A method for detecting a fuel leak in a compartment is provided. The compartment includes at least one inlet and an exhaust outlet that is coupled in flow communication with the compartment and in flow communication with a fan. The method includes determining a fan speed, measuring a fuel leak gas concentration value, determining a fuel leak gas concentration limit value within the compartment based on the determined fan speed, comparing the measured fuel leak gas concentration value with the determined fuel leak gas concentration limit value, and generating at least one of an alarm signal and a trip signal based on the comparison.

This invention relates generally to gas turbine engines, and more specifically to methods and apparatus for detecting fuel leakage from gas turbine engines installed inside an engine assembly compartment.
Gas turbine engines are used as a power source within a variety of applications. To protect the engine from the environment, and to shield a surrounding environment from the gas turbine engine, at least some known gas turbine engines are contained within an engine assembly compartment that includes an inlet area, an exhaust area, such as an extraction duct, and an engine area that extends between the inlet area and the exhaust area. For example in a power generation facility where the gas turbine engine is used as a power source for an electrical generator, the engine may be housed inside a compartment which facilitates reducing noise and heat generated during engine operation.
Within at least some known compartments, the inlet includes ducts to route ambient air from outside the compartment into the engine compartment for cooling the engine and compartment, and the outlet includes ducts to discharge heated air produced during operation of the engine.
Cooling requirements for a turbine may vary based on operational requirements of the engine, and, as such, at least some known turbine engines use a variable speed cooling fan to control the supply of cooling air channeled to the engine.
However, current regulatory codes may require that an engine control system provide an alarm to an operator and/or automatically stop the engine""s operation in an action known as a trip when fuel leakage from the engine within a compartment exceeds a pre-selected limit. At least some known engine assembly compartments may include a hazardous gas detector located in the extraction duct air stream to detect the presence of a fuel leak. A measured concentration at the detector may vary as the air flow rate through the compartment is varied due to the cooling requirements of the engine. For example, for a given leak rate, the measured concentration at the detector may increase as fan speed decreases due to dilution of the fuel in a lesser quantity of air. If a constant hazardous gas detector limit is used when operating at a reduced fan speed, an unnecessary trip of the engine may occur.
In one aspect, a method for detecting a fuel leak in a compartment is provided. The compartment includes at least one inlet and an exhaust outlet that is coupled in flow communication with the compartment and in flow communication with a fan. The method includes determining a fan speed, measuring a fuel leak gas concentration value, determining a fuel leak gas concentration limit value within the compartment based on the determined fan speed, comparing the measured fuel leak gas concentration value with the determined fuel leak gas concentration limit value, and generating at least one of an alarm signal and a trip signal based on the comparison.
In another aspect, a leak detection system for detecting a fuel leak in a compartment having an inlet and an extraction duct that is coupled in flow communication with the compartment and in flow communication with a fan is provided. The system includes at least one fuel leak detector, a software code segment programmed to determine a measured fuel leak gas concentration value based on an output signal from said at least one fuel leak detector, determine a fuel leak gas concentration limit value, compare the measured fuel leak gas concentration value with the determined fuel leak gas concentration limit value, and generate at least one of an alarm signal and a trip signal based on the comparison.

Methods and systems for detecting gas turbine engine fuel leaks


A device controlling a flash-read-only-memory (flash-ROM) storing a basic input output system (BIOS) of a personal computer including a controller controlled by software generating a first control signal or a second control signal controlling a chip enable signal of the flash-ROM, and a control buffer, having an input port receiving the chip enable signal and an output port connected to a chip enable port of the flash-ROM, outputting the chip enable signal unchanged when the control signal generated by the controller is the first control signal and changing the chip enable signal to be inactive and outputting the changed chip enable signal when the control signal generated by the controller is the second control signal.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a memory controlling apparatus of a computer system, and more particularly to a device for protecting a basic input output system (BIOS) stored in a flash-read-only-memory (flash-ROM) of a computer system from malicious computer programs, and a method thereof.
2. Related Art
Computer systems are information handling systems that are utilized by many individuals and businesses today. A computer system can be defined as a microcomputer that includes a central processing unit (CPU), a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a display monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, a floppy diskette drive, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM) drive, a modem, a hard disk storage device, and a printer. Typically, a computer system's main board, which is a printed circuit board known as a motherboard, is used to electrically connect these components together.
One example of non-volatile memory is read only memory (ROM). Information stored in non-volatile memory can remain unchanged even when there is a power failure. The information stored in non-volatile memory will stay there until it is changed. Read only memory is used to store important information such as instructions for the central processing unit (CPU). There are different types of read only memory including electrically-erasable-programmable-read-only-memory (EEPROM) chip and flash-read-only-memory (flash-ROM). The flash-ROM can also be referred to as flash memory. There are differences between an EEPROM chip and flash-ROM, as shown below.
Occasionally the important information stored in ROM needs to be updated or modified. When the information to be modified is stored in an EEPROM chip, higher-than-normal voltages are needed in order to erase the contents of the EEPROM chip. Alternatively, when the information to be modified is stored in flash-ROM, the information can be erased and reprogrammed using normal voltages inside a computer. Additionally, in order for information stored on an EEPROM chip to be modified, typically the EEPROM chip must be removed from a computer system, the new information must be stored on the EEPROM chip, and then the EEPROM chip must be reinstalled to the computer system. The flash-ROM is often preferred over the EEPROM chip because no chips need to be removed from the computer system in order to modify information stored in flash-ROM.
Computer systems include a basic input output system (BIOS) which is an especially important program stored in read only memory (ROM). The basic input output system tests a computer every time the computer is powered on. The basic input output system can allocate a computer system's resources automatically, making adjustments needed to accommodate new hardware. Also, the basic input output system governs how system board components interact.
A basic input output system that is stored in flash-read-only-memory (flash-ROM) is vulnerable to computer viruses. Computer viruses include malicious computer programs which can be used to erase information stored in memory. I believe there is a need to provide a method of coping with such malicious programs in order to protect a basic input output system stored in flash-ROM.
Exemplars of recent efforts in the art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,940 for a Secure Updating of Non-Volatile Memory issued to Angelo, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,997 for an in an Interactive Network Board, a Method and Apparatus for Preventing Inadvertent Loading of a Programmable Read Only Memory issued to Ip, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,742,935 for a Method and Apparatus for Controlling the Protection Mode of Flash Memory issued to Hazen, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,076 for a Computer System Having Bios (Basic Input/output System)-rom (Read Only Memory) Writing Function issued to Dewa, et al.
While these recent efforts provide advantages, I note that they fail to adequately address how a basic input output system (BIOS) stored in flash-read-only-memory (flash-ROM) can be efficiently protected from malicious programs.

PC system having flash-ROM controlling device and method for protecting BIOS stored in flash-ROM


A gasoline station installation unit is comprised of a tank, piping, pump, and dispensing apparatus. The installation unit also comprises catch-all sumps which include detector systems for the detection of leakage of pumps and dispensing apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a gasoline station installation of a tank and supply lines.
2. Brief Description of the Background of the Invention Including Prior Art
The efforts to protect the environment have placed increased demands on storage and dispensing devices for gasoline and similar hydrocarbon products. Substantial insurance requirements are imposed on gas station owners for possible fuel spills. Therefore, gas station owners desire to obtain tanks with at least a 30-year warranty against corrosion and structural failure. Further, there is a need to adapt tanks, piping, and dispensers to the new requirements for protecting the environment against spills and leakages. Consideration has been given to double-wall tanks and piping, alarm systems, and new product dispensers.
Consequently, it is desirable to provide a tank, piping, and a dispenser system which exhibit an adequate protection and enhanced safety in order to decrease any possibility of a spill. Furthermore, federal regulations in effect now and regulations yet to be implemented have to be addressed and satisfied.


The disc saw blade has a plurality of arcuate teeth detachably mounted in complementary-shaped arcuate sockets provided in a rim portion around the circumference thereof. Each tooth has a portion butting against a stop, such as a transverse tail stop surface defined by an inward projection of the socket. The configuration provides a small throw entry gap to reduce the likelihood of sticks being thrown. The teeth preferably are detachably mounted by virtue of a tight fit within the sockets, with no use of fasteners to absorb cutting forces. Keying elements such as a male portion of generally rectangular cross-section extending from the socket into a corresponding female portion in the tooth preferably are used to ensure proper alignment of each tooth relative to the plane of the disc saw blade. Preferably, the teeth and sockets are parts of concentric circles, the diameter of the teeth preferably being slightly larger than the diameter of the sockets, thereby producing a press fit. An axial pin may be installed in each tooth through a clearance space within the blade, such that the pin contacts the blade when its tooth rotates slightly away from its installed position, to prevent further rotation away from its installed position. An adapter preferably is used to assist in installation of the teeth, the adapter having a body which is rotatable by a driving tool and having pins or the like extending laterally therefrom to engage the tooth such that the tooth rotates with rotation of the adapter. Preferably, the adapter has an arcuate element secured along one side of its body to ride against a surface of the socket as the tooth is installed, thereby maintaining the tooth in proper engagement with the socket throughout its installation.

This invention relates to tree felling heads, particularly those of the type using circular saw blades for tree felling, and in particular to a head having a saw blade with replaceable teeth.
Tree felling disc saws such as first described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,552 (Hyde) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,163 (Kurelek) and later modified by, amongst others, U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,731 (Wildey) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,112 (MacLennan), are constructed to be unusually sturdy (e.g. 1 inch thick) and to cut an unusually wide kerf (e.g. 2-inches thick). The sturdiness is necessary to allow relatively poorly controlled machine travel or knuckle boom reach to be used to feed the saw through the tree. This requires a thick blade to resist bending from errant feed motion, and accordingly a wide kerf to give clearance for the blade in the cut. In addition, after the tree is cut, the designs are necessarily such that the butt of the still vertical tree does not rest on any top surface of the rotating saw, but on a fixed butt plate which is recessed into the saw, as illustrated for example in FIG. 5 (prior art). The saw's kerf must be wide enough to allow entrance of the combined thickness of this butt plate and the rotating blade and still have some clearance left over on the bottom for head drop, which occurs as a cut is completed and the weight of the tree is added to what the machinery is supporting.
It is because of these greater strength and wider kerf needs on tree felling applications that thin, commercially available circular crosscut saw blades such as those marketed by Simonds, with for example a 1/4 inch blade and 7/16 inch kerf, could not be applied to tree felling. Some early tree felling machines temporarily solved the disc strength and wide kerf needs by crudely fabricating saws with integral teeth, similar to some inexpensive cross cut saws, but from approximately one-inch thick steel plate and with alternate teeth bent up and down to cut a two-inch kerf (see for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,586 (Hyde et al.)).
It was thought that toughness on the job to protect against breakage from encounters with rocks was a most essential feature and that if the cutting points dulled they could be touched up with a grinder or even rebuilt by welding many times during the life of the relatively expensive steel disc. However, it soon became obvious that loggers tended not to take the time to rebuild and sharpen teeth and were running with such dull saws that power consumption was high, productivity was low and blade stresses so high that cracking at the gullets was occurring.
As it became apparent that loggers would pay more for a saw with replaceable, keener cutting teeth, various "bolt-on" ideas were devised and used. Some examples can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,396 (Gaddis), U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,929 (Ringlee), U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,112 (MacLennan), U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,752 (MacLennan), U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,936 (Anderson), U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,212 (Carlson et al.), Des. 320,542 (Gilbert), U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,731 (Wildey) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,447 (Morin).
Although these devices sever trees from the stump well and some are relatively easy to maintain, they all have various drawbacks, including some which are safety-related. They all depend on threaded fasteners to retain their teeth and or tooth holders. Some have many parts (as many as 6 per tooth) which can potentially be thrown if those threaded fasteners wear out, unscrew or break.
Others with fewer parts, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,731 (Wildey) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,447 (Morin), have large gaps between teeth where the ends of sticks of wood can enter and be thrown. Manufacturing clearance requirements dictate the apparently excessive gap of these saws. U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,897 (Kurelek) showed a taper-held replaceable tooth in a continuous rim, but an optimal method of holding such teeth in place against cutting forces was never devised. U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,306 (Morey et al.), is exceptional in providing reduced throw probability by having a saw blade periphery advantageously contoured with bumps to at least effectively reduce the throw gap between teeth at the circumference, but tooth retention is very dependent on a threaded fastener.
The bolt and screw parts used on many tooth holding applications present many chances for error that can result in parts being dangerously thrown. For example, incorrect installation torque can result in loosening, or unseen fracture; the fasteners are vulnerable to poor quality choice or supply during servicing by the user; the screw head sockets can fill with tree gum and be difficult to remove, and hence delay timely maintenance; and the fasteners, holders and rim can be significantly weakened by wear (from wood chips and sand), which is not automatically corrected when teeth are replaced.
FIGS. 15 and 16 (prior art) illustrate the throw gap which results from several typical prior art shank and bolt tooth attachment methods. FIG. 15 shows the blade from above, and FIG. 16 shows the blade edge-on. It is known that a tangentially oriented wooden stick, somehow accidentally and rapidly fed at the saw rim of teeth, can be dangerously thrown if a radial face of a moving saw tooth can contact sufficient of the stick end grain area to instantly accelerate it to tooth tip velocity without cutting or fracturing out a relatively harmless chip of wood. The exact values of such numbers as saw rpm, tooth velocity, stick size, stick density and weight and the engagement area at which throwing rather than cutting occurs are virtually impossible to calculate and design against. However, it is reasonable to predict that for any given saw speed, the greater the gap between the face of a tooth and the back of the previous passing tooth, the more likely it is that a stick end will occasionally enter the gap sufficiently to be thrown. A stick might enter a gap from either the top or the bottom or the circumference of a saw toothed rim. It is also evident that near horizontal or tangential stick angles would most likely result in a spear-like throw if the saw does not break a chip out of the stick. A continuous smooth rim which would not be able to throw cannot be used because at least enough gap needs to be provided as a gullet to accept the wood chips being cut loose and to carry them out of the cut for expulsion.
There has thus been a need for a felling saw blade that would have a relatively smooth circumference with only enough tooth protrusion to do its share of cutting and enough gullet gap to carry its wood chips out of the kerf in the tree. In such a blade, the tooth retention method should not depend on threaded fasteners, and wear in excess of normal such as might occur on poorly maintained machines should not result in tooth parts or tooth holders being thrown, but rather the saw should cease to cut at a sufficiently productive rate, so that new teeth will have to be installed.
For the work of cross-cutting already-felled trees into logs, the saw mill industry has long known the art of using arcuate (C-shaped) replaceable teeth in circular sockets. In U.S. Pat. No. 67,682 (Strange), U.S. Pat. No. 80,929 (Disston), U.S. Pat. No. 81,811 (Miller), U.S. Pat. No. 108,059 (Smith), U.S. Pat. No. 142,258 (Miller), and U.S. Pat. No. 488,336 (Kendall), we see very early examples of single piece arcuate shaped teeth that are rotated into their sockets and held there by developing some press fit. In U.S. Pat. No. 289,715 (Risdon), U.S. Pat. No. 313,427 (Johnson), and U.S. Pat. No. 368,999 (Emerson), we see examples where an additional non-threaded fastener is used to retain the one-piece tooth against rotation in the removal direction, but not to stop rotation caused by the impact of cutting (which always rotates the tooth further into its socket). This very old art showed that rotation of the tooth in its socket from cutting forces could be stopped by providing stops in the socket to contact the tooth either at its tail or at the back of its head or both. More recent related U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,273 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,212 (both Pawlosky) are to the same effect.
It was thought by logging saw designers that this existing saw technology for freely cross-cutting already felled trees and logs would not stand up to the abusive job of cutting trees and brush in the woods. The saw blade with its axis vertical would have to be strong enough to, at certain times of use, support a tree bearing down on it near its circumference. At other times the weight of the felling head and part of the supporting boom would push the blade down on a stump. A much thicker blade would therefore be needed. The thickness would depend on the saw head design and the working conditions, but generally whereas cross-cut teeth are a maximum of 0.18 inches thick, various tree felling, stump clearing and brush cutting work would require tooth thicknesses mainly in the range of 1" to 21/2 thick, although other thicknesses are possible.
Merely scaling up the prior art crosscut blades and their teeth, however, is not usable in practice. There are some problems associated with attempting to do so, which the present invention overcomes.
One such problem is that the arcuate teeth of prior art cross-cut saws are designed to be installed at the required snap-in or holding press fit by a single person with a reasonable manual effort. Obviously, it would be equally desirable for the teeth of felling type saws to be installable by a single person with only reasonable manual effort. However, if with no other modifications the width of prior art teeth was increased to cut the kerf width that would be needed for tree felling, the insertion torque required would increase exponentially to unmanageable values.
Another problem is that all of the above prior art arcuate tooth inventions show that the teeth are held in their sockets against axial or twisting-out movement by a relatively steep-angled V-groove at their circumference, which engages over a V-pointed ridge which takes up the entire bore of the socket. With some modifications to arc shaping and a switch to a two piece tooth design, arcuate teeth in circular sockets are to this day held against axial movement by such steep angle V grooves. Tooth rotation torque is dependent on the forces normal to the V surfaces.
If a felling saw tooth was to be 1.8 inches thick instead of 0.18 as in a typical cross-cut saw, a simple calculation warns that the radial force to collapse the C-shape of the tooth into its socket would be ten times as great as for the cross-cut saw tooth, and that if the same V-angle was maintained, the normal forces and hence rotational torque would also be so increased, making manual tooth replacement virtually impossible.

Tree felling disc saw with replaceable arcuate teeth


Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a binary signal converter that facilitates distinguishing an original direct signal on a nanowire by superimposing an alternating signal on the original direct signal. The binary signal converter includes an alternating signal source connected to the nanowire that superimposes an alternating signal with an initial amplitude on the nanowire. The binary signal converter may also include a selective alternating signal filter that selectively passes the alternating signal from the nanowire to a signal sink.

During the past fifty years, the electronics and computing industries have been relentlessly propelled forward by ever decreasing sizes of basic electrical components, such as transistors and signal lines, and by correspondingly ever increasing component densities of integrated circuits, including processors and electronic memory chips. Eventually, however, it is expected that fundamental component-size limits will be reached in semiconductor-circuit-fabrication technologies based on photolithographic methods. As the size of components decreases below the resolution limit of ultraviolet light, for example, far more technically demanding and expensive higher-energy-radiation-based technologies need to be employed to create smaller components using photolithographic techniques. Expensive semiconductor fabrication facilities are being rebuilt in order to use the new techniques. Many new obstacles are also expected to be encountered. For example, it is necessary to fabricate semiconductor devices through a series of photolithographic steps, with precise alignment of the masks used in each step with respect to the components already fabricated on the surface of a nascent semiconductor. As the component sizes decrease, precise alignment becomes more and more difficult and expensive. As another example, the probabilities that certain types of randomly distributed defects in semiconductor surfaces result in defective semiconductor devices may increase as the sizes of components manufactured on the semiconductor surfaces decrease, resulting in an increasing proportion of defective devices during manufacture, and a correspondingly lower yield of useful product. Ultimately, various quantum effects that arise only at molecular-scale distances may altogether overwhelm current approaches to component fabrication in semiconductors.
In view of these problems, researchers and developers have expended considerable research effort in fabricating submicroscale and nanoscale electronic devices using alternative technologies. Nanoscale electronic devices generally employ nanoscale signal wires having widths, and nanoscale components having dimensions, of less than 100 nanometers. More densely fabricated nanoscale electronic devices may employ nanoscale signal wires having widths, and nanoscale components having dimensions, of less than 50 nanometers, or, in certain types of devices, less than 10 nanometers.
Although general nanowire technologies have been developed, it is not necessarily straightforward to employ nanowire technologies to miniaturize existing types of circuits and structures. While it may be possible to tediously construct miniaturized, nanowire circuits similar to the much larger, current circuits, it is impractical, and often impossible, to manufacture such miniaturized circuits using current technologies. Even were such straightforwardly miniaturized circuits able to be feasibly manufactured, the much higher component densities that ensue from combining together nanoscale components necessitate much different strategies related to removing waste heat produced by the circuits. In addition, the electronic properties of substances may change dramatically at nanoscale dimensions, so that different types of approaches and substances may need to be employed for fabricating even relatively simple, well-known circuits and subsystems at nanoscale dimensions. Thus, new implementation strategies and techniques need to be employed to develop and manufacture useful circuits and structures at nanoscale dimensions using nanowires.
Nanowire technologies have been developed to fabricate nanoscale electronic devices, such as multiplexer/demultiplexers, by selectively fabricating simple electrical components, such as conductors, transistors, resistors, diodes, and other components, in the gaps between nanowires and overlapping address wires. In general, computational electronic devices that employ nanoscale technologies rely heavily on binary state operations. Electronic devices typically realize binary state operations by generating and transmitting distinguishable high and low voltage and/or current levels. However, at nanoscale dimensions, the electrical components often fail to reliably operate. As a result, nanowire-based nanoscale devices may output voltage and/or current levels that cannot be distinguished as high or low. Electronic devices that depend on receiving distinguishable high or low voltage and/or current levels output by nanoscale devices are, as a result, unable themselves to provide reliable output signals. Designers, manufacturers, and users of these systems have recognized the need for nanoscale-multiplexer/demultiplexer designs that can reliably output well separated, distinguishable low and high voltage and/or current levels.

Binary signal converters for distinguishing direct signals carried by nanowires

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A write protection circuit for the Real Time Clock (RTC) Random Access Memory (RAM) of a computer prevents the writing of data into the RTC RAM in the event of a power supply interruption, including write operations which are in progress during removal or interruption of the power supply. This is accomplished by latching both the address and the data in a buffer instead of connecting the respective address and data buses directly to the destination address location in the RTC RAM. In addition, once the data is buffered, the actual write signal to the internal destination of the RTC RAM is delayed until termination of the write strobe pulse. Once the write strobe pulse is terminated; and, additionally, if no power supply interruption has occurred during the latching of the data, an asynchronous monostable multivibrator generates a delayed write strobe which is used to transfer the latched data to the RTC RAM.

Microprocessors, microcomputers and larger computers frequently utilize a peripheral device or a built-in circuit known as a Real Time Clock (RTC) plus RAM circuit (RTC RAM). Such a part typically provides complete time of day and long term calendar information, as well as critical system constants for use in the computer Generally, a Real Time Clock is operated from the primary computer power supply. In addition, the RTC is provided with battery back-up; so that the timekeeping and calendar functions of the clock are not lost in the event that the main power is turned off or interrupted. Two popular peripheral RTC devices for providing such functions are the Motorola MC146818A and the Dallas Semiconductor DS1287. These parts are widely used with popular personal computers made by various manufacturers.
Whether an RTC RAM device is supplied as a peripheral device or is otherwise built into the computer, the processor program for the computer obtains the time and calendar information, and other critical system constants, from the Random Access Memory (RAM) of the RTC device by reading the appropriate address locations in the device in accordance with the processor program. In addition, it is necessary for a provision to be made in the program for initializing or changing the time, calendar and other critical system constants of the RTC device by writing these to various RAM address locations.
Once the information has been initialized, changes are not frequently made by writing to the RTC RAM address location; but updates or writing of new information into the various RTC memory locations can occur at anytime during the operation of the computer. So long as the computer and RTC device are operating under constant power, there is no problem with such writing of information to the RAM address locations in the device.
In the design of RTC devices, special consideration has been given to avoiding data corruption of the battery-backed RAM in such devices by uncontrolled activity on the microprocessor bus during periods of power supply interruption. In normal unprotected designs, the combination of the write strobe and a chip select (RTC select) signal causes data on the data bus of the microprocessor to be written into a destination dictated by the address bus. If the power supply is dropping or turning off during a write access, erroneous data can be written to the destination in the RTC RAM, or data can be written to the wrong destination. Furthermore, if no control is maintained over the address, a number of address locations could be corrupted. Such a situation can occur during power interruption or if the computer processor loses control of its instruction sequence.
In the past, attempts to solve this problem of power supply interruption have incorporated a sensing circuit for producing a "stand-by" or "power-down" mode which prohibits a data transfer whenever this mode is activated. This usually is effected by an off-chip sensor which reflects the integrity of the power supply and directly monitors that power supply. While such a "stand-by" mode of operation is adequate to protect against erroneous data or erroneous addresses for stable power-down situations, no protection is provided against data corruption which can occur in the event the stand-by mode becomes active during a data transfer cycle which already is underway at the time power is interrupted. Such a situation typically results in an aborted write cycle and causes invalid data to be written to the destination address, because the pulse-width or data hold specifications for proper operation of the RTC device are not maintained.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide address and data protection for an RTC RAM during all power supply modes of operation of the computer with which the device is associated including power-on, power-off, and transient periods of power interruption.

Computer memory write protection circuit


A system and methods provide for the automatic and computer-assisted generation of vectorized venue maps for event venues, including the outline, location, and label of each section in the venue, each row within each section, and in some cases, each individual seats in each row.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains in general to digitizing venue maps, and in particular to generating a venue map and venue information used to support an online, interactive event ticket buying system.
2. Description of the Related Art
On-line event ticket purchasing systems allow buyers to purchase tickets for various events. These systems typically allow buyers to search for events, view a list of matching events, choose an event of interest, view available tickets for that event, and then purchase tickets. Ticket buyers typically want to know exactly where they're going to sit in the venue. Seats with a better view or seats closer to the field or performer are generally more desirable, and usually cost more than seats further away. Buyers usually want to find the best seats within their budget (usually selecting from a wide price range of tickets). Accordingly, some systems have a static venue map, typically a bitmap image, that the buyer can refer to when selecting tickets. Some systems have more complex maps, which may be interactive and may display limited ticket information directly on the map.
A key problem to support complex, interactive maps is developing detailed data about the venue, including the specific locations of sections, rows and seats and encoding that information into an format from which an interactive map can be generated. The information can be developed manually, an expensive and time-consuming process. For example, consider the manual effort needed to manual encode the information for a venue with 100,000 or more seats; such a process would be necessary for dozens of venues all around the country.


An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a charging device which charges the image bearing member, an exposure device which exposes the charged image bearing member to light, a developing device having a developer carrying member, and developing the electrostatic latent image by supplying the developer from the developer carrying member, and an instructing portion which generates an instruction signal for instructing to perform a developer install mode for installing developer in the developing device at a time of non-image formation. In the developer install mode a control portion sets an absolute value of a potential on the image bearing member charged by the charging device to a value which is smaller than an absolute value of a potential of the developer carrying member caused by a direct current component of the bias to be applied to the developing device and larger than an absolute value of an image dark section potential on the image bearing member at the time of image formation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image by charging an image bearing member by a charging device having a bias voltage applied thereto and supplying a developer to the image bearing member by a developer carrying member having a bias voltage applied thereto.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventionally known image forming apparatus irradiates a uniformly charged photosensitive member with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon, develops the electrostatic latent image with toner carried by a developing roller to form a toner image, and transfers and fixes the toner image to a transfer material to form an image thereon.
In the conventional image forming apparatus, a developing device which forms a toner image on the photosensitive member includes, for example, an agitating member which agitates toner while transporting the toner, a layer regulating member which regulates a toner layer on the developing roller, and a toner remaining amount detection element, in addition to the developing roller. The toner in the developing device reaches a predetermined charge amount due to the friction charging caused by the agitation by the agitating member and the rotation of the developing roller. Then, after a toner layer is formed uniformly by the layer regulating member, the toner is transported to a developing region opposed to the photosensitive member by the rotating developing-roller to develop an electrostatic latent image with or without contact to the photosensitive member.
The development of toner depends upon a toner charge and a developing electric field. If the toner charge is high, the toner can be developed onto the photosensitive member even when the developing electric field is low.
Further, the characteristics such as chargeability of toner that is a powder particle are varied depending upon respective toner particle diameters. Therefore, all the toner particles are not charged by friction to a desired charge amount, and the charge amount has a distribution (a certain range) with a desired charge amount as a peak.
Further, when the toner in the developing device is supplied to the photosensitive member and the toner is consumed for image formation, toner is replenished from a developer replenishment container to the developing device according to the detection result of the toner remaining amount detection element. For example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H05-46027, at a time of setting a developing device to be used for the first time, an operation of replenishing toner to the developing device containing no toner is performed. Specifically, at a time of a toner install (setting sequence) for replenishing toner to the developing device containing no toner, toner continues to be replenished from the developer replenishment container to the developing device until a toner amount in the developing device reaches an appropriate amount. At this time, simultaneously, in order to make the toner in the developing device to have a desired charge amount, an operation of rotating the developing roller is also performed during the replenishment of toner.
However, according to the related art, toner continues to be replenished to the developing device successively at a time of setting the developing device to be used for the first time. Therefore, it is difficult to make toner replenished first and toner replenished later to have a uniform charge amount in the developing device, and toner having an excessive charge amount higher than an appropriate value and toner having a small charge amount lower than the appropriate value are mixed. FIG. 3A shows a toner charge amount distribution on the developing roller immediately after the start of the setting sequence and a toner charge amount distribution on the developing roller after the end of the setting sequence. For measuring the toner charge amount distribution, E-SPART produced by Hosokawa Micron Corporation was used.
As shown in FIG. 3A, when toner having a charge amount higher than the appropriate value and toner having a charge amount lower than the appropriate value are mixed, electrostatic aggregation of toner having an excessive charge amount and toner having a small charge amount occurs, which causes insufficient formation of a toner layer on the developing roller. Then, when a toner layer formation defect occurs on the developing roller due to the electrostatic aggregation at a time of initial image formation after setting of the developing device, the amount of toner applied in a layer formation defective portion becomes large. Therefore, a larger amount of toner flies to the photosensitive member as compared to the other portion of the developing roller. Thus, a defective image such as flecks and streaks is generated on the transfer material in a rotation period of the developing roller, as shown in FIG. 3B. The electrostatic aggregation occurs particularly in a low-humidity environment in which the charge amount of toner tends to become high.

Image forming apparatus having a developer install mode


The described technology relates generally to a power supply, a display device including the same, and a driving method thereof to reduce power consumption of the display device. Embodiments include a power source voltage controller sensing a panel current flowing in the display panel and controlling a feedback voltage according to the panel current and the power source voltage, and a DC-DC converter generating a power source voltage according to the feedback voltage to respectively supply it to the plurality of light emitting elements.

1. Field
Embodiments relate generally to a power supply, a display device including the same, and a driving method thereof More particularly, embodiments generally relate to an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display and a driving method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
A display device includes a plurality of pixels arranged on a substrate in the form of a matrix, which form a display area, and scan and data lines connected to the respective pixels. Data signals are selectively applied to the pixels to display desired images. The display devices are classified into passive and active matrix types, depending upon the method of driving the pixels. In view of resolution, contrast, and response time, the current trend is toward the active matrix type where respective unit pixels are selectively turned on or off.
Display devices may be used as a display unit for a personal computer, a portable phone, a PDA, and other mobile information devices, or as a monitor for various kinds of information systems. A liquid crystal panel-based LCD, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a plasma panel-based PDP, etc., are well known. Various kinds of emissive display devices, which are lighter in weight and smaller in volume than CRTs, have been recently developed. Among the emissive display devices, e.g., an organic light emitting diode display may be advantageous in terms of emissive efficiency, luminance, and viewing angle, and/or having a short response time.
However, in the case of the organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, an operation voltage range for light emitting the organic light emitting elements may change according to the temperature of the display device and the usage time of the display device. Accordingly, in the organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, although the operation voltage range may change, the driving power source applied to the organic light emitting diode (OLED) may have a margin within a predetermined range in an attempt to stably light emit the organic light emitting diode (OLED). This margin may result in unnecessary power consumption.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the described technology and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Power supply device, display device including the power supply device, and driving method using the same


A system and method for searching for data in disparate file systems and returning a merged list of search results. The system includes an interface for receiving a search request; a mechanism for issuing the search request in a first request format to a first search system and for receiving a first list of search results in a first format; a mechanism for issuing the search request in a second request format to a second search system, and for receiving a second list of search results in a second format, wherein the first list is received in a disparate format than the second list; and a mechanism for merging the first list and the second list into a common format.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to data searching systems, and relates more particularly to a system and method for searching data in disparate file systems.
2. Related Art
The ability to efficiently share information on a worldwide scale has become increasingly important as businesses and organizations become more globalized. For instance, there often exists a need for workers at different geographic locations within a business to share data files with each other. Examples of such files may include technical support information, development schedules, work projects, guidelines and procedures, plans, white papers, etc. A typical file sharing system comprises a client-server architecture that allows users with client software to access centralized or distributed server systems that store files. Numerous client-server architectures can be used to implement a file sharing system, e.g., the internet, intranets, local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), virtual private networks (VPN""s), etc. With the proliferation of the world wide web, a preferred client interface in such client-server environments has become the web browser. Web browsers provide an easy-to-use interface for users seeking to locate and view data.
Web browsers operate by issuing HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) commands, and then receiving and displaying HTML (hypertext mark-up language) files. However, not all data is stored in an HTML file format. For example, Lotus Notes(trademark) data is stored in a Lotus Notes file format. Other non-HTML format data can be found on servers running traditional operating systems, such as an IBM server running the VM(trademark) (virtual machine) operating system. In order to access such data, a special interface must be provided that modifies or xe2x80x9cwrapsxe2x80x9d the desired information with the appropriate HTML commands so that the information can be interpreted by the browser. In the case of Lotus Notes data, a Lotus Domino(trademark) Web interface can be used to retrieve and wrap the data for a browser. Similarly, in order to access data stored in a VM file format, a specialized program would be required to convert the data to an HTML format.
One of the difficulties of maintaining and providing information on a global scale is that large organizations often have numerous disparate systems. Such disparate systems may utilize different types of hardware, operating systems, server applications, file structures, or file formats. Accordingly, every day processing tasks, such as searching for information, can become quite burdensome when disparate systems are utilized. Performing a simple search may require a user to manually log into multiple systems, issue multiple requests, and integrate multiple sets of results, all in different formats. In the two examples provided above, separate search commands would have to be issued to both the Lotus Domino Web interface and the VM server. U.S. Pat. No. 6,064,977 entitled, xe2x80x9cWEB SERVER WITH INTEGRATED SCHEDULING AND CALENDARING,xe2x80x9d issued to Haverstock et al., and assigned to IBM Corporation, describes a system for accessing non-HTML objects in a web browser. Unfortunately, the patent, which is hereby incorporated by reference, fails to teach a system that facilitates searching among disparate systems.
Thus, heretofore, if an end-user wanted to search for information in two or more disparate systems, the user would have to issue two or more different search requests. In addition, the user would be responsible for integrating different sets of search results, which would generally be returned in different formats. Accordingly, a need exists to provide a system for allowing a single search criteria to be submitted to disparate systems, and then provide the results in a comprehensive format.
The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned problems by providing a system and method for searching for data in disparate systems and returning a comprehensive merged list of search results. In a first aspect, the invention provides a server system, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory includes an operating system program and a search program executable by the processor, and wherein the search program comprises: (1) an interface for receiving a search request from a client; (2) a first module for issuing the search request to the operating system and receiving back a first list of search results; (3) a second module for issuing the search request to a disparate server system and for receiving back a second list of search results, wherein the second list of search results is in a disparate format than the first list; and (4) a merge system for merging the first list and the second list into a merged list having a common format.
In a second aspect, the invention provides a program product stored on a recordable medium that, when executed, comprises: (1) an interface for receiving a search request; (2) a mechanism for issuing the search request in a first request format to a first search system, and for receiving a first list of search results in a first format; (3) a mechanism for issuing the search request in a second request format to a second search system, and for receiving a second list of search results in a second format, wherein the first list is received in a disparate format than the second list; and (4) a mechanism for merging the first list and the second list into a common format.
In a third aspect, the invention provides a method of searching for data among disparate systems, comprising the steps of: submitting a search request to a search interface running on a host operating system; issuing the search request to a disparate server system; receiving a first list in format disparate from a host operating system file format; issuing the search request to the host operating system; receiving a second list in a format specific to the host operating system; and merging the first list and the second list into a merged list having a common format.
In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a server system, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory includes an operating system program and a search program executable by the processor, and wherein the search program comprises: (1) an interface for receiving a search request from a client; (2) a module for issuing the search request to a first disparate server system and for receiving back a first list of search results; (3) a module for issuing the search request to a second disparate server system and for receiving back a second list of search results; and (4) a merge system for merging the first list and the second list into a merged list.

System and method for searching disparate file systems

International Business Machines Corporation


Introducing sucrose phosphorylase activity into plants by transformation with a gene for the enzyme increases the rate of sucrose hydrolysis, leading to increased starch, oil, and protein levels. The preferred gene is from Streptococcus mutans. Surprisingly, in potatoes transformed to express this gene in tubers, reduced bruise discoloration susceptibility and increased uniformity of starch deposition throughout the tuber are achieved.

Recent advances in genetic engineering have provided the requisite tools to transform plants to contain foreign genes. It is now possible to produce plants which have unique characteristics of agronomic and crop processing importance. Certainly, one such advantageous trait is enhanced starch and/or solids content and quality in various crop plants. Another is enhanced oil and protein content of seeds of various crop plants.
Sucrose is the carbon storage unit which is transported from the source tissues of most plants to the sink tissues. In sink tissues it is hydrolyzed and the components used to build other, more complex storage units, primarily starch, protein, and oil. The hydrolysis is primarily accomplished by sucrose synthase which produces UDPglucose and fructose. UDPglucose is converted to glucose 1-phosphate by UDPglucose pyrophosphorylase.
The starch content of the sink tissues of various crop plants has been increased through the use of a gene encoding a bacterial ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase. See PCT Application WO 91/19806 (equivalent to U.S. Ser. No. 08/120,703, Kishore, incorporated herein by reference). This enzyme catalyzes the production of ADPglucose from glucose 1-phosphate. It has also been found that its expression during certain phases of seed development can decrease the oil content which is thought to be due to the shunting of raw material to the starch pathway with a concomitant decrease in its availability for oil production.
Bruising of potatoes is a phenomenon found during large-scale production, handling, and storage. The bruise is seen as a dark spot primarily in the cortex area of the tuber. Bruising can lead to loss of quality in the tuber, lower consumer acceptance of potatoes and potato products, and processing loss of tubers having excessive levels of bruising. It has been found that potato varieties with higher starch content have greater susceptibility to bruising. It would be desirable to decrease the level or incidence of bruising and particularly desirable to do so while increasing the starch content of the tuber.
A more uniform distribution of starch and solids within the potato tuber is also desirable. The pith or core of the potato generally has lower solids content that the outer or cortex region. When longitudinal strips are cut from the potato tuber to make french fries, the middle portions of these strips therefore have lower solids levels than the ends and this is especially true of strips cut from the center of the tuber. Strips with lower solids content or with regions of lower solids content require longer cooking times to achieve the same degree of acceptability to the consumer. These longer cooking times may result in over-cooking of the higher solids strips. Longer frying times also result in greater absorption of fat and therefore low solids strips and those with lower solids content regions will have a higher fat content. Higher fat content fries are a less nutritious food. In the manufacture of potato chips, slices are cut across the potato tuber and the non-uniform distribution of solids can result in a fried product with over-cooked edges, under-cooked centers, and a higher fat content (especially in the center). The non-uniform distribution of solids in the potato tuber also results in disproportionate losses of potato solids (from the cortex) during the peeling process.
Higher solids content is also desirable in tomato. Higher solids in the form of soluble (usually sugars and acids) and insoluble solids contribute to processing efficiency and the yield of products such as ketchup, paste, sauces, and salsa. These solids also contribute to the taste and texture of the processed products. Higher solids also contribute to the improved taste of fresh tomatoes.
Sucrose phosphorylase is a microbial enzyme which catalyzes production of glucose-1-phosphate directly from sucrose. Its activity has been observed in a wide range of bacterial and fungal species, and the enzyme has been isolated from a number of them (Pimentel et al., 1992; Vandamme et al., 1987). Genes for this enzyme, have been isolated from Agrobacterium spp. (Fournier et al., 1994, and references cited therein), Streptococcus mutans, denominated gtfA, (Russell et al., Perry et al.) and Leuconostoc mesenteroides, denominated spl (Kitao et al., 1992).
Heterologous expression of the gene from S. mutans in E. coli is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,170 (Curtiss, 1989), incorporated herein by reference. The utility of the transformed microorganism is use as a vaccine against S. mutans.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved means for increasing starch content of various plants. It is a still further object to provide a means of decreasing the sucrose content of seeds in oilseed crops resulting in a decrease in the level of undesirable carbohydrates such as stachyose and raffinose, while increasing the carbon available for oil and protein production. It is a still further object to provide novel DNA constructs which are useful in providing said means. It is a still further object to provide potato tubers which exhibit increased starch content more uniformly throughout the tuber. It is a still further object of this invention to provide potato tubers with a reduced susceptibility to bruising. It is a still further object of this invention to provide improved cereal crops, such as maize, rice, wheat, and barley.

Expression of sucrose phosphorylase in plants


A system and method to translate source code in a source language executable in a source computing system to a target language executable in a target computing system. Source code in the source language is parsed to generate a corresponding parse tree containing at least one tree node and at least one leaf. During traversal of the parse tree, at least one mutation script is applied. The mutation script directs at least one of: generating a stream expression comprising at least one token corresponding to values of the at least one node and the at least one leaf of the parse tree; and formulating at least one text output containing a text pattern specified in the mutation script and/or values of the at least one token. Source code in the target language is outputted based on the at least one text output.

Big Data is a term for data sets that are so large or complex that traditional data processing applications are inadequate to deal with data sets of this size. Data sets grow rapidly in part because of the increased use of sensing devices and networks, which operate as cheap and numerous sources of information. As a result, the world's technological per-capita capacity to store information has increased phenomenally.
Advancements in cloud-based technologies have enabled the establishment of highly versatile and scalable computing systems. Such systems are appealing to business users who desire to maintain and operate their corporate and enterprise data systems within distributed computing environments. As such, it is desirable to migrate existing data sets residing within legacy data systems to a cloud-based enterprise data lake or a cloud-based data platform to take advantage of the versatility and scalability of distributed computing systems.
The task of moving data to a cloud-based enterprise data lake or cloud-based data platform involves both moving the data as well as the various customized applications and processes that have been developed to manage and analyze the data. The task of migrating the applications and processes may be a challenge because it generally requires a translation of the corresponding source code which is often written in a programming language for execution by a legacy system into source code in a different programming language that can be executed by a target cloud-based system. Manual translation of source code can be a complex task that is often time-consuming and error-prone. Translation of source code by a team of developers may further introduce inconsistencies in respect of the potentially different coding styles and coding logic applied by each individual developer to translate the source code.
Accordingly, in view of the foregoing deficiencies, there is a need for a system and method to translate source code from a source language to a target language that addresses the above-noted disadvantages of existing code translation approaches.

System and method for source code translation using stream expressions


The present invention is a compound of formula

Receptors for the major inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), are divided into two main classes: (1) GABA A receptors, which are members of the ligand-gated ion channel superfamily and (2) GABA B receptors, which are members of the G-protein linked receptor family. The GABA A receptor complex which is a membrane-bound heteropentameric protein polymer is composed principally of xcex1, xcex2 and xcex3 subunits.
Presently a total number of 21 subunits of the GABA A receptor have been cloned and sequenced. Three types of subunits (xcex1, xcex2 and xcex3) are required for the construction of recombinant GABA A receptors which most closely mimic the biochemical, electrophysiological and pharmacological functions of native GABA A receptors obtained from mammalian brain cells. There is strong evidence that the benzodiazepine binding site lies between the xcex1 and xcex3 subunits. Among the recombinant GABA A receptors, xcex11xcex22xcex32 mimics many effects of the classical type-I BzR subtypes, whereas xcex12xcex22xcex32, xcex13xcex22xcex32 and xcex15xcex22xcex32 ion channels are termed type-II BzR.
It has been shown by McNamara and Skelton in Psychobiology, 21:101-108 that the benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist xcex2-CCM enhance spatial learning in the Morris watermaze. However, xcex2-CCM and other conventional benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonists are proconvulsant or convulsant which prevents their use as cognition enhancing agents in humans. In addition, these compounds are non-selective within the GABA A receptor subunits, whereas a GABA A xcex15 receptor partial or full inverse agonist which is relatively free of activity at GABA A xcex11 and/or xcex12 and/or xcex13 receptor binding sites can be used to provide a medicament which is useful for enhancing cognition with reduced or without proconvulsant activity. It is also possible to use GABA A xcex15 inverse agonists which are not free of activity at GABA A xcex11 and/or xcex12 and/or xcex13 receptor binding sites but which are functionally selective for xcex15 containing subunits. However, inverse agonists which are selective for GABA A xcex15 subunits and are relatively free of activity at GABA A xcex11, xcex12 and xcex13 receptor binding sites are preferred.
The present invention is concerned with substituted imidazo[1,5-a][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-d][1,4]benzodiazepine derivatives of the following formula
wherein
R1 is hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, hydroxy, cyano, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy or lower alkylthio;
R2 is xe2x80x94C(O)O-lower alkyl, unsubstituted isoxazol, 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl or 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl, or isoxazol, 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl or 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl, substituted by lower alkyl, trifluoromethyl or cycloalkyl;
R3 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, xe2x80x94(CH2)n-cycloalkyl, xe2x80x94(CH2)n-halogen, xe2x80x94(CH2)n-pyridin-4-yl, or unsubstituted xe2x80x94(CH2)n-phenyl, or xe2x80x94(CH2)n-phenyl substituted by one or two substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkoxy, halogen, xe2x80x94SO2CH3, phenyl, OCF3, nitro, CF3, xe2x80x94NR2, or is unsubstituted xe2x80x94(CH2)n-indolyl, -or xe2x80x94(CH2)n-indolyl substituted by lower alkyl or lower alkoxy, or is pyrrolidinyl-5-oxo, xe2x80x94C(O)xe2x80x94NR2, xe2x80x94(CH2)nxe2x80x94OH, xe2x80x94(CH2)nxe2x80x94NR2 or xe2x80x94(CH2)n-benzo[1,3]dioxole;
R is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and
n is 0, 1, 2 or 3;
or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof with the exception of the following compounds:
A.) Ethyl 9H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-d][1,4]benzodiazepine-10-carboxylate,
B.) 10-(3-cyclopropyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)-9H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-d][1,4]benzodiazepine,
C.) ethyl 3-fluoro-9H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-d][1,4]benzodiazepine-10-carboxylate,
D.) 10-(3-cyclopropyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)-3-fluoro-9H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-d][1,4]benzodiazepine,
E.) ethyl 3-chloro-9H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-d][1,4]benzodiazepine-10-carboxylate or
F.) 3-chloro-10-(3-cyclopropyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)-9H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-d][1,4]benzodiazepine.
The above mentioned specific (A-F) imidazo[1,5-a][1,2,4]triazolo-[4,3-d][1,4]benzodiazepine derivatives have already been described (Heterocycles, Vol. 39, No. 2, 1994), however, in this document it is mentioned that these compounds unexpectedly show low affinities for BzR (benzodiazepine receptor) and therefore are devoid of anxiolytic activity. Surprisingly, it has now been found that this class of compounds show high affinity and selectivity for GABA A xcex15 receptor binding sites indicative of utility as cognitive enhancer or for the treatment of cognitive disorders like Alzheimer""s disease.
Objects of the present invention are compounds of formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, the preparation of the above mentioned compounds, medicaments containing them and their manufacture as well as the use of the above mentioned compounds in the control or prevention of illnesses, especially of illnesses and disorders of the kind referred to earlier or in the manufacture of corresponding medicaments.
The most preferred indication in accordance with the present invention is Alzheimer""s disease.

Abstract: The compound and derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof of the invention have a good affinity and selectivity to the GABA A xcex15 receptor and are useful for the treatment of diseases related to this receptor.


In a device for disconnecting a needle bar from a needle-bar connecting stud on a sewing machine, a drive source drives a moving board. The moving board lowers a predetermined distance until a threading hook goes through an eye in a needle. A disconnecting member rotates a clutch click and disconnects the clutch click from a needle-bar connecting stud. The needle bar thus disengages from the needle-bar connecting stud. The moving board further lowers, an actuating rod lowers, the actuating rod in turn lowers a threading rod, the threading rod further rotates, and the threading hook goes through the eye. The needle is thus threaded. The disconnecting operation and the threading operation are carried out by using the drive source in common. Consequently, the device is simple in structure and compact in size. Since the needle bar only rises to disengage from the needle-bar connecting stud, no scratches are given on the fabric. The sewing machine can effectively execute pattern-sewing, basting and other operations.

This invention relates to a needle-bar disconnecting device on a sewing machine for connecting and disconnecting a needle bar to and from a needle-bar connecting stud moving vertically synchronously with the rotation of an arm shaft.
When fabric is embroidered, basted, or sewn, the movement of the needle bar is stopped temporarily and fabric is fed without being sewn. For that purpose, a device for stopping the movement of the needle bar is used. A device for stopping the rotation of an arm shaft is known. A device for stopping a counterbalancing crank with a clutch provided between the arm shaft and the counterbalancing crank is also known. However, the inertia of stopped components of these known devices is so large that at the time of restart a large load is applied to the clutch and other components. To solve this problem, Japan Published Examined Utility Model Application No. S61-25752 and Japan Published Unexamined Patent Application No. S59-194792 are proposed. In these related-art references, a clutch is provided between a needle-bar connecting stud and a needle bar, and only the needle bar is stopped. Another related-art device proposed in Japan Published Unexamined Utility Model Application No. S62-139472 is applied to a zigzag sewing machine. In this device a needle bar is rotated in a width larger than that of a zigzag form sewn. The rotation of the needle bar actuates a clutch for disconnecting the needle bar from a needle bar connecting stud.
Further, threading the needle of a sewing machine presents related problems. To facilitate threading, various threading devices are proposed. For example, in Japan Published Unexamined Patent Application No. H1-113092, a spring exerts an upward force on an actuating rod. The actuating rod is lowered by an air cylinder. A threading rod interlocks with the actuating rod, lowers, and rotates. A threading hook thus goes through an eye in a needle and catches a thread. Subsequently, when the threading hook is drawn from the eye, thread is also drawn and the needle is threaded.
In the related art, some sewing machines are provided with both the needle-bar disconnecting device and the threading device. However, when these related-art devices are both used in a sewing machine, a drive source for actuating the clutch and disconnecting the needle bar must be mounted separately from the drive source required for threading. Therefore, the devices occupy excessive space in the sewing machine. At the same time, since the devices must be controlled separately, a complicated control device is required.
The needle bar is disconnected from the needle-bar connecting stud through a pulse motor, and the pulse motor can also be used for the rotating of the needle bar. However, every time the needle bar disengages from the needle-bar connecting stud, the needle bar laterally moves. The resulting problem is that the relative position among a thread guide, an eye in a needle, and stitches causes variances in thread amount and tension. At the same time, the lateral movement of the needle bar may mar the fabric.

Apparatus for disconnecting a needle bar and threading on a sewing machine


An instrument, in particular an electron microscope, has at least one user controllable operating parameter and at least one further operating parameter having a required value at least partially dependent on that of the user controllable parameter. A number of possible values of the further operating parameter are stored in a memory and each stored value corresponds to a respective possible value of the user controllable parameter. Selecting one of said stored possible values causes the instrument to be controlled accordingly. There is also provided a tuner for enabling the user to alter the selected value and updating apparatus for updating the memory accordingly, so that the adjusted value of the further operating parameter is subsequently selected from the memory if the same value of the user controllable parameter is then chosen again.

An electron microscope has a beam generating column in which a beam of electrons is generated, shaped and focused by means of controlled electrostatic and/or magnetic fields. This beam is then scanned across a sample to be analysed.
The electron microscope has a number of user controllable operating parameters that define the operating conditions of the microscope. Those parameters include the accelerating (EHT) voltage applied to an accelerating electrons in the column. The voltage thus being related to the kinetic energy of electrons in the beam. Certain types of microscope also have a number of apertures (of different sizes) in a diaphragm in the column and elements for directing the beam through a selected one of those apertures. This provides control over the probe current constituted by the beam. Generally, for example, high probe currents (and hence large apertures) are used for analysing xrays emitted from a sample in response to the probe current, whilst lower currents are required for high resolution work, such as secondary electron imaging.
In addition, electron microscopes can have a high current mode in which the probe current is boosted by means of a condenser lens in the column and a variable pressure mode in which the sample is maintained in a sample chamber in a gaseous atmosphere above a given threshold pressure, for example, 1 Pa. These other modes also constitute user controllable operating parameters for defining the operating conditions of the microscope.
When operating an electron microscope, it is often necessary to adjust certain further operating parameters, in particular the deflection and/or focusing elements in the electron column, to ensure correct electron optical alignment of the column under the selected operating conditions. This results in time consuming adjustments every time the operating conditions are altered.
In some cases, the column is set-up precisely under a few well defined sets of operating conditions, and the various associated further operating parameters of the column are stored as factory settings. These values can then be accessed in a table, possibly using interpolation to obtain values for the further operating parameters where the conditions do not accord to any factory setting. However, the calibration is usually fixed and cannot be adjusted by the user, so that if the electron optical properties of the instrument change over time, the instrument requires re-calibration. Furthermore, it is only possible to store the settings for a few selected sets of conditions, thus permitting significant errors when the operating conditions fall between calibrated values of individual parameters.
Some microscope allow the user to store a set of operating conditions, and associated further parameters under a specified name. These conditions and parameters can be restored to re-create a prior operating regime. Unfortunately, this approach also has several problems. Firstly, when a large number of different conditions are stored, it becomes difficult to remember the contents of each data set. Furthermore, the user has little control over the data stored in each set.


In a method for fabricating a reusable conformal photomask for a doubly contoured hemispherical substrate such as a radome or a three-dimensional printed circuit board, a light blocking material is deposited on a shell or tool corresponding to the shape of the radome or printed circuit board. A pattern is then formed in the light blocking material, and portions of the light blocking material corresponding to the pattern are removed. The resulting pattern corresponds to the pattern to be formed on the three-dimensional printed circuit board or radome. A light transmissive layer is then deposited over the light blocking layer for support. The light blocking material and the light transmissive material comprise the reusable conformal photomask which is then removed from the shell. The reusable conformal photomask can be used to form an image of the desired pattern on the three-dimensional printed circuit board or radome.

A radome is a housing for an antenna, radar or any type of seeker, and it is typically found on aircraft, missiles, submarines, moving vehicles or used in land or space based communications systems. A radome housing may include shapes such as a hemisphere, ogive, cone, cube, etc. A radome includes a frequency selective surface (FSS) which allows predetermined frequencies to pass through the housing, and it prevents undesired frequencies from penetrating the housing. When a FSS is used as a reflecting surface, it allows all frequency bands except one to pass, e.g., a bandstop reflector. The inverse of a bandstop is a bandpass. Frequency selective surfaces have been produced in much the same way as printed circuit boards. The main difference is that the FSS is usually printed on a three-dimensional doubly curved structure as in the case of a radome.
Presently, three-dimensional printed circuit boards and radomes are fabricated using a planar or substantially two-dimensional photomask. For example, a photoresist coating is applied to a three-dimensional metal surface, such as copper, which is disposed upon an underlying substrate. A substantially two-dimensional photomask of an element of a pattern is created using photolithography techniques. The element image of the two-dimensional photomask is transferred to a substantially planar portion of the photoresist coating using a standard incoherent ultraviolet (UV) light source. The process is repeated until all the element images have been formed in the photoresist coating. A photodeveloper removes the photoresist and exposes the image which allows acid etching of the copper surface to create the final pattern.
One possible method for transferring the element image to the substantially planar portion of the photoresist material is to use a contact imaging technique. The substantially two-dimensional photomask of an individual element is disposed in a contact imaging head. The illumination from the incoherent light source is directed into the contact imaging head, and the illumination forms an element image in a substantially planar portion of the photoresist material. The contact imaging head is repeatedly moved and stopped in each substantially planar portion of the photoresist material until the pattern is completely formed across the entire three-dimensional surface of the photoresist material.
The contact imaging technique described above is extremely slow, because the imaging head has to be physically moved and stopped in each substantially planar portion of the photoresist material to form an individual element of the pattern. Accordingly, there is a need for a conformal photomask which can image the entire surface of the three-dimensional printed circuit board or radome at one time,

Conformal photomask for three-dimensional printed circuit board technology


In a method for controlling a gearshift mechanism, the gearshift mechanism having at least one shifting element, a gear release element, a shift actuator and a selector actuator, in which the shifting element is movable by the selector actuator along a selector track, and is movable from the selector track at sites spaced from each other by means of the shift actuator into shift tracks for engagement of a gear, and the gear release element is coupled to the shifting element, so that during engagement of the new gear, it disengages a previously engaged gear, the shifting element, after engagement of a gear, is moved by the shift actuator in the direction toward the selector track into a rest position right in front of the discharge of the shift track into the selector track, in which it remains, until it is moved for engagement of a new gear.

Automatic transmissions or transmissions that shift individual gears operated by actuators are being increasingly used in modern vehicles, since not only is a gain in comfort achieved with them relative to manual transmissions, but so are consumption advantages. So-called double-clutch or synchronous transmissions have gained special interest, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3.
According to FIG. 2, a drive motor 10, normally an internal combustion engine, is connected via a double-clutch transmission, designated overall with 12, to a driveshaft 14, which leads to the driven wheels of a vehicle. The double-clutch transmission 12 has two partial transmissions 16 and 18 arranged parallel to each other, each with a clutch 20 and 22 and a manual transmission 24, 26. A clutch actuator 28 and 30 is provided to operate each of the clutches. The partial transmissions 24, 26 are each operated by a selector actuator 30 and 32 and a shift actuator 36 and 38. A common selector actuator and shift actuator is advantageously provided for both manual transmissions. An electronic control device 40, whose inputs are furnished relevant parameters for operation of the clutches and gear shifting, is used to control the actuators.
The design and function of such a double-clutch transmission, as well as the control device provided for it, are known per se and are therefore not explained in detail. The manual transmissions 24 and 26 cooperate, so that each of the consecutive gears is shifted by one of the transmissions, for example, the even-numbered gears by one transmission and the odd-numbered gears by the other transmission, a reverse gear being additionally assigned to one of the transmissions.
A mechanism for shifting a double-clutch transmission is described, for example, in DE 102 06 561 A1, from which FIGS. 3 and 4 are taken.
According to FIG. 3, a shift operating mechanism to operate the two partial transmissions 24 and 26 of the double-clutch transmission 12 of FIG. 3, which is modified in that only one common selector actuator and a common shift actuator is provided for both partial transmissions, contains four clutch sleeves 101, 102, 103 and 104, each of which is connected to a selector fork 105, 106, 107 and 108. One group of gears, or the gears of one of the partial transmissions 24 and 26, is operated by means of the coupling sleeves 101 or 104, the other group of gears is operated by means of the clutch sleeves 102 and 103. A first selector finger 111, which forms a shifting element, and an additional selector finger, not visible in FIG. 4, serve for engagement of gears. Gear release elements, designed as double cams 113 and 116, then ensure that, during engagement of a gear of one partial transmission, all other gears of this partial transmission are disengaged. The selector forks 105, 106, 107 and 108 are arranged axially movable on shafts 109; the selector fork clevises are designed, so that they can each be connected to a selector finger 111 or a double-cam 113, 116. For this purpose, first partial areas 114 are designed for coupling with a selector finger 111 and second partial areas 115 are designed for coupling with double cam 113. For engagement of a gear, the selector finger 111 enters into connection with the end region 110 of the corresponding selector fork 105 or 106, the selector shaft 112 being moved in the axial direction. At the same time, the double cam 113 is connected to the corresponding selector fork 107 or 108, which belongs to the same group of gears or to the same partial transmission. Rotation of the selector shaft 112 pivots the selector finger 111, so that the selector fork 105 or 106 on shaft 109, and therefore also the corresponding clutch sleeve 101 or 102, is displaced and the corresponding gear is engaged. At the same time, rotation of the double cam 113 causes disengagement of the previously engaged gear of the same transmission, if this was assigned to a different shift track.
If a double-clutch transmission is not involved, but an ordinary transmission with only one clutch and one drive train, double cams acting as gear release elements are connected to all additional selector fork clevises, so that it is guaranteed that during engagement of a new gear, a previously engaged gear is disengaged. In a double-clutch transmission, the mechanism permits engagement of the new gear with simultaneous disengagement of the previous gear of the corresponding partial transmission, or disengagement occurring just beforehand, the gear engaged in the other partial transmission remaining uninfluenced by a gear shift in the partial transmission just shifted.
The selector shaft 112 generally has a shoulder (not shown in FIG. 4), with which its axial movability is limited to a narrow angle range, in which the selector finger 111 in the depicted example is roughly perpendicular, and the ends of the double-cams 113, 116 are flush with the corresponding cutouts in the end regions 110 of the selector forks. Rotatability of the selector shaft 112 from the rotation position with a perpendicular selector finger 111 for engagement of a gear by movement of one of the selector forks along the shaft 109 in one or the other direction is only possible at a predetermined axial position of the selector shaft 112. This limited adjustability of the selector shaft 112 can be caused by the fact that the shoulder rigidly connected to the selector shaft 112 engages in a template, in which, for example, the pattern according to FIG. 4 is left open in a five-speed transmission with reverse gear.
In the depiction according to FIG. 4, W is designated as selector track. S1 to S3 denote shift tracks, in which the gears R, I, III, III and IV, V lie. The selector shaft 112 (FIG. 3) is movable by means of a selector actuator, for example, the selector actuator 32 of FIG. 2, in the direction of selector track W, and rotatable by means of a shift actuator, for example, the shift actuator 36, around its longitudinal axis, if the selector finger is situated in one of the shift tracks S1, S2 or S3.
The position of the selector finger and the additional elements rigidly connected to the selector shaft 112 is recognized in the control device 40 in known fashion, for example, by the fact that an incremental counter is assigned to each of the actuators 32 and 36, which records a change in position of the selector shaft in the selector or shift direction. By referencing the counter states at specific stops, for example, an end stop on the end of the selector track W and an end stop on the end of one of the shift tracks, the absolute position of the selector shaft 112, with respect to the selector and shift operation, is known.
In order to check the functional reliability of the transmission, it is expedient, as shown by engagement of second gear with reference to FIG. 4, to travel to an end stop SII of the shift track S2 during or immediately after engagement of a gear, and to verify achievement of this end stop in the control device 40. On reaching the end stop SII, one of the side edges R1, R2 of the shift track S2 is advantageously approached further, in order to verify the corresponding position of the selector shaft. After reaching stop SII and one of the edges R1 or R2, perfect function of the shift mechanism is guaranteed, and it is also guaranteed that the second gear is engaged.
A peculiarity of the procedure just outlined is that the shifting element, or the selector finger in the depicted example of FIG. 4, is situated in the position designed PII when second gear is engaged and remains in this position as long as a new gear is not required. If a new gear, for example, fifth gear, is required, the shifting element must be moved from position PII from the shift track S2, into the selector track W, then along selector track W to shift track S3, and then in shift track S3 into position PV. This long path is naturally connected with a relatively long duration, which elapses from the requirement for engagement of fifth gear to actual engagement of fifth gear.

Method and device for controlling a gearshift mechanism


A spacer for use in brachytherapy, and radiotherapy, is formed of an encapsulating material in a generally cylindrical or elongated shape. Regions are formed within the spacer and retaining therapeutic loads, such as radiation sources and/or pharmaceutical therapeutic loads, and/or any other substances to treat a patient, such as drug liquids, powder or particles (e.g., microparticles or nanoparticles), with the particles or powders combined with binders, such as polyacrylamide, that are selected to gradually disperse the powder or particles at a desired rate. Such regions can be formed at various locations within the spacer, and can have various shapes depending on the particular design and intended usage. The outer surface of the encapsulating material can optionally include one or more fins, ribs or other physical protuberances or features that improve the fixity of the spacer when implanted within a patient's body.

Diseases such as cancer are a leading cause of hospitalizations. In the United States alone, 250,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. For the majority of these cases, the disease is localized, and the available treatments include surgery, external beam radiotherapy, and brachytherapy. Approximately 36% of patients choose brachytherapy, which includes the use of radioactive sources or radiation sources placed close to, or within, areas of diseased tissue, and which is particularly beneficial in treating certain types of tumor, such as prostrate cancers.
Temporary brachytherapy is the placement of the radiation source for a short duration, typically several minutes or hours, before being withdrawn. Permanent brachytherapy, also known as seed implantation, is the implanting and positioning of small radioactive seeds in the tumor, positioned or spaced apart from one another using a spacer, and then permanently leaving the seeds within the patient, or until they are gradually absorbed by the body. The use of seeds and similar sources allows a relatively high dose of radiation to be precisely delivered to the treatment site, while minimizing radiation to surrounding healthy tissue. Brachytherapy can be used by itself, or in combination with other therapies, such as surgery or chemotherapy.
Brachytherapy is commonly used in the treatment of prostate cancer, sometimes together with systemic chemotherapy. Currently brachytherapy spacers (elements separating brachytherapy seeds) are smooth, cylindrical segments of bioabsorbable suture material. These spacers were originally made from catgut (ovine or bovine). Currently these spacers are made from bioabsorbable polymers. The spacers function simply as spacing elements to maintain the relative spacing between the treatment seeds, but have little other effect. This is the general area that embodiments of the invention are intended to address.

Spacers for use in brachytherapy, radiotherapy, and other medical therapy


An electronic trip unit is adapted for connection to a circuit breaker for circuit interruptions. The electronic trip unit includes a frame module shaped to define a recess. An electronics module is releasably connected to the frame module. The electronics module has a housing, a circuit board assembly, and a facing surface providing access for adjustment of the electronics module. The housing of the electronics module is sized and shaped to fit at least partially within the recess defined by the frame module. An engagement surface is positioned for releasable engagement between the frame module and the electronics module in order to permit removal and replacement of the electronics module with respect to the frame module.

It is common for a circuit breakers to employ elements which hip the circuit breakers under various over-current conditions. Such elements, commonly referred to as "hip units," typically respond to relatively long duration overload conditions to trip the breaker when a specified current level is exceeded for a period of time.
When thermal and magnetic elements are employed to trip the circuit breaker, a bi-metallic element responds to relatively long duration overload conditions. In a typical thermal trip unit, at least a portion of the current flowing through the breaker is channelled through the bi-metallic element. The ohmic resistance of the bi-metallic element causes it to generate heat. As the bi-metallic element becomes warmer, it bends and, when it reaches a predetermined temperature, it engages a trip mechanism that releases a latch which holds the breaker contact closed. When this latch is released, the breaker contacts open.
A typical magnetic tripping element includes an armature which is attracted by a magnetic field generated by a relatively high magnitude over-current flowing through the breaker. This magnetic field is concentrated by a magnetically permeable yoke which surrounds the conductor through which the current flows. When the armature is attracted to the yoke, it also engages the trip mechanism causing the circuit breaker to open.
It is desirable to be able to configure and adjust the current levels and current durations, which cause a breaker to trip, beyond the capability of conventional thermal and magnetic trip units. It is also desirable to customize the circuit breaker to a particular application. The use of electronic trip units provides a more accurate adjustment of the current levels. In such electronic trip units, a circuit assembly with switches is used to facilitate such adjustment and configuration by the unit's user.
Although electronic trip units have proven to be beneficial, it has become recognized that the replacement or first-time installation of such electronic trip units in the field requires disassembly of the breaker. First time installation may be required when the user of the breaker desires to upgrade from one trip unit to another. Replacement may become necessary if a component of the electronic trip unit fails. It has also been recognized that different types of electronic trip units cannot be easily interchanged such as when an upgrade is desired or the application so requires.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to overcome the disadvantages of conventional electronic trip units.

Electronic trip unit and mounting method


A method for treating a living organism to increase nutrient ingestion. The step of the method are first treating a fluid stream for use by at least one living organism, in a surface tension modification generator (STMG) at a first pressure with a frequency minimize hydrogen bonding of the fluid forming a reduced surface tension stream. The next step is flowing the reduced surface tension stream through a port reducing the first pressure to a second pressure and adding oxygen. After oxygen is added, then flow the reduced surface tension stream with oxygen at the second pressure into an inner chamber. The next step is flowing the reduced surface tension stream and oxygen from the inner chamber through a plurality of funnels disposed in a wall of the inner chamber creating a turbid zone in an outer chamber, and wherein nano-sized oxygen particles are dissolved into the stream.

A need exists for a method to treat animals, fish and crops with fluids that increase oxygen to the cells of these organisms. By increasing the oxygen to the cells, the organism has improved digestion, and the plant has improved nutrient uptake.
A need has existed to improve nutrient uptake for organisms so that living organisms more efficiently take in proteins and enzymes and other needed minerals for growth. For animals, the increased presence of oxygen keeps the digestive system in a beneficial aerobic state providing improving degradation of the food source. The present invention was created to address this nutrient uptake need.
A need has existed to reduce stress on individual cells of living organisms during the osmotic process, by providing increased amounts of nano-sized dissolved oxygen to those cells, particularly where water flows into the cells.
A need has existed for the petrochemical industry and the pulp and paper industry for a method which increases the presence of oxygen to bacteria present in the waste streams of that industry to improve biodegradation of pulp solids and other cellulose matter in those streams.
A need has existed to provide a method with low energy costs that increases oxygen content to bacteria used in breaking down solids and other materials in waste streams to provide improved aerobic degradation thereby reducing environmental problems and lowering the cost of clean up from these industrial processes.
Additionally a need exists for the petrochemical, and pulp and paper industry to have reduced energy consumption for remediation of their waste water ponds. The embodiments of this invention provides water with a lower surface tension and increased oxygen content, enabling the water to flow into and out of the bacteria cell, with significantly less impedance. This high rate of water flow into and out of the cell enables the microorganisms to reproduce more quickly, increasing colony counts, thereby consuming the waste of the petrochemical streams and the streams of the pulp and paper industry.
The methods of this invention meet all the above needs.

Method for treating a living organism using a fluid with increased oxygen concentration and reduced surface tension