The invention relates to a fan blade (1) comprising: —an aerofoil (8) made of a composite material comprising a fibrous reinforcement densified by a polymer matrix, a leading edge (4) and a trailing edge (5), and —a structural shield (10) fitted and attached to the leading edge (4) or the training edge (5), and —at least one stiffener (20) formed integrally and in one piece with the structural shield (10), said stiffener (20) extending in a cavity (15) formed between the shield (10) and the leading edge (4) or the trailing edge (5) so as to increase a stiffness of the blade (1).

A fan blade of a turbomachine includes an airfoil having a leading edge, a trailing edge and pressure side and suction side lateral faces which connect the leading edge to the trailing edge.
Turbomachine blades, and particularly fan blades, undergo high, mostly mechanical stresses, resulting particularly from aerodynamic forces, dynamic stresses e.g. centrifugal stresses, and in some cases thermal stresses. These blades must satisfy strict weight and bulk requirements. It has therefore been proposed to use blades of a composite material including a fibrous reinforcement densified by a polymer matrix, which are therefore lighter and which have better resistance to stresses than metal blades having an equivalent mass.
During the certification and the lifetime of an engine, the fan blades are subjected to bird ingestion. The mechanical behavior of the fan blades is therefore optimized during their design phase to satisfy the certification rules.
It is known to equip fan blades made of a composite material with a structural metal shield extending over the entire height of the airfoil and beyond its leading edge, as mentioned in document EP 1 908 919, and comprising a leading edge configured to face the leading edge of the airfoil, as well as fins configured to be supported against the pressure side and the suction side of the blade. A shield of this type allows in particular protecting the leading edge and avoiding the risk of delamination, of fiber breakage or even of damage by loss of fiber/matrix adhesion. This shield further participates in the stiffness of the blade which is necessary in particular for frequency aspects and deflection upon impact, as well as the aerodynamic properties of the blade, by allowing thinning of the leading edge.
From the point of view of aerodynamic performance, reduction of the thicknesses of the upstream (leading edge) and downstream (trailing edge) ends of a blade allows a gain in aerodynamic efficiency as well as in behavior. In fact, the implementation of a so-called thin edge technology allows limiting the deflection of the profile which causes a Mach number peak in the transonic and supersonic sections (at the tip of the blade) harmful to the performance of the fan. Moreover, reduction of the thickness of the trailing edge allows reducing aerodynamic base losses (profile losses at the trailing edge) mainly for sections above 60% of height.
The impact of this type of technology is directly linked to the efficiency of the turbomachine and therefore its fuel consumption.
Yet, when blades, particularly fan blades, are made of composite material, it is difficult to obtain small thicknesses, (i.e. on the order of one to two millimeters) while retaining optimal mechanical resistance of the leading edge (or of the trailing edge) of the airfoil. In fact, from a mechanical point of view and taking into account certification requirements, it is necessary that the leading edge and the trailing edge be able to resist and limit damage to the blade when they are subjected to various forces such as bird impacts or the repetition of flight cycles (lifetime). This difficulty in obtaining a small thickness is explained by the thickness of the strands used to produce the fibrous reinforcement (a strand being constituted of several thousand fibers, generally carbon, and having a thickness on the order of a millimeter) and by the number of layers necessary for ensuring good mechanical resistance. It is in fact more difficult to obtain optimal properties by interlacing two layers than by interlacing a larger number of layers.
The shield already allows thinning the leading edge of the blade. In fact, the shield is generally made of metal, which allows smaller thicknesses to be attained. However, to sufficiently thin the leading edge of the shield, it would be necessary to drastically increase its mass, considering the thickness of the leading edge of the airfoil from which the shield extends. The mass would be greater than with a large thickness of the shield, the extent of its nose will be large to have a tapered cross section. Yet in the event of an impact, particularly with birds of small size, there exists a considerable risk that the shield will detach locally from the airfoil and that the detachment will propagate over the height of the blade until complete detachment if a maintenance operation is not executed more or less rapidly.

Fan blade comprising a thin shield and a stiffener


A portable workstation includes a storage structure and an integrated dolly. The storage structure resembles a generally-upright cabinet having a top platform with upward-folding expansion leaves. The storage structure is defined by a pair of vertical side walls spaced apart by a back wall. One fixed shelf and two folding shelves extend between the side walls. The shelves are useable as steps, but are securable in alternate, bin-forming positions. A box-storage chamber and flexible straps provide storage locations for tools. A wheeled dolly is attached to the storage structure by a pair of slide pins.

Individuals who work with a variety of tools or similar working components often employ large storage or safe-keeping devices to keep their tools organized. In many instances, a tool-using homeowner will store tools in a large storage container located in an area of a home designated as a workroom. When repairs must be performed in other areas of the home, the homeowner must carry the tools needed to complete the task from the workroom to the other areas of the home.
Many tool users choose to transport tools in what is commonly termed a toolbox. Typically, toolboxes include a handle to help an individual carry the box, while providing numerous trays and section dividers to maintain tools in an orderly manner. However, while conventional toolboxes are suitable for transporting a moderate number of tools, their usefulness is limited by the strength of the individual carrying the toolbox. Because of their weight, large storage containers are not easily transportable. Individuals who wish to carry large numbers of tools or heavy items often require multiple toolboxes.
The use of wheels on a toolbox makes it possible to carry more tools or heavier tools. The attachment of wheels on the bottom corners of a toolbox makes moving the toolbox on a flat surface easier and further allows for increased toolbox size. However, increased toolbox size may create a storage problem in and of itself. More specifically, large storage structures may not be suitable for environments, like apartments, which have space constraints. Homeowners, apartment dwellers, and the like all have limited space available for tool-storage containers, because they must also provide space for other necessary items, such as ladders, work benches, dollys, stools and so forth.
Tools are used in most every household repair. As a result, many tool users must reach areas or objects which are elevated beyond normal reach. Individuals in those situations typically employ a ladder to reach their elevated targets. Alternatively, individuals without ladders may choose to climb upon their toolbox, a stool, or any available object, without regard to the item's ability to support the individual's weight. Unfortunately, ladders and toolboxes are not suitable for use as elevation platforms in many locations encountered by the handy man. Ladders contact the ground at discrete "footprint" location and are subject to unwanted movement when placed on uneven or polluted surfaces.
Additionally, tool users may need to bring a core set of tools to most tasks, while bringing additional tools for special jobs. Most currently-known toolboxes are customizable by adding rigid trays or boxes. Although this approach may increase storage capacity, it often hides or blocks groups of tools. This, in turn, may require removal of the extra trays or boxes when the blocked tools are needed. In jobs which require quick access to a variety of tools, the removal of trays or boxes may not be appropriate. The repair person may need a tabletop on which to perform work while moving heavy objects to complete a task.
A handy man needs to be prepared for any type of task, from repairing waterpipes to painting ceilings. For this reason, a handyman may choose to carry a ladder, a toolbox, a stool, a work bench, and a seat with him, just to be prepared. For example, without such exhaustive preparation, a handyman wishing to move a cabinet after painting it would have to first bring paint tools, return the paint tools, then obtain a dolly, and so forth. U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,742 illustrates a popular portable workbench which attempts to address the need for portability but fails to address the need for simultaneously providing a toolbox, a ladder, a work surface, and the like.
Accordingly, what is needed is a portable workstation that meets the needs of most handy men, by providing tool storage capabilities, a ladder, a seat, a dolly, and a workbench all in one easy-to-move, easy-to-store device.


The present invention relates to methods for determining angiogenesis comprising culturing a blood vessel fragment in a physiological gel. In addition the invention provides a method for testing substances for their ability to modulate angiogenesis and a method of determining whether an angiogenic entity such as a tumour will be responsive to anti-angiogenic therapy.

Angiogenesis, or the development of new blood vessels, is an essential feature of tissue development and wound healing (1). Without the appropriate development of a blood supply, tissues cannot survive; the circulatory system being essential for the supply of oxygen and nutrients to tissues and for removal of by products of metabolism.
In adults, angiogenesis is a relatively rare occurrence except during wound healing. However, there are a number of "angiogenesis-dependent diseases" in adults where angiogenesis is of critical importance (1-3). The most important of these is the angiogenesis associated with the growth of solid tumours, proliferative retinopathies and rheumatoid arthritis. The development of angiogenesis inhibitors may provide a means for controlling these diseases but current assays for angiogenesis are cumbersome, time consuming and usually based on in vivo systems. The three most frequently used models are the rabbit corneal pocket, the hamster cheek pouch and the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays (1-4). In each system an angiogenic substances must be implanted in the cornea, cheek pouch or the CAM in order to induce angiogenesis. All three assays suffer from the need to artificially induce angiogenesis, the requirement for a sustained-release polymeric vehicle for the angiogenic substance and inhibitor (5), and the technical complexities associated with setting up the assay, including using live animals, and measuring the outcome. The rabbit corneal assay has the additional disadvantage of being ethically unacceptable in many research institutions.
Because of these disadvantages there is a great need for physiologically relevant, in vitro assays for angiogenesis, particularly human angiogenesis. Previous in vitro assays have usually entailed establishing long term cultures of endothelial cells and inducing formation of microvessels by placing the cells on extracellular matrices (6-8) or exposing the cells to various angiogenic stimuli (9-11). Such assays are highly artificial and may not represent a physiological response, particularly as the endothelial cells are already activated, having been cultured for considerable periods of time in the presence of growth factors before use.
The in vitro assay of the present invention represents an angiogenic response which mirrors a normal physiological response, namely neo-vascularisation following blood vessel damage. In one embodiment, the assay of the present invention provides substantial advantages over a previously described procedure where a large volume of frequently replaced culture medium is necessary (12). This is because, in one embodiment, use of a miniaturised assay makes it feasible to test pro- and antiangiogenic substances. Furthermore, the overall cost of the assay (i.e. labour costs, media and tissue flask expenses) is dramatically reduced and the assay, when conducted in a convenient 24 or 48 well format, allows rapid examination and quantification by light microscopy. In addition the assay in all of its embodiments is ethically acceptable because it avoids the use of live animals. Furthermore it provides direct information about the effects of particular angiogenic modulating substances on a particular species because vascular tissue from that species can be used in the assay. For example the assay can directly determine whether a particular substance has angiogenic modulating ability in humans since human tissue may be used in the assay.
In work leading up to the present invention, the inventors discovered that small fragments of human placental blood vessels embedded in a fibrin clot displayed a complex network of blood vessels growing out of the vessel fragment following 7-14 days culture. The assay was performed in 24 or 48 well culture plates with the use of small volumes of media (0.5-1 ml/well) with infrequent media changes (twice weekly). It is expected that physiological gels other than fibrin will produce a similar response.
The angiogenic response found by the present inventors appears to be totally spontaneous, not requiring the addition of angiogenic factors to the cultures, and without wishing to be bound by theory, presumably represents the wound healing response of a severed blood vessel.


A gas generating composition which is capable of significantly reducing the concentration of harmful gas components, particularly carbon monoxide, in the generated gas. Also a process for molding a gas generating composition in a suitable shape with high efficiency without a risk of explosion, fire or the like, the process being capable of producing a durable and firm molded gas generating composition.. The gas generating composition of the invention contains an oxide-based catalyst comprising at least two members selected from the elements of Groups I, IV, V, VI, VII and VIII in the periodic table in addition to the nitrogen-containing organic compound and the oxygen-containing inorganic oxidizing agent both essentially incorporated in the gas generating composition. The invention also provides a process for molding a gas generating composition, the process comprising the steps of adding 5 to 20% by weight of water to a gas generating composition essentially containing a nitrogen-containing organic compound and an oxyhalogen acid salt and further containing an oxide-based catalyst to give a wet mixture, granulating the wet mixture into wet granules, drying the wet granules to provide a discrete preparation and compression-molding the discrete preparation.

Air bag systems have been developed for automotive use. The air bag systems can quickly inflate an air bag with a gas generated from a gas generating composition to prevent the riders from being injured or killed by crashing, through inertia, against a steering wheel, a front windshield or other solid or hazardous parts in the automobile or the like in the event of collision of the automobile or the like running at a high speed. Gas generating compositions suitable for use with automotive air bag systems are to meet rigorous requirements. First, the air bag is required to be inflated in a very short time, usually within 30 to 50 milliseconds. Further, an optimum atmosphere in the bag corresponds in the composition to the air in the automobile or the like.
Currently available gas generating compositions containing an alkali metal salt or alkaline earth metal salt of hydrazoic acid, particularly sodium azide, as a gas generating base are able to meet the foregoing requirements and are good. However, these gas generating compositions have the drawback that the sodium azide as the main component and alkali components produced as by-products in the generation of a gas are toxic. Fears are entertained as to the environmental pollution entailed in the mass disposal of air bag system-loaded automobiles.
To overcome the foregoing problem, azide-free gas generating compositions have been developed as a substitute for sodium azide-based gas generating compositions. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.208878/1991 discloses a composition comprising tetrazole, triazole or a metal salt thereof as the main component, an oxygen-containing oxidizing agent such as ammonium perchlorate, sodium nitrate, etc., and a metallic oxide such as V.sub.2 O.sub.5, CuO, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.5, etc. Generally the air bag system is adapted to remove the undesired substances from the generated gas by filtration before the discharge of the gas into the bag. The role of the metallic oxide in the disclosed composition is to form a solid product of combustion which can be easily filtered. On the other hand, Japanese Examined Patent Publications Nos.6156/1989 and 6157/1989 disclose gas generating compositions comprising a metal salt of a hydrogen-free bitetrazole compound as the main component. Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.213687/1993 discloses a gas generating composition comprising a transition metal complex of aminoarazole as the main component. The azide-free compounds taught in the foregoing series of prior art publications have the feature that carbon monoxide is produced in a low concentration because the compound has a small number of carbon atoms per molecule. But the disclosed compositions are all unsatisfactory in the time required for inflating the bag.
The inventor of the present invention previously found that an azide-free gas generating composition comprising, as active components, a specific nitrogen-containing organic compound such as azodicarbonamide and a specific oxygen-containing inorganic oxidizing agent such as potassium perchlorate is unlikely to cause environmental pollution and fully satisfactory in the bag-inflating time and is advantageous also in terms of costs. Then, the inventor filed patent applications on these findings (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications Nos.32689/1994, 32690/1994 and 227884/1994). Such gas generating compositions produce remarkable results which are as follows.
(a) These compositions generate a large amount of a gas per unit mass, thereby contributing to the miniaturization of automotive air bag inflators and to the reduction of their weight. Forty grams of the gas generating composition suffices for a 60 l air bag in contrast with 60 to 80 g of conventional gas generating compositions required for the same bag.
(b) The compositions have the combustibility required of inflators. In a 60 l tank test, the compositions are equivalent to conventional gas generating compositions in the results plotted in a time/pressure curve.
(c) The compositions are prepared from low-toxicity compounds and thus are of lower toxicity themselves than conventional compositions.
(d) The compositions are prepared from low-hygroscopicity compounds and thus are of low hygroscopicity themselves. Thus, they can be more easily handled than conventional compositions.
(e) The gas and the suspended particulate substances produced by the combustion of the gas generating composition are relatively low in toxicity and lower in toxicity than those from conventional compositions. Accordingly the solid components of combustion product can be substantially completely removed by the filter used in conventional inflators.
(f) Even if an air bag-loaded automobile or transport vehicle carrying inflators should fall into water, spreading the composition in the water, a less damage would be done by the pollution than the case of conventional compositions.
(g) After the operation of an air bag, copper and potassium chloride predominantly remain as trapped by the filter in the inflator. These substances are unlikely to adversely affect the operators' health during the disassembly of air bag systems.
It is well known that in burning a carbon-containing organic compound, carbon monoxide is produced as an incompletely burned substance even if an oxidizing agent is used in an amount sufficient to generate an amount of oxygen essentially required for burning the carbon, hydrogen and combustible elements in the organic compound, namely even if it is used in excess of a stoichiometric amount. Consequently the nitrogen-containing organic compound such as azodicarbonamide which is a base for the gas generating composition is expected to produce a relatively large amount of carbon monoxide as a by-product on combustion of the compound particularly because of a great number of carbon atoms present per molecule of the compound.
An attempt may be made to use a catalyst useful in the conversion from carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide in order to avoid the production of carbon monoxide as a by-product. Numerous compounds are known as the catalyst as disclosed, for example, in "List 1 of Classification of Catalysts According to Reactions" (edited by Tarama Laboratory, Kyoto University, published by Kagaku Kogyo Sha, pp.291-292). But there is unknown a catalyst which can meet the reaction conditions of gas generating compositions for an air bag, that is, can exhibit an effective reactivity within a contact time of generally approximately tens of milliseconds.

Azodicarbonamide containing gas generating composition


An image scanning unit includes at least two lens groups for imaging a reflected image of a manuscript on a lined photoelectric conversion element (12), lens barrels (14, 15) for holding the lenses, respectively, and constituting an imaging lens system (16), a base member (10) on which the lined photoelectric conversion element (12) and the lens barrels (14, 15) are disposed, and intermediate holding members (13, 19) for mounting at least one of the lens barrels (14) and the lined photoelectric conversion element (12) on the base member (10).

The application claims the priority benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-198593 filed on Jul. 17, 2003.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improvement in an image scanning unit and an image forming apparatus for using it, which has a simple structure and an easy assembly and is capable of enhancing accuracy of image scanning.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, it has been known an image scanning unit, which has an imaging lens system including lenses more than 1 group. In the conventional image scanning unit, an illuminating light source of a manuscript is moved in the sub scanning direction, and the reflected light from the manuscript is reduced and imaged on a lined photoelectric conversion element through the imaging lens system, and then a luminous flux imaged on the lined photoelectric conversion element is photo-electrically converted to be output as an image scanning signal.
In this image scanning unit, if the imaged luminous flux is deviated from the light receiving surface of the lined photoelectric conversion element in the optical axis direction, the scanning image is deteriorated. A distance between lenses is therefore adjusted in order for the scanning image to meet a drafting standard by adjusting a distance of each lens group in the image scanning unit.
Moreover, in the image scanning unit, the portion of a lens 2 contributing to the imaging of the lined photoelectric conversion element is the portion of area 3 which is surrounded by dotted lines, as shown in FIG. 1. The imaging performance such as aberration in the portion of the area 3 is scattered in the turning direction of the lens. Even thought the lens 2 is set such that the portion of the area 3 becomes parallel to the lined photoelectric conversion element 1, and the distance between the lens 2 and the lined photoelectric conversion element 1 is adjusted in order for the imaging position of the imaged luminous flux to be parallel to the lined photoelectric conversion element 1, if the portion of the area 4 is set to be parallel to the lined photoelectric conversion element 1, the imaging position of the imaged luminous flux may be deviated from the light receiving surface of the lined photoelectric conversion element 1 in the optical axis direction, and deterioration in an image quality is caused.
Especially for a lens used in an image scanning unit for scanning a color image, if an imaging position among a blue wavelength, a green wavelength, and a red wavelength is deviated in the turning direction of the lens, a color image is not well reproduced. Therefore, it is also necessary to adjust a lens in the turning direction.
In order to improve an image quality by adjusting the distance between lenses and the turning direction of lens, there has been known a conventional image scanning unit (For example, JPA-H11-337799). In such an image scanning unit, one lens barrel is divided into two lens barrels, and each lens is held by both of the divided lens barrels. Screw portions are formed in the circumference of one divided lens barrel and in the inner circumference of the other divided lens barrel, and then both of the screw portions are screwed together, and the distance between lens groups are adjusted by turning both of the divided lens barrels.
However, in this related art, if the distance between the lens groups held by each divided lens barrel is adjusted, each lens group is turned with the turning of the divided lens barrel. Therefore, there was a problem that the turning of the lens group and the adjustment of the distance are not separately carried out.
Moreover, in this related art, in order to prevent the winding down of the screw portions, a guide portion of turning direction is provided in the divided lens barrel. However, if the axis core of the guide portion and the optical axis center of the lens are decentered, the optical axis center is turned about the axis core of the guide portion with the turning of the divided lens barrel. An extremely accurate lens barrel should be manufactured in order to avoid such turning, but the manufacture of the extremely accurate lens barrel is difficult because the lens barrel shape is increasingly complicated.

Unit for scanning an image and an image forming apparatus for using it


An extendable tray structure is disclosed for receiving a server. The extendable tray structure is composed of a tray main body, a tray extension body and a plurality of locking elements, wherein the tray main body has a plurality of locking holes, and the tray extension body has a plurality of stripe-shaped openings which are parallel to each other, and the locking elements are installed on the locking holes of the tray main body through the stripe-shaped openings. The extendable tray structure is featured in extending and adjusting the length of the tray structure by positioning the locking elements in the stripe-shaped openings.

A server is usually held in a tray structure, and sliding rails are mounted on both sides of the tray structure for protecting the server and benefiting the server to move. With the daily increase of various applications, the size of the server is frequently changed in accordance with different requirements, and thus the server is much heavier than ever. When the size of the receiver is changed (such as from 20 inches to 24 inches), the old tray can be used no longer, and another tray has to be used instead to hold the new sever. When the server has been used for a certain period of time, the siding rails located on both sides of the tray will be deformed, and particularly for holding an even heavier server (such as in 5U specification), the conventional tray is not sustainable, and has to be replaced frequently, thus not only causing a lot of inconvenience to users, but also wasting quite a lot of money.
Since the conventional server tray structure has the difficulty of sustaining a heavy server, and cannot satisfy the needs of changing the server's size, the server tray has to be replaced quite often.
Hence, there is a need to develop an extendable tray structure for effectively adjusting the length of the tray structure for receiving servers with various sizes; reinforcing the strength of the tray structure, so as to sustain heavier servers.


A circuit design support method, system, and computer program product for displaying information on a circuit information described according to each design level in circuit design is described. The method and system includes acquiring behavior level description information by description of a behavior level. They also include acquiring lower level description information in a design level lower than the behavior level. Further, acquiring correspondence information for making correspondence between part of the behavior level description information and part of the lower level description information is included, along with displaying correspondence between part of the behavior level description information and part of the lower level description information based on the correspondence information. Displaying the correspondence can further include receiving a user selection of a part of the correspondence information, and highlighting the user selection of both the behavior level description information and the lower level description information from the correspondence information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit design support system, and more particularly to a circuit design support system for displaying the circuit information described by the description of each design level.
2. Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor circuits, such as LSIs, are manufactured in fabrication steps, after a series of design steps which include system design, function design, logic design and layout design. In this series of design steps, various design support systems and programs are used to support the design of large scale integrated circuits.
In each design step, an optimum description method is taken to clarify the content of a configuration. For example, in the function design, the circuit information described by behavior level description and the function level description are used for designing, and in logic design, the circuit information described by gate level description and the transistor level description are used.
Recently to improve design efficiency, a method that converts the behavior level description of C language into an RTL description by behavioral synthesis is attracting attention. Behavioral synthesis is disclosed, for example, in Giovanni DeMicheli: "Synthesis and Optimization of Digital Circuits," McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1994, pp. 141-266.
In logical synthesis, delay analysis is performed by simulating the behavior of each gate, and the delay time for each path, of which the start point is the input terminal or storage element and the end point is the output terminal or storage element, is output as a delay report. If this delay time exceeds the design reference value, this is a delay rule violation, so the designer must correct the RTL description. However the problem here is that it is difficult to identify the RTL description, corresponding to a path or gate, which is in violation of the rule, from the delay report. Therefore in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-242183, a method for corresponding the delay report and the RTL description is disclosed.
FIG. 25 shows an example of the configuration of a conventional circuit design support system. This conventional circuit design support system 2500 comprises a control unit 2510, storage unit 2520, display unit 2530 and input unit 2540. The control unit 2510 further comprises logical synthesis processing 2511, delay analysis processing 2512 and correspondence display processing 2513, and the storage unit 2520 further comprises RTL description information 2521, route information 2522, logical circuit information 2523, delay report information 2524 and correspondence information 2525.
For example, the RTL description information 2521, which is the circuit information of the RTL description, is input by the designer via the input unit 2540, and is stored in the storage unit 2520. The route information 2522, which is information on the start point and the end point of the route of the path when the delay is analyzed, is input and stored in the storage unit 2520 by the designer.
The logical synthesis processing 2511 generates logical circuit information 2523, which is the circuit information of the gate level description of the route, based on the RTL description information 2521 and the route information 2522, and stores it in the storage unit 2520. The logical synthesis processing 2511 also creates the correspondence information 2525, which indicates the correspondence relationship between the RTL description information 2521 and the logical circuit information 2523, and stores it in the storage unit 2520.
The delay analysis processing 2512 analyzes the delay of the logical circuit and creates the delay report information 2524 based on the logical circuit information 2523, and stores it in the storage unit 2520.
The correspondence display processing 2513 displays the RTL description corresponding to the gate which has the delay on the display unit 2530 based on the RTL description information 2521, the delay report information 2524 and the correspondence information 2525. By this, the area to be corrected of the RTL description can be clarified.
However if the RTL description is generated by the behavioral synthesis of the behavior level description using a conventional circuit design support system 2500, and logical synthesis is performed, there is no means of corresponding the behavior level description before behavioral synthesis and the RTL description after behavioral synthesis, so the designer opens each description by an editor and performs confirmation and correction while estimating the correspondence relationship.
In this way, if logical synthesis is performed after behavioral synthesis in the conventional circuit design support system, and if the delay rule violation is detected by the delay analysis, then the behavior level description cannot be displayed, even if the RTL description corresponding to the path where the delay rule violation occurred can be displayed. Therefore the designer is required to perform complicated manual work in order to correspond the RTL description generated by the behavioral synthesis with the behavior level description before behavioral synthesis. Therefore the design operation consumes time, and it is difficult for the user unaccustomed to such work.
Also in the conventional circuit design support system, the designer checks the design while estimating the correspondence relationship between the behavior level description before behavioral synthesis and the RTL description after behavioral synthesis, so the design operation consumes time, and correspondence mistakes occur.
As described above, in the case of the conventional circuit design support system, if the circuit is designed using the circuit information for the behavior level description, the behavior level description and the description of other levels cannot be corresponded, so the design efficiency is poor, which may cause design defects.

Method, system, and computer program for validating correspondence information between behavior and lower level description of a circuit design


Methods, systems, and apparatuses for improved content scoring and delivery are described. A quality score for delivered content may be determined based on one or more output metrics. A first quality score may be provided to a content distribution network. The content distribution network may instruct the user device, or the user device may determine without receiving such an instruction, of methods/processes by which it may improve the one or more output metrics associated with output of the delivered content by adjusting one or more output parameters. The first quality score may also be used by the content distribution network to determine methods/processes by which network-related parameters and constraints may be managed in order to improve the quality of delivered content.

The quality of content delivered through a content distribution network may be affected by an array of network-related and user device-related constraints. At times when content is being requested by a large number of user devices, the quality level of content delivered at many user devices may be negatively impacted due to bandwidth bottlenecks, deployment schemes, and other network-related constraints. User devices may be similarly constrained by resource availability as well as by external sources of interference. In order to ensure each user device is supplied with requested content at an optimal quality level, content may be scored as it is delivered to, or as it is output by, user devices. Content scores may be used by the content distribution network, as well as by the user devices, to improve the quality level of delivered content. These and other considerations are addressed by the present description.


An information processing apparatus includes: an input unit; a storing unit configured to store wiring layout information and layer configuration information of a multilayer printed circuit board; a layout displaying unit configured to display a wiring layout drawing based on the wiring layout information; a clipping position specifying unit configured to specify a clipping position on the displayed wiring layout drawing in response to user's operation of the input unit; and a cross section displaying unit configured to display a cross section indicating a cross-sectional structure of the wiring layout of the multilayer printed circuit board along the specified clipping position on the display based on the wiring layout information and the layer configuration information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for displaying information concerning a multilayer printed circuit board and an information display method used with the apparatus.
2. Background Art
In recent years, CAD (computer-aided design) has been used for design of a printed circuit board. The CAD enables the user to easily design the wiring layout of a printed circuit board, etc. The design data generated using the CAD contains circuit diagram data and layout drawing data. The layout drawing data is information indicating the wiring layout of a printed circuit board. Using the layout drawing data, a wiring layout drawing indicating the wiring layout of the designed printed circuit board can be displayed on a display of a computer. The wiring layout drawing is a drawing of viewing the signal layer of the printed circuit board from above.
A design supporting system having a function of calculating the characteristic impedance of the wiring of a printed circuit board is also known. (For example, refer to JP-A-2003-186942) The characteristic impedance of the wiring is calculated to check whether or not the designed wiring is good.

Information processing apparatus and information display method


An apparatus and method for allowing emergency calling with a Global System for Mobile (GSM) radiotelephone during temperature extremes includes a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card, a temperature sensor; and a controller that detects when the radiotelephone has a SIM card error, whereupon the controller obtains a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor. If it is found that the temperature measurement is outside of an operating temperature range of the SIM card, the controller permits the radiotelephone to make an emergency calls only.

In current communication device systems such as the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) radiotelephone system, a SIM card is inserted into a radiotelephone for providing subscriber identification, billing information and other information concerning the operation of the communication device. Before allowing any non-emergency call the radiotelephone must detect a SIM card inserted therein. If no SIM card is detected then no non-emergency calls are allowed. However, in accordance with existing GSM standards, SIM cards need only be operable within a temperature range of −25° C. to 70° C. with occasional peaks up to +85° C. Therefore, a SIM card may not be detected in the radiotelephone when the radiotelephone is located in a temperature environment outside of the normal −25° C. to 70° C. temperature range. Thus, the SIM card is the limiting factor in automotive grade radiotelephone's designed to work from −40° C. to +85° C.
Although it is unlikely that a user and/or communication device would be in an over 70° C. environment, it is quite common in colder climates for a user to be in a less than −25° C. environment, which would prevent their being able to use the radiotelephone, in an emergency or otherwise. For example, a user entering a vehicle utilizing a GSM radiotelephone system in a cold climate during winter may not be able to use their phone. If there is an emergency situation in this case, which can be dangerous given the temperature, it is highly desirable that the radiotelephone work even if the SIM card is inoperable.
The above problem is becoming an increasing concern as more and more GSM systems are being incorporated into onboard Telematics communications systems for vehicles. Existing systems do not address the temperature issues and behave the same as their portable counterparts. For example, in one system an inoperable SIM card will generate an error message, but take no other action in order to recover from the error, regardless of temperature. In this case, the radiotelephone must continually be turned on and off in an attempt to recover. In another system, a controller may recognize that a SIM card is inserted, but if the SIM card is inoperable, the controller will place itself in an endless reset loop. In yet another system, the radiotelephone may immediately switch off if a temperature extreme condition is encountered and the unit is not in the middle of an emergency call. Once the emergency call is ended the unit will then immediately switch off if a temperature extreme condition is still encountered. In all of these prior solutions, there is no controlled recovery mode for returning the radiotelephone to normal service.
What is needed is an apparatus and method to detect those times when a SIM card in a communication device is inoperable due to temperature extremes and affect the means to return the radiotelephone to normal service. It would also be of benefit to allow emergency calling at extended automotive temperature ranges when it is found that the SIM card is inoperable due to temperature extremes. Further, it is desirable to provide this protection with a minimal change of software and hardware.

Emergency calling with a GSM radiotelephone


Electrodes that are configured to apply energy within the tissue while moving relative to the tissue. The apparatuses (devices, assemblies, systems) described herein may be configured with one or more electrodes that may move slightly in oscillatory movement and/or rotation relative to the tissue. The apparatuses described herein may be used to apply energy to a patient while minimizing or preventing the unintended modification of the tissue adjacent to the electrode, such as by arcing.

Electrical energy may be applied within the tissue for a variety of purposes, including for the treatment of medical conditions. Electrical energy may be provided through an electrode that is inserted and/or implanted into the tissue. In some cases, the application of electrical energy by an electrode may result in the undesirable modification of the tissue at or around the electrode. Such tissue modifications may include changing the tissue impedance, such as by dehydration, which may make the application of electrical energy less controlled and predictable. For example, energy, and particularly high-voltage or high power energy, applied to the tissue may progressively change the impedance of the surrounding tissue in some regions near the electrode; at some point, the change in tissue impedance may result in an uncontrolled electrical discharge, such as an arc.
Although some systems are configured to monitor the tissue response so that the applied energy may be adjusted in order to avoid uncontrolled discharges, these solutions are not ideal, as they may simply limit the application and/or rate of application of energy to the tissue and may require discontinuing or suspending treatment. This may prolong treatment times, lower treatment dosing to less than needed or desired, or even cause premature discontinuation of the treatment.
This problem may be particularly acute when applying rapid, high-energy pulses, e.g., to treat patients. For example, nanosecond high voltage pulse generators have been described for biological and medical applications. See: Gundersen et al. "Nanosecond Pulse Generator Using a Fast Recovery Diode", IEEE 26th Power Modulator Conference, 2004, pages 603-606; Tang et al. "Solid-State High Voltage Nanosecond Pulse Generator," IEEE Pulsed Power Conference, 2005, pages 1199-1202; Tang et al. "Diode Opening Switch Based Nanosecond High Voltage Pulse Generators for Biological and Medical Applications", IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, Vol. 14, No. 4, 2007, pages 878-883; Yampolsky et al., "Repetitive Power Pulse Generator With Fast Rising Pulse" U.S. Pat. No. 6,831,377; Schoenbach et al. "Method and Apparatus for Intracellular Electro-Manipulation", U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,177; Gundersen et al., "Method for Intracellular Modifications Within Living Cells Using Pulsed Electric Fields", U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0062074; Kuthi et al., "High Voltage Nanosecond Pulse Generator Using Fast Recovery Diodes for Cell Electro-Manipulation", U.S. Pat. No. 7,767,433; Krishnaswamy et al., "Compact Subnanosecond High Voltage Pulse Generation System for Cell Electro-Manipulation", U.S. Patent Application No. 2008/0231337; and Sanders et al. "Nanosecond Pulse Generator", U.S. Patent Application No. 2010/0038971. The entire content of these publications is incorporated herein by reference.
Because of the extremely high therapeutic voltages, as well as the very fast pulse times, applicators for delivery of such nanopulse stimulation devices must be configured so as to avoid or at least minimize arcing between the applicators. In some cases, the applicator may be configured to penetrate into the tissue and may include multiple needle-type electrodes. Such applicators may be particularly difficult to use with high-voltage systems while avoiding undesirable arcing. For example, when using a needle electrode, a small corona discharge can occur at locations of high current density on the needle (i.e., the very tip of the sharpened needle, or a sharpened needle edge on a trocar-shaped needle, or the transition between exposed needle/metal and insulation on the needle/metal). As the treatment progresses, the corona discharge during each pulse may start to break down the tissue.
Another issue referred to as "tenting" may occur when electrodes, and particularly needle electrodes, are inserted into the tissue; the tissue that is being penetrated by the electrode may stretch around the electrode(s) as pressure is applied. This may form an air gap (shaped like a tent) around the electrode. This issue may be exacerbated with multiple needle electrodes adjacent to each other, in which the tissue gap (tent) around one needle can overlap with the tissue gap (tent) of neighboring needle electrodes, forming a larger gap than with a single needle electrode. This tenting effect can also lead to arcing, particularly at the surface of the tissue.
The methods and apparatuses described herein may address various issues raised above.

Moving electrodes for the application of electrical therapy within a tissue


A processor includes a plurality of execution units configured to execute instructions, a pre-decoder configured to sieve out a power-switching instruction from the instructions, and a power controller configured to control the status of the execution unit based on the power-switching instruction. The power controller includes an identification decoder configured to generate identifications respectively corresponding to the execution units from the power-switching instruction, and a power manager configured to switch the execution unit corresponding to the identification. Particularly, the power-switching instruction includes a power-on instruction and a power-off instruction. The processor further includes a plurality of reservation tables each configured to store the instruction to be executed by one of the execution units, and a turn-off signal is not conveyed to the power manager until the reservation table corresponding to the execution unit to be turned off is empty.

The demands of power-constrained mobile and embedded computing applications increase rapidly. Reducing power consumption hence becomes a crucial challenge for today's software and hardware developers. While maximization of battery life is an obvious goal, the reduction of heat dissipation is important as well. The reduction of power consumption is an objective similar to the reduction of heat dissipation. Minimization of power dissipation can be considered at algorithmic, architectural, logic and circuit levels. Studies on low power design are abundant in the literature in which various techniques have been proposed to synthesize designs with low transitional activities. Recently, new research directions in reducing power consumption have begun to address the issues on the aspect of architecture designs and on software arrangements at instruction-level to help reduce power consumption. The architecture and software efforts to reduce energy consumption in recent attempts have been primarily on the dynamic component of power dissipation (also known as dynamic power).
Various techniques have been proposed to reduce the power consumption of processors. These techniques include increasing the integration of circuitry and incorporation of improved circuitry and power management units (PMUs). One specific power reduction technique employed in processors generally involves the capability of stopping clock signals that drive inactive circuit portions. A system employing such a technique typically includes a power management unit that detects or predicts inactive circuit portions and accordingly stops the clock signals associated with the inactive circuit portions. By turning off "unused" clock signals that drive inactive circuit portions, overall power consumption of the system is decreased. A similar technique involves the capability of reducing the frequency of clock signals that drive circuit portions during operating modes, which are not time critical, and another technique involves the capability of removing power from inactive circuit portions.

Processor employing a power managing mechanism and method of saving power for the same


A system for identifying transmission rates of an optical signal transmitted in an optical communication network includes a signal converter for converting a sample of the optical signal to an electrical signal. A frequency analyzer analyzes the electrical signal to determine energy levels of the signal at predetermined frequencies. The detected energy levels are stored in a first memory device. A second memory device stores known energy levels at predetermined frequencies for a plurality of known optical transmission standards. A comparator receives the detected energy levels stored in the first memory device and compares this information to the known transmission standards stored in the second memory device in order to identify the data transmission standard of the optical signal.

Optical communications networks utilize various optical data transmission standards using different coding schemes. Such standards include, for example, SONET, G.709 FEC, and FF64 FEC. In the operation of optical switches within such optical communications networks, it is desirable to pre-identify the type of data to be switched.
The classification of a high speed data signal generally involves performing a bit-level signal analysis. The clock and data signal is recovered and a bit-wise analysis of the data stream is performed. Additionally, an identification tone may be applied to a signal at its transmission source and the tone recovered and any information transferred therein. Recovery of high-speed data is a complex process as well as being expensive. Use of the identification tone requires that a transmitter be specifically engineered to add this functionality to the communications network. This solution is not viable when working with transmitters from multiple suppliers.
Therefore, a need exits for a system for classifying a high-speed data signal in an optical communications network which is inexpensive, easy to implement and uses information from existing transmission standards with no special signal conditioning.

System and method for classifying high speed data signals utilizing low frequency electrical spectral characteristics


The invention is based on the problem of devising a circuit arrangement (10) for protecting electronic devices from incorrect logic voltages, wherein this circuit arrangement delivers increased protection against overvoltages, so that this circuit arrangement could also be used in multi-channel fail-safe systems that satisfy, for example, Performance Level “e” according to DIN EN ISO 13849. The circuit arrangement (10) has an input terminal (80) for connecting a power supply device and at least one voltage converter (90) that delivers, on the output side, an adjustable logic voltage. A controllable switching element (70) is connected between the one or more voltage converters (90, 95) and the input terminal (80). Furthermore, a first monitoring device (20) is provided for monitoring the logic voltage. The first monitoring device (20) is constructed so that it triggers the opening of the switching element (70) when the logic voltage reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Circuits that protective against undervoltages and overvoltages have been known for a long time.
The invention is based on the problem of devising a circuit arrangement for protecting electronic devices against incorrect logic voltages, wherein this circuit arrangement delivers increased protection against overvoltages, so that this circuit arrangement could also be used in multi-channel fail-safe systems that satisfy, for example, Performance Level "e" according to DIN EN ISO 13849.

Circuit arrangement for protecting electronic devices against incorrect logic voltages


A flashlight incorporating operative components that include resilient parts, made of compressable rubber or a polymer, is used for providing the opening or closing of the circuitry for the flashlight to energize or de-energize it, when manual pressure is applied to the back end or sealing cap for the device. The flashlight includes its casing member, with a light exposing end, having an aperture through which the bulb projects its illumination, and a back or battery insertion end, with a sealing means or end cap for closing the casing at this location. A light source, such as a bulb, a battery, a connector for joining the light source to the battery, a fixed contact member integral of the battery, a movable contact member for opening and closing its circuitry, and a resilient member arranged intermediately between the movable contact member and the battery, such that when manual pressure is applied, the resilient member collapses, providing for contact between the electrical components for the flashlight to achieve its illumination. The resilient member being an O-ring or a sleeve, and the connector cooperates with the sleeve to make permanent contact with the movable contact member during assembly of the flashlight.

The present invention relates to flashlights, and more particularly to a flashlight made of soft or resilient plastic that allows battery replacement, and which incorporates resilient means separating an integrally flared movable contact member from the battery, to sustain the flashlight off, under normal conditions, but that upon compressing, the collapse of the resilient means provides for energization of the flashlight bulb, and its illumination for usage.
Flashlights provide a portable source of light which is beneficial when other sources of light are inaccessible, or not available. Some flashlights are disposable in the sense that they last only as long as their batteries endure. Other flashlights are non-disposable, and their batteries need to be replaced as necessary. The disposable models generally cost less to manufacture than the permanent type, but the long-term cost to the consumer of continually replacing disposable flashlights after each battery dies is more expensive than usage of the non-disposable model.
Several attempts have been made to manufacture non-disposable flashlights at a cost comparable to the disposable type. Some manufacturers have altered the working parts of the flashlight to produce a more versatile, cost-effective product. One of the traditional working parts found in all flashlights is a metallic spring. A spring which operates to separate the contact members that close the circuit when joined. The use of metallic parts, and particularly that which is highly conductible, such as made of copper, can be costly, and therefore, increases the cost of the flashlight beyond that of those that are normally disposable, and as a result, makes them commercially impractical for marketing as a budget item, on a mass basis.
Examples of existing flashlights can be seen in the U.S. Pat. No. 2,143,558, to Joers. This type of flashlight utilizes the usual spring combination. The patent to Prideaux, U.S. Pat. No. 2,367,888, also uses a spring for making its electrical contact. But, this flashlight is constructed having a tubular casing, that appears to be made out of some type of rubber, due to the cross-hatching of the material disclosed, and the push button, or switch, as disclosed, is apparently formed of some type of mercury switch, which operates off of gravity contact. The patent to Gelardin, U.S. Pat. No. 2,694,772, shows a flashlight with hermetically sealed casing, but once again it utilizes spring means to achieve its contact. The patent to D'Amore, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,105,233, identified as a fish caller, and which is apparently hermetically sealed, does depress a flexible diaphragm to make a battery contact, but it does not incorporate any type of O-ring configuration, whose resiliency maintains the flashlight normally in the "OFF" condition. The patent to Sussingham, U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,178, shows a reserve type flashlight, which does have a form of conductive wire, formed as a helical wire, that extends from the back end of the battery, up to the lamp, and which is placed into contact upon apparently depressing of its cap, against its button, in order to achieve electrical contact. But, it appears that this particular flashlight is one that once it is initiated, as by rupturing of its closure cap, it remains on and activated.
The patent to Ito, U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,405, shows a capsule lamp, but once again, it utilizes a spring means for attaining electrical contact for its lamp. And, this particular device is used as a form of illumination means for use in conjunction with fishing. The Sharrah U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,129, once again, shows a variety of spring means for attaining flashlight ignition through its tail cap switch. But, this device does disclose an imperforate flexible boot for enclosing the portion of the switching means for the shown flashlight. The disclosure shows an imperforate flexible boot for the flashlight, but as can be seen, its specification defines that it is one machined having an aluminum barrel. The patent to Roberts, U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,437, discloses an electrical light for underwater usage and application.
As shown in most of the prior art, they do incorporate metallic members, such as spring means, that do wear out and often loose their elasticity. As a result, resilient means have occasionally been used in place of springs as disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,105,233, as previously explained. A solid resilient means does not wear out as quickly as a spring, and therefore, adds utility and longevity to the usage and life of a flashlight when constructed in accordance with the teachings of this current invention.


A dimensionally stable fiberglass reinforced thermoplastic magnetic tape data cartridge case, capable of being operated by a high speed tape drive and able to endure rapid tape acceleration and deceleration without becoming warped or otherwise damaged. The cartridge case includes a fiberglass reinforced thermoplastic backplate and cover. The axles for the tape spools and other rotating components of the cartridge are preferably molded into the backplate and extend through boss circumscribed holes in the cover which provide additional dimensional stability to the cartridge.

Magnetic recording tape data cartridges have long been used for recording and playing back audio, video and/or computer data. Where magnetic tape systems are used for storing data from, or retrieving data for use with a computer, it is generally highly desirable that the system be capable of handling data at very high rates, which in turn requires that the tape cartridges be designed to handle high tape speeds, and rapid acceleration and deceleration. To endure such treatment, such tape cartridges have been provided with metal backplates to which moving parts of the tape cartridge such as the tape reels and means operatively engaging the drive means of the tape recorder/player, are mounted. The metal backplate, typically aluminum, provides dimensional stability to the cartridge to prevent it from warping or otherwise becoming damaged because of the large forces applied thereto during rapid acceleration and deceleration of the tape therein. The various components of the tape cartridge are individually attached to the backplate as opposed to being integrally formed with the backplate. Consequently, such tape cartridges are complicated and expensive to make since more parts and operations are required during the assembly process than would otherwise be required if the backplate could be formed from a moldable thermoplastic or thermosetting material.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,255 to VonBehren discloses a magnetic tape cartridge of the kind to which the present invention pertains. Such tapes have been fabricated with aluminum backplates and a clear thermoplastic cover, and have associated with them many of the disadvantages relating to complicated and expensive assembly processes.

Dimensionally stable fiberglass reinforced thermoplastic magnetic tape data cartridge body


Methods of etching substrates employing a trim process for critical dimension control for integrated circuits are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method of etching includes providing a first hard mask layer over a target layer; providing a second hard mask layer over the first hard mask layer; providing a photoresist layer over the second hard mask layer; forming a pattern in the photoresist layer; transferring the pattern into the second hard mask layer; and trimming the second hard mask layer with the photoresist layer on top of the second hard mask layer. The top surface of the second hard mask layer is protected by the photoresist and the substrate is protected by the overlying first hard mask layer during the trim etch, which can therefore be aggressive.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of integrated circuit fabrication, particularly to a trim process for critical dimension control for integrated circuits.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the semiconductor industries, integrated circuit (IC) devices have become faster, smaller, and more efficient. This trend has continued with the development of fabrication technology to increase circuit densities on chips.
Reducing critical dimension is one of the important ways to increase circuit densities. The critical dimension (CD) is the dimension of the smallest geometrical features (width of interconnect line, contacts, trenches, etc.) which can be formed during semiconductor device manufacturing. Critical dimensions need to be reduced in order to facilitate the formation of smaller components and faster, more efficient circuits.
One way of reducing the CD is using a photolithography employing light of a short wavelength. However, as the wavelength of light decreases, photoresist materials become increasingly opaque to the light. Therefore, the current photolithographic technology has a limit in reducing the CD.
Another way of reducing the CD is trimming or shrinking a photoresist pattern by an etch process after forming the pattern by a photolithographic process. A trim process is typically employed for reducing feature edge roughness, reducing size of features, and/or increasing spaces between features. However, etching into underlying layers or structures with small CDs can be troublesome when only using such a photoresist. When etching deep into a substrate to define small features, the photoresist pattern is altered by the etch process by the time the etch process is complete. This causes the substrate to be etched outside of the desired pattern. Poor etching can cause defects in the performance of the device and poor yields. To avoid this problem, a hard mask has been used to transfer a pattern from a photoresist into a substrate.
Yet another way of reducing the CD is shrinking or trimming a hard mask by an etch process after transferring a pattern from photoresist but before transferring the pattern into a substrate. However, this method is not without any problems. While shrinking the pattern width of a hard mask, the thickness of the hard mask can also be reduced. U.S. Pat. No. 6,420,097 illustrates a process by which a hard mask is selectively recessed beneath photoresist. However, while shrinking the hard mask, the substrate or layer of interest underlying the hard mask is also exposed to the hard mask etchant through the openings of the hard mask. These problems prevent the use of an aggressive etch process to reduce the CD. Furthermore, the process is limited to use of particular materials that will permit recessing, and even this can result in deviations from the desired dimensions.

Trim process for critical dimension control for integrated circuits


A double pane window has a blind between the window panes. The interior window pane is in a housing that can be removed from the window frame. A cord guide is provided in the top edge of the housing. The cord guide has a lift cord slot and a tilt cord slot. The blind has at least one lift cord which passes through the lift cord slot and at least one tilt cord which passes through the tilt cord slot. The blind can be raised, lowered and tilted while maintaining a seal between the window frame and the window panes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a double glazed window having a blind between double panes of glass.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known in the art that double panes of glass in a window provides better insulation than a single pane of glass. It is also known in the art to provide venetian type blinds or pleated shades between two panes of glass. A pleated blind between window panes is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,213 to Schnelker. A venetian or slat blind between panes of glass is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,687,040; 4,664,169 and 5,379,825. Control means for lifting, lowering and tilting the blind from one side of the window must be provided while maintaining the window seal. The art has provided cords and cables, sometimes driven by a motor or gear system, as the control means. The most popular systems route the cord through an aperture drilled through the interior pane of glass.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,040 to Ball discloses a device for adjusting the tilt angle of slats of a slat blind positioned between the panes of glass. The device includes a hole in one pane of glass and a flexible cable passing through the hole. The cable is connected to a rectangular member which controls the rotation of the slats. When the cable is turned by external torque, the slats are tilted.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,213 discloses a pleated blind between double window panes and blind control means for raising and lowering the blind. One embodiment is comprised of an aperture in one pane of glass and a bolt with a center hole mounted in the aperture. An actuator cord passes through the bolt hole and further up and over a screen, if desired, thereby providing an external control mechanism.
The prior art has also developed more complicated control means that utilize cables and gear systems that pass through the window frame rather that the glass. U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,169 to Osaka et al. discloses a device for tilting slats of a venetian blind between double panes of glass. The device uses electrical power driving means to move piezoelectric bimorph device in a horizontal plane. The piezoelectric bimorph device is mounted to a block having a threaded bore. The piezoelectric bimorph device mechanically moves an elongated V-shaped beam under two cross arms which control the rotation of the slats. When the beam is moved, the cross arms are tilted, thereby rotating the slats.
The complicated systems that require control means to be mounted in or routed through the window frame are relatively expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, in many of these systems gears and motors wear and then slip or fail. Many of these control devices require a headrail which is too wide to fit between the panes of those windows whose panes are not more than 3/4 inches apart. Hence, these systems have never achieved the popularity of through the glass systems. Those systems which require apertures to be drilled or cut through the glass are disliked by manufacturers because breakage of the glass during drilling and assembly is common.
The problems of the prior art systems discussed above are not present if the control means is a cord or cords routed between the edge of the interior glass panel and the window frame. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,213 Schnelker describes a pleated blind between window panes. In a second preferred embodiment the actuator cord is routed over the glass housing and any screen housing provided. An L-shaped guide having a single vertical and horizontal channel cut therein is fitted over the top edge of the glass housing. An actuator cord passes through the channel. A major problem with this system is that one cannot maintain a seal between the window frame and the edge of the glass housing. Another problem is that most blinds have four control cords, two lift cords and two tilt cords. If all four cords are routed through a single channel they tend to bind and interfere with one another.

Window having a blind between two panes of glass


One embodiment of a reconfigurable graphics processing system includes a first MXM edge connector and a second MXM edge connector affixed to an interposer board and a first MXM board and a second MXM board coupled to the interposer board via the first and second MXM edge connectors, respectively. Each MXM board includes a GPU and other elements necessary to process graphics data. The system couples to the motherboard of a computing device through an interface connector on the interposer board. One advantage of such a system is that it may be configured to deliver more performance than a standard desktop graphics board, while occupying substantially the same volume, through the use of multiple, small form factor MXM boards.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to computer graphics and more particularly to a reconfigurable graphics processing system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Contemporary computing devices typically incorporate a separate graphics card that enables rapid graphics processing for graphics-intensive applications, such as gaming applications. A graphics card generally comprises a printed circuit board (PCB), upon which a plurality of circuit components (such as memory chips and the like) and a graphics processing unit (GPU) are mounted. Graphics cards are typically designed to conform to a card specification, such as the peripheral component interconnect express (PCI Express) or accelerated graphics port (AGP) card specifications that enable the graphics cards to be used in a variety of computing devices. These card specifications control, among other things, the physical characteristics of graphics cards, such as the board outline, connector placement, maximum component height and the like.
One drawback to a PCI Express or AGP graphics card design is that the graphics card usually has to be redesigned each time the GPU is upgraded. In particular, new GPU designs typically require that circuit components be rearranged on the graphics card to accommodate the upgraded GPU, requiring a substantial amount of cost and engineering effort. Also, the time required to redesign a graphics card can be significant due to the amount of research, signal analysis and the like that each new graphics card requires. Typical design cycle times may be between nine and twelve months. The long design cycle time limits the pace at which new GPU technologies can be introduced into the marketplace.
As the foregoing illustrates, there is a need in the art for a graphics board design that can be quickly and inexpensively reconfigured when the GPU is upgraded.

Reconfigurable graphics processing system


An amusement ride (10) involving riders (17) being conveyed through the air. The amusement ride (10) comprises a tower (11) having a column (23), typically of a height of at least 30 meters. A hub structure (33) is supported on the column (23) for rotation with respect thereto and for displacement therealong. A first drive means (51) is provided for rotating the hub structure (33) with respect to the column (23). A second drive means (61) is provided for displacing the hub structure (33) along the column (23). Rider carriers (81) are suspended from the hub structure (33) to undergo motion in response to movement of the hub structure (33) with respect to the column (23), involving the riders (17) being conveyed along a path around the column (23), with the elevation of the riders changing during the ride through displacement of the hub structure (33) along the column (23). The amusement ride (10) is of a design which is conducive to construction on a large scale.

There are a variety of amusement rides involving a rider or riders being conveyed through the air in a manner somewhat simulating flight. The rides can be on a relatively small scale for use in playgrounds, or on a much larger scale for use in fair grounds and theme parks.
One example of a ride involving conveyance of a rider through the air is a swing. Swings can range from the simple variety as commonly used in children's playgrounds to somewhat sophisticated structures requiring mechanisms for raising riders into a launch position from which they are released to swing through a curved trajectory. Whilst swings can provide an entertaining ride, they are generally rather limited in simulating flight, as typically riders only swing back and forth along a curved trajectory. Consequently, the rider achieves essentially the same ride each time.
Another ride involving conveyance of a rider through the air is an aerial carousel, where one or more riders are moved through a generally circular path. Typically, an aerial carousel involves a central column supporting a rotatable hub from which riders are suspended to be conveyed through a circular path about the column, thereby simulating flight. In a simple playground version of such an amusement ride, chains extend from the rotatable hub and have handles (typically configured as rings) attached to their free end so that they can be grasped by the riders. With such rides, the riders initially propel the hub by running around the column while gripping the chains, and thereafter lift their feet from the ground so as to move through the air, simulating flight. In more sophisticated arrangements, the aerial carousels may incorporate rider carriers (such as harnesses or carriages), and also a drive system for driving the hub to cause the rider carriers to move through a circular path around the central column. As with other aerial amusement rides, the ride offered by an aerial carousel is somewhat limited, as the riders merely move through a generally circular path, achieving essentially the same ride each time.
It would be advantageous for there to be an aerial amusement ride which can move a rider through the air but with provision for the ride to be varied should that be desired in order to enhance the sensation experienced by the rider.


A voltage regulator provides power to an information handling system component under management by a controller, such as a Buck circuit managed by a PID controller according to PID coefficient settings. An update module interfaced with the voltage regulator monitors operating conditions of the voltage regulator to update the coefficients used by the controller. For example, changes in the load applied to the voltage regulator and an inductance associated with the voltage regulator are used to periodically compute updated PID coefficients, which are then used by the controller to control the voltage regulator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the field of information handling system power supply, and more particularly to a system and method for dynamic loop compensation for voltage mode control.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
Information handling systems have grown in capability over time due, in part, to the increased number of calculations that are performed by the individual components used to build information handling systems, such as integrated circuits. However, over time, any particular integrated circuit may experience wide variations in the number of calculations that are performed. For example, a central processing unit (CPU) might perform at full capacity when executing intense mathematical operations yet use virtually no capacity when an information handling system is idle. As the number of calculations performed by an integrated circuit increases, the power consumed by the integrated circuit also typically increases. As a result, power demands for integrated circuits used in information handling systems can vary by an order of magnitude depending on the operations being performed by the information handling system. Typically, information handling systems include power regulating circuits that supply power to integrated circuits at a set voltage by varying the current applied at the integrated circuit. One example of a power regulating circuit is the Buck converter, which uses an inductor and two switches, such as a transistor and a diode. The switches open and close to alternately store energy from a power source into the inductor and discharge the inductor into the load.
In order to maintain the precise power requirements of an integrated circuit, power regulating circuits typically include a controller that uses an automatic compensation to control the application of power to the integrated circuit. For example, a Buck converter usually includes a feedback loop, such as a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller that drives the switches so that power applied to the integrated circuit stays within precise parameters. Although the feedback loop may use an analog circuit, typically the analog circuit is converted to digital control parameters used by a digital controller running on a microprocessor, microcontroller, state machine or other digital control embodiment. One difficulty with automatic compensation of a power regulator is that the compensation required for a lightly loaded voltage regulator is often vastly different from a heavily loaded voltage regulator. For example, the operation of a Buck converter in the continuous conduction mode (CCM) in which current remains greater than zero during each commutation cycle is very different from the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) in which current is zero during a portion of each commutation cycle. The poles and zeros of the plants in a DCM system are not the same as those in a CCM system. As a result, Buck converters are often controlled with non-optimal compensation for both DCM and CCM operations to provide a sufficient stability margin for both cases.

System and method for dynamic loop compensation for voltage mode control


In the method, a detection agent apparatus receives location information of a monitoring point on a service path that is sent by a detection control apparatus, where the detection agent apparatus is located in the NFV system; the detection agent apparatus obtains fault locating information from the monitoring point based on the location information of the monitoring point, where the fault locating information is information obtained by the monitoring point according to a filter criterion, and the fault locating information includes the location information of the monitoring point; and the detection agent apparatus sends the fault locating information to the detection control apparatus, where the detection control apparatus may determine a faulty monitoring point based on the fault locating information and a service model corresponding to the service path.

NFV is a technical standard that uses a virtualization technology to carry network software functions by using devices such as a general large-capacity server and memory. NFV mainly uses a general server hardware platform to run virtualization software on a server and create a virtual machine. A network function of a common network element may run on the virtual machine in a form of software, to form a virtualized network function (VNF). In this way, NFV can screen out a difference between hardware platforms, and hardware resources can be shared to the greatest extent.
However, NFV needs to integrate a plurality of components by layers. For example, a plurality of components are integrated, such as a physical server, a host operating system (Host OS), a hypervisor, a virtual switch (vSwitch), a guest operating system (guest OS), a VNF, and NFV management and orchestration (MANO). A main function of NFV may be implemented through packet forwarding and service processing. However, when a packet is transmitted by using the host OS, the hypervisor, the vSwitch, the guest OS, and the VNF, a packet loss may be caused by a fault. Therefore, rapid and effective fault locating needs to be performed for an NFV system.

Fault detection method, apparatus, and system in NFV system


In preferred embodiments, a method of manufacturing a hybrid integrated circuit device is provided, in which a plurality of circuit substrates 10 are manufactured from a single metal substrate 10A′ by dicing. In some embodiments, the method includes: preparing a metal substrate 10A′ having an insulating layer 11 formed on the top surface thereof; forming a plurality of conductive patterns 12 on the top surface of insulating layer 11; forming grooves 20 in lattice form on the rear surface of metal substrate 10B′; mounting hybrid integrated circuits onto conductive patterns 12; and separating individual circuit substrates 10 with, for example, a rotatable cutter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains generally to integrated circuit devices and preferred embodiments pertain generally to methods for manufacturing a hybrid integrated circuit device and, more particularly, to a hybrid integrated circuit device manufacturing method with which a plurality of circuit substrates are manufactured by dicing from a single, large-size metal substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
The following description sets forth the inventors' knowledge of related art and problems therein and should not necessarily be construed as an admission of knowledge in the prior art.
A hybrid integrated circuit device from the related art shall now be described with reference to FIGS. 24(A)-(B). In this regard, FIG. 24(A) is a perspective view of a hybrid integrated circuit device 6. FIG. 24(B) is a sectional view taken along the line X-X′ of FIG. 24(A).
As illustrated in FIGS. 24(A) and 24(B), the existing hybrid integrated circuit device 6 has the following arrangement. The hybrid integrated circuit device 6 includes a rectangular substrate 60, a conductive pattern 62 formed on an insulating layer 61 that is disposed on the top surface of substrate 60, circuit elements 63 affixed onto the conductive pattern 62, metal wires 65 which electrically connect circuit elements 63 with the conductive pattern 62, and leads 64 which are electrically connected with the conductive pattern. The hybrid integrated circuit device 6 is completed as a product by sealing the hybrid integrated circuit formed on the top surface of circuit substrate 60 with an insulating resin or a case material, etc.
A method of manufacturing hybrid integrated circuit device 6 shall now be described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 27. First, a step of partitioning a large-size metal substrate 66A into elongated parts will be described with reference to FIGS. 25(A)-25(B). In this regard, FIG. 25(A) is a plan view of large-size metal substrate 66A and FIG. 25(B) is a sectional view of large-size metal substrate 66A. Now, a method of partitioning large-size metal substrate 66A into elongate parts will be described with reference to FIG. 25(A). As shown in FIG. 25(A), a large-size metal substrate 66A is partitioned into elongated parts along lines D4. This partitioning is performed by shearing using a shear force. The metal substrate that has been partitioned into elongated parts may be partitioned further into two or more parts in consideration of workability in a subsequent bonding step, etc. In the illustrated example, the metal substrate that has been partitioned into elongated parts is partitioned further into two metal substrates 66B that differ in length.
The arrangement of a metal substrate 66A shall now be described with reference to FIG. 25(B). As shown, the substrate 66A is formed of aluminum and both of its surfaces have been subjected to an alumite treatment. In addition, an insulating layer 61, for the insulation of the metal substrate 66A with respect to a conductive pattern, is provided on the surface on which a hybrid integrated circuit is to be formed. A copper foil 68, which becomes a conductive pattern 62 (shown in FIG. 26(B)), is press bonded to insulating layer 61.
A step of forming a hybrid integrated circuit 67 on the top surface of the metal substrate 66B that has been partitioned as an elongate part shall now be described with reference to FIGS. 26(A)-(B). In this regard, FIG. 26(A) is a plan view of an elongated metal substrate 66B on which a plurality of hybrid integrated circuits 67 have been formed. FIG. 26(B) is a sectional view of FIG. 26(A).
First, conductive patterns 62 are formed by etching copper foil 68 that has been press bonded onto insulating layer 61. Here, conductive patterns 62 are etched so as to form a plurality of hybrid integrated circuits on the elongated metal substrate 66B. In some cases, a resin overcoat is applied above the conductive patterns 62 in order to protect conductive patterns 62.
Solder or brazing material is then used to affix circuit elements 63 onto predetermined locations on each conductive pattern 62. Passive elements and active elements may be employed generally as circuit elements 63. In cases where a power transistor is mounted, the transistor is mounted onto a heat sink that is affixed to the conductive pattern.
A method of partitioning the metal substrate 66B, on which a plurality of hybrid integrated circuits 67 have been formed, into individual circuit substrates 60 shall now be described with reference to FIG. 27. As shown, individual circuit substrates 60, each having a hybrid integrated circuit 67 formed on a top surface, are partitioned from metal substrate 66B by punching out parts of the circuit substrate 60 using a press. In this regard, the press punches out the metal substrate 66B from the surfaces on which hybrid integrated circuits 67 are formed. In this manner, in order to carry out the punching operation, margins are provided around the peripheral end parts of circuit substrate 60, where margins conductive patterns 62 and circuit elements 63 are not formed.
After individually separating the circuit substrates 60 in the above step, the substrates are then completed as products by a step of sealing the hybrid integrated circuit 67, etc.
The above-described hybrid integrated circuit devices and the methods of manufacture thereof had a number of problems.
As a first problem, during the separation of a circuit substrate 60 from a metal substrate 66B by "punching" with a press, due to the impact of "punching," cracks are often formed in the insulating layer 61 formed on the surface of circuit substrate 60.
As a second problem, the insulating layer 61 is formed on the top surface of metal substrate 66B, which insulating layer 61 is extremely hard since it is highly filled with alumina. As a result, there is the problem that the blade edge of the press for performing "punching" can wear quickly. Furthermore, productivity is lowered because an expert worker is needed to carry out the process of exchanging the blade edge of a press and because the exchange of the blade edge requires a very large amount of time.
As a third problem, when a circuit substrate 60 is separated from a metal substrate 66B by "punching" using a press, the peripheral parts of the metal substrate 66B create a loss of material. As a result, there is a large loss of metal substrate 66B material.
The present invention was made in view of the above and/or other problems in the related art.

Methods for manufacturing a hybrid integrated circuit device


A method and system for accessing at debug time the source code used to create a binary. During or shortly after compilation, an extractor extracts the names of source code files used to create the binary, communicates with a version control server to obtain information that identifies the versions of source code files used to create the binary, and stores the information in the binary or in a file associated with the binary. At debug time, the information is retrieved and used to obtain copies of the source code files from the version control server. The copies of the source code files are placed in a directory where the debugger expects to find them. The debugger may then show the source code corresponding to the binary instructions of the binary during debugging.

Software development is an iterative process. Typically, a software application or extension thereof is designed, coded, and debugged. The code corresponding to a software application includes both the code that the computer uses when executing an application (sometimes referred to as binary or executable code) and the code used to create the executable code (sometimes referred to as source code). Source code is typically written by a software developer and is intended to be human-readable. Executable code, on the other hand, typically comprises a string of "1's" and "0's" that form instructions that the computer can readily execute.
Typically, executable code is created by a special program called a compiler. The compiler examines the source code and creates executable code that the computer can more readily execute. During the compiling process, information contained in the source code such as comments, variable names, function names, and the like may be removed or replaced with other names for compactness, speed, and privacy of the source code.
After an application has been compiled, a debugger may be used by a software developer to step through the code in order to locate logical errors, security problems, performance issues, and the like. When source code is available that matches an application that is being debugged, the debugger can show the software developer what line or lines in the source code correspond to the instruction that will be executed in the currently debugged application.
During the development process, the code that makes up a software application—both source code and binary code—is in a constant state of change. Binary files may be placed in storage far removed from the source code used to create them. Source code may be changed without recompiling a binary. These factors and others may cause serious problems at debug time as the source code may no longer be available or match the binary that is being debugged.
What is needed is a method and system for locating and using, at debug time, the source code used to create a binary. Ideally, such a method and system would work seamlessly with a debugger and compiler and allow a software developer to focus on developing and debugging software rather than trying to match binaries to source code.


Disclosed is a halogen incandescent lamp having a lamp vessel, which is sealed at one end and in which at least one luminous element is accommodated, a vessel section 42 being in the form of a side reflector which extends only over a subregion of the lamp vessel circumference. A light-exit window 40 adjoins this vessel section 42 in the circumferential direction. According to the invention, the light-exit window 40 is comparatively slightly curved in cross section, the vessel section 42 forming the side reflector bulging out away from the light-exit window 40. This bulged-out region is preferably provided with a kidney-shaped constriction 46.

Such a side reflector lamp is described under the product designation "MINISTAR®" at the Internet domain www.osram.de. With this halogen incandescent lamp, a circumferential section of a lamp vessel is provided with a reflective coating such that a laterally arranged light-exit window remains on the lamp vessel, and this light-exit window makes it possible to use this lamp, for example, as a downlight, the lamp being mounted in the horizontal direction. Such reflector lamps have an extremely compact design and therefore require a minimum amount of installation space when they are installed.
This known design is significantly simpler than conventional reflector lamps, as are described, for example, in the European patent specification EP 0 495 194 B1. Such reflector lamps comprise a reflector, which is formed by a parabolic or ellipsoidal glass cap, and a halogen incandescent lamp which is fixed in the optical axis of the reflector.
It has been shown that the compact halogen incandescent lamps having a reflector integrated in the lamp vessel can be improved as regards the radiated luminous flux in particular when a luminous element which is accommodated in the lamp vessel is formed with at least two filament sections. Luminous elements having two filament sections are used, for example, in the case of halogen incandescent lamps envisaged for operation using the system voltage, as are described in the European patent specification EP 0 446 460 B1.

Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH