A direct die feeder picks known good die from an expanded wafer and places them on a conveyor belt, which conveys the die to a pickup location. Frame (111) supports an expanded wafer (105) which is a wafer that is sawed and adhered onto a flexible film, which is then stretched and mounted in a ring (110). A fork member (125), on which a pick head (150) is mounted slides along an x-axis and frame (111) slides along a vertical axis to allow the pick head (150) to access any die from the expanded wafer. A camera (160) is directed downward at a 45.degree. mirror adjacent to the pick head to capture images of the wafer and determine the precise locations of known good die on the wafer. The pick head (150) can pick die from the wafer and place them directly on the conveyor belt (170) in the conventional orientation, or pass the die to a transfer head (155) which then shifts to the left and lowers the die down past the pick head, placing the die on the conveyor belt in the flipped orientation. The conveyor belt operates until a die is detected at a pickup location (173) at one end of the conveyor except during placing operations of the pick head or transfer head.

This invention relates generally to the surface mounting of integrated circuits (ICs), and more particularly, to a die feeder device that performs the function of removing each IC, or die, from a sawed, expanded wafer disposed on a flexible adhesive film, placing the die on a conveyer, and conveying the die to a pick-up location.
In the mass production of printed circuit boards having a plurality of ICs surface-mounted thereon, automated machinery accept die from "chip feeders" and then mount them at a predetermined location on the circuit board. The chip feeders have previously taken the form of tape and reel-type feeders which remove the die from a plastic tape and present them to the automated assembly machinery. An example of a reel type tape feeder is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,232, issued to Araki et al. on Mar. 20, 1984. The advantage of the tape feeders is that they take up a small amount of space during the assembly of the circuit board, thus a large number of tape feeders can be placed adjacent to one another and utilized by a single assembly machine. Tape feeders are also capable of feeding die at a very rapid pace. The present invention takes the place of these "tape feeders" and obviates the steps of placing die onto the plastic tape then removing them from the plastic tape. The present invention is capable of performing this function of presenting die serially directly from a wafer without taking up significantly more space than a tape feeder. By reducing the handling of bare die on its journey from wafer to assembly, significant expense reduction is realized, and the opportunity for damage to individual die is reduced, which improves the reliability of the end product.
Because the present invention is intended to replace current tape feeders, it is designed to maintain the narrow form-factor width standard of 80 mm which is common in the industry. The narrow width enables many die feeders of the present invention to be positioned side by side down the length of an assembly conveyor which carries printed circuit boards from station to station while various electrical components are installed on them without taking up too much floor space. Maintaining this narrow profile required many design innovations herein disclosed.
The present invention picks die from an expanded wafer and presents them, via a conveyor, to an automated assembly machine. The use of an expanded wafer provides important advantages when picking die. "Expanded wafer" means a sawed wafer placed on a flexible adhesive film which is then stretched so that individual die can be spaced from one another. The film is then maintained in this stretched condition by placing it between two rings clamped together. The gap between adjacent dies permits reliable pickup and prevents "chip-out" (damage to the picked die or adjacent die caused by scraping the die edges during pick-up). In addition, a machine vision system is employed by the present invention to perform die recognition using the die edges, which requires gaps between the die, permitting them to be perceived by a visual imaging apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,791 to Michaud et al. discloses an apparatus for removing die from an expanded wafer and placing the die on a substrate. This patent teaches holding the expanded wafer horizontally with the wafer side facing down. A pick and place head is positioned beneath the wafer and above the horizontally-disposed substrate. This configuration permits the pick and place head to remove the die from the wafer and place it on the substrate with minimal movement. However, it suffers from the disadvantage that it is not compatible with existing assembly machinery and requires a significant amount of horizontal real estate, which becomes especially problematic when a plurality of chips are to be placed on each substrate. In this case the substrate must make a separate stop beneath each wafer and a separate mounting assembly must be utilized for each chip to be placed on the substrate.
Although direct die feeders have been known in the prior art, industry has not accepted them. Presumably, this is so because they lack specific features required by the industry, such as the high speed and small footprint currently made possible by the tape feeders.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,530 to Combs et al. discloses an apparatus which removes die from an expanded wafer oriented vertically for use in the environment intended for the present invention. The patent to Combs et al., however, suffers from the disadvantages of only being capable of handling one die at a time using pick and place head assembly 104 shown in FIG. 6 of the Combs et al. patent. Pick and place head assembly 104 travels from a pickup location 96 to a transfer location 106. Head assembly 104 cannot return to the pickup location 96 until the circuit board assembly machinery takes the die at transfer location 106. This pick-move-transfer-move-pick cycle is extremely time-inefficient, making the system impractical for many customers who mass produce circuit boards. It is important to understand that the conveyor shown in the Combs et al. patent operates to transport printed circuit boards during assembly, not to transport bare die to a pickup location as does the conveyor of the current invention.
The Combs et al. patent also suffers from the disadvantage of only being able to present chips in a "flipped" (circuit-down) orientation. There are currently two primary methods of surface-mounting chips onto a substrate or circuit board. The conventional wire-bond or tape-bond methods includes placing the chip on the substrate in the conventional, circuit-up orientation, and electrical connections being made from electrical contacts on the top of the chip to contacts on the substrate using metal wires or tape. The flip-chip method includes forming solder bumps on the art side of the die, then placing the die, circuit-down on the substrate, aligning the solder bumps on the die with metal contacts on the substrate and holding the die in position while electrical and mechanical connection is made by reflowing the solder bumps. The Combs et al. invention is limited by only being capable of presenting chips in the flipped orientation.

Method and apparatus for removing die from an expanded wafer and conveying die to a pickup location


An apparatus for disinfecting containers comprises a disinfection chamber 12 surrounding a required section of a container transport path, partition means for dividing the interior of the disinfection chamber 12 into a preheating zone 35, an exposure zone 36 and a drying zone 37 as arranged downstream from an upstream side of the transport path, antiseptic supply means for supplying hydrogen peroxide gas or mist to the exposure zone 36, and means for supplying hot air to the preheating zone 35 and the drying zone 37.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of disinfecting containers, and to a method of disinfecting a packaging material for preparing the containers.
As disclosed, for example, in JP-A No. 63-11163, such an apparatus already known for disinfecting containers comprises a disinfection chamber surrounding a required section of a container transport path, partition means for forming inside the chamber an exposure zone positioned upstream with respect to the path and a drying zone downstream from the exposure zone, antiseptic supply means for supplying hydrogen peroxide gas to the exposure zone, and means for supplying hot air to the drying zone.
The apparatus described requires a large quantity of hot air for drying and removing the hydrogen peroxide adhering to containers with a stream of hot air. For this purpose, there is a need to retain the container within the drying zone for a predetermined period of time during transport, entailing a tendency for the drying zone to have an increased length. The packaging machine including the container disinfecting apparatus then becomes large-sized in its entirety to result in a higher cost.


A device includes a main antenna suitable for capturing and transmitting an RF signal, at least one chip containing information and configured to transmit the information via the main antenna in response to an excitation of an external RF signal, and a mechanism for activating and deactivating the main antenna. The device further includes a detection circuit for detecting the presence of the external RF signal, and an indicator circuit, which is connected to the detection circuit so as to indicate the presence.

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic induction chip card including a device for activating and deactivating its RF radio frequency antenna. It finds a particularly interesting application, but not exclusively, in the radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The invention relates in particular to an NFC type contactless chip card, Mifare, ISO 14443 or 15693, that is an RF antenna transmitting when it is located in a suitable electromagnetic field.
Generally, an RFID card includes one (or more) silicon electronic chips containing more or less sensitive information and relating to the cardholder. This RFID chip is generally connected to an antenna. The RFID card can have the conventional format of a chip card, but can also take different forms such as a badge, a tag, a keychain or other . . . . An integrated battery can be provided so as to extend the card functionalities.
RFID technology, based on the electromagnetic induction principle is increasingly widespread in everyday life. Initially used for managing stocks, this technology has been largely widespread in the access control field. It is rapidly growing in the passport and payment fields. In Japan, for example, it is commonly used as a payment means through the Felica protocol. In USA, the first payment terminals based on the ISO14443A protocol have already being launched. The launch in France is under way nowadays.
Unfortunately, this keen interest in this technology has been made to the detriment of security. The result is that an ill-intentioned person can freely access to information contained in an RFID chip. Given that an RFID chip becomes active in the presence of an electromagnetic field, it is sufficient to manufacture a powerful enough reader capable of recovering information contained in surrounding RFID chips.
Thus, it is possible to recover, without the holder's knowledge, the bank card number or any other personal information contained in a passport for example.
A simple solution is to make the RFID chip active only on the holder's initiative. Thus, the risk to recover data contained in the chip is dramatically reduced. A method is to place a switch at the antenna in order to switch off the communication when the RF exchanges are not necessary. This mechanism can be made in several ways.
Document US 2006/0017570 describes a system enabling the part corresponding to the transponder in an RFID chip or card to be mechanically activated or deactivated. This system relates in particular to cards including a RIFD chip as well as a magnetic tape. The system enables the wireless access to the RFID part to be blocked while allowing the magnetic operation. To block the access, this system proposes a magnetic protection means, a magnetic shield made of a material having a high relative magnetic permeability which is placed in front of or about the antenna so as to avoid any reception of foreign signals.
Document US 2006/0132313 describes a first embodiment wherein the RFID chip is irreversibly destroyed or deactivated by physically detaching the antenna from the rest of the chip. A second embodiment is to dramatically reduce the operating range of the RFID antenna so that any access to the RFID chip should be made very closely, thus to the knowledge of the user. For that purpose, it is in particular provided to reversibly cover at least one part of the antenna with an insulation material sheet so as to dramatically limit the antenna performance.
Document WO 2006/031531 describes a system for activating and deactivating an RFID chip by connecting and disconnecting the antenna. For that purpose, a conducting tape is used which will connect the antenna with the RFID chip or not. This conducting tape can be controlled by a magnet. This document relates in particular to activating or activating an RFID chip from a deactivation device initially intended for an anti-theft tag.
Document EP1918859 describes a scrambling card to prevent a reader from reading data contained in an RFID chip for example. In this system, the RFID chip card is not modified, but a new scrambling card is added, which is intended to emit a signal to scramble reading of data contained in the RFID chip. This second scrambling card can be activated or deactivated by means of a mechanical or electronic switch such as a controlled transistor.
Document WO 2009/100005 describes a system for tuning or detuning the antenna of an RFID chip. This system includes a switch which modifies the antenna impedance such that when the switch is on the ON position, the impedance has a value for which the antenna is tuned and the transmission can occur. On the other hand, when the switch is on the OFF position, the antenna impedance has a value for which the antenna is detuned, which makes the signal transmission impossible.

Activation and indication of an RF field on a device including a chip


A navigation system for an electric vehicle includes a telematics center, a display terminal, and a charging station. In response to a request from the display terminal, the telematics center sends a route search result, which is created based on information on an electric vehicle and the charging station and which includes base point information whose remaining battery capacity is to be confirmed, to the display terminal. The display terminal displays route guidance information, the current position, and a result of comparison between the current remaining battery capacity and the base point information to the user who is driving the electric vehicle.

The subject disclosed herein relates to a navigation service for an electric vehicle.
Recently, automobile manufacturers are actively engaged in the development and marketing of an electric vehicle (EV, with any number of wheels) that travels using electric power stored in-vehicle batteries. Unlike a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle, an electric vehicle does not use fossil fuel. In addition, an electric vehicle can use a power generation method, such as atomic power generation or solar energy generation, that emits less carbon dioxide. Therefore, switching from a gasoline-powered vehicle to an electric vehicle is an effective countermeasure against global warming and fossil fuel exhaustion. This prompts the governments of various nations of the world, including Japan, Europe, and America, to adopt tax reduction systems or subsidy systems for the diffusion of electric vehicles.
However, the distance (cruising range) over which an electric vehicle can travel with one charging of the batteries is about 200 km that is shorter than that of a gasoline-power vehicle. This means that the driver of an electric vehicle must visit charging stations, which correspond to the gas stations of a gasoline-power vehicle, more frequently when traveling long distances.
Charging stations are classified roughly into two types: normal charging station and rapid charging station. Although widely available, a normal charging station requires four to eight hours for one charging. Therefore, a normal charging station is unsuitable for a charging facility that is used away from home. On the other hand, though one charging requires only 30 minutes, a rapid charging station is not widely used today because it requires a special facility that is very expensive.
For the reasons described above, an electric vehicle user, who is planning to travel to a distant location, must be careful about the remaining battery capacity and the charging station locations during traveling. These worries may prevent an electric vehicle from becoming popular.
To solve these problems, efforts are being made to increase the capacity of the in-vehicle batteries and to increase the number of charging facilities. At the same time, to compensate for the shortcomings described above, the study has been conducted on the telematics service that works with a navigation system mounted in an electric vehicle.
For example, JP-A-2012-211888 proposes a terminal that informs the user about the requirement of charging and the charging stations available on a route. More specifically, this terminal displays a bar graph, the left end of which corresponds to the current position and which has a length corresponding to the maximum battery charging capacity, for displaying the battery remaining capacity of the electric vehicle. On this bar graph, the terminal displays the current remaining battery capacity, the battery capacity required to reach the destination, the shortage of battery capacity that is the difference the two, and the charging stations to which the vehicle can reach with the current remaining battery capacity (Paragraphs 0051 to 0055).


One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that reconstructs a high-resolution signal from a set of low-resolution quantized samples. During operation, the system receives a time series containing low-resolution quantized signal values which are sampled from the high-resolution signal. Next, the system performs a spectral analysis on the time series to obtain a frequency series for the low-resolution quantized signal values. The system next selects a subset of frequency terms from the frequency series which have the largest amplitudes. The system then reconstructs the high-resolution signal by performing an inverse spectral analysis on the subset of the frequency terms.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to techniques for proactively detecting impending problems in computer systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for removing quantization effects in a quantized signal which can be subsequently used to detect impending problems in a computer system.
2. Related Art
Modern server computer systems are typically equipped with a significant number of sensors which monitor signals during the operation of the computer systems. Results from this monitoring process can be used to generate time series data for these signals which can subsequently be analyzed to determine how a computer system is operating. One particularly desirable application of this time series data is for purposes of "proactive fault monitoring" to identify leading indicators of component or system failures before the failures actually occur.
Unfortunately, many of these computer systems use low-resolution eight-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) converters in all of their physical sensors to sample the signals. This causes readings of physical variables such as voltage, current, and temperature to be highly quantized. Hence, the sampled signal values from these sensors can only assume discrete values, and no readings can be reported between these discrete values. For example, voltages for system board components may be quantized to the nearest 10 mV; e.g. 1.60 V, 1.61 V, 1.62 V, etc. Hence, if the true voltage value is 1.6035 V, it can only be reported as one of the quantized values, 1.60 or 1.61.
Note that the above-described quantization effects present a serious problem for proactive fault monitoring. Normally, one can apply statistical pattern recognition techniques to continuous signal values to detect if the signals start to drift away from steady-state values at a very early stage of system degradation. However, with significant quantization, conventional statistical pattern recognition techniques cannot be used effectively to detect the onset of subtle anomalies that might precede component or system failures.
To overcome the drawbacks of the low-resolution quantized signals, researchers have used a technique called "burst sampling." Essentially, this technique restores high-resolution signals from low-resolution A/D converter outputs by removing the quantization effects. Specifically, a large "burst" of samples (typically hundreds of sample) are retrieved from low-level hardware registers of the server computer system being monitored. These samples are then collected through telemetry channels at the highest data rate that the hardware channels can support (typically at kHz rates). Next, the samples in the "burst" are averaged to obtain values that approximate signals sampled with high-resolution data-acquisition capability.
Unfortunately, this burst sampling technique can be used only for a small subset of signals of interest in a large system. This is because the burst sampling creates a large burst demand for the bandwidth that is available for delivering telemetry samples via the system bus. In some large systems over 1000 telemetry signals are monitored concurrently. However, the burst sampling technique can consume the entire system bus bandwidth while delivering only a few tens of these signals.
What is needed is a method and an apparatus that removes the quantization effects from low-resolution quantized signals without the above-described problems.

Method and apparatus for removing quantization effects in a quantized signal


According to an embodiment, a signal generation circuit includes a generation unit configured to generate a second clock signal from division of a first clock signal and generate a timing signal with a cycle length that is a sum of a predetermined number of half-cycle periods of the second clock signal. A period changing unit of the signal generation circuit is configured to adjust the cycle length of the timing signal by changing a length of at least one half-cycle period of the second clock signal. An output unit of the signal generation circuit is configured to output the second clock signal and the timing signal.

There is a print head in which a plurality of light emitting elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or organic electro-luminescence (EL), are arranged. Such a print head is used for an electrophotographic printer. As one type of such a print, there is a CLK synchronous print head. The CLK synchronous print head uses a clock signal ("transfer CLK") and a light emission start timing signal ("SYNC") for transferring image data, and another clock signal ("SYNC_CLK") for adjusting light emission time. The CLK synchronous print head has an upper limit for the SYNC_CLK frequency that can be input due to restrictions related to the operation speed of amounted integrated circuit (IC), power consumption, heat generation, and the like. However, the lower the SYNC_CLK frequency is kept, the larger the shift from an ideal value of a SYNC cycle, and thus, a color shift amount also increases.

Signal generation circuit and image forming apparatus


A hinge board having a hinge bending part and a rigid part includes: not less than two flexible wiring boards including a polyimide sheet layer, a conductor layer having a circuit formed on both sides or one side of the polyimide sheet layer, and a coverlay film layer covering the conductor layer; and a bonding material for bonding the flexible wiring boards. At least one of the flexible wiring boards is a flexible double-sided wiring board including the conductor layers on both sides of the polyimide sheet layer. Moreover, the flexible wiring boards are bonded to each other in the rigid part by use of the bonding material in such a manner that a space part is formed between the flexible wiring boards in the hinge bending part.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hinge board useful as a board for an electronic device such as a folding portable telephone, and a method for producing the hinge board.
2. Related Background Art
In recent years, an increase in a memory capacity of an electronic device has advanced wiring miniaturization, high-density wiring and high-speed electronic signals. Accordingly, a demand level of mechanical properties for a wiring board has been set higher. Moreover, for a hinge board having a hinge bending part, which is used for a folding portable telephone, miniaturization of wiring and the like are similarly demanded. Thus, the hinge board has been required to have a multilayer structure and to have its thickness reduced. However, a conventional multilayer hinge board has a problem that, when a hinge bending part is repeatedly bent, there occurs disconnection in a conductor circuit. Thus, one having sufficient hinge flexibility in a hinge part of the folding portable telephone has not necessarily been obtained.
Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Gazette No. Hei 7-312469 (JP 7-312469 A) has disclosed a structure of a bending part of a multilayer flexible circuit board which is formed in the following manner. Specifically, in the multilayer flexible circuit board, at least one layer of a flexible insulating base material is bonded, by use of an adhesive layer, between a plurality of wiring conductors in which a required wiring pattern is formed by use of a conductive foil. Moreover, in the multilayer flexible circuit board, a non-bonded part is provided so that the flexible insulating base material in the bending part of the multilayer flexible circuit board is not bonded to the wiring conductor or another flexible insulating base material at least on one side. In the specification, it is described that the multilayer flexible circuit board is formed by laminating adhesive-free one-side copper-clad plates.
However, in the multilayer flexible circuit board described in Document 1, an adhesive layer is required to laminate each of the one-side copper-clad plates. Thus, in the case where the circuit board is formed to have a multilayer structure, a thickness thereof is increased and sufficient high-density wiring cannot be achieved. In the above point, the multilayer flexible circuit board described above is not satisfactory yet.

Hinge board and method for producing the same


A global computer network message delivery service is disclosed. A sender enters a short message for delivery to a recipient's telephone. The sender also enters the recipient's telephone number. The sender may also enter the telephone number that he can be reached at in case the recipient wants to converse live with the sender upon receipt of the message. The message and other entered information is authenticated and validated. The sender's billing telephone number is determined for billing purposes. A call leg is created from a service node to the switch hosting the sender's billing telephone number. The sender's inter-exchange carrier codes are determined and another call leg is created from the service node to the recipient's telephone. After the recipient answers, the service node plays the message (via text-to-speech technology) to the recipient. The inter-exchange carrier codes are used to bill the message service to the sender's billing telephone number.

Message delivery using a global computer network, such as the Internet, is well-known. For example, delivery of electronic messages, such as e-mail, is one of the most common forms of message delivery. However, other types of messages such as pages, telephone messages, facsimiles, short message service (SMS) messages, as well as other types of messages may be delivered via the Internet using a message delivery service.
To use one of these message delivery services, in most cases, a user subscribes to the service by submitting their credit card information over the Internet. After subscribing, the user enters their account information into the service's website and composes a message, such as by entering a subject line and the body of the message. The user also selects the recipients of the message and selects the delivery method(s) for the message, such as e-mail, fax, pager, etc. An exemplary Internet message delivery service is Envoy Worldwide, Inc.'s "MessageBlaster" delivery service.
Although these services work fairly well, they do have some drawbacks. For example, many users of the Internet are reluctant to transmit their credit card information over the Internet. Without submitting credit card information, it may be difficult for a user to subscribe to a message delivery service (particularly if a user wants to quickly subscribe and send a message).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Internet-based message delivery with PSTN billing

AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc.


A PIV window dressing assembly with integral, built-in tubing anchors for the protection of a PIV catheter insertion site is disclosed that is interchangeably usable on both a right or left-hand side insertion site and that resists detachment from a patient's skin during use. The dressing assembly includes a fabric layer that is bounded by an edge. The fabric layer has an adhesive side, an opposite non-adhesive side, and at least one opening therein to allow for viewing therethrough. At least one reinforcement member is disposed between the fabric layer edge and the opening. The reinforcement member is adhered to the fabric layer adhesive side. A transparent film layer having an adhesive skin adhering side and an opposite non-adhesive side closes each of the openings in the fabric layer. The film layer non-adhesive side is adhered to the fabric layer adhesive side.

It is known in the medical field that peripheral intravenous ("PIV") catheters have between a 20 and 70 percent failure rate, decreasing catheter dwell time from a potential between 72 and 96 hours to as low as merely 24 hours or less. Typically, these failures are caused by undesirable movement of the catheter. For example, the tubing, connectors, and fittings attached to the catheter are usually not well-secured and also hang over and off edges of a patient's body. Therefore, the tubing, connectors, and fittings may be bumped or pulled, which in turn causes the inserted catheter to move. Further, bumping or pulling of the tubing, connectors, and fittings loosens the catheter dressings, which then allows the catheter to more freely move.
Movement of an inserted catheter leads to catheter failure because the tip of the catheter pokes and scrapes the inner wall of the vein in which it is inserted. Poking and scraping of the vein wall leads to irritation of the vein and other complications, requiring premature removal of the catheter and insertion of the catheter in a different vein. This results in a waste of resources in both medical supplies and labor, as well as extended patient care and discomfort. Further, since each patient has a limited number of catheter insertion sites, it is undesirable to repeatedly replace a catheter at a new insertion site on a patient this process expends the available insertion sites.
In a specific example, PIV catheters are typically one to two inches in length and are inserted as low as the knuckles to as high as before the elbow. Usually, PIV catheters are first inserted on the hand. Since the tip of the catheter cannot be at the flex point of the wrist, there is only an area of approximately one to two inches on the hand to insert the PIV catheter. Therefore, the PIV catheter is usually inserted relatively low on the hand, which results in the tubing connected to the catheter, and sometimes the hub of the catheter itself, to overhang over the knuckles. This exposes the catheter and tubing to jarring, pulling, and pivoting. Further, the tubing connected to the catheter must be routed back towards the patient, necessitating the bending of the tubing 180 degrees from the connection of the tubing with the catheter. The bend in the tubing typically overhangs past the knuckle, and if not well-secured, can also cause movement or dislodgement of the catheter. These circumstances lead to a high failure rate for PIV catheters for the reasons described above, and therefore, there is a need to secure and prevent movement of PIV catheters and the tubing connected thereto.


A personal care system (80) comprises a plurality of kit items, and an assembly mechanism (82) which holds the kit items together in a cooperating, combined unit. In a particular aspect, the kit items can include a substitute undergarment (20), and a supplemental absorbent article (34) configured to cooperate with the substitute undergarment (20). In further aspects, the system can also include a first treatment-component (56) configured to provide a first treatment-type, along with at least a second treatment-component (58) configured to provide a second treatment-type that differs from the first treatment-type.

Personal care articles, particularly personal care absorbent articles are well known in the art. The absorbent articles have been intended to absorb discharged body fluids, such as urine and/or menses. Such articles and products generally comprise a liquid permeable topsheet and a backsheet. Additionally, a fibrous mass or other absorbent body, which can absorb and hold the body fluids, is assembled between the topsheet and backsheet. In other arrangements, the personal care article may be a tampon article, and the tampon can comprise a liquid permeable topsheet and an absorbent body. Incontinence products have typically been employed to absorb liquids, such as urine. Feminine care articles have typically been employed to absorb urine, menses and other vaginal discharges. In particular arrangements, the feminine care articles have included a conventional garment-fastener for securing an individual article in a wearer's undergarment. In further arrangements, the articles have included wing portions which can help to hold the article in place at a selected location in a wearer's undergarment. In some arrangements, the wing portions have been integrally formed with one or more of the preexisting component layers that were employed to construct the article. In other arrangements, the wing portions have been separately provided components that are assembled and affixed to the final product. Conventional wing-fasteners have been employed to secure the wing portions in a desired configuration during ordinary use. The various garment-fasteners and wing-fasteners have included conventional fastening mechanisms, such as adhesive fasteners and mechanical fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners and the like.
Other personal care articles have included wipes. The wipes may be wet or dry, and may include additional components. Such components have included fragrances, lotions, cleaning solutions, skin treatments, lubricants, medicines and the like, as well as combinations thereof. Additionally, conventional wipes have been assembled in combination with selected absorbent articles, such as diapers, feminine care pads and adult incontinence garments.
The personal care articles have also been contained in various conventional packaging systems. Individual articles may or may not have included wrappers, such as individual containment pouches composed of polymer films and/or nonwoven fabrics. Articles that contain liquids have been sealed in liquid-impermeable wrappers. Predetermined quantities of articles have also been grouped and contained in conventional packages, such as bags and/or cartons, and the selected packages could be opened to allow a desired extraction of the individual articles.
Conventional systems, however, have not sufficiently provided a desired convenience and easy access to a combination of individual, cooperating articles that may be desired when an initially employed, personal care absorbent article becomes soiled and needs replacement. The conventional packaging systems for the desired articles have also been excessively bulky and cumbersome to transport and use, and have not provided a desired combination of convenience and discretion. When encountering an emergency involving an unexpected soiling of clothing, the conventional systems and structures have not contained all of the components desired for use, or have included more components than needed.
As a result, there has been a continued need for an improved system of personal care articles that can more effectively provide a convenient access and packaging of a desired combination of cooperating personal care articles.


Provisioning for a cloud service is provided. An instance of a provisioning object is created and initialized, and a graphical user interface (GUI) is generated. The GUI includes a home window, a configure window, an orchestrate window and a deploy window. The provisioning parameters are received from the GUI. The provisioning parameters indicate whether to deploy the software application on a local network or a remote network. A location object and a deployment object are created and initialized based on the provisioning parameters. The location object includes an on-premises object for a local network deployment or a cloud object for a remote network deployment. A command to deploy the software application is received from the GUI, and the software application is deployed to a local network or a remote network using the provisioning object, the location object and the deployment object.

With the growing popularity of the "cloud," computer software is moving from "on-premise" installations to cloud-based systems. Generally, the cloud provides access to software applications, services, platforms, systems, etc., over a network, such as the Internet. Software provisioning is the process of installing, configuring, and making a software resource available to users.
For example, provisioning Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software includes the deployment and configuration of a number of software components, such as an operating system, database software, mid-tier software, application software, server software, etc. Each software resources is provisioned using a graphical user interface (GUI) that has been customized based on deployment location, i.e., on-premises or cloud-based, and deployment platform, i.e., the hardware and software environment in which the software resource will be executing. The multiplicity of custom GUIs leads to unnecessary technical complexity for users as well as developers. Users must learn and master a different GUI for each deployment location and platform, which leads to confusion and errors when switching between those interfaces, while developers must write, test and maintain multiple code bases to support each GUI and platform.
Accordingly, a technical solution is needed to solve the technical problems associated with provisioning on-premises and cloud-based software resources.

On-premises and cloud-based software provisioning


A system and method of eliminating closed or partially closed eyes of subject in photography, caused by subjects blinking at the moment of image capture. A digital camera is configured to capture two images in quick succession. The image processing unit of the camera identifies regions of difference between the two images that indicate that eyes are partially or fully closed in one of the two images, and creates a single composite image from the two original images, in which all eyes are open for all subjects in the image.

In portrait photography, one or more subjects may be blinking at the moment that the image is captured. This results in a sub-optimal image where one or more of the subjects have partially or fully closed eyes. To improve the chances of a better picture, photographers often capture several images within a few seconds of each other, hoping that all subjects have open eyes in at least one captured image. This method requires extra time and effort on the part of the photographer as well as the subjects.
Several inventions in digital photography have also been disclosed which use image processing algorithms to interrogate a captured image in order to detect and warn the photographer that one or more eyes are not fully open. This gives the photographer the opportunity to capture additional images in the attempt to capture at least one image where all eyes are fully open. Still other inventions have been disclosed which provide a means of fixing the image at some later date.
A preferred solution, would allow the subjects to pose for a single image capture event, and would automatically provide the photographer with a single image that has been adjusted to ensure that all the eyes are open.

Elimination of blink-related closed eyes in portrait photography


An electrical cable connector comprises at least two insulative material jaw members adapted to define between them at least two parallel channels, one for each cable. At least one metal contact member is carried by one of the jaw members in a housing in which it is at least partially accommodated. It has active parts at the front adapted to intersect both channels. Clamping means close the jaw members so as to close the channels onto the cables. Insulative material seals are disposed around the respective active parts of the contact member and linked by a crosspiece. The crosspiece is secured by deformation to the respective jaw member so that it is fastened thereto. To this end the crosspiece is disposed between two ribs which are one piece with the jaw member and are deformed under pressure into a U-shape pressing against the crosspiece.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention concerns connectors for electrical cables comprising at least two jaw members made from a hard insulative material such as polyamide 6 charged 50% with glass fibers so that they are rigid, adapted to define at least two parallel channels between them, one per electrical cable, at least one metal contact member, preferably of aluminum alloy or tinned brass, carried by one of said jaw members, at least partly contained within a housing in the latter and having active parts at the front forming perforating teeth intercepting both of said channels to establish a bridge connection between the electrical cables, and clamping means adapted to move the jaw members towards each other to close said channels onto said electrical cables.
It is more particularly directed to the case where insulative material seals are provided on the active parts of the contact member (or each contact member where a plurality of contact members are employed), to be more precise soft insulative material (i.e. flexible and elastic thermoplastic material) seals surrounding or substantially surrounding said active parts to protect them more reliably from moisture when they are fitted to the electrical cables.
This is the case in the disclosures of French patent No. 2 601 516, which is a patent of addition to an earlier French patent application (84 09384) which has an equivalent U.S. Pat. No. (4,643,512), and French patent No. 2 634 070.
In the first of these documents the two seals for the active parts of the same contact member are joined together by a crosspiece.
They are portions of an inverted gusset sealing part which caps the exterior part of the contact member with which it is engaged in the respective housing of the respective jaw member, with sealing beads around the perforating teeth of this contact member.
However carefully it may be fitted, in practise this sealing part is not finally located until the connector is first clamped to the electrical cables.
In the second document the seals are overmolded continuously with a skin covering virtually all of the surface of the contact member.
In another connector currently marketed by the assignees of this application the contact members are simple blade members force-fitted into "ad hoc" grooves in the insulative jaw or jaws, after which a soft and durably elastic synthetic material is injected into all of the empty spaces between the blade members and the jaw members, such injection simultaneously producing sealing beads all around the perforating teeth, as claimed, described and/or shown in the aforementioned prior art documents, of which the assignee of this application is the proprietor.
In this latter product, in the "inverted gusset" solution of French patent 2 601 516 and in French patent 2 634 070, although an effective seal is provided between the perforating teeth and the cables to be connected by the sealing beads around said perforating teeth when the connector is clamped onto the cables, the sealing is less effective during such clamping between the crosspiece joining the beads and the contact member and between the latter and the groove for receiving it in the clamping jaw member. This is because of the restricted clamping upon assembly in the factory and also because the clamping is not applied directly to the crosspiece or the beads.
An object of the present invention is to improve sealing by hot deforming said crosspiece under pressure in the factory to deform it into contact with ribs which are in one piece with the insulative jaw member. Initially vertical, these ribs are heated and bent under pressure to a position at 90.degree. to their initial position, becoming embedded in the crosspiece and applying thereto an elastic compressive force producing a perfect seal between the crosspiece and the contact member and between the crosspiece and the insulative jaw member. This is achieved at the factory and is independent of the clamping of the connector when it is fitted to the cables to be connected.
Note that this new method constitutes an improvement on the solutions disclosed in the patents or patents of addition of the assignee of this application and may be applied to the latter solutions subject to modifications of the clamping jaw members in the manner described in this application.

Societe Industrielle de Construction d'Appareils et de Materiel Electrique S.I.C.A.M.E.


A method for authenticating appliance messages sent between an appliance and an appliance communication center over an appliance communications network includes maintaining a shared message counter at both the appliance communication center. A shared message counter at both the appliance communication center and the remotely located appliance. An authentication algorithm is applied to the appliance message and the shared message counter to generate an authentication word. The appliance message is then transmitted to the appliance or the communication center along with the authentication word. Upon receiving the appliance message, the appliance or the communication center will apply an authentication algorithm to the appliance message and the shared counter to generate an authentication word. The generated authentication word may be compared to the word received with the appliance message to determine authenticity of the message.

The present invention relates to home appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and air conditioners. In particular, the present invention relates to authentication of messages transmitted and received between network enabled appliances and a central controller.
Appliances of the past were stand alone devices, operating on their own without cooperation between or communication among other devices. As a result (as one example) great expenditures of time and effort by repair personnel were required to diagnose problems in an appliance and to take corrective action. As another example, the current and proper operation of an appliance generally could not be determined without being physically present at the appliance. Thus, for example, whether or not the gas burner in a stove had been left on could not be determined without physical inspection.
However, remote testing and operation of appliances, even if it were available today, must be carefully controlled. In particular, authentication of messages between, for example, a service center (which may send appliance operation commands, for example) and the appliance (which may respond with status information, for example) becomes important. However, in the past, no authentication technique for appliance communications has been available. Furthermore, no suitable technique has been available for protecting the authentication technique against compromised authentication parameters, such as authentication keys.
A need has long existed in the industry for a mechanism that provides for authentication of remote appliance messages that addresses the problems noted above and others previously experienced.

Authentication of remote appliance messages using an embedded cryptographic device


System and method for efficient allocation of resources for processing video. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for processing video. The method includes providing a system for processing video. The system is characterized by a known quantity of processing power. The method also includes providing a video file, which is characterized by a plurality of properties. The plurality of properties includes a file type, resolution, bit rate, frame rate, video quality, etc. The video type is associated with a first compression method. The method further includes determining the video type and the first compression method. Additionally, the method includes determining a first usage for the video file. For example, the first usage being associated with the video type. The method further includes decoding the video. Additionally, the method includes determining a residual processing power, which associated with the first usage. The method also includes providing a first plurality of processing modules.

The present invention relates in general to video and image processing techniques. More particularly, the invention provides a method and system for efficiently enhancing videos and images. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a technique for selecting process techniques to be performed on videos based on various factors, such as available processing power, compression type, etc. For example, the embodiment dynamically constructs a system for processing videos. Merely by way of example, the invention is described as it applies to dynamically processing video for viewing, but it should be recognized that the invention has a broader range of applicability.
Over the last decade, with advent of consumer electronics and more specifically media players (e.g., DVD player, computer, portable multimedia devices, cellular phones, etc.) are used for playing media contents in various formats. For a variety of reasons, media contents often need to be decompressed and processed (e.g., enhanced, adjusted, etc.) before they are presented for viewing and/or other purposes.
Typically, video enhancements include a de-interlacing, removing compression artifacts, scaling, etc. For these, certain conventional techniques have been developed and improved. Some of the conventional techniques such as noise reduction, contrast enhancement, etc., are derived from traditional image processing techniques. As a result, these techniques are often inadequate, especially for real time applications. For example, various applications such as video enhancements are performed without regard to the specific characteristics for the video. As a result, these conventional techniques often leads to poor performance and unacceptable output.
Hence it is highly desirable to improve techniques for effectively and efficiently enhancing videos and images, especially for low-power handheld devices.

System and method for allocation of resources for processing video


A method of autonomously sharing a load between at least two output generation devices, the method including: providing at least two output generation devices, wherein the at least two output generation devices operate autonomously with respect to one another and the at least two output generation devices are in fluid communication with output receiving means adapted to receive output generated by the at least two output generation devices; monitoring output generated by the output generation devices; and cycling each of the at least two devices through an activated mode and a standby mode independently of one another in an automated manner to meet an output demand thereby sharing a load demand between the at least two output generation devices.

1. Technical Field
The disclosed subject matter generally relates to a method and system for autonomous load sharing. Particularly, the disclosed subject matter relates to a method and system of controlling at least two devices to generate output commensurate with demand without direct communication between the devices.
2. Related Art
In general, systems utilizing multiple devices to supply output commensurate with demand communicate with one another to facilitate the generation of the demanded output. To accomplish this, multiple devices are often used and communicate with one another via physical connection, such as, wires, computers, control panels, conduits, and the like. Such physical connections require the devices to either be located near one another, or the wires, conduits and the like must be long enough to provide the physical connection between the devices. Lengthy connection or communication means may be costly, difficult to install and/or difficult to maintain. Moreover, in some systems, close physical location of the devices may not be advisable or attainable.
Accordingly, a method and system for autonomous load sharing to control multiple devices supplying output without direct communication between the devices is needed.

Method and system for autonomous load sharing


It concerns a prosthetic device for lower limb of a uses having a leg component, a foot component having a foot shell defining a first cavity within said foot shell and a coves component covering said leg component, said leg, foot and cover components being water compatible. The cover component is formed by an hollow flexible self-carrying sleeve defining a cavity within the sleeve around the leg component, the foot shell comprising a hole on its inner side, overlapping the sleeve on at least one centimeter and presenting an aperture below the sleeve to provide air communication between the cavity and the exterior. The cover component comprises in its upper part, a longitudinal slot, so that the water drains naturally from the first and second cavities.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to prostheses.
More particularly it concerns a prosthesis comprising covers and covers which can be used with lower limb prosthesis for everyday activities and water activities.
It also relates to a method of manufacturing such covers and/or prosthesis.
2. Description of Related Art
A typical walking leg prosthesis cannot be used in water since the component (feet, knees, adapters, foam covers) are not designed to be water resistant.
On the contrary the swim legs are disappointing for a user. They are sometimes functional, but have no cosmetic cover, and are often rudimentary both in terms of function and aesthetic.
The user is therefore not inclined to use them.
There is therefore an important need for a walking hybrid cover and/or prosthesis suitable for use in water for both above knee and below knee prosthetic device.

Lower limb prosthesis usable in water environment


A delivery device delivers a repair compound from a container with which it is assembled, and includes an integral smoothing tool or blade part. The container has an opening end finish, allowing the repair compound to enter, and extrude from, a nozzle part of the delivery device when the container is squeezed. A portion of the blade part exhibits transverse flexibility to facilitate smoothing of a deposited repair compound. The blade part also functions to effect closure of a terminal end orifice of the nozzle part, typically having a closure plug that enters the orifice to form a seal when disposed, by flexure of the blade part, in a closing position relative to the nozzle. Alternatively, the blade part may be capable of linear articulation to achieve closure at the nozzle orifice, and the sealing element may comprise a flat surface. The device enables one-handed setup, dispensing, closure, and smoothing of a deposited repair compound.

It is well known that consumers desire to quick and easily repair method for filling small holes and dents in a dwellings interior wallboard, exterior siding, furniture, and wherever plaster, putty, or wood filler is called for. The state of the art for dispensing and delivering Chalk, plaster, spackle and repair filler compounds presently does not address the consumers need to have a product containing a repair compound dispenser combined with a blade tool for smoothing out the dispensed material. The following United States patent documents represent prior art that could be considered germane to the present invention:
U.S. Pat. No. 1,390,126
U.S. Pat. No. 1,604,792
U.S. Pat. No. 2,236,727
U.S. Pat. No. 2,804,767
U.S. Pat. No. 2,884,877
U.S. Pat. No. 2,914,798
U.S. Pat. No. 2,988,775
U.S. Pat. No. 3,087,654
U.S. Pat. No. 3,411,178
U.S. Pat. No. 3,744,079
U.S. Pat. No. 3,761,992
U.S. Pat. No. 3,846,060
U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,951
U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,704
U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,860
U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,489
U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,773
U.S. Patent No. 20100162509
A variety of wallboard and putty dispensing devices and tools to smooth out the dispensed repair compound have been developed and marketed. More recently, the consumer has seen new product offerings that allow you to patch small holes caused by picture hook nails or screws marketed in small dispensing bottles. The invention utilizes an integral blade that functions both to smooth out the dispensed putty, and also to provide an air-tight seal for the containers dispensing orifice, while offering low manufacturing cost and substantially increased ease of use to the consumer.


This novel silent operating mode for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) reduces noise and emissions compared to traditional HEV operating modes. It is a complementary series of software control functions that allows the vehicle to operate with reduced noise and emissions where specifically needed, while phasing-in engine power where allowed. The method utilizes an energy storage system budget associated with a modal quantity of energy allocated for the mode, and is adapted to automatically adjust the operation of the vehicle to accommodate deviations from the budgeted energy amount. The mode also adjusts the vehicle operation in conjunction with changes in the parametric conditions of the ESS.

An HEV is a vehicle that has a propulsion system that consists of at least one electric motor or electric machine in combination with at least one other power source. Typically, the other power source is a gasoline or diesel engine. There are various types of HEVs depending on how the electric motor(s) and other power source(s) are combined with one another in order to provide propulsion for the vehicle, including series, parallel and compound HEVs.
Various hybrid powertrain architectures are known for managing the input and output torques of various propulsion systems in HEVs, most commonly internal combustion engines and electric machines. Series hybrid architectures are generally characterized by an internal combustion engine driving an electric generator which in turn provides electrical power to an electric drivetrain and to an energy storage system, comprising a battery pack. The internal combustion engine in a series HEV is not directly mechanically coupled to the drivetrain. The electric generator may also operate in a motoring mode to provide a starting function to the internal combustion engine, and the electric drivetrain may recapture vehicle braking energy by also operating in a generator mode to recharge the battery pack.
Parallel HEV architectures are generally characterized by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor which both have a direct mechanical coupling to the drivetrain. The drivetrain conventionally includes a shifting transmission to provide the necessary gear ratios for wide range operation.
Electrically variable transmissions (EVT) are known which provide for continuously variable speed ratios by combining features from both series and parallel HEV powertrain architectures. EVTs are operable with a direct mechanical path between an internal combustion engine and a final drive unit thus enabling high transmission efficiency and application of lower cost and less massive motor hardware. EVTs are also operable with engine operation mechanically independent from the final drive or in various mechanical/electrical split contributions (i.e. input split, output split and compound split configurations) thereby enabling high-torque continuously variable speed ratios, electrically dominated launches, regenerative braking, engine off idling, and two-mode operation.
The development of new HEV powertrain architectures also facilitate the development and implementation of novel vehicle operating methodologies that utilize the novel features available in these systems. New operating methods are desired that utilize HEV powertrain architectures, for example, to provide vehicle operating methodologies that are particularly adapted to their operating environments, or that meet legal, regulatory or other constraints that are imposed upon their operating environments, such as by using novel combinations of electrical and mechanical propulsion energy to minimize vehicle emissions, such as noise and exhaust emissions. It is also desirable that such operating methodologies are incorporated into the vehicle hardware and software systems as novel operating modes that are available for selection manually by an operator, or for automatic implementation by the vehicle in response to predetermined conditions.
Complex EVT HEVs utilize one or more electric machines and require advanced, high energy density, energy storage systems (ESS) which include batteries, ultracapacitors or combinations thereof, to supply electrical energy to and receive and store electrical energy from these machines. The implementation of new operating methodologies, place increased demands on the electric machines and ESS associated with the dynamic flow of power into and out of the ESS.
Therefore, it is highly desirable to develop vehicle operating methodologies that are adapted to vehicle operating environment requirements and that can be incorporated into the vehicles as operating modes that implement advance control of HEV systems, including the engine, electric machine and ESS systems.

Silent operating mode for reducing emissions of a hybrid electric vehicle


A zoom lens system having a field angle of about 44.degree. to 47.degree. at the wide angle end, a zoom ratio of about 2.6 to 3 and an F-number on the order of 2.8, which is reduced in value while making sure of a back focus and which is improved in terms of its capability to form images. The zoom lens system includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power and a fourth lens group consisting of three lens elements and having a positive refractive power as a whole, the second and third lens groups being movable for zooming.

This invention relates to a small-sized zoom lens system lending itself well fit for electronic still, video and other cameras using solid state image sensors, etc. as the image pickup devices.
In recent years, radical reductions in the size and weight of electronic still and video cameras have been in the making. Solid state image sensors are now decreasing in size from 1/2 in. or a diagonal length of ca. 8 mm to 1/3 in. or a diagonal length of ca. 6 mm and further to 1/4 in. or a diagonal length of ca. 4 mm, with an increasing demand for reductions in the size of corresponding lens systems. Conventional lens systems which are designed to achieve such size and weight reductions and belong in type to that of the invention to be described later are set forth in Japanese Provisional Patent Publications Nos. 2(1990)-236514 and 64 (1989)-91110, for instance. These systems make sure of sufficient back focal distances because of using prism half or quick return mirrors as means for splitting rays to a finder optical system. As described in Example 10 of the latter publication teaching the shortest total length, however, the total length is still as long as expressed by EQU Total length/f.sub.W >4.46
wherein the total length is the distance from the first surface to the final surface of the lens system and f.sub.W fill is the focal length of the total system at the wide angle end. Thus, there is left much to be desired in connection with size reductions. When lens systems are scaled down according to a certain proportionality factor to accommodate to image pickup sensors of 1/3 in. or 1/4 in. in size, some problems arise in the course of processing lenses; for instance, the edge and intermediate thicknesses of convex and concave lenses become insufficient.


The novel primary intermediate, 1-(5-amino-2-hydroxyphenyl)ethane-1,2-diol and a method for producing same, are disclosed. The novel intermediate can be employed as a replacement for p-aminophenol in oxidation dye formulations.

Compositions for oxidative hair coloring comprise primary intermediates such as p-phenylenediamine and p-aminophenol and couplers such as resorcinol, 3-aminophenol, 5-amino-2-methylphenol and 2,4-diaminophenoxyethanol. However, as noted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,451, the use of p-aminophenol (PAP) is being questioned for toxicological reasons.
Because of the toxicological issues, the art has been looking for substitutes for p-aminophenol.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,451 describes oxidative hair dyeing compositions based on new 4-aminophenol primary intermediates of the formula 2 which provide oxidative hair dyeing compositions useful for producing red shades. These red shades are comparable in color intensity and brightness to those produced utilizing 4-aminophenol. Moreover, dyes produced through use of the primary intermediates of formula 2 possess a superior toxicological profile. ##STR1##
U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,066 teaches dye compositions for keratinous fibers. The dye compositions contain a 2-substituted 4-aminophenol compound of the general formula 3, 4, 5, and 6, as a developer, and a coupling substance. ##STR2## Compounds 4 and 5 couple with 1-naphthol to produce a vivid reddish hair color. Patentees claim that the new primary intermediates overcome problems of insufficient performance in terms of saturation or vividness of colors, dyeing capability and fastness.
DE 3,441,148 discloses hair dyes containing 4-aminohydroxyalkylphenols of the formula 7 as developers. ##STR3##
U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,413 teaches 3-substituted p-aminophenols of the formula 8, a process for preparing these compounds, their use for dyeing keratinous fibers and the intermediate compounds used in the preparation process. ##STR4##
WO 94/27564 teaches the use of 3-substituted p-aminophenols of the formula 9 for dyeing keratinous fibers and novel 3-substituted p-aminophenols. ##STR5##
DE 3,543,345 discloses oxidative hair dyes based on 4-amino-2-aminomethylphenol of the formula 10. ##STR6##
Although many p-aminophenol derivatives have been patented, only two of them, i.e., 3-methyl-4-aminophenol and 2-aminomethyl-4-aminophenol, are used in commercial hair coloring products. They are primary intermediates. Upon oxidation they couple with conventional couplers to produce an oxidative hair dye. However, these compounds cannot be used as a direct replacement for 4-aminophenol mainly due to color differences. For example, 2-aminomethyl-4-aminophenol couples with 2-methyl-5-aminophenol to color piedmont hair red brown, while a combination of 4-aminophenol and 2-methyl-5-aminophenol colors hair bright orange-red. 3-Methyl-4-aminophenol generally causes a bathochromic shift, as compared to 4-aminophenol.
The object of the invention is to develop a direct replacement for p-aminophenol which, when employed with conventional couplers in oxidative dyeing, gives colors close to that obtained when p-aminophenol is employed with such couplers. This is important because direct replacement allows one skilled in the art to formulate shades based on the existing shades, thereby reducing development time.

Substituted p-aminophenol, process of preparation and use in dyeing hair


In a computer system executing a plurality of types of services, a service load monitor measures a load required to execute services in each of the computers. A node load monitor measures a load on each of the computers. A service optimal allocation machine determines an optimal computer and a service to be reallocated to the optimal computer, based on the measurement results of the service load monitor and the node load monitor, and reallocates the determined service to the optimal computer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer system including a plurality of computers and executing a plurality of services (works). More particularly, the present invention relates to a computer system and method for service load distributing in asymmetrical resource environments.
2. Description of the Related Art
Server load distributing systems are well known in which service execution requests issued from a number of client terminals are distributed to a plurality of computers to efficiently process the requests. Server load distributing systems of this type are described in, for example, Rajkumar Buyya, "High Performance Cluster Computing: Architecture and Systems (Vol. 1)", Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1999, pp. 340-363 and in Tony Bourke, "Server Load Balancing", O'Relly & Associates, Inc., pp. 3-31, December 2001. These server load distributing systems generally comprise a plurality of sever computers having symmetrical (uniform) resource environments and a load distributing unit. The load distributing unit receives a request to execute a service from a client terminal via a network (external network). Upon receiving the request, the load distributing unit determines which one of the server computers should execute the service designated by the client terminal. Selection is performed to avoid concentration of load on a particular server computer. That is, the load distributing unit distributes the execution of services of the same type to a plurality of computers.
In general, the server load distributing system employs one of the following methods to determine which computer should execute a service, i.e., to schedule services: (1) round-robin scheduling, (2) weighted round-robin scheduling, (3) a minimum connection method and (4) a fastest method. Round-robin scheduling is a method for uniformly selecting each server computer in a certain order. Weighted round-robin scheduling is a method based on round-robin scheduling, in which the frequency of selection of each server computer is determined in accordance with the capacity of each server computer. Accordingly, in weighted round-robin scheduling, a weight (selection frequency) corresponding to its capacity is assigned to each computer. The minimum connection method is for selecting a computer that has been connected a minimum number of times (for a minimum session) so far. The fastest method is for selecting a computer of a fastest response at the present stage.
The load distributing unit determines which server computer should execute a service, using one of the above methods (1) to (4). Subsequently, the load distributing unit sends a request to execute the service, issued from a client computer, to the selected server computer via a network (internal network). Upon receiving the request, the selected server computer executes the service, and sends a response to the load distributing unit. The load distributing unit returns the response from the server computer to the client terminal, i.e., the request issuer.
The load distributing unit monitors a response from each server computer. The load distributing unit detects a timeout that occurs when no response is returned from a server computer even after a predetermined time elapses. When detecting it, the load distributing unit determines that a failure has occurred in the server computer. The server computer failure includes a failure in a server computer itself, and a failure related to execution of a service by a server computer. When the load distributing unit detects a failure in a server computer, it does not allocate a service to the server computer, thereby realizing a pared-down operation of the system.
On the other hand, a computer system called a cluster system has come to be available, as is disclosed in "Cluster Software" by Tetsuo Kaneko and Ryoya Mori in Toshiba Review, Vol. 54, No. 12 (1999), pp. 18-21. In general, cluster systems comprise a plurality of computers having asymmetrical resource environments. In cluster systems, services different in function (i.e., different types of services) are allocated to a plurality of computers having asymmetrical resource environments. This allocation is beforehand closely planned by a user. Computers in a cluster system access each other via a network to detect any failure in computers currently executing services. Upon detection of a failure, the cluster system executes re-scheduling (fail-over), i.e., reallocates, to another computer, the service that is being executed by the computer from which the failure has been detected. This can reduce the service (work) interruption time, thereby realizing high availability (server operation rate, business execution rate) called "HA". This type of cluster system is called an "HA cluster system".
In general, a cluster system re-allocates a service to a standby computer. In this case, the loads on computers are not considered for scheduling services. Further, cluster systems of a static ticket type are also well known. In cluster systems of this type, a user sets a processing capacity (ticket) for each computer in the cluster system. Further, a processing capacity (ticket) needed for executing a service is set in units of services. Cluster systems of a static ticket type perform control, by setting a ticket, so as not to allocate, to a particular computer, services that exceeds the processing capacity of the computer.
As described above, the conventional server load distributing systems can perform dynamic load distributing to a plurality of server computers having symmetrical resource environments. However, the conventional server load distributing systems cannot perform dynamic load distributing to a plurality of server computers having complex asymmetrical resource environments, i.e., cannot perform reliable control of execution of services that operate in complex asymmetrical resource environments. Furthermore, the conventional server load distributing systems cannot promptly detect a failure in a computer since they perform failure detection upon timeout of a response from the computer.
On the other hand, in conventional cluster systems that have asymmetrical resource environments, load distributing is realized by user's close planning of functional load distributing. Alternatively, it is realized by a static ticket system in which a predetermined ticket is allocated in units of services. Accordingly, conventional cluster systems having asymmetrical resource environments cannot perform dynamic load distributing. Further, in the static ticket system, service allocation that is not suitable for the present status of loading may be performed.

Computer system and method for service load distributing


Protection against data overwrite of a rewritable non-WORM data storage cartridge is provided by a data storage drive operating cartridge data overwrite protection procedures independent of, or not withstanding, the absence of cartridge controls relating to data overwrite protection. Also for the non-WORM cartridge, the drive responds to an allow data overwrite command to allow an immediately subsequent write type command to write to the cartridge even if the write command overwrites existing data. The overwrite protection procedures and data overwrite procedures may be configured and enabled for the data storage drive.

Data storage cartridges may comprise rewritable media. Examples comprise magnetic tape media, various forms of optical disk media, magnetic disk media, various forms of optical tape media, and electronic memory media. In many instances, users desire to preserve data written to such rewritable media by protecting the data from being overwritten. The incorporated '846 and '803 patents allow protection of data written to data storage cartridges having rewritable media that is controlled by the data storage cartridges and that is tamper resistant. This allows the cartridges to be loaded in different data storage drives and the data is still protected. A write once flag is written to a lockable section of a cartridge memory, and the cartridge memory is locked. Additionally, a write once flag is written to a required data set of the rewritable media. Thus, write once flags are provided at both the locked section of the cartridge memory and the required data set of the rewritable media. The data storage drives are restricted by the write once flags and prevented from overwriting the protected data. Using the lockable section of the cartridge memory makes the protection tamper resistant. It is important that such cartridges (called WORM, write once-read many) are always protected.
A cartridge having such protection may not be available to a user at the time that the user finds it desirable to protect data against being overwritten. An example of protection of the data is discussed by the incorporated '810 patent which treats rewritable data storage media as write once by automatically advancing a write append limiter and operating the data storage drive to prevent changes to the data occurring before the write append limiter, and the incorporated '314 patent provides pointers at both the media and a cartridge memory to guard against tampering.

Data storage drive overwrite protection of non-worm cartridges

International Business Machines Corporation


A method by a wireless device functioning as a beamformer station in a wireless network to perform a sounding procedure. The method includes generating a NDPA frame, wherein the NDPA frame includes a sounding dialog token field, wherein bit B0 of the sounding dialog token field is set to binary ‘1’ and bit B1 of the sounding dialog token field is set to binary ‘1’ to indicate that the NDPA frame is an extremely high throughput (EHT) NDPA frame and wirelessly transmitting the NDPA frame to one or more beamformee stations. The NDPA frame may include an indication of whether a beamformee station should acknowledge the NDP announcement frame or not. The NDPA frame may be transmitted in a first frequency band, while a beamformed data frame is transmitted in a second frequency band that is a higher frequency band than the first frequency band.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 is a set of physical and Media Access Control (MAC) specifications for implementing Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) communications. These specifications provide the basis for wireless network products using the Wi-Fi brand managed and defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The specifications define the use of the 2.400-2.500 Gigahertz (GHz) as well as the 4.915-5.825 GHz bands. These spectrum bands are commonly referred to as the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Each spectrum is subdivided into channels with a center frequency and bandwidth. The 2.4 GHz band is divided into 14 channels spaced 5 Megahertz (MHz) apart, though some countries regulate the availability of these channels. The 5 GHz band is more heavily regulated than the 2.4 GHz band and the spacing of channels varies across the spectrum with a minimum of a 5 MHz spacing dependent on the regulations of the respective country or territory.
WLAN devices are currently being deployed in diverse environments. These environments are characterized by the existence of many Access Points (APs) and non-AP stations (STAs) in geographically limited areas. Increased interference from neighboring devices gives rise to performance degradation. Additionally, WLAN devices are increasingly required to support a variety of applications such as video, cloud access, and offloading. Video traffic, in particular, is expected to be the dominant type of traffic in WLAN deployments. With the real-time requirements of some of these applications, WLAN users demand improved performance.
In the enhancement of IEEE 802.11ax, the use of multiple frequency bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, and 6 GHz band) is considered. The transmit power spectral density regulation in the 6 GHz frequency band is 12 decibels (dB) lower than in the 5 GHz frequency band. Thus, the coverage of the basic service set (BSS) operating in the 6 GHz frequency band is much smaller than that of a BSS operating in the 5 GHz frequency band. One way to address such coverage mismatch is to use beamformed transmissions.


An in-situ method for measuring the endpoint of a resist recess etch process for DRAM trench cell capacitors to determine the buried plate depth on a semiconductor wafer thereof, including: placing an IR device on the etch chamber; illuminating the surface of a semiconductor wafer during etching to a resist recess depth with IR radiation from the IR device; detecting reflection spectra from the illuminated surface of the semiconductor wafer with an IR detector; performing a frequency analysis of the reflection spectra and providing a corresponding plurality of wave numbers in response thereto; and utilizing calculating device coupled to the IR detector to calculate the resist recess depth at the illuminated portion of the wafer from the plurality of wave numbers corresponding to the reflection spectra.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a system for and method to determine resist recess depth in-situ in trench cell DRAM capacitors, using FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Reflectometry) in combination with a fast photoconductive IR detector to determine an end point. The method is independent of ground rules and therefore extendible for ground rules smaller than 0.175 xcexcm.
2. Description of Related Art
Good recess depth control for the resist recess in trench cell DRAM (Dynamic Range and Access Memory) capacitors requires a non-destructive in-situ depth measurement; however, there is no current method available which is extendible to ground rules for microelectronic sub devices smaller than about 0.175 xcexcm.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,330 disclose an xe2x80x9cin-linexe2x80x9d photoresist thickness measuring device wherein a plurality of projection optical fibers are disposed over a wafer processing track for illuminating portions of a wafer as the wafer proceeds along the track. The spectrometer simultaneously diffuses the scattered light into a plurality of light bands, each light band having a different wavelength. The electrical signals generated by each pin diode in response to the incident light bands are communicated to a processor which calculates resist thickness for each illuminated portion of the wafer.xe2x80x9d xe2x80x9cThe software loads reflectivity data from the spectrometer into the computer""s memory, and optionally subtracts a background spectrum from the data.xe2x80x9d (Col. 4, lines 35-37). xe2x80x9cThe spectrum data is converted into the frequency domain by a Fourier transform . . . Theoretical considerations reveal that the correct thickness will correspond to the largest value of the power spectrum of the Fourier transform.xe2x80x9d (Col.5, lines 9-26).
A method for xe2x80x9cthe spin development of a resist coating on the surface of a semiconductor wafer is monitored by measuring light scattered back from the wafer surface from an incandescent source in U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,172. During development, the sensed light level oscillates due to optical fringing caused by the thinning of the resist layer in the exposed areas and the fringe generated oscillation essentially stops when the development breaks through in the exposed areas.xe2x80x9d xe2x80x9c[The] data stream representing the light scattered back from the wafer under development is compared with reference data representing a template characteristic of the optical fringes generated by a representative development process to determine a control point which characterizes a last fringe in the development process. The development process is then terminated a calculated time after the control point.xe2x80x9d (Col. 3, lines 25-33.)
A method for processing a layer of material while using in-situ monitoring and control is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,673. FIG. 17 disclose xe2x80x9ca wafer which has a plasma enhanced oxide (PEO) portion, referred to as a dielectric portion and a photoresist portion. The wafer is positioned in a chamber of a semiconductor equipment system. The system is a batch etch system. Wafer 51 is a dummy etch monitoring wafer and other product wafers are positioned within the chamber adjacent the wafer 51 . . . A photoresist layer or a like layer which is similar or identical to the portion of 52 of wafer 51 is formed over the product wafers. This photoresist layer is formed over the layer of material and is used to achieve in-situ controlled etch-back planarization . . . . The laser beam reflection off of the surface of wafer 51 generates a sinusoidal interference pattern which can be used during etch processing to determine the etch rate of the portion 52 (i.e., the photoresist portion). The etch rate information is transmitted to the computer 60 via the conductor 63. The computer 60 uses the data received from the photodetectors 54a and 54b to alter the process conditions, process time, process environment, and/or process chemistry . . . xe2x80x9d (Col. 11, line 40xe2x80x94Col. 12, line 16). xe2x80x9cIt should be understood that the dummy wafer 51 may also be a product wafer. The laser 58a may be positioned to monitor a first area of the product wafer, which is likely to expose the dielectric layer requiring planarization. The laser 58b may be positioned to monitor a second area of the product wafer which exposes predominantly photoresist. The same optimal planarization results via feedback control is achieved.xe2x80x9d (Col. 12, line 26-34).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,761 discloses a method for real-time in-situ monitoring of a trench formation process. xe2x80x9cIn the manufacturing of 16 Mbit DRAM chips, the deep trench formation process in a silicon wafer by plasma etching is a very critical step . . . A large area of the wafer is illuminated through a view port by a radiation of a specified wavelength at a normal angle of incidence. The reflected light is collected then applied to a spectrometer.xe2x80x9d
The resist recess process for DRAM trench cell capacitors determines the buried plate depth; however, there is a need for an end-point detection system for ground rules of microelectronic devices of 0.175 xcexcm and smaller to control the recess etch process, which is extendible to ground rules smaller than 0.175 xcexcm, and is therefore independent of ground rules.
One object of the present invention is to provide a method for determining recess depth control for the resist recess in trench cell DRAM capacitors in a non-destructive in-situ depth measurement.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for obtaining recess depth control for the resist recess in trench cell DRAM capacitors that is a non-destructive in-situ depth measurement which is extendible to ground rules of microelectronic devices smaller than 0.175 xcexcm.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for recess depth control for the resist recess in trench cell DRAM capacitors that is a non-destructive in-situ depth measurement, that is extendible to ground rules smaller than 0.175 xcexcm using FTIR reflectometry in combination with a fast photoconductive IR detector to measure resist recess depth in-situ during processing so that an end-point detection can be determined.
In general, the invention method for measuring the end point of the resist recess etch process and monitoring the etch rate is accomplished by placing an FTIR system on the etch chamber in tandem with utilizing IR light reflected from the processed wafer after the resist recess etch. The system used determines the resist recess depth for depth values  greater than 0.5 xcexcm at any time, independent of the actual etch rate by reflection spectra from the wafer.

In-situ method for measuring the endpoint of a resist recess etch process


A printing control system of the present invention is arranged so as to control a printing process to be executed by a printer by a printer driver installed in a host computer. The host computer stores information on restricted function in HD for controlling the printing process to be executed by a computer. The printer driver includes a detecting section for detecting the information on the restricted function, and a defining section for defining as print controlling conditions, the print processing function available in the print processing based on the information on restricted function as defected by said detecting section. With this structure, it is possible to define the setting of the print controlling conditions in the printing device for each user.

In recent years, network connectable printers that can accept print jobs from a plurality of host computers linked in a LAN (Local Area Network) or other network have become prevalent, for example, in offices. In the case of adopting the foregoing network connectable printer, a host computer installs a printer driver for the control of the printing process at the printer (for example, as disclosed, in Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-330742/2000 (Tokukai 2000-330742, published on Nov. 30, 2000)). The printer driver as installed serves as a program for controlling the printing on the host computer, and printing conditions in the printing process can be set by setting the printer driver.
The printer used in common among a plurality of host computers may be subjected to various restrictions on the print processing functions of the printer when carrying out a printing operation in consideration of users' preferences, efficiencies of a printing operation in the printer, etc.
For a printer in which a restriction on the printable number of pages in color print is set for each user, adopted, for example, is the structure wherein in an event that a set number of pages to color print is greater than the printable number of pages in the user's request for color print, the printing condition is changed automatically from color print to monochrome print, and a printing operation is executed in monochrome (for example, as disclosed, in Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-103753/2002 (Tokukai 2002-103753, published on Apr. 9, 2002)). It may be also arranged such that in order to restrict the usable recording sheet, the use of the feed tray provided in the printer is restricted for each user. In such printer, upon making a request for a printing operation in which an unavailable feed tray is selected, the set condition for a feed tray is changed automatically to an available feed tray, and the printing operation is executed.
As another example, there is a printer wherein in the case where a request for both-sided printing operation is made by a user who has a permission for only under-printing, the set printing condition is changed automatically from the both-sided printing to the under-printing, thereby executing a under-printing operation.
As described, for a printer in which the print processing function is restricted for each user, in the case where a request for a printing operation is made with a print processing condition that is not permitted, printing conditions are changed automatically so that the printing operation is executed using a permitted print processing function.
However, as described in the foregoing printers, the printing conditions as requested by the user are changed automatically, and therefore, the printing operation may not be performed with the conditions desired by the user.
Specifically, for example, in the case where a request for color print is made with respect to a printer in which a color print is restricted, the condition is changed automatically from the color print to the monochrome print as described above. In this case, however, data for color print is still transmitted to the printer. Generally, the amount of data for color print is larger than the amount of data for monochrome printing, and therefore, it takes time to obtain a monochrome print. Besides, in the case where the printing conditions are changed automatically from the color printing to the monochrome printing, a file for monochrome printed sheets is prepared, and the printing conditions are set by the printer driver automatically, thereby presenting the problem that printed outputs as desired by the user may not be obtained.
Furthermore, in the case where the feed tray is changed automatically with the restriction on the print processing function, the feed tray as set automatically may not be the one the user desires. Similarly, for the printer in which a printing condition is charged automatically from the both-sided printing to the under-printing, and the printing operation in the under-printing is performed, the user may desire to change the print condition to multi-shot printing in which plural pages are printed on one under-sheet.
As described, according to the foregoing structure wherein the printing conditions are changed automatically, an unnecessary longer time is required for the printing operation, or the printing operation may not be performed with the printing condition as user desires.
Incidentally, the patent document 1 discloses the structure wherein the printer driver is installed automatically in the host computer; however, it fails to disclose the structure wherein a restriction on a print processing function is set for each host computer (user), or the structure wherein the print processing function is restricted on the printer driver.

Printing control device, printing control system, and printing control method