A video transmitting system may be configured to transmit, over extended length twisted-pair cables, video signals encoded in the Y/C video space. The system may comprise a source of RGB computer video signals. A video transmitter may be operable to convert the RGB video signals into a balanced luminance signal and a respective pair of balanced color difference signals. The video transmitting system may be further configured to transmit the balanced luminance signal and the pair of balanced color difference signals over respective extended length twisted-pair cables. The luminance signal may be transmitted over a non time-corrected cable in order to retain bandwidth, while the color difference signals may be transmitted over time-corrected cables, thereby reducing the visual degradation of the signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to computer systems and specifically to the extension of video interface operational cable distance.
2. Description of the Related Art
The components of a computer system (such as PCs, minicomputers and mainframes) may be divided into two functional units, as illustrated in FIG. 1A—the computing system 102 and the human interface (or "HI") to the computing system. For a PC, the computing system may be the CPU, memory, hard drive, power supply and similar components. The computing system may be comprised in a chassis which holds the motherboard, power supply, hard drive and the like. The human interface, on the other hand, may comprise those devices that humans use to transfer information to and/or receive information from the computing system. The most commonly recognized devices which form part of the human interface with the computing system include the monitor, keyboard, mouse and printer. The human interface may comprise a variety of other devices, such as a joystick, trackball, touchpad, microphone, speakers, and telephone, as well as other devices too numerous to specifically mention.
In current computer systems, e.g., current PC architectures, the human interface (e.g., the display monitor, mouse, and keyboard, etc.) is closely located to the computer system, by a distance typically less than about 10 feet. The computing system 102 generates and/or receives human interface signals, e.g., display monitor, mouse and keyboard formatted data, that are provided directly to/from the human interface 130 or desktop via individual specialized cables as illustrated in prior art FIG. 1A. For example, for most PCs installed at workstations, the computer monitor 116, keyboard 112 and mouse 114 rest on the desktop while the computer chassis which holds the computing system 102 rests on the floor underneath the desktop. Prior art FIG. 1B is a block diagram of the computer system illustrated in FIG. 1A. As indicated in FIG. 1B, the computing system 102 typically includes a processor 106, i.e., a CPU, a memory 104, and I/O interface logic, such as a video card 136 and an I/O interface card 137 which are coupled to the processor 106 through an I/O bus 124. The computing system 102 also typically includes chip set logic 108 for interfacing the processor 106 and memory 104 with the I/O bus 124. As is well known, two or more computing systems 102 may be connected together in a network configuration.
In order to fully resolve the aforementioned issues, in some current systems the entire computing system is physically separated from the human interface, specifically, by keeping the human interface (monitor, keyboard, mouse and printer) at the desktop or workstation while relocating the associated computing system (motherboard, power supply, memory, disk drives, etc.) to a secured computer room where plural computing systems are maintained. By securing the computing systems in one room, the employer's control over the computer systems is greatly enhanced. For example, since employees no longer have personal access, through the floppy or CD drive, to the memory subsystem, employees can not surreptitiously remove information from their computing system. Nor can the employee independently load software or other data files onto her computing system. Similarly, the employee can no longer physically change settings or otherwise modify the hardware portion of the computer. Maintenance is also greatly facilitated by placement of all of the computing systems in a common room. For example, the repair technicians and their equipment can be stationed in the same room with all of the computing systems. Thus, a technician could replace failed components or even swap out the entire unit without making repeated trips to the location of the malfunctioning machine. Such a room can be provided with special HVAC and power systems to ensure that the room is kept clean, cool and fully powered.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,101 titled "Computer Network Having Commonly Located Computer Systems"; U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,146 titled "Computer Network Having Multiple Remotely Located Human Interfaces Sharing a Common Computing System"; U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,616 titled "Computer System With Remotely Located Interface Where Signals are Encoded at the Computer System, Transferred Through a 4-wire Cable, and Decoded at the Interface" disclose systems where a plurality of computing systems are located at one location, and the human interfaces associated with these computing systems are remotely located at respective desktops.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary prior art system where the human interface is remotely located from the computing system. The system of FIG. 2 includes a computing system, an upstream encoder, a communication medium, a downstream decoder, and the human interface devices. The downstream decoder and the human interface devices are located remotely from the upstream encoder and the computing system. This system employs a protocol wherein human interface signals generated by the computing system are encoded by the upstream encoder into a format which allows transmission over a lengthy distance to the remote location where the human interface devices are located. The encoded signals are then transmitted over the communication medium. The encoded human interface signals are received and decoded by the downstream decoder at the remote location, being converted back into the originally generated human interface signals for propagation to the human interface devices. Human interface signals generated by the human interface devices are similarly encoded by the downstream decoder, transmitted over the communication medium, decoded by the upstream encoder, and provided to the computing system. Thus, to date the separation of the computing system from the human interface has involved extension of the human interface signals, (monitor, mouse, keyboard, USB and other I/O signals), i.e., extensions of already existing I/O signals, that is, the human interface signals are generated by the computer (or human interface device), are changed or reformatted as needed for transmission to a distant or remote location, and then converted back to their original format.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the remotely located human interface includes a monitor used to display information on the screen. While using monitors when the human interface is located near the computer system itself is commonplace, it may not be practical to do so when the human interface is located remotely from the computer system. The distance at which the computer video signals may be transferred is typically limited, as the computer video signals may suffer considerable line losses. Furthermore, the transfer of computer video signals over a significant distance may require dedicated video cabling with possible special cable considerations. For example, multiple coaxial cables may be required to transfer computer video signals from a computer system to a remote display. Due to the cost and bulkiness of coaxial cables, this may be a less than desirable solution. Furthermore, the cabling requirements for transferring computer video signals over a distance may leave no bandwidth for additional signals. Thus, any requirement for additional signals to be transferred to a remote location along with computer video signals may require additional cables beyond those already necessary. Such a solution may be both costly and logistically difficult to implement.
Certain prior art systems have operated to transfer analog R, G, B signals over twisted pair wiring at distances greater than 10 feet. However, improved methods are desired for transmitting analog video signal over a communication medium having distances greater than 10 feet.
Other corresponding issues related to the prior art will become apparent to one skilled in the art after comparing such prior art with the present invention as described herein.

Analog video signal transmission over twisted-pair wires


Provide is an air massage device including a plurality of air bags; an air pump 31 for supplying air into each of the air bags; solenoid valves 32 for switching on-off of air supply into each of the air bags; and a control part for changing an electric input value into the air pump 31 and an amount of the supplied air into each of the air bags per unit time to open and close each of the solenoid valves 32 so as to correspond to this change of the amount of the supplied air.

An air massage device performs treatment by pushing an expanded air bag onto a human body to press or grip the human body with only the air bag or in cooperation with a mechanical structure which can massage the human body or which is used for pivotal movement or the like. Although an expansion of the air bag is performed by supplying air into the air bag from an air pump, air supply performance of the air pump is constant. Namely, an amount of the supplied air per unit time is constant, thus the expansion of the air bag is performed at a certain constant speed.
Thus, a massage mode with the air bag is set depending on a tempo of the expansion and contraction of the air bag, an expansion and contraction time of the air bag, a size of the air bag and the like. For example, in the treatment with the air bag, it is impossible to slowly press the human body as required.
In terms of downsizing the air massage device or the like, it is unrealistic that the air massage device includes a plurality of air pumps. In addition, since discharging performance of the air pump is regulated, an expansion mode of the air bag connected to the air pump is inevitably determined. Thus, it is impossible to slowly expand the air bag as required, for example.


A non-ablative negative-working imageable element has first and second polymeric layers under a crosslinked silicone rubber layer. These elements can be used in a simple method to provide lithographic printing plates useful for waterless printing (no fountain solution). Processing after imaging is relatively simple using either water or an aqueous solution containing very little organic solvent to remove the imaged regions. The crosslinked silicone rubber layer is ink-repelling and only the first layer that is closest to the substrate contains an infrared radiation absorbing compound to provide thermal sensitivity.

In conventional or "wet" lithographic printing, ink receptive regions, known as image areas, are generated on a hydrophilic surface. When the surface is moistened with water and ink is applied, the hydrophilic regions retain the water and repel the ink, and the ink receptive regions accept the ink and repel the water. The ink is transferred to the surface of a material upon which the image is to be reproduced. For example, the ink can be first transferred to an intermediate blanket that in turn is used to transfer the ink to the surface of the material upon which the image is to be reproduced.
Waterless printing plates have been known and used since 1970. These printing plates can be used for printing without the need for dampening water (fountain solution) on-press. Most waterless printing plates involve an ink-repelling layer such as a silicone layer overlying a radiation-sensitive layer and substrate that are more ink-receptive. Some details of waterless printing and its advantages are provided, for example, at www.wateress.org that is a web site for the Waterless Printing Association.
For example, some of the benefits of waterless printing include consistent color in the image (better color fidelity), better color saturation, and lower dot gain (more detail). In addition, because a fountain solution is not used during printing, a greater variety of papers including uncoated papers, can be used in printing. Moreover, faster make-readies can be achieved with waterless printing and small compact printing presses can be used so that printing operations can be carried out in smaller facilities (less investment in equipment and buildings). By avoiding the use of a fountain solution, waterless printing is better for the environment. Printing operators no longer need to carefully balance fountain solution and lithographic printing ink and can carry out their operations with less training.
Positive-working waterless printing plates have been prepared from imageable elements containing a negative-working diazo resin and UV irradiation. Negative-working waterless printing plates have been obtained using UV irradiation and diazonaphthoquinone-containing imageable elements or acid-catalyzed chemistries.
The majority of the early waterless printing plates were prepared using a photographic film. The use of such films is expensive and tedious. These disadvantages were addressed in recent years with "computer-to-press" (CTP) technologies whereby waterless printing plates are imaged directly by computer-generated signals using one or more lasers.
One method for preparing waterless printing plates includes generating a contact mask on a radiation-sensitive imageable element. The mask can be produced, for example, using a digital device such as an inkjet printer, electrographic printer, or any other apparatus containing a digitally-controlled laser. Laser ablation, laser ablative transfer, or laser-induced color change techniques can also be used to produce the mask. However, the use of masks to produce waterless printing plates is expensive and requires complicated processing methods.
Two commercial types of thermal (computer-to-plate, or "CTP") waterless printing systems are known. One waterless printing system includes imaging by laser ablation that includes a destructive breaking away or volatilization and removal of the matter in the imaged layer(s). Ablative imaging requires very high imaging energy (the imageable elements have relatively slow imaging speed) and creates considerable debris and gaseous effluents that must be captured or released into the environment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,737 (Lewis et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,705 (Lewis et al.) describe multi-layer ablatable elements and imaging systems for making waterless printing plates.
Another waterless printing system requires thermal imaging with a laser (perhaps through a mask) to solubilize imaged layers that are then removed in imaged regions by using a developer that often contains an organic solvent or by using a pretreatment solution, or both, as described, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,820 (Kinashi et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,797 (Suezawa et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,284,433 (Ichikawa et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,964,841 (Tihara et al.).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,600 (Huang et al.) describes a two-layer non-ablative imageable element that can be used to provide waterless printing plates using solvent-containing developers to remove the solubilized imageable layer and overlying silicone layer.
Problem to be Solved
Waterless printing is a desired printing technique that can be used without a fountain solution and provide several advantages. Thus, there is a need for imageable elements that can be used to provide waterless printing plates without ablation imaging and development using developers that contain predominantly organic solvents. It is also desired that when silicone is removed from the element during development, silicone debris removed in small pieces that do not clog the processor.

Imageable elements useful for waterless printing


Systems and methods for identifying and removing spikes in data sets representing PCR growth curves or other sigmoid type curves or growth curves. A double sigmoid function with parameters determined using a Levenberg-Marquardt regression algorithm is used to find an approximation to the curve, and a statistical test such as a z-test is then used to identify spikes by identifying data points in the data set that do not fit well with the approximation. The identified spike(s) are removed from the data set and/or replaced with interpolated data points determined by using data points surrounding the identified spike(s). In one aspect, a spline interpolation process such as a cubic spline interpolation process is used to find an approximation to the data set with the identified spike points removed. Interpolated values to replace the spike points are then calculated using the cubic spline interpolation approximation curve.

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for processing data representing sigmoid type curves or growth curves, and more particularly to systems and methods for detecting and correcting data spikes in real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification curves and other sigmoid or growth-type curves.
The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is an in vitro method for enzymatically synthesizing or amplifying defined nucleic acid sequences. The reaction typically uses two oligonucleotide primers that hybridize to opposite strands and flank a template or target DNA sequence that is to be amplified. Elongation of the primers is catalyzed by a heat-stable DNA polymerase. A repetitive series of cycles involving template denaturation, primer annealing, and extension of the annealed primers by the polymerase results in an exponential accumulation of a specific DNA fragment. Fluorescent probes or markers are typically used in real-time PCR, or kinetic PCR, to facilitate detection and quantification of the amplification process.
A typical kinetic PCR curve is shown in FIG. 2, where fluorescence intensity values (y-axis) are plotted vs. cycle number (x-axis) for a typical PCR process. In this case, the formation of PCR products is monitored in each cycle of the PCR process. The amplification is usually measured in thermocyclers which include components and devices for measuring fluorescence signals during the amplification reaction. An example of such a thermocycler is the Roche Diagnostics LightCycler (Cat. No. 20110468). The amplification products are, for example, detected by means of quenched fluorescently labeled hybridization probes which only emit fluorescence signals after they are bound to a target nucleic acid sequence and subsequently degraded by the 5′ to 3′ nuclease activity of a DNA polymerase. Other examples include fluorescent signals generated during nucleic acid amplification where fluorescent dyes bind to double-stranded DNA and experience an increase in their fluorescence quantum yield.
During PCR data acquisition, artifacts such as air bubbles, gamma rays or incomplete mixing can cause outlier spikes in growth curves. An outlier spike or "spike" is a sudden jump in the signal that doesn't reflect the real growth. Spikes can affect further calculations done on the growth curves and therefore should be detected and corrected. FIG. 2 shows an example of a PCR growth curve including outlier spikes.
Current spike removal systems are available. However, these spike removal systems generally suffer from major deficiencies, such as an inability to correct most of the spikes wider than one cycle, an inability to correct early and late spikes, and a poor ability to detect and correct spikes in other various situations. Current spike removal systems also tend to have parameters that are often difficult to set.
Therefore it is desirable to provide outlier spike removal systems and methods that overcome the above and other problems. The systems and methods should provide a spike removal process that is more reliable and that includes fewer parameters or is parameter free.

Levenberg-Marquardt outlier spike removal method


A sticking apparatus including a pair of plate members sandwiching a laminate between the pair of plate members, and supporting members supporting the plate members. The supporting members supporting at least one of the plate members are located in a form of multiple dots or lines adjacent to each other at regular intervals on the plate member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sticking apparatus for and a sticking method of sticking a substrate and a support to each other through an adhesive agent in a laminate in which the substrate and the support are laminated.
2. Background Art
According to advanced functionality of a mobile phone, digital AV equipment, an IC card, and the like, a demand to reduce the size and thickness of a semiconductor silicon chip (hereinafter referred to as a chip) which is mounted so as to highly integrate the chips in a package is increasing. In order to realize the higher integration of the chips in the package, it is necessary to lower the thickness of the chip to a range of greater than or equal to 25 μm and less than or equal to 150 μm.
However, a semiconductor wafer (hereinafter referred to as a wafer) which is a base of the chip is thinned by grinding, and thus the strength thereof is weakened and cracks or warpage easily occurs in the wafer. Further, since it is difficult to automatically transport the wafer having strength weakened due to thinning, it is necessary to transport the wafer by a person's hands and the handling thereof is complicated.
For this reason, a wafer support system to prevent occurrence of cracks and warpage appearing on a wafer by maintaining the strength of the wafer by bonding a plate made of glass, rigid plastic, or the like, which is referred to as a support plate, to the wafer to be ground has been developed. Since it is possible to maintain the strength of the wafer by the wafer support system, it is possible to automate the transport of the thinned semiconductor wafer.
Here, the wafer and the support plate are bonded to each other by using an adhesive tape, thermoplastic resin, an adhesive agent, or the like.
In JP-A-2002-192394, a press working method for an inorganic substrate is described which is performed by installing a combined set of a laminated material that includes an inorganic substrate made of a semiconductor or ceramics, and an auxiliary material for lamination processing, between a pair of upper and lower heating platens heated to a predetermined temperature in a reduced-pressure press machine, bringing the pair of heating platens into contact with the combined set, and then applying low-pressure load up to 0.05 MPa for 10 seconds or more from at least pressurization start.


Systems and methods are provided that facilitate performing hardware acceleration processes without utilizing specialized drivers that are software and hardware specific by controlling the hardware accelerator with NVMe commands. The NVMe commands may be based on standardized NVMe commands provided in the NVMe specification, or may be vendor-specific commands that are supported by the NVMe specification. The commands are sent to the NVMe accelerator by a host CPU which, in some embodiments, may be located remotely to the NVMe accelerator. The NVMe accelerator may include a CMB on which a host CPU may set up an NVMe queue in order to reduce PCIe traffic on a PCIe bus connecting the CPU and the NVMe accelerator. The CMB may also be used by a host CPU to transfer data for acceleration to reduce bandwidth in the DMA controller or to remove host staging buffers and memory copies.

With the predicted end of Moore's Law, data acceleration, including algorithm and data analytics acceleration, has become a prime research topic in order to continue improving computing performance. Initially general purpose graphical processing units (GPGPU), or video cards, were the primary hardware utilized for performing algorithm acceleration. More recently, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) have become more popular for performing acceleration.
Typically, an FPGA is connected to a computer processing unit (CPU) via a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) bus with the FPGA interfacing with the CPU via drivers that are specific to the particular software and hardware platform utilized for acceleration. In a data center, cache coherent interfaces, including Coherent Accelerator Processor Interface (CAPI) and Cache Coherent Interconnect (CCIX), have been developed to address the difficulties in deploying acceleration platforms by allowing developers to circumvent the inherent difficulties associated with proprietary interfaces and drivers and to accelerate data more rapidly.
Non-volatile memory (NVM), such as Flash memory, is increasingly being utilized for in storage devices. NVM solid state drives (SSD) allow data storage and retrieval more quickly compared to older spinning disk media. As data storage is centralized and NVM SSD storage becomes more prevalent, platforms that enable performing data acceleration quicker and that utilize less power than presently known platforms are desired.
Therefore, improvements to controlling hardware acceleration are desired.

Apparatus and method for controlling data acceleration


The present invention relates to a method for validating the correct logical function and timing behavior of a digital circuit design within a cycle-based verification environment. The method comprises the steps of providing a VHDL description of the digital circuit design, performing a logic synthesis, wherein the VHDL description is turned into a design implementation in terms of logic gates, and creating a netlist including the elements of the digital circuit design and the connections between said elements. The method comprises the further steps of providing a transformation script with at least one transparent storage element, wherein said transparent storage element represents a path delay within the digital circuit design, creating a new netlist with the at least one transparent storage elements, running a verification, and checking if the new netlist is clean from a logical and timing point of view.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for validating the correct logical function and timing behavior of a digital circuit design within a cycle-based verification environment.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the development of a digital circuit design a simulation process is performed in order to verify the correct logical function and timing behavior. It is very important, that the model of the digital circuit design comprises correct runtimes of the signals. The simulation process may be performed by the support of an appropriate hardware and/or software.
According to the prior art the principle for validating the correct logical function and timing behavior of a circuit design comprises substantially the three following parts. In a first part only the logical function of said digital circuit design is validated. In a second part the timing behavior of said digital circuit design is validated. A timing analysis is performed in a third part. The functional validation on the one hand and the timing validation on the other hand are completely independent from each other.
FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart diagram of a method for validating the logical function according to the prior art. The shown method refers to an RTL (Register Transfer Level) description, for example as a netlist description. In a first step 10 a model of a desired digital circuit design is provided. Said model is written in a Very High Speed Integrated Circuit hardware description language (VHDL). In a second step 12 a logic synthesis is performed. By this logic synthesis the abstract form of the digital circuit design is turned into a design implementation in terms of logic gates. The logic synthesis uses first assertions 24.
In a next step 14 a netlist is created. The netlist includes the elements of the digital circuit design and the connections between said elements. In particular, the netlist contains the information of those storage elements, which are provided for the real hardware. During a further step 16 a timing analysis is performed. The timing analysis uses second assertions 26. The result is checked in a step 17. If the result is not OK, then the method returns back to step 10 again. If the result is OK, then in a step 18 is shown that the netlist is clean from a timing point of view.
The steps 10, 12, 14, 16, 17 and 18 are used for the timing driven synthesis, the timing analysis and the release.
In a next step 20 a verification of the digital circuit design is performed. In the verification of step 20 the VHDL from the step 10 and the netlist from step 14 are used. The result is checked in a step 21. If the result is OK, then in a step 22 is shown that the netlist is clean from a logical and timing point of view.
The steps 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21 and 22 are used for the verification of RTL design description.
The logical function of the digital circuit design is validated within a cycle based environment on the basis of the RTL design description.
This approach according to the prior art has the disadvantage, that the timing assertions are not validated. Therefore timing problems could still exist and must be solved by a new release.

Method for validating logical function and timing behavior of a digital circuit decision

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention provides a two-component printable conductive composition comprising, as separate components, a metallic component comprising a high melting point (HMP) metal or metal alloy powder having a mean particle size below about 15 μm; and a fluxing component comprising an organic acid and an organic solvent. The organic acid is characterized by having at least two carboxylic groups and a first logarithmic acid dissociation constant (p Ka1) of at most about 4. These two components are manufactured and stored separately and are mixed together shortly before the combined conductive composition is used for printing. Further provided is a kit comprising the two-component composition, wherein the metallic component and the fluxing component are disposed in separate containers. The present 10 invention further provides a method for deposition and patterning of the two-component composition, comprising: mixing the metallic component with the fluxing component; and applying the obtained mixture to an insulating substrate.

Printed Electronics (PEs) is a set of printing methods used to create electronic devices by defining patterns on various substrates, utilizing widespread and low-cost techniques, such as screen printing, flexography, gravure, offset lithography, dispensing, Laser Assisted Forward Transfer, imprinting or inkjet printing. In these methods, electrically functional electronic or optical inks are deposited on a substrate, creating active or passive devices, such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) devices, displays, solar cells, heaters, electrodes, batteries, key pads, switches, sensors, medical devices, printed circuit boards (PCBs), keyboards, antennas, electronic skin patches, coils, resistors, and packaging. Printed electronics is one of the fastest growing technologies today and is becoming invaluable to several industries including healthcare, aerospace, IOT (Internet of Things), media, and transportation, as well as electrical devices such as heaters and printed electrical conductors on electrical products.
The attraction of printing technology for the fabrication of electronics mainly results from the possibility of printing conductive traces on insulating materials in a much simpler and cost-effective way compared to conventional PCB manufacturing. The selection of the printing method used is determined by requirements concerning printed layers, by the properties of printed materials, as well as economic and technical considerations of the final printed products. Current printed electronics technology typically requires conductive traces of 15 μm or less in thickness. Furthermore, many applications use low temperature substrates such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). As a result, any high temperature processing including curing or sintering should be performed at temperatures below 150° C.
Both organic and inorganic materials can be used for printed electronics to produce conductors, semiconductors, dielectrics, or insulators. Ink materials can be in a liquid form, in a form of solution, paste, dispersion or suspension. Electronic functionality and printability can interfere with each other, mandating careful optimization. For printing, viscosity, surface tension and solid content must be tightly controlled. Cross-layer interactions such as wetting, adhesion, and solubility, as well as post-deposition drying procedures affect the outcome. Incorporation of additives which are commonly used in conventional printing inks is undesirable, since they may affect conductive properties.
A conductive ink is a low to medium viscosity fluid that typically comprises solvents, resins and fillers. Solvents transform the ink to a liquid state and regulate the drying profile of the ink. Resins regulate the mechanical properties of the ink, such as adhesion to the substrate or mechanical strength. Fillers typically comprise micro- or nano-particles of metal or metal alloy powders, thereby affording for the electrical conductivity of the ink and its respective products. Silver is the most common metal used in conductive inks. Most silver inks are made of nano-sized silver particles mixed with solvents and resins. Such inks are widely used in screen printing, as well as other printing techniques. The use of conductive inks based on silver has several drawbacks. Among them are silver migration, ink delamination, dielectric delamination and the high cost of silver powders. One of the possible replacements for silver in conductive inks is copper. Copper is not widely used in the printed electronics field due to its tendency to oxidize easily in ambient environment, and therefore requires the use of expensive equipment and processes to keep it conductive. Moreover, in order to gain conductivity, copper particles should be sintered at temperatures which are not compatible with mainstream polymeric substrates used in PEs.
Sintering of nano-size particles on non-conductive polymeric substrates can be achieved as nano-size particles sinter at considerably lower temperature, but it requires using custom-built and expensive capital equipment, such as photonic pulsing, which significantly increases the total cost of the printing process, has some technical limitations, and is not widely acceptable by the industry. Alternatively, sintering can be achieved by mixing a high melting point (HMP) metal, such as copper, with a low melting point (LMP) metal or alloy, such as a solder alloy, which serves as a binder phase between the HMP powder particles. This approach is commonly known as Liquid Phase Sintering (LPS) or Transient-liquid-phase sintering (TLPS). Depending on the circumstances, the mixed powder can be heated over the melting point of the LMP alloy, or it can be heated to the sintering temperature of the LMP alloy.
In order to suppress the oxidation of copper during the LPS/TLPS sintering, fluxing chemicals are used. U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,403 to Capote et al., discloses electrically conductive adhesive, which comprises, depending upon the intended end use, three or more of the following: a relatively high melting metal powder; solder powder; the active cross-linking agent which also serves as a fluxing agent; a resin; and a reactive monomer or polymer In a later U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,663, directed to methods for fabricating single and multilayer printed boards which employ electronically conductive adhesive compositions, Capote et al., explain that the compositions use a high melting point metal and a relatively low melting point alloy which undergo the TLPS process to form true metallurgical joints between the metal particles. Other US patents, including, inter alia, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,830,389, 5,853,622, 5,922,397, and 9,005,330 further disclose different aspects of LPS/TLPS for electronics manufacturing.
WO 2000/059645 is directed to methods of fabrication of complex multi-layer circuits by sequential methodology using a TLPS composite as an improved seed layer for electrolytic plating of circuit elements and vias. TLPS composite materials contemplated for use in said invention typically contain an HMP metal or metal alloy powder; an LMP metal or metal alloy powder (solder); optionally, a binder; and optionally, a cross-linking agent comprising a latent or chemically protected curing agent, which also acts as a primary fluxing agent. EP 0793405 is related to electronic assemblies comprising a sinterable composition generally comprising at least one high melting particulate phase material, at least one low melting material, and an organic portion comprising a resin and a cross-linking agent.
Accordingly, the TLPS approach requires customized organic materials for improving the metal adhesion to the PCB substrate and/or for reducing the negative effect of the flux on the physical properties and structure of the conductive traces.
WO 2016/166751 to some of the inventors of the present invention provides an alternative approach to decreasing the porosity and enhancing conductivity of PCB traces obtainable by deposition of solder-based inks. A two-step patterning method involves two different ink compositions, wherein said two compositions are successively applied and individually sintered to form a single conductive path, wherein the application of the second composition serves to fill the pores or voids of the first layer.
There still remains an unmet need for conductive ink compositions for the formation of thin-film conductive elements in printed electronic devices. Said compositions should be cost-efficient and have reasonable shelf life. Conductive elements obtained by printing said compositions should have high electrical conductivity, mechanical stability, and strong adhesion to various substrates.

Two-component printable conductive composition


In this disclosure, a resource scheduler is described that allows virtual machine instances to earn resource credits during the low activity levels. Virtual machine instances that spend a predominant amount of time operating at low activity levels are able to quickly gain resource credits. Once these virtual machine instances acquire enough resource credits to surpass a threshold level, the resource scheduler can assign a high priority level to the virtual machine instances that provide them with priority access to CPU resources. The next time that the virtual machine instances enter a high activity level, they have a high priority level that allows them to preempt other, lower priority virtual machine instances. Thus, these virtual machine instances are able to process operations and/or respond to user requests with low latency.

Computers may emulate hardware to provide the appearance of hardware that does not actually exist to an operating system, application, logic, or process. Computers may also use emulation to partition one hardware function between multiple operating systems, applications, and so on. This emulation may also be referred to as virtualization.
Virtualization may be accomplished by mechanisms including, for example, pure software virtualization, hardware supported software virtualization, and the like. Software virtualization facilitates emulating hardware on a variety of processors, particularly if the virtualization code is written in a portable, structured manner. Hardware virtualization may require hardware functions to be designed into an underlying chip
With the introduction of virtualization technology, a computing service provider can now provide computing resources to customers dynamically and/or in a scalable manner. As the computing resource demands of the customer increase, the computing service provider can allocate additional computing resources in the form of virtual machine instances. For example, such resources can be provided to the customer as part of a virtual network connectable to the customer's own physical network.

Providing service quality levels through CPU scheduling


A connector includes a universal conductor, a first connecting body, and a second connecting body. The first connecting body connects to the conductor, and the second connecting body rotatably connects to the conductor. The present disclosure further discloses an electronic device using the universal connector.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to connectors, and particularly, to a universal connector used in an electronic device.
2. Description of Related Art
Many electronic devices include two or more parts that are rotatably connected as well as electronically connected. If a rotation angle between the parts is too large, the cables electronically connecting them may be damaged.
Therefore, there is a room for improvement within the art.

Universal connector and electronic device using the same

Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd.


A passive identification system for shipping containers. The shipping containers contain passive identification devices that are interrogated by separate on-board location trackers (OBLT) located in places where shipping containers are expected to pass in proximity to during the shipping and transport process. The OBLTs contain an active transmitter and GPS device. After the OBLT interrogates the passive identification device on a shipping container, the OBLT generates a geo-word comprised of the container identification, the GPS location of the OBLT, and a time stamp, and transmits the geo-word to a receiving station for tracking and/or security purposes. The receiving station has manifest information regarding the shipping containers stored in memory. In this manner, the receiving station can compare the geo-word to the expected shipping locations and expected times for the shipping container to determine if the shipping container is lost, misplaced, or off-schedule.

Shipping containers are used throughout the world to ship goods as part of a global supply chain. Many shipping companies attach transmitting devices to shipping containers to either track their geographic location or for security purposes. This allows the shipping company to determine the geographic location of the container as it moves between the origination and intermediate or final destination points to determine whether the goods inside the shipping container are on time, late, or misplaced. For instance, the shipping container may have been misrouted shipping container or been placed on the incorrect transport ship to reach its intended destination. A misrouted may be indicative of a security breach that requires special attention. Further, communicating a misrouted shipping container condition to a shipping company and/or intended recipient of the shipment may better allow for planning purposes, especially in manufacturing. The advantages of tracking the position of shipped goods are many and therefore have become commonplace throughout the shipping industry.
Many shipping containers employ the use of a global positioning system (GPS) and a transmitter to communicate the whereabouts of the shipping container. The GPS associated with the shipping container receives signals from GPS satellites that allows the GPS to ascertain its coordinates. An identification indicia of the shipping container along with its calculated coordinates are then transmitted by the on-board transmitter to a remote receiver station or location where the identification indicia and coordinates are received. The identification indicia may be stored in memory located on-board the shipping container, or in an active radio-frequency identification device (RFID). A transmitter may store the identification indicia regarding the container in the RFID during manufacture or when shipping is initiated. The remote receiver station may employ algorithms to log the received data from the shipping container and communicate the data to another system or operator.
A common problem in each of these tracking systems is that the shipping container employs an active transmitting device that substantially increases the cost of the shipping container. Without an active transmitting device, the remote receiver station would not receive communications from the shipping container and thus not know if the shipping container reaches its intended destination points, is misrouted or is lost. Further, the active transmitting device requires its own power source that must be monitored and replaced as necessary. A shipping container will not transmit its identification indicia and location information if the power source is drained, thus causing the shipping container to in essence be lost in the supply chain. Also, the GPS satellite signals that communicate may not always be able to reach the shipping container, and thus the location information may not always be ascertainable. For instance, the shipping container may be contained inside a cargo hold, such as on a ship or inside a transport truck. The GPS satellite signals will be blocked from reaching the shipping container's GPS.

Passive container tracking device, system, and method


There is provided a light emitting diode (LED) lens for double-sided lighting, including a light diffusion agent diffused therein, the LED lens including a light receiving portion receiving light, a first light transmitting portion corresponding to the light receiving portion and transmitting a portion of the light in an upward direction therefrom, a reflective portion extended from the first light transmitting portion and reflecting a portion of the light, and a second light transmitting portion facing the first light transmitting portion and transmitting the light reflected by the reflective portion in a downward direction therefrom.

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor light emitting devices emitting light when a current flows therethrough, and converting electrical energy into light energy through PN junction diodes configured of gallium arsenide (GaAs) or gallium nitride (GaN) light semiconductors. Regions of light emitted from the LEDs include blue, green and white in a range of red (630 nm to 700 nm) to blue-violet (400 nm). Such LEDs have positive attributes such as relatively low power consumption, high efficiency and long lifespans, as compared to light sources according to the related art, such as incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, or the like. Thus, demand for LEDs has continuously increased.
In recent years, LEDs have come into widespread use, and the range of uses thereof has been increasingly expanded to encompass miniaturized lighting devices for mobile terminals, vehicle lighting devices, indoor lighting devices, lighting devices for outdoor signs, and the like. In particular, the application of LEDs has been increasingly expanded to include lighting devices for signs.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a double-sided illuminated sign using a general LED.
In the case of a general LED 11, unlike a fluorescent lamp, light from individual LEDs is only irradiated onto a single light emission surface, and is not irradiated to a surface thereof opposite thereto. Thus, it is necessary to dispose the LED 11 and a diffusion plate 13 on both sides of a circuit board 12, as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, a problem in which the configuration of a double-sided illuminated sign using an LED is relatively complicated and an amount of LEDs is increased may occur.

LED lens and LED module for two-sided lighting, and LED two-sided lighting apparatus using same


A crane apparatus with an integrated assembly for overcoming each dead position between primary and secondary parts of its operational arm includes a bearing framework attached to a chassis and is furnished with at least two telescopic supporting legs that are vertically arranged, and a bearing mast that is connected with the bearing framework, and an operational arm is attached in a pivot point and pivotable around a horizontal axis. The operational arm includes a primary part and a secondary part that are pivotally connected with each other. The secondary part is pivotal around the horizontal axis connected with the primary part of the operational arm via a dead position overcoming assembly that includes a rotational driving subsystem as well as a mechanism that is attached to part of a hydraulic cylinder for pivoting relative to the secondary part of the operational arm.

The present disclosure refers to a crane or similar manipulating apparatus with integrated assembly for overcoming each dead position between primary and secondary part of its operational arm, namely each position in aligned position of said parts of the operational arm of a crane or similar working apparatus, which is impossible for overcoming just by means of a hydraulic cylinder with a piston, which is usually used for adjustment of each mutual position of said parts of the operational arm.
The purpose of the present disclosure is to create a crane or similar manipulating apparatus, which should be furnished with an operational arm assembled of at least two pivotally interconnected parts, namely a of primary part and of a secondary part, and each desired position of said parts relatively to each other at each desired angle between them should be adjusted by means of a hydraulic cylinder with a piston, so that the casing of said cylinder would be attached to one part of the arm and the piston inserted therein together with a piston rod should be attached to the other part of the operational arm, wherein each dead position, namely a position in which the pivot point between said parts of the arm is located on the line extending through both points, in which the cylinder is attached to each of said parts of the arm, or in the proximity of said line, i.e. in position, in which said parts of the arm are substantially aligned and the lines through said pivot point between the parts of the arm and each attachment point of a cylinder on each part of the arm extend at an angle of approximately 180°, or at least 180°±approx. 10°, namely in a position in which said hydraulic cylinder is in due to said angular situation of approximately 180°, either by pushing or by pulling unable to performing any further pivoting of said parts one relatively to the other, such dead position would have to be overcome by means of a suitable auxiliary means, which however would have be surmounted to the crane in such manner, that the bearing capacity, operational area, foldability and other commonly known properties of the state of the art cranes would not be hindered, and moreover, that also the overall appearance of the crane or similar manipulating apparatus would remain practically unchanged.
Those skilled in the art are familiar with various cranes, which are suitable for attachment to a chassis of a truck and comprise a bearing framework, which is usually furnished with at least two supporting legs and comprises at least vertically arranged mast, to which an operational arm is attached by means of its primary part and pivotally around the vertical geometric axis. Said operational arm consists of a primary part as well as of a secondary part, and can be pivoted relatively to said mast by means of a hydraulic cylinder with a piston, wherein one part of said cylinder, e.g. a casing, is attached to said mast, and the other part, e.g. a piston road with a piston inserted into said casing, is connected with said primary part of the operational arm. Quite analogously, a secondary part of the operational arm is pivotally connected with said primary part of the operational arm and is optionally telescopically conceived. Also the second part of the arm can be pivoted relatively to said primary part of the arm around the horizontal axis by means of a hydraulic cylinder with a piston, a part of which, e.g. a casing, is attached to the primary part, while its other part, i.e. a piston rod with a piston inserted into said casing, is connected to the secondary part of the operational arm. Each proper gripping or manipulating accessory is by means of a pivot joint or a rotational unit, a so-called rotator, attached to the free end portion of the secondary part of the arm. Prior to operation, e.g. by transporting said crane or similar manipulating apparatus, said primary part of the operational arm is usually located adjacent to the mast, and the secondary part is located adjacent to said primary part. Just prior to activation of the crane of manipulating apparatus said primary part is moved apart from the mast, by which a problem of the so-called dead position may occur, in which a hydraulic cylinder is directed practically towards the pivot point between the mast and the primary part of the arm, and the moment lever becomes insufficient for generating a required torque by means of said cylinder, which could enable pivoting of said pretty heavy primary part together with the secondary part attached thereto relatively to said mast. To this aim, DE 27 48 675 proposes that an additional hydraulic cylinder should be mounted in the area of said mast, and a piston rod of said cylinder should be movable transversely with respect to said mast and in a direction towards the primary part of the operational arm. By means of said additional cylinder said primary part of the operational arm is prior to activation of said main operational cylinder pivoted from its initial position adjacent to the mast for a suitable angle, by which a sufficient moment lever is established, which is sufficient for generation of a torque by means of the main operating cylinder between the mast and the primary part of the operational arm. Such concept may be successful in resolving said problem of overcoming a dead position of two parts, which are rest on each other and the angle between them is approximately 0°, but is completely inefficient by overcoming said dead position in another possible situation, when said parts are at mutually least approximately aligned and the angle between them is approximately 180°.
Overcoming such dead position in the lastly mentioned circumstances is nowadays in the practice at least by so-called Z-cranes performed in such a way, that initially by means of a hydraulic cylinder, which is in both attaching points connected with the primary part and the secondary part of the arm said parts are situated at an angle closely to 180° relatively to each other, upon which by means of the other cylinder attached to the mast and the primary arm said arm is lowered towards the ground until each operational accessory on the secondary part of the arm is rest on the ground. Upon that, by releasing said cylinder between the primary part and the secondary part of the arm said parts due to their own weight start falling towards the ground, by which said angle of 180° between them can be overcome and changed for such extent that a suitable position of said parts is established, in which the cylinder is then able to start pivoting the secondary part relatively to the primary part of the operational arm. The problem is, that by overcoming said dead position each operational accessory, which is rest on the ground, due to pure cinematic conditions performs an essential translatory movement along the ground, which often results in undesired ruining the ground, which in particular in urban areas leaves visible and durable damages. In order to avoid such consequences, EP 2 248 753 A1 proposes a further approach, according to which on a primary part of the operational arm in addition to a hydraulic cylinder for displacing the secondary part relatively to the primary part an additional driving means is foreseen, which is activated exclusively by overcoming of dead position between the primary and a secondary part, when these are mutually aligned at the angle approximately 180° between them. Said additional driving means may e.g. be a hydraulic cylinder, a casing of which is attached to the primary part of the arm, and on the piston rod of which a chain is attached, which is in the other hand attached to the secondary part of the arm and herewith establishes a lever, which is necessary for generating a torque as required for overcoming said dead position. Another embodiment provides that said additional operational means is a tandem of hydraulic cylinders, which is able to generate appropriate force couple and herewith a torque, which is then used for overcoming a dead position. However, both the first and the second embodiment normally involve integration of a plurality of additional components, which are from technical aspects pretty complicated and must in addition to that be placed on the external surface of the crane or similar manipulating machine and are then exposed to weather conditions, which may in the practice lead to various inconveniences during the operation including additional difficulties by transforming between the collapsed initial position and extended operational position, much more comprehensive maintenance of all these additional components, and some additional risk in view of reliability of operation in situ.
The present disclosure refers to a crane or similar manipulating apparatus with integrated assembly for overcoming each dead position between primary and secondary part of its operational arm. Such crane or similar manipulating apparatus comprises at least a sufficiently rigid bearing framework, which is adapted for attachment to a suitable chassis and is optionally furnished with at least two optionally telescopic supporting legs, as well as an at least approximately vertically arranged and sufficiently rigid bearing mast, which is in the area of its first end portion connected with said bearing framework, while in the area of its second end portion an operating arm is attached in a pivot point, in which said arm is pivotable around the horizontal axis. Said operational arm consists of a rigid primary part, the first end portion of which is in said pivot point pivotally around the horizontal axis attached to said bearing mast, while its second end portion is in a pivot point pivotally around the horizontal axis connected with the first end portion of a rigid secondary part, to the second end portion of which a gripping assembly or a similar manipulating accessory of each crane or working machine is attached.
Said secondary part of the operational arm is in said pivot point pivotable relatively to said first part by means of a hydraulic cylinder with a piston, a part of which, namely either its casing or a piston rod together with a piston inserted therein, is attached to the primary part of the arm, while each residual part of said cylinder is attached to the secondary part of the arm. Said operational arm is pivotally relative to said bearing mast by means of a hydraulic cylinder with a piston, a part of which, namely either its casing or a piston rod together with a piston inserted therein, is attached to the mast, while each residual part of said cylinder is attached to the primary part of the operational arm.
In accordance with the present disclosure, said secondary part is in the area of said pivot point pivotally around the horizontal axis connected with the primary part of the operational arm by means of a dead position overcoming assembly, wherein said assembly comprises a rotational driving means as well as a mechanism, which is suitable for attachment of that part of a hydraulic cylinder for pivoting of the secondary part relatively to the secondary part of the operational arm, which is attachable to said second part of the arm.
Said rotational driving means is arranged in the area of said pivot point for pivoting of the secondary part of the arm relatively to the primary part. Said rotational driving means (4) is arranged in the area of said pivot point and consists of a casing as well as of a central part, which is inserted therein. Said casing is firmly and with the possibility of transferring a torque connected with the secondary part of the arm and represents a casing of a hydraulic cylinder with hydraulic connectors, which are in the horizontal direction spaced apart from each other. Said central part is with the possibility of transmission of torque around the horizontal axis through said pivot point between the primary part and said secondary part of the arm connected with the primary part of the arm and represents a piston of said hydraulic cylinder, which is movable to and fro along said horizontal axis in the pivot point. At the same time, said casing and said central part are conceived as parts of a clutch, so that on the one hand said casing is furnished with protrusions, which are in the circumferential direction equidistantly spaced apart from each other and each of them is furnished with two axially outwards converging slopes, and on the other hand also the central part is furnished with protrusions, which are in the circumferential direction equidistantly spaced apart from each other and protrude towards said protrusions on said casing, and each of them is also furnished with two axially outwards converging slopes. Each said protrusions on the central part is formed complementary with each gap between each two neighboring protrusions on said casing, and the inclination of slopes on each protrusion on the central part corresponds to inclination of slopes on each protrusion on the casing. Consequently, if said cylinder for pivoting said secondary part relatively to said primary part of the arm is temporarily deactivated, thanks to mutual engagement of said protrusions on the casing and on the central part, each displacement of the central part in axial direction of the casing, namely along the horizontal axis within said pivot point, results in a synchronously rotation of the central part relatively to the casing, or vice versa.
Said mechanism, on which said cylinder for pivoting said secondary part relatively to said primary part of the arm is attached, is conceived as a crank mechanism, which consists of a L-shaped lever, the shorter arm of which is on its free end portion pivotally around the horizontal axis attached to a primary part of the operational arm adjacent to said pivot point between the primary part and the secondary part of the operational arm, its longer arm is pivotally around the horizontal axis attached to a secondary part of the operational arm at certain distance apart from said pivot point, and in the coinciding area of said arms, said hydraulic cylinder for pivoting said secondary part relatively to said primary part of the arm is pivotally around the horizontal axis attached by means of its one part, while the other part of said cylinder is pivotally around the horizontal axis attached to the primary part of the operational arm.
In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure the casing of the rotational driving means is welded to the secondary part of the operational arm.
The present disclosure further provides that the central part of the rotational driving means is placed on a spline shaft, which extends through the primary part coaxially with said horizontal axis of the pivot point between the primary part and the secondary part of the operational arm. In this, the central part as such is conceived as a spline shaft and is on the one hand furnished with a central splined passage and on the other hand with longitudinal surface grooves, along which and consequently also along said horizontal axis is with the possibility of transmission of a torque displaceable said hydraulic piston, which is furnished with said protrusions and slopes.
The present disclosure further provides, that the intermediate area between the casing and the central part i.e. the piston of the rotational driving means is adapted to receive a hydraulic media, which is supplied via hydraulic connectors and is to this aim hydraulically connectable to a hydraulic circuit, which is simultaneously intended for powering said cylinder for pivoting the secondary part of the operational arm relatively to the primary part thereof, wherein in said hydraulic circuit during the stage of approaching to dead position, in which the pivot point between the primary part and the secondary part of the operational arm is located on a line, which extends through the attachment points of the hydraulic cylinder on the first part and the second part of the operational arm, activation of said rotational driving means is enabled, while during the stage of leaving said dead position said rotational driving means is deactivated.
In one of possible embodiment of the present disclosure said secondary part of the operational arm is telescopically conceived.

Crane or similar manipulating apparatus with integrated assembly for overcoming each dead position between primary and secondary part of its operational arm


The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit connectable to a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) transducer. The MEMS transducer is configured to generate a transducer audio signal in response to sound. The integrated circuit comprises a digital scrambling circuit coupled to a data communication interface. The digital scrambling circuit is configured to convert a digital audio stream, representative of the transducer audio signal, into a corresponding scrambled data stream. The integrated circuit additionally comprises a data bus interface coupled to the digital scrambling circuit and configured to output the scrambled data stream.

Today's portable communication device typically comprises a plurality of digital microphone assemblies, such as two, four or even more microphone assemblies, that are coupled to a shared data bus via standardized data communication interfaces. The respective data streams of the plurality of digital microphone assemblies are written onto the shared data bus in accordance with the relevant communication protocol using a time-division scheme. A digital microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP) of the portable communication device typically comprises a corresponding standardized data communication interface for receipt of the time-multiplexed data streams generated by the plurality of digital microphone assemblies. The plurality of digital microphone assemblies is concurrently operating to convert respective incoming sounds to corresponding audio data stream. The digital microprocessor or DSP of the portable communication device functions as a bus master and serves to decode the time-division multiplexed audio data stream on the shared data bus and convert the audio data stream into the original digital microphone signals. The original digital microphone signals represent the incoming sounds on the digital microphone assemblies. The digital microprocessor or DSP of the portable communication device is typically configured or programmed to manipulate the plurality of original digital microphone signals to create various desirable enhancements to the incoming sound such as beamforming, noise suppression, feedback cancellation etc.
However, the inventors have realized that the connection of multiple digital microphone assemblies onto the shared data bus leads to certain pronounced drawbacks. One of these drawbacks is that the structured data stream outputted to the shared data bus by a first digital microphone assembly negatively influences the functionality and/or performance of another, second, digital microphone assembly coupled to the shared data bus and vice versa. Hence, a detrimental cross-modulation exists between the first and second digital microphone assemblies and this problem tends to grow with an increasing number of digital microphone assemblies connected to the shared data bus.
The writing on the structured data stream onto the shared data bus by of the digital microphone assembly may create other types of undesirable side effects in a complete multi-microphone system and a portable communication device hosting the complete multi-microphone system. These problems are at least partly created because the spectral content of the structured data stream of a particular digital microphone assembly is highly correlated with the content of the transmitted data. The power spectrum of the structured data stream, as well as current consumption from the power supply of the digital microphone assembly, conveyed by a Pulse Density Modulated (PDM) encoded audio signal is highly correlated with the audio signal itself. In addition, noise-shaped PDM signals, which typically are generated by oversampled and noise-shaped ADC circuits of the digital microphone assembly, comprise high-frequency spectral components under, and at, one-half of the sampling frequency of the ADC. The sampling frequency of the ADC may be above 2 MHz for a typical digital microphone assembly. These high-frequency spectral components, and in general all spectral components of high amplitude, are often a source of interference problems or EMI problems at other types of electronic circuitry of the portable communication device.
All types of digital transducer devices, including the above-discussed digital microphone assemblies, may specify:
1) A certain level of exposure compliance to incoming EMI noise mechanisms, e.g. expressed as PSRR or as RF exposure tolerance level etc.
2) A certain EMI emission level. The latter may entail a guaranteed maximum level of RF emission under specified/standardized conditions such as PCB board setup, bus length, trace widths etc.


The present invention provides a method of producing a non-human vertebrate that harbours germ cells having a desired gene transferred thereto, comprising injecting the desired gene to the testis of a non-human vertebrate wherein no tight junction exists between Sertoli cells to transfer the desired gene to germ cells, so as to obtain a non-human vertebrate that harbours the germ cells having the desired gene transferred thereto. Using the method of the present invention, even in animal species and lines for which in vitro transduction has been difficult to date, it is possible to obtain an individual harbouring germ cells, particularly spermatogonial stem cells, having a desired gene transferred thereto, at extremely high efficiency. Also, the fertility of the male to receive an injection of the gene is retained, compared to in vitro transduction of germ cells, because gene transfer is achieved without reducing the number of spermatogonial stem cells in the testis and transgenic sperms and transgenic animals can easily be prepared.

Germ cells have the unique ability to transmit parental genome information to the offspring. Germline modification has attracted significant attention in the last two decades because it provided a strategy to manipulate genes in vivo, and its application ranged from basic biomedical research to production agriculture (Manipulating the Mouse Embro, (Cold Spring Harbor Press, New York), pp 1-29, 2003). Current techniques to modify germline cells are based on oocytes, eggs or early embryos obtained from females. Developments in egg culture and transfer technology provided the groundwork for the modification of the germline cells obtained from females. However, although the technique is most widely used in mice, attempts to use germ cells obtained from females for other animal species has been limited due to their different reproductive behavior and difficulty in obtaining and manipulating eggs (Reproduction in farm animals, (Lippincott Silliams & Willins, Philadelphia, Pa.), pp 1-40, 2000), and it is difficult to obtain transgenic animals in more than 1% of injected embryos. Thus, there is clearly a need to establish new protocols for germline modification that have wider range of application.
While the female germ cells cease to proliferate before birth, all male germ cells originate from spermatogonial stem cells that have the ability to self-renew themselves (J. Androl., 21, 776-798, 2000). These cells continue to proliferate throughout life and support spermatogenesis. In contrast to differentiated germ cells that have limited life-span, stem cell-based transgenesis has a clear advantage in that transfected stem cells will continuously produce enormous number of transgenic sperm. A single rat stem cell with a transgene can continuously produce ˜2000 transgenic spermatozoa (Histological and Histophathological Evaluation of the Testis, (Cache River Press, Clearwater, Fla.), pp. 1-40, 1990) and therefore numerous transgenic animals can be produced from a founder male. Towards this goal, several groups have succeeded in producing transgenic animals by transducing spermatogonial stem cells in vitro. Spermatogonial stem cells from mice and rats were infected with retrovirus during short-term culture and were transplanted into infertile recipient animals to produce spermatogenesis (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 98, 13090-13095, 2001; Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 99, 14931-14936, 2002). By mating with females, recipients produced transgenic animals with efficiency comparable to female-based transgenic methods.
Although this technique provided a new possibility of male germline manipulation, it has several limitations. A major drawback of in vitro transduction approach is the low fertility rate of the recipient animals (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 91, 11298-11302, 1994). One of the reasons is that ablation of endogenous spermatogenesis, which is a prerequisite for efficient colonization of donor cells, often damages the environments of recipient testes for donor cell colonization (Tissue Cell, 31, 461-472, 1999; Biol. Reprod., 69, 412-420, 2003; Dev. Biol., 263, 253-263, 2003; Hum. Reprod., 18, 2660-2667, 2003). Furthermore, the absence of optimal culture condition for stem cells results in the significant decrease in stem cell number (Biol. Reprod., 67, 874-879, 2002; Biol. Reprod., 68, 2207-2214, 2003) and also contributes to lowered fertility. Only 10% of stem cells survive in vitro during 1 week ((Biol. Reprod., 67, 874-879, 2002; Biol. Reprod., 68, 2207-2214, 2003). Due to the rejection of allogeneic donor cells (Biol. Reprod., 68, 167-173, 2003; Reproduction, 126, 765-774, 2003; Biol. Reprod., 69, 1940-1944, 2003), the application of spermatogonial transplantation is still limited in most of other animal species in which immunocompatible recipients are not readily available. Because of these reasons, the efficiency of fertility restoration is limited after spermatogonial transplantation, and prevents the practical application of the technique for transgenesis.
A potentially competitive alternative to produce transgenic animals with spermatogonial stem cells is to introduce genes into stem cells in vivo, because it does not require transplantation or culture of stem cells. However, attempts of such direct transduction of spermatogonial stem cells have met with little success (Mol. Reprod. Dev, 233, 45-49, 1997; J. Virol., 63, 2134-2142, 1989; FEBS Lett., 475, 7-10, 2000; FEBS Lett., 487, 248-251, 2000; Hum. Gene Ther., 9, 1571-1585, 1998; Gene Dev., 1, 366-375, 1987; Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 233, 45-49, 1997). In one study, transgene was integrated in the germline by in vivo electroporation, but the expression did not last long, and disappeared after long-term, indicating that the transgene was introduced into differentiated germ cells (Biol. Reprod., 59, 1439-1444, 1998). In another study, the transgene was not integrated into the germline and was found to be dominantly expressed in Sertoli cells (Biol. Reprod., 67, 712-717, 2002). The difficulty in transfecting spermatogonial stem cells in vivo cannot be explained only by the low number of stem cells in the testis (2 to 3 stem cells per 104 testis cells) (Cell and Molecular Biology of the Testis, (Oxford University Press, New York), pp 266-295, 1993; Mutation Res., 290, 193-200, 1993), since it was not possible with more efficient virus-based approach. Microinjection of various types of virus vectors into seminiferous tubules of adult testes also failed to transduce germline cells in vivo (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 99, 7524-7529, 2002; Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 99, 1383-1388, 2002), and no animal studies have shown germline transmission by this approach. It is now considered that stem cells are protected in germline niche, which inhibits the access of the transgenes or virus particles to stem cells (FEBS Lett., 475, 7-10, 2000; Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 99, 7524-7529, 2002).
In view of the above-described circumstances, the present invention is intended to provide a method of highly efficiently producing a non-human vertebrate that harbours germ cells having a desired gene transferred thereto by more efficiently transferring a desired gene to male germ cells, particularly spermatogonial stem cells.

Method of gene introduction in in-vivo spermatogenic cell


Boxer shorts for men having internal integrated male briefs not visible from the exterior. The briefs are sewn inside the shorts and both are integrated with a single waistband. The look of boxer shorts is provided with the added benefit of built-in invisible male briefs for supporting the male anatomy.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to male underwear; and, more particularly, to male boxer shorts with inner integrated male briefs.
2. Background Information
Many men and women like the external appearance of boxer shorts. Such shorts are adaptable to variations in colors, patterns, etc. However, boxer shorts do not provide support for the male anatomy. Many men wear briefs for this purpose. Such briefs do in fact support the male anatomy and, although some briefs now come in colors and various patterns, the majority are usually of unadorned and plain white cotton material. Some sport shorts and swim suits have inner mesh liners which give little if any support. Further, certain briefs may not be attractive to some women.
There is a need for a male undergarment which combines the style and look of boxer shorts with the added benefit of support of the male anatomy by briefs not visible from the exterior of the boxer shorts.

Male boxer shorts with integrated male briefs


Augmented reality techniques are employed to improve emergency response and related tasks based upon data gathered from wireless monitoring of emergency equipment.

Buildings commonly have various networks of installed equipment, such as portable fire extinguishers, emergency lighting stations, defibrillators, or other emergency equipment stations, distributed at various locations throughout a facility. There remains a need for improved information gathering and delivery for such emergency equipment for monitoring, emergency response, and so forth.


A system includes a security management system for a plurality of managed products. The security management system stores configuration data for managed products and managed nodes in a directory. Configuration data is stored in the directory in the form of configuration objects and setting objects. A revision history of a configuration object and/or a setting object can be maintained. Inheritance between configuration objects is supported so that a configuration inheritance chain is available. To determine an effective configuration at a point in time, a parent-child inheritance merge process is used. To assist the parent-child inheritance process, name attributes and collision resolution mode attributes are used.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to managing applications on a computer network, and more particularly to managing applications on a computer network using configuration inheritance and revisioning.
2. Description of Related Art
Multi-vendor security services and products typically provide network security. Each security service and product typically must be configured and reconfigured to maintain network security. Typically, each vendor for a security service and product utilizes various settings to establish a configuration. Some of these settings may be established at the time a product is installed. A user, a group, or update features of the product may establish other settings.
Unfortunately, it is difficult, if not impossible, for a network security administrator to know the configuration of each product, each device, at the various tiers that exist on the network at a given moment in time. Consequently, monitoring and changing configurations in view of a security threat is a time consuming and difficult task.
While there may be a well-defined security policy, assuring the policy is properly implemented at all times on the network is difficult. The security administrator may have no idea of how various products, devices etc. were configured at the time of an attack compared with how the same elements are configured at the time it was determined that an attack occurred. Consequently, it is unclear what must be done to implement the security policy.
This problem is exacerbated because there is not a common technique or structure for maintaining configuration data for the wide variety of products, devices and groupings of products and devices found in the complex enterprise networks that exist today. For this reason, an integrated approach to configuring devices and products to support network security management is very complex and difficult to implement. Moreover, an approach developed for one enterprise network many not be applicable to another enterprise network due to the differences in the network structure, the security products and services, and the use of the network.

Configuration system and methods including configuration inheritance and revisioning


According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a semiconductor laminated body provided on a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor laminated body includes a light emitting layer. The light emitting layer includes a quantum well structure made by alternately laminating n (an integer of not less than 1) well layers and (n+1) barrier layers and emits light with a peak wavelength of 650 nm to 1000 nm. Each of the well layers has a thickness of smaller than 15 nm. Each of the barrier layers has a thickness of 15 nm to 50 nm.

Light coupling devices have a semiconductor light emitting device to emit a light signal with a wavelength range from red light to infrared light, and a light receiving device such as a Si-light receiving device to convert the light signal into an electric signal and output the electric signal. The light coupling devices enable signals to be transmitted with electrical insulation between an input terminal and an output terminal.
The light coupling devices to transmit high-speed signals are increasingly expanding their application in industrial instruments, communication devices, and the like.
Reduction of a time constant of the light receiving device, or a circuit configured to detect change of an output to speed up changeover of an output voltage enables the light receiving device to be driven at high speed.
On the other hand, since the light emitting device emits light by applying a forward voltage, a junction capacitance of the light emitting device is larger than that of the light receiving device, and thereby it is hard to improve the response speed of the light emitting device.

Semiconductor light emitting device and light coupling device


A traffic barrier is pivotally attached to a gate by a hinge. A cover is releasably connected to the barrier and the gate and covers the hinge. When the cover is releasably connected to the barrier and the gate it will cooperate with the barrier and gate to resist relative movement between the barrier and gate at the hinge location.

This invention relates to vehicular traffic barriers and more particularly to traffic barriers incorporating gates providing access through the barriers.
Vehicular traffic barriers or dividers are in widespread usage. Some of these systems incorporate a plurality of concrete barrier modules disposed end to end.
It is known to provide gates in association with vehicular traffic barriers or dividers which will allow passage or access through barrier openings. It is very important that any such gate arrangement have sufficient strength to resist impact by a vehicle.. Otherwise, a vehicle hitting the gate could pass through to the other side of the barrier and create a dangerous situation. For example, vehicular traffic barriers or dividers are often employed to separate lanes of traffic or to provide protection for ongoing construction work. It will be appreciated that penetration of a vehicle through the barrier can have disastrous consequences. On the other hand, it is often important to provide access to the other side of a barrier by means of a gate for certain purposes.
The present invention relates to traffic barrier apparatus incorporating a barrier and gate. The barrier and gate are so constructed as to maintain high structural strength to resist relative movement between the gate and the barrier upon impact. Opening of the gate when desired however is a simple matter, the gate being opened from either end thereof as elected by the person handling such task.
The traffic barrier apparatus of the present invention includes a barrier having a barrier end and a gate having a gate end. A hinge pivotally interconnects the barrier end and the gate end.
A cover is releasably connected to the barrier and the gate and covers the hinge. The cover is cooperable with the barrier and the gate to resist relative movement between the barrier end and the gate end.


In an end mill body made of ceramic, a corner R rake face is formed in such a manner as to contain a point B and at least a region B, not a region A located on a side toward an end cutting edge. In other words, a first end portion of a cutting edge on a peripheral edge portion of the corner R rake face is formed on a peripheral edge of the region B of a corner R cutting edge, and a second end portion of the cutting edge reaches at least the point B. As a result, partial breakage of the corner R cutting edge is unlikely to occur in the course of cutting. That is, since the corner R rake face is formed in such a manner as to start from the first end portion located apart from a point A, which is the intersection of the end cutting edge and the corner R cutting edge, and such that the second end portion reaches the point B, a large cutting load is unlikely to be imposed on the starting point of the corner R rake face. Therefore, the corner R cutting edge is unlikely to be chipped.

Conventionally, there is known a radius end mill made of cemented carbide and having corner R cutting edges each arcuately projecting outward between an end cutting edge and a peripheral cutting edge. In recent years, a radius end mill made of ceramic; for example, silicon nitride or the like, has been developed.
In cutting, for example, a heat-resisting alloy such as INCONEL (registered trademark) by use of such a radius end mill made of ceramic, in some cases a partial breakage or like damage has occurred on a corner R cutting edge, since a large cutting load acts on an end cutting edge and a portion of the corner R cutting edge near the end cutting edge (particularly on the intersection of the end cutting edge and the corner R cutting edge).
In order to cope with such a problem, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique in which a corner R rake face (corner R gash) is provided, and the starting point of the corner R rake face is provided on the end cutting edge, whereby partial breakage of the corner R cutting edge is prevented.


A piezoelectric thin film element includes a bottom electrode, a piezoelectric layer and a top electrode on a substrate. The piezoelectric layer includes as a main phase a perovskite-type oxide represented by (NaxKyLiz)NbO3 (0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0≦z≦0.2, x+y+z=1), and the bottom electrode includes a surface roughness of not more than 0.86 nm in arithmetic mean roughness Ra or not more than 1.1 nm in root mean square roughness Rms.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a piezoelectric thin film element using a piezoelectric layer formed of lithium potassium sodium niobate etc.
2. Related Art
A piezoelectric material is processed into various piezoelectric elements in accordance with different purposes, particularly, it is widely used for functional electronic components such as an actuator for generating deformation by applying voltage or a sensor for generating voltage from the deformation of elements in a reverse way, etc.
As a piezoelectric material used for an actuator or a sensor, a lead-based dielectric material having large piezoelectric characteristics, especially, Pb(Zr1-xTix)O3-based perovskite-type ferroelectric called PZT, has been widely used thus far, and the piezoelectric material is formed by sintering oxide which is generally formed of individual elements.
In addition, in recent years, it is desired to develop a piezoelectric material not containing lead from environmental consideration, and thus, lithium potassium sodium niobate (general formula: (NaxKyLiz)NbO3 (0<x<1, 0<y<1, 0<z<1, x+y+z=1), etc., has been developed. Since the lithium potassium sodium niobate has piezoelectric characteristics comparable to PZT, it is expected as a potential candidate for a lead-free piezoelectric material.
On the other hand, currently, downsizing and high performance are strongly demanded also in the piezoelectric element as downsizing and high performance in various electronic components progress. However, in a piezoelectric element produced by a manufacturing method mainly by a sintering process which is a conventional manufacturing method, especially when a thickness thereof becomes 10 μm or less, a dimension thereof comes close to that of a crystal grain composing a material, and influence cannot be ignored. Therefore, there arises a problem that variation or deterioration in characteristics becomes evident, and a method for forming a piezoelectric material by employing a thin-film technique etc., as an alternative to the sintering process is being researched in recent years in order to avoid such a problem.
Recently, a PZT thin film formed by a RF sputtering method has been put to practical use as an actuator for a high definition inkjet printer head or a compact and low cost gyro sensor (e.g., see JP-A 10-286953 and non-patent literary document of Kiyoshi Nakamura "High performance of piezoelectric material and advanced applied technologies" (in 2007) published by Science & Technology Co., Ltd). In addition, it has been proposed a piezoelectric thin film element using a lithium potassium sodium niobate not using lead (e.g., see JP-A 2007-19302).
It is possible to manufacture a inkjet printer head or a gyro sensor with small environmental burden by forming a lead-free piezoelectric thin film as a piezoelectric thin film. A basic research in thinning of lithium potassium sodium niobate is progressing as a concrete candidate for the lead-free piezoelectric thin film. However, it is difficult to reproducibly manufacture a piezoelectric thin film of lithium potassium sodium niobate having a large piezoelectric constant equivalent to that of PZT.
In addition, in order to reduce the cost in applications, it is essential to establish a technique to controllably form a lead-free piezoelectric thin film on a Si substrate or a glass substrate. When an actuator or a sensor is manufactured using a Si substrate or a glass substrate, it is required to provide electrodes on and under the piezoelectric thin film, however, since surface roughness of top/bottom electrodes and the piezoelectric thin film are rough and surface irregularities are large in the prior art, it is difficult to stably process into a predetermined shape or a surface state when a device is formed by applying a process, thus, there is a problem that a decrease in manufacturing yield occurs. In addition, since the irregularities on device surfaces are large, deterioration in aging characteristics occurs due to generation of leakage current or electric field intensity of a grain boundary portion of a piezoelectric material, and as a result, a decrease in piezoelectric constant or product lifetime occurs.


A synchronous burst access memory device fits in a standard Fast Page Mode DRAM package. The device is adapted to receive a free running system clock, a Byte Enable input (BE) and a Burst Control input (BC). The burst access memory device has an internal column address counter for burst accesses, but is capable of receiving a new column address with each clock edge in a page access to provide for random access of the memory. A data pipeline allows for high clock speeds and high data throughput. The state of the byte enable pin when the row address is latched determines whether a refresh cycle or a data access is to be performed. The BC input is also used to mask the clock input during row address strobe to column address strobe delay periods (tRCD). The clock input is used as a column address strobe after tRCD. A write enable input selects between read and write access cycles. The BC input determines whether the column address for the current cycle will be a new address latched from a source external to the memory device, or an internally generated address from the address counter.

Fast Page Mode DRAMs are among the most popular integrated circuit memory devices in use today. In fast page mode operation, a row address strobe (/RAS) is used to latch a row address portion of a multiplexed DRAM address. Multiple occurrences of the column address strobe (/CAS) are then each used to latch a new column address to access data within the selected row at the specified column location. Fast Page Mode DRAMs are said to be "Random Access" memory devices because a new address can be specified for each access cycle in a random order within an open page or row. In a read access, the falling edge of /CAS is used to latch a column address and to enable the DRAM outputs to drive selected data from the DRAM. When /CAS transitions high the DRAM outputs are placed in a high impedance state (tristate). As cycle times shorten, the period of time that data is valid at the outputs of a Fast Page Mode DRAM limits the usefulness of this mode of operation. For example, if the data valid time from /CAS precharge (tCPA) is thirty five nanoseconds, the minimum /CAS cycle time tPC is thirty five nanoseconds and the minimum /CAS high to data invalid time tOFF is three nanoseconds, then data is only guaranteed to be valid for three nanoseconds per cycle when operating at a maximum /CAS frequency of twenty eight megahertz.
Numerous alternatives to the standard DRAM architecture have been proposed in an effort to attain higher frequency data access cycles. Extended Data Out (EDO) DRAMs provide a longer period of time when data is valid at the outputs of a DRAM in a page mode cycle. In an EDO DRAM the data lines are not tristated between read cycles in a page mode operation. Instead, data is held valid after /CAS goes high until sometime after the next /CAS low transition occurs, or until /RAS or the output enable (/OE) goes high. By providing a wider data valid time window, the device cycle times can be decreased. Determining when valid data will arrive at the outputs of a fast page mode or EDO DRAM can be a complex function of when the column address inputs are valid, when /CAS falls, the state of /OE and when /CAS rose in the previous cycle. The period during which data is valid with respect to the control line signals (especially /CAS) is determined by the specific implementation of the EDO mode, as adopted by the various DRAM manufacturers.
Other methods to shorten memory access cycles tend to require additional circuitry, additional control pins and nonstandard device pinouts. The proposed industry standard synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) for example, in addition to /RAS, /CAS, /WE and /CS, has an additional pin for receiving a system clock signal. SDRAMs also have a clock enable pin, a bank address and a data mask pin. Also, the /RAS, /CAS, /WE and /CS signals of a SDRAM have dramatically different timing requirements and perform different functions than signals with similar names which are found on page mode DRAMs. The addition of several control pins has required a deviation in device pinout from standard DRAMs which further complicates design efforts to utilize these new devices. Significant amounts of additional circuitry are required in the SDRAM devices which in turn result in higher device manufacturing costs.

Synchronous memory device with dual page and burst mode operations