In a preferred embodiment, an identification code having therein both general information which is encrypted using standards symbologies and security information which is encrypted using a unique symbology. In the case of bar codes, the bar code may include two separate sets of bars. One set of bars may include basic information, for example an employee's identification number, encrypted using standard symbologies which may be read in any standard reader. The other set of bars includes security information which is encrypted using a unique symbology which can be read only in a special reader and which is meaningless to a standard bar code reader or bar code duplicator. Thus, where security is a factor, the special readers would be provided; but, where security is not a factor, the basic identification could be read by any standard reader.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to coded identification means, such as optically and magnetically readable codes generally and, more particularly, to a novel method and means for coded identification which includes therein an encrypted security code.
2. Background Art
While the present invention is described, in a preferred embodiment, as being applied to identification means utilizing bar codes on employee badges, it will be understood that it may be applied as well to other coded identification means, such as magnetically embedded identification codes, and that it may used in other forms and applications where it is desired to include a security code in addition to the identification code.
It will be understood that "bar code" as used herein is synonymous with "bar code symbology".
One known method of providing coded identification means which does not employ bar codes is through the use of twisted magnetics technology. Here, a plurality of pairs of parallel twisted wires are embedded in, for example, an employee badge. Each pair of wires is twisted either clockwise or counterclockwise and, when the badge is magnetically read, the digital pattern of clockwise and counterclockwise twists gives a unique output from the reading device. One disadvantage of this technique it that the amount of information which can be encoded in a given space is greatly limited. Another such known method of providing coded identification means is with RF coding. In this case, a pattern of antenna elements is embedded in the badge, which pattern is read by a sweeping RF tuned circuit. Both of these methods are relatively expensive and the user is limited to one supplier to provide the badges and the reading devices.
There are a number of standard bar code symbologies, such as "Bar Code 39" or "Bar Code I 2-of-5" which may be used, for example, on employee badges. Such badges typically include a photograph of the employee on the badge to help insure that the person having the badge is, in fact, the employee whom it identifies. An employer may track an employee's time and attendance by having the employee place the badge in a badge reader when entering and leaving the workplace. The badge may also be used by the employee to access a security area or to access a computerized data file, again through use of a badge reader. While the use of employee badges with standard bar codes provides a certain amount of security, especially if the codes are different for different employees depending on to what areas they are to have access, it has a serious limitation in that the code can be read by any standard bar code reader. This means that one can easily have the code duplicated on standard bar code printers for use by unauthorized personnel. If the bar code is of the type to be read by visible light, the bar code simply can be copied on a xerographic copier. Thus, the unauthorized personnel can gain access to the workplace, to security areas, and to data files.
One known method of partially providing security is to employ means for visually masking the bar code to prevent xerographic copying thereof. A spectrally-limited bar code identification card, having a bar code which cannot be read visually or photocopied, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,359,633, issued Nov. 16, 1982, to James S. Bianco, in which a black bar code may be printed on a blue substrate while a red filter is placed over the bar code and the substrate. Thus, the red and blue combination appears to be black and the bar code cannot be visually distinguished. Another method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,455,577, issued Jul. 15, 1969, to Tomichi Kikumoto, which comprises placing over a bar code a filter of the same color as that of the bar code. It is also known that a black bar code may be printed on top of a black substrate. While these techniques prevent visual reading or xerographic copying, they limit reading of the bar codes to infrared scanners, as the bar codes cannot be read by scanners using visible light.
Another known method of partially providing security with bar codes, for example on employee badges, is to employ a method of encrypting the employee identification with a unique bar code which can be read only by special readers. Such bar codes and the readers therefor are supplied by Control Module Inc., 380 Enfield Street, Enfield, Conn. The encrypted bar codes may also include visual obscuring means as described above. These encrypted bar codes and readers substantially improve the level of security, but have a drawback in that the bar codes can be read only by certain machines. This can limit the usefulness of the bar code in situations in which it would be desirable that the encrypted code, in addition to being used for security purposes, be read by standard readers for other purposes.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide means for coded identification which includes both information which is encrypted using standard symbologies and security information which is encrypted using a unique symbology.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of using such means.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a method of making such means.
A further object of the invention is to provide such means and the method of making thereof that are economical.
Other objects of the invention, as well as particular features and advantages thereof, will, in part, be obvious, and will, in part, be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing figures.

Identification means with encrypted security code and method of making and using same


A remote control system for control of an external device from a remote location is disclosed that comprises a remote controller 11 and a receive and display unit 16. The remote controller employs a touch fader 10, which the user touches to activate a visual feedback system 14, such as menus and bargraphs, in the receive and display unit. Changing the position of the touchpoint will change the selection, allowing the user to easily scroll through many selections or a hierarchy of menus. Releasing the touch fader will signal the user's acceptance of a selection. Commands are sent to control the external device according to the user selections which follow from a predefined command structure.

The many complex functions of present-day consumer electronics often confuse the user to the point where the functions can't be understood and utilized by the user. "I Can't Work This Thing!", Business Week, Apr. 29, 1991, describes this consumer frustration and the resulting trend in product design to simplify the user interface.
In particular, remote controllers have proliferated and are often provided as standard accessories to many consumer electronics devices, such as TVs and VCRs. The typical consumer may have several remote controllers, each remote controller having an array of up to 50 buttons that make it difficult to perform the simplest functions such as lowering the volume when the phone rings. Forget about setting the clock!
A principle drawback is that the user must look at the remote controller in order to operate it, which is a distraction since the user is typically looking at the visual display. These remote controllers also require sufficient lighting in order to read the legends on the buttons, which often conflicts with the desire to watch television in a dimly lit room. As the number of buttons increases, simply finding the right button--and not making a mistake--is a chore.
Evans et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,200, describe a remote control transmitter that can "learn" the codes transmitted by other remote controllers, which addresses the problem of a user having to contend with too many controllers. However, this method increases the complexity of the device, exacerbating the problem of a confusing user interface.
Micic et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,721, describe a remote control system that uses a menu system within the television. However, this system uses key switches which are cumbersome to use when trying to change a continuous control, such as volume or channel selection. Schopers et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,557, describe a similar visual-feedback remote control system that can be used to control several devices from a single remote controller. However, this device also uses multiple key switches.
"A Way To Ease Remote Control Panic", Electronics, April 1989, describes a simple remote control system that addresses the problems of remote controller proliferation and user interface complexity. This pointing remote controller has an infrared transmitter and a single button, and the TV has a special receiver that detects the direction that the remote controller is pointing. The user simply points the remote controller to an area on the screen, and is able to perform menu selections and set continuous controls, such as volume, by changing direction and pressing the button. The need for many confusing buttons is eliminated, and the user's attention remains fixed to the visual display, rather than on the remote controller.
This device has a major advantage in that the data sent by the remote controller has no semantic value: a typical remote controller button must be labelled "CHANNEL UP", for example, and the TV must correctly interpret the code sent by the remote controller as a "CHANNEL UP" command. The pointing remote controller, on the other hand, does not require any change in the remote controller to perform many diverse functions on different devices. The semantic value of the user's commands are interpreted entirely within the receiving system based on the current display presented to the user, thereby standardizing the remote controller and increasing its flexibility.
The pointing remote controller has two significant faults, however. The receiving sensors and circuitry required in the TV or VCR are special, they are different than the hardware that is currently used, and more complex. This makes it difficult for a manufacturer to incorporate into a product line since it requires significant changes in the product design and is unfamiliar to the designers. Secondly, the user might not always be directly facing the video screen or in an upright position, such as lying down on a couch, in which case pointing the remote controller in the proper direction becomes a confusing and disorienting operation.

Touch sensitive user interface for television control


A central tire inflation system for a vehicle is disclosed 10 including a controller 222 for preselecting one of several desired air pressures for the tires 12 by actuating one of the push buttons 226, 228 or 230. The system 10 will adjust the tire pressure to the preselected pressure. Should the operator sense enemy fire or believes combat is eminent, the "run flat" button 234 is actuated which causes the electronic timer of the control unit 237 to cause the automatic measurement of tire pressure every few seconds instead of several times an hour. Should one of the tires 12 be damaged while the button 234 is actuated, the damaged tire will be immediately identified and the system 10 will assume the inflate mode and supply air to the damaged tire so long as the leakage rate does not exceed the capacity of the source 138 of pressurized air.

The present invention is an improvement to the central tire inflation systems (CTIS) shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,331, assigned to the Assignee of this invention, also known as onboard inflation systems and tire traction systems, wherein the inflation pressure of one or more vehicle tires may be controlled from a remote location (usually the vehicle cab) with the vehicle at rest and/or in motion and utilizing an onboard source of pressurized fluid (usually compressed air from the vehicle air brake compressor and/or a compressed air reservoir and an air circuit connecting the source to each tire).
Central tire inflation systems, also known as tire traction systems, are well known in the prior art as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,634,782; 2,976,906; 2,989,999; 3,099,309; 3,102,573; 3,276,502; 3,276,503; 4,313,483; 4,418,737, 4,421,151 and 4,434,833, the disclosures of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. CTIS allow the operator to remotely manually and/or automatically vary and/or maintain the inflation pressure of one or more of the vehicle tires from the vehicle (usually a truck) air system, usually while the vehicle is in motion as well as when the vehicle is at rest.
It is well known that the traction of vehicles on relatively soft terrain (i.e. on mud, sand or snow) may be greatly improved by decreasing the inflation pressure within the tires. By decreasing the inflation pressure, the tire supporting surface (usually called the "footprint") will increase thereby enlarging the contact area between the tires and the terrain. Additionally, it is often desireable to decrease the tire pressure from the over-the-road or highway inflation pressure to increase riding comfort on rough roads. On the other hand, higher tire pressures decrease rolling resistance and tire carcass temperatures on smooth roads thereby increasing economy and safety. Accordingly, in cross country vehicles it is desirable to change the inflation pressure in the pneumatic tires to fit the terrain and is also desirable that a system be provided for changing the inflation pressure of the tires from an onboard source, while the vehicle is at motion or at rest, and that the system be controlled from the vehicles operating cab. This is especially true for military vehicles which usually travel in columns whereby stoppage of the vehicle would delay the entire column. Additionally, if the military is under enemy attack, it is imperative that the vehicle maintain its maneuverability as long as is possible. If a tire has been punctured by gun fire or the like, it is imperative to be able to at least partially inflate the damaged tire, if possible, so that the vehicle remains mobile.
CTIS known in the prior art provide for isolation of a vehicle tire subject to extreme damage. However, they do not provide a means for preselecting a "run flat" mode for the CTIS whereby the controller causes system pressure to be rapidly and frequently sensed so that a tire damaged in combat, or the like, may be identified and supplied with pressurized air immediately after being damaged and whereby the compressed air stored in the undamaged vehicle tires and the vehicle compressed air reservoirs, such as the brake system, can be utilized to supplement air to a tire damaged or punctured by gunfire or the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,331, assigned to the Assignee of this invention, discloses a CTIS utilizing a valve assembly comprising a control valve and a low tire pressure shutoff valve at each wheel end assembly (usually a single or dual tire) which valve assembly is connected to the central control system by a single pressure line or conduit through a rotary seal assembly. Pressurization of the single pressure conduit is effective to open and close communication to the vehicle tire and to cause inflation and/or deflation of said tire to a selected pressure. The low tire pressure shutoff valve is effective to automatically isolate the tire associated therewith from the remainder of the central tire inflation system when the inflation pressure thereof is below a predetermined minimum reference value. However, the system pressure is measured at an infrequent rate and is unable to immediately identifying a tire damaged by gunfire, or the like, nor automatically maintain sufficient pressure therein as long as the leakage rate in the damaged tire exceeds a predetermined minimum, at which time the damaged tire is automatically isolated.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved central tire inflation system provided with a means for preselecting a "run flat" mode of operation enabling the system pressure to be frequently sensed so that a tire damaged in combat, or otherwise may be immediately identified and supplied with sufficient pressurized air to delay or avoid the damaged tire from being isolated.
This and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in connection with the attached drawings.


A structural component for a motor vehicle which is mountable in the front or rear region of the vehicle. The structural component is composed of plastic and is manufactured as a moulded part, and which includes in at least partial regions thereof two or more fabric layers which are overmoulded with a thermoplastic polymer.

In modern motor vehicles, the radiator grille and the auxiliary components located spatially behind it, such as, for instance, the heat exchanger of the engine cooling system, are not directly mounted on the vehicle structure but on a supporting structure mounted thereon, which is typically referred to as a mounting bracket. This offers the advantage known per se that different engine variants with different auxiliary components can be implemented without any change to the vehicle structure. Moreover, the mounting bracket simplifies the pre-assembly of the radiator module and may in a suitable embodiment also save weight in comparison with direct mounting.
Known mounting brackets are disclosed in the official publications DE 10 2008 026 977 A1 and DE 10 2010 012 123 A1. DE 10 2008 026 977 A1, in particular, describes how the mounting bracket is connected to the vehicle structure in a customary manner, and discloses a mounting bracket made of plastic, which besides a saving in weight also offers advantages in manufacture.
The aforementioned documents further disclose that the customary mounting brackets are, from a point of view of cost consideration, advantageously made from fibre-reinforced polymer material in an injection moulding process. In addition, they and the further document DE 20 2006 019 341 U1 describe that sheet metal structures or blanks made from so-called organometallic sheet may be embedded as reinforcements in highly stressed areas of the injection moulded polymer material of the conventional mounting brackets. The term organometallic sheet here refers to a textile surface structure soaked in a thermoplastic synthetic resin. The surface structure may, in particular, be a fabric or non-woven made from natural, carbon, glass or mineral fibres. The thermoplastic property of the synthetic resin allows that the thus formed matrix can be softened by means of heating and that the organometallic sheet, which is typically flat in its shipping state, can be remoulded into a contoured shape by means of compression moulding after having been heated to its softening temperature. As suggested by the name of the basic material, a similarity with the drawing or forming of sheet metal exists in the context of its processing and the shapes thus achievable.
DE 10332969 A1 discloses a module support made from a fibre composite plastic. This module support is formed by compression moulding and at least partially consists of fabric layers. The entire component is reinforced by means of a fabric layer of continuous filaments and, depending on requirements, receives additional reinforcements by way of fibre inserts.
DE 1020596581 discloses a construction element made from fibre reinforced plastic. The element comprises a multiple-layer construction with different types of fibres and different fibre orientations and a hollow core. The individual components here are always overmoulded with a simple plastic.

Structural component for a motor vehicle


Method and system are provided wherein a process robot moves the door of a vehicle to an open position, performs a robotically controlled process within the vehicle and then moves the door back to a closed position. A separate, two-axis programmable arm holds the door in the open position. In particular, the process robot has attached thereto a tool extension whereby the process robot goes in through a window opening of the door of the vehicle, executes a door open path where the door contacts the inner panel of the door and opens the door over a magnetic holder positioned on the two-axis programmable arm below the bottom of the door. The magnet is of sufficient magnetic strength to accurately hold the door at the programmed holding position of the two-axis arm. The process robot then performs a production operation (i.e. painting, priming, sealing, etc.) within the vehicle. The process robot then inserts the tool extension into the window slot of the door and closes the door without touching the processed surfaces of the vehicle.

A typical application where a fully automated door opening, holding, closing system is required is inside the paint booth of an automatic production plant. While painting a vehicle with a robotic manipulator, it is dangerous for a human to be inside its working envelope. During the painting cycle, doors must be opened and accurately held to a known position. This allows the robot to execute pre-taught paths to apply paint on the inside of the door and around trim locations consistently and without crashing into the vehicle door. Afterwards, the door must be closed to complete the paint application to the exterior and allow for the vehicle to index through the profile into and out of the booth.
One approach is illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein a two-position (either open or closed), non-servo, pneumatically controlled arm 10 pivots about an axis 11 with a gripper 12 which grabs special fixture or tooling 14 attached to a vehicle door 16 is shown. This is a conventional approach that the assignee of the present application uses in its paint booths.
The two position, non-servo controlled opening device, however, requires the attachment of fixtures to hold the vehicle door open. Fixtures are costly and require frequent maintenance. Also, the pivot axis of this device must be located directly under the door hinge. This area is typically one of the worst locations for overspray contamination. At this position the unit itself must be frequently cleaned and reliability decreases.
Another approach is illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein a retractable pin 18 is attached to a two-axis, electric, servo-controlled manipulator 20, which is inserted through the window slot of the car door 22. The manipulator 20 is generally programmable within the radius determined by the pivot lengths of its two arms combined. Determining the position of the door window slot prior to inserting the pin 18 on the manipulator 20 is achieved via a seek routine requiring a proximity switch to actuate as a hook approaches the door 22. This method of holding the door 22 does not require fixtures on the vehicle door 22 and does allow for the two-axis manipulator 20 to hold, open and close the door 22.
A similar approach is to use a retractable pin on a two-axis, electric, servo-controlled manipulator which uses the window slot for opening, holding and closing. The key difference is the original door window slot position, prior to inserting the pin, requires the tooling on the end of the manipulator to touch the inner panel of the door. Upon contact with the door the signal to drop the pin is executed.
One disadvantage of these two approaches is that the retractable pin with sensor is a costly method with some undesirable features. The pin contacts the door while holding it open. By virtue that it must contact the item being painted, the pin at some point is in direct line with the paint spray. This causes contamination of the pin and after a few paint cycles the pin requires cleaning.
Secondly, placing the pin in the window slot requires a sensing method. Typically, a door position, when it indexes into the booth, is not known within the tolerance zone required for placing a pin in a window slot. Therefore, the door position must be determined for each vehicle when it enters the booth prior to inserting the pin in the slot. Sensors add cost, reduce reliability and require additional cycle time to open a door.
A third approach is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,336 to Larsson. Larsson utilizes a three-axis, servo controlled manipulator with a rare earth magnet. The magnet is mounted below the bottom edge of the door. The magnet draws the door over it, then uses a feedback control loop to get within a known distance and attitude (tilt) of the bottom edge of the door to generate enough force to open, hold and close the door.
The Larsson unit is the highest cost of the above-mentioned approaches for holding a door for painting. The Larsson unit requires a complex feedback loop because the gap between the bottom of the door and the magnet must be closely controlled to generate energy to handle the inertia and door detent forces experienced while opening and closing the door. Two servo axes are required just to achieve this feature. The third axis is dedicated to simulate the arc of the door. This requires the base of the unit to be placed underneath the door pivot hinge. This location exposes the unit to some of the worst overspray and contamination in the booth.
Another reason for requiring a controlling gap is to compensate for an inefficient use of the magnetic energy. To maximize the energy of the magnet holding force on the door, the magnet should follow the bottom edge of the door over the entire length of the magnet. There is no provision on the Larsson unit to allow the magnet to "find" the line of the door. Therefore, if the hinge of the door is not directly over the pivot of the base of the Larsson unit, the line of the magnet will not match that of the door at the open, held position. In a typical production environment, given the accuracy of the conveyor, body carrier, vehicle and body carrier positioners it is not unusual to find body positions varying between +/-25.0 mm.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,414 to Kiba et al. and Kiryu et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,724 both disclose a process robot having a tool extension thereon for opening and closing the door. However, there is no discussion of any mechanism for holding the door in its open position.
Other U.S. patents of a more general interest include U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,536 to Akeel et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,159 to Inamori; U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,260 to Kiba et al and U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,644 to Yamamoto et al.

Method and system for constraining and for opening, holding and closing a hinged magnetic member of a body


A comfortable multiple layer mouth protector is provided for strength and ease of fit to minimize if not completely and gradually eliminate bruxism, with spring biasing keeping the maxillary and mandibular mouth protector arches in place and apart, eliminating snoring and permitting easy breathing. In addition, this Mouth protector protects oral structures from sports injuries.

There are numerous mouth guard protectors which typically cover the upper teeth and can cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth.
In addition to such mouth protectors, there are numerous mouth guards on the market created to protect children and adults teeth from the effects of bruxism. Whether the mouth guard is to prevent the effects of bruxism or are created to protect athletes, sports participants and others from injuries inflicted on the face, jaws, teeth and soft tissues, such prior art mouth guard protectors which being inexpensive and come preformed, ready to wear don't fit very well. Moreover, they are bulky and can make breathing and talking difficult. Additionally, mouth protectors utilized in the sports arena are not particularly well adapted to prevent the effects of bruxism.
As part of the prior art are so-called boil and bite mouth guards which are mouth protectors available from many sporting goods stores and offer a better fit than standard stock mouth protectors. Typically they are softened in water, whether heated or not, and are inserted and allowed to adapt to the shape of the individual's mouth. However, if directions are not followed carefully, the patient can end up with a poor fitting mouth protector.
Further, there are custom fitted mouth protectors made up by a dentist for an individual patient. Note, they are more expensive than the versions described above, but because they are customized they can offer a better fit than anything bought off-the-shelf. These mouth protectors come in two categories, mainly a vacuum custom made mouth guard and a pressure laminated custom made mouth guard.
The above mouth protectors are primarily used to ward off impact and are not particularly well adapted to eliminating the effects of grinding of one's teeth.
As to bruxism, there is a prior art teeth grinding protector available on the market called an NTI-TSS Grinding Protector in which a small splint is placed on the anterior teeth to keep the back teeth apart. These protectors are only partially successful and not often used. Note if the protector is loose and falls, there is a danger of being swallowed accidentally.
As will be appreciated, with all of the above mouth guards, there are many complaints from patients regarding the mouth protector fitting well in their mouths and children will rarely ever wear them due to the ill fitting nature of the mouth guard as well as other inconveniences in their use.
Note for the present purposes, bruxism is a habit of clenching and grinding of the teeth. It most often occurs at night during sleep, but may also occur during the day. It is an unconscious behavior or habit perhaps performed to release anxiety, aggression or anger. Bruxism occurs when people clench or tightly hold their top and bottom teeth together or grind their teeth, meaning sliding the teeth back and forth over each other. This wears away the teeth surfaces, with teeth surface abrasion the most clinically important sign of bruxism. Note, as far as pediatric bruxism is concerned, there is a standard type of bruxism or a so-called eccentric bruxism, both of which are preventable with the proper type of fitted mouth protector.
By way of further background, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,823,193; 5,876,199; 5,678,993; 5,636,397; 5,499,633; 5,163,840; and 5,130,838 are examples of various types of mouth guards.
Their uses included prevention against injury, prevention of snoring, providing a jaw joint protective device, and include soft denture liner materials. Moreover, some of the above patents are useful in orthodontic correction procedures and protect teeth from bruxism.
More particularly, there has been an observation that during practicing and tending to dental treatment for pediatric patients, it is well documented that over 30% of children have a bruxism or grinding problem. As a result teeth are considerably worn and the resulting wear causes pulp exposure most of the time. As well as being observed in children the above applies to the adult population.
In summary, many complaints are heard from patients about the inability to wear a mouth protector for one reason or another. Moreover, even when tight fit mouth protectors are made of hard plastic material which reduces the acceleration of occlusional wear, they do not eliminate the problem.

Method and apparatus for protecting teeth, preventing the effects of bruxism and protecting oral structures from sports injuries


An image processing apparatus including tandem print engines is provided for forming an image on an image receiving substrata. The apparatus includes a first print engine and a second print engine downstream from the first print engine. The second print engine is slaved to the first print engine. The first print engine has a first photoreceptor and a first period of revolution. The second print engine has a second photoreceptor and a second period of revolution. The image processing apparatus further includes an intermediate inverter that inverts the image receiving substrate between the first print engine and the second print engine. The inverter determines a phase difference between a first seam signal from the first photoreceptor and a second seam signal from the second photoreceptor.

The described exemplary embodiments generally relate to maintaining image registration in image processing. More particularly, the description relates to systems and methods in which image registration errors in output images are reduced in image processing systems that include tandem print engines. The tandem print engines, for example, can process single pass duplexing and/or multi-pass duplexing.
Electrophotography, a method of copying or printing documents, is performed by exposing a light image representation of a desired original image onto a substantially uniformly charged photoreceptor substrate, such as a photoreceptor belt. In response to this light image, the photoreceptor discharges to create an electrostatic latent image of the desired original image on the photoreceptor's surface. Developing material, or toner, is then deposited onto the latent image to form a developed image. The developed image is then transferred to an image receiving substrate. The surface of the photoreceptor is then cleaned to remove residual developing material and the surface as recharged by a charging device in preparation for the production of the next image.
Color images can be produced by repeating the above-described recording process once for each differently-colored toner that is used to make a composite color image. For example, in a one-color imaging process, referred to herein as the Recharge, Expose, and Develop, Image (REaD IOI) process, a charged photoreceptor surface is exposed to a light image that represents a first color. The resulting electrostatic latent image is then developed with a first colored toner. The toner is typically of a subtractive primary color, including magenta, yellow, cyan, or black. The charge, expose and develop process is repeated for a second colored toner, then for a third colored toner, and finally for a fourth colored toner. The four differently-colored toners are placed in superimposed registration on the photoreceptor so that a desired composite color image results. That composite color image is then transferred and fused onto an image receiving substrate.
Tandem print engine systems include two print engines arranged in a series configuration. Each print engine includes a photoreceptor belt and imagers disposed at spaced positions along the length, i.e., the process direction, of the photoreceptor belt. Each imager comprises an image source that exposes the photoreceptor belt. Typically, the image source includes a light emitting device that emits a light beam that is moved laterally across the photoreceptor belt to expose the photoreceptor belt to create a latent electrostatic image on the photoreceptor belt. Each latent image is then developed as outlined above. Image receiving substrates, such as sheets of copy paper, are fed in a time-controlled manner to the print engines. The first print engine transfers its developed image to the simplex side of the image receiving substrate. The image receiving substrate is then inverted and presented to the second print engine. The second print engine then transfers its developed image to the duplex side of the image receiving substrate.
Each photoreceptor belt of the first and second print engines includes a seam where opposed end portions of the photoreceptor belt are joined together. The photoreceptor belts include pitch regions in which images can be satisfactorily formed. Images cannot be satisfactorily formed at the seams, because the images formed at seams are normally defective. Accordingly, it is important to control the locations of the seams of both of the first and second photoreceptor belts during print runs, to prevent forming images at the seams, and to ensure that images are formed only in the pitch regions. A consistent and predictable placement of the photoreceptor belts, with respect to each other, is desirable in order to simplify an intermediate or inverter paper path between two print engines.
In a tandem print engine configuration, there are several technology issues involved with synchronizing two photoreceptor belt modules of two separate print engines in a manner that does not negatively impact the registration of either module. If the periods of revolution of the two photoreceptor belts are not matched, then the positions of the seams will also not be synchronized. The photoreceptor belts can have different lengths and, accordingly, in such configurations must rotate at different velocities (speeds) to maintain the same periods of revolution. If the periods of revolution are not synchronized appropriately to each other or with imager velocities, image to paper registration errors will occur during printing. The image to paper registration errors can be characterized as 1) simplex to duplex image registration errors if the photoreceptor and imager velocities for each print engine are not matched appropriately, or 2) image-on-image (IOI) registration errors from changes in the photoreceptor velocity or imager velocity while printing is occurring. Image-on-image registration errors occur during the building of color images on the photoreceptor belts. If, during stacking the multiple color separation layers of a color image on each other, the images are not aligned with each other, then image registration errors between the color separation layers will occur. These registration errors produce print defects such as color shifts and trapping errors.
Registration errors are caused generally by the motion quality of the photoreceptor belts and the manner that the imagers form the latent images on the photoreceptor belts. Regarding the motion quality of the photoreceptor belts, image registration errors can be caused by changes in the photoreceptor belt velocity, making it difficult to form images smoothly and to align lead edges of the images on the photoreceptor belt. Velocity changes can occur due to various different factors, including errors of the drive motor, errors in roller velocities and diameters, belt length changes during operation due to tension and thermal effects, and normal roller and belt tolerances.
Factors that can cause registration errors in the manner in which the imagers form the latent images, include errors in the lateral scan velocity, i.e., the exposure velocity, of the image sources across the photoreceptor belt, the scanning start and end points of the scanning light beam, and the length of the scan lines.
In simplex (single print engine) configurations, the image registration can be set up off-line. Thus, adjustments can be made at times when print runs are not being performed. In such configurations, the photoreceptor belt velocity is maintained as constant as possible to minimize registration errors. In addition, the imagers are set to a specific reference and their velocity is tightly maintained. If, during the course of producing an image, the velocity of the photoreceptor belt and the scan velocity of the image sources of the imager vary with respect to each other, either in position or velocity, then registration errors will occur.
Simplex print engine systems can include monitoring systems for measuring and compensating for image registration errors. Simplex print engine systems can calibrate themselves to the characteristics of the photoreceptor belt to achieve good image alignment for color images. If the photoreceptor belt runs either too fast or too slow, the scan velocity of the image sources can be automatically adjusted to counter the change in the photoreceptor belt velocity. As long as the photoreceptor belt velocity is maintained substantially constant, then only small image registration errors occur due to the self-correcting measures that are taken by the system.
For tandem print engine configurations, however, the synchronization requirements for the two print engines require that the photoreceptor belt velocity of the downstream print engine, i.e., the "slave print engine," must be adjusted to keep it timed with the period of revolution of the photoreceptor belt of the upstream print engine, i.e., the "master print engine," Otherwise, it is not possible to control the locations of the seams of the photoreceptor belts of the master and slave print engines. As explained, it is important to control the seams to prevent the formation of images on the seams.
In tandem print engine configurations, various factors can cause the two photoreceptor belts to be out of synchronization with each other. Namely, the photoreceptor belt velocities and lengths can change over time due to changes in the roller diameters, encoder diameters and thermal effects. The belt length can be out of specification originally and can also vary during operation due to stretch caused by tension and thermal effects. The encoder roller that measures the belt velocity can change in diameter due to thermal effects. Consequently, the photoreceptor belts can run at different periods of revolution. In addition, errors can occur between the scan velocities of the image sources of the imagers of the different print engines. However, as outlined above, the scan velocities of the imagers also need to be coordinated with the velocity of the associated photoreceptor belt to maintain proper overall image quality.
In order to synchronize the photoreceptor belts of the master and slave print engines, the photoreceptor belt velocity of the slave print engine can be changed. In making such adjustments for the slave print engine, the slave print engine should be adjusted on-line. Otherwise, the productivity of the tandem print engine is decreased.
One possible approach to making such velocity adjustments while the slave print engine is on-line includes making the velocity adjustments for the slave print engine sufficiently small that the adjustments would produce registration errors so small that they would be almost imperceptible. This approach, however, requires stringent adjustment resolution or quantization levels in the photoreceptor belt and in imager controllers of the slave print engine, because both subsystems will need to be adjusted when the photoreceptor belt velocity is adjusted. The cost implications of such fine adjustment capability are high.
A high level of resolution is presently achievable for the slave print engine photoreceptor belt module. Velocity resolutions down to about 1/64 Hz (or 0.00082%) can currently be achieved. Such small changes are expected to be imperceptible. Thus, the photoreceptor belt velocity of the slave print engine could be adjusted slowly at a sufficiently small step size without undue registration errors occurring.
It is not, however, presently possible to satisfactorily reduce the image registration errors by making such small step size adjustments of the photoreceptor belt velocity for the slave print engine. That is, in tandem print engines, the ratio of the velocity of the photoreceptor belt and the velocity of the imagers, for example the scan velocity, or exposure velocity, of image sources, defines the absolute magnification of the final image that is formed on the photoreceptor belt. Accordingly, if the photoreceptor belt velocity is changed, then the imager velocity must also be changed to maintain the desired ratio, or else the length of the image in the process, or slow scan, direction will change. Consequently, the imager velocity must be adjusted to maintain the desired absolute magnification, to maintain the ratio of the photoreceptor belt velocity to the imager velocity.
Imager controllers can have, for example, 32, 64, 128 or 256 discrete levels of imager scan velocity adjustment for the light emitting devices. With 256 steps over the adjustment range that is desirable for imagers, which is typically about 1.6%, the adjustment resolution is about 0.0125% per step. This adjustment resolution is very coarse, and is about fifteen times greater, compared to present adjustment capabilities of photoreceptor belt controllers. This adjustment resolution would cause significant image registration errors if changes were made to the imager velocity during a print run. However, improving upon this adjustment resolution of the imagers is not a satisfactory solution to this problem, because, as the number of adjustment level increases, the more difficult the adjustment implementation becomes and the more expensive the adjustment system generally becomes.
Adjusting the velocities of the imagers at the coarse adjustment capabilities of the imager controller is also unsatisfactory. That is, in order to avoid large registration errors, it would be necessary to make changes to the imager velocity only at times when print runs are not being performed, i.e., when the slave print engine is off-line. This approach would require that the slave print engine be taken off-line periodically and skipping one revolution of the photoreceptor belt to adjust the imager velocity. This approach would create a decrease in the tandem print engine productivity, as the master print engine would also have to go off-line at the same time. In addition, this approach would also add additional complexity to the machine communications and scheduling algorithm needed for tandem print engine configurations. Accordingly, making adjustments to the imager velocity off-line would also be unsatisfactory.
One possible approach to making such velocity adjustments while the slave print engine is on-line includes matching the periods of revolution of the photoreceptors of the master and slave print engines during print runs, by simultaneously adjusting both the velocity of the slave photoreceptor and imagers of the slave engine. The velocity controllers for the slave photoreceptor and imagers can have the same dynamic response and can be simultaneously actuated, to minimize incremental registration errors in the slave print engine. Cross reference is made to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,516, the disclosure of which being totally incorporated herein by reference.
As discussed in greater detail below, changes in the ratio between the velocities of the photoreceptor belt and the imagers in a print engine cause image to paper registration errors in the print engine. A phase difference between the master print engine and the slave print engine due to an intermediate inverter also causes registration errors. The phase difference represents a transit time for the substrate to travel through the inverter.
The velocity adjustments can thus be made at an adjustment level that can be achieved by the controllers of both the photoreceptor and the imagers. Thus, even in systems in which the adjustment resolution capabilities of the two subsystems vary significantly, the adjustments to both systems can be made at an adjustment level that is achievable by both systems.
Because it is not necessary to take the slave print engine off-line periodically to make such adjustments, the systems and methods hereinafter described can improve productivity in tandem print engine configurations. The systems and methods described avoid the need to introduce additionally complex machine communications and scheduling techniques that would be needed to be able to make adjustments off-line in tandem print engine configurations. The exemplary embodiments also avoid the need for an intermediate buffer tray to hold substrates while they move from the master print engine to the slave print engine.

Systems and methods for reducing image registration errors


Provided are nonvolatile memory devices and a driving method of the nonvolatile memory devices. The nonvolatile memory devices may include a plurality of memory banks, a read global bit line shared by the plurality of memory banks, a write global bit line shared by the plurality of memory banks, a read circuit connected with the read global bit line and performing a read operation, and a discharge control circuit connected with the write global bit line and primarily discharging the write global bit line during an initialization interval after a power-up operation.

With an increase in size of a memory device, a bit line and a word line connected with a memory cell may have a hierarchical structure. For example, the bit line may include a global bit line and a plurality of local bit lines connected with the global bit line. The word line may include a main word line and a plurality of sub word lines connected with the main word line.
In such a case, a distance between a read circuit and the memory cell or a distance between a write circuit and the memory cell may be significantly increased. Therefore, capacitance of the bit line may also be relatively large. Further, the amount of current required for charging and discharging the bit line may also be relatively large. For example, a memory device in which hundreds of read circuits simultaneously operate may require current of hundreds of milliamps in order to charge a plurality of bit lines for each read operation. The current consumption may deteriorate current performance of a memory and generate power noise.
The global bit line may be divided into a write global bit line and a read global bit line. Herein, coupling noise may be generated in the read global bit line depending on a change in voltage level of the write global bit line.

Nonvolatile memory device with reduced coupling noise and driving method thereof


An efficient mechanism for sending messages without the use of intermediate copies (i.e. without the staging of data) is provided. In particular an interface specification which allows use users of a transport protocol is defined so as to lend itself to efficient implementations. The interface specification is a complete and robust set of user functions usable within systems desiring reliable and efficient zero copy transport protocols. Two methods are provided to accomplish the implementation of an efficient zero copy protocol. The first method is especially useful in systems where the network device has limited capabilities in terms of hardware, message fragmentation and message reassembly. An additional RDRAM memory allows data to reside in an adapter while handshake operations take place between an adapter and a node so as to specify the final destination of the data. The second method takes advantage of network devices with advanced features which are exploited for maximum efficiency.

The present invention is directed to an efficient mechanism for message passing by avoiding the use of unnecessary message copies so as to enable zero copy transport. More particularly, the present invention is directed to the use of an interface mechanism which efficiently implements zero copy transport protocols. A protocol with two separate implementations is included which efficiently maps to two different network adapters with varying capabilities on parallel or distributed computer systems like the RS/6000 SP.

Mechanisms for efficient message passing with copy avoidance in a distributed system using advanced network devices

International Business Machines Corporation


A contact sub-assembly is provided for an electrical connector. The contact sub-assembly includes a printed circuit and an array of mating contacts. Each mating contact includes a terminating end portion and a mating interface. The contact sub-assembly also includes an array of circuit contacts that is discrete from the array of mating contacts. Each circuit contact is engaged with and electrically connected to the printed circuit. Each circuit contact is separably engaged with and electrically connected to the terminating end portion of a corresponding one of the mating contacts such that the array of circuit contacts electrically connects the array of mating contacts to the printed circuit.

The subject matter described and/or illustrated herein relates generally to electrical connectors, and, more particularly, to electrical connectors that include mating contact arrays.
Electrical connectors that are commonly used in telecommunication systems provide an interface between successive runs of cables and/or between cables and electronic devices of the system. Some of such electrical connectors, for example modular jacks, are configured to be joined with a mating plug and include a contact sub-assembly having an array of mating contacts. Each of the mating contacts of the contact sub-assembly extends a length from a terminating end portion to a tip. A mating interface is provided along the length of each mating contact between the terminating end portion and the tip. The mating interface of each mating contact engages a corresponding contact of the mating plug to electrically connect the mating plug to the electrical connector. The contact sub-assembly may also include a plurality of wire terminating contacts that are electrically connected to a cable or electronic device of the system. The wire terminating contacts are electrically connected to the terminating end portions of the mating contacts, for example via a printed circuit, to establish an electrical connection between the mating contacts and the cable or electronic device.
The performance of some electrical connectors, such as modular jacks, may be negatively affected by near-end crosstalk (NEXT) and/or return loss. Specifically, NEXT and/or return loss may be generated along the signal path between adjacent differential pairs of the mating contacts of the electrical connector. For example, NEXT and/or return loss may be generated along the signal path of the electrical connector when the surface area of the contacts of the mating plug is greater than the surface area of the mating contacts of the electrical connector. Moreover, and for example, NEXT and/or return loss may be generated at the interface between the terminating end portions of the mating contacts and the printed circuit.
There exists a need for improving the performance of an electrical connector by reducing crosstalk and/or by improving return loss.

Electrical connector with separable contacts


The present application discloses several methods, techniques and systems for rendering source image data onto high brightness subpixel arrangements—for example, RGBW display panels. Additionally, these techniques have application for rendering data onto 3-color displays as well.

In commonly owned United States Patent Applications: (1) U.S. Pat. No. 6.903.754 ("the '754 Patent") entailed "ARRANGEMENT OF COLOR PIXELS FOR FULL COLOR IMAGING DEVICES WITH SIMPLIFIED ADDRESSING." filed Jul. 25. 2001; (2) United States Publication No. 2003/0128225 ("the '225 application") entitled "IMPROVEMENTS TO COLOR FLAT PANEL DISPLAY SUB-PIXEL ARRANGEMENTS AND LAYOUTS FOR SUB-PIXEL RENDERING WITH INCREASED MODULATION TRANSFER FUNCTION RESPONSE," filed Oct. 22, 2002; (3) United States Publication No. 2003/0128179 ("the '179 application") entitled "IMPROVEMENTS TO COLOR FLAT PANEL DISPLAY SUB-PIXEL ARRANGEMENTS AND LAYOUTS FOR SUB-PIXEL RENDERING WITH SPLIT BLUE SUB-PIXELS," filed Oct. 22, 2002; (4) United States Publication No. 2004/0051724 ("the '724 application") entitled "IMPROVED FOUR COLOR ARRANGEMENTS AND EMITTERS FOR SUB-PIXEL RENDERING." filed Sep. 13, 2002; (5) United States Publication No. 2003/0117423 ("the '423 application") entitled "IMPROVEMENTS TO COLOR FLAT PANEL DISPLAY SUB-PIXEL ARRANGEMENTS AND LAYOUTS WITH REDUCED BLUE LUMINANCE WELL VISIBILITY," filed Oct. 22, 2002; (6) United States Publication No. 2003/0090581 ("the '581 application") entitled "COLOR DISPLAY HAVING HORIZONTAL SUB-PIXEL ARRANGEMENTS AND LAYOUTS," filed Oct. 22, 2002; (7) United States Publication No. 2004/0060479 ("the '479 application") entitled "IMPROVED SUB-PIXEL ARRANGEMENTS FOR STRIPED DISPLAYS AND METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SUB-PIXEL RENDERING SAME," filed Jan. 16, 2003, each of which, is herein incorporated by reference In Its entirety, novel sub-pixel arrangements are disclosed for improving the cost/performance curves for image display devices.
For certain subpixel repeating groups having an even number of subpixels in a horizontal direction, the following systems and techniques to affect improvements, e.g. proper dot inversion schemes and other improvements, are disclosed and are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety; (1) United States Publication No. 2004/0246280 ("the '260 application") entitled "IMAGE DEGRADATION CORRECTION IN NOVEL LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYS" filed Jun. 6. 2003; (2) United States Publication No. 2004/0246213 ("the '213 application ") entitled "DISPLAY PANEL HAVING CROSSOVER CONNECTIONS EFFECTING DOT INVERSION" filed Jun. 6, 2003; (3) United States Publication No. 2004/0246381 ("the '381 application") entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PERFORMING DOT INVERSION WITH STANDARD DRIVERS AND BACKPLANE ON NOVEL DISPLAY PANEL LAYOUTS" filed Jun. 6, 2003; (4) United States Publication No. 2004/0246279 ("the '278 application") entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPENSATING FOR VISUAL EFFECTS UPON PANELS HAVING FIXED PATTERN NOISE WITH REDUCED QUANTIZATION ERROR" filed Jun. 6, 2003; (5) United States Publication No. 2004/0246279 ("the '279 applcation")entitled "DOT INVERSION ON NOVEL DISPLAY PANEL LAYOUTS WITH EXTRA DRIVERS filed Jun. 6, 2003"; (6) United States Publication No. 2004/0246404 ("the '404 application") entitled "LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY BACKPLANE LAYOUTS AND ADDRESSING FOR NON-STANDARD SUBPIXEL ARRANGEMENTS" filed Jun. 6, 2003; (7) United States Publication No. 2005/0083277 ("the '277 application") entitled "IMAGE DEGRADATION CORRECTION IN NOVEL LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYS WITH SPLIT BLUE SUBPIXELS", filed Oct. 28, 2003; and (8) United States Publication No. 2005/0212741 ("the '741 application") entitled "IMPROVED TRANSISTOR BACKPLANES FOR LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYS COMPRISING DIFFERENT SIZED SUBPIXELS", filed Mar. 23, 2004.
These improvements are particularly pronounced when coupled with sub-pixel rendering (SPR) systems and methods further disclosed in those applications and in commonly owned United States Patent Applications: (1) United States Publication No. 2003/0034992 ("The '992 application") entitled "CONVERSION OF A SUB-PIXEL FORMAT DATA TO ANOTHER SUB-PIXEL DATA FORMAT," filed Jan. 16, 2002; (2) United States Publication No. 2003/0103058 ("the '058 application") entitled "METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SUB-PIXEL RENDERING WITH GAMMA ADJUSTMENT." filed May 17, 2002; (3) United States Publication No. 2003/0085906 ("the '906 application") entitled "METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SUB-PIXEL RENDERING WITH ADAPTIVE FILTERING," filed Aug. 8, 2002; (4) United States Publication No. 2004/0196302 ("the '302 application") entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TEMPORAL SUB-PIXEL RENDERING OF IMAGE DATA" filed Mar. 4, 2003; (5) United States Publication No. 2004/0174380 ("the '380 application") entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MOTION ADAPTIVE FILTERING," filed Mar. 4, 2003; (6) U.S. Pat. No. 6,917,368 ("the '368 patent") entitled "SUB-PIXEL RENDERING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED DISPLAY VIEWING ANGLES" filed Mar. 4, 2003; (7) United States Publication No. 2004/0196297 ("the '297 application") entitled "IMAGE DATA SET WITH EMBEDDED PRE-SUBPIXEL RENDERED IMAGE"filed Apr. 7, 2003, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Improvements In gamut conversion and mapping are disclosed in commonly owned and co-pending United States Patent Applications: (1) U.S. Pat. No. 6.980,219 ("the '219 patent") entitled "HUE ANGLE CALCULATION SYSTEM AND METHODS", filed Oct. 21, 2003; (2) United States Publication No. 2005/0083341 ("the '341 application") entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING FROM SOURCE COLOR SPACE TO RGBW TARGET COLOR SPACE". filed Oct. 21, 2003; (3) United States Publication No. 2005/0083352 ("the '352 application") entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING FROM A SOURCE COLOR SPACE TO A TARGET COLOR SPACE", filed Oct. 21, 2003; and (4) United States Publication No. 2005/0083344 ("the '344 application") entitled "GAMUT CONVERSION SYSTEM AND METHODS" filed Oct. 21, 2003 which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference In their entirety.
Additional advantages have been described in (1) United States Publication No. 2005/0099540 ("the '540 application") entitled "DISPLAY SYSTEM HAVING IMPROVED MULTIPLE MODES FOR DISPLAYING IMAGE DATA FROM MULTIPLE INPUT SOURCE FORMATS", filed Oct. 28, 2003 and (2) United States Publication No. 2005/0088385 ("the '385 application") entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION AND SUBPIXEL RENDERING TO EFFECT SCALING FOR MULTI-MODE DISPLAY" filed Oct. 28, 2003.
Additionally, these co-owned and co-pending applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety: (1) United States Publication No. 2005/0225548 ("the '548 application") entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING SUB-PIXEL RENDERING OF IMAGE DATA IN NON-STRIPED DISPLAY SYSTEMS" filed Apr. 9, 2004; (2) United States Publication No. 2005/0225561 ("the '561 application") entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELECTING A WHITE POINT FOR IMAGE DISPLAYS " filed Apr. 9, 2004; (3) United States Publication No. 2005/0225574 ("the '574 application") entitled "NOVEL SUBPIXEL LAYOUTS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR HIGH BRIGHTNESS DISPLAYS" filed Apr. 9, 2004 (4) United States Publication No. 2005/0225562 ("the '562 application") entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVED GAMUT MAPPING FROM ONE IMAGE DATA SET TO ANOTHER" filed Apr. 9, 2004; which are all hereby incorporated by reference. All patent applications mentioned in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Subpixel rendering filters for high brightness subpixel layouts


An integrated circuit and method, producing semiconductor zones with a steep doping profile is disclosed. In one embodiment, dopants are implanted in a region corresponding to the semiconductor zone to be formed and which has at least one topology process. During the subsequent laser irradiation for activating the dopants in the semiconductor zone, regions which are laterally directly adjacent to the semiconductor zone are protected against melting on account of the topology process.

The miniaturization of semiconductor components is accorded a preeminent importance in the development of new generations of semiconductor technologies. By shrinking the dimensions of the semiconductor components, it is possible to increase the integration density on a semiconductor chip and thus to achieve a cost saving as an important development goal. However, shrinking the component dimensions requires dopant profiles which can be produced ever more steeply and in ever more sharply delimited fashion. Particularly for contact regions which, on the one hand, are intended to have extremely high dopant concentrations in order to obtain a low-value contact resistance, but on the other hand must not influence the functionality of the more lightly doped wells situated directly in their vicinity, it is desirable to produce dopant profiles which fall steeply.
One method for producing such dopant profiles is laser annealing in the melt mode. In this case, by way of example, the energy density of an individual light pulse is chosen to be high enough, for instance by focusing that the wafer is melted near the surface. On account of this, previously implanted dopants are dissolved in the melt and incorporated at lattice sites during the recrystallization. A degree of activation of the dopants of up to 100% is obtained in this case. Since the pulse duration is very short, lasting e.g., a few nanoseconds, and only an individual pulse is required for melting the wafer near the surface, an outdiffusion of the dopants is negligibly small in comparison with other methods. Aside from the lower degree of outdiffusion, shorter process durations are obtained with laser annealing in the melt mode in comparison with other methods. Thus, by way of example, an individual pulse during laser annealing in the melt mode may be sufficient for activating the dopants.
During laser annealing in the melt mode, a semiconductor body below a semiconductor body/oxide layer interface that is possibly present is also melted, whereas the oxide does not melt. The subsequent recrystallization leads to thermomechanical strains in the region of the interface. This has undesirable consequences, such as cracking and delamination of the oxide. Consequently, during laser annealing in the melt mode, care must be taken to ensure that oxide-covered regions of the semiconductor body are not exposed to the laser light during annealing. Accordingly, masking is necessary during the annealing.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,302 describes a method for producing a field effect transistor that includes depositing a material that reflects laser light onto a substrate having an active region and a non-active region. In this case, regions of the deposited layer above the active region are removed and dopants within the active region are activated by laser annealing. The masking for the laser annealing is removed again after the annealing.
A simplified method for producing semiconductor zones with a steep doping profile would be desirable.
For these and other reasons, there is a need for the present invention.

Method for producing an integrated circuit having semiconductor zones with a steep doping profile


The semiconductor laser module (1) includes: a laser mount (31) having thereon a semiconductor laser chip (32); a fiber mount (40) having thereon an optical fiber (2); a submount (20) on which the laser mount (31) and the fiber mount (40) are placed; and a substrate (10) on which the submount 20 is placed, the substrate (10) having protrusions (11a to 11d) on a top surface thereof, the submount 20 being joined to the substrate (10) with a soft solder (61) spread between the submount (20) and the substrate (10).

Laser modules have been widely used as devices to emit a laser beam into an optical fiber. A laser module includes a laser source which emits a laser beam, an optical fiber which receives the laser beam, and a heat-dissipating board which have both the laser source and the optical fiber attached thereto. The laser source and the optical fiber are fixed on the heat-dissipating board and positioned so that a laser beam from the laser source efficiently enters the optical fiber.
Generally, in the laser module, the laser source and the optical fiber are not directly attached to the heat-dissipating board. Instead, a laser mount and a fiber mount are first attached to the heat-dissipating board, and then the laser source and the optical fiber are attached to the laser mount and the fiber mount, respectively. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an optical fiber having such a configuration.
However, according to such a laser module, heat generated in the laser source causes great stress on solder which joins the laser mount and the heat-dissipating board together. This may result in displacement of the laser source or may cause damage to the solder. Such problems occur mainly because of a difference between (i) thermal expansion coefficient of the laser mount which is made from AlN (aluminum nitride) or CuW (copper tungsten) and (ii) thermal expansion coefficient of the heat-dissipating board which is made from Cu (copper).
In order to avoid such problems, Patent Literature 2 discloses a technique of fixing the heat-dissipating board and the laser mount with soft solder. Patent Literature 2 teaches that the soft solder can absorb stress resulting from a difference between the thermal expansion coefficients of the heat-dissipating board and the laser mount.


An I/O interface cover assembly includes a panel, a bracket for accommodating an I/O interface element, a driving device, a locking device and a button. The panel defines an opening and a button hole adjacent the opening. The bracket is received in the opening, and includes one end pivotally connected to the panel and the other end defining an I/O slot and a locking hole therein. The driving device is disposed between the panel and the bracket for driving the bracket out from the opening of the panel. The locking device is movably arranged to the panel, and engagable with the locking hole of the bracket. The locking device is disposed with a resilient element. The button is disposed in the button hole of the panel, and is able to press the locking device to disengage from the locking hole of the bracket.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an I/O interface cover assembly of a computer enclosure.
2. General Background
Usually, a computer maybe connect with some electronic devices, such as USB flash, earphone, and microphone. A plurality of input/output (I/O) holes, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) holes corresponding to the USB flashes, is thus needed in the computer for plugging the electrical devices. In conventional computer, the I/O holes are defined in a rear plate of the computer. It is inconvenient for the user to plug the electrical devices into the I/O holes.
Another computer enclosure is disclosed in China Patent No. 01279787.1. The I/O holes are defined in a front panel of a computer enclosure. A cover is pivotably mounted to the front panel for covering the I/O holes. When the user sits in front of the computer enclosure, the aforementioned electrical devices are easy to be plugged into the I/O holes. However, the computer enclosure is often placed under a desk. It is also inconvenient to plug the electrical devices into the I/O holes.
Still another computer enclosure is disclosed in China Patent No. 02230270.0. The I/O holes are defined in a front panel of a computer enclosure. A cover is slidably mounted to the front panel for covering or exposing the I/O holes. A protruding handle is formed outwardly from the cover. However, the I/O holes are still arranged in the front panel. It is inconvenient to plug the electrical devices into the I/O holes. In addition, the protruding handle is easily to be hit accidentally by users.
What is needed is an I/O interface cover assembly of a computer enclosure, wherein the I/O interface cover assembly includes a plurality of movable I/O interfaces for convenient use.

I/O interface cover assembly of computer enclosure

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.


One or more embodiments relate to systems and methods for mixing of two or more fluids using a multi-chamber manifold. One or more embodiments relate to optimal mixing.

One embodiment relates generally to systems and methods for optimal mixing and distribution of two or more fluids, and more particularly, to systems and methods for optimal mixing and distribution of two or more fluids, including fracturing (frac) fluids and completion fluids, used in oil and gas operations.
In a variety of applications, the proper mixing and distribution of two or more fluids is a critical performance-affecting factor.
Many conventional manifold designs provide insufficient mixing and/or distribution of the subject fluids. For example, one conventional manifold design comprises a first pipe having inlets disposed thereon arranged in a first linear array pattern. The first pipe is connected via one or more conduits to a second pipe disposed substantially parallel to the first pipe, the second pipe having outlets disposed thereon arranged in a second linear array pattern. Fluids injected through the inlets travel through the first pipe to the connecting conduits and then into the second pipe where the fluid can then exit through the outlets. This flow path would ideally provide the means by which the injected fluids can thoroughly mix before exiting the manifold.
However, a typical scenario results in the fluid(s) injected through the outermost inlets of the first linear array pattern (i.e., the inlets disposed closest to the ends of the first pipe) being substantially absent from the outermost outlets of the second linear array pattern (i.e., the outlets disposed closest to the ends of the second pipe) positioned on the opposite side. A fluid injected through an inlet at one end of the first pipe is unlikely to travel in a flow path in which it will make it to an outlet at the opposite end of the second pipe.
While certain novel features of this invention shown and described below are pointed out in the annexed claims, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details specified, since a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. No feature of the invention is critical or essential unless it is expressly stated as being "critical" or "essential."

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The present invention broadly includes a hub assembly for a torque converter having a hub arranged to rotationally connect to a transmission input shaft and includes first and second radial surfaces, a first plate rotationally connected to a turbine, rotationally connected to the hub, and fixed in a first axial direction by the first surface and a second plate rotationally connected to the first plate and fixed in a second axial direction, opposite the first direction, by the second surface. The hub assembly may include a hub having at least one radially disposed protrusion, the protrusion includes the second radial surface, and the first plate is rotationally connected to the protrusion. The hub may further include a body with a first diameter and the protrusion with a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The first and second radial surfaces may be arranged to axially fix a turbine with respect to the hub, or the first and second radial surfaces may be coplanar. The first plate may be in contact with the first radial surface, or the second plate may be in contact with the second radial surface.

Hydraulic torque converters, devices used to change the ratio of torque to speed between the input and output shafts of the converter, revolutionized the automotive and marine propulsion industries by providing hydraulic means to transfer energy from an engine to a drive mechanism, e.g., drive shaft or automatic transmission, while smoothing out engine power pulses. A torque converter, arranged between the engine and the transmission, includes three primary components, an impeller, sometimes referred to as a pump, directly connected to the converter's cover and thereby the engine's crankshaft; a turbine, similar in structure to the impeller, however the turbine is connected to the input shaft of the transmission; and, a stator, located between the impeller and turbine, which redirects the flow of hydraulic fluid exiting from the turbine thereby providing additional rotational force to the pump.
As is well known in the art, a hub is often used to transfer torque between the turbine and the transmission input shaft. Various embodiments of hubs are used, and typically take the form of a cylindrical part having an internal spline arranged to engage a transmission input shaft and an external extension arranged to engage a turbine and/or spring retainer. Although using a hub of this type is perhaps the most common means of coupling the turbine to the transmission input shaft, this hub type is expensive to manufacture and introduces a significant amount of mass to the torque converter. The expense is in part derived from the large quantity of material that must be used to form a hub of this type, as well as the complexity from the added machining and finishing operations that are required. In short, the extension adds a substantial amount of cost to the hub because it requires more material and a larger die is required for forged or powdered metal pieces. Components may be joined to a hub with laser welding, however this also requires a radial extension and riveting.
FIG. 1 shows a front plan view of prior art torque converter 10, while FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of torque converter 10 taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. Torque converter 10 includes studs 12 arranged to engage a rotary drive engine fly wheel (not shown), thereby imparting rotational force, i.e., torque, to the torque converter. Torque converter 10 is enclosed by front and back housing shells 14 and 16, respectively. Shells 14 and 16 are fixedly secured to each other by weld 18. Back housing shell 16 forms the body of pump 20. Pump 20 further includes blades 22 and core ring 24. Turbine 26 is disposed opposite pump 20 within the volume enclosed by housing shells 14 and 16. Turbine 26 includes turbine shell 28 which holds blades 30, which in turn are connected by core ring 32. Stator 34 is disposed between pump 20 and turbine 26, and blades 36 are arranged to redirect the flow of fluid (not shown) exiting turbine 26 prior to entering pump 20. During periods of use when the rotation of turbine 26 is less than the rotation of pump 20, stator 34 is prevented from rotating via the interaction between one-way clutch 38 and hub 40, as spline 42 of hub 40 non-rotatably engages a fixed shaft from a transmission (not shown), thereby preventing rotation of hub 40. As the ratio of rotational speeds between pump 20 and turbine 26 approaches unity, one-way clutch 38 permits stator 34 to freewheel, thus permitting it rotate at a speed substantially similar to pump 20 and turbine 26. As the drive engine supplies torque, housing shells 14 and 16 are rotated and thus pump 20 is also rotated. The rotation of pump 20 forces fluid from pump 20 into turbine 26, which in turn causes turbine 26 to rotate. The fluid passes through blades 36 of stator 34, is redirected, and subsequently returns to pump 20 to repeat the cycle.
Turbine shell 28, and thus turbine 26, is fixedly secured to spring retainer 44 and flange 46 of hub 48 via rivets 50. Rivets 50 are disposed within holes 52, 54 and 56 of flange 46, turbine shell 28 and spring retainer 44, respectively. Hence, as turbine 26 rotates, spring retainer 44 and hub 48 also rotate. Spring retainer 44 engages one end of spring 58 (not shown) while flange 60 of torque converter clutch 62 engages the other end of spring 58. Torque converter clutch 62 provides means to rotationally connect first housing shell 14 to hub 48. Thus, as the rotational speed of turbine 26 approaches that of pump 20, clutch 62 may be actuated, thereby compressively engaging friction material 64 with inner surface 66 of first housing shell 14. The engagement of clutch 62 provides a direct connection between the rotary drive engine and a rotary driven unit, i.e., transmission, thereby improving the efficiency of power transfer via the following path: first housing shell 14, friction material 64, flange 60, springs 58, spring retainer 44, rivet 50, flange 46, hub 48, spline 68 and lastly an input shaft of a rotary driven unit (not shown). Under such conditions, springs 58 act as vibration dampers, thereby reducing the transfer of engine power pulses.
FIG. 3 shows a front plan view of another prior art torque converter turbine 70 having turbine shell 71 wherein a plurality of blades 72, joined by core ring 74, are disposed. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, while FIG. 5 shows an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the encircled region 5 of FIG. 4. Including flange 46 on hub 48 increases the cost to produce hub 48 due to the added material and the manufacturing processes which must be used to form such a configuration. In an effort to reduce the cost of producing a hub, alternative designs have developed. For example, in this prior art turbine, hub 76 is formed with shoulder 78 which provides an axial stop for drive plate 80. In this embodiment, various known means for retaining drive plate 80 to hub 76 may be used, e.g., welding or press fitting. Thus, in this instance, turbine 70 drives hub 76 via rivets 82, drive plate 80, and a weld (not shown) between drive plate 80 and hub 76.
Added mass can decrease the fuel economy of a vehicle. A torque converter must rotate in order to transfer torque between the engine and the transmission. Any mass added to the torque converter must also be rotated during this transfer process. Due to the principle of mass moment of inertia, i.e., a measure of a solid object's resistance to changes in rotational speed about its rotational axis, it can be shown mathematically that an object having a greater mass will have a greater mass moment of inertia. The mass moment of inertia I for a torque converter can be approximated by the following formula used for a thin disk having a radius r and a mass m:
  I  =            mr      2        2  Thus it can be seen that I is directly proportional to m, and therefore as m increases, I also increases. In view of this relationship between resistance to rotation, i.e., the amount of power required by the engine to drive the torque converter and the mass of the object rotating, the resistance to rotation may be decreased by removing mass from the torque converter, and thus increase the efficiency of power transfer from the engine to the transmission. It generally follows that removing mass from a torque converter hub, and thereby the torque converter, increases the efficiency of power transfer from the engine to the transmission.
As can be derived from the variety of devices and methods directed at coupling a torque converter turbine to a transmission, many means have been contemplated to accomplish the desired end, i.e., reliable, cost-effective coupling comprising easily manufactured parts, without sacrificing mass moment of inertia, and thus resulting in higher fuel efficiency and performance. Heretofore, tradeoffs between strength and reliability of coupling means, methods of manufacturing component parts and material mass for such means were required. Thus, there has been a longfelt need for a cost-effective torque converter hub having high strength and reliability, while introducing a minimal mass to the overall torque converter assembly, which is simple to manufacture.

Apparatus for joining components to a hub

Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG


An expandable joint for use in, for example, a headband, includes elastic material, a low-friction sleeve, and a tube. The low-friction sleeve covers at least two opposing sides of a portion of the length of elastic material. The length of elastic material is affixed to the low-friction sleeve at a first end of the low-friction sleeve or a point adjacent to the first end of the low-friction sleeve. The length of elastic material extends beyond a second end of the low-friction sleeve opposite the first end of the low-friction sleeve. The tube substantially encloses the low-friction sleeve. The low-friction sleeve is affixed to the tube at the first end of the low-friction sleeve or a point adjacent to the first end of the low-friction sleeve, and the length of elastic material extends beyond a first end of the tube.

The invention relates to an apparatus having an elastic portion allowing the apparatus to fit a wide range of sizes. More particularly, the invention relates to securing the elastic portion to an inelastic portion of the apparatus.
Many items that are intended to fit on objects of different sizes use elastic to achieve that feat. For example, a headband that is meant to fit many different head sizes may be formed, at least partially, from an elastic material to enable the headband to automatically adjust to different size heads. One property of an elastic material is that it takes an increasing amount of force to stretch the elastic material an increased distance. To maximize wearer comfort and fit for wearers having very different size heads, some headbands include elastic around the entire circumference of the headband such that the headband stretches evenly and exerts even pressure on wearers having different head sizes. However, as the wearer puts the headband on, the circumference of the headband shrinks in the area of the headband in contact with the wearer's hair causing pulling and bunching of the wearer's hair. To prevent pulling and bunching of the wearer's hair, some headbands are formed from a length of inelastic material (e.g., fabric) intended to contact the wearer's hair and a length of elastic material intended to contact the back of the wearer's head. The ends of the inelastic material are attached to the ends of the elastic material to form the headband. This type of headband thus has a limited length of elastic material which will cause the headband to be looser on smaller heads and tighter on larger heads than a headband including elastic material about the entire circumference of the headband. Thus, while the headband can be used on different head sizes, it may be loose and fall off of smaller heads while being tight and uncomfortable on larger heads.
Elastic materials and bands formed partially of elastic material are used in other applications to achieve universal fit. For example, partial elastic materials are used in waistbands, shirt collars, hat sweatbands, masks, and eye patches.

Expandable joint and universal fit headband


The present invention comprises the discovery and development of an effective cryoprotectant composition, without containing skim milk or any other animal-derived compounds, to achieve long-term stability of freeze-dried lactic acid bacteria (LAB), at different temperatures, whereby the retention of viability of the freeze-dried LAB after 6 months of storage, preferably after 9 months of storage, more preferably after 12 months of storage is more than 50%. The invention is in the field of producing freeze dried bacteria, in particular Lactic acid bacteria. More in particular, the invention relates to the use of a novel combination of cryoprotectants for increasing the viability of bacteria after freeze drying, improving the texture of the lyofilized cake for easy grinding and improving the long term stability of the freeze dried bacteria at different temperature conditions. The invention further relates to such freeze dried bacteria for use in food industry or in human or animal health applications. More in particular, the invention relates to the increased viability and long-term storage of recombinant bacteria capable of expressing heterologous proteins or peptides and administered to humans or animals for therapeutic or vaccination purposes.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a group of taxonomically diverse, Gram-positive bacteria that are able to convert fermentable carbohydrates mainly into lactic acid, acidifying the growth medium in the process. In general, LAB species are best known for their use in the food industry, mainly in the preparation of fermented foods such as dairy products and certain kinds of meat. The commercial significance of the dairy fermentation industry, which encompasses production of e.g. cheese, yoghurt and sour cream, is well recognized worldwide.
Over the past decades, interest in LAB has dramatically increased. The fact that selected LAB strains can influence the intestinal physiology is widely recognised. L. lactis has enjoyed a growing interest as production host for heterologous proteins, and eventually as in situ production and delivery system for biologically active molecules (see below).
At present, much effort has been directed towards the use of genetically engineered (GM) LAB species as production and delivery tools for topical, mucosal administration of biological drugs, including cytokines, antibody fragments, growth factors, hormones and neuropeptides. (e.g. [6-12]). In particular the engineered food-grade bacterium Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) was chosen as the preferred microorganism for the therapeutic delivery of biologically active polypeptides. Clearly, the concept of oral therapeutic protein delivery by engineered L. lactis strains opens exciting possibilities. A necessary attribute of any pharmaceutical product however is long-term stability (shelf life), typically at least 24 months under predefined storage conditions. To this end, an efficient, scalable and reliable manufacturing platform needs to be developed for engineered L. lactis-based Drug Substance (DS) and Drug Product (DP) formulations.
During manufacturing and subsequent storage, the critical parameter for product stability is long-term viability of the engineered bacteria (normally expressed as colony forming units (CFU) per gram in function of storage time). Manufacture, storage and eventual therapeutic use of LAB strains imposes significant stress on the bacteria [4]. On industrial settings, LAB may be preserved and distributed in liquid, spray-dried, frozen or lyophilized (freeze-dried) forms. While all these preparations can be suitable for use as starter cultures in the food industry, emphasis is increasingly being placed on long-term preservation methods that promote high cell viability and metabolic activity, as these parameters are considered a prerequisite for (bio)pharmaceutical applications. In order to maximize survival, addition of selected cryoprotectants to the biomass and subsequent lyophilization are crucial steps, especially considering the fact that viable and metabolically active bacteria are an absolute requirement to induce the desired therapeutic effect in situ.
Freeze-drying is widely regarded as one of the most suitable dehydration processes for bacteria, aiming to achieve a solid and stable final formulation [4]. It is one of the most common methods to store microbial cell cultures, even though survival rates after freeze-drying and during storage may vary between strains [5]. Survival after freeze-drying reflects the ability of the cells to resist the effects of rapid freezing and drying, such as membrane lipid oxidation and cell damage at several target sites [5]. It is well known that the freeze-drying of unprotected bacteria kills most of them, and those that survive, die rapidly upon storage. Several attempts have therefore been made to increase the number of surviving bacteria upon lyophilization and storage, with limited success (see below).
Lyophilization is by far the most frequently, if not exclusively used method to achieve long-term shelf life [16]. The choice of an appropriate drying medium/cryoprotectant mixture is critical to increase the survival rate of LAB during lyophilization and subsequent storage [4]. Several studies attempting to increase the survival rate of LAB during freeze-drying and/or subsequent storage have been reported (for review, see [4]). However, none of these publications demonstrate sufficient long-term stability (i.e. >80% survival after one year) of the freeze-dried bacteria, as required for pharmaceutical applications, in particular at room temperature (25° C.) or at 2-8° C.
For most LAB cultures of commercial interest for the dairy industry, skim milk powder is selected as drying medium because it stabilizes the cell membrane constituents, facilitates rehydration and forms a protective coating over the cells [4]. Supplementing skim milk with additional cryoprotectants agents may enhance its intrinsic protective effect.
Font de Valdez et al. describe the protective effect of adonitol in 10% skim milk, on 12 strains of LAB subjected to freeze-drying [17]. Although high survival rates during lyophilization are reported (ranging from 42-100%, depending on the strain), no data on long-term stability were provided. Castro et al. assessed the beneficial effects of skim milk (11%) or trehalose (5%) on the survival of Lactobacillus bulgaricus after freeze-drying, showing retention rates of 25% (viable cell count) compared to ˜1% in water alone [18]. Again, no data on stability during subsequent storage were reported.
Carvalho et al. (2003) demonstrated the stabilizing effect of either sorbitol or (mono)sodium glutamate (MSG), each added separately to LAB suspended in skim milk, on survival during lyophilization and subsequent storage for 3-6 months [19]. However, despite the fact that stability was increased compared to skim milk alone, the reported survival rates in the presence of sorbitol or MSG were still very low (<0.1%). Furthermore, long-term survival of the freeze-dried cells, stored in closed containers at 20° C. in air and kept in darkness for up to 8 months, showed a significant decrease of one or more logs over time.
Carcoba and Rodriguez studied the effects of various compounds, added individually to reconstituted skim milk (RSM), on cell survival and metabolic activity of L. lactis after freeze-drying [16]. They found that the sugars trehalose and sucrose, the polyols sorbitol and adonitol, as well as the amino acids β-alanine and glutamic acid, were capable of enhancing cell viability above the 44.3% recorded in RSM alone. However, actual survival rates with the supplemented media were not included, and no long-term storage data were disclosed.
As a final example, a study by Huang et al. developed and optimized a protective medium for Lactobacillus delbrueckii, resulting in a 86% cell viability after freeze-drying [20]. The composition of this medium was: sucrose 66.40 g/L, glycerol 101.20 g/L, sorbitol 113.00 g/L, and skim milk 130.00 g/L. Again, no long-term stability results were reported.
Huyghebaert et al. aimed to develop a freeze-dried powder formulation containing viable GM L. lactis bacteria with an acceptable shelf life [21]. To investigate the influence of the freeze-drying matrix, two different media were used; either M17 broth supplemented with 0.5% glucose (in order to obtain GM17), or 10% (w/v) skim milk supplemented with 0.5% glucose and 0.5% casein hydrolysate (in order to obtain GC-milk). Following freeze-drying, the influence of lyophilization parameters, freeze-drying matrix and different storage conditions was evaluated on short- and long-term viability.
When freeze-dried in conventional GM17 broth, absolute viability was less than 10%, while freeze-drying in GC-milk matrix resulted in significantly higher viability (60.0±18.0%). However, despite several attempts to standardize the freeze-drying procedure, significant batch-to-batch variability could not be avoided.
Short-term stability studies showed that viability already decreased ±20% after freeze-drying and storage for 1 week (GC-milk matrix). In long-term stability studies, relative viability was highly decreased after 1 month storage, followed by a logarithmic decrease during subsequent months of storage (GC-milk matrix, various storage conditions), indicating that long-term stability could not be achieved.
Considering the prior art in its entirety, it is obvious that skim milk is a recurrent component of freeze-drying media for LAB, and thus appears to be essential for bacterial viability. However, the use of milk derivatives in novel pharmaceutical compositions is strongly discouraged, especially in view of the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) risk associated with their use.
Next to high viability after production, freeze-dried LAB should also have an acceptable long-term shelf life for pharmaceutical applications. Stabilized dry bacterial compositions are for example described in US 2005/0100559, U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,307 and WO2004/065584. In US 2005/0100559 the dried bacterial composition are characterized in that they comprise a large fraction of stabilizers. See for example [055] in US 2005/0100559, wherein the stabilizers account for at least 40% (w/v). In WO2004/065584 sucrose or sucrose and maltodextrine were shown to improve the stability of a bacterial cell culture, but only at −20° C. In this reference there is no indication on how to improve the long-term shelf life (at room temperature) for a composition comprising freeze dried bacteria. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,307, all experiments start from a culture of different Lactobacillus species in nonfat milk that is subsequently freeze dried, optionally in the presence of stabilization potentiators selected from L-ascorbic acid, including edible salts thereof, and glutamic acid or aspartic acid, including the salts thereof. As such milk components are an important constituent of the stabilized dry bacterial compositions.
In other words none of the prior art addresses the replacement of the milk components with, sufficient survival and stability under long-term shelf storage. In fact, most of these studies lack precise data on initial viability, stability and bacterial density. Finally, none of them report on freeze-drying of GM bacteria and/or maintenance of their properties.

Cryoprotectants for freeze drying of lactic acid bacteria