A vehicle mirror, and a mold for making same, each includes a portion of the viewing surface wherein the field angle increases at an increasing rate as the observer's eye travels outward across the mirror, and another portion wherein the field angle increases at a decreasing rate as the observer's eye travels across the mirror surface. In one embodiment, the mirror includes a primary viewing area (16) nearest to the observer (14) having a spherical convex surface, a secondary viewing area (18) somewhat farther from the observer, having an aspherical convex surface wherein the field angle increases at an increasing rate, and a tertiary viewing area (20) still farther outward, having an aspherical convex curvature wherein the field angle increases at a decreasing rate.

Automotive vehicles often employ mirrors including a convex surface which is designed to provide a compromise between several design objectives. These objectives typically include a field of view, mirror size and location, apparent image size, and distortion.
My U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,786 discloses a mirror having a convex curvature defined by mathematical and geometrical relationships between the position of the observer, the viewed objects, and the mirror. The design criteria which I disclose in my '786 patent yield mirror surfaces which control bi-ocular distortions while producing the desired field of view. My patented design provides an improved mirror surface which typically includes a relatively flat, spherical-convex primary viewing area combined with a peripheral, aspherical-convex viewing area employing a continuously decreasing radius of curvature (and, generally a continuously increasing field angle) as the surface extended outwardly from the central or primary viewing area of the mirror. This concept is currently successfully employed on about 50,000 light-truck vehicles in North America. While my patented design defines a surface having a smooth optical transition between the primary viewing area and the more radically curved aspherical peripheral area, the design objectives for some mirrors often present problems to the mirror optics designer and/or manufacturer.
For example, on mirrors with relatively limited width and/or large field-of-view requirements, a relatively greater portion of the mirror profile must be provided with an aspherical convex surface to obtain the desired field of view from the mirror. This often results in rapidly decreasing radii of curvature of the mirror's surface at the periphery of the mirror, as well as at the periphery of the corresponding mold surface. While often necessary to obtain the desired view angle, this rapidly increasing curvature in the peripheral area provide increased and unwanted distortion of reflected images in that area.
Another problem arises in the manufacture of mirrors having a relatively small or rapidly decreasing radii of curvature at their periphery. The glass for these mirrors is typically formed on glass bending equipment which heats the mirror glass to its softening point, and bends the softened glass, either by the force of gravity over a mold, or by press-forming the glass sheet between two complementary molds. In mirrors having designs which include relatively rapidly decreasing radii of curvature at their periphery, the sharp curvature of the glass at the periphery may prove difficult to form on existing glass bending equipment without heating the glass to a higher temperature in the areas of sharper curvature and/or other more expensive and time-consuming forming methods and equipment. As is appreciated by those skilled in the art, heating glass to an increased temperature to form relatively sharp bends in a glass often negatively affects the surface quality of the glass, thereby yielding mirror lenses of low or unacceptable quality. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that the mold surface is necessarily larger than the finished mirror, often resulting in a forming surface which, at its periphery, has a more severe curvature than the smaller finished mirror formed thereon.
One object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide an improved vehicle mirror design which balances the considerations of limited viewing surface with wide field of view while simultaneously minimizing both (1) the image distortion caused at the transition points between changing viewing surface profiles and (2) the image distortion resulting from relatively rapidly decreasing radii of curvature at the periphery of the mirror.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for designing a vehicle mirror surface which yields a controlled image distortion and a wide field of view while minimizing the amount of image distortion at the periphery of the mirror.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of designing a mold surface for fabricating a vehicle mirror which provides a resultant mirror having a surface which provides both controlled image distortion and a wide field of view while minimizing the sharpness of bend required in the mold surface at and nominally beyond the periphery of the mirror.

Vehicle mirrors having convex curvatures and methods of making same


Embodiments of the invention generally provide compositions of tantalum carbide nitride materials. In one embodiment, a composition of a tantalum carbide nitride material is provided which includes the chemical formula of TaCxNy, wherein x is within a range from about 0.20 to about 0.50 and y is within a range from about 0.20 to about 0.55, an interstitial/elemental carbon atomic ratio of about 2 or greater, and a crystalline structure. In some examples, the composition provides that x is within a range from about 0.25 to about 0.40, preferably, from about 0.30 to about 0.40, and y is within a range from about 0.30 to about 0.50, preferably, from about 0.35 to about 0.50. The interstitial/elemental carbon atomic ratio may be about 3, about 4, or greater. The composition further may have a sheet resistance within a range from about 1×104 Ω/sq to about 1×106 Ω/sq.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to electronic device processing, and more particularly, to vapor deposition processes for tantalum-containing materials and the compositions of the tantalum-containing materials, such as tantalum carbide nitride materials.
2. Description of the Related Art
The electronic device industry and the semiconductor industry continue to strive for larger production yields while increasing the uniformity of layers deposited on substrates having increasingly larger surface areas. These same factors in combination with new materials also provide higher integration of circuits per unit area on the substrate. As circuit integration increases, the need for greater uniformity and process control regarding layer characteristics rises.
Several areas of fabrication that are constantly improving include the formation of metal gate electrodes and the deposition of contact barrier layers. Gate electrodes have often been made with silicon based materials, but more frequently are made with metallic materials, such as tungsten or cobalt. However, the materials used for gate electrodes have lacked accessible or tunable electronic properties by varying the compositions of the contained materials. While tantalum materials have been used as barrier layers, tantalum materials have only been scarcely used for the formation of metal gate electrodes, despite the variety of electronic characteristics available from tantalum materials.
Formation of tantalum-containing barrier layers, such as tantalum, tantalum nitride, and other tantalum materials, in multi-level integrated circuits poses many challenges to process control, particularly with respect to contact formation. Contacts are formed by depositing conductive interconnect material in an opening (e.g., via) on the surface of insulating material disposed between two spaced-apart conductive layers. Copper, tungsten, and aluminum are the most popular conductive interconnect materials, but may diffuse into neighboring layers, such as dielectric layers. The resulting and undesirable presence of these metals causes dielectric layers to become conductive and ultimate device failure. Therefore, barrier materials are used to control metal diffusion into neighboring materials.
Barrier layers formed from sputtered tantalum and reactive sputtered tantalum nitride have demonstrated properties suitable for use to control metal diffusion. Exemplary properties include high conductivity, high thermal stability, and resistance to diffusion of foreign atoms. Physical vapor deposition (PVD) processes are used to deposit tantalum materials as gate electrodes or in features of small size (e.g., about 90 nm wide) and high aspect ratios of about 5:1. However, it is believed that PVD processes may have reached a limit at this size and aspect ratio. Also, the variety of compositions for tantalum materials is very limited when using a PVD process.
Attempts have been made to use traditional tantalum precursors found in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes to deposit tantalum materials. Multiple CVD and ALD processes are anticipated to be used in the next generation technology of 45 nm wide features having aspect ratios of about 10:1 or greater. Also, ALD processes more easily deposit tantalum materials on features containing undercuts than does PVD processes. Formation of tantalum-containing films from CVD or ALD processes using TaCl5 as a precursor may require as many as three treatment cycles using various radial based chemistries (e.g., atomic hydrogen or atomic nitrogen) to form tantalum materials. Processes using TaCl5 may also suffer from chlorine contaminants within the tantalum material. While metal-organic tantalum precursors may be used to form tantalum materials containing no chlorine contaminants, the deposited materials may suffer with the undesirable characteristic of a high carbon content.
Therefore, there is a need for a process to deposit tantalum-containing materials, such as tantalum carbide nitride, on a substrate, including as a metal gate electrode as well as a barrier layer, while controlling process parameters in order to form predetermined compositions having select electronic properties.

Tantalum carbide nitride materials by vapor deposition processes


A system and method for transforming databases to maintain compatibility with an associated software application. An initial database associated with an application is formatted using a description language that is transformable by a stylesheet language. After modification of the structure or values of the initial database, a translator using a stylesheet language is applied to the database to transform the database so that it retains compatibility with a revised or updated application. When the application itself is modified, the translator can be used to maintain compatibility between existing databases and the revised application. In one embodiment, the application can be used to program an electronic device.

Many software programs include a database that provides a set of data that is combined with user input to produce a desired output. Examples of such databases are dictionaries, catalogs, and component libraries.
Generally, the format of data used in a software application (e.g. a software tool for programming electronic devices) has been very tightly coupled to a particular version. If the software tool was modified in such a way that required changes in the data structure, such as additional and/or different fields and information, then any data that was based on the old software tool would not be compatible with the updated software version. As a result, a customer's existing database may not be carried forward and used with subsequent versions of a software tool. Revision of the data structure for compatibility has been a costly and/or tedious process.
The tight coupling between a database and its application provides rapid execution; however, in interactive applications execution speed is not a priority. Also, modern microprocessors provide significantly more power than those of just a few years ago.
Markup languages such as Extensible Markup Language, and other document oriented languages have typically not been used in computationally demanding environments. However, their resemblance to natural language and ability to be transformed (e.g., by the application of stylesheets) make them attractive for use in software that is subject to frequent revision.

System and method for data transformation of device databases for forward compatibility


A surface contact card holder (100) includes a body (10), a receiving mechanism (14), a guiding mechanism (20), and a latching member (25). The receiving mechanism is provided on the body for receiving a surface contact card (30) therein. The receiving mechanism has an aperture (142) defined in one end thereof for insertion and withdraw of the surface contact card. The guiding mechanism is provided on the body and adjacent to the aperture. The latching member is slidably mounted with the guiding mechanism for opening and closing the aperture of the receiving mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to mechanisms for holding card members in an electronic device and, particularly, to a surface contact card holder for holding a surface contact card in a portable electronic device.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
With the development of wireless communication and information processing technologies, portable electronic devices such as mobile phones are now in widespread use. These electronic devices enable consumers to enjoy high-tech services anytime and anywhere. Surface contact cards having special circuits are widely used in portable electronic devices to enhance or specialize the functions of the portable electronic devices. For example, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card can be placed in a mobile phone to dedicate the mobile phone' functions to the SIM card owner. By changing SIM cards, a single mobile phone can be used by many different SIM card owners as a personal phone.
Referring now to FIG. 5, a conventional mechanism for holding a SIM card therein includes a base 42 made of insulating material and a holding structure 44. The base 42 defines a receiving groove 421 and a SIM connector 40 including a plurality of contacts is set in the middle of the receiving groove 421. The shape and size of the receiving groove 421 are the same as those of the SIM card. The holding structure 44 is located adjacent to one end of the receiving groove 421 and can be moved back and forth along the direction as indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 5.
In use, firstly, the holding structure 44 is moved away from the receiving groove 421 and the SIM card is inserted into the receiving groove 421. Then, the holding structure 44 is moved adjacent to the receiving groove 421 so as to latch the SIM card in the receiving groove 421. In the same way, the SIM card can be released by moving the holding structure 44 away from the receiving groove 421.
In the above conventional mechanism for holding a SIM card, the holding structure 44 can be easily moved, if a mobile phone employing such a mechanism for holding a SIM card drops to ground, and shock can easily force the holding structure 44 to move off the receiving groove 421. As a result, the SIM card will not connect well with the SIM contactor 30 or even be released from the receiving groove 421. Obviously, such a conventional mechanism can not hold the SIM card steadily in the receiving groove 421.
Therefore, there is a need for a new surface contact card holder which can hold a surface contact card steadily in a portable electronic device.

ShenZhen FuTaiHong Precision Industry Co., Ltd.


An aligned electronic circuit component assembly for attaching components onto larger mounting members at predetermined positions thereon are provided. The mounting or heat spreader members include shift resistant regions which are disposed in close proximity or substantially aligned with peripheral portions or edges of the component die when the die is placed in its predetermined position on an associated mounting or base member. The shift resistant regions can include non-linear edge surfaces, such as the edge surfaces around notches in the members, so as to provide areas on the base or heat spreader member which do not have solder thereon. It has been found that the surface tension of the liquid solder during reflow acts to provide a restraining force at the edge surfaces so as to restrain the electronic component from shifting from the desired position on the base member. In addition, the notches are formed in a pattern around the base heat spreader member which keeps them to a minimum number so that the heat spreader is large enough to ensure proper heat dissipation from the circuit component while still restraining shifting of the component, either rotationally about an axis extending through the component or translationally across the layer of liquid solder. Accordingly, efficient high volume production of precisely aligned circuit component assemblies including component dies attached on base members at predetermined positions thereon can occur utilizing a solder reflow process.

During assembly of electronic components to mounting members, it is oftentimes important that the components be able to be precisely mounted in a predetermined position to provide for repeatability in assembly thereof. For assembly, the base member can be printed or coated with a layer of solder material thereon for attaching the die of the electronic component thereto. Automated vision systems can be utilized to locate contact points for wire bonding leads to the components attached on the base member. Where the component is to be utilized in a circuit, consistent location of the component is important to allow leads to be connected in a quick and efficient manner without having to take into account variations in locations of the contact points on the electronic component. However, where there is misalignment in the mounting of the component on the base member, the above-mentioned vision systems may not be able to adequately compensate for variations in the location of the wire contacts on the component assembly due to the misalignment. In addition, where the mounting member is a larger heat spreader for heat dissipation purposes, any shifting of the component on the spreader can reduce the efficiency of the heat transfer from the component to the spreader, and thus the heat dissipated from the spreader. In one known method for attaching components in proper alignment on mounting members, the component is placed onto the solder coat on the mounting member, and is ultrasonically welded by rapid agitation generated at the interface between the component die and the solder layer.
On the other hand, a reflow process for attaching electronic component dies and mounting members would be preferable over the above-described ultrasonic welding process. With a reflow process, high volume production of attached components can occur in an efficient manner with the parts being continuously run through a reflow oven. However, the problem in placing the components on the solder coated mounting members and running them through a reflow oven is that absent a mechanical fixturing and aligning device, the components are not restrained in the desired position for attachment to the mounting members. Thus, once the solder is heated and reflows in the oven, the component will be floating on a liquid layer of material such that any external forces applied to the floating component can cause it to shift from the predetermined position. Accordingly, any exhaust drafts in the oven, vibrations of the conveyor, etc. can cause the component to move on the liquid solder layer from the predetermined position. As described earlier, such movement or shifting is undesirable for subsequent wire bonding of leads to the component and for heat transfer purposes. Thus, there is a need for an assembly which accurately aligns and attaches the components in a predetermined position on a base mounting member in a consistent and repeatable manner by reflowing of a solid solder material therebetween to facilitate efficient high volume production of these component assemblies.
In one particular application herein, the electronic component is a power transistor and the base member is a larger heat spreader with the attached transistor and heat spreader being utilized in an automotive ignition module. In this application, the transistor generates heat and is also exposed to a high temperature environment in that it is engine mounted. At certain high temperatures, the durability of the transistor can be adversely affected; accordingly, it is important to keep the transistors below such critical temperatures for maximizing their performance. In this regard, the heat spreader is larger than the transistor die for proper dissipation of heat generated during use of the transistor. The larger heat spreader is coated with solder for attaching the transistor die thereto, and, if the solder is reflowed, the previously described problem of having the transistor component float and shift on the heat spreader will occur. Keeping the solder coated member to the same size as the die is not done in this application as the heat spreader must be larger than the die to properly dissipate heat from the transistor. Accordingly, there is a need for a transistor component assembly for manufacture thereof which keeps the transistor component aligned on the larger heat spreader and also keeps the size of the heat spreader sufficiently large to ensure proper heat dissipation from the transistor during use.

Electronic component assembly for maintaining component alignment during soldering


An apparatus for determining system configuration in a computer system using only one 8 bit data port. Permanent connections on each of the microprocessor and memory boards provide respective configuration and/or memory information about each board. The signals are stored in serial out shift registers associated with each board that are daisy chained together. These shift registers serially transmit the configuration information to one 8 bit data port, which then transmits this information to the computer system in 8 bit increments. If a given slot is empty it is automatically bypassed in the shift register daisy chain.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the determination of system configuration in computer systems, and more particularly to automatically determining the type and number of processors and the amount of memory and its location throughout a computer system.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
The number of areas where personal computers are being utilized is growing dramatically. The areas are varied, and as a result, have different requirements for the various subsystems forming a complete computer system. For example, personal computers used primarily for word processing have relatively modest requirements for installed memory and processor subsystems, have very high performance requirements for the mass storage subsystem and have varying requirements for the display subsystem, depending on the exact application, such as high resolution desktop publishing or simpler letter production, being performed. A data storage and retrieval oriented system needs larger amounts of memory, a faster processor, may have lesser mass storage requirements and generally has minimal display requirements. Complex spreadsheet applications require very large amounts of memory, high performance processors, average capability mass storage subsystems and have display requirements which vary depending on whether complex graphic presentations are desired. Simple spreadsheet applications need standard amounts of memory, average performance processors, average capability mass storage subsystems and have the same display requirements as complex spreadsheet applications. Computer automated design systems require large amounts of memory, very high performance processors, high performance mass storage systems and very high performance display components.
Because of production volume requirements and the reduced costs as volumes increase, it is desirable that as many common features as possible are combined into high volume boards. This has happened in the personal computer area by developing basic units of varying processor performance levels, with the other subsystems incorporated by the inclusion of interchangeable modules. Modules of the desired performance level are incorporated into the basic unit to tailor the basic processor unit to the desired complete computer system. Because of the inherent flexibility of this design approach, it becomes difficult to develop a single piece of software to control the system. The software cannot depend on a given configuration being present and so arrangements must be made to allow the software to understand the specific configuration. Additionally, the provisions must be made so the various modules forming the subsystems do not interfere with each other.
Personal computers have evolved from single microprocessor-based systems to computers systems capable of incorporating multiple processors. Some multi-processor personal computer systems are initially offered with a single microprocessor, referred to as the primary processor, and one or more processor expansion slots into which may be inserted additional microprocessors, referred to as secondary processors. This provides added flexibility to the user because the number of microprocessors present within the computer system can be tailored to fit individual needs. However, the inclusion of optional microprocessor slots in personal computer systems has exacerbated software and hardware configuration problems because the system must now determine the type and number of processors present within the system.
The software and hardware configuration problems are also quite true in memory subsystems where it is common for the subsystem to be originally installed by a system integrator at one level and then changed by a relatively unskilled user. The change is performed by adding memory integrated circuits, either into previously available locations in a preexisting module, or changing the number or type of incorporated memory modules. This situation is further complicated because personal computers related to or compatible with products produced by International Business Machines Corporation have undergone a very complicated memory expansion path because of limitations in the various processors, operating systems, and designs which have developed over the years. As a result, various competing systems and memory allocation conflicts have developed, so that determining and setting memory size and location is extremely difficult.
Until recently, indication of memory size and location was performed by appropriately setting switches or jumpers provided by the manufacturer of the memory subsystem. This required that the person installing or upgrading the memory subsystem had a good knowledge of the environment, that is, the intended size of the memory components and location where they were to be located, both physically and in the address space of the computer, and where any other existing memory subsystem components were located. This knowledge requirement either made the installation very difficult for the unskilled owner or required installation by a skilled person, usually at a relatively large expense. The unskilled owner had to try and follow the often difficult to interpret instructions and hoped to get everything right. If not, the owner had to try again, thereby expending valuable time. After a sufficient number of unsuccessful attempts, the unskilled owner generally contacted a skilled individual for assistance. Thus, much time and effort was expended with minimal results.
It was therefore desirable that the memory size and address location be determined automatically and that any determined errors be indicated to the installer to allow a minimum of time and effort to be expended when installing or modifying a memory subsystem. One solution to the problem of memory configuration determination included an apparatus that automatically determined the maximum amount of memory available and its physical and address locations, determined if the memory was correctly installed, indicated any errors to the operator and enabled the maximum usable amount of memory. The apparatus included a base memory board which included a series of permanently enabled signals to indicate the amount of memory on the board. The signals were provided to a buffer which was connected to the data bus, enabling the system to read the state of the signals provided to the buffer. The base memory board had a series of connectors for addition of memory modules. Each memory module included a series of permanently enabled signals to indicate the amount of memory installed on the module. These signals were transmitted from the memory module to the buffer on the base board. If no memory module was installed in a given connector, the signals associated with that connector were set at a predefined level. The signals were provided to a buffer which was connected to the data bus, enabling the system to read the state of the signals provided to the buffer.
The above method for memory configuration determination proved satisfactory for awhile. However, as the number of memory modules and external memory cards increased, the total width of the buffer that held the memory configuration information became unwieldy. In addition, the incorporation of multiple processors in computer systems and the desirability that the type and number of processors resident in the computer system be determined automatically with the memory configuration information exacerbated the problem of the buffer width with regard to the system configuration information. Increased numbers of the relatively few available input/output (I/O) ports were needed to pass the buffer configuration information to the system for determination of the type and number of processors as well as the identification and location of memory modules in the system. Therefore, it became desirable that processor and memory module configuration information be determined automatically with the use of a minimal width buffer, thereby allowing a minimal number of I/O ports to be used to pass this information to the system.

Daisy-chained serial shift register for determining configuration of removable circuit boards in a computer system


A power tool attachment saw according to the invention is provide and includes a body plate, a connector section and a plurality of cutting walls. The body plate is a planar body and the connector section positioned on one side of the planar body and adapted for attachment to an oscillating power tool. The plurality of cutting walls are positioned orthogonal to and extend from exterior edges of the planar body to form a material receiving space. The plurality of cutting walls provide a uniform cutting edge about the material receiving space.

Modern buildings including homes, offices and other structures often use drywall to cover interior walls and ceilings. During installation, an installer will cut standard sheets of drywall to fit the building interior, and then make more specific cuts for outlet boxes for electrical outlets and light switches. To perform these cuts, the installer will commonly use a knife, a box cutter or other known cutting implement to partially cut through one side of the drywall. The installer then is required to break, fold over and then finish cutting the craft paper on the opposite side. This known process is tedious and causes gypsum to be scattered about the prep and work area.
More recently, installers have turned to power tools, such as oscillating power tools, to make these common cuts. Known oscillating power tools, for instance, provide vibratory motion for an attachment to cut through the drywall with ease. However, many known attachments for these oscillating power tools still require a large number of independent actions to perform accurate cuts. For example, the installer still needs to take several measurements to accurately match the dimensions of the opening for a desired position along the drywall. Furthermore, since several cuts are performed, the oscillating power tool causes gypsum and cut pieces to be scattered about the prep and work area, which causes more time for clean up. Therefore, there is a need for an improved tool attachment to cut openings in drywall that is more convenient, efficient, and easy to use.


The present invention provides a delay apparatus for delaying an input signal by a predetermined delay amount, including: a plurality of delay units for respectively delaying the input signal by the predetermined delay amount, each delay unit having a plurality of delay cells for respectively delaying the input signal by a certain delay period; and a sub decoding unit for generating a plurality of sub control signals to each of the delay units according to a first control signal and a selecting signal, wherein only delay cell of all the delay units is outputted at a time according to the sub controls signals.

In synchronous electronic systems, the integrated circuits in the system are synchronized to a common reference clock. This synchronization often cannot be achieved simply by distributing a single reference clock to each of the integrated circuits for the following reasons, among others. When an integrated circuit receives a reference clock, the circuit often must condition the reference clock before the circuit can use the clock. Usually, a delay locked loop (DLL) has at least one delay element and a control circuit to provide the time delay as required, so as to synchronize the local clock to the reference clock. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in a memory interface between a DDR (Double Data Rate) memory and a chipset, a clock cycle of DQS (data strobe) signal and a clock cycle of DQ (data) signal passed from the DDR memory to the chipset should be ideally aligned with each other. In this case, a DLL circuit will be used for phase-shifting the DQS signal by a certain delay for accurately latching the data.
As mentioned above, the DLL circuit is commonly used in integrated circuit, accordingly, there is a need for an improved DLL circuit, which synchronizes input clocks to reference clocks with a linear delay timing performance.


A polyurethane foam for a sealant is disclosed which is produced from a composition prepared by compounding reaction mixture comprising a polyisocyanate ingredient and a polyol ingredient with a given amount by weight of an ozone inhibitor ingredient. A sealant of a predetermined shape is obtained from the foam. The polyol ingredient may be one ordinarily used for producing soft polyurethane foams, but especially preferably comprises a polyester-polyether polyol having both an ester segment and an ether segment in the molecular chain. The foam has excellent resistance to ozone deterioration and hence retains a sufficient air permeability required of a sealant for practical use. Further, the foam suffers little decrease in tensile strength from the initial value because it also has excellent resistance to deterioration by moisture and heat, i.e., high hydrolytic stability. A door for a conditioner is also described which comprises a substrate having provided on at least one surface thereof a sealant layer which comprises the polyurethane foam for sealant.

Toner sealants are used, for example, for the sealing of the toner hoppers of laser printers, copiers, and the like. The ink toner hoppers are sealed with the toner sealants so as to prevent the extraleakage of the toner, which is a fine powder. Air sealants are used, for example, in doors for conditioners provided in various automotive air ducts. These air sealants function to seal the air flow selector valves disposed in ducts for introducing air conditioned with respect to temperature, humidity, etc. into the cabin for the purpose of ventilation and air conditioning.
Polyurethane foams produced using a polyester polyol as a raw material (hereinafter referred to as "ester foams") are soft and have low air permeability, reduced permanent compression set, and excellent durability. Due to such advantages, these polyurethane foams have conventionally been frequently used as various sealants. For use in applications such as those shown above, sealants are required to also have excellent resistance to ozone deterioration. The ester foams are exceedingly superior in this point to polyurethane foams produced using a polyether polyol as a raw material (hereinafter referred to as "ether foams").
However, even the ester foams, when used as either toner sealants or air sealants, have a problem that the foams suffer cell wall breakage and a considerable increase in air permeability during long-term exposure to ozone contained in a slight amount in the atmosphere and, as a result, come to malfunction as sealants. The ester foams have another problem that they deteriorate as a result of the hydrolysis of ester bonds, which are attributable to the polyester polyol used as a major raw material.
The ester foams or the ether foams have hitherto been used as sealants for doors for automotive conditioners. Although the ester foams have excellent sealing ability at the initial stage, the foams deteriorate as a result of their hydrolysis in several years when they are used under the practical circumstances. In some serious cases, the foams break down into powders by touching them. As a result, the sealing ability of the foam remarkably decreases. For coping with the problem due to the hydrolysis, the ether foams started to be used in recent years. Although it has been confirmed that the ether foams have a life at least three times longer than that of the ester foams because the ether foams have reduced susceptibility to hydrolysis, the ether foams have another problem that they tend to cause ozone deterioration as compared with the ester foams.
Recently, air sealants for use in the doors for automotive conditioners are frequently required to have long-term durability for, e.g., 10-year warranty, because of the supposed severe environment in which the sealants will be used. Accordingly, the problems of the hydrolysis of the ester foams and the ozone deterioration of the ether foams become more serious.
In recent years, size reduction in toner particles for use in copiers and the like is progressing with the trend toward finer and color images. Because of this, strongly acidic or alkaline resins have come to be frequently used as resin ingredients for preparing colorant-containing toners, in place of conventionally employed neutral resins. As a result of this resin pH change, the hydrolysis of ester foams has come to be accelerated, and there are an increasing number of cases where ester foams come to malfunction as sealants in relatively short time periods.


The preferred embodiment of the invention distributes, and effectively caches, information by inserting it into file handles that the proxy sends to clients. This information can be used to improve performance by eliminating the need for the proxy to generate additional requests to the server to establish file identity. The distributed information can also be intended to improve security, for example, by allowing the proxy to encode into the file handle a session key that expires after some amount of time.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to file systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for improving file system proxy performance and security by distributing information to clients via file handles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The Network File System (NFS), developed by Sun Microsystems, is the de facto standard for file sharing among UN*X hosts. NFS Version 3 is documented in RFC 1813. NFS is a stateless protocol. This means that the file server stores no per-client information, and there are no NFS connections. For example, NFS has no operation to open a file because this would require the server to store state information, e.g. that a file is open, what its file descriptor is, the next byte to read, etc. Instead, NFS supports a lookup procedure, which converts a filename into a file handle. This file handle is a unique, immutable identifier, usually an i-node number, or disk block address. NFS does have a read procedure, but the client must specify a file handle and starting offset for every call to read. Two identical calls to read yield the exact same results. If the client wants to read further in the file, it must call read with a larger offset.
A software program or appliance that is a proxy for the NFS protocol, or any other protocol that uses server-generated file handles, usually requires additional file metadata information to be stored either on the server or locally on the proxy, especially in the case of encrypting or authenticating client data, and also in the case of server virtualization, i.e. when serving as a single access point for clients, while providing them with access to several servers on the back end. This metadata can be used, for example, to apply different encryption keys, or to enforce access restrictions to files that are located in different logical units that are defined on the proxy, but possibly invisible to the file server.
Storage encryption appliances that secure data on NFS file servers are an example of a device that matches the above characteristics. Such an appliance forwards file handles generated by the file server to clients, and subsequently acts as a proxy for client requests for access to the file system on the server. Given a file handle from a client, the appliance needs to establish to what area (a.k.a. storage vault) the file belongs, and use the appropriate keys to encrypt or decrypt data. If the metadata used to establish this are not available on the proxy, as is typically the case with large file sets accessed by many client machines, the proxy must send additional requests to the file server to determine how to handle the client request correctly.
It would be advantageous to provide a mechanism that distributes, and effectively caches, information by inserting it into file handles that the proxy sends to clients. It would also be advantageous to provide a mechanism that improves performance by eliminating the need for the proxy to generate additional requests to the server to establish file identity.

Method and apparatus for improving file system proxy performance and security by distributing information to clients via file handles


A polymer composition comprises a solid fusible particulate polymer material and a quantity of metal particles that have been blended with the particles of polymer material to render the composition electrically conductive. The composition may be consolidated by subjecting the particulate blend to heat and/or pressure. The electrically conductive polymer composition may be used to connect the electrically conductive screen (7) of a dimensionally recoverable article (6) to the electrically conductive shield (4) of a cable (1).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to polymer compositions and especially to electrically conductive compositions.
2. Introduction to the Invention
Electrically conductive adhesives are employed in a number of fields where good electrical continuity is required. For example, when a shielded electrical cable is terminated with an electrical connector, a screened enclosure, e.g.: in the form of a dimensionally recoverable article, may be located over the connector and cable to provide a continuous screening between the connector and the cable shield. Such articles are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,467,002, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. It is important to maintain a good electrical connection between the screen and the enclosure and both the connector and the cable shield, and electrically conductive adhesives have been employed for this purpose.
Electrically conductive adhesives can be formed by blending a quantity of electrically conductive material, e.g. a metal, into a solutions of the adhesive in a suitable solvent and evaporating the solvent. Normally silver flake is employed for this purpose in view of the relatively low bulk resistivities that can be achieved. The bulk resistivity of the adhesive will fall sharply with the increase in volume loading of metal until a so-called "percolation threshold" is reached after which the resistivity is low and relatively constant with respect to the metal loading. The silver loading employed will depend on the type of adhesive, but loadings in the region of 12-15% by volume may be used, may be used.

Electrically conductive polymer composition


In a composite writing instrument having mounted therein a plurality of writing devices including at least one ball-point pen refill equipped with a tip of the ball-point pen at a top end and an ink reservoir section at a rear end so that writing tip portions may be alternately allowed to project and retreat from an front body top, a pumping type pressurization mechanism is provided behind the ball-point pen refill, and a rear end of ink is pressurized by way of knock operation in a situation where a tip end portion has projected from a body end, so as to help the ink flow towards the tip side.

1. Filed of the Invention
The present invention relates to a composite writing instrument comprising a plurality of writing means at least one of which is a ball-point pen refill equipped with a tip portion of a ball-point pen at the tip and an ink reservoir section at a rear end, so that writing tip portions may selectively be allowed to protrude from a body end, and pumping type pressurization operation may help an ink to flow towards the tip side of the above-mentioned ball-point pen.
2. Description of the Related Art
Examples of a composite writing instrument in which a plurality of writing means are mounted, and writing tip portions are selectively allowed to protrude from a body end, and a writing instrument in which pumping type pressurization operation helps an ink to flow towards the tip side of the above-mentioned ball-point pen, are described in Japanese Laid Open Patent No. 2001-205980 (Patent Document 1), Japanese Laid Open Patent No. 2000-62387 (Patent Document 2), Japanese Laid Open Utility Model No. H01-161081 (Patent Document 3), Japanese Laid Open Patent No. H08-52407 (Patent Document 4), International Publication No. H07-506862 (Japanese Translation of PCT International Application) (Patent Document 5), Japanese Laid Open Patent No. 2001-150865 (Patent Document 6), Japanese Laid Open Patent No. 2001-171286 (Patent Document 7), and Japanese Laid Open Utility Model S63-98776 (Patent Document 8).
Each of the related art documents will be briefly described hereafter.
(Patent Document 1)
It proposes a ball-point pen using an ink which tends to be disrupted in initial writing, and a knock type writing instrument which carries a refill of the ball-point pen allowing correction of a clerical error etc. mainly by concealing it with a white ink.
Those that are proposed in this document can be provided cheaply in terms of costs. However, when a pressurization cylinder is operated to retreat from an advanced state, the inside of the pressurization cylinder tends to be depressurized, so that the ink is urged to flow backwards, whereby there is a disadvantage that recovery of the ink or pressurization performance may be impaired.
Moreover, only one writing means is mounted which consists of a refill for one ball-point. It is not taken into consideration the case where the writing means which consists of a plurality of refills of ball-point pens.
(Patent Document 2)
A plurality of ball-point pen writing means are mounted at least one of which employs an oil-based ink having a low viscosity. When each knock body is knocked, an engagement projection is held in engagement with an engagement step portion at a clip top, thus leaving a writing tip portion to project.
A knock type composite writing instrument is known in which the engagement is released when the clip is put on a breast pocket in the above state, and which is provided with a security mechanism such that a writing tip portion may be retracted into the instrument body.
(Patent Document 3)
A composite writing instrument (multiple type writing instrument) is proposed which is characterized in that a plurality of writing means are mounted, a knock portion is formed to protrude from a rear end of a cap, a rotor (rotating projection member) located at a front side of the knock bar is rotated by knocking a knock bar so as to rotate a cylindrical cam of the cap and advance or retreat and locate the cylindrical cam, and in conjunction with this a writing tip portion is allowed to project or retract through a top end hole of an front body.
(Patent Document 4)
Conventionally, in order to correct a clerical error etc., a liquid applicator using a white pigment is known. Further, since the white pigment and a solvent tend to separate, this type of liquid applicator encloses an ink, a ball, etc. in a flexible container. It is necessary to shake and agitate them when in use. Further, in order to discharge the ink, a side of the container is pressed. However, this is irritating because the ink is not discharged even if a side wall of the container is pushed strongly, when the ink residual quantity decreases.
(Patent Document 5)
A writing instrument is known which uses an ink having a shear thinning viscosity with no need for agitation, however, there is a problem that the ink flows backwards and tends to run out when it is applied upwards.
(Patent Document 6)
A writing instrument is proposed in which a pumping type pressurization mechanism portion is provided in the rear end of a body cylinder, further in the front thereof a follower is disposed in contact with the rear end of the ink so as to follow the ink consumption, and a valve system is disposed in the rear end of the follower, air is pressed and supplied through a rear end hole of the body cylinder by way of advancing operation of the pressurization mechanism portion, during which the valve is opened at a predetermined pressure so that the rear end of the follower is pressurized, to thereby support the ink flow towards the tip side.
However, there is a problem with this writing instrument in that a proper pressure cannot be set up because of deviations in the valve mechanisms (deviations in springs which act on opening and closing the valves, dimensional deviations in rubber-made valves which elastically open and close slits, etc.).
Further, there is a problem that when a ball-point pen is not in use and when the pressure exceeds a predetermined setup value, an external force is improperly applied to a writing tip portion so that the ink bleeds.
Moreover, only a writing means consisting of a refill is mounted, so that it is not taken into consideration the case where the writing means including refills of a plurality of ball-point pens is mounted.
(Patent Document 7)
A knock type writing instrument is proposed in which a pressurization mechanism portion is mounted.
However, similar to the above-mentioned Patent Document 6, there is a problem that a proper pressure cannot be set up for this one because of deviations in valve mechanisms (deviations in springs which act on opening and closing valves, dimensional deviations in rubber-made valves which elastically open and close slits, etc.).
Further, there is a problem that when a ball-point pen is not in use and when the pressure exceeds a predetermined setup value, an external force is improperly applied to a writing tip portion so that the ink bleeds.
Moreover, only a writing means consisting of a refill is mounted, so that it is not taken into consideration the case where the writing means including refills of a plurality of ball-point pens is mounted.
(Patent Document 8)
A writing instrument is proposed in which a pressurization mechanism is provided in the rear end so as to help ink flow by way of pumping operation and prevent the ink from flowing backwards.
Further, only one writing means is mounted and it is not taken into consideration the case where a plurality of writing means are mounted.


Lists of keywords by type are collected that are associated with fake antivirus software. One more rules are created including the keywords that likely indicate fake antivirus software. The keywords and rules are stored in a local database on a computer. Each executing process of a computer is scanned using the rules. A match indicates that the scanned process is likely fake antivirus software. A check is then performed to determine if the scanned process is actually legitimate antivirus software (using a digital certificate, a white list, or a call to a function). If the check fails a determination is made that the identified process is fake antivirus software. The process may then be displayed, cleaned, quarantined, or permanently removed from the computer. The cursor may be dragged into the window of an executing process in order to selectively scan that process only. Or, any number of executing processes may be selected to be scanned by the rules. A log function allows a computer user to view a history of actions taken by the above technique.

In recent years, with the growth of malicious software and corresponding efforts to combat this malicious software with antivirus software, a new type of malicious software has emerged. This malicious software masquerades as real antivirus software and is often referred to as fake antivirus software, as rogue software or as "scareware."
This fake antivirus software tricks a computer user into thinking that real antivirus software is present on his or her computer and that hitherto unknown malicious software has been detected by the fake software. The fake software may then deceive the user into purchasing an improved version of the fake software, into paying for the removal of malicious software which does not exist and will not be removed, or into installing other malicious software. Fake antivirus software has become a growing and very serious security issue with desktop computing in general.
The fake antivirus software usually relies upon some type of trick in order to get around installed antivirus software and to install itself onto the user's computer. For example, a malicious Web site may display a fictitious warning that the computer has been infected and encourage the user to purchase or install other fake software. Or, a user may be misled into installing a Trojan through a browser plug-in, through an attachment to an e-mail message, via shared software, via infected URLs in a search result, or via a fictitious online malware scanning service. Some fake antivirus software may not require any user action and instead installs itself via a download that exploits security vulnerabilities in the user's computer software.
Once installed, the fake antivirus software attempts to convince the user to pay a fee, purchase additional software, install more software, or generally take an action that is not necessary and is usually detrimental to the computer or its user.
It can be difficult to detect and remove such fake antivirus software. A traditional file scanner is used to detect malicious software in general, but such a file scanner may not be able to detect fake antivirus software. The fake software uses a customized packer and may change its user interface layout periodically. Further, it may also add trash information to its file contents, all to avoid detection by file scanner. A behavior monitor of antivirus software also may have difficulty in detecting fake antivirus software. Because the behavior of fake antivirus software can be very similar to that of a normal software application the behavior monitor may not be able to detect the fake software. For example, the fake software may simply present a pleasant-looking graphical user interface that convinces the user to connect to a malicious Web site in order to purchase the fake software.
For these reasons, it is believed that current scanning and monitoring techniques are not extremely useful in detecting and removing fake antivirus software. Accordingly, new techniques are desired.


A stanchion containment systems and method for securely storing and for safely accessing large and/or heavy items. The present stanchion containment system is particularly suited for use in dynamic locations. The stanchion assemblies includes a ceiling assembly releasably engaged with holes in the ceiling plate, and a deck assembly releasably engaged with holes in the deck plate. At least one linkage assembly connects the two or more of the stanchion assemblies. The linkage assembly substantially supports the stanchion assembly for translation from a first location to a second location, to provide access to the items.

There is a constant need for better ways to securely store, and to safely access, large and/or heavy items. This application is particularly critical when the storage system is located in a dynamic location, such as for example on ships, trains, airplanes, oil rigs at sea, military vehicles, and the like.
One application of interest is securing munitions on naval vessels. Tie-down systems currently used on certain naval vessels includes stanchions that anchor to ceiling plates and deck plates.
The ceiling plate and the deck plate have an aligned pattern of holes that engage with a plunger and/or a latch at the ends of the stanchion assemblies. The stanchions typically include a heavy metal latch that engages with a hole in the deck plate and a sliding plunger at the top end that engages with a hole in the ceiling plate. The plunger and latch on the stanchion permit relative movement of the ceiling and deck plates in response to movement of the ship.
One approach is to use battens extending between H-shaped stanchions. The H-shaped stanchions and battens create a temporary wall that is removed as the munitions are used. Consequently, for some applications there may be no need to move any stanchions for accessing the munitions.
Another approach is to place the stanchions in front of the open ends of a munitions container column, to secure the munitions stowed in the containers. However, for accessing the munitions, the stanchions must be removed and relocated.
The requirement to move and relocate the stanchions presents both a safety and human factors issue. The weight of a rectangular 3″×4″ stanchion is approximately 100 pounds which, as defined in MIL-STD-1472F, exceeds the ergonomic allowable lift for a single individual. When the stanchions are moved, they must be placed in a location that permits free movement of the sailors, the handling systems, and the munitions. The stanchions can be relocated to empty holes in the ceiling and deck plates, or laid on the deck. If they are placed on the deck, they can become a potential hazard because they can move with the movement of the ship. If they are placed in another position between the ceiling and deck plates, the ceiling assembly must adequately secure the plunger into the appropriate hole in the ceiling plate to prevent the stanchion from becoming a hazard. In the limited space available, moving the stanchions in a timely manner to accommodate the rate of fire can be difficult given the number of persons required for lifting and moving a stanchion. These moves may have to be repeated depending on the amount and/or type of munitions used.


A lighting apparatus includes a light source module and a power supply module. The light source module includes an electrical light source and a transmitter circuit configured to transmit a wireless signal containing information about the light source. The power supply module is connected to the light source module and includes a power supply circuit configured to generate electric power for the light source, a receiver circuit configured to receive the wireless signal transmitted from the transmitter circuit, and a control circuit configured to control the power supply circuit in accordance with the wireless signal received through the receiver circuit.

Conventionally, there is proposed a lighting apparatus including a light source module having a light source, and a power supply module that is connected to the light source module through wires and configured to generate electric power in order to power the light source (e.g., JP. Pub. No. 2007-234415).
It can be assumed that such a lighting apparatus is provided with a light source module configured to output a signal containing information about a light source thereof (a signal representing presence or absence of a malfunction, a rated current or the like), and a power supply module configured to receive the signal to operate in accordance with the information.
There is however a problem that wiring may be complicated if a signal line for transmitting the signal is provided between the light source module and the power supply module in addition to a power supply line for supplying electric power from the power supply module to the light source module.

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


A hand tool and lanyard combination comprised of a hand tool to which a lanyard is removably attached. The lanyard is a length of flexible cable having an anchor and a free end. The anchor end has a housing with a spring mounted rotatable spool disposed within the housing so that the length of flexible cable is retractable by the rotation of the rotatable spool. The free end has a free end attachment mechanism for removably attaching the free end to the hand tool.

This invention addresses the problem of how a worker can securely retain his or her hand tools, especially when working at elevated locations.
The invention is a combination comprising a hand tool and a detachable lanyard attached to the hand tool. The lanyard comprises a length of flexible cable having an anchor end and a free end. The anchor end has a housing with a spring-mounted rotatable spool disposed within the housing so that the length of flexible cable is retractable by the rotation of the rotatable spool. The free end having a free end attachment mechanism for removably attaching the free end to the hand tool.


This invention relates to compounds of formula (I) that inhibit farnesylation of gene products through inhibition of the enzyme farnesyl-protein transferase (FPTase). The invention also relates to methods of manufacturing the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating diseases, especially cancer, which are mediated through farnesylation.

Cancer is believed to involve alteration in expression or function of genes controlling cell growth and differentiation. Whilst not wishing to be bound by theoretical considerations the following text sets out the scientific background to ras in cancer. Ras genes are frequently mutated in tumours. Ras genes encode guanosine triphosphate (GTP) binding proteins which are believed to be involved in signal transduction, proliferation and malignant transformation. H-, K- and N-ras genes have been identified as mutant forms of ras (Barbacid M, Ann. Rev. Biochem. 1987, 56: 779-827). Post translational modification of ras protein is required for biological activity. Farnesylation of ras catalysed by FPTase is believed to be an essential step in ras processing. It occurs by transfer of the farnesyl group of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) to a cysteine at the C-terminal tetrapeptide of ras in a structural motif called the CAAX box. After further post-translational modifications, including proteolytic cleavage at the cysteine residue of the CAAX box and methylation of the cysteine carboxyl, ras is able to attach to the cell membrane for relay of growth signals to the cell interior. In normal cells activated ras is believed to act in conjunction with growth factors to stimulate cell growth. In tumour cells it is believed that mutations in ras cause it to stimulate cell division even in the absence of growth factors (Travis J, Science 1993, 260: 1877-1878), possibly through being permanently in GTP activated form rather than cycled back to GDP inactivated form. Inhibition of farnesylation of mutant ras gene products will stop or reduce activation.
One class of known inhibitors of farnesyl transferase is based on farnesyl pyrophosphate analogues; see for example European patent application EP 534546 from Merck. Inhibitors of farnesyl transferase based on mimicry of the CAAX box have been reported. Reiss (1990) in Cell 62, 81-8 disclosed tetrapeptides such as CVIM (Cys-Val-Ile-Met). James (1993) in Science 260, 1937-1942 disclosed benzodiazepine based peptidomimetic compounds. Lerner (1995) in J. Biol. Chem. 270, 26802 and Eisai in International Patent Application WO 95/25086 disclosed further peptidomimetic compounds based on Cys as the first residue. EP 696593 and PCT/GB96/01810 disclose further farnesyl transferase inhibitors, including pyrrolidine derivatives. In addition, a range of inhibitors of ras farnesylation are described and claimed in PCT/GB99/00369.


A device for applying a fluid coating, including a feed tube assembly having a plurality of feed tubes and valves for controlling the flow of fluid through each of the tubes, an extrusion tube coupled to each feed tube, and a fluid spreader coupled to the spreader tube.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to apparatuses for applying fluid coatings to substrates, and, in particular, for applying liquid adhesives to roofing materials.
2. Description of the Related Art
A variety of devices are known for applying coatings to substrates and particularly for applying roofing adhesives and asphalt. The simplest devices are hand held brooms and squeegees that can be used manually to spread such coatings. A variety of mechanical sprayers, spreaders and combinations thereof are also known.
In general terms, the known devices suffer from numerous drawbacks. Use of hand-held brooms, rollers and squeegees is particularly labor intensive. In addition, it is difficult to obtain a substantially uniform coating using such hand-held devices. Sprayers may cause over-spray, particularly in windy conditions often found on roof tops. Some known spreaders are overly complex which makes them expensive and difficult to maintain. Other known spreaders are too inflexible to be adapted to a variety of substrates or coating specifications.
With respect to the installation of bituminous roof membranes, it is particularly important that the adhesive coating be applied in a substantially uniform and consistent layer to ensure proper adhesion of the bituminous roofing sheets. This is difficult to accomplish quickly and inexpensively with known devices and methods.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to overcome the disadvantages and drawbacks of the known art and to provide simple, inexpensive, adaptable and reliable apparatuses for applying coatings to substrates, particularly roofing coatings and adhesives to roof tops.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows.

Apparatus for applying a coating to a substrate


A system, method, and a program embodied on a computer readable medium for performing authentication tasks is provided. In one embodiment, the system comprises a number of authentication agents, each of the authentication agents authenticating at least one user parameter by performing at least one authentication task. The system also includes an authentication manager that requests each of the authentication agents to authenticate an unauthenticated user parameter.

Multifunction peripherals have become more and more common in the workplace and in the home. Typical multifunction peripherals often combine the functions of printing, faxing, scanning, and copying into a single device or system. Previously, offices may have had to purchase a printer for computers to print, a facsimile machine to transmit and receive faxes, a scanner to scan documents, and a copy machine to make copies. Now all of these functions are being combined in a single device to save workspace and provide significant cost savings and efficiency. In addition, some multifunction peripherals may provide digital sending capability that enables users to scan a document into digital form and then send the resulting digital document.
While a single multifunction peripheral may provide many different functions, it may not be the case that all individuals should have access to all of the capabilities thereof. In some cases, specific individuals may be provided with access to specific functions using some sort of security or authentication routine that limits access to specific functions to specified users. However, as more and more different functions are integrated into multifunction peripherals or any other machine that limits access to specific functions in a similar manner, the security and/or authentication systems used with such devices have to be restructured in order to limit access to such new functionality. This results in inefficiency and additional cost to adapt previous security and/or authentication systems for new functions on a device of restricted use.

Extensible authentication system and method

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


An apparatus includes a processor disposed within an enclosure and configured to communicate with multiple wireless devices. A first and a second antenna are disposed within the enclosure. The first antenna is configured to operate within a first band, and the second antenna is configured to operate within a second band. The second band has a center frequency less than a center frequency of the first band. The first antenna is configured to send a signal having a signal strength at a wireless device and associated with the first band, and the second antenna is configured to send a signal having a signal strength at the wireless device and associated with the second band. The signal strength for the signal associated with the first band is greater than the signal strength associated with the second band such that the wireless device selects the first band to communicate with the processor.

Some embodiments described herein relate generally to an apparatus for providing communications between wireless communication devices and a network, using, for example, a multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) access point device optimized to operate within a 5.0 GHZ band.
In a wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless communication devices can typically operate in the 2.4 GHz ISM (industrial, scientific and medical) band (e.g., 802.11b/g/n) and/or the 5.0 GHz band (e.g., 802.11a/n). The 2.4 GHz band is not only the most common for 802.11b/g wireless communication devices, but also populated by many consumer devices such as cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, and microwave ovens that all lead to reduced availability of network spectrum. As a result, wireless communication devices operating in the 2.4 GHz band often have to contend with additional network performance issues from a variety of sources. On the other hand, the 5.0 GHz band has more available channels and is generally used less than the 2.4 GHz band. Therefore, one solution to reduce contention for the busy 2.4 GHz band resource is to move or steer wireless communication devices capable of operating in the 5.0 GHz band to the 5.0 GHz band.
Some known dual band, dual radio access point devices are capable of supporting two different bands, such as, for example, a 2.4 GHz band (802.11b/g/n) and a 5.0 GHz band (802.11a/n) simultaneously. These access point devices can typically optimize the overall performance (e.g., in terms of throughput) for the two bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz band and the 5.0 GHz band). That is, a wireless communication device antenna gains and transmit power circuitry can be roughly performance balanced between the two bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz band and the 5.0 GHz band). Because signals in the 5.0 GHz band are attenuated roughly twice as much as signals in the 2.4 GHz band, by over the air (OTA) and through radio frequency (RF) obstacle signal attenuation, the OTA signals in the 5.0 GHz band are roughly half of the power at receivers as they are in the 2.4 GHz band. Thus, wireless communication devices typically experience lower performance in the 5.0 GHz band in many environments. As a result, wireless communication devices capable of operating in dual bands (e.g., 802.11n) typically resist steering or moving to the 5.0 GHz band, while generally choosing to communicate with these access point devices using the 2.4 GHz band.
Accordingly, a need exists for methods and apparatus to implement band steering at a dual band access point device, such that wireless communication devices can voluntarily choose to associate with that access point device using a higher center frequency band (e.g., 5.0 GHz band), thus to provide better throughput to those wireless communication devices operating in the higher center frequency spectrum, while also easing congestion for other wireless communication devices remaining in the lower center frequency (e.g., 2.4 GHz) spectrum.

Methods and apparatus for balancing band performance