A distributed system provides for separate management of dynamic cluster membership and distributed data. Nodes of the distributed system may include a state manager and a topology manager. A state manager handles data access from the cluster. A topology manager handles changes to the dynamic cluster topology. The topology manager enables operation of the state manager by handling topology changes, such as new nodes to join the cluster and node members to exit the cluster. A topology manager may follow a static topology description when handling cluster topology changes. Data replication and recovery functions may be implemented, for example to provide high availability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to distributed data systems, and more particularly to managing dynamic cluster membership in distributed data systems.
2. Description of Related Art
In distributed data systems, data may be stored in several locations. Such locations may include servers, computers, or other devices with storage devices or access to storage devices. Storage devices may include hard drives, memory, registers, and other media where data can be stored and retrieved. A distributed data system may span a large network or combination of networks, for example on the Internet or a local intranet, or simply involve a plurality of storage devices connected to a computing device. The data may be distributed in blocks of specific sizes, by file, or any fashion according with space constraints of available storage devices.
Cooperating members of a distributed data system may form clusters to provide transparent data access and data locality for clients, abstracting from the clients the possible complexity of the data distribution. FIG. 1 illustrates a distributed data system of nodes 110 forming a cluster 100, each including storage space for distributed data 111. Other nodes may exist that are not part of the cluster. Data for any clients of the cluster nodes 110 may be distributed in the data stores 111 of the cluster nodes 110. Nodes may be servers, computers, or other computing devices. Nodes may also be computing processes, so that multiple nodes may exist on the same server, computer, or other computing device. Communication between nodes forming a cluster may be possible over some connections, for example electrical coupling or wireless connections.
Clustering of nodes may enable load balancing, high availability, and scalability to support client requirements or improve performance. In the event of failure, for example, data backup at multiple locations in a cluster may provide high availability so that data is not lost. Different nodes may be able to provide data or take over tasks for each other. Maintaining high availability generally may involve multiple nodes maintaining redundant data. Redundant data may be maintained by replicating data between nodes, for example between multiple processes of the same or different server, by replicating the data on different servers, or generally by ensuring duplicate data exists in different actual or virtual locations.
Clusters may also be used to address problems of data ownership and data consistency when failures occur in a cluster. A dynamic cluster involves changes in the membership of the cluster over time. Such changes may occur as a result of failures and dynamic cluster membership management involves tracking the membership of a cluster. Failure events may include node failures in a network, unresponsive nodes or processes, process failures, events preventing a node from operating in a cluster, or other events that can lead to a non-functioning cluster. Changes in the cluster may occur when members rejoin or new members join the cluster, affecting the relationship between cluster participants.
One solution for dynamic cluster membership is a centralized master and slave topology, for example as a star topology. However, using a single centralized master and multiple slaves, essentially a star topology with the central node acting as the master, may create a bottleneck. Such a topology may negatively impact scalability, and frequent data updates between master and slaves may result in lower performance. The ability of slaves to get membership information about each other may be limited. The failure of the central node itself may spawn complex computing problems, particularly in the event of multiple node failures. Addressing node failure may include implementing leader elections by remaining nodes, for example.
Topology management may be needed whatever the topology of the distributed system, for example to handle nodes entering or exiting the cluster. Changes in cluster membership or topology may affect access to the distributed data stored in the distributed system. Typically, cluster membership management is handled as an integral part of the distributed data management since membership changes may affect distributed data access and distributed data access may vary depending on topology.

System and method for dynamic cluster adjustment to node failures in a distributed data system


Disclosed herein is a control apparatus for an engine-powered forklift. The control apparatus of the present invention includes a mode detecting means for detecting whether the forklift is in a traveling mode or a working mode, and a controller, which controls the engine of the forklift such that, when the forklift is in the traveling mode, the output of the engine is restricted from increasing to a preset output value or more, and, when the forklift is in the working mode, the output of the engine is allowed to increase to the preset output value or more.

This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent Application No. 10-2005-122474, filed on Dec. 13, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to control apparatuses for engine-powered forklifts and, more particularly, to a control apparatus for an engine-powered forklift which is constructed such that, when the forklift is in a working mode, the output of an engine is allowed to be increased higher than a preset output value, and, when the forklift is in a traveling mode, the output of the engine is restricted to the preset output value to restrict the traveling speed of the forklift.
2. Description of the Related Art
As well known to those skilled in the art, an engine-powered forklift has an engine, a hydraulic pump, and actuators. The hydraulic pump is driven by the engine, so that the forklift travels and turns. The actuators are operated by using hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump.
Furthermore, the engine-powered forklift can travel and turn with loading a heavy cargo thereon. However, if the traveling speed of the forklift, on which the cargo is loaded, is excessively high, the cargo may undesirably fall down, or the forklift may tip over. Furthermore, in the case where the forklift is operated at a relatively high speed in an indoor place, for example a warehouse, there is a possibility of a safety hazard in which it may strike a person.
In an effort to overcome the above problems, an apparatus that restricts the traveling speed of a forklift from increasing higher than a predetermined speed was proposed.
The conventional traveling speed restriction apparatus for the forklift includes a stopper. The stopper of the conventional restriction apparatus is disposed below an accelerator pedal and prevents the rotation of the accelerator pedal beyond a predetermined position, when the accelerator pedal is pushed. Therefore, the output of an engine is prevented from being increased to a value higher than a preset output value. Thereby, the traveling speed of the forklift is restricted to the specified speed.
However, the conventional traveling speed restriction apparatus is problematic in that, because the output of the engine is restricted to the preset output value, the driving force of an actuator is also restricted.
In detail, due to the characteristics of the engine-powered forklift, when the actuators are operated for tilting a mast assembly or lifting a carriage with loading the heavy cargo, the accelerator pedal must be pushed beyond the predetermined position in order to increase the output of the engine for ensuring smooth and powerful operation. However, in the conventional traveling speed restriction apparatus, because the distance that the accelerator pedal is pushed is restricted, the output of the engine cannot be increased higher than the preset output value.
As such, because the output of the engine cannot be increased higher than the preset output value, the driving force of the actuator is restricted. Due to the restriction of the driving force of the actuator, there are problems in that the mast assembly cannot be smoothly tilted, and the carriage cannot be smoothly lifted.

Control apparatus for engine-powered forklifts


A mold for a display device, comprising a supporting frame; at least one pattern forming part provided on a surface of the supporting frame; and a protrusion projecting from the supporting frame and disposed along the circumference of the pattern forming part, an inside wall of the protrusion toward the pattern forming part standing upright from the surface of the supporting frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mold for a display device and a manufacturing method of a display device using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are classified into a transmissive type, a transflective type and a reflective type depending on a type of a light source. A transmissive LCD includes a backlight unit disposed in rear side of an LCD panel so that light from the backlight unit passes through the LCD panel. A reflective LCD uses natural light as a light source and may consume less electric power by limiting use of the backlight unit which accounts for about 70% of the total electric power consumption in the transmissive LCD. A transflective LCD, which has advantages of both the transmissive type and the reflective type, may obtain adequate brightness for the desired purpose regardless of a change in brightness of a surrounding natural light by using both the natural light and the backlight unit.
In the reflective LCD and the transflective LCD, a passivation layer is deposited on a substrate where thin film transistors are formed, and a concavo-convex pattern or an embossing pattern is formed thereon. A reflective layer is formed on the entire surface of the embossing pattern to make a reflective LCD. A reflective layer is formed on a portion of the embossing pattern to make a transflective LCD. The concavo-convex pattern or the embossing pattern is provided to induce light to be diffusively reflected or dispersed and to increase reflectance of the light. The concavo-convex pattern or the embossing pattern is formed by aligning a mold having a pattern corresponding to the particular pattern over the passivation layer and pressing the mold against the passivation layer. A portion of the passivation layer where the pattern is not formed is removed by being exposed and developed using a mask.
However, the passivation layer may have an undesired remaining pattern at the edge thereof, or an unnecessary portion thereof may still remain due to resolution limitation of the mask and diffraction of light when exposed.

Mold and method of manufacturing display device


A double row bearing apparatus comprises a stepped shaft having larger and smaller diameter shaft portions, an inner race way groove provided on the outer peripheral surface of the larger diameter portion, balls interposed between the inner race way groove and an outer race way groove formed on an inner surface of an outer race surrounding the larger diameter portion, and a ball bearing including inner and outer races and balls interposed therebetween, wherein the ball bearing is fitted removably at its inner race over the smaller diameter portion of the stepped shaft.

1. Technical Field
The present Invention relates to an improvement of a double row bearing apparatus for Journalling rotational members of equipment such as motors including rotating portions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art, there is a bearing apparatus for Journalling the rotational members of equipments such as motors or generators including rotating portion. The one of bearing apparatus Includes a pair of ball bearings 21, 22 assembled with a shaft 23, as shown in FIG. 3.
In this bearing, the ball bearings 21, 22 are spaced apart by means of spacer 24 secured in the shaft 23.
In the equipment such as a motor of a hard disk drive device to which a bearing apparatus Is to be Incorporated, it Is desirable to make It as compact as possible. In this connection, it is also desirable to reduce the size of the bearing apparatus Itself.
The way which can be adopted to reduce the size of the bearing apparatus Is to miniaturize both ball bearings of the pair. However, this countermeasure leads to the reduction of the diameter of the shaft.
The shaft of reduced diameter provides a problem of reduced rigidity thereof to impair the endurance of the device to which the bearing apparatus is to be incorporated. Further, the shaft of reduced diameter also reduces the rigidity thereof to reduce the resonance-proof property. In this connection, In case such bearing apparatus is to be employed in the precision rotating equipment such as the hard disk drive device, it becomes resonant with members of the equipment surrounding therearound e.g. the casing of the equipment. That is, the reduction of the resonanceproof property will be accompanied by the reduction of the reliability of the equipment.
Accordingly the object of the present Invention is to provide a compact enough double row bearing apparatus having a shaft of sufficient strength and rigidity.

Bearing structure for motor and motor with the bearing structure


A method performed by a processor to improve wear-leveling in a cross-point (X3D) memory, comprises detecting, by a processor coupled to the X3D memory, a trigger event, wherein the X3D memory comprises a first section of memory units and a second section of memory units, and in response to detecting the trigger event, relocating, by the processor, data stored in a first memory unit of the first section of memory units to a memory unit adjacent to a last memory unit of the first section of memory units, and relocating, by the processor, data stored in a first memory unit of the second section of memory units to a memory unit adjacent to a last memory unit of the second section of memory units.

The wear on memory cells, or physical locations, within a memory system varies depending upon how often each of the cells is programmed. If a cell or, more generally, a memory unit, is programmed once and then effectively never reprogrammed, the wear associated with that cell will generally be relatively low. However, if a cell is repetitively written to and erased, the wear associated with that cell will generally be relatively high. As logical block addresses (LBAs) are used by hosts, the same physical locations or cells within the flash memory system are repeatedly written to and erased if a host repeatedly uses the same LBAs to write and overwrite data.
When some cells are effectively worn out while other cells are relatively unworn, the existence of the worn out cells generally compromises the overall performance of the flash memory system. In addition to degradation of performance associated with worn out cells themselves, the overall performance of the memory system may be adversely affected when an insufficient number of cells which are not worn out are available to store desired data. Often, a memory system may be deemed unusable when a critical number of worn out cells are present in the memory system, even when many other cells in the flash memory system are relatively unworn.
To increase the likelihood that cells within a flash memory system are worn fairly evenly, wear-leveling operations are often performed. Wear-leveling operations are generally arranged to allow the cells which are associated with particular LBAs to be changed such that the same LBAs are not always associated with the same cells. By changing the cell associations of LBAs, it is less likely that a particular cell may wear out well before other cells wear out.

Wear-leveling method for cross-point memory for multiple data temperature zones


A system and method of synchronizing two end terminals using beacon synchronization in a wireless local area network are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises i) communicating with a first terminal via first and second channels and communicating with a second terminal via the first and second channels, ii) transmitting a first series of beacon frames (B11, B21, B31, . . . , Bi1, . . . , and Bn1) and a second series of beacon frames (B12, B22, B32, . . . , Bi2, . . . , and Bn2) over the first and second channels, respectively, iii) obtaining beacon intervals (bi1, bi2), wherein bi1 represents the beacon interval between the ith beacon frame (Bi1) and the (i+1)th beacon frame (B(i+1)1) for the first series of beacon frames and bi2 represents the beacon interval between the ith beacon frame (Bi2) and the (i+1)th beacon frame (B(i+1)2) for the second series of beacon frames, iv) calculating the beacon interval offset value (Δbi=|bi1−bi2|) and v) setting the interval between the beacon frames (B(i+1)1 and (B(i+2)1) in the first channel, and the interval between the beacon frames (B(i+1)2 and (B(i+2)2) in the second channel, based on the calculated offset value (Δbi) so as to perform beacon synchronization.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a data communication system, and particularly to a method and system for synchronizing two end terminals using beacon synchronization in a wireless local area network.
2. Description of the Related Technology
Recently a variety of computer network systems have been widely used. Such network systems include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a general packet radio service (GPRS) network and other wireless network systems. The network systems allow communication between various end terminals such as a personal computer (desktop, laptop, and palmtop), a mobile phone, or other portable communication devices. It is typical that such network systems include at least one bridge element or hub such as an access point (or access node) where user traffic enters and exits a communications network. Among the network systems, a WLAN is a network that allows access to, for example, the Internet without the need for any wired connections to the user's device (end terminal). By using a WLAN, a user can wirelessly send email, web browse and print documents via local printers, etc.
A WLAN is defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard. The 802.11 standard defines two modes: infrastructure mode and ad hoc mode. In infrastructure mode, the wireless network includes at least one access point in data communication with the wired network infrastructure and a set of wireless end terminals or stations. Since WLANs typically require access to the wired LAN for services (file servers, printers, Internet links, etc.), they mostly operate in infrastructure mode. In ad hoc mode, which is also called peer-to-peer mode, a set of 802.11 wireless stations communicate directly with one another without using an access point or any connection to a wired network. This mode is useful for quickly and easily setting up a wireless network anywhere a wireless infrastructure does not exist, such as a hotel room or an airport, etc. Whether the system operates either in infrastructure mode or ad hoc mode, the synchronization of communication data between the two end stations is an important issue in WLAN as in other communication systems.

Method and system for synchronizing two end terminals using beacon synchronization with multiple channels in a wireless local area network


A fuel injection valve for injecting a fuel-gas mixture into a mixture-compressing internal combustion engine with externally supplied ignition comprising a mixing conduit secured to one end of the fuel injection valve. The mixing conduit includes at least one cross-sectional constriction and an adjoining widening of the cross-section, through which the fuel-gas mixture flows at increased speed which tears off the fuel film from the wall of the mixing conduit and atomizes it into fine fuel droplets. In this way, the quality of fuel atomization can be substantially improved.

The invention is based on an apparatus for injecting a fuel-gas mixture defined hereinafter. From German Patent Document 36 09 798 A1, an apparatus for injecting a fuel-gas mixture is already known in which the fuel is fed through a fuel injection valve into a first end of a cylindrical mixing conduit of a mixing tube. The gas is blown through a gas delivery conduit that discharges into the first conduit end and strikes the injected fuel. This produces a two-phase flow or in other words a fuel-gas mixture made up of the fuel and the gas. However, this apparatus has the disadvantage that a considerable portion of the fuel settles on the cylindrical wall of the mixing conduit n the form of a fuel film, which is only partly entrained by the fuel-gas mixture flowing past it and runs along the wall of the mixing conduit, so that the fluid-gas mixture contains only a relatively small proportion of liquid fuel. The fuel is inadequately atomized, and a largely homogeneous mixture formation is not assured. Moreover, the danger exists that for a certain injection quantity, the fuel that has collected on the cylindrical wall of the mixing conduit may suddenly tear away and form an undesirable fuel-gas mixture that is only inadequately atomized when it reaches the intake tube.

Fuel-gas mixture injector with a downstream mixing conduit


A hair removal apparatus constituted of: an elongated heating element constituted of a material which generates heat responsive to electric power being applied thereto; and a hair adjustment unit comprising: a first elongated member generally in parallel with the elongated heating element, a second elongated member generally in parallel with the elongated heating element, and a plurality of extension members extending from the second elongated member, away from the first elongated member, the elongated heating element positioned between the first elongated member and the extension members, wherein each extension member exhibits a base end and a tip end, each extension member extending from the second elongated member at the base end towards the tip end, and wherein a first face of each of the plurality of extension members, at the tip ends, and a face of the first elongated member define a plane.

The removal of unwanted hair growth from the body can be accomplished with mechanized means, for example razors, tweezers or wax, all of which are uncomfortable to use, irritate the skin and/or cause damage to the skin. Another form of hair removal is by heating the hair growth to a temperature sufficient to cut the hair. U.S. patent application publication S/N US 2014/0114301, published Apr. 24, 2014 to Solomon et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, is addressed to a heating element based hair removal and re-growth suppression apparatus with a plurality of teeth arranged to facilitate smooth movement of the device across the skin. U.S. patent application publication S/N 2016/0242526, published Aug. 25, 2016 to Rafaeli et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, is addressed to a heating element based hair removal apparatus with a plurality of skin depressors arranged to reduce the distance between the hair to be cut and the heating element. Unfortunately, these devices do not provide an efficient enough method for improving contact of the heating element with the hair strands.


A filter element is provided. The filter element includes a filter media pack including an outer surface. The outer surface extending between a first flow face and a second flow face. The filter element also includes a polymeric coating applied to the outer surface of the filter media pack, wherein the polymeric coating is not a molded structure. In embodiments, the polymeric coating covers at least 25% of a span between the first flow face and the second flow face and has an average thickness of between 0.005 and 0.100 in. In other embodiments, the polymeric coating has a surface roughness of at least 50 μin to provide an outer gripping surface. A method and system for applying the polymeric coating to the filter element are also provided.

Filter media packs are often wrapped with a fabric or paper to enhance the aesthetics of the block of filter media as well as to protect the filter media during handling. Conventionally, the paper wraps are heavy cardstock, and the fabric wraps are polyester non-wovens. These wraps provide some reinforcement for the filter media packs, but they do not protect the filter media from puncturing if dropped or gouged during handling or installation. Additionally, these wraps do not provide strong bonding surfaces for attaching structures, such as seal members or mounting frames, which allows the attached structures to easily tear off. Further, these wraps are often difficult to bind to the filter media, which creates leak paths around the filter media pack.
In some instances, the filter media is not coated or covered as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,396,376 to Schrage et al. However, outer skins or protective layers are also proposed as evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,410,427 and 6,743,317, both to Wydeven, U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,646 to Gillingham et al, and Japanese Utility Model S60-155921 to Tuchyiya Seisakusho Limited. Additionally, molding techniques for such layers are proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,967,886 to Schrage et al., but this proposal requires substantial space and complex, expensive molding tooling and operation. Other slip resistant and textured surface layers have been proposed, including U.S. Publication No. 2014/0217009 by Osterfeld and U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,310 to Bolser et al.
Various improvements in the durability, handling, and leak prevention of filter media packs not previously realized in the art can be realized with different aspects or embodiments of the present invention as presented below, thus demonstrating such shortcomings in the state of the art.


The present invention is directed to a method for analyzing the tail-end behavior of a lithium cell having a solid cathode. The tail of a longer-term accelerated discharge data (ADD) test is estimated from the tail of two shorter-term ADD tests. This is accomplished by first comparing the discharge tails of shorter-term ADD tests and determining angles or rotation that correspond to Rdc growth, and then trending rotation angles versus time to reach a give DoD. For example, the 18-month and 36-month ADD test tails are used to estimate the ADD test tail of a similarly constructed cell subjected to a longer-term ADD test, for example a 48-month ADD test.

The present invention generally relates to the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy. More particularly, this invention relates to a method for estimating the discharge curve of an electrochemical cell having a lithium anode and a solid cathode. A preferred couple is a lithium/silver vanadium oxide (Li/SVO) cell. In such cells, it is desirable to accurately estimate the shape of the discharge curve, especially in the cell's latter stages of life, from the discharge curves of other similarly constructed cells subjected to varied accelerated discharge protocols.
In implantable medical device applications, it is important to accurately predict when the power source will reach its end of life. For patient safety, doctors need to have this information several months before the power source reaches the end of its service life. This gives them time to schedule the patient for replacement of the implantable device. In that respect, the Li/SVO cell system is typically used as the power source for implantable cardiac defibrillator applications requiring high rate pulse capability, i.e., about 1 to about 5 amps. Due to the characteristic voltage delay and Rdc growth that occurs at about the 2.6-volt plateau, a pre-determined Rdc or voltage value under high current pulsing is sometimes used as an elective replacement indicator (ERI). This pre-determined voltage value varies depending on the cell size, theoretical capacity and the associated device design. Consequently, selection of the ERI reading is very complicated and dependent on the individual device design of each manufacturer.
For that reason, the present method enables the designer of an implantable medical device to accurately predict the shape of a cell's discharge curve, especially during latter stages of its life, from similarly constructed cells discharged under relatively rapid discharge regimes. This helps the designer know when a power cell model is approaching its end of life under varied usages. The device electronics can then be programmed to trigger when a pre-determined Rdc or current pulse voltage has been reached as the elective replacement indicator.

Method for estimating long term end-of-life characteristics using short-term data for lithium/silver vanadium oxide cells


A tire changer machine, and method of operation, configured to enable a single operator to carry out tire change procedures for a set of wheel assemblies by interleaving wheel assembly balancing procedures on a wheel balancer machine with an automated tire demount process carried out under direction of a control system of the tire changer without continuous operator input or supervision.

The present invention relates generally to tire changer machines, systems and methods and more specifically to interactive tire changer machines, systems and methods for selective automated operation of various aspects of repetitive tire change procedures.
The process of manually removing a tire from a wheel rim and replacing it with another tire, referred to herein as tire changing, can be both difficult and time consuming. In response to such difficulties, machines have been developed to facilitate the tire changing process. These machines commonly include a clamping mechanism for holding the wheel rim, and a drive assembly for rotating the clamped wheel rim about an axis. A bead breaker tool brought into engagement with the tire exerts pressure on the tire adjacent the wheel rim during rotation to break the tire bead seal, while a tire removal tool, sometimes referred to as a demount tool, is used to pull the bead of the tire off the rotating wheel rim as the wheel rim, allowing the tire to be separated from the rim for removal. During an installation process, manually actuated or machine implemented tools are utilized to press the tire onto the wheel rim. While known tire changing machines have obtained some level of success in reducing the time and labor associated with changing a tire, there remains room for improvement, particularly for repetitive tire change procedures wherein two or more wheel assemblies from a vehicle are being changed.
Traditionally, tire changer machines require manually operated hand tools, commonly referred to as levers, to extract tires from a wheel rim. The proper use of such levers requires effort and skill on the part of the machine operators to effectively remove a tire from a wheel rim without damaging the wheel rim. In today's marketplace involving a wide variety of wheel rims and tires, some of which have stiff sidewalls and are very difficult to change using hand-operated levers, some tire changer machine manufacturers have sought to implement machine powered tools in place of hand-operated lever tools. These tire changers are referred to as "lever-less style" machines.
Most tire changer machines, even lever-less style ones, presently available operate under full manual control of a skilled person such as a trained machine technician. Due to changes in the tire industry which have resulted in a proliferation of larger diameter tires, tires having shorter sidewalls, and tires having very rigid sidewalls providing run-flat capabilities, modern tires are becoming increasingly difficult to service by traditional, substantially manually performed methods, using tire changing machines. Because of such difficulties, efforts are underway to automate aspects of tire change procedures in order to offer power and speed advantages to the technician. Automating tire change procedures can avoid problems presented by some tire and wheel rim combinations.
Examples of such problems encountered when changing modern tires include difficulties in clamping certain types of wheel rims without damaging them, managing an excessive amount of force generated with machine tools, and positional conflicts between components of the machine and portions of the wheel rim and tire. Additional problems arise when failing to properly account for fragile tire and wheel rim features such as installed tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensors, and for variations in the inner geometry in the wheel rims. Some tire and wheel rim combinations may result in a modern tire changer having an inability to dislodge and grab certain tire beads, having a tendency for some machine tools to become "stuck" in demount operations, having a tendency for pusher tools to slip on the surface of certain tire sidewalls, and difficulties associated with pushing large and stiff walled tires to seat the tire beads on certain types of rims.
Efforts to automate aspects of tire change procedures for tire changing machines are now underway. An exemplary procedure that would be advantageous to automate is the demounting and removal of a tire from a wheel rim. In contrast to traditional tire changer machines that largely rely on a technician using a bead lever and brute force to lift the tire bead off of the wheel, a modern lever-less tire changer machine no longer depends on the use of a bead lever or the technician's strength to lift the tire bead off of the wheel rim. Various mechanisms have been designed in lever-less machines to apply the force required to lift the bead off the wheel, commonly employing a pneumatic actuator. Such lever-less machines are nonetheless susceptible to one or more of the problems discussed above, any of which can frustrate demounting of a tire, and thus have not completely solved vexing needs in the marketplace to provide effective tire changing capability for a full range of modern tires and wheel rims. Effective automation of tire change procedures therefore remains somewhat elusive to tire changer machine manufacturers, and the problems mentioned above can frustrate machine users. Tire changer machine providers and users would each benefit from effective automation procedures, particularly when sequentially performing repetitive procedures, such as dismounting tires from two or more wheels of a motor vehicle.
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings are for illustrating the concepts set forth in the present disclosure and are not to scale.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.

System and method for semi-autonomous repetitive operation of a tire changer machine


Predetermined pressure changes in the oral and throat cavity is achieved by inducing at least a partial vacuum in the mouth and throat area of a mammal in temporal coordination with the mammal's breathing pattern. The partial vacuum is selectively applied to the mouth and throat cavity only during inhalation cycles of the breathing pattern. A further aspect of the invention provides for additionally inducing a positive or atmospheric pressure in the mouth and throat cavity only during exhalation cycles of the breathing pattern.

This invention is based on my discovery that respiration-regulated air pressure, either positive or negative (vacuum), in a person's mouth and throat cavity, produces beneficial effects to the person's health such as alleviation of throat discomfort and snoring. The hypothetical explanation of this finding is that respiration-regulated air pressure in a person's mouth and throat cavity stimulate the body's autonomic nervous system, circulatory system, and especially lymphatic system and therefore enhances certain physiological functions, such as lymphatic flow. The body's autonomic nervous system, circulatory system, and lymphatic system are all responsive to pressure changes in the respiration system while a person is inhaling and exhaling. For example, J. W. Shields has conducted a study on the effects of breathing on the lymphatic system. Using cameras inside the body, he found that deep, diaphragmatic breathing stimulated the cleansing of the lymph system by creating a vacuum effect which draws lymph through the bloodstream. See Human Central Lymph Propulsion, JAMA, Vol. 246, No. 18, Nov. 6, 1981, Shields, et al.

Apparatus and method for generating pressure changes in a mammalian oral/throat cavity


A multi-activity complex incorporates a plurality of activity floors, each of which has an associated playing surface and is selectively movable between a storage position, located below an event staging or activity area, and an in-use position located in the activity area. A system is provided for alternatively shifting the activity floors between the respective storage and in-use positions. The shifting system includes a lift assembly for vertically moving the activity floors into and out of the activity area and a second mechanism for laterally shifting the activity floors to and from a respective storage area disposed below and laterally outwardly of the activity area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to a multi-activity complex and, more particularly, to an activity floor changing system for use in a multi-activity complex.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, arenas, stadium, and sports facilities have been designed to host multiple activities including various athletic events, musical concerts, circuses, expositions and the like. In order to stage such varying events, it is often necessary to alter the characteristics of at least one activity area of the complex. For example, many sport complexes are utilized for both ice hockey and basketball. When such a sports complex is used for hockey, an activity area is provided with a layer of ice. When it is desired to utilize the same activity area for a basketball event, a removable basketball playing surface is laid upon the layer of ice. This arrangement not only limits the type of flooring that can be used for the basketball surface, but it can be cumbersome and time consuming to alter the surface of the activity area.
There have been additional attempts in the prior art to provide a multi-activity complex wherein the surface characteristics of an activity floor can be altered. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 2,766,046 discloses a multi-activity complex that includes an activity area which can be used alternately as a swimming pool, a skating rink or an exhibition floor. In general, the multi-activity complex disclosed in the '046 Patent provides a swimming pool having a substantially level central section and a pair of end sections. When all three sections are filled with water, the complex constitutes a swimming pool. If the water is drained, the substantially level central section can be boxed off and used as an exhibition floor for other activities such as tennis matches. Refrigeration pipes can also be laid on the central section such that a thin layer of water may be pumped thereupon and later frozen in order to utilize the central section as a skating rink. Although this arrangement enables a single complex to be used for multiple activities, it is very time consuming to alter the characteristics of the activity floor and the number of activities that can be readily conducted at the complex is limited.
It is also been heretobefore proposed to provide a multi-purpose stadium including a first activity area having a natural turf playing field and a second activity area, positioned below the first activity area, having a second playing field surface. This multi-purpose stadium arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,600 wherein multiple activity surfaces are vertically spaced from one another such that multiple activities can be conducted at the stadium simultaneously. In addition, the activity surfaces can be moved vertically to position a desired playing surface at an optimum viewing level. When one of the lower activity surfaces is raised to a predetermined height, the upper activity surface constitutes a roof portion so as to enclose the stadium. This arrangement is particularly adapted for use with baseball stadiums and requires a complex and intricate support system since the various playing surfaces extend over a large area. In addition, the number of activities that can be performed in the manner set forth in the '600 Patent is confined by the space parameters necessary in the design of the system wherein the various playing surfaces must be spaced vertically by a substantial distance such that, for example, a lower surface can be used while the upper surface forms a roof portion as discussed above.
Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a complex that can be used for multiple activities wherein the various activity or playing surfaces can be selectively shifted between storage and in-use positions in a relatively simple manner while requiring a minimal amount of space for storage.

Activity floor changing system for multi-activity complex


An apparatus for feeding and cutting lengths of tape and advancing the lengths to a vacuum wheel applicator, the feed section of the apparatus comprising a feed roll, an anvil vacuum roll, and a rotary knife adjacent to the anvil vacuum roll, and means for adjusting the speed of the feed roll and the speed of the anvil vacuum roll to vary the length of the tape advanced to the applicator, and a tape roll splicing assembly to provide a continuous supply of tape to the apparatus.

The present invention relates to an improved web material dispenser for advancing a web material to an applicator, such as a tape applicator for applying a strip of tape to form a cutting edge, a reinforcing tape, a box sealer, and the like. The system utilizes splicing system for continually advancing tape to a feed roller which advances the web to a vacuum anvil roll where the web material is cut and advanced to a vacuum wheel applicator. In one aspect the invention relates to a web material delivery system capable of changing the length of the web material delivered to the applicator. The speed of the feed roll and the speed of the independently driven vacuum anvil roll and cutting roller are determined by a motor control and the position of the web material on the substrate is regulated by a programmable logic control and encoder set by an indicator triggered by the substrate. In another aspect the invention relates to a web material delivery system that provides web material continuously by splicing lengths of the web material to avoid interruption of the applicator operation.
The application of hot melt material to substrates to form laminates is not new. One such patent is U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,660 (Forkert). In this patent, the pinch rollers advance the lamina toward two sensors. The substrate is sensed by a third sensor. When the sensors for the lamina, either 88 or 90 sense the lamina, the feed for the lamina stops and a scissor is actuated. The substrate is driven along a path toward the laminating rollers. After the scissors are actuated, rollers are actuated to advance the substrate. To make sure the substrate is not fed along the path too soon, the substrate is sensed by a third sensor. When the substrate is sensed, the lamina is conveyed and both the lamina and substrate are fed between the laminating rollers. Conventional control mechanisms, i.e., a microprocessor, are used to respond to sensor signals, actuate the scissors, and engage and disengage the clutch-controlled elements of the drive-train. The stopping and starting of the lamina and substrate render such a mechanism uneconomical for a hot melt feeder and carton laminator, which typically operate at 600 to 1000 feet per minute (182 meters to 305 meters per minute).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,510 (Wittrock et al.) discloses applying patches of reinforcement material to a web. The patch material is coated with a hot melt adhesive and is advanced to a phasing means, such as vacuum anvil roll 54, which provides a selected spatial segregation between the individual patches, and assembling means, such as a stomper roll, which adhesively secures the segregated patches onto selected spaced regions of the moving web layer. Indexing means such as a pull-back roll, selectively displace the coated substrate material from the knife roll when an assembly feed roll is disengaged from the substrate material. The knife roll, which cuts the patch material after it is on the anvil vacuum roll, acts in response to an indexing means, such as pull-back roll, which selectively displaces the coated patch material from the knife roll when an assembly feed roll is disengaged from the patch material.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,327 (Asbury et al) discloses a splicing system for splicing the trailing end of one tape to the leading end of another. The first tape 12 is provided at its trailing end with a pin element 16. A second tape 18 is provided at its leading end with a loop element 22. When the pin engages the loop, the tapes become linked, causing the trailing end of the first tape to pull the leading end of the second tape into the machine. The patent family includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,768 and Canadian patent 1,280,097.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,699 (Weirauch et al.) discloses a tape with a splicing portion 1, 2 and an attachment portion 10″, 41. The tape has an attachment portion 10″, 41 for attaching the splicing portion 1, 2 and separating the splicing portion from the surface of the underlying layer. This patent is directed to a specific splicing tape for attaching the end of a roll of paper to an outer wrap on the roll.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,991 (Kubota et al.) discloses attaching a length of magnetic tape to a leader. The apparatus aligns ends of the tapes with the ends of the leaders extending from a cassette and splices the ends using vacuum holders for the ends.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,626 (Rossini et al) discloses a tape splicing machine that splices adhesive tape in a supply roll to the lead end of a subsequent roll. The tapes 24 and 26 are guided to the splicing station and between the splicing rollers 212, 252. When the supply tape nears the end and the microswitch is triggered to actuate the solenoid 230, the roller 212 is carried toward the roller 252 where the lead end of tape 44 is positioned to contact the supply tape 42. When the splice is made, the tape 42 makes contact with the tape 44 and the splice is made and the tape 42 is cut.

Web material advance system for web material applicator


A system and method are provided in which a first chip in a stacked multi-chip module configuration is affixed via one or more adhesion layers to a first portion of a partitioned interposer unit. Planar partitions of the interposer are physically bonded via multiple solder “bumps,” which possess high tensile strength but low resistance to horizontal shear force or torque. A second chip is affixed via one or more adhesion layers to the second portion of the partitioned interposer. The chips may thus be separated by horizontally and oppositely shearing or twisting the first and second portions of the partitioned interposer away from one another.

When it comes to chip or integrated circuit device packaging, it is often desirable and sometimes imperative to have a relatively high device packaging density. Device packaging density can be defined as the number of devices per unit package volume. To such end, multichip module (MCM) packages are increasingly attractive for a variety of reasons. For example, MCM packages, which contain more than one chip per package, provide increased functionality of a given package, and decrease the interconnection length among chips in the package, thereby reducing signal delays and access times among chips.
One common MCM package is the three-dimensional "stacked" MCM package, in which one chip is disposed on a substrate and one or more other chips are stacked successively on top of one another and the first chip. Interconnections among chips and conductive traces on the common substrate are electrically made via bond wires.
FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a stacked multichip module (MCM) package 110 according to a known configuration. As shown, the MCM package 110 includes a substrate 111, a first chip 112 and a second chip 113. First chip 112 includes a bondable surface 121 and an active surface 122. Bondable surface 121 is adhered to substrate 111 by means of an adhesive, such as an epoxy, thermoplastic material, tape, tapes coated with thermoplastic materials, etc. Active surface 122 includes an active circuit area (not shown) typically in the center of first chip 112, and multiple bonding pads 112a located peripheral to the active circuit area. Similarly, second chip 113 includes a bondable surface 123 and an active surface 124. Active surface 124 also includes an active circuit area (not shown) typically in the center of second chip 113, and multiple bonding pads 113a located peripheral to the active circuit area.
The active circuit area of first chip 112 is covered by a passivation layer 125. An adhesive layer 126 is interposed between and connects passivation layer 125 and an interposer 127. Interposer 127 is often made of a material similar in properties to first chip 112 and second chip 113 in order to avoid thermal expansion mismatch over temperature variations. For example, if first chip 112 and second chip 113 are made of bulk silicon, interposer 127 should also be made of silicon. Interposer 127 has a thickness sufficient to allow clearance and access to the bond pads 112a along the edges of first chip 112. Interposer 127 also serves as a pedestal for supporting second chip 113. An adhesive layer 128 is disposed between and connects interposer 127 and bondable surface 123 of second chip 113.
Several bond wires 114 are bonded to and between respective bonding pads 112a on first chip 112 and substrate 111. Similarly, several bond wires 116 are bonded to and between respective bonding pads 113a on second chip 113 and substrate 111.
One application in which stacked MCM packages are commonly used is space applications, or applications in other environments wherein physical space is limited and tolerance to high levels of radiation required. Packages with such tolerance to high levels of radiation are referred to as "hardened" packages. The chips in such hardened packages are also typically "hardened" through the addition of redundant circuitry and/or error detection and correction circuitry so that the chips function properly in high radiation environments like space. Due to the hardened nature of the chips used in such environments, manufacturing costs for these chips can be inordinately expensive—often tens or even hundreds of times more expensive than counterparts of equivalent complexity used in consumer applications. For example, a hardened microprocessor could cost $10,000.
Unfortunately, due to current methods for manufacturing an MCM package in a stacked configuration, each chip or die in an MCM is so securely affixed to those above and below it that separation of that chip from the body of the MCM requires processes that are expensive, require high amounts of heat, or both. Thus, reworking or replacing a chip or die that has failed within a stacked MCM package often results in the destruction of one or more chips immediately above or below it. This naturally multiplies the cost of the original chip failure.
Consequently, it is desirable to provide an improved system and method for both manufacturing stacked MCM packages, and for reworking specific failed chips or dies within such packages.

System and method for multi-chip module die extraction and replacement

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.


Techniques to facilitate visualization of an application associated with an industrial automation environment are disclosed. In at least one implementation, a display composer interface is presented that enables a user to design a customized display layout for the application associated with the industrial automation environment. Data display instructions are received comprising a user selection of at least one data item associated with an operation of a machine in the industrial automation environment. Position information that identifies where to display the at least one data item is also received. The data display instructions and the position information are processed to generate the customized display layout for the application. Based on the customized display layout, a graphical user interface is rendered to the application having the at least one data item positioned according to the position information.

Industrial automation environments utilize machines during the industrial manufacturing process. These machines typically have various moving parts and other components that continually produce operational data over time, such as pressure, temperature, speed, and other metrics. Reviewing and monitoring this operational data is of high importance to those involved in operating the industrial automation environment.
In some cases, the operational data may be provided for display on a variety of systems and devices, such as notebook or tablet computers running standalone applications, web browsers, and the like, in order to present the information to the user. For example, a tablet computer could receive a constant stream of the operational data over a network and display this information dynamically, such as by providing live tiles, icons, charts, trends, and other graphical representations which continually receive updated operational data from external data sources, which are typically located in the industrial automation environment.
Overview
Provided herein are systems, methods, and software to facilitate visualization of an application associated with an industrial automation environment. In at least one implementation, a display composer interface is presented that enables a user to design a customized display layout for the application associated with the industrial automation environment. Data display instructions are received comprising a user selection of at least one data item associated with an operation of a machine in the industrial automation environment. Position information that identifies where to display the at least one data item is also received. The data display instructions and the position information are processed to generate the customized display layout for the application. Based on the customized display layout, a graphical user interface is rendered to the application having the at least one data item positioned according to the position information.
This Overview is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Technical Disclosure. It should be understood that this Overview is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

User interface widget modeling and placement


Improved sorting techniques are provided that perform a parallel sort using a ranged, partitioned key-value store in a high performance computing (HPC) environment. A plurality of input data files comprising unsorted key-value data in a partitioned key-value store are sorted. The partitioned key-value store comprises a range server for each of a plurality of ranges. Each input data file has an associated reader thread. Each reader thread reads the unsorted key-value data in the corresponding input data file and performs a local sort of the unsorted key-value data to generate sorted key-value data. A plurality of sorted, ranged subsets of each of the sorted key-value data are generated based on the plurality of ranges. Each sorted, ranged subset corresponds to a given one of the ranges and is provided to one of the range servers corresponding to the range of the sorted, ranged subset. Each range server sorts the received sorted, ranged subsets and provides a sorted range. A plurality of the sorted ranges are concatenated to obtain a globally sorted result.

Key-value stores are a powerful tool to store and retrieve large amounts of data for activities such as data analysis. One difficulty in creating these key-value stores is the need for parallelism. The large amount of data that must be stored makes a key-value store on a single node impractical for most workloads. Thus, distributed key-value stores have been proposed for storing a partitioned key-value store (often referred to as a partitioned data store) on a number of parallel nodes.
Multidimensional Data Hashing Indexing Middleware (MDHIM) is an example of a framework for partitioned data stores. In a typical MDHIM implementation, one or more MDHIM clients run on each of the compute nodes and communicate with a plurality of MDHIM servers also running on the same or different compute nodes in a parallel file system. Each MDHIM server stores a partition of the key-value store. A given MDHIM server storing a particular sub-range of the key-value store is contacted to read or write key-values within the sub-range.
One challenge in a partitioned key-value store is the amount of key-value data that must be transferred, stored and processed. Thus, MDHIM employs low-latency Message Passing Interface (MPI) communications across the user-space of high performance computing (HPC) compute nodes to create a single virtual key-value store across a set of local key-value stores using ordered key-ranges.
A set of unsorted input files must often be read and sorted by key in a key-value store. The unsorted input files comprise a set of key-value entries. A typical approach is to have a set of reader threads read each individual input file and perform a local sort. The reader threads then use a set of "split" marks to send subsets of their locally sorted entries to a different writer thread that accepts these subsets from many reader threads. The writer threads then perform a sort of the received subsets and write the result to a new file. The set of new files can be concatenated to obtain a globally sorted result.
While such sorting techniques effectively sort the set of unsorted input files, a need remains for improved sorting techniques that perform a parallel sort using a ranged, partitioned key-value store in a high performance computing (HPC) environment.

Parallel sort with a ranged, partitioned key-value store in a high perfomance computing environment


An apparatus is provided for implementation of an operational network planning system. The apparatus may receive importation of a unit task organization (UTO) and form waveform(s) based thereon. For each waveform, the apparatus may assign radio(s) to the waveform, present a set of questions that elicit a set of answers, and in response, receive a set of answers that describe a radio frequency environment of the waveform. The apparatus may automatically then populate a set of properties of the waveform based on the radio frequency environment described by the set of answers, and based on a number of the radio(s) assigned to the waveform. The apparatus may assign network addresses and routing protocol(s) across the radios assigned to the waveform(s), and generate a network design based on the waveform(s), and the above artifacts related thereto.

Tactical radio communications rely heavily on ad-hoc mobile radio networks and systems. Emerging tactical battlefield networks typically include a collection of autonomous host nodes or terminals that are mobile. These nodes move into and out of radio communication range with each other, and generally cannot rely on a pre-defined fixed infrastructure within their environment. The nodes in an ad-hoc communications network may move, be destroyed, or new nodes may join the network. In other words, the network environment is mobile, wireless, dynamically changing, and is "infrastructure-less."
Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks
In a wireless ad-hoc network a group of autonomous nodes or terminals communicate with each other by forming a multi-hop radio network and maintaining connectivity in a decentralized manner. The nodes represent radio communication devices which may be with a person (such as a warfighter), a ground or an air-vehicle platform, an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV), an Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) or the like. The network can be represented by a graph, where the graph vertices are the network nodes and two vertices are connected by an edge if the corresponding nodes can be reached (or communicate) by a radio link. In other words the nodes can be depicted as a set of points. Connections between these points can be shown as lines with each line representing a radio link over which one node can communicate with another node. Two radio nodes are said to be communicating if the link quality is above a predefined threshold, such as, if the signal-to-noise ratio is above a predefined threshold.
The mobile nodes must be able to communicate with each other over a wireless media without any infra-structured network component support such as fixed radio relay base stations. Each mobile node can typically communicate with its neighboring mobile nodes which are a single radio hop away. Each mobile node operates not only as a host but also as a router, forwarding packets of information to other mobile nodes in the network that may not be within direct wireless transmission range of each other. Each node participates in an ad-hoc routing protocol that allows it to discover "multi-hop" paths through the network to any other node. Control of the network is distributed among the nodes.
The network topology is "ad-hoc" in that it dynamically changes over time because the connectivity among the nodes may vary with time. For example, because the nodes are mobile, the network topology may change rapidly and unpredictably over time due to node departures, new node arrivals, and the mobility of the nodes. Nodes can fail, for example, if they are destroyed or due to hard or soft failures which occur in the battlefield. Moreover, since the nodes communicate over wireless links, the nodes have to contend with the effects of radio communication, such as noise, fading, interference and the like. Factors such as variable wireless link quality, propagation path loss, fading, multi-user interference, power expended, topological changes and the like may become relevant issues. Connections between nodes may also be broken or established due to, for example, distance factors, variations in signal strength, weather, mountains, buildings, loss of node and the like. Thus, changes in propagation conditions and the environment, as well as the unpredictability of node movements and sporadic node failures, can contribute to the dynamic nature of an ad-hoc network. These problems are even further complicated in a military environment where the preservation of security, latency, reliability, intentional jamming and recovery from failure are significant concerns.
Accordingly, one of the most important features of any an ad-hoc mobile network, is the ability to adapt well to link changes, namely changes in the interconnectivity between mobile nodes.
Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS)
The Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) is a Department of Defense (DoD) initiative designed to provide a flexible new approach to meet diverse warfighter communications needs through software-programmable tactical radio technology or "software defined radios" (SDRs). It is desirable to provide SDRs which can provide a warfighter with voice, data and video communications across a battlespace. Beyond the battlefield, JTRS holds great potential for initiatives such as homeland security, federal, state and local law enforcement, search and rescue, commercial aviation and international commercial applications. The JTRS implements the concept of relay and translation nodes (land, sea, air and space based) to help ensure that tactical users can access required information no matter where it resides.
There are several issues facing dynamic ad-hoc networks. For example, links between nodes are the frequently broken as nodes move or are destroyed. In addition, nodes can randomly fail due to enemy or unintentional attacks.
Thus, a challenge in ad-hoc networks is to maintain network-wide connectivity. In this context a network is "connected" if there is a communication path, either node-to-node or multiple-node-hopping, which can allow any two nodes in the network to communicate with one another. As noted above, as nodes move the links between the nodes can be broken and the network can partition into isolated sub-networks. A break in the network can create a situation where the node cannot communicate with another node (absolutely no paths). In this case, the network is said to be "partitioned."
A number of tools have been developed to assist with network planning and management of ad-hoc radio networks, such as operational tactical networks. DoD programs such as JTRS Enterprise Network Manager (JENM), Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) Network Manager (SRWNM), and JTRS Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW) Network Manager (JWNM) have designed and implemented planning and configuration tools requiring complex input XML files in the form of Communications Plans (CommPlans). The input files typically include hundreds of parameter types and thousands of parameter values to plan waveforms such as SRW, Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), or WNW running on radio types such as Handheld, Manpack, Small Form Fit (HMS) or Mid-Tier Networking Vehicular Radio (MNVR). Here, a waveform represents a partial implementation of a communication networking covering one or more layers of a multilayer protocol stack. In one example, a waveform may cover the bottom three layers of the Open Systems Interconnection model (OSI), namely, the physical layer, data link layer, and partial or complete network layer.
Recent releases of JENM have provided editors allowing a network planner to fully create a CommPlan from scratch or to modify an existing CommPlan. Due to lack of usability requirements, the use of such editors is limited by design to expert engineering personnel trained on the technical network planning, configuration, and operation. It has been observed in several Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) events that creating a CommPlan for a medium size mission consisting of tens of radios hosting WNW waveform and hundreds of radios hosting SRW waveform can take up to two dedicated work weeks of a team of six highly trained engineers. Accounting for other threshold waveforms, e.g., WNW and MUOS, and adding objective waveforms such as Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) and Adaptive Networking Wideband Waveform (ANW2) as well as legacy waveforms such as Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) and Satellite Communications (SATCOM) will only increase the time needed for creating a mission CommPlan.
As evidenced in recent NIE events held twice per year by the US Army, the inherent complexity makes the fielding of the above network management products prohibitive to the US Army operational personnel. To the best of our extensive field knowledge, there is no product in the landscape addressing the complexity of fielding of network management products having cost DoD hundreds of millions of dollars to date.


Methods and precursors for forming silicon nitride films are provided. In some embodiments, silicon nitride can be deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD), such as plasma enhanced ALD. In some embodiments, deposited silicon nitride can be treated with a plasma treatment. The plasma treatment can be a nitrogen plasma treatment. In some embodiments the silicon precursors for depositing the silicon nitride comprise an iodine ligand. The silicon nitride films may have a relatively uniform etch rate for both vertical and the horizontal portions when deposited onto three-dimensional structures such as FinFETS or other types of multiple gate FETs. In some embodiments, various silicon nitride films of the present disclosure have an etch rate of less than half the thermal oxide removal rate with diluted HF (0.5%). In some embodiments, a method for depositing silicon nitride films comprises a multi-step plasma treatment.

Field
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of semiconductor device manufacturing and, more particularly, to low temperature deposition of silicon nitride films and precursors for use in deposition of silicon nitride films.
Description of the Related Art
Spacers are widely used in semiconductor manufacturing as structures to protect against subsequent processing steps. For example, nitride spacers formed beside gate electrodes can be used as a mask to protect underlying source/drain areas during doping or implanting steps.
As the physical geometry of semiconductor devices shrinks, the gate electrode spacer becomes smaller and smaller. The spacer width is limited by the nitride thickness that can be deposited conformably over the dense gate electrodes lines. So the nitride spacer etching process is preferred to have a high ratio of spacer width to nitride layer thickness as deposited.
Current PEALD silicon nitride processes in general suffer from anisotropic etch behavior when deposited on a three-dimensional structure, such as a trench structure. In other words, the film deposited on the sidewalls of a trench or fin or another three dimensional feature display inferior film properties as compared to film on the top region of the feature. The film quality may be sufficient for the target application on the top of the trench, or on planar regions of a structured wafer, but not on the sidewalls or other non-horizontal or vertical surfaces.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a typical example of a silicon nitride film, which could be used in spacer applications. The film was deposited at 400° C. using a PEALD process other than those described in the present application. FIG. 1A illustrates the film after it was deposited on a three-dimensional surface but prior to being etched by HF. An etching process was then performed by dipping the workpiece in 0.5% HF for about 60 seconds. FIG. 1B illustrates the extent to which vertical portions of the silicon nitride film etch to a greater extent than the horizontal portions of the film. The film thicknesses are indicated in nanometers. Structures such as these would not generally survive further processing, such as in a FinFET spacer application.


The present invention provides a conjugate that contains a therapeutic moiety linked to a homing peptide or peptidomimetic which selectively homes to vasculature of pre-malignant dysplastic skin and which includes the amino acid sequence SRPRR (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a conservative variant or peptidomimetic thereof. The present invention further provides a conjugate containing a therapeutic moiety linked to a homing peptide or peptidomimetic which selectively homes to vasculature of malignant skin and which includes the amino acid sequence CGKRK (SEQ ID NO: 6) or the amino acid sequence CDTRL (SEQ ID NO: 7), or a conservative variant or peptidomimetic of one of these sequences.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the fields of cancer and cancer progression, molecular medicine and drug delivery and, more specifically, to molecules that selectively home to vasculature of pre-malignant dysplastic lesions or to vasculature of malignancies.
2. Background Information
A major hurdle to advances in preventing or treating cancer is the lack of agents that are effective in selectively targeting a cancer or pre-cancerous tissue while sparing normal cells. Radiation therapy and surgery, for example, which generally are localized treatments, can cause substantial damage to normal tissue in the treatment field, resulting in scarring and loss of normal tissue. Furthermore, chemotherapy, which generally is administered systemically, can cause substantial damage to normal organs such as normal skin, bone marrow, mucosa, and small intestine, which undergo rapid cell turnover and continuous cell division. As a result, undesirable side effects such as nausea, loss of hair and drop in blood cell count occur as a result of systemic treatment with a chemotherapeutic agent. Such undesirable side effects often limit the amount of drug that can be safely administered, thereby reducing survival rate and impacting the quality of patient life.
Selective delivery of therapeutics such as anti-angiogenic agents to vasculature that supports tumors would result in less toxic therapy since rapidly proliferating normal cells would be spared. Similarly, selective delivery of anti-angiogenic agents to vasculature of dysplastic cells that are not yet malignant would provide a prophylactic strategy for reducing the risk of cancer. However, to date, it has been difficult to produce drugs that are delivered specifically to tumor vasculature or the vasculature of dysplastic, pre-malignant tissues. Thus, there is a need for molecules that selectively target malignant tissue such as malignant skin, as well as for molecules that selectively target pre-malignant dysplastic tissues such as pre-malignant dysplastic skin. The present invention satisfies these needs and also provides related advantages.

Molecules that selectively home to vasculature of pre-malignant dysplastic lesions or malignancies

The Regents of the University of California


A telescopic light base couples decorative light fixtures to a flower pot or other similar container. The decorative light fixture may then be used to illuminate the contents of the pot. The telescopic light base has a ground-engaging pad upon which the pot rests. The weight of the pot then serves to anchor the telescopic light base in place. A telescopic pole support of variable length is coupled at a first end to the ground-engaging pad. At an end of the telescopic pole support distal to the ground-engaging pad, a pot upper rim retention arm is provided which operatively passes within the pot sidewalls. Adjacent to the pot upper rim retention arm is a lamppost connector. The telescopic pole support may be contracted to capture a pot between the ground-engaging pad and pot upper rim retention arm, and then later expanded and separated from the pot.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to illumination, and more particularly to an apparatus for illuminating a pot containing flowers, plants or simulations thereof. In one preferred embodiment, a telescopic light base couples to a flower pot of indeterminate size, while safely and securely supporting a light for ornamental illumination of the flower pot and contents.
2. Description of the Related Art
Illumination was likely purely utilitarian in the earliest times, when fire was revered for heat, warmth, the illumination of caves and other dark areas, and extension of daylight. However, and particularly with the advent of electric lights, there has been a marked and extensive blending of utilitarian functions with artistic, ornamental, or otherwise attractive and pleasant illumination.
The blending of function is apparent in the illumination of plants, flowers, and simulations thereof. A number of artisans have combined illumination with plants in containers, as illustrated for exemplary purposes in U.S. Pat. No. 1,419,152 by Lansing et al, entitled "Electric flower lamp;" Des 234,221 by Upchurch, entitled "Lamp or the like;" Des 242,941 by Nagata, entitled "Combined lamp and planter or similar article;" and Des 323,794 by Wianecki, entitled "Combined planter and lamp;" the teachings of each which are incorporated herein by reference. While suitable for plant ornamental and perhaps utilitarian illumination, depending upon the design, each of these incorporate a pot of particular size and geometry directly into the construction of the light fixture. Consequently, it is impossible to apply the same light fixture to a different pot volume or geometry. Also, the combination of pot directly with stand makes the assembly somewhat larger and more difficult to both ship and inventory. Finally, in the event of a need for service or other need to access or remove the light fixture, the pot must first be emptied of dirt and plants.
Other artisans have added ornamental illumination through lights incorporated directly into or supported on the pot. Exemplary of this technique, and incorporated herein by reference, are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,349,864 by Smith, entitled "Lighted plant stand;" 5,741,061 by Lehmann et al, entitled "Light-up planter;" 5,951,154 by Carl et al, entitled "Illuminating box-shaped planter with light assembly, light element channel, and glass panel for multidirectional lighting;" United Kingdom patent application 2,230,684 A by Hall, entitled "Illuminated plant holder;" and Japanese laid-open application 6-217645 A by Matsuzaki et al, entitled "Ornamental pot". A number of these patents provide interesting and ornamental up-lighting of plants within the pot, but these suffer from the similar limitation of being restricted to the pot for which the lighting was designed or is fitted with. Furthermore, while up-lighting provides artistic effect with grasses and other ornamental plants, flower blossoms and some other plants tend not to be effectively displayed by upward illumination. Finally, many of these incorporate the lights adjacent the top rim of the pot, but the lights used will also directly illuminate the pot wall. Consequently, attention is not only drawn to the pleasant plant above the pot upper edge, but also and in many cases more intensely down to the pot. As may be apparent, in many instances it is undesirable to illuminate the pot and not more intensely illuminate the plant above.
Another U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,248 by Peters, entitled "Planter hanger," the teachings which are incorporated herein by reference, illustrates a plant hanger with an illuminating light above the pot. This patent provides a more universal adaptation to diverse pots than much of the prior art described herein above, though being limited to small pots and locations providing sufficiently secure anchoring to permit the pot of chosen size to be safely suspended.
In other known instances, a designer will install a light fixture in a particular location upon a building, such as on a wall or the like, and illuminate one or more plants adjacent the building-mounted light. While commonly used, and suited to any type of pot, this approach is limited to locations where suitable building structure exists. Furthermore, the cost of installation is very high, and the ability to rearrange does not practically exist, since the fixture must be relocated at great expense. Finally, with structural installations it is much more difficult to illuminate just one plant, and instead a larger general area is illuminated, even when well-focused reflector bulbs are employed.
Without the structural installation, lamp poles of the prior art are simply too top-heavy and readily tipped to be safely and reliably used with prior art pots. Nevertheless, there are a variety of known lighting structures and fixtures which are exemplary of those used or readily coupled with lamp posts or poles, including for exemplary purposes and not limiting thereto U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,511 by Lindsay, entitled "Structures for lighting fixtures;" Des 277,511 by Patel, entitled "Outdoor light;" and Des 448,510 by Milicia, entitled "Outdoor lighting fixture;" the contents of each which are incorporated herein by reference.
In addition to the foregoing patents, Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition copyright 1983, is incorporated herein by reference in entirety for the definitions of words and terms used herein.

Telescopic light base for coupling to diverse plant containers


A password grammar for speech recognition is described. A password is normalized into a list of strings of a plurality of character types such as letters and numerals. For each string of letters, one or more corresponding letter permutations are determined which represent pronounceable combinations of that string. Then, for each letter permutation, a corresponding recognition grammar entry is created for a speech recognition grammar.

Many computer applications require the user to provide a difficult to predict password, such as Hitt-222X. Typically, such a password must be typed in via a keyboard input device. Although speech recognition is becoming more commonly used for text input, speech recognition of such difficult to predict passwords is more difficult than for normal words.

Gramma generation for password recognition


A polymeric material comprising from about 5% to about 60% of a Diels-Alder additive, wherein the additive crosslinks at a temperature below 100° C., an adhesive or sealant component, wherein the viscosity of the adhesive or sealant is reduced by at least about 5%, at least about 30%, at least about 80%, or even at least about 100% when combined with the Diels-Alder additive.

Current trends in the automotive industry and elsewhere involve reducing weight in structures for a variety of reasons. One methodology is to use lower density substrates. Aluminum, composites and magnesium are currently being utilized to supplement and thus reduce the amount of steel used in vehicles and other structures. Since many structures are made of steel however, it will be necessary to bond steel to these lighter substrates including but not limited to aluminum and composite materials (e.g., epoxy composite materials). There are at least two major difficulties when bonding these dissimilar substrates together: (1) the possibility of galvanic corrosion due to electrode potential between two different substrates; and (2) the difficulties that arise from difference in coefficient of thermal linear expansion between two different substrates. Galvanic corrosion can be minimized by placing a relatively non-conductive adhesive between the two different substrates (such as aluminum and steel). However, the coefficient of thermal linear expansion (CTLE) difference can cause de-bonding of the adhesive and/or deformation in the lighter substrate. As an example, aluminum has a CTLE of around 22×10−6 m/(mK) while steel has a CTLE of around 11×10−6 m/(mK). This means that the aluminum expands about twice as much over the same change in temperature as compared to steel.
When using a heat activated structural adhesive to bond aluminum to steel, the adhesive is generally applied to a first substrate. The other substrate is then brought into contact with the first substrate with adhesive applied. Typically, a few mechanical fasteners or welds are used to hold the structure together and provide needed pressure for good adhesive bonding. As the resulting structure is conveyed through curing ovens, the adhesive first softens and the aluminum and steel begin to expand. As the structure progresses through the oven, the adhesive begins to cure and the metals continue to expand. It is possible that the difference in expansion between the two metals is large enough that the soft uncured adhesive is pulled away from the matching substrate before the adhesive cures. This may result in the adhesive not being in intimate contact with the mating substrate as desired. Now that the substrates have separated and there is a gap between the adhesive layer so that once the adhesive cures there will be insufficient adhesion when the structure cools and the metallic substrates shrink back down to their pre-expanded dimensions.
A second possible defect mechanism may be that the difference in expansion between the aluminum and steel are such that a significant amount of stress can be "locked" into place once the adhesive cures. When the two metallic layers cool and attempt to return to their original dimensions, the adhesive prohibits this action causing a kink in one or both of the metallic substrates.
Similar issues arise when the adhesive is located adjacent a metallic class A vehicle surface. Such adhesives are typically used for panel stiffening patches. As the metallic panel expands and shrinks, the adhesive cures causing stress on the panel and "read-through" occurs causing unsightly marks on the panel surface.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, it would be desirable to create a process or additive for an adhesive that could provide an ability for the adhesive to be reversible such that crosslinks may be formed and unformed as the metallic materials expand and contract.

Reversible networks in polymeric materials


A brushless DC motor apparatus includes a housing and a stator assembly coupled to the housing. The apparatus further includes a magnetic rotor assembly rotatably coupled to the housing. The magnetic rotor assembly is configured to rotate within the housing in response to electric currents through windings of the stator assembly. The apparatus further includes position sensors which are configured to provide position signals identifying angular position of the magnetic rotor assembly relative to the stator assembly. Each position sensor includes (i) a Hall-effect sensor disposed distally from the windings, and (ii) magnetic circuit members having first end portions adjacent the windings and proximate rotor magnets and second end portions adjacent the Hall-effect sensor. Use of such magnetic circuit members enables the Hall-effect sensors to reside a greater distance from the windings vis-à-vis conventional brushless DC motors which position sensors adjacent to stator coils within motor casings.

Brushless direct current (DC) motors have a variety of applications within a variety of industries. For example, the aerospace industry often uses brushless DC motors for servo and remote control tasks such as controlling the aircraft control surface, and servovalve or fuel valve operation.
One conventional brushless DC motor includes a rotor, a stator and a motor controller. The rotor typically includes a shaft and a set of permanent magnets mounted to the shaft. The stator typically includes a motor casing and coils which are typically wound in slots inside of the motor casing. The rotor shaft couples to the motor casing such that the rotor is capable of rotating relative to the casing, and such that the stator coils surround the set of permanent magnets mounted to the shaft.
The motor controller typically includes Hall-effect sensors and a control circuit. The Hall-effect sensors sit adjacent to the motor coils fixed to the motor stator and in close proximity to the rotor magnets to enable the Hall-effect sensors to adequately sense a magnetic field by the permanent magnets of the rotor. The control circuit electrically connects to both the Hall-effect sensors and the stator coils.
During this magnetic field sensing operation, the Hall-effect sensors provide electric signals to the control circuit which enables the control circuit to determine the angular position of the rotor within the stator. The control circuit can consequently control the motor commutation process and output currents to the stator coils in a way that controls the position of the rotor relative to the stator. The currents in the stator coils generate a magnetic field, which produces torque by interaction with the permanent magnets on the rotor shaft pushing the rotor to rotate about the rotor shaft to a new position. Such operation enables the brushless DC motor to remotely perform tasks, e.g., to make servovalve adjustments to modify a position of a wing flap, to change a metering position of a fuel valve, etc.

Brushless DC motors with remote Hall sensing and methods of making the same


The present invention relates to a device designed to both store and dispense liquid scent, and, more particularly, to an animal liquid scent dispenser. The device includes a container having a generally hollow interior, a side wall, a closed end, an open end and a cover hingedly attached to the container. Within the container, a basket holds an absorbent body which retains the liquid scent. The basket is connected by tether to a fastening ring, which allows the device to be secured to an external object, such as a tree branch for support, when in use. The cover is provided to secure and seal the open end of the container to prevent loss of the scent or liquid. Alternatively, the cover may be removed from the container to permit scent to be released from the open end of the container.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid scent dispenser and, more particularly, to an animal liquid scent dispenser.
2. Description of Related Art
Aromatic materials which generate particular scents to lure or attract particular game animals toward a position within range of a hunter are well known. Liquid animal scents can also be used to mask a human's scent. These liquid lures are widely available commercially in concentrated liquid form, and their use for attracting prey is especially popular among hunters. For example, in deer hunting, it is well known that doe urine is especially effective for luring bucks to a position near where a hunter is stationed. Thus, a hunter may apply liquid lure near his blind or place of hiding. Alternatively, a scent comprised of buck urine may also be used, since a dominant buck will be attracted to chase away the apparent intruder from his territory. Still further, deer hunters may utilize the previously-mentioned liquid urine scents near scrape marks in the ground formed by the hooves of passing deer. Consequently, it is advantageous for the hunter to distribute small quantities of the animal scent near the area of the scrapes, often by sprinkling the liquid scent on the ground.
In addition to hunters, liquid animal scents are also used by trappers, and by wild life photographers and other nature enthusiasts. Whatever the specific use, artificial scents are essential for most, if not all users, to achieve successful results in their hunting, trapping, and other outdoor activities.
While these lures are effective, they are normally quite expensive. Because of the high cost, most hunters are very careful to avoid overly generous applications or spilling of the lure. Thus, there exists a need among hunters for a dispenser of liquid animal lures which is easy to use, which provides a means for preventing spillage of the lure, and which avoids the expense of overgenerous application. Further, it is desirable to have a means to effectively expose the liquid scent to the air to maximize the vaporization of the liquid and enhance the distribution of the aroma.
Prior art devices for dispensing liquid animal scents have proven unsatisfactory for a number of reasons. Often prior art dispensers for liquid animal lures are awkward to use, resulting in the spillage or splashing of the lure, and the creation of a malodorous mess on the user's clothing or within his vehicle. One prior art device is a simple sponge or pad attached to a piece of plastic which is securable to the user's clothing. However, this device provides no means to stop the scent release by enclosing the saturated sponge or pad when the scent is no longer required. As a result, the scent becomes an offensive odor as it continues to be released in the hunter's vehicle or home. Further, the prior art teaches that the pad be disposed of or cleaned after each use.
Another prior art device uses a cover which screws down around the scented body to shut off the odor. However, as the cover is unscrewed and the scent-carrying body is exposed, not only is the scent released, but undesirable and wasteful leakage of the scented liquid occurs if the user accidentally oversaturates the pad. Other prior art devices are vials or bottles of liquid scent left on the ground. This may result in poor vapor distribution, as well as overturning of the bottle due to the wind or other force which results in the expensive liquid scent being spilled onto the soil.
It would be very desirable for outdoor enthusiasts to have a scenting device which eliminates the messiness inherent in the prior art devices. What is needed is a scenting device which is simple, long-lasting, reusable, and convenient, and provides a dependable seal allowing the user to prevent the release of the scent. The present invention answers these needs and provides other benefits which will be detailed below.


A non-destructive testing equipment comprises a magnetic field generator for generating a uniform magnetic field, and a magnetic sensor accommodated in a thermal insulation container and filled with a liquid nitrogen. The thermal insulation container is located within a magnetic shield container having an opening. The magnetic sensor includes a SQUID that is a magnetic sensor having very high sensitivity. The magnetic sensor can detect, through the opening, an appreciable variation of the magnetic field that is caused by small impurities or minor defects contained in the object to be tested.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a non-destructive testing equipment, and more specifically, to a new portable magnetic testing equipment which can detect impurities or defects contained in an object to be tested, with high sensitivity.
2. Description of Related Art
A slight defect in a body of aircraft or spacecrafts and satellites will often results in a serious accident. Therefore, a periodical check and maintenance are severely performed for the body of these vehicles. However, since a so-called destructive testing cannot be performed for these bodies, the checkings being currently performed are limited to a checking by worker's eyes and an acoustic testing, so that a satisfactory checking precision and reliability cannot be obtained, and working efficiency of the checking operation is low.
In addition, in laid power transmission cables and laid signal transmission cables, it is possible to inspect a surface of these cables by human's eyes, and to evaluate the condition of conductors included in these cables on the basis of quality of transmission signals. However, there has not yet been proposed a method capable of inspecting an internal condition of insulators included in the cables and of testing tensile strength members themselves included in the cables. Similarly, it is very difficult to inspect an internal condition of structural wire-cables after assembled.
As mentioned above, in various technical fields, there are a large demand for a method or equipment for precisely detecting extremely small impurities or slight defects included in the materials having an extremely large length or a large area. However, such a method or equipment have not yet been proposed.

Non-destructive testing equipment having squid type magnetic sensor


A Waypoint Services Navigational System (WSNS) is disclosed comprising a mobile unit connected to a server and to a database by the Internet. The WSNS uses omnipresent digital cellular links or any other form of radio frequency communications for transmission of information by a registered services provider to a traveler with a WSNS mobile unit. Using WSNS, the registered service provider announces its presence along with specific services/products to a traveler with a WSNS mobile unit within a predefined geographic radius. This information may be viewed via a conventional mobile computer, a personal digital assistant screen, or through a Global Positioning System (GPS) mapping longitude/latitude device. The WSNS mobile unit may be portable or mounted in a vehicle in a convenient location. Specific directions to a selected services provider are provided based upon the proximity positioning information at that moment in-time when the information is requested. Advertising specials, competitive services/products, entertainment, or emergency services may all be broadcast, and the user may choose from menus for the nature of services desired. Information may be provided regarding “upcoming” service providers through a combination of user geographical location, user directional data, and overlay maps showing registered businesses. Products or services may be ordered through a WSNS online order system for placing credit-or account backed purchases using the WSNS combination of locational information and business registration. WSNS service may also be provided through conventional internet-only communications, downloadable into a GPS-attached mobile computer to alleviate the need for a cellular link to the car.

In today's world of ever-increasing travel and mobile computing, and with a multitude of news, products and services catering to the mobile public, it is still a difficult proposition to locate providers of various goods and services while traveling. A need arises for a way to rapidly discover service and product providers while traveling. A further need arises for a way for businesses, including but not limited to restaurants, gas stations, and retail stores, to register their offerings and locations with a central service provider for exposure and advertising to mobile travelers within a preset geographic distance. Once registered, any mobile person would then be able to be guided to the chosen place of business, once in a general proximity of the Selected place of business. The need includes providing the mobile traveler wit both navigational instructions to the registered business and providing information on specific services/products available from the registered business. A further need exists for a way for proactive advertising and discounted specials (i.e., "electronic coupons") of the registered businesses to be provided directly to the mobile traveler.

Method and apparatus for waypoint services navigational system

International Business Machines Corporation