An all terrain vehicle includes a body frame and a pair of brackets connected to the main frame. The all terrain vehicle also includes an air intake shroud, a pair of headlights, and an engine cooling apparatus, each of which is mounted directly to the pair of brackets.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to all-terrain vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bracket assembly upon which the air intake shroud, a pair of headlights, and an engine cooling apparatus of the all-terrain vehicle can be mounted.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate a known all-terrain vehicle (ATV) 101. The ATV 101 includes a body frame 102 formed mostly of pipe members assembled by welding. An engine 125 is mounted on a middle portion of the body frame 102. Front wheels 120 provided with low-pressure tires, i.e., balloon tires, are suspended from front right and front left portions of the body frame 102. Rear wheels 121 provided with low-pressure tires are suspended from rear right and rear left portions of the body frame 102. The rear wheels 121 are supported on rear end portions of a swing arm 129 pivotally joined to a rear lower end portion of the body frame 102 for swinging motion in a vertical plane and supported by a suspension system 132. The front wheels 120 are supported by right and left linkages 130 individually connected to a front lower end portion of the body frame 102 and supported by shock absorbers 133 so as to be able to swing in a vertical plane. The handlebar 122 is operated to control the front wheels 120 for steering.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the front wheels 120 and the rear wheels 121 are driven through a transmission including drive shafts, not shown, and differential gears 134 and 135 by the engine 125 mounted on the body frame 102. Front fender 107 also encloses a pair of headlights 106. The handlebar 122, the fuel tank 124, and the seat 123 are arranged on the body frame 102 in that order from the front toward the rear of the body frame 102. A rear carrier rack 126 is disposed behind the seat 123 and is mounted on the rear fender 108.
The front wheels 120 are covered with front fender 107. The rear wheels 121 are covered with a rear fender 108. A cover 109 is provided on the body frame 102 between the front fender 107 and the rear fender 108 so as to surround the fuel tank 124. Exhaust pipes 136 extend rearward from the exhaust ports of the cylinders of the engine 125 and are connected to the muffler 127.
In the ATV 101, the pair of headlights 106 and the engine cooling apparatus 104 are attached to the body frame 102 of the ATV 101. Further, although not shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, it is known to provide an air intake shroud for the engine cooling apparatus 104.
If the pair of headlights 106 are attached to the front fender 107 of the ATV 101 (as shown in FIG. 1B), then the front fender 107 must be reinforced in order to maintain the alignment of the optical axis of the of the headlights 106. A problem with this approach is that it results in the front fender 107 being heavy. Further, as the reinforced front fender 107 ages, the optical axis of the headlights 106 becomes misaligned.
If the headlights 106 are attached to the frame 102 of the ATV 101, then the headlights 106 need to be attached to the frame 102 in the same general location on the frame 102 as the engine cooling apparatus 104.
In addition, since the engine cooling apparatus and the air intake shroud are directly attached to the frame, assembly of the engine cooling apparatus and air intake shroud become more difficult and time consuming and are not easily removed for repair or replacement. Also, the arrangement of the engine cooling apparatus and air intake shroud when attached directly to the frame provide for inferior flow of air to the engine cooling apparatus and air intake shroud.

Bracket assembly for all-terrain vehicle

Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America


A system and method directed to carrying out dynamic secured group communication is provided. The method includes obtaining a first packet that includes a first header. The first header includes a first source address of a first source node of a first network, and a first destination address of a first destination node of the first network. The method also includes forming a frame that includes the first header in encrypted form, combining the first header and the frame to form a second packet, and forming a second header. This second header includes a second source address of a second source node of a second network, and a second destination address of a second destination node of the second network. The method further includes encapsulating the second packet with the second header to form a third packet, and communicating the third packet into the second network from the second source node for termination to the second-destination node.

1. Field
The present invention relates to communication and/or computer networks, and more particularly to Virtual Private Networks.
2. Related Art
A physical network, such as a service provider network topology, may include a large number of nodes. These nodes may include peripherally located provider edge routers, each of which couples to one or multiple customer edge routers. The customer edge routers, in turn, may couple to private local area networks associated with one or multiple customers. Typically, the service provider network selectively couples the local area networks to each other through links created between its provider edge routers.
A Virtual Private Network ("VPN") enables a secure exchange of certain traffic between nodes of the physical network without having to dedicate such nodes to only carrying out the secure exchange. The VPN enables such secure exchange by encrypting the certain traffic ("secured traffic") to protect against eavesdropping and tampering by unauthorized parties. Because resources of the network are shared between the secured traffic and un-secured traffic, costs of using the resources are generally reduced for each of many users of the network.

Method and system for dynamic secured group communication


A memory controller includes a memory interface that has multiple channels and carries out writing into a nonvolatile memory through each of the channels, a data buffer, an ECC (error correcting code) encoder for applying an error correction encoding processing on write data which are to be written into the nonvolatile memory to generate ECC data, a channel allocation part for allocating the channels to the write data and the ECC data based on a write data format of the nonvolatile memory, a write data reception processing part that stores the write data in the data buffer and outputs the write data to the ECC encoder, and a channel scheduler for transferring the write data stored in the data buffer and the ECC data to the channels of the memory interface as allocated by the channel allocation part.

SSD (solid state drive) systems generally use NAND flash memory (hereinafter, referred to as NAND memory) to store data and redundant data in the form of error correcting codes for reliability. A memory controller of SSD systems has several channels and performs reading and writing of NAND memory, in parallel, across the channels. Generally, each channel corresponds to one memory chip of the NAND memory.

Memory controller, memory system, and memory write method


An interactive apparatus for use with a computer, comprising a transceiver for two-way wireless communication with a plaything, the transceiver having terminals for connection to the computer, and a control device for causing the computer to send and receive information to and from the plaything via the transceiver to enable the plaything to provide interactive fantasy simulation of the behavior of a corresponding real-world object. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for enabling fantasy play using a computer and a plaything, comprising at the plaything, delivering output and receiving input associated with the fantasy play, and generating control signals at the computer for controlling the output based on the input, and by wireless communication sending the control signals from the computer to the plaything and sending the input from the plaything to the computer.

This invention relates to interactive play with a computer.
Children, for example, use a variety of playthings for entertainment, fantasy play, and education. Some playthings, such as plush toys, can serve as companions, playmates, or characters in a game. Other playthings, such as busy boxes, have pushbuttons, horns, lights, and switches. When a child pushes the buttons or switches, enjoyable sounds or light displays are generated. Some busy boxes simulate the controls of a real-world object, such as an automobile dashboard or aircraft cockpit; others simulate a real-world environment, such as a farm, city, or shopping center.
Some electronic toys for entertainment and education are equipped with microprocessors, stored control programs in read-only memories (ROMs), specialized sound or speech processors, keyboards or other input devices, small display devices, lights, and loudspeakers. The control program typically prompts a user to respond in a way intended to achieve a specific educational or entertainment goal, receives input, and gives a corresponding audiovisual response.
Children are also beginning to use personal computers for education and entertainment, using software to teach reading, spelling, and mathematics.
Adults are also known to use interactive playthings.


A system and a method are disclosed for receiving a request for a user to perform a plurality of activities with respect to a secure document. The system determines requirements for performing each respective activity of the plurality of activities. The system retrieves profile data for the user, and determines based on the profile data a subset of the activities directed to achieving a result that is reflected in the profile data. The system transmits a modified version of the request to the user, the modified version eliminating the subset from the plurality of activities.

Conventional secure document infrastructure (e.g., electronic documents configured to accept legally binding signatures) are subject to bloat that hampers storage and bandwidth constraints and requires a high amount of avoidable back-and-forth network use. For example, certain types of secure document envelopes often require identity verification, which launch workflows where users are required to input information, upload high resolution images of identity documents, and the like. Some activities in these workflows are unnecessary where they are duplicative, where, while a requesting party may not have previously verified the identity of a user, a secure document service may have previously verified the user's identity in accordance with whatever standard is required.

Bypassing elements of a secure document workflow based on identity of recipient


Reinforcement of a system renewability is realized skillfully utilizing properties peculiar to a system. As a result, there is produced such a new effect as to similarly reinforce required specification with respect to copyright protection of a content recorded in a medium for exclusive use in reproduction and a recordable medium. In a system which encrypts information such as a content to record/reproduce the information, design is made so that encryption/decryption processing information differs for a device (software (S/W) main body device) whose main body is software constituted of a recording/reproducing drive of a recording medium and a personal computer (PC), a device (hardware (H/W) main body device) whose main body is hardware integrally containing a drive and data coding/demodulation processing, and the medium for exclusive use in reproduction and the recording medium.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is an invention which is useful, when applied to an information recording/reproducing method and device useful for recording encrypted information in an information recording medium, a method and device for reproducing information from an information recording medium in which encrypted information is recorded, an information recording medium in which encrypted information is recorded, and an information reproducing medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a case where information is recorded in an information recording medium such as an optical disc, the information is sometimes required to be encrypted and recorded. For example, in a copyright protection system, a content which is a writing is encrypted with an encryption key to form an encrypted content. Furthermore, the content is encrypted with another encryption key to form an encrypted encryption key in order to keep secret the encryption key used for encryption. The encrypted encryption key is recorded together with the encrypted content in the recording medium to prevent illegal copying.
At present, the following handling is performed in the copyright protection system concerning a digital versatile disc (DVD) which is rapidly expanding its market. That is, there is utilized a content scramble system (CSS) licensed by DVD Copy Control Association (DVD CCA) in a DVD video in which a video signal for exclusive use in reproduction is recorded. A content protection for prerecorded media (CPPM) system is utilized in a DVD audio for exclusive use in reproduction. A content protection for recordable media (CPRM) system is utilized in the copyright protection system of the content to be recorded in the recording medium. Licensing of the CPPM and CPRM systems is performed by specific organizations (e.g., organizations called 4C Entity and LLC).
On the other hand, there has further been advanced development of a high-capacity next-generation DVD or the like in which a high-definition video, a voice signal or the like is recordable/reproducible. There is a demand for introduction of a system in which a security ability is improved more than in a conventional technology in the copyright protection system in a case where a writing having a high quality level is recorded in the next-generation recording medium.
That is, in recent years, digital-TV broadcasting or the like has been started in which a high definition video (HD-Video) is broadcasted. A copyright holder side requires a security system which has been advanced more than in the conventional technology as recording permission conditions with respect to a recording/reproducing system to record/reproduce a broadcasted program. On the other hand, a user demands a freely usable system as long as a form of use is correct. If inconvenient use is enforced because of some illegal users, oppositions are to be expected.
In this situation, it is important to improve a function of a basic portion in a system which copes with the next generation. Basic requirements for content protection will be described below:
1) prevention of bit-by-bit copying;
2) encryption of the content;
3) system renewability; and
4) securement of perfectibility of copy control information (CCI).
In examples of the CPPM or the CPRM, the following handling is performed:
concerning 1), the bit-by-bit copying is prevented by adding of an inherent ID to each medium;
concerning 2), a cryptographic unit is sophisticated;
concerning 3), a media key block (MKB) is adopted; and
concerning 4), CCI is utilized (application-dependent) as the encryption key.
An encryption system is constituted using a structure in which characteristics or properties of individual constituting elements are skillfully utilized in this manner, and accordingly efforts are made to realize required specifications.
Concerning 1) . . . When the inherent ID added to each medium is utilized, the following functions can be obtained. In a case where the content is encrypted with the encryption key related to the inherent ID, even if the encrypted content is directly copied to another medium, decryption cannot be correctly performed, and the bit-by-bit copying can be prevented.
Concerning 2) . . . The encryption depends on an ability of the cryptographic unit, and the cryptographic unit having a high ability is being adopted. Moreover, an MKB is a set of device keys installed as secret keys in a device which records/reproduces the content with respect to the recording medium, and is a media key block in which a media key as a base key for content encryption is encrypted to arrange a mathematical system. When the device key of the recording/reproducing device is hacked to perform illegal utilization, a new MKB is newly issued. The new MKB is adopted in a newly issued recording medium. As a result, when the information of the newly issued recording medium is processed, calculation and generation are performed by a bunch of keys from which a hacked object (device key) has been removed. An illegal recording/reproducing device having the hacked device key cannot use the recording medium in which the new MKB is recorded. That is, the hacked recording/reproducing device is revoked from the copyright protection system. In this processing, a system renewability function works.
The CCI is a control flag for each content such as copy prohibition or copy-once, but tampering of the flag itself needs to be prevented. Therefore, the CCI is utilized as the encryption key to thereby complicate the tampering.
As described above, even at present, a sophisticated technology has been used with respect to enhancement of reliabilities of the constituting elements and improvement of the security ability by the system in order to cope with necessary protection requirements.

Copyright management method, information recording/reproducing method and device, and information recording medium and method of manufacturing the medium


A powered vinyl groover includes a motor attached to a circular blade and a blade housing for covering the circular blade. The blade housing includes a duct to carry cuttings into a collection bag. Near an inlet hole of the duct is a fin, which may be a raised surface on any interior wall of the blade housing extending into the blade housing as close as possible to the blade. The fin causes airflow from the blade to be redirected towards the inlet hole of the duct so that more cuttings enter the duct and are carried by the duct through to an outlet hole to a collection bag mountable over the outlet hole of the duct. The fin may be integral with the blade housing or attached to it, and a fin may also be added to existing groovers.

This invention relates generally to flooring tools, and in particular to powered groovers for use with flooring materials and the collection of chips and dust created by their use.
In the installation of certain sheet vinyl flooring materials, such as Armstrong Medintech solid vinyl or Forbo Marmoleum linoleum, seams in the sheets of the material may be grooved and welded. These types of flooring materials are preferred for hospitals and kitchens because the seams can be completely fused together with the welding process. The welding of seams prevents pathogens from growing in the seams. Powered groovers are also used with other types of flooring materials not made from vinyl, such as commercial linoleum.
These sheet flooring materials come in rolls of a fixed width. The installer cuts multiple sheet lengths to the desired dimensions for the room, and then adheres them to the floor using adhesives. At the seams, the installers often use an electrically powered vinyl groover to form a precision groove in the seam, which can later be filled by heat welding filler material into the groove. Prior art electrically powered vinyl groovers are typically specialized adaptations of electrically powered circular saws or routers. Typically the saw motor has been pivotably mounted on a base having guide wheels. The guide wheels track in the seamline, thereby ensuring that the blade is always centered on the seamline as the groover is wheeled down the seam. The spring-loaded pivot enables the blade to be moved angularly up or down. Thus, the spinning blade may be plunged into the seam at the start of the grooving operation, and is automatically raised out of the groove at the end.
Excessive cuttings and dust from power tools are undesirable especially in hospital and kitchen installations. Hence, most prior art power groovers have some capability to collect cuttings within a removable bag for disposal. The collection system for most prior art groovers has functioned as follows: As the blade moves through the material, cuttings accumulate on the teeth and are subsequently ejected from the blade within a blade housing. The cuttings fly off the teeth on a tangent. Airflow generated by the spinning circular saw blade is used to carry the cuttings to a strategically positioned hole in the blade housing, then through a duct leading to an attached collection bag. The user can easily remove the bag and dump the cuttings. However, with increasing labor costs for cleanup, and increasing liability concerns in hospital construction, flooring installers prefer an improved dust and cuttings collection system. One way to improve upon this type dust and cuttings collection system would be to provide means of increasing the amount of airflow directed towards the duct.
In prior art power groovers, the blade housing is defined physically in terms of a first inner wall, a second outer wall, a third perimeter wall joining the inner wall and outer wall, and a fourth bottom wall. The inner and outer walls have in some cases been integral surfaces of cast parts having fairly sheer inner surfaces. In other groovers, the outer wall is formed by means of a separate cover plate, but the inner surfaces of such cover plates have also been sheer. The third perimeter wall extends perpendicularly to connect the inner and outer walls. With respect to groovers having cover plates, the cover plate is typically fastened to the perimeter wall.
The blade housing castings for some groovers have an integral bottom wall. Others have a separate catch component that is typically mounted to the base. Either design includes a slot through which the blade may pass.
For example, in a prior art groover called the Frasjunior, manufactured by Wolff Tools of Germany, the blade housing is an integral cavity in an adapter casting which is fastenable to a router type motor. The blade housing cavity appears to have been formed by a "lost wax" or "breakout mold" type insert placed inserted within the die. This shape of the insert creates a blade housing with a sheer vertical inner wall, a sheer vertical outer wall, and a perimeter wall. The bottom wall is formed by a separate catch component fastened to the base.
The casting forming the blade housing includes a forward pivot arm. The motor and blade housing are mounted to the base at the pivot arm. The blade passes through the catch on the base to cut the groove.
Forming raised features such as bosses or ribs within insert cavities such as this groover's blade housing can be quite complicated, as the insert becomes very difficult to remove. In fact, the blade housing of the Frasjunior in fact has no such raised internal features. Hence, neither the inner wall, perimeter wall, or outer wall of this blade housing have any raised features such as bosses or ribs formed on or fastened to them which may serve to increase the forcefulness of airflow towards the inlet hole of a their duct.
In another prior art groover called the Grooving Machine EASY 5000, manufactured by Roll Bodentechnik, Ltd. of Germany, the blade housing is formed by a casting fastened on one side to the motor. On the opposite side, the casting forms an integral inner wall and perimeter wall for a blade housing. A separate cover plate fastens onto holes tapped in the perimeter wall to form the blade housing's outer wall. The separate cover plate simplifies the casting process as no inserts are required. The bottom wall is formed by a separate catch fastened to the base. Neither the inner wall, perimeter wall, or inner surface of the cover plate forming the outer wall of this blade housing have any raised features such as bosses or ribs formed on or fastened to them which may serve to increase the forcefulness of airflow towards the inlet hole of their duct. However, the inner wall of this groover's blade housing does contain a hollowed slot that will be discussed below in relation to its inlet hole.
In another prior art groover called the Frasmaster (also manufactured by Wolff Tools of Germany), the blade housing is formed by a first, inner wall made from a flat metal plate mounted at a right angle to the base. A cast cover defining the outer wall and the perimeter wall is fastened to the plate to form the outer wall of blade housing. For its bottom wall, this groover includes a separate catch mounted to the metal plate. In this design, the blade housing is fixed, and motor spindle and attached blade are designed to move up and down within the blade housing, by means of a pivoting mount located outside the blade housing. Hence, the plate includes a slot through which the motor spindle passes into the blade housing.
With respect to the Frasmaster groover, the motor mount and pivot arm are separate components from the blade housing, making this tool more complicated and expensive. Furthermore, the inner wall, outer wall, and perimeter wall of the blade housing of the Frasmaster have no raised features such as bosses or ribs formed on or fastened to them which may serve to increase the forcefulness of airflow towards the inlet hole of a duct.
In another prior art groover, the Leister BA Flooring Groover manufactured by Leister Process Technologies of Switzerland, the blade housing is one integral shape in a large, multifaceted casting also forming the base for the tool. Hence, the blade housing is fixed to the base, and (similarly to the Frasmaster) the blade moves up and down within the blade housing. The inner wall and perimeter wall of the housing are formed in the base. The outer wall is formed as a cover plate fastened to the perimeter wall. The blade housing of this groover has an integral bottom wall with a slot for the blade. The hinged motor mount for this groover is mounted to the base outside the blade housing Oust as the Frasmaster). Hence the inner wall requires a large hole through which the motor spindle may pass.
With respect to the Leister BA Flooring Groover, having the base casting include an integral blade housing requires a large, complicated die with high up-front tooling investment. It is also noted that the inner wall, outer wall, and perimeter wall of the blade housing of this groover also have no raised internal features such as bosses, ribs, or protruding components formed on or fastened to them which may serve to increase the forcefulness of airflow towards the inlet hole of a duct.
Each of the blade housings for these prior art groovers also includes an internal inlet hole for an integral duct having an outlet outside the blade housing. The hole and the duct are positioned to convey cuttings from the blade using the force of airflow to an outside collection bag. Airflow is generated by the spinning circular groover blade. Cuttings fly off the teeth on a tangent. For these reasons, it is preferred that the internal hole be positioned at some point trailing the spinning teeth of the blade Furthermore, it is preferred that this hole be centered longitudinally on the vertical plane defined by the blade, as airflow down the hole will be most forceful on this center. Lastly, it is preferred that the perimeter wall of the housing extend vertically to a point substantially tangent to the upper edge of the inlet hole and upper wall forming the top of the duct. This way the airflow does not change direction on its way down the duct and thereby lose forcefulness.
In prior art groovers, the inlet hole has typically been located in one of two areas within the blade housing. For the Leister BA Flooring Groover, the hole is located at a forward location nearest the area where the teeth of the blade first enter the blade housing. This location is preferred because it is near the area where cuttings first come off the teeth and have high velocity. However, for greatest effect, this type of duct must be oriented vertically. The Leister BA Flooring Groover also includes a secondary tube attached at the outlet of the duct having a bend at its distal end. The tube raises the collection bag above the groover, keeping it out of the way of the motor. The bent end directs the bag away from the user or wall surfaces.
The ducting of the Leister groover requires a number of costly components which are unnecessary and reduce the usability of the tool. Ejecting the cuttings vertically means that the cuttings are slowed by gravity and can tend to fall back into the blade housing. Hence the Leister groover includes a fan within the blade housing to generate additional airflow. This makes the blade housing of this tool very large, creating a heavy and bulky tool. Furthermore, the vertical tube places the collection bag in the users' line of sight along the seamline.
The Frasmaster groover has a similar, forward hole within the blade housing, and also includes a secondary, vertically oriented tube mounted on its vertical duct. However, this groover does not have an internal fan within the blade housing as the Leister does.
The Frasjunior groover has a hole located at a rearward location within the blade housing. The airflow from the blade is powerful enough to carry most cuttings through the rearward hole and down the rearward projecting duct. The collection bag can be mounted directly on the duct as it faces behind the motor and the user. This design is preferred for better usability and economy of components. However, not all cuttings enter a reward hole due to inadequate airflow. If more airflow generated by the spinning blade could be focused towards the rearward hole, cuttings collection could be improved, without the need for a bulky or significantly more expensive tool.
The Grooving Machine EASY 5000 has a rearward located hole and rearward duct, similar to the Frasjunior. The inner wall of the Grooving Machine EASY 5000 includes a slot hollowing an area in front of and beneath the inlet hole. Presumably, in the process of die making, the inner wall was inadvertently made too thick, with the result that it blocked half of the hole. As a result, the inner wall had to be hollowed to expose the hole. The relieved slot creates an eddy at its leading edge. Furthermore, airflow must divert into the slot to enter the inlet hole, reducing its force. It would be preferable to have an inner wall that did not block such a large portion of the inlet hole, and other additional features that actually tended to divert additional airflow towards the inlet hole.


Apparatus for testing input and output parameters for high speed integrated circuit devices. An integrated circuit tester generates a receive clock and a transmit clock using a pair of pre-selected output pins. The integrated circuit tester adjusts the phase relation between the transmit clock and the receive clock. Special circuitry within the device under test compares input and output data to detect errors.

Integrated circuit devices typically transmit and receive information synchronous with clock signals. Typically, transitions of a clock signal indicate that valid information is available on a signal line or set of signal lines coupled to the integrated circuit device. The clock signals that synchronize information transfer must satisfy input and output timing parameters for the integrated circuit device.
The integrated circuit device typically has a specified input setup time (t.sub.SU) and input hold time (t.sub.H). Input data must be present and stable on the device input pins from at least t.sub.SU before the clock transition and until at least t.sub.H after clock transition for proper operation. Also, the integrated circuit device typically has a specified minimum propagation time from clock to output (t.sub.CLK-Q). Output data is not valid on the output pins of the device until at least (t.sub.CLK-Q after the clock transition.
The input and output timing parameters of an integrated circuit device typically must be tested to ensure proper operation of the device in a high speed system. Limitations in the measurement capability of test equipment, however, can in some cases cause inaccuracies in timing measurements. The inaccuracies typically can create a band of uncertainty for the input and output timing parameters of a device. Devices having measured timing parameters within the band of uncertainty are typically rejected, even though the devices would meet the required timing parameters if the test equipment were more accurate.
For example, test equipment having an overall timing accuracy of 800 picoseconds (ps) is typically sufficient to measure devices for a system having a cycle time of 50 nanoseconds (ns). Unfortunately, such test equipment performance is insufficient for devices having a 2 ns cycle time. An overall timing accuracy of 800 ps creates measurement inaccuracies equivalent to 40% of the 2 ns cycle time. The high level of inaccuracy results in a high rate of improper rejection of devices.

Apparatus for testing timing parameters of high speed integrated circuit devices


A computer security system comprises a motherboard comprising a processor and a memory. The system also comprises a drive device having an assigned identifier and coupled to the motherboard. The system further comprises a basic input/output system (BIOS) executable by the processor and adapted to compare the assigned identifier of the drive device with an identifier stored in the memory and boot the motherboard if the assigned identifier corresponds to the stored identifier.

Securing the configuration and data of computer systems remains an important issue to both system users and manufacturers. For example, computer systems generally comprise a motherboard having a processor, memory, and other functional components. The system also generally comprises a hard drive for storing data such as word processing documents, audio files, video files, and other types of data. Security systems generally restrict access to the data so that only authorized users may open or view protected data. For example, passwords or other user-provided security codes may be used to protect the data from unauthorized access.
As computer systems became increasingly sophisticated, the systems were equipped with BIOS-(basic input/output system) based passwords. A BIOS-based password program runs before control of the computer is given to any drive-based software application. Access to data contained on the hard drive generally requires BIOS-based encryption keys and/or passwords. Thus, by removing the hard drive and connecting the hard drive to another processing system, access to the hard drive is substantially prevented. However, if the BIOS-based encryption keys and/or passwords are copied or retrieved from the BIOS by an unauthorized user, access to the hard drive by the unauthorized user may be possible. Additionally, user modifications to the system oftentimes result in unpredictable service and troubleshooting issues.

System and method for securing a computer

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


First and second electrical components on an integrated circuit chip are electrically connected respectively to a wire bonding pad and to a probe contacting area of a size significantly less than the bonding pad. The pad and contacting area are electrically isolated whereby both components can be separately electrically tested by test probes contacting each of the pad and the contact area. After the components have been tested, the bonding pad and the probe contact area are electrically connected together for electrically connecting the first and second components. The electrical connection is made by bonding a terminal wire to the bonding pad as well as to an extension from the contact area substantially filling a space within the bonding pad and underlying the joint formed between the terminal wire and the bonding pad.

This invention relates to semiconductor devices, and particularly to structures on semiconductor chips of integrated circuit devices for more efficient use of chip area, particularly in connection with packaging of the devices.
Many types of semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) devices comprise one or more semiconductor chips, each including numerous electronic components interconnected to one another on and within the chip. Various ones of the components are electrically connected to respective bonding pads on the chip to which terminal wires are secured for providing electrical connections between the chip components and components and circuits external to the chip.
The bonding pads may be relatively large and take up a substantial portion of the surface area of the chip. In some instances, the number of bonding pads required imposes undesirable limitations upon the design and utility of the chip.
For example, in certain power controlling applications, a relatively large transistor is provided on a chip for controlling the flow of relatively large currents to and from a device external to the chip. The path for the current is through small diameter (e.g., 2 mil. diameter) terminal wires bonded to the chip bonding pads and thence to external terminals. Owing to the large currents involved, it is necessary to employ several terminal wires in parallel. In one application, for example, six terminal wires are employed, three wires connected to the transistor source region and three wires connected to the transistor drain region. Each of the wires is connected to a respective bonding pad connected, in turn, to a respective source or drain region of the transistor by a conductive path on the chip.
Six bonding pads may thus be required for but the one transistor. Also, because the bonding pads are directly in the paths of currents to the terminal wires, they must be of adequate size to provide low resistance connection to the terminal wires. The six bonding pads thus take up a relatively large amount of space on the chip and reduce the amount of space for other electrical components.
Compounding the problem created by the relatively large number of relatively large size bonding pads required for the power transistor is that, in some instances, an extra bonding pad is required for allowing independent testing of components otherwise not requiring a separate electrical terminus.
An example of such instance is shown in FIG. 1 which shows, partially structurally and partially schematically, a portion of a known IC chip 6 disposed within a device package 8 having a number of terminal leads 10. The chip includes a power transistor T16 for controlling the current through a solenoid 12 connected to the package terminal lead 10 and thence to the transistor drain electrode 26 via terminal wires 32 bonded to bonding pads 30 on the chip. Three bonding pads 30 are shown all connected to the transistor drain electrode 26. Other bonding pads connected to the transistor source electrode 27 are not shown.
When the transistor T16 is turned-on and conducting, under control of a control circuit 18, current flows through the solenoid 12 for, e.g., closing a switch. When the transistor T16 is turnedoff, current through the solenoid 12 stops. A problem, however, is that, depending upon the speed of turn-off of the solenoid current, the energy stored in the solenoid coil generates a spike voltage which can be of sufficient amplitude to cause voltage breakdown of the transistor T16 and destruction thereof.
For protecting the transistor T16, a Zener diode 20 and a blocking diode 24 are formed on the chip and are connected in series between the drain electrode 26 and the gate electrode 22 of T16. The Zener diode is designed to break down at a Zener voltage (Vz) which is significantly less than the breakdown voltage (BV) of transistor T16. For example, Vz of Zener diode 20 may be 80 volts and BV of T16 may be 120 volts. When the spike voltage at terminal 10 reaches and/or exceeds the breakdown voltage of the Zener diode 20, the Zener diode 20 breaks down (but safely and repeatably) and, the spike voltage, decreased by Vz and the forward voltage (Vf) of diode 24, is applied to the gate electrode 22 of the just turned-off transistor T16. Transistor T16 is then again turned-on, but just long enough to dissipate the solenoid inductive current through the source-drain path of transistor T16 to ground.
During manufacture of the chip, it may be desirable to test the breakdown voltage of Zener diode 20, e.g., 80 volts, and to establish that the transistor T16 can withstand a somewhat higher voltage, e.g., 100 volts. A problem, however, is that if Zener diode 20 is directly connected, on the chip, to the drain region 26 of the transistor 16, it is not possible to apply a test voltage of 100 volts to the drain region 26 because the Zener diode 20 breaks down at the lower 80 volts preventing the determination of the breakdown voltage of T16.
A solution to the problem is, as shown in FIG. 1, to connect the Zener diode 20 to a bonding pad 31 separate from the bonding pad 30 to which the drain electrode 26 is connected. Thus, separate test probes (not shown) can be applied to each of the pads 30 and 31 for separate and/or independent testing the BV of transistor T16 and the Vz of Zener diode 20. Then, after testing, the chip 6 is mounted in a package 8 and terminal wires 32 are bonded to each bonding pad 30 and 31 and terminated on a common package terminal 34.
The arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is generally quite satisfactory except that, while only a single external connection to the solenoid 12 is required for the electrically interconnected Zener diode 20 and the drain electrode 26, a minimum of two bonding pads 30 and 31 are required on the chip.
A still further complication arises when, as previously discussed and as shown in FIG. 1, multiple bonding pads and terminal wires 32 are required for safely conducting relatively large currents to and from the transistor T16. In FIG. 1, all the terminal wires 32 from the various drain bonding pads 30 and the Zener diode bonding pad 31 are shown bonded to the same package terminal 34. A problem, however, is that because of size limitations of the terminal 34, only a limited number of terminal wires 32 can be bonded thereto, hence the need for a separate bonding pad 31 for independent testing purposes can also require the use of an extra package terminal to which the extra bonding pad 31 can be connected.

Integrated circuit chip structure for improved packaging


A method for estimating the power consumption of an electronic circuit under design that employs a Cycle-Accurate Functional Description (CAFD) which advantageously provides the accuracy achieved by RTL power estimation with the speed and speed of higher-level approaches.

In order to provide information about the power consumption of circuits under design, a variety of power estimation techniques have been developed. Advantageously, such techniques operate at a number of conceptual "levels" of design—from the very basic transistor level to the higher—and more logical—register transfer level (RTL). Since these techniques are relatively mature, an array of commercially available tools have been developed employing their techniques.
Of particular significance, since an RTL description is structurally defined, the power estimate for a circuit so represented is typically performed by aggregating the individual power estimates for its constituent RTL components. Since extensive research has been performed to characterize the individual RTL components, such RTL power estimates are relatively efficient for designs of limited size. Unfortunately, for large designs RTL-based power estimation may be prohibitively slow—especially when a power vs. time profile is required.
In somewhat related efforts, attempts to determine power estimates through functional (or behavioral) methods—without regard to underlying RTL implementations—have met with limited success. Although generally much less accurate than RTL methods, functional methods are quite fast. As a result, their applicability has been limited to fairly coarse-grained design decisions such as comparing algorithmic alternatives.
Accordingly, power estimation techniques that provide the accuracy of RTL methods with the speed of functional techniques would represent a significant advance in the art.

Power estimation employing cycle-accurate functional descriptions


A novel testing mechanism operative to test large capacitor arrays such as those used in a digitally controlled crystal oscillator (DCXO). The invention is adapted for use in DCXO circuits that employ dynamic element matching in their array decoding circuits. The invention combines the use of DEM during regular operation of the DCXO with a testing technique that greatly reduces the number of tests required. The invention tests the capacitors in the array on a row by row, wherein all the capacitors in a row are tested lumped together and treated as a single entity, which results in significantly reduced testing time. This permits the measurement of significantly higher frequency deviations due to the larger capacitances associated with an entire row of capacitors being tested.

Crystal oscillators are used as stable frequency sources in a wide range of applications including RF, digital circuits, etc. Crystal oscillators, which are comprised of a crystal generally manufactured from quartz and an active amplifier that provides a negative resistance to perpetuate the oscillation, are widely used because they provide a relatively accurate clock/frequency source. They typically provide a better long-term quality clock than other available clock sources such as ceramic resonators, LC tank circuits, etc. Crystal oscillators, however, are not perfect and often it is necessary to tune their output frequency in order to meet system requirements.
The tuning of the output frequency of an oscillator circuit based on a quartz crystal frequency source is typically achieved by a device called a varactor. Varactors are diodes operated reverse biased so no current flows, but since the width of the depletion zone varies with the applied bias voltage, the capacitance of the diode can be made to vary. In CMOS processes, varactors are formed by placing a heavily positively-doped region (called a P+ implant) inside a lightly positively-doped region (called a PWELL). The capacitance of these junctions behaves similarly to that of an NMOS transistor, which has an N+ implant inside a lightly negatively-doped region (called an NWELL), which also forms a P-N junction device.
In typical prior art oscillators, a single varactor is used which makes tuning the oscillator a relatively simple procedure. Alternatively, an array of capacitors arranged in a matrix can be used as the tuning element.
A block diagram illustrating a prior art digitally controlled crystal oscillator (DCXO) incorporating a varactor matrix is shown in FIG. 1. The DCXO circuit, generally referenced 10, comprises an external quartz crystal 12, an oscillator circuit 14 and varactor matrix 16. In this example, the quartz crystal 12 is connected to a one transistor oscillator called a Colpitts oscillator. The oscillator is digitally controlled whereby the center frequency of the oscillator output 20 is adjusted by adding parallel capacitance to the circuit such that it would be reflected directly or indirectly to the crystal. This causes slight changes in the output frequency of the oscillator. Since the physical properties of the quartz crystal are fixed, the range of adjustment of the center frequency is relatively small, on the order of 10-20 parts per million (ppm).
In the case of an array of capacitors 16, a digital tuning command 18 is used to determine the total capacitance applied to the oscillator circuit. The digital tuning command is translated to row and column decode signals which control the on/off state of all the capacitors in the matrix.
A problem arises in the need to test all the capacitors in the matrix. In the case of a single varactor, testing is rather trivial. With a large matrix of capacitors, however, testing is more difficult. Each capacitor, having a size on the order of femtofarads, represents a very small share of the total ppm, for example 0.01 ppm. If we assume a center frequency of 26 MHz, for example, this translates to a frequency of less than 1 Hz. Thus, testing each individual capacitor for a frequency of less than 1 Hz will require more than 1 second. Considering an array of tens or hundreds or even thousands of capacitors requires more than an hour of testing. This is an astronomical cost for testing the varactor matrix using modern test equipment.
An alternative approach to testing is to probe each individual capacitor. This, however, is also not practical as each capacitor is measured in femtofarads, applying '0' or '1' digital state to each capacitor changes the state by approximately hundreds of electrons. Typical probes have a minimum capacitance themselves on the order of picofarads, thus making them unsuitable for use in measure such capacitor arrays.
Another problem with the DCXO circuit 10 is that a failed capacitor creates nonlinearity in the output frequency versus the digital tuning command. An example of this problem is shown in FIG. 2. The solid line 30 represents the output frequency trajectory versus input code (i.e. tuning command). Assuming for example, the capacitor in the first row, column seven of the matrix is bad. Thus, a change in the input code from 6 to 7 does not yield an increase in output frequency. The expected trajectory of the output frequency is shown in the dotted line 32. Thus, all codes from 7 and up result in incorrect output frequencies.
There is thus a need for a DCXO self test mechanism that is capable of testing an array of capacitors that does not require lengthy and costly testing time. It is also desirable that the self test mechanism provide a capability to overcome the nonlinearities in output frequency caused by failed capacitor elements.

Built-in self test method for a digitally controlled crystal oscillator


A process for reacting in a fluid bed reactor at least one oxidisable reactant with molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalytically active fluidised bed of solid particles. In the process a molecular oxygen-containing gas having an oxygen concentration greater than that of air is introduced into the fluidised bed whilst the fluidised bed is maintained in a turbulent regime. The process is suitable for oxidation, ammoxidation and carboxylation processes, including the production of maleic anhydride, acrylonitrile, ethylene, acetic acid and vinyl acetate.

Reactions of molecular oxygen with oxidisable reactants in the presence of fluidised beds of catalyst are known. For example, the acetoxylation of ethylene to produce vinyl acetate by reaction of acetic acid, ethylene and an oxygen-containing gas in a fluid bed reactor is known from EP-A-0672453, EP-A-0685449 and EP-A-0847982. The reaction of oxygen with ethane to produce acetic acid in a fluid bed reactor is known from EP-A-0546677.
EP-A-0685449 discloses a process for manufacturing vinyl acetate in a fluid bed reactor comprising feeding ethylene and acetic acid into the fluid bed reactor through one or more inlets, feeding an oxygen-containing gas into the fluid bed reactor through at least one further inlet, co-joining the oxygen-containing gas, ethylene and acetic acid in the fluid bed reactor while in contact with a fluid bed catalyst material to enable the ethylene, acetic acid and oxygen to react to produce vinyl acetate and recovering the vinyl acetate from the fluid bed reactor. According to EP-A-0685449, the oxygen may be added in pure form or as an admixture with inert gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide. Since the oxygen and hydrocarbons are not mixed until they are both inside the reactor, catalyst is present when they meet and reaction proceeds immediately, causing the oxygen partial pressure to drop. Thus, an advantage of feeding an oxygen-containing gas to the reactor through at least one further inlet in addition to the ethylene and acetic acid reactants is that it allows significantly higher levels of oxygen to be safely employed without a high inventory of flammable gas mixtures.
Bubbling bed operation is not appropriate for reactions using molecular oxygen-containing gas because of the possibility of a plume or bubbles of oxygen forming in the bed, which can be unsafe.
There remains a need for an improved fluid bed process in which molecular oxygen is reacted with at least one oxidisable reactant.

Oxidation process in fluidised bed reactor


The temperature of bags of blood or blood components is varied by directing a heated or refrigerated flow of air through vents (138) of pairs of opposing ducts (130A, 130B) longitudinally spaced across gaps to present thermal processing chambers (136) into which the bags are received. The vents are centrally located on vertical tubes (132) laterally separated by vertical air return slots (135), and act to direct the airflow substantially perpendicular and with turbulence against the bags. In a described thermal processing unit (110), the spacings of the vents and tubes are chosen to match the corresponding spacing of vertical tubular chambers (62) of a preferred bag (10) with which the unit (110) can be used. A central system automatically regulates airflow temperature in accordance with bag internal core temperature measurements taken externally of the bags by a sensor (140) having a sensing tip (142) that is pressed inwardly into bag flexible sheet material (11, 12) when airflow is present, and retracted when airflow is stopped.

A readily available supply of plasma and whole blood is an essential requirement of any medical trauma treatment facility. Since plasma can be stored at room temperature for a matter of only a few hours before spoilage occurs, it is conventional practice to freeze blood components. Whole blood can be stored only forty days before spoilage occurs and hence must be frozen if storage for longer periods is anticipated. Typically, plasma and whole blood are frozen within six hours after collection, in polyvinyl chloride bags holding about 300 milliliters. The fresh-frozen plasma is subsequently stored at temperatures of around -30.degree. C., and fresh-frozen whole blood is stored at temperatures of around -80.degree. C. When properly frozen, blood and blood components may be stored for up to ten years.
While the procedure of fresh-freezing blood and blood components has essentially solved the problems of storage, the process of thawing the product for use presents certain difficulties. When whole blood or platelets are being thawed, possible damage to cells during thawing is a major concern. While post-thaw viability of cellular structures is not of concern in thawing plasma, the viability of coagulation proteins is of primary importance. The most widely accepted method of thawing fresh-frozen blood and blood components comprises immersing the bag in a warm water bath. By completely surrounding the bag in a 30.degree. C.-37.degree. C. water bath and agitating it periodically, a single bag or "unit" of frozen plasma may be thawed usually in thirty to forty-five minutes.
This procedure presents a number of problems. First, immersing the bag in a non-sterile water bath may contaminate the bag ports, such that the thawed blood or blood components are tainted as they are withdrawn from the bag. Immersing the bag in a warm water bath can also cause any labels affixed to the bag to become detached. Even if the labels remain attached to the bag, the warm water bath often causes the labels to become wrinkled, such that it becomes impossible to scan a bar code which may be imprinted on the label. Additionally, any interruption in the integrity of the bag can permit an exchange of water and plasma, thereby contaminating both the product and the water bath. The most common form of interruption in the integrity of the bag is "edge damage" resulting from impact of the bag edges with any hard object while at low temperatures. This results in fracture of the PVC bags in 5-10% of all bags produced. Further, the water bath process cannot be accelerated, such as by exposing the blood or blood components to a higher temperature bath, since subjecting frozen plasma to any larger thermal gradient in an effort to speed up the procedure can result in physical stress and possible damage to the normal protein configuration of the plasma, and since subjecting whole blood or platelets to a higher thermal gradient can possibly damage cellular structures. The requirement of a thawing period of from thirty to forty-five minutes renders the use of frozen blood or blood components impractical for emergency trauma cases, where the patient may have an immediate need for the product and cannot affort the luxury of waiting for frozen blood or blood components to be thawed. Medical facilities cannot anticipate possible needs of blood and blood components by thawing a number of units in advance, since the requirement that each unit be typed and cross-matched to the specific patient for which it is intended would require thawing an inordinate number of units which would not be used. Furthermore, since the product cannot be safely refrozen once thawed, units which are thawed in anticipation of possible use must be discarded if the anticipated use does not arise.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide a hygienic method and apparatus for the thawing of fresh-frozen blood and blood components which does not expose the ports or the contents of the bag to the possibility of contamination.
There is also a need to provide a method and apparatus for the thawing of fresh-frozen blood and blood components which is sufficiently rapid that the product can be kept frozen until only moments before it is actually needed.
A number of efforts have been made to adapt microwave ovens for thawing frozen blood components which are contained in a bag. Some of these efforts have involved attempts to adapt a conventional cavity-type microwave oven, of the type widely used for cooking foods, for use in thawing such blood components. However, conventional prior art microwave blood-thawing devices tend to thaw the blood unevenly, which can result in overheating localized portions of the blood while other portions of the blood remain frozen.
The apparatus disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,915 overcomes many of the shortcomings associated with previous devices for thawing blood and blood components with microwave illumination. The bag of frozen blood or blood components is placed within a membrane surrounded by a liquid dielectric material which is impedance-matched with the frozen product. The membrane and liquid dielectric material readily conform to the surface of the blood bag to eliminate impedance mismatches at the various interfaces. In the disclosed embodiment, a substantially uniform magnetic field is created by employing a waveguide which supports only odd-numbered harmonic wavelengths and by utilizing an RF lens to disperse the waves across the width of the blood bag. Thus, nonuniform heating resulting from standing waves caused by reflections or from uneven illumination is substantially eliminated, thereby providing uniform heating of the frozen product.
However, the apparatus and method disclosed in my aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,915 suffers certain disadvantages common to microwave thawing devices, namely high cost, mechanical complexity, and limited portability. In certain instances, small medical facilities which may have a need for a readily available supply of blood or blood components may not be able to afford the considerable cost of a microwave blood warming device. Further, the mechanical complexity necessitates maintenance costs and may possibly cause the unit to break down at an inopportune time. Finally, microwave thawing devices do not lend themselves to ready portability.
Thus, there is a need to provide a method and apparatus for the rapid thawing of blood and blood components which can be made available to medical facilities at a relatively low cost.
There is also a need to provide a method and apparatus for the rapid thawing of blood and blood components which is mechanically simple so as to eliminate maintenance costs and substantially reduce the possibility of malfunction at an inopportune time.
There is yet another need to provide a method and apparatus for the rapid thawing of blood and blood components which is highly portable.
Conventional blood freezing apparatus presents further problems with the length of time required to freeze whole blood and plasma contained therein. Factor 8, the primary clotting factor in blood, deteriorates rapidly at room temperature. Absent expensive high-speed liquid immersion freezing equipment, freezing whole blood or plasma in a conventional blood freezing apparatus does not occur rapidly enough to prevent deterioration of a significant proportion of the Factor 8.
Thus, there is a need to provide a method and apparatus for freezing whole blood and plasma which is sufficiently rapid that deterioration of Factor 8 is reduced.

Method and apparatus for the rapid thermal processing of transfusion fluid

LifeSource Advanced Blood Bank Systems, Inc.


A coding arrangement is connected between a pair of components that are to be laterally displaced into engagement with each other, thereby to assure that only authorized components may be connected with each other. The coding assembly includes a pair of matching coding elements one of which has at least one projection that carries a pair of angularly arranged coding surfaces which engage a corresponding pair of coding surfaces on the other coding element. According to the method of assembly provided by the invention, the coding elements are mounted on the ends of a synthetic plastic strap by tear strip means, and the strap is deformed to bring the coding elements together into coded engagement with each other, thereby to form a preassembled coding assembly. One coding element of this preassembled coding assembly is initially mounted on one of a pair of components, such as a terminal board to which an authorized printed circuit board or the like, which are to be physically mounted and electrically connected. The components are then brought together to cause the other matched coding element of the preassembled coding assembly to be connected with the other component. The mounting strap is then rotated relative to the coding elements, whereupon the tear strips are broken to separate the strap from the coding elements, which coding elements remain mounted on the components.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a coding arrangement including a pair of matched coding elements that are respectively connected between a pair of components, such as a terminal block and a printed circuit board, so that only authorized components can be electrically connected with each other. The invention also relates to a method for mounting the coding elements on their respective components.
2. Background of the Invention
Various coding arrangements are well known in the prior art. In the German patent No. DE 38 30 187, for example, there is disclosed a coding device for switchboard plug-in modules for the purpose of definite match up of plug-in modules and plug-in chambers with the help of coding projections on the module and coding devices corresponding therewith on the module support. The coding projections are attached on the underside of a module bottom, standing perpendicularly in a row at a right angle to the direction of insertion. On the bottom sheet metal piece of the module block, there is provided a coding plate with grooves located in the direction of insertion whose interval corresponds to the interval between the coding projections. The coding projections protrude into the grooves. Coding systems such as these entail the disadvantage that coding in practice is often dispensed with due to the effort connected with assembly. But this can lead to problems or damage, for instance, because various potentials, (for example, 24 V and 230 V) can be combined.
According to the prior art coding arrangement of FIG. 6, the problem arises that codings with few projections can be stuck into coding receptacles with free socket holes. For instance, pin xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d in FIG. 6 can be stuck not only in socket xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d but also into sockets xe2x80x9c3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15.xe2x80x9d This does not reliably rule out the possibility of making a mistake in sticking the pin in. The problem therefore is this, as FIG. 6 furthermore shows by way of example: If one has a total of four peg locations with one and three projections, then out of the theoretical 16, one can make only four coding variants that really differ from each other. If there are five peg positions, then there are ten genuine differentiation possibilities.
Starting with this state of the art, the present invention is intended to provide a simple coding system that is distinguished by high coding assurance and a large number of coding variants that can also be implemented in a narrow space. Another part of this problem involves ensuring the fact that the coding device can be assembled in an uncomplicated and quick manner.
The present invention was developed to avoid the above and other drawbacks of the known coding systems.
Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a coding arrangement in which a pair of coding elements are connected between a pair of authorized components, such as a terminal block and a printed circuit board, whereby only the authorized pair of components can be displaced together toward a fully connected position.
According to a more specific object of the invention, the pair of coding elements each include a pair of angularly arranged coding surfaces each contained in a plane normal to the direction of connection of the components, the corresponding coding surfaces of the coding elements being parallel with each other. One of the coding elements includes a male projection or peg that extends in the direction of the other coding member and that carries one pair of angularly arranged coding surfaces. The corresponding pair of angularly arranged coding surfaces is formed either on projections on the other coding element, or on the walls of a non-circular female socket. The projections and/or sockets that can be assembled in each case essentially have a polygonal cross-section and form a part of a base surfacexe2x80x94in particular, a regular polygon or a non-circular surfacexe2x80x94on which they are aligned according to a coding system where the projections of the first and the projections and/or sockets of the second coding element in each case essentially rest with one of their outer sides against the circumference of the base surface and where, in case of different coding element variants, they rotate along the circumference of the base surface or are twisted with respect to each other. This coding system ensures a large number of coding variants so that any confusion can be eliminated. This is true, in particular, when two or more of these base surfaces or polygons are lined up directly along each other; one then gets a particularly large number of different reliably plugged-in coding variants in conjunction with the definite position match up (ensuring against twisting) of the components that are provided with the coding device; this can be done in a very tight space.
According to another object of the invention, the corresponding projections and/or sockets essentially have rectangular cross-section that amounts to about half the surface of the base surface that is made as a square area. It is furthermore practical when one of the longitudinal sides of the rectangular projections or sockets rests against one of the outer sides of the square area and/or when the surfaces of the different projection/projection or projection/socket combinations partly overlap each other. This coding system facilitates on a single square areaxe2x80x94with an edge that, for instance, amounts to only a few millimetersxe2x80x94the implementation of four different coding variants. The number of coding variants can be multiplied by lining up these square areas to receive the rectangular projections and sockets. In that way, with two areas lined up to each other in a narrow space, one can already implement 16 coding variants, and with three areas lined up next to each other in a row, one can make even 64 coding variants on a particularly narrow surface.
As another preferred embodiment that implements even more coding variants on one base surface, the base surface is made as a hexagon; the pegs are made as half-hexagonal surface or as a third of the hexagonal surface (135xe2x80x3 element) and the pins for various coding variants are offset with respect to each other along the outer circumference in 60xc2x0 steps. That idea can be carried forward with any number of hexagons; as the number of corners increases, one can, of course, theoretically increase the wide variety of coding variants on one base surface. But some time along the way, one encounters the problem of peg positions that will differ only very little from each other if the base surface is presumed to remain equally large.
The invention, moreover, solves another problem according to a particularly preferred embodiment. In electrical appliances, where in all units a uniform first component must be combined with a different second component, in other words, in electrical appliances that are built up on the basis of terminal blocks, which must be provided with different electronic housings, it so happens that storage is made more difficult by the coding devices, because for each electronic housing with the first coding element section, one must keep in stock a fitting terminal body with the corresponding second coding element section. To solve this problem, the two coding element sections can together be placed upon the first component and are so designed that when the two components are assembled, the second coding element section will so come to rest against the second component that upon separation of the two components from each other, the second coding element section will remain on the second component so that it forms a counterpart for the first coding element section that remains on the first component when the two components are separated from each other.
The present invention is particularly suitable for this embodiment, since the second coding element section that is attached to the base terminal unit is so made that when the housing is the set upon a base component, for example, the base terminal block, it will be retained in a recess in which it remains after removal of the housing from the base terminal block so that it forms the counterpart for the first coding element section that remains on the electronic housing upon the withdrawal of the electronic housing. In contrast to the prior art, this offers the following advantage: one of the two components, in particular, the base terminal units, during their production need not be provided with any coding device or with any of the coding element sections so that the storage of these components is considerably simplified. The electronics units of varying typesxe2x80x94for example, electronics units to implement communication between a first field bus and actors, initiators, etc.xe2x80x94on the other hand, are in each case provided with a differing, bipartite coding element; the second coding element section is xe2x80x9cput downxe2x80x9d upon the base terminal unit only when the electronic unit is first put on the base terminal unit. In case the electronic unit is exchanged later, the second coding element section remains on the base terminal unit and protects the electrical appliance that is made up of the base terminal units against inadvertent imposition of a xe2x80x9cfalsexe2x80x9d electronic unit with a coding that does not fit. This idea can be combined particularly advantageously with the invention-based coding system that can be made in a narrow space.
With regard to the second part of the problem that can also be contemplated independently, that is, to ensure that the coding device can be assembled in an uncomplicated and fast fashion, the invention solves the problem in the following manner: The two coding clement sections of each coding element are connected integrally via constrictions or rip-off edges with a flexible base unit, in particular, a handle upon which the two coding element sections can be assembled to form one coding element. The handle is preferably made as a plastic strap that can be bent by hand. The plastic strap is so dimensioned that the two coding element sections of the two coding elements that belong together can in each case be put together at the strap to form the coding element; therefore, one can reliably rule out any confusion during assembly. Besides, the handling is simple and one can prevent a situation where one must try to match up two mutually fitting elements during assembly. This high degree of safe assembly is further enhanced by a legend that is affixed upon the handle.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method for easily making the various coding devices of the coding system. For this purpose, one preferably provides a single mold with a number of recesses that corresponds to the number of coding variants to make the different variants of coding element sections so that all variants can be made in just one production cycle. The manufacturing process is further simplified in the following manner: For the various coding elements, different numbers of recesses are provided in the mold so as to corresponds to their frequency distribution. In a particularly preferred manner, the differing coding variants are assembled to form groups in the mold in keeping with the frequency arising from the particular purpose (for example, three groups: particularly frequently needed coding variants, normally frequent variants, rare variants). In this way, when one uses only one single tool, one can avoid the unnecessary production of variants that occur very infrequently.


The present invention provides a process and apparatus for readily and continuously producing foamed resin containers with labels by following a process sequence including the steps of supplying a sheet which bears label bodies printed in predetermined positions thereon, positioning a label body, punching the label body, and molding a foamed resin container with the label properly positioned. The invention further provides a process which allows for precise positioning of a label. Therefore, a thin and less stiff synthetic resin sheet can be employed for the label instead of a paper base. In addition, the label can be applied in a predetermined position on the foamed resin container without preliminarily rolling the label into a predetermined tubular shape.

Conventionally, foamed resin containers have widely been used as vessels for instant food, juice or the like. Such a foamed resin container is generally produced through a foam molding method in which pre-foamed beads obtained by preliminarily foaming foamable resin beads containing a polystyrene resin and a volatile blowing agent such as butane, pentane or chrolofluorocarbon are loaded in a mold cavity and heated by a heating medium such as steam for foaming the foamed resin containers.
Some of the foamed resin containers are provided with a label which bears information such as a trade name and a maker's name and/or a design such as a vignette printed thereon, or serves to impart an excellent gas barrier property to the foamed resin containers.
Known as a method for providing such information or the like on the surface of a foamed resin container (foamed bead cup), there are a method wherein information or the like is directly printed on the surface of a foamed resin container, a method wherein a label bearing information or the like preliminarily printed thereon is bonded onto a foamed resin container, and a so-called shrink-labeling method wherein a heat-shrinkable film bearing information or the like preliminarily printed thereon is wrapped around a foamed resin container and shrunken by heat.
In the method of directly printing on the surface of a foamed resin container, it is difficult to obtain a sharp printing like gravure or to perform a multi-color printing. In the method of bonding onto a foamed resin container a label bearing information preliminarily printed thereon, a container molding step, a label stamping step, and a label bonding step are separately performed. Therefore, it is required that the label be positioned in place in the label bonding step, so that the process is complicated. In the shrink labeling method using a heat-shrinkable film, the heat-shrinkable film softly adheres on the container so that the film is liable to slip out of the container if the container has an inclined circumferential surface.
To solve these problems, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-331132 (1992) discloses a method for in-mold labeling of a foamed resin container, which includes steps of rolling into a predetermined tubular shape a print paper sheet having a print layer on the outer surface and a heat-seal layer on the inner surface of a paper base, setting the print sheet in a cavity mold, fixing the print sheet on the inner wall of the cavity mold by evacuating the cavity through a multiplicity of gas vent holes provided in the cavity mold, matching the cavity mold with a core mold, loading foamable resin beads into a gap defined between the print paper sheet and the core mold for foam molding, and fuse-bonding the print paper sheet onto the resulting foamed resin container by applying heat thereto for the foamed resin molding.
However, the aforesaid method involves complicated process steps because the print paper sheet is once punched out into a predetermined configuration and then the punched sheet should be rolled into a tubular shape. Further, the print paper sheet which has the print layer and the heat-seal layer provided, respectively on the opposite surfaces of the paper base is inferior in the moisture resistance and gas-barrier property. Therefore, the paper sheet absorbs steam applied when the foamed resin container is molded, so that the printing is liable to be blurred. In addition, because the print layer on the outer surface of the paper base is brought in directly contact with the cavity mold, the printing ink is liable to be transferred onto the cavity mold from the print paper sheet by heat. If the printing ink transfer occurs, the print density on the foamed resin container is reduced, resulting in a printing failure. The ink transferred onto the cavity mold is further transferred onto the next mold product, resulting in successive printing failures.
Since the print paper sheet should be rolled into a tubular shape before the molding, the process steps are complicated, resulting in an increased cost.
To solve these problems of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel process and apparatus for producing a labeled foamed resin container with which employ a thin and less stiff or floppy synthetic resin sheet instead of the paper base and a label obtained by preliminarily printing fine letters and a sharp design such as including smooth gradation on the resin sheet, and is adapted to apply the floppy sheet label in a predetermined position on the foamed resin container by integral molding without rolling the label into a tubular shape before molding the foamed resin container.
It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a process and apparatus for producing a foamed resin container with a label, in which a sheet which bears printed labels in predetermined portions thereof is continuously supplied and a process sequence from the step of punching a label from the sheet to the step of molding the foamed resin container with a label is readily and continuously performed.

Process and apparatus for manufacturing a foamed resin container with a label


Wide-band speech signals and also music signals are coded with relatively less computational efforts and less sound quality deterioration even at low bit rates. A spectral parameter calculator obtains a spectral parameter from sub-frames of an input signal from a sub-frame divider, and quantizes the obtained spectral parameter. A divider divides the difference result from a subcontractor into a plurality of sub-bands. Adaptive codebook circuits obtain a pitch prediction signal by obtaining pitch data in at least one of the sub-bands. Judging circuits execute pitch prediction judgment by using the pitch data in at least one of the sub-bands. A synthesizer synthesizes a pitch prediction signal. A subtractor subtracts the pitch prediction signal from the difference result obtained from a subtractor and thus obtains an excitation signal. An excitation quantizer quantizes the excitation signal with reference to an excitation codebook.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a signal coder and, more particularly, to a signal coder for high quality coding of wide-band signals such as speech and music at low bit rates.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a system for highly efficiently coding speech signals, CELP (Code Excited Linear Prediction Coding) is well known in the art, as disclosed in, for instance, M. Schroeder and B. Atal, "Code-excited linear prediction: High quality speech at very low bit rates", Proc. ICASSP, pp. 937-940, 1985 (Literature 1), and Kleijn et al, "Improved speech quality and efficient vector quantization in CELP", Proc. ICASSP, pp. 155-158, 1998 (Literature 2).
In these well-known systems, on the transmitting side spectral parameters representing a spectral characteristic of a speech signal are extracted from the speech signal for each frame (of 20 ms, for instance) through LPC (linear prediction). Also, the frame is divided into sub-frames (of 5 ms, for instance), and parameters in an adaptive codebook (i.e., a delay parameter corresponding to the pitch cycle and a gain parameter) are extracted for each sub-frame on the basis of the past speech signals, for making the pitch prediction of the sub-frame noted above with the adaptive codebook. The optimum gain is calculated by selecting an optimum speech codevector from the excitation codebook (i.e., vector quantization codebook) consisting of noise signals of predetermined kinds for the speech signal obtained by the pitch prediction. Thus the excitation signal is quantized. An excitation codevector is selected which minimizes the error power between a synthesized signal from selected noise signals and an excitation signal obtained by the pitch prediction. An index representing the kind of the selected codevector, an index representing a gain codevector, the spectral parameter, a delay parameter corresponding to the pitch cycle and a gain parameter are combined in a multiplexer and then transmitted.
The above prior art systems have a problem that a great computational effort is required for the optimum speech codevector selection. This is attributable to the facts that in the systems disclosed in Literatures 1 and 2 the filtering or convolution is executed for each codevector, and that this computational operation is executed repeatedly a number of times corresponding to the number of codevectors stored in the codebook. For example, with a codebook of B bits and N dimensions, the computational effort required is N.times.K.times.2B.times.8,000/N (K being the filter order or impulse response length in the filtering or convolution). As an example, when B=10, N=40 and K=10, 81,920,000 computations per second are necessary, which is very enormous. This problem is increasingly more serious the more the input signal band is higher than the telephone band and the higher the sampling frequency.
Various systems have been proposed to reduce the computational effort required for the excitation codebook search. For example, an ACELP (Algebraic Code Excited Linear Prediction) has been proposed. For this system, C. Laflamme et al, "16 kbps wideband speech coding technique based on algebraic CELP", Proc. ICASSP, pp. 13-16, 1991 (Literature 3), for instance, may be referred to. In the system shown in Literature 3, an excitation signal is represented by a plurality of pulses, and the position of each pulse for transmission is represented by a predetermined number of bits. The amplitude of each pulse is limited to +1.0 or -1.0, and it is thus possible to greatly reduce the computational effort for the pulse search.
Any of the techniques described above permits obtaining comparatively good sound quality with speech signals. However, with speech signals of a plurality of speakers speaking in a conference or the like or music signals produced by a plurality of different musical instruments and containing a plurality of different pitches, low bit rates result in extreme sound quality deterioration.