Disclosed are a power-saving method, a user equipment and a network-side network element which can reduce power consumption of UEs. The power saving method includes: a user equipment (UE) requesting to enter into a power-saving state or a network-side network element indicating the UE to enter into the power-saving state; and the UE entering into the power-saving state, wherein the power-saving state refers to a state in which the UE cannot respond to paging information sent by the network side, but can send a service request and perform periodic location update. A UE includes a sending module and a processing module. Another UE includes a receiving module and a processing module. The network-side network element includes a configuring module and a storing module.

M2M (Machine to Machine) refers to all technologies and means to establish a connection between machines. The M2M concept appeared in the last century ninety's, but it only stayed in the theoretical stage. After 2000, with the development of mobile communication technology, using the mobile communication technology to achieve networking of machines becomes possible. The M2M service appeared on the market around 2002, and following a rapid development in the subsequent years, it became the focus of many communication equipment providers and telecom carriers. Currently the number of machines around the world is much more than the number of people, good market prospects of M2M technology, therefore, can be foreseen.
The study on M2M communication application scenarios indicates that providing the M2M communication in the mobile network has a promising market prospect. But the M2M service raised a lot of new requirements on the system, and in order to enhance competitiveness of the mobile network in this aspect, it is necessary to optimize the existing mobile network to more effectively support the M2M communication.
Related mobile communication networks are mainly designed for man-to-man communications, but they are not optimized enough for machine-to-machine communications or man-to-machine communications. Furthermore, how the carriers can offer the M2M communication service at a low cost is also the key to the success of M2M communication deployment.
Based on the above situation, it is necessary to study solutions for a mobile network supporting the M2M communication, and the solutions should maximize the reuse of existing networks, reduce the impact of a large number of M2M communications on the network as well as the complexity of operation and maintenance.
Currently, the telecom market is increasingly competitive, the tariffs are declining, and the carriers' profit margins continue to decrease, and the people-based communication market is being saturated, and the M2M is a totally new development opportunity for the carriers.
In order to effectively utilize the mobile network resources, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (referred to as 3GPP) proposes machine type communication (called MTC), namely Machine-to-Machine and Machine-to-Man communication services, and its service scope is far beyond the previous Human-to-Human (referred to as H2H) communication, and the MTC is very different from the current H2H communication mode in aspects of access control, billing, security, quality of service (referred to as QoS), and service modes and so on.
The architecture of 3GPP Evolved Packet System (referred to as EPS) is shown in FIG. 1, and it can be seen from FIG. 1 that the EPS comprises a radio access network and a core network, wherein the radio access network, for example, comprises UTRAN (Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network), E-UTRAN (Evolved UTRAN) and GERAN (GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network); the core network, for example, comprises network elements such as MME (Mobility Management Entity), S-GW (Serving Gateway) and P-GW (Packet Data Network Gateway, referred to as PDN gateway) in the EPC (Evolved Packet Core), and it comprises network elements such as SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) in the GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) core network; and it comprises the eNB (evolved Node B) in the E-UTRAN.
For a battery-powered MTC UE (User Equipment), measures need to be taken to reduce power consumption of the UE, and for a MTC UE with the power supply, the power consumption of the UE also needs to be reduced in order to achieve the goal of green power-saving. Currently, with the increasing popularity of intelligent phones, there are a large number of applications running on intelligent phones, and these applications may increase battery power consumption of the intelligent phones and shortened the battery life, therefore the power-saving of an intelligent phone is a key issue must to be addressed.
In the Access Stratum (called AS), a LTE (Long Term Evolution) UE has two RRC (Radio Resource Control) states: RRC Idle and RRC Connected, referred to as idle state and connected state; in the non-access stratum (referred to as NAS), the LTE UE has three states: LTE Detached, LTE Idle and LTE Active, wherein the LTE Idle and the LTE Active respectively correspond to the RRC Idle and the RRC Connected, and the LTE Detached refers to the state that the UE is just started up, at this time there is no context of the UE and location of the UE is an unknown at the network side. When sending data, the UE needs to enter into the connected state, and when receiving data, the UE needs to be in the idle state or the connected state, and the UE in the LTE Detached cannot send or receive data. The correspondence between the AS state and the NAS state of the LTE UE is shown in FIG. 2, wherein the LTE Detached does not have a corresponding RRC state.
In the research and practice process of the related art, the following problems are found in the related art: both the MTC UE and the intelligent phones have power-saving needs, but for how to find a power saving method from the perspective of the system and how to reduce the signaling interaction between the UE and the network side, etc., there are currently no solutions.

Energy saving method, user equipment and network-side network element


A chair (10) utilizes a perimeter wall (12) having an internal chamber (14) and an internal member (16) held in the internal chamber (14) to define an internal seating area (18). The internal member (16) is positioned to provide support for an infant's chest and thereby inhibit forward movement. The perimeter wall (12) includes a back wall (22), a pair of spaced apart side walls (24,26) and a front wall (28). The side walls (24,26) and the back wall (22) are positioned to inhibit lateral and backward movement, respectively. The perimeter wall (12) in conjunction with the internal member (16) substantially surrounds and supports an infant in a seated, upright position.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of infant support devices. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a chair that supports an infant, who is otherwise unable to sit up unassisted, in an upright seated position.
2. Description of the Prior Art
While parents with young children perform the various tasks required around the home, for example cooking dinner or cleaning, they need a place to put a child where the child is both safe and entertained. To that end, many devices, such as high chairs or walkers, have been developed for holding a child in a seated position, but many infants, who cannot yet sit on their own or who frequently fall over while sitting, are unable to use these devices because they do not support the chest area of a child unable to sit alone. Further, these devices do not support an infant's legs, leaving them to dangle. These devices are especially troublesome to a child that cannot bend his or her knee if, for example, the child's leg is in a cast. These devices can also be expensive, heavy, and difficult to transport.
Other devices are designed especially for infants, but these devices do not support infants in upright seated positions. Bouncers, for example, recline the infant. While the reclining bouncer holds the infant securely, it restricts an infant's viewable area and fails to provide a playing surface. The infant's ability to interact with other persons in the room is limited, as is the infant's ability to play with any items that are not suspended above the bouncer.


A system for improving the accuracy of location coordinate determined in a survey of a chosen region, using a computer. A grid of spaced apart points is imposed on the region, and a set of survey control points is provided. A "near set" of nearest survey control points is associated with each grid point. For each grid point, a transformation T from a first (global) datum and coordinate system to a second (local) datum and coordinate system is determined that minimizes a collective difference between coordinates of each survey control point in the near set and the corresponding coordinates of that survey control point under the transformation T. For one, two or three coordinates of each grid point, a difference .DELTA. between the coordinate(s) of the grid point in the near set and the corresponding coordinate(s) of that grid point under the transformation T is computed. An interpolation function is determined that approximately matches the coordinate(s) difference .DELTA. at each grid point. The interpolation function provides a continuous datum-to-datum mapping between all points of the first and the second coordinate systems. Determination of location of each survey point may use GPS, GLONASS, modified LEO, LORAN or any other suitable location determination system.

A survey of locations at a survey site may involve use of location coordinates from previously-surveyed locations ("control survey points"), such as recognizable landmarks and other survey monuments, together with generation of location coordinates for newly-surveyed locations. Even where location coordinates for only newly-surveyed locations are used, these coordinates may not be fully consistent with each other when corrections are made for any errors introduced by use of a local coordinate system. The location coordinates of these locations, representing newly-surveyed locations and/or previously-surveyed locations, must be made consistent with each other in some "best fit" sense.
Survey of a chosen region often requires use of a globally defined survey ellipsoid, such as the NAD27, NAD83 or WGS84 ellipsoid, and of a locally defined ellipsoid that takes account of the local terrain. A globally defined survey ellipsoid is intended to provide a best fit, in some quantitative sense, to the terrain for the entire Earth. A locally defined ellipsoid, by contrast, is only intended to provide a best fit for a locally defined region and thus may provide a better fit over this limited region.
In a survey of a local region, location coordinates may first be obtained using a first, globally defined datum C1, after which these coordinates are re-expressed in terms of a second datum C2, which may be globally defined or locally defined, using a coordinate transformation T. Accurate coordinates for a plurality of survey control points are often available, and these survey control point coordinates are often used to "anchor" the transformation of location coordinates for other survey points. Coordinate differences between a point p(x,y,z) in the first, globally defined datum C1 and the corresponding point p'(x',y',z') in the second datum C2 are presently determined, using a point-by-point approach in which the group of survey control points chosen for "anchoring" can vary with the local terrain. FIG. 1 illustrates a vector difference .DELTA.r=(x'--x, y'--y, z'--z) between point coordinates (x,y,z) on a surface S1, defined using the datum C1, and the corresponding point coordinates (x',y',z') on a corresponding surface S2, defined using the datum C2. In the past, these coordinate differences were determined point-by-point on each of a plurality of sub-regions or patches that together make up a survey region SR, and these differences were often not continuous or consistent in moving from one sub-region to a contiguous sub-region. Thus, the coordinate differences had to be recomputed by applying the transformation T to each new point in the first datum; and parameters defining the transformation T might change in moving from one sub-region to a contiguous sub-region.
Several workers have considered the problems of representation of locations on a map or chart display and/or adjustment of location coordinates. Previous workers in this field often assume that the coordinates for locations of interest in a coordinate system, or in two or more associated coordinate systems, are consistent with each other. Further, the computations and coordinate manipulations are usually performed in a post-processing environment, rather than in a real time environment in the field at the time the survey measurements are made.
What is needed is an approach that allows real time processing, or post processing, to determine and apply a survey coordinate transformation between the first datum and the second datum in a chosen region that varies continuously and consistently with the point chosen in the region. Preferably, this transformation should be optimal in some sense over a grid of survey control points, and the transformation should depend only minimally or not at all on the particular grid chosen for such optimization. Preferably, this approach should allow use of any of a variety of generally defined coordinate transformations, each with its own set of transformation parameters that are to be optimized based on the survey control constraints imposed.

Interpolation of survey coordinate differences


An integrated magnetic film enhanced inductor and a method of forming an integrated magnetic film enhanced inductor are disclosed. The integrated magnetic film enhanced inductor includes an inductor metal having a first portion and a second portion, a top metal or bottom metal coupled to the inductor metal, and an isolation film disposed one of in, on, and adjacent to at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the inductor metal. The isolation film includes a magnetic material, such as a magnetic film.

Inductance (measured in henries H) is an effect which results from the magnetic field that forms around a current-carrying conductor. The electrical current through the conductor creates a magnetic flux proportional to the current. A change in this current creates a change in the magnetic flux that, in turn, generates an electromotive force (EMF) that acts to oppose this change in current. Inductance is a measure of the generated EMF for a unit change in current. The number of turns, the area of each loop/turn, and what it is wrapped around affect the inductance. For example, the magnetic flux linking these turns can be increased by coiling the conductor around a material with a high permeability.
The energy stored by an inductor is equal to the amount of work required to establish the current flowing through the inductor, and therefore the magnetic field. This is given by:
      E    stored    =            1      2                  LI      2
where:                L is the inductance; and        I is the current flowing through the inductor.
An inductor is commonly constructed as a coil of conducting material, such as copper wire, wrapped around a core either of air or of a magnetic material. Core materials with a higher permeability than air confine the magnetic field closely to the inductor, thereby increasing the inductance. Inductors come in many shapes. For example, many common inductors are constructed as enamel coated wire wrapped around a ferrite bobbin with wire exposed on the outside, while some enclose the wire completely in ferrite and are called "shielded". Some inductors have an adjustable core, which enables changing of the inductance. Inductors that can be used to block very high frequencies are sometimes made with a wire passing through a ferrite cylinder or bead. Small inductors can be etched directly onto a printed circuit board by laying out a trace in a spiral pattern. Small value inductors also can be built on integrated circuits using the same or similar processes that are used to make transistors. In these cases, aluminum interconnect is commonly used as the conducting material.
The Q factor of an inductor can be found through the following formula, where R is its internal electrical resistance:
  Q  =            ω                                      L        R
By using a magnetic core, the inductance is increased for the same amount of copper, raising the Q. The cores, however, also introduce losses that increase with the frequency. A grade of core material is chosen for best results for the frequency band.
A basic inductance formula for a cylindrical coil is:
  L  =                    μ        0                          μ        r                          N        2                  A        l
where:                L=Inductance in henries (H);        μ0=permeability of free space=4π×10−7 H/m;        μr=relative permeability of core material;        N=number of turns;        A=area of cross-section of the coil in square meters (m2); and        l=length of coil in meters (m).
Inductors are used extensively in analog circuits and signal processing. Inductors in conjunction with capacitors and other components can be used to form tuned circuits that can emphasize or filter out specific signal frequencies. Smaller inductor/capacitor combinations can provide tuned circuits that can be used in radio reception and broadcasting. For analog/RF and system on chip (SOC) applications, inductors can be required to be a basic element.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a conventional serpent type inductor having an inductor metal 110 coupled to bottom metal 112 by a via interconnect 114. As shown in the cross-sectional illustration in FIG. 2, a cap film 120 is formed on an inter layer dielectric (ILD) 122. The inductor metal 110 is formed on the cap film 120. The conventional inductor commonly uses an oxide or a low-k oxide as an isolation film 108 and/or a high-k cap film 120.


A mixing system with a vessel for supplying a liquid and a device for supplying solid pieces to mix with the liquid. The system has an elongate enclosure with a first end opposing a second end. The enclosure defines a chamber in fluid communication with the vessel to receive the liquid. The chamber also has a inlet and an outlet with the inlet being closer to the first end than the outlet. The chamber receives the pieces from the device through the inlet and issues the pieces through the outlet. A motor driven mixing auger positioned in the chamber between the first and second ends rotates a selected direction about a rotational axis to intermix the liquid and pieces. The auger includes a first helical flight between the inlet and the outlet to convey the pieces from the inlet to the outlet when the shaft is rotated the selected direction. The auger also includes a second helical flight between the first flight and the second end to urge the solid pieces in a direction opposite the first flight. The second flight has a length along the rotational axis of the auger shorter than the first flight. In one variation of this system, the liquid may be a colorant and the solid pieces may include wood chips to be intermixed with the liquid to attain a uniform visual appearance.

The present invention relates to mixing solid pieces with a liquid, and more particularly, but not exclusively, relates to coating and coloration of landscaping materials.
The problem of landfill crowding has grown steadily. One way to reduce this crowding is to recycle as many materials as possible. One type of material suitable for recycling is wood. Wood may arrive at the landfill from a natural source, such as discarded tree branches, or it may be derived from various discarded products, such as shipping crates and furniture.
One way to recycle wood is to reduce the wood to a number of pieces of generally uniform size with a shredder, chipper, or grinder. Such comminuted wood is often suitable for use as a landscaping mulch. However, the varied types of wood typically obtained from a landfill often result in a non-uniform coloration that significantly changes with age and exposure to the elements. To alleviate this problem, recycled wood pieces are sometimes treated with a colorant to provided a more pleasing appearance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,653 to Rondy describes one coloring process.
One problem often encountered with coloring processes is excessive run-off of liquid colorants used to impart a uniform appearance to the wood pieces. This run-off adversely impacts cost effectiveness. To address this problem, there is a need to optimize the coloration process by determining the minimum amount of liquid colorant needed for a given amount of wood. There also remains a need to provide a more cost effective way to uniformly color landscaping material.
Another problem with the coloration process is that mixers used to blend liquid colorant and wood pieces are subject to frequent jamming. Typically, the mixer becomes packed with a mass of wood chips that are stuck together. This mass of chips often prevents discharge of the treated product from the mixer. Equipment down time to unclog the mixer generally increases processing costs and may result in excessive colorant run-off. Thus, there is also a need for a mixing system which resists packing and still economically imparts a uniform color to landscaping materials.


In accordance with various example embodiments, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided. A method comprises accessing a gallery comprising a plurality of classes, determining distances between classes of the plurality of classes, and determining thresholds for one or more classes of the gallery for classifying test objects in the classes, wherein threshold for a class is determined based on at least one distance of the class from at least one remaining class of the plurality of classes. The apparatus comprises at least one processor and at least one memory, configured to, cause the apparatus to perform accessing a gallery comprising a plurality of classes, determining distances between classes of the plurality of classes, and determining thresholds for classes of the gallery for classifying test objects in the classes, wherein threshold for a class is determined based on distances of the class from remaining classes of the gallery.

Various electronic devices such as cameras, mobile phones, and other devices having capabilities for processing media content such as images, videos, animations. Some of the media content processing applications may include recognition and classification of objects captured or received by these devices. The objects are primarily classified in two ways, namely, closed set classification and open set classification. In the closed set recognition, objects are classified compulsorily in one of the already trained classes that are known classes. In open set classification, an object belonging to a class not known/trained, is classified as belonging to none of the trained classes. For example, in open set face recognition, there may be a gallery of trained faces, and if the face of a person that is to be classified is not present of the gallery, a device should correctly determine that the face does not belong to any class of the gallery.

Method, apparatus and computer program product for classification of objects


The invention relates to a conversion process of a feedstock, preferably an oxygenated feedstock, into one or more olefin(s), preferably ethylene and/or propylene, in the presence of a molecular sieve catalyst composition that includes a molecular sieve and a Group 3 metal oxide and/or an oxide of a Lanthanide or Actinide series element. The invention is also directed to methods of making and formulating the molecular sieve catalyst composition useful in a conversion process of a feedstock into one or more olefin(s).

Olefins are traditionally produced from petroleum feedstock by catalytic or steam cracking processes. These cracking processes, especially steam cracking, produce light olefin(s) such as ethylene and/or propylene from a variety of hydrocarbon feedstock. Ethylene and propylene are important commodity petrochemicals useful in a variety of processes for making plastics and other chemical compounds.
The petrochemical industry has known for some time that oxygenates, especially alcohols, are convertible into light olefin(s). There are numerous technologies available for producing oxygenates including fermentation or reaction of synthesis gas derived from natural gas, petroleum liquids, carbonaceous materials including coal, recycled plastics, municipal waste or any other organic material. Generally, the production of synthesis gas involves a combustion reaction of natural gas, mostly methane, and an oxygen source into hydrogen, carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide. Syngas production processes are well known, and include conventional steam reforming, autothermal reforming, or a combination thereof.
Methanol, the preferred alcohol for light olefin production, is typically synthesized from the catalytic reaction of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide in a methanol reactor in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst. For example, in one synthesis process methanol is produced using a copper/zinc oxide catalyst in a water-cooled tubular methanol reactor. The preferred conversion process converts a feedstock containing methanol in the presence of a molecular sieve catalyst composition to form one or more olefin(s), primarily ethylene and/or propylene.
Molecular sieves are porous solids having pores of different sizes such as zeolites or zeolite-type molecular sieves, carbons and oxides. The most commercially useful molecular sieves for the petroleum and petrochemical industries are known as zeolites, for example aluminosilicate molecular sieves. Zeolites in general have a one-, two- or three-dimensional crystalline pore structure having uniformly sized pores of molecular dimensions that selectively adsorb molecules that can enter the pores, and exclude those molecules that are too large.
There are many different types of molecular sieves well known to convert a feedstock, especially an oxygenate containing feedstock, into one or more olefin(s). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,100 describes the use of a well known zeolite, ZSM-5, to convert methanol into olefin(s); U.S. Pat. No. 4,062,905 discusses the conversion of methanol and other oxygenates to ethylene and propylene using crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites, for example Zeolite T, ZK5, erionite and chabazite; U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,095 describes the use of ZSM-34 to convert methanol to hydrocarbon products such as ethylene and propylene; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,440 describes producing light olefin(s) from an alcohol using a crystalline aluminophosphates, often represented by AlPO4.
One of the most useful molecular sieves for converting methanol to olefin(s) is a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieves. Silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) molecular sieves contain a three-dimensional microporous crystalline framework structure of [SiO2], [AlO2] and [PO2] corner sharing tetrahedral units. SAPO synthesis is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,871, which is herein fully incorporated by reference. SAPO is generally synthesized by the hydrothermal crystallization of a reaction mixture of silicon-, aluminum- and phosphorus-sources and at least one templating agent. Synthesis of a SAPO molecular sieve, its formulation into a SAPO catalyst, and its use in converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into olefin(s), particularly where the feedstock is methanol, is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,499,327, 4,677,242, 4,677,243, 4,873,390, 5,095,163, 5,714,662 and 6,166,282, all of which are herein fully incorporated by reference.
Typically, molecular sieves are formed into molecular sieve catalyst compositions to improve their durability in commercial conversion processes. These molecular sieve catalyst compositions are formed by combining a molecular sieve and a matrix material usually in the presence of a binder. The purpose of the binder is hold the matrix material, often a clay, to the molecular sieve. Binders and matrix materials are typically metal oxides that have a very small surface area such as less than ten square meters per gram (m2/g), more likely less than one m2/g of metal oxide. The use of binders and matrix materials in the formation of molecular sieve catalyst compositions is well known.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,889 describes a catalyst composition of a silicalite molecular sieve impregnated with a thorium, zirconium, or a titanium metal oxide for use in converting methanol, dimethyl ether, or a mixture thereof into a hydrocarbon product rich in iso-C4 compounds.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,828 discusses the use of a modified molecular sieve to produce methylamines from methanol and ammonia, where for example, a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve is combined with one of the modifiers, a zirconium oxide, a titanium oxide, a yttrium oxide, montmorillonite or kaolinite.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,949 relates to a process of converting noxious nitrogen oxides in an oxygen containing effluent into nitrogen and water using a molecular sieve and a metal oxide binder, where the preferred binder is titania and the molecular sieve is an aluminosilicate molecular sieve.
Although the use of binders and matrix materials are known for use with molecular sieves to form molecular sieve catalyst compositions, and that these catalyst compositions are useful in a process for converting oxygenates into olefin(s), these binders and matrix materials typically only serve to provide desired physical characteristics to the catalyst composition, and have little to no effect on conversion and selectivity of the molecular sieve. It would therefore be desirable to have an improved molecular sieve catalyst composition having better conversion rates, olefin selectivity, longer lifetimes, and commercially desirable operability and cost advantages.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Molecular sieve compositions, catalysts thereof, their making and use in conversion processes


A method for preparing a free flowing perfume capsule composition with enhanced performance and stability from slurries containing perfume capsules is described. A process comprising removing water from the slurry to form a wet cake, combining silicone dioxide or aluminosilicate to the wet cake to fluidize the wet cake and removing additional water from the fluidized wet cake to form free flowing perfume capsules is preferred.

Detergent compositions containing perfume are well known in the art. The perfume is ordinarily mixed or admixed with the liquid or granular detergent composition. Perfume makes the composition more aesthetically pleasing to the consumer, and in some cases it imparts a pleasant fragrance to surfaces. Most consumers have come to expect detergent compositions to have a pleasing odor.
Because perfumes are made of a combination of volatile compounds, perfume can be continuously emitted from simple solutions and dry mixes to which it has been added. Various techniques have been developed to hinder or delay the release of perfume from compositions so that they will remain aesthetically pleasing for a longer length of time. For example, see West German Patent 825,293, Dec. 17, 1951; East German Patent 15,693, Oct. 12, 1975; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,772,215, issued Nov. 13, 1973; and 3,567,119, issued Mar. 2, 1971. While such methods have been somewhat effective, there is still a need to economically formulate a composition which emits perfume from the composition and the treated surface even after product storage.
Encapsulation techniques have been used to enclose the perfume so that the fragrance is not emitted during storage and it is noticeable after actual use of the product, when the encapsulating material dissolves or breaks and the perfume is released. Storage of encapsulated perfume, though, can result in loss of the perfume stored within by capsule breakage and/or vaporization of the perfume core through the capsule wall.
Microencapsulation techniques are known for perfumes, medicines, adhesives, dyestuffs, inks, fertilizers, etc. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,446,032, Munteanu et al., issued May, 1984; 4,288,460, Ciliberto et al., issued Sept. 8, 1981; 4,268,411, Iwata et al., issued May 19, 1981 and 4,081,264, Ali, issued Mar. 28, 1978. Microencapsulation techniques and materials for forming microcapsules are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,800,458, Green, issued Jul. 23, 1957; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,159,585, Evans et al., issued Dec. 1, 1964; 3,533,958, Yurkowitz, issued Oct. 13, 1970; 3,697,437, Fogle et al., issued Oct 10, 1972; 3,888,689, Maekawa et al., issued Jun. 10, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 3,996,156, Matsukawa et al., issued Dec. 7, 1976; 3,965,033 Matsukawa et al., issued Jun. 22, 1976; 4,010,038, Iwasaki et al., issued Mar. 1, 1977; 4,016,098, Saeki et al., issued Apr. 5, 1977; 4,269,729, Maruyama et al., issued May 26, 1981; 4,303,548, Shimazaki et al., issued Dec. 1, 1981; 4,460,722, Igarashi et al., issued Jul. 17, 1984; 4,610,927, Igarahsi et al., issued Sept. 9, 1986; 4,961,871, Michael, issued Oct. 9, 1990; and Brit. Patent 1,483,542, published Aug 23, 1977.
Similarly, conditioning agents are known which promote the flow of solid particles. Some microencapsulation techniques have been developed which incorporate conditioning agents, such as silica particles, directly into the encapsulation material. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,268,411, issued May 19, 1981 and 4,288,460, issued Sep. 8, 1981. Although the incorporation of small particles into the perfume capsule wall is desirable to promote release by weakening the capsule wall, it Can also cause premature release of the perfume core during storage and/or handling.
It has now been found that adding silicon dioxide or aluminosilicate, which have a high adsorption efficiency, light density, water-insolubility, and/or a neutral or alkaline pH, to a wet cake containing perfume capsules, improves the fluidization and drying rate of the wet cake, and thereby enhances the flow and performance of the final perfume capsule composition. The silicon dioxide or aluminosilicate powder is believed to contribute the following advantages: (1) increases fluidization and drying rate of a wet cake, probably due to the increased interporosity and high adsorption efficiency of the powder; (2) protects perfume capsules from breakage by inhibiting contact between the perfume capsules; (3) acts as a scavenger for any perfume core which has inadvertently been released; (4) improves flow properties allowing better handling of the wet cake; and/or (5) reduces stress on the perfume capsule shell, allowing more of the capsules to be delivered without shell flaws.

Process for preparing a perfume capsule composition


A process management system for at least one of monitoring and controlling operation of a machine comprises at least one sensor assembly capable of being disposed on the machine for at least one of sensing, monitoring, and transmitting machine process variables of the machine, the at least one sensor assembly is capable of transmitting signals concerning the machine process variables; at least one machine operator control unit that is capable of receiving signals transmitted from the at least one sensor assembly, the at least one machine operator control unit being capable of generating information concerning machine process variables; at least one process management system control unit that is capable of being connected to the at least one machine operator control unit; at least one communications link that interconnects the at least one sensor assembly on the machine, the at least one machine operator control unit, and the at least one process management system control unit, each communications link capable of enabling the at least one process management system control unit to obtain the information concerning machine process variables. At least one of the process management system control unit and the machine operator control unit is capable of analyzing and evaluating machine process variables to control the operation of the machine. The invention also sets forth a method of monitoring.

The invention relates to machine management systems and monitoring methods. In particular, the invention relates to process management systems and methods, for machines, manufacturing equipment, and other such systems.
Operations of process machinery are known to have been monitored for process variables, including raw material input, production output, and other process variables. For example, if a machine is an extruder, the raw material input and extruded production output can be monitored and measured. Also, machine process variables, including temperature of a melt unit, roller speed, roller pressure, and other process variables that may influence the extruder operation may be monitored and possibly measured. These process variables are recorded, sometimes automatically, to provide a historical record of the extruder""s operation.
The process variable information typically has not been provided in an analyzed and evaluated form for enhancing process or machine operations. Any analyzing of process variable information is usually manual. This nature of analyzing is costly, time-consuming, and because of the type of analyzing, may lead to errors in the evaluation and analysis of the information. Thus, a need exists for a process and system that provides variable machine process information to the operator to enhance their operation.
A monitoring system for at least one of monitoring and controlling operation of a machine comprises at least one sensor assembly capable of being disposed on the machine for at least one of sensing, monitoring, and transmitting machine process variables of the machine, the at least one sensor assembly being capable of transmitting signals concerning the machine process variables; at least one machine operator control unit that is capable of receiving signals transmitted from the at least one sensor assembly, the at least one machine operator control unit being capable of generating information concerning machine process variables; at least one process management system control unit that is capable of being connected to the at least one machine operator control unit; at least one communications link that interconnects the at least one sensor assembly on the machine, the at least one machine operator control unit, and the at least one process management system control unit, each communications link capable of enabling the at least one process management system control unit to obtain the information concerning machine process variables. The at least one process management system control unit and the machine operator control unit are capable of analyzing and evaluating machine process variables to control the operation of the machine.
Another aspect of the invention sets forth a system for at least one of monitoring and controlling operation of a machine. The system includes sensor means that is disposed on the machine for at least one of sensing, monitoring, and transmitting machine process variables of the machine, the sensor means being capable of transmitting signals concerning the machine process variables; machine operator control means for receiving signals transmitted from the sensor means, the machine operator control means being capable of generating information concerning machine process variables; process management system control unit means for being connected to the machine operator process control unit means; communications link means for interconnecting the sensor means on the machine, the machine operator process control unit means, and the process management system control unit means, each communications link means enabling the control unit means to obtain the information concerning machine process variables. The control unit means and the machine operator process system control unit means is capable of analyzing and evaluating machine process variables to control the operation of the machine.
Also, the invention provides a method for monitoring and controlling operation of a machine. The method comprises disposing at least one sensor assembly on the machine; sensing, monitoring, and transmitting machine process variables of the machine; connecting each sensor assembly to a process control unit and a machine operator control unit; receiving signals transmitted from the at least one sensor assembly by at least one of the process control unit and the machine operator control unit; generating information concerning machine process variables by at least one of the process control unit and the machine operator control unit; and analyzing and evaluating machine process variables by at least one of the at least one process control unit and the machine operator control unit to control the operation of the machine.
These and other aspects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, where like parts are designated by like reference characters throughout the drawings, disclose embodiments of the invention.

Machine management systems and monitoring methods


The present invention features a memory module for use in conjunction with high speed, impedance-controlled buses. Each memory card may be a conventional printed circuit card with memory chips attached directly thereto. Alternately, high density memory modules assembled from pluggable sub-modules may be used. These sub-modules may be temporarily assembled for testing and/or burn-in. Bus terminations mounted directly on the memory card or the memory module eliminate the need for bus exit connections, allowing the freed-up connection capacity to be used to address additional memory capacity on the module. An innovative pin-in-hole contact system is used both to connect sub-modules to the memory module and, optionally, to connect the memory module to a motherboard or similar structure. A thermal control structure may be placed in the memory module, cooling the increased number of memory chips to prevent excess heat build-up and ensure reliable memory operation.

The present invention relates to high density memory modules and, more particularly, to high density memory modules having impedance-controlled transmission line buses and, optionally, driver line terminators built into the memory modules, for maintaining high electrical design margins.
Modern, high-speed digital computers and the sophisticated software running on them require ever-increasing amounts of volatile random access memory (RAM). As bus and clock speeds increase, the electrical drive requirements for servicing a number of memory devices have become much more stringent than when slower memory was in use.
The operating speed of a memory system is largely determined by the electrical interconnections between the memory controller and the memory devices, or the bus. As data rate increases, signal propagation times through the interconnections are no longer negligible compared to the transition time of the signals. At high bus speeds, these interconnections behave as transmission line networks. The response characteristics of such transmission line networks determine the maximum usable speed of the memory bus.
In the current generation of memory packaging technology, the amount of memory physically available on a single card or module is controlled by two factors: the capacity of the memory devices (chips) themselves and the number of physical electrical connections that may be made to the module. The number of cards or modules which may be daisy chained is dependent solely upon the capacity of the line drivers or receivers. To ensure fast memory cycle times, extremely short, fast rise pulses are used.
For example, in conventional random access memory systems, because only one bit can exist on the bus during a certain time interval, the bus speed is determined mainly by the signal setup time of the bus. As a result, the highest achievable data rate for such bus in PC memory systems is 266 Mbits per second. Usually, no impedance-matching termination is required or provided in such a conventional RAM system.
To achieve even higher bus speeds and, at the same time, allow for larger memory capacities, impedance controlled types of buses must be adopted. For example, RAMBUS(copyright) technology, created by Rambus Inc. of Mountain View, Calif. features a memory configuration wherein memory devices are disposed (packaged) on up to three RAMBUS Inline Memory Module (RIMM) cards all interconnected on a motherboard by a high-speed data bus. One or more termination components are placed on the motherboard at the physical end of the bus.
In operation, address/data lines leave driver circuits on the motherboard and enter a first RIMM card in the memory chain. These same address/data lines must leave the RIMM via a complete, second set of connections. This routing continues through a second and third RIMM module before the driver lines reach their terminations. This memory/bus configuration allows very fast transit signals to be transmitted between a memory controller and a data storing device over relatively long buses. These buses allow multiple bits to propagate simultaneously down each line of the bus, thereby achieving access data rates of 800 Mbits per second. Even higher bus rates appear feasible in the future.
One most important feature of such bus is that the effective impedance of the signal propagation paths is well controlled, and one end of the bus is terminated to the characteristic impedance of the bus in order to maintain signal fidelity and signal integrity.
In systems adopting such buses, the amplitudes of the driving signals are generally much smaller than amplitudes of conventional digital signals. This is due to the limitation on the driving strength (dv/dt) of the devices.
All of the above mentioned factors make reliable operation very dependent upon controlling the impedance of the interconnections along the bus. Any impedance mismatches along the signal transmission path result in signal degradation which, in turn, may lead to errors in data transmission. At the same time, maintenance of accurate timing among all of the signal bits and clocks is also extremely critical to reliable data transmission. For this reason, minimizing signal-to-clock delay difference (data-to-clock skew) is another important requirement for such buses.
Prior art memory system designs generally consist of a memory controller, a clock driver and bus terminations all mounted on the motherboard with up to three memory slots between the controller and the termination. The data signals must pass through every module and also through a total of six edge connectors before they reach the termination. Because of their design, current edge connectors introduce impedance mismatches and crosstalk that degrade signal quality and therefore limit the performance of the signal channels.
The inclusion of the terminations on the memory modules themselves provides several types of performance improvement. First, because only a single set of contacts need be used (i.e., there is no need to have the bus lines exit the module), the additional contact capacity may be devoted to addressing capability for even greater amounts of memory on a single card or module. For example, current RAMBUS technology RIMM cards support only eight or sixteen memory chips with a total capacity of no more than 256 Mbits per card. The memory modules of the present invention, however, can hold up to 32 chips per card, thereby providing a double to quadruple improvement in memory capacity. By eliminating essentially half of the required contacts, an even greater number of chips (e.g., 64 chips) may be packaged on a single card.
Total bus path length is significantly reduced because more memory may be placed on a single card physically much closer to the driver circuits than has heretofore been possible. Even more improvement is obtained because the extra passage of signals through exit contacts is eliminated. Also eliminated is that portion of the bus path between the memory modules and the external terminator resistors of the prior art.
In addition, this inventive design may reduce the design complexity and manufacturing cost of both the memory module and the motherboard. For memory systems having one to three memory modules, using a terminated module as the last module helps to achieve maximum system performance.
The present invention also allows integration of all of the memory chips of a channel onto a single, terminated module, which leads to better system integrity and lower cost. The inventive, self-terminated module needs only half of the I/O connections of a conventional module. Using a conventional prior art connector on a module, two channels of memory can be integrated onto one module, which yields increased bandwidth and double the memory capacity.
When the inventive, self-terminating memory modules are combined with innovative pin/hole interconnection technology, densities are achieved that are much higher than have been possible heretofore. This allows far more memory to be packaged on a single memory module or card. More memory capacity may be deployed closer to the line drivers/receivers, thereby reducing path lengths, especially when a memory module is self-terminated.
Thermal management structures may be included on the high density, self-terminated memory modules. These structures are described in detail in copending U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/461,065.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a compact, high density memory card with up to 64 memory chips supported thereon.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide a high density memory module utilizing a novel high density connector technology.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide a high density memory module with high electrical design margins.
It is another object of the invention to provide a high density memory module with bus terminations provided on the memory module itself.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a high density memory module which can operatively reduce data path lengths, thereby helping ease driver electrical requirements in a high speed digital computer or the like.
It is another object of the invention to provide a high density memory module made from detachable sub-modules which may be temporarily connected together for testing and/or burn-in and then, optionally, permanently attached to the module.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a single, high density memory module containing all of the memory capacity supported by a single bus channel or dual bus channels.
The present invention provides a memory module with bus terminations mounted directly on the memory module for use with high speed, impedance-controlled memory buses. The memory module has high electrical design margins and may be formed on a conventional printed circuit card with unpacked or packed memory chips attached directly to the memory module. Alternately, high density memory modules assembled from pluggable sub-modules or daughter cards may be used. These sub-modules may be temporarily assembled for testing and/or burn-in. Using memory modules with bus terminations mounted directly on the module improves the signal quality and integrity and therefore enhances the performance of the systems. Such designs may also eliminate the need for bus exit connections, thereby allowing the freed-up connection capacity to be used to address additional memory capacity on the module. Thermal control structure may be included to maintain the high density memory modules within a reliable range of operating temperatures.

High capacity memory module with high electrical design margins


There are disclosed certain novel compounds identified as benzo-fused lactams which promote the release of growth hormone in humans and animals. This property can be utilized to promote the growth of food animals to render the production of edible meat products more efficient, and in humans, to increase the stature of those afflicted with a lack of a normal secretion of natural growth hormone. Growth promoting compositions containing such benzo-fused lactams as the active ingredient thereof are also disclosed.

Growth hormone, which is secreted from the pituitary, stimulates growth of all tissues of the body that are capable of growing. In addition, growth hormone is known to have the following basic effects on the metabolic process of the body:
1. Increased rate of protein synthesis in all cells of the body; PA1 2. Decreased rate of carbohydrate utilization in cells of the body; PA1 3. Increased mobilization of free fatty acids and use of fatty acids for energy. PA1 R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.1a, R.sup.2a, R.sup.1b, and R.sup.2b are independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 perfluoroalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 perfluoroalkoxy. --S(O).sub.m R.sup.7a, cyano, nitro, R.sup.7b O(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b COO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b OCO(CH.sub.2).sub.v, phenyl or substituted phenyl where the substituents are from 1 to 3 of halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, or hydroxy; PA1 R.sup.7a and R.sup.7b are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 perfluoroalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, where the substituents are phenyl or substituted phenyl; phenyl or substituted phenyl where the phenyl substituents are from 1 to 3 of halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, or hydroxy and v is 0 to 3; PA1 R.sup.3a and R.sup.3b are independently hydrogen, R.sup.9, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl substituted with R.sup.9, phenyl substituted with R.sup.9 or phenoxy substituted with R.sup.9 ; ##STR3## R.sup.7b O(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b COO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b OCO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b CO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b O(CH.sub.2).sub.v CO-, R.sup.4 R.sup.5 N(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b CON(R.sup.4)(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.4 R.sup.5 NCO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.4 R.sup.5 NCS(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.4 R.sup.5 NN(R.sup.5)CO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.4 R.sup.5 NN(R.sup.5)CS(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b CON(R.sup.4)N(R.sup.5)CO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b CON(R.sup.4)N(R.sup.5)CS(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.4 N(OR.sup.7b)CO(CH.sub.2).sub.v - or R.sup.7a CON(OR.sup.7b)CO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -; PA1 R.sup.4, R.sup.4a, R.sup.5 are independently hydrogen, phenyl, substituted phenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 alkenyl, substituted C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 alkenyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 alkynyl, or substituted C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 alkynyl where the substituents on the phenyl, alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl are from 1 to 5 of hydroxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, phenyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkoxy, fluoro, R.sup.1 substituted or R.sup.1, R.sup.2 independently disubstituted phenyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkoxy, phenyl, R.sup.1 substituted or R.sup.1, R.sup.2 independently disubstituted phenyl, where the substituents on the phenyl are as defined above, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkanoyloxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy, formyl, or --NR.sup.10 R.sup.11 where R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, phenyl, phenyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkoxycarbonyl, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkanoyl-C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl; or R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 can be taken together to form --(CH.sub.2).sub.r B(CH.sub.2).sub.s -- where B is CH.sub.2, O or S(O).sub.m or N--R.sup.10, r and s are independently 1 to 3 and R.sup.10 is as defined above; PA1 R.sup.6 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, phenyl or phenyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl; PA1 A is ##STR4## where x and y are independently 0-3; R.sup.8 and R.sup.8a are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, trifluoromethyl, phenyl, substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl where the substituents are from 1 to 3 of imidazolyl, indolyl, hydroxy, fluoro, S(O).sub.m R.sup.7a, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, phenyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkoxy, R.sup.1 substituted or R.sup.1, R.sup.2 independently disubstituted phenyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkoxy, phenyl, R.sup.1 substituted or R.sup.1, R.sup.2 independently disubstituted phenyl, PA1 C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkanoyloxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy, formyl, or --NR.sup.10 R.sup.11 where R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are as defined above; or R.sup.8 and R.sup.8a can be taken together to form --(CH.sub.2).sub.t -where t is 2 to 6; and R.sup.8 and R.sup.8a can independently be joined to one or both of R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 to form alkyl bridges between the terminal nitrogen and the alkyl portion of the A group wherein the bridge contains from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. PA1 n is 0 or 1; PA1 p is 0 to 3; PA1 q is 0 to 2; PA1 w is 0 or 1; ##STR5## m is 0 to 2; R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.1a, R.sup.2a, R.sup.1b, and R.sup.2b are independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 perfluoroalkyl, --S(O).sub.m R.sup.7a, R.sup.7b O(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b COO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b OCO(CH.sub.2).sub.v, phenyl or substituted phenyl where the substituents are from 1 to 3 of halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, or hydroxy; PA1 R.sup.7a and R.sup.7b are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 perfluoroalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, where the substituents are phenyl; phenyl and v is 0 to 2; PA1 R.sup.3a and R.sup.3b are independently hydrogen, R.sup.9, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl substituted with R.sup.9, phenyl substituted with R.sup.9 or phenoxy substituted with R.sup.9 ; ##STR6## R.sup.7b O(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b COO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b OCO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b CO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.4 R.sup.5 N(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b CON(R.sup.4)(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.4 R.sup.5 NCO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.4 R.sup.5 NCS(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.4 R.sup.5 NN(R.sup.5)CO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b CON(R.sup.4)N(R.sup.5)CO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.4 N(OR.sup.7b)CO(CH.sub.2).sub.v - or R.sup.7a CON(OR.sup.7b)CO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -; where v is as defined above; R.sup.4, R.sup.4a, R.sup.5 are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, where the substituents on the alkyl are from 1 to 5 of hydroxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, phenyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkoxy, fluoro, R.sup.1 substituted or R.sup.1, R.sup.2 independently disubstituted phenyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkoxy, phenyl, R.sup.1 substituted or R.sup.1, R.sup.2 independently disubstituted phenyl, where the substituents on the phenyl are as defined above, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkanoyloxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy or formyl; PA1 R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 can be taken together to form --(CH.sub.2).sub.r B(CH.sub.2).sub.s -- where B is CH.sub.2, O or S(O).sub.m or N--R.sup.10 r and s are independently 1 to 3 and R.sup.10 is as defined above; PA1 R.sup.6 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl or phenyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl; PA1 A is ##STR7## where x and y are independently 0-2; R.sup.8 and R.sup.8a are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl where the substituents are from 1 to 3 of imidazolyl, indolyl, hydroxy, fluoro, S(O).sub.m R.sup.7a, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, phenyl, R.sup.1 substituted or R.sup.1, R.sup.2 independently disubstituted phenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkanoyloxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy, formyl, or --NR.sup.10 R.sup.11 where R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkanoyl-C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl; or R.sup.8 and R.sup.8a can be taken together to form --(CH.sub.2).sub.t -where t is 2 to 4; and R.sup.8 and R.sup.8a can independently be joined to one or both of R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 to form alkyl bridges between the terminal nitrogen and the alkyl portion of the A group wherein the bridge contains from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. PA1 n is 0 or 1; PA1 p is 0 to 2; PA1 q is 0 to 2; PA1 w is 0 or 1; PA1 X is S(O).sub.m, --CH.dbd.CH--; PA1 m is 0 or 1; PA1 R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.1a, R.sup.2a, R.sup.1b, and R.sup.2b are independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 perfluoroalkyl, --S(O).sub.m R.sup.7a, R.sup.7b O(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b COO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b OCO(CH.sub.2).sub.v, phenyl or substituted phenyl where the substituents are from 1 to 3 of halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, or hydroxy; PA1 R.sup.7a and R.sup.7b are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, where the substituents are phenyl and v is 0 to 2; PA1 R.sup.3a and R.sup.3b are independently hydrogen, R.sup.9, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl substituted with R.sup.9, phenyl substituted with R.sup.9 or phenoxy substituted with R.sup.9 ; ##STR8## R.sup.7b O(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b COO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b OCO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b CO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.4 R.sup.5 N(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b CON(R.sup.4)(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.4 R.sup.5 NCO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.4 R.sup.5 NCS(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.4 N(OR.sup.7b)CO(CH.sub.2).sub.v - or R.sup.7a CON(OR.sup.7b)CO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -; where v is as defined above; R.sup.4, R.sup.4a, R.sup.5 are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, where the substituents on the alkyl are from 1 to 5 of hydroxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, fluoro, phenyl, R.sup.1 substituted or R.sup.1, R.sup.2 independently disubstituted phenyl, where the substituents on the phenyl are as defined above, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkanoyloxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy; PA1 R.sup.6 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl; PA1 A is ##STR9## where x and y are independently 0-2; R.sup.8 and R.sup.8a are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl where the substituents are from 1 to 3 of imidazolyl, indolyl, hydroxy, fluoro, S(O).sub.m R.sup.7a, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, phenyl, R.sup.1 substituted or R.sup.1, R.sup.2 independently disubstituted phenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkanoyloxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy; or R.sup.8 and R.sup.8a can be taken together to form --(CH.sub.2).sub.t -- where t is 2; and R.sup.8 and R.sup.8a can independently be joined to one or both of R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 to form alkyl bridges between the terminal nitrogen and the alkyl portion of the A group wherein the bridge contains from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; PA1 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. PA1 n is 0 or 1; PA1 p is 0 to 2; PA1 q is 1; PA1 w is 1; PA1 X is S(O).sub.m, --CH.dbd.CH--; PA1 m is 0 or 1; PA1 R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.1a, R.sup.2a, R.sup.1b, and R.sup.2b are independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 perfluoroalkyl, --S(O).sub.m R.sup.7a, R.sup.7b O(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b COO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, phenyl or substituted phenyl where the substituents are from 1 to 3 of halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, or hydroxy; PA1 R.sup.7a and R.sup.7b are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, where the substituents are phenyl, phenyl and v is 0 or 1; PA1 R.sup.3a and R.sup.3b are independently hydrogen or R.sup.9 ; PA1 R.sup.9 is ##STR10## R.sup.7b O(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b COO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b OCO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b CO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.4 R.sup.5 N(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.7b CON(R.sup.4)(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, R.sup.4 R.sup.5 NCO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -, or R.sup.4 N(OR.sup.7b)CO(CH.sub.2).sub.v -; where v is as defined above; PA1 R.sup.4, R.sup.5 are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, where the substituents on the alkyl are from 1 to 3 of hydroxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkoxy, fluoro, phenyl, R.sup.1 substituted or R.sup.1, R.sup.2 independently disubstituted phenyl, where the substituents on the phenyl are as defined above; C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkanoyloxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy; PA1 R.sup.4a is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl where the substituents on the alkyl are from 1 to 3 of hydroxy; PA1 R.sup.6 is hydrogen; PA1 A is ##STR11## where x and y are independently 0-1; R.sup.8 and R.sup.8a are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl where the substituents are from 1 to 3 of imidazolyl, indolyl, hydroxy, fluoro, S(O).sub.m R.sup.7a, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy, phenyl, R.sup.1 substituted or R.sup.1, R.sup.2 independently disubstituted phenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkanoyloxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy; or R.sup.8 and R.sup.8a can be taken together to form --(CH.sub.2).sub.t -- where t is 2; and R.sup.8 and R.sup.8a can independently be joined to one or both of R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 to form alkyl bridges between the terminal nitrogen and the alkyl portion of the A group wherein the bridge contains from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; PA1 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
A deficiency in growth hormone secretion can result in various medical disorders, such as dwarfism.
Various ways are known to release growth hormone. For example, chemicals such as arginine, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), glucagon, vasopressin, and insulin induced hypoglycemia, as well as activities such as sleep and exercise, indirectly cause growth hormone to be released from the pituitary by acting in some fashion on the hypothalamus perhaps either to decrease somatostatin secretion or to increase the secretion of the known secretagogue growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) or an unknown endogenous growth hormone-releasing hormone or all of these.
In cases where increased levels of growth hormone were desired, the problem was generally solved by providing exogenous growth hormone or by administering an agent which stimulated growth hormone production and/or release. In either case the peptidyl nature of the compound necessitated that it be administered by injection. Initially the source of growth hormone was the extraction of the pituitary glands of cadavers. This resulted in a very expensive product and carried with it the risk that a disease associated with the source of the pituitary gland could be transmitted to the recipient of the growth hormone. Recently, recombinant growth hormone has become available which, while no longer carrying any risk of disease transmission, is still a very expensive product which must be given by injection or by a nasal spray.
Other compounds have been developed which stimulate the release of endogenous growth hormone such as analogous peptidyl compounds related to GRF or the peptides of U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,390. These peptides, while considerably smaller than growth hormones are still susceptible to various proteases. As with most peptides, their potential for oral bioavailability is low. The instant compounds are non-peptidyl agents for promoting the release of growth hormone which may be administered parenterally, nasally or by the oral route.

Benzo-fused lactams that promote the release of growth hormone


A circuit protector includes a plurality of detection lines that connect between a battery pack and a monitoring circuit, an overvoltage protection element connected between the detection lines that keeps the voltage applied to the monitoring circuit at a fixed voltage, and a circuit protection element disposed in each detection line that disconnects an electrical link between the monitoring circuit and the battery pack when a current beyond a predetermined current value flows into the detection line. When the excess voltage occurs in the battery pack, the overvoltage protection element maintains between each detection line in a short circuit state, and the circuit protection element disconnects the electrical link between the battery pack and the monitoring circuit by a short-circuit current that flows between the detection lines via the overvoltage protection element.

Conventionally, a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, for example, is equipped with a battery pack, which has many battery cells connected in series, as a power supply unit, and an electric motor for driving the vehicle is driven by a voltage generated in the power supply unit.
Such a kind of power supply unit is connected to a monitoring circuit that monitors a voltage in order to prevent generation of heat, damage by fire, degradation, etc. accompanied with a voltage abnormality (refer to Japanese Patent No. 4537993, for example).
Here, between the power supply unit and the monitoring circuit is electrically connected by a plurality of detection lines for voltage detection, and there is a possibility that the monitoring circuit may be damaged when excess voltage occurs in the power supply unit or high current flows into the detection lines under influences of peripheral devices, etc.
Hence, it is necessary to provide a circuit protector that protects the monitoring circuit between the power supply unit and the monitoring circuit.
For the circuit protector, a composition that prepares circuit protection elements, such as a fuse, on each detection line, for example, may be mentioned.
Accordingly, suppression of the over-current to the monitoring circuit becomes possible because the circuit protection element of the detection line is disconnected when a large current more than a rated current flows into the detection line.
Moreover, a Zener diode (overvoltage protection element) may be connected between each detection line as a circuit protector so as to be together with the power supply unit.
Accordingly, when an excess voltage occurs in the power supply unit, a voltage applied to the monitoring circuit can be maintained at a fixed voltage because a short-circuit current flows between each detection line through the Zener diode.
By the way, the current that flows into each detection line when the excess voltage occurs in the power supply unit varies according to an internal composition (impedance) of the monitoring circuit.
Therefore, when the circuit protector is constituted from circuit protection elements such as fuses, it is difficult to set up the rated current of the circuit protection element in order that the detection line is intercepted when the excess voltage is occurring, thus the monitoring circuit cannot be protected appropriately.
On the other hand, when the circuit protector is constituted from overvoltage protection elements such as Zener diodes, the overvoltage protection element may be damaged by the large current (short-circuit current) that flows between each detection line when the excess voltage occurs in the power supply unit.
If the failure of the overvoltage protection element at this occasion is an open-circuit fault where an internal current path has been disconnected, there is a possibility that the monitoring circuit may be damaged because the excess voltage that occurred in the power supply unit is applied to the monitoring circuit.
Thus, the monitoring circuit cannot be appropriately protected from the excess voltage that occurred in the power supply unit with the conventional circuit protector, therefore, it is necessary to constitute each element in the monitoring circuit from a high voltage element with high electrical robustness, or to add protection elements in the monitoring circuit, and a complicated circuit configuration in the power supply system or cost escalation cannot be avoided.


The invention provides methods for preventing end stage renal disease (ESRD) in subjects having a disorder associated with chronic kidney failure, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Also included are markers (miRNAs) that may be used to identify subjects who are at risk of developing ESRD.

End stage renal disease (ESRD), also referred to as end stage kidney disease, is the last stage of chronic kidney disease. ESRD occurs when a person's kidneys can no longer support their body's needs. The kidneys remove waste and excess water from the body. ESRD almost always comes after chronic kidney disease. The kidneys may slowly stop working over 10 to 20 years before end-stage disease results.
Diabetes is a common cause of ESRD. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is characterized by a series of structural abnormalities affecting the function of the kidney (1). In addition to renal cell hypertrophy and glomerular basement membrane thickening, the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and mesangial cell expansion are all key features of this disease that promote renal fibrosis (1). These structural changes lead to two separable clinical manifestations; increased urinary albumin excretion and the progressive decline of renal function (2). For 10-15% of all patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D), it is this latter feature of this process that ultimately culminates in the onset of ESRD (2).
Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), a multi-functional cytokine, is an essential mediator of the pathogenesis of DN (3; 4). In the setting of diabetes, high glucose levels stimulate the renal production of TGF-β1 and set in motion a signaling cascade that promotes fibrogenesis (5). During this process, TGF-β1 exerts its effects by up-regulating several pro-fibrotic factors, including various collagen genes, through activation of the Smad and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways (6-9). Recently, in vitro and in vivo models of DN have shown that TGF-β1 also positively or negatively regulates the expression of several microRNAs (miRNAs) that, in turn, amplify TGF-β1-signaling to further promote renal fibrosis (10-18). These studies clearly demonstrate that TGF-β1-regulated miRNAs are key downstream regulators of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and, therefore, are important modulators of diabetic kidney disease.
miRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs that are involved in regulating gene expression through different mechanisms, including translational repression. miRNAs are initially transcribed from DNA as lengthy primary miRNA transcripts ("pri-miRNAs"), ranging in size from hundreds to thousands of nucleotides. Pri-miRNA is processed in the nucleus by the enzyme complex Drosha-DGCR8 to form stem-loop precursor miRNA ("pre-miRNAs"). Pre-miRNA is transported to the cytoplasm by the protein exportin 5, where it is cleaved by the enzyme Dicer to generate mature (functional) miRNA. The human genome encodes over 1300 miRNAs, which have been cataloged at "miRBase: The microRNA Database" (http://www.mirbase.org/). miRNA expression has been reported in a wide array of cell and tissue types, and extracellularly, e.g., in biological fluids.
miRNAs have been found to be detectable in a variety of human body fluids, including blood, saliva, and urine (19; 20). miRNAs that are present in the circulation, including those in plasma and serum, are protected from endogenous ribonuclease activity, allowing them to remain remarkably stable. Because of this, circulating miRNAs hold great promise to serve as potentially useful biomarkers to monitor pathophysiological changes and the prognosis disease (19; 21; 22). Moreover, because the deregulation of miRNAs also contributes to the development of various human diseases, these molecules are becoming attractive targets for miRNA-based therapeutic interventions (23).
For example, miR-29a-3p was found to be protective against the loss of renal function in patients from our study. Previous studies have shown that miR-29a-3p is down-regulated in response to TGF-β1 in a variety of human and non-human cell lines, including human and rat proximal tubule epithelial cells, mouse mesangial cells, and human podocytes (10; 40; 43). miR-29a and other members of the miR-29 family negatively regulate the expression of several fibrotic genes, including a number of collagen genes (e.g., COL1A1 and COL1A2 and collagen type IV, alpha1, 2, and 3), via a Smad3-dependent mechanism (10; 40; 41; 43). In addition to these in vitro models, and in agreement with our observation in patients at risk of renal function decline, miR-29a has also been shown to be markedly decreased in kidney tissue in rodent models of diabetic renal fibrosis (10; 43). Similar findings have also been noted in non-diabetic mouse models, suggesting that aberrant miR-29 levels are common to both diabetic and non-diabetic kidney disease (10; 43).
Interestingly, miR-29c expression has been shown to be increased in both in vitro and in vivo models of DN (48). As demonstrated by Long et al., miR-29c levels are significantly increased in kidney glomeruli from db/db diabetic mice compared to control db/m littermates. Moreover, miR-29c expression is also significantly increased in both kidney podocytes and kidney microvascular endothelial cells in response to hyperglycemic conditions. Importantly, in contrast to control db/db mice, Long et al. further demonstrated that knockdown of miR-29c with a chemically modified antisense oligonucleotide significantly reduced albuminuria in db/db mice in vivo.
Treatment for ESRD usually involves dialysis or kidney transplantation. Without dialysis or kidney transplantation, prognosis for patients having ESRD is poor, leading to death. Both dialysis and kidney transplantation, however, are complicated treatments each carrying their own risks. As such, there remains a need for methods of treating ESRD and identifying patients who may be at risk for developing ESRD in an effort to prevent this devastating disease.

Compositions and methods for treating and preventing end stage renal disease


In a communication apparatus using an asynchronous transfer mode, there is provided a system switching method, and apparatus, without loss of signal for performing cell multiplexing or cell switching in a duplex system including a primary system and a standby system. In system switching, control information for switching between the primary system and the standby system is prepared. When a cell is inputted to the communication apparatus, the prepared control information is appended in a header portion of the cell. The cell with control information appended thereto is transmitted to the duplex system including the primary system and the standby system. On the basis of the control information, cell transfer of each system is controlled.

The present invention relates to a technique for providing higher reliability of cell switching function of a switching system or a transmission system included in a communication network using an asynchronous transfer mode (hereafter abbreviated to ATM), and in particular to a system switching method, and apparatus, causing no loss o information at the time of system switching in a duplex operation system.
In conventional communication networks using a synchronous transfer mode (hereafter abbreviated to STM), it is possible to make the operation of a primary system of a switch portion synchronize with that of a standby system thereof so that loss of information at the time of system switching may be avoided. That is to say, loss of a bit due to switching is prevented provided that switch portions of both systems are synchronized with the precision of hit phase of a digital signal.
Cell switches in ATM communication networks switch information by taking data hits having a fixed length called a cell as the unit and routing information for switching is added to the header of the cell. Unlike the conventional STM switch in which switching is performed according to the bit position, the bit position cannot become information for switching.
In cell switches of an ATM, therefore, synchronizing the primary system and the standby system for the purpose of system switching impairs the advantage of the ATM in that switching is performed by labels of cell headers, and hence it is not effective means. Further, in the ATM, cells are buffered within the switch and hence it is difficult to control that Phase. It is thus difficult to prevent loss of information by means of simple switching as in the STM.
By the way, JP-A-63-70698 discloses a time division switching system of STM allowing continuation of communication without loss of signal when channels are rearranged during communication as occasion demands. However, it does not solve the above described problem.

System switching method and apparatus without loss of signal in cell switching system of asynchronous transfer mode


A manufacturing method for a semiconductor device comprises: mounting a semiconductor element, having an alignment mark, on a substrate; forming a composite of metal film and insulating film such that the surface of the semiconductor element is covered therewith; and removing a part of the composite of metal film and insulating film so as to expose the alignment mark. The position of each electrode of the semiconductor element mounted on the substrate is determined based upon detection results obtained by detection of the exposed alignment mark.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for a semiconductor device while detecting the position of each semiconductor element using an alignment mark.
2. Description of the Related Art
With portable electronic appliances such as mobile phones, PDAs, DVCs and DSCs becoming more and more advanced in their capabilities, miniaturization and weight reduction of products have become essential for market acceptance. Accordingly, highly-integrated system LSIs for achieving these goals are demanded. Also, better ease and convenience of use are required of these electronic appliances. In this respect, high capabilities and high performance are required of LSIs used in these appliances. While the number of I/Os is increasing as a result of increasingly high integration of LSI chips, there is also a persistent requirement for miniaturization of packages themselves. In order to meet these incompatible demands, development of a semiconductor package adapted for high-density substrate mounting of semiconductor components is in serious demand.
In order to meet such demands, development of a packaging technique, which is referred to as "CSP (Chip Size Package)", is being undertaken.
With the multi-system-in-a-package technique using the wafer processing, the CSP technique as described above, and a manufacturing apparatus thereof, components such as an insulating film, a copper wiring electrode film, and so forth, are formed on multiple LSIs with vacuum bonding or the like. This enables a bumpless structure thereof, thereby realizing high-speed signal transmission, and also thereby allowing manufacturing of a package with a reduced height.
However, with conventional multi-system-in-a-package techniques such as the manufacturing technique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-94247, alignment of multiple chips is performed using a chip mounter, leading to difficulty in improving the alignment precision for mounting the chips. This leads to difficulty in improving the wiring precision dependent upon the chip-alignment precision, resulting in an excessive wiring margin. Accordingly, manufacturing of a high-density integrated semiconductor device, e.g., a multi-system in a package formed of semiconductor integrated circuits such as LSIs and so forth, requires further improved precision of wiring and so forth, which is a remaining technical problem.

Manufacturing method for semiconductor device and determination method for position of semiconductor element


An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, an apparatus-side terminal provided to a first inner side wall of the apparatus body, a developer container to contain developer and to be removably installable in the apparatus body, a container-side terminal electrically connectable to the apparatus-side terminal and disposed in a first end portion of the developer container in a longitudinal direction thereof, and an apparatus-side protrusion projecting inward from the first inner side wall of the apparatus body. In removal of the developer container from the apparatus body, a second end portion of the developer container in the longitudinal direction is disengaged from the apparatus body before the first end portion is disengaged from the apparatus body, and the apparatus-side protrusion contacts the first end portion of the developer container immediately after removal of the developer container from the apparatus body is started.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to a developer container for containing powder used for image formation and an image forming apparatus, such as, a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, a plotter, the like, or a multifunction machine (or multifunction peripheral) that includes the developer container and has at least two of capabilities of copying, printing, plotting, scanning, facsimile transmission, and the like. The present invention further relates to a replaceable unit removably installable in an apparatus.
2. Description of the Background Art
Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, such as copiers, printers, facsimile machines, and multifunction machines including at least two of such capabilities, generally include a developing device to develop, with developer such as toner, latent images formed on a photoreceptor serving as an image bearer. As toner is consumed to develop latent images, the developing device is replenished with toner.
To replenish the developing device, replaceable toner cartridges filled with toner are often used. For example, an upper cover of the image forming apparatus is opened, the used toner cartridge is removed therefrom, and a new toner cartridge is installed therein.
Replaceable units, such as toner containers (or toner cartridges), process units (or process cartridges), or the like, are typically provided with a data storage element to store data relating to each cartridge. In such configurations, the replaceable unit further includes a terminal (hereinafter "unit-side terminal") connected to the data storage element, and the apparatus body includes a terminal (hereinafter "apparatus-side terminal") electrically connectable to the unit-side terminal to transmit data from the replaceable unit to a controller of the apparatus. For example, in JP-2011-197271-A, electrical contacts are provided to the process cartridge and the apparatus body to form electrical connection therebetween in a state in which the process cartridge is mounted in the apparatus body.
The unit-side terminal is often disposed on an end face at one longitudinal end of the replaceable unit, and the apparatus-side terminal is disposed on an inner side wall of the apparatus body facing the end face of the replaceable unit.

Image forming apparatus and developer container, developing device, process unit, and replaceable unit therefor


An execution environment accommodating object-based software transparently monitors interactions with software objects to generate operational management information for managing programs executing at plural computers. Notifications are directed to a software manager in the form of events, which can additionally be provided to applications or user programs. The software manager can group the events into sets and derive various operational management metrics from them to provide an overall picture of a program's performance, including availability. A hierarchical arrangement feature facilitates gathering information for programs scattered over plural computers. An alert feature provides warnings if metrics fall outside a specified threshold. In addition, the alert feature can automatically subscribe to additional sets of events to dynamically select the information collected by the software manager. Since the operational management information is collected transparently by logic outside the objects, manual instrumentation of the program is unnecessary, and software management technology is made available to organizations without software management expertise.

A variety of systems have evolved for accommodating software objects in a variety of information processing scenarios. For example, a server application running software objects on a host or server computer in a distributed network can provide services or functions for client applications running on terminal or workstation computers of the network which are operated by a multitude of users. Common examples of such server applications include software for processing class registrations at a university, travel reservations, money transfers at a bank, and sales at a retail business. In these examples, the processing services provided by the server application may update databases of class schedules, hotel reservations, account balances, product shipments, payments, or inventory for actions initiated by the individual users at their respective stations. A common way to implement these applications is by exchanging data through a web site hosted on the server.
As organizations become more dependent on their information systems, successful business operation is increasingly tied to application software availability. Thus, certain applications need to be available at all times; any interruption in service results in lost customers or missed deadlines. Applications playing an integral part in business operations are sometimes called "mission critical" or "24×7" applications. For example, if an order center is open twenty-four hours a day to accept customer information requests and orders, inferior performance or failure at any time impairs business operation. To avoid service interruption, an organization assigns the task of monitoring application performance and availability to a team of information technology professionals known as system administrators.
The system administrators strive to ensure the server applications provide consistent, quality service. However, maintaining service is an ongoing battle against a variety of factors. Inevitably, an application becomes overloaded with requests for service, or software anomalies crash the application altogether, leading to inferior or interrupted performance and loss of mission critical functions. If the system administrators wait for customer complaints before taking action, some users have already experienced poor service. Also, if the system administrators wait until a server fails completely (or "crashes"), they must expend considerable time and effort to restore service. And, as the number of applications and servers grows into an enterprise-wide system, inferior performance may go unnoticed. Finally, the system administrators typically find themselves chasing down urgent failures rather than focusing on improving application performance. Ideally, then, system administrators should monitor application performance to avoid problems instead of reacting to user complaints.
To achieve this end, system administrators turn to management software, to provide an indication of how each system is performing and whether the system has failed. In this way, the system administrators avoid service outages and can see a particular system needs attention because performance is degrading.
Two techniques for gathering information about a system's operation (sometimes called "operational management information") have developed for management software: non-intrusive and intrusive. Non-intrusive techniques require little or no modification to existing applications but provide limited information. For example, non-instrusive management software may monitor free disk space or sniff network packets. Additional features include an alert system; the system administrator can specify criteria (e.g., disk free space falls to under 1 percent) that will trigger an alert (e.g., page the administrator). However, non-intrusive techniques are of limited use because they typically monitor the underlying system rather than a particular application. Thus, a non-intrusive technique typically cannot pinpoint what application functionality is causing trouble. For example, in the above example, the alert does not explain why the disk usage has increased or which application is responsible for the increase.
Intrusive techniques offer additional information not provided by non-intrusive techniques. In one intrusive technique, a process called instrumentation is applied to each application. To instrument an application, programming instructions are added throughout the application to send information to management software. The instructions may relay information indicating a location within the application, allowing the management software to determine what portions of the application are responsible for generating error conditions or triggering alarms.
For example, code could be placed in a customer order application to send a notification to the management software when a customer order is received and another notification when processing for the order is completed. In this way, the management software can provide information about the number of orders received and the number of orders completed per minute. If the number of orders completed per minute drops to zero while the number of orders received per minute remains constant, it is likely that some portion of the system has failed; further it appears the problem is with processing orders, not receiving them. Thus, an alarm set to inform the administrator when the orders completed rate drops below 20% of the orders received rate indicates both that there is a problem and that the administrator should investigate why orders are not being completed.
However, intrusive management techniques suffer from various problems. First, the instrumentation process requires an application developer to undergo the process of including extra code at development time or retrofitting a current application with instrumentation code. And, during the instrumentation process, the developer must determine how much instrumentation is sufficient. There are numerous degrees of instrumentation, and it is not always clear at application development time how much instrumentation is desired. Excess instrumentation can degrade performance, but too little might not provide sufficient information to adequately manage the application. If the wrong decisions are made, the application must be modified yet again.
Thus, instrumentation requires exercise of seasoned judgment and care on the part of the application developer, who may consult with the system administrators to incorporate their experience into the instrumentation process. As a result, instrumentation requires expertise in high demand, and the process drains resources from the primary tasks of developing, improving, and maintaining the application. In addition, since instrumentation itself can introduce new problems, the instrumented version of the software must be tested to detect newly introduced software bugs.
Second, instrumentation can be implemented according to one of a variety of instrumentation standards, and an application instrumented according to one standard may not work with management software expecting a different instrumentation standard. Thus, if two departments using different standards are combined, two different application management systems must be run in parallel unless the software is re-instrumented.
Thus, system administrators are forced to choose between a non-intrusive monitoring technique which provides no information at the application level and instrumentation, which requires an experienced software developer who modifies an application to accommodate specific management software.

Wrapped object for observing object events


In one embodiment, a method of determining a drift value is described that includes performing one or more X-axis translations of an excitation beam over a probe array; measuring light responsive to the excitation beam from at least two positional reference elements associated with the probe array for the X-axis translations; calculating a distance value for the X-axis translation using a positional relationship of a known location associated with each of the positional reference elements and positions of the positional reference elements from the measured light; and determining a drift value using a difference between the calculated distance value and an expected distance value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems and methods for examining biological material. In particular, the invention relates to the calibration of optical readers or scanners for detecting emissions from biological probe arrays having small features that may be arranged in high densities on the arrays.
2. Related Art
Synthesized nucleic acid probe arrays, such as Affymetrix® GeneChip® probe arrays, and spotted probe arrays, have been used to generate unprecedented amounts of information about biological systems. For example, the GeneChip® Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 probe array available from Affymetrix, Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif., is comprised of a single microarray containing over 1,000,000 unique oligonucleotide features covering more than 47,000 transcripts that represent more than 33,000 human genes. Analysis of expression data from such microarrays may lead to the development of new drugs and new diagnostic tools.

System, method, and computer product for detection instrument calibration