ensured any more.


Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing a locator service. The method includes receiving object identification information from a mobile object and receiving location identification information from the mobile object. The location identification information indicates the presence of the mobile object at a location. The method also includes associating the object identification information with the location identification information and creating an occupancy record including results of the associating. The method further includes storing the occupancy record in a storage device.

Exemplary embodiments relate generally to wireless communications, and more particularly, to methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing a locator service.
Wireless technologies have grown in popularity for a variety of applications. For example, in the personal consumer market, wireless home networking devices provide configurable internetworking solutions for various types of home devices such as communications, computing, and entertainment devices.
On a larger scale, wireless technologies such as global satellite communications offer global positioning services for mobile devices. For example, GPS services provide mapping and direction assistance to travelers. Global positioning services are also utilized to track the location of vehicles in an effort to minimize theft. Another popular market relating to global satellite technology is the satellite radio and programming industry. Many vehicles are now equipped with wireless receivers that pick up satellite music and programming from all over the world (e.g., services provided by XM Satellite Radio, Inc. of Washington, D.C as well as SIRIUS Satellite Radio of New York City, N.Y.). These types of applications typically involve a subscription service to a service provider.
In addition to personal consumer applications, business applications relating to wireless technologies have also enjoyed great advancements (e.g., wireless area networks, cellular communications for field activities, etc.).
As wireless technologies continue to advance, consumers, business entities, government, military, and other organizations will continue to look for ways to exploit them.


A tension device that prevents a window covering from operating properly until the tension device is installed. The tension device incorporates a drive wheel, casing, anchoring arm and drive stud. The drive stud has two sections, one keyed and one cylindrical. Before the tension device is installed, the keyed section of the drive stud engages the drive wheel and the casing, thereby preventing them from rotating relative to each other. When the tension device is installed, the drive stud must be inserted into the anchoring arm causing the keyed section of the drive stud to disengage the drive wheel and thereby allow the drive wheel to rotate relative to the casing.

Modern window coverings can be raised and lowered for selectively blocking or filtering light in a room. A common method of achieving this result is through the use of one or more control cords. Some control cords have open ends, while others form a closed loop or end.
Both the closed end and open end control cords could be unsafe.
It is also possible for the cords on the opposite side of the control cord to become loose and create a loop large enough to fit the head of a child or pet as is shown in FIG. 3.
One example of a prior art tension device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,463,987 to Nevins. But there is a major drawback to the Nevins invention and other current tension devices. These tension devices need to be installed by the operator separately from the window covering itself. Often the operator, for whatever reason, installs the window covering without installing the tension device. When this happens, the advantages of the tension device are lost.

Active tension device for a window covering


An automated remote water quality monitoring system with wireless communication capability and the method thereof is provided. A water quality monitoring system is provided, including: a plurality of monitoring apparatuses, each of which has a radio communication module transmitting at least one environmental parameter; a server receiving the at least one environmental parameter via a base station; and a gateway being one selected from a group consisting of the plurality of monitoring apparatuses, being geographically the closest one to the base station, receiving the at least one environmental parameter and transmitting the at least one environmental parameter to the base station.

Due to the rapid development of human society and the impact of global climate change, the natural environment is seriously destructed day by day. In order to sustain the environmental management, the environment monitoring becomes more and more important.
Water is one of the essential life-sustaining elements for creatures. How to sustain the use of the limited water resource for a long period has become a highlighted issue nowadays. The water resource significantly affects human life. Building a reservoir to increase the water storage capacity has become a popular scheme for reserving water. Since the water quality of the basin and the water sources will directly affect the quality of the whole reservoir, the water quality monitoring for these areas apparently becomes very important. However, these areas are usually located in suburban areas where might not be easily accessed.
Traditionally, with regard to the basin and water sources in the suburban areas, the researchers always have to collect samples manually and bring them back to the laboratory to perform further analysis. Thus, the traditional way not only wastes time and human power resource, but also takes a long time to get the demanded data, and also has excessive long sampling intervals between each collection. Furthermore, the effects of real-time monitoring fail to be reached while not knowing that the environment has already been changed. That a serious pollution incident cannot be immediately dealt will cause a considerable damage soon after.
The unmanned water quality monitoring systems provided in the current market usually transmit data by using SMS or GPRS service built in the GSM phone module only and can not be used in the suburban areas where none of wireless communication signals is capable of reaching. Thus, the suburban areas have a defect for the water quality monitoring.
In view of the drawback of the conventional technique, the applicant tries to build a system for monitoring water quality in the remote basin where the typical GSM mobile communication signals can not reach. In this respect, the researchers can instantly get the monitored data without going to those remote areas. Consequently, the applicant uses an automated remote water quality monitoring system with wireless communication capability and the method thereof to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of conventional means.

Automated remote water quality monitoring system with wireless communication capabilities and the method thereof


A system is disclosed allowing non-invasive, continuous local and remote sensing of the internal environmental characteristics of transportable containers. The system utilizes a variety of sensors inside the container to sense internal environmental conditions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the manufacture of semiconductor wafers, and in particular to a system allowing non-invasive, continuous local and remote sensing of the internal environmental characteristics of transportable containers.
2. Description of Related Art
A Standard Mechanical Interface ("SMIF") system proposed by the Hewlett-Packard Company is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,532,970 and 4,534,389. The purpose of a SMIF system is to reduce particle fluxes onto semiconductor wafers ("wafers") during storage and transport of the wafers through the semiconductor fabrication process. This purpose is accomplished, in part, by mechanically ensuring that during storage and transport, the gaseous media (such as air or nitrogen) surrounding the wafers is essentially stationary relative to the wafers, and by ensuring that particles from the ambient atmosphere do not enter the immediate wafer environment. This environment may be referred to herein as a "clean environment."
A SMIF system has three main components: (1) sealed pods used for storing and transporting wafers and/or wafer cassettes; (2) an input/output (I/O) minienvironment located on a semiconductor processing tool to provide a clean space (upon being filled with clean air) in which exposed wafers and/or wafer cassettes may be transferred to and from the interior of the processing tool; and (3) an interface for transferring the wafers and/or wafer cassettes between the SMIF pods and the SMIF minienvironment without exposure of the wafers or cassettes to contaminants. Further details of one proposed SMIF system are described in the paper entitled "SMIF: A TECHNOLOGY FOR WAFER CASSETTE TRANSFER IN VLSI MANUFACTURING," by Mihir Parikh and Ulrich Kaempf, Solid State Technology, July 1984, pp. 111-115.
SMIF pods are in general comprised of a pod door which mates with a pod shell to provide a sealed environment in which wafers may be stored and transferred. "Bottom opening" pods 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, are pods where the pod door 101 is horizontally provided at the bottom of the pod 100 and mates to pod shell 103. The wafers are supported in a cassette 105 which is in turn supported on the pod door 101. "Front opening" pods 110 as illustrated in FIG. 1B, also referred to as front opening unified pods, or FOUPs, include a pod door 111 that is located in a vertical plane and mates with pod shell 113. The wafers (not shown) are supported either in a cassette (not shown) mounted within the pod shell 113, or to shelves 115 mounted within the pod shell 113.
In order to transfer wafers between a bottom opening or front opening pod and a process tool 505 (FIG. 5) within a wafer fabrication facility, the pod is typically loaded either manually or automatedly onto a load port assembly 507 (FIG. 5) which is typically either mounted to, or part of the process tool 505. The load port assembly 507 includes an access port which, in the absence of a pod, is covered by a port door (not shown). Upon loading of the pod on the load port assembly 507, the pod door aligns against the port door in both bottom opening and front opening systems.
Once the pod is positioned on the load port assembly 507, mechanisms within the port door unlatch the pod door from the pod shell and move the pod door and port door to a position which allows access to the wafers by the processing tool 405. The pod shell remains in proximity to the now exposed access port so as to maintain a clean environment that includes the interior of the process tool and the pod shell.
In bottom opening systems, the port door, with the pod door 101 and wafer-carrying cassette 105 supported thereon, is lowered into the load port assembly 507. A wafer handling robot within the load port assembly 507 or process tool 505 may thereafter access particular wafers from the cassette for transfer between the cassette and the process tool. In front opening systems, the wafer handling robot may access the wafers directly from the pod shell 113 for transfer between the pod 110 and the process tool 505.
Systems of the above type protect against particle contamination of the wafers. Particles can be very damaging in semiconductor processing because of the small geometries employed in fabricating semiconductor devices. Typical advanced semiconductor processes today employ geometries which are one-half μm and under. Unwanted contamination particles which have geometries measuring greater than 0.1 μm substantially interfere with 1 μm geometry semiconductor devices. The trend, of course, is to have smaller and smaller semiconductor device geometries which today in research and development laboratories approach 0.1 μm and below.
As device geometries continue to shrink, contamination particles and molecular contaminants have become an important concern in semiconductor manufacture. There are several sources that cause contamination of semiconductor wafers as they travel through a fabrication process. For example, during a manufacturing process, certain gases, fluids, pressures, coherent and incoherent light, vibrations, electrostatic charge, and contaminants may affect the final yield of semiconductors. Therefore, it is important to control each of these parameters within a pod during the fabrication process.
Sealing the environment within a pod in accordance with SMIF technology discussed above has markedly improved a manufacturer's ability to control the environment surrounding semiconductor wafers. However, pods are frequently opened, both automatedly at load port assemblies for wafer transfer, and manually by technicians, for example during pod cleaning. Moreover, pods often include valves for allowing the transfer of fluids to and from the sealed pod. Each of these operations and pod features can be potential sources of contaminants to semiconductor wafers within a pod.
It is known to perform wafer lot testing, where random or problem pods are selected for internal environmental characteristic testing during or after device formation on the wafers. While such operations are capable of identifying problems after they occur, known testing systems are not intended to pinpoint the time or location at which the problems occur. Thus, such testing operations are often performed too late to prevent contamination to a wafer lot. Moreover, where a contaminated pod is allowed to continue through the fabrication process, it often contaminates other processing tools and wafer lots. Further still, conventional testing operations are not intended to identify the areas within the fabrication facility which are introducing contaminants to the wafers.
Accordingly, there is a desire to provide an apparatus and method for actively monitoring the environment within a pod and processing stations.

Transportable container including an internal environment monitor


Grain-based hot cereal compositions having reduced foam capacity are disclosed. The compositions can include wheat farina, oat groats, rolled oats, and steel cut oats. The compositions comprise a stearyl antifoam agent that prevents boil over of the compositions during stove top or microwave cooking without adversely affecting the taste, texture, or appearance of the finished product.

Grain-based hot cereal products, such as wheat hot cereal, oat meal, and grits, are typically cooked by adding water and/or milk to the product and boiling the mixture. This process, however, has a tendency to create foams during the cooking process that often spill outside of the cooking vessel. Boil over of the cereal product caused by foaming creates a mess for the consumer and can destroy the cereal product being prepared.
To prevent boil over during stove top or microwave cooking of grain-based hot cereals, the consumer is provided with directions to stop and stir the product frequently. This frequent "stop and stir" reduces boiling during product preparation, thereby reducing the amount of foam produced during cooking of the product, but can increase cook times and requires the consumer to closely monitor cooking progress to avoid excess foam formation to prevent boil over.
A solution for boil over associated with cooking of grain-based hot cereals, in particular farina based cereals, has been sought for over half a century. Potential solutions tested over the years include the addition of papain, plant oils, soy lecithin, and mono- and di-glycerides to farina hot cereal products to prevent boil over. However, none of these additives resulted in significant reduction of boil over and many of the additives negatively affected the taste, texture, and/or appearance of the finished product. Therefore, a need exists for grain-based hot cereal compositions exhibiting reduced foaming during the cooking process without adversely affecting the taste, texture, and appearance of the finished product.

Grain-based hot cereal compositions having reduced foaming


A pipette gun and holster apparatus having a remote source of positive and negative air pressure. The holster supports the pipette gun above a work table with the pipette connector oriented generally, vertically downwardly. The holster has a base which may be fastened to a vertical wall. A mounting bracket is fixed to and extends transverse to the base. The bracket has a bottomless socket constructed and arranged to receive and removably hold the pipette gun by inserting the pipette connector into the socket. A switch deactivates the remote air pressure source when the pipette gun is parked in the holster and energizes the remote air pressure source when the pipette gun is removed from the holster. A method of metering fluid using a pipette gun and holster apparatus. The holster is removable fastened to a vertical surface next to or proximate a horizontal work table top. The pipette gun is parked in the holster above the work table with the pipette connector and pipette oriented generally, vertically downwardly out of contact with the table top. The pipette gun is removed from the holster and fluid is metered with the gun. The remote air pressure source is automatically inactivated when the pipette gun is parked in the holster and automatically activated when the pipette gun is removed from the holster.

The present invention relates to a pipette gun and holster assembly which can be mounted on a vertical surface above or proximate a horizontal work table.
On an average day, a pipette gun may be used to meter hundreds of fluid samples. Inevitability, while using the pipette gun, a laboratory technician will be interrupted for a variety of reasons and must suspend use of the pipette gun. If the pipette gun assembly is set down on a table top, the pipette may become contaminated if it contacts the table top. Further, the sample fluid contained in the pipette may run out of the pipette if the pipette gun is set down flat on its side on the table top. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a stand in which the pipette gun and pipette can be parked while not in use and which prevents contamination of the pipette or spillage of fluid from the pipette when the pipette gun is parked in the stand.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,871 (Kenney ""871), incorporated herein by reference, describes a pipette stand which supports the pipette gun and pipette in an upright position on a table top so that the pipette does not contact the table top and so that any liquid in the pipette does not spill out of the pipette or flow back up through the pipette into the pipette gun. The pipette stand disclosed in Kenney ""871 is only useful, however, if there is available space on the table top on which the pipette stand may be rested. Too often the table top is overly crowded with scientific apparatus. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a pipette gun stand which can be mounted on the unobstructed vertical walls surrounding or proximate the table top.
In many laboratories, a pipette gun is used continuously for several hours by a technician. Over time, the weight of the pipette gun causes fatigue to the technician. For example, a pipette gun having an internal air pressure source may weigh up to 12 ounces. Prior art pipette guns having a remote, external air pressure source are lighter and reduce fatigue. However, the elastomeric tubing connecting the remote air source to the pipette gun is cumbersome and often interferes with the work area. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a pipette gun having a remote air source and an elastomeric tubing design which does not interfere with the work area.
In order to deactivate the remote, external air pressure source for a short period of time while the pipette gun is not in use, the source must be switched off manually by either unplugging the air pressure source or flipping an external switch on the air pressure source. Because it is inconvenient to repeatedly turn the air pressure source off and on, technicians typically leave the air pressure source activated even while the pipette gun is not in use. Continuously running the remote air source greatly shortens its life-span. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a pipette gun having a remote air source which is automatically activated and inactivated when the pipette gun is removed from and inserted into, respectively, the pipette gun holder so that the life-span of the remote air pressure source can be extended.
The present invention provides a pipette gun and holster apparatus having an external source of air pressure. The holster can be mounted on the unobstructed vertical walls surrounding or proximate the table top. The pipette gun and pipette can be parked in the holster while not in use, thereby preventing contamination of the pipette or spillage of fluid from the pipette when the gun is parked in the holster.
The remote air source is connected to the pipette gun with a recoiling, elastomeric tubing which does not interfere with the work area. In one embodiment, the remote air source is automatically activated and inactivated when the pipette gun is removed from and inserted into, respectively, the holster so that the life-span of the remote air pressure source is extended.
The apparatus of the invention generally comprises a pipette gun having a remote source of positive and negative air pressure, and a gun holster. The holster is constructed and arranged to support the gun above a work table with the pipette connector oriented generally, vertically downwardly.
The pipette gun has an external, flexible conduit connecting the gun to the remote air pressure source. The pipette gun housing has a hand grip portion and a barrel portion oriented transverse to the hand grip portion. A pipette connector is fixed to and oriented transverse to the barrel portion. An internal conduit is connected to the external flexible conduit and the pipette connector. A valve is located intermediate the internal conduit and is constructed and arranged to selectively regulate the flow of either positive air pressure or negative air pressure through the internal conduit to the pipette connector. A positive air flow trigger and a negative air flow trigger are connected to the valve.
The holster has a base and means for fastening the base to a vertical wall. A mounting bracket is fixed to and extends transverse to the base. The bracket has a bottomless socket constructed and arranged to receive and removably hold the gun by inserting the pipette connector into the socket. The base is removably attached to a vertical surface by suction cups, velcro tabs, magnets, or other releasable fasteners.
The external conduit comprises two-channel plastic tubing having a recoiling portion. One end of the recoiling portion is connected to the gun and the other end of the recoiling portion is connected to the base. The external conduit also has a non-recoiling portion extending from the base to the air pressure source. A male prong connector is fixed to the base for removably joining the recoiling portion and non-recoiling portion of the external conduit.
In one embodiment, the mounting bracket comprises a pair of forks having a base end and a plurality of prongs. The base end of the forks is fixed to the holster base at vertically-spaced locations.
The socket is circular and is formed in between the prongs of each of the forks. The socket has a diameter DS larger than the distance between the prongs DP of the forks.
The pipette connector may have a constant outer diameter DC which is less than DS but greater than DP. In this embodiment, the diameter of the socket DS is greater than DC and the distance between the prongs DP is less than DC.
In another embodiment of the invention, the pipette connector has a frusto-conical shape and having a maximum outer diameter DC1 and a minimum outer diameter DC2. In this embodiment, the diameter of the socket DS1 and the distance between the prongs DP1 of the first fork is greater than the diameter of the socket DS2 and the distance between the prongs DP2 of the second fork, respectively. In this embodiment, DC1 is greater than DP1, DP2 and DS2 but less than DS1. DC2 is greater than DP2 but less than DS1, DP1 and DS2.
In one embodiment of the invention, the remote air pressure source is fixed to the base. A first switch is located proximate the socket. The switch regulates the flow of power to the remote air source. The first switch deactivates the remote air source when the pipette gun is parked in the holster. The switch also energizes the remote air source when the gun is removed from the holster. The apparatus may also include a second switch which deactivates the remote air source independent of the first switch.
A mounting pad removably fixes the external air pressure source to either a vertical or horizontal surface. The mounting pad has a layer of vibration-absorbent material, means for permanently fixing the pad to either a vertical or horizontal surface, and means for removably fixing the remote air pressure source to the pad. In one embodiment, the permanent fixing means comprises a layer of adhesive and the removable fixing means comprises Velcro tab fasteners. The mounting pad may also have a plurality of bores arranged to align with the feet on the remote air source.
The present invention also provides a method of metering fluid using a pipette gun. A pipette gun having a remote air pressure source and holster assembly are provided. The holster is removably fastened to a vertical surface. The pipette gun is supported above a work table with said pipette connector oriented generally, vertically downwardly by parking the pipette gun in the holster. The pipette gun is removed from the holster and fluid is metered with the gun. The external air pressure source is automatically inactivated when the pipette gun is parked in the holster and automatically activated when the pipette gun is removed from the holster.


An automatic apparatus for teeing golf balls for practice hitting includes a ball container, an indexer rocker wheel, a ball positioner, and a tee. The indexer rocker wheel carries a ball from an intake position at the container to a discharge position over the ball positioner, and returns for another ball. The ball positioner includes a reversible drive motor and a ball carrier for movement back and forth between a ball pickup position at the indexer to a ball delivery position on the tee. The tubular tee includes a photosensor operatively connected to the drive motor and responsive to light to signal the operation of the ball positioner.

It is the common practice at golf driving ranges to provide the practice golfer with golf balls by the bucketful for practice hitting to improve the golfer's swing, stance, grip, and so forth. After hitting the ball from the tee, the golfer must move from his stance to the bucket, stoop over and take a new ball from the bucket, move to the tee, place the ball on the tee, then straigten up and resume his stance for hitting the new ball.
The present invention provides a considerable improvement on this procedure. It obviates the need to abandon one's grip and stance and go through all the motions, particularly the stooping motion, necessary to replace a ball on the tee after every stroke. The automated teeing apparatus of this invention is of particular value to golf instructors and their pupils. The instructor's function is to observe subtle errors in the grip, stance, swing, or some other aspect of the pupil's performance and to show the pupil how to correct them. The present need to remove the grip and move from the stance to place a new ball on the tee interrupts the continuity of this procedure. The pupil's initial (perhaps incorrect) grip and stance, which are the conditions of reference for corrective instruction, is perforce lost. The apparatus of this invention eliminates the necessity of manual ball replacement and therefore makes instruction more efficient and effective.
The practice golfer using this apparatus without an instructor, i.e. at a driving range, will enjoy the same benefit and will be enabled to more effectively experiment with grip, stance, and swing, and to make appropriate adjustments of the same. In addition, the apparatus prevents or decreases fatigue, and therefore simply makes the driving range easier and more convenient to use.

Electro-mechanical teeing apparatus for golf balls


A shower head includes a shell, a positioning base, a plurality of water spraying heads, a plastic piece, a metal cover and a handle set. The positioning base has a flat board and a hanging base having an elongated hole at center thereof, and a plurality of hanging slots are circularly disposed at the periphery of the flat board. The water spraying head engages with several hanging slots so as to evenly circularly dispose at the flat board. The plastic piece is formed by injection molding and a through hole is formed at center thereof. The metal cover is made by copper, surface of which has a plurality of cover through holes. The handle set has a control unit, and a connecting rod eccentrically protrudes out from one end of the control unit, and the other end is provided for a nut to lock and engage with a movable handle.

A conventional shower head is shown in FIG. 6. The conventional shower head (70) includes a covering shell (71), a position base (72), a plurality of spraying heads (73), a metal cover (74) and a control handle set (75), wherein a connecting unit (711) (namely universal connector) is located at an upper portion of the covering shell (71) to connect to a water source. A lower portion thereof has an opening (712) that is used to receive the position base (72) and spraying heads (73) and sealed with the metal cover (74). An installation hole (713) connecting to an inner space of the opening (712) is disposed at one side of the periphery thereof. The position base (72) has a flat board (721), and a tube (722) extends upwards from center of the flat board (721), and a hanging base (723) has an elongated hole (724) at center thereof. A plurality of C-shaped hanging slots (725) are circularly disposed at the periphery of the flat board (721). The spraying head (73) engages with a plurality of hanging slots (725) through a recessed groove (731) at an upper section of the outer periphery, so as to evenly circularly dispose at the flat board (721) of the position base (72). The lower portion thereof is enlarged to form a water outlet portion (732) that forms a plurality of olive-shaped water channel (733) along the surface of the water outlet portion (732). The metal cover (74) is made by copper, surface of which has a plurality of cover through holes (741) made by the mechanical process of drilling or the like. A recessed receiving space is formed at a top surface of the metal cover (74), and a guiding rod (742) protrudes upward from center of the receiving space. The handle set (75) has a control unit (751), and a connecting rod (752) eccentrically protrudes out from one end of the control unit (751), and the other end is provided for a nut (753) to lock and engage with a movable handle (754).
When it is assembled, the spraying head (73) is installed (one by one) at the flat board (721) of the position base (72), and disposed into the covering shell (71) with the position base (72) through the opening (712). When the metal cover (74) covers the opening (712), the guiding rod (742) is inserted into the tube (722), and the through openings (741) are provided for the spraying head (73) to protrude, the position base (72) and the spraying head (73) can be restricted and engaged. Also, the handle set (75) can be fastened through the nut (753) and installed on the installation hole (713). After the installation, the connecting rod (752) of the handle set (75) will be plugged into the elongated hole (724) of the position base (72), so that the movable handle (754) is operated to drive the connecting rod (752) to eccentrically rotate. Thus, the position base (72) can drive the spraying heads (73) to simultaneously move up and down, and the amount and style of the water flows from the water channel (733) can be controlled according to each person's preference by changing relative positions between the water outlet portion (732) and the through openings (741).
However, conventional shower heads may still have the following problems: (i) the precision of the through openings (741) made by mechanical processing and electroplating is difficult to control. If an error occurs during the manufacturing process, the spraying heads (73) and the through openings (741) cannot be maintain at the identical central position (see FIGS. 7 and 8) when the through openings (741) of the metal cover (74) match with the spraying heads (73). This problem would adversely affects the smoothness and uniformity of the water flow; and (ii) the entire metal cover (74) is made by copper and the manufacturing costs may remain high, and the product may not be competitive in the market. Therefore, there remains a need for a new and improved shower head that can overcome the problems mentioned above.


An on-vehicle apparatus control system includes: an on-vehicle control device; and a portable machine. The on-vehicle apparatus control system includes: a mode switching unit that selects a permission mode or a prohibition mode; and an illegality recording portion that records transmission or reception of a response request signal as illegality history in a case where the response request signal is transmitted from the on-vehicle control device or is received by the portable machine during the prohibition mode. If the response request signal is received by the portable machine during the permission mode, the portable machine transmits the response signal. If the response request signal is received by the portable machine during the prohibition mode, the portable machine transmits an illegality notification signal instead of the response signal, and the on-vehicle control device does not control an on-vehicle apparatus if the illegality notification signal is received.

There is an on-vehicle apparatus control system in which control of an on-vehicle apparatus is performed, such as locking and unlocking of a door of a vehicle on the basis of radio signals which are transmitted and received between an on-vehicle control device mounted on the vehicle and a portable machine carried by a user. Communication methods between the on-vehicle control device and the portable machine are roughly classified into three methods such as a polling method, a passive entry method, and a keyless entry method.
In the polling method, the on-vehicle control device transmits a response request signal at a predetermined cycle regardless of a position of the portable machine. If the response request signal is received, the portable machine returns a response signal to the on-vehicle control device. In the passive entry method, for example, when a user comes close to or comes into contact with a door knob of a vehicle, a passive request switch provided on the vehicle is turned on, and the on-vehicle control device transmits a response request signal to the portable machine. If the response request signal is received, the portable machine returns a response signal to the on-vehicle control device. In the keyless entry method, a response request signal is not transmitted from the on-vehicle control device to the portable machine, and, when the user operates the portable machine, a remote control signal is transmitted to the on-vehicle control device from the portable machine. In any case, if the response signal or the remote control signal is received from the portable machine, the on-vehicle control device performs collation of an ID code included in the signal. If the collation is successful, the on-vehicle control device locks or unlocks a door of the vehicle.
In a case of the polling method or the passive entry method, for example, illegal communication may be performed in which the portable machine which is far away imitates a state of being in close proximity to a vehicle as a result of a relay relaying a response request signal transmitted from the on-vehicle control device and the portable machine receiving the response request signal. The illegal communication using the relay is called relay attack. A malicious third party who is not an owner of a vehicle may commit a crime such as theft of the vehicle by unlocking a door of the vehicle or starting an engine through the relay attack.
Therefore, regarding crime prevention countermeasures against the relay attack, for example, in JP-A-2003-13644, in the passive entry method, an on-vehicle control device (on-vehicle receiver) measures a period of time from transmission of a response request signal to reception of a response signal with clocking means. Only in a case where a clocked value in the clocking means is within an effective clocked value set in advance when the response signal is received, the response signal is recognized as a normal response signal, and thus a door of a vehicle is locked or unlocked.
In JP-A-2008-45374, a portable machine can select a full mode in which an operation of receiving a polling type response request signal is continuously performed or a power saving mode in which the reception operation is stopped on the basis of an operation on an operation unit of the portable machine or a special command transmitted from a dedicated tool.
In JP-A-2002-247656, a portable machine can select a permission mode in which a response signal to a polling type response request signal is permitted to be transmitted or a prohibition mode in which transmission of the response signal is prohibited on the basis of an operation on an operation switch of the portable machine. The portable machine notifies a user of the present mode through lighting of an LED on the basis of the operation on the operation switch.
As in JP-A-2003-13644, JP-A-2008-45374, and JP-A-2002-247656, in the related art, in a case where relay attack is performed, a door is not locked or unlocked by restricting communication of or a process in the portable machine or the on-vehicle control device.

On-vehicle apparatus control system, on-vehicle control device, and portable machine


Disclosed are a mobile device for editing an image for a wearable device and a method for controlling the mobile device. The mobile device according to the present specification can provide an interface for editing an image when a wearable device is proximally located. Additionally, the interface has the same actual form as a display unit of the wearable device and can be changed on the basis of movements of the wearable device relative to the mobile device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for an example of a wearable device.
Wearable devices having a display of various shapes are developing. For example, FIG. 1 shows a wearable device 200 having a display unit 220 of a circle form. Yet, a picture generally has a rectangular form of a ratio such as 4:3 or 16:9.
Hence, as shown on the top of FIG. 1, the whole picture can be displayed on the circle display unit 200. Yet, the display unit 220 of the wearable device 200 is relatively small. Hence, as shown on the top of FIG. 1, if the whole picture is displayed on the circle display unit 200, an excessively small picture is displayed.
Meanwhile, as shown on the bottom of FIG. 1, the circle display unit 200 can be filled with a displayed picture. Yet, in this case, a part of the picture is not displayed. And, the picture is not displayed in accordance with the intention of a user.
Hence, it is necessary for the user of the wearable device 200 to edit the picture to make the picture fit the display unit 200 of the wearable device 200. Yet, since the wearable device 200 has the relatively small display unit 220, it is not easy to edit the picture. And, the user can edit the picture using an image editing program of a different device. In this case, it is necessary to consider a size, resolution, and a shape of the display unit 220 of the wearable device 200. Moreover, it is necessary to have a separate processor for transmitting an edited picture to the wearable device 200.
Therefore, it is necessary to have an interface capable of being easily used and processing an intuitive image.

Method for providing interface using mobile device and wearable device


An elastic device providing means of controlling its stiffness by controlling the tension of the string or group of springs resulting in adjustable transverse stiffness of it, arranged in matrix to enable the control of spatial stiffness of a 2D matrix in unlimited resolution.

In a bed or any other body supporting surface arrangement, a support is provided to support the weight or part of the weight of a user, wherein the bed distributes the weight from the body of the user over a part of a surface of the device. Depending on how the supporting surface distributes the weight of the user, the surface appears to be soft or firm. The degree of firmness (or stiffness) of such a surface is dependent on the properties of its elastic elements, such as the spring constant, and how the elastic members have been mounted in the surface, such as the degree of clamping or pre-tensioning. Thus, the firmness of the bed is normally set during the manufacturing of the device.
However, different users wish and require different firmness. Further, different body parts may require different firmness at different zones.
It is known to provide bed arrangements with variable firmness. By inducing deformation to the elastic members to different degrees, the firmness of the device is adjustable. The deformation member can deform the elastic member independently of the deformation of the elastic member induced by the being. This means that the firmness of the bed is adjustable during initialization, according to the wishes of the user. It is also possible to compensate the firmness of the device for possible changes in the elastic properties of the elastic arrangement over time. Still further, it is known to vary the firmness independently in various zones/sections in a mattress.
Further, it is known to provide variation in firmness of a mattress by arranging coil springs on support plates having variable height. The height of the support plates may be controlled by rotatable elements arranged under the support plates and having an off-center rotation axis. By rotation of the rotatable elements, the plates assume various height positions. It is also known to use a similar arrangement with support plates having variable height where the height of the support plates may be controlled by displacement members in the form of linear motors, jacks, and other types of lifting mechanisms.
It is also known to provide zones having variable firmness realized by inflatable elements, in which the pressure is independently variable by means of pressurization means.
Further, it is known to realize mattresses with variable firmness by a combination of inflatable elements and other resilient elements, such as coil springs.
Many other firmness adjustment means be also feasible, such as by arranging threads through the mattress, whereby the height position and/or tension is variable.
However, common problems with these previously known bed arrangements with variable firmness are that they are relatively complex, heavy and costly to produce. Further, these known bed arrangements are also often relatively difficult and cumbersome to use. Further, even though these known bed arrangements provide a certain degree of adjustability, this is often inadequate for the users' needs. Also, those solutions mainly provide control of firmness in a single dimension, whereas a two dimensional firmness control is needed.
It is therefore still a need for a bed arrangement with adjustable zone firmness.
The present invention relates to novel apparatus which enables the control of stiffness of a surface in two-dimensional resolution or a volume in three-dimensional resolution. More particularly, the invention relates to a device which enables controlling the stiffness of every point on a surface independently and in unlimited resolution (unlimited number of zones).

System for multi-dimensional stiffness control of surfaces


An access revocation system for removing user data from a service provider device includes a processing device and a memory storing instructions for performing an access revocation method. The method includes receiving user data from a user device via a data channel, storing the user data in a data storage module, and receiving an access revocation message via a request channel separate from the data channel. The method also includes decrypting the access revocation message and performing at least one action defined by the access revocation message, the at least one action including scrubbing of user data from the data storage module.

Access control has been a key issue in a software data pipeline for many years, especially if the pipeline is distributed among a plurality of customer/provider stakeholders deployed in a multitenant environment, such as a cloud computing environment. Segregated data is another concern in the multitenant environment, where the data can be spread across a plurality of data centers over different geographic areas corresponding to the plurality of stakeholders having a business relationship.
European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) specifies a framework and regulatory basis for all data-handling stakeholders, e.g., network software service providers in acquisition and retention of the customer data for regression and performance tests. In compliance with GDPR, there is a need for a customer who generates and provides packet data to thoroughly control access to the generated customer data which is shared with other data-handling stakeholders. For example, the customer should be entitled and able to revoke the access to the generated customer data at any time.
The present disclosure addresses these and other issues related to data flow and access.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A Vertical Wind Turbine Generator with Ventilator is consisted of three components: a vertical wind turbine assembly, a ventilator, and a generator. This device can be installed on roof opening, or any other locations for power generation and ventilation. The power generation is coaxially connected to, and housed within, the ventilator, which is further connected with the wind turbine assembly. When the wind-turbines assembly is rotated as driven by wind, the ventilator and the power generator will be driven by the wind turbine assembly to exhausts hot air and generate power simultaneously.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention entails a wind-propelled vertical turbine device that drives a power generator and a ventilator, or any heat dissipation device.
2. Descriptions of the Prior Related Arts
The conventional roof ventilator is a kind of miniature windmill. When wind blows onto the blades the blades are rotated to exhaust hot air to outdoors. The ventilator typically does not incorporate the function of power generation. Even if the conventional ventilator was to be equipped with a generator, the typical ventilator blades have relatively small wind-catching area that the wind-powered torsion can hardly feed the power generator. Therefore, it is difficult for the conventional ventilator to provide additional power-generation function.

Vertical wind turbine generator with ventilator


An ignition unit for a turbojet engine, including: an electrical power supply, a single control channel to receive a control signal from a computer, a main sparkplug ignition channel to energize at least one main sparkplug of a main combustion chamber, and an afterburner sparkplug ignition channel to energize at least one afterburner sparkplug of an afterburner chamber. The ignition unit is configured, in response to pulsed controls on the single control channel, to selectively activate the main sparkplug ignition channel or the afterburner sparkplug ignition channel.

Turbojet engines for aircraft are currently equipped with an afterburner device. An afterburner device comprises means for injecting fuel in proximity to flame-holder members and at least one afterburning ignition spark plug located in an afterburning ignition area. Under afterburning conditions, additional fuel is injected in order to obtain an increase in thrust.
Such a turbojet engine thus includes two ignition means: main spark plugs for igniting the main combustion chamber, and afterburning spark plugs for igniting afterburning.
For reasons of simplicity, bulkiness and costs, a single ignition unit simultaneously controls the ignition of the main combustion chamber as well as the afterburning ignition. In this way, independently of whether activation of the ignition of the main chamber or the afterburning is desired, the main spark plugs and the afterburning spark plugs are simultaneously energized. The main spark plugs fire even when only the firing of the afterburning spark plugs is desired.
Now, during the operation of the turbojet engine, a main spark plug is subject to very high pressure, of the order of 30 bars, in altitude. Under these conditions, the firing of a main spark plug implies a rapid degradation of the latter. The lifetime of a main spark plug may be considerably reduced by this, causing additional maintenance costs and reducing the availability of the aircraft as well as the reliability of their performances.
It is therefore desirable to only energize a main spark plug when the latter should be sought, i.e. upon starting or restarting the turbojet engine.
Complete segregation between the routes for igniting a main spark plug and the routes for igniting an afterburning spark plug is capable of meeting this requirement, such that the energization of a main spark plug is independent of the energization of an afterburning spark plug.
However, the application of two ignition units, one dedicated to the main plugs and the other to the afterburning spark plugs, represents an overcost, increased bulkiness and a mass increase which may not be acceptable. Further, the requirement of an additional computer output for the independent controls may be incompatible with the existing systems.
Further, replacement of an ignition unit may not be concomitant with a possible adaptation of other elements of the ignition system, and notably with the adaptation of the control signal sent by the computer for controlling the ignition. Thus, it is necessary that the modifications brought to the ignition system may be applied independently of each other.


An embodiment comprises: a housing; a bobbin, accommodated inside the housing, for mounting a lens; a first coil arranged on an outer peripheral surface of the bobbin; magnets arranged in the housing; a coil board that comprises second coils arranged below the housing and arranged so as to be spaced from each other, and connection parts connected to the second coils; a circuit board, which is arranged below the coil board and comprises first pad parts arranged at locations corresponding to the connection parts; and a conductive adhesive member for bonding the connection part and the first pad part, which correspond to each other, wherein each of the connection parts comprises a groove part depressed from the outer surface of the coil board, and exposing any one corresponding upper surface among the first pad parts, and a bonding part prepared around the groove part, and the conductive adhesive member is arranged on the upper surface of the bonding part and on the upper surface of the first pad part exposed by the groove part and electrically connects the bonding part with the first pad part.

Technology of a voice coil motor (VCM), which is used in existing general camera modules, is difficult to apply to a micro-scale, low-power camera module, and studies related thereto have been actively conducted.
The demand for electronic products, such as smartphones and cellular phones equipped with cameras, is increasing. The trend is for a camera for a cellular phone to become high-resolution and miniaturized, and the associated actuator is correspondingly developed so as to realize miniaturization, a large aperture and multiple functions. In order to realize a high-resolution camera for a cellular phone, there are demands for increased performance of the camera for a cellular phone and for additional functions, such as autofocusing, reduction in shaking of a shutter, zooming and the like.

Lens driving device, and camera module and optical device, which include same


An optical head having a photoelectric converter at one end and a socket for a light guide plug at the opposite end, has a spring loaded apertured diaphragm adapted to press lightly against the front end of the plug when it is inserted into the socket. The diaphragm has a cylindrical aperture at its side turned toward the plug and an opening defined by a frustoconical surface widening in the direction of the converter. This surface and the rear wall of the diaphragm can be provided with a light absorbent coating or the surface can be reflective and the rear wall provided with a light absorbent coating.

In the Hewlett-Packard Journal, February 1987, pages 26 and 27, there is described an optical head which, in a rear portion thereof, is formed with photoelectric converter circuitry outputting an electric signal, for example, based upon an incoming light signal. A front portion of this head is provided with an adapter body which constitutes a means for connecting a fiber optical light guide to the photoelectric device. The optical coupling between the photoelectric circuit and the fiber optics serving as an input, includes a socket at the front part of the optical head which receives a light guide plug at the end of the light guide which can be, as noted, a sheathed optical fiber or bundle of optical fibers.
In the conventional optical head described in this publication, detrimental reflections on inner parts of the head are suppressed, inter alia, by a light absorbing coating on the inner end of the adapter body and on the aperture diaphragm formed on the front side of the plug which surrounds the end of the light guide.
This apparatus, therefore, requires special plugs whose front side, like the rear side of the adapter body, must be formed with the light absorbing coating. These coatings are exposed upon withdrawal of the plug or dismounting of the adapter body, so that the coatings are subject to wear and damage.
Furthermore, the light guide must be adjusted with high precision in the plug since the end of the plug also forms the apertured diaphragm.

Optical head adapted to receive a light guide plug


A semiconductor structure and a method for operating the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first doped region, a second doped region, a third doped region, a first trench structure and a second gate structure. The first doped region is in the substrate. The first doped region has a first conductivity type. The second doped region is in the first doped region. The second doped region has a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. The third doped region having the first conductivity type is in the second doped region. The first trench structure has a first gate structure. The first gate structure and the second gate structure are respectively on different sides of the second doped region.

1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates in general to a semiconductor structure and an operating method for the same, and more particularly to a semiconductor structure and an operating method for the same for improving both a breakdown voltage and an on-state resistance (on-state current).
2. Description of the Related Art
In a semiconductor technique, for example, a semiconductor structure such as power device uses LDMOS and RESURF techniques compatible with existing CMOS processes. A method for increasing a breakdown voltage (BVdss) of the semiconductor structure is decreasing a dopant concentration of a drain region and increasing a drift length. However, an on-state resistance of the semiconductor structure is increased due to the method. In addition, a big design area is need.

Semiconductor structure and method for operating the same