A pneumatic tire produced by processing a rubber composition including a hydrogenated branched conjugated diene copolymer produced by copolymerizing a branched conjugated diene compound and a vinyl compound to form a branched conjugated diene copolymer and hydrogenating the branched conjugated diene copolymer. The branched conjugated diene compound is represented by formula (1),

For treads for high performance tires, generally high level grip performance and abrasion resistance are demanded. So far, in order to obtain a rubber composition exhibiting high grip performance, there have been known a rubber composition prepared using, as a rubber component, a styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber (SBR) having a high glass transition temperature (Tg), a rubber composition prepared by compounding, in a rubber component, a resin having a high softening point as a substitute for a part of process oil in an amount equivalent to that of the substituted process oil, a rubber composition containing a softening agent or a carbon black in a high amount, a rubber composition prepared using a carbon black having a small particle size, or a rubber composition prepared by blending a combination of the above-mentioned SBR, resin having a high softening point, softening agent or carbon black.
However, in the case of a rubber composition prepared using SBR having a high Tg, there is a problem that temperature dependency is increased and variation of performance caused by a temperature change becomes large. Also, in case of a rubber composition where a resin having a high softening point is compounded to a rubber component as a substitute for a part of process oil in an amount equivalent to that of the substituted process oil, there is a problem that temperature dependency increases due to an influence of the resin having a high softening point if the substitution amount is large. Further, in the case of using a carbon black having a small particle size or a softening agent in a large amount, there is a problem that dispersion of the carbon black is not good and abrasion resistance is lowered.
In order to solve these problems, a rubber composition prepared using a low molecular weight styrene-butadiene copolymer has been proposed (See Patent Document 1). However, since the low molecular weight styrene-butadiene copolymer has a double bond having crosslinkability, there is a problem that a part of low molecular weight components form crosslinking with a matrix rubber component to be incorporated in the matrix and hysteresis cannot be inhibited sufficiently. Also, when double bonds are modified to saturated bonds by hydrogenation in order to prevent low molecular weight components from being incorporated in the matrix as a result of crosslinking, there arise a problem that compatibility with the matrix is significantly lowered and as a result, bleeding of the low molecular weight components occurs.
In order to inhibit bleeding of the low molecular weight components, there is a method of increasing a styrene content in the low molecular weight styrene-butadiene copolymer up to 40% or more. However, there is a problem that if the styrene content is increased, hardness increases, which makes handling difficult.
The present situation is such that, in any of the above-mentioned cases, so far there has not been obtained a rubber composition for a tire tread which can solve the above-mentioned problems at a high level.
Myrcene is a natural organic compound and is a kind of olefin belonging to monoterpene. There are two kinds of isomers as myrcene such as α-myrcene (2-methyl-6-methyleneocta-1,7-diene) and β-myrcene (7-methyl-3-methyleneocta-1,6-diene). In Patent Document 2, a polymer of myrcene is disclosed.
Farnesene is a kind of isoprenoid compound synthesized chemically by oligomerization of isoprene or dehydration reaction of nerolidol, and is used mainly as a perfume or its starting material (Patent Document 3).

Hydrogenated branched conjugated diene copolymer, rubber composition and pneumatic tire

Abstract: where R1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon having 6 to 11 carbon atoms, the vinyl compound is represented by formula (3),

Abstract: where R4 is a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, or an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms.


A semiconductor power chip may have a semiconductor die having a power device fabricated on a substrate thereof, wherein the power device has at least one first contact element, a plurality of second contact elements and a plurality of third contact elements arranged on top of the semiconductor die; a plurality of ball bumps or a loaf bump disposed on each of the plurality of second elements and the plurality of third elements; and at least one ball bump or loaf on the at least one first contact element.

Semiconductor power devices operate at high current densities, and as such, require current carrying conductors having low enough contact resistances to adequately handle the current to and from the device. There are limitations, however, for metal deposition thickness during fabrication of the semiconductor power device. This metal deposition thickness limitation necessitates having to deposit metal conductors on both the front and back sides of the semiconductor power device, e.g., power field effect transistor (power-FET). But having to use back side contact of the power element(s) of the device, e.g., drain requires extensive processing to eliminate the series resistance of the semiconductor substrate, thereby adding significant cost to the final semiconductor power product.

Using bump bonding to distribute current flow on a semiconductor power device


The invention relates to a method and apparatus for disseminating Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) membership information across computer networks defining multiple spanning trees. An intermediate network device configured in accordance with the invention includes a plurality of ports and a plurality of spanning tree engines each associated with one or more VLAN designations defined within the network. The spanning tree engines transition the ports among a plurality of port states, including a forwarding state and a blocked state. For each port, a separate Generic Attribute Registration Protocol (GARP) participant is also established and each GARP participant includes a multiple spanning tree (MST) GARP VLAN Registration Protocol (MST-GVRP) application component and an associated GARP Information Declaration (GID) component. The MST-GVRP application components cooperate to define a plurality of GARP Information Propagation (GIP) contexts each of which is associated with a spanning tree engine and thus its one or more VLAN designations. The MST-GVRP applications participate in zero, one or more of the GIP contexts depending on their spanning tree port states for the corresponding VLAN designations.

A computer network typically comprises a plurality of interconnected entities. An entity may consist of any network device, such as a server or end station, that "sources" (i.e., transmits) or "sinks" (i.e., receives) data frames. A common type of computer network is a local area network ("LAN") which typically refers to a privately owned network within a single building or campus. LANs typically employ a data communication protocol (LAN standard), such as Ethernet, FDDI or token ring, that defines the functions performed by the data link and physical layers of a communications architecture (i.e., a protocol stack). In many instances, several LANs are interconnected by point-to-point links, microwave transceivers, satellite hook-ups, etc. to form a wide area network ("WAN") or intranet that may span an entire country or continent.
One or more intermediate network devices are often used to couple LANs together and allow the corresponding entities to exchange information. For example, a bridge may be used to provide a "bridging" function between two or more LANs. Alternatively, a switch may be utilized to provide a "switching" function for transferring information between a plurality of LANs or end stations. Typically, the bridge or switch is a computer and includes a plurality of ports that are coupled to the LANs or end stations. Ports used to couple switches to each other are generally referred to as a trunk ports, whereas ports used to couple switches to LANs or end stations are generally referred to as access ports. The switching function includes receiving data from a sending entity at a source port and transferring that data to at least one destination port for forwarding to a receiving entity.
Switches and bridges typically learn which destination port to use in order to reach a particular entity by noting on which source port the last message originating from that entity was received. This information is then stored in a block of memory referred to as a filtering database. Thereafter, when a message addressed to a given entity is received on a source port, the bridge looks up the entity in its filtering database and identifies the appropriate destination port to reach that entity. If no destination port is identified in the filtering database, the bridge floods the message out all ports, except the port on which the message was received. Messages addressed to broadcast or multicast addresses are also flooded.
Additionally, most computer networks include redundant communications paths so that a failure of any given link or device does not isolate any portion of the network. The existence of redundant links, however, may cause the formation of circuitous paths or "loops" within the network. Loops are highly undesirable because data frames may traverse the loops indefinitely. Furthermore, because switches and bridges replicate (i.e., flood) frames whose destination port is unknown or which are directed to broadcast or multicast addresses, the existence of loops may cause a proliferation of data frames that effectively overwhelms the network.
Spanning Tree Algorithm
To avoid the formation of loops, many intermediate network devices execute a spanning tree algorithm that allows them to calculate an active network topology which is loop-free (i.e., a tree) and yet connects every pair of LANs within the network (i.e., the tree is spanning). The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has promulgated a standard (the 802.1D standard) that defines a spanning tree protocol to be executed by 802.1D compatible devices. In general, by executing the spanning tree protocol, bridges elect a single bridge to be the "root" bridge. In addition, for each LAN coupled to more than one bridge, only one (the "designated bridge") is elected to forward frames to and from the respective LAN. The designated bridge is typically the one closest to the root. Each bridge also selects one port (its "root port") which gives the lowest cost path to the root.
The root ports and designated bridge ports are selected for inclusion in the active topology and are placed in a forwarding state so that data frames may be forwarded to and from these ports and thus onto the corresponding paths or links of the network. Ports not included within the active topology are placed in a blocking state. When a port is in the blocking state, data frames are not forwarded to or received from the port. A network administrator may also exclude a port from the spanning tree by placing it in a disabled state.
To obtain the information necessary to run the spanning tree protocol, bridges exchange special messages called configuration bridge protocol data unit (BPDU) messages. Conventional BPDU messages contain a number of fields, including a root identifier field, a root path cost field, a bridge identifier field and a port identifier field, among others. Each bridge initially assumes itself to the be the root and transmits BPDU messages accordingly. Upon receipt of a BPDU message, its contents are examined and compared with similar information (e.g., assumed root and lowest root path cost) stored by the receiving bridge. If the information from the received BPDU is "better" than the stored information, the bridge adopts the better information and uses it in the BPDUs that it sends from its ports, other than the port on which the "better" information was received. Although BPDU messages are not forwarded by bridges, the identifier of the root is eventually propagated to and adopted by all bridges as described above, allowing them to select their root ports and any designated port(s).
In response to network changes or failures, BPDU information is up-dated and/or times-out, causing the active topology to be re-calculated. As a result, ports may transition from the blocking state to the forwarding state and vice versa. That is, as a result of new BPDU information, a previously blocked port may learn that it should be in the forwarding state (e.g., it is now the root port or a designated port). Rather than transition directly from the blocking state to the forwarding state, ports typically transition through two intermediate states: a listening state and a learning state. In the listening state, a port waits for information indicating that it should return to the blocking state. If, by the end of a preset time, no such information is received, the port transitions to the learning state. At the end of a second preset time, the port transitions from the learning state to the forwarding state, thereby allowing data frames to be forwarded to and from the port.
Virtual Local Area Networks
A computer network may also be segregated into a series of logical network segments. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,402, issued on Feb. 28, 1995 to Ross (the "'402 patent"), which is hereby incorporated by referenced in its entirety, discloses an arrangement for associating any port of a switch with any particular segregated network group. Specifically, according to the '402 patent, any number of physical ports of a particular switch may be associated with any number of groups within the switch by using a virtual local area network (VLAN) arrangement that virtually associates the port with a particular VLAN designation. More specifically, Ross discloses a switch or hub that associates VLAN designations with at least one local port and further associates those VLAN designations with messages transmitted from any of the ports to which the VLAN designation has been assigned.
The VLAN designation for each local port is stored in a memory portion of the switch such that every time a message is received by the switch on a local port the VLAN designation of that port is associated with the message. Association is accomplished by a flow processing element which looks up the VLAN designation in the memory portion based on the local port where the message originated. In addition to the '402 patent, the IEEE has issued a standard for Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks. See IEEE Standard 802.1Q.
In many cases, it may be desirable to interconnect a plurality of these switches in order to extend the VLAN associations of ports in the network. Ross, in fact, states that an objective of his VLAN arrangement is to allow all ports and entities of the network having the same VLAN designation to interchange messages by associating a VLAN designation with each message. Thus, those entities having the same VLAN designation function as if they are all part of the same LAN. Message exchanges between parts of the network having different VLAN designations are specifically prevented in order to preserve the boundaries of each VLAN segment. For convenience, each VLAN designation is often associated with a different color, such as red, blue, green, etc.
GARP VLAN Registration Protocol
To disseminate information across computer networks, the IEEE developed the Generic Attribute Registration Protocol (GARP). GARP allows participants to make and withdraw declarations for a particular attribute. In response to a GARP declaration, other network participants register the parameter value(s) of the specified attribute at the port on which the declaration was received. GARP participants also propagate declarations so that other participants in the network can make the appropriate registrations. Participants can also withdraw their previous declarations. In response to a withdrawal, the other participants de-register the particular parameter value(s).
A GARP participant consists of a GARP application component and a GARP Information Declaration (GID) component. The GID component consists of a set of state machines that define the current registration and declaration state for all attribute values. A GARP participant is typically established for each port per GARP application. Thus, for intermediate devices, which often have multiple ports, multiple GARP participants are established. To make or withdraw declarations, GARP participants generate and send special messages called GARP Protocol Data Unit (GARP-PDU) messages. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional GARP-PDU message 100. The GARP-PDU message 100 typically includes a Media Access Control (MAC) header 102 that includes destination and source address fields, among other information, a protocol identifier (ID) field 104, a plurality of message fields, such as message fields 106, 108 and 110, and an end mark field 112. Each message field, moreover, includes an attribute type field 114 and an attribute list field 116. The attribute list field 116, in turn, includes one or more attribute fields, such as attribute fields 118, 120 and 122, and an end mark field 124. Each attribute field, such as field 118, includes an attribute length field 126, an attribute event field 128 and an attribute value field 130.
In order to exchange information among the GARP participants of a given intermediate device, a separate component, called the GARP Information Propagation (GIP) component, is used. The GIP component operates over a GIP context that is established at the intermediate device and defines the ports that are to be included in the given context. That is, although registration can occur at any port, the propagation of that registration only follows the associated GIP context. For example, a particular GIP context may consist of the ports that belong to the active topology (i.e., all ports in the forwarding state). Because blocked ports are not part of the GIP context, a declaration received on a blocked port is not propagated to any other ports, although it is still registered at the blocked port. In contrast, a declaration received at a forwarding port, which is part of the GIP context, is both registered at that port and propagated throughout the GIP context (i.e., to all of the other forwarding ports).
One application of GARP is to propagate VLAN designations across computer networks. More specifically, the IEEE also defined the GARP VLAN Registration Protocol (GVRP) through which intermediate devices and end stations can issue and revoke declarations regarding their membership in specific VLANs. See IEEE 802.1Q standard. Thus, GVRP provides a mechanism for end stations to ensure that they receive messages from other VLAN members, regardless of where in the network those other members may be located. For example, an end station that is assigned to the "blue" VLAN typically generates and sends a GARP-PDU message 100 containing the VLAN identifier (VID) for the "blue" VLAN designation in the attribute value field 130 and a registration request in the corresponding attribute event field 128. The GARP-PDU message 100 is then received at an intermediate device coupled to the end station. The intermediate device registers the "blue" VLAN at the port on which the GARP-PDU is received and, assuming the receiving port is in the forwarding state, also propagates the information for registration and forwarding from its other forwarding ports. The GARP-PDU from the end station is thus propagated across the network along the active topology defined by the spanning tree protocol. If the GARP-PDU is received by an intermediate device at a blocked port, the VLAN designation is merely registered at that blocked port. The VLAN designation is neither registered at the device's other ports nor is it propagated by the device.
For computer networks defining a single spanning tree or active topology, the GVRP protocol provides an effective mechanism for disseminating VLAN membership information. Indeed, in the 802.1Q standard, the IEEE specifically calls for a single spanning tree or active topology to be defined for the entire bridged network including all VLAN designations. As an alternative to the 802.1Q standard, certain intermediate devices define a separate spanning tree for each VLAN designation. See Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS®) VLAN Services document. With this approach, a single port may be forwarding for one VLAN (e.g., "blue"), but blocking for a second VLAN (e.g., "red"). Thus, messages associated with the "blue" VLAN designation are received and forwarded from the port, whereas messages associated with the "red" VLAN designation are not. For interoperability with network segments defining a single spanning tree devices, these devices may also define a base or common spanning tree that is mapped to the single spanning tree in the network segments that operate single spanning trees. With multiple spanning trees, however, the conventional GVRP implementation cannot guarantee that VLAN membership information will be fully distributed throughout the network. That is, connectivity problems can occur.
In particular, with the conventional GVRP implementation, a single GIP context corresponding to the base spanning tree would be established. If a GVRP declaration requesting registration of the "blue" VLAN designation is received at a first intermediate device port that is in the forwarding state for "blue" VLAN, but in the blocking state for the base spanning tree, the registration would not be propagated from the first port. That is, because the first port is in the blocking state for the base spanning tree, it is not part of the GIP context. If the first port nonetheless represents the only path to certain members of the "blue" VLAN, none of the other blue VLAN members will learn of their existence. As a result, connectivity may be lost to the blue VLAN members "behind" the first port. Accordingly, a need exists for ensuring that VLAN membership information is disseminated across and registered by computer networks running multiple spanning trees.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Virtual local area network membership registration protocol for multiple spanning tree network environments


A battery cell heat exchanger having a pair of plates that together define a fluid passage having a first channel permitting fluid flow from a first end of the plate pair towards a second end of the plate pair, and a second channel permitting fluid flow from the second end towards the first end of the plate pair. The plate pair together defining a first conduit at the first end of the plate pair, the first conduit being in fluid communication with the first channel. One of the pair of plates having an aperture permitting fluid flow from the second channel to a duct, the duct coupled to the one of the pair of plates having the aperture and having a second conduit in fluid communication with the aperture; where the first conduit and the second conduit lie in the plane defined by the pair of plates.

Rechargeable batteries such as batteries made up of many lithium-ion cells can be used in many applications, including for example, electric propulsion vehicle ("EV") and hybrid electric vehicle ("HEV") applications. These applications often require advanced battery systems that have high energy storage capacity and can generate large amounts of heat that needs to be dissipated. Battery thermal management of these types of systems generally requires that the maximum temperature of the individual cells be below a predetermined, specified temperature.
Cold plate heat exchangers are heat exchangers upon which a stack of adjacent battery cells or battery cell containers housing one or more battery cells are arranged for cooling and/or regulating the temperature of a battery unit. The individual battery cells or battery cell containers are arranged in face-to-face contact with each other to form the stack, the stack of battery cells or battery cell containers being arranged on top of a cold plate heat exchanger such that an end face or end surface of each battery cell or battery cell container is in surface-to-surface contact with a surface of the heat exchanger.
Examples of cold plate heat exchangers and inter-cell elements are described in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/972,463 entitled COUNTER-FLOW HEAT EXCHANGER FOR BATTERY THERMAL MANAGEMENT APPLICATIONS, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Each cold plate heat exchanger includes an inlet and an outlet for the cooling fluid, and the inlet and outlet may be provided with fittings to permit connection of the heat exchanger to a coolant circulation system of the vehicle. Due to space constraints, the location and orientation of these fittings is significant, and it is desirable to design these heat exchangers such that the fitting locations and/or orientations can be varied with minimal retooling. In addition, such fittings are positioned to extend perpendicular to the plane defined by the plates of the heat exchanger.
There is a need in the art for cold plate heat exchangers having side entry fittings, where the fittings extend in a plane defined by the heat exchanger plates.

Counterflow heat exchanger with side entry fittings


A medical system (10) is provided having a pulling device (20) and an active substance chain (50). The active substance chain (50) has at least two storage units (51) arranged like a chain, and at least one of the storage units (51) is loaded with a medicinal active substance. The pulling device (20) has a grip element (30) and a coupling element (40), and the coupling element (40) has at least one recess (41, 41′). In a free position (100) the active substance chain (50) is arranged separated from the pulling device (20), while in an inserted position (110) at least one of the storage units (51) is arranged form-fitting in a recess (41, 41′). The active substance chain (50) can be moved reversibly from the free position (100) into the inserted position (110).

The invention relates to a medical system having a pulling device and an active substance chain, the active substance chain having at least two storage units arranged like a chain, and at least one of the storage units is loaded with a medicinal active substance. The invention further relates to a pulling device for pulling an active substance chain loaded with a medicinal active substance.
German published patent application DE 2 320 373 A describes active substance chains, which are loaded with antibiotics and can be placed in wound cavities. Such active substance chains often comprise a PMMA plastic (polymethyl methacrylate), which is provided with incorporated antibiotics. These active substance chains are placed, for example, next to the artificial hip joint in the case of hip replacements, in order to prevent possible inflammations. However, depending on the indication, the active substance chains must be removed again after a few days to up to a few weeks. This removal, however, is sometimes very difficult, because the active substance chains are enclosed by newly formed connective tissue.
In the prior art it is known, for removal, to grip the active substance chains at a projecting end with tweezers, forceps, or a nail holder and to pull it out by hand. This frequently leads to the tearing and/or splitting of individual elements of the active substance chains. In such a case, the surgeon is forced to open the wound further, in order to then reach the rest of the active substance chain. This can introduce new infections and/or can prolong the healing process of the patient.

Medical system, pulling device and method for pulling an active substance chain


A high-voltage metal-oxide-semiconductor (HVMOS) device may include a source, a drain, a gate positioned proximate to the source, a drift region disposed substantially between the drain and a region of the gate and the source, and a self shielding region disposed proximate to the drain. A corresponding method is also provided.

There is currently an ongoing drive toward the downscaling of device dimensions in virtually all aspects of electronic device manufacture. Smaller electronic devices tend to be more popular than larger, more bulky devices when both devices have substantially equivalent capabilities. Accordingly, being able to fabricate smaller components would clearly tend to facilitate the production of smaller devices that incorporate those components. However, many modern electronic devices require electronic circuitry to perform both actuation functions (e.g., switching devices) and data processing or other decision making functions. The use of low-voltage complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technologies for these dual functions may not be practical. Thus, high-voltage integrated circuits (HVIC) or power-integrated circuits (PIC) have been developed to attempt to integrate high-voltage device structures with low voltage device structures on a single chip.
Some examples of devices that involve switching at relatively high-voltage levels include drivers for flat panel displays, lighting and ballast applications (e.g., light emitting diode (LED) lighting), power supplies (e.g., mobile device chargers), and numerous other products. The high-voltage MOS devices that are desirable for employment in these applications should desirably possess a high breakdown voltage, such as to prevent punch through from a high-voltage area to a low-voltage area, but also have a relatively low on-resistance.
Power devices may typically be categorized as being either vertical or lateral devices. Devices employing a vertical structure have a current path that flows from the top of the device to the bottom of the device via a substrate. Devices employing a lateral structure have a current path that enters and leaves the chip (integrated circuit) through the same surface (e.g., the upper surface of the chip). The lateral structure may allow implementation of different types and multiple numbers of lateral devices on the same substrate. However, doing so may only be effective with electrical isolation.

High voltage MOS device and method for making the same


Embodiments relate to replay suspension in a memory system. One aspect is a system that includes a replay buffer coupled to a memory controller interface, and a replay control coupled to the replay buffer and a memory controller. The replay control is configured to receive an error indication associated with sending data from the memory controller interface to a memory subsystem as part of an operation. A replay pending signal is provided to the memory controller based on the error indication. Based on waiting for a period of time sufficient for the memory controller to provide remaining data associated with the operation to the replay buffer, a replay signal is asserted.

The present invention relates generally to computer memory, and more specifically, to replay suspension in a memory system.
Contemporary high performance computing main memory systems are generally composed of one or more memory devices, which are connected to one or more memory controllers and/or processors via one or more memory interface elements such as buffers, hubs, bus-to-bus converters, etc. The memory devices are generally located on a memory subsystem such as a memory card or memory module and are often connected via a pluggable interconnection system (e.g., one or more connectors) to a system board (e.g., a PC motherboard).
Overall computer system performance is affected by each of the key elements of the computer structure, including the performance/structure of the processor(s), any memory cache(s), the input/output (I/O) subsystem(s), the efficiency of the memory control function(s), the performance of the main memory devices(s) and any associated memory interface elements, and the type and structure of the memory interconnect interface(s).
Extensive research and development efforts are invested by the industry, on an ongoing basis, to create improved and/or innovative solutions to maximizing overall system performance and density by improving the memory system/subsystem design and/or structure. High-availability systems present further challenges as related to overall system reliability due to customer expectations that new computer systems will markedly surpass existing systems in regard to mean-time-between-failure (MTBF), in addition to offering additional functions, increased performance, increased storage, lower operating costs, etc. Other frequent customer requirements further exacerbate the memory system design challenges, and include such items as ease of upgrade and reduced system environmental impact (such as space, power and cooling). In addition, customers are requiring the ability to access an increasing number of higher density memory devices (e.g., DDR3 and DDR4 SDRAMs) at faster and faster access speeds.
Memory controllers in systems with high reliability requirements generally interface to data buffers with automatic replay mechanisms which resend the buffered data in the event of a data integrity error. The replay mechanism is important when a memory data channel has a predicted or known failure rate which could impact the system reliability. Such a system may have multiple channels and stripe data block accesses across these channels to further improve system reliability. Memory stores to a block of data are coordinated across all channels such that a store command with striped data is effectively delivered to all of the channels simultaneously. Redundant array of independent memory (RAIM) systems are examples of such striped data systems. RAIM distributes data across several independent memory modules, where each memory module contains one or more memory devices. Examples of RAIM systems may be found, for instance, in U.S. Patent Publication Number 2011/0320918 titled "RAIM System Using Decoding of Virtual ECC", filed on Jun. 24, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, and in U.S. Patent Publication Number 2011/0320914 titled "Error Correction and Detection in a Redundant Memory System", filed on Jun. 24, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
An automatic replay mechanism does not allow a data source to influence the replay; therefore, the data source timing is completely dependent upon the automatic replay. This can create problems in the event of a replay on a single channel of a multi-channel system. More specifically, the replay mechanism timing can interrupt a block data transfer. The healthy channels must continue the block data transfer, but the failing channel cannot. Therefore, the store completes on the healthy channels but not on the failing channel, which would require the memory controller to remember and reissue the interrupted store on the failing channel once the replay completes.

International Business Machines Corporation


Security can be provide for lottery tickets having data printed thereon in a bar code or other machine readable media by covering only a portion of the bar code with a scratch-off material. Removing the scratch-off material, or in some cases only a portion of the scratch-off material, can permit machine validation of the lottery tickets. For bar codes having a specified level of redundancy, it is desirable to cover at least enough of the bar code so as to prevent the machine reading of ticket validation data encoded in the bar code. Also, a lottery ticket can include a bar code printed on the ticket having both inventory and validation data along with a bar code printed on the front of the ticket including the validation data. All or part of the bar code printed on the front of the ticket can be covered by a scratch-off material.

This invention generally relates to lottery tickets and in particular to lottery ticket bar codes.
It has become conventional for lottery tickets that have a scratch-off material covering play indicia printed on the ticket to also provide a bar code printed on the ticket for validation or authentication purposes. Typically, when a winning ticket is presented for payment, the bar code is read by a bar code reader located in a lottery agent terminal and a 3 or 4 digit security code, hidden under a latex or scratch-off coating, is entered manually by a clerk using a key pad on the terminal. The dual action of reading the bar code and entering the security code confirms that the ticket is indeed a winner prior to payment of the winning amount. Forcing the clerk to find and enter the security code gives both the player and the lottery administration the assurance that a retailer did not prescreen the ticket in an attempt to pick out winning tickets because finding the security code requires that some latex must removed from the ticket. However, attempts have been made to defraud players lotteries where the clerks pre-screening tickets for winners before they are sold by picking out the 3 or 4 digit code security code, guessing the 3 digit code or even pasting an entirely different bar code over the existing bar code on the lottery ticket.
One approach to overcoming the problem of prescreening of unsold tickets is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,405 where latex sensing capability is used to insure that that sufficient latex has been removed from the ticket prior to validation. Also, circuit elements are printed underneath the bar code in order to detect tampering with the bar code. Using this technique it is possible to print the bar code on the front or the back of the ticket, separate from the latex covering.
A second approach to overcoming this problem is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,991 where a scratch-off material is printed over the entire bar code. Either the bar code alone is covered by a separate portion of the scratch-off material or the bar code in combination with play indicia is covered by the scratch-off material. However, covering the entire bar code has at least one significant disadvantage. In this approach, almost all of the scratch-off material must be removed from the bar code in order to be able to have the bar code successfully read by a scanner. Requiring a player or a lottery agent to completely remove a scratch-off coating from a bar code, especially on an instant lottery ticket where speed and convenience of redemption are desirable characteristics of this product, can result in a time consuming and inefficient method of operation.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a lottery ticket having a bar code that is only partially covered by a scratch-off material.
It is another object of the invention to provide a lottery ticket having a bar code containing validation data where only a portion of the bar code is covered by a scratch-off material such that the validation data cannot be read by a bar code reader without removing the scratch-off material. The scratch-off material can have a predetermined shape such as a circle in order to facilitate evidence of tampering. Alternatively, the scratch-off material can be printed over the bar code as a horizontal or vertical strip obscuring a predetermined portion of the data in the bar code. For example, when using a 2 dimensional code, such as PDF-417, vertical stripes can be used to obscure one or more columns of data in the bar code.
A further object of the invention is to provide a lottery ticket having a bar code containing validation data formatted, in for example code words, having a predetermined level of redundancy where only a portion of the validation data or code words is covered by a scratch-off material such that the portion of code words covered by the scratch-off material exceeds the level of redundancy sufficiently to prevent decoding of the validation data without removing at least a portion of the scratch-off material.
Yet another object of the invention to provide a lottery ticket having a bar code containing validation data where only a portion of the bar code is covered by a scratch-off material such that the validation data cannot be read by a bar code reader without removing the scratch-off material and where the scratch-off material includes a printed instruction to remove the scratch-off material. The scratch-off material can also be printed with an indication of prizes that can be won as an incentive to rub off the material.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a lottery ticket having bar code with minimum information content on the front of the ticket that is at least partially covered by a scratch-off material such that the ticket can be securely validated in a keyless manner after the scratch-off material has been removed.


A seal assembly 10 includes an attachment stud 11, a reinforcing mesh 12, a rigid carrier 13, an elastomeric body 14, and an elastomeric film 15, each having a longitudinal axis 16. The carrier 13 includes an inner peripheral surface 31 defining a central opening 33 and an outer peripheral surface 32. A lateral surface 35 of the carrier 13 extends between the peripheral surfaces. Corner towers 38 and intermediate towers 39 are arranged along the outer peripheral surface 32. The towers are spaced apart by openings 40 and terminate in control surfaces 41. The body 14 includes a stationary portion 47 generally aligned with the carrier 13 and a diaphragm portion 48 generally aligned with the opening 33. The film 15 extends over and is bonded to the body portion 14 and the towers 38, 39 to provide a smooth uninterrupted chemically resistant surface for the seal assembly 10.

Diaphragm seal assemblies are widely used in fluid control valves to control the flow of a wide variety of fluids through the valve at various conditions of temperature, pressure and other conditions. Such diaphragm seal assemblies typically include an elastomeric body. A stationary peripheral portion of the elastomeric body may be secured to a housing of the fluid control valve, and a diaphragm portion of the elastomeric body may be carried by the stationary peripheral portion for movement between a closed or sealed position and an opened position.
The elastomeric body of such diaphragm seal assemblies may be exposed to relatively harsh conditions of fluid composition, fluid temperature and/or fluid pressure. The elastomeric body exposed to such conditions may be cycled between its closed and opened positions frequently, over extended periods of time. Also, the elastomeric body may be exposed to steam or other cleaning agents, during periodic cleaning or when the type of fluid flowing through the valve is changed. Still further, the elastomeric body may be exposed to variable tightening forces and to extrusion forces during installation and use.
Diaphragm seal assemblies used in fluid control valves may be considered wear items that may be serviced or replaced at periodic intervals or upon condition requirements. If the diaphragm seal assembly requires relatively more frequent service (such as tightening or replacement), this may cause relatively greater expenses to be incurred for labor, parts, and possible down time for the system in which the fluid control valve is used. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a diaphragm seal assembly that is relatively inert with respect to the fluid flowing through the fluid control valve, that is relatively maintenance free, that does not leak either between the fluid ports of the fluid control valve or externally of the fluid control valve, that does not crack or rupture or otherwise operationally degrade over prolonged cycles and periods of time, that resists extrusion during installation and use, and that may be installed relatively quickly without retightening or other maintenance after installation.
One common type of fluid control valve in which diaphragm seal assemblies may be used is a weir fluid control valve. Weir fluid control valves typically include a valve body that includes a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, and a weir interposed between the inlet and outlet ports. A diaphragm seal assembly in such valves may move toward the weir to close the fluid flow between the fluid ports and away from the weir to open the fluid flow. Diaphragm seal assemblies used in weir fluid control valves may be used in a wide variety of applications, including pharmaceutical processing applications, food and beverage processing applications, and other applications in which safety, accuracy, dependability, replacement ease, and long life are important.


An image forming device which automatically manages temperature and humidity for stably processing a photosensitive material. A temperature sensor and a humidity sensor sense changes in temperature and humidity within a heat developing section of the image forming device. A temperature regulator computes an optimal temperature and heating time in accordance with results of sensing, and controls a heating section and conveying of the photosensitive material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming device, and in particular, to an image forming device which carries out heat-developing processing by conveying a photosensitive material to a heating section.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) Nos. 2000-171914 and 2001-356463 and the like have proposed image forming devices which subject an exposed photosensitive material to heat-developing processing so as to form an image on the photosensitive material, and which read, by a scanner, the image formed on the photosensitive material.
In the heat-developing processing section of the above-described image forming device, the heating section is formed by a heat developing drum, a heating plate, or the like. A heater is housed in the heat developing drum or the heating plate, and the interior of the heating section is heated by the heater.
In accordance with such a structure, due to the photosensitive material, which is being conveyed within the heating section, being heated for a predetermined period of time (the time over which the photosensitive material passes through the heating section), i.e., due to the photosensitive material being subjected to heat-developing processing, the exposed image is formed on the photosensitive material
Reproducibility of density and stability, i.e., the ability for the same image to always be formed at the same density on a photosensitive material, is required of the image forming device. The density of the image formed on the photosensitive material depends on the amount of heat in the heat-developing processing (i.e., the heating temperature and the heating time within the heating section). Accordingly, control of the heating temperature within the heating section is carried out at the image forming device.
Further, from the standpoint of the properties of the photosensitive material, the density of the image formed on the photosensitive material also depends on the environment (the temperature and humidity) in which the image forming device is placed. Namely, if the temperature or the humidity varies, even if the amount of heat in the heat-developing processing is kept at a predetermined temperature by the above-described control, fogging and changes in gradation will arise in the image formed on the photosensitive material.
Conventionally, in order to prevent fogging and changes in gradation caused by changes in temperature and humidity, heat-developing processing is carried out on a test photosensitive material at the time when the image forming device is started up. The results are photometrically measured, and after it is confirmed that there are no abnormalities in the temperature and humidity, heat-developing processing is carried out. This processing is called reference strip processing.
Specifically, in a state in which control of the temperature of the interior of the heating section is carried out, a test color photosensitive material, on which a reference pattern has been exposed in advance, is subjected to heat-developing processing and an image is formed. The test image formed on the test photosensitive material is photometrically measured by a calorimeter. The results of photometric measurement and the original test image are compared, and it is confirmed that no deviation in density has arisen.
Here, in cases in which the fogging and changes in gradation are greater than or equal to given values and are problematic, the environment in which the image forming device is disposed is adjusted, i.e., the air conditioning of the room in which the image forming device is placed is adjusted manually. Then, heat-developing processing of a test photosensitive material is carried out again, and after the fogging and changes in gradation are confirmed, heat-developing processing of an actual photosensitive material is carried out.
However, if the environment (the temperature and/or the humidity) of the image forming device changes after heat-developing processing of an actual photosensitive material has begun, the density of the formed image will deviate. Thus, large-scale air-conditioning equipment is needed in order to ensure that the environment does not change.
Further, depending on the history of the photosensitive material which is being processed, there are cases in which the moisture content of the photosensitive material varies. Because, in a short period of time, the moisture content of the photosensitive material does not coincide with the equilibrium moisture content of the environment in which processing is being carried out, there are cases in which the gradation and the fogging of the image greatly vary, which causes trouble in processing.
In view of the aforementioned, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming device in which there is little fogging, excellent gradation reproducibility and excellent stability, by automatically correcting processing conditions in accordance with the environment in which the image forming device is placed, or in accordance with the history and the state of a photosensitive material.
A first aspect of the present invention is an image forming device subjecting a photographed photosensitive material, in which at least silver halide grains and a developing agent or a precursor of a developing agent are incorporated on a support, to heat-developing processing by conveying the photosensitive material through a heating section, so as to form an image on the photosensitive material, the image forming device comprising a temperature-sensing device, a device humidity-sensing device, a heating device, a first computing device, and a first controlling device. The device temperature is for sensing device sensing a temperature within the image forming device. The device humidity-sensing device is for sensing a humidity within the image forming device. The heating device is for heating an interior of the heating section. The conveying device is for conveying the photosensitive material within the heating section. The first computing device is for computing an optimal value of a heating temperature within the heating section and an optimal value of a heating time, on the basis of the temperature and the humidity sensed by the temperature-sensing device and the humidity-sensing device. The first control device is for controlling a heating temperature by the heating device and/or a photosensitive material conveying-speed by the conveying device, such that at least one of the optimal values is attained.
In accordance with the first aspect, the device temperature-sensing device senses the temperature within the device, and the device humidity-sensing device senses the humidity within the device. The temperature and humidity within the device affect the fogging and the gradation of the image formed on the photosensitive material.
Further, the fogging and the gradation of the image formed on the photosensitive material also depend on the heating temperature within the heating section and the heating time. Namely, the heating temperature within the heating section and the heating time are parameters of the fogging and the gradation of the image formed on the photosensitive material.
Here, the first computing device computes an optimal value of the heating temperature within the heating section and an optimal value of the heating time, on the basis of the sensed temperature and humidity. Then, the first control device controls the heating temperature by the heating device or the photosensitive material conveying-speed by the conveying device such that at least one of the optimal values is attained.
In this way, the optimal value of at least one of the heating temperature within the heating section and the heating time, which affect the fogging and the gradation of the image, offsets the xe2x80x9cdeviationxe2x80x9d of the fogging and of the gradation which arise in the image formed on the photosensitive material in accordance with the change in the temperature and the humidity within the image forming device.
Accordingly, in accordance with the change in the temperature and the humidity within the image forming device, at least one of the heating temperature within the heating section and the heating time is adjusted. Therefore, the xe2x80x9cdeviationxe2x80x9d of the fogging and of the gradation, which arise due to changes in the temperature and the humidity, can be corrected.
A second aspect of the present invention is an image forming device subjecting a photographed photosensitive material, in which at least silver halide grains and a developing agent or a precursor of a developing agent are incorporated on a support, to heat-developing processing by conveying the photosensitive material through a heating section, so as to form an image on the photosensitive material. The image forming device comprises a loading section, a temperature-sensing device, a moisture content sensing device, a heating device, a conveying device, a second computing device, and a second controlling device. The loading section is the section where the photosensitive material is loaded. The temperature-sensing device is for sensing a temperature of the photosensitive material loaded in the photosensitive material loading section. The moisture content sensing device is for sensing a moisture content of the photosensitive material loaded in the photosensitive material loading section. The heating device is for heating an interior of the heating section. The conveying device is for conveying the photosensitive material within the heating section. The second computing device is for computing an optimal value of a heating temperature within the heating section and an optimal value of a heating time, on the basis of the temperature and the moisture content sensed by the photosensitive material temperature-sensing device and the moisture content sensing device. The second control device is for controlling a heating temperature by the heating device and/or a photosensitive material conveying-speed by the conveying device, such that at least one of the optimal values is attained.
In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, the photosensitive material temperature-sensing device senses the temperature of the photosensitive material loaded in the photosensitive material loading section, and the moisture content sensing device senses the moisture content of the photosensitive material loaded in the photosensitive material loading section. The temperature and the moisture content of the photosensitive material affect the fogging and the gradation of the image formed on the photosensitive material.
Further, the fogging and the gradation of the image formed on the photosensitive material also depend on the heating temperature within the heating section and the heating time. Namely, the heating temperature within the heating section and the heating time are parameters of the fogging and the gradation of the image formed on the photosensitive material.
Here, the second computing device computes an optimal value of the heating temperature within the heating section and an optimal value of the heating time, on the basis of the sensed temperature and moisture content of the photosensitive material. Then, the second control device controls the heating temperature by the heating device or the photosensitive material conveying-speed by the conveying device such that at least one of the optimal values is attained.
In this way, the optimal value of at least one of the heating temperature within the heating section and the heating time, which affect the fogging and the gradation of the image, offsets the xe2x80x9cdeviationxe2x80x9d of the fogging and of the gradation which arise in the image formed on the photosensitive material in accordance with the change in the temperature and the moisture content of the photosensitive material.
Accordingly, in accordance with the change in the temperature and the moisture content of the photosensitive material, at least one of the heating temperature within the heating section and the heating time is adjusted. Therefore, the xe2x80x9cdeviationxe2x80x9d of the fogging and of the gradation, which arise due to changes in the temperature and the moisture content of the photosensitive material, can be corrected.
More concretely, in the first aspect of the present invention, the optimal value of the heating temperature and the optimal value of the heating time are computed by the first computing device so as to offset the change in the density of the image formed on the photosensitive material due to the temperature or the humidity within the device.
Namely, the correlation between, on the one hand, the fogging and the change in gradation of the image formed on the photosensitive material, and, on the other hand, the temperature or the humidity within the device, can be measured and determined in advance. Therefore, the optimal value of the heating temperature and the optimal value of the heating time can be computed from this correlation.
Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, the optimal value of the heating temperature and the optimal value of the heating time are computed by the second computing device so as to offset the change in the density of the image formed on the photosensitive material due to the temperature or the moisture content of the photosensitive material.
Namely, the correlation between, on the one hand, the fogging and the change in gradation of the image formed on the photosensitive material, and, on the other hand, the temperature or the moisture content of the photosensitive material, can be measured and determined in advance. Therefore, the optimal value of the heating temperature and the optimal value of the heating time can be computed from this correlation.
The following are modes for implementing the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these modes:
(1) A coupler, which reacts with an oxidant of a developing agent and forms a dye, may be incorporated on a support in the photosensitive material.
(2) The present invention may include a heating section temperature-sensing device which senses the temperature of the interior of the heating section, and on the basis of the temperature sensed by the heating section temperature-sensing device, the first control device and the second control device may control output of the heating device such that the heating temperature becomes an optimal value.
(3) Concurrently with above (2), a coupler, which reacts with an oxidant of a developing agent and forms a dye, may be incorporated on a support in the photosensitive material.
Further, in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, the interior of the heating section is heated by the heating device, and the temperature is sensed by the heating section temperature-sensing device. On the basis of the temperature sensed by the heating section temperature-sensing device, the first control device and the second control device control the output of the heating device, and control the temperature such that the interior of the heating section becomes the optimal temperature.
Namely, the heating section temperature-sensing device is provided separately from the device temperature-sensing device and the photosensitive material temperature-sensing device. For example, when the temperature of the heating section decreases due to heat moving to the photosensitive material while the photosensitive material is undergoing heating processing, this decrease in temperature is sensed by the heating section temperature-sensing section. The first control device and the second control device receive this information, and effect control so as to increase the output in order to return the heating section to its original, optimal temperature.


An approach is provided for dynamic adaptation of an in-vehicle feature detector. The approach involves embedding a feature detection model, precomputed weights for the feature detection model, or a combination thereof in a data layer of map data representing a geographic area from which a training data set was collected to generate the feature detection model, the precomputed weights, or a combination thereof. The approach also involves deploying the feature detection model, the precomputed weights, or a combination thereof to adapt an in-vehicle feature detector based on determining that the in-vehicle feature detector is in the geographic area, plans to travel in the geographic area, or a combination thereof. The in-vehicle feature detector can then use the feature detection model, the precomputed weights, or a combination thereof to process sensor data collected while in the geographic area to detect one or more features.

Advances in computer vision systems and feature detectors (e.g., machine learning based feature detectors such as neural networks) are leading to accelerated development of autonomous driving and related mapping/navigation services. However, feature detectors traditionally require significant computing resources to implement, with resource requirements increasing further as the number and variety of detectable features increase. Accordingly, service providers and vehicle manufacturers face significant technical challenges to providing in-vehicle feature detectors that balance feature detection performance and capability against the typically resource-constrained environment of in-vehicle embedded systems.

Method, apparatus, and system for dynamic adaptation of an in-vehicle feature detector


A method, system, and computer program product in a data processing system are disclosed for dynamically selecting software butters for aggregation in order to optimize system performance. Data to be transferred to a device is received. The data is stored in a chain of software buffers. Current characteristics of the system are determined. Software buffers to be combined are then dynamically selected. This selection is made according to the characteristics of the system in order to maximize performance of the system.

1. Technical Field
The present invention is directed to an improved data processing system. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a method, system, and computer program product for dynamically determining, prior to transferring data using a chain of buffers in which the data is stored, whether to aggregate buffers by combining selected buffers according to current system capabilities to create a new chain of buffers.
2. Description of Related Art
For high speed I/O adapters, data is typically transferred from the system memory to the adapter using the Direct Memory Access (DMA) transfer method because it usually minimizes CPU utilization and increases the I/O bus bandwidth, generally resulting in overall operating efficiencies. However, the overhead required to set up the DMA makes this method better suited for large contiguous data transfers. If the data is scattered across several small buffers, the efficiency of the DMA decreases due to the necessity of having to physically program the DMA engine for each individual buffer.
To illustrate this point, consider that during normal TCP/IP communications, the protocol stack delivers a packet to the networking adapter driver for transfer out to the network. To avoid a memory copy from the TCP/IP buffer to the driver buffer, the packet is constructed into more than one buffer (i.e. one for the TCP/IP header and at least one for the payload). In some cases, the packet can be further scattered across multiple buffers. As stated above, the DMA setup is CPU consuming, which can vary from system to system, depending on the number of bridges and I/O bus bandwidth. This results in diminished memory and I/O bus performance that can be exacerbated if the data is not aligned to the cache line on each of these buffers.
A solution to this problem is to reduce the number of DMA transactions by aggregating the data from these small buffers into a big contiguous system buffer through copying. However, the additional work to aggregate the data into a single buffer results in the use of extra CPU cycles. This may not be tolerable if the system does not have enough available CPU cycles.
Clearly, the method to aggregate by copying all the small buffers into one big contiguous buffer, and the method that delivers multiple small buffers packets to the adapter for DMA transfers are not always good for all systems. In the former case, the I/O and memory latencies may not be tolerable due to insufficient memory and I/O bandwidth. In the latter case, additional CPU cycles may not be available in some systems.
Therefore, a need exists for a method, system, and computer program product for dynamically selecting, prior to transferring data stored in a chain of separate software buffers, ones of these buffers in the buffer chain to aggregate by combining the selected buffers to form a new buffer chain of buffers according to current system capabilities.

Method, system, and computer program product for dynamically selecting software buffers for aggregation according to current system characteristics


Methods and apparatus to track network topology changes are disclosed. An example topology tool to track a change to a network topology includes a message processor to, in response to a reporting message generated by a software defined network controller, identify a unique identifier (UID) associated with a network element to be subject to a topology change event, where the reporting message including topology change information corresponding to the topology change event scheduled to occur at a future time. A database search tool is to search a first topology database for a first post-confirmation data record corresponding to the UID and in response to the first post-confirmation data record missing from the first topology database, search a second topology database for a first pre-confirmation data record corresponding to the UID. A database controller is to generate a second pre-confirmation data record in response to the first pre-confirmation data record missing from the second topology database.

Computer network management tools are currently used to identify changes to the configuration of a network and to track such changes in a network topology database. Additionally, such tools are used to monitor and analyze traffic flow on a computer network so that, when needed, changes can be made to the network topology to enhance performance.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts. As used herein, the phrase "in communication," including variances thereof, encompasses direct communication and/or indirect communication through one or more intermediary components and does not require direct physical (e.g., wired) communication and/or constant communication, but rather additionally includes selective communication at periodic or aperiodic intervals, as well as one-time events.

Methods and apparatus to track changes to a network topology


The combination of a door and a dispenser for storing hand shields including a door for a generally enclosed area with a front side and a back side and the dispenser including a plurality of housings is disclosed. The dispenser is mounted in the vicinity of the back side of the door. A plurality of hand shields are stored within each of the housings and each of the housings has an opening through which the shields are dispensed. A disposal passage extends from inside the enclosed area to outside the enclosed area and has an opening in the vicinity of the front side of the door. A receptacle is in communication with the disposal passage and has a vacuum source for collecting and housing used shields. In one embodiment the receptacle is mounted to the door. In another embodiment the receptacle is positioned at a location remote from the door.

The present invention is directed toward a hand shield to be used in a restroom and more particularly, toward a dispenser that provides the hand shields and a vacuum disposal system for disposing of used hand shields.
Germs are present on many surfaces, especially on door knobs or handles found in public restrooms, hospital rooms, doctors"" offices, and the like. While washing one""s hands is a common way to remove germs therefrom as well as to prevent the spread of germs, it is not always very effective. For example, after washing one""s hands in a public restroom, a person must exit the room which quite often requires the person to come into contact with a door knob. Thus, it is very likely that the hands that were just washed will again come in contact with germs.
There are patents that address this problem and have proposed solutions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,645 to Teaster discloses a glove-type of shield, a plurality of which may be stored in a dispenser and used in a public restroom so that a person may use the glove in order to open the door after washing his/her hands, thereby preventing the spread of germs. A problem with these gloves, however, is that there is no place to dispose of the used glove upon exiting the restroom.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,805 to Katsanevas addresses the disposal problem discussed above with regard to the patent to Teaster. Katsanevas discloses a towelette dispenser located on or near the door of a restroom so that the towelette may be used to open the door in order to prevent the spread of germs. The device also includes a collection bin into which used towelettes may be disposed. While this patent provides a solution to the problem of where to dispose of a used hand cover after the restroom door has been opened, the device appears to allow for some contact by the person""s clean hand with the collection bin or with other used towelettes, particularly if the bin has not been emptied in a timely manner and is overflowing.
Therefore, a need exists for a hand shield dispenser and disposal system that prevents the spread of germs in an effective manner.
The present invention is designed to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hand shield dispenser and disposal system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a vacuum disposal system for a used hand shield.
In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided the combination of a door for a generally enclosed area and a dispenser for storing hand shields comprising a door having a front side and a back side and a dispenser including a plurality of housings. The dispenser is mounted in the vicinity of the back side of the door and a plurality of hand shields are stored within each of the housings. Each of the housings has means for dispensing the shields. A disposal passage extends from inside the enclosed area to outside the enclosed area and has an opening in the vicinity of the front side of the door. A receptacle is in communication with the disposal passage and has a vacuum source located therein for collecting and housing used hand shields.

Hand shield dispenser and disposal system


A cleaning device 20 for cleaning a boat's deployed anchor chain 14, or for cleaning ropes, lines or similar items, and having: i) a generally O-shaped handle 21 having a central through opening 22 for permitting the user to grasp the handle 21, and at least two smaller through openings 24, 25 adjacent its opposite ends for permitting removable connection to a conventional boat hook 52 or to a retrieval line 26 and weight 29; ii) a pair of spaced, laterally projecting, generally cylindrical coaxial anchor chain guides 35, 36 rigidly secured to respective ones of the opposite ends of the handle 21, each having a longitudinally extending radial opening 39, 42 extending in different angular directions from the axis extending therethrough; and iii), a flexible, brush-like scrubbing medium 49, 50 bonded to the inner cylindrical surfaces of the anchor chain guides 35, 36 and having a plurality of cleaning bristles 50 extending radially inward towards, but terminating short of, the axis extending through the coaxial chain guides 35, 36. In the illustrative device 20, the scrubbing medium 49, 50 comprises a flexible grass-like polyethylene material consisting of a flexible backing 49 and a plurality of upright bristles 50 embedded therein. Reciprocation of the device while mounted on a deployed anchor chain 14 extending coaxially through the chain guides 35, 36 serves to clean the anchor chain 14.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to a cleaning device; and, more particularly, to a cleaning device adapted to clean a boat's deployed anchor chain, a rope or line, or similar item.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a cleaning device which is readily attached to, and detachable from, a boat's deployed anchor chain or the like in surrounding relation thereto; and, which can be reciprocated therealong beneath the surface of the water so as to scrub and clean the individual chain links prior to retrieval of the anchor and its anchor chain. To this end, the cleaning device of the present invention includes: i) a generally O-shaped handle having a central through opening for permitting the user to grasp the handle, and at least two smaller through openings adjacent its opposite ends for permitting removable connection to a conventional boat hook or to a nylon retrieval line and a weight; ii) a pair of spaced, laterally projecting, generally cylindrical, coaxial anchor chain guides rigidly secured to respective ones of the opposite ends of the handle, each having a longitudinally extending radial opening formed therein extending in different angular directions from the axis extending therethrough; and iii), a flexible, brush-like, scrubbing medium bonded to the inner cylindrical surfaces of the anchor chain guides and having a plurality of cleaning bristles extending radially inward towards the axis extending through the coaxial anchor chain guides.
In the illustrative form of the invention, the entire assembly is preferably formed of a rigid, light-weight, buoyant material having excellent wear-resistance characteristics such, for example, as polyethylene or polypropylene; and, consistent therewith, the brush-like scrubbing medium preferably comprises a simulated grass-like structure having a flexible plastic backing and a plurality of closely spaced, generally parallel, upstanding plastic bristles. A material that has proven particularly suitable for this purpose is ASTROTURF.RTM. and, more specifically, an ASTROTURF.RTM. product marketed as FLAIR.RTM. doormatting material--ASTROTURF and FLAIR are registered trademarks of Monsanto Company of St. Louis, Mo. Because all of the material employed is buoyant, cleaning devices made therefrom are highly advantageous when used in a marine environment since they will float if inadvertently dropped into the water during attachment to or removal from a boat's deployed anchor chain.
2. Background Art
The problems associated with retrieval of dirty fouled anchor chains is one of long standing and which has been found particularly vexing to boaters. Not only is a dirty fouled anchor chain slippery and difficult to handle manually, but, moreover, the mud, slime, seaweed and other materials tend to fleck off the anchor chain as it is retrieved, fouling the boat's hull, deck, chain locker, etc. requiring time-consuming cleanup procedures.
Because of this long standing problem, it has been proposed in Winsette U.S. Pat. No. 1,950,959 issued in 1934 to use an anchor chain scrubber fabricated from a weighted metal rod or the like to which are attached a pair of circular frames having scrubbing members formed of stiff straws, metal spines or other suitable scrubbing material detachably secured thereto by bolts, screws or the like. The circular frames are provided with longitudinally extending openings rotatively displaced one from the other so as to permit the anchor chain to be inserted therethrough. Since the scrubbing device is fabricated from, at least in substantial part, metal components, and since it is weighted at one end, it tends to sink below the surface of the water when attached to the anchor chain, and it can be pulled upwardly by means of a supporting line, lanyard, or chain so as to impart a reciprocating scrubbing action as the scrubber moves gravitationally downward and is pulled upward along the anchor chain. Unfortunately, however, the Winsette anchor chain scrubber has a number of disadvantages attributable to the metallic materials used in its assembly.. Thus, it is heavier than water and can easily be lost overboard during attempts to attach it to and/or remove it from the anchor chain. Additionally, the bolts and/or screws used to attach the scrubbing members are likely to score the anchor chain and/or the hull of the boat; and, the metal components are subject to corrosion and rust.
More recently, U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,432 issued to Arthur R. Cogswell has disclosed the use of a sinuous brush which can be attached to the hook end of a conventional boat hook with the brush being designed so that it twists around the anchor chain as it is reciprocated therealong by manual movement of the boat hook.
Other prior art patents of miscellaneous interest include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,791,330--Haddad [a sponge mounted on a hinged V-shaped support for cleaning boat stays]; 4,543,683--Goldman [a housing having an internal brush adapted to be moved along boat stays]; and, 4,542,555--Lundin [a device having radially collapsible fingers adapted to engage an oil covered rope for stripping the oil therefrom].


A method and apparatus may rapidly test applications by causing or simulating failures within nodes of a cloud computing system in support of both application and infrastructure testing. The method and system may support a variety of “attacks” including the ability to stop or freeze application servers, insert latency or drop packets between servers, constrain CPU or memory, and disable various software flows and applications. Rather than randomly inserting random failures or simulated failures into cloud-based computing system nodes to test their durability and the efficacy of particular applications or services that are executing within the system, the system and methods include a user interface for manually controlling the system attacks.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Testing distributed applications is often a time consuming and expensive process. In a cloud computing environment, testing often involves general stress tests, load and performance tests, functions test, data latency, browser performance, and compatibility. These tests lead to several challenges in a cloud computing environment. For example, merely writing tests to cover an adequate number of cases is costly and time consuming. Delivering services in a cloud environment and avoiding outages requires testing both inside and outside the application's datacenter. Likewise, simulating user activity from different geographic locations may only increase challenges to testing in a cloud computing environment.
Prior testing systems focused on randomized failures to test application functions. For example, Chaos Monkey is a testing service based on initiating random failures and is provided by Netflix of Los Gatos, Calif. This random testing service seeks out Auto Scaling Groups (ASGs) on the AWS platform and randomly terminates system node instances (i.e., virtual machines) in each group. Over time, this random approach may resolve most problems that a cloud-based application may face. However, random testing fails to account for some scenarios that are critical for proper application testing. In random testing systems, users cannot customize the type and timing of failure modes within their testing environment for particular intricacies of a cloud-provisioned application.

System and method for application failure testing in a cloud computing environment

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company


The invention provides a system for data access in a packet-switched network, including a sender/computer including an operating unit, a first memory, a permanent storage memory and a processor and a remote receiver/computer including an operating unit, a first memory, a permanent storage memory and a processor, the sender/computer and the receiver/computer communicating through the network; the sender/computer further including device for calculating digital digests on data; the receiver/computer further including a network cache memory and device for calculating digital digests on data in the network cache memory; and the receiver/computer and/or the sender/computer including device for comparison between digital digests. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for increased data access in a packet-switched network.

This application claims priority and is entitled to the filing date of Israeli application Ser. No. 126292 filed Sep. 18, 1998, and entitled xe2x80x9cSystem And Method For Data Access,xe2x80x9d and which describes the same invention as defined herein.
The present invention relates to data access in networks. Specifically, the invention is concerned with a method, system and apparatus for increasing the speed of data accessing in communication networks.
Many known applications and protocols provide means for caching and verifying of data transmitted via a network 2 (FIG. 1, prior art). Thus, a client (receiver) 4 caches data received from network 2 in cache 6. Then, when data from a remote server (sender) 8 is requested, it first searches its local cache. If the requested data is available in the cache and is verified to be valid, the client uses it, and transmission over the network is not required. Gateway or proxy caches 10 (FIG. 2, prior art) are able to operate in a similar manner.
The most well-known techniques are as follows:
1) In response to a request from a receiver, a sender attaches to the sent data an expiration time in absolute or relative form. The receiver, and possibly proxies, cache the data together with its request until the expiration time. Then the data is retrieved from the cache. In some cases, the receiver guesses the expiration time.
The problem associated with this technique is that the data entity can be changed before the expiration time, and the receiver would use an obsolete version of the data without even knowing it. Also, when the time has expired, the data will be resent, even if it is up to date.
2) In response to a request from a receiver, the sender attaches a validator to the sent data. The validator changes at least every time the data changes; in many cases, system time is used as the validator. The receiver, and possibly proxies, cache the data together with its request. When making the next request for the same data to the same sender, the receiver includes the validator. The sender keeps track of the data and resends it only if it were changed.
The problems associated with this technique are:
a) Data is cached according to requests and senders. If the same request is directed to different servers, cached data cannot be reused.
b) Requests without concrete data cannot be cached.
c) The sender must track the cached data, which is not always possible.
None of the prior art techniques discussed above provides means for transmitting minor differences in data. Additionally, if data is retrieved through a caching proxy, there is a danger that an unauthorized user will have access to the data.
It is therefore a broad object of the present invention to provide a method, system and apparatus for increasing the speed of data access in a packet-switched network.
Another object of the present invention is to decrease data traffic throughout the network.
Still another object of the present invention is to decrease the required cache size.
A yet further object of the present invention is to maintain accessed data integrity and to improve security.
The terms xe2x80x9cdataxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cdata objectxe2x80x9d as used herein refer to a file or range of octets in a file, a range of frames in a video stream or RAM-based range of octets, a transport level network packet, or the like.
The term xe2x80x9cdigital digestxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a fixed-size binary value calculated from arbitrary-size binary data in such a way that it depends only on the contents of the data and the low probability that two different data or objects have the same digital digest.
The term xe2x80x9cgatewayxe2x80x9d as used herein also includes network proxies and routers.
If a sender/computer in a network is required to send data to another receiver/computer, and the receiver/computer has data with the same digital digest as that of the data to be sent, it can be assumed with sufficient probability for most practical applications that the receiver/computer has data which is exactly the same as the data to be sent. Then, the receiver/computer can use the data immediately without its actual transfer through the network. In the present invention, this idea is used in a variety of ways.
In one embodiment of the invention, a sender/computer required to send data to a receiver/computer computer initially sends a digital digest of the data. If the receiver/computer already has data with the same digital digest, it uses this data as if it were actually transmitted from the sender/computer. Additionally, digital digests for other data objects can be sent together with the principal digest. If the receiver/computer cannot find data having the principal digest, it searches for data with one of these auxiliary digests. If such data is found, the sender/computer is required to send only the difference between the requested data object and the data object corresponding to the digest.
The expression xe2x80x9cdifference between a first data or data object and a second data or data objectxe2x80x9d as used herein means any bit sequence that enables the restoration of the first data, given the second data, the bit sequence and the method employed in calculating the difference.
The invention may be implemented in a gateway system. Such a system comprises a gateway computer connected to a packet-switched network in such a way that network packets sent between at least two other computers pass through it; a caching computer connected to the gateway computer, the caching computer having a network cache memory in its permanent storage memory, means for calculating a digital digest on the data it stores and means for comparison between a digital digest calculated on data in its network cache memory and a digital digest received from the packet-switched network by the gateway computer. When this system intercepts an indication signal other than a positive indication signal for a certain digital digest from a receiver/computer computer, if it has data with the same digest, it sends this data to the receiver/computer.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a client computer sends to a server computer a request including digital digests. A sender/computer forming a response then searches for data with the same digital digests as those received. If the digest of the data in the response equals one of the received digests, the server only sends confirmation. If the digest of another data is identical to one of the received digests, only the difference(s) between these data is sent.
In accordance with the present invention, there is therefore provided a system for data access in a packet-switched network, comprising a sender/computer including an operating unit, a first memory, a permanent storage memory and a processor and a remote receiver/computer including an operating unit, a first memory, a permanent storage memory and a processor, said sender/computer and said receiver/computer communicating through said network; said sender/computer further including means for calculating digital digests on data; said receiver/computer further including a network cache memory and means for calculating digital digests on data in said network cache memory; and said receiver/computer and/or said sender/computer including means for comparison between digital digests.
The invention also provides a system for data access in a packet-switched network, comprising a gateway computer including an operating unit, a memory and a processor connected to said packet-switched network in such a way that network packets sent between at least two other computers pass through it; a caching computer including an operating unit, a first memory, a permanent storage memory and a processor connected to said gateway computer through a fast local network; said caching computer further including a network cache memory in its permanent storage memory, means for calculating a digital digest on data stored therein and means for comparison between a digital digest calculated on data in its network cache memory and a digital digest received from said packet-switched network through said gateway computer.
In addition, the invention provides a system for data access in a packet-switched network, comprising a sender/computer including an operating unit, a first memory, a permanent storage memory and a processor and a remote receiver/computer including an operating unit, a first memory, a permanent storage memory and a processor, said sender/computer and said receiver/computer communicating through a network; said sender/computer further including means for calculating digital digests on data, and said receiver/computer further including a network cache memory, means for storing a digital digest received from said network in its permanent storage memory and means for comparison between digital digests.
The invention further provides a method performed by a sender/computer in a packet-switched network for increasing data access, said sender/computer including an operating unit, a first memory, a permanent storage memory and a processor and said sender/computer being operative to transmit data to a receiver/computer, the method comprising the steps of transmitting a digital digest of said data from said sender/computer to said receiver/computer; receiving a response signal from said receiver/computer at said sender/computer, said response signal containing a positive, partial or negative indication signal for said digital digest, and if a negative indication signal is received, transmitting said data from said sender/computer to said receiver/computer.
The invention still further provides a method for increasing data access performed by a sender/computer in a packet-switched network, said sender/computer including an operating unit, a first memory, a permanent storage memory and a processor and said sender/computer being operative to transmit principal data to a receiver/computer, said method comprising the steps of transmitting digital digests of said principal data and of one or more auxiliary data from said sender/computer to said receiver/computer; receiving a response signal at said sender/computer from said receiver/computer, said response signal containing a positive, negative or partial indication signal, and if a partial indication signal is received, said sender/computer transmitting a signal constituting the difference between said principal data and corresponding auxiliary data.
The invention yet further provides a method for increased data access performed by a receiver/computer in a packet-switched network, said receiver/computer including an operating unit, a first memory, a permanent storage memory, a processor and a network cache memory, said method comprising the steps of receiving a message containing a digital digest from said network; searching for data with the same digital digest in said network cache memory, and if data having the same digital digest as the digital digest received is not uncovered, forming a negative indication signal and transmitting it back through said network.
Still further, the invention provides a method for increased data access performed by a receiver/computer in a packet-switched network, said receiver/computer including an operating unit, a first memory, a permanent storage memory, a processor and a network cache memory, said method comprising the steps of receiving a message containing a digital digest from said network; searching for data with the same digital digest in said network cache memory, and if data having the same digital digest as the digital digest received is uncovered, forming a positive indication signal and transmitting it back through said network.
In addition, the invention provides a method for increased data access performed by a receiver/computer in a packet-switched network, said receiver/computer including an operating unit, a first memory, a permanent storage memory, a processor and a network cache memory, said method comprising the steps of receiving a message containing a principal digital digest and one or more auxiliary digital digests from said network; searching in predetermined locations in said permanent storage memory for data with a digital digest substantially identical to said principal digital digest; searching in predetermined locations in said permanent storage memory for data with a digital digest substantially identical to one of said auxiliary digital digests; and if data having the same digital digest as one of said auxiliary digital digests received is uncovered, forming a partial indication signal and transmitting it back through said network.
Yet further, the invention provides a method for increased data access performed by a computer system in a packet-switched network, said computer system including a network cache memory and being operationally interposed between a sender/computer and a receiver/computer so that data packets sent between said sender/computer and said receiver/computer are delivered through said computer system; said method comprising the steps of intercepting a message containing a digital digest transmitted from said sender/computer to said receiver/computer, and transmitting data with a digital digest substantially identical to the digital digest received from said sender/computer to said receiver/computer.
In addition, the invention provides a method for increased data access performed by a computer system in a packet-switched network, said computer system including a network cache memory and being operationally interposed between a sender/computer and a receiver/computer so that data packets sent between said sender/computer and said receiver/computer are delivered through said computer system; said method comprising the steps of intercepting a message containing a digital digest transmitted from said sender/computer to said receiver/computer; intercepting a message containing an indication signal other than a positive indication signal transmitted from said receiver/computer to said sender/computer in response to said message containing a digital digest, and transmitting data with a digital digest substantially identical to the digital digest received from said sender/computer to said receiver/computer.
Additionally, the invention provides a method for increased data access performed by a client computer in a packet-switched network, said client computer including an operating unit, a first memory and a processor, said method comprising the steps of sending a request for data from said client computer to a server, said request containing digital digests for different data; said server preparing a response to said request, searching for data with a digital digest substantially identical to one of the digital digests received in said request, and producing the difference between said response and the uncovered data.
Finally, the invention provides apparatus for increased data access in a packet-switched network, comprising a computer connected to said packet-switched network, including an operating unit, a first memory, a permanent storage memory, a processor and a network cache memory; means for calculating digital digests of data in said network cache memory; means for comparison between digital digests, and means for sending the results of comparison between a digital digest received from another computer in said network and a digital digest calculated on data in said network cache memory back to said other computer.
The invention will now be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments with reference to the following illustrative figures so that it may be more fully understood.