In some embodiments, a method of processing a film is provided, the method comprising defining a plurality of spaced-apart regions to be pre-crystallized within the film, the film being disposed on a substrate and capable of laser-induced melting; generating a laser beam having a fluence that is selected to form a mixture of solid and liquid in the film and where a fraction of the film is molten throughout its thickness in an irradiated region; positioning the film relative to the laser beam in preparation for at least partially pre-crystallizing a first region of said plurality of spaced-apart regions; directing the laser beam onto a moving at least partially reflective optical element in the path of the laser beam, the moving optical element redirecting the beam so as to scan a first portion of the first region with the beam in a first direction at a first velocity, wherein the first velocity is selected such that the beam irradiates and forms the mixture of solid and liquid in the first portion of the first region, wherein said first portion of the first region upon cooling forms crystalline grains having predominantly the same crystallographic orientation in at least a single direction; and crystallizing at least the first portion of the first region using laser-induced melting.

In recent years, various techniques for crystallizing or improving the crystallinity of an amorphous or polycrystalline semiconductor film have been investigated. Such crystallized thin films may be used in the manufacture of a variety of devices, such as image sensors and active-matrix liquid-crystal display ("AMLCD") devices. In the latter, a regular array of thin-film transistors ("TFTs") is fabricated on an appropriate transparent substrate, and each transistor serves as a pixel controller.
Crystalline semiconductor films, such as silicon films, have been processed to provide pixels for liquid crystal displays using various laser processes including excimer laser annealing ("ELA") and sequential lateral solidification ("SLS") processes. SLS is well suited to process thin films for use in AMLCD devices, as well as organic light emitting diode ("OLED") devices.
In ELA, a region of the film is irradiated by an excimer laser to partially melt the film, which subsequently crystallizes. The process typically uses a long, narrow beam shape that is continuously advanced over the substrate surface, so that the beam can potentially irradiate the entire semiconductor thin film in a single scan across the surface. The Si film is irradiated multiple times to create the random polycrystalline film with a uniform grain size. ELA produces small-grained polycrystalline films; however, the method often suffers from microstructural non-uniformities, which can be caused by pulse-to-pulse energy density fluctuations and/or non-uniform beam intensity profiles. FIG. 6A illustrates a random microstructure that may be obtained with ELA. This figure, and all subsequent figures, are not drawn to scale, and are intended to be illustrative in nature.
SLS is a pulsed-laser crystallization process that can produce high quality polycrystalline films having large and uniform grains on substrates, including substrates that are intolerant to heat such as glass and plastics. SLS uses controlled laser pulses to fully melt a region of an amorphous or polycrystalline thin film on a substrate. The melted regions of film then laterally crystallize into a solidified lateral columnar microstructure or a plurality of location-controlled large single crystal regions. Generally, the melt/crystallization process is sequentially repeated over the surface of a large thin film, with a large number of laser pulses. The processed film on substrate is then used to produce one large display, or even divided to produce multiple displays, each display being useful for providing visual output in a given device. FIGS. 6B-6D shows schematic drawings of TFTs fabricated within films having different microstructures that can be obtained with SLS. SLS processes are described in greater detail below.
The potential success of SLS systems and methods for commercial use is related to the throughput with which the desired microstructure and texture can be produced. The amount of energy and time it takes to produce a film having the microstructure is also related to the cost of producing that film; in general, the faster and more efficiently the film can be produced, the more films can be produced in a given period of time, enabling higher production and thus higher potential revenues.

Systems and methods for processing a film, and thin films

The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York


An adjustment unit for an indirect vision system is indicated, which comprises a first and a second component connected to a support structure of an indirect vision system by as little connecting elements as possible. The interface of the adjustment unit to the support structure is to be able to withstand robust mechanical requirements in a small installation space. Due to the second component including a pressure distribution element which extends transversely to a longitudinal direction of the main connecting member, and due to the fact that pressure is applied to the pressure distribution element by the main connecting element, the forces introduced and centrally acting on the pressure distribution element and thus on the second component are equally distributed in a direction transverse to the main connecting element. Traction with the support structure therefore is no longer performed centrally, but spreaded over a transverse extension of the second component. As a result, dimensional changes due to aging—creep behavior of plastics—can be compensated and distortion of the individual components is reduced.

For the use of adjustment units in indirect vision systems in vehicles such as mirrors or cameras, there are a large number of technical solutions, as are described, for example, in WO2002/072386A1 or EP1728682A1. However, there are no technical solutions by which the connection to a vision system in the smallest possible installation space is provided and which nonetheless are suited for robust mechanical requirements. Moreover, different assembly directions at present are difficult to implement in a confined space.
From DE102011101534B4 an adjustment unit for rear-view mirrors on vehicles is known, in which a first and a second component are pivotably connected to each other by a main connecting element. The main connecting element includes a spring element that clamps the first and second component against each other.
From DE10163318C1 an adjustment unit for an indirect vision system is known including a first and second component which are pivotably connected to each other by way of a main connecting element. The second component includes a pressure distribution element to which pressure is applied by a spring element.
From EP0269081A1 a mirror adjustment unit with two components is known which are pivotaby connected to each other and to a support structure via a main connecting element, the two components being clamped against each other through a spring element.
From each of DE19644824C1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,065A and WO2007/126190A1 a mirror adjustment unit with two components is known which are pivotaby connected to each other and to a support structure via a main connecting element. In DE19644824C1 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,065A, the main connecting element and the support structure are connected via a screw connection, while in WO2007/126190A1 the connection is provided via a locking geometry.
From DE102004029229A1 it is known to connect the mirror head of a vehicle side-view mirror to a mirror base mounted to a vehicle by way of a snap connection.
Based on DE10163318C1, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustment unit that is connected to the support structure of an indirect vision system with as few connecting elements as possible. At the same time, the interface of the adjustment unit and the support structure is to withstand robust mechanical requirements in a small installation space.

Adjustment unit for an indirect vision system


Method and arrangement in a network node for adapting a property of source coding to the quality of a communication link in packet switched conversational services in a communication system. The method comprises obtaining (404) information related to the quality of a communication link. The method further comprises selecting (406) a source coding mode with an associated source coding delay, based on the obtained information and the associated source coding delay. The selected source coding mode is selected from a set of at least two source coding modes associated with different source coding delays, and is to be used when source coding voice data to be transmitted over the communication link.

End-to-end delay has a limited time budget in conversational applications, such as telephony. An end-to-end delay exceeding a certain limit will have a negative effect on conversational quality. Therefore it is desirable to keep the end-to-end delay within said certain limit.
The end-to-end delay is the sum of a number of different delays, associated with different parts of the end-to-end communication chain. For example, the end-to-end communication chain typically comprises, besides the actual propagation through a medium, different successive elements, such as source coding, packetizing, channel coding, interleaving, retransmissions and jitter buffering. Each of these elements requires some processing time at their disposal, in order to achieve proper operation of the respective element, such as good source coding efficiency or a reliable transmission over a communication link with only few transmission errors or frame/packet losses. Since end-to-end delay is a restricted resource, there is only a limited amount of time, which can be distributed among the different elements of the end-to-end communication chain.
Before transmitting voice data over a communication link, the voice data is source coded. Typically, source coding is performed in order to compress a sequence of data, in order for it to require, e.g., less transmission bandwidth. Source coding of voice data introduces a source coding delay component in end-to-end delay in conversational services. The length of the source coding delay depends on the type of source codec used, and is typically in the range of 20 ms, as e.g. in GSM EFR (Global System for Mobile Communications) (Enhanced Full Rate), to approximately 50 ms, as e.g. in ITU-T standard G.718 (International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector).
One type of source codec, which is frequently used for both circuit switched (CS) and packet switched (ES) transmissions, is the AMR (Adaptive Multi Rate) Multi-mode codec. The AMR Multi-mode codec introduces a coding delay of 25 ms, of which 5 ms is a "lookahead" intended for enabling more efficient source coding. Thus, an AMR Multi-mode codec uses 25 ms of the available end-to-end delay. FIG. 1 illustrates the lookahead in an exemplary AMR codec. Each slot represents 5 ms. In this example of AMR encoder, each frame 106, 108, comprising speech data to be encoded, represents 4×5 ms=20 ms. In the signal analysis of the encoder, a 30 ms windowing frame 102, 104 is used. The windowing frame 104 extends 5 ms into the next frame of speech data, which 5 ms constitute the so-called lookahead 110.
The transmission delay, i.e. the part of an available end-to-end delay spent on the actual transmission through the communication system including, e.g. transmission through the radio access network and transport through the core network, depends largely on the access technology used and on the network configuration. Typically, there is a distinct difference between CS transmissions and PS transmissions, in terms of transmission delay. In CS transmissions, the transmission delay is well defined and fixed for each transported frame throughout the connection. In PS transmissions, on the other hand, each packet is transmitted individually and hence associated with an individual transmission delay, which gives rise to the known packet delay jitter, i.e. variations, in PS transmissions. That is, the packets in PS transmissions arrive at the receiver with different delay, some may arrive early, some late. For CS transmission, access techniques such as 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) GSM/Geran (GSM EDGE Radio Access Network, where EDGE stands for Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) or UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network, where UMTS stands for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), are used. For PS transmission, e.g. UTRAN PS bearers such as HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) and LTE (Long Term Evolution), are available. VoIP via Internet is also an example of PS transmission.
Even though there are a huge variety of access and transmission techniques available, it could generally be said that extending the available transmission delay budget will make a transmission more reliable, given a defined transmission cost. In other terms, by extending the available transmission delay, the transmission capacity may be significantly increased. For example, in an LTE access network, depending on the operating point in terms of delay and capacity, an increase of the available or allowed transmission delay of as little as 5 ms, may translate to capacity improvements of as much as 15%, regarding the amount of voice calls that can be accommodated in a cell. This is illustrated in FIG. 2, which shows how an increase of the transmission delay of xms in an operating point P1 results in a capacity increase of ΔC1 users per cell. However, the same increase of the transmission delay in another operating point, P2, results in a capacity increase of ΔC2 users per cell, which is considerably smaller than ΔC1. Accordingly, the scarcity of time available for transmission may have a substantial limiting effect on transmission capacity.
The limitation of transmission capacity due to scarcity of available transmission time is thus identified as a problem.

Source code adaption based on communication link quality and source coding delay


The invention relates to a tongue connection, in particular for fixing an air vent on a wall in a passenger compartment, on a basic body which is to be arranged in a releasable manner on a border of a wall opening by way of at least two tongues which project from the basic body, the tongues engaging, along the opening border, in the opening and restricting movement of the body in the direction of the opening plane. There is provided on at least one tongue a (radial) protrusion which projects outward in the direction of the opening border, cuts into the opening border when the basic body is installed on the wall, and prevents movement of the basic body in the opening plane by producing a form fit in relation to the opening border.

The invention relates to a tongue connection, in particular for fixing an air vent on a wall in a passenger compartment.
Such a tongue connection is known from EP 0271 706 B1 and relates to a vent for supplying air to windows. Said document discloses an approximately box-like vent frame on which four latching tongues are integrally formed. The vent frame can be secured in through-passages of a corresponding bodywork part by means of said latching tongues, the latter engaging behind an opening border of the wall and preventing movement of the vent frame in the direction perpendicular to an opening plane.
A further tongue connection of the basic type can be found in DE 40 16 026 C2, this relating to a device for supplying air to the interior of a vehicle. This document outlines a housing which has arranged on its front side, which is designed as a flange, clip elements which serve for clipping the entire air vent in a cutout of a wall. These clip elements too engage behind an opening border of the wall and thus ensure that the housing is secured in the direction perpendicular to an opening plane of the cutout.


A wireless LAN system has auto gain control with no work load applied to its baseband processing block. When the wireless LAN system gets ready to receive a signal, the gain control circuit switches between the receiving antennas. The gain control circuit sets gain setting value time divisional data according to the level of a received signal to roughly control the gain to be set in the LAN and the gain to be set in two programmable gain amplifiers.

The present invention relates to a technique for transmitting/receiving signals from/in a wireless LAN system, more particularly to a technique to be employed effectively for auto gain controlling of received signals.
A wireless LAN (Local Area Network) usually needs auto gain controlling for correcting the signal level of each received signal according to the signal strength.
The IEEE802.11a standard makes arrangements for such auto gain controlling, as well as synchronization detecting, etc. to be carried out at the initial part of each received packet signal, that is, in the 8 μs preamble period of the signal, so that the gain controlling must be completed actually within a period of 5 μs or so.
In the examination carried out by the present inventors, two semiconductor integrated circuit devices are used for RF (high frequency) processing and baseband processing in such auto gain controlling.
The semiconductor integrated circuit device for RF processing converts received signals to baseband signals. The semiconductor integrated circuit device for baseband processing converts signals whose frequencies have been changed by an RF chip to digital signals, then measures the level of each of the digital signals to control the signal level.
While the semiconductor integrated circuit device for RF processing receives signals within a level range of −82 dBm to −30 dBm, the semiconductor integrated circuit device for baseband processing must control signal levels within a range of ±2 dBm. If the semiconductor integrated circuit device for baseband processing receives a weaker level digital signal, the circuit device comes to perform an auto correlation processing for the signal and uses the signal for controlling the signal level.
Such a wireless LAN system is described in detail in the "Standard LAN Guidebook" (the second volume)(revised third edition), pp235 to 238, edited by Multimedia Communication Kenkyu-kai, published by Askii Inc., Aug. 1, 1998). This guidebook describes a wireless LAN architecture conforming to the IEEE802.11.

Semiconductor integrated circuit device, wireless LAN system, and auto gain control system


This disclosure relates to apparatus for operating a combustion engine by controlling the spark ignition voltage to said engine. Said control is created by the application of two opposing currents to the input of an amplifying device which is used to selectively shunt a constant current source away from the control electrode of a second amplifying device connected to control the formation of said ignition voltage.

Systems for selectively inabling or disabling the ignition to combustion engines to correspond with various operating conditions or to supply desired ignition to the engine under all allowable normal operating conditions have been known in the art. Two examples would be applicants Pat. Nos. 3,802,400 and 4,664,080. A thorough understanding of the teaching of those patents is essential to the proper understanding of this application since the concepts clearly describe therein will not be herein repeated. Those patents are incorporated herein by reference.
It is an object of this invention to increase the accuracy over the greatest range of engine operating conditions while maximizing the reliability, and minimizing the cost of components within the system. An operating condition of particular concern is the temperature range over which the system must operate. It should be realized that with the change in the state of the art of combustion engines and the more compact spaces into which they are sometimes mounted compared to art of even a few years ago, that the temperature extremes to which engine associated electronics are exposed has increased.
Another object of this invention is to reduce the number of connections of this control apparatus to the existing vehicle and ignition system wiring.


A MOS component includes a source area, a drain area, a body area, a channel area, and a gate element, the channel area and the gate element being electrically insulated with respect to one another by a total of at least three individual layers in the form of a first individual layer, a second individual layer, and a third individual layer. The second individual layer is designed in such a way that it may permanently store electric charges. The third individual layer, which is situated between the channel area and the second individual layer, has a greater equivalent oxide thickness than the first individual layer situated between the second individual layer and the gate element.

The availability of reliable and heavy-duty accumulator technology is of great significance for future electromobility concepts. While electric motors and other aspects of automotive engineering are already highly advanced in terms of their development and are available in satisfactory levels of quality, accumulator technology is one of the key elements for electromobility. The critical aspects here are, mainly, the storage density, which is directly reflected in the range of the vehicles, and the handling of the energy stores. Given a reasonable overall weight, electrically driven vehicles achieve considerably shorter ranges, due to the limited capacity of the accumulators, than vehicles including an internal combustion engine. In addition, the production costs for electrically driven vehicles are presently still considerably higher than for conventional motor vehicles including an internal combustion engine.
In addition to the increase in the storage density and the simultaneous reduction of the costs, the functional reliability of the batteries is of decisive significance for the comprehensive utilization in the automobile. If there is an internal short circuit of the battery, whether due to mechanical damage or dendrite growth, a controlled discharge of the battery is desirable, so that an uncontrolled energy release may not result in explosions or the development of smoke or flames.
Therefore, it is desirable to create a possibility for carrying out a controlled discharge of the affected accumulator cell in the event of a fault. Previously, thermal/mechanical antifuse approaches, in which long-term stable short circuits are generated, for example, with the aid of pyrotechnics or melting through, were available for this purpose. Electronic options having the required non-volatility are not available so far, however.

MOS component, electric circuit, and battery unit for a motor vehicle


A voltage non-linear type sintered resistor is disclosed, which is produced by reacting, under heating, a mixture consisting essentially of zinc oxide as a main component, and an additive exhibiting voltage non-linearity and silicon oxide as auxiliary components. The silicon oxide is contained in an amount of 0.3 to 4.0 mol % with respect to the sintered resistor when calculated as SiO.sub.2, and the average particle diameter of crystalline grains of the zinc oxide constituting the sintered body is not more than 6 .mu.m.

(1) Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to voltage non-linear type resistors composed mainly of zinc oxide. More particularly, the invention relates to voltage non-linear type resistors to be used in overvoltage-protecting devices such as lightning arrestors.
(2) Related Art Statement:
Since the voltage non-linear type resistors composed mainly of zinc oxide have excellent non-linear voltage-current characteristics, they are widely used in lightning arrestors or surge absorbers to stabilize the voltage or to absorb surges. The voltage non-linear type resistor is produced by adding and mixing a small amount of an oxide or oxides of bismuth, antimony, cobalt and/or manganese into zinc oxide as the main component, granulating and shaping the mixture, firing the shaped body, and attaching electrodes to the sintered body.
The sintered body is composed of zinc oxide and intergranular layers formed from particles of the additives. It is considered that the excellent non-linear voltage current characteristic is attributable to interfaces between the grains of zinc oxide and the intergranular layers. The breakdown voltage of the voltage non-linear type resistor depends upon the intergranular layers existing between the electrodes. Thus, when considered with respect to the unit thickness, the breakdown voltage is dependent upon the size of grains of zinc oxide constituting the sintered body. The breakdown voltage is a voltage occurring in the voltage non-linear type resistor when a given electric current passes therethrough. The breakdown voltage is ordinarily considered per unit thickness (1 mm) with respect to an electric current of 1 mA/cm.sup.2.
In order to increase the breakdown voltage of the voltage non-linear resistor, only the growth of the grains of zinc oxide constituting the sintered body need be controlled. In order to control the grain growth, for example, there has been conventionally employed a process for decreasing a sintering temperature, or a process for incorporating a grain growth controlling agent such as silicon oxide into the resistor.
However, the sintering temperature-decreasing process has problems in that the additive assisting the sintering through the formation of a liquid phase is not sufficiently dispersed into the surrounding, and thus, densification does not occur during the sintering. Further, and that since other additives are not dispersed well, the resistor will not exhibit excellent non-linear voltage-current characteristics. For this reason, the breakdown voltage attainable in this process is practically about 300 V/mm at a maximum.
On the other hand, for instance, Japanese patent publication Nos. 55-13,124 and 59-12,001 disclose a silicon oxide-incorporating process. In this process, a far greater amount of silicon oxide is contained in the resistor as compared with that of elements ordinarily produced Although silicon oxide precipitates in the grain boundaries as zinc silicate and controls the grain growth, it interrupts flow of electric current, because the silicate is an extremely electrically insulating material Therefore, if the content of silicon oxide is great, an amount of the silicate precipitated in the grain boundaries increases Consequently, the electric current distribution is disturbed, and becomes non-uniform. Further, since the voltage non-linear resistor has a negative temperature coefficient of resistance, local concentration of electric current is likely to occur when the electric current distribution is disturbed and non-uniform. That is, if electric current is concentrated at a certain location, the resistance decreases there owing to greater temperature rise with Joule heat as compared with the other location. In this case, the concentration of the electric current further becomes more conspicuous, and an actual area of the flow passage effective for the electric current decreases. As a result, the electric current flows through a part of the voltage non-linear type resistor. Due to this, such a resistor cannot be applied to lightning arrestors which require the suppression of great surges of electric current.


The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to a system and method for administering reduced pressure at a tissue site. The apparatus includes a reduced pressure source. The reduced pressure source generates a reduced pressure. The apparatus includes a tube having a plurality of lumens. The plurality of lumens includes at least one collection lumen. The reduced pressure source applies the reduced pressure to the tissue site through the plurality of lumens such that the at least one collection lumen receives fluid from the tissue site. The at least one collection lumen stores the fluid received from the tissue site.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of tissue treatment, and more specifically to a system and method for applying reduced pressure at a tissue site.
2. Description of Related Art
Clinical studies and practice have shown that providing a reduced pressure in proximity to a tissue site augments and accelerates the growth of new tissue at the tissue site. The applications of this phenomenon are numerous, but application of reduced pressure has been particularly successful in treating wounds. The treatment of wounds using reduced pressure is sometimes referred to in the medical community as "negative pressure tissue treatment," "reduced pressure therapy," or "vacuum therapy." This type of treatment provides a number of benefits, including faster healing, and increased formulation of granulation tissue.
Reduced pressure treatment systems are often applied to large, highly exudating wounds present on patients undergoing acute or chronic care, as well as other severe wounds that are not readily susceptible to healing without application of reduced pressure. Low-severity wounds that are smaller in volume and produce less exudate have generally been treated using advanced dressings instead of reduced pressure treatment.
Currently, the use of reduced pressure treatment is not considered a viable or affordable option for low-severity wounds due to the manpower required to monitor and change system components, the requirement for trained medical personnel overseeing treatment, and the high cost of treatment. For example, the complexity of current reduced pressure treatment systems precludes a person with little or no specialized knowledge from administering such treatment to oneself or others. The size and power consumption characteristics of current reduced pressure treatment systems also limit the mobility of both the treatment system and the person to whom the treatment is being applied. Also, the high cost of current reduced pressure treatment systems can preclude the accessibility of such treatment systems to some users. Current reduced pressure treatment systems are also typically non-disposable after each treatment.
For example, current reduced pressure treatment systems require the use of a separate fluid container for the storage of exudate that is extracted from the tissue site. However, the inclusion of the added component of a fluid container increases the obtrusiveness, complexity, and weight of the reduced pressure treatment system, thereby increasing the discomfort and limiting the mobility of the patient.
Current reduced pressure treatment systems also lack user-friendly, non-obtrusive methods for indicating whether an adequate amount of reduced pressure is being applied to the tissue site by the reduced pressure treatment system. Therefore, persons with specialized knowledge are required in order to properly operate the reduced pressure treatment system, thereby increasing the cost and decreasing the accessibility of using the reduced pressure treatment system.
While reduced pressure could be applied to low-volume and low-exudating wounds using traditional reduced pressure treatment systems, a need exists for a more simple system that allows reduced pressure treatment to be administered without specialized medical training. A need further exists for a system that uses little power and is compact, allowing a user of the system to remain mobile and participate in normal day-to-day activities. Finally, a system is needed that is inexpensive so that the system can economically be used by a single patient and then disposed of following the end of treatment for that patient.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Apparatus and method for administering reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site


A free point tool comprises an elongated main shaft assembly and a low mass sensor assembly coaxially and slidingly disposed over the elongated main shaft. The low mass sensor assembly is adapted to be supported within the down hole casing by first and second drag spring centralizers coupled respectively to upper and lower ends of the low mass sensor assembly. The low mass sensor assembly comprises a magnetic amplifier sensor disposed in a sensor body and having a variable inductance proportionally responsive to longitudinal and rotational displacement of an adjacent sensor plate portion of a movable sensor sleeve concentric with and enclosing the sensor body, wherein the sensor sleeve is attached to the first drag spring centralizer and the sensor body is attached to the second drag spring centralizer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to down-hole tools for use in oil and gas well holes and, more particularly, down-hole tools used to locate the position of a stuck point of a drill pipe string in the well hole.
2. Background and Description of the Prior Art
During well drilling operations in the oil and gas well drilling industry, the drill string often becomes stuck in the well. Free point tools have long been used to locate the stuck point of the drill string in the well, so that the drill pipe above the stuck point that is not stuck—i.e., "free"—can be removed to permit further operations to loosen the stuck pipe.
Generally, a free point tool includes a lower portion and an upper portion. When installed within a well casing in a well, the upper and lower portions of a free point tool are configured to detect relative movement of one portion of the tool with respect to the other portion. Traditionally, three basic types of free point tools have been employed. The "magnetic" type utilizes electromagnets to attach the free point tool to the well casing at a portion of the well casing believed to include the stuck point. One example of such a tool is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,530,309 issued to P. W. Martin for a "Device For Determining Relative Movements Of Parts In Wells." The "mechanical arm" type causes arms or extensions operated by a mechanical or electrical device to engage the inner surface of the well casing to support the free point tool in the desired position. An example of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,245 issued to James D. Estes, the applicant of the present application, for a "Device To Determine Free Point."
The third type of free point tool, called the "spring type," employs two sets of bowed leaf springs, called drag springs, one set associated with an upper portion of the tool and another set associated with a lower portion of the tool, to support the free point tool in the well casing. Typically, three bow springs are used in each set, disposed at 120 degree intervals around the body of the free point tool. An example of the third type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,004,427 issued to T. L. Berry for a "Free Point Indicator For Determining The Point At Which Stuck Pipe Is Free In A Well."
Free point tools are complex devices that must operate in extremely harsh environments where they are subject to wide temperature variations, high pressures, corrosive substances, and the like. Yet, in such conditions, the tool must provide sensitive, reliable measurements of the displacement of the free portion of a well pipe when a tension or torque is applied to the pipe string to cause the displacement. The spring type free point tool has enjoyed substantial commercial success over the years because of it relative simplicity and reliability. However, there are a number of well-known problems with its use.
The drag springs of an exemplary free point tool such as disclosed in the '427 patent must support the entire free point tool assembly—about 39 pounds, including the free point tool (24 lb.), one-half of the slack joint (5 lb.) and the shot rod (10 lb.). To support the tool assembly without slipping, the springs must be set to support nearly twice the weight of the assembly. But this requires extra weight in the form of sinker bars to be added to the weight of the tool assembly, plus the other half of the slack joint, to cause the tool to pass down the well casing easily. In the illustrative prior art free point tool, three sinker bars, at thirty pounds each, are used. The extra weight of these sinker bars is thus about 90 pounds. With each set of drag springs set for about twenty pounds, which is about the maximum that can be effectively used in a well casing environment, the ratio of the weight capacity of the springs to the weight to be supported is approximately one-to-one, making the adjustment of the drag springs relatively critical. If the tension in the drag springs is too high, the tool will not slide down the casing. If the tension is too little, the drag springs will not support the tool and the measurement will not be repeatable. Associated with the critical spring tension adjustment is the high degree of uncertainty that the drag springs will have the correct holding power and that an accurate measurement is made at each desired point in the well casing. Frequently, this uncertainty and the occasional slippage of the springs along the well casing requires that the tool be hauled up, the drag springs reset, and the measurement attempted again.
The sensor assembly in the exemplary prior art tool consists of a variable inductance that must be set electrically to a specified point after the tool has been positioned for taking a measurement. To perform this "reset" the tool must be moved down within the well casing two feet to close the sensor elements, so that the gap between two halves of the variable inductance core is reduced to its minimum value to ensure a repeatable stretch (tension on the drill pipe) measurement. Then, the tool must be raised one foot to center the slackjoint. For torque measurements (application of a right hand torque to the well casing), the inductor is energized with a positive voltage to zero the sensor. Further, a predetermined amount of friction is built in to the variable inductance components so that the setting will be retained after the electrical signal that sets the sensor in position is disconnected prior to taking the measurement. To make the measurement, this friction must be overcome, a factor which affects the accuracy of the measurement. Moreover, this variable inductance varies non-linearly with the displacement of the well casing during the measurement. This characteristic limits the usable sensitivity within a relatively narrow range. Further, in order to ensure adequate repeatability to the measurements, the components of the sensor must be enclosed within a pressure capsule that is filled with oil and equipped with a mechanism to equalize the pressure within the capsule to that within the well casing. Oil seals are required to prevent loss of oil or contamination of the sensor by other fluids in the well casing. The complexity of this sensor design adds weight, reduces reliability and adds to the maintenance expense. The added weight exacerbates the drag spring problems described herein above.
The exemplary prior art spring type of free point tool described above further includes a CCL unit. The CCL unit is a casing collar locator assembly that includes a CCL triggering circuit for igniting a detonating cap that in turn fires the associated string shot explosive to loosen the casing collar joint between the free pipe and the stuck pipe after the stuck point is located. The CCL triggering circuit, which will be called a "CCL" in the description to follow, must have an isolation circuit built in to prevent firing of the detonating cap during a measurement. Typically, this circuit is provided by semiconductor diodes, which limit the effectiveness of the circuit to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit (350 F.) because the diodes lose their blocking characteristics above that temperature. Moreover, the shunting effect of the diodes also affects the free point sensor signal if the same wire is used for both functions. Unfortunately, down-hole temperatures become higher as the depth of the well increases, a circumstance that is more prevalent currently as well drilling extends to deeper levels to access more remote deposits of oil or gas.
One other component of the prior art free point tool described above is a slack joint, which is a sliding joint in the free point tool assembly. This slack joint mechanically decouples the free point tool itself from the entire assembly lowered down the well casing when the desired measurement point is reached. At that point, the free point tool is supported by the drag springs, while the rest of the assembly—the sinker bars—is supported by the wire line cable. The slack joint partially adds to the weight that must be supported by the drag springs.
What is needed is a free point tool that overcomes the problems and disadvantages described herein above. It will be appreciated that the weight of the prior art free point tool that must be supported by the drag springs is a major source of the problems with its use. Further, the prior art sensor design has relatively poor sensitivity, a narrow range of linearity, requires substantial maintenance, requires force to overcome the built-in friction, and requires a relatively complex procedure to reset it for a measurement. Moreover, the prior art tool is ineffective at temperatures above 350 F.


Andrographolide 240 mg/day orally is the first treatment shown to significantly benefit progressive forms of Multiple Sclerosis in human patients.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuron-inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the Central Nervous System (CNS) that predominantly affects young adults in their 20s or 40s and is one of the most common causes of non-traumatic disability among young and middle-aged people. MS-related health care costs are estimated to be more than $10 billion annually in the United States, and $15 billion worldwide.
As of 2008, between 2 and 2.5 million people are affected globally with rates varying widely in different regions of the world and among different populations. MS affects more than 350,000 people in the United States and 2.5 million worldwide. In the United States, prevalence estimates are approximately 90 per 100,000 population.
MS symptoms can start anywhere between 10 and 80 years of age, but they usually begin between 20 and 40 years, with a mean age of 32 years. Women outnumber men by a ratio of 2-3 to 1, although in Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) the ratio is closer to equal,
The name multiple sclerosis refers to scars (sclera—better known as plaques or lesions) in particular in the white matter of the brain and spinal cord. The etiology of MS is unknown. It is believed to be an autoimmune disease, in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. In MS, this process destroys myelin, the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord. When myelin is damaged, the messages that travel along that nerve may be slowed or blocked. MS is characterized by areas of de-myelinated plaques disseminated throughout the CNS with a predilection for optic nerves, spinal cord, peri-ventricular white matter (WM), corpus callosum, and cortical and sub-cortical grey matter (GM).
Later in the disease course, gradual progression of disability is observed. The overt progression of disability (secondary progressive MS) occurs when on-going irreversible tissue injury exceeds a critical threshold beyond which the nervous system can no longer compensate. At this point, the disease becomes essentially a degenerative process, with neurologic deterioration independent of on-going inflammation.
Multiple sclerosis is also known as "disseminated sclerosis" or "encephalomyelitis disseminate". It is an inflammatory disease in which the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. This damage disrupts the ability of parts of the nervous system to communicate, resulting in a wide range of signs and symptoms, including physical, mental, and sometimes psychiatric problems,
While the cause is not clear, the underlying mechanism is thought to be either destruction by the immune system or failure of the myelin-producing cells. Proposed causes for this include genetics and environmental factors such as infections. MS is usually diagnosed based on the presenting signs and symptoms and the results of supporting medical tests.
MS can be classified by the comparative severity of symptoms over time. Where new symptoms occur in isolated attacks, this is termed the "relapsing-remitting" form of MS. Relapsing Remitting (RRMS) is the most common form of the disease (85% of patients), wherein symptoms appear for several days to weeks, after which they usually resolve spontaneously.
Where new symptoms build up or become more severe over time, this is termed a "progressive" form of MS. Between attacks, symptoms may disappear completely; however, permanent neurological problems often occur, especially as the disease advances. Patients with progressive forms of MS have a markedly worse clinical outlook than do patients with a relapsing-remitting form. The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for treating progressive forms of MS, and more particularly to treating Secondary Progressive (SP) and Primary Progressive (PP) forms of MS.
There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis. Treatments attempt to improve function after an attack and prevent new attacks. Medications used to treat MS while modestly effective can have adverse effects and be poorly tolerated. Many people pursue alternative treatments, despite a lack of evidence of efficacy. The long-term outcome is difficult to predict. Life expectancy is 5 to 10 years lower than that of an unaffected population. Above-average outcomes are more often seen in women, those who develop the disease early in life, and those who initially experienced few attacks. In the following paragraphs, an analysis is made of the 8 drugs that have been evaluated so far, in clinical trials for various prior art treatments for MS.
After tissue damage accumulates over many years, 50% of RRMS patients typically evolve to show Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS), in which pre-existing neurologic deficits gradually worsen over time and stop responding to standard MS therapies. So far, there are no inmunomodulatory treatment available to stop or reverse this form of MS.
Primary Progressive (PPMS) affects about 15% of MS patients; these patients have gradually worsening manifestations from the onset without clinical relapses, patients with PPMS tend to be older, have fewer abnormalities on brain MRI, and generally do not respond to standard MS therapies. About 15% of patients have PPMS from the onset. So far, there are no inmunomodulatory treatment available to stop or reverse this form of MS.
Progressive Relapsing (PRMS) entails gradual neurologic worsening from the onset with subsequent superimposed relapses. PPMS is suspected to represent SPMS, in which the initial relapses were unrecognized, forgotten, or clinically silent.
Interferon beta 1a, Interferon beta 1b and glatiramer acetate have failed to demonstrate efficacy in slowing down the disability progression. Therapies such as mitoxantrone, methotrexate, azatioprine and cyclophosphamide have poor methodological clinical studies where both RRMS patients are evaluated together with SP and PPMS patients, and do not show a reduction in the progression of disability. Finally, there is no evidence with natalizumab, fingolimod and teriflunomide; however, unpublished data would indicate no effect on the progressive forms. Therefore, current available drugs, including the disease modifying drugs used for RRMS, cannot reverse, halt or even slow down the progressive disability in the SP & PPMS forms.
Interferon beta-1a (IFNB-1a) has been tested for efficacy in Secondary progressive MS (SPMS). This testing included two clinical trials. The IMPACT study included a total of 436 subjects with Secondary progressive MS with relapses that were randomized to receive IFNB-1a weekly (intramuscular) or placebo for two years. The IMPACT data showed a significant benefit in the group of IFNB-1a in terms of MSFC decrease (40.4%, p=0.033), fewer relapses (33%, p=0.008), better outcome in eight of eleven MS Quality of Life scales and less MRI activity (p<0.001).
The SPECTRIMS study included a total of 618 patients with Secondary progressive MS with relapses who received IFNB-1a (three times weekly) or placebo for 3 years. The data showed that IFNB-1a did not significantly affect disability progression (p=0.146), although significant treatment benefit was observed on relapse rate (reduced from 0.71 to 0.50 per year, p<0.001) and on MRI outcomes.
Interferon beta-1b (IFNB-1b) has also been tested for efficacy in Secondary progressive MS in two clinical trials. In the EUSPMS: a total of 718 patients with Secondary progressive MS were randomized to IFNB-1b or placebo with treatment duration of up to three years. The EUSPMS data showed that the time to confirmed 1.0 point progression on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was delayed (p=0.007) and the progression of 2.0 EDSS point was 27% lower.
The NASPMS study included 939 subjects with Secondary progressive MS with relapses that were randomized to either placebo or IFNB-1b. The NASPMS data showed no treatment benefit on time to confirmed progression of disability, though relapse and MRI-related outcomes showed significant benefit. A combined analysis of both the EUSPMS and NASPMS trials shows that the patients with more pronounced disability progression and continuing relapse activity could be more likely to benefit from treatment.
For Primary progressive MS (PPMS), a Cochrane systematic review included two randomized controlled trials (entailing a total of 123 patients), and compared interferon treatment versus placebo in patients with PPSM. This review did not show differences regarding the proportion of patients with progression of the disease (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.43), and it was associated with a greater frequency of treatment-related adverse events (RR 1.90, 95% CI 1.45-2.48). One of the trials showed a lower number of active MRI lesions at two years in interferon arm (difference −1.3, 95% CI −2.15 to −0.45, P=0.003).
Glatiramer Acetate was tested in a controlled clinical trial (Wolinsky 2007) wherein a total of 943 patients with PPMS were randomized. The data showed there was a non-significant delay in time to sustained accumulated disability (hazard ratio, 0.87 [95% confidence interval, 0.71-1.07]; p=0.1753).
In La Mantia 2010 (the Cochrane systematic review), data for 1049 patients with Primary progressive MS contributed to the meta-analysis. No benefit was shown in SPMS and PPMS patients. No major toxicity was found. The most common systemic adverse event was a transient and self-limiting patterned reaction of flushing, chest tightness, sweating, palpitations, and anxiety. Local injection-site reactions were observed in up to a half of patients treated with glatiramer acetate, thus making a blind assessment of outcomes questionable.
Mitoxantrone was evaluated in Hartung (2002), describing a controlled clinical trial of 194 patients with worsening RRMS or SPMS with relapses. Patients were assigned placebo or mitoxantrone; 188 patients completed the protocol and were able to be assessed at 24 months. At 24 months, the mitoxantrone group experienced benefits compared with the placebo group on different clinical measures (difference 0.3 [95% CI 0.17-0.44]; p<0.001), reducing progression of disability and clinical exacerbations.
Similarly, Martinelli (2005), the Cochrane systematic review, provides a meta-analysis of four clinical trials involving a total of 270 patients with RRMS, PRMS and SPMS with relapses. Meta-analysis showed that mitoxantrone reduced the progression of disability at 2 years follow-up (proportion of patients with 6-months confirmed progression of disability: Odds Ratios 0.3, p=0.05). These results, however, are based on heterogeneous trials in terms of drug dosage and inclusion criteria.
Cyclophosphamide was meta-evaluated in La Mantia (2007), a Cochrane systematic review. The meta-analysis included four RCTs comparing Cyclophosphamide to placebo or no treatment, entailing a total of 152 participants. The meta-analysis showed that cyclophosphamide did not prevent the long-term (12, 18, 24 months) clinical disability progression as defined as evolution to a next step of EDSS score. However, the mean change in disability (final disability subtracted from the baseline) significantly favoured the treated group at 12 (effect size −0.21, 95% confidence interval −0.25 to −0.17) and 18 months (−0,19, 95% confidence interval −0.24 to −0.14) but favoured the control group at 24 months (0.14, CI 0.07 to 0.21).
Methotrexate was studied in a trial with 60 progressive MS patients only. The results from Gray (2006) show there was a non-significant reduction in sustained EDSS progression and number of relapses in favour of methotrexate therapy. There were no data on relapse rate and no difference in time to first relapse. Minor side effects were reported in both methotrexate (87.1%) and placebo groups (89.7%), but there were no major side effects.
Rituximab was studied in 439 PPMS patients, randomized to intravenous rituximab or placebo. The data from Hawker (2009) showed differences in time to confirmed disease progression between rituximab and placebo did not reach significance (96-week rates: 38.5% placebo, 30.2% rituximab; p=0.14). From baseline to week 96, rituximab patients had less (p<0.001) increase in T2 lesion volume; brain volume change was similar (p=0.62) to placebo. Adverse events were comparable between groups.
The Azathioprine Cochrane systematic review (Casetta (2007)) included 698 randomized patients with all clinical forms of MS. The pooled data showed azathioprine reduced the number of patients who had relapses during the first year of treatment (relative risk reduction [RRR]=20%; 95% CI=5% to 33%), at two years (RRR=23%; 95% CI=12% to 33%) and three years (RRR=18%; 95% CI=7% to 27%) follow-up. These results were consistent in sensitivity analysis. There was no heterogeneity among the studies. Data from only three small trials with a total of 87 patients were available to calculate the number of patients who progressed during the first two to three years. There was a statistically significant benefit (RRR=42%; 95% CI=7% to 64%) of azathioprine therapy at three years' follow-up; this result was robust after sensitivity analyses.
The prior art thus teaches many potential therapies for MS. The art, however, also teaches that certain forms of MS remain resistant to any currently-known therapy.
Andrographolide (the claimed compound) and certain analogous compounds are taught by Juan Luis HANCKE et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,080,495. That patent also teaches autoimmune diseases including "rheumatoid diseases, psoriasis, systemic dermatomycocytis, multiple sclerosis [and] lupus erythematosus." See 1:29-39. Regarding multiple sclerosis, the patent says, "Using the mixture of andrographolides described in Example 9, normalization in the symptoms of the disease occurs following 3 months of treatment of the composition of the present invention. In addition, the composition does not interfere with other treatments." See 18:10-15. The patent unfortunately does not expressly say what form of multiple sclerosis was there studied. Mention of "other treatments," however, means that the form of MS there studied must have been the only one which in fact has "other treatments," i.e., relapsing-remitting form MS. This patent thus fails to expressly nor implicitly teach use of andrographolide to treat any progressive form of MS.
Further, the art teaches that every other treatment for relapsing-remitting MS is ineffective for progressive forms of MS. See supra. Thus, this prior art patent failed to provide the skilled artisan a reasonable expectation of success in using the claimed compounds for any progressive form of MS.
Published PCT Application WO2013/096423 teaches the claimed compounds synergistically improve the efficacy of interferon in treating Multiple Sclerosis. See page 2 at Summary, page 8 at 7th paragraph. The art, however, teaches that interferons are not effective at all to treat progressive forms of MS. See supra. Thus, the skilled artisan would have read WO '423 to teach combining interferon with the claimed compounds to treat the relapsing-remitting form of MS, rather than a progressive form of MS. Similarly, the artisan would have read WO '423 to teach that interferon is an indispensable part of MS therapy.

Andrographolide treats progressive forms of multiple sclerosis


Computer software applications presently allow the User to preview the impact of some commands on active documents via a small preview window. However, such preview windows are not representative of how the command will impact the entire document. The invention provides a method and system of efficiently and effectively previewing the impact of User commands on the entire document by executing User commands as they are identified. Leaving the menu open, the User is able to identify successive commands until the desired result is reached. Embodiments are described for execution of general commands, text editing commands, relocations of margins or guidelines, and relocations of graphic objects.

The present invention relates generally to the manner in which computer software applications execute User commands, and more specifically, to providing a preview of identified User commands.
Most computer software application programs require interaction with the User in which the User may select commands from a variety of options. In document and graphic editing programs, for example, command options are available which alter the appearance of a User document. Generally, the process of executing commands consists of a User scanning through a large list of menu or toolbar options, often in a multi-level hierarchy, to select and then execute a desired command. The execution of the selected command usually consists of striking a  less than Return greater than  key, an  less than Enter greater than  key, clicking on an  less than Okay greater than  icon, or responding positively to a query such as Confirm? (Y or N). The executed command then modifies the application document and closes the menu, and the User can see the impact of the command on the active document. If the User is not happy with the result, the menu options must be scanned again, and another command selected and executed. This process is slow and requires multiple keystrokes by the User, and may have to be repeated several times before the User obtains the desired result.
The same problems arise in text editing programs, graphic editing programs, and in software in general.
To expedite the process of command selection, there are a number of methods of previewing how a proposed change will impact a document. A technique common to text editing programs, is to provide a small dialogue window in a What-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) format. These windows provide the User with a small sample of how the change will impact the text in the document, and are commonly used, for example, for font face and size. There are two common implementations which are set out herein.
The first implementation is to execute the format code on a generic text listing, for example, the uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet, or a string such as xe2x80x9cThe quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.xe2x80x9d Although such an implementation presents text in the format being considered, it may not show the impact on the particular characters the User is using. As well, because the preview window only presents a small sample, there is no indication of how the change might impact an entire document.
The second implementation is to execute the format code on the first 20 or so characters of the selected text being modified. In this case, the text being modified comes from the User""s actual text, so the preview window does provide the User with more information on how the change will affect the active document, but again, it is just a small sample. In the example of a font change, there is no indication of how the layout of the text in the document may be changed. Unexpected changes may occur such as text wrapping unexpectedly, or a graphic being pushed to an unwanted location in the active document. The User only finds out how the document is changed by executing the command, then closing the menu window and studying the document.
There are also a number of commands in text editors for which no preview is given at all. With preview limited to a small sample window, there is no point in providing the User with a preview of guideline or margin changes, for example. There is a need for such a preview as a User may wish to adjust the tab guidelines in a table so that the columns appear balanced, or change the margins so that the document does not exceed a certain number of pages.
Generally margins and guidelines are modified by the User grabbing them with a curser, that is, by positioning a cursor over the margin or guideline and holding a mouse click button down, then relocating the margin or guideline to a new location and releasing the click button on the mouse. While the line is being relocated, an outline or shadow of the line appears in the document window, but the document itself is not updated until the mouse click is released, so there is no way to determine the impact on the document until the click is released.
Graphic editing programs are commonly used to prepare brochures, tables, schedules, flow charts, schematic diagrams, and many other such documents. Again, text preview windows are only appropriate for changes to the font size and type, so no preview is available for most other commands.
Some graphic editing programs provide the User with outlines or shadows of graphic figures as they are being moved or modified, but such outlines do not reflect the actual change to the document. The User must execute the change to see the complete impact.
Commands may be selected from toolbar menus, toolbar combo-boxes, toolbar grid-pickers and dialogue boxes, using a mouse, trackball, directional arrows, ALT keys or Function keys. As noted above, execution may be affected by striking a  less than Return greater than  key, an  less than Enter greater than  key, clicking on an  less than Okay greater than  icon, or responding positively to a query such as Confirm? (Y or N).
There is therefore a need for a method of allowing a User to preview the impact of commands on an active document, or in general, to execute commands in an efficient and effective manner.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and system of efficiently and effectively previewing User commands. The method executes User commands on the active document as they are identified, providing the User with the actual impact of the command on the entire document in real time.
Accordingly, an aspect of the invention is broadly defined as a method of providing real time preview of commands in a computer system having means for displaying commands on a display screen, comprising the step of responding to one of the commands being identified by executing computer code corresponding to the identified command.


A front housing configuring a scroll compressor is provided in its shaft hole with a first bearing, and the front housing rotatably supports a rotation shaft. The first bearing includes a ball bearing having a plurality of balls. First and second seal rings and are provided between an outer ring fixed to the front housing and an inner ring which abuts against an outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft. A first seal ring disposed on the side of one side surface of the outer ring is provided such that the first seal ring is in non-contact with the inner ring, and the second seal ring disposed on the side of the other side surface of the outer ring abuts against the inner ring.

A conventional compressor which compresses fluid such as a refrigerant includes a fixed scroll having a scroll fixed wall in a housing, a movable scroll disposed such that a scroll movable wall is engaged with the fixed wall, and a rotation shaft to which a rotation force is given utilizing a driving force of an internal combustion engine. A crankpin of the rotation shaft which is eccentric in its radial direction is engaged with the movable scroll, the rotation force of the rotation shaft is transmitted to the movable scroll through the crankpin, thereby turning the movable scroll, and fluid is compressed in a compression chamber formed between the fixed scroll and the movable scroll.
This compressor includes an oil seal in slide contact with an outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft to prevent the fluid and lubricant from leaking out, and a bearing which rotatably supports the rotation shaft. A ball bearing is used as the bearing. The ball bearing includes an annular outer ring held by a housing, an annular inner ring which abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft and a plurality of balls provided between the outer ring and the inner ring (see Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 2003-214339 for example).


In the present invention, in a control system for a spark ignition internal combustion engine, when a catalyst is not sufficiently active, the ignition timing is advanced to be earlier than MBT to decrease the quantity of hydrocarbons (HC) discharged from the internal combustion engine, and oxygen is supplied to the exhaust gas upstream of the catalyst to thereby oxidize carbon monoxide (CO) discharged from the internal combustion engine. According to this invention, exhaust emissions emitted before activation of the exhaust gas purification apparatus can be decreased as much as possible, and early activation of the catalyst can be achieved by making use of heat generated by oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide (CO).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-220020 discloses a technology in which to warm up a catalyst, ignition timing is retarded and the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture is changed alternately between lean and rich.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-88663 discloses a technology in which the temperature of a catalyst is raised by operating one or some of the cylinders of an internal combustion engine at a lean air-fuel ratio and operating the other cylinders at a rich air-fuel ratio. This publication also discloses a technology in which when the temperature of the catalyst is lower than a specific temperature (or a temperature at which oxidation reaction of CO in the catalyst is promoted), execution of the above-described control is disabled.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-257062 discloses a technology in which to raise the temperature of a catalyst in an exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal combustion engine having an afterburner provided upstream of the catalyst, the internal combustion engine is operated at a rich air-fuel ratio, and secondary air is supplied to the afterburner.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-240547 discloses a technology in which when a spark ignition internal combustion engine is cold-started, ignition timing is advanced to be earlier than MBT, whereby the quantity of heat that cooling water receives is increased.

Control system for internal combustion engine


In a configuration for data transmission in a semiconductor memory system, in which data are transmitted between at least one semiconductor memory module and a memory controller controlled by a system clock signal, additional sense clock signal lines are led between the memory controller and the memory modules and, via loops on the memory modules, are led back directly from the memory modules to the memory controller component. By transmitting a sense clock signal from the memory controller to each of the memory modules via the additional sense clock signal lines, the memory controller is able to measure the respective signal propagation time of the sense clock signal and adjust a delay time for the data signals respectively received from the memory modules appropriately. The use of a data strobe signal and the associated disadvantages when testing the memory system or the memory modules is rendered superfluous.

The invention relates to a configuration for data transmission and a data transmission method. The data is transmitted between a semiconductor memory module set up for this purpose and a memory controller module controlled by a system clock signal.
With increasing rapidity of data transmission in semiconductor memory systems, it has become more difficult to correctly receive the data that is sent from a semiconductor memory module (e.g. DRAM) to a memory controller. This is increasingly difficult above all at very high data transmission frequencies, since the propagation times of the transmitted data signals are longer than the period of the individual data bits.
Nowadays a data strobe signal, as it is known, is used in double data rate (DDR) memory systems. The data strobe signal is an additional signal that, together with the data, is sent from the semiconductor memory module to the memory controller.
By using the data strobe signal, the memory controller is able to detect which phase angle the incoming data has.
The use of the data strobe signal has the disadvantage that the test of the relative time position between the data strobe signal and the data response signal by the memory modules is very time-consuming and costly. Since complicated routines are often needed for this purpose the testing time is increased, which has a detrimental effect on the cost structure. A data strobe signal is normally used for each memory module, which increases the number of pins for the memory connecting plug and therefore, likewise the costs.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a configuration for data transmission in a semiconductor memory system, and a relevant data transmission method, that overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art devices and methods of this general type, in which data is transmitted between at least one semiconductor memory module and a memory controller controlled by a system clock signal, in such a way that a data transmission at very high speed is possible and at the same time the disadvantages associated with the use of the data strobe signal can be avoided. A further object of the invention is to specify a data transmission method for a semiconductor memory system of this type which makes possible very fast data transmission between the memory controller and the at least one semiconductor memory module and which avoids the above-described disadvantages of the use of the data strobe signal. Another object of the invention is to specify a memory controller module set up for this data transmission method and a semiconductor memory module set up for this purpose.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a configuration for transmitting data in a semiconductor memory system. The configuration contains at least one semiconductor memory module and a memory controller controlled by a system clock signal. The memory controller has a clock generating device producing a sense clock signal in addition to the system clock signal. The data is transmitted between the memory controller and the semiconductor memory module. A clock line is connected between the semiconductor memory module and the memory controller. The clock line transmits the system clock signal to the memory module. At least one separate sense clock line extends from the memory controller to the semiconductor memory module and directly back to the memory controller. The separate sense clock line transmits the sense clock signal to the semiconductor memory module and from the semiconductor memory module back to the memory controller. The memory controller further has a propagation time measuring device connected to the separate sense clock line for measuring a propagation time of the sense clock signal transmitted over the separate sense clock line and a delay time adjusting device connected to the propagation time measuring device. The delay time adjusting device adjusts a delay time corresponding to the propagation time needed by the data transmitted from the semiconductor memory module to the memory controller. The memory controller adjusts the delay time of the delay time adjusting device in accordance with the propagation time, measured by the propagation time measuring device, of the sense clock signal transmitted over the separate sense clock line.
According to a first aspect of the invention, the first part of the object is achieved in that the memory controller has a clock generating device which produces a sense clock signal in addition to the system clock signal. In the memory system, at least one additional sense clock line leads to the memory module and from there directly back to the memory controller, the sense clock line transmitting the sense clock signal to the memory module and from there back to the memory controller. The memory controller further has a propagation time measuring device for measuring the propagation time of the sense clock signal transmitted via the sense clock line and a delay time adjusting device, which are set up to adjust a delay time which corresponds to the propagation time needed by the data transmitted from the respective memory module to the memory controller. The memory controller adjusts the delay time of the delay time adjusting device in accordance with the propagation time, measured by the propagation time measuring device, of the sense clock signal transmitted via the sense clock line.
The inventive step therefore lies in leading an additional clock signal, the sense clock signal, from the memory controller to the semiconductor memory module and back to the memory controller via at least one additional sense clock line in the semiconductor memory system. In the memory controller there is the propagation time measuring device which determines the propagation time of the sense clock signal transmitted via the sense clock line, and the delay adjusting device which is set up to adjust a delay time which corresponds to the propagation time needed by the data transmitted from the respective memory module to the memory controller. The delay time being set in accordance with the propagation time, measured by the propagation time measuring device of the sense clock signal transmitted via the sense clock line. In the event that a plurality of semiconductor memory modules possibly having different specifications are driven by the memory controller, the propagation times of the sense clock signals transmitted via the sense clock lines from the memory controller to the memory modules and from there back to the memory controller are as a rule different. Since the memory controller knows from which memory module it has requested the data, the appropriate delay times for the individual memory modules can be adjusted on the delay adjusting device. A precondition for this is that the propagation time measuring device for measuring the propagation time of the sense clock signals transmitted via the sense clock line are present in the memory controller. The invention is not restricted to two memory modules. More or fewer than two memory modules are possible. Likewise, the scope of the invention includes memory systems in which the memory modules are not accommodated on separate circuit board substrates but, together with the memory controller, on one circuit board substrate. Therefore, the memory modules are then located on the main circuit board, as are the memory controller and the corresponding system clock lines and the additional sense clock lines. In the case of the data transmission according to the invention, it is important that the sense clock lines, which are driven by the memory controller, are looped back directly from the respective memory module to the memory controller without an additional clock module being used on the memory module, such as, for example, a PLL or DLL circuit.
According to one development, however, various passive components such as resistors and/or capacitors and/or inductors can be connected to the sense clock line, for example on the memory module, in order to match the time delay of the sense clock line to the system requirements.
Furthermore, in another development of the invention, the sense clock signal on the sense clock lines can be generated intermittently, that is to say that in a holding state it remains constant and, in the process, assumes a state xe2x80x9clowxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9chighxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cstate of high impedancexe2x80x9d. In this way, the propagation times can be measured again and again. As long as the sense clock line transmits a periodic sense clock signal, it can be used to determine the phase angle of the data in the memory controller.
The clock generating device can generate the sense clock signal at the same or an integer multiple of the frequency of the system clock signal.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a memory controller module for use in a data transmission configuration in a semiconductor system is proposed. Data is transmitted between at least one semiconductor memory module and the memory controller module controlled by a system clock signal. The memory controller module has a clock generating device which generates a sense clock signal which has the same frequency or an integer multiple of the frequency of the system clock signal, a sense clock receiving device for receiving the sense clock signal transmitted via a sense clock line to the memory module and from there back to the memory control module, a propagation time measuring device for measuring a propagation time of the sense clock signal transmitted via the sense clock line and a delay adjusting device, which is set up for the adjustment of a delay time corresponding to the propagation time of the data transmitted from the respective memory module to the memory controller. The delay adjusting device adjusts the delay time in accordance with the propagation time of the received sense clock signal as measured by the propagation time measuring device.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a semiconductor memory module for use in a semiconductor memory system is proposed, in which data is transmitted between the semiconductor memory module and a memory controller controlled by a system clock signal. The semiconductor memory module has terminals and at least one conductor loop for connecting a sense clock line and for looping a sense clock signal generated by the memory controller and transmitted via the sense clock line directly through the semiconductor memory module.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for data transmission in a semiconductor memory system is proposed, in which the data is transmitted between at least one semiconductor memory module and a memory controller controlled by a system clock signal. The method includes:
a) generating a sense clock signal in the memory controller in addition to the system clock signal;
b) leading at least one additional sense clock line from the memory controller to the memory module and from there directly back to the memory controller;
c) transmitting the additional sense clock signal via the additional sense clock lines from the memory controller to the memory module and from there back to the memory controller;
d) measuring the propagation time of the sense clock signal transmitted via the sense clock lines in the memory controller;
e) adjusting a delay time corresponding to a L=I propagation time needed by the data from the memory module to the memory controller in accordance with the measured propagation time of the transmitted sense clock signal in the memory controller.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a configuration for data transmission in a semiconductor memory system, and a relevant data transmission method, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Configuration for data transmission in a semiconductor memory system, and relevant data transmission method


A solar-powered pool skimmer is disclosed. The solar-powered skimmer may include lid having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a solar cell affixed to the upper surface of the lid. A pair of electrodes is electrically affixed to the terminals of the solar cell, and is each capable of being stored in a retracted position and moved to an extended position.

As most owners of outdoor swimming pools know, keeping the pool free of debris, such as leaves and the like can be an onerous job. If such floating debris is not removed from the pool, it often sinks and must be vacuumed from the pool before it has a chance to clog the filter system of the pool. Vacuuming a swimming pool is a difficult and burdensome task which most pool owners would rather be kept to a minimum.
For this reason, the art has included several proposals for skimmer devices that float on top of the water in a swimming pool and remove floating debris. While somewhat successful, these skimmer devices have several drawbacks. For example, some of these devices must be plugged into a source of electrical power. Not only can this be dangerous, it may also limit the area of the pool that can be covered by the skimmer. An electrical cord can also have a tendency to tangle thereby further limiting the area covered by the skimmer. Additionally, floating skimmers can be disrupted by swimmers, and are often removed to interfere with activity in the pool.


A method and member device for forwarding service messages in an Intelligent Resilient Framework (IRF) system and an IRF system. In the method, each member device in the IRF system is allocated to at least two virtual devices, and at least one stack link for each virtual device is configured in order to connect interface boards among different member devices. When it is determined according to a forwarding entry of an interface board in a first member device receiving a service message that the service message is to be transmitted to a second member device, the service message is forwarded via the at least one stack link configured for the virtual device of that interface board.

Intelligent Resilient Framework (IRF) technology uses cable to connect multiple physical devices together to form a single logical device. The resulting logical device is commonly referred to as an IRF system. Each physical device that constitutes the IRF system is called a member device, and connections between member devices are known as stack links.

Forwarding traffic flow in intelligent resilient framework system


One embodiment relates to an apparatus for in-the-cloud identification of spam and/or malware. The apparatus includes computer-readable code configured to be executed by the processor so as to receive queries, the queries including hash values embedded therein. The apparatus further includes computer-readable code configured to be executed by the processor so as to detect a group of hash codes which are similar and to identify the group as corresponding to an undesirable network outbreak. Another embodiment relates to an apparatus for in-the-cloud detection of spam and/or malware. The apparatus includes computer-readable code configured to be executed by the processor so as to receive an electronic message, calculate a locality-sensitive hash based on the message, embed the locality-sensitive hash into a query, and send the query to a central analysis system via a network interface. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to communication networks, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to techniques for identifying spam and/or malware.
2. Description of the Background Art
Problems associated with unsolicited messages in electronic mail systems and malware in computer systems are well documented. Unsolicited messages, also referred to as "spam," are mass mailed by spammers to e-mail accounts over the Internet. Malware includes computer viruses, worms, phishing messages, and malicious scripts.
Various anti-spam and anti-malware techniques have been developed to combat spam and malware. For example, anti-spam software has been deployed in host computers to detect and block spam, and anti-virus software is commonly deployed in personal computers.
The domain name system (DNS) is a hierarchical naming system for resources on the Internet. A DNS blacklist (DNSBL) is a published list of known untrustworthy IP addresses (for example, those IP addresses linked to spamming) which may be checked to determine if an electronic mail (email) message is from an address known for sending out spam. Conversely, a DNS whitelist is a published list of known trustworthy IP addresses which may be used to avoid unnecessary false positive identifications of spam.

Apparatus and methods for in-the-cloud identification of spam and/or malware


A linkage comprises a first rounded end providing a complimentary profile configured to mate with an inner radius of a loop element in a first drawbar spring, and a second rounded end opposite the first rounded end. The second rounded end provides a complimentary profile configured to mate with an inner radius of a loop element in a second drawbar spring. The linkage is configured to be positioned between the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the loop element in the second drawbar spring such that the first rounded end is mated with the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the second rounded end is mated with the loop element in the second drawbar spring to mechanically couple the first drawbar spring in series with the second drawbar spring.

A drawbar spring includes a spring coil and two compression elements that, when the spring is under a tension load, operate to compress the spring coil. In one common drawbar spring configuration, the compression elements of a drawbar are loop elements that originate on opposite ends of the coil and pass through the center of the spring coil. Each loop element passes through the entire length of the spring coil and hooks on the opposite end of the spring coil.
When a drawbar spring is under a tension load, the loop elements are under tension and the spring coil is compressed. The configuration of a drawbar spring offers a built-in definite stop such that the drawbar spring can continue to carry a static load after reaching its maximum extended length. The definite stop is determined by the point at which the spring coil is fully compressed. Drawbar springs can also carry a static load if the spring coil fractures. For this reason, drawbar springs can be suitable for use in potential overload situations.
Drawbar springs including loop elements are available in a variety of standard sizes.


Methods and systems for managing security during a divestiture may involve, for example, differentiating divested assets and employees from non-divested assets and employees and identifying non-divested assets which divested employees are permitted to access. In addition, divested employee access to the non-divested assets which divested employees are not permitted to access is locked down, and a separation firewall is deployed between divested networks and non-divested networks.

A divestiture may involve the sale of part of the assets of a divesting company to a buyer. A divestiture, for example, of less than all of the assets of a selling entity to a buying entity, such as a buying company, requires a quick transition of the divested assets to the buying entity. Generally, such assets may include IT and intellectual property (IP) assets, data, and various systems that may have been accumulated in the divesting company and become commingled internally over many years. Typically, such a transaction may include a transition services agreement (TSA) that becomes effective after the transaction closes. The TSA may be defined as a contractual agreement that formally documents the duration of a transition period and the services that are to be provided by the divesting entity to the buying entity as part of that agreement.
The closing may be followed by what may be characterized as legal day one (LD1), on and after which the buying entity officially owns the divested assets. The TSA may be effective from LD1, which may be the day after the close of the sale. Nevertheless, the divested assets may still be under the management control of the divesting entity after LD1. Under the terms of the transaction and the TSA, the buying entity and the divesting entity may agree on a period of time for the transition to be completed, which may extend over a period ranging from one month or less to several months or years.
A divestiture may include, for example, personnel, branches, network infrastructure, desktops, applications, intellectual property, servers, applications, and/or telephones. In the divestiture, the TSA is likely to be the only governing document for protecting the selling entity if there is a loss or compromise of confidential data either accidently or deliberately. Reliance solely on the TSA means that any actions taken must be taken after the fact and without the benefit of systematic proactive steps to reduce the likelihood of data leakage or data compromise. Such data leakage or compromise may involve, for example, loss or compromise of different categories of data, such as, public information, internal information, confidential information or personally identifiable information (PII).
In a typical divestiture, there is a direct conflict of interest between the buying entity and the selling entity. Once the assets are paid for, the buyer may wish to have immediate control of the newly acquired assets. However, the seller may want to protect itself because it may have core data and intellectual property that was not sold and is not part of the divestiture. Thus, the selling entity may want to ensure that the buyer is not able to access core data and intellectual property that the seller still owns. Therefore, the seller desires to complete the transition securely and minimize avenues for accidental or deliberate data losses. In an ideal world, all divested assets would be separated before LD1, but that is not often possible.
Although the buyer may own the divested IT assets following LD1, management of the divested assets may still need to be under the divesting entity's control. In most cases, since the divested assets, particularly IT assets, are co-mingled with non-divested assets, handover and transition of the divested assets is complicated due to inherent conflicts of interests. Since the divested IT assets are co-mingled with non-divested IT assets within the entity, there is a current need for a systematic and controlled method for transitioning, separating and migrating the divested assets.
Another issue in a divestiture may be the identification of divested personnel during the transition phase. For example, clients, vendors, or others who deal with the divesting entity may not be aware that certain persons have been divested and may unknowingly provide confidential information meant for the divesting company to divested personnel. There is a present need for the divesting company to protect its assets, and also for the buyer to be able to take possession of the assets as quickly as possible. There is a further need for methods and systems to separate the IT assets, including the people, between the divesting entity and the buying entity. There is still a further need for methods, designs and processes that utilize multiple layers of security controls that work together to reduce data leakage by divested workers during and after a divestiture.

Systems and methods for managing security during a divestiture


Flame retardant electrolyte solutions for rechargeable lithium batteries and lithium batteries including the electrolyte solutions are provided. The flame retardant electrolyte solution includes a lithium salt, a linear carbonate-based solvent, at least one ammonium cation, a phosphoric acid-based solvent, and an additive including oxalatoborate.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to flame retardant electrolyte solutions for rechargeable lithium batteries, and to rechargeable lithium batteries including the electrolyte solutions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Lithium rechargeable batteries have recently drawn attention as power sources for small, portable electronic devices. They use organic electrolyte solutions, yielding twice the discharge voltage of conventional batteries using alkali aqueous solutions. Accordingly, lithium rechargeable batteries have high energy density.
Lithium-transition element composite oxides capable of intercalating lithium (such as LiCoO2, LiMn2O4, LiNiO2, LiNi1−xCoxO2 (0<x<1), and so on) have been used as the positive active materials of rechargeable lithium batteries.
Various carbon-based materials (such as artificial graphite, natural graphite, and hard carbon) capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions have been used as the negative active materials for rechargeable lithium batteries.
A lithium salt dissolved in a carbonate-based solvent has been generally used as the electrolyte solution. Recently, in an effort to improve flame retardancy of the electrolyte solution, a mixture of cyclic and linear carbonate solvents and an additive amount of a phosphoric acid-based retardant has been suggested. However, the phosphoric acid-based retardant causes reductive decomposition during reaction of the negative electrode and the electrolyte solution, thereby decreasing the available capacity of the negative electrode and increasing cell resistance. As such, the phosphoric acid-based retardant suppresses the smooth intercalation of lithium ions.
Furthermore, if the phosphoric acid-based retardant is added in an excessive amount (i.e., in a solvent amount instead of in an additive amount), the cycle-life characteristics of the resulting battery is significantly decreased.

Flame retardant electrolyte for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery including the same