An electrode for a semiconductor device includes a gold-containing thin film and a gold-containing plated film on the thin film. The plated film covers the entire thin film. No open surface is present between the thin gold film and the gold plating so no excessive current concentration occurs in any area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of forming an electrode of the semiconductor device, and more particularly, to an electrode structure indispensable for an optical device or an electronic device. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrode structure effective for effecting flow of an electric current to an electrode having a particularly small area, as well as to a method of manufacturing the electrode structure.
2. Background Art
In relation to general optical devices or electronic devices, when power is supplied to a device from the outside thereof, an electrode used for power supply is required. For instance, in the case of an optical device, an electrode is formed on a semiconductor doped with n-type or p-type impurities at a doping level of 1xc3x971019/cm3 or more, that is, a contact layer. In the case of an n-type electrode, a thin gold film of, e.g., AuGeNi, TiAu, or CrAu, is formed on the contact layer through vacuum deposition. In the case of a p-type electrode, a thin gold film of, e.g., AuZn, is formed on the contact layer through vacuum deposition. The thus-formed thin gold film is plated with gold. The reasons for the electrode assuming such a stacked structure are that ohmic contact must be established between the electrode and the semiconductor and that the strength of the electrode must be increased.
FIG. 5 is a schematic representation showing a related-art optical device.
The optical device is provided with, as an electrode structure for enabling flow of a current to the optical device, a thin gold film 13 (having a thickness of 40 to 300 nm) and gold plating (having a thickness of 2,000 through 3,000 nm).
Different material is used for the gold thin film 13, depending on the conductivity type of a semiconductor adjoining the gold thin film 13. For instance, if a p-type semiconductor adjoins the thin gold film 13, AuZn (having a thickness of 40 to 300 nm) is employed. If an n-type semiconductor adjoins the thin gold film 13, AuGeNi, TiAu, or CrAu (each having a thickness of 50 to 200 nm) is used.
As shown in FIG. 5, gold plating 114 is formed on the thin gold film 13, except at the edge of a device. The gold plating 114 is not formed up to the edge of the device. The reason for this is that, if the thick gold plating 114 were formed up to the edge of the device, difficulty would be encountered in cleaving the device. In this case, the thin gold film 13 is larger in area than the gold plating 114, and hence a surface of the thin gold film 13 appears.
An insulating film 12 (having a thickness of about 200 nm) is formed below an electrode material such that an electric current flows to only an area of a contact layer 11 (having a thickness of 600 nm) of a semiconductor. Any type of material can be used for the insulating film 12, so long as the material has high resistivity. SiO2 or SiN is usually employed as the insulating film 12. In some cases, a semiconductor material having high resistivity is used.
The current that has flowed into the contact layer 11 flows to an active layer 4, passes through a substrate having conductivity opposite that of the semiconductor, and finally reaches an underside electrode 1 (having a thickness of 1,000 nm).
An electrode is important for a semiconductor device. However, when an electric current flows to the device by way of the electrode, the electric current concentrates at the boundary surface between the thin gold film 13 and the gold plating 114, because of a difference in specific resistance between the thin gold film 13 and the gold plating 114. More specifically, the thin gold film 13 differs in conductivity from the gold plating 114, and hence there arises an area in the boundary surface where current concentrates excessively. As shown in FIG. 6, there may sometimes arise a case where a thin gold film 100 located on a boundary surface of the semiconductor (i.e., the contact layer 11) is melted by the Joule heat resulting from excessive concentration of an electric current.
The problems of the related-art have been described by taking an optical device as an example. Similar problems are expected to arise in an electronic device having an electrode structure in which gold plating is formed on the thin gold film or in an electronic device in which a thin gold film is greater in area than gold plating.
The present invention has been conceived to solve the problems and is aimed at preventing melting of an electrode, which would otherwise be induced by excessive concentration of an electric current.
A semiconductor device with an electrode for power supply is disclosed.
According to one aspect of the resent invention, the electrode of the semiconductor device has a gold-containing thin film and a gold-containing plating formed on the thin film, and the entire thin film is covered with the plating.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the electrode of the semiconductor device is formed by means of forming a gold-containing plating on the entire surface of a gold-containing thin film.
Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description.

Semiconductor device with varying thickness gold electrode


Filtering of optical fibers and other related devices. High-energy methods for depositing thin films directly onto the ends of optical fibers can be used to produce high-quality, high-performance filters in quantity at a reasonable cost. These high-quality filters provide the high performance needed for many demanding applications and often eliminate the need for filters applied to wafers or expanded-beam filtering techniques. Having high-quality filters applied directly to optical fiber and faces permits production of high-performance, micro-sized devices that incorporate optical filters. Devices in which these filters may be used include spectroscopic applications including those using fiber optic probes, wavelength division multiplexing, telecommunications, general fiber optic sensor usage, photonic computing, photonic amplifiers, pump blocking and a variety of laser devices.

In recent years, the use of optical fibers has become increasingly widespread in a variety of applications. Optical fiber probes have been found to be especially useful for analyzing materials by employing various types of light-scattering spectroscopy.
Optical fibers offer numerous advantages over other types of source/detection equipment. In short, the fiber provides a light conduit so that the source-generating hardware and the recording apparatus are stationed independently of the subject under investigation and the point of analysis. Thus, analyses are conducted remotely in otherwise inaccessible locations. Previously unattainable information is acquired in situ, often in real time. This capability is sought in numerous industrial, environmental, and biomedical applications. The laboratory is moved on line in the industrial realm, to the field in the environmental sector, and in vivo in the biotechnical arena. Additionally, hardware and measurements are more robust, quicker, less intrusive, more rugged, less costly, and many other advantages are realized.

Methods and apparatus for filtering an optical fiber


A system and method for designating or tagging an electronic message, such as an email that includes feedback about an employee's performance. The tagged email can then be automatically embedded within, or otherwise associated with, a performance management document such as a performance review. An example method includes providing a user interface display screen, whereby a user may view contents of an electronic message; providing a first user option, in association with the user interface display screen, to selectively designate the electronic message for a predetermined purpose and providing a signal in response thereto; and associating the electronic message with a document in response to the signal in accordance with a designation of the electronic message. In a specific embodiment, the designation of the electronic message includes a feedback designation, such that the electronic message is designated as a feedback message. The feedback message represents unsolicited feedback. The step of associating includes embedding the electronic message in the document, which may include a performance review document.

The present application relates to software and more specifically to communications applications that facilitate diverting, tagging, or otherwise associating messages for predetermined purposes.
Systems and methods for handling electronic communications messages are employed in various demanding applications, including client software for receiving and filtering Short Message Service (SMS) text messages, Internet Relay Chat (IRC) messages, conventional email messages, and so on. Such applications often demand feature rich clients with tools for effectively filtering, filing, or otherwise handling messages.
Efficient mechanisms for effectively filtering or filing messages are particularly important in enterprise implementations, where each message may be relevant to a particular business operation, process, task, goal, and so on. Methods for effectively organizing incoming messages may facilitate certain enterprise tasks that are related to incoming or outgoing messages.
Conventionally, messaging clients, such as Microsoft Outlook Express, may provide features or tools for filtering messages or filing messages in particular folders. However, such applications typically lack more in depth features for facilitating organizing messages for use by other enterprise processes, documents, and so on.
Methods for handling messages pertaining to enterprise-personnel performance feedback can be particularly useful for enterprises that periodically rate enterprise personnel based, in part, on feedback associated therewith. Conventionally, received email messages, which may constitute feedback, are maintained in an email client folder. During a performance review, access to the feedback may require time-consuming search of the client folder for relevant messages.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Performance management system using unsolicited feedback


A bucket shaped container is provided for transporting, storing, and dispensing electrical extension cords or other elongated filament materials. The container has a pivoted carrying handle. A cone shaped dispensing top is designed to prevent moisture from entering and drain holes are provided to dry the interior. The pivoted handle, similar to a paint can is fitted with a rubberized grip for carrying ease. Both ends of the cord are accessible at all times with one end emerging from the cone shaped top and the other emerging through a slot on the side. Both openings frictionally engage the cord to hold it at any temporary extended length.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable container for storing and dispensing elongated elements such as electrical cord. More specifically, it relates to an improved all-weather cord storage device having provision to minimize the entry of rain water and to drain any water which may enter the device. More generally, however, the device may be used for dispensing of any sort of flexible rope, cord, line, filament, or conduit. The dispenser itself consists of modifications easily made to existing bucket type containers. This makes it useful for both a packaging and shipping carton as well as a dispenser. When used in this manner the entire device is inexpensive enough to be discarded after the package contents have been dispensed.
Thus it can be seen that the potential fields of use for this invention are myriad and the particular preferred embodiment described herein is in no way meant to limit the use of the invention to the particular field chosen for exposition of the details of the invention.
A comprehensive listing of all the possible fields to which this invention may be applied is limited only by the imagination and is therefore not provided herein. Some of the more obvious applications are mentioned herein in the interest of providing a full and complete disclosure of the unique properties of this previously unknown general purpose article of manufacture. It is to be understood from the outset that the scope of this invention is not limited to these fields or to the specific examples of potential uses presented hereinafter.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Devices for deploying and automatically retracting elelctrical cord, garden hoses, and the like are old and well known in the art. Many such devices, often called cord or hose caddies, are relatively complex and often more expensive than the conduit they are designed to handle. The caddy itself is also often bulky and heavy, thus not being easily portable. Recently, relatively cheap disposable plastic bucket containers have been developed and introduced into the marketplace in many different sizes. The present invention capitalizes upon the relative abundance of such containers and provides an effective means of recycling them for a lifetime of useful service as a line storage and dispensing device.
Anyone that has ever used a long electric extension cord understands the difficulty in not only unwinding the cord for use, but also in rewinding the cord for storage purposes. Because such cords are difficult to keep under control, the cord becomes easily entangled as well, causing continuing problems in unwinding and rewinding the cord, as well as moving the cord form location to location.
Homeowners face such problems only infrequently. However, skilled workmen encounter such problems almost daily. In som instances workers have become so disenchanted with tangled cords that they have simply thrown the cords away rather than take the time and trouble to untangle the cord.
Another problem exists in storing extension cords. Homeowners can simply wind up the cord and hang it on various hooks in a garage or tool shed. While this is not so easily accomplished, it is a problem infrequently encountered by homeowners. Skilled workmen, on the other hand, have no convenient place to store such cords, either on the job site or in their vehicle. As can be easily imagined, winding a cord and placing it either on the floor of a job site or in a vehicle subjects the cord to unwinding, either from movement or from other workmen. Further, there is no assurance that such cords will not become entangled, either upon themselves or upon other products or articles.
One way such cord problems are overcome is to use a spring acting or return reel, sucha as employed in vacuum cleaners. The cord is pulled through a small opening for unwinding purposes and then a button is pushed to release a pawl/ratchet mechanism to enable a spring to rewind the cord on the return reel. Of course, such devices are extremely expensive because of the need to employ various pawl/ratchet mechanisms and springs. Another practical approach is simply to wind the cord on a reel. However, this does not meet the needs of skilled workmen and homeowners, as will become apparent.
Another common problem associated with enclosed caddies of the type discussed above is the accumulation of moisture within the conduit carrying container. This tends to be a more common problem for the skilled workman since he is often obligated to work outdoors in inclement weather. This moisture tends to corrode, rust, and promote mildew within the container with consequent detrimental effects to both the container and the conduit. My container is designed to keep moisture out and, if some should get in, to promote rapid drainage and drying.
The following known prior art has been directed to providing means for dispensing and storing electrical cord or garden hoses. As will be seen, the simplicity and effectiveness of my invention is not rivaled in the prior art.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,685, issued to Douglas on Jan. 15, 1991, shows a portable container for elongated elements. The container has a large hollow inner shaft about which a cord is wrapped. The large inner shaft portion may be used to store accessory items, but at the same time significantly reduces the volume available for storing cord. The ends of the cord both extend through openings in a complicated double lid. Separate clips are provided to anchor the ends of the cord. By contrast the present envention utilizes the entire volume of the container for cord storage, extends one end of the cord through the side of the container, and requires no separate clips to suitably anchor both ends of the cord.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,430, issued to Bonhard on Dec. 10, 1985, shows a power cord storage and dispenser. A complicated two part housing forms a winding reel for the cord sacrificing significant volume for cord storage. There is no provision for anchoring the cord. By contrast, the device of the instant invention requires no internal winding mechanism, may be completely filled with cord, and provides a simple cord exit slot which also serves as a cord anchor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,034, issued to Abel on Apr. 30, 1991, shows a garden hose storing and concealing arrangement which resembles a bucket. The lid portion, recessed to contain plants, must be removed to access the hose. There is no guidance given the hose as it is replaced in the container and no carrying handle. By contrast, the device of the instant invention carries an elongated element such that both ends are always accessible, replaced conduit is guided to the center of the container. Also, the present invention provides a convenient pivoted carry handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,083, issued to Hunt on May 13, 1986, shows a garden hose storage container. The container has a central column, reducing the storage space, and a sealing cover, reducing hose access. The enclosed hose is not accessible except by opening the sealed cover. No handle is shown for transport. By contrast, the device of the instant invention has no volume consuming internal parts, provides continuous access to both ends of the enclosed conduit, and has a convenient carrying handle.
It is noted that none of the known prior art provides means for drainage and evaporation of excess moisture which may collect in the container as does my invention.
While some of these patents have overcome some of the problems noted above, they do not overcome all of the problems, and further, fall short in meeting the needs of skilled workmen and homeowners who are seeking a practical and economical portable container for storing and removing elongated elements, as well as rewinding such elements, without any of the problems noted above.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.


The present invention relates to a high tenacity polyethylene naphthalate fiber containing a silica compound. This fiber is produced by a method comprising the steps of: (A) melt-spinning a solid phase-polymerized polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate chip containing ethylene-2,6-naphthalate units at more than 85 mole % and a silica compound and having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.70-1.20, to produce a melt-spun yarn; (B) passing the melt-spun yarn through a retarded cooling zone and a cooling zone to solidify the yarn; (C) withdrawing the yarn at such a speed that the undrawn yarn has a birefringence of 0.001-0.1; and (D) subjecting the undrawn yarn to multi-stage drawing at a total draw ratio of at least 1.5 and a drawing temperature of 50-250° C. The polyethylene naphthalate fiber has improved physical properties, such as high tenacity, and a dipped cord produced from this fiber has excellent dimensional stability and tenacity such that it can be advantageously employed as a reinforcement material of rubber products.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a high tenacity polyethylene naphthalate fiber with superior processability and drawability, which is produced from a polyethylene naphthalate polymer containing a silica compound. The fiber of the present invention provides a dipped cord having excellent dimensional stability and tenacity.
2. Background of the Related Art
A polyethylene naphthalate fiber having high tenacity, high thermal resistance and excellent dimensional stability is suitable for use as industrial yarns and rubber-reinforcing yarns in products such as tires, belts and hoses, and can exhibit optimal physical properties, particularly for tire cord applications. As the existing tire cord material, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, rayon and aramid fibers, etc., were mainly used, but the rayon and aramid fibers cause environmental problems and require high production cost, and the polyethylene terephthalate and nylon fibers are relatively inferior in tenacity and dimensional stability at high temperature. On the other hand, a polyethylene naphthalate fiber, which is most frequently used as a reinforcement material of tires, can be produced in a similar equipment to a production equipment of the polyethylene terephthalate fiber and also has high tenacity and thermal resistance, and excellent dimensional stabilities such as high elasticity and low shrinkage, so that it is highly favorable for use as a fibrous reinforcement material of high value-added, high performance tires.
Polyethylene-2,6-naphthalates have higher glass transition temperature, crystallization temperature, melting temperature and melting viscosity, than polyethylene terephthalates, due to their bulky naphthalate units. Thus, to enhance their spinnability upon spinning, i.e., to reduce the melting viscosity of their melt upon spinning, they have been spun at a temperature relatively higher than the conventional spinning temperature (310 to 320° C.) of polyethylene terephthalates.
However, since the spinning at high temperature causes the thermal decomposition of the melt, resulting in a deterioration in drawing processability of the yarn and a significant reduction in intrinsic viscosity of the melt, it is difficult to produce a high strength yarn from polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate (see, Japanese patent laid-open publication Nos. Sho 47-35318, 48-64222 and 50-16739).
Japanese Patent No. 2945130 describes a method of producing polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate fibers with high strength and modulus by controlling the spinning speed and spinning draft ratio and changing the drawing temperature, instead of increasing the spinning temperature. Japanese patent laid-open publication No. Sho 62-143938 discloses a method for synthesizing a polyethylene naphthalate polymer, wherein a thermal stabilizer is used to prevent polyethylene naphthalate from thermal decomposition and thus to reduce the concentration of the carboxyl-terminal groups, such that a polyethylene naphthalate yarn produced from this polymer has high tenacity. However, such methods have a limitation in preventing the thermal decomposition of the polyethylene naphthalate, since the polyethylene naphthalate should be spun at a 10° C. higher temperature than polyethylene terephthalate due to its high melting temperature and viscosity. This thermal decomposition causes the contamination of a spinneret upon spinning and makes the fiber contains thermally decomposed materials, thereby adversely affecting the processability and thermal resistance of the resulting fiber.
Furthermore, upon stretching through a spinneret, the polyethylene naphthalate has a higher viscosity and 30-50° C. higher glass transition temperature than the polyethylene terephthalate and thus has inferior processability during spinning and drawing processes. However, such problems are not completely solved by the prior art.
Thus, the present inventors have conducted intensive studies to solve such problems, and consequently, found that when silica, which is mainly used as an additive for polyester films and was reported in use for the high-speed spinning of some polyesters, pluff reduction and an improvement in dyeing property, is added in the melt polymerization step of polyethylene naphthalate, the resulting polyethylene naphthalate has excellent spinnability upon melt-spinning even at low temperature, and when the spinning draft ratio and drawing temperature of the polymer are optimized based on this excellent spinnability, the physical properties of the resulting fiber can be improved. On the basis of this discovery, the present invention was perfected.

High tenacity polyethylene-2, 6-naphthalate fibers having excellent processability


In the preferred embodiment, a monocrystalline film of substituted yttrium iron garnet (YIG) deposited on a <111> oriented gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) substrate is formulated so that the temperature variation of the ferromagnetic resonance frequency of the film has an ordinary minimum. For a range of temperature variations about the temperature at which the minimum occurs, therefore, the resonance frequency of the film is relatively insensitive to variations in temperature. This minimum is believed to occur where the temperature variations of the demagnetizing effect and the temperature variations of anisotropy effects more or less counterbalance each other. The counterbalancing effects are brought within range of each other primarily by the substitution of gallium or aluminum for iron and the substitution of lanthanum for yttrium in the substituted YIG. Gallium or aluminum reduces the temperature drift of the saturation magnetization. Lanthanum adjusts the misfit stress and thus the anisotropy effects.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of magnetic materials and more particularly relates to ferrimagnetic films for microwave signal processing and transmission applications.
2. Background of the Invention
Ferrite single crystals are used in a number of microwave and millimeter-wave devices. Such devices generally operate at, or near, the ferromagnetic resonance frequency. It is important that this frequency be well defined; that is, the resonance should have a low linewidth (low loss) and the center frequency of the resonance should be insensitive to variations in temperature. The usual way to obtain temperature stability is to use a bulk single crystal of ferrite and to fabricate from this crystal a sphere having a well-polished surface.
The method of using a spherical sample to achieve temperature stability can be understood from the following equation for the resonance frequency: EQU .omega..sub.r ={[.gamma.H.sub.o +N.sub.x.sup.a .omega..sub.M +(N.sub.x -N.sub.z).omega..sub.M ][.gamma.H.sub.o +N.sub.y.sup.a .omega..sub.M +(N.sub.y -N.sub.z).omega..sub.M ]}.sup.1/2 ( 1)
("Microwave Ferrites and Ferrimagnetics", B. Lax and K. J. Button, McGraw-Hill (New York) 1962, eq. (4-32)). In this equation .omega..sub.r is the resonance frequency in angular units; .gamma. is the gyromagnetic ratio; H.sub.o is an externally applied d-c magnetic field; N.sub.x, N.sub.y and N.sub.z are the demagnetizing factors determined by the shape of the sample; N.sub.x.sup.a, N.sub.y.sup.a and N.sub.z.sup.a are effective demagnetizing factors which describe the effects of magnetic anisotropy; .omega..sub.M =.gamma.4.pi.M.sub.o where M.sub.o is the magnetic moment per unit volume (or saturation magnetization) of the sample.
In most low-loss ferrites, such as YIG, the major source of temperature instability arises from the .omega..sub.M factors, since the magnetization M.sub.o varies rapidly with temperature. For a spherical sample, N.sub.x =N.sub.y =N.sub.z so that the terms (N.sub.x -N.sub.z).omega..sub.M and (N.sub.y -N.sub.z).omega..sub.M vanish. This removes the major part of the temperature sensitivity, since the anisotropy effects represented by N.sub.x.sup.a .omega..sub.M and N.sub.y.sup.a .omega..sub.M are smaller. These smaller anisotropy effects also can be made to vanish by rotating the sphere so that the applied d-c field H.sub.o lies along an optimum crystallographic direction of the ferrite. This optimum orientation can also compensate for other sources of temperature drift such as the small variation of .gamma. with temperature (R. E. Tokheim and G. F. Johnson, IEEE Trans. Mag., MAG-7 (1971) 267).
The fabrication and alignment of spherical ferrite crystals are tedious and costly processes. Moreover, it is difficult to incorporate spheres into the modern planar microwave and millimeter-wave circuit geometries. Ferrites in the form of single crystal films overcome these drawbacks. Moreover, there is a well-developed technology for producing useful ferrites as single crystal films. Unfortunately films, or discs fabricated from films, do not have a vanishing demagnetizing field contribution. For example, a thin disc which is oriented normal to the applied d-c field (taken to be the Z-axis) has demagnetizing factors N.sub.x =N.sub.y =0 and N.sub.z =1. If the anisotropy is uniaxial along the film normal, then Equation (1) reduces to EQU .omega..sub.r =.gamma.H.sub.o +N.sub.z.sup.a .omega..sub.M -.omega..sub.M ( 2)
or, equivalently, EQU .omega..sub.r /.gamma.=H.sub.o +H.sub.a -4.pi.M.sub.o. (3)
In Equation (3), H.sub.a is the anisotropy field. It represents the effects of anisotropy from all sources and is positive when the anisotropy creates an easy direction of magnetization along the normal to the film. In the case of the bulk crystals which are used for conventional sphere devices, H.sub.a arises from the cubic magnetocrystalline anisotropy. When the ferrite is in the form of a film which is deposited on a substrate, then the substrate may exert a stress on the film. This stress will modify the anisotropy. For example, for the film geometry described above, and assuming a crystallographic orientation with the <111> direction normal to the film, ##EQU1## (P. J. Besser, J. E. Mee, P. E. Elkins, and D. M. Heinz; Mat. Res. Bull. 6 (1971) 1111).
In this equation, K.sub.1 is the cubic anisotropy constant which describes the anisotropy effects which would also be found in spheres. The term 3.sigma..lambda..sub.111 /M.sub.o represents the stress-induced anisotropy. .sigma. is the stress which the substrate exerts on the layer and .lambda..sub.111 is the magnetostriction coefficient of the layer. In more general terms, we can write EQU H.sub.a =H.sub.a.sup.K +H.sub.a.sup..sigma. +H.sub.a '. (5)
H.sub.a.sup.K represents the anisotropy arising from the inherent crystal structure. This structure is cubic in the case of YIG; but may have other symmetries for other ferrites. H.sub.a.sup..sigma. represents the anisotropy arising from stress exerted on the ferrite film by the substrate. H.sub.a ' represents other sources of anisotropy such as the so-called "growth induced" effects. The exact mathematical forms of these terms will depend on the crystal structures, crystal orientations and resonance geometries.
3. Prior Art Statement
The most pertinent prior art discovered by applicant relative to this invention is listed herewith.
Zneimer et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,125,534, issued Mar. 17, 1964, discloses sintered polycrystalline ferrimagnetic garnet wherein low ferromagnetic resonance linewidth garnet such as yttrium iron garnet, lutecium iron garnet, or mixed yttrium-lutecium iron garnet may have its saturation magnetization lowered to a predetermined value and the temperature stability of the saturation magnetization correspondingly improved by the substitution of a predetermined quantity of gadolinium for the yttrium or lutecium. "Such temperature stability is obtained at some expense inasmuch as the linewidth increases as the gadolinium content is increased." (Column 6, lines 65-67.) Zneimer et al also suggests that the same effect may be obtained in an yttrium iron garnet having some aluminum partially substituted for iron.
Harrison et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,132,105, issued May 5, 1964, discloses sintered polycrystalline ferrimagnetic garnet materials such as yttrium gadolinium iron garnet wherein varying amounts of aluminum and gallium are partially substituted for iron, varying amounts of dysprosium are partially substituted for yttrium, and varying amounts of gadolinium are partially substituted for yttrium to reduce the saturation magnetization and correspondingly increase the temperature stability of the saturation magnetization of the materials.
Schieber, U.S. Pat. No. 3,193,502, issued July 6, 1965, discloses ternary ferrimagnetic compositions of matter comprising either iron together with one element of Group III-B of the Periodic System (which includes lanthanum) and one element of the group strontium, barium, calcium and lead or iron together with two elements of Group III-B of the Periodic System either in combination with oxygen alone, or in combination with oxygen and fluorine.
Linares, U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,937, discloses the tipping method of liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) wherein monocrystalline thin films of ferrimagnetic materials are grown on single crystal substrates from fluxed melts. The ferrimagnetic materials are ferrimagnetic garnets, ferrimagnetic spinels, and ferrimagnetic hexagonals. For the garnets, the iron may be mixed with aluminum, gallium, scandium, chromium, or cobalt.
Le Craw, U.S. Pat. No. 3,495,189, issued Feb. 10, 1970, discloses bulk single-crystal iron-containing ferrimagnetic garnet having selected nonmagnetic ions, notably gallium and aluminum but also vanadium, substituted for some of the iron therein primarily on the tetrahedral sites of the crystal. Le Craw teaches that the effect of such substitution is to decrease the saturation magnetization of the garnet to a desired lower value. Le Craw further teaches that substitution of the selected nonmagnetic ions reduces the Curie (or Neel) temperature and that substitutions beyond a certain amount result in increasing temperature sensitivity and are particularly undesirable for room temperature operation (Col. 4, lines 31-42). In addition, Le Craw teaches that, in general, the very large class of rare-earth iron garnets, except for yttrium iron garnet (YIG) and lutecium iron garnet, have significant loss mechanisms associated with their cations.
Kolb et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,496,108, issued Feb. 17, 1970, discloses a hydrothermal method for growing bulk single-crystal ferrimagnetic garnet such as YIG and partially substituted YIG wherein at least one of the trivalent rare-earth elements, including lanthanum, may be partially substituted for the yttrium and wherein gallium and/or aluminum may be partially substituted for the iron.
Heinz, U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,093, issued Nov. 30, 1976, discloses a garnet bubble domain material for high frequency operation exhibiting a relatively high uniaxial anisotropy having contributions from cubic, stress-induced, and growth-induced anisotropy effects. Heinz teaches that the magnitude of the stress-induced effect is generally limited because stress must be kept small enough that film cracking does not result. Heinz teaches making the growth-induced effect relatively large to produce high uniaxial anisotropy. The preferred material includes both lanthanum and lutecium on the dodecahedral lattice sites and a non-magnetic ion having a charge of +3, preferably gallium, and iron on the tetrahedral lattice sites. The non-magnetic ion reduces the saturation magnetization of the material. In a more general case, where iron substitution is achieved with an ion having a charge of greater than +3 on tetrahedral lattice sites, a charge compensating ion having a charge of +1 or +2 is also substituted on the dodecahedral lattice sites. The lanthanum and lutecium are preferred, in part because they are non-magnetic. The relative proportions of the various ions are chosen to produce a selected saturation magnetization and a small misfit, or mismatch, between the lattice constant of the bubble domain film and the lattice constant of the single crystal substrate.
Hoekstra et al, "The Origin of Uniaxial Anisotropy in Thin Films of (YLaPb).sub.3 (FeGa).sub.5 O.sub.12 and its Variation Along the Growth Direction", Mat. Res. Bull., Vol. 12, pp. 53-64, 1977, discloses that the uniaxial anisotropy of films of YIG doped with lanthanum and gallium and grown at temperatures above 870.degree. C. is primarily the result of stress-induced anisotropy. The relatively high growth temperature is used to eliminate growth-induced anisotropy resulting from the incorporation of lead from lead-oxide based flux in the films. The compositions disclosed have the general formula Y.sub.3-x-z La.sub.x Pb.sub.z Fe.sub.5-y Ga.sub.y O.sub.12 where x is about 0.2 atoms of lanthanum per formula unit, z is from zero to 0.1 atoms of lead per formula unit, and y is about 1.25 atoms of gallium per formula unit.

Process for preparing temperature-stabilized low-loss ferrite films


Systems and methods for providing playback of audio content during a trick-play mode in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. Media content can include audio content and video content. The audio content is divided into segments and the video content includes frames. Synchronization information associates a presentation time of each of the segments of the audio content with a presentation time of one or more frames associated with the images of the video content. When a trick-play mode is requested, the next frame from the video content to present is determined. The synchronization information is used to determine the segments of the audio content associated with the next frame. The determined segments audio content are presented as the frames are displayed in trick-play mode.

The term streaming media describes the playback of media on a playback device, where the media is stored on a server and continuously sent to the playback device over a network during playback. Typically, the playback device stores a sufficient quantity of media in a buffer at any given time during playback to prevent disruption of playback due to the playback device completing playback of all the buffered media prior to receipt of the next portion of media. Adaptive bit rate streaming or adaptive streaming involves detecting the present streaming conditions (e.g. the user's network bandwidth and CPU capacity) in real time and adjusting the quality of the streamed media accordingly. Typically, the source media is encoded at multiple bit rates and the playback device or client switches between streaming the different encodings depending on available resources.
Adaptive streaming solutions typically utilize either Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), published by the Internet Engineering Task Force and the World Wide Web Consortium as RFC 2616, or Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), published by the Internet Engineering Task Force as RFC 2326, to stream media between a server and a playback device. HTTP is a stateless protocol that enables a playback device to request a byte range within a file. HTTP is described as stateless, because the server is not required to record information concerning the state of the playback device requesting information or the byte ranges requested by the playback device in order to respond to requests received from the playback device. RTSP is a network control protocol used to control streaming media servers. Playback devices issue control commands, such as "play" and "pause", to the server streaming the media to control the playback of media files. When RTSP is utilized, the media server records the state of each client device and determines the media to stream based upon the instructions received from the client devices and the client's state.
In adaptive streaming systems, the source media is typically stored on a media server as a top level index file pointing to a number of alternate streams that contain the actual video and audio data. Each stream is typically stored in one or more container files. Different adaptive streaming solutions typically utilize different index and media containers. The Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL) developed by the World Wide Web Consortium is utilized to create indexes in several adaptive streaming solutions including IIS Smooth Streaming developed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., and Flash Dynamic Streaming developed by Adobe Systems Incorporated of San Jose, Calif. HTTP Adaptive Bitrate Streaming developed by Apple Computer Incorporated of Cupertino, Calif. implements index files using an extended M3U playlist file (.M3U8), which is a text file containing a list of URIs that typically identify a media container file. The most commonly used media container formats are the MP4 container format specified in MPEG-4 Part 14 (i.e. ISO/IEC 14496-14) and the MPEG transport stream (TS) container specified in MPEG-2 Part 1 (i.e. ISO/IEC Standard 13818-1). The MP4 container format is utilized in IIS Smooth Streaming and Flash Dynamic Streaming. The TS container is used in HTTP Adaptive Bitrate Streaming.
The Matroska container is a media container developed as an open standard project by the Matroska non-profit organization of Aussonne, France. The Matroska container is based upon Extensible Binary Meta Language (EBML), which is a binary derivative of the Extensible Markup Language (XML). Decoding of the Matroska container is supported by many consumer electronics (CE) devices. The DivX Plus file format developed by DivX, LLC of San Diego, Calif. utilizes an extension of the Matroska container format (i.e. is based upon the Matroska container format, but includes elements that are not specified within the Matroska format).
To provide a consistent means for the delivery of media content over the Internet, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) have put forth the Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) standard. The DASH standard specifies formats for the media content and the description of the content for delivery of MPEG content using HTTP. In accordance with DASH, each component of media content for a presentation is stored in one or more streams. Each of the streams is divided into segments. A Media Presentation Description (MPD) is a data structure that includes information about the segments in each of the stream and other information needed to present the media content during playback. A playback device uses the MPD to obtain the components of the media content using adaptive bit rate streaming for playback.
As the latency with which content can be adaptively streamed has improved, streaming of live events, such as sporting events and concerts, has become popular. In this type of content, the audio portion of the content may give indications of portions of the presentation that may be of interest to user. As such, users may want to use audio cues when searching the media content to find parts of the content that are of interest. However, most conventional playback systems do not provide playback of audio content during the use of trick-play features such as rewind, fast forward and seek to find content of interest. Systems and methods for providing playback of audio content during playback in a trick-play mode in accordance with some embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

Systems and methods for providing audio content during trick-play playback


An image reading apparatus includes a carrying unit for carrying a sheet original and a book original to a reading position, an original urging member including a reference member, closed when a sheet original is carried by the carrying unit and opened when a book original is carried by the carrying member, a reading unit for reading an image of an original carried to the reading position and the reference member of the original urging member in a closed state, and a correcting unit for correcting nonuniformity of an image signal obtained by reading an original image on the basis of a reference signal obtained by reading the reference number. When the original urging member is open, the correcting unit corrects nonuniformity of an image signal on the basis of the reference signal used upon reading of a previous original image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus for photo-electrically reading an original image and, more particularly, to an image reading apparatus capable of reading an image of either a sheet original or a cubic original (book original) such as a book.
2. Description of the Related Art
A facsimile apparatus is known as an apparatus for photo-electrically reading an original image, electrically processing an image signal obtained by reading, and transmitting or recording the processed signal.
In such a facsimile apparatus, a sheet original such as a document or drawing is often processed. Therefore, in order to simplify a mechanical arrangement and to reduce the size of the apparatus, an image reading mechanism is generally arranged such that a sheet original is carried by rollers or the like and an image of the sheet original carried through a reading position is read by a line sensor such as a CCD.
It is, however, sometimes necessary to facsimile-transmit not only a sheet original but also an original (to be referred to as a book original hereinafter) having a thickness such as a book. In such a case, an operation must be performed in an order such that a book original is copied into the form of a sheet original and then subjected to a read operation by the reading unit of the facsimile apparatus.
When a large number of pages of a book are to be facsimile-transmitted, therefore, a large number of copies must be prepared, resulting in a cost- and time-consuming operation.
For this reason, an apparatus in which a book original can be read by a reading apparatus for a sheet original is proposed. That is, a sheet urging unit for sandwiching and carrying a sheet original is opened, and a book original having a thickness is moved on the sheet urging unit.
With this arrangement, since both sheet and book originals can be facsimile-transmitted by a single facsimile apparatus, time and cost problems can be solved.
In such an image photo-electrical reading apparatus, nonuniformity correction processing called shading correction is performed for an image signal. In order to perform this correction operation, a white reference plate arranged at a sheet original reading unit is read to measure a shading distortion.
When the sheet urging unit for a sheet original is opened in order to read not only a sheet original but also a book original, however, reading of the white reference plate cannot be performed. Therefore, measurement of the shading distortion for shading correction cannot be performed upon reading of a book original.
In addition, upon reading of a book original, an original end is read as black information and output as an unnecessary black signal. This reduces, e.g., a compression efficiency or storage efficiency.


A data center infrastructure management (DCIM) system having an infrastructure control fabric (ICF) subsystem integrated into at least one infrastructure device in a data center, for enabling independent infrastructure devices to communicate independently with the DCIM and to be controlled by the ICF subsystem.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
In modern day datacenters, the static nature of the physical infrastructure (e.g., power availability, cooling capacity and space constraints) and the inherently dynamic nature of information technology ("IT") workloads have created a data center environment in which significant inefficiencies can often exist. Addressing these inefficiencies would allow the operators of data centers to increase the capacity utilization of their infrastructure and to decrease the overall power consumption. However, the challenge up to the present time has been the inability to dynamically change the physical capacity (e.g., power and/or cooling capacity) associated with the datacenter in accordance with the IT load being experienced at any given time.
Due to the static nature of the infrastructure, IT workloads are typically given a safety margin within which they operate. With reference to FIG. 10, this means that there will always be at least some degree of available capacity that is not being used. If the IT workload starts getting too close to capacity, the infrastructure is upgraded with additional capacity, which is invariably a capital-intensive exercise. From a cost standpoint, then, the present approach of providing a "safety margin" for power and cooling needs can mean significant added expense for an entity. This is because there are often significant stretches during a twenty four hour period where various IT components are operating at less than maximum capacity or are inactive entirely. However, modern day data centers typically must still provide enough additional power and cooling capacity to meet the maximum anticipated workloads of the various IT components.
With reference to FIG. 11, in an ideal environment the IT components and the facilities infrastructures (e.g., presently available cooling capacity; presently available unused power and presently available rack space) will be in constant communication through some physical data center management infrastructure. The physical infrastructure would monitor the IT equipment and adjust capacities accordingly. The data center management infrastructure would also be able to cap the amount of resources used by IT equipment when the workload of an IT component exceeds a maximum overall capacity of the installation. However, a situation may still exist where an application requests a specific IT component (e.g., server) to begin performing a task that will be likely (or certain) to cause an infrastructure resource, such as power or cooling, to be exceeded. Put differently, a situation may still exist where a specific IT device, itself, does not have specific information on the data center resources available for use before beginning a user commanded operation or task. This can result in at least one of power or cooling capacities in the data center environment to be exceeded as the specific IT device begins the commanded operation or task. When power or cooling capacities are exceeded, this may necessitate the data center management system limiting or curtailing the use of other IT devices when the data center resources are exceeded. Thus, having the specific IT device begin taking its requested action without first checking on the availability of data center resources may cause an undesirable change in the overall dynamics of the data center ecosystem. This is especially so in a typical, large scale dynamic IT environment, where equipment is being commissioned and decommissioned frequently to address varying business IT needs. Every change carries an intrinsic risk. As a result, the dynamics of IT loads and the static nature of physical infrastructure often forces datacenters to operate at a safe distance from full power and cooling capacities (i.e., with substantial spare capacities) to ensure that data center resource requirements are able to be met at all times.

Infrastructure control fabric system and method


An air-cleaning, heat-exchange apparatus includes a main housing portion connected by means of an air inlet fan to the kitchen exhaust stack of a restaurant. The apparatus includes an in-line series of three heat exchangers through which a heat-absorptive fluid is circulated, simultaneously, by means of a suitable fluid pump. These heat exchangers remove exhaust gas heat and further transfer this heat to a stream of air, such as that from a cold-air return duct. Due to the fact that the hot exhaust gas is heavily grease laden, grease will be deposited on virtually all internal surfaces of the apparatus which this exhaust gas contacts. The apparatus includes means for spraying exhaust gas contacted internal surfaces, as well as the hot exhaust gas itself, with a detergent solution in which the grease is soluble, thereby removing grease buildup from these internal surfaces. Although some of the grease will be drained off by a liquid carrier resulting from the spraying at a first stage, any remaining emulsified grease, detergent solution and moisture will be eliminated from its gaseous carrier by means of a mist eliminator which is located downstream from the first stage.

The present invention relates in general to air-cleaning apparata and in particular to such apparata which also achieve heat exchange and heat transfer.
Industrial exhaust poses a major problem from the standpoint of pollution, and with the promulgation of federal rules and regulations and clean air standards, many efforts have been focused on how to reduce the level of contaminants from the effluent wastes. A related problem occurs in the area of restaurant exhaust from areas such as grills and broilers. Restaurants, especially fast-food restaurants, generate large amounts of grease-laden exhaust from the frying and broiling of the various food items which are prepared. This grease-laden exhaust is typically drawn up through a kitchen hood and exhaust duct combination to the atmosphere by a large ventilating fan arrangement. The problem with this type of design is that the grease from the exhaust collects on the internal surfaces of the hood, the exhaust duct and the fan arrangement and must be periodically cleaned. The frequency of required cleaning depends upon the volume of exhaust and the amount of grease, but a cleaning frequency of once a month is very often advisable in order to assure that grease levels will not reach the point where a fire occurring in the kitchen area will spread to and ignite this grease. Unfortunately, the thorough cleaning of the grease from the hood, exhaust duct and ventilating fan arrangement is difficult and is often quite time consuming and represents significant downtime to the particular restaurant. As a result of the inconvenience represented by the cleaning procedure, removal of the grease from the internal surfaces is not always performed when required. A somewhat predictable consequence of this lack of proper and periodic cleaning is that the hood, exhaust duct and fan arrangement will become heavily grease coated as well as producing a noticeable odor. Significant fire disasters have occurred where a grease fire in the kitchen exhaust duct was attributed to be a cause or at least a contributing factor to the spreading of the fire.
Recently efforts have been made to chemically treat such grease-laden exhaust so that the grease is emulsified and its buildup on internal surfaces is reduced. By using a mist-like spray of a chemical and water mixture directed around the inside of the exhaust duct between the hood and ventilating fan, the emulsified grease is either drained off in liquid form or may be exhausted in vapor form. Although this method has proved effective to prevent a majority of the grease buildup in the exhaust duct and on the ventilating fan, there remain certain shortcomings and disadvantages.
The spray arrangement just mentioned must have its volume of chemical solution governed by the volume of exhaust and the amount of grease, and to be effective, the sprayer must direct a mist against the full inside perimeter of the exhaust duct so that all surfaces can be cleaned of grease. This poses a very exacting requirement on the design of the spray nozzle head as well as its positioning within the exhaust duct. However, even with well designed and positioned spray nozzle heads, the grease which is emulsified by the chemical solution spray does not represent 100 percent of the grease flowing through the exhaust duct and the emulsified grease which is exhausted in vapor form, as well as the grease which is not chemically treated, still contributes to the pollution of the atmosphere. Another very significant factor, especially with energy consideration concerns, is the amount of heat which is generated by the restaurant grills and broilers and is lost up the exhaust duct. Any attempt to capture this heat and reuse it for general heating of the structure runs headlong into the related problems of grease accumulation. If a heat exchanger is employed, once the convecting surfaces, such as the fins, collect a thin film of grease, the heat-transfer properties of such convecting surfaces are reduced to the point that the heat exchanger becomes highly inefficient. This grease buildup acts as a thermal insulator and prevents efficient heat transfer from the hot exhaust gas to a heat-absorptive fluid circulating through the heat exchanger. Related problems involve how to extract a majority of this exhaust duct heat so that system efficiency is high and how can the complete system be maintained in a virtually grease-free manner while still not exhausting harmful pollutants (such as emulsified grease) into the atmosphere. A collateral benefit of grease removal is that the accompanying odor will also be eliminated. The shortcomings and disadvantages discussed above are overcome by the apparatus of the present invention which is disclosed herein.


The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product which enables changing user credentials that are used to access legacy host applications and/or systems which provide legacy host data during a secure host access session which is authenticated using a digital certificate and is protected by a host-based security system, such as RACF (Resource Access Control Facility, a product offered by the IBM Corporation), where these changed credentials are used to authenticate a user after previously-provided credentials have been used for authentication earlier in the same session. The changed credentials may belong to the same user, where that user happens to have a different user ID and/or password for different legacy host applications and wishes to change from accessing one legacy host application to accessing another. Or, the changed credentials may be used to enable a different user to interact with the same legacy host application used by the previously-authenticated user. The disclosed technique may also be used advantageously to authenticate a user for accessing an application, when the user's credentials are not changing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer system, and deals more particularly with a method, system, and computer program product for handling user identification and password requests for user sign-on with an identity change, where these requests occur during a host access session which is authenticated using digital certificates, after an initial user sign-on has already completed.
2. Description of the Related Art
One of the challenges facing information services ("IS") professionals today is the difficulty of providing secure access to legacy mainframe host data and applications from modern personal computer-based ("PC-based") applications. As more large companies move to provide business integration and self-service on the World Wide Web (hereinafter, "Web), there is most often data that is crucial to this movement, but which is based on (and is only accessible through) legacy mainframe host applications. These host applications and their data have, from their origin, been typically protected through the use of the program product commonly referred to as "RACF" (Resource Access Control Facility) or other similar mainframe-based security systems. ("RACF" is a registered trademark of the IBM Corporation.) These mainframe-based security systems typically require a user identification and password in order to gain access to the protected applications and data. Therefore, when a user tries to access data or legacy applications on a host mainframe from a client workstation over a network connection, they normally must provide a separate user identification and password to the host application to satisfy the security requirements of the host security system in addition to the user identification and password they use to access the modern environments (e.g. to access the Internet or Web). This double entry of identifying information is not only redundant but tedious for the user as well.
With the wide-spread use of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and certifiable digital certificates for providing security in today's PC-based computing environments, there is a desire to use a client certificate as the basis for a "single system sign-on" to all of a user's Internet-based applications. This includes applications that provide access to legacy host applications and/or data such as IBM's Host-On-Demand, Personal Communications, and Host Publisher products. The way in which users identify themselves to these products should be consistent with how they do so with other Web applications. This will enable minimizing the number of different user identifications and passwords a user must create and remember, and reduce the administrative burden of maintaining security (e.g. by reducing the number of requests for an administrator to reset a forgotten password) for password-protected applications and data.
Digital certificates may be used to authenticate entities, as is well known in the art. U.S. Pat No. 6,128,728 (Ser. No. 09/064,632, filed Dec. 10, 1998), which is titled "Certificate Based Security in SNA Data Flows", teaches a technique whereby digital certificates are transported in appropriate Systems Network Architecture ("SNA") data flows between a client and a host for identifying the user to the host application, but this existing technique requires those host programs which authenticate the user to RACF (or other host access control facility) to be modified to use the certificate instead of the traditional user ID (user identifier) and password. This requires an enterprise to upgrade each of its application subsystems in order to achieve the benefits. So for some enterprises, the previous approach may be impractical and unacceptable.
Related U.S. patent Ser. No. 09/466,625, titled "Providing End-to-End User Authentication for Host Access Using Digital Certificates" and referred to hereinafter as "the related invention", discloses a technique for using digital certificates to authenticate a client in order to allow the client to access legacy host applications and/or data which are protected by a security system such as RACF, where these host applications or systems for managing host data (including legacy database systems) typically require a user identification and password that is supplied separate from that used for the client's sign-on process to the modern environment. Thus, the related invention enables the user to access a legacy host application and/or legacy host data with a single sign-on (i.e. without re-identifying himself), and does not require modifications to the legacy software.
In the related invention, SSL or a similar security protocol is used to establish a connection between a client device and either a Web application server or a Telnet 3270 ("TN3270") server. The client's digital certificate is required when establishing the SSL connection, according to the prior art SSL specification, to enable the Web application server or TN3270 server to authenticate the client. The certificate is then cached at the server, according to the related invention, and used to authenticate the client to the host-based, legacy security system. Once the security system has successfully authenticated the client, it may return a password or password substitute. (The password substitute is called a "passticket" when using the RACF security system, where a passticket is a relatively short-lived credential that is dynamically generated after a user's identity has been authenticated.) Rather than requiring the user to re-enter his identifier and password to communicate with the protected legacy host system, the Web application server or TN3270 server provides the user's ID and the passticket to the host system, enabling the user to be transparently yet securely logged on to the host system. (The related invention discloses the Web application server or TN3270 server alternatively providing the host system with a user ID and an actual password which has been authenticated by a security system, rather than a user ID and passticket, for those environments in which the passticket concept does not exist.)
However, the related invention addresses the capability only for an initial sign-on sequence to a host application. There may be cases where a subsequent sign-on is required. For example, a particular host application may process transactions that have special security needs (such as heightened security requirements), and which require the sign-on process of obtaining and verifying the user's identification and password again in the context of a special transaction. Or, a legacy application may be written such that it repeats the sign-on process to re-verify the user after occurrence of particular situations, such as an outage of some sort, a dormancy in session activity, etc. As another example, the user may wish to change from using one legacy host application to using another legacy application. Each legacy application typically begins by sending a sign-on screen to the user, with the intent of prompting the user to enter his user ID and password. The related invention does not provide a technique that enables a subsequent sign-on to be processed without requiring the user to re-identify himself during the scope of a single secure session (e.g. without tearing down the SSL session and repeating the secure session establishment), nor is this capability available in the prior art.
Furthermore, there may be cases where it would be desirable to provide different sign-on credentials during a secure host access session, following the initial sign-on. As an example, it may be necessary for the current legacy host application user's supervisor to sign on to the legacy application, such as when a special transaction requiring supervisory authority is to be performed. Or, it may happen that different security credentials are required for a user when he wishes to change from one legacy host application to another. As another example, there may be applications for which it is necessary or desirable to force the user to re-authenticate himself by providing his security credentials again (for example, by swiping his Smart Card through a Smart Card reader) at defined points, such as when a new application transaction begins. Because establishing a secure connection between the client and the TN3270 server or Web application server using a security protocol such as SSL is relatively expensive in terms of computation and networking resources, the performance overhead incurred in re-starting the session in order to supply a different certificate that signifies different user credentials makes this a less-than-optimal solution. Thus, a technique is needed which enables changing the user's credentials within the scope of an on-going secure session. Neither the prior art nor the related invention provide this capability.
Accordingly, what is needed is a technique that overcomes these limitations of the prior art.

Technique for handling subsequent user identification and password requests with identity change within a certificate-based host session

International Business Machines Corporation


An upstart motorcycle jack system that lifts a motorcycle from laying on its side to an upright position includes a scissor jack, a foot, a fulcrum pin, a mounting adaptor, and a motorcycle lift bracket. The motorcycle lift bracket is integrated onto the motorcycle. The foot is hingedly connected to a base pad of the scissor jack. The scissor jack pivotably mounts to the motorcycle lift bracket through the mounting adaptor and the fulcrum pin to initiate the lifting process. The mechanical leverage for the lifting process is provided by the scissor jack to lift the dead weight of the motorcycle pass a 45-degree angle. The scissor jack also transfers some of the motorcycle weight to the foot when the base pad starts to tilt toward the motorcycle. Once the scissor jack is fully extended, a rider can easily push the motorcycle back into the upright position.

A typical motorcycle can weight 550-pounds or more. Lifting a fallen motorcycle off the ground is nearly impossible for most riders and can be dangerous for the rider due to the weight of the motorcycle, particularly if the rider is already injured, winded, etc. from the initial downing of the motorcycle. For example, if the rider loses the grip of the motorcycle during the lifting process, the motorcycle may fall again consequently hurting the rider and/or further damaging the motorcycle. Even if the rider is able to lift the motorcycle, the rider can physically get hurt due to the weight of the motorcycle. Riders currently use different techniques to lift fallen motorcycle. For example, riders rest their butt/lower back against the fallen motorcycle and grab the motorcycle with both hands. Then the leg muscles are utilized to slowly lean the motorcycle into the side-stand. Other than the specialized techniques, the motorcycle industry lacks a proper lift system or a jack system for the dropped motorcycle.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an upstart motorcycle jack system that aids the rider to comfortably lift a fallen motorcycle. More specifically, a scissor lift mechanism of the present invention allows the rider to lift the motorcycle past a 45-degree arc angle so that the weight of the motorcycle can be transferred on the wheels of the motorcycle. The scissor lifting mechanism securely rests against the ground floor and functions as a fulcrum member with the motorcycle. As a result, the rider is then able to push the motorcycle into the side-stand such that a fraction of the lift force is required to push the motorcycle to achieve 90-degree side stand.


This invention relates to a display method and apparatus in a navigation system. More specifically, this invention relates to a navigation-based method and apparatus to provide guidance information to a driver without repeatedly performing route recalculation when the driver makes slight deviation from the road he or she is travelling on. In one embodiment of the present invention, guidance information is displayed on a user interface without generating a route. For example, when a vehicle is travelling either on a freeway or a surface road, a distance indicator provides distance information to nearby freeway junctions or streets. In another embodiment, when the vehicle is deviated from a calculated route, a route deviation detecting unit may detect whether the vehicle is deviating from the calculated route to a predetermined extent. If not, the original calculated route will not be recalculated.

Navigation devices, including portable navigation devices (PNDs), have become more popular and affordable recently for most users. The navigation device can, not only determine the driver's current position by utilizing the Global Positioning System (GPS), but also provide different routing information between the vehicle's current position and the destination. In order to perform abovementioned functions, the navigation device is usually equipped with a sophisticated navigation system comprising navigation computer programs and one or more detailed database to store and provide maps, road networks, geographical features, and waypoint or point-of-interest (POI) information.
More particularly, in a map database, major links such as freeways, highways and streets connecting to major arteries include lane count, lane connectivity, merge and lane expansion, and lane accessibility information. The navigation device is expanding its proximity radius based on the map-matched link as a center point, to traverse all accessible links from the current position and sequence the data of nearest node points. In selecting the appropriate nodes, the navigation device needs to estimate the vehicle directions and prioritize data based on the most probable directions.
A standard automotive navigation system is typically equipped with a routing and guidance feature that provides the user with a turn-by-turn guidance for a route generated between the current vehicle position and the input destination. To generate a route for the driver, the system checks the route link list sequentially to retrieve the necessary maneuver points. More recently, with the advance of the navigation system, a lane guidance feature is employed to assist the driver on the lane basis for streets with multiple lanes and intersections.
The lane guidance feature with a predetermined route provides the driver turn-by-turn guidance on the lane basis, and the system may recalculate the route if the driver does not stay on the lane suggested by the system. For example, if the driver notices that the lane he is traveling on is blocked due to accident, he may want to switch to other lanes to avoid the traffic and the system may recalculate the route for the lane change. Such route recalculation may be unnecessary since the destination remains the same and the system may be overwhelmed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,944,538 to Ishibashi et al. discloses a navigation system which eases the burden of changing lanes, taking into consideration the traffic situation surrounding the vehicle. More specifically, the navigation system includes an image capturing device, i.e., a camera, for taking images in an area close to the rear of the vehicle, and the lane changing information is provided to the driver according to the images taken in vicinity surrounding the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 1. However, Ishibashi does not disclose anything related to provide a lane guidance system to avoid unnecessary route recalculation when the vehicle does not stay on the lane suggested by the lane guidance navigation system.
U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2009/0222202 discloses a navigation system providing guidance regarding a travel route to a vehicle. More particularly, the navigation system provides more clear guidance when a lane is added to correspond to a road which is taken after a course change, as illustrated in FIG. 2. However, like Ishibashi, it does not disclose anything related to provide a lane guidance system to avoid unnecessary route recalculation when the vehicle does not stay on the lane suggested by the lane guidance navigation system.
U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2007/0124072 discloses a navigation system providing lane guidance to lead the vehicle to the recommended lane. More specifically, the system receives information regarding the vehicle's current position and moving direction to determine whether the vehicle is moving toward the recommended lane. If the vehicle is moving toward the recommended lane, the system provides lane guidance to the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 3. However, it does not disclose anything related to provide a lane guidance system to avoid unnecessary route recalculation when the vehicle does not stay on the lane suggested by the lane guidance navigation system.
Therefore, there remains a need for a new and improved apparatus and method to provide guidance information to the driver without repeatedly performing unnecessary route recalculation when the driver makes slight deviation from the route without changing the destination.

Method and apparatus for displaying guidance for navigation system


A rotational molding system is disclosed in which a pair of large boat molds carried on separate carriages are alternately heated in a double open-ended oven having opposing cantilevered side sections for receiving concentric drive arrangements wherein the molds may be driven about two perpendicular axes in a rocking or full rotational motion.

Heretofore, rotational molding systems have utilized ovens and offset tracks along which carriages travel which support the molds in a cantilevered manner. The cantilevered structure slides in a slot formed in the oven wall in moving the relatively small molds into the oven. However, these systems are not satisfactory for large molds which require separate carriages and excessive floor space for processing the molded articles.
Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is to provide a rotational molding system for processing a plurality of large molds in alternate heating and cooling cycles wherein the amount of floor space required is minimized.
Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide a unique drive arrangement for rotating molds which affords rocking or full rotational motion.
Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide improved system and drive source arrangements for large rotating molds which allows the molds and drive sources to be carried on separate carriages and processed in a minimum of floor space.


A multi-diaphragm speaker system comprises a speaker apparatus and a front/rear cavity sealing apparatus. The speaker apparatus comprises at least four diaphragms. Cavities of the speaker apparatus are formed between every two adjacent diaphragms of the speaker apparatus. The cavities that are spaced apart from each other jointly form a first acoustic cavity of the speaker apparatus. The cavities adjacent to the first acoustic cavity form a second acoustic cavity of the speaker apparatus. The first acoustic cavity and the second acoustic cavity are separated via the front/rear cavity sealing apparatus. Utilization of the present utility model solves the problem of speaker front/rear cavity separation.

There is a wide range of speakers, wherein audio power enables cones or diaphragms vibrating and resonating with ambient air to generate sound through galvanomagnetic effect, piezoelectric effect or electrostatic effect.
Speakers with conventional structures comprise diaphragms and a driving unit. Wherein the driving unit comprise a center suspension, which is typically disposed under the first diaphragm to prevent the product from polarization. Typically, several round diaphragms are utilized, and connecting rods penetrate through the diaphragms and connect the diaphragms together. However, air leakage occurs at the opening through which the connecting rods penetrate the diaphragms due to air draught, resulting in leakage effects, such as, intermodulation, harmonic distortion and turbulent noise which results in poor sound quality.
In order to solve the problem of air leakage, diaphragms are connected by inner connecting rods and outer connecting rods, in such a way that the connecting rods do not penetrating through the diaphragms. However, as connecting rods are utilized, there is a new problem of airtightness between the front and rear cavities, that is, the rear cavity of the speaker being in communication with the front cavity formed between the housings and connected by the outer connecting rods. Nevertheless, the front and rear cavities of the speaker are required to be separated to enable the rear cavity of the speaker to form a completely sealed rear cavity. Thus, based on the case that the housings are connected by outer connecting rods, the structure of the speaker is required to be improved.


A brake device may include: a master cylinder including a master piston moved in connection with a pedal, and a master cylinder body having the master piston movably inserted therein and containing fluid of which hydraulic pressure is varied when the master piston is moved; a pedal force generation part housed in the master cylinder body, and restricting a motion of the master piston while interfering with the master piston depending on the motion of the master piston; a braking actuator configured to generate hydraulic pressure; an actuator connection part connecting the braking actuator to a brake mounted on a wheel; and a master connection part connecting the master cylinder to the actuator connection part.

The present invention relates to a brake device, and more particularly, to a hydraulic brake device capable of implementing a braking force of a vehicle.
A brake device refers to a safety device used for decelerating or stopping a vehicle or maintaining a parking state. Recently, an electromechanical brake (EMB) has been developed to replace existing mechanical brakes.
However, the EMB which does not use brake fluid cannot mechanically perform emergency braking, and requires strict reliability verification. Thus, a hydraulic brake-by-wire system such as an e-booster with a hydraulic brake system is applied.
Since the conventional hydraulic brake-by-wire system separately includes a master cylinder and a pedal simulator for implementing a pedal force, the volume of the device and the number of parts used in the system are inevitably increased to raise the cost thereof. Furthermore, since a plurality of valves is applied, operation noise is increased. In addition, the configuration and control of the system are complex, and power is consumed to operate the valves. Therefore, there is a demand for a structure capable of solving the problems.
The related art is disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1622148 registered on May 12, 2016 and entitled "Electronic brake system".


A hinged hold-open assembly for roof ventilator lids is provided, comprising a pair of hinged assemblies attached between the lid and a vent base, wherein each hinged assembly includes a hinge member; a retainer bracket affixed to the vent base, wherein the retainer bracket includes an extended member having a plurality of position holes corresponding to a closed position and a plurality of open positions; a position arm affixed to the lid, wherein the position arm includes a locking hole alignable with one of the position holes of the retainer bracket; and a locking device adapted to insert into both the locking hole and the position hole when said holes are aligned.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to devices and methods used in rooftop ventilator systems, and more particularly to hinged hold-open devices that can be used to retain the cover in multiple positions for maintenance activities.
2. Description of Related Art
In commercial ventilation systems for buildings, larges fans are mounted over vents in a roof. For example, a fan-assisted vent at a restaurant permits an exhaust to be withdrawn from the kitchen. Through this vent, grease and other cooking residue are allowed to leave the building. After a period of use, the vent and the fan become contaminated with grease. Other cooking residue also becomes adhered to the fan blades and other surfaces. Such residue can be flammable and presents a fire hazard, and can also attract undesirable microbes and illness causing bacteria, requiring occasional cleaning.
In most of these systems, a rectangular base rises above the roof vent, and the open base is covered by a rectangular lid. The lid is sometimes referred to as a shoebox lid, because is similar in construction to a cardboard shoebox, but formed from sheet metal. A large hole exists in the lid, and the fan is securely mounted to the lid. Over time the fan becomes dirty and requires cleaning and maintenance. For maintenance purposes, the lid is typically hinged to the base, allowing a worker to raise the lid and rotate the lid and fan assembly away from the base for proper access.
The problem for many workers is that the lid can be difficult to grasp, requiring the worker to lift the edges of the lid with fingers, and then rotate the heavy fan and lid assembly back into a fixed open position. Given the dangers of the fan and lid assembly inadvertently falling in either direction, it is important to place it into the desired position safely and securely. Moreover, it is also important that the maintenance worker have the flexibility to position the fan and lid into a plurality of positions.
Therefore, there is a need for a device which can be attached to the lid and fan base that serves as a replacement hinge and which allows easier and safer positioning of the lid in an open configuration when maintenance is required. The device should be simple to install and use, and it should not require any irreversible modifications to the lid itself.

Hinged hold-open assembly for roof ventilator


AGC pulses and other undesirable signals are removed from a video signal by generating a replica of the AGC pulses or other signals and then mixing the replica with the original video to effect their removal.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,303,968, issued to E. L. C. White on Dec. 1, 1942, discloses a method and apparatus for the removal of pulses which were added tea video signal for the purpose of controlling an automatic gain control. These automatic gain control (AGC) pulses were removed "[i]n order to eliminate at the receiver undesirable effects due to the pulses . . . " (page 1, left column, line 41).
In general, White removed these AGC pulses ". . . by mixing them with the line synchronizing signals which are separated, delayed and/or broadened for this purpose" (Ibid. line 45). He used a delay line to delay the synchronizing pulses and, optionally, a multi-input diode OR gate connected to taps on the delay line to broaden the pulses. An inverting stage and a mixing stage, which mixed the locally generated pulses "in the negative sense" with the input video, completed his circuit.
While White's original arrangement can be implemented with modern semiconductors, certain deficiencies are present. First, use of a mixing circuit requires that the locally generated pulse amplitude precisely matches the pulse amplitude on the incoming video. If resistive mixing is used, then exact matching of pulse duration and location is also critical. Any mismatch will result in some residual pulse or part thereof at the output. Second, the delay line provides only discrete steps in pulse delay and/or pulse broadening. Third, should a pulse be absent from the input video, his circuit will add a large negative going pulse in its place which would interfere with the synchronization signals.

Method and apparatus for removing AGC pulses and other undesirable signals from a video signal


In a silver halide photographic light sensitive material having at least one emulsion layer provided on a support, a silver halide photographic light sensitive material characterized in that at least one of the silver halide emulsion layer comprises a magenta dye forming coupler represented by a formula (M-1) or (M-1') described below, and a molar ratio MA/MC of silver halide and the magenta dye forming coupler in the silver halide emulsion layer containing the magenta dye forming coupler is 3.1 to 3.7 wherein MA is mols per unit area of silver halide in the silver halide emulsion layer, and MC is mols per unit area of the magenta dye forming coupler in the silver halide emulsion layer.

The present invention relates to a silver halide photographic light sensitive material (hereafter abbreviated as light sensitive material) and an image forming method employing thereof, particularly to a light sensitive material having excellent in fastness of obtained dye image, stability of the image, stability of characteristics after storage, adaptability to rapid processing, and stability of characteristics in case of rapid processing, and the image forming method thereof.
A silver halide photographic light sensitive material has been employed as a material to provide a high quality image with stable quality and low cost. Request for high quality and stable quality by the user is demanded more and more. With reference to the request for high image quality, improvement of color reproduction, reproduction of gradation and sharpness etc. is requested. As for the stable quality, it is necessary to improve stability in manufacturing, fastness during long time storage as unexposed status and characteristics change depending processing condition. Further, high fastness of the obtained image.
In response to the request for high image quality, in recent years, pyrazolotriazole type magenta dye forming coupler has been employed to improve color reproduction. The pyrazolotriazole type magenta dye forming coupler has a problem as the dye produce from the coupler is unfavorable in fastness against light. Improvement has been investigated in both of coupler and dye image stabilizer, for example, a pyrazolotriazole type magenta coupler substituted by secondary or tertiary alkyl etc. disclosed in to Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication Nos. 61-65245, 61-120146, 61-120147, 61-120148, 61-120149, 61-120150 and 61-120151; a phenol or a phenylether compounds disclosed in Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication Nos. 56-159644, 59-125732, 61-145552, 60-262159 and 61-90155; amine compounds disclosed in Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication Nos. 61-73152, 61-72246, 61-189539, 61-189540 and 63-95439 are listed.
However problems arise by employing these techniques, for example, deterioration of film property of photographic composing layer because of increase of oil-soluble component in the layer, deterioration of image quality when stored for long time, increasing fluctuation of photographic property such as sensitivity, gradation and fog caused by storage of unexposed light sensitive material, since the structure of the dye forming coupler is complicated and the molecular weight is large, and large amount of oil-soluble additive must be employed. While it is effective in improving these problems to increase an amount of gelatin as employed binder of the photographic constitution layer, it also derives the lowering the development processing speed, contrary to demand for rapid processing property.
For a photographic light sensitive material such as color paper, particularly employed in direct appreciation it is desired to see a print picture of stable quality immediately, and therefore rapid processing of development processing and reducing quality fluctuation dependent on development processing.
For this purpose, a method making the shape of development tank to slit type, a method of coating or spraying developing processing composition to a surface of the light sensitive material or method heating the light sensitive material just before the development processing. Theses methods are effective in rapid processing and reducing fluctuation depending of change of developing condition, however, it has been made clear that fluctuation of characteristics such as sensitivity and fog increases caused by storage before exposure in case that the light sensitive material employing the pyrazolotriazole type magenta dye forming coupler.

Silver halide photographic light sensitive material and image forming method using thereof


A method, apparatus, and computer program for operating a Bluetooth network is presented. The method comprises providing a Bluetooth system comprising a plurality of Bluetooth devices forming Bluetooth piconets disconnected from each other; and providing a route for a data packet between two remote Bluetooth devices through the Bluetooth system by sequentially changing structures of the Bluetooth piconets, wherein at least some of the plurality of Bluetooth devices sequentially create and terminate connections with different Bluetooth devices as a result of the sequential change of the structures of the Bluetooth piconets.

Bluetooth uses a radio technology called frequency-hopping spread spectrum on an unlicensed Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) 2.4 GHz short-range radio frequency band. Bluetooth provides a secure way to connect and exchange information between devices such as faxes, mobile phones, telephones, laptops, personal computers, printers, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, digital cameras, and video game consoles. Bluetooth is a communication protocol with a master-slave structure. A master Bluetooth device can communicate with slave devices in a Wireless User Group. This network group is called a piconet. The devices can switch roles, by agreement, and the slave can become the master at any time. The Bluetooth Core Specification allows connecting two or more piconets together to form a scatternet, with some devices acting as a bridge by playing the master role in one piconet and the slave role in another piconet (or slave in both piconets).
Bluetooth low energy (BLE) is based on Bluetooth 4.0 technology, designed with the intention to reduce power consumption of Bluetooth devices. BLE is designed to be applicable to a wide range of applications and devices in the healthcare, fitness, security and home entertainment industries. For example, it is possible for a BLE device to operate several years with a button cell battery without recharging. However, BLE specification has ruled out the possibility for the BLE device to operate in multiple piconets in the above-described manner.


A method for generating label positions for labeling polygons includes receiving a description of a polygon, determining an inscribed circle within the polygon, and determining a single-branch shape that fits completely within the polygon. The method also includes generating an indication of a first candidate label position, based on the inscribed circle, and generating an indication of a second candidate label position, based on the centerline. Still further, the method includes providing the indication of the first candidate label position and the indication of the second candidate label position to a rendering component for positioning a label for the polygon in accordance with at least one of the first candidate label position and the second candidate label position.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Polygon labeling is a common problem in geographic information systems and geographic visualization. Two types of labels are widely used to label polygons, point-type and line-type positions. Systems using point-type labels place labels horizontally or vertically at relative positions of given points, while systems using line-type labels place labels at positions along certain lines inside or outside polygons. To find these given points or lines, systems utilize methods based on inside buffering and medial axes of polygons. However, label positions generated using these methods can be jumbled, especially for complicated polygons (e.g., polygons with holes).


A rack assembly which is collapsible for storage and transportation but may be assembled to support and display products such as bread and other bakery goods. Preferably, the rack includes spaced lateral supports hinged to a back support, a plurality of vertically spaced, removable shelves, and wheels allowing the rack to be tilted rearwardly and moved about on a support surface or floor after assembly. Fastening means are included for removably securing the shelves to engaging means on the lateral and back supports. A pivotable header support on the upper rear of the rack supports an advertising display above the shelves.

This invention relates to display devices for various goods including groceries, baked goods and the like, and, more particularly, to a collapsible product display rack assembly especially adapted for assembly and disassembly for storage and transportation. When assembled, the rack assembly provides support and display of food items such as bread loaves and the like and allows convenient movement of the display from place to place in a retail store or other location.
Display equipment for bakery products in a typical grocery store includes a conventional series of stationary shelves or bins into which bread or other baked goods are placed by store personnel from baskets or other containers used to carry the product from a remote storeroom. Replenishing the shelves, therefore, is fairly time consuming, as well as requiring constant surveillance to prevent the shelves or bins from becoming unattractive. Moreover, the product must be displayed in certain specific locations of the store, too often not in an optimum location for attracting attention to specials or other sale items.
Typically, hand carts and other small vehicles have been used to move products from place to place in a grocery and other store However, an alternative to such carts is disclosed in co-pending, commonly assigned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/292,389, filed Dec. 30, 1988, entitled "MOVABLE DISPLAY RACK" invented by Bertram J. Cain. The movable display rack of Ser. No. 07/292,389 is especially adapted to permit loading of products such as bread or other food items in one area of a store followed by wheeled movement of the loaded rack assembly to another store location Thus, various products may be displayed in an organized, pleasing manner which allows convenient access to the goods by the consumer.
The rigid upright display rack of Ser. No. 07/292,389 is permanently welded together As such, because of its size, it is difficult to transport to a retail establishment from a manufacturer and, likewise, is also difficult to store at the retail location when not in use. In addition, in the permanently assembled movable rack, should a shelf assembly or lateral support, axle or the like become damaged or bent while in transit or use, repair and replacement of individual sections is difficult and may often require replacement of the entire assembly.
Therefore, the need was apparent for an improved version of the movable display rack assembly which would allow disassembly for storage and transportation, but would allow quick, simple assembly when desired and/or simplified repair and replacement of various parts as needed, all while retaining the numerous advantages of the movable display rack of Ser. No. 07/292,389.