The disclosed valve may be configured for use as a pressure relief valve, pressure regulator valve or pressure reducing valve. A pair of opposed valve members defines a radial flow path therebetween which extends from the outer radial peripheries of each valve member to an axial bore formed in one of the valve members. The other valve member comprises a substantially pressure balanced piston, the axial movements of which control flow through the valve. A pilot valve for relieving pressure above the piston has its inlet positioned within a cavity formed on the upper surface of the piston.

1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates to a valve incorporating a pressure-balanced piston and more particularly to such a valve which may be used as a pressure regulating, pressure relief or pressure reducing valve.
2. Description of the Related Art
Numerous types of pressure reducing, pressure regulating and pressure relief valves are known in the prior art. Some of these valves include a pressure-balanced piston which is slidable in a bore formed in a valve body. Typically, the lower surface of the piston includes a needle or cone which is movable toward and away from an orifice thereby regulating flow therethrough. In operation, fluid flows into the valve beneath the piston and out through the orifice. Typically, the upper surface of the piston is exposed to fluid pressure upstream or downstream from the valve. A pressure relief valve has an inlet in fluid communication with the upper surface of the piston and thereby prevents the pressure above the piston from rising above a preselected level.
Such prior art valves suffer from several disadvantages. Because of the continuous movement of the piston, o-rings usually are not used to seal about the circumference of the piston due to the high rates of wear which would be encountered. Thus, such pistons are typically machined, sometimes within a tolerance of fifty millionths of an inch (0.000050) to be slidingly and sealingly received in an associated valve body. Such valves are expensive and subject to rapid wear.
Such prior art valves also do not have sufficient speed of response to changes in pressure in some applications, because the relief valve above the piston is not sufficiently responsive to pressure changes. This may be a result of flow restrictions such as tubing, bores or the like which communicate fluid to the inlet of the relief valve and which delay rapid pressure changes from being communicated thereto. In such valves, pressure is not accurately regulated over a wide range of flows and in some such valves is not regulated accurately for any flow rate.


A method of controlling the power consumption of a wireless station is disclosed. The present invention includes waking-up a coordinator in a sleep state, entering an awake state and if a signal for turning on a peripheral station is received in the awake state, transmitting an awake message to the peripheral station via a beacon signal during a beacon timeslot. Accordingly, the power consumption of a coordinator in a WPAN network may be reduced, power control by a peripheral station may be facilitated, and inefficient operation and management of the network may be prevented.

Due to the rapid advancement of technology, the number of products incorporating digital technology is rapidly increasing. For instance, various digital products including DVD players, cable set-top boxes (STB), digital video cassette recorders (DVCR), digital TVs (DTV), personal computers (PC), etc. may be connected to a common network. These stations may implement various protocols to exchange audio-visual and other data with stations on the common network.
The IEEE 802.15 Working Group is establishing a standard for a WPAN that may include mobile and stationary stations within close proximity and is actively attempting to apply this standard to home automation systems, remote control systems, ubiquitous sensor networks, etc. Specifically, the currently standardized IEEE 802.15.3 is named HR-WPAN (high rate-WPAN) and specifies a wireless communication network capable of a high-speed data transfer rate over 55 Mb/s. HR-WPAN includes short range communication between 5 and 55 meters for wireless multimedia transfer in a home network, a data transfer rate over 55 Mbps, dynamic configuration of network topology for element stations, time division multiple access (TDMA) support for quality of service (QoS) tiers and data stream security, peer-to-peer connectivity, etc.
The WPAN includes a coordinator that provides the basic communications timing in the WPAN, including transmitting a beacon signal, and the coordinator may manage the QoS requirements of the WPAN. The WPAN coordinator needs a WPAN-wide power saving scheme for the following two reasons.
First, in an IEEE 802.15.3 network, a network access point (AP) as found in a 802.11 network is not found. This is because a WPAN-series network is a peer-to-peer network including a dynamic topology based upon the WPAN enabled stations in range of the WPAN network. Hence, a fixed AP is not contemplated.
Second, a WPAN station functioning as the coordinator may be one of the large variety of devices. Each of these various stations may have different standby states based upon their design, operation, and power requirements. Therefore, the power saving modes of the various stations may be very different from each one another. Hence, power management of the WPAN by the coordinator is desired.

Apparatus for controlling power of wireless device and method thereof


Described is a method for processing value documents which have an individual identifier, for example a serial number, in which for the value documents the individual identifier is respectively captured and from at least a part of the value documents a stack is formed, wherein for the stack the individual identifiers of the value documents of the stack are stored as belonging to a stack, for the stack there are captured usage data with the help of which the usage of the stack is identifiable and identifier data describing the individual identifier of at least one value document of the stack, and using the identifier data, the usage data and the individual identifiers of the value documents of the stack, which were stored as belonging to a stack, are stored so as to be associated with each other.

The present invention relates to a method for processing value documents and means for carrying out the method.
In this context, value documents are understood to mean sheet-shaped objects, which represent for example a monetary value or an authorization and thus shall not be manufacturable at will by unauthorized persons. Therefore, they have features not easy to manufacture, in particular to copy, whose presence is an indication of the authenticity, i.e. the manufacturing by a body authorized thereto. Important examples of such value documents are coupons, vouchers, checks and in particular bank notes.
Value documents may have, depending on the type, an individual identifier. An individual identifier within the framework of the present invention is understood to mean a machine-readable property distinguishing the individual value document from other value documents, also of the same type, which allows an unequivocal identification of the individual value document and a secure differentiation from other value documents. In the case of value documents in the form of banks notes, such an individual identifier can be a serial number of the bank note. In the case of checks a check number, where applicable, in connection with account data.
Value documents, in particular banks notes, are often checked by machine and sorted into stacks, in order to then fill them into containers, for example cassettes or boxes, which do not necessarily need to be completely closed. Then the containers are employed, for example, for the distribution of the banks notes or for the usage of the banks notes in automatic teller machines. It would often be desirable if it could be determined, also after the filling of a cassette with such value documents having individual identifiers, which value documents were filled into the cassettes. Similar requirements may arise for other usages of stacks with value documents having individual identifiers.

Method for processing value documents and means for performing the method

GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH


Apparatuses and methods for coupling semiconductor devices are disclosed. Terminals (e.g., die pads) of a plurality of semiconductor devices may be coupled in a daisy chain manner through conductive structures that couple one or more terminals of a semiconductor device to two conductive bond pads. The conductive structures may be included in a redistribution layer (RDL) structure. The RDL structure may have a “U” shape in some embodiments of the disclosure. Each end of the “U” shape may be coupled to a respective one of the two conductive bond pads, and the terminal of the semiconductor device may be coupled to the RDL structure. The conductive bond pads of a semiconductor device may be coupled to conductive bond pads of other semiconductor devices by conductors (e.g., bond wires). As a result, the terminals of the semiconductor devices may be coupled in a daisy chain manner through the RDL structures, conductive bond pads, and conductors.

In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) memory devices have been introduced. Some 3D memory devices are formed by stacking die vertically and coupling the die using through-silicon (or through-substrate) vias (TSVs) and/or wire bonds. Thus, 3D memory may also be referred to as "stacked memory." 3D memory may provide greater memory capacity and/or higher bandwidth with less increase in area than non-3D memory. Example 3D memory devices include Hybrid Memory Cube (HMC), High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), and Master-Slave Memory (MSM), each of which may include multiple dynamic random access memory (DRAM) die coupled to one another in a stack.
The memory device may be coupled to an external circuit that provides command, address, and data signals to the stacked die to access the memory. The stacked dies are typically coupled the external circuit in a parallel manner. As a result, in providing the signals to the stacked die, the external circuit drives the signals against a load of all the die, which may be significant. The heavy load presented by the stacked die may degrade signal integrity (S), which can cause data to be latched improperly at a receiver, and/or result in increased power consumption. In some applications, the decreased SI and increased power may unacceptable.

Apparatuses and methods for coupling a plurality of semiconductor devices


There is provided a spline telescopic shaft having first and second shafts that are fitted to each other slidably in an axial direction. First and second splines that engage with each other are respectively provided in the first and second shafts. A resin coating that is provided on at least a tooth surface of the first spline is fitted to a tooth surface of the second spline. The resin coating is subjected to heat fitting processing for sliding the first and second shafts in the axial direction under predetermined conditions, to fit a surface of the resin coating to the tooth surface of the second spline.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spline telescopic shaft, a method for manufacturing the spline telescopic shaft, and a vehicle steering apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
A telescopic shaft for vehicle steering in which a surface hardened layer is provided on a surface of fitted teeth by shot peening processing, and a large number of minute recesses are formed on the surface hardened layer has been proposed (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-153677). The recesses function as a grease reservoir.
A female spline manufacturing method including a process for forming a groove in a circumferential direction to be a basis of an oil reservoir on an inner peripheral surface of a hollow cylindrical material and a process for forming a female spline by plasticity processing on the inner peripheral surface of the hollow cylindrical material having the groove formed therein has been proposed (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-207639). The groove is used as an oil reservoir by leaving a trace of the groove on a surface of a tooth surface of an inner alpine formed by the plasticity processing.
In this type of spline telescopic shaft, tooth surfaces of an inner shaft and an outer shaft may be respectively provided with resin coatings. However, backlash in a rotation direction is produced between the inner shaft and the outer shaft due to the effect of a variation in dimensional precision between both the shafts. In order to reduce the backlash, the inner shaft and the outer shaft are selected depending on the dimensional precision and combined with each other so that a fitting clearance between both the shafts becomes suitable (so-called matching assembly).
Even if no backlash is produced between both the shafts in the early stages of use, however, backlash between both the shafts is rapidly increased when a period of time for the use has elapsed.

Spline telescopic shaft and method for manufacturing the same and vehicle steering apparatus


A cooling system includes a first heat exchanger for cooling a refrigerant, an expander configured to receive the refrigerant from the first heat exchanger at least one compressor configured to compress the refrigerant, an ejector configured to receive the refrigerant from the expander as a motive stream that evacuates and compresses the refrigerant from an evaporator, and a liquid separator coupled to an output of the ejector and configured to provide liquid refrigerant to an evaporator loop and vapor refrigerant to the at least one compressor. The evaporator loop includes an expansion device positioned to expand the liquid refrigerant from the liquid separator, and the evaporator configured to receive the refrigerant from the expansion device, heat the refrigerant from a heat load, and pass the refrigerant to the ejector.

It has become increasingly desirable to improve cooling systems in aerospace applications. Typically, cooling systems provide air conditioning, refrigeration and freezer services, and the like for commercial and other aerospace systems. In general, various known options are available for providing cooling, but such options have drawbacks that limit the design options for aerospace applications.
To accommodate the wide range of possible ambient operating conditions of the aircraft, cooling systems for aerospace applications often use a gas-based system. That is, typical cooling systems include a relatively bulky and low efficiency gas-based system in order to cover the range of conditions that can be experienced during aircraft operation.
Some known systems provide a refrigerant that is cooled in an aircraft and passes through an expander and an expansion valve, to an expansion pressure that occurs in the expansion valve. The turbine, in one known system, expands refrigerant from a high pressure to a pressure that is above the dome, and additional expansion occurs in the expansion valve. Effectively, the system is throttled using the expansion valve. However, such operation can result in significant throttling losses and a reduced coefficient of performance (COP).
Thus, there is a need to improve cooling in aircraft.

Trans-critical CO2 cooling system for aerospace applications


In an embodiment, the device comprises a stainless steel container portion, a stainless steel annular portion, and a silicone mouthpiece portion. Fluid or other contents stored in the device only come in contact with the stainless container portion, the stainless steel annular portion, and the silicone mouthpiece portion. The stainless steel container portion, the stainless steel annular portion, and the silicone mouthpiece portion all do not contain plastic, therefore the fluid in contact with these surfaces is not exposed to any toxins or other compounds found in plastic and therefore the leaching of plastic toxins and compounds cannot occur while the fluid is stored in the device. The mouthpiece portion can be any of a number of different varieties, sizes and shapes.

1. Field
This disclosure generally relates to devices for storage and delivery of fluids and other contents, and more particularly, to plastic free bottles for fluid storage and delivery.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various manufacturers produce reusable devices for storing and delivering fluids. For example, there are available reusable water bottles made from a variety of materials, including aluminum and plastic. Many plastic bottles are made from polycarbonate, polystyrene, and/or the like. Plastic is a petroleum-based material and it has been shown to out gas, that is to leach petroleum by products, when subject to repeated heat cycling, for example dishwasher cycles, hot days in the sun or car, continuous use, or the like. One of the most common chemicals used in plastic bottles is Bisphenol A (BPA), which has been linked to developmental problems in children, breast and uterine cancer in women, and altered hormone states in men. Even plastic bottles that claim to be Bisphenol A-free, may still out gas other petroleum by-products and toxins when scuffed, subjected to continuous use, or put through a heated cycle. These toxins and other by-products can include PVC, lead, Bisphenol A, and nitrosamine.
As one example of the potential problems with plastic containers, within the last five years, several government-issued reports have questioned the safety of consumer products made from Bisphenol A. Specifically, in a 2010 report from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the FDA raised concerns about the potential effects on fetuses, infants, and young children of Bisphenol A on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland. Consequently, the FDA's National Center for Tocological Research is carrying out in-depth studies to answer key questions and clarify uncertainties about the risks of Bisphenol A. In the interim, the FDA is taking reasonable steps to reduce human exposure to Bisphenol A in the food supply. These steps include, among other things, supporting the industry's actions to stop producing Bisphenol A-containing baby bottles and infant feeding cups for the U.S. market.
In addition to the health concerns associated with the use of plastic bottles, there is growing concern about the environmental impact of using plastic bottles. Specifically, it takes 5 liters of water and a quarter liter of oil to produce a single 1 liter disposable water bottle. Accordingly, the manufacture and use of plastic water bottles is not generally eco-friendly nor eco-conscious.
In aluminum bottles and cans, the interior chamber generally is coated with an epoxy-based lining because raw or uncoated aluminum food service products have been linked to Alzheimer's disease. As a result, virtually all aluminum bottles are lined to minimize this risk. Many of these linings have been shown to leach toxins, including Bisphenol A, into the food product contained in the aluminum bottle or can. Additionally, aluminum is a relatively soft metal and is more prone to dents and scratches than stainless steel. As a result of such denting, the internal lining can crack and/or flake off, thereby increasing the potential of releasing undesired materials, such as Bisphenol A into food products and other fluids, such as water. Further the production of aluminum products requires massive amounts of electricity and raw materials. Moreover, the aluminum production for making disposable aluminum cans also emits high levels of greenhouse gases. Accordingly, the use of disposable aluminum cans is also generally not eco-conscious or ecologically friendly.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Stainless steel lid portion of a fluid dispenser system


A plasma generating device and a method for etching a minute region of a substrate under atmospheric pressure are disclosed. A gas containing helium as the main ingredient is glow discharged under atmospheric pressure, a halide is added to the discharge so as to activate the halogen element, and a solid material (substrate) such as silicon is chemically etched by using the radioals. At that time, a magnetic field acts on the discharge so as to draw out electrons and ions to the surface of the substrate, thereby increasing the radical density in the vicinity of the surface of the substrate and the etching rate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plasma generating device which is capable of stably discharging under atmospheric pressure and producing low-temperature discharging plasma, and a method of plasma processing, particularly a method of etching a substrate without heating the substrate under atmospheric pressure by using such a plasma generator.
A plasma generating device of the present invention is also applicable to a fine processing by confining plasma in a minute region of a cylinder.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An atmospheric condition is an insulator in a low electric field, but when a high electric field such as direct current, alternating current and impulse is applied, a breakdown is caused, so that an electric current flows (self-maintaining discharge). The self-maintaining discharge is divided into a corona discharge, a glow discharge and an arc discharge. In a uniform electric field, the atmospheric condition entirely breaks down immediately after it shifts to a self-maintaining discharge, and then shifts to a glow discharge or an are discharge. In contrast, in a nonuniform electric field, only a portion having a strong electric field first causes a breakdown and then a corona discharge is generated. Thereafter, when the electric field is further intensified, the discharge grows to an entire breakdown. In the atmosphere, when the discharge shifts to an entire breakdown, it generally tends to shift rapidly to an arc discharge without a process of a glow discharge. This is considered to be because although the characteristic feature of an arc discharge is a thermionic emission (existence of a cathode spot) due to an electrode heating caused by incident ions, since a larger number of ions enter the electrode under a high pressure than under a low pressure, the electrode is heated in a very short time, thereby causing a thermionic emission. Even if the electric current is not more than 2A, a glow discharge is sometimes used, but its controllability is not good, so that an arc discharge is preferably applied to welding, cutting or the like.
Since the arc discharge is applied to melting or fusing of a workpiece by using the high temperatures of the electrode and the positive column, the temperature of the portion processed rises as high as 2000 to 6000 K. It is therefore impossible to process a workpiece without heating.
In order to enable a surface treatment, surface processing at a room temperature, various attempts to stably generate a glow discharge under atmospheric pressure have been made (S. Kanazawa et.al. J. Phys.D:Appl. Phys. 21(1988)838-840). The conditions which are necessary for generating a stable glow discharge under atmospheric pressure are (1) that the discharge space is filled with He, (2) that an insulator is inserted between the electrodes (in a discharge path), (3) that at least one of the electrodes has a shape of a needle or a brush, (4) and that the frequency of the electric field applied is not less than 3 kHz. The insulator is inserted so as to prevent the discharge from shifting to an arc discharge. The frequency of the electric field applied is set at not less than 3 kHz in order to make an electric current flow through the insulator. It is in order to make the initiation of discharge easier by making the electric field a nonuniform electric field that the electrode is caused to have a shape of a needle or a brush. Surface treatment such as etching of an organic matter such as polyimide or an inorganic matter such as silicon has also been made by utilizing these methods. These methods, however, have to go through a process of evacuating the reaction space and thereafter filling up the space with helium, although they are carried on under atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, these methods have a disadvantage in that the treatment must be uniformly carried on the substrate, so that it is impossible to selectively treat a minute region.
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present inventors invented a plasma generator and an etching method using the apparatus which is capable of processing, surface treatment and etching of a minute region without the need for a step of evacuating the reaction space by generating a stable low-temperature plasma and confining the plasma in the minute region. (Japanese Patent Application No. 286883/1990)
The method comprises the steps of concentrically providing electrodes which are composed of an electric conductor such as metal, inserting a cylindrical insulator in the gap between the electrodes in such a manner as to be concentric with the electrodes and to come into contact with the outer electrode, keeping a gas containing helium as the main ingredient flowing in the gap between the insulator and the center electrode under atmospheric pressure, applying an alternating electric field between the electrodes so as to ionize the gas containing helium as the main ingredient, thereby generating plasma in the gap between the insulator and the center electrode, and introducing an etching gas into the plasma.
Such plasma generated under atmospheric pressure, however, has a high probability of particle collision (that is, the mean free path is short) under this atmospheric pressure, so that the probability of electrons and ions recombining in the space also becomes high. As a result, plasma does not spatially extend and is rapidly canceled with the decrease of the potential gradient, so that only a few radicals reach the substrate. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to bring the substrate as close as possible to the discharge area, but since the radical density greatly changes even with a slight change of distance in the vicinity of the discharge area, the deterioration of its controllability remained a problem.

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


A bicycle front fork shock absorbing device includes a shock absorbing spring and a set of tubular elastomers mounted around a guide rod being linked to a headed locating screw rod in either fork blade of a bicycle front fork, the improvement including a plurality of protective caps mounted around the guide rod and separated by the tubular elastomer and the shock absorbing spring, a buffer spring received in a sleeve around the headed locating screw rod and retained between the head the headed locating screw rod and a lock screw, and wherein each protective cap has two recesses at two opposite sides respectively covered around either a tubular elastomer or the shock absorbing spring or the head of the headed locating screw rod.

The present invention relates to shock absorbing devices, and relates more particularly to bicycle front fork shock absorbing device fastened the front fork of a bicycle to absorb shocks.
The fork blades of the front fork of a bicycle are commonly made in two parts that slide one inside the other. A shock absorbing device is retained within each fork blade to absorb shocks. This shock absorbing device, as shown in FIG. 1, is generally comprised of a shock absorbing spring and a set of tubular elastomers respectively mounted around a guide rod. This structure of shock absorbing device is not durable in use because the tubular elastomers will be squeezed to rub against the inside surface of the respective fork blade, causing the tubular elastomers to wear out quickly. Another drawback of this structure of shock absorbing device is that it produces noises when compressed to rub against the inside wall of the respective fork blade.
The present invention has been accomplished to provide a shock absorbing device for the front fork of a bicycle which eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks. This object is achieved by: mounting a plurality of protective caps around the guide rod permitting the protective caps to be separated by the tubular elastomer and the shock absorbing spring, and mounting a coil buffer spring received in a sleeve around the headed locating screw rod within a sleeve permitting the coil buffer spring to be retained between the head of a headed locating screw which is connected to the guide rod at the bottom, and a lock screw on the bottom end of the headed locating screw rod, wherein each protective cap has two recesses at two opposite sides respectively covered around either tubular elastomer or the shock absorbing spring or the head of the headed locating screw rod.

Bicycle front fork shock absorbing device


An apparatus for reading information includes an original picture forming arrangement for converting a picture element signal of an object to a digital signal, and a word map forming arrangement for dividing the original image into rectangular sections that define a pattern contained in the original picture image for forming a word map, units of the word map being correlated with corresponding ones of the rectangular sections and coded to form a bit map. A first calculating arrangement is provided for distinguishing the pattern contained in the original picture image from the background, for determining an estimated inclination angle of the pattern contained in the original picture image. A second picture image forming arrangement rotates the pattern by an angle corresponding to the estimated inclination angle to form a second picture image, and a second calculating arrangement maps the second picture image in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction to determine an inclination correcting angle required to substantially completely horizontally orient the pattern in the second picture image. A third picture image forming arrangement is provided for rotating the pattern contained in the second picture image by the inclination correcting angle to form a third picture image which has a corrected orientation of the pattern of the original picture image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates an apparatus for reading information and more precisely it relates to an apparatus for reading information on an object, such as a bottom of a bottle which can rotate to occupy any angular position.
2. Description of Related Art
Information, such as a company mark or a lot number or the like provided on a bottom of a bottle can not be read by a conventional reader for reading information on a post card, a paper or other document which has a constant or fixed direction, since the bottle can rotate to have any angular position. Namely, the angular direction of the bottle is not constant.
It is possible to form information of directionless codes or the like on a bottom of a bottle in order to realize an automatic reader. However, it is very difficult and inconvenient for an operator to read a specific symbol, such as a directionless code. Furthermore, special dies are needed to form such a directionless code.


Methods and systems for routing multimedia traffic are described. A method may include receiving a communication originating from a user, transposing an alias transport network over one or more existing networks to route the communication, and routing the communication based on mapping rules.

Business enterprises have historically made toll free telephone numbers available to their customers or other parties to contact the enterprise to ask questions, resolve issues, request information, conduct business, or for other reasons. Toll free numbers allow callers to contact the enterprise without the caller being charged for the call. The charge for using a toll free number is typically paid by the enterprise being called. Toll free numbers have proven to be useful tools for customer service, telemarketing, and other types of customer/enterprise contact. Calls to an enterprise routed over a toll free network may be routed over other toll free networks in the process of delivering the call to its final destination. The enterprise may have various member service centers or call centers located in different geographies and a call may be routed to multiple locations before being completed. For large enterprises that have a significant customer service component, the costs associated with routing calls to multiple destinations and providing toll free services can become large.
The landscape for individually tolled long distance communications is changing. In many cases, customers use cellular phones to contact an enterprise. Cellular phone calling plans are often structured such that there is no additional charge for or distinction made between a call within the caller's local calling area and a long distance call. In other words, cellular telephone customers pay for a particular amount of usage, often measured in minutes, and there is no additional charge if these calling minutes are used to make long distance calls or calls to other area codes. At the same time, a growing number of customers are using voice over internet protocol (VOIP) phones or other types of network based communications in lieu of voice calls using the public switched telephone network (PSTN). An enterprise may receive incoming calls or communication requests in many different forms using different protocols and/or different applications. These interactions may all be directed to a single toll free number, a small number of toll free numbers, and/or a single network entry point. Once received, the enterprise may route or re-route the communication in a number of different ways. This routing may include charges to the enterprise for transferring the incoming communication to other networks and/or charges for use of these other networks.

UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)


A fabric closure for open end cargo containers of the type having a plurality of walls, a top wall, a bottom wall, and at least one open end, including a fabric panel formed of high-strength yams, multiple web strap pairs attached to the panel, and adjustable fasteners attached to the web strap pairs to prevent items of cargo stowed in the container from passing around or through the fabric closure.

The present invention relates generally to curtains or closures for covering the open ends of cargo containers, luggage trailers, and trucks, and, more particularly, to a unitary fabric and webbing closure that functions both as a cut-resistant cargo curtain and a load retainer.
Cargo containers of many forms have been used for transporting land, sea, and air cargo for many years. One type of cargo container is box-like, with at least two side walls, a top, and a flat bottom. Typically, one end of the cargo container is open for loading and unloading cargo. Various door closures can be used for opening and closing the open ends of such containers. One type of closure has been a rigid door closure which covers the opening to reduce tampering, to prevent the loss of small items, and to prevent the cargo from being exposed to dirt, moisture, and ultraviolet light.
Another type of closures include the combination of a webbing and a fabric closure. This type of closure is generally preferred over rigid door closures because it tends to be much lighter and less expensive. The fabric covers have typically been formed from canvas, or vinyl coated nylon or polyester. However, each of these fabrics lacks the durability to withstand physical stresses or lacks resistance to environmental conditions or harsh chemicals common to the transportation industry. For example, exposure to ultraviolet light, diesel and jet fuels, and oils, tends to rapidly degrade such fabric covers. Accordingly, the durability of a cargo cover is ultimately determined by its tear-strength, abrasion resistance, cut-and-stab resistance and ability to withstand environmental and chemical exposure. Otherwise, the product life is very limited and replacement costs are high. Because fabric covers lack the durability to also serve as load retainers, a separate webbing or netting is required to keep the cargo restrained so that it cannot pass through the covered end or fall out.
There is known in the art a cargo curtain in the form of a woven fabric wherein the yarns of the fabric are constructed of long-chain extended (ultra-high molecular weight) polyethylene fibers. Curtains formed from this woven fabric have exhibited increased strength and durability, and are considerably lighter than fabrics previously available. As a result, transportation expenses and replacement costs have been reduced. However, the sheer mass and bulk of cargo stowed in cargo containers still often require that additional measures be taken to secure cargo within the containers so that small articles are not lost and so that large and small articles do not penetrate the cargo curtains. Again, restraining such loads has heretofore been achieved by applying a combination of covers and webbing or nets, thereby increasing the weight, labor requirements, and required parts inventory, while also increasing total transportation costs. Further, by their very design, webbing and nets are subject to entanglement and must be either tediously untangled, or frequently must be cut away, rendering them subsequently unserviceable.
The present invention is directed to a unitary closure for covering the openings of cargo containers, baggage trailers, or trucks that accomplishes both of the above-described functions. Thus, the closure described hereinafter functions as both a cut-resistant cargo curtain and a load retainer for preventing cargo from falling out of the cargo container or otherwise penetrating the closure. Further, the closure described herein may be installed or removed in a fraction of the time required to install separate covers and nets or webbing and is not subject to the entanglement problems inherent in the prior art.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a unitary cut resistant fabric curtain and load retainer for enclosing the open ends of cargo containers having side walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall. As used here, cargo containers include uniform load devices (ULDs), air cargo containers, baggage trailers, sea-land containers, over-land trailers, and the like.
The unitary fabric curtain and load retainer includes at least one panel of fabric formed of at least one layer of fabric woven with yarns formed from fibers sufficiently cut and tear resistant to prevent cargo from penetrating the curtain. The fabric is desirably also resistant to heat, cold, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and chemicals such as diesel and jet fuels and oils. Two such yarns formed from long chain polyethylene fibers are available from Honeywell under the trademark SPECTRA(copyright) or from DSM under the trademark DYNEEMA(copyright) However, any other suitable high-strength yarns having the characteristics described above may be used. The term xe2x80x9chigh strength yarnsxe2x80x9d means yarns formed from fibers having a tenacity exceeding 20 grams/denier, and desirably exceeding 30 grams/denier. The fabric may further be uncoated, coated, or laminated with a thermoplastic film.
The fabric closure is formed so that it substantially covers the open end of the cargo container. Preferably, at least some portion overlaps the peripheral edges of the cargo container side walls and top. The overlap portion provides an additional barrier to environmental or other anticipated undesirable elements, and this barrier may be further enhanced by securing the overlap portion around the periphery of the cargo container with a cable or the like that is inserted through a hem formed in the edge of the overlap portion and fastened to the lower front corners of the container.
Once the fabric closure has been secured around the periphery of the cargo container, it must be drawn taut to restrain cargo stowed in the container. One way of tensioning the fabric panel is by means of web straps and fasteners that are attached around at least part of the periphery of the fabric closure. For example, it may be desirable to attach the fabric cover along one side and along either the top or bottom of the cargo container with hooks that are attached to the outer edges of the fabric. Adjustable fasteners attached along the opposite side and top or bottom of the fabric closure may then serve the dual function of attaching the fabric closure to those sides of the cargo container as well as drawing the fabric taut, thereby restraining cargo stowed in the cargo container, while preventing items of cargo from slipping around or through the fabric closure. Preferably, the fabric closure is constructed so that opposed pairs of web straps are attached around the periphery of the fabric panel. The term xe2x80x9copposed pairxe2x80x9d means that each strap of a pair is positioned at a point on the opposite side of the panel from the other so that the pair form a xe2x80x9cload pathxe2x80x9d. The straps are located to correspond with fasteners attached to the cargo container around the open end thereof. Again, each pair should include one member that is adjustable so that the cover can be made taut. When the strap pairs are attached co-linearly to a high-strength fabric panel such as that described herein, the straps and fabric combination provide load restraint at least equivalent to separately formed webbing or nets. The straps are formed of nylon, but any suitable high strength webbing material may be used. The term xe2x80x9chigh strength webbingxe2x80x9d material means webbing having a tear strength of about 900 pounds or more per linear inch of webbing width. Desirably the straps are sewn to the fabric panel with a high strength thread such as SPECTRA(copyright) or DYNEEMA(copyright). The web straps are secured to fasteners, such as hooks and buckles, for securing the top and opposed bottom portions of the fabric panel to the cargo container.
Access to the entire open end of a cargo container is obtained by simply loosening and removing some or all of the straps and fasteners from the cargo container. However, for limited access, such as for inspection, the adjustable fasteners on at least one side of the closure may be loosened so that a side portion of the closure may be folded back.
Alternatively, the closure may be constructed from two panels or from a single panel having an opening formed substantially along its length or width. Where such an opening is formed across the panel, additional fasteners are provided to appropriately close the opening for transit.
These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings.

Fabric closure for open-end cargo containers


A console for measuring plantar foot pressure includes a support case and at least two temperature sensitive pads, disposed in the case, configured to allow a user to measure the temperature of the soles of their feet without assistance.

The disease process of diabetes has been studied extensively, and its debilitating effects on its victims and the financial drain on the healthcare system are well documented. The actual disease of diabetes can be controlled with medication, but the side effects and secondary complications of the disease are what cause the real damage to its victims. Foot ulceration is the single most common cause for hospitalization of diabetic patients. Foot ulceration occurs as a result several factors, but the most important cause is the lack of patient awareness of the potential problem and their subsequent lack of attention and care of the cause of the foot ulcers. Peripheral neuropathy plays a role in diminishing the feeling in the patient's foot, and incorrectly providing the patient with a sense of well-being through a lack of any pain or sensation.
Ulceration on the sole of the foot is most often preceded by an increase in skin surface temperature at the pre-ulceration and ulceration site. The ADA, as well as other clinical practice guidelines, suggests that diabetic patients with neuropathy should monitor their feet for temperature changes that could indicate that inflammation is present and an ulcer could develop. However, just informing a patient that due to their neuropathy they are at higher risk for foot ulceration, without providing them a simple means to monitor the temperature and condition of the soles of their feet (which they likely can't see or even touch) is not effective.
As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,566 to Dribbon, thermography has been identified as a potential diagnostic tool is in the treatment of the diabetic and insensate foot patient. Unable to feel pain, the insensate foot patient is at great risk of foreign body infiltration, shoe irritation and the trauma caused by simple ambulation. It has been found that typically only after blood appears on the sock or shoes will such a patient seek treatment, but by that time serious damage may have already occurred. Research has been conducted with respect to the effectiveness of contact thermography as a diagnostic tool to detect areas of tissue damage and inflammation which can lead to ulceration on the plantar surface of the foot. See Stess et al.: "Use of Liquid Crystal Thermography in the Evaluation of the Diabetic Foot," Diabetes Care., 9(3):267-272 (May-June, 1986); Benbow et al.: "The Prediction of Diabetic Neuropathic Plantar Foot Ulceration by Liquid-Crystal Contact Thermography," Diabetes Care, 17(8)835-639 (August, 1994); and Dribbon: "Thermography and Diagnosis," Pain Practitioner, the Quarterly Newsletter, pp. 3-4. As explained in these articles, tests indicate that contact thermography is a viable diagnostic tool which is capable of providing an indication of abnormalities in the diabetic foot even before the occurrence of ulceration or other tissue damage.
There have been a number of prior patents filed to measure visual pattern of infrared heat emissions from a particular area of the body employing thermochromic liquid crystal technology (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,819, Davis, U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,566, Dribbon, U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,742, Meyers et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,743, Katz).
Unfortunately, the mechanisms and devices used in each of these prior uses of LCT and the devices themselves were not tailored specifically to enable a diabetic patient to use the device in the home environment on a daily basis to monitor and examine the planter surface of the foot. Specifically, these prior uses failed to optimize the device so that (i) temperature differences represented by color changes would be readily apparent to the home user and not require the skill of a physician to interpret results and (ii) the design of the device itself would facilitate its use as a tool for contra-lateral comparison and visual self-examination in the home environment.
A detailed discussion of LCT can be found in the publication "The Hallcrest Handbook of Thermochromic Liquid Crystal Technology" published by Hallcrest Products, Inc. of Glenview, Ill., the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

System and method for monitoring plantar temperature of the foot


A bicycle disk brake pad basically comprises a backplate part and a friction part. The backplate part is made of a copper-based sintering alloy. The friction part is made of a copper-based sintering alloy that is integrally sintered with the backplate part.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a brake pad. More specifically, present invention relates to a disk brake pad of a disk brake apparatus used for a bicycle.
2. Background Information
Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of the bicycle. One component that has been extensively redesigned is the bicycle braking system.
Disk brake pads generally grip a disk brake rotor that rotates with a wheel for stopping rotation of the wheel. Conventionally known disk brake pads of this type have a dry friction member made of a sintered copper metal and a backplate made of a stainless steel alloy or other steel to which the friction member is joined (for example, see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 08-188769). In conventional disk brake pads that have a friction member made of such a sintered metal, the friction member is manufactured by diffusion bonding, whereby the sintered metal is baked and simultaneously joined to the backplate. Specifically, a copper plating is formed on the bonding surface of the backplate, a molded metallic compact that will become the friction member is placed on the copper plating layer, and the compact that will become the friction member is joined to the backplate by being baked using a hot press at a high temperature of, e.g., 900° C. For brake pads manufactured in this manner, the bonding of the friction member to the copper plating layer is performed using chemical bonding, with the backplate and the copper plating layer being metallically bonded.
In a conventional configuration in which the friction member is bonded on the copper plating layer through diffusion bonding, the copper plating layer that is chemically bonded to the friction member is first formed on the backplate, and then the friction member is subsequently sintered thereon. It accordingly becomes necessary to have a pretreatment step for forming the copper plating layer on the backplate surface, and to have equipment for applying pressure during the heat treatment and for performing diffusion bonding. The manufacturing steps become complicated.
Diffusion bonding requires a high temperature of 850° or higher. The baking temperature rises during sintering, and the hardness of the friction member increases, so that noises may be produced during braking.
In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved bicycle disk brake pad. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.


The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treating cancer in a subject. These methods and compositions utilize the activities associated with the N5 gene product, p84N5. p84N5 contains a functional death domain, can interact with the retinoblastoma gene product and is normally localized to the nucleus of cells. Increasing the activity level of p84N5 in cancer cells is beneficial for the treatment of cancer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the fields of cancer and biochemistry. More particularly, it concerns induction of programmed cell death or apoptosis in tumor cells by the p84N5 gene.
2. Description of Related Art
Coordination of cell proliferation and cell death is required for normal development and tissue homeostasis in multicellular organisms. A defect in the normal coordination of these two processes is a fundamental requirement for tumorigenesis. Progression through the cell cycle is highly regulated, requiring the transit of numerous checkpoints (for review, see Hunter, 1993). The extent of cell death is physiologically controlled by activation of a programmed suicide pathway that results in a morphologically recognizable form of death termed apoptosis (Jacobson et al., 1997; Vaux et al., 1994). Both extra-cellular signals, such as tumor necrosis factor, and intracellular signals, like p53, can induce apoptotic cell death. Although many proteins involved in apoptosis or the cell cycle have been identified, the mechanisms by which these two processes are coordinated are not well understood.
Mutation of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene (Rb) alone is sufficient to cause retinoblastoma in humans, suggesting it might play a role in the normal coordination of cell proliferation and cell death (Goodrich and Lee, 1993). The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (p110Rb) can inhibit progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle (Goodrich et al., 1991). This is accomplished largely by modulation of cellular transcription factors, like E2F1, through direct physical association (Bagchi et al., 1991; Flemington et al., 1993; Kaelin, Jr. et al., 1992; Weintraub et al., 1992). Cyclin-dependent kinase phosphorylation of Rb protein (p110Rb) allows transit through the Rb-enforced checkpoint (Connell-Crowley et al., 1997) by disrupting physical association with these cellular proteins. Several lines of evidence suggest that p110Rb may also regulate apoptosis. Ectopic expression of p110Rb inhibits apoptosis triggered by radiation (Haas-Kogan et al., 1995), E2F1 (Hsieh et al., 1997), p53 (Haupt et al., 1995), myocyte differentiation (Wang et al., 1997), or ceramide (McConkey et al., 1996). Rb protein also is a target for cleavage by caspases during apoptosis (Janicke et al., 1996; An and Dou, 1996). Finally, mouse embryos lacking functional Rb have inappropriately high levels of apoptosis in the central nervous system, the liver, the eye lens, and skeletal muscle (Zacksenhaus et al., 1996). Although these findings suggest that p110Rb may regulate apoptosis, it is unclear whether this regulation is a novel function, or an indirect consequence of Rb-mediated effects on the cell cycle.
The C-terminal half of p110Rb is sufficient for many of its known molecular activities, including modulation of transcription factor function and induction of cell cycle arrest. The purpose of the N-terminal half of p110Rb is undefined. Several observations suggest that this region may be important for normal function. First, some mutations causing low penetrance retinoblastoma specifically alter the N-terminal half of the protein (Dryja et al., 1993; Hogg et al., 1993; Lohmann et al., 1994). Second, the amino acid sequence of the N-terminal half of p110Rb is conserved between mouse, rat, chicken, frog, newt, and human. Finally, N-terminally truncated Rb transgenes are incapable of rescuing developmental defects observed in mice deficient in wild-type Rb (Riley et al., 1997).
The N5 gene was isolated based on its ability to encode a protein that specifically associates with the N-terminal half of p110Rb (Durfee et al., 1994b). Three other proteins, a 70 kDa heat shock protein (Inoue et al., 1995), a kinase (Sterner et al., 1996), and MCM7 (Sterner et al., 1998), have been discovered to bind the N-terminal half of p110Rb. The relevance of these interactions for Rb function is not completely understood, although association of p110Rb with MCM7 does inhibit DNA replication in vitro (Sterner et al., 1998). The N5 protein (p84N5) normally is localized exclusively to the nucleus during interphase and has a region of structural similarity to the death domains of several well-characterized proteins involved in apoptosis, including tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR-1) (Feinstein et al., 1995).
Rb gene-associated tumors, including retinoblastomas, small cell lung-carcinoma, osteosarcoma, bladder carcinoma, prostate carcinoma and breast cancer, are a difficult class of tumors to treat. Current therapies are not specific for these tumors and have serious treatment-associated side effects. There exists a need for a treatment that is specific for tumor cells that does not have side effects and specifically targets Rb gene associated tumors.
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treating cancer in a subject. These methods and compositions utilize the activities associated with the N5 gene product, p84N5. p84N5 contains a functional death domain, can interact with the retinoblastoma gene product, and is normally localized to the nucleus of cells. Increasing the activity level of p84N5 in cancer cells is, therefor, beneficial for the treatment of cancer.
Claimed in the present invention is a viral composition comprising a recombinant viral vector encoding a p84N5 death domain. In other embodiments, the p84N5 death domain may be fused to other protein sequences. Alternatively, the p84N5 may be as shown in SEQ ID NO:1. In preferred embodiments, the recombinant viral vector is an adenoviral, adeno-associated viral, retroviral, herpes viral, papilloma viral, or hepatitus B viral vector.
Also claimed in the present invention is a protein composition comprising purified p84N5 protein. Purified p84N5 contains the p84N5 death domain and the p84N5 protein or portion of said p84N5 protein including a death domain may be fused to a second protein. In preferred embodiments, the p84N5 protein is as shown in SEQ ID NO:2.
Also claimed in the present invention is a recombinant cell exhibiting lower amounts of p84N5 activity when compared to the starting, non-engineered cell, comprising an alteration in transcription, translation, messenger RNA or protein stability, or protein half-life of endogenous p84N5. Alternatively, a recombinant cell exhibiting increased amounts of p84N5 activity when compared to the starting, non-engineered cell, comprising an alteration in transcription, translation, messenger RNA or protein stability, or protein half-life of endogenous p84N5 is claimed. Such cells exhibiting lower or increased amounts of p84N5 activity may be cell lines or cells in transgenic animals.
A method of treating cancer in a subject, comprising contacting said subject with a recombinant vector encoding a p84N5 death domain operably linked to a promoter that functions in said cell. In preferred embodiments, the p84N5 death domain is as shown in SEQ ID NO:1. In preferred embodiments, the recombinant vector encoding a p84N5 death domain is a viral vector. The viral vector may be an adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, retrovirus, herpes virus, papilloma virus, or hepatitus B virus. In preferred embodiments the virus is an adenovirus and is administered to the subject at a dose of about 1010 to about 1012 pfu.
Also claimed in the present invention are methods of treating a subject with cancer with a protein composition comprising purified p84N5. p84N5 may be purified from natural sources or may be recombinant p84N5 produced by a number of means.
Treating cancer is defined as inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell division, inhibiting metastatic potential, reducing tumor burden, increasing sensitivity to chemotherapy or radiotherapy, killing a cancer cell, inhibiting the growth of a cancer cell, or inducing tumor regression in a subject. In preferred embodiments, the subject is human. The cancer to be treated may be retinoblastoma negative.
In preferred embodiments, treatment of the subject will include a second agent, such as a therapeutic polypeptide, nucleic acid encoding a therapeutic polypeptide, a chemotherapeutic agent, or a radiotherapeutic agent. The second agent may be administered at a different time than the p84N5 treatment. In some embodiments, the second agent may be a nucleic acid encoding p53. Subjects may be treated by intravenous, intraperitoneal, intradermal, intratumoral, intramuscularoral, dermal, nasal, buccal, rectal, vaginal, inhalation, or topical administration of the p84N5 treatment.
The present invention provides the first report that identifies p84N5 as a death domain-containing protein that triggers apoptotic cell death from within the nucleus. Few proteins, other than transcription factors, are known that require nuclear localization to induce apoptosis.
The invention also provides novel mechanisms that transduce nuclear apoptotic signals. The inventors envision that these mechanisms will enable the prediction of tumor responses to genotoxic radiation and/or chemotherapy thereby providing methods for cancer prognosis and new anticancer treatments. Thus, p84N5 induces an ATM-independent, caffeine-sensitive G2/M cell cycle arrest prior to the onset of apoptosis. Furthermore, p84N5-induced apoptosis is preceded by activation of a p53-independent G2/M checkpoint.
The invention also describes identification of the N5 nuclear localization signal and shows that nuclear localization is required to inhibit the clonogenicity of N5 expressing cells. Thus, p84N5 is involved in a Rb-regulated apoptotic pathway that is normally triggered from within the nucleus in response to stimuli, for example, in response to DNA damage. In other studies carried out herein, the inventors have also shown that coexpression of RB can inhibit N5-induced apoptosis, and that their physical association mediates this block.
The inventors have also determined that N5-induced apoptosis is initially accompanied by activation of caspase-6. Activation of caspases-3 and -9 peaks 3 days after the peak of caspase-6 activity. Expression of p84N5 also leads to activation of NF-kB as indicated by nuclear translocation of p65RelA and transcriptional activation of a NF-kB-dependent reporter promoter. Changes are also seen in the relative expression level of Bcl-2 family proteins, including Bak and Bcl-Xs, during p84N5-induced apoptosis. The inventors also demonstrate that p84N5-induced apoptosis does not require p53 and is not inhibited by p53 coexpression.
In another aspect, the inventors demonstrate that expression of p84N5, either by transfection or adenovirus-mediated gene transfer, renders cells inviable. For example, N5 adenovirus infection significantly reduced the proliferation and tumorigenicity of breast, ovarian, and osteosarcoma tumor cell lines. Loss of viability is due to induction of apoptosis. p84N5-expressing cells exhibit many of the typical characteristics of apoptosis, including fragmentation of DNA, exposure of phosphatidylserine on the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, changes in membrane permeability, and changes in cellular and nuclear morphology. The induction of apoptosis reduced proliferation and tumorigenicity the cancer cells. Thus, N5 encoding nucleic acids provide tools for gene therapy of cancer.
The inventors also demonstrate that co-infection of cancer cells with adenovirus encoding N5 and p53 are highly effective in inducing apoptosis. For example, co-infection of Colo357 X cells with both AdN5 and Adp53 causes a more dramatic reduction growth than infection with either one alone. The invention also explains the mechanism of co-infection as follows; N5 and p53 function in different pathways, N5-induced apoptosis is preceded by a G2/M cell cycle arrest while expression of p53 typically induces a G1 cell cycle arrest. Thus, the invention also provides for anticancer genetherapy using both AdN5 and Adp53.

Induction of programmed cell death by N5 gene

Board of Regents, University of Texas System


A semiconductor memory device with low power consumption in driving control signals of shift registers. The device contains a plurality of memory cell arrays each composed of a predetermined number of rows of memory cells. One set of shift registers are coupled to each cell array, and the nth set of shift registers successively activate word line selection signals according to a given control signal, so that the corresponding word lines of the nth cell array will be refreshed. Also coupled to each cell array is a shift register controller. The nth shift register controller provides a control signal to the nth set of shift registers when the nth cell array is being refreshed. When the refresh of that cell array is finished, the nth shift register controller forwards the control signal to the (n+1)th set of shift registers, thus initiating refresh operation for the (n+1)th cell array.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device, and more particularly to a semiconductor memory device with a function of refreshing stored data.
2. Description of the Related Art
A class of semiconductor memory devices such as dynamic random-access memories (DRAMs) store each data bit in the form of a charge on a very small capacitor. Because of the presence of leakage current from capacitors, the stored data cannot be retained indefinitely. The lost capacitor charge must be restored at appropriate intervals by rewriting the same data. This restoration operation is called "refresh."
Existing semiconductor memory devices have an internal address counter to generate refresh address, which is typically a binary counter to produce binary address. This is, however, not always an efficient way. In the case the actual memory size cannot be represented in the form of 2n, the address counter would produce useless address values after it has reached the maximum real memory address.
One technique to overcome the above inefficiency in refresh address generation is to use shift registers. Specifically, the semiconductor memory device contains shift registers corresponding to individual word lines of each memory cell array. In refresh cycles, those shift registers successively generate a series of refresh addresses, thus scanning all word lines efficiently. (See, for example, the Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2000-311487, pages 4 and 5, FIGS. 1 to 3.)
We should, however, note that the conventional semiconductor memory devices described above are designed to distribute common control signals to all shift registers when updating refresh address. Since the number of shift registers increases in proportion to memory capacity, the power consumption in driving those control signals would be a problem.

Semiconductor memory device with shift register-based refresh address generation circuit


Provided is a method and system for displaying video from a plurality of video streams on a display. It includes an input interface for receiving video data from a plurality of video streams and transferring the video data to a frame controller in communication with a television display. The frame controller causes the video data from each of the plurality of different video streams to be displayed in a separate frame on the television display, and each frame occupying an area of the television display separate from an area occupied by any other frame. The frame controller displays a channel group on the television display. The channel group comprises a list of channels sharing at least one common attribute.

The introduction of High Definition Television (HDTV) and the flat panel display has led to new and pleasant experience in watching television. The slimness of a flat panel television set saves space and allows a consumer to place a larger television in a room of limited size. HDTV sets support high resolution and better picture quality. Many HDTV sets sold today are flat panel television sets.
Along with the improved resolution and picture quality, the trend in HDTV sales has been towards a general increase in the size of the average television display. For example, in United States, the average size of a HDTV set sold is now approximately 30 inches, diagonal. In some Asian countries, the average size is even larger than 32 inches.
A large screen allows a consumer to more comfortably view multiple pictures. For example, a consumer may watch the Super Bowl on a large picture on the display screen, while simultaneously viewing an NBA game between the Sacramento Kings and the LA Lakers on a smaller picture, a local college basketball between Stanford and Berkeley on a third picture, and a hockey game between New York Islanders and Anaheim Ducks on a fourth picture on the television display. Not to miss any important news, the consumer may view CNN or FOX on a fifth picture. Last but not least, they may also view a sixth picture, such as from a baby monitor their 8-month old baby's room, at the same time. On a traditional smaller television screen, having six picture frames displaying simultaneously on the screen would necessitate that at least some of the picture frames would be so small as to be difficult to view at an average or normal viewing distance. With the large screen, however, more the larger display area allows for more picture detail to be discerned at the same distance than with a smaller television screen.
Currently, there are several ways to view multiple pictures simultaneously on a television set. Picture in picture (PIP) allows two pictures to be shown on a television set at the same time, with a smaller picture displayed on top of, or overlaying, a larger picture. Since the smaller picture overlays the larger picture, the larger picture is not entirely visible. This is often extremely inconvenient, as the overlaid picture may cover a portion of the larger picture of interest to the viewer. For example, the overlaid portion might cover the end zone of a football game.
In addition, many cable television and satellite television networks carry numerous channels. A subscriber typically gets over 50 channels, even for basic services, and it is not uncommon for a subscriber to have over 100 channels available with a typical subscription. Particularly in a multiple picture environment, in which the number of channels that can be viewed at one time is increased, a user may desire a means to easily select channels for viewing.
Moreover, advances in Internet video and television potentially makes available thousands of channels. Navigating through so many available channels becomes a daunting task. There are a number of ways to deal with the problem. Video on demand (VOD) allows a user to select a television program they want to watch, but this method is most effective only for a small number of television programs. The next time the user wants to watch television, they have to select a television program again.
Also, VOD relates to television programs and not to television channels. For example, if Mary wants to watch television programs about homes and gardens, she may use VOD to select a "24 Hour Design" show from House and Garden Television channel (HGTV). On the next day, Mary turns on the television to watch some more house and garden shows, but instead of seeing the HGTV channel, she finds a VOD screen waiting for her to once again select a program.
Another way of navigating through the channels is to use the programmed channel list feature of televisions and set-top boxes. A user may remove television channels they do not like. For example, Bob does not shop on television and is not interested in local community affairs. Thus, he removes all home shopping television channels and local community television channels from the programmed channel list. Bob is happy. Mary, Bob's wife, likes to shop but does not enjoy sports on television. Mary removes sports channels from the programmed channel list. Mary finds the home shopping channels were removed, and adds them back to the programmed channel list. Later that evening, Bob wants to watch a tennis final match on ESPN, a sports channel. Bob cannot find it on the programmed channel list.
Thus, particularly in a multiple picture environment, there is a need to organize television channels into a plurality of television channel groups.

Method and system for television channel group


In a method for changing a configuration of a programmable logic module, an initial configuration of the programmable logic module is read in, with a result that a logic description, in particular a mapped netlist, of the initial configuration is at least partially available. One or more logic elements and/or connection elements from the logic description of the initial configuration of the programmable logic module are replaced or reconfigured and a logic description of a target configuration having one or more additional logic elements are created, none or a plurality of elements of the initial configuration being missing in the target configuration. Assignment information is used to determine transfer points, that is to say logic elements present in the target configuration and the initial configuration, in particular registers, and/or connection elements, to which a changed logic function is applied in the target configuration, at least the logic elements of the programmable logic module which are already unused in the initial configuration being marked as free, and the additional logic elements of the target configuration being placed on the logic elements marked as free and being connected to the transfer points via unused connection elements. A changed bit stream is created from the logic description of the target configuration, and the changed bit stream is written to the programmable logic module.

The invention generally relates to a method for changing the configuration of a programmable logic module, a method for adapting a control device comprising a programmable logic module set up to execute a regulating function, and to a programming apparatus for writing to a programmable logic module.
In many fields of technology, control devices are used to regulate a physical process, a microcontroller of the control device cyclically executing a program which comprises determining new measured values from one or more sensors and actuating one or more actuators on the basis of a comparison of the measured values with desired values. In order to speed up the design of new control devices or regulating algorithms, placement on an existing control device is often carried out in this case and only individual (sub)functions are replaced. This procedure which is also known under the term bypassing can either be completely implemented on the existing control device (internal bypassing) or can resort to a separate Rapid Control Prototyping system (abbreviated to RCP system) in order to call the new function(s), the so-called bypass functions (external bypassing). Individual functions can be expediently replaced by adapting jump instructions.
EP 2869145 A1 discloses a method for influencing a control program of a control device, the control program comprising a multiplicity of first functions, at least one of which is designed to control an actuator, and a memory being provided, said memory having memory areas occupied by subroutines assigned to the first functions. The control program is in the form of a binary program code, the program code of the control program containing a jump address when called by one of the first functions, which jump address points to a memory address of the subroutine associated with the function call, and the subroutine being in the form of a sequence of binary program code, and a return instruction being present at the end of the sequence of the program code of the subroutine. The program code of the control program is examined for the occurrence of function calls and the jump addresses associated with the function calls and addresses of the return instructions are determined, the memory areas of the memory which are occupied by the respective subroutines being determined from the determination of the size. The designators which are assigned to the first functions and have sizes associated with the respective first functions and addresses of the memory areas are displayed in a display unit which is designed as part of a computer system. The computer system is used to select at least one of the first functions to be deleted, the size and address of the selected first function being stored in a function structure and at least one function call of the selected first function being deactivated and/or the first function being replaced with a second function by overwriting the program code of the selected first function with the program code of the second function.
Programmable logic modules known under the term Field Programmable Gate Array (abbreviated to FPGA) are increasingly being used to simulate and regulate systems with a high dynamic response, which logic modules also reliably regulate rapidly variable sections by use of parallel processing and a logic circuit that is tailored to the respective application. Since no sequential execution is carried out, unlike in microprocessors, and since no jump instructions are present, no bypassing has hitherto been able to be carried out for the regulating functions implemented on an FPGA. Another disadvantage of using FPGAs is that minor adaptations to the individual logic functions are possible only to a limited extent since the circuit has to be completely resynthesized in each case, which is time-consuming, in particular on account of the optimization of placement and routing. It would therefore be desirable to provide a simple way of adapting logic functions for programmable logic modules as well.
Partial reconfiguration is a procedure which is known from U.S. Pat. No. 7,902,866 B2, for example, for being able to change the configuration of an FPGA subsequently or at the runtime. In preparation for this, the FPGA configuration must already be divided into partitions in the design phase, in which case a first and a second partition, for example, are therefore created. Logic functions which are unalterable or are always present are provided in the first partition. The second partition is then a delimited area for which partial resynthesis and partial reconfiguration are possible, with the result that, in principle, the logic functions arranged in the second partition can be changed.
However, this procedure has a number of disadvantages. The partition interfaces must already be planned and firmly implemented in the initial design. Irrespective of the functionality or logic function implemented in the second partition, a fixed number of logic units and connection elements is reserved. As a result of the therefore necessary reservation of the greatest assumed number of required logic elements, resources remain unused in many cases. All logic functions arranged in the first partition remain firm; even when the currently implemented functionality of the second partition does not need them, there is still a space and energy requirement of the functions.
In order to design and process an FPGA configuration, "Torc: Towards an Open Source Tool Flow", Proceedings of the 19th Annual ACM/SIGDA International Symposium on Field Programmable Gate Arrays, 2011, by N. Steiner et al. was presented. The Steiner reference discloses reading and writing a logic description in the form of an unmapped or mapped netlist. In light of Steiner, R. K. Soni et al. describe in "Open-Source Bitstream Generation", 21st IEEE Annual International Symposium on Field-Programmable Custom Computing Machines 2013, a possible way of making quick modifications to a bit stream which describes an FPGA configuration. A library of micro bit streams each describing individual basic units can be used to add further logic elements to an existing configuration on the basis of a mapped netlist.
"RapidSmith: Do-it-Yourself CAD Tools for Xilinx FPGAs", 2011 21st International Conference on Field Programmable Logic and Applications, by C. Lavin et al. discloses a further design tool for FPGA configurations. In light of the Lavin reference, the paper "Rapid Post-Map Insertion of Embedded Logic Analyzers for Xilinx FPGAs", 22nd IEEE Annual International Symposium on Field-Programmable Custom Computing Machines 2014, by B. L. Hutchings and J. Keeley describes a possible way of modifying an existing FPGA configuration without the need to recompile or resynthesize the complete circuit. Measuring circuits can therefore be subsequently introduced into an FPGA configuration which is otherwise unchanged by using previously unused logic elements or areas of the FPGA. Individual logic functions are not adapted and the values or signals which are output are therefore not changed.

Method for changing the configuration of a programmable logic module

DSPACE DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING AND CONTROL ENGINEERING GMBH


A test coupon is formed from a metallic strip having opposite first and second sides that generally define a plane of the strip and the strip includes a laser shock peened patch of the strip that has first and second laser shock peened surfaces on the first and second sides, respectively, first and second laser shocked regions having deep compressive residual stresses imparted by the laser shock peening extending into the strip from the first and second laser shock peened surfaces, respectively, and a deflection of a portion of the strip from a position of the portion before the laser shock peening. The deflection is formed by the laser shock peening such that at least a part and preferably substantially all of the deflection lies in the plane and the test coupon preferably includes an indicating means to indicate the deflection.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to quality assurance methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture used for quality assurance of surface treatment of a substrate surface such as peening and, more particularly, to using in plane coupon deflection or bending of a metal coupon or strip for quality assurance of laser shock peening processes.
2. Description of Related Art
Laser shock peening or laser shock processing, as it is also referred to, is a process for producing a region of deep compressive residual stresses imparted by laser shock peening a surface area of a workpiece. Laser shock peening typically uses one or more radiation pulses from high power pulsed lasers to produce shock waves on the surface of a workpiece similar to methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,850,698, entitled "Altering Material Properties"; U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,477, entitled "Laser Shock Processing"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,957, entitled "Material Properties". Laser shock peening, as understood in the art and as used herein, means utilizing a pulsed laser beam from a laser beam source to produce a strong localized compressive force on a portion of a surface by producing an explosive force by instantaneous ablation or vaporization of a painted or coated or uncoated surface. Laser peening has been utilized to create a compressively stressed protection layer at the outer surface of a workpiece which is known to considerably increase the resistance of the workpiece to fatigue failure as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,421, entitled "Laser Peening System and Method". These methods typically employ a curtain of water flowed over the workpiece or some other method to provide a confining medium to confine and redirect the process generated shock waves into the bulk of the material of a component being LSP'D to create the beneficial compressive residual stresses.
Laser shock peening is being developed for many applications in the gas turbine engine field, some of which are disclosed in the following co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/362,362 entitled "ON THE FLY LASER SHOCK PEENING", filed Dec. 22, 1994; and U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,591,009, entitled "Laser shock peened gas turbine engine fan blade edges"; 5,569,018, entitled "Technique to prevent or divert cracks"; 5,531,570, entitled "Distortion control for laser shock peened gas turbine engine compressor blade edges"; 5,492,447, entitled "Laser shock peened rotor components for turbomachinery"; 5,674,329, entitled "Adhesive tape covered laser shock peening"; and 5,674,328, entitled "Dry tape covered laser shock peening", all of which are assigned to the present Assignee. These applications, as well as others, are in need of efficient quality assurance testing during production runs using laser shock peening.
Laser shock peening processes have been developed to simultaneously LSP pressure and suction sides of leading and trailing edges of fan and compressor airfoils and blades as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,009 entitled "Laser shock peened gas turbine engine fan blade edges" and U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,570 entitled "Distortion control for laser shock peened gas turbine engine compressor blade edges". Single sided shot peened Almen strips are well known for use in the field of shot peening quality control, see U.S. Pat. No. 2,620,838. Though relatively inexpensive and easy to use, such a process is not suitable because it relies on out of plane bending of the strip. Out of plane bending essentially would not occur with a dual sided and/or simultaneous LSP process because there would be substantially equal compressive residual stresses imparted to both sides of such an Almen strip.
Typically, a flat Almen strip is secured in a holder which constrains the strip to prevent the strip from bending. The strip is subjected to a shot peening regimen after which the strip is removed from the holder. Stresses induced in the strip by the surface shot peening cause the strip to curve out of the plane of the flat strip when removed from the constraints of the holder. Hence, the terms out of plane and in plane as used herein. The curved strip is then typically placed in a peening-intensity gage which measures the amount of out of plane deflection or bending of the strip also referred to as the curvature of the strip. This deflection gives a qualitative indication of the amount of residual stress that is in the Almen strip, though there is no direct quantitative correlation to the residual stress measurement from the measured deflection.
Conventional high cycle fatigue (HCF) testing of blades which are LSP'd and notched before testing has been tried as a quality assurance technique. Measurement of the diameter and volume of a single LSP spot on a flat coupon by optical interferometry has also been tried for QA purposes. Both of these methods are fairly expensive and time consuming to carry out and significantly slows production and the process of qualifying LSP'd components. An improved quality assurance apparatus and method of measurement and control of LSP is required which is inexpensive, accurate, and quick. LSP is a process that, as any production technique, involves machinery and is time consuming and expensive. Therefore, any techniques that can reduce the amount or complexity of production machinery and/or production time are highly desirable.

In plane deflection coupon for monitoring and controlling of laser shock peening


A parabolic reflector differs from a standard paraboloid configuration by defining a relatively small, reflective cone on its reflective surface which is axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the parabolic reflector. The reflective surface of the cone in any cross section taken through the conical axis and is so contoured that light impinging from a light source disposed forwardly of the reflector on the longitudinal axis thereof will strike the concave reflective surface of the cone, and reflect against the main parabolic reflecting dish, where it is re-reflected forwardly and parallel, thus eliminating the light from the lamp passing close to the longitudinal axis which would otherwise reflect back through the lamp rather than alongside it. This reflector is designed for use with high power HMI lamps from 1200 to 18 kw which are used for motion picture and television set lighting. Cone angle is from 15 degrees to 45 degrees maximum.

The invention is in the field of high intensity HMI lamps such as the kind used in movie sets and television lighting and in a number of other applications. Typically, these lamps are arc lamps in which the electrodes are surrounded by Argone gas at low pressure and a combination of mercury and rare earth elements. The temperature inside the lamps gets extremely high, and the light produced is quite intense, approximating the spectrum of sunlight. Bright colors are brought out very well by the lamp because of its high intensity and spectral distribution.
Because the lamps are so intense and run so hot, there life span is somewhat limited. The tungsten which is used in the electrodes evaporates and slowly coats the interior surface of the enclosing glass envelope, which further increases the heat by absorbing and reflecting the light rather than letting it pass through the glass. Thus as the lamp gets older, its deterioration accelerates.
Because in virtually all applications the light from this median point source lamp is required to be directed in a single beam of collimated or converging light, these lamps virtually always have a rear reflector so that rearwardly directed light is not lost. Reflectors in current practice are simple spherical mirror having its center of curvature at the lamp point-source. This arrangement, in a geometrically perfect model, reflects most of the rearwardly directed light back approximately along its incident path, so that it passes back through the point-source again in the forward direction. All reflectors in use are spherical. The trouble with this is that the light that is so reflected has already escaped the quartz envelope of the lamp once, but by being so reflected, the light passes again across the quartz envelope barrier once into the lamp and once again back out of the lamp at its forward side. Reflecting the light along this path needlessly further heats the lamp, and dissipates further the radiation which is needed forwardly in the lamp.
In another system which substantially avoids the above stated problem the generally hemispherical reflector has axial aperture and the lamp, which has two lateral arms, is oriented with its transverse axis, through the lateral arms, coincident with the axis of symmetry of the reflector. One arm of the lamp passes back through the axial hole in the reflector, and the result is that none of the light, or substantially none of the light, is re-directed through the light source portion of the lamp.
However, this arrangement suffers from another drawback. The lamp must be mounted and suspended by the ends of its lateral arms, and thus, although not shown in drawings, the yolk and electrical connection to the ends of the arms interferes with light passage near the forwardly-directed arm. Thus although the reflected light successfully circumradiates the intense center of the lamp, nonetheless it loses a portion of its radiation by absorption and scattering off of the front portion of the mounting and energizing yolk. Even beyond this, in many applications it is desirable and perhaps an absolute necessity to mount the lamp in a transverse arrangement rather than a longitudinally aligned with the reflector axis.
There is a need therefore for a reflector arrangement that can accommodate a transversely extended high intensity lamp, having its transverse axis substantially perpendicular to the reflector axis, and yet reflect the rearwardly directed radiation from the lamp back forwardly in such a way that it passes by the lamp rather than re-penetrating the fiery core of the quartz envelope.


Phosphoranimide-metal catalysts and their role in hydrogenation and hydrosilylation are disclosed. The catalysts comprise first row transition metals such as nickel, cobalt or iron. The catalysts have a metal to anionic phosphoranimide ratio of 1:1. This disclosure presents a process for catalytic hydrogenation and hydrosilylation of a range of unsaturated organic compounds under lower temperature and pressure conditions than conditions associated with industrial hydrogenation and hydrosilylation.

Catalytic reduction of unsaturated organic substrates remains a key enabling industrial process that sustains major chemical industries. Fine chemicals production and petroleum upgrading, to name a few, are industries dependent on catalytic reduction of unsaturated organic compounds. Catalytic hydrogenation of unsaturated components of petroleum produces higher quality fuel components. In addition, the hydrogenation and hydrosilylation of a diverse set of unsaturated substrates produce value-added compounds for a wide range of applications. Industrial hydrogenation and hydrosilylation processes are commonly mediated by rare and expensive second- and third-row transition metal catalysts such as platinum, palladium, rhodium and ruthenium. The use of precious transition metals raises barriers to the economics and sustainability of these industrial processes. Hence, there remains a high demand for cost-effective catalyst technologies for hydrogenation and hydrosilylation.
Cheap and abundant first row transition metals are important candidates as economical and less toxic catalyst substitutes. First-row transition metal catalysts have traditionally been believed to possess intrinsically low activity. For example, most nickel-catalyzed hydrogenation reactions are generally much slower than precious metal-catalyzed reaction and require relatively harsh reaction conditions (e.g. 65 atm H2 and 100° C.). However, results of studies on commercial CoMoS2 catalysts can be interpreted to suggest that the active sites of the catalysts may be the cobalt rather than the molybdenum centers. Examples of these studies are detailed in papers such as (1) Duchet, J. C.; van Oers, E. M.; de Beer, V. H. J.; Prins, R. J. Catal. 1983, 80, 386; (2) Vissers, J. P. R.; de Beer, V. H. J.; Prins, R. J. Chem. Soc. Farady Trans. I. 1987, 83, 2145. These results suggest that catalysts containing transition metals such as cobalt may be useful in catalysis. In particular, late first-row transition metals such as Fe, Co and Ni are relatively inexpensive and abundant, making them good candidates for use in hydrogenation reactions.

Transition metal catalysts for hydrogenation and hydrosilylation


The present invention relates to an apparatus for collecting and transmitting sunlight into a space comprising a solar ray collecting device, a solar light transmitting device and a solar light emitting device, wherein said solar ray collecting device is arranged to collect sunlight and direct said sunlight to said solar light transmitting device, said solar ray transmitting device is arranged to transmit said sunlight from said solar ray collecting device into said space and to said solar light emitting device, and said solar light emitting device is arranged to emit solar light in said space. Said solar ray collecting device comprises at least one convex lens and at least one concave lens, and at least said convex lens or said concave lens is arranged to be movable in dependence of the angle of incident solar light so as to focus the solar light onto said solar light transmitting means through said convex and concave lens.

To be able to introduce day light into a building has in all times been of great interest. The human being has in all times, apart from the modern era with electric light, been dependent on the daylight and has biologically evolved under this constraint. The turning of the sun during the day, from east to west, has a significant effect on peoples perception of passed time, when to have different types of meals, when to sleep and when to get up, just to mention a few.
When designing buildings the introduction of daylight, in later times particularly through glass windows, is a major design consideration. At the same time, as land prices raise in popular areas, it is of economical interest to build bigger buildings. These two requirements are at times colliding. Residential blocks are most often not wider than 9-10 meters. However, the wider buildings lack significant daylight comfort. They tend to be somewhat like darker caves. A daylight source using a daylight collector makes it possible to construct buildings with higher utilization factor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,736 "Solar ray device for illumination" discloses a device comprising a solar ray collecting device having multiple optical lenses, and an illuminator connected through a plurality of light guiding cables. The device further comprises a sensor for detecting the direction of the sun's rays and for treating a control signal causing the optical lenses to be directed toward the sun.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,000 "Solar lighting system" disclose a solar collector device for directing solar light onto a bundle of optical fibres. The device comprises a tracking system to direct to collector device towards the sun.
JP 591,602,14 "Solar light tracking device" disclose a solar tracking device for tracking to sun using a spring of a shape memory alloy.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,789 "Tracking lens system for solar collectors and skylights" disclose an arrangement for collecting solar light using three layers of lenses, a first condensing lens, a second diverging lens and a third condensing lens. More over the second lens need to be positioned not only horizontally between the two condensing lenses but also vertically to focus the beam correctly. These limitations require that sophisticated and expensive mechanism for moving the middle lens. It would be beneficial if fewer lenses could be used and if a movement in only two dimensions could be achieved.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,514 "Systems for deviating and (optionally) converging radiation" disclose a method for collecting solar light comprising first lens and second lenses. The second lens need to be movable in direction to and from said first lens to increase or decrease the distance from the first lens as well as parallel to the first lens to collect the sun light. It would be beneficial if a movement in the direction to and from the first lens could be avoided to achieve a simpler and more cost effective solar collecting device.