A three-phase stator winding of an alternator is divided into six partial windings. Each partial winding, regardless of electrical phase, is wound starting at the slot immediately adjacent to the slot wherein the last previously wound winding was started and in the same winding direction. The first partial windings for the subsequent phases are also inserted in the slots in the same direction as the first partial winding for the first phase, so that connecting arcs are formed on the same side of the stator as was the case for the first phase. The second partial windings for each phase are placed so that the connecting arcs form on the side of the stator opposite to that on which the first connecting arcs were formed. The winding starts and winding ends of each of the partial windings associated with a given phase are connected so that the partial windings are connected either in series or in parallel. The so-formed series or parallel circuits are then connected to form either a Y or a .DELTA. configuration.

For alternators used in motor vehicles, such as trucks, railroads, etc. particular physical dimensions are associated with specific power outputs. A required power output must be met in consideration of the available space in the vehicle.
In alternators of a known type, the stator has slots which accommodate the three phases of a winding. The winding is so inserted into the slots that, electrically speaking, three different phases, each at an angle of 120.degree. to the others, result as a consequence of the magnetic induction of the rotating field generated by the rotor.
The rotating armature or rotor generally has an exciter winding to which a controlled current is applied and which rotates with the rotating armature. Alternatively, it is also stationary. In the latter case, an alternating magnetic field results from a particular shape of the armature (claw-pole rotor) which induces the voltages of correct phase in the stator windings. The stator windings can be connected in a .DELTA. connection or in a Y connection. If the exciter winding rotates with the armature, then the exciter current (DC current) is applied to it by two slip rings.
Since in motor vehicles a battery is generally used for energy storage, the circuits which constitute the load are DC circuits so that the AC current furnished by the alternator is rectified by means of bridge circuits before being applied to the load.
For winding the stator with the coils for generating the different phase voltages, two winding methods are known, namely wave winding and lap winding. The following discussion concerns itself mostly with the wave winding process. If three-phase generators are concerned, as is the case in motor vehicles, then the stator is wound with three coils, the rotation of the armature inducing a voltage in each of the coils which, as previously mentioned, is at a phase angle of 120 electrical degrees relative to the others.
The known wave winding method will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. The three coils to be wound in the wave winding are to be accommodated in the slots of the stator in such a way that the desired phase distribution results with a particularly high utilization factor for the space inside the slots. The method is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3. It is assumed that the stator unit is ring shaped and that the winding is to be inserted automatically into slots on the inner surface. The conventional stator has 36 slots, the number of slots presenting the best solution for the unit in view of the requirements for overall dimension, stability, and capacity for carrying the coils having particular wire thicknesses for carrying the required currents. In FIG. 3, slots 1-14 are pictured. Of course these will be continued by slots 15-35 (not shown); slot 36 then adjoins slot 1.
For a three-phase system, three coils I, II, and III are to be wound into the slots. The winding can begin with any selected coil, for example coil I, whose winding is inserted into slot 1, continues by an upper arc Ia into slot 4 and then through a lower arc Ib into slot 7, etc. It will be noted that a wave winding results, the straight portions of the coil being inserted into slots of the stator skipping two slots, until the required number of windings for the coil generating the voltage of the first phase has been manufactured. It will also be noted that winding of the stator with the first coil starting at slot 1 does not result in any difficulties. The windings or bars of the coil can be pushed down onto the bottom of the slot and nothing stands in the way of their insertion.
When coil II is to be considered, this situation is already different. First, only the mechanical winding procedure will be considered, the electrical connections being explained later on. The first bar or straight portion of coil II is to be inserted into slot 3. However, this part of coil II can already not be inserted properly to the bottom of the slot since at position x in the upper region of FIG. 3 a crossover occurs with the upper arc of coil I (shown in a solid line). This crossover cannot be avoided. This means that in this location the coil of phase winding II is pushed somewhat in the direction of the stator interior, that is does not sit properly in slot 3. Correspondingly, the upper arc IIa of winding II is somewhat slanted until insertion into slot 6. At slot 6, at least in the upper region thereof, this winding can be inserted without difficulty into the slot. However in the lower region, at y, a crossover again occurs with the already inserted and fully wound coil I. It will be noted that even the second coil II cannot be inserted without hindrance into the stator slots assigned thereto. This already decreases the utilization factor for the slots of winding II. However, the difficulty becomes extreme when coil III, illustrated in FIG. 3 in a dot dash line, is to be inserted. Even the schematic representation shown in FIG. 3 makes it clear that crossover points occur both at the top and at the bottom, that is at y' as well as at x' with the previously inserted arcs I.sub.a, I.sub.b, II.sub.a . . . of coils I and II. The crossovers take place very closely to the slot into which the third coil is to be inserted, starting with slot 5 and then following with slot 8, slot 11, etc. In other words, the previously inserted coils I and II prevent the straight portions or bars of coil III from being pushed to the bottom of their assigned slots. The slots for stators for which this winding method is utilized must therefore be relatively deep so that all windings of the three coils can be accommodated. Of course free space remains within the slots, since the previously wound windings are always in the way of windings to be inserted at a later time.
The situation is illustrated in perspective in FIG. 1. It will be noted that coil I is accommodated with ease in its associated slots, two slots always being skipped for a three-phase system. This is no longer the case even for coil II. At location x a crossover point of the upper arc IIa with the upper arc Ia occurs. At point 1, which is further away from crossover point x, the winding can still be inserted into the associated slot and pushed to the bottom thereof without interference.
However, it will be noted from the perspective view in FIG. 1, the third coil III cannot be inserted properly in any location, since both previously wound coils are in the way. Both upper and lower crossover points with winding II occur at x' and crossover points z (both on top) with winding I. The last winding III is thus wound only from the outside, that is from the interior of the stator, onto windings I and II, so that the space within the slots which is available for winding III is not fully utilized and cannot be fully utilized since the upper and lower arcs of the previously inserted coils prevent such utilization. The result of this known winding method is therefore not satisfactory insofar as obtaining an optimum utilization factor for the slot space is concerned. It must, of course, also be kept in mind that any winding method which results in full utilization of the space in the slots must also be suitable for automatic winding.

Winding method for an electrical generator and generator manufactured by the method


A system and method which can detect the presence of a vehicle within the protected area of a four gate railroad crossing, determine its location and direction it is moving in, and open an appropriate exit gate to allow the vehicle to escape prior to the arrival of a train at the crossing. The system has a series of magnetometer sensors suitably placed in the crossing to detect the presence of a vehicle. The sensors are connected to a controller which analyzes readings from the sensors. Upon the approach of a train, the controller, based on analysis of readings from the sensor, determines if a vehicle has become entrapped and determines which exit gate must be opened or should remain open to allow the entrapped vehicle to escape. The system also has self test capabilities as well as the ability to continuously update, when no vehicles are present, a baseline reading of the ambient magnetic condition of the crossing area, which baseline the controller uses in analyzing data from the sensors.

Railroad grade crossings have always posed a danger to vehicles using them. The size and momentum of a train as compared to vehicles which use the crossing, i.e. automobiles, buses and trucks, is so great that a direct collision between a train and a vehicle at a crossing such as an automobile or truck results in not only the total destruction of that vehicle but the death or serious injury of the occupants of the vehicle. The speed and momentum of a train approaching a grade crossing is such that there is little if any chance for the train to stop before reaching the crossing once the engineer of the train knows such a collision is imminent.
Building a viaduct over or under the rail line is generally prohibitive given the cost of construction and subsequent maintenance necessary to maintain it. Thus, the general methods of preventing accidents at a railroad grade crossing rely on providing systems which warn vehicles which use the crossing of the impending approach of a train and lower barriers or gates into place to restrict access to the crossing in the critical seconds before the train arrives at the crossing.
Two systems in wide use today are a standard track circuitry and vital relay network. Most rail lines are sectioned into large long blocks for control and monitoring purposes. The standard track circuitry is a common type of train presence detection circuitry used to detect the presence of a train within a block of track. The vital relay network is a series of relays used to control railroad crossing warning lights and the raising and lowering of primary protective crossing gates. The protective crossing gates generally being gates on the entrance lanes into a crossing. Both of these systems work in conjunction with each other and detect trains by means of electrical conductors across the rails as current flows through rail car wheels. A protected crossing located in the block, ideally at its center, has a vital relay network. Upon receipt of a signal from the standard track circuitry, that a train has entered the block and is approaching the crossing, the vital relay network activates the crossing warning lights and then lowers the crossing gates.
A two gate arrangement as depicted in FIG. 2A is a very common arrangement used to restrict access to a railroad crossing. However, the open exit lanes in the two gate arrangement present their own serious problems in that they allow impatient drivers access to the crossing even though the entrance lanes have barriers across them. Such easy circumvention of the safety barriers of a two gate crossing creates significant dangers in any situation and especially on a rail line that has frequent high speed trains using the line every day.
An alternative to the two gate system is the four gate arrangement as depicted in FIG. 2 which has two additional gates at the exit lanes to the crossing. However, the four gate systems have their own problems. For instance one common problem is the entrapment of a vehicle within the protected area of a four gate crossing because the gates are lowered prior to the vehicle being able to exit from the protected area of the crossing as a train is approaching. Once these vehicles become entrapped between the gates, there is little opportunity for them to escape and avoid being hit by an on coming train. A number of systems currently exist which attempt to deal with the problem of vehicle entrapment; however, these systems are expensive and difficult to install and maintain. A number of them rely on large loops which must be buried in the ground fairly close to the surface of the ground. Additionally, many of these systems lack the capability to respond to wide variety of conditions and circumstances.
Thus, what is need is an inexpensive and easy to install and maintain method and system which allows a vehicle to escape from a four gate protected crossing while retaining all of the advantages of the four gate grade crossing. A system that can also respond to and deal with a wide variety of different conditions and circumstances.


An autonomous vehicle (AV) performance optimization system can receive vehicle data from human-driven vehicles, and determine a set of performance metrics for determining AV performance in relation to human performance based on the vehicle data. Thereafter, the system can receive AV data from AVs operating or configured for operation throughout a given region. Based on the AV data, the system can determine a performance score for each of the set of performance metrics for the AV.

Autonomous driving technology requires continuous sensor data processing of a situational environment of the self-driving vehicle (SDV). One limiting factor in the rollout of SDVs on public roads and highway is uncertainty with respect to the overall safety of such vehicles in normal driving situations as well as any contingency scenario. Traditional safety concepts may be necessary but insufficient for the SDV domain. For instance, SDV systems are extremely complex, having a very large and intricate code base that may be impractical to rigorously validate.
Additionally, the range of possible situations, interactions, and scenarios is virtually infinite, so safety guarantees for every conceivable scenario may not be possible. Thus, a rigorous design-based safety concept, which may often be preferred for typical software projects, may be impractical for extremely complex systems running in arbitrary, random, uncontrolled, and changing environments. Yet, in order to provide the necessary safeguards for SDV operation on public roads and highways, SDV manufacturers and operators must have a means for measuring and understanding just how safe an SDV is in its operation.

Autonomous vehicle performance optimization system


A pair of channel members are fastened by lag bolts between the rails, and a single channel member is fastened on each outer side thereof, each channel member being formed of a pair of U-shaped steel channels welded together in side by side relationship. A metal plate is welded across the upper, open portions of each channel member, the upper surface of the metal plates being coated with epoxy and a non-skid aggregate.

This invention relates to railway crossing structures and more particularly to an improved all metal crossing structure.
The most commonly used railway crossing structures have been formed of a plurality of wooden planks secured between the rails and on either side thereof. Heavy traffic and bad weather can result in rapid deterioration of wood crossing structures, and they are usually in need of frequent inspection to assure that they are in operable condition.
More recently, steel crossing structures have been developed, and such structures have substantially reduced problems of wear. Yet steel structures have exhibited other problems, such as difficulty of installation, higher skidding characteristics, high cost, etc. Presently available steel crossing structures (such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,854,194; 2,960,918; and 3,517,882) have failed to provide low-cost, easily installable and low-skid crossings required to replace existing wooden structures.


A repositionable supporting apparatus includes a lower post adapted to be fixed on a worktable. An upper post is disposed co-axially rotatable relative to the lower post, and has a downward abutment wall defining an upper cavity, and an anchored end portion connected to an anchoring end of a cantilever member. The cantilever member has a holding end opposite to the anchoring end in a direction radial to the upper post for carrying a workpiece feeding device. A coupling member couples the lower post with the upper post in both retained and released positions where the upper post is prevented from rotation and is rotatable relative to the lower post respectively, and has an upward abutment wall to slidably contact the downward abutment wall such that a lower cavity therein can be aligned and communicated with the upper cavity. A spring biased tumbler pin is disposed in and is movable relative to the lower cavity between a locked position where the tumbler pin protrudes into tne upper cavity, and an unlocked position where the tumbler pin is retracted by depression of a depressing member to be flush with the upward abutment wall so as to permit sliding movement of the downward abutment wall, thereby moving the workpiece feeding device away from a cutting tool on the worktable so as not to interfere with replacement of the cutting tool.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a workpiece feeding device used to feed a workpiece along a work path on a worktable for a cutting tool to work thereon, more particularly to a repositionable supporting apparatus for a workpiece feeding device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional supporting apparatus for a workpiece feeding device 6 is shown to include a base 1 which is provided with a coupling member 1a secured thereon by a bolt 1b. An upright post 2 is disposed on the coupling member 1a so as to be rotatable relative to the base 1 upon releasing the coupling member 1a by operating the bolt 1b. A second coupling member 3 is sleeved on the upright post 2. A guiding post 4 is disposed on the second coupling member 3 parallel to the upright post 3, and has a first operating lever 4a which is operable to move the second coupling member 3 along the guiding post 4. A horizontal post 5 is disposed on the second coupling member 3, and has one end provided with a second operating lever 5a which is operable to move the horizontal post 5 in a horizontal direction relative to the second coupling member 3, and the other end to carry the workpiece feeding device 6. The base 1 is fixed on a worktable (A) such that a bottom of the workpiece feeding device 6 is proximate to the worktable (A). A workpiece can be placed to abut against an abutting plate (C) on the worktable (A) adjacent to the cutting tool (B), and can be fed by the workpiece feeding device 6 along a work path for cutting.
When it is desired to replace the worn cutting tool (B), the first coupling member 1a is first released to turn the upright post 2 so as to move the workpiece feeding device 6 away from the cutting tool (B) so as not to interfere replacement of the cutting tool (B). Then, the repositioning of the upright post 2 is required, which results in inconvenient operation since there is no means for repositioning the upright post 2. Moreover, since the first operating lever 4a and the workpiece feeding device 6 are disposed on the opposite ends of the horizontal post 5, the adjusting operation of the workpiece feeding device 6 in the horizontal direction is inconvenient to conduct.

Repositionable supporting apparatus for a workpiece feeding device


A manifold is described for use with anesthesia breathing circuits and which is adapted to receive exhaust anesthetic gases from the anesthesia breathing circuit for disposal thereof. The manifold is connectible to a vacuum system for such disposal and includes a needle valve which may be set to establish a desired flow of exhaust anesthetic gas to the vacuum system. Because the pressures (either positive or negative) within the manifold will also have an effect on pressures within the anesthesia breathing circuit from which the exhaust anesthetic gas is received, it is necessary to control the pressure inside the manifold within certain predetermined limits. Relief valves are thus provided and which relieve the pressure within the manifold at certain predetermined positive and negative limits. The relief valves are so arranged that both may be opened manually by a common member which is accessible exterior of the manifold and can readily be displaced by personnel. The displacement simultaneously opens both valves to free the same from sticking.

This invention relates to a manifold which is adapted to receive exhaust anesthetic gases from an anesthesia breathing circuit and which thereafter provides control for the same to be delivered to a vacuum exhaust system.
Due to the potential harmful effects on doctors and other attending personnel in the operating theatre, anesthetic gases are, to the extent possible, eliminated from the atmosphere where such personnel are working. Typical systems include manifolds that may surround normal pop-off valves in the anesthesia breathing circuit and which carry the anesthetic gases that escape when the pop-off valve is open to some exhaust means, such as the normal hospital vacuum system, or to specially installed evacuation systems.
In order to directly connect such manifolds or other exhaust means of anesthesia machines to hospital vacuum systems, it is necessary to have some flow control valve to prevent the vacuum system from affecting the anesthesia breathing circuit pressures, and it is also normal to have some type of reservoirs due to the intermittent nature of the exhaust gas flow. The flow control valve combined with a reservoir means allows a fairly steady flow of anesthetic gases to the vacuum system and evens off the otherwise intermittent high flow and then no flow conditions of the gas from the anesthesia breathing circuit.
Accordingly, there are interposed between the various means of collecting the exhaust anesthetic gases and the vacuum systems, manifolds having valves such as needle valves, and which also contain pressure relief valves to prevent an adverse effect on the anesthesia breathing circuit itself.
One common difficulty in present manifolds is that, due to the sensitive nature of such pressure relief valves, they often encounter sticking and do not function at the proper positive or negative pressure. In the event of sticking, it is generally inconvenient to reach the stuck valve to release the same and may require the need to disassemble individual valves to free the movable valve components in separate positive pressure and negative pressure relief valves.

Evacuation manifold for medical anesthesia circuits


The frozen dessert machine of the present invention has an automated dispenser for controlling the portion size.

The present invention relates to soft-serve frozen dessert machines. This invention is related to three other inventions for which applications are being filed concurrently, entitled "AERATOR FOR VISCOUS MATERIALS", "FREEZER WITH GROOVED HEAT EXCHANGE SURFACE", and "FREEZER WITH INNER CORE".
In the prior art, most soft-serve frozen dessert machines have a freezer which receives a liquid mix near the back of the freezing chamber and which dispenses soft-serve dessert at the front of the freezing chamber. The dispensers are manual, with the operator holding down a lever to fill up a cone or cup to a desired level. This gives the owner of the establishment very little control over portions. Portion control is desirable from two standpoints. First, it is desirable to provide a consistent product to the customer from one day to the next, so that the customer can know in advance what he will be getting when he orders a medium cone, for example. Second, portion control is important in controlling the profitability of the product. If the portions vary over a wide range depending upon who is operating the machine, then it is difficult for the store manager to set the price for each product, since he does not know what the cost of the product is.

Dispenser for soft-serve frozen dessert machine


A computing apparatus determines that a virtual processor of a guest has been moved from a first physical processor of a host to a second physical processor of the host. The computing apparatus identifies a device that is controlled by the virtual processor, wherein device interrupts for the device are forwarded to the virtual processor. The computing apparatus updates at least one of the device or an interrupt controller to cause at least one of the device or the interrupt controller to send the device interrupts to the second physical processor of the host, wherein the second physical processor of the host forwards the device interrupts to the virtual processor running on the second physical processor without generating an inter-processor interrupt.

Modern computer systems may have multiple processors. A computer system having multiple processors may be connected to multiple devices, each of which may generate device interrupts to communicate information to the computer system. The computer system includes a scheduler that attempts to balance work load between the processors. As a result, schedulers frequently assign interrupts to one processing device, and handle other work on remaining processing devices.
A virtual machine running on a host computer system that has multiple processors may have multiple virtual processors. Each of the virtual machine's virtual processors runs on a specific hardware processor of the host. A virtual machine includes its own scheduler, which assigns specific virtual processors to handle device interrupts from one or more devices. It is often the case that the virtual processor that the virtual machine's scheduler has assigned to handle device interrupts for a device runs on a first hardware processor that is different from a second hardware processor that the host's scheduler has assigned to handle device interrupts for that device. As a result, the second hardware processor receives interrupts for the device, and then generates inter-processor interrupts to forward the device interrupts to the first processing device. This can introduce overhead for the processing of device interrupts.

Optimistic interrupt affinity for devices


In a shielded connector, an opening into which a shielded wire is to be inserted is formed in a rear portion of a housing, a part of a metal shell disposed in the housing is formed as an exposed portion which is exposed on an inner periphery of the opening, a terminal is clamped to be connected to a conductor of a leading end of the shielded wire, and a contact which makes contact with the exposed portion is clamped to be connected to a braided shield portion on an outer periphery of an inner sheath. A projection which, when the terminal is fitted and fixed at a given position in the opening, interferes with the contact to block the contact from moving toward the terminal, is formed on an inner periphery of the opening.

The present invention relates to a movement prevention structure for a shielded connector having a metal shell for an electric shield, and particularly to a movement prevention structure for a contact which connects the metal shell with a braided shield portion of a shielded wire and which is made of an electrically conductive material.
Conventionally, electromagnetic shielded connectors in which a metal case covers the outside of a resin housing or a metal plating is formed on the outside of a resin housing are often used. In such connectors, the metal case or the metal plating is exposed to the external environment, thereby producing a problem in that the metal case or the metal plating is rusted or corroded.
To cope with this, an embedded shielded connector has been proposed in which a metal shell is embedded by employing an integrally molding technique into a resin housing of an electromagnetic shielded connector.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section view showing a conventional embedded shielded connector under the state where the whole of the connector is assembled, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a contact portion.
A housing 1 is made of a synthetic resin or the like. A substantial portion of a metal shell 3 is embedded into the housing. Only a part of the metal shell 3 is exposed as an exposed portion 3a on, for example, an inner periphery of a rear opening of the housing 1.
On the other hand, in a shielded wire 5, an inner sheath 9 is peeled off so that a conductor 11 is exposed, and a terminal 13 is clamped to be connected to the exposed conductor 11. A braided shield portion 15 is exposed in a position which is slightly rearward as compared with the leading end of the inner sheath 9. A contact (shield terminal) 17 having an annular clamp portion 17a is clamped to be connected to the braided shield portion 15. As shown in FIG. 5, the portion of the contact 17 which is behind the annular clamp portion 17a is increased in diameter so as to be formed as a contact portion 17b making contact with the exposed portion 3a.
As described above, the shielded wire 5 to which the terminal 13 and the contact 17 are clamped, is connected to the housing 1 by fitting the terminal 13 and the contact 17 into the housing 1. This causes the braided shield portion 15 and the exposed portion 3a to be electrically connected to each other through the contact 17 so as to constitute a magnetic shield wall covering the inner conductor. In the figures, 19 designates a rubber plug which is attached to the shielded wire 5 to seal a gap between the inner periphery of the housing and the shielded wire 5, and 21 designates a rear holder which holds the rubber plug 19.
However, the above-described conventional shielded connector has a problem as follows. When the fixing force exerted by the clamp connection of the contact 17 to the braided shield portion 15 is small, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 6, vibrations or the like cause the contact 17 to move toward the terminal 13 along a tapered face 23 (see FIG. 5) for guiding the insertion of a terminal, and the leading end of the contact 17 may make contact in some cases with the terminal 13 so that the terminal 13 and the braided shield portion 15 are short-circuited.


An embodiment of a method of determining inertia of a laundry load may comprise an extraction stabilization phase, where liquid is extracted from the laundry load by rotating the basket at first rotational speed, and a sensing phase. The sensing phase may include a deceleration phase, where the basket speed decreases to a second rotational speed, followed by an acceleration phase, where the basket speed increases back toward the first rotational speed. The inertia of the laundry load may be determined from data sensed during the deceleration and acceleration phases.

Laundry treating appliances, such as a washing machine, may include a basket defining a treating chamber for receiving and treating a laundry load according to a cycle of operation. The appliance may include a device, such as a load cell, or implement a method to determine an inertia of the laundry load. The inertia can be very useful information for algorithms run by the appliance during the cycle of operation. As an example, the cycle of operation may include one or more steps during which liquid may be removed from the laundry load, an example of which is a spin extraction step where a basket holding the laundry rotates at speeds high enough to impart a sufficient centrifugal force on the laundry load to remove the liquid. The inertia may be used, for example, to determine when to end the spin extraction step or a maximum spin speed of the basket for the spin extraction step.

Method of determining inertia in a laundry treating appliance


An article, system and method for flattening a three dimensional depression within a substrate floor. A straight edge is applied in a progressive X and Y grid fashion across the depression, with varying levels of shims defining contact locations, thereby establishing a floor template identifying common depths of depression at overlapping perimeter defined boundaries. One or more thermo-polymer sheets is resized to define an outer perimeter matching that of a perimeter boundary. A subset thickness of the sheet is incised around its outer perimeter to establish a feathering effect upon the sheet prior to it overlaying the boundary perimeter and prior to sizing and application of additional overlapping sheets up to an outermost boundary corresponding to a shallowest depression.

The prior art is documented with techniques for flattening or leveling a base surface, such as a wooden subflooring or poured concrete foundation, and prior to the installation of a floor covering, such as a wood, carpet or laminate style material including but not limited to vinyl. In one known prior art application, asphalt roofing shingles has been used for "filling" in such depressions. Other "fill-in" compositions are known for use in filling a depression in a floor construction, one example of which being disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,241,819 to Bowe.

System, article and method for prepping/flattening a floor


A generic call server in a hybrid 2G/3G telecommunications network having a plurality of network components that utilize a plurality of different signaling protocols. The call server performs call-control functions and interfaces between any two network components selected from the plurality of components. A Generic Call-control State Machine (GCSM) performs call-control functions that are common to all of the protocols. A plurality of external signaling systems interface between the GCSM and the network components and perform call-control functions that are specific to each protocol. The generic call server may also include a Media Gateway (MGW) Handler that acts as a media signaling protocol handling server and interfaces between the GCSM and a media gateway.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates to telecommunication systems and, more particularly, to a generic call server and method of converting signaling protocols that utilizes a Generic Call-control State Machine (GCSM) for handling call-control signaling between a plurality of different signaling systems.
2. Description of Related Art
It is anticipated that telecommunications networks will be hybrid networks containing both second generation (2G) and third generation (3G) components and areas of service for years to come. In a typical hybrid network, a number of different signaling protocols may be utilized including, for example, the Internet Protocol (IP), the International Telecommunications Union—Telecommunications Standardization Sector (ITU-T) H.323 and H.248 protocols, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), the Mobile Application Part (MAP), the ANSI-41 Intersystem Signaling protocol, the Signal System 7 (SS7) protocol, the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) User Part (ISUP) protocol, and the Bearer Independent Call Control (BICC) protocol, an extension of ISUP.
An analysis of various call cases, performed for different combinations of networks and different types of subscribers, results in the functional block diagram illustrated in FIG. 1. This diagram illustrates the call-control functional components that are required in a hybrid network 10 in order to handle the various combinations of signaling systems that are currently utilized. Extensions to protocols are indicated by a "+" sign. Block 11 represents the functionality required for a call-control handler that is capable of handling all combinations of the existing signaling protocols. The handler is functionally divided into a plurality of servers and a plurality of media gateway controllers (MGCs). Several types of servers exist. The different types of servers can be grouped into the following four groups:                Servers that understand only one type of protocol. These servers provide subscriber services. They do not control a media gateway (MGW), and therefore have no MGC functionality. These are illustrated in FIG. 1 as blocks 12 and 13.        Servers that map between different types of protocols in order to bridge different transport schemes such as packet-switched and circuit-switched transport schemes. Therefore, they control an MGW using the H.248 protocol. These servers do not provide any subscriber services. Within block 11, these servers are identified as Media Gateway Control Functions (MGCFs). These are illustrated in FIG. 1 as blocks 16 and 18.        Servers that map between different types of protocols in order to bridge different transport schemes, and provide subscriber services as well. The subscriber services are provided either by using internal logic or by interacting with other nodes located in the service control plane. Within block 11, these servers are identified as a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) server 14 and as Gateway MSC (GMSC)/MGCFs 19–21, 22–23, and 24–25.        Servers that map between different protocols operating on identical transport schemes. These servers do not control an MGW, and therefore have no MGC functionality. This type of server is illustrated in FIG. 1 as block 26.
A SIP server 12 is needed to handle SIP signaling in a pure SIP network; an H.323 gatekeeper (GK) 13 is needed to handle H.323 signaling in a pure H.323 network; and an MSC server 14 is needed to handle BICC, H.248, and Iu2 interface signaling for Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) and IS-136 Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) networks. The MSC server also handles MAP, ANSI-41, and IP signaling with a Roaming Signaling Gateway (R-SGW) 15. The R-SGW converts SS7 to IP for ANSI-41 (mobile) call cases. The MSC server is used within the context of TDMA networks, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks having an IP transport scheme, and UMTS circuit-switched networks.
Several types of MGCFs are required in the call-control handler. In addition to call control, the main functions performed by the MGCFs are call-control protocol conversion and media gateway control using the H.248 protocol. Six MGCFs are illustrated to show the different types of protocol conversions required of an MGCF for different call scenarios.
A first MGCF (MGCF-1) 16 is needed to handle H.323 and H.248 signaling, as well as ISUP/IP signaling toward a Transit Signaling Gateway (T-SGW) 17. The T-SGW converts SS7 to IP for ISUP (non-roaming) call cases. A second MGCF (MGCF-2) 18 is needed to handle SIP and H.248 signaling, as well as ISUP/IP signaling toward the T-SGW. A third MGCF (MGCF-3) 19 interconnects an external network utilizing SS7 signaling to the circuit-switched portion of a 3G core network. Therefore, MGCF-3 is needed to handle BICC signaling toward the circuit-switched domain, H.248 signaling, and ISUP/IP signaling toward the T-SGW. MGCF-3 should be functionally combined with a Gateway MSC (G-MSC) 21 functionality which handles a subset of MAP, ANSI-41, and IP signaling for HLR interrogations. MGCF-3 performs all the MGC-specific functionalities: protocol conversion, address translation, bandwidth reservation and Media Gateway (MGW) control. The G-MSC is used only for incoming traffic into a home network, when the HLR interrogation is necessary to find a subscriber's location.
A fourth MGCF (MGCF-4) 22 interconnects H.323 networks to the circuit-switched portion of a 3G core network and is needed to handle BICC signaling toward the circuit-switched domain of the 3G core network, H.248 signaling, and H.323 signaling. Once again, MGCFs handling BICC signaling should be functionally combined with a G-MSC 23 that performs HLR interrogations. A fifth MGCF (MGCF-5) 24 interconnects SIP networks to the circuit-switched portion of a 3G core network and is needed to handle BICC signaling toward the circuit-switched domain of the 3G core network, H.248 signaling, and SIP signaling. Once again, MGCF 5 should be functionally combined with a G-MSC 25 that performs HLR interrogations. A sixth MGCF (MGCF-6) 26 is needed to handle SIP and H.323 signaling.
Communications such as interrogations 27 of Domain Name Servers (DNS) and Location Servers (LS) are common to all of the signaling systems. Likewise, each of the signaling systems is capable of utilizing the Bandwidth Broker protocol 28 with a bandwidth broker performing resource management (RM) functions for the purpose of coordinating Quality of Service (QoS) in IP networks.
Each of the protocols utilized by the various signaling systems have protocol-specific functionality. This creates a major problem for manufacturers of equipment such as media gateway controllers because different versions of the controllers must be designed for each unique set of protocols. Alternatively, to provide a single device in the network that is capable of converting between all of the specific protocols, with all of the protocol-specific functionality, would require an extremely large matrix of great complexity.
It would be advantageous to have a generic call server and method of converting protocols that simplifies the protocol conversion problem and handles call-control signaling between a plurality of different signaling systems. Such a server would enable equipment manufacturers to design a single version of devices such as media gateway controllers that would be compatible with a plurality of signaling protocols. The present invention provides such a generic call server and method.

Generic call server and method of converting signaling protocols


A restoration method and apparatus whereby a paper fiber dispenser with a vibrating motor causes paper fibers in a dry state to fall onto a disposable filter and within missing part or parts of paper being restored thereon. Paper fibers are collected and immobilized on disposable filter and within missing part or parts of paper being restored as underside of disposable filter is subjected to suction. Water-base adhesive is applied with brush to paper fibers. Paper fibers are compacted with spatula. A tensional filter counteracts pressure exerted with spatula on paper fibers. A tensional filter and disposable filter are subjected to humidity to prevent glue residue from solidifying on tensional filter and to facilitate peeling off disposable filter from restored paper. A restoration table is equipped with a tensional filter and a vacuum and humidification chamber in communication with a source of suction and a source of humidity. Suction and humidification control means are in communication with said suction and humidification sources.

This invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of restoring works on paper and the like; and more particularly to an apparatus and method for reconstructing lost areas of a work on paper and the like with varying amounts and kinds of suitable paper fibers and glue, while, and by subjecting the work on paper and the paper fibers to the influence of suction, and by subjecting residual glue to the influence of humidification.


A memory system including a memory controller and a memory and a related method are disclosed. The method includes communicating a command and error detection/correction (EDC) data associated with the command from the memory controller to the memory, decoding the command and executing an EDC operation related to the EDC data in parallel, and if the command is a write command, delaying execution of a write operation indicated by the write command until completion of the EDC operation, else immediately executing an operation indicated by the command without regard to completion of the EDC operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to memory systems and methods of handling memory system commands.
2. Description of Related Art
The concept of a "memory system" now encompasses a great variety of circuits and related control methods enabling the transfer, storage and retrieval of digital data. Once memory systems were associated with only computers systems and similar computational logic platforms. Now, a great host of consumer products ranging from cell phones to automobiles to refrigerators include memory systems of varying complexity.
A generic memory system is conceptually illustrated in Figure (FIG.) 1, wherein a memory 2 is provided to store data received from a memory controller 1 via a channel 3.
The memory 2 may be volatile or nonvolatile in its operating nature. A volatile memory retains stored data only so long as power is applied to the memory. Dynamic Random Access Memories (DRAMs) and Static Random Access Memories (SRAMs) are well known categories of volatile memories. In contrast, nonvolatile memories have the ability to retain stored data in the absence of applied power. Flash memory is one popular example of a nonvolatile memory.
Regardless of memory type and related storage capabilities, a memory must typically be associated with some kind of memory controller. Memory controller 1 shown in FIG. 1 may take many different forms including a generic processor or controller, a direct memory address (DMA) controller, a host device central processor unit (CPU), a dedicated data switch or transfer element, etc. In all of its varied forms, and regardless of additional functionality, memory controller 1, at its basic relevant functionality, controls the transfer of data to and/or from memory 2.
Data transfer between memory controller 1 and memory 2 is accomplished via a channel 3. Channel 3 may be hardwired or wireless in its implementation. For example, data may be wirelessly transferred between memory controller 1 and memory 2 via radio frequency (RF) channel(s), infrared channel(s) and/or magneto-electric channel(s). More typically, memory controller 1 and memory 2 are connected via a hardwired channel formed by one or more buses and/or various signal lines. In this context, a "bus" is merely a collection (physical or operational) of signal lines commonly operated in relation to a block of data and/or a timing segment.
The examples shown in FIG. 2 are but several of the numerous types of hardwire channels 3 that might be used to connect memory 2 with a memory controller 1. In the first illustrated example, memory 2 and memory controller 1 are connected by a plurality of unidirectional control signal lines (C/S), a unidirectional address bus (ADDR), and a bidirectional data bus (DQ). Assuming for purposes of illustration that memory 2 is a DRAM, the control signal lines may be used to communicate commonly used control signals such as chip select (CS), row address strobe (RAS), column address strobe (CAS), write enable (WE), etc. In this configuration, the address bus may be used to communicate multiple address bits identifying unique location(s) in memory 2 to which, or from which data is to be read or written, respectively. Data written to memory 2 will hereafter be referred to a "write data" and data retrieved from memory 2 will be referred to as "read data."
In the second illustrated example of FIG. 2, the unidirectional collection of control signal lines and the address bus are effectively combined into a single control/address (C/A) bus. This bus configuration is commonly associated with memory systems using packetized commands. That is, certain memory system architectures utilize the flexibility and efficiency offered by configuring data into so-called "data packets." The definition and use of data packets are well understood by those skilled in the art and are the subject of many conventional protocols and standards.
In the third illustrated example of FIG. 2, a common unidirectional C/A bus structure is also used to communicate write data from memory controller 1 to memory 2. Here again, the write data may be grouped into one or more data packet(s) along with related control data and/or address data.
Finally, in the fourth illustrated example of FIG. 2, a common bidirectional bus is used to communicate not only control data, address data and write data from memory controller 2 to memory 1, but also read data from memory 2 to memory controller 1. Only certain control signal lines are otherwise defined between memory controller 1 and memory 2 outside the common bidirectional bus. In this example, the read data may be packetized before being communicated from memory 2 to memory controller 1.
One notable characteristic of conventional and emerging memory systems is an increasing demand for greater data bandwidth (i.e., available data per unit operation) and/or data throughput (available data per period of time). Data bandwidth may be increased by increasing the number of data bits being communicated to/from a memory in a memory system operation. Data throughput may be increased by the number of data bits being communicated to/from a memory in a memory system operation and/or increasing the speed with which each memory system operation is performed.
Given concurrent commercial motivations to reduce memory system size and power consumption while maximizing available data bandwidth and data throughput, it is not surprising that certain practical limitations have quickly arisen. For example, the number of signal lines connecting a memory controller with memory may be limited by the size of the memory or memory controller and/or the corresponding number of available connection (input/output) pads. Given such physical limitations, all or some signal lines in a memory system may be multiplexed in their use.
Regardless of the physical connections between a memory and memory controller, almost all contemporary memory systems are being run at increasingly fast clock speeds. Increasingly fast clock speeds facilitate greater data throughput. Enhanced data throughput is highly desirable for many commercial applications.
Unfortunately, increasingly fast clock speeds also increase the likelihood of data communication (transmission and/or reception) errors. Indeed, memory systems have become so complex and data transfer speeds have become so fast, that many contemporary memory systems now incorporate error detection and/or error correction (singularly or collectively indicated as "EDC") capabilities to mitigate the inevitable consequences of data errors.
EDC capabilities were once used primarily for long-haul (or bulk) data traffic such as telephone networks and satellite communication systems. Now, however, the advantages of incorporating EDC capabilities within a memory system are well appreciated. There are many different types of EDC protocols, techniques, schemes, and related circuits and software. One class of relatively simple error detection techniques are conventionally used to implement a functionality referred to as a cyclic redundancy checker (CRC). More sophisticated EDC techniques are capable of not only detecting the presence of one or more error(s) in communicated data, but also of correcting the detected error(s).
Nearly all EDC techniques are implemented by adding additional ("overhead") data bits to a block of data being communicated. That is, the data block is first run through a mathematical or logical calculation in order to produce corresponding EDC data. The EDC data is then transferred along with the data block. At the receiving end, the data block is again run through a similar mathematical/logical calculation and the resulting data compared to the received EDC data. A successful comparison indicates an error free block of data. A failed comparison indicates one or more errors in the data block. When more sophisticated EDC techniques are used, these error(s) may be corrected by further resort to the overhead data.
As the operating speed and overall complexity of memory systems has increased, the control data, address data, write data, read data, etc., communicated between a memory controller and a memory has become increasingly susceptible to errors. The potentially catastrophic effects of such errors is clear. Errant control data, address data and/or write data is particularly threatening since such data is capable of corrupting the data stored in memory.
As a result of the foregoing, many contemporary memory controllers now include specialized circuits and/or software routines capable of generating EDC data in relation to memory system operations (e.g., read/write operations). A memory connected to the memory controller incorporating EDC capabilities (e.g., hardware and/or software) must be functionally capable of segregating EDC data from other data, and thereafter using the EDC data to verify the integrity of some portion of the other data.
Additionally, the memory often includes specialized circuits and/or software routines capable of notifying the memory controller when errant data has been identified. In response to a notification from the memory, the memory controller may re-send the errant data.
Where the EDC data provided by the memory controller is enabling, the memory may additionally or alternately include error correction circuits and/or software routines capable of correcting identified error(s) in the received data. The overall power and sophistication of a memory system's EDC capabilities is a matter of design choice, but increasing some provision of EDC capabilities is being made in contemporary memory systems.
EDC capabilities are particularly beneficial in the context of memory systems using data packet communication techniques. That is, individual data packets may be defined to include corresponding EDC data along with other types of data (e.g., control data, address data, write data, etc.). The EDC data may be associated with (e.g., derived from and used to detect and/or correct errors in) any one or more of these other data types.
While EDC capabilities offer great benefits in the verification of data being communicated between a memory controller and a memory, such capabilities come at a price. The greatest price is typically imposed on the overall speed of memory system operation. EDC operations run in the memory controller, and more particularly, EDC operations run in the memory generate a data throughput bottleneck within memory systems. Thus, the contemporary memory system designer faces the competing demands of increasing data throughput, which requires the streamlining, simplifying, and expediting of memory system operations, and assuring data integrity, which requires sophisticated and relatively slow EDC operations.

Memory system and command handling method


A swine feeder for use in feeding individually housed gestating swine. The feeder includes a hollow tube containing feed. The tube controls the amount of feed by having its lower, angled end contained within a feeding tube that is moveable by the individual sow to discharge the feed only when the sow applies a force to the feeding tube. The feeder may be connected to a supply of feed, and typically, the feeder is attached to the individual crate of each sow such that a limited amount of feed is dispersed into the sow's feeding area, usually a trough.

As swine farming becomes an increasingly commercial activity, there is an increased emphasis on labor, feeding levels, productivity, and welfare of the swine. The feeding of gestating swine is an area of particular concern to today's farmer.
Feeding levels of gestating swine vary widely based on weight, body condition, and other factors. Appropriate daily nutrient intakes are necessary to insure optimum productivity and welfare. Individual housing systems for sows have improved accuracy as compared to group housing systems. However, several limitations still exist with systems that deliver the diet from a volumetric dispenser into a trough used for both feed and water. Dropping feed into a common trough without dividers between individual sows does not have a high level of feeding accuracy, results in a gorge feeding pattern, increases feed spillage into alleys, and requires removal of water access prior to feeding.
It is therefore desirable to provide an apparatus which would improve feeding level accuracy, labor efficiency, and welfare of individually housed gestating swine.


An anti-snare device including a roller dimensioned and positioned to deflect away, and thereby prevent, a bouncing bicycle chain from contacting the lower-rear quadrant of a chain ring gear when shifting to a smaller front gear during vigorous pedaling, and from catching on a tooth on the upwardly rotating section of the gear.

As is well known, and understood, the recreational use of bicycles and bicycle competitions have increased significantly since the introduction of the off-road or BMX type bicycle--and has become a multi-billion dollar concern. As is also known, such type of bicycle is designed to be ridden up and down hills, over all kinds of terrain including rocks, dirt, sand, water, etc., requiring more vigorous peddling and a greater need for reliability under adverse conditions. To address this, the rider is often joined to the bicycle via a locking clip in the pedal, which prevents the rider from jumping off the bike in the event the chain jams the pedal mechanism, causing the rider and the bicycle to fall. To gain market share and altering performance, companies spend hundreds of millions of dollars improving the designs to create a less bumpy ride (adding shock absorbers and floating forks, and making peddling easier) and increasing the number of gears at both the crank and rear axles.
As is understood, the reason that bicycle companies have focused on the number of gears offered--numbering twenty-one and higher--is that a rider can select a gear that gives the most efficient conversion of peddling into forward motion, permitting the rider to navigate hills and obstacles more effectively, and faster without exhaustion. Additionally, as some riders use these kinds of bicycles on the edge of safety, they require the immediate response to their demands, and the ability to propel themselves over and around obstacles. As a result of the vigorous, uncompromising demands on the mechanics that drive the rear wheel--pedals, cranks, chain ring, chains, cassettes and cogs--it regularly occurs that when a rider shifts the front gear to a smaller diameter ring under pressure, the bottom of the chain bounces, slapping against the rear of the chain ring. When the chain contacts the rear of the chain ring being driven by the cranks in this manner, the chain often catches on a tooth on the upwardly moving gear, causing it to get drawn up against the frame of the bicycle and locking up the peddling mechanism. In a racing competition, for example, this can result in the participant falling back many places and/or losing.


Methods are disclosed to determine if wiring resources are available in the neighborhood of a physically routed net in all three dimensions. Such a method can select a wire trait based on an amount of usage of each wire segment in the net and the total percentage usage of the net. The method can also re-route a net using new wiring resources after determining that wiring resources are available. The new resources can provide improved RC (delay) characteristics and reduced signal coupling. The method can be applied to a VLSI design with multiple fails.

The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for routing of nets in an integrated circuit and related functions such as determining the available capacity for re-routing of the net.
Circuit designers currently can use a variety of software tools to design electronic circuits that accomplish an intended task. For example, a digital circuit can be designed to accept digital inputs, perform some computation, and produce a digital output. An analog circuit may be designed to accept analog signals, manipulate the analog signals, such as amplifying, filtering, or mixing the signals, and produce an analog or digital output. Generally, any type of circuit can be designed as an integrated circuit (IC). Integrated circuits are electronic circuits formed using silicon as a substrate with added impurities to form solid-state electronic devices, such as transistors, diodes, and resistors. Commonly known as a "chip", an integrated circuit is generally encased in hard plastic. The components in modern day electronics generally appear to be rectangular black plastic pellets with connector pins protruding from the plastic encasement.
Modern High Performance microprocessors and very large ASIC designs require significant amounts of wiring resources. These resources are made available to design and manufacture a large set of wiring layers that can be as high as nineteen layers. These layers are arranged such that lower level layers are thinner but more abundant, providing more tracks to route signals. As the stack goes up, the layers become thicker and, therefore, less tracks become available for routing. Thinner lower level layers are more resistive and not as suitable for long high performance connections, although they can be suitable for gates connected within short distances. As the layers become thicker, resistance is reduced, rendering the layers, or planes, more attractive for connecting gates at faster speeds.
Furthermore, a multiple layer stack creates a 3D environment wherein signal wires are next to each other and, therefore, subject to potential interference from neighboring wires. This effect is known as signal coupling and can have the adverse effect of increasing delay propagation as well as inducing false signal transitions or glitches on gates.

Resource aware method for optimizing wires for slew, slack, or noise

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A new fluid coupling assembly includes first and second split connection members positioned over a coupling member or gland of a fluid system. A body member is threadedly received over one end of the split connection members to define a split female nut member. A second threaded region of the body member has a different pitch and hand to facilitate make-up of the coupling assembly and assure that the components are urged together as the fluid components are brought into sealing engagement. A retaining collar is received over the split connection members to define a split male nut member.

This invention pertains to the art of coupling arrangements and more particularly to fluid coupling assemblies of the type where first and second fluid components, such as axially aligned glands are brought into sealing engagement. A widespread, commercially successful version of this type of fluid coupling employs a circumferentially continuous bead on a radial end face of the gland. A gasket is interposed between the opposed beads and the glands urged into fluid-tight relationship with opposite faces of the gasket by virtue of a threaded nut arrangement. For example, one of the glands is provided with a shoulder axially spaced from the end face and that abuttingly engages a corresponding shoulder of a coupling nut. An outer end of the nut is internally threaded to cooperate with external threads associated with the second coupling gland. The external threads may be formed directly on the second gland at a region spaced from the end face, or may be associated with a separate nut member that likewise abuttingly engages a radial shoulder on the second coupling gland. A commercially successful version of this fluid coupling assembly is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,521,910 of Callahan, Jr., et al.
The coupling glands are usually associated with other components of the fluid system. For example, the ends of the glands remote from the sealing end faces are secured to fluid lines, pressure regulators, valves, etc. As will also be recognized by those skilled in the art, these types of fluid couplings are often used in ultra pure environments where high degrees of cleanliness are required. Steps must be taken, for example, when a welded interconnection is made between the first gland and the fluid component to address the cleanliness problem.
Yet another problem associated with securing the gland member to the fluid component relates to misalignment due to welding. Occasionally, the first gland is warped or non-aligned relative to its ideal location in connection with a stub or other connection associated with the fluid component. Aside from any aesthetic concerns, non-alignment can adversely impact the connection and alignment of other components in the fluid system.
Accordingly, these concerns and others have not been adequately addressed in prior art arrangements of fluid couplings of this type.


An xDSL modem assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a housing, a circuit board having xDSL electronics, and a multi-layer electromagnetic shield formed to receive the circuit board. The circuit board is positioned inside the multi-layer electromagnetic shield, and the multi-layer electromagnetic shield is positioned inside the housing.

Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) modems provide the ability to transmit data at high rates across twisted pair telephone wiring. The electronic circuitry and frequencies required to accomplish this task can generate substantial electromagnetic (EM) radiation. Such EM radiation can be problematic because a device that exhibits high EM radiation can fail to satisfy United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements for electronic devices. Furthermore, high EM radiation can interfere with the operation of other electronic equipment.
Some conventional xDSL modems address the EM radiation problem by forming the housing for the xDSL circuitry out of a relatively thick conductive material, such as cast metal. Typically, such systems are effective in sufficiently curbing the EM radiation. However, for some applications, it is desirable to create the modem housing out of composite, plastic, or other non-conductive material. For example, such housings may be used to create light-weight, less expensive devices for the mass market. Such a composite or plastic housing is generally ineffective in preventing EM radiation.
One conventional method for blocking EM radiation is to use a metal spray coating, for example a copper spray coating, applied to the inner surface of the composite or plastic housing. Such coatings are helpful but can sometimes fail to sufficiently reduce the EM radiation. Furthermore, the metal spray coating can be a time consuming and expensive process step.

Digital subscriber line (xDSL) modem having a multi-layer electromagnetic shield and method of manufacture


A "pick-and-place" apparatus has a first pivoted lever driven in alternating directions of pivoting, the drive shaft of which is mounted centrally between a first location and a second location. In the end positions, which delimit the pivoting range, the pivoted lever always faces towards one location or the other location. A second pivoted lever is mounted at the end of the first lever and driven in the opposite direction thereto and with a predetermined gear ratio thereto, for example, resulting from a fixed toothed wheel by means of a toothed belt and a further toothed wheel. The chip gripper is connected to the end of the second lever. The gear ratio and the lengths of the two levers are matched to each other such that in both end positions, the two levers are in an extended position with respect to one another and the chip gripper is over the one location or the other location. The pivot planes of the levers can be perpendicular or parallel to the planes of the chip carrier and/or of the substrate upon which the chips are mounted.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a semiconductor mounting apparatus with a chip gripper which is moveable back and forth between a first location and a second location by means of a lever mechanism, in order to lift a chip from a chip carrier at the first location and to lay the chip on a substrate at the second location. Such an apparatus, described as a "pick and place" apparatus is used as a component of a mounting machine known as a "die bonder" in semiconductor mounting. It serves to mount the numerous similar chips of a wafer, which are located next to one another on a carrier, one after another on a substrate, for example, a metal lead frame. Coordinated with each pick and place movement, the wafer table on which the chip carrier is located makes available a next chip at said first location, and the substrate is also advanced in order to make available a new substrate location at the second location. For lifting up and subsequent laying down of the chips, the chip gripper can be raised and lowered in a known manner, either together with the whole apparatus or on its own relative to the apparatus. Extremely high demands are made on mounting apparatus of this type. For the further processing of the mounted chips (contacting of the integrated circuit in the wire bonder), the chips must be accurately positioned on the substrate, which requires a correspondingly accurate arrival at the second location by means of the chip gripper, and also necessitates the previous precise transporting to the first location for lifting up the chip. On the other hand, high speeds and short cycle times of the movement sequences are required, which cause correspondingly high accelerations and inertial forces to occur on the parts moved.
2. The Background Art
Up until now different lever mechanisms have been used to produce the alternating movements of the chip gripper, which sometimes include guide slots (for example, in the manner of the known maltese transmission arrangement). Such slots are disadvantageous for achieving precise movement because of the considerable shearing forces occurring with them, and have to be serviced accordingly. With another known mechanism, the chip gripper is seated at the end of a lever pivoting back and forth, that is to say it performs a curve-shaped movement corresponding to the swinging displacements of the lever, which must always be stopped in the end positions, wherein there is a strong tendency for vibration. With the known arrangements it is therefore difficult to satisfy the demands existing in practice with respect to accuracy as well as to speed.
The object of the invention is to overcome the existing disadvantages of the prior art with a semi-conductor mounting apparatus of the type described in the introduction. The pick and place mechanism must, above all, ensure accurate positioning of the chip gripper in both end positions, but along with this also make possible rapid back and forth movements, that is to say short cycle times.

Semiconductor mounting apparatus with a chip gripper travelling back and forth


An automated bale wrapping control system for a round baler that includes a simplified remotely installable operator interface for installation on a tractor. The simplified operator interface includes manual operated, mechanical input switches for selecting system on/off, number of wraps, twine or net wrapper selection, manual extension/retraction of the wrapping mechanism, and/or manual wrap cycle initiation. An audible alarm provides feedback to the operator for monitoring the baling and wrapping processes and for alerting the operator to abnormal conditions in the baling and/or wrapping processes.

This invention relates to agricultural balers for forming round bales of crop material and automatically wrapping the bales with twine before releasing them onto a field. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in the twine wrapper control system to enable control system operation using a simplified operator console.
Demand for operational efficiency continues to increase in crop packaging, especially in round balers. Efficiency gains in equipment operation and/or improvements in equipment operating lifespan all serve to improve the economics surrounding crop packaging. Improvements are typically introduced in larger balers where tractors are equipped with sophisticated control systems that can interface with increasingly complex implement control systems to achieve the desired implement operational efficiency improvements. It is also desirable to offer the equipment operational improvements across an entire equipment line, not just the larger, more complex models. Adapting the sophisticated control systems necessary to achieve the operational improvements to simpler implements and/or tractors that may lack some or all of the necessary control system features demands innovation.
One such improvement is an automatic bale wrapping system for round balers. Typical round balers having automatic wrapping capability, such as those produced by Case New Holland North America, pick up crop material from a field and form it into a compacted round bale in a bale forming chamber. When the bale has been compacted to a desired density (or reached a desired size), bale density (or size) sensors send signals to a controller which in turn sends signals to an operator's panel to alert the operator to stop forward motion of the baler so that the bale may be wrapped with netting or twine according to a program of instructions stored in the controller memory.
After a brief delay allowing time for the operator to stop forward motion of the baler, the controller initiates a wrap cycle. The mechanism for wrapping with twine includes one or more hollow twine tubes. Strands of twine are fed from twine rolls through the tubes. When a wrap cycle is initiated, the twine tubes are moved arcuately to an extended or insert position with an end of each twine strand dangling from the end of a respective one of the tubes. A pusher mechanism, usually referred to as a "duckbill", is actuated to move the dangling ends toward the bale so that the ends of the twine strands are adjacent the bale near its lengthwise middle. The strands are caught up in the bale which is rotating within the bale forming chamber. The bale is then wrapped in a pattern by moving the twine tubes toward a home (outboard) position with programmed pauses at intervals to place circular wraps on the bale. The twine is cut after end wraps have been placed on the bale and the bale is ejected from the baler onto the ground. The mechanism for wrapping with net relies on fingers in the duckbill to hold a free end of the net wrap and insert the free end into the bale forming chamber. Once the net wrapper is engaged by the bale, the duckbill is partially withdrawn until the bale is fully wrapped. The duckbill is then fully withdrawn once the bale is fully wrapped which severs the net wrap from the supply allowing the wrapped bale to be ejected from the baler. Twine tubes are not required with a net wrap system. Another signal from the controller to the operator interface informs the operator that forward motion for crop pickup can resume once the wrapping process is completed. A display console communicating with the control system informs the operator of the wrapping progress, alerts the operator to any problems in the wrapping cycle, and often provides touch-sensitive controls for operator input options.
While such operator convenience is readily accomplished on tractors having electronic control systems, data communications networks, and video screen operator displays already installed, it would be similarly advantageous to provide a similar level of bale wrapping automation on less complex tractors. With this in mind, it would be advantageous to provide a control system for automating the bale wrapping process which includes an ECU and a simplified operator interface capable of functioning without a visual display or similarly complex tractor-mounted operator interface. Further advantages would be realized by a simplified operator interface capable of providing alarm and monitoring capability for the entire baler operation process and operator control inputs for adjusting key parameters, calibrating sensors, and manual bale wrapping initiation. These and other advantages are provided by the draft control system described below.

Fully automated twine wrapping system for a round baler having a simplified operator interface


An artist canvas frame comprises the usual rectangular frame members attached at four corners and having a canvas stretched around the periphery and held in place by staples or some other suitable means. To improve the stability of the frame a brace is provided substantially midway transversely across the back of the frame in one or both directions and is held in place by movable plastic socket members on each respective end of the brace and each socket member comprises a small rectangular tube having opposed side members extending therefrom fitted over the inside faces of opposed frame members, known individually as stretcher strips or stretcher bars.

1. Field of the Invention
Artist canvas frames, picture frames and the like having braces or stretching devices incorporated therewith.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The usual artist canvas stretcher frame comprises a rectangular wooden frame connected together at the four corners as for example by a mortise joint and having a canvas stretched therearound with the respective edges of the canvas attached to the outside edges of the respective four frame members. The mitered corners of the frame may either be fixed and glued in place or nailed in place by corrugated nails or the like or may be mortised and permitted to have some amount of movement in order to respond to the variation in the tension on the canvas caused by changes in humidity. In certain instances where the canvas is stretched over a frame the changes in atmospheric conditions will cause the canvas to tighten and bow the frame members inwardly thereby causing a permanent bend in the frame. Such canvasses will not be suitable for sale and would be objectionable if the condition happens at the sale. The present invention is a simple solution to that problem and utilizes a pair of simple inexpensive plastic connecting devices or brackets to secure a brace member in the proper position.

Artist canvas stretcher frame brace bracket


An interface test device for testing a circuit, the interface test device including a module configured to open and close a medium to high voltage monitoring circuit, the module having at least one pair of contacts biased towards each other that are electrically connected and in line with the medium to high voltage monitoring circuit; at least one pair of insulated jacks, wherein the at least one pair of insulated jacks is connected to the medium to high voltage monitoring circuit before or substantially simultaneously with the medium to high voltage monitoring circuit being opened; at least one disconnect plug that is insertable into the module through at least one parking opening into at least one parking position and insertable into the module through at least one disconnect opening into at least one disconnect position.

Most of the components of power system generation, transmission or distribution facilities, such as transmission lines, step-up and step-down transformers, power breakers and generators are monitored and controlled. The control and monitoring is usually performed by electromechanical or electronic equipment that are able to measure electrical quantities, perform calculations based on pre-defined algorithms and thresholds and actuate the system when necessary. Due to the high voltage, current and power flowing through the high-power components, current transformers, potential transformers and breakers are employed as an interface between the high-power components and the low-power control and monitoring devices such as a medium to high voltage monitoring circuit. This medium to high voltage monitoring circuit and its associated circuitry are tested by technicians. For example, a technician might test the operation of a medium to high voltage monitoring circuit or its associated circuitry by inserting a disconnect plug into an interface test device and performing various tests. Unfortunately, it is inevitable that mistakes happen during such testing which results in damage to the equipment or harm to the technician. During such testing, the technician might also adjust the medium to high voltage monitoring circuit by changing the parameters of the medium to high voltage monitoring circuit based upon the testing or based upon other factors. Unfortunately, such testing and adjustments take substantial amounts of the technician's time which is expensive. Furthermore, it is typical to perform periodic maintenance on the circuitry of the medium to high voltage monitoring circuits. In order to perform maintenance on medium to high voltage monitoring circuits, the associated power circuits must be powered down to allow the technician to perform the maintenance since the interface or other components in the medium to high voltage monitoring circuit might otherwise be damaged. These interruptions in operation of the medium to high voltage monitoring circuit and in the power circuit increase the cost of operation. For example, there are costs associated with switching to another power circuit and there are costs associated with the lost usage of the equipment powered by the power circuit. Accordingly, there is a strong need in the art to improve medium to high voltage monitoring circuits and their associated circuitries to reduce or eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks. Several different types of test interfaces are known in the power industry.
One group of test interface types are interfaces which work with single or multi pole disconnect plugs that are not assigned to one individual test interface, yet may be associated by a certain test interface configuration.
Another group of test interface types provides an opening mechanism in every pole of the test interface with the opening mechanism clearly assigned or attached to the test interface.
The invention provides multiple improvements over the inventions described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,031,487 and 8,461,856 co-owned by Applicant, both of which are incorporated in their entirety by this reference.


One aspect of the present invention provides methods of treating a viral infection in a subject including administrating a therapeutically effective amount of at least one Wnt ligand protein selected from Wnt1, Wnt2, Wnt2B, Wnt3, Wnt3A, Wnt4, Wnt5A, Wnt5B, Wnt6, Wnt7A, Wnt7B, Wnt8A, Wnt8B, Wnt9A, Wnt9B, Wnt10A, Wnt10B, Wnt11 and Wnt16. In one embodiment, the subject is a human and the infection is a human immunodeficiency virus infection. Another aspect provides drug combinations for treating viral infections.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive. Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, or breast milk. Within these bodily fluids, HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cells.
HIV infects vital cells in the human immune system such as helper T cells (specifically CD4+ T cells), macrophages, and dendritic cells. HIV infection leads to low levels of CD4+ T cells through a number of mechanisms, including apoptosis of uninfected bystander cells, direct viral killing of infected cells, and killing of infected CD4+ T cells by CD8 cytotoxic lymphocytes that recognize infected cells. When CD4+ T cell numbers decline below a critical level, cell-mediated immunity is lost, and the body becomes progressively more susceptible to opportunistic infections.
A number of therapeutic agents have been used to treat AIDS. Such agents include reverse transcriptase inhibitors (such as AZT), protease inhibitors (such as Indinavir) and integrase inhibitors (such as raltegravir.) However, although such agents have been shown to be affective, at least in the short term, their use may result in numerous side effects, for example, kidney problems and emergence of resistant viruses. As a result of these limitations, the development of new anti-HIV drugs having an alternative mechanism of action offers certain advantages.
Wnt ligands are small highly conserved glycoproteins consisting of 19 members approximately 35-50 kDa in size. They are produced by a variety of cell types and once secreted; can bind one of 10 Frizzled (Fzd) receptors on their target cells. Depending on the Wnt/Fzd combination, the result can be either a signal transduction cascade that is β-catenin-dependent (canonical pathway) or β-catenin independent. In the nucleus, β-catenin functions as a transcriptional/co-regulator where it binds to members of the LEF/TCF transcription factors to regulate gene expression. At the cell membrane, β-catenin functions as an adhesion protein contributing to cell structure and to cell-to-cell communication.
CD8+ T cells secrete a yet to be identified entity referred to as CD8 antiviral factor (CAF) that inhibits LTR-driven transcription of the HIV provirus in CD4+ T cells. The identity of CAF has remained elusive for over 30 years. Several key properties of CAF are known. CAF suppresses HIV replication at the level of transcription, it is stable at high temperature (56 for 20 min or 100 at 10 min) and low pH (2-8), and is secreted from activated CD8 T cells.

Compositions and methods for treating a viral infection


The present invention is a real-time interactive conversational toy which operates by playing to a child a prerecorded conversation stored on a multi-track media such as magnetic tape. The system conversations are programmed according to a decision-tree logic which allows complex conversations to be developed, branching between the various tracks of the media being accomplished without the aid of a microprocessor or any coding in the conversation source signal. The information is stored on each track in a plurality of reproducible information segments, which contain interrogatory messages and associated multiple choice responses, responsive messages, informational messages, and combinations thereof. The responsive messages contained on the tracks are related in real-time and content to particular interrogatory messages, and correspond with multiple choice selectable responses. The system can exhibit pseudo-memory and multiple simultaneous pseudo-memories; exhibit profiling and substitutability; and categorize and subcategorize users of the toy. The media used by the toy are removable so as to allow user selection of cartridges containing differing conversational content.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to interactive toy systems, and more particularly to a real-time interactive conversational toy which exhibits pseudo-memory of conversation responses for improved dialogue complexity and more realistic performance.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Systems which perform interactive conversation are well known in the art. These systems have used a variety of different techniques to achieve interactive conversation, and have ordinarily had limited success at conversations which were more than mere simple question and answer sessions.
For example, commonly owned, U.S. Pat. No. 3,947,972 discloses a conversational teaching apparatus which employs a time synchronized multi-track audio tape to store the educational conversation messages. It employs one track to relay educational interrogatories to a user, and the remainder of the tracks, selectable by a switching mechanism, are used to convey responsive messages.
Other multiple choice child response systems are exemplified by the systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,921,385; 3,020,360; 2,826,828; 3,623,238; 3,546,791; 3,273,260; 3,665,615; 3,245,157; 3,284,923; 3,538,621; 3,477,144; 3,708,891; 3,255,536; 2,777,901; 2,908,767; 3,774,316; 3,194,895; 3,484,950; 3,343,280; and 3,763,577, by way of example.
Various interactive television systems have also been developed. For example, commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,264,925 discloses an interactive cable television system. This system permits computer based memory of user input responses over time, and requires a very complex and expensive apparatus to operate. Other examples of interactive conversation utilizing television may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,602,279; 4,847,700; and 4,264,924, for example. Generally, these systems require a separate microprocessor to perform memory functions, they require coding and decoding of the transmitted signal in order to be utilized, and allow little flexibility to select the content of the interactive conversations, since the conversation signal is broadcast separately from outside of the control of the user.
Flexibility and memory-like characteristics are desirable elements for an interactive toy system to participate in a complex interactive conversation. None of these prior art systems have been able to provide real-time interactive conversation in a toy, where the conversation complexity and teaching effectiveness can vary with the individualized past responses of the child. Further, without a separate microprocessor, prior systems have been generally unable to exhibit the memory-like characteristics which are necessary for a realistic interactive conversation. Those which do provide memory, do so in only the most minimal fashion, i.e. recalling particular facts, but unable to integrate these facts into the course of conversation.
Prior conversational devices are generally impractical for utilization as toys for children. Those systems which operate on magnetic tapes offer little conversational complexity because they are generally restricted to keeping all interrogatories on a single track. They are not interactive enough to retain the long-term motivational and educational interests of a child, and are therefore not the most effective learning tools. Cable and broadcast television systems ordinarily require very complex and expensive apparatus and a dedicated television signal, while delivering relatively minimal conversational complexity. Since the media used for transmitting the conversation is out of the control of the user (i.e. the program is shown at a scheduled time), rather than one which is removable and replaceable, the cable systems also offer little user flexibility in the content and scheduling of interactive conversation available to participate in.
These disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention.

Real-time interactive conversational toy


A driving member for a power window device of a motor vehicle has a U-shaped body (1) formed of two body-halves (2, 3) joined to each other by one of their ends, the body halves defining an interior portion (4) adapted to receive the lower end of a window pane of the vehicle. The U-shaped body (1) is adapted to be slidingly driven by a driving cable along a rail of the power window device, and the interior portion (4) of the body (1) is provided with parallel longitudinal protrusions (5) disposed in a stepped arrangement. The arrangement forms a first series of protrusions (6) which extend upwardly relative the window pane and a second series of protrusions (7) which extend downwardly relative the window pane both series (6, 7) of protrusions (5) being symmetrical so that the window pane rests on one of the series (6) slightly sloped according to the position that the window pane assumes in the power window device. The driving member being capable of be used for the window pane of the door on either side of the vehicle.

The window panes in motor vehicles are usually driven through power window devices fitted inside the doors of the vehicle. Said devices may act, either manually or by means of an electric motor, on driving cables running through a guide thus driving the window pane of the vehicle up or down by means of at least a driving or sliding member by way of a clamp that holds the lower end of the window pane and which runs through the guide rail or rails.
Prior art driving members are known formed of a U-shaped body which is adapted to catch the lower edge of the window pane. Said driving members may be made of plastic or metal, in which case they include rubber edges to avoid damaging the window pane. Since the window panes in current motor vehicles exhibit a curved surface, different driving members should be designed for both sides of the motor vehicle.

Driving member for use in connection with a motor vehicle power window


An elongated adsorbent unit for use in combination with an elongated refrigerant-containing housing includes a housing having first and second ends, and an interior and an exterior. Adsorbent is compacted in the interior of the housing. First and second porous end members are secured to the first and second ends of the housing, respectively. One or more fluid communication channels extend along the exterior of the housing between the first and second ends of the housing.

Not Applicable
The present invention relates to an elongated adsorbent unit especially suited for installation in an elongated receiver integrated with a refrigerant condenser.
In refrigerant receivers, especially those designed for integration with refrigerant condensers, the receiver is generally an elongated housing. Adsorbent is often placed in a cartridge that fits within the narrow interior of such housings. The cartridge has openings that allow the refrigerant to come into contact with the adsorbent. It is desirable that the absorbent be restrained against movement during refrigeration operations within the adsorbent cartridge. It is further desirable to permit the refrigerant to freely enter the adsorbent unit so as to provide efficient adsorbent action. It may also be desirable to restrain the adsorbent cartridge against movement within the receiver, It is with overcoming the foregoing problems that the present invention is concerned.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an elongated absorbent unit for an integrated receiver housing of a condenser with the adsorbent being substantially restrained against movement within the cartridge.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an elongated absorbent unit for an elongated receiver that permits the refrigerant to freely enter the adsorbent unit so as to provide efficient adsorbent action.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an elongated absorbent unit for an elongated integrated receiver of a condenser that has limited ability to move within the receiver.
The present invention relates to an elongated adsorbent unit that includes a housing having first and second ends, and an interior and an exterior. Adsorbent is compacted in the interior of the housing. First and second porous end members are secured to the first and second ends of the housing, respectively. One or more fluid communication channels extend along the exterior of the housing between the first and second ends of the housing.
The present invention also relates to method of forming an adsorbent unit having compacted adsorbent therein. According to the method a housing is provided having first and second ends, and an interior and an exterior. A first porous end member is secured to the first end of the housing. The interior of the housing is filled with adsorbent to a level at which the adsorbent is spaced a first distance from the second end of the housing. A second porous end member is then inserted a second distance into the second end of the housing which is greater than the first distance, to thereby compact the adsorbent.

Elongated adsorbent unit with external fluid communication channels


A unitary plastic cap having an inner and outer sealing flange surrounding means for compressively engaging the cap with an apertured member. Upon compression, the inner and outer flanges of the cap cooperate with a raised annular ridge disposed radially outward of the aperture on the member to provide a double sealing engagement of the cap with the member.

In the field of internal combustion engines there are a plurality of access ports which communicate with various portions of the engine, for example, an oil filler hole or a crankcase vent wherein fumes from the crankcase are fed via a tubular member to the combustion system of the engine. A common device for closing such access ports is generally a rotatable cap consisting of several pieces, generally metallic, which often require special preparation of the aperture with which they are associated. Such devices will generally include a single spring-loaded gasket or similar means for purposes of sealing the closing member relative to the access port and providing a barrier to the passage of oil and fumes. Due to the metallic nature of this prior art, the closure means or caps become quite hot from the operating temperature of the engine and hence require insulating means to protect the hand of the mechanic servicing the engine. Failure of such devices often occurs due to the spring fatigue in the locking means as well as failure of the gasket due to wear and repeated compression. In addition, the complex operations required to form the collars and facing elements on the apertures used with prior art caps increases the manufacturing cost of the engine.
As the prior art caps employ a single gasket or sealing member, a failure thereof or momentary overpressure may cause the communication of fumes or fluids through the barrier.
Due to the increased reliance upon such caps to maintain positive crankcase pressure and to meet other requirements placed upon the modern automobile engine, failure of the sealing function presents a substantial impediment to the proper operation of the engine.