This invention provides a circuit and method to replace the passive resistive or statically biased active load devices with dynamically biased active load devices. This allows the load devices to present an effective load which varies depending on the state of the circuit output. The effective load and the time rate of change of the effective load can be dynamically optimized to improve circuit performance with changing conditions. The effective load is varied according to the state of the circuit by the use of time-delayed negative feedback. The biasing of the load devices is also capable to control the logic swing of the circuit. A bias generating circuit employing a dynamically biased active load is described. This provides a method for a family of logic circuits, especially CML circuits, to operate at low voltage and low power at high switching speeds, having symmetrical rise and fall times and well defined logic signal swings. The output is sampled and maintained at near ideal bias voltage with a voltage follower type circuit which provides a gain of less than unity and finite delay. Particular circuit implementations using various semiconductor technologies are described and many others are possible. Although the invention may find primary use in VLSI logic circuits, especially those requiring high speed and low power, it is also shown to be useful in analog circuits. Alternate circuit configurations for dynamically biased active load devices are described.

It is a constant endeavor to find ways of speeding up the rise and fall times of switching circuits. This is particularly a problem in circuits supplied from low voltage sources. The problem becomes more severe when employing voltage sources consisting of a battery which demands extremely low current drains.
Typical logic circuits employ a passive resistive load at their outputs. FIG. 1 shows a general diagram of a logic circuit 100 with an input 101 and an output 102, supplied from a power source 104. Often the logic circuit is driven by a current source, not shown in FIG. 1. In order to limit the power drain in such a circuit, the biasing current of the output stage is set as low as practical. An output stage with a bias current set at 0.1 mA, would require its load resistors, R.sub.L 106 to be relatively large, perhaps as high as 5 k ohm. Such high resistances are generally inefficient to implement in a VLSI process, and have relatively large parasitic capacitance associated with them. This furthermore results in a speed restricted circuit with outputs that can only rise exponentially with time constant R.sub.L C.sub.L, where C.sub.L 108 is the capacitive load on the output.
Attempts have been made to alleviate these problems with active load devices used in place of the load resistors. Each output resistor is replaced with a conventional constant-current biasing arrangement. However when such a circuit is implemented with MOS devices driven from a low supply voltage, the MOS devices are generally not saturated. Unsaturated MOS devices do not really behave as constant current sources. Effective operation of load replacement dictates a near ideal current source. In addition, the bias point of these MOS devices do not respond to the state of the gate, so the signal swing is not effectively controlled and the transition times are relatively slow. These same disadvantages result even when diode connected MOS devices are used as loads.

Circuits with dynamically biased active loads

International Business Machines Corporation


A system and method for operating an engine turbocharger is described. In one example, the turbocharger includes an electrically actuated waste gate. A controller adjusts a position of the electrically actuated waste gate.

A turbocharger may be coupled to an engine to increase engine performance. A turbine within the turbocharger converts exhaust energy into rotational energy, and the rotational energy is transferred to a compressor which may increase air flow into the engine. At higher engine speeds and loads, the amount of engine exhaust gas energy output may reach a level that provides more air flow from the turbocharger compressor into the engine than is desired. One way to limit air flow (e.g. boost) into the engine is to bypass a portion of exhaust gas around the turbine so that less exhaust energy is available to rotate the turbine and compressor. The amount of exhaust gas passing through the bypass may be controlled via a waste gate. One type of waste gate may be vacuum actuated. However, vacuum actuation may be an issue when the engine's intake manifold is frequently filled with a positive pressure. For example, small displacement engines may operate with positive intake manifold pressures to meet driver demand torque. Since a positive pressure is greater than atmospheric pressure, vacuum is not produced in the engine's intake manifold and sufficient vacuum for controlling the waste gate may not be provided. Consequently, the waste gate may stay in its normally closed position where boost may not be adjusted.
A waste gate may also be operated via an electric actuator. The electric actuator may be adjusted whether or not there is intake manifold pressure. Thus, boost may be regulated independent of whether or not vacuum is available or being produced. However, operation and control of electrically actuated waste gates may be influenced by other factors such as temperature and noise factors including but not limited to supply voltage variation, manufacturing variation, and engine output variation. Further, it may be challenging to provide precise waste gate position control in conjunction with providing a desired level of response.
The inventors herein have recognized the above-mentioned limitations and have developed a waste gate operating method, comprising: controlling an electronically actuated waste gate including adjusting waste gate actuation responsive to turbocharger thermal expansion and contraction.
By adjusting parameters of an electric waste gate controller for thermal conditions, it may be possible to improve waste gate position control. Further, by considering temperatures around and at the waste gate, it may be possible to operate the waste gate such that the possibility of waste gate actuator degradation is reduced.
The present description may provide several advantages. In particular, the approach may improve boost control by arriving at a desired boost pressure in a more responsive manner. Further, the approach may improve boost pressure control accuracy and repeatability. Additionally, the approach may reduce the possibility of waste gate actuator degradation.
The above advantages and other advantages, and features of the present description will be readily apparent from the following Detailed Description when taken alone or in connection with the accompanying drawings.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Method and system for operating an engine turbocharger waste gate


Negligible pressure drop absorber has a hollow housing having an entrance opening and an exit opening, and an absorber unit including a plurality of layers of an absorbent material arranged substantially parallel with one another to form a passageway for a gaseous stream, through which the gaseous stream is adapted to travel and by which gaseous liquid and liquid droplets are absorbed from the gaseous stream with a negligible drop in pressure. In particular, in the testing of engine oils with a Noack-type teat device, added collection by absorbing drawn over sample is accomplished, with the ability to evaluate that sample, and without incurring a pressure drop in the system adverse thereto.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns an absorber for a gas stream in a conduit, which can absorb a gaseous liquid and/or liquid droplets carried by the stream. Pressure of the stream drops negligibly with the absorber. In particular embodiments, the absorber is employed under low stream pressure and especially in Noack-type test devices.
II. Description of Known Art
In recently developed volatilization and collection art, engine oil samples are analyzed with precision by employment of a controlled flow rate and volume carrier gas stream, typically with the stream drawn over or about the sample under influence of a vacuum pump. See, Selby et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 06/425,588; Selby, U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,832; Selby et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,302; and Selby, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/893,632--each of these four documents incorporated by reference herein. The SELBY-NOACK VOLATILITY (S-N-V or SNV) test device, accordingly, was developed and has been made commercially available by and from Tannas Co., Midland, Mich., U.S.A., in order to conveniently and efficiently carry out such testing.
However, it was recognized in early prototypical SNV devices that minor amounts of sample were carried by the air carrier gas out of the glassware past the collection flask. These amounts of sample were lost and pulled toward the vacuum pump. It would be desirable to overcome such drawbacks, keeping in mind, however, that the aforementioned volatilization and collection testing employs a consistent, precise flow of the carrier gas.
In many arts, various filters and so forth are known:
In one type of air filter, illustrated in present FIG. 1, radially disposed hollow housing 1 has entrance 2 and exit 3. Between the openings 2 & 3, hollow flattened cylindrical housing expansion 4 is provided in which sheets of filter paper 5 reside. Air passes through the filter paper so as to trap contaminants.
Swanson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,251, discloses a wound oil filter, which is for removal of soot from a diesel engine. A liquid oil stream passes through the filter.
Adamini, U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,606, discloses an inflator filter for producing helical gas flow, which is for employment in inflatable safety restraint systems. Flow is by tortuous path.
Wieres et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,501, discloses a catalytic converter with, two or more honeycomb bodies in a casing tube and method for its production. It is a reactor, used in particular to clean exhaust gases of internal combustion engines.
Retallick, U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,969, discloses an air cleaner capable of catalytic regeneration. It is a dual system spirally wound device for capturing, catalytically converting and burning trapped hydrocarbons, used in spacecraft or submarines.
Goodwin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,460.721, discloses a helical wound tube. It has radial flow outward through a filter pack.
Haerle, U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,069, discloses an exhaust gas filter. It filters combustion engine exhaust, employing a tortuous path.
Ueda et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,422, discloses a self-heating filter. It also employs a tortuous path.
Kannan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,930, discloses a filtration system with helical filter cartridge. It filters particulates from a liquid.
Chambers, U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,892, discloses a spiral filter element. It employs a spring and filters particulates.
Benn, U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,591, discloses a spirally wound filter cartridge, apparatus system and method of use and manufacture. It employs passage through a membrane sheet.
Bayerlein et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,869, discloses a spiral wound filter element. It filters particles from fluid which passes radially through the filter element.
Brownell, U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,527, discloses a liquid filter of spiral wound construction with alternate layers of surface area media and a depth media. Radial and circumferential flow is employed.
Stone, U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,393, discloses a semipermeable baffle fuel filter. Liquid fuels may pass radially inwardly or outwardly through spiral flights of filter media disposed adjacent an open circuitous spiral channel with baffle.
Taylor, U.S. Pat. No. 3,733,792, discloses filters. It concerns filtering of blanket gas in sodium-cooled nuclear reactors, and includes ai knitted wire mesh with a surface of a material not wetted by the aerosol, rolled in layers a spiral.
Summers, U.S. Pat. No. 3,323,963, discloses a method of making filter coil. A tortuous passage filter results, and the filtering is carried out through walls of the passages.
Bub, U.S. Pat. No. 3,037,637, discloses a spiral roll filter unit. Passage is through the filter element.
In addition, the following U.S. patents are cited herein:
Ryall, U.S. Pat. No. 2,746,562. This discloses a device for removing liquid and liquefiable vapors from gas.
Russell, U.S. Pat. No. 3,006,480. This discloses a gathered sock oil filter.
Sobeck, U.S. Pat. No. 3,085,381. This discloses a two-stage oil separator.
Kummer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,246. This discloses a helically wound blood filter.
Grovesteen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,599. This discloses an aerosol filter cartridge.
Frantz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,175. This discloses a two-stage precoalescer unit.
Lundback, U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,855. This discloses a moisture-collection device.


An image forming apparatus which has a hibernation function and is capable of selecting a suitable startup method even in a case where device connection states are different at power-off and at next startup. A hibernation image created based on data stored in a memory of the image forming apparatus and a first device connection state indicative of whether the device is connected to the image forming apparatus are stored in a flash disk. After that, when power to the image forming apparatus is turned off and the power is turned on again, a second device connection state indicative of whether the device is connected to the image forming apparatus is obtained. When the first and second connection states are different, the image forming apparatus is started without using the hibernation image, and when they are the same, the image forming apparatus is started using the hibernation image.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method therefor, and a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the control method.
Description of the Related Art
As an image forming apparatus becomes increasingly sophisticated, the time for the image forming apparatus to become operable after a user turns on a power switch tends to increase. On the other hand, there is a speed-up startup technique using a suspend method in which electric current is kept passed through a main memory when a user turns off a power switch.
In this suspend method, a state when a power switch is turned off is stored, and at next startup, the apparatus is returned to the stored state, but at this time, a control program is not reset, and hence memory may become increasingly fragmented.
As a technique to solve this problem, there is a hibernation startup technique according to which a memory image at the start of operation is stored in a storage device as a snap shot called as a hibernation image, and at startup, the snapshot is transferred to memory, enabling high-speed startup. According to this hibernation startup technique, however, operation cannot be started unless a hibernation image has been created.
For this reason, there are many cases where such apparatuses as image processing apparatuses in which a variety of hardware and software options can be added and deleted, and initialization sequences, initial screens, and so on are changed cannot be started using a hibernation image. Thus, the hibernation startup technique is not suitable for image processing apparatuses.
To solve this problem, there has been disclosed a technique that creates a hibernation image again when changing hardware and software configurations (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2012-18554). Specifically, according to this technique, a hibernation image is divided into a common part and an optional part, and all the images are stored in a storage device in advance. By optional settings, combinations of images in the optional part are determined at previous termination or at startup to create the entire hibernation image.
To solve the above problem, there has also been disclosed a technique that deletes a hibernation image when changing software configurations (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2013-004044). Specifically, according to this technique, when such a change in software that it can be determined that a stored hibernation image is unusable, the stored hibernation image is deleted, and at next startup, no hibernation image is used.
According to the technique disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2012-18554, it is possible to cope with configuration changes by detecting changes in the configurations of hardware and software and combining hibernation images stored in advance to create the entire hibernation image.
According to this technique disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2013-004044, a hibernation image is deleted when the configuration of software is changed, and cold booting (normal startup) is forced to be performed at next startup, so that mismatch between user settings and a hibernation image can be avoided.
According to the technique disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2012-18554, however, imagining all patterns and storing partial hibernation images in advance is not efficient because many optional functions can be added or deleted in an image processing apparatus. Moreover, according to this method, managing many versions and keeping consistency of versions are difficult. Further, according to the technique disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2013-004044, it is impossible to cope with changes in device configuration.
Thus, the hibernation function according to the prior arts has the problem of not being able to support device connection states which are different at power-off and at next startup.

Image forming apparatus having hibernation function according to device connection states, control method therefor, and storage medium


An integrated multi-functional catalyst system includes a diesel particulate filter having an inlet side for receiving flow and an opposite outlet side, a substrate in the diesel particulate filter having an interior wall surface and an exterior wall surface, a first washcoat layer applied to the interior wall surface and adjacent the inlet side, and a second washcoat layer applied to the exterior wall surface and adjacent the outlet side, wherein flow distribution through the substrate is dispersed for minimizing back pressure. The diesel particulate filter may be one of a plurality of honeycomb cells.

This invention relates to a filter for removal of particulate matter in an exhaust gas stream, and more particularly, to a diesel particulate filter ("DPF") and a coating process for a substrate of a DPF.
In order to meet exhaust emission standards, which are becoming more and more stringent, sophisticated catalyst systems are in development. Especially for diesel engine exhaust emission control, much more complicated catalyst systems are increasingly required because of the lean condition and presence of particulate matter in exhaust gas stream. As these standard become increasingly tightened, exhaust treatment systems may include an oxidation catalyst for the conversion of CO and hydrocarbon to CO2, a diesel particulate filter ("DPF") for the removal of particulate matter, and a catalyst such as a NOx adsorber to remove NOx from the exhaust stream. These specific functions are essential components in the treatment of diesel exhaust. In addition, the regeneration of DPF and/or NOx adsorber catalysts may require additional catalysts downstream for an efficient removal of pollutants from the gas stream. Thus a complete catalyst system for diesel engine exhaust gas might comprise of three to four bricks of catalysts to meet the emission standard. Such a complex system would be impractical due to high cost associated with the catalyst, the canning, the system integration, etc.
The flow restriction (backpressure) of emission treatment systems has significant impact on engine performance and fuel economy. In general, the lower the backpressure, the better the engine performance and fuel economy will be. In catalytic emission after-treatment systems with honeycomb catalysts, most of the flow restriction is created by the honeycomb catalyst. The flow restriction is even more prominent when the honeycomb substrate is changed from a channel flow device to a wall-flow device. Multiple catalyst systems, therefore, that include DPF type wall flow devices again become impractical due to the severe flow restriction across the system. That is, high washcoat loading, such as for increased NOx adsorber function, leads to high back-pressure increase on DPF type of substrate, which may deleteriously affect engine performance and fuel economy.


The present invention provides an optical transceiver with an optical subassembly optically coupling with an optical connector via a receptacle member, in which the optical subassembly is positioned to the housing of the transceiver without causing any mechanical stress. The optical subassembly is fixed to the receptacle member by inserting a sleeve thereof into an opening of the receptacle member. The receptacle member is assembled with the housing via the holder by adjusting the positional relation between the holder and the housing. Therefore, even when the subassembly is fixed to the receptacle member via the sleeve thereof, the subassembly can fit to the housing without causing any mechanical stress because the holder is interposed therebetween, which secures the heat dissipating path from the optical subassembly to the housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention related to an optical transceiver, in particular, the invention relates to a structure of the optical transceiver that secures the heat dissipating capability of an optical subassembly installed within the optical transceiver.
2. Related Prior Art
The optical transceiver can operate in the optical transmission and the optical reception by inserting an optical connector into an optical receptacle of the transceiver to couple an optical fiber in the optical connector in optical with an optical devices installed in the transceiver. This optical coupling may be performed by inserting a ferrule provided in a tip of the optical fiber into a sleeve accompanied with the optical device.
The United States Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,884,997, has disclosed an optical transceiver, which integrally builds a housing for enclosing a transmitting optical subassembly (TOSA), a receiving optical subassembly (ROSA), and a substrate, with an optical receptacle for receiving an optical connector. The optical connector widely used in the optical communication apparatus has a standard that strictly rules, for instance, the position of the ferrule within the connector housing and the geometrical relation between the ferrule and the sleeve mating with the ferrule in order to couple the optical fiber attached to the connector with the optical device conjunct with the sleeve.
On the other hand, in the subassembly including the sleeve and the package that holds the sleeve and installs the optical device therein, the positional relation between the sleeve and the optical device is aligned by practically (1) inserting the optical fiber into the sleeve, (2) guiding light within the optical fiber and (3) aligning the position of the sleeve with respect to the optical device. This optical alignment generally does not take the positional relation between the sleeve and the package into account. For example, when the package has the so-called butterfly type with a box shape and the sleeve is attached to one side wall of the package, the precise position of the sleeve in the side wall thereof is taken no thought. The optical alignment between the sleeve, namely, the optical fiber, and the device has the first priority. Accordingly, the sleeve is occasionally attached to a point in the side wall offset from the designed position. Thus, when such subassembly is installed within the transceiver, although the sleeve thereof is precisely positioned to the receptacle, which is formed as a part of the transceiver housing, the package of the subassembly is not always positioned to the housing accurately.
The optical transceiver for the long reach communication or for the wavelength division multiplex (WDM) communication is necessary to control a temperature of the laser diode (LD) to stabilize the emission wavelength thereof. Therefore, the subassembly applied in such optical transceivers installs a thermoelectric controller such as Peltier device within the package. The Peltier device with two plates has a feature that, when one plate thereof is cooled down, the other plate is heated up. Since the LD generates heat due to the current flowing, the LD is mounted on the plate to be cooled down, while the other plate is attached to the package, generally the bottom of the package to radiate heat outward. Therefore, the bottom of the package is necessary to come in contact to some objects to enhance the heat dissipating function.
The pluggable transceiver, which is one type of the optical transceiver and has an essential feature to be inserted into or removed from the cage, is unable to provide a heat dissipating mechanism such as heat radiating fin in the housing because such mechanism may interfere the insertion/extraction function of the transceiver with to the cage. Only the housing body itself is left to dissipate heat from the inside thereof to the outside. Accordingly, in the transceiver installing the subassembly with the box-shaped package and the thermoelectric cooler therein, one outer wall, to which the thermoelectric cooler is attached, is necessary to fit to the housing of the transceiver.
However, as mentioned previously, the position of the subassembly, in particular, the package thereof is not always set in the predetermined position within the housing. Because the optical axis of the subassembly, namely, the position of the sleeve is first determined with respect to the housing, the package of the subassembly occasionally causes a gap to the housing body, or is fit to the housing body as inducing the mechanical stress in the connecting portion between the sleeve and the package. The former case is unable to show the good heat transfer therebetween, while the latter case brings the degradation in the reliability.
The present invention provides a new arrangement of the optical receptacle and the optical subassembly to the housing body of the transceiver, in which the optical coupling between the optical fiber inserted into the optical receptacle and the subassembly may be maintained and the good heat dissipating function of the subassembly may be kept.

Optical transceiver with optical subassemblies optionally fixed to housing


Techniques are disclosed relating to completion of load and store instructions in a weakly-ordered memory model. In one embodiment, a processor includes a load queue and a store queue and is configured to associate queue information with a load instruction in an instruction stream. In this embodiment, the queue information indicates a location of the load instruction in the load queue and one or more locations in the store queue that are associated with one or more store instructions that are older than the load instruction. The processor may determine, using the queue information, that the load instruction does not conflict with a store instruction in the store queue that is older than the load instruction. The processor may remove the load instruction from the load queue while the store instruction remains in the store queue. The queue information may include a wrap value for the load queue.

Technical Field
This disclosure relates to computer processors, and more particularly to techniques for completing load and store instructions in a weakly-ordered memory model.
Description of the Related Art
Modern out-of-order processors are often configured to execute load and store instructions out-of-order, and also permit loads to access memory in a speculative manner. Speculatively-executed loads and stores are typically held in queues until necessary criteria is met to make the loads and stores architecturally visible (i.e., visible to software). The order rules of memory accesses by various processors is defined by the memory consistency model specified by a given instruction set architecture (ISA). The weakly-ordered model is one such memory consistency model.
One relaxed rule of the weakly-ordered model is that younger loads are permitted to access memory and complete ahead of relatively older stores as long as memory-address based dependencies are adhered to.

Completing load and store instructions in a weakly-ordered memory model


A motor drive control device and motor startup method prevent startup noise and reduce startup time. At startup, a current to which a rotor does not react is passed through two phase coils of a polyphase DC motor in succession, and a voltage polarity induced in a non-conducting phase is detected. A first operation decodes the detected signal, and determines phase coils of the motor through which a current should pass to rotate the rotor and the energization direction. A second operation forms a control signal for passing a current according to the determination to drive the motor, detects a voltage peak induced in the non-conducting phase during the drive, and performs switching control of a conducting phase. In normal operation, the position of the rotor is detected based on a back EMF in each phase, and rotation control is performed.

The present invention relates to a technique effective when applied to a drive control technique for a brushless motor and startup control of a three-phase DC motor, and to a technique effective when applied to a drive control device of a spindle motor for rotationally driving a storage medium in a disk storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD).
A brushless three-phase DC motor generally called a spindle motor is used to rotate a magnetic disk as a storage medium in a hard disk drive. The magnetic disk is rotated at high speed by the spindle motor, and a magnetic read/write head is brought close to the surface of the rotating magnetic disk and moved in a radial direction to write or read information. The following method has been conventionally used in drive control of a brushless motor: the positional relationship between a rotor and a stator is detected using a Hall element; a coil phase at which energization is to be started is determined from the detected positional relationship to prevent the reverse rotation of the motor.
However, providing the motor with a rotor position detector using a Hall element makes it difficult to downsize the device; therefore, a sensorless motor has come into greater use in the hard disk drive. In such a sensorless motor, uncertainty about the positional relationship between the rotor and the stator at the time of starting rotation may cause reverse rotation of the rotor. To cope with this, the present applicant has previously proposed the following control method: a pulse current of such a short duration that the rotor does not react is passed through any two phase coils; the polarity of an induced voltage that appears in a non-conducting phase is detected to determine the positional relationship between the rotor and the stator; the characteristic that the polarity of an induced voltage switches every 180 electrical degrees is utilized to determine a phase at which energization should be started; whereby reverse rotation of this sensorless motor at its start-up is avoided (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-275387, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-140975, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-115599).

Drive control device of motor and a method of start-up


An outdoor decorative lighting system for permanently installing outdoor decorative lighting for a structure. The outdoor decorative lighting system includes a light support assembly including a plurality of elongate light support members being fastenably connected end-to-end; and also includes a light-emitting assembly being mounted upon the elongate light support members and including a plurality of light socket members being spaced apart and being interconnected with wires and being mounted upon the elongate light support members, and also including a plurality of light-emitting members being removably disposed in the light socket members, and further including a power cord being connected to one of the light socket members.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to outdoor fighting systems and more particularly pertains to a new outdoor decorative lighting system for permanently installing outdoor decorative lighting for a structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of outdoor lighting systems is known in the prior art. More specifically, outdoor lighting systems heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,410,458; 3,500,036; 2,920,184; 4,774,646; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 5,067,061; and U.S. Patent No. Des. 403,801.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new outdoor decorative lighting system. The inventive device includes a light support assembly including a plurality of elongate light support members being fastenably connected end-to-end; and also includes a light-emitting assembly being mounted upon the elongate light support members and including a plurality of light socket members being spaced apart and being interconnected with wires and being mounted upon the elongate light support members, and also including a plurality of light-emitting members being removably disposed in the light socket members, and further including a power cord being connected to one of the light socket members.
In these respects, the outdoor decorative lighting system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of permanently installing outdoor decorative lighting for a structure.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of outdoor lighting systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new outdoor decorative lighting system construction wherein the same can be utilized for permanently installing outdoor decorative lighting for a structure.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new outdoor decorative lighting system which has many of the advantages of the outdoor lighting systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new outdoor decorative lighting system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art outdoor lighting systems, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a light support assembly including a plurality of elongate light support members being fastenably connected end-to-end; and also includes a light-emitting assembly being mounted upon the elongate light support members and including a plurality of light socket members being spaced apart and being interconnected with wires and being mounted upon the elongate light support members, and also including a plurality of light-emitting members being removably disposed in the light socket members, and further including a power cord being connected to one of the light socket members.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new outdoor decorative lighting system which has many of the advantages of the outdoor lighting systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new outdoor decorative lighting system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art outdoor lighting systems, either alone or in any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new outdoor decorative lighting system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new outdoor decorative lighting system which is of a durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new outdoor decorative lighting system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such outdoor decorative lighting system economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new outdoor decorative lighting system which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new outdoor decorative lighting system for permanently installing outdoor decorative lighting for a structure.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new outdoor decorative lighting system which includes a light support assembly including a plurality of elongate light support members being fastenably connected end-to-end; and also includes a light-emitting assembly being mounted upon the elongate light support members and including a plurality of light socket members being spaced apart and being interconnected with wires and being mounted upon the elongate light support members, and also including a plurality of light-emitting members being removably disposed in the light socket members, and further including a power cord being connected to one of the light socket members.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new outdoor decorative lighting system that is easy and convenient to install and use.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new outdoor decorative lighting system that eliminates the user having to spend countless hours putting up lights about one""s home.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.


A device is disclosed. In one embodiment the device comprises a bias field generator configured to provide a magnetic bias field for a magnetic sensor, the bias field generator including a body comprising magnetic or magnetizable material, a packaged magnetic sensor accommodating the magnetic sensor and a recess disposed in the body, wherein the packaged magnetic sensor is arranged in the recess, and wherein the body includes two separate body parts, each body part include a part of the recess, and each body part is configured to hold in place the packaged magnetic sensor.

Magnetic sensors are capable of detecting magnetic fields or changes of magnetic fields. Magnetoresistive effects used in magnetoresistive sensors include but are not limited to GMR (Giant Magnetoresistance), AMR (Anisotropic Magnetoresistance), TMR (Magneto Tunnel Effect), CMR (Colossal Magnetoresistance). Another type of magnetic sensors is based on the Hall effect. Magnetic sensors are used, for example, to detect the position of moving or rotating objects, the speed or rotational speed of rotating objects, etc. They may be used in automotive applications.
In some applications such as, for example, for the detection of a rotational speed of an object, a bias magnetic field is applied to the magnetic sensor in order to avoid saturation. Typical examples include, for example, a back bias magnet arrangement. In the back bias magnet arrangement, the magnetic sensor is provided between the object to be sensed and the bias magnet.

Bias field generator including a body having two body parts and holding a packaged magnetic sensor


A display substrate and a display device applying the same are provided. The display substrate includes a base plate and a display structure. The display structure is disposed on the base plate and includes first region. The first region includes a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel and two third sub-pixels. One of the two third sub-pixels has a first light emitting region having a first end point and a second end point. The other one of the two third sub-pixels has a second light emitting region having a third end point and a fourth end point. The first sub-pixel has a third light emitting region and the second sub-pixel has a fourth light emitting region. The third light emitting region and the fourth light emitting region are inside a quadrilateral region enclosed by the first, second, third and fourth end points.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a display substrate and a display device applying the same, and more particularly to an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display substrate having excellent display quality and an OLED display device applying the same.
Description of the Related Art
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display is advantageous in thin, active light (without backlight source) and viewing angle free. As expecting higher and higher display quality of electronic products, the image resolution of the OLED display goes higher.
During the process of evaporating the emission layer, a fine metal mask is used for coating individual colors of light emitting films on the pixels. Due to the restrictions of the evaporating process, without considering of suitable tolerance, different colors of emission layers may overlap, making non-uniform, abnormal or color cast of display performance. Therefore, tolerance design of the evaporating process is a crucial factor of producing higher resolution OLED device.

Display substrate and display device applying the same


There is provided a honeycomb structure usable in a filter for trapping/collecting particulates included in exhaust gas and in which ashes deposited inside can be removed without requiring any special mechanism or apparatus or without detaching the filter from an exhaust system. The honeycomb structure includes: a plurality of through channels 9 separated by porous partition walls 7 and extending in the axial direction of the honeycomb structure; and plugging portions 11 for plugging one end of each of predetermined through channels 9a and an opposite end of each of the rest of through channels 9b in a checkered flag pattern, alternately. In the honeycomb structure, at least one slit 15 per through channel is formed in the vicinity of the plugging portions 11 of the partition walls 7 surrounding the respective through channels 9b.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a honeycomb structure for use in filters for trapping/collecting particulates in exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, boiler, and the like, a method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure, and an exhaust gas purification system using the honeycomb structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Since a large amount of particulates (particulate materials) of which major component is carbon is contained in the exhaust gas exhausted from internal combustion engines such as a diesel engine and such particulates become a cause for the environmental pollution, a filter for trapping/collecting the particulates is sometimes mounted for such internal combustion engines.
In general, as shown in FIG. 6, the filter for use in this purpose includes a plurality of through channels 9 separated by porous partition walls 7 and extending in an axial direction of the honeycomb structure. Predetermined through channels 9a are plugged by plugging portions 11 at one end, and the rest of through channels 9b are plugged at opposite end alternately in the checkered flag pattern in the honeycomb structure for use.
The exhaust gas flows in via one end face 3 of the filter having the honeycomb structure, the particulates included in the gas are removed, and subsequently thus purified gas flows out via the other end face 5. Concretely, the exhaust gas first flows in the through channels 9b whose ends are not plugged at the end face 3 of the filter on an inflow side and whose opposite ends are plugged at the end face 5 on an outflow side, and passes through the porous partition walls 7. The gas moves into the through channels 9a whose ends are plugged at the inlet face 3 and whose opposite ends are not plugged at the outlet face 5, and is exhausted via the through channels 9a. Moreover, at this time, the partition walls 7 acts as filter layers, and the particulates in the gas are trapped by the partition walls 7 and deposited on the partition walls 7.
After the use of this filter for a given period of time, the particulates deposited in the filter are heated by power supplied to an electric heater and burnt/removed. However, they are not completely removed, and some of the particulates remain as ashes (ash content) in the filter. Therefore, in the use over a long period of time, a filter volume substantially decreases, a pressure loss increases, and an amount of particulates which can be trapped/collected decreases, due to the deposited ashes.
Therefore, there is a problem that a frequency at which the particulates are burnt/removed as described above to carry out a regenerative treatment of the filter has to be increased.
To solve this problem, for example, an apparatus has been proposed in which the filter is held so as make the direction thereof vertical to the direction of a gas flow and a vibration apparatus is attached to the filter. The ashes which have fallen from the filter by the vibration applied to the filter by the vibration apparatus are recovered in an ash recovery section disposed below the filter (see JP-A-8-28247).
Moreover, a method has been disclosed in which a high-pressure fluid such as water is jetted onto one end of the filter to clean/remove combustion residual materials adhered onto the filter (see JP-A-2001-50028).
Furthermore, a filter has been disclosed in which one cell wall face is removed from the cell walls in the inlet or outlet face of the filter to form an opening connected to an adjacent cell between the cell walls and the plugging member (see JP-A-60-112618).
Additionally, another filter has been disclosed in which communication holes are made between the cell walls and outer wall (see JP-A-62-75803).
However, these techniques cannot bear practical use, because the opening or the communication hole is not closed with particulates during use and therefore a trapping/collecting efficiency of particulates during use is low. In order to remove the ashes from the filter, a special mechanism or apparatus is required, or the filter needs to be detached from the exhaust system of the filter. Therefore, the techniques have not been very practical.

Honeycomb structure, manufacturing method of the structure, and exhaust gas purification system using the structure


Hibernation/resume time is reduced, and a low-power information processing device and a method for driving the information processing device are provided. In an information processing device in which a virtual environment is created, in hibernation during which part of a main storage unit is stopped while data in the main storage unit is retained, data stored in the main storage unit is saved to a non-volatile memory, and whether another data shares a common block with the data saved to the non-volatile memory is determined in hibernation during which part of the main storage unit is stopped while the other data in the main storage unit is retained. In the case where there is a common block, the common block of the other data is not saved to the non-volatile memory, and the information on the common block is retained in the non-volatile memory.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a data center, a computer room, and the like contain a large number of closely spaced information processing devices. Since the power consumed by the information processing devices is converted into heat, their operation needs improved air conditioning systems, and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) also needs to be improved for the information processing devices and the air conditioning systems, leading to more power consumption. Thus, power consumption as low as possible has been required for efficient use of power in the data center or the computer room.
Power consumption has also increased with an increase in the performance of information processing devices. The following technique (resume system) has been disclosed in view of this: when a program is interrupted and resumed, a program execution state is saved to a non-volatile secondary storage device, whereby execution can be resumed even after power supply to an information processing device is stopped and the execution of a program is temporarily interrupted (see Patent Document 1).
Another technique is disclosed in Patent Document 2: a virtual environment is created so that one information processing device is logically divided as if there were plural information processing devices, which enables a reduction in power consumption and efficient use of hardware resources.

Information processing device and method for driving the same

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


An apparatus for releasable mounting to a fence post is provided. The apparatus includes a leg portion, a basket portion, and a mounting portion. The leg portion defines a first end and a second end. The basket portion is coupled to the leg portion at the first end of the leg portion and extends from the leg portion in a first direction. The mounting portion is coupled to the leg portion at the second end of the leg portion and extends from the leg portion in a second direction opposite the first direction. The mounting portion is configured for mounting about a fence post.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to the display of flowers, plants, and the like. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to fence post mountable apparatus for displaying flowers, plants, and the like.
2. Background of Related Art
Fences are used to define land boundaries between neighbors, establish privacy from adjoining land, and/or fully or partially enclose specific areas, e.g., yards, parking lots, playgrounds, etc. Fences are typically constructed by setting a plurality of spaced-apart fence posts in the ground and mounting a fence panel between each pair of adjacent fence posts. Historically, the fence posts were made from solid wood beams and the fence panels were made from a plurality of wood slats mounted side-by-side on one or more wood support rails.
More recently, fence manufactures have turned to metals and plastics, e.g., PVC or vinyl, due to their strength, durability, and maintenance-free attributes. Such metal and plastic fences are constructed similar to their wood counterparts, that is, by setting a plurality of spaced-apart fence posts in the ground and mounting a fence panel between each pair of adjacent fence posts.
A portion of a typical PVC or vinyl fence 10 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 including a fence post 12 interconnecting a pair of fence panels 14, 16. The fence post 12 defines a hollow interior and a generally square transverse cross-sectional configuration of standard size, e.g., 4 inches by 4 inches, although the fence post 12 may come in one or more different standard sizes. A post cap 18 is configured for positioning about the open end of the fence post 12 to seal off the hollow interior. More specifically, post cap 18 includes a hollow base 19 that is complementary to and of slightly larger dimensions than the top of fence post 12 such that base 19 of post cap 18 can be friction-fit about the top of fence post 12. Post cap 18 also provides an ornamental function, adding to the aesthetics of the fence. To this end, the fence owner may select a post cap 18 having a particular configuration and/or design, based upon the preferences of the fence owner.

Fence post mountable for displaying flowers, plants, and the like


An electrical connection system for an optoelectronic socket comprises an optoelectronic socket (1), an OE package (2) assembled to the optoelectronic socket (1), and a circuit board (4). The optoelectronic socket (1) comprises a plurality of passageways (104) embedded with an optical member (12) respectively, and a number of electrical contacts. The OE package (2) comprises a plurality of lenses (20) located at bottom portion thereof and a plurality of electrical pads (22) located at peripheral of the bottom portion. Bottom end of the lens (20) of the OE package (2) are received in the passageway (104) and the electrical pads (22) contact with the electrical contacts (14). The optical member (12) is received in recess on upper face of the circuit board (4) and connects with a waveguide (40) positioned in the recess. The electrical contact is soldered to the circuit board.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a socket connector, and more particularly, to an optoelectronic socket connector is powered to transmit optical and electrical signals.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional electrical connector for electrically connecting an IC package to a printed circuit board comprises an insulative housing and a plurality of contacts received therein to transmit signal and electrical current. The insulative housing comprises a bottom wall and sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The bottom wall comprises a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface. The contacts are made of metal and each comprises a body portion, a contact portion extending beyond the top surface and a tail extending beyond the bottom surface. The body portion is positioned in the bottom wall to secure the contact in the insulative housing. The contact portion is used to contact with the pad of the IC package and the tail is used to contact with the pad of the printed circuit board. Thus, a reliable electrical connection is established between the IC package and the printed circuit board to transmit signal and electrical current.
The growing trend in the IC package field is toward more functions per chip and miniaturization. Accordingly, trend of electrical connector is toward miniaturization and more number of contacts. However, heat produced by the IC package becomes more and more. At The same time, the pitch between the contacts becomes smaller and smaller, thus the electromagnetic interference becomes more and more severe. Another problem is that the IC package presses the contact portion of the contact so as to establish engagement therebetween, if the contact portions are not located at a same height, some of the contacts will not touch the IC package. The electrical connector will not function normally.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,120 issued to Holder on Sep. 22, 1987 discloses an optical-coupled IC and a socket for the optical-coupled IC. As shown in FIG. 3, body 60 of the socket provides mechanical support and restraint for the IC 61 and provides means for mounting the assembly to a base plate or chassis 62. As shown, bosses 63 and 64 penetrate the chassis to provide access for the optic fibers 65 and 66. Transmission of the optic signal/data 67/68 to and from the IC 61 and the end of the optic fibers is facilitated by refractive-index matching systems 70 and 71 such as a transparent putty-like material. This material serves to decrease the signal loss and reflections in the optic path. The socket will have some restraining device for the optic fiber such as a friction ridge or spur on its inner diameter, or a clamping system possibly using a thermo-shrink or shape-memory material (not shown). However, structure of assembly of the socket and the optical-coupled IC 61 may be too complicated. Moreover, there is no individual electrical contact in the socket for transmitting electrical powering; thus electrical connection between the optical-coupled IC 61 and the socket may be inadequate and unsteady.
Therefore, it is needed to find a new socket assembly to overcome the problems mentioned above.


This invention relates to a spinal facet joint ligament.

One of the most common surgical interventions today is arthrodesis, or spine fusion, in which two or more adjacent vertebral bodies are fused together in order to alleviate pain associated with the disc(s) located between those vertebral bodies. Approximately 300,000 such procedures are performed annually in the United States alone. Clinical success varies considerably, depending upon technique and indications, and consideration must be given to the concomitant risks and complications.
While spine fusion generally helps to eliminate certain types of pain, it has also been shown to decrease function by limiting the range of motion for patients in flexion, extension, rotation and lateral bending. Furthermore, it is believed that spine fusion creates increased stresses on (and, therefore, accelerated degeneration of) adjacent non-fused motion segments. Additionally, pseudoarthrosis, resulting from an incomplete or ineffective fusion, may reduce or even totally eliminate the desired pain relief for the patient. Also, the fusion device(s) used to effect fusion, whether artificial or biological, may migrate out of the fusion site, thereby creating significant new problems for the patient. Lastly, the recuperation time after a fusion procedure can be lengthy.
Recently, several attempts have been made to recreate the natural biomechanics of the spine through the use of an artificial disc. Artificial discs are intended to restore articulation between vertebral bodies so as to recreate the full range of motion normally allowed by the elastic properties of the natural disc, which directly connects two opposed vertebral bodies. However, the artificial discs developed to date do not adequately address the mechanics of motion of the spinal column.
In addition to the foregoing, posterior elements called the facet joints help to support axial, torsional and shear loads that act on the spinal column. Furthermore, the facet joints are diarthroidal joints that provide both sliding articulation and load transmission features. The facet's articular surfaces contact in extension, limiting rotation and increasing compressive load. The articular surfaces also contact on one side of the spine in lateral bending and axial rotation, also limiting rotation and transferring load.
However, the facet joints can also be a significant source of spinal disorders and, in many cases, debilitating pain. The articular cartilaginous surfaces can degenerate due to mechanical or biological factors and cause pain as with other joint osteoarthritis. For example, a patient may suffer from arthritic facet joints, severe facet joint tropism or otherwise deformed facet joints, facet joint injuries, etc. There is currently a lack of suitable intervention procedures for facet joint disorders. Facetectomy, or the removal of the facet joints, may provide some relief, but is also believed to significantly decrease the stiffness of the spinal column (i.e., hypermobility) in all planes of motion: flexion and extension, lateral bending, and rotation. Furthermore, problems with the facet joints can also complicate treatments associated with other portions of the spine. By way of example, contraindications for artificial discs include arthritic facet joints, absent facet joints, severe facet joint tropism or otherwise deformed facet joints. Accordingly, there is a need for a facet joint replacement that addresses these concerns.
U.S. Pat. No. Re. 36,758 (Fitz I) discloses an artificial facet joint where the inferior facet, the mating superior facet, or both, are simply covered with a cap. Because placement of the cap requires no preparation of the bone or articular surfaces; it covers and, therefore, preserves the bony and articular structures.
However, simple capping of the facet has several potential disadvantages. If the facet joint is osteoarthritic, a cap will not remove the source of the pain. Additionally, at least in the case of surface replacements for osteoarthritic femoral heads, the capping of articular bone ends has proven to lead to clinical failure due to mechanical loosening. This clinical failure is hypothesized to be a consequence of disrupting the periosteum and ligamentum teres femoris, both of which play a role in delivering nutrition to the femoral head, thereby leading to avascular necrosis of the bony support structure for the surface replacement. It is possible that corresponding problems could develop from capping the facet. Another potential disadvantage of facet capping is that in order to accommodate the wide variability in anatomical morphology of the facets, not only between individuals but also between levels within the spinal column, as well as due to associated hypertrophic and degenerative changes, a very wide range of cap sizes and shapes is required.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,444 ("Zuchermann") describes a spacer that is wedged between the spinous processes, a spinal extension stop, and methods to implant it. According to Zuchermann, the spacer limits rotation in extension (?) while providing flexion mobility. The U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,444 described a method to reduce stenosis by increasing posterior disc height and limiting extension. However, it is unknown exactly what function such a device would have. This device may abnormally loads the spinous processes and therefore could lead to abnormal bone remodeling. It affects the posterior elements and provides mobility, but does not alleviate posterior structures or address facet syndromes.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,464 ("Martin") describes a replacement of the articular surfaces and means for supporting and fixing these replacements to the posterior processes. The articulating surface itself is described as having "the shape, position, and orientation of a natural articular facet". It discloses a spinal facet joint prosthesis that is supported on the lamina (which is sometimes also referred to as the posterior arch). Extending from this support structure are inferior and/or superior blades that replace the cartilage at the facet joint. The prosthesis of U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,464 generally preserves existing bony structures and therefore does not address pathologies which affect the bone of the facets in addition to affecting the associated cartilage. Furthermore, the prosthesis of U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,464 requires a secure mating between the prosthesis and the lamina. However, the lamina is a very complex and highly variable anatomical surface. As a result, in practice, it is very difficult to design a prosthesis that provides reproducible positioning against the lamina so as to correctly locate the cartilage-replacing blades for the facet joints.
The U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,464 describes articular surfaces and means of attachment, but does not describe a capsular replacement.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,191 ("Fitz II") describes a facet prosthesis comprising superior and inferior components, pyramidal or conical in shape, fitting over the facet processes, and having low friction mating surfaces. Although this patent describes articular surfaces and means of attachment, it does not describe a capsular replacement.
Gardner et al. Eur. Spine J (2002) (Supp 2): S157–163, discloses Graf ligamentoplasty as a means of stabilizing and reducing mobility of one or more severely symptomatic motion segments associated with degenerative disc disease. FIG. 1 shows Polyester bands wrapped around a pair of pedicle screws extending from adjacent vertebral bodies. According to Gardner, appropriate Graf bands immobilizes the motion segment in lordosis with the facet joints in a position of full extension, in which position they are very stable. See page S159. Accordingly, Graf ligamentoplasty essentially immobilizes the facet joint. Gardner does not disclose a ligament that traverses a facet joint.
Senegas et al., Eur. Spine J. (2002) 11 (Supp 2): S164–9 discloses a Wallis implant system comprising a titanium interspinous blocker and a Dacron ligament, wherein the blocker is placed between two spinous processes and the Dacron ligament wraps around spinous processes. See p. S165. Accordingly, Senegas does not disclose a ligament that traverses a facet joint.
WIPO PCT Published patent application No. WO 00/53126 ("Ogun") discloses a memory metal implant for fixing an articulated joint, including a facet joint.
The Dynasis system is generally used as a replacement for the natural posterior longitudinal ligament. The system includes a cable housed inside a plastic sheath, and is attached to superior and inferior pedicles. The ligament of the Dynasis system does not traverse a facet joint.


Various aspects of the present disclosure provide tamper-evident seals and methods for indicating tampering with an apparatus using the tamper-evident seals. One such tamper-evident seal includes a base layer and a pattern-release layer on a periphery area of the base layer. In such case, the pattern-release layer includes a first adhesive configured to leave a residue on the printed circuit board assembly, and the base layer has a central area that is surrounded by the periphery area and free of the first adhesive.

The United States Federal Information Processing Standards (e.g., FIPS Publication 140-2) are published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. To obtain FIPS certification of a secured device (e.g., a self-encrypting hard disk drive), the device may be protected against tampering and unauthorized access to its security function related components. For example, a self-encrypting hard disk drive's printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and other components may be protected to prevent unauthorized access to circuit traces and the components. In addition, it is desirable to be able to detect any tampering that might have been attempted or occurred. In some applications, the entire exposed surface of a PCBA can be covered with a tamper-evident seal or label. When the seal is removed to gain access to the PCBA, a residue (tamper-evident) will be left behind on the surface of the PCBA. Therefore, the presence of the residue on the PCBA surface can serve as a tampering indication. However, the tamper-evident residue makes reworking the PCBA difficult and time consuming. More specifically, a considerable amount of time can be required to clean the PCBA surface of the residue before further rework is possible.

Tamper-evident seals having adhesive-free areas to minimize rework time


A method for encrypted communications between a first transceiver and a second transceiver is provided. The method includes sending from a first transceiver to a second transceiver a request to initiate derivation of a new encryption key. The request to initiate a new encryption key derivation includes an exchange threshold indicative of when the new encryption key is to be used to encrypt communication packets.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains generally to encrypted communications, and particularly to a mechanism for refreshing a key and indicating when the refreshed key is to be invoked.
2. Description of the Related Art
The market for home networking is developing at a phenomenal rate. Service providers from cable television, telephony and digital subscriber line markets are vying to deliver bundled services such as basic telephone service, Internet access and entertainment directly to the consumer. Collectively these services require a high-bandwidth network that can deliver 30 Mbits/s or even higher rates. The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11a standard describes a cost-effective, robust, high-performance local-area network (LAN) technology for distributing this multimedia information within the home. Networks that will operate in accordance with standard 802.11a will use the 5-GHz UNII (unlicensed National Information Infrastructure) band and may achieve data rates as high as 54 Mbits/s, which is a significant improvement over other standards-based wireless technology. Other standards include, but are not limited to IEEE 802.11b, Bluetooth (802.15), and HiperLAN.
To provide a level of security, wireless systems that operate in accordance with 802.11a and the other standards allow for encrypted communication. However, depending on the length of the nonce (i.e. a pseudo-random or counter-derived value used with the encryption key to further enhance the encryption), communicating at high data rates may have an undesirable impact on encrypted communication. For example, if the nonce is relatively short, then the lifespan of the maximum security provided by that encryption (also called an entropy or key space) may be exhausted during a communications session spanning hours or even minutes. The key space is a function of how the nonce is derived, how the nonce affects the key from one packet to the next, the number of bits in the nonce, the packet size, and the communications bit rate. When the key space is exhausted, a new encryption key is generally created to provide maximum security for the communication.
FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a protocol architecture 100, as described by the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, that is representative of a wireless device that operates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11a standard, which allows for encryption. (Note that other wireless or wired devices can also have a similar architecture.) Architecture 100 defines a networking framework for implementing protocols in seven layers, wherein control passes from one layer to the next. Specifically, a first station begins with an application layer 107 and proceeds to a physical layer 101 (i.e. down the hierarchy). A second station, receiving a transmission from the first station over a (radio) channel, begins with physical layer 101 and proceeds to application layer 107 (i.e. up the hierarchy).
Physical layer 101, which provides the hardware for sending and receiving data on a carrier, conveys the physical properties of the communication medium, electrical properties, and interpretation of the exchanged signals. Data link layer 102 is comprised of two sub-layers: the Media Access Control (MAC) sub-layer 102A and the Logical Link Control (LLC) sub-layer 102B (wherein MAC sub-layer 102A is lower than LLC sub-layer 102B). MAC sub-layer 102A provides the services required to control how a computer on the network gains access to the data as well as permission to transmit the data. LLC sub-layer 102B controls frame synchronization and flow control of the data. Network layer 103 provides the switching and routing services required to successfully transmit data between any two stations in the network. Transport layer 104 provides the services required to ensure complete data transfer, including error detection and recovery. Session layer 105 provides the services required to manage the data connections between stations. Presentation layer 106 provides the translation to allow the data to be transformed into a format that application layer 107 can understand. Finally, Application layer 107 provides an interface between a user and the wireless device. Application layer 107 may include applications such as ftp, email, telephone, and cable service.
The 1999 IEEE 802.11 standard includes encryption as a service in data link layer 102, specifically in MAC sub-layer 102A. However, the 1999 IEEE 802.11 standard omits any specification for how encryption keys are obtained as well as how these keys may be updated. In one embodiment, presentation layer 106 or session layer 105 (for purposes of this discussion, the "higher layer") can be used to establish and manage these encryption keys. This higher layer typically initiates encrypted communication by obtaining a key from a key authentication server (which is generally external to the OSI model) and providing that key to MAC sub-layer 102A.
However, because MAC sub-layer 102A currently does not provide a mechanism to communicate to the higher layer that the key needs to be updated, the higher layer must redundantly store this information, monitor the state of the key (i.e. its location in the key space), and update the key independent of any communication with MAC sub-layer 102A. Moreover, because there is no defined protocol to update the key, the higher layer merely supplants the old key with a new key, thereby causing traffic disruption. Finally, the higher layer does not control communications regarding the data packet granularity (which is provided by MAC sub-layer 102A). Thus, the higher layer is unable to predict when repetition of nonces occurs (also known as collisions), which can undermine security.
Therefore, a need arises for an encryption solution that enhances security by updating the key while minimizing communication disruption when that key is being updated.


A control apparatus (202) for a starter/generator (110) of an aircraft electrical power system is provided. During a start mode of operation, AC power is provided by the control apparatus (202) to an exciter stator (114) of the starter/generator (110) which is combined with controlled AC power supplied by a start converter (106) to a main stator (116) of the starter/generator (110) to rotate and start an aircraft engine. Alternatively, during a generate mode of operation after engine start, the control apparatus (202) provides DC power to the starter/generator (110) to produce a regulated voltage output from the starter/generator (110).

As shown in FIG. 1, many prior art electrical power systems 100 use a brushless, synchronous electrical starter/generator 110 to generate AC power. Commonly, the starter/generator 110 includes a main generator, an exciter generator and a rectifier assembly 113 mounted on a rotor 112. The main generator includes a main stator 116 having a main stator coil (polyphase AC stator winding) and the DC main field winding 115. The exciter generator includes an exciter stator 114 including a DC winding 120 and the polyphase AC exciter armature winding 111. Rotor 112 includes a DC main field winding 115, polyphase AC exciter armature winding 111 and the rectifier assembly 113. For aircraft engine applications, the rotor 112 may be driven by an aircraft engine (not shown), after engine starting, to develop electrical power in the main stator coil 116. The electrical voltage output from main stator coil 116 is regulated at a point of regulation (POR) 108 for delivery to aircraft loads using an AC bus 118. In an exemplary embodiment, when DC excitation is supplied to DC winding 120, rotation of the generator shaft (not shown) by the aircraft engine causes the generation of a polyphase (as shown in FIG. 1) or single-phase voltage in the armature winding 111 that is rectified by the rectifier assembly 113 and coupled to the winding 115. This rectified voltage sets up a DC field in the main rotor field 115 which causes a rotating magnetic field in the main stator coil 116 that produces output power with regulated voltage at POR 108 (prior to the bus contact switch) for delivery to AC bus 118.
Additionally, the system 100 may use the starter/generator 110 as a motor to start the aircraft engine. An external power source (exciter power supply—EXPS) 104 is coupled to the generator 110 using the exciter stator 114. The coupled power from EXPS 104 induces AC power through transformer effect in the polyphase winding 111 or single-phase (not shown) of the rotor 112 because no relative motion between rotor and stator exists at zero speed. The AC power established in winding 111 may be rectified by rectifier assembly 113 to generate DC power in the main field winding 115. Additionally, a start converter 106 is used to supply controlled AC power to main stator coil 116 such that sufficient torque is produced by the starter/generator 110. This torque is produced by the interaction between the flux in the main rotor winding 115 and the current (flux) established in coil 116. The frequency of the controlled AC power is increased from 0 Hz (0 RPM) to a predetermined frequency corresponding to the angular speed of the for starter/generator 110 at the end of start. The phase of the current for the supplied AC power input is controlled to develop the desired torque for starter/generator 110. Advantageously, the current is approximately 90 degrees ahead of the flux established in winding 115 where this torque causes the generator shaft to rotate the aircraft engine, start it, and bring it to a predetermined (rated) speed.
Conventionally, after engine start using the exciter power supply 104 and start converter 106, control switches to a separate unit (generator control unit—GCU) 102 to supply DC power to the generator 110 and deliver regulated voltage to the AC bus 118 via the POR 108. Thus, two separate units 102, 104 must be utilized to provide control and input power, using a complex switching unit 103, for both starter and generation functionality for the electrical power system which leads to complex, costly, and heavy installation for the system in the aircraft.
Therefore, due to the disadvantages of current electrical power systems, there is a need to provide an aircraft electrical power system that supplies both starting and generating functionality using a single control/power unit which reduces the cost and weight of the system installation in the aircraft.

Control apparatus for a starter/generator system


Systems are provided including at least one identifier locator network protocol (ILNP) enabled mobile node running Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6). The mobile node is attached to an IPv6 network in an IPv6 domain. The system includes a virtual root server configured to receive a binding identifiers create (BIC) message from a domain name system 64 (DNS64) server associated with the IPv6 network. The BIC message includes an ILNP address of the mobile node running IPv6, a fake ILNP address of a destination device running IPv4 assigned by the DNS64 server and an ILNP address of the DNS64 server. The fake ILNP address includes a full real address of the destination device. The virtual root server is further configures to create a binding between the ILNP address of the mobile node and the fake ILNP address of the destination device; store the binding; and send a binding identifier acknowledgement (BIA) message to the DNS64 server.

The identifier locator network protocol (ILNP) is a network protocol designed to separate the two functions of network addresses, the identification of network endpoints and assisting routing by separating topological information from node identity. Thus, ILNP provides transport layers a static identifier (i.e. name), which allows seamless mobility and multi-homing. ILNP is backwards-compatible with existing internet protocol (IP). ILNP itself is an architecture with two different instantiations at present. ILNP is ILNP engineered as a set of Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) extensions. ILNP is expected to coexist with both IPv4 and IPv6 at least during the early phase of deployment. Thus, the ability to enable connectivity between IPv6-only end user devices and IPv4 destinations is desirable.

Methods and systems for seamless network communications between devices running internet protocol version 6 and internet protocol version 4


A system for detecting one or more faulty sensors in a multi-sensor monitor includes a partitioning module for partitioning sensor values generated by the multi-sensor monitor into two distinct sets, a training set and a validation set. The system also includes a training module for training a model using the sensor values belonging to the training set and applying the model to each sensor value belonging to the validation set so as to determine a range of acceptable sensor values. The system further includes an estimating module for obtaining an estimated sensor value for each sensor using the model, and a fault-determining module for testing at least one sensor combination if a sensor value is not within its range of acceptable sensor values. A sensor combination includes at least one sensor whose estimated sensor value is not within the range of acceptable values.

Sensor-based monitoring can be used in a variety of industrial settings. Power generating systems, manufacturing processes, and a host of other industrial operations involving the coordinated functioning of large-scale, multi-component systems can all be efficiently controlled through sensor-based monitoring. Indeed, sensor-based monitoring can be advantageously employed in virtually any environment in which various system-specific parameters need to be monitored over time under varying conditions.
The control of a system or process typically entails monitoring various physical indicators under different operating conditions, and can be facilitated by sensor-based monitoring. Monitored indicators can include temperature, pressure, flows of both inputs and outputs, and various other operating conditions. The physical indicators are typically monitored using one or more transducers or other type of sensors.
An example of a system with which sensor-based monitoring can be advantageously used is an electrical power generation system. The generation of electrical power typically involves a large-scale power generator such as a gas or steam turbine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy through the process of electromagnetic induction to thereby provide an output of alternating electrical current. A power generator typically acts as reversed electric motor, in which a rotor carrying one or more coils is rotated within a magnetic field generated by an electromagnet. Important operating variables that should be closely monitored during the operation of a power generator include pressure and temperature in various regions of the power generator, as well as the vibration of critical components. Accordingly, sensor-based monitoring is a particularly advantageous technique for monitoring the operation of a power generator.
Regardless of the setting in which it is used, a key task of sensor-based monitoring can be to evaluate data provided by a multitude of sensors. This can be done so as to detect and localize faults so that the faults can be corrected in a timely manner. Within a power generating plant, in particular, the timely detection of faults can prevent equipment damage, reduce maintenance costs, and avoid costly, unplanned shutdowns.
Monitoring typically involves receiving sensor-supplied data, which can be mathematically represented in the form of sensor vectors or scalars, defined herein simply as sensor values. These sensor values provide data input into a model and are compared with estimated output values obtained by applying the model to the data input. Large deviations between the actual sensor values and the estimated sensor values generated by the model can indicate that a fault has occurred or is about to occur. Accordingly, accurate monitoring can depend critically on the accuracy of the model employed.
There are principally two approaches to constructing such a model. The first approach is referred to as principle or physical modeling, and involves constructing a largely deterministic model representing the physical phenomena that underlie the operation of a particular system or process. It can be the case, however, that the physical dimensions of the system are too numerous or too complex to lend themselves to an accurate representation using the physical model. Accordingly, it is sometimes necessary to resort to the second approach, that of statistical modeling. Sensor-based monitoring of a power generation system, largely because it can require the use of literally hundreds of sensors, can necessitate the construction of such a statistical model. Constructing a statistical model involves "training" a probabilistic model using historical data samples of the system. The purpose of training the model is to glean from the historical data the distribution of the sensor vectors when the system is operating normally.
The probabilistic nature of sensor-based monitoring using a statistical model adds to the burden that inheres in any type of sensor-based monitoring, that of differentiating between a true system fault and an erroneous fault indication that is the result of a defective sensor. The need to differentiate a true fault indication from an erroneous one can be particularly acute in a power generation system. A shutdown in response to an erroneously indicated fault is not only inconvenient but can be very costly. Conversely, as already noted, failure to identify a system fault before or quickly after it occurs can lead to equipment damage and even longer shut-downs when such equipment must be repaired or replaced as a result of the failure. Accordingly, sensor-based monitoring should include an ability to identify and isolate a faulty sensor in a timely manner.
Conventional techniques for detecting a faulty sensor typically rely on, or result, in a reduction of the dimensionality of input data sets. Any reduction in dimensionality, however, has a concomitant adverse impact on the accuracy of the model used. Moreover, conventional techniques used in conjunction with probabilistic sensor-based monitoring require the underlying statistical model to be linear in nature. This linearity requirement can be problematic if the underlying system can not be adequately represented by a linear model.
Accordingly, there is a need for better systems and methods of identifying and isolating a faulty sensor. There is especially a need for a system and method that identifies and isolates a faulty sensor without having to reduce the dimensionality of the training data. There is a further need for a system and method of identifying and isolating a faulty sensor without requiring that an underlying statistical model be linear.

System and method for detecting and excluding outlier sensors in sensor-based monitoring


In a game apparatus, a trajectory WP on which a waist W of a player character moves and an elliptic trajectory ArP on which an ankle Par of the player character moves are set. When the player character moves in a game space, the waist moves on the trajectory WP and the ankle moves on the elliptic trajectory ArP in accordance with a movement amount of the player character. In this case, while the ankle makes one round on the elliptic trajectory ArP, the waist makes two shuttle movements on the trajectory WP. Thus, motion images in accordance with the movements of legs and feet are not required to be previously prepared and a variety of motions of the legs and feet of the player character can be realized.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a game apparatus and a computer-readable storage medium having a game program stored thereon and more particularly, to a game apparatus and a computer-readable storage medium having a game program stored thereon, which cause an object to perform a motion by using motion data.
2. Description of the Background Art
Conventionally, there has been a game apparatus which causes an object such as a game character appearing in a virtual 3-dimensional space or the like to perform a motion by using previously stored motion data. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-102503 (hereinafter, referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses a method in which while a variety of motions of the object are realized by using the motion data, an amount of the motion data is reduced. Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which by blending, in accordance with a position touched on a touch panel, a plurality of pieces of the previously stored motion data pertinent to a player character, a view in which the player character is dribbling a ball is displayed on a screen. This allows the variety of motions of the player character to be displayed even when the amount of the motion data is small.
However, in the technology disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is required to previously store the plurality of pieces of motion data to be blended. Accordingly, in order to represent complicated motions of the object, an amount of the previously stored motion data increases, thus leading to a disadvantage that a reduction in the amount of the motion data and in a cost required to prepare the motion data is insufficient.

Game apparatus and computer-readable storage medium having a game program stored thereon


A device for generating a synthetic jet is described. The device can include a flap, an actuator coupled to the flap and a chamber including an aperture. The flap forms a portion of the chamber. The flap is configured to oscillate in a flapping motion such that fluid is alternately drawn into the chamber via the aperture and expelled from the chamber via the aperture to form the synthetic jet. In some embodiments, multiple flaps can be used on a device to generate the synthetic jet.

A synthetic jet is generated by alternating momentary ejection and suction of a fluid across an orifice such that the net mass flux is zero. A typical configuration for a device used to generate a synthetic jet is to place a biomorph piezoelectric disk at the bottom of a cylinder. The cylinder includes a small orifice opposite the piezoelectric disk. The effect of the bending disk is to actuate like a piston head to generate ejection and suction through the orifice. In response to the motions, vortices are generated which propagate away from the orifice. The synthetic jet is formed when the vortices generated by the orifice coalesce to form a jet, in a time-averaged sense.
A synthetic jet actuator can be deployed in a flow control system. A unique feature of synthetic jets is that they are formed entirely from the working fluid of the flow system. Thus, the jets can be used to transfer linear momentum to the flow system without a net injection of mass.
Synthetic jets can be produced over a broad range of length and time-scales. Thus, synthetic jets have been proposed for a broad range of flow control applications. For example, synthetic jet actuators have been proposed as a mechanism for affecting flow separation over a wing. In addition, the synthetic jet actuators are also used as a mechanism for providing focused cooling.
In designing a mechanism for producing a synthetic jet, issues that are considered are the amount linear momentum that is produced per unit of weight of the mechanism and/or per unit power input for the mechanism. These ratios provide some measures of the efficiency of the device. For current synthetic jet designs, such as the piston design described above, the efficiency of the designs limit their applicability for weight and/or power sensitive applications, such as aircraft. In view of the above, new apparatus and methods for generating synthetic jet actuators are desired.


The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies and discloses a method, an apparatus and a system for transmitting SDH/Sonet section overhead bytes, which reduce a burden of an intermediate node of a PTN network in a process of transmitting DCC bytes in the PTN network. In the present invention, a pseudo wire is established between a local end node and a peer end node. The local end node separates target overhead bytes from section overhead bytes of an SDH/Sonet frame, where the target overhead bytes include DCC bytes; packages the target overhead bytes to obtain a dedicated overhead packet; and sends the dedicated overhead packet to the peer end node, where the dedicated overhead packet is transmitted as a service packet of the pseudo wire. The embodiments of the present invention are mainly applied to a process of transmitting an SDH/Sonet service in the PTN network.

At present, during a process of replacing an SDH (synchronous digital hierarchy) network with a PTN (packet transport network) network, the PTN network generally needs to be compatible with services, a networking manner and a maintenance mode of the SDH network, so as to implement interworking with the current SDH network, and manage and maintain the SDH network.
The SDH network uses an STM-N frame structure to transmit signals, and the frame structure includes an SOH (section overhead), a management unit pointer and an information payload, where, the SOH includes an RSOH (regenerator section overhead) and an MSOH (multiplex section overhead). In all SOH bytes of the SDH/Sonet, bytes from D1 to D12 are management bytes of the SDH, which are also referred to as DCC (data communications channel) bytes. For ease of managing the SDH network by the PTN network, it is required to transparently transmit the DCC bytes of SDH at two ends of the PTN network in the PTN network.
In the prior art, the DCC bytes are transmitted by using a management packet of a pseudo wire. A Channel Type is set to a specific value in the management packet of the pseudo wire to indicate that the management packet carries the DCC bytes, and meanwhile, the DCC bytes that need to be transparently transmitted are placed into an OAM Packet field for transmitting.
However, the inventor finds that, when the DCC bytes of the SOH are placed into the management packet of the pseudo wire by using the existing method and management information of a service emulated by the pseudo wire is transmitted by using the management packet of the pseudo wire, although the transparent transmission of the DCC bytes may be realized, an intermediate node in the PTN network needs to identify whether the management packet carries the management information of the pseudo wire or the management information of a SDH service, thereby increasing a burden of the intermediate node in the PTN network.

Method, apparatus and system for transmitting SDH/Sonet section overhead bytes