Systems and methods are provided for cell prioritization. Methods involve monitoring resource usage on a first cell and comparing the monitored resource usage on the first cell to a predetermined threshold. The method additionally includes receiving a connection request from a hybrid wireless device capable of communicating using the first RAT and the second RAT and assigning the hybrid wireless device to the second cell when the monitored resource usage on the first cell meets the predetermined threshold.

A wireless network, such as a cellular network, can include an access node (e.g., base station) serving multiple wireless devices or user equipment (UE) in a geographical area covered by a radio frequency transmission provided by the access node. As technology has evolved, different carriers within the cellular network may utilize different types of radio access technologies (RATs). RATs can include, for example, 3G RATs (e.g., GSM, CDMA etc.), 4G RATs (e.g., WiMax, long term evolution (LTE), etc.), and 5G new radio (NR). Deployment of the evolving RATs in a network provides numerous benefits. For example, newer RATs may provide additional resources to subscribers, faster communications speeds, and other advantages. However, newer technologies may also have limited range in comparison to existing technologies. To ensure consistent coverage through a wide geographic range, existing technologies such as 4G are often used in combination with newer technologies such as 5G NR.
Wireless devices or user equipment (UE) implemented in the network may be capable of using one or more of the RATs implemented in the network. For example, some wireless devices are configured to use 4G LTE, but are not capable of using 5G NR. Other wireless devices are capable of using both 4G LTE and 5G NR RATs. The wireless devices may be equipped with different chipsets in order to communicate using a particular technology. Accordingly, while networks have evolved to accommodate multiple RATs, not all wireless devices communicating within the networks are capable of utilizing all available technologies.
The 5G NR standard offers the possibility of adapting to existing LTE deployments and sharing a previously dedicated LTE spectrum. Network operators tend to deploy their 5G networks using (1) dedicated spectrum resources for NR; (2) Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS); or (3) hybrid using both dedicated and DSS-NR cells. Thus, in the first instance of dedicated spectrum resources, when multiple RATs are used in combination, access nodes may utilize different frequency bands for deploying different RATs over a wireless air interface. For example, when a 5G RAT is used in combination with a 4G RAT, frequency band 25 may be utilized for the 4G RAT and frequency band 41 may be utilized for the 5G RAT. In the second instance, DSS allows 5G NR and 4G LTE to coexist while using the same spectrum through the deployment of both 4G LTE and 5G NR in the same frequency band. In the third instance or hybrid mode, DSS may be utilized in combination with dedicated NR resources. Thus, the third instance employs both dedicated NR cells and combined DSS-NR cells.
While the hybrid deployment mode has numerous advantages, problems also exist in this configuration. For example, in networks implementing the hybrid deployment scenario, a combined DSS-NR cell may become congested with both LTE and NR traffic. In contrast, the dedicated NR cell may be under-utilized serving a single type of traffic, e.g., NR traffic.
Accordingly, a solution is needed for managing the dedicated cells in order to mitigate congestion in combined cells such that performance impacts for wireless devices using all available technologies are minimized.
Overview
Exemplary embodiments described herein include systems, methods, and access nodes for prioritizing dedicated cells in a network using a hybrid DSS approach. In embodiments set forth herein, a method includes multiple steps. The method includes monitoring resource usage on a first cell accommodating a first RAT and a second RAT. The method additionally includes determining that the monitored resource usage on the first cell meets a predetermined threshold. Further steps include identifying a hybrid wireless device capable of communicating using the first RAT and the second RAT and assigning the hybrid wireless device to a second cell dedicated to the first RAT when the monitored resource usage on the first cell meets the predetermined threshold.
In additional embodiments, a method is provided that includes utilizing a hybrid deployment scenario to deploy a first cell accommodating a first RAT and a second RAT and a second cell dedicated to the first RAT. The method additionally includes monitoring resource usage on the first cell and comparing the monitored resource usage on the first cell to a predetermined threshold. The method additionally includes receiving a connection request from a hybrid wireless device capable of communicating using the first RAT and the second RAT and assigning the hybrid wireless device to the second cell when the monitored resource usage on the first cell meets the predetermined threshold.
In a further embodiment, an access node is provided. The access node includes a processor programmed to perform multiple operations. The operations include monitoring resource usage on a first cell accommodating a first RAT and a second RAT and determining that the monitored resource usage on the first cell meets a predetermined threshold. The operations further include identifying a hybrid wireless device capable of communicating using the first RAT and the second RAT and assigning the hybrid wireless device to a second cell dedicated to the first RAT when the monitored resource usage on the first cell meets the predetermined threshold.
Further, in embodiments set forth herein, the first cell and the second cell have overlapping coverage areas. Additionally, the first cell may be deployed as a dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) cell utilizing the first RAT and the second RAT in a same frequency band.

Method and system for cell prioritization


A flexible tow hook assembly for a vehicle. That assembly generally includes a front rail enclosing an inner region, a through-bolt assembly, and a cable. The through-bolt passes through and secured to the front rail section, and a support structure provides structural support to the front rail at an area where the through bolt is secured to the same. The cable is substantially flexible and a tie area is attached to the cable to form a figure-eight. The cable has a smaller loop, extending around the through-bolt, and a larger loop extending from the end of the front rail. The through-bolt may extend through the front rail vertically or horizontally. The support structure may be provided by an overlap area where rail members overlap, or by mounting plates secured to the surface of the front rail at the position where the through bolt extends through the same.

This application generally relates to accessories for vehicles, and more particularly to towing devices for vehicles.
Motor vehicles such as pick-up trucks typically have one or more tow hooks attached to their structure at suitable locations for towing purposes. Most often, tow hooks are mounted on the vehicle's front rail and extend through an aperture in the vehicle's bumper to project outwards. Some arrangements have tow hooks projecting from beneath the bumper in order to retain the vehicle's outer aesthetics. Tow hooks themselves are usually formed from solid material, such as steel. Typical shapes are hooks, lunettes, or elongated D's.
Conventional tow hook assemblies include one or more solid steel attachment devices, along with fasteners, shaped to receive a tow hook and attached to the vehicle's front rail. That structure strengthens the front rail locally, but it undesirably affects the vehicle during a crash event. Ideally, a vehicle is structured to absorb a crash impact in a predictable, progressive manner, following a pattern in which structural deformation starts at the vehicle's front, and progressively crumpling subsequent rearward. Adding a tow hook assembly to the front rail reduces the crushable zone and may require additional design actions to maintain planned crumpling during a front crash event.
In addition, the tow hook attachment may result in a longer vehicle, which may become a challenge when parking in tighter parking spaces. Vehicle storage may also prove difficult.
Another difficulty with conventional tow hook design arises in positioning standard sensors to a vehicle exterior. More particularly, as sensor systems, such as parking assist systems, have standard configuration and installation procedures, which may not accommodate differing tow hook designs and arrangements.
Thus, the art has yet to provide a tow hook assembly that allows for convenient towing and while also optimizing the vehicle's ability to absorb the crash energy.


A management device (100) for use in an access network (10, 19, 20, 30, 40, 100) including a plurality of data connections (18, 19, 20) between end user devices (10) and an aggregation transceiver device (20) where the connections (18, 19, 20) are aggregated for onward connection through the access network (20, 30,40), the access network storing in association with each data connection a Dynamic Line Management, DLM, profile which specifies a set of values for a plurality of parameters associated with the respective data connection, together with a stability level specifying a desired level of stability for the data connection. The device comprises means for receiving monitoring data specifying the stability of each respective data connection over a predetermined period of time; means for selecting a DLM profile to be applied to the connection in dependence on both the monitoring data and the stored stability level associated with the data connection; and means for requesting an OSS system of the access network to apply the selected profile to the data connection.

Dynamic Line Management (DLM) is a technique for improving the stability of DSL connections. It is particularly useful when operating DSL connections at close to their maximum speed, because under these conditions external noise affecting the transmitted signal can cause the transceivers to be unable to successfully recover the signal to be transmitted with sufficient reliability to enable the connection to be maintained. If this occurs, the connection needs to be re-established. This is referred to as a re-synch and the user notices a temporary loss of service while the connection is re-established. Re-synchs are generally found to be particularly annoying by end users.
DLM seeks to minimise such re-synchs by automatically analysing DSL connections (especially the rate of occurrence of re-synchs) and varying certain parameters which can affect the likelihood of re-synchs occurring (for example the depth of interleaving, the amount of redundancy built into the encoding used, etc.). Typically, this is done by using a number of different profiles having various different sets of values for the parameters most likely to have an impact on the stability or otherwise of a DSL connection and moving a particular connection between different profiles until a profile is found which has an acceptable stability. The profiles are applied at the local exchange (sometimes referred to—especially in the USA—as the central office) usually within a piece of equipment known as a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) which houses a number of DSL transceiver units as is well known in the art.
Typically, the profiles are conceptually able to be thought of as ranging between more aggressive and less aggressive, where the more aggressive profiles tend to provide better services to the user (in terms of especially higher bit rates and lower latencies) but are more likely to result in the line being unstable, whereas less aggressive profiles tend to offer lower bit rates and/or latencies but greater stabilities.
An Alcatel Technology White Paper entitled "Dynamic Line Management for Digital Subscriber Lines" discusses DLM and suggests in overview an implementation in which there is a Validation Phase and an Operations phase. In the validation phase a connection is monitored fairly intensively to identify an appropriate profile for the line and thereafter it is monitored less intensively to ensure that the originally selected profile continues to remain valid. This paper also mentions that operators define "a set of policies for each service class"; this implies that different service classes may have different possible profiles between which they may transition. Thus, for example, for a service class associated with streaming video to an end user, the operator may enforce interleaving since there is rarely a need for a very low delay, but reliability is important to maintain a good quality picture. Furthermore, very high bandwidth is also often not required and so the operator may take away very low margin profiles as an option for such a service class (even where a line might be able to support them).
Co-pending European patent application No. 07250428.5 describes an earlier DLM solution devised by the present applicants in which very unstable data connections are detected in an efficient manner and corrective action is taken within a relatively short period of time whilst data connections which are not very unstable are monitored and transitioned between different profiles based on more thorough monitoring over a longer time-scale.
US published patent application No. 2006/0198430 describes a DLM solution in which various rules such as transition matrices are used to determine under what circumstances a transition should be made from one profile to another.
All of the DLM solutions known to the present applicants are able to set various parameters in order to try to maintain the lines at what is deemed to be an acceptable level of stability. However, the present inventors have now realised that this results in an inflexible solution which is less than optimally suited to an access network in which different DSL connections may be used for different purposes.

British Telecommunications public limited company


According to one embodiment, a membrane filtration system includes a raw water tank, a pretreatment membrane module, a raw water feed line, a high-pressure RO membrane module, a high-pressure line, a preceding power recovery unit which pressurize the pretreated water by transmitting the pressure of the concentrate to the pretreated water, a succeeding power recovery unit which pressurize the raw water by transmitting a remaining pressure of the concentrate to the raw water, a concentrate discharge line, a first pressure transmission line communicating to the power recovery unit by being branched from the high-pressure line, a second pressure transmission line communicating to the power recovery unit by being branched from the raw water feed line, and a valve provided in the drain line to regulate a discharge of the concentrate from the power recovery unit in accordance with a pressure loss in the pretreatment membrane module.

In the field of water treatment, membrane filtration by a reverse osmosis membrane module is used as a method of obtaining domestic water, industrial water, and agricultural water from brackish water, sea water, ground water, landfill leachate, industrial wastewater and the like containing a solute such as ions and salts. The reverse osmosis membrane (RO membrane) is a membrane having a property of allowing water molecules to pass through, but does not allow impurities such as ions and salts to pass through and separates water from solutes by a pressure equal to or more than the osmotic pressure in accordance with the solute density being applied thereto. A membrane filtration system that uses such an RO membrane provides pretreatment to remove insoluble components such as turbidity, algae, and microbes contained in the intake sea water before desalination by passing the sea water through an RO membrane module. The sand filtration in which sea water is caused to permeate through a sand filled layer is commonly used for the pretreatment. However, if an attempt is made to obtain clearer pretreated water to maintain permeation performance of an RO membrane module, the sand filtration has low clarification performance and is not effective.
As an effective pretreatment method in a water treatment system, a membrane module having a microfiltration membrane (MF membrane) and/or an ultrafiltration membrane (UF membrane) is used.
In a conventional system, however, if a membrane module such as an MF membrane or UF membrane is used for pretreatment of an RO membrane module, a pressure pump to feed sea water to the MF membrane/UF membrane module (pretreatment membrane module) by applying pressure is further needed. Thus, power costs of the added pressure pump are further added to a system that uses a membrane module for pretreatment and therefore, compared with a system that uses the sand filtration for pretreatment, power costs become higher, increasing total operation costs.


An active patch panel uses small form factor plus (SFP+) connectivity with a plurality of channels extending between first and second faces of the panel. The channels connect ports on the opposing faces of the panel and are provided with additional electronic elements, such as an equalizer, a clock data recovery element, and a pre-emphasis element. A controller can be connected to the plurality of channels to provide instructions for simultaneous equalization and pre-emphasis of a plurality of cable assemblies in the same channel.

Converged Enhanced Ethernet (CEE) is the term used to describe a set of enhancements to Ethernet that are being developed within the industry and standards bodies. CEE will allow Ethernet to better handle different classes of traffic in the data center, as well as eliminating the risk of packet loss during transmission. These enhancements allow Ethernet to meet the needs not only of the existing Ethernet network portion of the data center but also the storage side by introducing a new protocol called the Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE). FCoE can be deployed without disrupting the legacy Ethernet network. It supports I/O consolidation of Ethernet and storage traffic at the rack level, reducing the number of adapters, cables, switches and transceivers that each server must support, while protecting the investment in existing Ethernet infrastructure.
Even though Ethernet is the dominant data communications standard today, due to early limitations on storage networking in the Ethernet standard, Fiber Channel (FC) is the widely used protocol for storage area networks (SANs). Therefore, servers in the datacenter require connections to both Ethernet and FC networks where data must be ensured to flow seamlessly. The current practice in data centers enables this seamless flow by the use of separate adapter cards, cables and switches, all leading to increased costs. FCoE attempts to solve this problem by encapsulating FC frames within an Ethernet frame and hence defining a new FCoE frame type. This encapsulation is shown conceptually in FIG. 1. Converged traffic is supported between the servers (which have converged network adapters (CNAs)) and an FCoE switch, and separated out on the uplink side of the switch to either the Ethernet or storage areas of the data center.
The current state of the art in these types of deployment are point-to-point connections between the servers and the FCoE switch using small form-factor pluggable plus (SFP+) copper interconnects predominantly in a top-of-rack (TOR) configuration, though end-of-row (FOR), and/or middle-of-row (MOR) configurations are utilized in the data center. The reason these copper cables are used in a point to point fashion has to do with the required electrical performance. The cables could not meet these performance requirements if they were used in a structured cabling environment (where the passive patch panels would be used). Although structured cabling is greatly preferred over point to point configurations, these performance requirements are a barrier to the adoption of structured cabling. Additionally, due to cable reach limitations of SFP+ copper interconnects (˜7-10 m for passive cables and possibly up to 20 m for active cables), these configurations limit the reach of EOR/TOR/MOR deployment, forcing the addition of more switches. There are no solutions available in the market today to extend the reaches of SFP+ copper interconnects either in point-to-point or point-to-multipoint connections without the use of switches. Switches are relatively expensive hardware; further, installation labor costs, and also extensive reconfiguration (moves, adds and changes: MACs) labor costs add to the overall expense.
In high performance network applications (e.g., 10 Gbps (gigabit per second) Ethernet), SFP+ style connectivity is preferred due to its small form factor allowing high density port switches to be implemented. It is preferred over 10 G BASE-T media primarily because of the power dissipation required for this style media and associated latency. It is also preferred over other 10 Gbps implementations that rely on parallel transmission such as CX4, InfiniBand, or PCI Express. SFP+ connectivity employs a serial transmission of 10 Gbps which requires many fewer I/O pins and thereby allows for greater density in connected hardware. Previously, only optical based SFP+ connectivity has been used. Recently copper-based SFP+ connectivity has been of interest due to the low cost of this media type, and because it utilizes the same mechanical interface as the optical SFP+ interface. A disadvantage of copper-based SFP+ media is the cable length limitation. The cable length limit is on the order of approximately 7-10 m for a passive cable. Systems require that some interconnects go beyond 10 m, and this causes a problem for SFP+ copper based media implementation.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such examples are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.


For performing the coincidence detection between data stored in a memory and comparison data supplied from an external at a high speed, the positive data of a memory 1a is transmitted to a positive sense amplifier 2-1, the negative data is transmitted to a negative sense amplifier, and comparison data 5 and the inverted data thereof are respectively inputted as activating signals of the positive and negative sense amplifiers to an activating circuit. Due to the comparison data, the output of the non-activated sense amplifier always becomes "H". On the other hand, the activated sense amplifier senses and outputs its input potential. The output signals of these sense amplifiers are inputted to a coincidence signal outputting circuit to determine a coincidence signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit, and more particularly to a data comparing device for inspecting data stored in a storage device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In FIG. 16 there is illustrated a conventional data comparing device where a single sense amplifier is provided with respect to a single input data. In the illustration, numeral 1 represents a memory, 1a designates a memory cell for keeping data, 1b depicts a bit line, 1c denotes a bit line (opposition), and 1d is a word line. The data of the memory cell 1a is bidirectionally readable through the respective bit lines 1b and 1c, and the same data read through the bit lines 1b and 1c are in the inverted relation to each other. Further, numeral 2 represents a sense amplifier for sensing the contents of the memory 1, and 2a, 2b respectively indicate input terminals of the sense amplifier 2, i.e., a positive terminal and a negative terminal. In addition, numeral 3 is a sense signal for activating the sense amplifier 2, 4 designates an output terminal of the sense amplifier 2, 6 depicts an output signal of the sense amplifier 2, and 7 denotes an inversion circuit (inverter).
In operation, difficulty is encountered to directly determine the kind (L or H) of the stored data within the memory cell 1a because of a micropotential. Thus, the data is amplified by a sense amplifier. The description will be made hereinbelow in terms of the case that "H" is stored in the memory cell 1a. First, in response to the word line 1d being activated, the content of the memory cell 1a is read out, and "H" is transmitted to the bit line 1b and "L" is transmitted to the bit line 1c. When the sense signal 3 is activated, the sense amplifier 2 decides the "H" level of the bit line 1b and the "L" level of the bit line 1c to output the decision result to the sense amplifier output terminal 4 so that the output signal 6 indicates "H". In the case of requirement of a positive output, the following logic circuit directly derives the output signal 6, and in the case of requirement of a negative output, it derives the output of the inversion circuit 7.
FIG. 17 shows a circuit arrangement where two sense amplifiers are provided. A description will be made hereinbelow only in terms of the different portions between the FIG. 17 circuit arrangement and the FIG. 16 circuit arrangement. The left-side sense amplifier 2 is for deriving the positive output signal and the right-side sense amplifier 2 is for deriving the negative output signal. That is, the left and right output signals 6 are directly derived so as to obtain positive and negative outputs.
In the case that a single sense amplifier 2 is used as illustrated in FIG. 16, in response to the requirement of the opposed output signal (inverted signal) in the following logic circuit, the output signal of the sense amplifier 2 is inverted by the inversion circuit 7 so as to obtain an inverted signal. There is a problem which arises with such an arrangement, however, in that the time is lengthened by an amount corresponding to the operation of the inversion circuit 7 so as to cause the memory access to be delayed as a whole. On the other hand, in the case that two sense amplifiers are used as illustrated in FIG. 17, since the left-side sense amplifier 2 for the positive output signal and the right-side sense amplifier 2 for the negative output signal simultaneously operate, the current value for the left and right-side amplifiers 2 doubles.

Memory circuit with dual sense amplifier and amplifier control circuitry


This invention relates generally to a nock assembly that is illuminated and more particularly to a nock assembly that has a power source that is removable from the nock assembly for use with an electrically conductive arrow shaft having a nock, illumination member, conductor, and a power source. The illumination member and conductor are in electrical communication with the power source. The power source is in removable engagement with the nock. The principle use is for archers however other applications will benefit from this invention. For example, emergency locators and outdoor lighting displays will benefit from this invention.

Archer's equipment, such as, nocks and arrows are being designed to provide archers the ability to track the flight of the arrow. The ability to track the flight of an arrow allows adjustments to be made to the equipment being used and also understand arrow dynamics. Illumination of the archer's nock and/or arrow provides visual feedback to the archer with respect to balance, bow string alignment, and the like. Having this feedback allows the archer to adjust his equipment based on the flight of the arrow. In the field, the archer using illuminated nock and/or arrow will receive immediate feedback with regard to wind dynamics, obstacles, and the like. Having this feedback in the field allows archers to make modifications that increase their ability to hit the desired target.
One problem with previous lighted nock designs relate to longevity and useful life of the nock assembly. In particular, the power source typically used with lighted nock assemblies are optimized to be light weight, i.e. smaller, to overcome weight issues that may affect the flight of the arrow and robustness of the nock assembly upon impact of the arrow. A light weight power source may leads to a minimum operating life of the lighted nock and frequent replacement of the entire lighted nock assembly
Another problem inherent with illuminated nock and/or arrow is that the weight of the components required that provide illumination of the nock and/or arrow adversely affect the devices robustness. It has been found that excessive forces acting on an arrow and its illuminating component upon release, during flight and on impact may adversely affect its operation and useful life. The importance of reducing complexity and weight to minimize those forces is paramount. It is for these reasons that emphasis has been placed over the past several years on new designs for manufacturing an illuminated nock and/or arrow capable of withstanding higher arrow velocities generated by technological advances in an archer's equipment, while minimizing affect on accuracy.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.

Arrow switched lighted arrow nock assembly


In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes at least one processor. The processor may include a reset vector base address register configured to store a reset vector address for the processor. Responsive to a reset, the processor may be configured to capture a reset vector address on an input, updating the reset vector base address register. Upon release from reset, the processor may initiate instruction execution at the reset vector address. The integrated circuit may further include a logic circuit that is coupled to provide the reset vector address. The logic circuit may include a register that is programmable with the reset vector address. More particularly, in an embodiment, the register may be programmable via a write operation issued by the processor (e.g. a memory-mapped write operation). Accordingly, the reset vector address may be programmable in the integrated circuit, and may be changed from time to time.

Field of the Invention
This invention is related to processors and, more particularly, to resetting processors and vectoring after reset.
Description of the Related Art
Processors are generally used in digital systems of various types to control other hardware in the system and to execute software to provide desired functionality for the user. When the digital system is first powered on, typically the processor is reset via assertion of a reset signal to the processor. The reset causes the processor to initialize to a known state from which execution can begin. The processor can then be released from reset. In response to the release from reset, the processor can begin instruction execution beginning at a known address. The known address is referred to as the reset vector address, or more briefly the reset vector. Instructions stored at the reset vector address can be executed to initialize the processor resources, various other hardware resources in the system, etc. One or more instructions that are executable by a processor to perform a task or tasks are collectively referred to as code, or a program, in this description.
Originally, the reset vector address was hardwired in the processors. While the hardwiring of the reset vector address provides predictability and simplicity, the hardwiring is inflexible. Different systems may be more amendable to having the reset vector at different addresses. To address this, some processors are configured to receive a reset vector address on an input to the processor. The input is hardwired in the system to be the reset vector address that is desired by that particular system. While the processor is more flexible for use in different systems, a given system is still required to have a hardwired reset vector address.

Persistent relocatable reset vector for processor


A first network device may configure a first bridge connecting a passive optical network (PON) controller and first optical line terminals (OLTs) of the first network device. The first network device may be associated with a PON and each of the first OLTs may be connected to a first plurality of optical network units (ONUs). The first network device may establish a connection between the first bridge and a second bridge of a second network device. The second network device is associated with the PON, the second bridge may connect with second OLTs of the second network device, and each of the second OLTs may connect to a second plurality of ONUs. The PON controller of first network device may receive traffic from a PON domain manager and may provide the traffic to the first OLTs and the first plurality of ONUs via the first bridge.

A passive optical network (PON) is a fiber-optic telecommunications technology for delivering network access to end users. A PON implements a point-to-multipoint topology, in which a single optical fiber serves multiple endpoints by using unpowered (e.g., passive) fiber optic network devices (e.g., splitters) to divide the fiber bandwidth among multiple access points.

Supporting optical line terminals of a passive optical network


A component, such as a submersible motor, having a lubrication distribution system. The component includes an outer housing having a rotatable shaft disposed within the housing. The shaft is supported by one or more bearings and a lubricant is disposed within the housing. A conduit is provided for conducting a lubricant from the lubricant pump to desired locations, such as the one or more bearings.

The present invention relates generally to completions utilized in subterranean locations, and particularly to a lubrication system that may be used with components, e.g. a submersible motor, of a submersible pumping system.
Production systems, such as electric submersible pumping systems, are utilized in pumping oil and/or other production fluids from producing wells. A typical electric submersible pumping system includes various components, such as a submersible motor, motor protector and a pump, e.g. a centrifugal pump. Additionally, a variety of other components may be combined with the system to facilitate the production of the desired fluid. Many of these components, such as the submersible motor, have moving parts that are subject to wear and require or benefit from lubrication.
A typical submersible motor, for example, often contains several bearing surfaces that are lubricated. With the submersible motor, a motor oil is used both to facilitate cooling of the motor and lubrication of the various surfaces benefiting from application of the motor oil. In some applications, however, it can be difficult to maintain uniform, consistent and plentiful application of the lubricant to certain surfaces, such as bearing surfaces.
The present invention relates to a technique for lubricating desired surfaces within certain components utilized in the movement of fluids. For example, the technique is readily adaptable to use with submersible motors and is designed to deliver a lubricating fluid to desired surfaces within the component.

Lubrication system for downhole application


A display panel drive device includes: a ring counter circuit that includes a first ring counter having a plurality of flipflops connected in cascade, configured to operate in synchronization with a first clock signal with a first-stage one of the plurality of flipflops being set by an initial signal, and outputs signals using outputs of the plurality of flipflops; a shift register having a plurality of flipflops connected in cascade, configured to operate in synchronization with a second clock signal lower in frequency than the first clock signal with a first-stage one of the plurality of flipflops being set by the initial signal; and an output section configured to perform a logical operation between one of outputs of the ring counter circuit and one of outputs of the shift register, to generate a scanning line drive signal for a display panel.

The present disclosure relates to a display panel drive device, and more particularly to generation of scanning line drive signals for a display panel.
In recent years, display panels such as plasma display panels, liquid crystal display panels, and electroluminescence panels have been used in many electronic apparatuses. In particular, high-definition display panels having 1,000 or more scanning lines are used in digital TV apparatuses.
In general, in a display panel, a frame is displayed by driving scanning lines sequentially. The sequential driving of scanning lines can be achieved using a shift register that includes the number of flipflops equal to the number of scanning lines. When such a shift register is applied to a digital TV apparatus, however, 1,000 or more flipflops will be necessary, and this will increase the circuit scale and cost of a display panel drive device. To solve this problem, arrangement is made to drive two scanning lines by one flipflop, thereby halving the total number of flipflops required (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-132203, for example).
In the conventional technique described above, although the total number of flipflops can be halved, it is still necessary to provide 500 or more flipflops. Moreover, when the definition of display panels becomes higher and higher in future, the number of flipflops required will continue to increase, and thus the circuit scale will become increasingly larger.
In view of the problem described above, it is an objective of the present disclosure to provide a display panel drive device small in circuit area.


The present invention provides an image recording material as well as a protective film and an image display material using the same, the image recording material comprising at least: a transparent substrate; an image-receiving layer for forming an image by an electrophotographic system and disposed on one side of the substrate; and a function controlling means disposed on the other side of the substrate; wherein the image-receiving layer include a polyester resin which comprises a structural unit represented by the structural formula (I) and which has a number average molecular weight of 12,000 to 45,000:

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image recording material having an image formed (recorded) by an image-forming device in an electrophotographic system and an image display material using said image recording material.
2. Description of the Related Art
As image-forming techniques have been developed in recent years, methods of forming images of similar qualitiy inexpensively in large amounts by various printing methods such as intaglio printing, letterpress printing, planographic printing, gravure printing and screen printing are known. In particular, screen-printing can highly accurately produce printed materials (commodities) of highly sophisticated design, such as displays or membrane switches for household appliances, various labels, the clock faces, outdoor signboards, posters and scarves. It is assumed that these printed materials are used not only in ordinary indoor environments (office environments) but also outdoors, and thus there is demand for high heat resistance at a temperature of about 100xc2x0 C. and high light resistance to sunlight (mainly UV rays). Accordingly, when printed materials to be used outdoors are formed by screen printing, a pigment-based ink excellent in heat resistance and light resistance so as not to deteriorate the qualities of images at a temperature of about 100xc2x0 C. for several hundreds hours or in a light resistance testing machine such as a sunshine meter or a fade meter for several hundreds hours is selected and used, in consideration of the fact that the printed materials are to be used under UV rays or sunrays.
Screen printing requires many printing plates in accordance with the number of images to be printed, and color printing requires additional printing plates in accordance with the number of colors. In particular, printed materials of highly sophisticated design are required often in a small number of different forms (production of a small number of different kinds of printed materials) so that the printing plates must be remade every time shapes of the pointed materials change, or the printing plates are changed to cope with a different number of printed materials, thus requiring a large number of different kinds of printing plates. Accordingly, the production of printed materials of highly sophisticated design by screen printing has a problem, in that storage and handling of a large number of printing plates require a lot of trouble and time.
In the screen printing process, organic solvents and the like are contained in the ink, so that not only the influence of the organic soluvents on the human body but also environmental pollution should be taken into consideration. Further, drying of these organic solvents requires enormous energy and time for drying, and causes a reduction in productivity. In order to utilize the printing plate repeatedly, the printing plate must be washed, thus requiring a large amount of organic solvents for the washing. When the printing plate is replaced, a screen printing head stained with previously-used ink should also be replaced, and cleaning the head requires time, leading to a further reduction in productivity.
On the other hand, formation (printing) of an image in the electrophotographic system is conducted by charging an image carrier uniformly and exposing it to light in accordance with an image signal, to form an electrostatic latent image by a potential difference between an exposed portion and a non-exposed portion, followed by electrostatic development of a color powder (image forming material) called a toner having polarity opposite to the charge thereby forming a visuable image (toner image). In the case of a color image, this process is repeatedly carried out to form visual color images which are then transferred and fixed (mainly by cooling the previously thermally melted color powder), to obtain a color image.
As described above, the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier is electrically formed using an image signal in the electrophotographic system, thus permitting not only the same image to be repeatedly formed but also different image to be easily formed. Further, the toner image on the image carrier can be transferred almost completely to the image recording material, and the slight amount of toner image remaining on the image carrier can be easily removed by a resin blade or a brush, and thus printed materials can be produced easily in a small number of different forms.
The toner is formed typically by mixing additives such as hot-melt resin, a pigment, and, if necessary, a charge controlling agent, and pulverizing the mixture through milling. As compared with the pulverized toner, the electrostatic latent image in the electrophotographic system has sufficiently high resolution, and can be expected to have sufficiently high resolution, even compared to screen printing.
Further, the color toner has four primary colors of cyan, magenta, yellow and black, and by mixing these colors, any color identical to those in printing can be theoretically obtained. Further, the color toner can be arbitrarily blended with a toner resin and a pigment, and thus the shielding of an image by the toner can be easily increased. Further, when a small number of required colors are required, single-color toners can be layered for further increasing the shielding of the image.
It is assumed that the image-recording material (printing paper) of the electrophotographic system will be used in the general office environment, that is, at a temperature of 10xc2x0 C. to 30xc2x0 C. under about 15% to 85% humidity, and therefore, there has been almost no examination of heat resistance and light, which resistance assumes that the image-recording material will be used outdoors. In the formation of a color image in the electrophotographic system, however, pigments of cyan, magenta, yellow and black, which have excellent light resistance are being used, so the image recording material in the electrophotographic system can be expected to be highly light resistant. When a heat-resistant toner is selected, it is thought that the image recording material can also be endowed with heat resistance to such an extent as to be usable outdoors.
As compared with silk screening, the formation of an image with the electrophotographic system requires no planographic plate as described above, and different, vivid images can be easily produced. Therefore, the image recording material in the electrophotographic system is used under various situations. recent topics in the medical field are a name card (with a photograph of a face), which is used for confirmation of a medical worker, and a display material, which has a photograph of a face and is recently being attached to a bed of a hospitalized patient in order to identify the patient, thus preventing mistakes in treatment. The displaying material using a printing paper can be easily forged, easily damaged and easily combusted, and therefore, printing of the display material on a film or plate is desired. Moreover, in consideration of pathogenic microorganisms in the hospital, such as MRSA, there is also a demand for imparting the display material with functions such as microbial resistance and flame retardancy. Further, when the surface of the indicating material is glossy like a photographic paper, the surface thereof may be poor in visibility because of light reflection depending on the viewing angle. Accordingly, it is also desired that the gloss of the surface be suppressed to improve visibility.
In the electrophotographic system, however, when an image-forming substrate is made of a thin film, an image cannot follow flexing of the film when a sufficient amount of a toner is fixed as the image. This causes a problem such as cracking on the surface of the image. In the electrophotographic system, fixing temperature and fixing pressure are sufficiently applied by a fixing roller at the time of fixation process, and thus the toner is sufficiently melted to obtain a high-gloss (color) image having a flat surface. The high-gloss color image gives excellent image qualities in the case of a photographic image of relatively high density, while a considerable difference in gloss between the high-gloss color image and the surface of the printing paper causes problems such as remarkable xe2x80x9cglitteringxe2x80x9d and a deterioration in visibility attributable to a change in gloss depending on the viewing angle as described above.
To prevent a reduction in the visibility of an image depending on the viewing direction, a method has been proposed, in which a toner having a high melting temperature is used in the electromagnetic system, and the toner is fixed under such conditions as not to be sufficiently melted, thus reducing the surface gloss of the image. However, when the toner is not sufficiently melted, a part of the toner is often melted unevenly, resulting not only in uneven gloss (phenomenon of partially varying gloss) but also in a deterioration in fixation of the toner to the image recording material, so controlling surface gloss by the fixing conditions is difficult.
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 9-171266 proposes an image recording material and a method of controlling the surface gloss of an image wherein a porous coating solution consisting of a porous resin is applied onto an image-receiving layer, to form a porous film on the surface of the image-receiving layer thereby increasing surface scattering and reducing the surface gloss, and simultaneously a toner is embedded in this porous coating thereby reducing the surface gloss of the image. However, it is difficult to reduce the surface gloss sufficiently with this method, and a sufficient amount of a toner is necessary for raising the shielding power of the image, and thus an excess of the toner which cannot be adsorbed onto the porous coating may increase the surface gloss of the image.
Further, a method of reducing surface gloss by making a surface uneven by techniques such as sand blasting to reduce surface gloss by light scattering on the surface has also been proposed. However, sand blasting should be conducted vigorously in order to increase uniformity of the surface, resulting in problems such as the surface gloss being overly reduced and a reduction in image qualities due to the uneven surface of the image.
A phenomenon of fusion of a color toner with a fixing roller (hot offset) is known to occur when a color image is formed by the electrophotographic system. To prevent this phenomenon, the fixing roller is dipped in, coated with, or provided with, a release agent such as silicone oil, but a great problem arises in the fixing device; that is, the writing ability of an image is deteriorated due to adhesion of the silicone oil to the image recording material, the adhesion of an adhesive tape to the image recording material is made insufficient, the texture of the recording material is deteriorated due to stickiness, qualities of the image such as transmittance are deteriorated, and the abrasion resistance of the roll is lowered due to dipping in the oil.
As a counter measure to these related problems, a method of fixing without using an oil (oil-less fixing) and a method of using a toner (oil-less toner) comprising a toner resin blended with various release agents such as an organic polymer wax such as polyethylene wax and polypropylene wax or natural wax such as carnauba wax, have been proposed in order to prevent offset.
Under the presence circumstances, however, there is a problem, in that, for the purpose of forming an excellent image and improving the ability of the image to be stored, a color coating paper or a color-image OHP film provided on the surface of a substrate with an image-receiving layer having high affinity for a toner cannot be subjected to fixation without using a fixing oil because the whole surface of the image recording material is contacted with the fixing roll, resulting in the offset of the image recording material on the fixing roll.
As described above, when the image-forming surface is to be endowed with gloss or other functions required for use in severe environments, regulation of the functions is difficult for the reason unique to the image in the electrophotographic system. This is also a problem when other various functions are given to the image-forming surface.
The present invention is made to solve the problem described above, and an object of the invention is to provide an image recording material and an image display material using the same, which-are capable of easily forming a high-quality image with good visibility and have sufficient heat resistance, light resistance and flame retardancy even in outdoor use. Another object of the invention is to provide an image-recording material and an image display material using the same, which have functions capable of coping with various environments. Still another object of the invention is to provide an image-recording material and an image display material using the same, which do not generate the phenomenon of offset even if an oil-less toner is used.
To achieve these objects, as a result of extensive studies, the inventors discovered an image recording material having a structure wherein an image-receiving layer is disposed on one side of a transparent substrate, and a reverse image (mirror image) is formed such that when the image is viewed through the substrate, the image is seen as a normal rotation image (normal image) on the surface of the image-receiving layer, while the other side of the substrate is provided with a regulation-controlling means having various functions such as regulation of gloss.
That is, a first aspect of the present invention is an image recording material comprising: a transparent substrate; an image-receiving layer for forming an image by an electrophotographic system and disposed on one side of the substrate; and a function-controlling means disposed on the other side of the substrate;
wherein the image-receiving layer include a polyester resin which comprises a structural unit represented by the structural formula (I) and which has a number average molecular weight of 12,000 to 45,000:
wherein n and m represent integers such that a molar ratio n/m is from 1 to 9.
A second aspect of the present invention provides the image recording material, wherein the image-receiving layer further comprises a charge controlling agent.
A third aspect of the present invention provides the image recording material, wherein the charge controlling agent is a surfactant.
A fourth aspect of the present invention provides the image recording material, wherein the function controlling means comprises a function-controlling layer for controlling at least one function selected from gloss, microbial resistance, flame retardancy, light resistance and chargeability.
A fifth aspect of the present invention provides the image recording material, wherein the function-controlling layer has a function of controlling gloss, and the function-controlling layer comprises a resin and a filler.
A sixth aspect of the present invention provides the image recording material, wherein the function-controlling layer has a function of controlling microbial resistance, and the function-controlling layer comprises an inorganic antimicrobial agent.
A seventh aspect of the present invention provides the image recording material, wherein the function-controlling layer has a function of controlling light resistance, and the function-controlling layer comprises at least one of an UV absorber and an antioxidant.
A eighth aspect of the present invention provides the image recording material, wherein a protective layer is disposed on the surface of the image-receiving layer.
A ninth aspect of the present invention provides a protective film comprising at least a transparent substrate, an image-receiving layer for forming an image by an electrophotographic system are disposed on one side of the substrate, and a function controlling means disposed on the other side of the substrate,
wherein the image-receiving layer include a polyester resin which comprises a structural unit represented by the structural formula (I) and which has a number average molecular weight of 12,000 to 45,000:
wherein n and m represent integers such that a molar ratio n/m is from 1 to 9.
A tenth aspect of the present invention provides the protective film, wherein the image-receiving layer further comprises a charge controlling agent.
A eleventh aspect of the present invention provides the protective film, wherein the charge controlling agent is a surfactant.
A twelfth aspect of the present invention provides the protective film, wherein the function controlling means comprises a function-controlling layer for controlling at least one function selected from gloss, microbial resistance, flame retardancy, light resistance and chargeability.
A thirteenth aspect of the present invention provides the protective film, wherein the function-controlling layer has a function of controlling gloss, and the function-controlling layer comprises a resin and a filler.
A fourteenth aspect of the present invention provides the protective film, wherein the function-controlling layer has a function of controlling microbial resistance, and the function-controlling layer comprises an inorganic antimicrobial agent.
A fifteenth aspect of the present invention provides the protective film, wherein the function-controlling layer has a function of controlling light resistance, and the function-controlling layer comprises at least one of a UV absorber and an antioxidant.
A sixteenth aspect of the present invention provides the protective film, wherein a protective layer is disposed on the surface of the image-receiving layer.
A seventeenth aspect of the present invention provides the image display material comprising at least a transparent substrate, an image-receiving layer for forming an image by an electrophotographic system are disposed on one side of the substrate, and a function controlling means disposed on the other side of the substrate,
wherein the image-receiving layer include a polyester resin which comprises a structural unit represented by the structural formula (I) and which has a number average molecular weight of 12,000 to 45,000:
wherein n and m represent integers such that a molar ratio n/m is from 1 to 9.

Image recording material and image display material using the same


A semiconductor dynamic memory device contains circuitry for implementing either page mode or nibble mode access using a selected conductor connection. A clock voltage used in column decoding and outputting is coupled either from the column strobe or the CAS input by a conductor so that the clock voltage is rendered either dependent upon or independent from the cycling of the column strobe.

This invention relates to semiconductor memory devices and more particularly to an improved high-density MOS random access, dynamic read/write memory.
The most widely used semiconductor memory device for computers is the MOS dynamic RAM, such as the 64K-bit device illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,993, issued to McAlexander, White and Rao, assigned to Texas Instruments. These devices have traditionally included a "page mode" of operation in which the row address strobe RAS is held low while the column address strobe CAS is toggled, producing faster data output for data located in the same page (same row address but different column address). Now devices are being manufactured having a "nibble mode" of operation in which the RAS and CAS sequence is the same as page mode, but, instead of latching in a new column address each time CAS is toggled, the original column address is used and incremented by 1. Nibble mode is faster, but limited in address range. From a manufacturer's standpoint, production of both page mode and nibble mode devices requires processing two different types of slices, which adds to the cost of both. It is of course preferable to produce a very large quantity of one design, rather than a number of different designs.
Dynamic RAM chips providing either page mode or nibble mode has been described by Shimotovi et al, ISSCC Digest of Technical Papers, p. 228, Feb. 1983, but the selection is made by using different timing inputs, which placed a burden on the system designer.
It is the principal object of this invention to provide improved dynamic random access memory devices, particularly for providing either page mode or nibble mode. Another object is to provide selection between page mode and nibble mode for semiconductor dynamic memory devices which use a low cost manufacturing method, and/or which do not restrict the system designer.

Semiconductor dynamic memory device with metal-level selection of page mode or nibble mode


A film or tape has one of its major surfaces defined by microstructured features including a plurality of channels defined by spaced apart protrusions. The microstructured film is able to acquire liquids and to control the directional transport of such liquids for subsequent removal therefrom. The transport can be passive or active (i.e., caused or enhanced by an applied potential). The inventive microstructured films and tapes have applications in laminate floor assemblies (for spill removal) and industrial articles such as computer keyboards and other devices and assemblies that benefit from fluid removal. The invention also has application in evaporative and condensation applications. In one embodiment, at least one cross-channel is formed on the microstructured surface to join adjacent channels for liquid flow therebetween.

This invention relates to microstructured films and tapes that have the capability to acquire liquids and to control the directional transport of such liquids for subsequent removal. This transport can be passive or active (i.e., enhanced by an applied potential), and the invention has utility in a number of industrial applications and assemblies.
The collection of liquid in industrial applications (e.g., spills, condensate, ink, pooled fluids, etc.) can cause subsequent problems if the liquid is allowed to remain over a period of time. Some liquid management problems lead to corrosion, power supply loss, excessive weight retention, loss in efficiency, insufficient energy usage, safety hazards, and the like.
Current methods of liquid control focus on the prevention of liquid buildup on a surface through approaches such as absorbent materials, protective films and tapes, and sealants. None of these methods, however, provide for effective liquid removal once liquid is present on a surface.
Transport of liquid across a structured surface may be characterized based upon the mechanism that causes flow of the liquid. Where liquid transport pertains to a non-spontaneous liquid flow regime wherein the liquid flow results, for the most part, from an external force applied to the structured surface, such a liquid transport mechanism is considered xe2x80x9cactivexe2x80x9d. On the other hand, where the liquid transport pertains to a spontaneous flow regime wherein the liquid movement results without the introduction of external forces, such a liquid transport mechanism is considered xe2x80x9cpassivexe2x80x9d.
Active liquid transport products have been developed based upon specific applications, including absorbent pads or a liquid pervious layer combined with liquid transport devices. For example, mat products including active liquid transport and absorbent pads or liquid pervious layers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,651 to Todd et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,965 to McCarver. In each case, channels are defined on a surface of a substrate to direct liquid flow from substantially all of the area of a liquid pervious layer. These products remove liquid while having the liquid pervious layer act as a liquid adsorbing and storing layer and/or to define a liquid receiving layer. In Todd et al., a flexible backing plate is attached to an absorbent portion and a suction source is applied to the backing plate. The backing plate comprises a plurality of channels for directing the vacuum provided by the suction source more evenly across the surface of the absorbent portion. In McCarver, a flexible pad or suction rail having a liquid permeable top surface and a liquid impermeable bottom surface is connected to a vacuum source. The suction draws liquid down into a liquid receiving chamber as it passes through the liquid pervious layer, and draws the accumulated liquid away. The liquid receiving chamber contains separation means dividing the chamber into channels for keeping the chamber from collapsing when the chamber is placed under a negative pressure.
Another flexible liquid transport product is commercially available under the trademark xe2x80x9cFluid Controlxe2x80x9d floor suction mat, from Technol Medical Products Inc. This product is used to adsorb fluids that fall from a surgical site during a surgical procedure. The device has an absorbent mat that resides above a multitude of parallel and closed channels. Holes are provided in the channel surfaces that interface with the absorbent mat so that fluid recovered by the mat can be drawn into the channels. The parallel channels are connected to a manifold for attachment with suction tubing. Thus, after fluid has accumulated within the mat, removal thereof can be facilitated through the multiple channels by the application of a vacuum.
A fluid guide device having an open structure surface for attachment to a fluid transport source is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,243 to Insley et al. This reference discloses an open structured surface that defines plural channels and a slot for permitting fluid communication between a distribution manifold and at least a plurality of the channels. A fluid transport source, such as a vacuum generator, is connected to the distribution manifold.
Examples of flexible fluid transport devices that utilize both active and passive fluid transport are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,520,300 to Flower, U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,166 to Kuntz, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,735 to Skow. Examples of other channeled mats for fluid removal are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,352 to Van Beek et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,590 to Hergenroeder. Examples of passive fluid transport devices having channeled fluid transport structures are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,120. This reference discloses the use of a liquid management member having a microstructure-bearing hydrophilic surface, preferably in combination with a liquid permeable top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the top and back sheets. The liquid management member promotes rapid directional spreading of liquids and is in contact with the absorbent core.
The present invention provides for active and passive transport for liquid acquisition and/or removal in industrial assemblies and applications using microstructured liquid control films.
The liquid control film may be incorporated to transport a liquid to a remote site, to collect a liquid on the film itself, or to disperse the liquid over an increased surface area to promote more rapid evaporation. The microstructured surface has a microstructured topology, and in preferred embodiments is a suitable hydrophilic, polymeric and flexible film. The film properties are described in terms of structure and material.
In one embodiment, the invention is a laminate liquid disposal assembly which includes a liquid control layer and a substrate layer. The liquid control layer has a top side and a bottom side, with the top side having a liquid landing zone for receiving liquid thereon and a liquid removal zone. The top side also has a microstructure-bearing surface with a plurality of channels thereon that facilitate directional flow control of the liquid across the top side from the liquid landing zone to the liquid removal zone. The laminate liquid disposal assembly includes means for attaching the bottom side of the liquid control layer to the substrate layer, and means for removing the liquid from the liquid removal zone on the top side of the liquid control layer.
A porous cap layer may be disposed over the landing zone on the top side of the liquid control layer. Further, the channels on the microstructure-bearing surface have channel ends, and the removing means preferably withdraws the liquid from the channels adjacent one of the channel ends thereof. In another embodiment, the removing means withdraws the liquid from the channels adjacent both channel ends thereof. The removing means may include an absorbent material disposed in communication with the liquid removal zone. The removing means may also include a fluid collection manifold in communication with the channels in the liquid removal zone, and the removing means may further include a vacuum generator in fluid communication with the fluid collection manifold. In one embodiment, the removing means includes a liquid drip collector. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid control layer is a polymeric film, which may include a characteristic altering additive or surface coating. That additive may be selected from the group consisting of flame retardants, hydrophobics, hydrophylics, antimicrobial agents, inorganics, metallic particles, glass fibers, fillers, clays and nanoparticles.
In another embodiment, the invention is a laminate floor assembly which includes a liquid control layer and a floor substrate layer. The liquid control layer has a top side and a bottom side, with the top side having a microstructure-bearing surface with a plurality of channels thereon that facilitate directional flow control of a liquid disposed thereon. The laminate floor assembly includes means for attaching the bottom side of the liquid control layer to the floor substrate layer. A cap layer is also provided, with the cap layer having a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side of the cap layer is placed over the top side of the liquid control layer to define a relatively enclosed channel structure therebetween. The laminate floor assembly includes means for moving liquid along the channel structure defined between the top side of the liquid control layer and the bottom side of the cap layer. Preferably, the cap layer comprises a floor covering, and the floor covering may be selected from the group consisting of carpet, tile, linoleum, wood, concrete, metal or fatigue matting. In one embodiment, the cap layer is porous, and may take the form of a nonwoven material. Preferably, the bottom side of the cap layer is affixed to the top side of the liquid control layer by a pressure sensitive adhesive.
In a preferred embodiment, the moving means creates a pressure gradient along the channel structure. Preferably, the top side of the liquid control layer has at least one cross-channel formed therein to facilitate liquid flow between the channels. A liquid removal aperture is then provided through the liquid control layer in communication with the cross-channel and the moving means. In another preferred embodiment, a plurality of cross-channels are formed in the top side of the liquid control layer to facilitate liquid flow between the channels, and the liquid control layer has a plurality of liquid removal apertures therethrough with each liquid removal aperture being in communication with one of the cross-channels and the moving means. In a preferred embodiment, the channels are defined by generally parallel ridges including a first set of ridges having a first height and a second set of ridges having a second, taller height. An upper portion of each ridge of the second set of ridges may have a lower melting temperature than a lower portion thereof. Preferably, each channel has channels ends and the moving means withdraws the liquid from the channels adjacent one (or both) of the channel ends. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid control layer is a polymeric film, which may include a characteristic altering additive or surface coating. The additive may be selected from the group consisting of flame retardants, hydrophobics, hydrophylics, antimicrobial agents, inorganics, metallic particles, glass fibers, fillers, clays and nanoparticles. The channels have a pattern geometry selected from the group consisting of linear, curve linear, radial, parallel, nonparallel, random, or intersecting.
One embodiment of the present invention is a method of defining an alternative liquid flow path on a polymeric microstructured liquid transport surface of the type having a plurality of channels which are formed to divert a liquid thereon in a first desired directional path and which are formed to control the displacing and evaporating of the liquid disposed on the surface. The method includes forming at least one cross-channel on the polymeric microstructured liquid transport surface to join at least two adjacent channels of the plurality of channels for liquid flow therebetween.
Preferably, the forming step in the inventive method comprises applying heat and/or pressure to the polymeric microstructured fluid transport surface to define the cross-channel thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the channels on a polymeric microstructured liquid transport surface are defined by generally parallel ridges including a first set of ridges having the first height and a second set of ridges having a second, taller height. Preferably, an upper portion of each ridge of the second set has a lower melting temperature than a lower portion thereof, and the forming step includes applying heat to the polymeric microstructured surface along a linear cross-channel segment thereof, to a temperature high enough to melt the upper portions of the ridges of the second set but not high enough to melt the lower portions thereof. Alternatively, the channels are defined by generally parallel ridges with liquid flow valleys therebetween, and the forming step includes cutting away portions of the ridges between adjacent channels. In a preferred embodiment, the polymeric microstructured liquid transport surface defines a top side of a layer having top and bottom opposite sides, and the method of defining an alternative liquid flow path further includes forming a liquid removal aperture through the layer, from top to bottom sides thereof, which is in communication with the cross-channel. The method then can further include urging liquid across the polymeric microstructured liquid transport surface toward the liquid removal aperture, and may yet further include coupling the liquid removal aperture to a liquid collection receptacle. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive method also includes adhering a cap layer (which could be porous) onto the polymeric microstructured liquid transport surface.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the invention is defined as a method for enhancing the rate of evaporation of liquid disposed on a surface which includes defining an exposed face of a film as a polymeric microstructure-bearing surface with a plurality of channels thereon, where the channels are defined by generally spaced apart projections with valleys therebetween. The method includes introducing a liquid onto the polymeric microstructure-bearing surface of the film, wherein the channels are formed to facilitate spontaneous wicking of the liquid along each channel which receives liquid therein so that the exposed evaporative active surface of the liquid is increased by its spatial distribution in the x-direction along the valley of each channel, its spatial distribution in the y-direction between the projections of each channel, as well as by forming meniscus height variations of the liquid in each channel in the z-direction. The method further includes exposing the increased evaporatively active surface area of the liquid on the microstructure-bearing surface to ambient air.
In a preferred embodiment, the inventive method includes exposing the liquid disposed on the microstructure-bearing surface to a moving air stream. Preferably, the inventive method further includes introducing a sufficient quantity of liquid onto the polymeric microstructure-bearing surface to define a continuous flow of liquid over the surface. Further, the inventive method may include collecting non-evaporative liquid that has flowed over the surface, and after further processing of the liquid, recirculating the liquid collected from the surface for reintroduction thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes exposing at least a portion of the liquid flowing over the surface to a moving air stream, which may be moving in the generally opposite direction to the liquid flow direction across the surface. Alternatively, the air stream may be moving in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction that the liquid is flowing across the surface.
In alternate embodiments, the projections are ridges and/or may be discontinuous along the channels. In one embodiment, the polymeric microstructure-bearing surface has first and second ends, and the inventive method includes introducing the sufficient quantity of liquid onto the surface adjacent the first end thereof, and aligning the surface so that its first end is higher than its second end (e.g., the exposed face may be aligned on a generally vertical plane). The inventive method may further include defining additional surface texture features on the polymeric microstructure-bearing surface in order to increase the surface area thereon for supporting the liquid. In one preferred embodiment, the polymeric microstructure-bearing surface has generally parallel channels extending between first and second ends thereof, and the inventive method further includes aligning the surface so that one end of the channels is higher than the other end. Alternatively, the microstructure-bearing surface may be aligned so that an intermediate portion thereof is lower than its first and second ends. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive method further includes providing an additive in the polymeric microstructure-bearing surface, wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of flame retardants, hydrophobics, hydrophylics, antimicrobial agents, inorganics, metallic particles, glass fibers, fillers, clays and nanoparticles.

Microstructured surface film assembly for liquid acquisition and transport


A method includes accessing a validator routine having an input string and one or more return points, each return point returning a return value having two possible values; finding the return points in the validator routine; for each of the return points, performing a backwards traversal from a return point through a code section and determining constraints on the input string based at least on one or both of the two possible return values for the return point; using the determined constraints for the input string, determining whether all of the return values returned from the one or more return points meet validation constraints; and outputting one or more indications of whether all of the returned values returned from the return points meet the validation constraints for the one or both of the two possible return values. Apparatus and computer program products are also disclosed.

This invention relates generally to static analysis of software programs, and, more specifically, relates to static analysis of validator routines.
Web applications are highly exposed to security attacks, as they are accessible by a large audience, and oftentimes accept a wide range of inputs as part of their functionality. The challenge of providing good service to benign users, while—at the same time—denying illegal requests is addressed by validator routines. These routines normally take an input coming from the user as their argument, and return a Boolean value indicating whether the value satisfies certain constraints. Note that this is not only important from a security perspective, but also to verify the integrity of the user-provided data. For example, the value of a parameter that is expected to represent a credit-card number needs to be verified, as the user may have used the wrong format.
The challenge of detecting validator routines in a sound, automated and accurate manner has received little attention so far. Instead, security algorithms, as well as commercial tools, tend to rely on a user-provided specification. The user classifies relevant methods as validators, and the ensuing analysis simply "believes" the specification to be correct, and treats values verified by a validator routine as safe and valid.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

International Business Machines Corporation


A power conversion device includes a rectifier circuit that converts an AC power from an AC power supply, into a DC power, a short-circuit unit that short-circuits the AC power supply via a reactor connected between the AC power supply and the rectifier circuit, a control unit that generates a plurality of drive signals to control the short-circuit unit in a half cycle of the AC power supply, and a smoothing capacitor. The control unit stepwise varies threshold values that limit a value of a power-supply current of the AC power supply, in an on-section or an off-section of the plurality of drive signals.

In a conventional technology described in Patent Literature 1, a power factor improvement circuit that improves a power factor of a power supply to reduce a harmonic component included in an input current is disclosed. A full-wave rectification mode or a voltage doubler rectification mode is selected and a short-circuiting start time and a short-circuiting time in a short-circuit element are controlled by an open-loop, whereby a power factor improvement function and a boosting function are obtained. That is, in the conventional technology of Patent Literature 1, a switch for switching a rectifier circuit is turned on/off to control a rectifier circuit into the full-wave rectification mode or the voltage doubler rectification mode, thereby roughly classifying a DC output voltage of the power factor improvement circuit into two stages. A short-circuit variable control on the short-circuit element in the open-loop further classifies the regions provided by these two stages into two stages, the one providing no improvement in the power factor and the other improving the power factor, such that a DC output voltage region has four stages as a whole. This improves the power factor on a high load-side while increasing an output range of the DC output voltage.
In a conventional technology described in Patent Literature 2, there is provided a DC voltage control unit that outputs a DC voltage control signal in correspondence to a deviation value between a DC output voltage reference value, which is set in correspondence to a load, and a voltage between terminals of a smoothing capacitor. There is also provided a current reference calculation unit that outputs a current reference signal based on the product of a control signal from the DC voltage control unit and a sine wave-shaped synchronous signal synchronized with an AC power supply. On/off control on a switch element is performed at high frequency by comparison between this current reference signal and an AC-side current of a rectification element, and thus a DC output voltage is controlled into a desired value while an AC input current is controlled to have a sine wave-shape. As a result, it is possible to set a power factor of a power supply to 1 and reduce generation of harmonics.

Power conversion device for converting AC power into DC power


A glass-reinforced polycarbonate resin composition comprising an aromatic polycarbonate resin (a) and, blended therewith, 5 to 60% by weight based on the weight of the composition of a glass reinforcement (b) which has been treated with an acid.. The composition has excellent dimensional stability, mechanical strength, heat resistance and electrical characteristics, and is therefore used in industrial fields of cameras, VTR's, facsimiles and the like.

Conventionally, polycarbonate resin compositions containing glass reinforcements have various excellent performances. However, since the surface of glass reinforcements is normally alkaline, and sizing agents, etc., are adhered to the surface thereof, glass-reinforced polycarbonate resins have a problem that due to such glass reinforcements, the polycarbonate resins undergo hydrolysis and the like under heating and melting conditions to lower their molecular weight, resulting in deterioration of physical properties.
Therefore, a glass reinforcement which does not deteriorate polycarbonate resins at heating has been strongly desired.


The circuit board transportation device has: a guide member that is provided in such a manner as to extend in the transport direction and has a guide surface that comes into abutment with a circuit board from the outside of the circuit board in a perpendicular direction that is a direction perpendicular to the transport direction; a conveyor belt that extends in the transport direction to support an end of the circuit board; and a drive unit that moves the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt has: a belt base portion that is located under the guide member and extends both ways of the perpendicular direction from the position of the guide surface; and a projection that extends upward from the belt base portion up to a position between upper and lower ends of the guide surface. The conveyor belt supports the circuit board by means of the projection.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit board transportation device for transporting a circuit board, a circuit board working apparatus for executing a predetermined operation on a circuit board transported to an operation position by a circuit board transportation device, and a conveyor belt suitable for a circuit board transportation device. Examples of the operation carried out by the circuit board working apparatus include surface mounting, circuit board inspection, application of coating, printing, and reflow of a circuit board mounted with parts.
2. Background Art
In a circuit board working apparatus such as a surface mounter, a circuit board is carried into an operation position and then carried out of the operation position upon completion of an operation executed thereon. For the purpose of transporting a circuit board in this manner, the circuit board working apparatus is equipped with a circuit board transportation device. The circuit board transportation device described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-289780 (FIG. 3) has a pair of right and left conveyor belts. This circuit board transportation device has a conventional general flat belt as each of these conveyor belts. Each conveyor belt supports a circuit board by its internal section in a cross direction (lateral direction) and moves (runs) by being driven by a drive motor, to transport the circuit board. Also, guide members are provided corresponding to the conveyor belts respectively. Each of the guide members covers from above an outer end of the corresponding conveyor belt in the cross direction. The guide members have upright guide surfaces on the inside thereof in the cross direction, and take advantage of these guide surfaces to guide side end surfaces of the circuit board transported by the conveyor belts, to keep the circuit board during transportation in a fixed position. This circuit board transportation device stabilizes transportation of a circuit board in this manner. This circuit board transportation mode described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-289780 is referred to as "prior art 1."
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-264414 (FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5) describes two types of circuit board transportation devices different from the one described in prior art 1. One of the circuit board transportation devices (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) has conveyor belts configured by flat belts, wherein a lower surface of a circuit board is supported in the entire cross direction (lateral direction) of the conveyor belts. A pair of right and left guide members are disposed on the outside of the right and left conveyor belts respectively to guide the circuit board in such a manner as to sandwich it from the outside of the conveyor belts. Such a circuit board transportation mode is referred hereinafter to as "prior art 2."
The other circuit board transportation device described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-264414 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) transports a circuit board by using a conveyor belt provided with a guide function. This circuit board transportation device is referred hereinafter to as "prior art 3." In this prior art 3, inner ends of the conveyor belts in the cross direction support a lower surface of a circuit board and function as transporting units for transporting the circuit board. In each of these conveyor belts, an outer end in the cross direction that is linked to each inner end (transporting unit) projects upward, and this projection functions as a guide portion by holding the outside of the circuit board.
Although these types of circuit board transportation modes have conventionally been developed, applicability thereof to circuit board working apparatuses is limited, leading to a problem with versatility.
In prior art 1, for instance, each of the guide members covers from above the outer end of the conveyor belt in the cross direction, and a gap is formed between the lower surface of each guide member and the corresponding conveyor belt and expands toward the circuit board. When a circuit board to be transported is relatively thin ("thin circuit board"), the thin circuit board enters such a gap and becomes stuck therein. Thus, prior art 1 can only transport a circuit board that is sufficiently thicker than the gap ("thick circuit board").
Prior art 2, on the other hand, has an impact on the width that allows leeway for the conveyor belt to support the circuit board (support width), because the lower surface of the circuit board is supported in the entire cross direction of the conveyor belt. In other words, while the width of each conveyor belt needs to be made equal to or less than the support width, when parts are mounted on the circuit board the support width corresponding to the surface mounted with the parts becomes extremely narrow. This situation reduces the cross-sectional area of the conveyor belt, making it difficult to secure sufficient belt strength. Consequently, transporting a relatively heavy circuit board stretches the conveyor belt, making it difficult to transport the circuit board correctly. This also might cause breakage of the belt. For these reasons, prior art 2 can only transport relatively light circuit boards.
In prior art 3, each guide portion for guiding a circuit board is linked to a corresponding transporting unit and projects upward. Because a conveyor belt is normally made of a flexible material, each guide portion undergoes a lateral load from the circuit board each time when guiding the circuit board in the cross direction. Such repeated application of the lateral load to each guide portion repeatedly applies shear force to the part or so-called joint where the guide portion and the transporting unit are connected to each other, leading to problems such as cracking of the joint of the guide portion and breakage of the guide portion. As a result, the circuit board cannot be transported stably.

Circuit board transportation device, circuit board working apparatus, and conveyor belt


This invention discloses a manufacturing method and a structure for printed circuit boards. The printed circuit boards are often used for supporting electronic components in circuit and conducting the heat from electronic components. The printed circuit board structure includes a laminated structure. The laminated structure comprises an electric conduction layer and an insulation layer. The electric conduction layer can be made of a special thermal conduction material, including a metal and a bracket structure of carbon element. The insulation layer can be made of thermal conduction material as well, combining a bracket structure of carbon element. The bracket structure of carbon element has high thermal conductivity so as to improve the heat conduction efficiency. The corresponding manufacturing method for this thermal conduction material can be made with chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, electroplating or the other materials preparation method. The bracket structure of carbon element can be coated on a surface of the metal and also can be mixed into the metal.

In recent years, the pace of high technology industry development is extremely fast, the development of electronic components is toward small volumes and high densities. Therefore, the performance of the electronic components is increased and the power consumption of the electronic components is also increased that generates much waste heat indirectly. Although these waste heat generated by the high temperature can be discharged by the heat dissipation devices, the material of insulation layers of printed circuit boards which are used for supporting the electronic components would be influenced by the high temperature that causes deterioration. The printed circuit boards would produce warp and damages. Accordingly, various thermal conduction materials are provided to improve the efficiency of heat dissipation.
The material which is applied for the printed circuit boards usually includes fiber glasses, linen, papers . . . etc. The material is combined with resins to form insulating plates for holding the electronic components. The surfaces of the insulating plates are electroplated or are stacked by copper foils to be the conducting material, so as to form copper-clad laminates. The copper-clad laminates are then formed to the printed circuit boards by using surface etching. To face the current environments and the high densities of the electronic components, the development of the printed circuit boards is that an insulating plate is plated by a single plate which is composed of a single copper foil in early stage. Afterward, multi-plates are then used that are composed of a plurality of insulating plates which combine a plurality of copper foils. Firstly, the manufacturing for conventional printed circuit boards is briefly described as follows.
Referring to FIG. 1, a flowchart illustrates a manufacturing for making a conventional printed circuit board. Step S11: A conventional substrate can be fiber glasses, linen, ceramic material, etc. Step S12: The aforesaid substrate is mixed with resins to form a semi-finished good for an insulating plate. The resins can be thermosetting resins which include epoxy resins, phenolics, etc. Step S13: The semi-finished good is cut to compose various specifications. Step S14: The cut semi-finished goods are then sent to an oven for baking, so as to form an insulating plate with half-baked. The oven can be a horizontal oven or a vertical oven. Step S15: The insulating plate is stacked by copper foils to form an electric conduction layer. Step S16: The insulating plate is then baked again to form a copper-clad laminate. Step S17: The copper-clad laminate is etched by the surface etching to shape lines to provide circuit connections. Lastly, the printed circuit board can be made by way of these steps S11˜S17. In regard with the structure of the printed circuit board and its heat conduction referring to FIG. 2, a structural drawing illustrates the conventional printed circuit board. The printed circuit board comprises a copper-film 21 which is formed an electric conduction layer, an insulating plate 22 which is formed an insulation layer, a plurality of holes 23, a heat sink fin 24 and a plurality of electronic components 25. The copper-film 21 is isolated from copper sulphate. The plurality of electronic components is set on an upper surface 211 of the copper-film 21. A lower surface of 212 of the copper-film 21 is combined with the insulation layer which is composed of the insulating plate 22. The insulating plate is made as described as in FIG. 1 that the substrate which can be fiber glasses, linen or ceramic material is mixed with resins as step S12. A surface 221 of the insulating plate 22 can connect with the heat sink fin 24. The heat sink fin 24 can be aluminum and the plurality of holes 23 is made by PCB drilling machines to penetrate the copper-film 21 and the insulating plate 22 to form verticality. The plurality of holes 23 is a column shape with hollow. Screws can be assembled into the plurality of holes 23 to connect a base for stabilizing. The screws can support heat dissipation as well. The heat conduction procedure is: Some waste heat can be discharged by heat dissipation devices which are set on the plurality of electronic components 25 when the plurality of electronic components 25 is operating to raise temperature to generate waste heat. Remaining waste heat is conducted to the insulating plate 22 through the copper-film 21 and is then conducted to the heat sink fin 24 which is pasted to the insulating plate 22 and the screws which are assembled into the plurality of holes 23 for dissipating.
Although a heat sink fin of the printed circuit board as shown in FIG. 2 is used to support the heat conduction, the space is insufficient when the electronic components are toward miniaturization. The heat conduction may rely on the body of the printed circuit board without setting heat dissipation devices. Therefore, a thermal conduction material is provided to apply for the printed circuit board.
Besides, diamonds are well known and have characteristics with the highest hardness, the fastest heat conduction, and the widest refraction range. Diamonds, therefore, are always one of more important materials in engineering due to the excellent characteristics. The thermal conductivity of diamonds at the normal atmospheric temperature is five times more than copper. Moreover, the thermal expansion factor of diamonds at high temperature is very small that shows the excellent efficiency of heat dissipation. The feature may help people to differentiate the adulteration of diamonds. In the prior art, many technologies and manufacture methods have been developed to make diamonds. The direct decomposition for hydrocarbons is the most familiar method like Microwave Plasma Enhance Chemical Vapor Deposition (MPCVD) and Hot Filament CVD (HFCVD). By the aforesaid methods, polycrystalline diamond films can be deposited. The characteristic of the polycrystalline diamond films is same as the single crystal diamonds. Moreover, the diamonds can be used to different industries.

Printed circuit board structure and manufacturing method thereof