An adhesive composition comprising: a) a metal-chelate cross-linker; b) a polyurethane or diepoxy cross-linker; c) an acrylate base polymer; d) a stabilizer for the metal-chelate cross-linker; and e) a non-reactive organic solvent is provided. The adhesive composition is stable and high-performance. The stable adhesive composition is stored as a one-part system.

This invention relates to acrylic, pressure-sensitive adhesive compositions. Thus far, a need exists for acrylic, pressure-sensitive adhesive compositions which provide high adhesive performance at elevated temperatures, yet which may be stored as a one-part system.
High performance of acrylic adhesives at elevated temperature has previously been achieved by use of diacrylates for high-temperature cross-linking, but such adhesives must be stored and sold as a two-part system. EP 0 034 046 B2 (Date of Publication Jul. 19, 1989), for example, describes an adhesive composition particularly for high temperatures which comprises a first part comprising an acrylate ester monomer, a soluble polyacrylic rubber, an adhesion promoter, and a sulfonyl-chloride-free radical system; and a second part comprising an aldehyde-amine condensation product. The adhesive composition is, however, a two-part system.

Stable high performance one part acrylic adhesive system

National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation


A network unit enclosure adapted for exposure to humidity and airborne contaminants defines a sealed first chamber and an adjacent second chamber. The two chambers are sealingly separated by a circuitry substrate on which electronic components are mounted in the first chamber and through which conductor connection means in the second chamber are connected to electronic components in the first chamber. An outer wall bordering the second chamber includes a hole for providing an electrical cable feedthrough. The enclosure may also define a third chamber, and a wall separating the first and third chamber including a sealed feedthrough for an optical fiber segment connected at one end to an opto-electronic component in the first chamber and the other end for connection to an optical fiber from an optical cable passed through an access hole in an outer wall bordering the third chamber.

Modern telecommunication networks often comprise twisted pair, coaxial, or fiber optic lines terminated by a network unit for converting between signals used in different segments of the network. For example, a distribution network might be terminated by a network unit for converting between signals on a distribution line and signals on a subscriber line. In some applications, such network units may provide an interface for a single subscriber, such as in a fiber-to-the-home application, or provide an interface for a plurality of subscribers, such as in fiber-to-the-curb application. A network unit ordinarily comprises electronic components such as analog components, opto-electronic components, and signal processing components mounted on a circuitry substrate.
In typical applications, a network unit is packaged in a network unit enclosure adapted for use in locations where it may be exposed to environmental conditions. In some applications, the network unit enclosure may be mounted on a telephone pole, on an outside wall of a house, or partially sheltered from the elements in a ventilated cabinet on the ground. When placed in such location, the network unit enclosure may be exposed to environmental conditions, particularly to humidity and airborne contaminants such as spores and salt, which require the use of an enclosure with special structural features to avoid the possible deleterious effects of such environmental conditions on the components of the unit. The presence of a high level of humidity and contaminants can cause many known problems such as signal leakage, corrosion, mildew, and dendritic growth of conductor material. These problems can have deleterious effects on electronic components of a network unit and be the cause of intermittent or permanent failure of the network unit, resulting in loss of service to subscribers and expenditures in repair or replacement of the network unit. In network units comprising opto-electronic components, humidity and contaminants may also cause a deterioration of optical signals, in particular when less expensive opto-electronic components in non-hermetically sealed packages are used.
A known approach for avoiding the problems caused by humidity and contaminants in a network unit is to provide a hermetically sealed unit enclosure using a metal box sealed in a dry atmosphere using a cover soldered or welded along a periphery and using hermetically sealed bulkhead connectors for input and output signals, and for providing power to the unit. While such a construction may be highly effective in ensuring the absence of humidity within the unit enclosure, the cost of the hermetically sealed bulkhead connectors and the cost of assembling a unit with a soldered or welded cover may be prohibitive in many cost sensitive applications. In optical network units, the use of an optical connector may also involve a degradation of optical signal power due to imperfect alignment of optical conductors or to the presence of contaminants at the interface between optical conductors.
Accordingly, the present invention seeks to provide a network unit enclosure which is adapted for exposure to humidity and airborne contaminants and which may contribute in providing an advantageously cost-effective network implementation.


An agricultural equipment air screen cleaning assembly having a frame having an airflow opening having a non-circular outer perimeter, a screen mounted to the frame within the airflow opening and extending to the non-circular outer perimeter, a motor, and a suction wand operatively connected to the motor and located on an upstream side of the screen. The suction wand is rotatably connected about a rotation axis at a central region of the screen, and includes: at least one distal end that is movable in a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis to follow the non-circular outer perimeter as the suction wand rotates about the rotation axis, one or more inlet openings facing the screen, and an internal suction flow path in fluid connection with the one or more inlet openings, the suction flow path extending from a manifold to the distal end of the suction wand.

Agricultural combines and other harvesting equipment typically are powered by an engine that requires airflow around the engine and/or a heat exchanger or radiator to maintain the engine at a suitable operating temperature. One or more air screens may be provided in airflow to filter debris (e.g., dust, chaff, etc.) from the air before they reach the engine and/or heat exchanger. In some operating environments, the screen may become clogged with a sufficient volume of debris to materially impede the airflow and the cooling of the engine.
Historically, various efforts have been made to address such clogging. In some cases, the screen has been formed as a circular screen that rotates within a circular opening, and a brush or vacuum wand is provided adjacent the intake side of the screen to remove debris from the screen as the screen is rotated by a motor. In other cases, a stationary air screen has been provided with a rotating brush or suction wand that rotates and removes debris caught by the screen.
As engines on agricultural equipment have become larger and have adopted more emission controls, the cooling air volume requirement has increased. In some cases, a round screen might not provide a sufficient amount of airflow for these increased need. Furthermore, simply increasing the diameter of the screen might not be possible due to countervailing machine height and shipping requirements.
Thus, in some cases the round screen has been replaced by a square screen, or additional cooling openings and their own respective screens are provided around the round screen. Such non-circular openings cannot be fully cleaned by rotating the screen, or providing a rotating screen cleaning wand. This has led to certain efforts to improve the cleaning of non-circular screens. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,974,564 shows a rotating suction wand having a small accessory brush that extends into the corners of a square screen as the wand rotates. However, suction is not applied at the location swept by the accessory brush, which reduces the cleaning efficiency in the corners. As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,943,164 shows a rectangular screen that is cleaned by a brushbar that extends across the screen and reciprocates back and forth across the screen. This device is relatively complex, heavy, and expensive to implement. As still another example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,418,997 shows a square screen having two wipers at respective opposite corners of the screen, which operate sequentially to sweep the entire screen area. This device is also relatively complex, and provides unnecessarily redundant cleaning.
This description of the background is provided to assist with an understanding of the following explanations of exemplary embodiments, and is not an admission that any or all of this background information is necessarily prior art.

Rotating suction wand for a non-circular air screen


A method and apparatus for processing administration in a secure community, or communication system, is accomplished by dividing the single computing devices functionality of the administrator/officer/server into physically separate computing devices that function as a serving entity and an administrative entity. In the secure system, when an administrative entity has an administrative function to perform for one of its end-users, it requests a permissions matrix from the serving entity. The serving entity, after authenticating the administrative entity, sends the permissions matrix to the requesting administrative entity in an encoded format. The permissions matrix indicates which administrative functions the requesting administrative entity is authorized to perform for its affiliated end-users. Upon receiving the permissions matrix, the administrative entity verifies the authenticity of the permissions matrix based on the encoded format. When the authenticity of the permissions matrix is verified, the administrative entity generates an administrative request based on an administrator's input and the permissions matrix and sends it to the serving entity over a secure communication link. Upon receiving the administrative request, the serving entity verifies the identity of the administrative entity, verifies validity of the request according to the permissions matrix, and, if verified, processes the administrative requests on behalf of the particular end-user.

As is known, a secure communication system includes a plurality of end-users (sometimes referred to as "clients"), and at least one processor for each of a server/manager, an officer, and an administrator. The administrator is affiliated with the end-users, or clients, and processes, signs, and/or encrypts certificates for such end-users. For example, the administration processor processes the adding, deleting, updating, and preparing status reports of end-users' signature public key pairs and encryption public key pairs. As a further example, when an end-user leaves the secured communication system, the administrator, via an administration processor, disables the end-user's signature and deletes the encryption public key certificate from a directory. The directory lists the public key certificates for each end-user within the secured communication system. When an end-user is added to the secured communication system, the administrator, via the administration processor, supplies a request to the server that is requesting the server enable the new end-user for certificate management. When an end-user has lost access to his or her private key history, the administrator, via the administration processor, requests that the server recover the end-user's key.
In the secure communication system, the administration processor, the officer processor, and server are located within a single computing unit. Thus, any requests received by the server from the administration processor can readily be authenticated because they are both part of the same machine. Similarly, when the officer initiates policy changes, the policy changes can be securely conveyed to the administration processor and the server, again because they are in the same machine. While this works well in many applications, as secure communication systems grow in number of end-users and locales, the task of managing the administration processor and the officer processor exceeds the realistic capabilities of the single administrator/officer/server computing device. Thus, without developing a new secured communications system architecture that eliminates the single administrator/officer/server computing device, secured communication system growth is limited.
Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus for processing administration of a secure community, or communications system, that allows for expansion of the number of end-users and their locales.

Method and apparatus for processing administration of a secured community


Peptides having high activity in the eliciting of a cytotoxic T lymphocyte response to the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gpl60 are described. The activation of 12-15 residue peptides by proteolytic degradation to shorter peptides is shown as are general techniques for characterizing such activation processes.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to peptides useful as vaccines for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection in humans, to compositions incorporating such peptides and to methods for the administration of such vaccines.
2. Related Art
This application makes reference to various literature publications, which are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference.
Live virus vaccines and killed whole or subunit virus vaccines for AIDS have potential safety risks. In contrast, synthetic peptides are inherently safe. Furthermore, molecules corresponding to whole viral proteins but made by recombinant DNA technology contain, in addition to protective epitopes, structures which potentially will elicit suppression of the immune response, or which will elicit antibodies that, rather than being protective, may enhance viral uptake and thus be deleterious. A vaccine which contains only selected peptides that elicit the appropriate type of immunity and do not have other deleterious effects should be more effective for a difficult virus such as HIV.
Our previous work showed that the major CTL antigenic determinant of HIV-1 envelope protein gp160 consisted of residues 315-329 in the numbering sequence of Ratner et al. (27), However, we have now found that this peptide does not bind intact to the class I MHC molecule that must present it to CTL, but rather it must first be proteolytically cleaved, by proteases such as those present in serum.
T-cell stimulation by the HIV-1 gp160 -derived p18 peptide presently by H-2D.sup.d class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules in a cell-free system was found to require proteolytic cleavage. This extracellular processing was mediated by peptidases present in fetal calf serum (FCS). In vitro processing of p18 resulted in a distinct reverse phase HPLC profile, from which a biologically active product was isolated and sequenced. This peptide processing can be specifically blocked by the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril and can occur by exposing p18 to purified ACE. The ablity of naturally occurring extracellular proteases to convert inactive peptides to T-cell antigens has important implications for understanding cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses in vivo and for rational peptide vaccine design.
Although naturally processed peptides associate with newly formed MHC class I molecules intracellularly (1), extracellular loading of surface class I molecules by synthetic peptides (2) is commonly used to analyze MHC class I peptide interactions. Recent data have provided substantial evidence that peptides bound to class I are approximately nine amino-acids in length (3-9), but larger peptides are capable of sensitizing targets for class I MHC-restricted lysis. In some cases the activity of these longer peptides can be traced to the prsence of contaminating shorter products which are extremely biologically potent (9).
The HIV-1 (IIIB) gp160 envelope glycoprotein-derived peptide, p18, is 15 amino acids in length (residues 315-329). It is the immunodominant CTL determinant of gp160 in H-2D.sup.d mice (10,11) and can sensitize syngeneic cells for lysis by CTL from HIV-1-infected humans (12).
If a person suspected of being exposed to AIDS is tested for antibodies to HIV and is determined to be seronegative, it is still possible that that person is carrying the virus but has not made antibodies, because a certain percentage of exposed individuals do not develop antibodies for a significant period of time after exposure, and some may never develop antibodies. Nevertheless, that person may have developed a cell-mediated immune response in the form of CTL specific for the envelope of the virus. Because that person's CTL are specific not only for the virus but also for that individual's major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens, it is not possible to test for these on transfected tumor targets as was done in the case of the mice, unless one is lucky enough to have transfected tumor that shares MHC (HLA) molecules with the individual to be tested. Because there are so many human HLA types, it is not feasible to have transfected cells of every type available. Although it is possible to produce a transformed tumor line from the individual and transfect it with HIV genes, this is a very difficult, time consuming, laborious process and would not be feasible to do for large numbers of people. Infecting the individual's cells with HIV requires the appropriate cell type that can be infected, and would be hazardous for laboratory workers to handle the concentrated virus. Use of the vaccinia recombinant described above may give many false positive results since most individuals in the U.S. born before 1972 were immunized with vaccinia as a smallpox vaccination, and so would have vaccinia-specific CTL. Purified proteins are generally not taken up by cells in such a way as to make them targets for CTL. However, small peptides such as P18 IIIB (earlier called Env-K.sub.1) are capable of sensitizing targets for CTL, as we have shown herein above. Therefore, it would be relatively simple to use P18 IIIB as a diagnostic reagent to test for the presence of HIV-specific CTL in the peripheral blood of an individual. This can be achieved by standard procedures; first, produce PHA or ConA blasts of the peripheral blood lymphocytes of the individual to be tested, label these with .sup.51 Cr as indicated herein above, incubate these with the peptide P18 IIIB under standard culture conditions similar to those given herein above, but modified for human CTL assays, and add fresh peripheral blood lymphocytes from the same individual. After about 6 hours, one measures the amount of .sup.51 Cr released into the culture medium, and compares this with controls treated identically but without any peptide, or with a control peptide, without any fresh lymphocytes, and with the maximum .sup.51 Cr release produced by detergent lysis of the target cells. If there is specific release, the individual can be judged to be carrying the HIV virus, even though no antibodies could be detected.
Previous studies of the ability of this peptide to form stimulatory complexes with purified H-2D.sup.d molecules in vitro, indicated that two activities of FCS were required for recognition of p18 by a specific T-cell hybridoma. One activity was that of .beta.2-microglobulin (.beta.2-m) (13, 14-17) and the other activity could be performed by ovalbumin. Most batches of bovine serum albumin (BSA) were unable to replace this .beta.2-m independent effect of FCS.
We have tested 9, 10 and 11 residue peptides, derived from p18, overlapping or contained within the p18-I-10 peptide, including specifically both possible 9 residue peptides contained within p18-I-10, and all of these have been found to be less active than p18-I-10. This finding concerning the importance of length in the activity of peptides presented by MHC class I molecules and the identification of a truncation of p18, p18-1-10 (residues 318-327), with 10 to 10.sup.2 -fold greater potency of T-cell stimulation prompted us to consider the possibility that ovalbumin and FCS were processing p18 to an active, shorter peptide.
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and T helper cells recognize processed antigenic peptides in association with the products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (26-30). Generally, CD8+ CTL are restricted by MHC class I molecules, such as H-2K, -D, -L in mice and HLA-A, -B, -C in humans, presented on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APC), while CD4+T helper cells (Th) are restricted by MHC class II molecules, such as I-A or I-E in mice and HLA-DR, -DQ or -DP in humans. T cells are able to recognize a wide variety of antigens in the context of relatively few MHC molecules by means of specific T cell receptors (TCR) (31-34). There is no known difference in overall TCR repertoire between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.
Although it has generally been assumed that there is no reason to expect the same peptides to be presented by both class I and class II MHC molecules, there are a few cases reported in which peptides presented by class I molecules were found to be presented by or to bind to class II molecules also (35,36). Moreover, we have recently found that the immunodominant antigenic determinant of HIV-I envelope protein gp160 recognized by BALB/c murine as well as human CD8+ CTL with class I MHC molecules (peptide P18IIIB, residues 315-329, RIQRGPGRAFVTIGK, SEQ. ID. NO. 1) (37,38), is also presented by class II MHC molecules of both mice (39) and humans (40) to CD4+ helper T cells. Conversely, we found that three other peptides of HIV-1 gp160 that were originally identified as stimulating CD4+ helper T cells of mice (41,42) and humans (40,43) also were presented by human class I molecules to human CD8+ CTL (38). Thus, we asked whether these latter peptides also were presented by murine class I molecules to CD8+ CTL, and if so, what range of class I molecules could present them.
These findings also led us to raise a related but distinct question. A few cases have been described of antigenic determinants that happen to be broadly or permissively presented by multiple class II MHC molecules, especially in the case of murine I-E or human DR, in which polymorphism is limited to the beta chain, but the alpha chain is conserved (44,45). However, no similar cases have been studied for presentation by class I MHC molecules, and no analysis of 10 different class I MHC haplotypes as here has previously been reported. Because both domains of the MHC peptide-binding site are polymorphic in class I molecules, exploring permissiveness in class I presentation would be of interest in comparison with class II. Also such widely presented antigenic determinants would clearly be useful for development of synthetic vaccines aimed at a broad outbred population of diverse MHC types. This is especially relevant for HIV-1, because whole virus and even whole envelope protein can elicit deleterious immune responses that can enhance infection or contribute to the development of immune deficiency (reviewed in (46)).
Therefore, for both theoretical and potential practical interest, we explored the breadth of presentation by class I MHC molecules from ten distinct murine MHC haplotypes of both the original CTL determinant peptide P18, and two of the original helper T-cell determinant peptides Tl (428-443, KQIINMWQEVGKAMYA, SEQ. ID. NO. 15), and HP53 (HP53, 834-848, also known as TH4.1, DRVIEVVQGAYRAIR, SEQ. ID. NO. 16). P18 and HP53 were presented by at least 4 different class I MHC molecules in mice immunized with recombinant vaccinia virus transfected with HIV-1 gp160, and Tl was recognized by CD8+ CTL in mice of three MHC haplotypes. Indeed, even the same segments of the peptides are recognized by the several haplotypes. Thus, permissiveness of presentation by class I molecules appears to be at least as great as that reported for presentation by class II molecules, and the extent of overlap between the repertoire of sites presented by class I and the repertoire of sites presented by class II may be much greater than suspected. Also, from a practical point of view, these peptides that are broadly presented by multiple class I as well as class II MHC molecules may be versatile components of a vaccine.

Potent peptide for stimulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for the HIV-1 envelope

The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services


A tool-holder including: a first rail and a second rail that are parallel and each of which includes first fixing elements configured for fixing said rail to the surface, a driving slide including first guiding elements configured to slide over the first rail, a drive system configured to move the driving slide along the first rail and a first fixing system, a driven slide including second guiding elements configured to provide a sliding connection with the second rail and a second fixing system, an assembly bar carrying a first complementary fixing system cooperating with the first fixing system to form a removable fixing between them, a second complementary fixing system intended to cooperate with the second fixing system to form a removable fixing between them, and a carriage having a first assembly system, and a movement system on which the carriage is fixed and that is configured to move said carriage along the assembly bar, and a support module including second fixing elements for fixing the tool and a second assembly system intended to cooperate with the first assembly system to form a removable fixing between them.

An aircraft fuselage is constructed by assembling panels that are riveted together. Such assembly necessitates at least three successive operations, namely drilling, inserting a rivet and inspecting the rivet inserted in this way.
These various operations are carried out using different tools that are often bulky and are adaptable to only a relatively limited extent, which in particular makes their use and maintenance fairly complex.


The apparatus for cutting the string ties of products carried on pallet-like supports has at least one cutting unit with a transverse beam arranged above a line for the conveyance of the pallet-like supports so as to be slideable in a direction which is longitudinal to the conveyance line. The unit is moved at a speed equal to the advancement speed of the pallets. Two trucks are slideably mounted on the transverse beam and support a pair of vertically slideable arms. The arms have a cutting element, for automatically locating the string tie to be cut, and an opposite element for gripping the string tie, which cooperates with the cutting element. Rollers for removing the cut string tie cooperate with the gripping element.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for cutting string ties of products carried on pallet-like supports.
It is known that in some production processes, the products or semiworked items to be used, packaged in packs, are conveyed to the processing stations by means of pallet-like supports on which said products are arranged stacked in layers in an orderly manner. The packs of products which form each layer are held together by a containment strap, commonly known as a "string tie", which is wrapped in a ring on a horizontal plane.
Before using the products it is necessary to remove the string ties from the products. This operation is currently performed manually by specifically assigned personnel. This generally entails the need to stop the pallet conveyance line, with an evident decrease in productivity, and also requires high labor costs.

Apparatus for cutting String ties of products carried on pallet-like supports


A display panel, a driving method thereof, and a display device. The display method includes: upon displaying each frame, determining an initial gray scale value corresponding to each sub-pixel according to image data corresponding to the frame; controlling display brightness of the sub-pixels in the second display region and the third display region according to the initial gray scale values corresponding to the sub-pixels, and reducing a display brightness difference between the sub-pixels in the second display region and the sub-pixels in the third display region so as to enhance the brightness uniformity of the regions of a display panel.

With the development of display electronic products such as mobile phones, the increase in screen-to-body ratio of a display screen has become a trend. However, some necessary functional components of mobile phones, such as front cameras, are undoubtedly a major factor restricting the increase in screen-to-body ratio. In view of the factor, some people propose an under-screen camera solution. A camera is moved to be under a screen by reducing local pixel density and increasing light transmittance of the screen, and due to the decrease in pixel density, the brightness of a local transparent region is bound to be lower than that of a surrounding region, thus causing the local transparent region to be a dark region with obvious boundaries.

Display panel, driving method thereof, and display device


A contact module includes a plurality of conductive contacts and an insulator retaining the contacts. Each of the contacts includes a contact portion at one end thereof, a terminal portion at the other end thereof, and an intermediate portion extending between the contact portion and the terminal portion. The intermediate portion has a positioning-subject portion. The insulator includes grooves each receiving therein the intermediate portion of the corresponding contact, positioning portions each positioning the positioning-subject portion of the corresponding contact, and retaining portions each retaining the intermediate portion of the corresponding contact. The positioning-subject portions of the contacts are press-fitted into the positioning portions of the insulator so that the contacts are provisionally retained by the insulator. By the use of the retaining portions, the contacts are finally retained by the insulator.

The present invention relates to a contact module having an insulator and a conductive contact mounted on the insulator, and further relates to a connector using such a contact module.
A connector of the type is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent (JP-B) No. 2537698 and comprises a plurality of contact modules each called a terminal assembly, which are stacked together. Each contact module comprises a plurality of conductive terminals and an insulator overmolded on the terminals to retain them. In the production of each terminal assembly, a lead frame having a plurality of terminals is obtained by pressing a metal plate. An insulator is overmolded on the lead frame, then an unnecessary part of the lead frame is cut off.
The connector is suitable for electrically connecting between two boards arranged perpendicular to each other. However, an expensive die assembly is required for overmolding the lead frame with the insulator. Further, the production process of the terminal assembly is complicated.
A connector of the type is also disclosed in JP-A-2000-113928 and comprises a plurality of contact modules each called a connecting body, which are stacked together. Each contact module comprises two resin members and a plurality of conductive contacts sandwiched between the resin members.
The connector does not require to overmold the contacts by resin material. However, since the two resin members having different shapes are employed, the number of parts becomes large, two kinds of expensive die assemblies are required, and further, the assembling process of the connecting body becomes complicated.

Contact module in which mounting of contacts is simplified

Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited


An input apparatus having a scrolling function includes a cursor key and a hot key. The cursor key is configured to selectively control a cursor movement on a screen and scroll data displayed on the screen. When the hot key is at a first status, in response to action of a user, the cursor key scrolls data displayed on the screen. When the hot key is at a second status, in response to action of the user, the cursor key controls the cursor movement on the screen. Methods for selectively providing a scrolling function on the input apparatus are also provided.

As the technology advances, people handle more and more work through computer systems. Keyboard and mouse have become the most indispensable accessories to a computer system. Recently, the computer mouse has a great improvement on scrolling operation; for example, as a roller allows users to scroll displayed data in an operating environment, such as the windows operating environment, and greatly improves the convenience and efficiency of reading or inputting information. However, when the mouse is not available, the operation of the computer system is greatly limited to the performance of a keyboard.
A conventional keyboard generally has cursor keys for controlling a cursor to move toward different directions, such as up, down, left and right, on a screen. However, when a user performs reading or viewing tasks, such as viewing a WORD file, a keyboard lacking the scrolling function will seriously reduce the working efficiency.
Therefore, there is a need to provide a keyboard with a scrolling function to enhance the keyboard performance.

Input apparatus with scrolling function on cursor key and method thereof


A conductor arrangement is for a collection of subterranean wells for recovering fluids from an underground structure. A frame is provided with several conductor guides, each forming an inlet opening for a conductor in an upper portion of the frame and an outlet opening for the conductor in a lower portion of the frame. The conductor is arranged to border a portion of a borehole towards a surrounding unconsolidated mass and has been passed through the conductor guide and down into the unconsolidated mass. The conductor guides are arranged in a mutually diverging manner in the direction from the inlet opening, and each conductor is extendable by a bend, the deflection angle of the bends providing mutually parallel center axes in coupling interfaces arranged in upper end portions of the bends.

When establishing wells for the production of fluids from subterranean structures, especially where there will be production from subsea wells to installations projecting above a sea surface, and the wells and the surface installation are connected via risers, it is a challenge to establish the wells with some distance in the structures covering the fluid-producing structures. It is desirable that the risers are parallel and, because of the limited size of the surface installation, it is necessary for the horizontal spacing of the risers to be relatively small.
When a borehole is being established, for example for a well, conductors are set down through at least the upper part of the unconsolidated masses covering the bedrock, which is to be drilled. The conductor borders the borehole towards the unconsolidated masses and prevents these from coming into contact with casing, drill pipes, production tubing and so on extending permanently or in periods between the surface installation and the well, possibly between a wellhead and the well. It is known within the art to give the lower portion of the conductor, that is to say the so-called conductor shoe, an asymmetrical form so that while being driven in, it will deflect in a desired direction. Still, the results achieved are often encumbered with large deviations from what was planned. Experience has shown that the greatest precision is achieved when the conductor is driven rectilinearly. The driving-in of conductors is usually done through guides that are arranged in a frame standing on the surface of the unconsolidated masses, that is to say on the sea floor when subsea wells are being established.
The prior art in this field utilizes a frame with parallel guides to provide parallelism between the risers that extend further up to the surface installation.


A method is provided whereby high brightness metaborate phosphors are made by milling the reactants in a saturated aqueous solution of magnesia and boric acid prior to firing. The method increases the homogeneity of the fired metaborate phosphor cake and reduces the tendency of the fired cake to stick to the firing boats.

Luminescent metaborates are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,161 which is incorporated herein by reference. Of particular interest is the gadolinium line emitter, Gd.sub.y Y.sub.1-x-y Ce.sub.x MgB.sub.5 O.sub.10, wherein 0.01.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1-y and 0.02.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.08 which emits in 310-315 nm range. This phosphor may be used in combination with a low pressure mercury discharge for irradiation purposes such as the photo-therapy of skin diseases like psoriasis. The conventional preparation of luminescent metaborates involves dry mixing the reactants and then subjecting the mixture to multiple firings. However, the fired cakes produced accordingly tend to be inhomogeneous and stick to the firing boats resulting in lower brightness material.

Method of making luminescent metaborates


An improved heater chip for an ink jet print head, the chip including an active heater array and an inactive heater array located adjacent to and extending away from the end of the active heater array. The inactive heater array provides a region adjacent the end of the active heater array that is substantially planar, and also provides a plurality of current paths which reduces energy differences between heater resistors adjacent the end of the active heater array and other heater resistors in the heater array.

Ink jet technology continues to be improved in order to increase printing speed and print quality or resolution. One means for improving print speed and quality is to increase the number of nozzle holes in an ink jet print head and to decrease the diameter of the nozzle holes. However, improvements in print speed and quality often result in operational problems not experienced with lower quality slower speed printers.
In an ink jet printer, ink is provided to the print head from an ink cartridge or supply tank. The ink flows from the tank through a connecting conduit from the ink cartridge through an ink via in a semiconductor chip or around the edges of a semiconductor chip and into ink flow channels and an ink chamber. Each ink chamber is situated in axial alignment with a corresponding nozzle hole and a heater resistor defined on the surface of the semiconductor chip. Electrical impulse energy applied to an ink ejector adjacent an ink chamber causes ink adjacent the ejector in the chamber to be forced through a nozzle hole onto a print medium. By selective activation of a plurality of ink ejectors on a print head, a pattern of ink dots are applied to the print medium to form an image.
Conventional ink jet print heads desire improvement, particularly with regard to the manufacture of heater chips for use with print heads. Particularly desired improvements in the manufacture of heater chips include improvements in the planarity of such chips and in the uniformity of the planarizing layer thickness. Defects in conventional chips result in print heads that are prone to misdirected ink drop ejection, poor nozzle plate adhesion, and reduced corrosion resistance.
Ink jet print heads typically include a print head body containing a semiconductor substrate and a nozzle plate attached to the substrate. The substrate/nozzle plate assembly is received by a chip pocket in the print head body. Ink is supplied to the substrate/nozzle assembly from an ink reservoir in the print head body generally opposite the chip pocket. The semiconductor substrate for a thermal print head is typically a silicon substrate containing a plurality of ink ejection devices such heater resistors formed on a device side thereof. These substrates are referred to as "heater chips."
FIG. 1 shows a portion of a prior art heater chip 10 having a plurality of heater resistors 12 formed on a device side 14 thereof. A nozzle plate 16 (FIG. 3) having ink ejection nozzle holes 18 corresponding to the heater resistor sites is generally attached to the chip 10. The device side 14 of the chip 10 also includes conductors 17 from one side of the heater resistors 12 to driver circuitry 19 for supplying electrical impulses from a printer controller to activate the heater resistors 12 for printing. A conductor 21 is connected from the opposite side of the heater resistors 12 to a common power conductor 23. Upon activation of the heater resistors 12, ink supplied through an ink via 20 in the chip 10 is caused to be ejected toward a print media through the nozzle holes 18 (FIG. 3). The chip 10 is configured for use with a top-shooter type print head, wherein the ink is ejected from the nozzle plate 16 attached to the device side 14 of the chip 10.
With reference to FIGS. 2A–2B and 3, the chip 10 contains various layers such as a first conductive metal layer 22, a passivation layer 24, and a cavitation protection layer 26 deposited on the device side 14 thereof. The resistors 12 and 33 are defined by a resistive layer 25 and each heater resistor 12 and 33 corresponds to one of the nozzle holes 18 in the nozzle plate 16 for heating and ejecting ink toward a print media. As will be noted, there is a significant topographical variation 27 adjacent end 28 of the heater array.
FIG. 3 shows the nozzle plate 16, not to scale, attached to the heater chip 10. The topographical variation 27 complicates attachment of the nozzle plate 16 and results in a deformation in the orientation and shape of the nozzle hole 18, particularly near orifice 30 of the nozzle hole 18. Deformation of the shape of the nozzle hole 18 results in an ink ejection path, represented by the arrow 32, which deviates from the desired ink ejection path, represented by arrow 34. The angle of the desired but previously unachievable path 34 relative to the resistor is preferably about 90 degrees. The angle represented by the intersection of arrows 32 and 34 in FIG. 3 is exaggerated to illustrate deviation from an ideal ejection path. The angle of the path 32 typically achieved generally ranges from about 90 to about 90.6 degrees. Although a 0.6° deviation from ideal may appear to be minor, the resulting droplet misplacement is significant given the distance the droplet travels before impacting the recording medium and the high placement precision required for quality printing.
As will further be noted, the heater resistor 33 at the end 28 of a heater array 35 tends to have a relatively higher current path resistance, and hence different energy, than the interior heater resistors 12. This higher resistance results from the availability of only a single current path through the heater resistor 12 adjacent the end 28 of the heater array 35, as represented by arrows 36.
Accordingly, there is a continuing need for improved ink jet printheads as printing speed and print resolution continue to increase. There is also a need for improved methods for making high resolution ink jet printheads.

Printheads having improved heater chip construction


The airbag system includes in addition to conventional crash sensing apparatus seat sensors to gauge occupant mass, an occupant position sensor and a vehicle speed sensor. Desired initial restraining force is calculated from speed at impact and the occupant's mass, and an appropriate degree of inflation is effected. The occupant speed is continuously calculated from the position sensor signal and the vehicle speed. A target speed profile is established based on an estimated restraint period and the vehicle speed, and an airbag vent is varied to control the occupant speed to the target speed. The target speed profile is adjusted as a function of passenger compartment acceleration to account for vehicle speed variations and for vehicle crush.

Airbag systems in common usage typically have a fixed inflation rate followed by a deflation rate determined by bag porosity and vents in the bag as well as by the momentum of the occupant. The accompanying restraint forces are generally sufficient to cushion the crash impact for a large person during a severe crash. Such high restraint forces are unnecessary for less severe crashes or for smaller people, and are often undesirable for a small person particularly when out of the normal seating position. Ideally, the inflated airbag will gradually collapse in a manner to maintain an effective and uniform force throughout its deflation period, and that it will prevent contact of the occupant with the steering wheel or other vehicle structure.
It has been proposed, for example in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/695,814, filed Aug. 5, 1996 by Liu entitled "Control Method for Variable Level Airbag Inflation" assigned to the assignee of this invention, to inflate the airbag in a selected number of stages according to crash severity. This does not take into account the mass of the occupant nor does it ensure that the restraint force is uniformly applied throughout the airbag deflation.

Adaptive airbag inflation method and apparatus


An installation includes at least a pressurized lubricating circuit for elements housed in the rocking crankcase, each circuit including a radial transfer bearing between two opposite cylindrical journals coaxial about the rocking axis, one fixed journal on a fixed part and one pivoting journal on a pivoting part integral with the pivoting crankcase. Each transfer bearing has two U-shaped annular gaskets facing each other and spaced apart along the rocking axis so as to define between them an annular pressurized liquid lubricant chamber. The annular chamber is supplied with pressurized liquid lubricant by at least a supply duct integrated in the fixed part and whose upstream part is connected to a pressurized lubricant source, and feeds the rocking crankcase with pressurized lubricant through a dispensing duct emerging into the rocking crankcase. The invention is useful for lubricating rocking power transmission boxes for convertible aircraft tilt rotors.

The invention relates to a lubricating circuit for a tilting power transmission box, of the type generally intended to rotate at least one driven assembly about an axis of rotation itself having to be able to swivel, during the rotation of the driven device, about a tilting axis, more or less perpendicular to the axis of rotation of driven device, with said transmission box including a tilting crankcase assembled about the tilting axis on a rigid non-tilting support.
The tilting transmission crankcase can be used, in a nonrestrictive way, as power transmission crankcase to equip aircraft whose system of propulsion is directional, such as dirigibles or aircraft of the convertible type, in which case the rotation of the driven device by the transmission is ensured from at least one rotational power source, or yet again as power transmission box fitted to windmills, in which case the driven device is a rotor spun by the wind, and is actually a driving force for the transmission which drives a receiver, for example, an alternator.
Generally, the tilting power transmission box lubricated by the installation according to the invention may be used in all the directional propulsion or energy generation systems by rotation which require, for their smooth operation, effective lubrication of the transmission system placed in the tilting crankcase, such as driving gears, bearings and/or driving ribs.
In particular, as an application for which a tilting power transmission box equipped with a lubrication installation according to the invention is of great interest to the Applicants, such a transmission box can be used for driving in rotation, from at least one motor-propulsion unit, for example of the turbomotor type, at least one tilting rotor of an aircraft of the type known as convertible, being able to operate in aircraft mode or helicopter mode, and whose rotor drive shaft turns about a tilting axis so as to be able to change from a position in which the rotor functions like a propeller for flight in aircraft mode to a position in which the rotor functions like a helicopter hovering rotor for the helicopter flight mode.
A tilting power transmission box for such a convertible tilting rotor aircraft is described in particular in FR 2 791 319 and FR 2 791 634, to be referred to for more precise on this subject However, note that these two patents describe a convertible tilting rotor aircraft, of a type in which each rotor shaft turns about itself through a reducing assembly in front of respectively one of two power transmissions each comprising also a rear reducing unit, connected to the corresponding front reducing unit and to respectively two engines (turbomotors), each supported by respectively one of the two fixed wings of the aircraft, and with an interconnecting shaft connecting the two transmissions for the rotational driving of the two rotors by either of the two engines, in the event of the other engine failing.
Each rotor shaft, the corresponding power transmission and the corresponding engine are placed in one respectively of two articulated nacelles, each comprising a front part designed to tilt, about the tilting axis, on a fixed part with respect to the aircraft and attached respectively to the two wings of the aircraft, in which are placed the corresponding engine and at least part of the rear reducing unit of the corresponding transmission, of which the front reducing unit, engineered like a main helicopter transmission box and the corresponding rotor shaft are housed in the front tilting part of the nacelle, and are assembled to tilt with this front part compared to the rear fixed part of the nacelle and the corresponding fixed wing.
In this application, and with this architecture, for each power transmission, it is essential that many of the parts of the front reducing unit, housed in the tilting crankcase, are constantly suitably lubricated, when the rotor turns, to ensure the safe flight of the aircraft.

Lubricating installation for rocking power transmission box


A system for testing hard disks includes a hard disk testing device and a computer. The computer has a mainboard and a key-press controller. The hard disk testing device connects with the mainboard and includes: a hard disk interface configured for connecting one or more hard disks to be tested to a south bridge of the mainboard; a key-press panel configured for connecting the key-press controller of the computer, and providing a hard disk testing control interface for users; and a hard disk testing unit configured for testing the one or more hard disks.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for testing hard disks.
2. Description of Related Art
Hard disks of computers may store a mass of data, including user data and system data, such as operating system, application software and so on. As the market demand for computers grow, more and more hard disk are needed. Before a hard disk is put into the market, the hard disk should pass a factory acceptance test. Such tests involve actions such as, formatting the hard disk, writing data into the hard disk, deleting the data from the hard disk, and so on.
Conventionally, the hard disk is tested through a test software. The test software is installed in a computer and the hard disk to be tested is also installed in the computer. The computer tests the general functions of the hard disk through the test software.
Under the circumstances of when a plurality of hard disks need to be tested, the plurality of hard disks will need to be installed in the computer one by one. Due to the need of one by one installation when a plurality of hard disks need to be tested, the computer in use for testing may easily sustain damage and the amount of time that would be spent on testing is wasteful.
Therefore, what is needed is a system for testing hard disks. The system can test the performances of the hard disks conveniently, thus decreasing test time and enhancing efficiency.


A view control system for controlling the display of a view within an image over a computer monitor is disclosed. The system comprises a computer for displaying the view over the monitor and for scrolling the view within the image according to scrolling signals so that various portions of the image can be seen through the view, a computer mouse electrically connected to the computer through a flexible cable for controlling movements of a cursor displayed over the monitor, a view control button installed over the mouse for sensing a direction of a finger input and generating scrolling signals according to the sensed direction of the finger input and the length of time of each input to control the scrolling of the view within the image, and a bi-directional button installed over the mouse for generating a zooming signal within the scrolling signal for zooming in or out of the view within the image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer pointing device, and more particularly, to a computer mouse for scrolling a view of an image displayed over a computer monitor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Window-based application interface has been commonly accepted by most computer users in today's computer world. When a window-based application displays an image over a computer monitor by using a window program, if the image is too big and can not be fit into a window which is displayed over the monitor by the window program, only a portion of the image will be displayed over the window and the window program will generate one or two scrolling bars over its right side or bottom side of the window for scrolling of the image within the window. The portion of the image displayed over the window is called a view and the scrolling bars are used to scroll the view of the image so that various portions of the image can be seen through the window.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,455, invented by Gillick et al, disclosed a computer mouse having a roller for scrolling the view of image over a computer monitor. The up and down scrolling of the view is controlled by rolling the roller forward or backward, and the lateral scrolling of the view is controlled by using both the roller and a shift key. The speed and amount of the scrolling of the view is in proportion to the speed and amount of roller's rotation. Several drawbacks have been discovered in using the roller of the mouse to control the view scrolling. First, frequent rolling of the roller may easily cause a soar finger if a task requires frequent rolling of the view. Second, when two dimensional view scrolling is required, a user has to constantly change the scrolling direction of the view which is quite inconvenient to a user. Third, both the up and down scrolling and the lateral scrolling are controlled by rolling the roller in forward and backward directions. If constant change is needed between the up and down scrolling and the lateral scrolling, a user has to constantly adapt himself for different control modes because the same forward or backward rolling of the roller will generate different scrolling action of the view which is quite difficult to a user.

Computer mouse for scrolling a view of an image


The invention relates to an apparatus for producing a controllable, uniform conveying pressure for processing highly viscous, temperature sensitive rubber or thermoplastics material. The apparatus includes two rotating conveying elements that conjointly form a tooth-like sealing profile and that are arranged on respective shafts in a housing. The root circle diameters of the conveying elements more or less correspond to the diameters of the shaft sections axially adjacent to the conveying elements. For this reason, the radial end faces of the conveying elements are avoided and so are the difficult sealing problems which would otherwise be present at these end faces. The shaft sections adjacent the conveying elements guide and keep the toothed profiles in alignment with each other as they rotate to convey the material.

An apparatus of the kind described above is disclosed in German Patent 3,615,830.
If highly viscous materials such as certain types of rubber are to be processed in such an apparatus, major problems with the radial sealing of the gear faces occur, this being the reason why such temperature sensitive materials have not been processed in gear-pump-type apparatus thus far.
Axial sealing of the shafts for the gears, however, is relatively unproblematic because of helical return threads.
Sealing the end faces of the gears to the housing in radial direction down to the shaft of the gears constitutes a most difficult problem. It is indispensable for the conveyance of temperature sensitive rubber to avoid the formation of dead corners or dead space in the apparatus because the rubber would be partially vulcanized there, which would contaminate the compound and, thus, render it unusable.

Apparatus for producing a controllable uniform conveying pressure for processing highly viscous rubber or thermoplastics


A system and a method are for estimating an operating parameter value of an energy storage device arranged to provide power for propulsion for an electric or hybrid vehicle. In an embodiment, the method includes determining a first operating parameter value of the energy storage device at a first time; establishing a reference operating parameter value from pre-determined experimental data relating the operating parameter to a time related parameter; and based on the reference operating parameter value and the first operating parameter value, recursively calculating a second operating parameter value of the energy storage device at a second time subsequent to the first time. The recursive calculation includes a tuning parameter for modifying a portion of the reference operating parameter value to be included in the second operating parameter value.

Electric and hybrid vehicles have recently become a more common sight on roads worldwide. They have one thing in common and that is they all require a large and powerful rechargeable energy storage, for example a rechargeable battery. Such rechargeable batteries have a limited runtime every time it is recharged and a user typically has a way of monitoring an estimated currently available power and/or energy of the battery.
In order to secure safety, reliability and performance of e.g. an electric vehicle, it is important to monitor the state of charge of the energy storage device. The available power or other operation conditions of the battery such as for example state of charge (SoC) are typically estimated using a model since they are difficult to measure directly. A common type of battery model comprises an equivalent circuit model through which current-voltage characteristics may be obtained for the model battery. Algorithms are used together with the model and typically needs inputs relating to the battery, for example the capacity and impedance of the battery cells of the battery. However, these inputs change as the battery ages, which make the estimations more complicated. Furthermore, it is important that the inputs to the algorithms are accurate in order to avoid drift in the estimations of e.g. state of charge.
One example of a method for estimating battery pack system model parameters is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 7,315,789 in which a battery cell model and a recursive formula are used.
However, the complexity of estimating e.g. state of charge increases when taking into account both the battery parameters and the aging of the battery. It would be desirable to in an efficient way include both the model parameters and the ageing of the battery in the estimation in order to increase the accuracy of the estimated e.g. capacity.


A power module package structure is disclosed. The control circuits are fabricated on a circuit plate, instead of fabricating them directly on a main substrate. The fabrication cost is reduced because the size of the substrate is shrunk. Furthermore, the power chips are placed on a material with high thermal conductivity. The heat produced from the power chips can be transmitted quickly. Thus, the reliability of the power module package can be improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a kind of power module package structure. In particular, the present invention relates to a kind of power module package with characteristics of high heat dispersion efficiency and high integration.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Increasing device complexity but shrinking size is common trend of the electrical product. Therefore, in addition to the shrinking size of the electrical product, how to put the most of electrical elements and wire bonds into the semiconductor package of the electrical product is very important. However, lots of heat is produced by the package structure with the high integration of electrical elements and wire bonds, when the electrical products are working. Especially for the power module, the heat affects the life and performance of the electrical product. Therefore, it is an important subject to improve the heat dispersion of the package structure with high integration of electrical elements and wire bonds.
Referring to FIG. 1, it is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a conventional package structure of a power module. The package structure includes a high thermal conduction substrate 100, which is made of a high polymer isolating layer and an aluminum foil layer. All circuits of the package structure (not shown in the diagram) are fabricated on the substrate 100. The power element 110a, the control element 110b and other elements 110c are disposed on the substrate 100. A lead frame 121, 122 is suspended above the substrate 100 and several wire bonds 111, 112, 113 are formed to electrically connect the elements 110a, 110b, 110c and the circuits on the substrate 100. Then the elements and the circuits on the substrate 100 are encapsulated by package material, like resin, or molding but not the leads of lead frame 121, 122. The advantages of this power module package structure are simple and easy to manufacture. In this power module package structure, all elements 110a, 110b, 110c and all circuit are disposed on the substrate 100, and therefore the density of the circuits can not to be increased. So this package structure needs a bigger substrate, and it's cost is higher because it's bigger substrate. The heat which is produced by the power element 110a is transmitted to the heat sink through the substrate. And the heat is transmitted from the power element to the substrate by the adhesive between the substrate and the power element. Therefore, even the substrate is made of a high thermal conduction material but the large number of the heat can be transpired immediately.
Referring to FIG. 2, it is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating another conventional package structure of a power module. The power module package structure is similar to the package structure illustrated in FIG. 1. The structure also includes a high thermal conduction substrate 100, which is made of a high polymer isolating layer and an aluminum foil layer, with all circuits on it. The power element 110a, the control element 110b and other elements 110c are also disposed on the substrate 100. A lead frame 121, 122 is also suspended above the substrate 100 and several wire bonds 111, 112, 113 are also formed to electrically connect the elements 110a, 110b, 110c and the circuits on the substrate 100. And the elements and the circuits on the substrate 100 are also encapsulated by package material, like resin, or molding but not the leads of lead frame 121, 122. The difference between the package structure illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is that there is a metal plate 200 connected to the rear of the substrate 100 in the structure illustrated in FIG. 2. The advantages of this power module package structure are simple and easy to manufacture. And another advantage is that lots of heat can be immediately transmit by the metal plate 200 because it's high thermal conduction. Although there are many advantages of this package structure in FIG. 2, but the density of the circuits still can not be increased because all circuits are fabricated on the substrate 100. So the cost of the power module package still can be reduced.
Referring to FIG. 3, it is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating yet another conventional package structure of a power module. The package structure also includes a high thermal conduction substrate 100 which is made of a high polymer isolating layer and an aluminum foil layer. But the package structure in FIG. 3 is different from the package structure in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2. In the power module illustrated in FIG. 3, all of the power element 110a and control element 110b are disposed on the lead frame by soldering or other method. The lead frame 121 and 122 are suspended above the substrate 100 but separated to each other without connecting. There are several wire bonds 111, 112 and etc. formed by wire bonding to electrically connect the elements 110a, 110b, lead frame 121, 122 and the circuits on it. And the elements and the circuits on the substrate 100 are encapsulated by package material, like resin, or molding but not the leads of lead frame 121, 122. The advantages of the power module package structure illustrated are simple and easy to manufacture. The density and accuracy of the circuits and package structure are limited because the circuits are fabricated on the lead frame. The heat produced by the power element 110a in power module is transmitted from the lead frame to substrate 110 through the packaging material. But the heat is not transmitted very well. It is because the heat is still transmitted from substrate to heat sink through the adhesive, and the adhesive is not a good thermal conductor.
Therefore, it is an important subject that how to improve the density of the package structure and to cost down. And it is another subject that how to solve the question of bad thermal conduction caused by the power element and the package structure with high density.


Techniques for deorbiting a satellite include executing an orbit transfer maneuver that transfers the satellite from an operational orbit to an interim orbit. The operational orbit is substantially geosynchronous and has (i) an inclination of greater than 70 degrees; (ii) a nominal eccentricity in the range of 0.25 to 0.5; (iii) an argument of perigee of approximately 90 or approximately 270 degrees; (iv) a right ascension of ascending node of approximately 0; and (v) an operational orbit apogee altitude. The interim orbit has an initial second apogee altitude that is at least 4500 km higher than the first apogee altitude, and the interim orbit naturally decays, subsequent to the orbit transfer maneuver, such that the satellite will reenter Earth's atmosphere no longer than 25 years after completion of the orbit transfer maneuver.

The assignee of the present invention manufactures and deploys spacecraft for, commercial, defense and scientific missions. Many such spacecraft operate in a geosynchronous orbit having a period equal to one sidereal day (approximately 23.93 hours).
A particular type of geosynchronous orbit is a geostationary orbit (GSO), characterized as being substantially circular and co-planar with the Earth's equator. The nominal altitude (the "GEO altitude) of a GSO is approximately 35,786 km. An elevation angle from a user located on the Earth to a satellite in GSO is a function of the user's latitude. When a service area on the ground intended to receive communications or broadcast services (hereinafter, an "intended service area") is at a north or south latitude above approximately 60 to 70 degrees, the elevation angle is small enough that service quality is significantly impaired.
To mitigate this problem, satellites operable in highly inclined, highly elliptical geosynchronous orbits have been proposed, as described, for example in Bigras, et al., US Pat. Pub. 2014/0017992 (hereinafter, Bigras) the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety into the present patent application. A geosynchronous, highly inclined, elliptical orbit (HIEO) may be selected such that the orbit's apogee is located at a pre-selected, substantially constant, longitude and latitude. A satellite operating in an HIEO can, during much of its orbital period (e.g., sixteen hours out of twenty four) enable higher elevation angles to a user than a GSO satellite.
An HIEO orbit such as the one disclosed by Bigras, has an apogee altitude of about 48,000 km or higher and a perigee altitude of about 23,000 km. Where the intended service area is in the northern hemisphere, the argument of perigee (the angle in the orbital plane measured, in the direction of satellite motion, from the orbit's ascending node to the orbit perigee) for such an orbit is desirably about 270 degrees. With an argument of perigee of 270 degrees, the orbit apogee is located above the northern hemisphere and the orbit perigee is located above the southern hemisphere. Where the intended service area is in the southern hemisphere, the argument of perigee is desirably about 90 degrees. With an argument of perigee of 90 degrees, the orbit apogee is located above the southern hemisphere and the orbit perigee is located above the northern hemisphere.
Orbital debris has become a major concern in recent years. One type of orbital "debris" includes entire satellites that have been retired after the end of their operational life. To mitigate the risk that retired satellites may otherwise pose to operational satellites located in high value orbits such as GSO and low earth orbit (LEO), rules have been promulgated requiring safe disposal of satellites at end of operational life. For example, the U.S. Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices require disposal of satellites, at end-of-life, into orbits that (i) are higher than GSO; or (ii) will result in reentry into the Earth's atmosphere within 25 years of end of operational life (EOL). Similar requirements have been incorporated into international orbital debris mitigation guidelines promulgated by the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) and the United Nations.
There are several known methods to accomplish satellite deorbiting. One method is to maneuver the satellite into an orbit which results in the satellite's prompt reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. This is generally impractical for a satellite initially operating in high energy orbits such as GSO and geosynchronous HIEO, because the energy required for such a maneuver is prohibitive. A second method is to place the satellite in a stable orbit above GSO altitude. This is also problematic for a satellite initially in a geosynchronous HIEO, due at least to the energy cost of raising perigee from 23,000 km to an altitude above GSO.
Thus, improved techniques for deorbiting such satellites are desirable.

Highly inclined elliptical orbit de-orbit techniques


A headlamp assembly which includes an optic used for providing a turn signal which meets the government requirements for luminous intensity when the turn signal is located near or next to the headlamp assembly. The present invention is a headlamp assembly which includes a housing, at least one optic disposed within the housing, as well as at least one light source which is operable with the optic such that light is emitted from the optic which meets or exceeds present regulatory requirements. The present invention also includes an outer lens mounted on the housing such that light emitted from the optic passes through the outer lens.

Turn signals used in headlamp assemblies for automobiles are generally known. Turn signals are often used for providing an indication to other drivers that a vehicle is going to turn either left or right. Typically, there is also more than one turn signal on the automobile, usually there is at least one turn signal for providing an indication to other drivers located to the side of the vehicle that the driver is turning, as well as other turn signals for giving an indication to drivers located at the front and rear of the vehicle that the driver is turning. There are typically turn signals at the rear of the vehicle, towards the front of the vehicle, and on the sides of the vehicle. With some modern vehicles, turn signals have also been incorporated into the side mirrors.
There are various government regulations which provide standards which are used in the construction of headlamps and turn signals to have a minimum level of brightness, as well as a specified direction in which the light produced by the headlamps and turn signals must be directed. Some of these standards relate to the position of a turn signal in relation to a headlamp assembly. More specifically, in the case where the front turn signal is mounted in close proximity to the low beam headlamp, or in close proximity to any additional lamp used to supplement or in lieu of the low beam, such as an auxiliary low beam or fog lamp, the light produced by the turn signal must be two-and-a-half times the normal required amount of luminous intensity. The current minimum requirement for the functional lighted lens area of a single compartment lamp must be at least 37.5 cm2 for a rear lamp and at least 22 cm2 for a front lamp.
One specific regulation applies to the condition where the spacing of the turn signal is within 60 mm of the lighted edge of the low beam headlamp of the headlamp assembly. Automotive manufacturers have had to account for these various regulations when designing the headlamp assembly and turn signals of an automobile. Some of these solutions have involved placing the turn signal at a distance away from the headlamp so as to only have the turn signal produce the minimum required luminous intensity. However, due to the various styling demands of the consumer market, it is often desired to incorporate the turn signals at a location close to the headlamp assembly, necessitating the turn signal having the ability to meet the requirements for having two-and-a-half times minimum luminous intensity.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a turn signal assembly which can be located in close proximity to the headlamp assembly while still meeting various government regulations for luminous intensity.


A data caching approach is provided for a distributed computing environment employing coherent data caching. The data caching approach includes dynamically deciding whether to associate a priority tag with requested data for a processing unit, wherein the priority tag is to be employed in deciding whether to hold the requested data in a local cache associated with the processing unit. The dynamically deciding includes determining whether latency of arrival of requested data at the processing unit meets a set threshold, and if so, associating the priority tag with the requested data. The priority tag indicates that at least one of the requested data is to be captured in the local cache or the requested data is to be maintained in the local cache over other data without an associated priority tag. In one implementation, the threshold is a programmable threshold, and the local cache is a lookaside cache.

Computing environments are often configured into computer systems with a relatively large, relatively slow main memory. Typically, multiple dynamic random access memory (DRAM) modules may comprise the memory system. This large memory system provides storage for a large number of instructions and/or a large amount of data for use by the processing units of the computing environment, and provides faster access to the instructions and/or data than may be achieved from disk storage, for example. However, the access times of modern DRAMs are significantly longer than the clock cycle length of modern processing units. The memory access time for a set of bytes being transferred to a processing unit may therefore be relatively long. Accordingly, the memory system is not a high bandwidth system, and the processing units may suffer performance due to a lack of available memory bandwidth. In order to allow high bandwidth memory access, and thereby increase the instruction execution efficiency (and ultimately processing unit performance), computer systems typically employ multiple caches, both processing unit external and internal, to store the most recently accessed data and instructions. A relatively small number of clock cycles is typically required to access data stored in a cache, as opposed to a relatively large number of clock cycles to access data in main memory.
Because the relative speed of memory is growing at a slower rate than processor speed, each successive computer system generation has a higher and higher dependency on the cache subsystem. Further, for certain workloads, large shared caches deliver better results than large private caches. For other workloads, private caches are preferred.
Previously, computer system designs have been optimized for either sharing or replication. Today's mainframe computing environments typically implement a shared L2 cache and arrange all the processors sharing it in a single multichip module package. This approach is expensive, but optimizes caching for multicontext workloads. As the mainframe computing environment attempts to move into different workloads, the shared cache provides less aggregate cache for very parallel workloads, notably industry standard benchmarks. Conversely, UNIX-based computer systems have typically implemented private caching. With a move into virtualization and workload management of multicontext workloads, the replication required of private caching disadvantageously reduces relative capacity and total cache capacity.

Method, system and computer program product for data caching in a distributed coherent cache system

International Business Machines Corporation


An improved automatic data backup apparatus for a microcomputer capable of automatically backing up a user's program at a central processing unit(CPU), which includes a central processing unit(CPU) for performing a user program and a monitor program outputted from a first emulator input/output circuit and a data/address bus; a second emulator input/output circuit for outputting a register signal applied thereto and for inputting/outputting a data between a register data bus connected to an emulator and a backup register bus; and a data backup storing circuit for automatically backing up a data stored in a register of the CPU corresponding to a user program performed in the CPU in accordance with a monitor program request signal outputted from the second emulator input/output circuit, a register signal, a register recording signal, and a register judgement signal and for applying a data stored in a register in the CPU corresponding to a user program which is changed by a backed-up monitor program.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic data backup apparatus for a microcomputer, and particularly to an improved automatic data backup apparatus for a microcomputer capable of automatically backing up a user program from a central processing unit(CPU).
2. Description of the Conventional Art
Conventionally, a conventional microcomputer development system(MDS) includes programs such as an assembler performed in a personal computer or a host machine, a linker, and a debugger, an emulator and a user system.
In addition, an emulator includes a process for generally controlling the whole operation of the emulator, an apparatus for storing a user program outputted from the host machine, an apparatus for storing a monitor program for displaying an operation state of a target microcomputer such as the information of registers, various flags, the information of program counter and data stored in RAM when a user program is performed in the target microcomputer in the user system, an apparatus for storing the information of the target microcomputer, and a microcomputer for performing a user program or a monitor program in accordance with a control of the processor.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional microcomputer for an emulator which has the same construction as the target microcomputer includes an interface input/output circuit 1 for inputting/outputting commands and data between an emulator EM or a user system US and a data/address bus D/A-BUS, a peripheral apparatus 2 for interfacing the data/address bus D/A-BUS and the command/data, a memory 3 for storing data outputted from the data/address bus D/A-BUS, and a CPU 4 for performing a user program outputted from the data/address bus D/A-BUS and for performing a monitor program in accordance with a control signal CS outputted from the emulator.
Referring to FIG. 2, a conventional microcomputer which does not have the same construction as the target microcomputer includes a peripheral apparatus 2, a memory 3 and a CPU which is the same construction as in FIG. 1, and instead of the interface input/output circuit 1 shown in FIG. 1, it includes a target microcomputer input/output circuit 1--1 for inputting/outputting commands and data between the user system US and the data/address bus D/A-BUS and an emulator input/output circuit 1-2 for inputting/outputting commands and data between the emulator and the data/address bus D/A-BUS.
The operation of the conventional microcomputer having the same construction as the target microcomputer will now be explained.
To begin with, when a user input a predetermined command into the target microcomputer at the user's system in order to input a desired program using a host computer, the user program is stored into an apparatus through the host computer and applies to the CPU through the interface input/output circuit 1 and the data/address bus D/A-BUS in accordance with a control of the CPU 4.
Thereafter, the CPU 4 withdraws data necessary for performing the user program previously stored in the memory 3 and performs the user program by receiving the data outputted from the peripheral apparatus through the data/address bus D/A-BUS.
When the operation of the user program is finished in the CPU 4, the user program is applied to the user system US through the data/address bus D/A-BUS and the interface input/output circuit 1.
Meanwhile, when a user input a predetermined command into the computer in order to see the state of the target microcomputer at the user system while performing the user program in the CPU 4, the CPU 4 outputs data corresponding to the result and the state of the user program which is performed therein by a control signal CS outputted from the processor of the emulator.
The data corresponding to the result and the state of the user program is stored into the emulator EM through the data/address bus D/A-BUS and the interface input/output circuit 1.
Thereafter, the monitor program of the emulator is applied to the CPU 4 through the interface input/output circuit 1 and the data/address bus D/A-BUS in accordance with the control of the processor.
In addition, the CPU 4 receives the data necessary to perform the monitor program at the peripheral apparatus 2 and the memory 3.
Thereafter, when the operation of the monitor program is finished, the data corresponding to the result and state of the user program stored in the emulator EM is applied to the CPU 4 through the interface input/output circuit 1 and the data/address bus D/A-BUS. Here, the CPU 4 performs the user program.
In addition, the data corresponding to the state of the target microcomputer at the user system US is stored into a predetermined apparatus through the interface input/output circuit 1, and the stored data is applied to the host computer under the control of the processor.
Thereafter, a user recognizes the state of the target microcomputer and performs necessary actions corresponding to the state thereof.
In addition, the command and data outputted to the user system by splitting the operation of the interface input/output circuit 1 at the conventional microcomputer which has the same construction as the above-mentioned target microcomputer are also inputted/outputted through the target microcomputer input/output circuit 1--1. The command and data outputted to the emulator EM is also inputted/outputted through the emulator input/output circuit 102.
In addition, the operation of the peripheral apparatus 2, the memory 3 and the CPU 4 is the same as the above-mentioned target microcomputer, so that the detailed description is omitted.
However, the conventional microcomputer having the same construction as the target microcomputer should be equipped with an additional split transmittance apparatus for splitting the signal and for transferring the split signal to the interface input/output apparatus.
In addition, the monitor program should be performed after backing up the data and address corresponding to the user program. In addition, the processor should performs complicated controls whenever the monitor program is performed in the CPU since the user program should be returned back after the monitor program is performed, so that additional apparatus for storing the data and address corresponding to the performing state of the user program in the emulator is needed.

Automatic data backup apparatus for microcomputer


Various patterning methods utilize certain crosslinkable reactive polymers comprise -A- and -B- recurring units, arranged randomly along a backbone. The -A- recurring units comprise pendant aromatic sulfonic acid oxime ester groups that are capable of providing pendant aromatic sulfonic acid groups upon irradiation with radiation having a λmax of at least 150 nm and up to and including 450 nm. The -A- recurring units are present in the reactive polymer in an amount of up to and including 98 mol % based on total reactive polymer recurring units. The -B- recurring units comprise pendant groups that provide crosslinking upon generation of the aromatic sulfonic acid groups in the -A- recurring units. The -B- recurring units are present in an amount of at least 2 mol %, based on total reactive polymer recurring units.

The development of two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures composed of colloidal particles has been the focus of considerable research and development in recent years with respect to their various potential uses. For example, it is possible that articles comprising a pattern of colloidal particles may be useful in biochip devices and sensors, optoelectronic devices, and photonic bandgap materials. Micro- or nanoscale physical patterns can be prepared using photolithography, electron-beam lithography, ion-beam etching, flexography, and functional printing. The desire with any of these technologies is to provide accurately patterned colloidal particles or clusters of particles on a nanoscale. Attempts to accomplish this have been directed to the use of various functionalized colloidal particles having different charges.
For example, selective assembly of colloidal particles on a nanostructured template coated with multilayers of electrolytes is described by Kim et al. Adv. Mater. 2007, 19, 4426-4430.
Patterned articles with anionic and cationic regions are prepared using controlled electrostatic and capillary forces as described by Aizenberg et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 2000, 84(13), 2997-3000.
WO 2008/045745 (McCarty et al.) describes self-assembled articles having a surface comprising immobilized particles having ionic functional groups of one type of charge and mobile counterion of another type of charge. It is said that such charged materials may be useful to direct electrostatic self-assembly of surfaces, microspheres, or other materials on a micro- or nanoscale.
Other technologies have been developed to provide microfabrication methods for making metallic, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional structures with conductive metals. Conductive patterns have been provided for these purposes using photolithography and imaging through mask materials as described for example of U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,579 (Deng et al.).
There is a need to find a simplified way to increase the selective deposition onto charged patterned materials particularly to form with high contrast ionic charge patterns.

Forming patterns using crosslinkable reactive polymers


A method of view selection in a teleconferencing environment includes receiving a frame of image data from an optical sensor such as a camera, detecting one or more conference participants within the frame of image data, and identifying an interest region for each of the conference participants. Identifying the interest region comprises estimating head poses of participants to determine where a majority of the participants are looking and determining if there is an object in that area. If a suitable object is in the area at which the participants are looking, such as a whiteboard or another person, the image data corresponding to the object will be displayed on a display device or sent to a remote teleconference endpoint.

During a videoconference, people at a videoconferencing endpoint interact with people at one or more other videoconferencing endpoints. There exist systems to capture views of conference participants from different angles. Attempts to create systems which automatically select and frame the optimal view for transmission to a remote endpoint based primarily on who is currently speaking have not been wholly satisfactory. Thus, there is room for improvement in the art.

Detecting and framing a subject of interest in a teleconference


A key storage tag facilitates storage of a key blank. The key storage tag includes a tag main body, a key to tag interface, a junction body and a hinge. The hinge enables the tag main body to be deflected between a key blank storage configuration where the tag main body is positioned substantially parallel with the key blank and a key duplication configuration where the tag main body is deflected away and separated from the lower surface of the key blank.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to key storage devices, and more particularly, to key storage devices which can remain attached to a key blank during key duplicating operations.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a typical prior art locksmith operation, key blanks are stored on multi-panel, carousal storage racks where each panel includes a series of horizontally protruding hooks for holding key blanks having varying geometry.
Over a period of time, the locksmith depletes his inventory of particular key blanks and orders replacements. The replacement key blanks typically arrive in plastic baggies each of which includes a number of identical key blanks. The locksmith then must open each baggie, remove the group of identical key blanks, locate the proper key blank carousel hook and thereby restock his inventory of key blanks.
The foregoing procedure is time consuming and subject to error, particularly the step of matching the new key blank inventory with the particular key blank hook.


A method is disclosed for detecting a hazardous situation in road traffic, wherein visible surroundings of a motor vehicle are scanned by way of at least one surroundings monitoring sensor for the presence of a trigger. Upon detection of the trigger, data regarding the surroundings of the motor vehicle is collected by the at least one surroundings monitoring sensor in a trigger-specific radius around the trigger. Pieces of information based on the collected data are transmitted via a communication device to at least one receiver that is independent of the motor vehicle.

Vehicles that have broken down or are involved in an accident can block lanes of roads and thus represent a hazard for following traffic. While most highways have breakdown lanes, such a broken-down vehicle can nonetheless impair the flow of traffic.
So as to make other road users aware of the hazardous situation, legal regulations require that a warning triangle be placed at an appropriate distance from the hazardous area. At the same time, persons should preferably wear reflective vests upon leaving the vehicle outside towns.
Despite these measures, the position of the broken-down vehicle is difficult to see for other road users in blind breakdown locations, such as on highway off-ramps, in curves or in tunnels. This can result in dangerous situations.
Driver assistance systems are known from the prior art for reducing the hazard. It is proposed in DE 10 2008 043 761 A1, for example, to adapt a driver assistance system based on pieces of traffic sign information. It is proposed to prepare a hard brake as soon as a warning triangle is identified on the roadside. Likewise, a warning can be provided to the driver. However, this principle may fail due to the fact that warning triangles are often not placed at a sufficient distance from the hazardous area. Accordingly, it may be too late to avoid an impending accident despite an adapted driver assistance system. Moreover, a vehicle must comprise such an assistance system to ensure appropriate protection, which is technologically precluded, in particular, in older vehicles.
Another method for avoiding accidents and collisions is known from US 2005/0134440 A1, which is an application of the type in question. A comparable system is also described in JP H11 72563 A. The surroundings of the motor vehicle are continuously scanned by way of a surroundings monitoring sensor for the presence of a hazardous object and, where necessary, data regarding the detected object is collected so as to avoid a collision in case of doubt. The above-described disadvantages, however, are not avoided by such an assistance system either.
So as to alert road users of a hazardous area at an early stage, the use of a Traffic Message Channel (TMC) is known from the prior art. With this technology, traffic disruptions are transmitted in digital form in the very high frequency range. As a result, navigation systems can receive traffic congestion notices, drivers can be warned and, where necessary, even the route can be recalculated. The emission of TMC signals has been adopted, in particular, by a number of radio stations throughout Europe. In practice, it has been found that the quality of the traffic alerts is frequently imprecise, and that some of the information is not up-to-date. This is usually due to the fact that the data of the TMC centers is based on the frequently imprecise and limited information provided by road users, police information, traffic cameras and the like.
Furthermore, a warning triangle for a vehicle is proposed in DE 10 2010 053 155 A1, wherein the warning triangle comprises a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data to a receiver. The warning triangle can then be used to notify motor vehicles approaching the warning triangle. It is also conceivable that the warning triangle transmits its own GPS position. The disadvantage of such a system is, in particular, the fact that individuals frequently forget to set up a warning triangle. Likewise, individuals often forget to remove a set-up warning triangle again. The information is consequently not absolutely reliable.
Furthermore, this method provides only information about the position of the warning triangle itself, but not about the position of the broken-down vehicle or the hazardous area. It is also not possible to classify the hazardous situation.

Detection of a hazardous situation in road traffic


A thermal imaging camera, which is mounted to a protective helmet, is used with a display, which has a viewing lens, and with an arm, which connects the thermal imaging camera to the display. A protective shroud covers the display, except for the viewing lens, and covers the arm. The protective shroud, which is aluminized so as to be heat-reflective and which is thermally insulative, is attached to or is unitary with another protective shroud, which covers surfaces of the thermal imaging camera.

As exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,914, No. 6,016,160, No. 6,023,288, No. 6,476,391, and No. 6,606,114 B1, and in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. U.S. 2003/0122958 A1, it is known to mount a thermal imaging camera and an associated display (viewer) to a firefighter's helmet, so as to provide the firefighter with thermal images of fallen or trapped persons or of heat-radiating objects, who or which would be otherwise obscured, as by smoke.
As exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,160, No. 6,023,288, and No. 6,606,114 B1, it is known to mount a thermal imaging camera and an associated display below a front area of a brim of a firefighter's helmet and to place the thermal imaging camera to one side of the firefighter's head, so as to protect the thermal imaging camera against falling objects and so as to place the thermal imaging camera in what is described as "an envelope of reduced heat" below the front area of the brim.
As exemplified in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. U.S. 2003/0122958 A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, it is known to mount a thermal imaging camera above a front area of a brim of a firefighter's helmet and to mount an associated display below the front brim. Therefore, advantageously, the thermal imaging camera provides the firefighter with a thermal image that is centered correctly, as compared to the thermal image provided to the firefighter by a thermal imaging camera placed to one side of the firefighter's head. However, disadvantageously, the thermal imaging camera is not protected by the front area of the brim of the firefighter's helmet, against direct impingement of thermal radiation, which may cause the thermal imaging camera to overheat.
In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/732,158, supra, an aluminized, thermally insulative, protective shroud is disclosed, which is adapted, when secured to a protective helmet, to cover top, side, front, and bottom surfaces of the thermal imaging camera, except for a front opening for a front lens and except for a bottom opening for an associated arm connecting the thermal imaging camera to the associated display.
In the relevant art, the associated arm and the associated display may be also called an optical boom for the thermal imaging camera. In the relevant art, the abbreviation TIC may be also used to refer to a thermal imaging camera.

Protective shroud for thermal imaging camera mounted to protective helmet