A plate type heat exchanger employing flat tubes, which can be manufactured easily and which have a high heat exchange performance includes a thin strip-shaped metal plate cut in the width direction and having remaining small connected portions and many cut portions disposed at fixed intervals in the longitudinal direction slits are formed in both sides of the cut potions having the same center. The strip-shaped metal plate is bent at the connected portions in a zigzag manner to form an aggregation of fin elements, and the flat tubes are engaged with the front and rear sides of the aggregation of the fin elements.

Conventionally, fins applied to flat tubes that have been used generally in a radiator for automobile and a condenser for car air conditioner are corrugated fins.
It seems that corrugated fins have almost reached to a saturated level technically and further contrivance to reduce air resistance significantly than the current level, to increase performance or to reduce weight is approaching to the limit.
Corrugated fins are applicable to radiators for automobiles, condensers for car air conditioners and outdoor units of air conditioners. However, there reside such problems as drainage of condensed water, frost accumulation in heating operation and the like. Therefore, the corrugated fins cannot be applied to heat exchangers (evaporators) for air conditioner indoor units, heat pump outdoor units or evaporators for refrigerators and automatic vending machines. Thus, the corrugated fins may be evaluated to be poor in applicability.
The reason of the above is as described below. That is, when incorporated into a heat exchanger, corrugated fins are remarkably poor in drainage performance due to the configuration thereof, and therefore frost gathers and grows swiftly; and further, the frost is hardly removed.
What can solve the above disadvantages of corrugated fins is plate fins having flat holes. However, being different from the case where a tube having a circular section (round tube) is used, it is difficult to insert the flat tube into the flat hole. To enhance insertion efficiency, clearance between the flat hole and the periphery of the flat tube has to be large enough. When the enough clearance is provided, the contact between the tube and the fin is deteriorated, resulting in reduction of performance.
Being different from the case of the round tube, the flat tube cannot be satisfactorily expanded from the inside thereof. To join the flat tube to the flat hole, brazing is necessary. However, when the clearance is formed large enough to ensure the insertion efficiency, brazing material is not satisfactorily supplied to the gap between the two; thus, the contact between the two is deteriorated, resulting in a reduction of the heat conductivity. Contrarily, when the clearance is formed small enough to ensure satisfactory brazing, the insertion efficiency of the tube is lowered, resulting in an extreme reduction of the productivity.
When the flat tube expanded on purpose is brazed, the final contact is satisfactorily ensured, even if the clearance is formed large enough. In such a case, however, expansion process of the tube needs to be added, which leads to such disadvantages as redundant process, poor productivity and a big investment for equipment.
A flat multi-hole tube is sometimes used for a heat exchanger of air conditioner. In this case, however, the tube is not allowed to be expanded.
So called an insertion type heat exchanger as described below has been proposed. That is, in place of forming flat holes in a long plate fin, slits of a U-like shape are formed from one end of a plate fin in the width direction thereof and flat tubes are forcibly inserted into the slits (refer to, for example, Patent Document 1).
According to this method, even when the clearance between the slit and the tube is small, the tube can be forcibly inserted easily into the fin from the side thereof. As a result, the contact between the tube and the fin is improved.
However, the plate type heat exchanger with slit fins as described above has a following disadvantage. That is, when the individual plate fins are gathered together and many slits are to be aligned, it is difficult to align them into a line properly and thus, handling is troublesome. Therefore, the plate type heat exchanger has not been put into volume production.
The following method is theoretically conceivable; i.e., many slits, which are parallel to each other in the width direction, are formed in a long plate fin, and flat tubes are pressed into the slits from one end thereof. However, it is difficult to align the slits in the plate fins and form a fin assembly practically.
Further, there arises such disadvantage that the core assembly has poor workability in engaging the tubes with the fins, since the slits are hardly aligned with each other. Accordingly, although the heat exchanger core of this type using flat tubes is theoretically recognized as an effective heat exchanger core, this heat exchanger core has not been put into practical use as far as the inventor of the present invention knows.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide plate fins for a heat exchanger and a heat exchanger core employing the same, that have good alignment efficiency for the slits of plate fins and thus excellent productivity of mass production.
Further, another object of the present invention is to provide plate fins for a heat exchanger and a heat exchanger core employing the same that allow the flat tubes to be engaged therewith in two rows.

Plate fin for heat exchanger and heat exchanger core


This invention relates to the production of dual models of Congenital Heart Defects and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with the use of mice which are genetically modified by transgenic (gene-knockout) techniques. The present invention produces knockout mice that show multiple cardiovascular malformations which will serve as a model of cardiovascular diseases for the screening of potential drugs against ventricular remodeling, malignant arrhythmias, primary pulmonary hypertension, and degenerative valvular diseases, and congenital heart disease.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major public health problem responsible for up to 63% of cardiac deaths among persons older than 35 in the United States.1 While acute ischemic heart disease is the major cause of SCD in this population, one of the most common causes of sudden death in adolescents and young adults less than 40 years old is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Other less frequent causes include anomalous coronary arteries, Marfan's syndrome, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, myocarditis, aortic valvular stenosis and coronary atherosclerotic disease. HCM is an inherited disease of cardiac muscles where there is asymmetric or symmetric left ventricular hypertrophy with a non-dilated, hyperdynamic chamber in the absence of secondary causes. It affects men and women equally and is characterized by highly variable clinical courses, heterogeneous pathology and complex genetic expression. Depending on underlying mutations, HCM can be compatible with normal longevity at one end of disease spectrum, but at the other end, it is the most common cause of SCD in young athletes. The causes of SCD are assumed to be complex ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation originating on an electrically unstable myocardial substrate, but bradycardias and severe obstruction are also suggested. Prevention of SCD in HCM continues to be a major challenge for clinicians. The use of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in tertiary centers has been reported to be useful, but the patients may still suffer from end-stage heart failure and atrial fibrillation with attendant risk of thromboembolic strokes.3,4 A pathological model of HCM will be critical to understand the development of HCM and causes of SCD, and that will be important for prevention and treatment. Currently, the known disease genes account for about 50-70% of all cases of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.5 Most of the primary cardiomyopathies in humans, hypertrophic or dilated, are due to mutations in contractile proteins, cytoskeletal proteins, or gap junction proteins, and are in most cases the direct consequences of structural defects.
The cardiac extracellular matrix plays multiple important functional roles as the substrate for cell adhesions and scaffolding, as the signals for cell survival, as a reservoir for growth factors, and as the major determinant of tissue mechanics. Collagen is a major component of extracellular matrix in the mammalian hearts and exhibits a dynamic expression pattern and isoform diversity during development and in pathological conditions.5 In the adult myocardium, type I collagen comprises 80% of total collagen and together with type III collagen forms a network of fibrillar collagen that supports individual cardiomyocytes and smooth muscle cells, and organizes muscle bundles, conduction system, and coronary vasculature into cohesive contractile units. In contrast, type III collagen is the major component in neonatal rat hearts, comprising about one-third of the total collagen content, and thus the visco-elasticity is different from that of adult myocardium. In rodent models of right ventricular hypertrophy, the ratio of types I and III collagen is clearly altered.9, 10 Types II and VIII collagen are transiently expressed during cardiac development and have been implicated in cardiac morphogenesis. Although type II collagen was classically thought to be cartilage specific, a much wider tissue distribution has been shown during mouse embryogenesis. The mouse α1(II) collagen gene (Col2a-1) is transiently expressed in many non-cartilaginous tissues such as the notochord, neural retina, tail tendon, heart, surface ectoderm, calvarial mesenchyme, fetal brain, the sensory epithelium of the inner ear and the apical ectodermal ridge of the forming limb buds (AER). Alternative splicing of exon 2 produces type II procollagen mRNAs that either include (IIA mRNA) or exclude (IIB mRNA) this exon. Type IIA mRNA is abundant in cells of the epimyocardium in both the atria and ventricles of 9.5-day embryos but rapidly diminishes by 10.5 days. After 12.5 days, IIB mRNA levels increase rapidly and finally exceed IIA mRNAs. By 16.5 days, IIB mRNAs are the major Col2a-1 transcripts, predominantly expressed in maturing chondrocytes.13 Postmortem analyses from one hospital revealed that defects in cardiac septation were present in 2 infants with hypochondrogenesis, a disorder of type II collagen.
How type IIA collagen contributes to cardiac morphogenesis is not yet clearly defined, but recent studies suggest that it may modulate growth factors. Of note, exon2 of the type II collagen gene (Col2a-1), which is included in IIA mRNA, encodes a cysteine-rich globular domain in the amino-propeptide of pro-α1(II) collagen chains. This cysteine-rich domain has been shown to bind bone morphogenic proteins (eg. BMP2) and Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β1 in in vitro assays.
TGF-β1 and BMP-2 belong to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily that regulates growth and differentiation. Like other members of the TGF-β superfamily (TGF-β/Activin/Nodal and BMP/GDF/MIS subfamilies), their diverse biological effects are mediated by the formation of heteromeric complexes of type I and type II serine/threonine kinase receptors, phosphorylation of the type I receptor by type II receptor and subsequent activation of Smad proteins. Receptor-activated Smads (R-Smads, Smads 1-3, 5, 8) are phosphorylated by type I receptor kinases, form heteromeric complexes with the common mediator Smads (co-Smads, Smad4) and translocate into the nucleus where they interact with specific transcription factors and co-regulators to modulate gene expression. R-Smads2 and 3 respond to the TGF-β subfamily, while R-Smads I, 5, and 8 primarily to the BMP subfamily. Two inhibitory Smads (I-Smad), Smad6 and Smad7, negatively regulate TGF-β/BMP signaling by competing with Smad4 for the binding of activated R-Smads, inhibiting phosphorylation of R-Smads, or targeting the receptors for degradation.16, 17 Both TGF-β1 and BMP-2 play crucial roles in various aspects of heart development, especially in cardiomyocyte differentiation, valvulogenesis, and outflow tract and septal development. 18-21 TGF-β1 exerts diverse biological activities in postnatal hearts. It controls the expression of major histocompatibility complex, induces production of the extracellular matrix proteins by cardiac fibroblasts, regulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype, induces cardiac hypertrophy, and enhances β-adrenergic signaling. There is limited information about the role of BMP-2 in postnatal mammalian hearts. In rat neonatal cardiomyocyte culture, BMP-2 exerts anti-apoptotic effect by activation of the Smad1 pathway and enhances contractility by activation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase pathway.22, 23 Clinically, primary pulmonary hypertension, a disorder of increased proliferation of endothelial and smooth muscle cells in pulmonary arteries, has been linked to mutations in type II receptors for BMP (BMPR-II).24 25
Recent studies in the murine model of Marfan syndrome also highlight the active role of extracellular matrix, in this instance, fibrillin, in modulating TGF-β signaling.26, 27
In human dilated cardiomyopathy, increased perimysial fibrosis is associated with increase in types I, III, and VI collagen content, and type V collagen is increased in intracellular matrix of myocardium. Type II collagen is not expressed in normal hearts or dilated cardiomyopathy.28 Whether or not type II collagen is ectopically expressed in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in humans remains to be investigated. A variety of mouse models of cardiomyopathies and altered contractility focus on targeted mutations of aforementioned proteins, cell cycle regulatory proteins, regulator proteins involved in calcium metabolisms, and subunits of the adrenergic receptor signal transduction cascade. The concept of extracellular matrix modulating tissue patterning and cardiomyocyte differentiation is not novel although matrix defects have not generally been considered as possible source of cardiomyopathies. Even in the mouse with targeted deletion of type III collagen, there was no cardiac abnormality and sudden death was due to rupture of the aorta.29 The adult 191-IIA mutant mice described in this application are therefore a very important model for cardiomyopathy-induced death which may occur suddenly.
Taussig-Bing Anomaly (TBA) is a rare but complex congenital heart disease and comprises of a double outlet right ventricle (DORV) with subpulmonary ventricular septal defect (VSD). Aortic and pulmonary trunks are transposed. Next to Tetralogy of Fallot, TBA is the most common variant of DORV. Infants with TBA often present with congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. Its management is complicated by associated vascular defects such as coronary anomalies, subaortic stenosis, aortic arch coarctation or interruption. Currently recommended treatment is complete correction in a single operation, typically involving arterial switch operation, VSD repair, corrective repair of aortic obstruction, and translocation of anomalous coronary arteries. Therefore, detailed mapping of these vascular defects is crucial to the success of corrective surgery. TOGA is the most frequently diagnosed complex cyanotic heart defects in newborns (ref) and involves ventriculoarterial discordance. Genetics of human TBA or TOGA has focused on candidate genes involved in left-right asymmetry or heterotaxy syndrome. Mutations in three human genes have been associated with TOGA: Zinc-finger transcription factor ZIC3 {Digilio, M. C. et al. Complete transposition of the great arteries: patterns of congenital heart disease in familial precurrence. Circulation 104, 2809-14 (2001).} {Belmont, J. W., Mohapatra, B., Towbin, J. A. & Ware, S. M. Molecular genetics of heterotaxy syndromes. Curr Opin Cardiol 19, 216-20 (2004).}, CFC1 (human CRYPTIC gene) {Goldmuntz, E. et al. CFC1 mutations in patients with transposition of the great arteries and double-outlet right ventricle. Am J Hum Genet 70, 776-80 (2002).}, and PROSIT240 {Muncke, N. et al. Missense mutations and gene interruption in PROSIT240, a novel TRAP240-like gene, in patients with congenital heart defect (transposition of the great arteries). Circulation 108, 2843-50 (2003).}. These clinical findings have been validated in mouse models of genetic ablation of Zic3 {Purandare, S. M. et al. A complex syndrome of left-right axis, central nervous system and axial skeleton defects in Zic3 mutant mice. Development 129, 2293-302 (2002).}, cryptic (EGF-CFC) {Gaio, U. et al. A role of the cryptic gene in the correct establishment of the left-right axis. Curr Biol 9, 1339-42 (1999).}, and TRAP220 {Ito, M., Yuan, C. X., Okano, H. J., Darnell, R. B. & Roeder, R. G. Involvement of the TRAP220 component of the TRAP/SMCC coactivator complex in embryonic development and thyroid hormone action. Mol Cell 5, 683-93 (2000).}.
Here we describe that mice carrying the IIA mutation on a C57/BL6 genetic background is a novel mouse model of TBA and TOGA. Mutations in the human COL2A1 gene are dominant, resulting in chondrodysplasias with a spectrum of severity from prenatal lethality to mild deformity. Dominant mutations in exon2 have been found in the Stickler Syndrome and Wagner's Syndromes which are also associated with eye defects {Richards, A. J. et al. COL2A1 exon 2 mutations: relevance to the Stickler and Wagner syndromes. Br J Ophthalmol 84, 364-71 (2000).} {Van Der Hout, A. H. et al. Occurrence of deletion of a COL2A1 allele as the mutation in Stickler syndrome shows that a collagen type II dosage effect underlies this syndrome. Hum Mutat 20, 236 (2002).} {Donoso, L. A. et al. Identification of a stop codon mutation in exon 2 of the collagen 2A1 gene in a large stickler syndrome family. Am J Ophthalmol 134, 720-7 (2002).} {Donoso, L. A. et al. Clinical variability of Stickler syndrome: role of exon 2 of the collagen COL2A1 gene. Surv Ophthalmol 48, 191-203 (2003).} {Gupta, S. K., Leonard, B. C., Damji, K. F. & Bulman, D. E. A frame shift mutation in a tissue-specific alternatively spliced exon of collagen 2A1 in Wagner's vitreoretinal degeneration. Am J Ophthalmol 133, 203-10 (2002).}. However, no cyanotic congenital heart defects has been reported or systematically correlated with mutations in the Col2a1 gene. Only one postmortem study from one hospital has reported defects in cardiac septation in 2 infants with hypochondrogenesis, a disorder of type II collagen {Potocki, L., Abuelo, D. N. & Oyer, C. E. Cardiac malformation in two infants with hypochondrogenesis. Am J Med Genet 59, 295-9 (1995).}. Given the profound morbidity and mortality of untreated cyanotic congenital heart disease, IIA procollagen may serve as a novel marker for pre-natal screening of complex congenital heart diseases. As a key modulator of BMP-dependent Nkx2.5 expression in cardiac morphogenesis, IIA procollagen may serve as a novel delivery system of growth factors for myocardial regenerative therapy. Understanding the cellular mechanisms of these cardiovascular defects in IIA null mutants will be paramount in formulating a novel strategy to treat or prevent complex cyanotic heart disease.

Mutant mice comprising a mutated type II procollagen alpha-1


A method and system for auditing security stock usage including displaying one or more data on a graphical user interface (GUI); extracting a first set of information into a first log file from the one or more data displayed on the GUI; commencing a print run on a printer; extracting a second set of information into a second log file after the print run terminates; and determining a number of sheets of security stock used from the first log file and the second log file.

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition or MICR is a character recognition technology adopted mainly by the banking industry to facilitate the processing of checks. The major MICR fonts used around the world are E-13B and CMC-7. Almost all U.S., Canadian, and U.K. checks include MICR characters at the bottom of the paper in the E-13B font. In addition to their unique fonts, MICR characters are printed with a magnetic ink or toner. Magnetic printing is used so that the characters can be reliably read into a system. Thus, the bottom line on a check must always be printed in the MICR typeface using a special magnetic ink, which allows the check information to be automatically read by inexpensive machines.
There are several MICR check printers in the market today that use either pre-printed or blank security check stock. However, such MICR check printers lack certain types of functionality. For example, customers may desire to acquire an accurate count of every sheet of check stock that is fed from each feeder, the number of sheets purged, sent to each finisher, and cleared through jam clearance. Current MICR check printers require a customer to restart the MICR check printer, open a text file containing "boot time" saved on non-volatile memory (NVM) that a customer service engineer (CSE) informed them about, pull out specific NVM values, run their job, restart the system, and compare such data against the same text file over and over again. As a result, this process requires a restart of the MICR check printer for every job desired by the user, and also requires specialized knowledge of an internal file produced by the print station. This is a very cumbersome process to go through in order to obtain an accurate count of every sheet of check stock that is fed from each feeder, the number of sheets purged, sent to each finisher, and cleared through jam clearance.
Consequently, none of the existing MICR check printer manufacturers has presented a desirable solution for obtaining such information quickly and efficiently. Therefore, it would be highly desirable to provide for a method and system for providing inventory control of secure stock in feeders and finishers.

Method and system for inventory control of secure stock in feeders and finishers


A method or the treatment and diagnosis of tumors is disclosed. This method comprises the administration of an effective amount of a radiohalogenated pyrimidine nucleoside to the tumor affected site.

For a number of years, the scientific and medical communities have been continually exploring the possibility of using radionuclides for cancer therapy. The use of sealed radioactive sources e.g., radium needles and capsules is now commonplace. However, with the exception of a select number of applications, the hopes of employing unsealed sources for the radiotherapy of a neoplastic disease remain largely unrealized. The problem has two components: (a) a scarcity of appropriate radionuclides, and (b) developing appropriate carrier molecules that can (i) bring the radionuclide into the vicinity of cancerous cells and (ii) incorporating the radionuclide into the tumor cells so as to achieve high ratios of the radionuclide between tumor cells and normal tissues.
The biological toxicity of internally deposited radionuclides can be attributed to radiation-induced ionizations and excitations, nuclear recoil, chemical transmutations, and local charge effects. Gamma and x-ray photons, energetic negatrons and positions have (i) a range of action equivalent to many cell diameters, (ii) are characterized by a low linear energy transfer LET and oxygen-dependent biological effects. On the other hand, radionuclides that decay by electron capture (EC) and/or internal conversion (IC) demonstrate an Auger effect in which extremely low energy, i.e.<1 KeV, short range electrons are produced which dissipate their energy typically within nanometer distances from the decay site. Consequently, the biological toxicity of these radionuclides resembles that of high LET radiations and is critically dependent on their intranuclear localization. Furthermore, the oxygen enhancement ratios (OER) obtained following their decay are smaller than those seen with x-irradiation and energetic particles.
The Auger-electron-emitting radionuclide investigated most extensively is iodine-125. Because of its predominant IC decay following EC (approximately 93%), this radionuclide is a prolific emitter of Auger electrons. The electrons most frequently produced dissipate their energy in the immediate vicinity of the decaying atom and deposit 10.sup.5 -10.sup.9 rad/decay within 20-to-60-nanometer spheres around the decaying atom. The radiotoxicity of this Auger electron emitter was demonstrated following the in vitro incorporation of the thymidine [TdR]analog .sup.125 IUdR into the DNA of dividing mammalian cells. Further in vitro studies indicate that these and other Auger electron emitters have shown a decrease in radiotoxicity when emission occurs at a distance from the nuclear DNA.
5-Iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IUdR) is a thymidine analog in which the 5-methyl group of thymidine (TdR) is replaced by iodine. IUdR specifically incorporates into DNA during the synthetic phase of the cell cycle. Most DNA incorporated IUdR is retained for the life of the cell or its progeny. In contrast, the unincorporated IUdR is rapidly catabolized to iodouracil and/or dehalogenated while its half-life in circulation is very short, i.e. less than five minutes in humans and less than seven minutes in a mouse. The preparation of this compound as well as the iodinated .sup.123 I and .sup.125 I versions are fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,520 the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Briefly, 2'-deoxyuridine (0.50 g, 2.20 mmol) is dissolved in 2 ml water and the solution is heated to 50.degree. C. To this solution, mercuric acetate (0.74 g, 2.32 mmol) in 3 ml of water is added. The reaction is allowed to proceed for 2.5 h at 50.degree. C., the vial cooled down to 40.degree. C., and sodium chloride (0.32 mg, 5.45 mmol) in 1 ml of water is added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 1 h, and the suspension is filtered, washed and dried.
To 6 mg (8.6 .mu.mol) of the thus prepared 5-chloro-2'-deoxyuridine, 4 mg of Iodogen (9.3 .mu.mol) and sodium .sup.123 I/.sup.125 I]iodide [1-10 mCi) in 0.3 ml of water are added. The mixture is stirred in a closed 2-ml reaction vial at room temperature for 2 h, filtered through a 0.22 .mu.m Millex filter, and injected into the HPLC (C.sub.18 column). Fractions from the peak with a retention time (R.sub.T) of 7.1 min (corresponding to that of an authentic cold IUdR sample) are pooled, the eluant (H.sub.2 O/CH.sub.3 OH,80/20 by volume) evaporated, and the .sup.123 IUdR or .sup.125 IUdR resuspended in saline and sterilized e.g., by filtration, prior to administration into the mammals.
Despite the fact that various pharmaceuticals that exhibit high in vitro toxicity to mammalian cells have been identified over the years, none of these have demonstrated any "magic bullet" characteristics in vivo. To facilitate targeting of tumors, investigators have relied on the direct introduction of the therapeutic/diagnostic agents either into the target area or into an arterial blood supply that immediately precedes the target. Inherent to the absolute success of such approaches are four main assumptions:
1. the target is approximately within an area that can be easily accessed;
2. once within the vicinity of the tumor-containing tissues, the agent (a) freely diffuses throughout all the tissues, (b) is innocuous outside the cell, and (c) is selectively taken up either passively or actively and indefinitely retained by each and every cancerous cell but not by noncancerous cells;
3. once the agent has diffused out of the target area, it must either be converted quickly into an inactive, i.e., nontoxic, form and/or be excreted from the body;
4. the biologic behavior of the agent is not altered by repeated injection, i.e., it lends itself to repeat/continuous injections.

Diagnosis of tumors with 5-radioiodo-2'-deoxyuridine

The President and Fellows of Harvard College


A link based on one radio access technology (RAT) is used to supplement the operation of another RAT. For example, in a user equipment (UE) device that can access both long term evolution (LTE) and millimeter wave (mmW) networks, the UE may use an LTE network to relay information between the UE and the mmW network.

Field of the Disclosure
Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to wireless communication, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to communication via a relay link.
Description of Related Art
In some types of wireless communication networks, an access terminal such as a user equipment (UE) communicates with one or more network base stations. In some scenarios, different base stations may use different radio access technologies (RATs). The term RAT refers to the physical connection for a radio-based communication network. Examples of different RATs include, without limitation, third generation partnership project (3GPP) technologies (e.g., third generation technology (3G), fourth generation technology (3G), and fifth generation technology (5G)), millimeter wave (mmW) technology, Bluetooth technology, and Wi-Fi technology. In a millimeter wave (mmW) system, multiple antennas are used for beamforming (e.g., in the range of 30 GHz, 60 GHz, etc.).
Typically, different RATs have different capabilities. For example, a UE may have the capability to access both a long term evolution (LTE) network and a millimeter wavelength (mmW) network. The downlink/uplink (DL/UL) access link between an LTE base station and the UE is typically more reliable than the access link between a mmW base station and the UE. However, the LTE link typically has lower capacity than the mmW link.


A key fragment generator accepts a key string, such as from a key string generator, and produces a plurality of key fragments that can be entered by a human with a lower likelihood of error than if the human attempted to enter the original key string. A key defragmenter accepts a plurality of entered key fragments, reconstitutes the original key string from the entered key fragments and, optionally, provides the reconstituted key string to a software package or other license manager. The key fragment generator can produce “friendly” key fragments that are easier for humans to read and enter than the arbitrary character strings that characterize typical key strings. The key fragment generator can produce “error-detectable” key fragments. If an error-detectable key fragment is entered incorrectly, the key defragmenter can generate an error message and permit a user to enter the key fragment again. The key fragment generator can produce “error-correctable” key fragments. If an error-correctable key fragment is entered incorrectly, the key defragmenter can generate an error message that describes the nature of the error or that draws a user's attention to a portion of the key fragment that the user entered incorrectly. The error message can include a “hint” related to one or more confusable characters that were entered incorrectly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to processing key strings used to license software or hardware and, more particularly, to segmenting such license keys to facilitate errorless manual entry of such key strings.
2. Related Art
Many software packages such as operating systems and application programs are licensed by suppliers to end-users for use on one or more licensed computers or by one or more users. To prevent unlicensed use, a typical licensed software package is designed to require a potential user to enter a valid license key during installation or activation of the software package. Without entry of the valid license key, the software package will either not properly install or not operate.
A typical license key comprises a relatively long string of characters, often more than 20 characters in length. Suppliers typically use automated systems to generate a unique key string for each unit of each software package they produce. The unique key string is usually printed on a piece of paper, which is then included with each unit of the corresponding software package. Other times, the user obtains the key string via an e-commerce web site. To install or activate the software package, the user must read and correctly enter the key string using a keyboard.
Key strings often include encrypted information that software packages use to verify the validity of the entered key strings. Consequently, the key strings appear to contain random or nonsense characters from the perspective of the user. Many users have difficulty correctly entering such long, nonsensical strings of characters.

Error-detectable license key fragmentation to facilitate errorless manual entry

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


First and second magnet holding apertures are disposed through first and second permanent magnet holding seats that are disposed so as to protrude from first and second yoke portions so as to have aperture centers that are oriented in an axial direction. Cylindrical resin first and second magnet loading portions are disposed so as to project integrally on first and second fans such that central axes thereof are oriented in the axial direction, and first and second permanent magnets are insert-molded into the first and second magnet loading portions. The first and second fans are fixed to first and second pole cores by fitting the first and second magnet loading portions together with the first and second magnet holding apertures.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dynamoelectric machine such as an automotive alternator, etc., and particularly relates to a Lundell rotor construction to which permanent magnets are mounted.
2. Description of the Related Art
Automotive alternators that use Lundell rotors have been used in automobiles for decades. Loads from electrical equipment that has been mounted due to environmental issues have increased rapidly in recent years, and further increases in generated power have been sought from Lundell rotors.
Conventionally, means of disposing permanent magnets between claw-shaped magnetic poles that face each other circumferentially in a Lundell rotor have been adopted in order to solve such problems (see Patent Literature 1 and 2, for example).
A means has also been adopted of holding permanent magnets inside pockets that are formed integrally on fans, mounting a fan onto a first pole piece by press-fitting the pockets between an upper surface of a body of the first pole piece and lower surfaces of pole fingers of a second pole piece, and mounting a fan to the second pole piece by press-fitting the pockets between an upper surface of a body of the second pole piece and lower surfaces of pole fingers of the first pole piece (see Patent Literature 3, for example).
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. SHO 61-85045 (Gazette)
Patent Literature 2: U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,577 (Specification)
Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-527015 (Gazette)
In Patent Literature 1 and 2, when holding the permanent magnets between the claw-shaped magnetic pole portions, it is necessary to position the permanent magnets relative to the facing claw-shaped magnetic pole portions with high precision, making it necessary to add a magnet holding member, or to form magnet holding grooves on the claw-shaped magnetic pole portions by machining, leading to steep rises in production costs and reductions in mass producibility.
In the technique according to Patent Literature 3, the pockets that hold the permanent magnets are formed so as to have an approximately rectangular cross-sectional shape that conforms to an interfitting space between the body of one pole piece and the pole fingers of the other pole piece. In order to strengthen the hold on the pockets that hold the permanent magnets, it is necessary to machine the interfitting surfaces of the pole pieces with high precision. However, the surfaces of the pole pieces that fit together with the pockets are flat surfaces or gently curved surfaces, and after-processing of the pole pieces by high-performance machine tools is required, requiring huge machining costs and machining time. Because displacement of tip ends of the claw-shaped magnetic pole portions in excess of 100 μm radially outward also arises during high-speed rotation, stable holding of the permanent magnets cannot be achieved in a construction in which centrifugal forces that act on the pockets that hold the permanent magnets are held by tip end inner circumferential surfaces of the claw-shaped magnetic pole portions. Because the permanent magnets are insert-molded into the fans, the permanent magnets may be displaced radially outward together with the displacement of the tip ends of the claw-shaped magnetic pole portions during high-speed rotation, and there has been a risk that excessive stresses may act on the fans and damage the fans.


An automated adjustment system that permits an operator to quickly and accurately adjust the various adjustable components in a tape path. The adjustment system comprises an automated adjustment tool connected to a processing system. The automated adjustment tool comprises a plurality of probes connected to a nest fixture. The nest fixture is configured to receive a tape drive and securely position the tape drive for adjustment of the tape path. The plurality of probes are configured to individually engage the adjustable components in the tape path and provide a computer readable output to the processing system that indicates the vertical position of the individual components. The processing system is configured to receive the computer readable output, convert the computer readable output into a measurement and display the measurement on a display for an operator.

The invention relates to digital tape drive storage devices, and in particular, to an adjustment system for quickly and accurately adjusting the vertical position of the various adjustable components in a tape path.
Digital data is stored on tape drives utilizing a variety of designs, but in all cases, magnetic tape media is wound between a pair of tape reels as data is transferred to or from the tape media. In the art of data storage, the physical space required to store data is an important concern. To conserve space, tape drives often use a single reel tape cartridge design. The single reel tape cartridge design utilizes a supply reel located within the tape cartridge and a takeup reel located within the tape drive. After the tape cartridge is inserted into the tape drive, the tape media is connected to the takeup reel and wound through an internal tape path between the takeup reel and the supply reel as data is written and read from the tape media.
One example of the internal tape path includes a guide roller tape path located between the supply reel and the take up reel. The guide roller tape path comprises a plurality of guide rollers configured to guide the tape media as it is wound between the supply reel and the take up reel. A tape head located in the tape path reads and writes the digital data to and from the tape media as the tape media passes over the tape head. The digital data is written to and read from the tape media in rows, or tracks, running in a longitudinal direction relative to the tape media. To read or write data on a specific track, the tape head must align with the track as the tape media passes over the tape head.
Improvements in the art of magnetic tape media have allowed data to be written to and read from the tape media on continually narrower and more closely spaced tracks. To prevent errors in reading and writing data, the tape path traveled must be reproducible with a high degree of accuracy to accommodate these narrower tracks and maintain alignment of the tape head and tape track.
To achieve these tolerances in reproducibility the tape path must be precisely adjusted to prevent the tape media from moving unpredictably as it passes over the tape head. Thus, one of the final steps in tape drive production is adjustment of the vertical position of the various components in the tape path. In the case of a guide roller tape path, an operator uses a fixture to secure the tape drive with reference to a plane representing the adjustment height of the guide rollers and a plane representing the adjustment height of the takeup reel and a supply reel interface. The supply reel interface is configured to represent the vertical position of the supply reel contained in the tape cartridge when the tape cartridge is loaded into the tape drive. The fixture rests on a granite surface with the reference planes orientated parallel to the granite surface. The operator uses a tool referred to in the art as a height gauge, to individually adjust each guide roller, the takeup reel, and the supply reel interface to the appropriate height for tape drive operation.
Unfortunately, the adjustment process is time consuming and prone to both operator and equipment errors at different stages of adjustment. For example, a first source of error occurs when the height gauge is damaged resulting in an inaccurate measurement of the component heights. A second source of error occurs where the height gauge is misinterpreted or misread by the operator. The operator can also introduce a third source of error during re-calibration of the reference plane. Often the individual guide rollers are adjusted to different heights to accommodate various operations of the tape drive. In this case the reference plane must be re-calibrated before adjustment of the next guide roller. When these errors occur they are often not detected until final testing of the drive. Thus, all other drives adjusted during the interim period are questionable, and must be checked and possibly re-adjusted. Furthermore, since no record is kept of the adjustment process, auditing and re-adjustment is difficult to control.
Therefore a need exists in the art of tape drives for an improved tape path adjustment system that yields a more accurately adjusted tape drive with a higher degree of certainty.
The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above and advances the art by providing an automated adjustment system that allows an operator to quickly and accurately adjust the position of the various adjustable components in a tape path. The present adjustment system comprises an automated adjustment tool connected to a processing system. The automated adjustment tool comprises a plurality of probes connected to a nest fixture. The nest fixture is configured to receive a tape drive and securely position the tape drive for adjustment of the tape path. The plurality of probes are configured to individually engage the adjustable components in the tape path and provide a computer readable output to the processing system that indicates the vertical position of the individual components. The processing system is configured to receive the computer readable outputs, convert the computer readable outputs into measurements, and display the measurements on a display for an operator. The operator then uses the displayed measurements to adjust the individual components to a reference position that corresponds to the appropriate vertical position of each component.
In some examples of the present adjustment system, the processing system is configured to store the measurements for a plurality of tape drives adjusted using the adjustment system to provide an audit record of the tape drive adjustment process. In other examples of the adjustment system, a limit switch connected to the nest fixture is used to indicate tape drive loading status. Thus, if the tape drive is properly loaded, operation of the automated adjustment tool is permitted. If the tape drive is not properly loaded, operation of the automated adjustment tool is prevented. In still yet other examples of the adjustment system, the nest fixture also includes an adjustable stop that positions the tape drive in the horizontal direction so that the individual probes are aligned with a corresponding individual component in the tape path.
A first advantage of the present adjustment system is that it provides simultaneous measurements that indicate the present vertical positions of the various adjustable components in the tape path. A second advantage of the present adjustment system is that throughput of the adjustment process is significantly increased by the simultaneous measurement of the individual vertical positions. A third advantage of the present adjustment system is that it automates the current measurement and calibration of the reference plane for the various adjustable components of the tape path. A fourth advantage of the present adjustment system is that any probe position can be considered as the reference position so that if the desired height of an adjustable component changes, only the processor inputs need to be changed. The operator may still use the same reference position for adjustment, thereby reducing operator error. A fifth advantage of the present adjustment system is that it can accommodate a variety of tape drive designs for adjustment of a variety of tape paths. One skilled in the art can appreciate that this represents a significant advantage during tape drive design changes. A sixth advantage of the present adjustment system is the storage of the tape drive measurements to provide the audit record of the tape drive adjustment process.


One embodiment provides a method including: detecting, using a processor, user input to a surface, the user input being associated with a virtual interface; identifying, within the user input, a palm input pattern; and adjusting the virtual interface based on at least one aspect of the identified palm pattern. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Devices, e.g., tablets, smart phones, laptops having a touch screen, etc., are increasingly being used as a replacement for a full computer. Because of the increased processing power available to these mobile devices, they are more capable than ever before. It is because of this increased capability that they have become so popular as an alternative to a typical computer or laptop.
However, some aspects of these devices are still lacking compared to their older less portable counterparts. For example, touch as a method of input, one of the most useful features, can sometimes be a hindrance of a mobile device. Specifically, it can be difficult to enter large amounts of information on a touch surface, compared to a more tactile system (e.g., physical keyboard and mouse). This difficulty exists for many reasons, for example the lack of tactile feedback, size constraints, etc. Without tactile feedback, it can be difficult for a user to determine if they are pressing an input key, and if that input key is the desired key. This lack of responsive feedback can lead to a user shifting their fingers to an incorrect location during use, thus resulting in improper input to a device.


A method and device for displaying an interface are provided. The method includes creating a fully-transparent sensing hot region displayed in a top layer in a screen; receiving a touch operation event, a starting touch position of the touch operation event being located in the sensing hot region; acquiring a lateral displacement of a sliding operation event when the touch operation event is the sliding operation event, the lateral displacement being a displacement in a width direction of the screen; detecting whether the lateral displacement is greater than a first threshold; and in response to determining that the lateral displacement is greater than the first threshold, switching from a first User Interface (UI) presently displayed in the screen into a second UI for display when the sliding operation event completes, wherein the second UI is a previous UI displayed immediately prior to the first UI.

In use of a mobile phone by a user, a requirement for interface switching that is often used is to switch a presently displayed User Interface (UI) of the mobile phone to a previous UI.
For a conventional mobile phone, a touch button for realizing an interface return function is usually arranged at a position below a screen and a user may click on the touch button to trigger the mobile phone to be switched from a presently displayed first UI to a second UI which is a previous UI displayed immediately prior to the first UI.
With increase of screen-to-body ratios of mobile phones, touch buttons below the screens will be eliminated. New ways to realize the interface switching are desired.

Method and device for displaying interface

Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.


A computer-implemented decision device and a family of methods and procedures are used for representing and analyzing imprecise, vague, and incomplete probabilistic decision and risk problems and/or when a criteria hierarchy is present. Decision makers can state the problems simply with the precision the decision-makers feel they have evidence for. Probabilities, values (utilities), criteria weights with belief distributions over them, and optimization procedures for fast evaluation of decision rules with respect to such statements are determined and analyzed.

There are basically two main areas within decision theory: probabilistic decisions and multi-criteria decisions. Each of these contains theories, methods, and procedures for aiding decision makers. A decision maker can be, i.a., one human, a group of humans, a computer program, or a computer software controlled machine. Decision models can be grouped into different types that can be termed Probabilistic Decision models and Multi-Criteria Decision models, see:
M. Danielson and L. Ekenberg, "A Framework for Analyzing Decisions under Risk", European Journal of Operational Research, vol.104/3, pp. 474-484, 1998.
M. Danielson, L. Ekenberg, J. Johansson, and A. Larsson, "The DecideIT Tool", Proceedings of ISIPTA 03, 2003a.
M. Danielson, L. Ekenberg, J. Johansson, and A. Larsson, "Investment Decision Analysis: A Case Study at SCA Transforest", Proceedings of IKE-2003, vol.1, pp. 79-85, 2003b.
L. Ekenberg, "Risk Constraints in Agent Based Decisions", in A. Kent and J. G. Williams (eds.), Encyclopaedia of Computer Science and Technology, vol.23:48, pp. 263-280, Marcel Dekker Inc., 2000.
L. Ekenberg and J. Thorbiörnson., "Second-Order Decision Analysis", International Journal of Uncertainty, Fuzziness and Knowledge Based Systems, vol.9:1, pp. 13-38, 2001.
L. Ekenberg, L. Brouwers, M. Danielson, K. Hansson, J. Johansson, A. Riabacke and A. Vári, Simulation and analysis of Three Flood Management Strategies, IIASA Interim Report, IR-03-003, 2003.
P. Gärdenfors and N. E. Sahlin, "Unreliable Probabilities, Risk Taking, and Decision Making", Synthese, vol.53, pp. 361-386, 1982.
J. L. Hodges and E. L. Lehmann, "The Use of Previous Experience in Reaching Statistical Decisions", Annals of Mathematical Statistics, vol.23, pp. 396-407, 1952.
L. Hurwicz, Optimality Criteria for Decision Making under Ignorance, Cowles Commission Discussion Paper no.370, 1951.
K. S. Park and S. H. Kim, "Tools for Interactive Multiattribute Decision Making with Incompletely Identified Information", European Journal of Operational Research, vol.98, pp.111-123, 1997.
A. A. Salo and R. P. Hämäläinen, "Preference Ratios in Multiattribute Evaluation [PRIME]-Elicitation and Decision Procedures under Incomplete Information". IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, vol.31/6, pp. 533-545, 2001.
A. A. Salo and R. P. Hämäläinen, "Preference Programming through Approximate Ratio Comparisons", European Journal of Operational Research, vol.82, no.3, pp. 458-475, 1995.
P. Walley, Statistical Decision Functions, John Wiley and Sons, 1991.
A. Wald, Statistical Reasoning with Imprecise Probabilities, Chapman and Hall, London, 1950.
K. Weichselberger and S. Pöhlman, A Methodology for Uncertainty in Knowledge-Based Systems, Springer-Verlag, 1990.
Probabilistic Decision models are often given a tree representation. Consider the tree in FIG. 6. The decision tree consists of a root, representing a decision, a set of intermediary (event) nodes, representing some kind of uncertainty and consequence nodes, representing possible final outcomes. Usually probability distributions are assigned as weights in the probability nodes as measures of the uncertainties involved. The informal semantics are simply that given that an alternative Ai is chosen there is a probability pij that an event Hij occurs. This event can be a consequence with a value vijk assigned to it or another event. Usually, the maximization of the expected value is used as an evaluation rule. For instance, in FIG. 6, the expected value of alternative Ai is:
      E              (              A        i            )        =            ∑              j        =        1            2                          p        ij                                    ∑                      k            =            1                    2                                              p            ijk                                                        v                              ijk                                                                                1                                      .
There are also several approaches for multi-criteria decision making, where the decision criteria can be arranged in hierarchies. See FIG. 7. Examples include the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), the Evidential Reasoning (ER) approach, and various methods by Salo et al above.
On each level, the criteria are given weights and the alternatives are valued with respect to each sub-criterion. The maximization of the weighted value is usually used as an evaluation rule. For instance, in FIG. 7, the value of alternative Ai under sub-criterion jk is denoted vijk. The weight of criteria j is denoted by wj. Then the weighted value of alternative Ai is:
      E              (              A        i            )        =            ∑              j        =        1            2                          w        j                                    ∑                      k            =            1                    2                                              w            jk                                                        v              ijk                        .
Since the expected value is a weighting operation, both of the above approaches, probabilistic decision models and multi-criteria decision models, selects the alternative with the greatest weighted value. However, no combination rules or algorithms for the evaluation of such a combination have been proposed. Note that in this presentation, the concepts "expected value" and "weighted value" are used interchangeably for the expected value in probabilistic models as above, for the weighted value in multi-criteria models as above, and for the combined generalized expected value containing both criteria weights and probabilities as introduced below.
Risk Analysis is the task of determining the risk involved with a particular action, often resulting in a chain of events, each event path through the risk tree ending in a final consequence. Risk analyses are often displayed using a tree representation. The risk tree consists of a set of intermediary (event) nodes, representing some kind of uncertainty and consequence nodes, representing possible final outcomes. The kinship with probabilistic decisions is strong. A risk analysis can be equally regarded as a decision between a main alternative (the risk situation) and a zero alternative with only one final consequence having the value zero. Thus, when referring to decision problems, the methods and software and tools as described herein can equally be applied to risk analysis.
Probabilistic networks contain chains of events dependent on each other, where a prior node is a precondition for the subsequent node in the (directed) path. While not specifically treated in the sequel, the multiplication of probabilities occurring in probabilistic networks is computationally analogous to the evaluation of event chains in decision trees. Furthermore, decisions made in probabilistic networks through conversion into influence diagrams are solved using the same tree methods and procedures presented here. Thus, when referring to decision problems, the methods and software and tools as described herein can equally be applied to other decision models such as probabilistic networks and influence diagrams.
The information available in decision making is often incomplete, vague, and imprecise, and several decision models have been suggested to handle such situations. During the last 50 years, various methods based on interval estimates of probabilities and values of any sort not only numerical values have been suggested. Even if these approaches generally are well-founded, much less has been done to take the evaluation perspective into consideration and, in particular, computational aspects and implementational issues.
A number of models with representations allowing imprecise probability statements have been suggested over the years. Some of them are based on capacities, evidence theory and belief functions, various kinds of logic, upper and lower probabilities, or sets of probability measures. The common characteristic of the approaches is that they typically do not include the additivity axiom of probability theory and consequently do not require a decision maker to model and evaluate a decision situation using precise probability (and, in some cases, value) estimates. For some overviews, see, e.g., [Weichselberger & Pöhlman, 1990], [Walley, 1991], and [Ekenberg & Thorbiörnson, 2001].
These have been more concerned with representation and less with evaluation. Moreover, very few have addressed the problems of computational complexity when solving decision problems involving interval estimates. It is important to be able to determine, in a reasonably short time, how various evaluative principles rank the given options in a decision situation.
Interval approaches have also been considered in order to extend decision models for multi-criteria decision making. The method PRIME in [Salo & Hämäläinen, 2001] is a generalization of value tree analysis. Similarly, the preference programming method [Salo & Hämäläinen, 1995] extends the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). These approaches are limited in several respects with respect to expressibility and evaluation capabilities. Neither do they address probabilities or consequence structures. [Park & Kim, 1997] is an attempt to combine criteria weights with probabilistic reasoning, treating only one-level criteria, and can only rank the options without cardinal aspects. A one-level representation in this manner, but with larger expressibility compared to [Park & Kim, 1997], is provided in [Danielson et al, 2003a] and [Ekenberg et al, 2003].
Further, some approaches for extending the representation using distributions over classes of probability and utility measures have been proposed. These have been developed into various hierarchical models, such as second-order probability theory [Gärdenfors & Sahlin, 1982], [Ekenberg & Thorbiörnson, 2001]. The former consider belief distributions, but restricted to the probability case and interval representations. Another limitation is that it does not address the relation between distributions over spaces of one or several dimensions respectively. The same criticism applies to [Hodges & Lehmann, 1952], [Hurwicz, 1951], and [Wald, 1950]. None of these, nor [Ekenberg & Thorbiörnson, 2001], handle the issues of tree representation or evaluation at all. Furthermore, no detailed procedures or suggestions are provided for how to represent or how to evaluate aggregations of belief distributions.
The Delta method for handling vague and imprecise information has been developed in a number of papers, e.g. [Danielson & Ekenberg, 1998] and [Ekenberg, 2000]. The method has been used in a wide variety of contexts, e.g., deposition of nuclear waste, investment situations, and evaluation of offers in purchase situations [Danielson et al, 2003b]. The method was invented to counter the problems with unnatural precision and to provide computational concepts for handling imprecise probabilities and values. The approach is a single-level approach, not able to handle multi-level decision trees where the outcome of one event can depend on previous outcomes. The Delta method as it is known to date does neither use general multi-criteria hierarchies nor algorithms for trees. Earlier known algorithms are not applicable to problems with trees, be they probabilistic, multi-criteria, or a combination thereof. Neither belief distributions nor procedures for aggregated interval estimates (such as weighted expected values) have been considered earlier.

Method for decision and risk analysis in probabilistic and multiple criteria situations


A system that is usable with a subterranean well includes a first tubular member that is adapted to receive a flow of a first fluid. The system includes a second tubular member that is located in the flow and is substantially flexible to be moved by the flow to establish a pressure on a second fluid located inside the tubular member. A mechanism of the system uses this pressure to actuate a downhole tool.

The invention generally relates to generating downhole power.
A typical subterranean well includes various devices that are operated by mechanical motion, hydraulic power or electrical power. For devices that are operated by electrical or hydraulic power, control lines and/or electrical cables typically extend downhole for purposes of communicating power to these tools from a power source that is located at the surface. A potential challenge with this arrangement is that the space (inside the wellbore) that is available for routing various downhole cables and hydraulic control lines may be limited. Furthermore, the more hydraulic control lines and electrical cables that must be installed and routed downhole, the higher probability that some part of the power delivery infrastructure may fail.
Thus, some subterranean wells have tools that are powered by downhole power sources. For example, a fuel cell is one such downhole power source that may be used to generate electricity downhole. The subterranean well may include other types of downhole power sources, such as batteries, for example.
A typical subterranean well undergoes a significant amount of vibration (i.e., vibration on the order of Gs, for example) during the production of well fluid. In the past, the energy produced by this vibration has not been captured. However, an emerging trend in subterranean wells is the inclusion of devices to capture this vibrational energy for purposes of converting the energy into a suitable form for downhole power.
Thus, there is a continuing need for better ways to generate power downhole in a subterranean well.

Method and apparatus for generating downhole power


Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for generating predicted cardinality statistics for grouped aggregation functions included in database queries. In general, characteristics of a database query are determined, and are then supplied to a probability function configured to generate a predicted cardinality statistic. The generated statistic represents a prediction of the probable cardinality of the results of a grouped aggregation function in the event that the query is executed. The predicted cardinality statistic may be used by a query optimizer to determine an efficient query plan for executing the database query.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to computer database systems. More particularly, the invention relates to techniques for optimization of database queries including grouped aggregation functions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Databases are well known systems for storing, searching, and retrieving information stored in a computer. The most prevalent type of database used today is the relational database, which stores data using a set of tables that may be reorganized and accessed in a number of different ways. Users access information in relational databases using a relational database management system (DBMS).
Each table in a relational database includes a set of one or more columns. Each column typically specifies a name and a data type (e.g., integer, float, string, etc.), and may be used to store a common element of data. For example, in a table storing data about patients treated at a hospital, each patient might be referenced using a patient identification number stored in a "patient ID" column. Reading across the rows of such a table would provide data about a particular patient. Tables that share at least one attribute in common are said to be "related." Further, tables without a common attribute may be related through other tables that do share common attributes. A path between two tables is often referred to as a "join," and columns from tables related through a join may be combined to from a new table returned as a set of query results.
A query of a relational database may specify which columns to retrieve data from, how to join the columns together, and conditions (predicates) that must be satisfied for a particular data item to be included in a query result table. Current relational databases require that queries be composed in query languages. A commonly used query language is Structured Query Language (SQL). However, other query languages are also used.
Typically, query languages provide aggregation functions to enable some computation or summarization of query results. SQL aggregation functions include COUNT (counts the number of values in a column), SUM (sums all values stored in a column), AVG (computes the average value in a group), MIN (determines the smallest value in a column), and MAX (determines the largest value in a column). Aggregation functions are often included in grouped queries, meaning queries where the results are grouped according to values in one or more columns. In SQL, such grouped queries are composed using a GROUP BY clause.
Once composed, a query is executed by the DBMS. Typically, the DBMS interprets the query to determine a set of steps (hereafter referred to as a "query plan") that must be carried out to execute the query. However, in most cases, there are alternative query plans that can be carried out to execute a given query. Thus, the DBMS often includes a query optimizer, which selects the query plan that is likely to be the most efficient (i.e., requiring the fewest system resources, such as processor time and memory allocation).
Query optimizers typically operate by evaluating database statistics, including column statistics. That is, the query plan is selected based on statistical characteristics of the data in the fields (i.e., columns) required for the query. Thus, effective query execution requires optimization of queries that include grouped aggregation functions.

Optimization of database queries including grouped aggregation functions

International Business Machines Corporation


A perimeter security system includes a barrier and a series of sensors. The sensors are connected together via connection cables that include pin-type engagement structure for connection with the sensors. The sensors may include a graduated sensory alert that changes as a person or object approaches. The pin-type connection arrangement includes a receiver having a passage for receiving an insert. The insert and a first end of the cable have matching cross-sections that enable the cable to be inserted within the receiver in a single orientation. A series of pins extend from the cable, and a pin contact arrangement is associated with the receiver. The insert may be one of at least a pair of differently configured inserts, each of which has a cross-section that matches only one end of the cable. Each insert includes an end wall, which includes a series of openings through which the pins extend.

The present invention relates to a security system, and more particularly to a fence-type perimeter security system.
Various fence-type perimeter security systems are configured to provide a monitoring function in combination with the physical barrier provided by the fence itself. Known systems, however, involve a number of drawbacks. For instance, many known perimeter security systems are relatively expensive, are susceptible to false alarms, and are difficult and time consuming to install. The security system of the present invention was developed to address such drawbacks of prior art systems.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a perimeter security system includes a barrier and a series of sensors secured to the barrier at spaced locations along the length of the barrier. The sensors are interconnected with a server or monitor at a location remote from the sensors, and each sensor includes a housing defining an interior within which one or more sensing components are contained. A series of connection cables extends between and connects adjacent sensors to each other and connect the sensors to the monitor. Each sensor includes first and second connectors. A first connection cable extends between the first connector and a connector associated with a first adjacent sensor, and a second one of the connection cables extends between the second connector and a connector associated with an a second adjacent sensor. The first and second connectors and the connection cables include pin-type engagement structure for connecting the connection cables to the sensors. One or more of the sensors may include a camera, and the sensors and cables include communication means for communicating the camera outputs to the monitor.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a perimeter security system includes a barrier and a series of sensors secured to the barrier at spaced locations along the length of the barrier. Each sensor includes a detector for sensing the presence of a person or object in the vicinity of the sensor. In addition, each sensor further includes a graduated sensory alert that changes as the person or object approaches the sensor. The sensors are interconnected with a monitor at a location remote from the sensors. In one embodiment, the graduated sensory alert may be in the form of a visual alert. The visual alert may be a light emitting arrangement that changes color as the person or object approaches the sensor.
The present invention also contemplates a pin-type electrical connection arrangement, which representatively may be used to connect together the sensors in a perimeter security system, although the pin-type electrical connection arrangement may be used in other applications. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, a pin-type electrical connection arrangement includes an electrically conductive member and a cable terminating in a pair of ends. A receiver defines a passage within which the end of the cable is received. An insert is secured within the passage of the receiver, and the insert and a first end of the cable have matching cross-sections that enable the first end of the cable to be inserted within the receiver in a single predetermined orientation. A series of pins extend from one of the receiver and the first end of the cable, and a pin contact arrangement is associated with the other of the receiver and the first end of the cable. The pins are engageable with the pin contact arrangement when the first end of the cable is inserted into the receiver passage. The insert may be one of at least a pair of differently configured inserts, each of which has a cross-section that matches only one of the ends of the cable. The receiver defines an open end, and each insert includes an end wall that is exposed when the insert is secured within the passage of the receiver. The end wall includes a series of openings through which the pins extend. In one form, the electrically conductive member may be a circuit board.
Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawings


A motion control system and method for configuring a motion controller drive. The system may comprise a motion controller coupled through a digital communication link to the motion controller drive. The motion controller drive includes a reconfigurable portion that is configurable with, for example, different communication protocols for communication with different motion controllers.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to motion controllers, and more particularly, to re-configurable drives in a motion controller system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Automated motion control involves precisely controlling the movement of a device or system. Automated motion control is widely used in many different types of applications, including applications in the fields of industrial automation, process control, test and measurement, robotics, and integrated machine vision, among others. A typical automated motion system includes components such as the moving mechanical device(s), a motor with feedback and motion I/O, a motor drive unit, a motion controller, and software to interact with the motion controller.
The motor is commonly a stepper motor or a servo motor. Stepper motors are discrete motion devices that move to positions that relate directly to the number of input control pulses, at a velocity that relates directly to the pulse rate. Servo motors are continuous motion devices that use feedback signals to provide position and velocity control in a closed-loop environment. Motors typically have many wire coils oriented in specific magnetic positions within their housing. By pulsing or steadily controlling current through different motor coils in a known pattern, electromagnetic fields develop in the motor, causing incremental or continuous motion.
The motion controller is often a motion control plug-in board that is connected to an expansion slot or bus of a computer system. The motion controller generates control signals to control the motor and may have various processing components, such as a CPU, DSP, and/or FPGA for performing tasks related to the motion control. A motor drive is typically located between the motion controller and the motor. Motor drive power devices convert the control signals generated by the motion controller into power signals that are provided to the motor connected to the drive.
Communications between the motion controller and the drive are often disrupted when a drive is swapped or a motion controller is replaced. This disruption often requires undesirable reprogramming of the motion controller system because the drive is typically fixed in its communication settings and is not configurable beyond its initial factory communication settings.
FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a prior art motion controller 802 and drive system 804 that uses a breakout box 806 for communications therebetween. The motion controller 802 includes all the digital and analog I/O built into it. This configuration necessitates use of the breakout box 806 for at least the reason that the motion controller 802 and the drive 804 communicate across an analog cable. Also illustrated is a motor 808 that is to be controlled by the motion controller 802. To accommodate appropriate signal adjustment in the system, the motor 808 supplies feedback signals to the drive 804 which enable the drive 804 to indicate to the breakout box 806 the current condition of the motor 808. In some embodiments, the feedback from the motor 808 may travel directly from the motor 808 to the breakout box 806 or even pass through the breakout box 806 directly to the motion controller 802.
FIG. 1B illustrates a block diagram of a prior art distributed motion controller system 820. A motion controller 822 is illustrated with an intelligent drive 824 that is connected via a digital bus 826. The digital bus 826 is deterministic and the digital and analog I/O is built into the intelligent drive 824. In this type of a system, multiple drives may be daisy chained together. A motor 828 is illustrated having feedback to the intelligent drive 824. The feedback, similar to the FIG. 1A embodiment, supports adjustments in signals that are sent from the motion controller 822 to accommodate changing motor requirements. However, the motion controller system 820 introduces new problems such as the communication protocol between the motion controller 822 and the intelligent drive 824. As motion controller manufacturers and drive manufacturers have traditionally been separate entities having different expertise, there is no communication protocol standard with which everyone agrees. This has resulted in the conventional motion system of FIG. 1A to still be the most popular option.
Many other problems and disadvantages of the prior art will become apparent to one skilled in the art after comparing such prior art with the present invention as described herein.


In one embodiment, a first substrate includes a gate line, a source line, a switching element electrically connected with the gate line and the source line, and a pixel electrode including a sub-pixel electrode electrically connected with the switching element in the shape of a belt, and a main pixel electrode electrically connected with the sub-pixel electrode. A first alignment film covers the pixel electrode. A second substrate includes a common electrode having a pair of main common electrodes arranged on both sides sandwiching the main pixel electrode. A second alignment film covers the common electrode. A liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules is held between the first substrate and the second substrate. Volume resistivity values of the first and second alignment films are lower than that of the liquid crystal layer.

In recent years, a flat panel display device is developed briskly. Especially, the liquid crystal display device gets a lot of attention from advantages, such as light weight, thin shape, and low power consumption. In an active matrix type liquid crystal display device equipped with a switching element in each pixel, structures using lateral electric field, such as IPS (In-Plane Switching) mode and FFS (Fringe Field Switching) mode, attract attention. The liquid crystal display device using the lateral electric field mode is equipped with pixel electrodes and a common electrode formed in an array substrate, respectively. Liquid crystal molecules are switched by the lateral electric field substantially in parallel with the principal surface of the array substrate.
On the other hand, another technique is also proposed, in which the liquid crystal molecules are switched using the lateral electric field or an oblique electric field between the pixel electrode formed in the array substrate and the common electrode formed in a counter substrate. Furthermore, review for optimizing volume resistivity of the liquid crystal layer and the alignment film have been made in order to prevent from generating of display defect resulted from a burn-in phenomenon.


The invention is a process for making sharp tips. A computer controlled instrument and process characterizes the tip while in formation and reliably produces tips having a radius of curvature of approximately 100 nm. In the invention, the position of the wire during the etching operation is mechanically controlled while the etching current is monitored. When the current reaches a predetermined level, the process is halted.

The invention relates to a method and apparatus to produce sharp tips. Many techniques and recipes have been reported on the production of sharp tips. In particular, a recent article entitled "The art and science and other aspects of making sharp tips," J. Vac. Sci. and Technol., B 9 (2), Mar/Arp 1991 pp. 601-608, by Allan J. Melmed, summarizes most of them. Most of these techniques for tip production rely on empirical information collected through the years. The problem with all reported techniques is that they lack reliability. Unless each resulting tip is imaged by an electron microscope, there is no way to know whether the tip is sharp enough for an intended use. This is particularly crucial when the tip is to be used in a controlled environment such as vacuum or low temperature.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,396 teaches a basic electrochemical method for forming sharp tips on thin wires. It teaches monitoring the current and cutting the current when it reaches a certain level. It does not disclose moving the wire in and out of the electrolyte.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,865 teaches using a computer to control an electropolishing system but does not teach tip preparation.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,697,403 teaches monitoring and storing a control parameter such as voltage for use in a control system of an electrochemical grinding apparatus (see Summary of the Invention). The grinding apparatus employs a rotating type tool and does not relate to tip preparation.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,434,286 teaches an electromechanical method of forming a point at the end of a wire. However this method does not teach monitoring the current.
The Melmed paper discussed above discloses an electrochemical etching process including moving the tip out of the electrolyte while observing the etching process with a microscope. However, moving the tip in response to current monitoring is not taught.
Other references of general background interest are: "Platinum/Iridium tips with controlled geometry for scanning tunneling microscopy," by Inga Holl Musselman et al, J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A 8 (4), Jul/Aug 1990, pp. 3558, and "Preparation of STM tips for in-situ characterization of electrode surfaces," by Michael J. Heben et al, J. Microscopy, 152, 3, Dec 1988, pp. 651-661.

Electrochemical wire sharpening device and method for the fabrication of tips


The present invention relates to a multi-channel provision system for a wired network. The multi-channel provision system of the present invention includes a tap-off unit (330) for dividing a frequency band, assigned to a wired network for network communication, and providing resultant frequency bands to respective subscriber units belonging thereto. An optical network device (100) is disposed at a node where one or more sectors, divided according to a number of subscriber units that enable network access through the wired network, branch off. The optical network device (100) provides a frequency band for network access to each sector so that a same frequency band is assigned to each sector, thus generating a multi-channel for the frequency band, and reusing the frequency band, assigned to the wired network, a number of times corresponding to the number of the sectors through generation of the multi-channel.

Generally, a conventional cable broadcasting network is aimed principally at the transmission of cable broadcast signals to the TVs of subscribers. Therefore, the conventional cable broadcasting network is constructed to connect a wired network (for example, a coaxial cable network) to the homes of respective cable television subscribers through an Optical Node Unit (ONU), and to transmit cable broadcast signals over the connected wired network. In a conventional wired network, sectors are obtained by dividing a target area, to which cable broadcast signals are to be transmitted, into several regions, and there is no need to connect the terminals of respective sectors, which are connected to an ONU, to each other. That is, the conventional cable broadcasting network has a structure in which wired networks extend radially around the ONU. Therefore, when Internet services are provided using the conventional cable broadcasting network, respective sectors have independent characteristics therebetween.
FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing a method of assigning frequencies to respective subscriber units in a conventional Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) network.
Reference numeral 10 denotes an ONU disposed between an optical cable and a coaxial cable. The ONU 10 performs signal conversion between a cable broadcasting company, connected through an optical cable, and subscriber units, connected through a coaxial cable. Of the bandwidth provided from the ONU 10 to the coaxial cable, frequency bands A, B, C, and D, which can be assigned for the Internet, range from approximately 540 MHz to 900 MHz. The ONU 10 provides the assigned frequency bands to a tap-off unit 20. The tap-off unit 20 distributes the assigned frequency bands to respective sectors 1 to 4. That is, the frequency bands A, B, C, and D are assigned to the sectors 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Each of the sectors is a region in which a cable network is assigned to a plurality of subscriber units. In the case of the sector 1, the frequency band A is divided into frequency bands A1, A2, A3 and A4, and the resulting frequency bands A1, A2, A3, and A4 are assigned to subscriber units 1 to 4, respectively. That is, in conventional Internet services provided through a wired network, the bandwidth assigned to each of the subscriber units 1 to 4 decreases in proportion to the number of subscribers connected to a unit sector (for example, sector 1), thus resulting in a decrease in the data transfer rate of each subscriber unit. Further, since the sectors 1 to 4 use frequency bands assigned to and distributed by the ONU 10, there is a problem in that the number of subscriber units that can be covered by the ONU 10 is limited.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example in which a cable network is deployed by a cable broadcasting company.
As shown in the drawing, since the conventional cable network is deployed to provide cable broadcasts to subscribers through a wired connection, it is disposed radially around the ONU 10, and the end terminals of the cable network do not meet each other. A typical network is configured to have a ring topology, in which end terminals of a network meet each other, in order to secure the stability of data transmission, while a cable network is typically configured in a radial topology, in which the end terminals of the cable network are not connected to each other, because the cable network only sends broadcasts from a cable broadcasting station to subscribers. The applicant of the present invention discards the conventional network configuration method of configuring a network in such a manner that the tap-off unit 20 assigns frequency bands, assigned by the ONU 10, to the respective sectors 1 to 4 equally, and proposes an optical network device for generating a multi-channel, in which the same frequency band is assigned to the sectors 1 to 4, so that the same frequency band can be reused, thus increasing the frequency band assignable to respective subscriber units and also increasing the data transfer rate of respective subscriber units.

Multi-channel generating system on wired network


The process of the invention produces alkali-free aluminosilicate glass having an Al2O3-content of more than 12% by weight with the addition of from 0.005% by weight to 0.6% by weight of sulfate for batch formulation.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a process for producing aluminosilicate glass, which, apart from inevitable impurities, is free of alkali metals and contains more than 12% by weight of Al2O3 (in % by weight, based on oxide content), with addition of a fining agent to the batch formulation.
2. Description of the Related Art
Processes for producing glass comprise the process steps of batch formulation, also known as batch charging, melting of the glass and subsequent hot-forming thereof. In this context, the term melting also encompasses the steps of fining, homogenizing and conditioning for further processing, which follow the melting-down operation.
With regard to melts, the term fining is understood as meaning the removal of gas bubbles from the melt. In order to achieve a very high level of freedom from extraneous gases and bubbles, it is necessary for the melted batch to be thoroughly mixed and degassed. The characteristics of gases and bubbles in the glass melt, and their removal, are described, for example, in "Glastechnische Fabrikationsfehler" [glass-making defects], edited by H. Jebsen-Marwedel and R. Brückner, 3rd Edition, 1980, Springer-Verlag, pages 195 ff.
There are two fundamentally different fining processes, which are common knowledge; they differ essentially in the way in which the fining gas is produced:
In the case of mechanical fining, gases such as water vapor, oxygen, nitrogen or air are injected through openings in the bottom of the melting unit. This process is known as bubbling.
The most frequent fining processes are the chemical processes. Their principle consists in adding to the melt or even to the batch                compounds which decompose in the melt and in doing so release gases, or        compounds which are volatile at relatively high temperatures, or        compounds which give off gases at relatively high temperatures in an equilibrium reaction.
As a result, the volume of existing bubbles is increased and their distension is intensified. The last-named compounds include what are known as redox fining agents, such as antimony oxide and arsenic oxide. In the case of this process, which is the most frequently used in practice, the redox fining agents employed comprise polyvalent ions which are able to exist in at least two oxidation states and which are in a temperature-dependent equilibrium with one another; at high temperatures a gas, usually oxygen, is released.
The second group, made up of compounds, which are volatile at high temperatures owing to their vapor pressure and so exert their effect, includes, for example, chlorides, for example sodium chloride, and various fluorides. These are referred to collectively as evaporating fining agents.
The redox fining and the evaporating fining are linked to the temperatures at which, on account of the thermodynamic conditions, the corresponding redox or evaporating (or sublimation) processes take place. For many glass melts, such as the melts of soda-lime glasses and other relatively low-melting glasses (e.g. borate glasses, lead glasses), these options are sufficient.
However, in the case of glasses with melting points (temperature at which the viscosity is approx.102 dPas) of between approx. 1550° C. and 1650° C., which for sufficient fining means fining temperatures of more than 1600° C., the increased viscosity of the glass melt means that the formation of the bubbles deteriorates. The tendency of the bubbles to grow is reduced and they are less able to rise than at lower viscosities. Therefore, fine bubbles are formed, and these bubbles can no longer be removed or can only be removed with very great difficulty, even by reducing the throughput or by using higher temperatures, making glasses of this type unusable, since the resorption action of the chemical redox refining agent, e.g. of the Sb2O3, i.e. the ability to resorb the oxygen or other gases from the fine bubbles and thereby remove them during cooling, is insufficient for many high-melting glasses.
The possibilities for increasing the temperatures in order to reduce the viscosity and lengthen the melting and fining times, which in principle do exist to a certain extent, are also not economical, since, by way of example, the latter measure would make the melting capacities too low.
A further drawback of many redox fining agents and evaporating fining agents is that they are environmentally harmful or at least are not environmentally friendly. This is true, for example, of fluorides, of arsenic oxide and also of antimony oxide. Alternative redox fining agents, for example cerium oxide, are relatively expensive replacement substances.
The high-melting glasses mentioned above include primarily alkali-free aluminosilicate glasses containing more than 12% by weight of Al2O3, in particular those which contain little or no B2O3, in particular aluminosilicate glasses as used, because of their high thermal stability which is associated with the high melting points, as substrate glasses, for example in display technology, or in particular as lamp glasses, for example for halogen lamps.
In the case of glasses for halogen lamps, a further drawback of Sb2O3 consists in the fact that, at least in relatively high proportions, it promotes the undesirable blackening on the inner side of the bulb, which is caused by tungsten deposition resulting from disturbances to the regenerative halogen cycle, and that during hot flame processing the pinch, i.e. the fusion between glass and supply conductor wires, acquires a brown discoloration on account of the reduction of the antimony oxide.
The first type of chemical fining, i.e. fining by means of compounds, which decompose and in doing so release gases, includes sulfate fining. This fining too is known for low-melting glasses, such as soda-lime glasses, since the commonly used Na2SO4 (in the case of mass-produced glasses, also in the form of Glauber's salt Na2SO4 10H2O) reacts with the SiO2 which is always present at temperatures, which, in comparison with Na2SO4, which is relatively stable on its own, are low, in accordance with equation (1) or (2):Na2SO4+SiO2→Na2O.SiO2+SO2+½O2  (1),orNa2SO4+Na2S+SiO2→2 Na2O.SiO2+SO2+S  (2)
The action of the sulfate fining is highly dependent on the chemical solubility of SO3 or of SO2−4. Dissolved SO3 in the glass does not have a fining action, but rather leads to seeding (seed formation) in the glass, i.e. to fine bubbles, or, in the event of super saturation, to the formation of salt bubbles. These are to be understood as meaning pools, predominantly of molten sodium sulfate, which float on the glass flux. The fining action of the sulfate is only produced by reaction with reducing agents, which are also added, for example coal, blast-furnace slag or sulfides. In the process, SO3 reacts to form SO2 and ½O2. Unlike SO3, SO2 has a low solubility in the glass. It is precipitated and forms bubbles or promotes the growth of existing bubbles.
For example, both Jebsen-Marwedel and Bruckner (loc. cit., pp. 231 ff.) and J. Lange in "Rohstoffe der Glasindustrie" [raw materials in the glass industry], 3rd Edition, 1993, Verlag für Grundstoffindustrie, Leipzig, Stuttgart pp. 176 ff, describe the formation of seeds in oxidic glass melts. The formation of SO2 bubbles and their growth does not occur. The glass is not degassed or is only badly degassed, and a large number of fine bubbles or seeds remain. Sulfate fining is not suitable for glass melts of this type.
On the other hand, in view of the intended applications for the alkali-free aluminosilicate glass, reducing melting conditions or the addition of reducing agents are not possible. For example, in the case of halogen lamp glasses, the likelihood of blackening as a result of tungsten deposition would rise to such an extent that the glasses would become unusable for this application.
The patent literature has already disclosed aluminum-containing glasses from a broad range of compositions, which, in addition to other fining agents, may also contain sulfate.
For example, JP 10-25132 A describes glasses to which, in addition to SO3, chloride, given as up to 2% by weight of Cl2, is added, while JP 10-324526 A mentions glasses to which one component selected from the group consisting of Fe2O3, Sb2O3, SnO2, SO3 and one component selected from the group consisting of Cl and F is added and which still also contain As2O3.
Furthermore, alkali-containing glasses (U.S. Pat. No. 3,148,994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,195; EP 0 769 418 A1;JP 3-40933 A; WO 98/47111 A) and/or low-aluminum glasses (JP 55-3367 A; EP 0 769 481 A1), which are intended to be fined using sulfate, are known.
Moreover, EP 204 431 A2 has disclosed an arsenic-containing glass to which between 2.95 and 11.8% by weight of sulfate, expressed as SO3, is added. Such a high level of sulfate is used not as a fining agent but rather to form a structure in the network of the glass.

Process for producing alkali-free aluminosilicate glass


Color-stable, pigmented optical bodies comprising a single or multiple layer core having at least one layer of a thermoplastic polymer material. The thermoplastic polymer material has dispersed within it a particulate pigment. The optical bodies generally possess high clarity and low haze and exhibit a transmission of light within a wavelength band of interest within the visible spectrum of from about 10 to about 90 percent.

Tinted polymeric films, and particularly tinted polymeric films made of a polyester, find utility in a broad range of applications. These films, for example, can be applied to a base transparent substrate (e.g., a window or auto glass pane) to provide a neutral color tint to the window or auto glass. They can also used to tint the surface of a display device, mirror, or other piece of optical equipment.
One method for tinting a polymeric base film employs dyeing the base film with one or more color dyes. Typically in such methods, the neutral color, or "tint," is obtained by imbibing (or blending) the base film material with a combination of yellow, red and blue dyes. While these dyed films generally retain a high clarity and a low haze, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation (which occurs naturally during outdoor use or by exposure to fluorescent light or other UV-emitting light source) can cause significant degradation of the dye molecules and lead to tinting color alteration, tinting power deterioration, bleachings, and reduced light transmission.
Another method sometimes employed for tinting a polymeric film is to apply a pigmented coating to the surface of a base polymeric film. Generally, such coatings are applied as thin layers and employ a relatively high pigment concentration to achieve a desired tint level. These highly-concentrated pigment coatings can suffer myriad processing and performance drawbacks. For example, the high pigment concentrations necessary to achieve requisite tinting strengths are difficult to uniformly disperse within the thin coating, and these high surface pigment concentrations generally suffer faster environmental deterioration. Moreover, such pigmented coatings typically suffer greater haze and reduced clarity.
There exists, therefore, a need for a pigmented film that is environmentally stable (i.e., color-stable or colorfast), that is easily manufactured and that exhibits low haze and high clarity.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.