According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes an n-type semiconductor layer, a p-type semiconductor layer, a light emitting layer, a first intermediate layer, and a second intermediate layer. The n-type and p-type semiconductor layers include a nitride semiconductor. The light emitting layer is provided between the n-type and p-type semiconductor layers, and includes barrier layers and a well layer. A bandgap energy of the well layer is less than that of the barrier layers. The first intermediate layer is provided between the light emitting layer and the p-type semiconductor layer. A bandgap energy of the first intermediate layer is greater than that of the barrier layers. The second intermediate layer includes first and second portions. The first portion is in contact with a p-side barrier layer most proximal to the p-type semiconductor layer. The second portion is in contact with the first intermediate layer.

It is desirable to increase the luminous efficiency of semiconductor light emitting devices such as LDs (Laser Diodes), LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), etc. For example, the radiative combination efficiency of the active layer of such a semiconductor light emitting device decreases when the injection of holes into the active layer is insufficient.


An authentication terminal comprising an authentication apparatus authenticating an authentication subject, an artifact operating in accordance with an input signal and a signal processing section is provided. When an authentication result in the authentication apparatus is passed, the signal processing section inputs an input signal without including information of the authentication subject in the artifact and outputs an output signal in accordance with an operation result of the artifact as the authentication result.

1. Technical Field
The present invention is related to an authentication terminal.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, an authentication using inherent information such as biometric information and the like is known. For example, user authentication is performed by acquiring biometric information of an user via a biometric sensor arranged in an user terminal. Related prior art documents are described as below:
Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-155547;
Patent Document 2 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-218483;
Patent Document 3 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-198317.


Data read from an optical disk includes an address period, an ALPC period and a data period, in which the ALPC period contains a no-signal state at opposite ends of a laser output signal. An ALPC period detector is provided for detecting the ALPC period. During the ALPC period, an automatic gain control circuit is suspended to hold the gain to the predetermined value. Alternatively, during the ALPC period, the signal applied to the automatic gain control circuit is reduced to ground level or is attenuated. Thus, since the automatic gain control circuit will not be adversely affected by the laser output signal and no-signal state in the ALPC period, the automatic gain control circuit will amplify the signal in the data period with an appropriate gain.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a writable or rewritable optical disc device, and more particularly, to an optical disk data reproducing apparatus which controls either directly or indirectly an automatic gain control circuit which unifies variations in signal amplitude, using an automatic laser power control (ALPC) period signal indicating that the laser power is being automatically adjusted.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The read signal from an optical disk is an intermittent signal containing no-signal periods, and the amplitude of the read signal may be changed by the frequency of the read signal or by the disc media itself. A conventional optical disk data reproducing apparatus typically has an automatic gain control circuit comprising an automatic gain adjustment function to smooth such amplitude changes in the read signal, and a gain hold function to hold the gain level constant during the no-signal period.
A conventional optical disk data reproducing apparatus is shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, element 1 is an optoelectric conversion circuit; element 2 is an RF amplifier; element 3 is an automatic gain control circuit; element 4 is a signal presence detector; element 5 is a weak voltage signal; element 6 is an amplified signal; element 7 is a wave shaped signal; element 8 is a no-signal state gate signal; element 101 is a PIN diode; element 102, 103, 201; element 202 and 203 are resistors; element 204 is an operational amplifier, 301 is an automatic gain controller, 401 is a diode; element 403 is a capacitor, and element 404 is a comparator.
The optoelectric conversion circuit 1 receives a read light at the PIN diode 101 and converts the light to a weak current, which is converted to a weak voltage signal 5 by a current-voltage convertor circuit comprising resistors 102 and 103 and an operational amplifier 104. The weak voltage signal 5 is amplified by an RF amplifier 2, comprising resistors 201, 202 and 203 and operational amplifier 204. RF amplifier 2 produces an amplified signal 6. The amplified signal 6 is shaped by the automatic gain control circuit 3 comprising an automatic gain controller 301. The wave shaped signal 7 as produced from the automatic gain control circuit 3 is applied to a signal presence detector 4. The signal presence detector 4 includes an envelope detector comprising the diode 401, resistor 402, and capacitor 403, which produces an envelope detected signal indicating the change in amplitude of the wave shaped signal 7. The envelope detected signal and a threshold value are compared by the comparator 404, and when the envelope detected signal is less than the threshold value, a no-signal state gate signal 8 is set TRUE, indicating that the wave shaped signal is now in a no-signal state. The no-signal state gate signal 8 is input as the gain hold control signal of the automatic gain control circuit 3. Thus, when the no-signal state gate signal 8 is TRUE, the automatic gain control circuit 3 holds the gain to a predetermined constant value. This is to prohibit unnecessary signal amplification or attenuation to shape the amplitude of the wave shaped signal 7 regardless of whether the automatic gain control circuit 3 is in a no-signal state.
In general, the optical disc media contains both an address period to which is written position information identifying the location of data on the media, and the actual data storage period to which the actual data is written. In addition, there is an ALPC period provided in a writable optical disc media for adjustment of the laser power required for data writing. This ALPC period is generally provided between the address period and the data period. During the ALPC period, the laser power is kept witting power longer than the pulse length in the data period. As a result, heat builds up easily in the ALPC period, causing the crystal structure to change and deteriorate and media deformation to progress more rapidly, resulting in a higher and abnormal read signal amplitude.
However, because the signal amplitude in the ALPC period is not considered in a conventional device as described above, the problem exists that an inappropriate gain level is set for the read signal in the data period adjacent to the automatic laser power control because the automatic gain controller adjusts the gain based on the signal amplitude in the ALPC period.
Problems confronted with the prior art are described below with reference to the accompanying figures. In FIG. 2 is shown a graph of the read signal from the address period through the ALPC period and to the data period. In FIG. 2, waveform (a) is the amplified signal 6, which is the output signal of the RF amplifier 2; waveform (b) is the wave shaped signal 7, which is the output signal of the automatic gain control circuit 3; waveform (c) is the input signal to the comparator 404 in the signal presence detector 4; waveform (d) is the no-signal state gate signal 8, which is the output signal of the signal presence detector 4 and in the prior art is the gain hold signal which controls the automatic gain control circuit 3; and waveform (e) represents the gain of the automatic gain control circuit 3. Because the laser is output continuously with a high output level in the ALPC period, the waveform (a) of the amplified signal 6 obtains an extremely high read signal compared with that of the address period and data period, resulting in deterioration of the media and the frequency characteristics of the read system.
The operation in the no-signal period at the beginning of the ALPC period adjacent to the address period, and the operation in the no-signal period at the end of the ALPC period adjacent to the data period are described first.
The automatic gain control circuit 3 attempts to reduce the signal amplitude change of the amplified signal 6, but the response rate of the automatic gain control circuit 3 is unable to follow the rapid change of the no-signal period. Therefore, the wave shaped signal 7 output from the automatic gain control circuit 3 becomes a zero amplitude signal at the beginning of the no-signal period adjacent the data period. The signal presence detector 4 generates an envelope detected signal of the wave shaped signal 7. The envelope detected signal (solid line in (c)) is compared in comparator 404 with the threshold value (dot-dash line in (c)), and the no-signal state gate signal 8 (d) is set to TRUE when envelope detected signal becomes below the threshold value. During the TRUE period, the gain of automatic gain control circuit 3 is held to the predetermined value. Thus, during the no-signal periods at the beginning and ending of the ALPC period, the change of the gain level is suspended.
Operation with a signal in the period to which the laser is emitted continuously to control the laser power in the ALPC period is described next. As described above, the amplitude of the waveform (a) of the amplified signal 6 in the ALPC period is greater than that in the address period and the data period for the reasons described above. The automatic gain control circuit 3 therefore adjusts the gain level to a relatively constant level, as show by the wave shaped signal 7.
Finally, operation with a signal at the beginning of the data period is described. In the no-signal period at the end of the ALPC period adjacent to the data period, the automatic gain control circuit 3 remains set with a low gain level to hold the gain level constant by the operation described above. Therefore, at the beginning of the data period, the waveform (b) of wave shaped signal 7, which is the output of the automatic gain control circuit 3, becomes smaller. The envelope detected signal of the wave shaped signal 7 and a threshold value are compared by the comparator 404 in the signal presence detector 4, and when the input signal (solid line in (c)) of the comparator 404 is greater than the threshold value (dot-dash line in (c)), the signal presence detector 4 sets to FALSE and outputs the no-signal state gate signal 8 (d). Because the no-signal state gate signal 8, which is the gain hold control signal, is FALSE, the automatic gain control circuit 3 gradually increases the gain level to amplify the waveform (b) of the amplified signal 6 a constant amount. Conversely, when the input signal (solid line in (c)) is lower than the threshold value, the no-signal state gate signal 8 (d) remains TRUE, and the automatic gain control circuit 3 continues to hold a constant gain level. As a result, the amplitude of the amplified signal 6 waveform (b) remains low, and a stable read signal cannot, therefore, be obtained.

AGC circuit for optical disk data reproducing apparatus using ALPC period detector

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A scanning method, computer readable medium, and device for suspending, during a first data scanning sequence including a plurality of discrete data scanning intervals, data scanning operations during at least one discrete data scanning interval chosen from the plurality of discrete data scanning intervals. A data transmission operation is performed during the at least one discrete data scanning interval.

Various methods are used by communications systems to allow electronic devices such as computer devices to communicate and exchange signals, data and other types of messages and information. Systems such as LANs (Local Area Networks), the Internet and conventional telephone networks often link computers, phones and other devices. Another method in use today to allow mobile computers to communicate is the WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network). The I.E.E.E. or IEEE (Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 wireless networking standard, is an industry set of protocols that defines many of the standards that allow communications interoperability among the manufacturers and vendors of WLAN devices. The IEEE 802.11 standards specify several distinct OSI Physical Layer radio transmission mechanisms, such as radio frequencies, whereby signals may be transmitted over the wireless medium. A MAC (Medium Access Control) layer is also defined that organizes and controls the exchange of data packets delivering frames or messages between the communicating stations. The IEEE 802.11-19979 MAC also supports mechanisms whereby special IEEE 802.11, compliant wireless stations, called APs (Access Points) connect to a wired LAN, to bridge or connect, as a frame relay device, the wired and wireless portion of the network infrastructure. Often the wired LAN may further be connected to other networks or access the broader Internet. Mobile computers or PDAs connect to the APs wirelessly using 802.11 WLAN adapters or NICs (Network Interface Cards). These adapters may also be built directly into the devices seeking wireless connectivity.
As defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard, an AP (Access Point) is any device containing an IEEE 802.11-conformant MAC and PHY interface to the wireless medium that provides associated IEEE 802.11-compliant stations with access to the backbone infrastructure. Stated another way, the AP bridges the two network elements together to provide seamless communications from the wireless to the wired infrastructure in a bidirectional fashion.
Several IEEE 802.11 PHY (Physical layer) standards; IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g are showing worldwide acceptance. The 11 Mbps (MegaBit Per Second) IEEE 802.11b PHY, operating at 2.4 GHz and employing CCK (Complementary Code Keying) single carrier QPSK modulation, has been shipped since before 2000. The 54 Mbps IEEE 802.11a PHY, operating in the 5 GHz band and based on multiple carrier OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) signaling is seeing some acceptance for large company WLAN deployments. The IEEE has also standardized a combined CCK and OFDM-based extension to the 2.4 GHz 802.11b PHY called IEEE 802.11g which is gaining popularity.
With the increased popularity of mobile devices and wireless access come new applications using an increasing amount of bandwidth. In addition to an increasing number of wireless devices, many devices are becoming more mobile over time. Laptop PCs with built in wireless connectivity are replacing traditional desktop devices as the PC of choice. Users expect wireless connectivity not only throughout their enterprise and at home, but also at airports, cafes, hotels and other local "hot spots". With the increasing number of users, newer applications hungry for higher bandwidth and additional devices and services such as voice or streaming video, it's not surprising the bandwidth needs in the wireless space are ever increasing.
One method to increase available bandwidth is to more efficiently use the bandwidth currently available. Portions of the bandwidth in IEEE 802.11 networks are allocated using CSMA/CD. Having less bandwidth allocated in this manner or decreasing the number of "collisions" which occur are methods to gain added throughput from the RF channels available. IEEE 802.11 networks also rely on scanning as a necessary mechanism to facilitate operation of the network. Using active scanning techniques, a client can search for an AP or other stations to communicate with. This process usually involves the client sending probe requests on each channel it is configured to use and waiting for responses. The client then determines which AP or station is the ideal one to communicate with. Typically most clients have single radios. Thus, when the radio is used to scan a channel not used for data transfer useful bandwidth is lost. The client station or AP can also use passive scanning. As its name implies, the station does not transmit any frames but rather listens passively for beacon frames on each available channel. The client continues to change channels at a specified interval, just as with active scanning, but the client does not send probe requests. Active scanning is the most thorough mechanism used to find APs because it actively sends out 802.11 probes across all channels to find an AP. It requires the client to dwell on a particular channel for a set length of time waiting for the probe response.
With passive scanning, the client iterates through the channels slower than active scanning because it is listening for beacons that are sent out by APs at a set rate, such as ten beacons per second. The client must dwell on each channel for a longer time duration if it is unsure of the start of the beacon interval and to make sure it receives beacons from as many APs as possible for the given channel. The client looks for different information elements such as SSID, and supported rates to aid in selecting an appropriate AP or station for communications.
There is no ideal technique for scanning. Passive scanning has the benefit of not requiring the client to transmit probe requests but runs the risk of potentially missing an AP because it might not receive a beacon during the scanning duration. Active scanning has the benefit of actively seeking out APs to associate to but requires the client to actively transmit probe requests. Depending on the implementation for the 802.11 client and the services supported one technique might be better suited than the other. For example, many embedded systems use passive scanning as the preferred method, whereas 802.11 Voice over IP (VOIP) phones and PC client cards often rely on active scanning, trading off the lost bandwidth of active probing for the shorter time interval spent in scan mode. What is clear is that all single radio systems suffer from lost useful bandwidth while implementing the scanning function. While a second radio could eliminate the lost bandwidth, the second radio would add substantial cost to the wireless system.

Time synchronized wireless method and operations


According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided which comprises: a substrate; an integrated circuit; a layer of glue between the substrate and the integrated circuit; a set of driving electrodes coupled to the glue and to the integrated circuit; a receiving electrode coupled to the glue and to the integrated circuit; a counter electrode coupled to the glue and to the substrate; wherein the glue comprises conductive particles which electrically connect the receiving electrode, the counter electrode and at least a part of the set of driving electrodes, such that, if drive currents are provided to said set of driving electrodes, at least a part of the drive currents flows to the receiving electrode through the conductive particles and the counter electrode. According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of manufacturing an electronic device is conceived.

Today, electronic devices such as smart cards are widely used in society. For example, smart cards may be used as electronic identity (eID) cards. The end-user acceptance of such eID cards, however, is still relatively low. Although the eID cards are relatively secure, due to their cryptographic capabilities which are offered by embedded secure elements (e.g., secure controller chips), it is difficult to verify whether a particular combination of a secure element and a device body (e.g., a substrate) on which said secure element is mounted is authentic. In general, it is difficult to verify whether a particular combination of integrated circuit (e.g., a processing unit) and a device body (e.g., a substrate) on which said integrated circuit is mounted is authentic. Consequently, electronic devices of the kind set forth are still susceptible to tampering.


An assembly for controlling the reciprocating movement of the upper and lower frames of a shed-forming device of a weaving loom wherein on the chassis on either side of the shed-forming device two cams are provided which are each in engagement with the end of an offset lever fitted on a shaft to which is connected a balance beam. The ends of the balance beam are connected to the first ends of two connecting rods which have their other ends articulated to first and second rocking levers. The first rocking lever is split having oppositely oriented spaced arms which are separated by the second rocking lever. The first rocking lever is fitted on a pin pivoting in a bearing on the chassis. The second rocking lever is mounted to rotate about the pin of the first rocking lever and the first and second rocking levers are connected to the upper and lower frames by short and long articulated levers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an assembly for controlling the reciprocating movement of the frames of a shed-forming device in a weaving loom.
2. History of the Related Art
The shed-forming devices of a weaving loom are known to comprise two frames which move in opposition in a reciprocating movement so as to control raising and lowering of the warp yarns to allow passage therebetween of a weft yarn or pick. The movement of these frames is effected due to a control assembly including cams, connecting rods and levers from a principal shaft rotating in synchronism with that of the shaft of the weaving loom.
Modern looms being more and more rapid, it is necessary to impart to the frames high speeds of reciprocation which are not always compatible with the complexity of the heretofore known control assemblies.
The object of the improvements forming the subject matter of the present invention is to provide an assembly for controlling the movement of the frames, of which the number of elements is as small as possible so as to reduce the inertia and to reduce the costs, the limitation of the number of pieces making it easier to master the mechanical clearances, therebetween.


A repeater interface controller ("RIC") integrated circuit with integrated filters and buffer drivers is provided for use in a repeater. In one embodiment, the RIC uses two filters to filter link pulse signals and data signals for a plurality of ports. Thus, the RIC is able to concurrently provide filtered link pulses to some ports and filtered data signals to other ports. Further, because only two filters are used, the area required to implement the plurality of ports is reduced relative to conventional repeaters that use a filter for each port. In another embodiment of the present invention, a RIC includes a logic circuit and a plurality of analog multiplexers and twisted pair buffer drivers. The analog multiplexers receive signals on their input lines and select which of these signals are passed to the buffer drivers to be outputted. The logic circuit provides control signals to the analog multiplexers such that the analog multiplexers select a new input line when the signal on the new input line is approximately the same as the signal on the currently selected input line. As a result, the signal passed on to the buffer drivers remains approximately the same, thereby reducing switching noise.

The term "local area network" or LAN, generally refers a communications system that provides interconnection among a number of independent computing stations within a small area. This small area is typically a single building or set of closely grouped buildings.
Some of the standards or protocols for implementing a LAN require a medium attachment unit ("MAU") that couples the computing station to the physical medium implementing the interconnection. These standards typically require an attachment unit interface ("AUI") for coupling the computing station or twisted pair interface ("TPI") to the associated MAU.
A "repeater" can be used to couple together a number of nodes or hubs to extend the size of a LAN. The repeater typically includes at least one MAU for each node or hub coupled to the repeater so that signals can be passed to and from a node or hub to any other node or hub coupled to the repeater. Typically, the repeater synchronizes, amplifies and regenerates the signals as the signals are passed through to reduce data corruption.
For example, the 10BASE-T Ethernet standard uses twisted pair wiring to provide the interconnection between computing stations, with separate transmit and receive circuits. The 10BASE-T Ethernet standard is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Some conventional twisted pair repeaters use external filters and buffer drivers to transmit signals on each twisted pair. Because a repeater can have several MAUs (i.e., ports to several nodes or hubs), a filter and buffer driver is needed for each port, thereby increasing the repeater's size and cost. The external filters and drivers also generate a significant amount of electro-magnetic interference ("EMI").
The 10BASE-T Ethernet standard also requires each MAU in the LAN to transmit a series of "link pulses" to confirm that the MAU is properly connected. Because each repeater has one or more MAUs, each repeater must generate link pulses between signals (i.e., data) retransmitted or received on each MAU's associated twisted pair interconnect wiring. In addition, the 10BASE-T Ethernet standard provides for data transmission in "packets" that include destination address, source address, type/length field, and a data field.

Integrated twisted pair filter with a secure RIC function


A system for modifying a compiled executable code file by adding patches that add functionality when the modified executable code file is executed. The modifying is performed without recompiling, relinking or rewriting the code file. Adding a patch involves creating a patch handler which when executed causes the patch statements to be executed, and may involve replacing one or more existing compiled instructions in the file with patching instructions to transfer flow of execution to the appropriate patch handler. The instructions replaced by the patching instructions can also be added to the patch handler. Patches can also include code statements which form a complete module, such as an invokable routine, which can be referenced by other patch statements to cause the module to be executed. Specialized trace requests can also be added as patch statements. The trace requests will make specified information about the current execution of the executable code file available to a software developer. Patch statements can include variables and expressions that will be evaluated in the context of the appropriate current variable scope, regardless of whether the scope is defined within the patch or by existing compiled instructions. After patches have been added, they can be disabled so as to prevent their execution without removing the patching instructions from the compiled executable file. Patches can also be qualified with conditions such that the patch will be executed only when the conditions are true at the time of execution.

In the past, creating executable software code could be a time-consuming task. The typical code creation process involved first creating a source code program (i.e., a series of lines of program statements in a high-level computer language) with a text processing program, compiling and linking the source code (sometimes with an intermediate assembling step) to create executable code (i.e., a series of machine language instructions) for a specified computer processor, and then storing the executable code in an executable file. The executable code could then be debugged by executing the executable file on the specified computer processor to determine if the software performed its task correctly, or if instead it had one or more errors (i.e., bugs). If the executable code had errors, a software developer would modify the source code in an attempt to remove the errors, recompile the source code, and then link the recompiled code to produce a new executable file for debugging. For large software programs, this process was iteratively performed a large number of times until all known errors were removed.
In many cases, the cause of an error (e.g., a mistake in the program logic) is not obvious from executing the executable file. Various options existed for a software developer to identify errors. For example, a software developer could add print statements throughout the source code so that as the corresponding executable print instructions are executed (after compiling and linking), they would report the current progress of the execution. Knowledge of the current execution progress assists in identifying the section of the code which was executing when an error occurred. In addition to merely reporting execution progress, print statements can also display the current value of variables or source code expressions at specified points throughout the execution. Since the print statements were part of the original compilation/linking process, the variables and expressions that were part of the print statements would be evaluated in the context of the current variable scope (e.g., using the value of a local variable in a currently executing function rather than a variable with the same name in a different non-executing function), as would any other compiled code statement.
In addition to print requests, application programs known as debuggers were developed to provide additional control over execution of executable files. A debugger loads executable code into memory and then controls execution of the executable code. For example, the debugger can execute a single executable code instruction at a time. Alternately, the debugger can execute the executable code continuously until a break point designated within the debugger is reached. Such debuggers can also use additional information stored in an executable code file during the compiling and linking steps to reconstruct and display the source code lines that correspond to the instructions in the executable code. The display of the source code facilitates control by the software developer of the execution of the executable code (e.g., setting a breakpoint at a particular point in the source code). When execution of the executable code is stopped, a user can interact with the debugger to view current values of variables and expressions. In addition, some debuggers allow a user to view the effects of temporarily modifying a source code line. Nonetheless, although such debuggers can assist with locating errors in executable compiled code, recompiling and linking is needed to fix errors that are located.
In addition to the use of debuggers, other techniques have been developed to modify the functionality of compiled code without requiring a full recompilation and linking. One technique involves relinking previously compiled code with different code than was previously used for linking (e.g., using an updated Dynamic-Link Library or replacing a stubbed routine with a functional routine). In this situation, no changes are made to the previously compiled code, but changes in the overall program functionality can occur due to the different operation of the newly linked code. However, this technique is not typically useful in modifying errors in the compiled code (since the compiled code is not changed) or in flexibly adding functionality to an executable file at a desired user-specified location (since only previously specified link points can be used for the relinking).
Another technique to modify the functionality of compiled code without requiring recompilation and linking involves rewriting an executable file. Rather than modifying an existing file, rewriting involves creating an entirely new executable compiled file based on an existing executable file. Rewriting an executable file does allow new functionality to be added to an executable file at a user-specified location because new compiled instructions can be added to the new file. However, rewriting is difficult to perform without adding errors into the new file, and the specific mechanisms for adding instructions (e.g., adjusting offsets in existing instructions) typically vary on each type of processor.
When executable code is being created for an embedded system (e.g., an embedded controller for manufacturing equipment), the problems with software code creation are exacerbated. Such embedded systems may include only a CPU and memory, without having access to other standard computer system components such as a keyboard or display. In addition, standard application programs such as text processors and debuggers may not be available for an embedded system. In this environment, the source code will typically be created on a host computer system separate from the embedded target system. This allows a user application such as a text processor to create the source code. The source code is then compiled for the target embedded computer system and transferred (e.g., over a network) to the embedded system for execution and debugging. When an error occurs during execution of the executable code on the embedded system, the lack of standard computer system components and application programs on the target system make it extremely difficult to determine the cause of the error. Even obtaining information about the current state of the execution at the time of the error is typically difficult. Moreover, even if such information is available, it will need to be transferred back to the host computer system where modifications to the source code can begin another compile/link/transfer/debug cycle.

Method and system for modifying executable code to add additional functionality


A connector shell includes a frame, a dividing wall and a plurality of connector inserts. The frame surrounds a periphery of the shell. The dividing wall is homogeneously formed with the frame and separates a plurality of recesses. The connector inserts are homogeneously formed with the frame and the dividing wall. The inserts are disposed with one or more of the recesses. Each insert includes a body and a plurality of cavities. Each body is configured to hold a plurality of contacts that protrude from each of a mating and a loading side. The contacts are configured to be mounted to a circuit board in a location proximate to the loading side and to mate with a plurality of other electrical connectors in a location proximate to the mating side.

The subject matter herein relates generally to electrical connectors and more particularly to a connector shell having integrally formed connector inserts.
Aeronautical Radio, Inc. ("ARINC") is a commercial standards group governing connectors, connector sizes, rack and panel configurations, etc primarily for airborne applications. Connectors which conform to ARINC specifications are sometimes referred to as ARINC connectors or connector assemblies. One example includes the known ARINC 600 receptacle that holds size 22 electrical contacts. The ARINC 600 receptacle holds 150 electrical contacts using a housing formed of multiple sections.
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a known ARINC 600 connector insert 700. The ARINC 600 connector insert 700 includes a body divided into a front section 702 and a rear section 704. In order to assemble the ARINC 600 connector insert 700, a contact retention clip 706 is loaded into the front section 702 for each of a plurality of contacts 708. The contact retention clip 706 is loaded into one of a plurality of cavities 710 that extend through the front section 702. The rear section 704 is then bonded to the front section 702. The rear section 704 includes a plurality of cavities 712 that correspond to the cavities 710 in the front section 702. The electrical contacts 708 then are inserted, one at a time, into the cavities 710, 712 in the bonded front and rear sections 702, 704. The retention clips 706 engage the contacts 708 to secure the contacts 708 in the front and rear sections 702, 704. The ARINC 600 connector insert 700 thus includes a relatively large number of parts that are individually assembled together.
A need therefore exists for an ARINC 600 receptacle that is simpler to manufacture than known receptacles.

Connector shell having integrally formed connector inserts


A polarization separation device includes a transmissive substrate formed of crystalline material having a birefringent property and an optical rotatory property, and a polarization separation portion that is provided on an incidence-side surface of the transmissive substrate and transmits P-polarized light and reflects S-polarized light. A reflective element, which reflects the S-polarized light reflected by the polarization separation portion, is disposed substantially in parallel with the transmissive substrate. A phase difference plate is disposed at an emission-side of the transmissive substrate. The P-polarized light, which is transmitted through the polarization separation portion and is incident to the transmissive substrate, is made to be emitted from an emission-side surface of the transmissive substrate while maintaining a polarization plane thereof, and the polarization plane of the P-polarized light transmitted through the transmissive substrate is converted to be as S-polarized light in the phase difference plate.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a polarization conversion device, and a polarization conversion unit and a projection type video apparatus that are provided with the polarization conversion device.
2. Related Art
A projection type video apparatus such as a liquid crystal projector modulates light emitted from a light source device according to image information, and enlarges this modulated optical image and projects it onto a screen. In this liquid crystal projector, a polarization conversion device is used to improve efficiency for light utilization. The polarization conversion device divides light (hereinafter, referred to as random light) including randomly polarized light (P-polarized light and S-polarized light whose polarization planes are orthogonal to each other, or light in which linearly polarized light having various polarization-plane directions is mixed), which is emitted from a light source device, into a plurality of intermediate light beams, and converts these divided intermediate light beams into one kind of linearly polarized light for collective emission.
This polarization conversion device has a configuration in which a polarization separation film and a reflective film are disposed alternately in a transparent member to form a polarization beam splitter array, and a phase difference plate is provided on a surface of the polarization beam splitter array. A plurality of phase difference plates is disposed at a position corresponding to the polarization separation film at the side of a light emitting plane of a transparent member for each predetermined interval (refer to JP-A-2000-298212).
As the phase difference plate in the related art, ½ wavelength plate formed of an organic material, for example, a polycarbonate film is used, and this ½ wavelength plate and the polarization beam splitter array are bonded to each other by an organic adhesive.
As a method of manufacturing the polarization conversion device, a transmissive substrate such as colorless transparent glass, which includes a polarization separation film and a reflective film formed on both principal planes, respectively, is repeatedly laminated to form a laminated body, and a ½ wavelength plate is adhered with an adhesive to an emission plane of a lens array, which is obtained through a cutting at an angle of 45 deg with respect to an incidence plane.
The polarization conversion device manufactured in this way is mounted in an optical engine of liquid crystal projector in a state of being assembled in a frame having a planar rectangular shape (refer to Japanese Patent No. 3610764).
Progress has been made regarding the high output and the short arc length of a white-colored light source lamp, and a thermal load with respect to the polarization beam splitter array and the ½ wavelength plate bonded to the polarization beam splitter array has been increased, such that the use of quartz crystal as a material making up the ½ wavelength plate is considered. Here, a liquid crystal projector in which as the adhesive, an adhesive of an ultraviolet curable resin or an inorganic material that is excellent in heat resistance and light resistance is used, in a case where the ½ wavelength plate is disposed to be bonded to an emission-side side surface of the polarization beam splitter array, and accordingly, compulsory air cooling using a cooling fan is unnecessary is disclosed (refer to JP-A-2009-103863).
In addition, in regard to a combination of the ½ wavelength plate formed of quartz crystal and the polarization beam splitter array, from problems related to a mutual flatness and positioning, or the like, there is disclosed a polarization conversion unit that includes a polarization separation device (polarization beam splitter) including a plurality of polarization separation films that is disposed to be inclined with respect to incident light beams and that separates the incident light beams into two kinds of linearly polarized light beams, a plurality of reflective films that is disposed alternately and parallel between the respective polarization separation films and that reflects any one side of the linearly polarized light beams that are separated by the polarization separation film, and a transmissive member provided with the polarization separation film and the reflective film; a plurality of phase difference plates that is formed of a quartz crystal member that converts a polarization plane of any one side of the linearly polarized light beams that are separated by the polarization separation film into a polarization plane of the other side of the linearly polarized light beams; and a spacer member that adheres an end of the phase difference plate to a beam emission side of the transmissive member (refer to Japanese Patent No. 4329852). Here, in the spacer member, adhesion correction of the object to be adhered is allowed, and a dimension G of an interval between the polarization separation device array and the phase difference plate is optimally with a range of 0.01 mm≦G≦0.3 mm.
In recent years, along with an increasing request for a long operating life as an optical part, there is a problem related to deterioration of the adhesive.
To solve such a problem, there is disclosed a bonding method in which as means for bonding two sheets of transmissive substrates formed of glass, quartz crystal, or the like, a bonding film, which includes, on a surface thereof, an Si skeleton having a siloxane (Si—O) bond and having a degree of crystallinity of 45% or less and an elimination group consisting of an organic group coupled to the Si skeleton, is formed by a plasma polymerization method, and then an energy is applied to the bonding film, and thereby the elimination group present in the vicinity of the surface of the bonding film is eliminated from the Si skeleton and due to an adhesive property exhibited at a region of the surface of the bonding film, the two sheets of transmissive substrates are bonded (refer to Japanese Patent No. 4337935). Furthermore, in the related art, there is disclosed a polarization conversion device in which a light incidence plane and a light emission plane that is approximately parallel with the light incidence plane are provided, a plurality of transmissive members, polarization separation films, reflective films, phase plates, and plasma polymerized films are disposed along the light incidence plane and the light emission plane, either the polarization separation film or the reflective film is provided on an inclined surface of each of partial transmissive members among the plurality of transmissive members, and the plasma polymerized film is provided on at least one of a surface of an inclined plane of the transmissive member, a surface of the polarization separation film, and a surface of the reflective film (refer to JP-A-2010-60770). In an example of the related art disclosed in JP-A-2010-60770, at least one of between the transmissive member and the reflective film that are adjacent to each other, between the transmissive member and the phase plate that are adjacent to each other, and between the phase plate and the polarization separation film that are adjacent to each other is molecular-bonded by the plasma polymerized film, and the plasma polymerized film includes polyorganosiloxane as a main material thereof.
However, in an example of the related art disclosed in JP-A-2010-60770, there is a problem in that the bonding film formed of a plasma polymerized film is an extremely thin film of several tens of nm, and when an attached substance such as dust and contaminant attaches to a surface of a transmissive substrate while the bonding film is formed on the surface of the transmissive substrate using a plasma polymerization method, the height of the attached substance becomes far larger than the film thickness of the bonding film, such that the transmissive substrates are not bonded at a predetermined region around a region to which the attached substance is attached, and bubbles or the like are introduced into the region and thereby a severe adverse effect may result in regard to an optical characteristic, the bonding reliability, and the product lifetime.
Therefore, as a related art not using the plasma polymerized film, PCT Japanese Patent Domestic Re-publication No. WO98/23993 may be exemplified. In PCT Japanese Patent Domestic Re-publication No. WO98/23993, an optical block is configured in such a manner that optical parts such as a PBS (polarization beam splitter), a mirror, and ½ wavelength plate are mounted with respect to a groove formed in a substrate. The PBS is formed through a deposition of, for example, TiO2 or the like on a surface of a glass plate, and is press-fitted into the substrate at a predetermined angle with respect to an incidence direction of light. The mirror is formed through a deposition of, for example, aluminum or a dielectric multi-layer film on a surface of a rectangular glass plate so as to be able to reflect incident light. The mirror is mounted on the substrate at an angle of reflecting an S-wave that is separated and reflected by the PBS to an emission-side. The ½ wavelength plate is formed by adhering a ½ phase difference film obtained through a uniaxial drawing of, for example, polycarbonate, polyvinyl alcohol, or polyethylene terephthalate to a rectangular glass plate. The ½ wavelength plate is mounted at a position where the S-wave reflected by the mirror is incident, and polarizes the S-wave into a P-wave and outputs the P-wave. As described above, the optical block is configured by the PBS, the mirror, ½ wavelength plate, or the like, such that randomly polarized light including the incident P-wave (P-polarized light) and the S-wave (S-polarized light) may be emitted as the unified P-wave (P-polarized light) only, and an incidence-side area and an emission-side area of the optical block may be substantially the same as each other.
Quartz crystal has not only a birefringent property but also an optical rotatory property, and there is a well-known problem in that this optical rotatory property has an effect on a phase difference characteristic of wavelength plate formed of quartz crystal.
In regard to this problem, there is proposed a ¼ wavelength plate configured in such a manner that two wavelength plates formed of an optical crystalline material having an optical rotatory power are disposed and laminated such that respective crystal optical axes thereof intersect with each other at a predetermined angle, and a relationship of a birefringent phase difference, an optical axis azimuthal angle, an optical rotatory power, and an angle made by a rotary axis and a neutral axis of both wavelength plates satisfy a predetermined relational equation obtained by an approximate equation through an analysis of a polarized light trajectory using a Poincare sphere, and as a result thereof, the reduction in the effect caused by the optical rotatory power and the improvement in a characteristic in a broad band are attempted (refer to JP-A-2005-158121).
In addition, in regard to one sheet of a wavelength plate formed of an inorganic material such as quartz crystal, there is proposed a ¼ wavelength plate showing an excellent optical characteristic, which is formed of a crystalline plate of an inorganic material such as quartz crystal that has a birefringent property and an optical rotatory property and shows a sufficient light resistance and reliability against a bluish purple laser showing a high output with a short wavelength, and in which an ellipticity may be set to an optimal value, that is, a high value of 0.9 or more and substantially near 1 (refer to JP-A-2010-134414).
However, in the example of the related art disclosed in PCT Japanese Patent Domestic Re-publication No. WO98/23993, in regard to the PBS, a dielectric multi-layer film, which is formed by alternately and repeatedly laminating TiO2 (high refractive index material) and SiO2 (low refractive index material), or the like, is deposited on a surface of a glass substrate, and thereby a polarization separation film is formed. Accordingly, there is a concern that separation may occur at the interface between the glass substrate and the polarization separation film due to a thermal distortion caused by a difference in a thermal expansion coefficient, as well as that heat dissipation in the glass plate may be restricted, such that the strong demand for heat resistance and a long operating life is not sufficiently satisfied.
Here, in consideration of a heat dissipation effect, it may be considered to use a quartz crystal plate instead of the glass substrate in the PBS, but quartz crystal has an optical rotatory property as well as a birefringent property, such that in the configuration where the glass plate is simply substituted with the quartz crystal plate, it is difficult to solve a problem related to the optical rotatory property through only the determination of a crystalline optical axis such that a phase difference does not occur from a relationship of the polarization plane of the incident linearly-polarized light, and therefore there is a problem in that an optical action caused by an optical rotatory power of the incident linearly-polarized light occurs.
Here, it may be considered to realize the polarization separation device capable of transmitting the incident P-polarized light without causing any optical action through an application of a technical idea in the example of the related art disclosed in JP-A-2005-158121 and JP-A-2010-134414 in which the effect on the phase difference caused by the optical rotatory power is focused, but it is difficult to solve the problem posed by the present inventors through an application of JP-A-2005-158121 and JP-A-2010-134414 that are related to the optical rotatory power compensating technology, which improves the effect caused by the optical rotatory power with respect to the birefringent phase difference which the ¼ wavelength plate formed of quartz crystal has, to PCT Japanese Patent Domestic Re-publication No. WO 98/23993 without modification.

Polarization conversion device, polarization conversion unit, and projection type video apparatus


A gas flow network in combination with a highly turbocharged diesel engine for the blending of either EGR gas or blow-by gas from the crankcase vent with fresh charge air is disclosed. In the diesel engine assembly which incorporates the flow network for EGR gas, a venturi conduit and control valve combination is positioned between tile intake manifold and aftercooler and is connected to a flow line carrying the EGR gas. When the turbocharged diesel engine assembly is configured with a flow path for blow-by gas, the venturi and control valve combination is positioned between the intake manifold and aftercooler and is connected to a flow line carrying blow-by gas. These systems utilize a low static pressure at the narrow throat of the venturi so as to induce the flow of EGR gas or blow-by gas into the fresh charge air, the flow being controlled by the state of the control valve.

The present invention relates in general to the routing and flow path for recirculating exhaust gas (EGR) and the routing and flow path for blow-by (crankcase vent) gas. More specifically the present invention relates to the use of a control valve in cooperation with a venturi design in the flow path to introduce exhaust gases into the intake manifold in a mix with fresh charge air from the turbocharger.
At the present time blow-by (crankcase vent) gas of medium and heavy duty diesel engines is typically vented to the atmosphere. However, it is expected that in the near future environmental/emissions legislation will mandate that this gas be recirculated into the fresh charge air. The expected legislation will likely be similar if not the same as what is now in effect for gasoline engines and light duty diesel engines.
In anticipation of such legislation, some thought must be given to where and how such blow-by gas can be integrated into the air/gas flow network. One option, routing the blow-by gas in front of the compressor of the turbocharger is not desirable due to fouling of the wheel and aftercooler by oily deposits and other particulate matter.
In one embodiment of the present invention a venturi, with a cooperating control valve, is placed in the flow path downstream of tile aftercooler so as to induce the flow of blow-by gas into the fresh charge air. The induced flow is created by having a low enough static pressure at the throat of the venturi. Several venturi designs are disclosed, each of which is suitable for the present invention. In a related embodiment of the present invention, the venturi/control valve combination is placed in the flow path downstream of the aftercooler so as to induce the flow of EGR into the fresh charge air.
One application proposed for EGR, as conceived by the present inventors, is to use EGR as a means of reducing NO.sub.x in medium and heavy duty turbocharged diesel engines. For such engines EGR should be introduced at various speed and load conditions to be effective in NO.sub.x reduction due to the type of transient testing required by EPA and CARB.
It is generally recognized that the production of noxious oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) which pollute the atmosphere are undesireable and in many cases are controlled by limits established by local, state and federal governmental regulations. The presence of NO.sub.x in the exhaust of temperature causes an increase in the amount of NO.sub.x present internal combustion engines is determined by combustion temperature and pressure. An increase in combustion in the engine exhaust. It is therefore desireable to control the combustion temperature in order to limit the amount of NO.sub.x present in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine.
One possibility for limiting or controlling the combustion temperature is to recirculate a portion of the exhaust gas (EGR) back to the engine air intake. Since the exhaust gas has a higher specific heat, the combustion mixture will burn at a lower temperature. The lower combustion temperature will, in turn, reduce the amounts of NO.sub.x produced during combustion.
While NO.sub.x formation is known to decrease as the EGR flow increases, it is also known that this is accompanied by a deterioration of engine performance including, but limited to, an increase in engine roughness and a decrease of power output within increasing EGR. Therefore, one factor limiting the magnitude of EGR is the magnitude of EGR-induced performance deterioration or roughness that can be tolerated before vehicle driveability becomes unacceptable. Furthermore, EGR should not be turned on during load transience, as this causes "incomplete combustion" which results in black smoke from the engine exhaust. It is also usually desireable that EGR be turned off during hard acceleration so that the engine may operate at maximum power output.
Determining the proper amount of EGR under varying engine operating conditions is a complex task. Most prior art control systems utilize at least two sensed engine parameters as inputs to the control system which controls the EGR. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,912 issued to Tanaka utilizes both engine speed and the amount of intake air as control variables. U.S. Pat. No. 4,142,493 issued to Schira et al. utilizes either engine speed and manifold absolute pressure or engine speed and throttle position. U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,027 issued to Nakazumi utilizes both clutch-actuation detection and throttle valve-opening detection as input variables to the control system. These methods all require the monitoring of several engine parameters, which may have a significant cost impact if the monitored signals are readily available within the engine. It is, therefore, desirable to control the EGR with a single monitored engine parameter as input to the control system in order to reduce the complexity of the control system, thereby improving cost efficiency and system reliability.
EGR control systems need to be carefully reviewed because many designs cannot be used with diesel engines. Diesel engines differ from spark ignition engines in a number of important ways, one being that the diesel engine does not include a valved, or throttled, intake manifold into which the combustion air is induced through a throttle and valve. Accordingly, the vacuum pressure existing in a diesel engine intake duct is slight at most. The source of vacuum pressure provided by the intake manifold of a spark ignition engine is, therefore, not available in a diesel engine. Hence, any prior art control system utilizing the vacuum pressure as an input to the control system will not work with a diesel engine.
In a diesel engine, the engine speed under a given load is controlled by the quantity of fuel injected into tile engine combustion chambers and accordingly the "throttle" of the diesel engine is considered to be a manually operated foot pedal connected by a linkage to a fuel pump for supplying the engine fuel injectors. The foot operated pedal is actuated to govern the quantity of fuel delivered by the fuel pump to the combustion chambers of the engine and thus controls the engine speed under a given load. Since the quantity of fuel introduced into the combustion chamber varies, the production of NO.sub.x varies as a function of the throttle setting. This being the case, it is theoretically possible to control EGR in a diesel engine using only the throttle position as an input to tile control system.
The present invention is therefore directed toward providing an EGR control system which utilizes only throttle position as an input to the control system. Such a control system could then be used with a diesel engine.
In medium and heavy duty turbocharged diesel engines the intake manifold pressure (boost) is typically higher than exhaust pressure in front of the turbine of the turbocharger. Therefore, one choice would be to route the exhaust gas to the inlet of the compressor of the turbocharger. However, this is not a good practice due to the fouling of the compressor wheel and possibly the aftercooler due to particulate in tile exhaust gas. Also, the compressor wheel which is typically made of aluminum cannot tolerate the high temperature of the incoming mixture of fresh air and exhaust gas due to the very high temperature of the compressed mixture at the point of leaving the wheel.
In another related embodiment of the present invention a venturi, with a cooperating control valve, is placed in the fresh charge air flow line between the compressor and aftercooler and is connected to an exhaust gas flow line whose input side is connected between the exhaust manifold and the turbine. Static pressure at the throat of the venturi is sufficiently low so as to induce the flow of exhaust gas into the flow of fresh charge air.
With regard to the various embodiments of the present invention, the following list of U.S. patent references is believed to provide a representative sampling of the types of flow paths and flow arrangements which have been conceived of in order to deal with blow-by gas and recirculating exhaust gas.
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Patentee Date Issued ______________________________________ 3,877,477 Bader Apr. 14, 1975 3,925,989 Pustelnik Dec. 16, 1975 4,034,028 Tsoi-Hei Ma July 5, 1977 4,206,606 Yamada Jun. 10, 1980 4,363,310 Thurston Dec. 14, 1982 4,462,379 Tsuge et al. Jul. 31, 1984 4,478,199 Narasaka et al. Oct. 23, 1984 4,479,478 Arnaud Oct. 30, 1984 4,501,234 Toki et al. Feb. 26, 1985 4,669,442 Nakamura et al. Jun. 2, 1987 4,773,379 Hashimoto et al. Sep. 27, 1988 4,924,668 Panten et al. May 15, 1990 5,061,406 Cheng Oct. 29, 1991 5,094,218 Everingham et al. Mar. 10, 1992 5,203,311 Hitomi et al. Apr. 20, 1993 ______________________________________
While each of the foregoing references describe certain flow paths and flow arrangements, none are believed to include all of the novel features of the present invention.

EGR and blow-by flow system for highly turbocharged diesel engines


An HVLS fan system uses STOL technology for airfoils and angle of attack thus optimizing air movement efficiency and reducing drag. The HVLS fan system includes wingtip fence end caps to the airfoils for improving efficiency by reducing drag. The HVLS fan system also includes an interconnection of the airfoils to a securing plate thus providing a failsafe and reduced potential for damage or injury resulting from failure of the connection between the airfoil array and a drive unit such as an electric motor and associated gearing.

Interior climate control and air circulation is difficult in certain applications, particularly including large open structural areas such as found in a factory or warehouse setting. This difficulty is encountered in both hot and cold seasonal conditions, where heat during cold weather heating migrates towards the ceiling of a building and humidity tends to migrate down during hot and humid weather conditions. Therefore, there is an interest in forcing air from the ceiling, down, towards an occupied main floor during cooler weather, thus saving costs for heating, and circulating air more generally in warmer weather conditions resulting in a perceived cooler environment due to evaporation. Solutions to these conditions include forced ventilation through ceiling-based plenums in HVAC applications. Another solution is the use of ceiling fans to circulate the ambient air. However, both of these solutions are inadequate for circulating large volumes of air in large open areas such as is common in a factory or warehouse setting.
HVLS fans provide improvement over HVAC systems and/or traditional ceiling fans by moving larger volumes of air. These systems have their own limitations including relatively low efficiency in both the amount of energy used and amount of circulated air per unit of energy use.
STOL technology is a known solution for allowing aircraft to take off and land within constrained short distances. STOL technology has been adapted to aircraft airfoil profiles for providing improved lift and efficient movement of air under slower take off or landing speeds. Known aircraft wing profiles utilizing STOL design technology include EPPLER-420 and FX63-137 profiles. But, these airfoil profiles utilizing STOL design technology have not been adapted for use in HVLS fan systems.
In addition, due to their size and weight resulting from fans reaching diameters from 12 feet to 20 feet, or more, there is risk to persons and equipment below the fan in the event of a failure causing a portion, or all, of the fan to fall.
Therefore, there is opportunity and need for improving air circulation systems in large open areas. Further, there is need for improving HVLS fan systems to provide higher efficiencies and maximize airflow in large open spaces such as warehouses, manufacturing facilities, places of worship, gymnasiums/health clubs, auto dealerships and more. There is also a need for providing safety measures in the implementation of HVLS fan systems.


An automated disc washing machine having, in sequence, a loading station for loading a disc into the disc washing machine, at least one cleaning station for cleaning a disc, and an unloading station for unloading a cleaned disc from the disc washing machine. The disc washing machine also has a pivoted transfer arm connected adjacent the sequence of loading, cleaning and unloading stations for sequentially transferring a disc from the loading station to the cleaning station in one complete transfer cycle of the arm and from the cleaning station to the unloading station in another complete transfer cycle of the arm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disc washing machine for washing computer "hard discs" during the processing sequence. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automated cassette-to-cassette disc washing machine having disc transfer means including a pivoted transfer arm for sequentially and simultaneously transferring discs from one station in the disc washing machine to a subsequent station.
2. Prior Art
Hard disc drives for computer memory are mass produced through automated manufacturing techniques. An aspect of this automated manufacturing technique is washing a disc one or more times during the process. The automated disc washing machines of the prior art and that of the present invention are configured for this purpose, yet function in a significantly different manner.
There are several processing steps that many automated disc washing machines have in common. The first is a loading station where unwashed discs may be readily loaded from a cassette into the disc washing machine. The second is a washing station where the discs are washed with a cleaning solution. The third is a rinsing area where the discs are rinsed. The fourth is a drying station where the discs are spun dry and the fifth is an unloading station where washed discs may be easily unloaded into a cassette. The cassette can then be unloaded by an attendant.
The most advanced prior art automated disc washing machine is manufactured by Hitachi. In this apparatus, discs enter at a loading station and drop to a washing station. The discs move generally clockwise from station to station, in a vertical carousel arrangement. This carousel configuration of the Hitachi disc washing machine loads and unloads discs from the same side of the disc washing machine.


A microphone boom cap includes a porous plastic portion adapted to cover a microphone boom first aperture. The microphone boom cap includes a non-porous plastic portion affixed to the porous plastic portion. The non-porous plastic portion is adapted to cover a microphone boom second aperture in a second use position, where the porous plastic portion covers the second aperture in a first use position.

Communications headsets are used in a wide range of applications. Many headsets utilize some form of a microphone boom with a microphone located at the distal end of the boom so that it may be placed closer to the user's mouth. In other headsets, the microphone is located on a short boom closer to the headset receiver to achieve a more discreet appearance for the wearer.
One type of microphone commonly used is a noise canceling microphone. Noise canceling microphones (also referred to as differential or pressure gradient microphones) have two sound ports: a front port and a rear port. The front and rear ports act together to cancel out undesired ambient or background noise which arrives from a different angle and originates much further from the microphone than the voice of the user. Sound waves that arrive at opposite sides of the microphone diaphragm in equal phase and amplitude do not induce diaphragm vibration. This condition is referred to as acoustic cancellation.
In headset applications, a microphone boot assembly is oriented such that sound waves emanating from the desired sound source (i.e., the user's mouth) reach the front face of the diaphragm earlier and with greater amplitude than they reach the rear face of the diaphragm. Thus, acoustic cancellation is minimized. In contrast, sound waves emanating from sound sources that are located far away and in other directions arrive at opposite sides of the diaphragm closer in phase and amplitude, resulting in greater acoustic cancellation. Therefore, the microphone is less sensitive to ambient noise than to the user's voice. This process is referred to as noise cancellation.
Noise canceling microphones are susceptible to wind noise by their nature. Wind noise is caused by turbulent airflow around the headset boom front and/or rear ports to the microphone. This airflow causes random pressure fluctuations in the cavities coupled to the microphone. The noise canceling microphone undesirably converts this energy into noise in the audio signal, resulting in wind noise.
In the prior art, attempts to reduce the effects of wind noise have used folding booms. In the absence of wind, the folding boom is retracted to provide a discreet appearance. In windy conditions, the folding boom is extended to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. However, the use of a folding boom may provide only limited reduction of wind noise effects, and may be aesthetically undesirable to some users.
Thus, there is a need for improved methods and systems for wind noise suppression in microphone booms.

Microphone boom with adjustable wind noise suppression


A useful embodiment of the invention is directed to a method associated with a computer program comprising one or more basic blocks, wherein the program defines and uses multiple data structures, such as the list of all customers of a bank along with their account information. The method includes identifying one or more invariants, wherein each invariant is associated with one of the data structures. The method further includes determining at specified times whether an invariant has been violated. Responsive to detecting a violation of one of the invariants, the detected violation is flagged as an anomaly.

1. Field
The invention disclosed and claimed herein generally pertains to a method of anomaly detection at the code level of a computer program. More particularly, the invention pertains to a method of the above type, wherein invariants associated with data structures of the program's concrete state are used to detect anomalies.
2. Description of the Related Art
Anomaly detection is the act of detecting patterns in a given data set that do not conform to an established normal behavior. Anomaly detection is a highly active area of research and development in academia as well as in industry, and breaks into two subareas. One subarea is rule-based anomaly detection, which is the act of discovering anomalies based on a set of rules defining normal behavior. The other subarea is statistical anomaly detection, which uses learning techniques to automatically infer a set of "likely invariants" that characterize the normal behavior of the software system. In this case, there is no need for a user provided specification of the normal behavior. Instead, the anomaly detection system needs to be trained prior to its deployment.
A recent and significant development in the area of statistical anomaly detection, published in a paper of Cova et al., referred to herein as the "Swaddler approach", suggests that anomalies can be discovered at the level of program code, rather than at the external interface of a program, i.e. input payloads. This is achieved by instrumenting the subject program, and establishing likely invariants at each basic block of the program visited during the training phase. These invariants are encoded as a model, assigning a probability value to a feature of the state variable or a set of state variables associated with a block that is about to be executed. This value reflects the probability of occurrence of a given feature value with regards to an established model of "normality".
While the current state of the art as represented by the Swaddler approach has been shown, quite convincingly, to be of practical value, it is still characterized by a number of limitations. These include issues pertaining to expressiveness, portability, overhead and accuracy. In regard to expressiveness, Swaddler cannot capture invariants across more than one control flow. Regarding portability, letting each basic block in the program be anomaly aware has the undesirable effect of making the detection system highly sensitive to code changes. Regarding overhead, performing anomaly checks at each basic block is highly expensive. It is difficult to see how the Swaddler solution can scale to enterprise applications comprising on the order of hundreds of millions of lines of code, including their library dependencies.
Finally, in regard to accuracy, a further negative byproduct of testing for anomalies at each basic block is that the system is more likely to issue false alarms. The more checks there are, the more likely it is for statistical reasoning to come to the wrong conclusion.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Anomaly detection at the level of run time data structures

International Business Machines Corporation


Artefacts arising from imperfect extrapolation of a data set subjected to filtering operation are removed by forming a model of the extrapolated data, performing a filtering process on the model and the data set to form a filtered model and a filtered data set, and adaptively subtracting the filtered model from the filtered data set. The adaptive subtraction may employ a least-square error filter.

In marine geophysical data acquisition, measurements may be taken of wavefields that have been initiated by geophysical energy sources such as air guns, marine vibrators, electric bipole antennae, and magnetic coils. The geophysical energy sources may be positioned at known locations in a geographic area. In a marine setting, the sources may be towed behind one or more boats traveling a prescribed course, usually a group of aligned paths. The geophysical sources are caused to emit energy. For example, when the geophysical source is a seismic source, sonic pulses are emitted, and sensors record reflected sonic waves as voltages from transducers. The data received may be compiled into a data set with time and distance along and across the sampling paths. Such data is commonly used to prospect for geologic resources such as oil and gas deposits.
The data set obtained typically contains information of interest indicating the geology of earth strata below the geophysical equipment. Unfortunately, however, the geologic information is usually obscured by substantial noise from a wide variety of sources. Coherent noise sources, such as hydrostatic pressure variations, cavitation of boat propellers, and seismic interference, are usually well-defined and easily removed. Incoherent noise sources, however, such as tugging noise caused by sudden movements of a vessel or sensor due to wave motion, strumming or vibration of cables, and swell noise, are more difficult to remove.
Conventional methods of processing the data set include performing integral transform operations, such as Fourier transforms and/or Radon transforms, on the data set. Such operations may lead to mathematical incompatibilities. For example, Fourier transforms are defined for functions or data with domain of infinite extent, whereas recorded data is only available in a domain of finite extent. Prior to performing a Fourier transform on recorded data, an extrapolation is typically applied at the edges of the domain of the data set to smooth the edges numerically. These operations frequently produce spectral artefacts in the data. There is a need to remove such artefacts.
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments without specific recitation.

Method of suppressing spectral artefacts of wavefield decomposition caused by imperfect extrapolation


A system for loading and unloading a machine tool provides a loading unit having a loading unit chassis. Two fixing devices each have a fixing piece disposed on the machine tool and having a receiving section, and a mating piece mounted on the loading unit chassis and having a configuration for engagement with the receiving section. The fixing devices are disposed vertically displaced from one another permitting simultaneous engagement. A bearing structure has rollers and supports the loading unit chassis on a surface. The bearing structure is vertically displaceable relative to the loading unit chassis to permit lifting and lowering of the loading unit chassis for engagement and disengagement of the first and second fixing devices. In an embodiment the receiving sections are slots arranged in a bottom of each of the fixing pieces and the configuration of the mating pieces is an upwardly directed engagement member. A clamping unit is disposed above at least one of the fixing pieces when the engagement members engage the slots and has a clamping element extendable to engage the top side of one of the fixing pieces to vertically support the loading unit. above the surface. In another embodiment, the receiving sections of the fixing pieces are slots in a top of each of the fixing pieces and the configuration in the mating pieces includes downwardly directed engagement members engageable with respective ones of the slots by downward displacement of the loading unit chassis.

The invention relates to a device for loading and unloading machine tools.
Hitherto, it has been known to use immobile loading and unloading devices, e.g. gantry loading systems/robots or special loading systems which are specifically designed for one machine tool or one machining operation. This is particularly complex and expensive when the machining times for workpieces lie in a range which means that a separate loading unit for the workpieces is not loaded to its full capacity.
U.S. patent Ser. No. 5,364,219 describes a device which is used in a clean room or in vacuum techniques in the production of semiconductors. In this case, a first vacuum chamber, which is accommodated in a treatment unit, is coupled to a second vacuum chamber which is accommodated in a movable case. After the first vacuum chamber and the second vacuum chamber are coupled together, a lock produces a connection between the two vacuum chambers. The case can be moved on rails inside a clean room. The aim is to operate a vacuum chamber without surrounding air being able to penetrate into the vacuum. For this purpose, it is absolutely necessary for the vacuum chambers to be sealed with respect to the ambient air.

Docking system and method for aligning and attaching a mobile loading/unloading unit to a machne


A one piece cast hopper tee having a vertically directed hollow pipe section with a flange at an upper end thereof for attachment to the bottom of a hopper truck. The bottom end of the vertical pipe section flares outward at the juncture with a generally horizontal pipe section creating a generally elliptical opening from the vertical pipe into the horizontal pipe. In the area of juncture between the two pipes smooth and uninterrupted internal transition surfaces are provided to permit complete and continuous flow of product from the vertical pipe to the horizontal pipe. A pair of wear saddles, one on each side of the external juncture of the flared section of vertical pipe with the horizontal pipe create wear resistant areas having approximately double the wall thickness of the pipe sections. A substantially thicker wall section is formed in the horizontal pipe opposite the elliptical opening.

This invention relates generally to hopper tees, and more particularly to a one-piece cast hopper tee having a flared vertical pipe section at the juncture of the vertical pipe section and horizontal pipe sections creating an elliptical opening from the vertical pipe into the horizontal pipe that allows greater flow of product through the hopper tee.
Hoppers or tank trailers are commonly used to transport bulk commodities such as industrial and food products. When the hopper or tank trailer reaches the manufacturer's plant, the bulk commodity is unloaded. Typically this is done by pneumatically unloading the bulk commodity from the hopper into a clean and sanitary pipe line at the manufacturer's location. For this purpose, hopper tees are mounted to the discharge outlet of the hopper truck to transfer the bulk commodity by gravity flow or air pressure conveyor vibration into a vertical pipe section of the hopper tee. The hopper tee has a vertical pipe section which is connected to a transverse or horizontal pipe section allowing the outer ends of the hopper tee to be connected in the pneumatic pipe line tubing system of the manufacturer. Pneumatic conveying of the bulk commodity through the horizontal pipe section in the pipeline tubing is achieved by establishing a pressure differential in the pipeline system.
Prior art hopper tees have been constructed by welding vertical and horizontal pipe sections together. With prior art hopper tees constructed in this manner, the welded areas of juncture will create rough and irregular internal wall surfaces, which impede the flow of product or commodity through the hopper tee. More specifically, the welds in the area of juncture between the vertical and horizontal pipe section within the hopper tee produce rough and irregular internal wall surfaces, which can substantially impede product flow. Also, hopper tees constructed in this manner have a much higher incidence of product hang-up in the rough and irregular internal wall surface areas causing product contamination between loads. Moreover, abrasive dry bulk commodities, such as sand, cause premature wear-through in the hopper tee in the welded areas of juncture between the vertical and horizontal pipe sections. Furthermore, an abrasive bulk commodity may work through the entire hopper tee, especially at areas around the juncture of the vertical and horizontal pipe sections.
Hopper tees, as well as the piping connected to the hopper tee, are typically made from schedule 80 heavy steel in order to resist the abrasive bulk commodity. My prior art hopper tee, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,396, alleviates some of the problems associated with other prior art hopper tees. My prior art hopper tee particularly eliminates the problem associated with rough or exposed welds between the vertical and horizontal pipes. That novel design for a cast hopper tee helps eliminate both slow or impeded emptying of a hopper as well as the problem with premature wear of the hopper tee.
However, by using a hopper tee having a flared vertical pipe section at the juncture resulting in an elliptical opening from the vertical pipe into the horizontal pipe would allow more product to enter into a smaller diameter horizontal pipe. Also, by spreading the area of flow from the vertical pipe to the horizontal pipe there would be a reduction in the amount of friction and back pressure which effects unloading rates and premature wear in the hopper tee. Moreover, by designing the hopper tee with wear saddles that extend from horizontal lines up vertical lines on both sides of the juncture of the flared section of the vertical pipe with the horizontal pipe, there is created an area of increased thickness that resists wear through abrasion.


A high efficiency multi-directional airflow system for a telecommunications equipment assembly used for housing electronic apparatuses which facilitate telecommunications functionality. The equipment assembly defines an internal cavity which can be divided into a plurality of air flow channels. Each of the plurality of air flow channels captures a sub-portion of the overall volume provided by the internal cavity. The smaller volume flow channels provide a smaller cross-sectional area through which the majority of air travels. Since the cross-sectional area is smaller, the velocity of the air through the flow channels is increased. Since the air velocity is increased, the heat transfer coefficient is also increased, thus allowing for the more efficient removal of heat from the electronic apparatuses. A set of fan trays can include a plurality of fans each directionally positioned to work in series to cause air to flow through the plurality of flow channels.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to telecommunications equipment systems, and specifically to an apparatus for providing air flow in a card based telecommunications equipment assembly.
2. Relevant Art
Most modern telecommunications equipment contains electronic apparatuses mounted in a chassis (also referred to as xe2x80x9cshelfxe2x80x9d). The chassis is generally enclosed, with a front access door, side walls, and a backplane. The chassis is enclosed to prevent stray material from entering the casing and damaging the electronic apparatus and to prevent stray emission of electromagnetic energy. Typically, the electronic apparatus housed inside the chassis includes heat generating components. Most heat generating components must not be allowed to overheat or else they may lose their effectiveness. Thus, it becomes necessary to provide for the cooling of components within the chassis.
Typically, components are cooled using air that is forced into the chassis and made to flow over the components. Conventional fan trays are typically employed to force the air through the chassis. For example, in a conventional push-pull air flow system, a fan tray is positioned at a bottom part of the chassis with an inlet opening while a second fan tray is positioned at the top part of the chassis with an exhaust opening. Unfortunately, due to the density in today""s telecommunications products, the push-pull air flow system uses valuable space, which could otherwise be used for fiber routing.
The present invention provides a high efficiency multi-directional airflow system for a telecommunications equipment assembly used for housing electronic apparatuses which facilitate telecommunications functionality. In accordance with the present invention, the equipment assembly defines an internal cavity which can be divided into a plurality of air flow channels. Each of the plurality of air flow channels captures a sub-portion of the overall volume provided by the internal cavity. The smaller volume flow channels provide a smaller cross-sectional area through which the majority of air travels. Since the cross-sectional area is smaller, the velocity of the air through the flow channels is increased. Since the air velocity is increased, the heat transfer coefficient is also increased, thus allowing for the more efficient removal of heat from the electronic apparatuses.
In accordance with the present invention, a set of fan trays can be used to achieve push-pull air flow through the channels. The single set of fan trays can include a plurality of fans each directionally positioned to work in series to cause air to flow through the plurality of flow channels. Advantageously, the single set of fan trays can be positioned on the same side of the equipment assembly, which allows the use of the same area for inlet and exhaust of the cooling air to increase the amount of vertical space used for routing fibers.
In one aspect of the present invention, a telecommunications equipment assembly is provided, which includes a chassis defining an internal cavity for receiving a plurality of electronic apparatus. The assembly also includes at least one divider mechanism coupled to each of the plurality of electronic apparatus, where the divider mechanisms define at least two flow channels within the internal cavity. The assembly further includes a first fan tray configured to cause air to flow through the first flow channel; and a second fan tray configured to cause the air flowing in the first channel to flow through the second flow channel. The first fan tray and the second fan tray are positioned on an area at the first end of the chassis.
In another aspect of the invention, a telecommunications equipment assembly is provided. The assembly includes a chassis defining an internal cavity for receiving a plurality of electronic apparatuses. The assembly also includes a means for defining a plurality of flow channels within the internal cavity; and a first fan placed in series with a second fan to pull air into the plurality of flow channels and to push air out from the plurality of flow channels. The first fan and the second fan are positioned on an area proximate to the same portion of the chassis.
In another aspect of the present invention a method is provided for providing air flow through a telecommunications equipment assembly. The method includes providing a chassis including an internal cavity; dividing the internal cavity into a plurality of flow channels, where the flow channels include a first end and a second end; and pulling and pushing air through the flow channels.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a telecommunications equipment assembly is provided which includes a chassis having a first surface and which defines an internal cavity. The assembly also includes a means for dividing the internal cavity into a plurality of flow channels, and a means for pulling and pushing air through the flow channels. The means being combined on a first surface of the chassis.
The present invention provides many advantages over conventional air flow systems. For example, the use of fans in series provides a reduction in back pressure acting on each fan, which prolongs the life of each fan. The higher air velocity generated by the present invention provides for more efficient cooling due to an increase in the heat transfer coefficient. The present invention, also provides a more consistent temperature rise when used in a rack mount multi-shelve system. Because of the more efficient heat transfer capability, a higher degree of fan failure can be tolerated in the system. Since the exhaust and intake are positioned using the same area, less openings in the equipment assembly are required, thus substantially reducing the potential for unwanted EMI emission.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments set forth below taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A method for detecting the presence of a target nucleotide or sequence of nucleotides in a nucleic acid is disclosed. The method is comprised of forming an oligonucleotide labeled with two fluorophores on the nucleic acid target site. The doubly labeled oligonucleotide is formed by addition of a singly labeled dideoxynucleoside triphosphate to a singly labeled polynucleotide or by ligation of two singly labeled polynucleotides. Detection of fluorescence resonance energy transfer upon denaturation indicates the presence of the target. Kits are also provided. The method is particularly applicable to genotyping.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to nucleic acid analysis and, more particularly, to methods for detecting nucleic acid target sites with fluorescence labeled oligonucleotides and to use of the methods in DNA genotyping.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Nucleic acid analysis has become increasingly important in a number of applications including the genotyping of individuals such as in the diagnosis of hereditary diseases, the detecting of infectious agents, tissue typing for histocompatability, the identifying of individuals in forensic and paternity testing and monitoring the genetic make up of plants and animals in agricultural breeding programs (see, for example, Alford and Caskey, Cur Opin Biotech 5:29-33, 1994 which is incorporated by reference).
One approach to nucleic acid analysis uses probes which are complementary to a nucleotide or nucleotides in the nucleic acid. These analyses are typically performed in conjunction with amplification of the DNA being tested by the polymerase chain reaction (Saiki et al., Science 239:487-491, 1988 which is incorporated by reference). Two variations of this approach are the Genetic bit analysis method and the oligonucleotide ligation assay.
The Genetic bit analysis method involves hybridization of an oligonucleotide to a DNA sequence immediately adjacent to a target nucleotide. The oligonucleotide then undergoes a 3' extension with a labeled dideoxynucleoside triphosphate and the labeled oligonucleotide is subsequently detected using enzyme linked colorimetry. (Nikiforov et al, Nucleic Acids Res 22:4167-4175, 1994 which is incorporated by reference).
The oligonucleotide ligation assay involves hybridization of a DNA sequence to two probes, one of which is labeled. One of the probes hybridizes to the nucleotides immediately contiguous to a target nucleotide and a second, allele-specific probe hybridizes to the target nucleotide and immediately contiguous nucleotides on the opposite side to the first probe. The two probes are then ligated and the resultant labeled oligonucleotide is detected using enzyme linked colorimetry (Nickerson et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci 87:8923-8927, 1990; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,883,750, 4,988,617 and 5,242,794 all of which are incorporated by reference).
Both the genetic bit analysis and oligonucleotide ligation assay are time consuming and not readily adaptable to automation because they require capturing, separation, and washing of the labeled oligonucleotide followed by a multi-step detection procedure using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
In another approach, the detection of one or more nucleotides in a nucleic acid is accomplished using oligonucleotide probes labeled with two fluorescent substances in close proximity. One of the fluorophores (donor) has an emission spectrum that overlaps the excitation spectrum of the other fluorophore (acceptor) and transfer of energy takes place from the donor to the acceptor through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (T. Foster, Modern Quantum Chemistry, Istanbul Lectures, Part III, 93-137, 1965, Academic Press, New York which is incorporated by reference). The energy transfer is mediated by dipole-dipole interaction. Spectroscopically, when the donor is excited, its specific emission intensity decreases while the acceptor's specific emission intensity increases, resulting in fluorescence enhancement.
The fluorescence enhancement has been used in detection systems in which either two singly labeled oligonucleotides (Heller et al., EPO patent applications 0070685, 1983 which is incorporated by reference) or one doubly labeled oligonucleotide probe (Heller, EPO patent application 0229943, 1986 which is incorporated by reference) are first prepared and then hybridized to a target DNA or RNA sequence. The two fluorescent labels are separated by less than 22 nucleotides in the case of two singly labeled oligonucleotides or from 2 to 7 intervening base units in the case of doubly labeled oligonucleotide probes such that enhanced emission from fluorescent energy transfer can be detected from the hybridized probes.
The so-called Taqman assay uses a fluorescent energy transfer detection method which takes advantage of the decrease in emission intensity, i.e. or quenching observed in the first fluorophore. (Livak et al., PCR Methods and Applications 4:357-362, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,848 which are incorporated by reference). An oligonucleotide containing the two fluorescent substances is hybridized to a target DNA sequence. The fluorescent substances are covalently linked to the oligonucleotide at a distance such that fluorescent energy transfer takes place which is then measured as a quenching of donor fluorescence. During amplification by polymerase chain reaction, the oligonucleotide is degraded thus separating the two fluorescent substances. As a result, the donor shows a loss of quenching and increase in fluorescent emission. Thus, by monitoring the loss of quenching of the donor, the target DNA sequence is detected.
One application of the TaqMan assay is in detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms, i.e. single base mutations in DNA. This method provides significant advantages over earlier assays for single nucleotide polymorphisms which were labor intensive and not readily automated. (see, for example, Botstein et al., Am J Human Genetics 32:314-331, 1980; Hayashi, PCT Methods and Applications 1:34-38, 1991; Meyers et al., Methods in Enzymology 155:501-527, 1987; Keen et al., Trends in Genetics 7:5, 1991; Cotton et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci 85:4397-4401; Myers et al., Science 230:1242-1246, 1985; and Kwok et al., Genomics 23:138-144, 1994 which are incorporated by reference). Nevertheless, a significant problem with the TaqMan assay results from a relative intolerance to mismatches which is disadvantageous for allelic discrimination. (Livak et al, PCR Methods and Applications 4:357-362, 1995 which is incorporated by reference). Thus, there remains a continuing need for an effective nucleic acid assay method that is simple to perform and readily automated.

Method for nucleic acid analysis using fluorescence resonance energy transfer