A source of analog computer video signals is provided, which source may be a video switch providing a single set of computer video signals from one of a plurality of computers. From the source, the video signals are applied to a transmitter that includes circuitry for developing a pair of balanced video signals from each discrete video signal and applying each signal of the pair of balanced signals to respective conductors of a twisted pair of conductors. At the receiver, each balanced pair of video signals is converted back to a single-ended form. Compensation circuitry is provided for compensating for the length of twisted pair conductors between the transmitters and receivers for each video signal. Horizontal and vertical sync signals are applied via respective buffer amplifiers to another twisted pair of conductors in unbalanced relation.

There are many occasions where it is necessary to process and transmit color computer video signals over communications links. In one such instance, when analog VGA video and keyboard signals are routed between one of a plurality of computers and a single monitor and keyboard by switching equipment, such as the COMMANDER module, manufactured by Cybex Corporation located in Huntsville, Alabama, analog VGA video levels routed thereby may be reduced and high frequency components of the signal attenuated by switching circuitry inside the COMMANDER module. However, signal degradation may occur due to signal interaction in the cable between the COMMANDER module and the monitor.
In another instance, where analog video and other data signals are coupled to or between workstations via relatively long conductors, similar signal losses occur. In order to compensate for these signal losses, it is generally necessary to regenerate voltage amplitude of the video and data signals prior to inputting them to a monitor and other peripheral devices. Typically such regeneration is done by a pair of transistors coupled in a common emitter configuration, with the first transistor inverting the signal and the second transistor reinverting the signal in order to provide noninverted voltage amplification. While this type of amplifier requires power of a single polarity and ground, DC coupling of the amplifiers is generally difficult to implement and not particularly stable. In any case, some type of amplifier circuitry is required at the monitor end of the cable to regenerate the video signals.
There are also instances where it is desirable to distribute a video signal from a single video source to a plurality of monitors remotely located from the source. One example of these situations include airport terminals, where a single video source, such as a computer, provides scheduling information related to incoming/outgoing flights to monitors located at ticket sales desks or other locations where it is desirable to display such information.
While there are a number of extended video communications links presently available, several of which manufactured by CYBEX corporation, and as far as Applicants are aware, none utilize inexpensive, unshielded twisted pair conductors bundled in a cable to transmit analog computer video signals and separate sync signals.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an extended analog video communications link having an unpowered passive receiver network and which may be used to distribute such a video signal from a single source to a plurality of monitors.

Extended length differentially driven analog video link


A method for providing timing recovery from a received digital data stream where the digital data stream is a series of consecutive data samples. The method separates the data stream into a series of consecutive observation periods where each observation period includes the same number of consecutive data samples. The method also includes identifying a series of consecutive timing recovery data samples in each observation period where the timing recovery data samples are used for timing recovery and other data samples in the observation period are not used for timing recovery, and where the number of data samples used for timing recovery in each observation period is less than the number of data samples that are not used for timing recovery in the observation period. The method then uses the timing recovery data samples for timing recovery in each observation period.

1. Field of the Disclosure
This disclosure relates generally to a method for providing timing recovery from a digital data stream and, more particularly, to a method for providing timing recovery from a digital data stream that includes only using a portion or sub-set of consecutive data samples in each of consecutive observation periods so that the timing recovery circuit can operate at a slower clock rate than the data clock.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Digital signals can be wirelessly transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver where data and other information can be recovered. However, there is typically a discrepancy between the sample clock in the transmitter that transmitted the signal and the sample clock in the receiver that receives the signal that causes inter-symbol interference (ISI), and possible loss of data. Therefore, symbol timing recovery must be performed in front-end circuitry of the receiver to sufficiently recover the data in the received signal. For non-data-aided timing recovery, the timing information is encoded on a carrier frequency using symbols that are defined by changes in amplitude and phase of the transmitted signal. Timing recovery requires that the circuit identify when those changes in phases and amplitude occur in the signal.
The digital data is encoded on the carrier wave by different modulation schemes, including continuous phase modulation and linear stream modulation, well known to those skilled in the art. Traditional communications system use different timing recovery synchronization architectures for continuous phase modulation and linear stream modulation transmission protocols. The traditional timing recovery architecture that provided linear stream modulation typically included passing the received signal through a non-linearity circuit to generate a signal oscillating at the clock frequency. This signal is filtered and in-phase and quadrature phase (I/Q) down-converted to produce a time estimate.
One known down-converting methodology is referred to in the art as Fs/4 down-conversion that down-converts a received signal to an intermediate frequency (IF) to produce both the in-phase and quadrature phase components of the signal. However, known timing recovery circuits in receiver front-ends are typically unable to provide Fs/4 down-conversion for both continuous phase modulation and linear stream modulation.


An improvement to damping cylinders in which the damping fluid needs to be separated from a gas is disclosed. In particular, an annular bladder is used. An annular bladder allows for a control shaft to extend at least a portion of the length of the damping cylinder. This configuration effectively and simply reduces most issues that result from when an IFP is used for the same purpose.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is generally related to the field of damping cylinders. More particularly, the present invention is an improvement to damping cylinders previously having both internal floating pistons and shafts.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of internal floating pistons, also known as and will be referred to herein as IFPs, in damping cylinders to compensate for volume changes due to the displacement of damping fluid within the damping cylinder and thermal expansion of the damping fluid, is well known. For example, the following Fox Racing Shox (Fox Factory, Inc.) patents depict the use of an IFP: U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,434; U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,092; U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,962; U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,857; U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,895; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,751 and are incorporated by reference herein as are all the patents and published patent applications referred to within this patent application.
Furthermore, it is often common to have shafts extending the longitudinal length of the damping cylinder. The shaft may comprise a piston rod, a valve control rod, or a combination of both. For example, in FOX U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,857, we depict the use of a shaft extending the length of the damping cylinder wherein the shaft comprises a piston shaft and a control shaft. In another FOX patent, the shaft passes through the IFP. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,895 (FIG. 7).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An improved method, apparatus, and computer instructions for evaluating acquisition costs for a software product. A set of questions regarding the software product is presented. The set of questions are selected from a source. Costs for acquiring the software product are identified in response to receiving a user input to the set of questions. A report is generated using the costs, wherein the report is used to evaluate whether to acquire the software product in response to identifying the costs.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to an improved data processing system and in particular to a method and apparatus for processing data. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method, apparatus, and computer instructions for evaluating software.
2. Description of Related Art
When analyzing a company as a prospective target for partnership or acquisition, it is critical that a determination is made by the purchasing company to determine whether the products or solutions offered by the target company meet the business needs and fit into the business strategy of the acquiring company. This determination also includes identifying the investment needed to bring those products up to par with comparable products. As a result, the acquisition costs involved in purchasing a company with its software product or products is a great concern. Much effort goes into determining what costs are present. Some of these acquisition costs include, for example, the investment of time and/or money needed to modify the product to sale in other markets. For example, a software product coded using Unicode is easier to modify for use in markets with different languages than products coded using a proprietary code. Another acquisition cost involves legal exposure for the software product that is being evaluated for acquisition. These and other factors are currently identified using due diligence teams that conduct interviews to determine the architectural and technical capabilities of the software product.
Understandably, these team members cannot be subject matter experts in all aspects of software design and development. As a result, a superficial analysis is made or the team is expanded to include subject matter experts. Both choices have drawbacks. To date, superficial analysis has cost companies many millions of dollars of unplanned yet required development costs. For example, un-translated software products from acquired companies need to be translated into many languages to be useable along side other software products for companies with a global market. Often times, reluctance is present to involve too many people in private discussions and a reluctance also is present to exclude subject matter experts from examining proprietary code and architectures of the software products.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an improved method, apparatus, and computer instructions for evaluating the acquisition costs for a software product.

Method and apparatus for assessing products

International Business Machines Corporation


A toy conker which has a main body portion attachable to a line member, the body portion having at least one insert which can be struck off.

The game of conkers has traditionally been played using the fruit of the horse chestnut tree. Two players would each thread the nut from a horse chestnut tree (conker) onto a length of string. Both players would each take turns in striking their opponents conker until one of the conkers was broken from its string. The player with the conker left intact at the end of the game was declared the winner.
On disadvantage with using nuts from the chestnut tree was that the nuts are no always readily available. Also, the game requires one of the nuts to be cracked or broken and thus the nuts were not reusable. Another disadvantage with the use of nuts is the difficulty with quarantine restrictions in many countries with respect to passage of fruit and nut produce.


In a graphical user interface a display is animated by activation with an input device with a first concentric menu comprising a first grouping of menu items having a subset of one or more items from a set of menu items. Then, after selecting one menu item out of the first grouping of menu items, the display is animated with at least one additional grouping of menu items that are each concentrically in a pie sliced shape. The graphical user interface can be activated by a user at any position on the display area via the input device.

Since actual software programs implicate a continuously increasing number of functions for the user, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), such as icons, cursors, pop-up windows, and is menus are of great importance to allow a comfortable interaction of the user with the software program. Current desktop GUIs typically provide one or more drop-down or pop-up menus and a large number of icons to select specific functions. Traditional menu systems are arranged in a top-to-bottom linear configuration, where the menu items are logically arranged or similar functions are arranged groupwise. Especially, when the list of menu items gets very long, it becomes difficult for the user to quickly review the list and even more difficult to recall from prior selections the exact position of specific menu items. The drop-down menus are often nested several layers deep. Each nested layer of the menu structure is usually displayed as a separate drop-down menu in a rectangular shape that is visually connected to the previous layer of the menu structure. When choosing an option from such a drop-down menu, the cursor has to be moved over a path substantially corresponding to the horizontal or vertical lines along which the options are arranged. In the case that a graphics tablet is used as an input device to manipulate the software these precise movements for navigating through a menu structure are very difficult to fulfill even for an expert user.
To facilitate the navigation within GUIs, an alternative user-interface technique was developed, the so-called "pie" menus, which are two-dimensional and much easier to use and faster than conventional linear menus. Especially for the usage with alternative pointing devices as data-tablets or touchscreens, this special menu structure allows a quick navigation through the different menu layers. The pie menus are round menus, wherein the menu items are positioned around the center. The target regions are shaped like the slices of a pie, and the cursor starts in the center of the menu in an inactive region. The active regions are all adjacent to the cursor, but each in different directions (Don Hopkins, Dr. Dobb's Journal, December 1991). Most known pie menus only contain one menu layer with selectable menu items. Therefore, a limited number of menu functions can be accessed using such a menu structure. Alternatively, after selection of a menu item, a second menu, which can be either a linear menu or a further circular menu, appears (Kurtenbach & Buxton, Proceedings of InterCHI '93, 1993, 482-487). These structures are complicated, require wide movements of the cursor and cannot be navigated intuitively.

Method of providing a graphical user interface using a concentric menu


In an apparatus having a video display and display-synchronizing motion mechanism, various images can be easily selected and displayed, and a seat or the like is moved in synchronism with motions in the images, so that a person can enjoy the images as if real. An information select unit specifies a desired one of a plurality of video/motion information pieces recorded on a storage medium, and an information read unit reads the specified video/movement information. Images formed by video information contained in the readout video/motion information are displayed on a display device, and the seat or the like is moved in synchronism with the images on the basis of motion information contained therein. A monitor unit monitors the readout video/motion information, and stops a read operation of the information read unit when the apparatus malfunctions.

The present invention relates to an apparatus which has a video display and a motion mechanism in which a seat or the like is moved in synchronism with a motion in an image projected on the video display.
Recently, there has been provided an apparatus which displays, on a projector, a video program having pictures taken on a jet-coaster and which gives a seat a motion (physical displacement) synchronized with an ascent and descent of the jet-coaster. Such an apparatus simulates a situation such that a passenger of the apparatus feels as if the passenger is really riding on a vehicle.
An apparatus as described above is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication 61-68074. The apparatus disclosed in this application has a dome-shaped projection booth equipped with a seat and a projector, and a motion mechanism provided for the projection booth. The motion mechanism is composed of a driving shaft supporting the projection booth, an oil pressure part which has an oil pressure servo mechanism driving the driving shaft, a controller that controls the oil pressure part and the projection booth, and a storage part which stores motion data beforehand for driving the driving shaft via the oil pressure part. With this structure, the controller reads motion data relating to video information from the storage part in response to predetermined synchronous information, and drives the driving shaft via the oil pressure part on the basis of the read motion data. In this manner, the projection booth is moved in synchronism with projected images, and a passenger can feel as if real.
However, a conventional apparatus as described above has a disadvantage in that it is necessary for a skilled operator on the supplier side to set a video program in the apparatus and only video programs set by the operator can be presented to the passengers. Thus, the passengers cannot freely choose favorite video programs and are therefore reluctant to repeatedly enjoy the apparatus. That is, the conventional apparatus does not present various amusements.
Apparatus for driving a projection booth or the like has been disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 58-41592 or Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 60-192873.

Apparatus having video display and display-synchronizing motion mechanism


Methods and devices are disclosed utilizing a phosphorous-doped oxide layer that is added prior to re-oxidation. This allows greater control of the re-oxidation process and greater control of the performance characteristics of semiconductor devices such as flash memory. For flash memory, greater control is gained over programming rates, erase rates, data retention and self-aligned source resistance.

The present invention relates to the field of semiconductor manufacture and, more particularly, to a modified source/drain re-oxidation process.
As computers become increasingly complex, the need for memory storage, and in particular the number of memory cells, increases. At the same time, there is the need to minimize the size of computers and memory devices. A goal of memory device fabrication is to increase the number of memory cells per unit area or wafer area.
Memory devices contain blocks or arrays of memory cells. A memory cell stores one bit of information. Bits are commonly represented by the binary digits 0 and 1. A conventional non-volatile semiconductor memory device in which contents can be electrically programmable or simultaneously erased by one operation is a flash memory device.
Flash memory devices have the characteristics of low power and fast operation making them ideal for portable devices. Flash memory is commonly used in portable devices such as laptop or notebook computers, digital audio players and personal digital assistant (PDA) devices.
In flash memory, a charged floating gate is zero logic state, typically represented by the binary digit 0, while a non-charged floating gate is the opposite logic state typically represented by the binary digit 1. Charges are injected or written to a floating gate by any number of methods, including avalanche injection, channel injection, Fowler-Nordheim tunneling, and channel hot electron injection, for example.
The key performance parameters of a flash memory cell are programming rates, erase rates, and data retention. These parameters are a strong function of the post source drain re-oxidation gate edge profile. This profile is also referred to as a reox smile. During source drain re-oxidation, the thickness of the tunnel oxide and oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) layers are increased along the exposed edge of the gate electrodes. The profile of this thickness enhancement plays a major role in the performance of a flash memory cell. As the thickness of this profile increases, reliability and data retention increases while erase rates or speeds worsen. Thus, it is desirable to accurately control the thickness of this profile. However, there are only limited ways to modify this profile. A common way to attempt to modify the profile is controlling the conditions of the re-oxidation. The conditions controlled are source and drain doping concentration profiles before oxidation. However, this approach is limited.
Enhancing the ability to control this source drain re-oxidation gate edge profile is desirable.

Modified source/drain re-oxidation method and system


A server including a memory unit, a processor unit, and a storage device, wherein the memory unit has: a CM; an SM which stores management information; and a log buffer for storing log data indicating contents of change to the CM and the SM. The storage device has a log chunk for storing the log data, and the processor unit is configured to: store target data corresponding to an I/O request in the CM; generate log data of contents of change with respect to the CM and the SM, and to store the pieces of the generated log data in the log buffer; write a plurality of pieces of log data stored in the log buffer into the log chunk; and transmit, after all of the pieces of log data corresponding to the I/O request are written into the log chunk, a response of good to a request source.

The present invention relates to a storage apparatus and the like which receives an I/O request and manages target data being a target of the I/O request.
Conventionally, storage apparatuses having a storage function for managing data are known. Such a storage apparatus is constituted by dedicated hardware and, when a power failure occurs, protects data in memories (memory data) by saving contents of an SM (Shared Memory) and a CM (Cache Memory) in an SSD (Solid State Drive) using an internal battery.
In recent years, general-purpose servers are being used as storage apparatuses by realizing a storage function using software. In such a storage apparatus, since the hardware is a general-purpose server, a function for protecting memory data using an internal battery is not provided. Therefore, there is a problem in that memory data cannot be protected when a power failure occurs.
For example, as a technique for protecting data during an occurrence of a failure, a technique of storing a log in a fast storage layer such as an SSD during a data write and subsequently storing the data in a slower back-end storage device (for example, refer to U.S. Pat. No. 9,336,132 (Specification)) is known.

Storage apparatus, data management method, and non-transitory computer readable medium


Weight is moved essentially in three different directions within the putter head causing the center of percussion (CP) to be uniquely relocated to create overspin and no sidespin. Other related changes to head shape, face loft, shaft location and positioning of alignment mark cooperate with the above to significantly improve accuracy. The basic shape of the putter head is much revised but looks conventional since the changes are hidden under the top surface as seen by the person positioned to putt. The backspin normally expected from positive loft is eliminated and replaced with the more accurate airborne overspin. Sidespin is also eliminated, resulting in a truly straight forward turning ball that, compared to commercial putters, lifts less, covers less distance to first bounce, and gently touches down already turning in the direction hit. The ball is much quicker to settle down to a fully rolling condition against the turf. Present invention tests prove it to be at least 2 to 4 times more accurate. Present putter meets the United States Golf Association Rules of Golf.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates in general to golf clubs and in particular to golf putters, even more specifically to putter heads.
2. General
This general section is added to introduce the method used to study commercial putters manufactured by major golf companies and my test golf putters. The point being that all that is written here is not based on theory alone, but mainly on actual test data.
Earlier in my program, while using test putters and practicing with them, I was convinced that I had truly obtained overspin. The trouble was neither I or anyone else could see it with the naked eye. Simply stated, I couldn't prove it.
I then designed and fabricated what I call a "mechanical iron man putting system." The purpose of which was to:
a. Assure that the putter being tested struck the ball with the putter head going perfectly straight.
b. That the putter would be securely held by the grip and could be adjusted to set up the putter to assure it was positioned:
(1) Exactly perpendicular to the ground. PA1 (2) Exactly to its built-in lie position. PA1 (3) Exactly to its built-in loft position. PA1 (4) 1/16 of an inch off of the turf. PA1 (5) With a pivot point at a height as close as possible to that normally used by the average golfer. Putters are not pivoted at the top of the grip. The lower torso and head are not moved whereas the putter, hands, arms, and shoulders move in unison. This places the pivot point just below the putter's (person's) shoulders. Approximately 9 or 10 inches above the top of the putter grip.
c. Control the swingspeed of each putt so that exact data could be collected for the performance of each putter. This was accomplished using a dial indicator to control the length of the backward movement (backswing) before releasing the putter.
The putter system consisted of a 4 leg system supporting a shaft held parallel to the putting surface.
The shaft is supported by two bearing blocks and powered by two torsional springs.
Every effort was made to assure that each putter tested was indeed fairly tested and accurately recorded.
A large tube was suspended from the shaft and contained six thumb screws to secure the grip inside the tube. This allowed exact positioning of the putter to accommodate loft, lie, etc.
During testing of each putter, a camcorder was used to record the movements of the ball during the first 36 inches of ball travel. With the camcorder set at 1/1000 second shutter speed and other technical considerations, a frame by frame stop action review of each putt could be recorded and studied.
With this added capability, the design of the putter in question could be precisely controlled to obtain the ideal relationship between movement of the center of percussion and the amount of loft. These relationships are dependent upon such other factors as size, length heel to toe, shaft location, material used for manufacture and height of the face. Initial tests using extra weight above the centerline resulted in a no-spin instead of overspin. That is, the ball would neither spin forward or backward upon being hit. This is a much more desired condition since it too results in improved performance. However, with further research work, overspin was achieved. For the first time in the history of golf, airborne overspin was accomplished and recorded. The myth that so little velocity is generated when putting that there is little or no effect on ball spin has been suppressed forever. Tests prove that even a simple six (6) foot putt can spin the ball backward or sideways and now forward. We should have known this when professional golfers would claim that they hooked their putts just like their drives.
3. Description of Related Art
A golf putter consists of a shaft with a grip at the uppermost end and a head secured to the lower end of the shaft. The putter head has a flat face that is used for striking the golf ball for the purpose of moving it across the golf green in an attempt to have it fall into a 41/4 inch hole.
The individual doing the putting is faced with several problems to be solved in order to hit the ball accurately enough to have the ball either fall into the golf hole or the ball end up close enough so that the ball can be holed out on the next putt.
The putting individual believes that aligning the putter in the correct direction and hitting the ball at the right speed will overcome; the slant of the green, the turf (fast or slow) and the distance to be covered. Unfortunately, if every technical manipulation of the putter is performed perfectly the ball is not likely to hit the targeted hole. This does not happen because the operator made a mistake, it is because golf putters today have built-in inaccuracies. The putter will not move the ball accurately in the direction aimed. The inaccuracies are greater than might be expected.
In one set of putting tests performed using a mechanically accurate putting machine, the dispersion of the ball for 24 ft. putts was 251/2 inches wide. The positions where the balls terminated were well scattered. That is a dispersion of six (6) times the size of the hole (41/4 inches diameter). A betting man would say that the odds are 5 to 1 against hitting the hole.
Nearly 100% of the putters today have positive loft of from 2 to 8 degrees. Positive loft in present day putters creates backspin. Approximately half of these putters have the alignment mark misaligned with the center of percussion (CP) of the putter head. This causes sidespin.
Backspin and sidespin are built-in inaccuracies helping to make putting one of today's most difficult procedures in golf. Because putting strokes account for approximately 40 percent of a golfers total score per round (18 holes), it is one of the most important aspects of golf.
There are putters with (0) zero degrees of loft. These will either slide the ball against the turf or pinch the ball against the turf immediately upon being struck.
Mallet head putters, blade type putters, and "L" shaped putters (looking from heel to toe) with positive loft will cause the ball to lift and backspin.
"L" shaped putters that have extra weight across the bottom of the putter, usually has the weight equally divided between the toe and heel. Heel and toe weighting is primarily located across the bottom along the sole of the putter. These putters will lift even more and backspin even more.
Reference is made to Great Britain Patent Number 7550. This patent depicts eleven (11) different ways to cause the ball to be pinched against the turf to attain a different kind of overspin. This invention has negative loft.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,333,854 also covers a putter that pinches the ball against the turf. This one, however, depends on the sharp corner of two right angles forming the face. If missing the ball with the upper sharp edge the lower sharp edge will allegedly take over and the ball will be thus pinched against the turf by the second sharp edge.
U.S. Pat. No. 258,377 is an inverted " L"shaped putter. The drawings definitely depict the face with zero (0) or no loft. I would be convinced that the putter would either slide or pinch the ball against the turf. I'm strictly using the what you see is what you get approach when an ornamental design patent is involved. If, however, positive loft were allowed, this putter would backspin in the same manner as other positively lofted putters mentioned above.
The advantages of airborne overspin over the above present day or previously patented putters shall be obvious as set forth herein.
To sum up, putters today cause the ball to either slide, be pinched against the turf, or lift and backspin.
All of these ball reactions are caused by built-in design flaws creating inaccuracies. The pinching putters are understandably not being produced. At least there seems to be none on the shelf for sale and none advertised.
Positive loft is required to lift the golf ball above the golf green turf grasses. Years ago golf greens were cut higher requiring greater positive loft. Positive loft of as much as 13 degrees was not unusual. Today golf green turf grasses, primarily due to better grasses, and other chemical advancements, are cut very short indeed. The results are golf greens that cause the ball to roll very fast. The point being that less positive loft is required today. However, golf putters still have positive loft of up to 8 degrees. Most are from 4 to 8 degrees.
Positive loft in present day putters creates backspin. 90 to 95% of present day putters have extra weight across the bottom usually equally divided between the heel and the toe. This causes the ball to lift even higher and backspin more. The distance to first bounce is increased.
A backspinning ball kicks-up or pops-up at first bounce in its attempt to reverse backspin and start to turn forward in the direction hit. Sometimes the kick-up causes the ball to jump higher than the height of the flight to first bounce. A backspinning ball creates perfect conditions for an erratic unpredictable directional and distance performance. At first bounce the irregularities of the turf under the first bounce area will cause the ball to perform an unsurmountable number of ball reactions, none of which help to predict the resulting direction or distance. The second and third and even fourth bounce can be similarly negatively effected by the balls inability to quickly settle down to a more predictable, more accurate, full rolling condition against the turf. All golf putters that cause the ball to backspin have what I call "built-in inaccuracies."
About 50% of the putters on the market today have the alignment mark usually centered on top of the putter head misaligned with the center of percussion (CP) of the head. The ball sidespins when the putter head hits the ball misaligned with the CP of the head. The worst condition is when the shaft is located in the heel of the putter head and the alignment mark is centered heel to toe. The misalignment can be as much as 3/4inch. Under these conditions the sidespin in so bad that during review of frame by frame stop action video of the ball's performance it was difficult to record the results. Such things as distance to first full turn and first bounce was made more difficult especially when mixed with backspin.
When the inaccuracies of backspin are mixed with the inaccuracies of sidespin, each bounce becomes a totally unpredictable dispersible event that no amount of practice can overcome.
One objective of the present patent is to provide a putter that eliminates built-in backspin and sidespin.
Another object is to replace backspin with built-in airborne overspin.
A further object is to assure the alignment mark is located directly over the center of percussion (CP) of the putter head. This assures the ball can be accurately aligned with the alignment mark and that sidespin or twist of the ball will not occur, human error not included.
Another object is to have change and effect result in building-in greater accuracy.
Another object is to minimize the amount of practice required to become a good putter. Because the above built-in inaccuracies have been replaced by building-in test proven accuracy, the directional dispersion of the ball has been significantly reduced. During the same putting tests described above where two (2) commercial putters dispersed 251/2 inches, the present patent test putter dispersed the ball 6 inches. The hole being 41/4 inch diameter, a betting man would say that the odds are two to one for (not against) hitting the hole. That's ten times more accurate. This inventor only claims to be two to four times more accurate since not all putters have six (6) or seven (7) degrees of loft and extra weight spread across the sole of the putter.
The overall main objective is to ultimately assure that any individual golfer; beginner, high handicapper, amateur or professional can be expected to putt more accurately using the present invention.

Airborne overspin putter improving ball accuracy


A flip chip package, apparatus and technique in which a ball grid array composed of a doped eutectic Pb/Sn solder composition is used. The dopant in the Pb/Sn solder forms a compound or complex with the phosphorous residue from the electroless nickel plating process that is mixable with the Pb/Sn solder. The phosphorous containing compound or complex prevents degradation of the solder/under bump metallization bond associated with phosphorus residue. The interfacial solder/under bump metallization bond is thereby strengthened. This results in fewer fractured solder bonds and greater package reliability.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to integrated circuit packaging, and in particular to flip chip packaging. More specifically, the invention relates to compositions and techniques for strengthening the interfacial bond between a flip chips package substrate and the solder balls used for external electrical connection of the completed flip chip package.
2. Description of Related Art
In integrated circuit packaging, a semiconductor die (also referred to as an integrated circuit (IC) or xe2x80x9cchipxe2x80x9d) may be bonded directly to a packaging substrate, without the need for a separate leadframe or for separate I/O connectors (e.g., wire or tape). Such chips are formed with ball-shaped beads or bumps of solder affixed to their I/O bonding pads. During packaging, the chip is xe2x80x9cflippedxe2x80x9d onto its active circuit surface so that the solder bumps form electrical connections directly between the chip and conductive traces on the packaging substrate. Semiconductor chips of this type are commonly called xe2x80x9cflip chips.xe2x80x9d
Integrated circuits are normally mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) for use in an electronic device. Electrical connections of a flip chip package are generally made via a solder ball grid array (BGA) formed on the opposite side (referred to herein as the underside) of the packaging substrate from the chip. An unmounted flip chip package with a BGA arranged on its underside is aligned with a PCB and the package and board are then electrically connected in a solder reflow operation in which the solder is heated above its melting temperature and bonds with electrical contacts on the board upon cooling.
As semiconductor technology advances, the gate density of integrated circuits has increased. The substrate of choice for high density flip chip packages is produced by electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG) technology. ENIG deposition processes provide flat, uniform metal surface finishes with excellent solderability, hardness, wear and corrosion resistance. As a result, ENIG processing has become widespread in BGA component packaging.
Unfortunately, it has been discovered that some solder joints in the BGA become fractured after surface mounting of the BGA package on a PCB where ENIG processing is used (See, for example, Goyal, et al., xe2x80x9cFailure Mechanism of Brittle Solder joint Fracture in the Presence of Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG) Interface,xe2x80x9d Proceedings of the 52nd Electronic Component and Technology Conference, 732-739 (May, 2002)). The fracture occurs at the interface of a solder an the ENIG deposited surface. The cause of the fracture and/or susceptibility to fracture has been identified as residual phosphorus from the ENIG process that results in formation of a nickel-phosphorus layer at the nickel solder interface. Such brittle, interfacial solder joint fractures represent a significant reliability issue for high density flip chip package components. Nevertheless, ENIG processed flip chip package substrates have become standard in the industry and thus their continued use would be desirable.
Accordingly, what is needed are compositions and/or methods to reduce the occurrence of brittle, interfacial solder joint fractures at ENIG processed flip chip package substrates and PCBs.
To achieve the foregoing, the present invention provides a flip chip package, apparatus and technique in which a ball grid array composed of a doped eutectic Pb/Sn solder composition is used. The dopant in the Pb/Sn solder forms a compound or complex with the phosphorous residue from the electroless nickel plating process that is mixable with the Pb/Sn solder. The phosphorous containing compound or complex. The phosphorous containing compound or complex prevents degradation of the solder/under bump metallization bond associated with phosphorus residue. The interfacial solder/under bump metallization bond is thereby strengthened. This results in fewer fractured solder bonds and greater package reliability. The amount of the metal dopant is generally greater than 0.2% by weight, for example about 0.2% to 2.5%, or about 2%. Sample dopants include Al, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo and In. An electronic device composed of a package in accordance with the invention mounted on a printed circuit board, and a method of making such an electronic device are also provided.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention are described below where reference to the drawings is made.

Interfacial strengthening for electroless nickel immersion gold substrates


Described herein are compositions having a peptide sequence that includes at least one bone targeting moiety, wherein the bone targeting moiety is bonded to the peptide sequence by a linker, wherein the peptide sequence is calcitonin, and wherein the composition is neutral or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof. In one aspect, calcitonin inhibits or slows osteoclast mediated resorptive bone loss. The compounds described herein can be used in a number of therapeutic applications including treating or preventing conditions associated with bone loss, which include, but are not limited to, osteoporosis, Paget's disease, osteolytic tumors, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Osteoarthritis, osteopenia, and hypercalcemia. Also described herein are the methods of making these compositions that prevent or treat conditions associated with bone loss and methods of preventing bone fractures.

Conditions that cause loss of bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone structure affect many worldwide. For example, 44 million people age 50 or older are affected by osteoporosis in the United States alone. In addition, other conditions including, but not limited to, Paget's disease, osteolytic tumors, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Osteoarthritis, osteopenia including drug induced osteopenia, and hypercalcemia also cause loss of bone mass and affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
These conditions predispose those suffering from these maladies to enhanced bone fragility and risk of fracture. Each condition has various etiologies such as congenital conditions, malnutrition, or various additional factors. For example, osteoporosis alone has at least three etiologies. The etiologies for osteoporosis have been established based on predisposing factors and clinical presentation, namely: postmenopausal (type I), senile (type II), and secondary (type III) osteoporosis. In all types, the declining ability of the bone remodeling machinery results in bone fragility. Type I postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) occurs in women 51-75 years of age, in which, estrogen deficiency shifts bone remodeling to favor bone resorption over bone formation, which results in a net bone loss. Type II senile osteoporosis affects women at about twice the rate as men, and occurs from ages 75 to 90 years. Type III or secondary osteoporosis is caused by medications, cancers, endocrine disorders, chronic liver or kidney diseases, and additional conditions. The net result for each type of osteoporosis is the insidious loss of bone mass and the predisposition to traumatic bone fracture.
Numerous treatments have been administered to patients with these conditions; these treatments include the administration of hormone replacement therapy, antiresorptive agents, and immunosuppressants including monoclonal antibodies. However, administering therapeutic levels of these treatments often result in various side effects. For example, some treatments have been linked to various cancers, bone necrosis or osteonecrosis, and other unwanted side effects. Therefore, it is generally difficult to efficiently treat or prevent conditions that cause bone loss with the currently known compositions and methods.

Compounds having peptides conjugated to bone targeting moieties and methods of making and using thereof

The Governors of the University of Alberta


Disclosed is an area array connector adapted to connect contact pads on one generally planar circuit element to corresponding contact pads on another generally planar circuit element. The connector has an insulative contact mounting sheet having a plurality of contact mounting apertures therein. A plurality of electrically conducting contacts are mounted in the contact mounting apertures, each contact having contact pad engaging legs resiliently projecting away from opposite faces of the contact mounting sheet. Two insulative contact securing sheets are provided, one laminated to each face of the contact mounting sheet, each contact securing sheet having apertures therein to accommodate the resiliently projecting legs of the contacts.

In accordance with the invention, an area array connector is provided which is made up of the required number of electrically conductive connector elements or contacts carried in a three-layer laminated insulative housing. The contacts project from either side of the housing and are positioned to engage contact pads on printed circuit boards in a stack, the connector being interleaved between adjacent printed circuit boards.
More specifically, in accordance with the invention, there is provided an area array connector adapted to connect the contact pads on one generally planar circuit element, such as a printed wiring board, to the corresponding contact pads on another generally planar circuit element or printed circuit board. The connector includes an insulative contact mounting sheet having a plurality of contact mounting apertures in it. A plurality of electrically conducting contacts are mounted in the contact mounting apertures; each contact has contact pad engaging legs resiliently projecting away from opposite faces of the contact mounting sheet. Two insulative contact securing sheets are provided; one laminated to each face of the contact mounting sheet. Each contact securing sheet has apertures in it to accommodate the resiliently projecting legs of said contacts.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the electrically conducting contacts has a base leg adapted and proportioned to fit in and engage the contact mounting apertures of the contact mounting sheet and two pad engaging legs which are cantilevered resiliently outwardly from the base leg in opposite directions. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, it is preferred that the pad engaging legs of the contacts have a shorter linear extent than the base legs of the contacts. In such embodiment, in order to assure that the contacts are securely held in position, it is preferred that the contact mounting apertures are each greater in linear extent than the corresponding apertures of the contact securing sheets. In accordance with another embodiment, it is preferred that the pad engaging legs of the contacts have substantially the same length as the base legs of the contacts. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the thickness or width of at least part of the base legs be greater than the thickness or width of the pad engaging legs. It is further preferred in all embodiments that the contact mounting apertures are each greater in area than the corresponding apertures in the contact securing sheets.
In accordance with the invention, it is preferred that the contacts are aligned with one another in a staggered pattern, or alternately that the contacts are aligned with one another in a rectangular array, in which the spacing between adjacent contact projecting leg ends is less than the length of a projecting contact leg, and further in which the contacts are skewed with respect to the alignment of the rectangular array to accommodate the length of the projecting contact leg.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an assembly of a plurality of generally planar circuit elements is provided. The circuit elements have contact pads on at least one surface thereof, and are stacked one upon another, with area array connectors being interleaved between adjacent circuit elements. The area array connectors are made up of an insulative contact mounting sheet which has a plurality of contact mounting apertures therein, a plurality of electrically conducting contacts mounted in the contact mounting apertures, each contact having contact pad engaging legs resiliently projecting away from opposite faces of the contact mounting sheet, and two insulative contact securing sheets, one laminated to each face of the contact mounting sheet. Each contact securing sheet has apertures therein to accommodate the resiliently projecting legs of the contacts. Framing means are provided for holding the assembly together and for establishing pressure contact between the contact pads and corresponding contact pad engaging legs. It is preferred to have spacer means mounted in the sheets to establish and maintain a uniform thickness of the connector.
In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for making an area array connector adapted to connect contact pads on one generally planar circuit element to corresponding contact pads on another generally planar circuit element that includes providing an insulative generally planar contact mounting sheet, selecting positions on the contact mounting sheet at which contacts are desired to be mounted, and laser machining contact-accommodating apertures in the contact mounting sheet at said selected positions thereon. Contacts of conducting material are formed, each contact having a mounting leg for fitting into and engaging the contact-accommodating apertures, and further having contact pad engaging legs resiliently projecting away from opposite faces of the contact mounting sheets. The contacts are mounted in the contact-accommodating apertures. Two insulative contact securing sheets are provided having apertures laser machined therein which are registerable with the projecting legs of contacts mounted in the contact mounting sheet. One of the apertured contact securing sheets is adhesively laminated to each face of the contact mounting sheet.


The present disclosure provides for fusion proteins comprising multipsecific variable regions that bind more than one ELR+ CXC chemokine.

Chronic inflammatory diseases usually involve multiple ligands that act synergistically through promiscuous and diverse receptors (Cho, J. H & Feldman, M., Nat Med. 21, 730-738 (2015)). This complexity is well exemplified by the ELR+ CXC chemokine system, a large family of secreted proteins that play a prominent role in the development and progression of numerous inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (Cho, J. H & Feldman, M., Nat Med. 21, 730-738 (2015); Charo, I. F. & Ransohoff, R. M. N. Engl. J. Med. 354, 610-621 (2006); Viola, A. & Luster, A. D. Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 48, 171-197 (2008)).
Despite their clinical and commercial success, monoclonal antibodies often fail to reduce the level of small antigens in circulation. For example, while small chemokines (˜8-10 kDa) are rapidly eliminated through renal filtration (t1/2<10 min) (Van Zee, K. J. et al. J Immunol 148, 1746-1752 (1992)), strategies targeting single or multiple chemokines using large monoclonal antibodies (150 kDa) that are long-lived in circulation (t1/2 ˜2 weeks) extends the systemic lifetimes of chemokines, thus increasing circulating chemokine levels. This buffering effect has been experimentally observed with numerous antibodies targeting small antigens (Mihara, M., Koishihara, Y., Fukui, H., Yasukawa, K. & Ohsugi, Y, Immunology 74, 55-59 (1991); Finkelman, F. D. et al. J Immunol 151, 1235-1244 (1993); May, L. T. et al. J Immunol 151, 3225-3236 (1993); Jayson, G. C. et al. Eur J Cancer 41, 555-563 (2005); Mostbock, S. Curr Pharm Des 15, 809-825 (2009); Letourneau, S. et al. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 107, 2171-2176 (2010); O'Hear, C. & Foote, J. Eur J Haematol 84, 252-258 (2010)), including chemokines (Haringman, J. J. et al Arthritis and rheumatism 54, 2387-2392 (2006)), and is consistent with the affinity, binding kinetics and pharmacokinetic profiles of the circulating antibody-small antigen complexes in the absence of efficient clearance (O'Hear, C. E. & Foote, J. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 102, 40-44 (2005)). Furthermore, functional full length antibodies that are able to recruit additional immune system cells via FcγR receptors are not ideal for the treatment of inflammatory diseases that exploit autoantibodies.
As chronic inflammatory diseases are complex and involve multiple ligands and receptors acting in concert, therapies targeting a single pathological molecule are often insufficient to achieve the desired clinical outcome. Accordingly, therapeutics that bind multiple targets are needed.

Multiple specificity binders of CXC chemokines


A liquid crystal device comprises an active matrix substrate (6) and a counter-substrate (7) provided with homeotropic alignment surfaces (11). A layer of nematic liquid crystal material is provided between the alignment surfaces (11) so as to form a vertically aligned nematic device. The substrates (6, 7) carry a pixel electrode arrangement and a counter-electrode arrangement which define a plurality of pixel regions. Each of least some of these regions has a pixel electrode (13), which may be split into two halves, and a counter-electrode (8) which are arranged to apply an electric field for controlling the liquid crystal director (12) out-of-plane tilt angle. A further electrode (14), for example in the form of a plurality of parallel fingers, cooperates with at least one of the other electrodes (8, 13) to apply a second electric field for controlling the director in-plane azimuth angle. Such a device may be used, for example, as a switchable public/private display.

Electronic display devices, such as monitors used with computers and screens built in to telephones and portable information devices, are usually designed to have a viewing angle as wide as possible, so that they can be read from any viewing position. However, there are some situations where a display that is visible from only a narrow range of angles is useful. For example, one might wish to read a private document using a portable computer while on a crowded train.
Several methods exist for adding a light controlling apparatus to a naturally wide-viewing range display.
One such structure for controlling the direction of light is a 'louvred' film. The film consists of alternating transparent and opaque layers in an arrangement similar to a Venetian blind. Like a Venetian blind, it allows light to pass through it when the light is travelling in a direction parallel or nearly parallel to the layers, but absorbs light travelling at large angles to the plane of the layers. These layers may be perpendicular to the surface of the film or at some other angle. Methods for the production of such films are described in a USRE27617 (F. O. Olsen; 3M 1973), U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,023 (S.-L. Lu, 3M 1988), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,410 (R. F. Grzywinski; 3M 1988).
Other methods exist for making films with similar properties to the louvred film. These are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,716 (P. A. Bellus; 3M 1992), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,319 (R. R. Austin; Photran Corp. 1996)
Louvred films may be placed either in front of a display panel or between a transmissive display and its backlight to restrict the range of angles from which the display can be viewed. In other words, they make a display "private".
The principal limitation of such films is that they require mechanical manipulation, i.e. removal of the film, to change the display between the public and private viewing modes.
US 2002/0158967 (J. M. Janick; IBM, published 2002) shows how a light control film can be mounted on a display so that the light control film can be moved over the front of the display to give a private mode, or mechanically retracted into a holder behind or beside the display to give a public mode. This method has the disadvantages that it contains moving parts which may fail or be damaged and that it adds bulk to the display.
A method for switching from public to private mode with no moving parts is to mount a light control film behind the display panel and to place a diffuser which can be electronically switched on and off between the light control film and the panel. When the diffuser is inactive, the light control film restricts the range of viewing angles and the display is in private mode. When the diffuser is switched on, it causes light travelling at a wide range of angles to pass through the panel and the display is in public mode. It is also possible to mount the light control film in front of the panel and place the switchable diffuser in front of the light control film to achieve the same effect.
Switchable privacy devices of these types are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,831,698 (S. W. Depp; IBM 1998), U.S. Pat. No. 6,211,930 (W. Sautter; NCR Corp. 2001) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,829 (M. Okamoto; Sharp K. K. 2001). They share the disadvantage that the light control film always absorbs a significant fraction of the light incident upon it, whether the display is in public or private mode. The display is therefore inefficient in its use of light. Since the diffuser spreads light through a wide range of angles in the public mode, these displays are also dimmer in public mode than in private mode, unless the backlight is made brighter to compensate.
Another disadvantage relates to the power consumption of these devices. In the public mode of operation, the diffuser is switched on so as to be optically diffusing. This often means that voltage is applied to a switchable polymer-dispersed liquid crystal diffuser. More power is therefore consumed in the public mode than in the private mode. This is a disadvantage for displays which are used for most of the time in the public mode.
Another known method for making a switchable public/private display is given in U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,436 (K. R. Knight; NCR Corp. 1998). The light control device is similar in structure to the louvred film described earlier. However, each opaque element in the louvred film is replaced by a liquid crystal cell which can be electronically switched from an opaque state to a transparent state. The light control device is placed in front of or behind a display panel. When the cells are opaque, the display is in its private mode; when the cells are transparent, the display is in its public mode.
The first disadvantage of this method is in the difficulty and expense of manufacturing liquid crystal cells with an appropriate shape. A second disadvantage is that, in the private mode, a ray of light may enter at an angle such that it passes first through the transparent material and then through part of a liquid crystal cell. Such a ray will not be completely absorbed by the liquid crystal cell and this may reduce the privacy of the device.
The concept of using a hologram to provide a privacy function is disclosed in GB2404991 but such a display suffers from two disadvantages. First, due to unwanted diffraction of light from the display by the hologram, the colour of the image seen by viewers is incorrect. Second, for applications using a touch screen mounted on the front of the display, the user's hand can block the illumination of the hologram and so reduce the effectiveness of the privacy. GB 2428128 discloses solutions to these problems.
In GB2410116, a display is switched from public to private mode by using two different backlights which generate light with different angular ranges.
GB2405544 (Sharp) describes switchable privacy devices based on louvres, which operate only for one polarisation of light. The louvres are switched on and off either by rotating dyed liquid crystal molecules in the louvre itself or by rotating the plane of polarisation of the incident light using a separate element.
In GB2421346 (Sharp), a polarisation modifying layer (PML) is placed behind the exit polariser of a liquid crystal display panel. Some parts of the PML are simply transparent. Other parts change the polarisation of light passing through them so that pixels viewed through these parts are inverted in colour (bright pixels becoming dark and dark pixels becoming bright). Data sent to pixels directly behind these parts is inverted so that, when the display is viewed from a central position, the image appears normally. However, when the display is viewed from a different angle, different pixels are viewed through the retarder elements and the image is corrupted. Off-axis viewers see a confusing image which is a random dot pattern. The PML may be made from liquid crystal and switched off to give a public mode.
Another method for making a switchable public/private display device is disclosed in JP3607272 (Toshiba 2005). This device uses an additional liquid crystal panel, which has patterned liquid crystal alignment. Different aligned segments of the panel modify the viewing characteristics of different areas of the display in different ways, with the result that the whole display panel is fully readable only from a central position.
In GB2413394 (Sharp), a switchable privacy device is constructed by adding one or more extra liquid crystal layers and polarisers to a display panel. The intrinsic viewing angle dependence of these extra elements can be changed by switching the liquid crystal electrically in the well-known way.
GB2418518 adds a guest host (dyed) LC layer with a patterned electrode to a standard thin film transistor (TFT) LC display. The dyed LC layer can be switched between an absorbing (private) and non-absorbing (public) state. The dye molecule absorption is dependent upon the incident angle and polarisation of light. For a given polarisation and orientation, the absorption of the dye increases with larger viewing angles resulting in low brightness at high angles (narrow mode).
WO06132384A1 (Sharp, 2005) discloses the use of an extra liquid crystal layer located between the existing polarisers of a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. In this location, the extra switch cell can modify the greyscale curves for off-axis light. This provides a higher level of privacy for images than the techniques disclosed in GB2413394.
GB 2439961 discloses the use of a switchable privacy device constructed by adding an extra cholesteric layer and circular polarisers to a display panel. The cholesteric layer can be switched between a public (wide view) mode and a private (narrow view) mode that can provide 360° azimuthal privacy.
Adachi et al (SID 06, pp. 228) and Okumura (US20050190329) disclose the use of a hybrid aligned nematic (HAN) cell to provide a switchable privacy function. The HAN cells used by Adachi and Okumura are used in conjunction with an underlying image panel.
The above methods all suffer the disadvantage that they require the addition of extra apparatus to the display to provide the functionality of electrically switching the viewing angle range. This adds cost and particularly bulk to the display, which is very undesirable, particularly in mobile display applications such as mobile phones and laptop computers.
JP09230377 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,640 (Sharp, 1996) describe a method of changing the viewing angle properties of a single layer LCD panel. This is achieved for a Vertically Aligned Nematic (VAN) LC mode. Electric fields in the plane of the display panel are used to control how the LC material tilts in a pixel area. The number and orientation of different tilt domains within a pixel can be controlled by the in-plane fields. A pixel with several tilt domains will have a wide viewing angle; a pixel with one tilt domain will have a narrower viewing angle. The use of this method to vary the viewing angle of a display is described. However, the viewing angle of a single tilt domain of the VAN mode described is not sufficiently narrow to provide good privacy.
US20070040975A1 (LG Philips, 2005) discloses the design of an LCD panel in which the LC alignment is different in different sub-pixel regions of the display. This allows some sub-pixel regions to display an image to a wide viewing region, while the other sub-pixel regions allow light transmission only to the side viewing directions. These second types of sub-pixels are then used to reduce the overall contrast of the image being shown to the side viewer by the first type of sub-pixel, thereby obscuring the image information. A similar method to this, in which angled gaps in the pixel electrode, rather than differing LC alignment, are used to determine the azimuthal orientation of the LC director in different regions of the display, is published in SID '07 Digest pp 756-759.
A similar method is disclosed in US20070121047A1 (LG Philips, 2005) and associated paper SID '06 digest pp 729-731. In these schemes, the LC is uniformly aligned across the whole display panel, but some sub-pixel regions have an in-plane field applied to them, while other sub-pixel regions have an out-of plane field applied to them. This allows some sub-pixel regions to display an image to a wide viewing region, while the other sub-pixel regions allow light transmission only to the side viewing directions. These second types of sub-pixels can then be used to reduce the overall contrast of the image being shown to the side viewer by the first type of sub-pixel, thereby obscuring the image information
These methods have the disadvantage that not all the sub-pixel regions of the panel are used to display image data to the on-axis viewer, so the display loses both brightness and resolution compared to a standard LCD containing the same number of independent TFT switched sub-pixels, in which all are displaying information to the on-axis viewer.
US20060109224 (Au Optronics, 2005) describes an LCD panel in which the LC alignment is varied between two regions within a pixel, each region having an asymmetric viewing angle property, the two regions having opposite asymmetry. In the wide viewing angle mode, both sub-pixel regions are driven identically, the overall viewing angle property from both regions combined therefore being symmetric. In the narrow viewing angle mode, one region is driven with a different voltage to the other, resulting in an overall asymmetry for the display and an image which is obscured to the side viewer. However, this method also results in reduced display resolution and reduced brightness in the private mode.
In addition to schemes which rely on altering the manner in which the LC alignment or electrode layout of the panel are arranged in order to provide the view angle range switching, methods have been described whereby a software-only switch is applied to a standard LCD display to produce a private mode. These include US20040207594 (Sharp, 2003), GB2428152A1 (Sharp, 2005) and Rocket Software, Inc. (http://www.rocketsoftware.com). However, all of these methods necessarily reduce the quality of the displayed image to the legitimate viewer in the private mode.
JP 1999-11-30783 (Mitsubishi, 1999) describes an In-Plane-Switching (IPS) display, in which the brightness displayed to the on-axis viewer from any pixel in both modes (the grey level) is determined by the voltage between two interdigitated electrodes disposed on one of the cell substrates, which has an inherently very wide viewing angle. The display type is provided with a switchable privacy function by the addition of a third electrode on the opposing cell substrate allowing an out-of-plane field component to be applied to all pixels to generate an asymmetry in the brightness distribution. This method maintains nearly full brightness and resolution of the display in both modes, but it is only applicable to IPS type displays and it is believed that the privacy performance is not as strong as that from the type of display described here.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,646,707 (BOE Hydis, 2001) describes a fringe field switching (FFS) type display, in which both the pixel and counter electrodes are formed on the lower glass substrate of the display, overlapping one another and separated by a layer of transparent insulator material. The fringe field resulting from a voltage between the two electrodes extends into the bulk of the LC layer and is used to rotate the LC director, which is planar aligned parallel to the surface of the substrates, in the plane of the cell in order to control light transmission. No third electrode is used on the counter substrate and no variable viewing angle function is described.
A similar scheme to JP 1999-11-30783, which uses an FFS display, in which the two electrodes between which the grey level voltage is applied are disposed on top of one another on one cell substrate with an insulating layer between them, is described in US20060267905A1 (Casio, 2005). Again, a third electrode to allow switchable viewing angle properties is disposed on the opposite cell substrate. This scheme also, while maintaining the original display brightness and resolution, provides insufficient privacy strength. It also only describes a planar aligned LC device in which it is always the fringe field from the two electrodes on the lower substrate which controls light transmission.
A method in which switchable viewing angle is achieved for a Vertically Aligned Nematic (VAN) type display is disclosed in US20070046881 (Casio, 2005). This scheme uses two sets of electrodes on the substrate opposite the pixel electrode, one of which is registered vertically over the pixel electrode to produce a symmetric viewing angle range, the other set being offset to produce an oblique applied field and asymmetric viewing properties. This scheme however adds greatly to the complexity of the display panel and results in greatly reduced transmissive aperture in the display, thus reducing brightness.
US20070040780A1 discloses a number of schemes for providing a single layer LC panel with switchable viewing angle properties, including a method whereby a continuous pinwheel alignment (CPA) type display (also known as ASV) has the alignment arrangement of the LC director within each sub-pixel region altered to change the viewing angle properties of the pixel. However, the method outlined in the document, which uses only single layer electrodes on both substrates, has been shown to be problematic due to the gaps between the electrodes which provide the in-plane field disrupting the LC alignment in the public mode and degrading the wide viewing angle. This document also describes a method whereby a bias voltage is applied to the two halves of each CPA liquid crystal domain in the panel, creating an asymmetry in the brightness distribution with viewing angle. This effect has been shown to have a privacy performance which is not as strong as that of the device described here, however.
It is therefore desirable to provide an LCD display panel which is switchable between public and private viewing modes, requires no extra LC layer or other bulk-increasing components, and has brightness, resolution and quality of image equivalent to a standard public-mode-only LCD with the same number of TFT switching elements.


The present invention provides a stable, aqueous injectable solution comprising epinephrine or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a sulfite antioxidant, butylated hydroxyl anisole, an organic acid and a chelating agent, wherein the solution is free of an inorganic acid and an inorganic base. The invention also provides a method of treating the septic shock by intravenous administration of stable aqueous injectable solution comprising epinephrine or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a sulfite antioxidant, butylated hydroxyl anisole, an organic acid and a chelating agent, wherein the solution is free of an inorganic acid and an inorganic base.

Epinephrine, an endogenous adrenergic neurotransmitter has been available as an injectable preparation for various indications for emergency treatment of allergic reactions (Type I) including anaphylaxis. Many commercial products such as for example, Epipen®, Adrenalin®, Symjepis®, Auvi-Q®, Adrenaclick® are available wherein epinephrine is present at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml or 1 mg/ml, in volumes of 0.76 ml to 2 ml having sodium metabisulphite as an stabilizer. These products are presented as either a vial or prefilled syringe. Out of these, the most recently approved is Adrenalin® by PAR Pharmaceuticals. Adrenalin® is an aqueous solution that contains 1 mg/ml epinephrine base, sodium chloride, sodium metabisulphite, tartaric acid, disodium edetate, sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid pH to 2.2 to 5.0 and is provided as single dose injection solution in volume of 1 ml in a vial.
The present inventors while developing an improved stable aqueous injectable solution found that the presence of inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid and inorganic base such as sodium hydroxide generated high, undesirable impurities. The undesirable impurities generated were epinephrine sulphate and D-epinephrine. It is known that D-epinephrine (Formula II) is less potent than L-epinephrine (Formula I), see U.S. Pat. No. 9,283,197 (hereinafter referred to as US'197).

The US'197 patent describes the problem of racemization and oxidation of epinephrine to less potent D-form of epinephrine and adrenaline, a less potent ketone form which has little adrenergic activity.

Stable aqueous injectable solution of epinephrine


A novelty device having a vibrating mechanism that is disposed at least partially within a housing. The vibrating mechanism causes the housing to vibrate when activated. A plurality of elongated elastomeric protrusions are provided that extend outwardly from the housing. The elastomeric protrusions undulate when the housing is vibrated by the vibrating mechanism. The housing can be shaped as a character having a head section. The elastomeric protrusions can be placed on the head section of the character so that the protrusions have the appearance of hair. When the vibrating mechanism is activated, the protrusions undulate wildly, thereby causing the character's hair to appear to be alive.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to toys and novelty devices that contain internal, battery-operated vibrating mechanisms.
2. Prior Art Description
Many toys, such as dolls, balls and the like are commonly held by children. Toy manufacturers have long ago discovered that the play value of most any toy, especially those that are held, can be increased if the toy is made to vibrate or otherwise move. For instance, plush stuffed animal toys have been in existence for hundreds of years. Talking dolls have also been in existence for many years. When an internal vibrating mechanism was added to a talking Elmo® doll, and was marketed as the Tickle Me Elmo® doll, the doll became a sudden commercial success.
The prior art is replete with vibrating mechanisms that have been used in toys. However, when a vibrating mechanism is added to a toy, a child typically cannot tell if the vibration mechanism is activated unless the child is holding the toy. Often, the vibrating mechanism added to a toy is a low-powered device, that vibrates the toy just enough to be felt. However, the appearance of the toy remains the same whether or not the vibration device is activated or deactivated. In some instances, strong vibrating devices are added to toys. Such vibrating devices are typically added to balls so that the vibrating device makes the ball roll or randomly move. Such prior art devices are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,981 to Maxim, entitled Self-propelled Bouncing Ball and U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,835 to McKeehan, entitled Motor Driven Ball Toy. However, with such prior art toys, although the vibrating device makes the toy move, the vibrating device does not change the external appearance of the toy.
The present invention is a vibrating toy that has elastomeric protrusions. The elastomeric protrusions resonate as the toy vibrates. This causes very fast and wild undulations in the elastomeric elements, thereby causing the toy to change greatly in appearance when an internal vibrating device is activated.

Vibrating toy with elastomeric protrusions and its associated method of assembly


Embodiments of the present invention are directed to memory subsystems implemented within, or connected to and accessed by, parallel, pipelined, integrated-circuit implementations of computational engines designed to solve complex computational problems. Additional embodiments of the present invention are directed to memory subsystems implemented within, or connected to and accessed by, a variety of different types of electronic devices. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a memory controller implemented in a first integrated circuit or other electronic system and one or more separate memory devices. Alternative embodiments of the present invention incorporate the memory controller within one or more memory devices that are connected to, and accessed by, an integrated-circuit-implemented computational engine or another electronic device. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the memory controller and memory are together integrated within a computational engine or another electronic device. Alternative embodiments of the present invention include a multi-access memory that interfaces to a simpler memory controller for connection to, or integration within, a computational engine or other electronic device.

Computing machinery is undergoing rapid evolution. Early electronic computers were generally entirely sequential processing machines, executing a stream of instructions, one-by-one, that together compose a computer program. For many years, electronic computers generally included a single main processor which was capable of rapidly executing a relatively small set of simple instructions, including memory-fetch, memory-store, arithmetic, and logical instructions. A computational task was addressed by programming a solution to the task as a set of instructions and then executing the program on a single-processor computer system.
Relatively early in the evolution of electronic computers, various ancillary and support tasks began to be moved, away from the main processor, to specialized auxiliary processing components. As one example, separate I/O controllers were developed for off-loading much of the repetitive and computational-bandwidth-consuming tasks associated with exchanging information between main memory and various external devices, including mass-storage devices, communications devices, display devices, and user-input devices. This incorporation of multiple processing elements into single-main-processor computer system was the beginning of a trend towards increasing parallelism in computing.
Parallel computation is currently a dominant trend in the design of modern computational machinery. At one extreme, individual processor cores often provide for concurrent, parallel execution of multiple instruction streams, and provide for assembly-line-like, concurrent execution of multiple instructions. Most computers, including personal computers, now incorporate at least two, and often many more, processor cores within each single integrated circuit. Each processor core can relatively independently execute multiple instruction streams. Electronic computer systems may contain multiple multi-core processors, and may be aggregated together into vast distributed computing networks comprising tens to thousands to hundreds of thousands of discrete computer systems that intercommunicate with one another and that each executes one or more separable portions of a large, distributed computational task.
As computers have evolved towards parallel and massively parallel computational systems, many of the most difficult and vexing problems associated with parallel computing have been found to be associated with decomposing large computational tasks into relatively independent subtasks, each of which can be carried out by a different processing entity. When problems are not properly decomposed, or when problems cannot be decomposed, for parallel execution, then employing parallel computer machinery often provides little or no benefit, and, in worst cases, may actually result in slower execution than can be obtained by a traditional software implementation executed on a single-processor computer system. When multiple computational entities contend for shared resources, or depend on computational results generated concurrently by other processing entities, enormous computational and communications resources may be expended to manage the parallel operation of the multiple computational entities. Often, the communications and computational overheads may far outweigh the benefits of a parallel-computing approach carried out on multiple processors or other computational entities. Furthermore, there may be significant financial costs involved with parallel computing, and also significant costs in power consumption and in heat dissipation.
Thus, although parallel computation appears to be the logical approach to efficient computing of many computational tasks, judging from biological systems and the evolutionary trends already encountered in the short time span of the evolution of electronic computers, parallel computing is also associated with many complexities, costs, and disadvantages. While many problems may theoretically benefit from a parallel-computing approach, the techniques and hardware for parallel computing that are currently available often cannot provide cost-effective solutions for many computational problems, particularly for complex computations that need to be carried out in real time within devices constrained by size constraints, heat-dissipation constraints, power-consumption constraints, and cost constraints. For this reason, computer scientists, electrical engineers, researchers and developers in many computationally oriented fields, manufacturers and vendors of electronic devices and electronic computers, and, ultimately, users of electronic devices and electronic computers all recognize the need for continued development of new approaches to efficient implementation of parallel computation engines for solving practical problems. In particular, computer scientists, electrical engineers, researchers and developers in many computationally oriented fields, manufacturers and vendors of electronic devices and electronic computers, and others seek efficient, low-power, and cost-effective subsystems that can be used within, or associated with, the parallel computation engines, including efficient, low-power, and cost-effective memory subsystems.


The present invention provides a method for producing a Group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device, the device including a light-emitting layer which is formed so as to contour a stripe-pattern embossment and to have a uniform thickness. In the production method, firstly, a stripe-pattern embossment having a serrated cross section is formed on one surface of a substrate. Subsequently, on the surface of the substrate on the side of the stripe-pattern embossment having a serrated cross section, an n-type layer, a light-emitting layer, and a p-type layer are sequentially deposited through reduced-pressure MOCVD so as to contour the embossment. Thus, each of the layers is formed so as to contour the embossment, and to have a stripe pattern with a serrated cross section. In this MOCVD process, the direction of gas flow is parallel with the direction of the stripe of the embossment. Thus, the light-emitting layer has uniform thickness and composition in an in-plane direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for producing a Group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device including an n-type layer having thereon an embossment in which dents and mesas are arranged in a stripe pattern as viewed from above (hereinafter such an embossment may be referred to simply as a "stripe-pattern embossment"), and a light-emitting layer which is deposited on the n-type layer so as to contour the embossment.
2. Background Art
Widely used Group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting devices have a structure including a sapphire substrate, and a Group III nitride semiconductor layer having a c-plane main surface and deposited on the substrate. In a Group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device having such a structure, internal quantum efficiency is approaching its limit, and difficulty is encountered in greatly improving light output. Although many studies have been conducted on the electrode of such a device or the shape of chip, difficulty is encountered in greatly improving light extraction performance.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2003-92426 or 2008-130606 proposes a technique for solving such a problem. Specifically, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2003-92426 or 2008-130606 discloses a method for producing a semiconductor device having an increased emission area and exhibiting improved light output by forming, on an embossed n-type layer, an undulated light-emitting layer so as to contour the embossment. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2008-130606 also discloses a semiconductor layer having a stripe-pattern embossment and a serrated cross section, in which inclined surfaces forming the embossment are m-plane surfaces (i.e., non-polar plane surfaces). Since m-plane is a plane which provides a piezoelectric field of zero, internal quantum efficiency can be improved.
However, when an undulated light-emitting layer is formed so as to contour the embossment of an n-type layer as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2003-92426 or 2008-130606, the light-emitting layer may exhibit a variation in thickness; i.e., difficulty is encountered in forming the light-emitting layer to have a uniform thickness.

Method for producing group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device


A golf bag includes a body having opposite upper and lower ends and a compartment therebetween configured to contain golf clubs, and a base ring enclosing the body proximate the lower end. A foot is coupled to the base, wherein the base ring is pivotably mounted to the foot adjacent an outer perimeter of the base. The base ring is movable over the foot between a standing position and an inclined position when the foot is located stationary on a supporting surface.

This invention relates generally to baggage for being carried by a person and, more particularly, to golf bags having integrated stands which are deployable to support the bag in an inclined position on a ground surface.
While the game of golf is ever increasing in popularity, stowing and transporting golf equipment to, from, and around a golf course can be a drawback to an otherwise enjoyable experience. Traditionally, for most golfers, golf clubs are carried around the course in a bag and laid on the ground when it is the golfer's turn to play. Picking up the bag and laying it down repeatedly during a game of golf, not to mention carrying a full bag of clubs, can be tiresome and inconvenient. It can also be difficult to access the bag to insert, remove, or switch golf clubs when the bag is on the ground. While carrying straps are typically provided, most golf bags are uncomfortable to carry for an extended period of time.
In an attempt to address these and other concerns, various types of golf bag stands have been developed which allow users to incline the bag in a supported position when the bag is not being carried, thereby keeping the bag off the ground and providing better access to the clubs during play. The support legs on such bags may extend or retract as needed. Known stand mechanisms, however, are disadvantaged in several aspects.
For example, support legs tend to be bulky and increase the weight of the bag and make it more difficult to carry when desired. Additionally, the support structure and support legs are typically mounted to the exterior of the bag and are subject to bending forces, especially at the connection points to the bag, when the bag is transported from place to place, such as in the trunk of a car. If the legs or mounting structure thereof are bent the benefits of the support structure are compromised. Further, in many bags the stands are actuated by accessible components which are exposed from an exterior of the bag. Thus, not only are actuating components unprotected but potentially hazardous conditions are created for golfers if fingers or clothing, for example, become caught or pinched in the moving components of the bag during actuation. Still further, many known stand assemblies are actuated through straps or other triggering members that create reliability issues as well as render the golf bag vulnerable to unexpected and inadvertent actuation of the legs.
Furthermore, of the various types of golf bags that have been developed which allow users to incline the bag in a supported position, the base assembly on such bags may pivot from a standing position to an inclined position. Known base assemblies, however, are disadvantaged in several aspects. For example, only a portion of the footprint of the bag may be in contact with the support surface when the bag is in each respective position. Thus, the bag has a reduced stability as only a portion of the base is actually supporting the bag at any one time which renders the bag susceptible to tipping when in use. Further, the pivoting portions of the base assembly may be vulnerable to damage from impact as the bag is handled and transported from place to place, such as in the trunk of a car.


Controller component (155) of system (100) generates address pattern (902) through employment of one or more parameters (205), to store information (810) at a plurality of parts of storage, for example, one or more instances of banked data memory (140) that are employable with multiprocessing. The one or more parameters (205) are related to the information (810).

The invention in one embodiment relates generally to communications and more particularly to information and signal processing.
Parallel processors are useful for many types of communications and multimedia signal processing. One challenge in working with one example of a parallel processing engine is keeping the parallel processing engine supplied with data. A failure to keep the parallel processing engine supplied with data disadvantageously prevents a realization of a number of benefits of parallel processing, such as a linear processing speedup.
A parallel processor comprises a number of processing elements, for instance, multipliers, adders, and the like. However, unless these processing elements are provided with the data at a correct time, these processing elements will disadvantageously go unused, for example, greatly reducing processing efficiency.
To obtain increased (e.g., maximum) processing speedup for a parallel computation, a single instruction-stream, multiple data-stream (xe2x80x9cSIMDxe2x80x9d) processor in one example needs to access data samples in a single read cycle from memory. Non-unit strides through memory that serve to access non-adjacent data samples in specific patterns in one example present problems for management of the data upon reading. Exemplary communications system signal processing tasks that employ non-unit strides through memory in specific patterns include oversampled synchronization (xe2x80x9csyncxe2x80x9d) correlation, fast Fourier transforms (xe2x80x9cFFTsxe2x80x9d), interpolation processes, and decimation processes.
Thus, a need exists for enhanced storage of information that is employed in multiprocessing. A further need exists for enhanced access to information that is employed in multiprocessing.

Generation of address pattern through employment of one or more parameters to store information at parts of storage that are employable with multiprocessing


A system for transferring loads across a joint between cast-in-place slabs, more particularly at crossover point of a joint between cast-in-place slabs, includes at least one dowel plate and joint elements and includes elements or abutments for limiting the relative movements of the dowel plate towards the joint elements along three orthogonal directions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for transferring loads across a joint between cast-in-place slabs, more particularly at a crossover point of a joint between cast-in-place slabs. The system for transferring loads at a crossover point comprises at least one dowel plate and means for limiting the relative movements of the dowel plate towards the joint elements along three orthogonal directions.
2. The Prior Art
Systems for transferring loads across a joint between cast-in-place slabs are disclosed for example in EP1034340, EP1584746, EP1985759, EP1867783, WO2008/064436. Each slab is provided along its edges with a metal profile working with the profile extending along an edge of an adjacent slab. At the corner of the slab defined between a first edge with a first metal profile and a second edge with a second metal profile, the said first and second profiles are welded together, so as to increase the protection of the corner. (see for example FIG. 7 of EP1389648).
However, at the crossover point of the four cast-in-place slabs, there is no means for transferring load between two cast-in-place slabs, especially a means for transferring load between two cast-in-place slabs having no direct joint there between formed by metal profiles located in front the one to the other.
When vehicles are passing over one crossover point, a good load transfer is not achieved at the crossover points, meaning that formation of cracks at the corners of the slabs adjacent to the crossover point will appear, such cracks then forming the start of larger damages within the slabs.
The correct welding together of the two ends of metal profiles is not easy as a correct angle has to be respected, as the profiles has to be cut at the correct length for having the ends to be welded together adjacent the one to the other, and as the free place for the welding operation is limited.
In order to prevent the welding together of ends of profiles intended to form a corner of a cast-in-place slab, it has been proposed to form crossover point system comprising four angle joint elements, whereby each of said angle joint element comprises a portion of a first profile, a portion of a second profile, and a welding line connecting an end of the portion of the first profile to an end of the profile of the second profile. Said profile portions welded together define a right angle there between.
The said portions of the profiles welded together are each provided with a U shaped part defining a channel. The channel of a portion of a profile of one angle joint element extends in front of a channel of a portion of a profile of another angle joint element.
Each portion of the profiles of each joint angle is then welded with a profile adapted to extend along an edge of a cast-in-place slab, whereby along each edge of a slab, an elongated channel is formed extending from, one corner from a slab to another corner of the considered slab. The welding operation is complicated as requiring the welding the U shaped part of a portion of an angle joint element with the U shaped part of the adjacent profile.
After the welding is operated, a band is placed in the longitudinal passage formed by the channels of profiles located in front the one to the other. In said passage, longitudinal metal bands (having a constant width all along their length) are placed so as to form means for transferring load between the profiles located between the edges of two adjacent cast-in-place slabs, i.e. from one profile to the other profile.
The bands have a length adapted for not crossing the crossover point between angle join elements.
This system is used for transferring a load from one profile attached to one cast in-place slab to another profile attached to another cast-in-place slab, but not for transferring a load across the adjacent corners of the four adjacent slabs.
Furthermore, it has been observed that cast-in-place slabs provided with angle joint elements formed by profile portions welded together at right angles had some cracks due to retraction phenomena of the concrete cast within the slab spaces defined between the various joint profiles.
The present invention seeks to provide a simple system enabling an easy load transfer at the corners of three or four adjacent slabs, enabling an effective load transfer across the crossover point. Moreover, in preferred embodiments of the invention, the system of the invention enables a better resistance to the appearance of cracks at the corner ends of the cast-in-place slabs.
Another goal of the system of the invention is to provide a system for efficiently transferring loads at a crossover point of a joint between cast-in-place slabs.