This NGDE algorithm incorporates a minimum cardinality candidate diagnosis generator which exploits conflict set reduction rules to dramatically reduce the search space and thus reduce the computational resources required to find minimum cardinality diagnoses.

Model-based diagnosis (MBD) involves model-based testing in which test cases are derived in whole or in part from a model that describes some, usually functional, aspects of the system under test. The model is usually an abstract, partial representation of the system under test-desired behavior. The test cases derived from this model are functional tests on the same level of abstraction as the model. Also, model-based diagnosis is diagnostic and system-directed. Particularly, it starts with the observed misbehavior and works back toward the underlying components that may be broken.
Model-based diagnosis may be employed in a variety of arenas, including detecting faulty system behavior, identifying faulty components, repairing of the system, and reconfiguring of the system. Other areas to which MBD may be applied, include debugging cognitive models, designing experiments to build improved models of gene pathways, troubleshooting power grids, troubleshooting manufacturing lines, identifying faults in spacecraft, airplanes, and debugging programs, among other uses.
The present application is therefore related to a diagnostic system and method for diagnosing a model of a real world system, and more particularly to such a diagnostic system and method which will minimize the number of component replacements needed to restore correct functioning of the system.

Minimum cardinality candidate generation


A foldable emergency sign is provided, made up of a number of flat slats joined by flexible hinges. The slats are provided with warning indicia to alert passing motorists to the presence of a disabled vehicle. The slats are also provided with magnets for quick attachment and detachment from a vehicle. A support harness may be provided for attachment to irregularly shaped areas of a vehicle. The slats may be arranged in two columns with the triangular emergency sign defined over a number of the slats in both columns or the slats may be portions of the sidearms themselves of the triangular emergency sign.

It is known that vehicles have a tendency to breakdown at completely random times, often on a major thoroughfare or highway. It is also known that accidents often occur when the difference in speed between two vehicles is greatest. Of course, the worst case of this is a vehicle that becomes disabled on a highway where other vehicles are traveling at the speed limit.
Distress signs have been developed to inform passing motorists that a stranded motorist needs assistance. Examples of such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,151 to Dexter and U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,254 to Parish, Sr. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,151, a magnet is utilized to mount a vertical sign to the top of a vehicle, having a legend such as "Send Help." U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,254 discloses an interchangeable sign exhibitor, where different words may be formed to convey a message from the stranded motorist.
However, these arrangements are merely message centers and do little to help avoid collisions with stationary vehicles. The U.S. Government has set guidelines for warning devices that are intended to improve the visibility of disabled vehicles. Standard 125 of the United States Department of Transportation recites the scope, application and purpose of warning devices for vehicles. Standard 125 relates to devices without self-contained energy sources that are designed to be carried in motor vehicles and used to warn approaching traffic of the presence of a stopped vehicle.
Standard 125 requires a triangle with specific size and color restrictions. A known device that conforms to Standard 125 is the free standing triangle that is usually seen behind disabled trucks. According to Standard 125, the triangle must be equilateral and from 17 to 22 inches on each side. The outermost 2 to 3 inches must be composed of two colored bands; the outer one being a red reflective material to improve night visibility and the inner band being an orange fluorescent material to improve day visibility. The color of the center section of the triangle is open, permitting the passage of wind.
However, the free-standing triangles have the disadvantages of requiring heavy mounting stands or bases, to prevent them from blowing away in the wind, and usually collapse to a size that cannot be conveniently stored in an easily accessible location in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In general, such devices must be carried in the trunk of a car, where luggage and clutter can prevent them from being readily accessible in an emergency. They are also positioned on the ground, while they would be more easily spotted by other drivers if they were positioned nearer to driver eye level.
It is an object of my invention to provide a highway emergency safety sign. Another object of my invention is to provide a highway emergency safety sign that conforms to Standard 125, is easily portable, and can be stored in the glove compartment or side door map pocket of a motor vehicle.
It is a further object of my invention to provide a safety sign that can generally conform to the body contours of a passenger or cargo carrying motor vehicle, depending on where the sign is attached to the vehicle.
Another object of my invention is to provide a safety sign that includes means for quickly attaching/detaching the sign to a vehicle.
A still further object of my invention is to protect the sign indicia when the sign is not in use.
The foldable emergency sign of my invention comprises a plurality of flat slats joined to one another by flexible hinges. The slats carry warning indicia to alert passing motorists to the presence of the disabled vehicle. The slats are also provided with magnets for quick attachment and detachment from a vehicle. A support harness may be provided for attaching the emergency sign to the irregularly shaped areas of a vehicle.
In accordance with a further embodiment of my invention, the foldable emergency sign is in the shape of a triangle formed by three interconnected arms, each made of two or more flat slats which are joined together by flexible hinges. The arms are narrowed at the ends which define two of the apices of the triangle but not at the third apex. At that apex, the slat of one arm is positioned over the slat of the other arm and a flexible attaching mechanism, such as a flexible magnet or VELCRO tape, is positioned on the bottom of the upper slat and the top of the lower slat to join the two arms to define the third apex of the triangle when the emergency sign is to be employed. Flexible tape adjoins the slats at each arm and also adjoins each of the slats defining the other two apices of the triangle so that the triangular sign can be folded in upon itself when not in use. Flexible magnetic tape positioned on the back of each arm allows the sign to be attached to the vehicle.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with a review of the appended drawings .


An interlocking mechanism designed to have an increased locking force, which can simultaneously be actuated by a small force. To this end, an electric connector, which includes a coupling part and a plug part, has a locking element that has a bending arm pointing away from the plug part, and a lever arm running transversely to the bending arm. A stop element is positioned on the side of the bending arm that faces the coupling part in the plugged-in state, the stop element being designed in such a manner that the movement of the bending arm is restricted in the direction of stop element, and that the bending arm can swing horizontally away from the stop element.

The present invention starts out from an electric connector having a coupling part and a plug part, which can be inserted in an opening of the coupling part; the outer side of the coupling part having at least one locking surface on it, with which a locking element mounted on the plug part engages, in the plugged-in state; and the locking element including a bending arm pointing away from the plug part, and a lever running transversely to the bending arm, so that the lever can be guided around the bending arm in a springlike manner, from a normal position into a release position, and then back into the normal position.
In the case of electric connectors, which include a plug part and a coupling part adapted to this plug part, it is known to provide appropriate interlocking devices that prevent the connector from being released unintentionally. These interlocking devices are usually designed as elastic elements, such as springs, hooks, and the like, which engage with the locking element in response to closing the plug connection.
When these connectors are subjected to high mechanical stresses, e.g. in the case of connectors on board a motor vehicle, it is necessary to reinforce the elements required for locking, so that the considerable mechanical stresses on the plug connection do not detach the connector during the operation of the motor vehicle.
In the connector design described here, the related art especially provides for reinforcing the bending arm, e.g. by increasing the cross-section or selecting a different plastic. However, this results in the disadvantage of the connector only being guidable with increased expenditure of force, since the connection between the lever arm and the bending arm is very stiff, and therefore, the lever arm can only be moved from a normal position into a release position, and back again, by applying this greater force. On the other hand, connectors are proposed in which the bending arm is designed to be xe2x80x9csoftxe2x80x9d. This means that the bending arm may have a small cross-section, or that a very flexible plastic is used to form the bending arm. This design of a bending arm has the disadvantage of the locking connection being automatically released, particularly in response to a temperature change or vibrational forces, so that the plug part and coupling part detach from one another.
Therefore, an object of the present invention consists in providing an electric connector, in which the locking connection has an increased locking force, while the force required to release the locking connection is smaller.
The achievement principal of the object consists in further developing a locking connection known per se for electric connectors, in such a manner, that the locking connection is especially not released in response to tensile loads on the plug part. This is accomplished by using a stop element to limit the movement of the locking element.
In order to achieve the object, it is proposed that a stop element be arranged on the side of the bending arm that faces the coupling part of the electric connector, in the plugged-in state; the stop element being designed in such a manner, that the movement of the bending arm is restricted in the direction of the stop, and the horizontal sweep of the bending arm away from the stop element is not hindered.
One fundamental advantage of the present invention is that the interaction of the xe2x80x9csoftxe2x80x9d bending-arm design with the stop element of the present invention prevents stresses occurring on the locking connection, and the deformation resulting therefrom, from releasing the lever arm from the locking element. Another fundamental advantage of the design according to the present invention is that the horizontal sweeping motion of the bending arm to release the locking connection can be brought about without hindrance, and the xe2x80x9csoftxe2x80x9d design of the bending arm also allows this motion to be effected without increased expenditure of force.
The stop element is advantageously positioned in direct proximity to the bending arm, and is preferably formed as one piece with the plug part.


An audio/video system provides communication control units on both a TV (television receiver) and a VCR (video cassette recorder) and includes an information path connected between both for executing data communications therebetween. When the VCR starts its "play" operation, the system automatically turns the TV on and makes an inquiry regarding a connecting method between the TV and the VCR (i.e., whether the connection is an AV-connection or an RF-connection) for controlling the TV according to an input mode matched to the connecting method. When the VCR starts its "record" operation while a user is currently watching the TV, the system turns the VCR on and then matches a channel number selected on a tuner built in the VCR to a channel selected on the TV.

The present invention relates to an application function in an audio/video system comprising a television receiver (hereinafter referred to as a TV), a video cassette recorder (hereinafter referred to as a VCR) and so forth being interconnected as an integrated system.
Traditionally, an audio/video system comprising both a TV and a VCR has not provided any function of controlling the component equipment items or inquiring as to the states of those equipment items with respect to one another. It has resulted in hardly implementing a function of networking the component equipment items.
In order to watch a video cassette, the conventional audio/video system has required a user not only to press a "play" button on the VCR but also to turn on a power switch of the TV. And, if the TV and VCR communicate a video and an audio signal with each other through an AV-connected path, the system has also required the user to switch an input mode into "a video mode", and if they communicate these signals through an RF-connected path, to switch the TV channel to a VCR-leased channel.
Also, a TV tuner does not normally have channel numbers matching those of a VCR tuner. It has resulted in frequently bringing about inadvertent operational failures, for example, recording a program on a TV channel the user does not intend, even though he operates the VCR switch of the same VCR channel number as that which he is watching on the TV.

Audio/video system for television receiver, video cassette recorder, and so forth

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A piezo-junction device may be provided. The piezo-junction device comprises a piezoelectric element comprising two electrodes and piezoelectric material in-between, and a semiconductor junction device adjacent to the piezoelectric element such that one of the two electrodes of the piezoelectric element is in contact with the semiconductor junction device connecting the semiconductor junction device and the piezoelectric element electrically in series. Thereby, the semiconductor junction device and the piezoelectric element are together positioned in a fixed mechanical clamp such that the piezoelectric element with an applied electrical field applies strain to the semiconductor junction device causing a change in Fermi levels of the semiconductor junction device.

The invention relates generally to a piezo-junction device and a method for operating the piezo-junction device. The piezo-junction device may comprise a piezoelectric element and at least a semiconductor junction device.
Piezoelectric devices have been known for a long time. They are based on the piezoelectric principle to convert either a deformation induced by physical forces into electrical energy or a deformation of a piezoelectric material by applying an electrical field to the piezoelectric material. Those devices are typically implemented as thick-film devices.
Piezoelectric devices have also been combined with devices showing the piezo-resistive effect. The piezo-resistive effect is a change in the electrical resistivity of the semiconductor or metal when mechanical strain is applied. In contrast to the piezoelectric effect, the piezo-resistive effect causes a change only in electrical resistance, not in the electrical potential. The resistance change by strain has usually both, a geometric and a piezo-resistive component. That geometric effect dominates in many methods. There may be different components in the piezo-resistive effect: a longitudinal, a traverse and a shear component. The dominant effect may depend on the material chosen, the crystal orientation, the temperature, etc. Materials may be found (at least theoretically) for which either one effect dominates—in particular, a pure longitudinal response. Piezo-resistivity is typically a bulk effect, and has in most cases a quasi-linear dependence on the amount of strain applied.

International Business Machines Corporation


A method of coating with a material includes the steps of moving at least one of a stage and a head relative to the other in a Y axis direction perpendicular to an X axis direction in a first pass period while positioning each ejection nozzle forming a first nozzle group in an ejectable range and positioning each nozzle forming a second nozzle group out of the ejectable range; and moving at least one of the stage and the head relative to the other in the Y axis direction perpendicular to the X axis direction in a second pass period while positioning each of the ejection nozzles forming the second nozzle group in the ejectable range.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an ejection device and a material coating method, and in particular, it relates to an ejection device and a material coating method suitable for manufacturing a color filter substrate, manufacturing an electroluminescence display device, and manufacturing a plasma display device.
2. Related Art
An inkjet device used for manufacturing a color filter or for manufacturing an electroluminescence display device or the like is known (e.g., Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-221616).
When ejecting a color filter material to an area defined as a pixel in, for example, a color filter, nozzles used for ejecting the material and nozzles not used for ejecting the material are fixedly determined. The life of the head is problematically determined by the life of the nozzles frequently (nearly always) ejecting the material.
The present invention addresses the above problem, and one advantage thereof is to provide an ejection device and a material coating method capable of reducing the deterioration of a head in an ejection process.

Ejection device, material coating method, method of manufacturing color filter substrate, method of manufacturing electroluminescence display device, and method of manufacturing plasma display device


The stability index objectively reflects system reliability and yet intuitively reflects the user experience on the system while also providing an understanding of how/when/why problems began.

Software and hardware reliability can be a significant contributor to a user's satisfaction. Currently computer system reliability is measured using various metrics such as mean time to failure, mean time to restore, availability, mean number of failures, etc. These are not intuitive to all users (consumers to IT pros) and do not provide the user with an understanding of when problems with their system began to occur and an indication of why.


A compact vibration cancellation apparatus based on a combination of air springs and electromagnetic actuators with smaller power capacity enables an anti-vibration table to be maintained in a level position even when the center of gravity of the anti-vibration table moves a large distance because of a movement of objective equipment on the table. The vibration cancellation apparatus is operable for isolating floor vibration or for canceling vibration of the objective equipment on the anti-vibration table. The apparatus includes displacement sensors, acceleration sensors, a levitation position control device, a vibration canceling control device, and air spring actuators for supporting four corners of the anti-vibration table by air pressure. The air pressure in each air spring actuator is controlled in response to a change of load which corresponds to a movement of the center of gravity caused by movement of the objective equipment on the anti-vibration table.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a vibration cancellation apparatus for isolating floor vibrations or canceling vibrations of objective equipment thereon to affect the production yield or measurement precision of objective equipment such as semiconductor fabrication devices and electron-microscopes. Particularly the invention relates to a vibration cancellation apparatus that provides a combined action of air springs and electromagnetic actuators, in which vertical support of load is primarily provided by air spring actuators, and fine control of vibrations is primarily provided by electromagnetic actuators.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, vibration-sensitive equipment, such as electron-microscopes and semiconductor fabrication equipment whose performances are adversely affected by vibrations, have been installed on the floor, by way of some vibration isolation apparatuses such as air springs and rubber sheets. Replacing the conventional air springs and rubber-based arrangements as vibration isolation devices, high performance vibration cancellation apparatuses based on magnetic levitation have been developed.
Also a combination of air springs and an electromagnetic actuator is known for isolating floor vibrations and canceling vibrations of the objective equipment on an anti-vibration table. According to these apparatuses, both air springs and electromagnetic actuators are used to actively control levitating positions and to cancel vibrations in the vertical direction. The objective equipment is supported on an anti-vibration table whose four corners are supported by actuators which include air springs and electromagnetic actuators. Three proximity sensors and three accelerometers are used to detect table displacements and accelerations, and responding actions are quickly applied through digital controllers to the pneumatic actuators and the electromagnetic actuators.
In reviewing the existing techniques of vibration canceling control, based on a combination of air springs and electromagnetic actuators, when the center of gravity of the table moves by movement of the objective equipment placed on the anti-vibration table, two methods of leveling the anti-vibration table may be considered:
(1) To control the air pressures of the air spring actuators for leveling the table, or PA1 (2) To control the vertical positions of the table by operating the electromagnetic actuators for leveling the table. PA1 (1) Because of the slow response characteristics of air springs actuators, when the center of gravity of the table moves at high velocities, the air spring actuators are not able to respond in a timely manner to keep the anti-vibration table level; and PA1 (2) Although electromagnetic actuators are able to respond quickly for keeping the anti-vibration table level, it is necessary to increase the capacity of the electromagnetic actuators such that one of the actuators can deal with the maximum anticipated load of the objective equipment, including the weight of the table. When the center of gravity of the objective equipment moves to a corner of the table, one of the electromagnetic actuators must support all of the weight in order to keep the table level. One of the problems with this approach is that the cost of the system becomes high and the system size becomes large.
However, these approaches present the following problems.


A method and apparatus for creating and detecting an optically encoded document having a uniquely designed document verification indicator is disclosed. One embodiment includes applying a spatially varying Brewster angle pattern on a substrate. Another embodiment includes an apparatus for detecting the spatially varying Brewster angle pattern including a light source, a slit aperture, a polarizer, at least one parabolic mirror, and an image capturing device.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to making and detecting document verification indicators and, in particular, to optically encoding documents with spatially varying refractive index patterned indicators and detecting the patterned indicators using a bi-directional image capturing system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Physical watermarks or watermarking in the form of watermark labels and raised seals have long been used as a means to identify and authenticate documents. These identifying marks can be easily reproduced, however, so they offer little protection against most attempts at producing a fraudulent document. Making physical document verification robust and reliable is of great importance these days, especially in view of our nation's heightened security needs and the increased requirement for accurate identification.
Known systems have attempted to overcome the inherent issues with the aforementioned physical watermarking techniques. For example, known methods use markings outside the visible spectrum. In one example, there is a method of applying a watermark visible only with an infrared detector. In another example, there includes invisible ink applied to a document where the invisible ink is only detectable using an invisible ink detection system. However, these methods are only a small advancement over visible watermarks and minimal sophistication is needed to compromise the integrity of these "invisible" watermarks through the use of inexpensive and readily available infrared cameras, and the like.
In other known watermarking methods, holograms, intaglio printing, and zero-order micro-gratings have been used for document security. These techniques may be more difficult to copy than simple scanning but the patterns are visible by the unaided eye and can be duplicated with known image capturing systems and techniques.
Thus, there is a need for the ability to produce a secure, identifiable document verification indicator, such as a watermark, undetectable by the unaided eye, conventional detection systems such as infrared detection systems, and the like. There is also a need for a document verification indicator system that can include unique information in the patterned indicator to further verify, through the use of a detection system, that the document is authentic.

Method and apparatus for making and detecting a document verification indicator using optical pattern encryption


A method for forming a stacked-die structure is disclosed in which a buried oxide layer is formed in a semiconductor wafer. Device layers and metal layers are formed on the face side of the semiconductor wafer, defining dice, with each die including an interconnect region. Openings are etched in the interconnect regions that extend through the semiconductor wafer so as to expose portions of the buried oxide layer. Conductive material is deposited within the openings so as to form through-die vias. The semiconductor wafer is then attached to a wafer support structure and material is removed from the backside of the semiconductor wafer so as to form an oxide layer having a thickness that is less than the initial thickness of the buried oxide layer. Openings are then etched within the backside of the semiconductor wafer so as to expose the through-die vias, micro-bumps are deposited over the through-die vias, and stacked dice are attached to the micro-bumps so as to electrically couple the stacked dice to the through-die vias. Thereby, a stacked die structure is formed that includes an oxide layer on the backside of the base die. Since the method does not include any high temperature process steps after the semiconductor wafer has been attached to the wafer support structure, thermally-released double-sided tape or adhesive having a low thermal budget can be used to attach the semiconductor wafer to the wafer support structure.

Integrated circuit die stacking techniques have been developed in which two or more integrated circuit devices are stacked vertically and interconnections are made between them using through-die vias. In conventional stacked-die fabrication processes that use through-die vias, conventional semiconductor fabrication process steps are performed on a semiconductor wafer so as to form a number of dice on the semiconductor wafer that are typically referred to as "base dice." Each base die will include a number of through-die vias that that extend partially through the wafer substrate. The wafer is then flipped so that it is face-side down and it is attached to a wafer support structure. Grinding and polishing processes are then performed to remove material from the backside of the wafer and expose the through-die vias. The exposed through-die vias are then attached to another die, typically referred to as the "stacked die" or "daughter die" to complete the stacked-die structure.
Several attachment mechanisms are known in the art for attaching the semiconductor wafer to the wafer support structure. One of the best wafer-attachment mechanisms is thermally-released double-sided tape. More particularly, strips of double-sided tape are placed between the semiconductor wafer and the support structure, forming a structure that will keep the semiconductor wafer flat and supported during subsequent operations. One of the biggest advantages to the use of thermally-released double-sided tape is the fact that it is easy to separate the semiconductor wafer from the wafer support structure after the manufacturing process is complete, without damaging the semiconductor wafer. Though thermally-released double-sided tape is effective for attaching semiconductor wafers to wafer support structures, they have a low thermal budget (90-200° C.) that prevents subsequent high-temperature operations. More particularly, at temperatures that exceed the thermal budget, these tapes release, which can cause defects in the event of separation of the semiconductor wafer from the wafer support structure during a process step. Though a partial separation may sometimes only produce a decreased yield, often the semiconductor wafer curls, up requiring that the entire semiconductor wafer be scrapped.
Liquid adhesive materials such as epoxy can also be used. Typically, liquid adhesives are applied in liquid form and harden to fasten the semiconductor wafer to the wafer support structure. Though some of these liquid adhesive materials are quite effective for attaching the semiconductor wafers to wafer support structures, they also have low thermal budgets (typically having a maximum temperature of 150-250° C.).
One problem with the use of thermally-released double-sided tape and liquid adhesives having a low thermal budget is the fact that passivation of the backside of the wafer is not possible using conventional passivation processes. More particularly, conventional passivation processes require temperatures in excess of 300° C., making such processes unsuitable for stacked-die fabrication processes that use thermally-released double-sided tape and other low thermal budget materials.
Another problem with conventional fabrication processes for forming stacked-die assemblies using through-die vias are the potential defects that can result from the wafer-thinning process. More particularly, conventional wafer thinning processes use polishing process steps that directly polish the through-die vias. When the through-die vias are made of soft conductive material such as, copper, the over-polishing processes can result in smearing of the metal. This can lead to undesired capacitance, current leakage, and in severe cases could lead to short circuits on the backside of the wafer. Moreover, conventional polishing and grinding processes often create nonuniformities near through-die vias (e.g., local regions that are not planar with the rest of the surface being ground or polished). The occurrence of localized nonuniformities near through-die vias is particularly apparent when the base die has only a small number of through-die vias.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method for forming a stacked-die assembly having a passivation layer on the backside of the semiconductor wafer. Also, there is a need for a process for forming a stacked-die assembly having a passivation layer that will not violate the thermal budget of the thermally-released double-sided tape or the liquid adhesive used to attach the semiconductor wafer to the wafer support structure. In addition, there is a need for a process for forming a stacked-die assembly that does not have through-die via metal smearing and that does not have localized nonuniformities near through-die vias resulting from the wafer thinning process.


In one embodiment, a method includes initializing a software application operable to switch between a standard mode and a tutorial mode. The software application includes a standard function set, a tutorial function set, and a user interface operable to supply events. The method further includes, in the standard mode, routing the events to the standard function set. In addition, the method includes, in the tutorial mode, diverting the events to the tutorial function set.

Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to computing and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to systems and methods for interactive tutorials.
History of Related Art
When end users want to learn how to use a software application, they often rely upon some form of tutorial. Tutorials can include, for example, video, audio, and/or text that aims to impart knowledge about the software application and its features. Although tutorials can foster a better understanding of the software application, this understanding is generally untested and incomplete until the knowledge is applied. Therefore, tutorials usually force end users to engage in a trial-and-error process in an active environment of the software application. This can be a time-consuming and mistake-ridden process.
Moreover, as the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.

System and method for interactive tutorials


Provided are a method, system and program for selecting storage clusters to use to access storage. Input/Output (I/O) requests are transferred to a first storage cluster over a network to access storage. The storage may be additionally accessed via a second storage cluster over the network and both the first and second storage clusters are capable of accessing the storage. An unavailability of a first storage cluster is detected when the second storage cluster is available. A request is transmitted to hosts over the network to use the second storage cluster to access the storage. Hosts receiving the transmitted request send I/O requests to the storage via the second storage cluster if the second storage cluster is available.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method, system, and program for selecting storage clusters to use to access storage.
2. Description of the Related Art
Host systems in a storage network may communicate with a storage controller through multiple paths. The storage controller may be comprised of separate storage clusters, where each storage cluster is capable of accessing the storage and provide redundancy to access the storage. If a storage cluster fails, then the host may failover to using the other storage cluster to access the storage.
In certain systems, if a storage cluster receives Input/Output (I/O) requests to a storage location, such as a track or volume, that are the subject of I/O requests pending at another storage controller, then the storage cluster receiving the I/O requests will transfer them to the other storage controller to minimize the extent to which different storage clusters apply I/Os to a same storage location. Data consistency errors may result if separate storage controllers write data in an inconsistent manner to a same storage location. This process where a storage cluster transfers I/O requests to another storage cluster to consolidate I/O requests to a same storage location at one storage cluster requires that I/O requests be quiesced to the clusters involved in the transfer during the time that the transfer occurs. This transfer of I/O requests and writes between storage controllers degrades the storage controller performance.
There is a need in the art for improved techniques for managing how hosts may select which of multiple storage clusters to use to access a storage.

Selecting storage clusters to use to access storage


The invention relates to a liquid fungicidal composition comprising (a) a fungicidally acceptable carrier comprising a mixture of 1-pentanol and 2-methylbutanol, wherein the ratio (by weight) of the 1-pentanol to 2-methylbutanol is from 1:1 to 1:10;. (b) at least one compound of formula I, ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or alkadienyl group; PA0 (c) a solubilizing agent; and PA0 (d) optionally other formulation adjuvants.. R.sup.3 represents a halogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkadienyl, alkoxy or aryl group; PA1 A represents a nitrogen atom or a CH group; or one of the salts or addition products thereof, which exists in solubilized form;

The present invention relates to certain liquid fungicidal compositions. ##STR2## are known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,792.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,770 discloses liquid concentrated fungicidal compositions comprising compounds of formula I, solubilizing agents and 1-pentanol. CARAMBA.TM. SL 60 fungicide contains metconazole as an active ingredient, a solubilizing agent and a mixture of 1-pentanol with different branched pentanols (2-methylbutanol and 3-methylbutanol) wherein the ratio (by weight) of the 1-pentanol to the branched pentanols is about 7:3. However, these formulations are not entirely satisfactory with respect to their crop tolerance. In particular, if the formulation is applied in high dose rates and in a short interval of about one week, some injury to certain crops, in particular wheat, has been observed.


There is provided a novel surface emitting laser structure unnecessary to have multilayer mirrors in both of upper and lower sides of an active layer. A surface emitting laser comprises a two-dimensional periodic structure which is comprised of an active material having a gain in a specific wavelength band of electromagnetic waves, and a reflecting mirror arranged apart by a predetermined distance so as to face the above-mentioned two-dimensional periodic structure, and these are comprised so as to make laser oscillation possible. At that time, the above-mentioned two-dimensional periodic structure is formed of a two-dimensional photonic crystal which is comprised of a dielectric, and a resonator is comprised of a reflecting mirror pair formed by combination with the above-mentioned reflecting mirror to make laser oscillation generated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vertical emitting laser. In particular, this relates to a vertical resonator type surface emitting laser in a semiconductor laser, a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL), and the like.
2. Related Background Art
Research of semiconductor lasers and EL devices which are small light sources has been done for many years. In particular, research of small and integrable surface emitting laser technology is energetically done for light on various wavelengths.
For example, Non-Patent Document 1 (Jpn. J. Appl Phys., Vol. 42, Pt. 2, No. 5B, L529) reports that a GaAs VCSEL array was made and continuous oscillation in the room temperature by current injection was achieved.
Generally, VCSEL is materialized by providing multilayer mirrors, which construct multilayer films respectively, in upper and lower sides of an active layer.


Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for causing a transducer to transmit an acoustic input signal into a member of a device. Receiving a detection signal representing reverberations of the input signal traveling within the member from a receiver. Detecting a contact of the member with an object external to the member based on a change in the detection signal, where the change in the detection signal represents an alteration in the reverberations of the input signal caused by the contact of the member with the object. Determining a position along the member of a point of the contact of the member with the object based on the change in the detection signal.

Contact sensors are used in various different technical fields ranging from touch sensitive displays to robotics and automation. Various types of sensors are used in such fields for detecting contact with an object, such as another device or a human. For example, resistive or capacitive touch sensors are used in touch sensitive displays. Pressure sensitive devices are also used in some contexts such as robotics.


An exemplary heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a building includes a primary heat pump system having a primary heat pump system size, a secondary heat pump system having a secondary heat pump system size less than the primary heat pump system size, a thermal energy storage system, and a control system operable to control operation of the primary heat pump system and the secondary heat pump system. The control system may limit operation of the secondary heat pump system to a first time period, and operates the primary heat pump system according to demand of the building.

Geothermal heat pumps are widely considered the most energy-efficient method to heat and cool buildings, and are up to 25% to 50% more efficient than conventional heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. However, the first cost of installing the ground loop is a major market barrier. Drilling boreholes or excavating trenches for the ground loop can easily add 50-100% in cost over a conventional air-source heat pump or standard air conditioning unit with natural gas heating. Additionally, the ground conditions are not always conducive for drilling/trenching, or the space is not available. As a result, less than 5% of new construction and existing buildings use this type of system.
There is a growing need for more energy efficient HVAC systems to not only save building owners money, but also to reduce or eliminate their carbon footprint. Typically, HVAC systems represent a large portion of a typical building's energy load, and zero-energy buildings need to become the new standard within the next decade to mitigate the effects of global climate change.
Some designers and installers promote a "hybrid" geothermal system to reduce the size and cost of the ground loop up to 50% by incorporating a boiler and cooling tower. The idea is to utilize the ground loop for base load heating and cooling needs, and only turn on the boiler and cooling tower on peak load days. However, one problem with this approach is that the cost is often still too high for the geothermal heat pump industry to grow significantly. Moreover, using a fossil fuel such as natural gas for heating hot water and consuming water in an open loop system goes against some of the motivation for using geothermal in the first place. The world needs to move toward a carbon-free HVAC system for sustainability reasons.
Air-to-water heat pumps are relatively uncommon, and those that are manufactured are most commonly used for radiant floor systems rather than zone heat pumps on a geothermal facility loop. Although radiant floor systems can be highly efficient, they lack the ability to precisely control temperature across various zones in a building, and do not provide dehumidification or introduce outside air. In light of these drawbacks, such radiant floor systems are mainly used in homes rather than commercial buildings.
For the foregoing reasons among others, there remains a need for further improvements in this technological field.

Super-hybrid heat pump system and method


A pressure regulator includes a housing having a chamber that receives a pressure responsive member. The pressure responsive member includes an internal charge that allows a movable portion of the regulator to react in response to pressure differentials. A preferred embodiment of the regulator includes a dampening member defined by an O-ring that exerts a drag on the pressure responsive member to address oscillations associated with high flow rates. The dampening force can be varied according to the subject invention. Moreover, a normally planar poppet retaining member reduces manufacturing costs of the regulator and allows for a highly polished surface to address concerns with impurities. A biasing arrangement is also incorporated into the regulator to assure that the poppet seals against the valve seat if the internal pressure charge of the regulator is lost.

This invention pertains to the art of pressurized fluid systems and more particularly to an apparatus for regulating the pressure in the system.
The invention is applicable to a pressure regulator and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it will be appreciated that selected aspects of the invention may have application in related fluid environments and uses.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,505 discloses a predecessor pressure regulator, the disclosure of that patent being hereby incorporated by reference. The structure disclosed therein includes a pressure responsive member disposed in a hermetically sealed housing. The pressure responsive member includes a stationary portion fixed to the housing and a movable portion interconnected thereto by a flexible member, such as a bellows. The pressure responsive member has a predetermined pressure charge enclosed therein so that axial movement occurs varying the volume and pressure in response to fluid pressure in the housing.
A self-threading poppet assembly is secured to the movable portion of the pressure responsive member. Preferably, a poppet is disposed in an inlet fluid line and cooperates with a valve seat defined at the interconnection of the inlet fluid line and the housing. The poppet is comprised of a suitable seal material that is preferably tapped upon threaded engagement with a poppet stem. This arrangement provides for a controlled, precise opening between the poppet and valve seat so that desired operational characteristics of the regulator can be achieved in accordance with design parameters.
As disclosed in the '505 patent, the poppet assembly is secured to the pressure responsive member by means of a stem clip. The stem clip includes a series of bent portions for reasons set forth in the patent. Although adequately addressing particular needs of the industry, it has been deemed desirable to provide an alternative arrangement that is less expensive to manufacture and satisfies other criteria. For example, the detailed bending in the prior arrangement consequentially raises the cost of manufacture of the stem clip. Unfortunately, the bent configuration of the clip also does not lend itself to providing a highly polished surface finish. Since certain fluid systems using these types of regulators have stringent cleanliness standards, the surface finish of each component of the regulator can be very critical.
As also detailed in the '505 patent, at high flow rates, known pressure regulators have a tendency to oscillate. In fact, the oscillations occasionally result in an audible buzzing, and the oscillations can result in pressure variations in the fluid system downstream of the regulator. That patent proposes use of a dampening means, such as an O-ring, interposed between the movable and stationary portions of the pressure responsive member. The dampening means exerts a slight drag on the axial movement of the movable portion which has proved to be highly effective in addressing the oscillation problem encountered at high flow rates.
A potential drawback to this arrangement is the effect of the dampening means on low flow rates. Specifically, the friction between the O-ring and an associated surface can limit the sensitivity of the pressure responsive member at low flow rates. Potentially, minute changes in pressure will not be effectively addressed by a pressure responsive member that incorporates a dampening means intended to resolve oscillation problems associated with high flow rates. Accordingly, it has been deemed desirable to maintain the oscillation dampening features at high flow rates, as well as to address concerns with sensitivity at low flow rates.
Still another benefit of the '505 patent is the provision for moving the pressure responsive member to a closed position if the charge is lost. For example, if the bellows were to leak and release the pressure charge, the poppet would seal against the valve seat and isolate downstream equipment from high pressure. The construction of the bellows tends to flatten under such conditions so that the pressure responsive member, particularly the poppet, moves to a shut-off or closed position with the valve seat. Due to the imprecise nature of the bellows construction, though, it has been deemed desirable to provide a positive action to urge the poppet to a closed position if the bellows loses its internal charge.


A semiconductor sensor device including a semiconductor diaphragm member having a top surface coated with an oxide layer; P+ sensor elements fusion bonded to the oxide layer at a relatively central area of the diaphragm; P+ finger elements fusion bonded to the oxide layer extending from the sensors to an outer contact location of the diaphragm for each finger; and an external rim of P+ material fusion bonded to the oxide layer and surrounding the sensors and fingers. A first glass wafer member is electrostatically bonded at a bottom surface to the fingers and rim to hermetically seal the sensors and fingers of the diaphragm member. The first glass wafer includes a depression above the sensors and has a plurality of apertures, where each aperture is associated with a separate finger at the contact location and each aperture being smaller than the associated finger lining up with the contact location wherein each contact location can be accessed via the associated aperture in the first glass wafer member. A second glass wafer member is sealingly coupled to a top surface of the first glass wafer and has a plurality of apertures aligned with the plurality of apertures of the first glass wafer member and containing a group of hermetically sealed pins for coupling to the contact locations.

Semiconductor pressure transducers are frequently used in applications which require operation in harsh environments that are corrosive and/or involve high temperatures. Accordingly, the stress sensing network of transducers used in such applications, must be protected from these harsh environmental conditions in some way in order for the transducer to remain operational over extended periods of time. In the past, surface over-coatings such as silicon nitride, silicon dioxide and the like, have been provided over the stress sensing network to protect it from harsh operating environments. However, such coatings provide only partial protection as the metalized contact areas of the sensing network remain exposed, which presents problems in applications which involve corrosive environments.
One method which enables the transducer to remain operational in corrosive and high temperature environments involves exposing the backside of the transducer to ambient pressure while hermetically sealing the stress sensing network located on the front side thereof, in the active portion of the diaphragm surface. Such a method is described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/458,405 now abandoned filed on Jun. 2, 1995 entitled: HERMETICALLY SEALED TRANSDUCER AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME, by A. D. Kurtz and assigned to Kulite Semiconductors Products, the assignee herein. The co-pending application describes a hermetic seal which utilizes a PYROCERAM glass frit or similar means, to bond a cover member to the front side of the transducer to hermetically seal the sensing network. The glass is used in the above-described application to bond the cover member to the inactive portion of the diaphragm because the fabrication processes used in forming the sensing network of the transducer will result in raised surface features when the transducer has a silicon-on-oxide (silicon-on-silicon) structure. The raised surface features such as where the sensing network extends into the contact areas, are not planar with the underlying substrate since they are formed on top of the oxide. This makes it difficult to form a hermetic seal by electrostatically or fusion bonding a cover member to the inactive portion of the diaphragm. For instance, in a silicon-on-oxide transducer structure, the entire silicon network and particularly, the regions on the inactive portion of the diaphragm leading to the metalized contact areas (lead-outs) are elevated from the oxide by several microns. Moreover, a finite space is provided between these raised lead-outs on the order of mils to prevent them from electrically shorting together. The step height of the lead-outs and the finite spaces therebetween create gaps between the cover member and the inactive portion of the diaphragm. These gaps make it virtually impossible to form a hermetic seal between the cover and the inactive portion of the diaphragm by electrostatic or fusion bonding and thus, a glass frit can be used to fill the gaps to create a hermetic cover.
Although the glass frit enables the cover member to be bonded to the inactive portion of the diaphragm to hermetically seal the stress sensing network, there are problems associated with this method. For example, the glass frit has a tendency to flow onto the diaphragm during the high temperature sealing process which causes the performance of the sensors to degrade. There are also thermal mismatching issues and other process compatibility issues which require consideration when using a glass frit. All of this makes the glass frit a difficult material to use for fabricating hermetically sealed covers.
Another problem associated with such a sensor or transducer structure is that the ball bonded lead wires are exposed to the operating environment. Consequently, particles which may be present in the pressure transmitting environment can come into contact with the lead wires and possibly damage them.
During the last few years considerable time and research has been devoted to the development of dielectrically isolated silicon on silicon piezoresistive sensors. In prior art devices the resulting structure consists of a highly doped p+ sensor network fusion bonded to an oxide layer which has been grown on an underlying support wafer. The support wafer in turn forms the flexing portion of the sensor. For instance, a dielectrically isolated Wheatstone bridge sensor consists of four resistor elements situated in a strain sensitive area of the sensor as well as at least four lead-out portions which are directed to contact areas on the non-flexing portion of the structure. It is of course obvious that each of the lead-out structures must be isolated from each other and there must be a space between them. When the sensor is affixed to an additional support structure, on the side of the sensor away from the sensor-resistive network, obtaining an hermetic seal between the sensor and the additional support structure is no problem because the non flexing surface of the support wafer is planar.
However when one attempts to fasten a support member on the sensor-network side, several problems emerge. Although it is possible to seal to the emerging fingers from the sensing network, the spaces between the emerging fingers extend into the flexing region and no hermetic seal can result. This is a particular problem when ones does not want to expose the sensing network side of the sensor to a specific pressure medium. For this case the side of the sensor not exposed to the media must be bonded to the support structure. However, this means that the bond must be made to the side containing the sensor network and the contact fingers. Thus the air leakage paths along the fingers must be sealed. One obvious method of obtaining a seal to attach the support structure to the network side of the sensor is to use a thick enough glass frit which will fill in the spaces between the fingers as well as seal the non deflecting portion of the sensor surface to the support. However, this method gives rise to certain problems. The frit generally has a different and higher thermal expansion coefficient then the silicon sensor structure and the support. It will, therefore, introduce unwanted thermal stresses in the resulting final structure. In addition, during deflection, mechanical stress is applied to the frit and for large stresses at high temperature it may yield. Moreover, the frit to structures seal is made at high temperature and some of the frit may flow onto the flexing portion of the sensor or into the contact areas thus degrading the device performance.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for hermetically sealing a semiconductor pressure transducer which substantially eliminates the use of a glass frit to bond a cover member to the active side of the transducer.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a structure which includes electrical lead outs within the structure that can be fabricated on the wafer level thus insuring a very small rugged sensor.

Ultra thin surface mount wafer sensor structures and methods for fabricating same


The present disclosure relates to an annealing apparatus and an annealing method, which are applied to the packaging art of the AMOLED panel, wherein the annealing apparatus comprises an electromagnetic wave generator coupled with a plurality of irradiators and comprises a plate whose surface is provided with the irradiators and which is placed above or below the AMOLED panel for annealing it. The method comprises the following steps: annealing the AMOLED panel by an annealing apparatus which comprises an electromagnetic wave generator and a plate having lots of irradiators; when the irradiators aim at the annealing area, the annealing areas are annealed by the high frequency electromagnetic wave generated by the electromagnetic wave generator and irradiated from the irradiators. The present disclosure can save the time of the annealing process and can improve the process situation. Meanwhile, the present disclosure increases production yield and improves product quality.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to an annealing apparatus and annealing method for packaging semiconductor product, particularly, to an annealing apparatus and an annealing method applied to packaging the AMOLED panel.
2. Description of the Related Art
Presently, because of the rapid development of the display technology, in the display technology, LCD is being replaced gradually by OLED, i.e., Organic Light Emitting Diode. Because the traditional LCD display can not emit light itself, the backlight modules need to be equipped inside of the LCD screen. However, in OLED, an organic light emitting layer is placed between the two electrodes. When the positive electrons and the negative electrons meet in the organic material, light will be emitted. Because the display screen adopting the OLED display technology will emit light when electronic current passes through, during the production of the display screen, the weight, power consumption and volume of lamps can be avoided. Therefore, the product is thinner, and the operating voltage is lower. Furthermore, the response time and the color of OLED give a good advantage over LCD, so it has a very wide range of applications.
In the OLED technology, according to the driving mode, OLED can be divided into passive organic light emitting diode panels and active organic light-emitting diode panels. Because the active organic light-emitting diode panels can be produced in a large size, can consume less energy, and can achieve the high resolution and long working life, the active organic light emitting diode display panel technology is deemed to be the development orientation of the display technology.
However, the active organic light emitting diode panel technology also has its shortcomings, such as the higher TFT variability, the complicated production process. The complication in the production process is mainly reflected in the manufacturing process and packaging process.
In the related art concerning the AMOLED packaging process, FRIT sintering technology, ODF manufacture technology and Getter coating technology are commonly applied. In these packaging technologies wherein the package is achieved by laser adopting the glass cover plate. In this process, the laser will heat the glass cover plate, causing overproduction of energy. If the surplus energy can not be removed immediately, the stress in the surface of the glass will increase. Furthermore, during the package process, in order to save material as much as possible, the glass cover plate which are used to package are arranged as close as possible, causing the stress between the adjacent areas during the laser package process. Therefore, the yield in the subsequent cutting process reduces. To solve this problem, there are two solutions being provided. One solution is sintering the glass substrates again by the laser head which has been applied in the laser package process to anneal and to remove the stress. However, because of the low speed to achieve the annealing it can not be used into the industrial production on a large scale. The other solution is reducing the distance between the adjacent glasses over plate to increase the distance between the adjacent areas. There are enough spaces for dissipating stress to ensure the yield of the subsequent cutting process. However, actually, the second method is used rarely, because the cost of this method is too high.
Therefore, an annealing art for the AMOLED packaging process which can applicable for the production on a large scale and, meanwhile, can reduce the cost of the production for AMOLED packaging process will be wanted.

Annealing apparatus and annealing method

EVERDISPLAY OPTRONICS (SHANGHAI) LIMITED


An improved sugar cane juice extractor has removable crushing rollers. The juice extractor preferably includes a housing with a juice extracting compartment and a closure for accessing the compartment. The closure is preferably a clear plate which permits viewing of the compartment during operation and, when removed, allows access to the compartment for removal of the crushing rollers and cleaning of the rollers and the compartment. A safety switch can be provided to prevent rotation of the rollers when the closure is displaced. A guide into the compartment is preferably provided to direct the sugar cane and any flavorings into the crushing rollers. A waste channel is provided for the exit of crushed cane pulp.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to juice extraction apparatus, and more particularly to sugar cane juice extraction apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Sugar cane juice extractors are often used commercially in a setting where juice is squeezed to order for individual consumers, such as at a fair or in a retail store. Sugar cane juice extractors generally have a plurality of powered crushing rollers. Sugar cane stalks are passed through adjacent pairs of the rollers, crushing the stalks and separating a fresh, drinkable juice from the remaining pulp. The crushing rollers are bulky and positioned closely to each other, making cleaning difficult. The housing is usually made of several assembled parts with many edges and crevices where dirt may accumulate, further rendering cleaning difficult. Improper or incomplete cleaning can lead to unsanitary conditions.
Presently available sugar cane juice extractors do not allow observation of the operation of the crushing rollers in the juice extracting compartment. Viewing this operation allows the operator to observe the condition of the rollers and the compartment, alerting the operator when there is a jam or when cleaning is necessary. Further, observation of the operation is an attraction for customers, who can watch the preparation of fresh juice.
It is sometimes desirable to enhance the flavor of sugar cane juice by adding fresh ginger, lemon, or some other flavoring. It is difficult, however, to introduce these ingredients to the crushing rollers due to the small relative size and a tendency of the flavoring to fall away from the rollers unless held in place.


A trace generating unit according to an embodiment of the present invention generates parallel trace information by executing a sequential program code, in case that the above-described sequential program code is parallelized and executed. The sequential program code includes a plurality of processing codes, codes to record a start and an end of the execution for each processing code, and codes to record a start and an end of the execution for each thread. The parallel trace information includes an execution sequence of the threads and an execution sequence of the processing codes for each thread.

For developing a program code (hereinafter, parallel program code) in which at least a portion of the program code is partitioned into a plurality of processing units which can be executed in parallel, a lot of cost is required. At job sites of development, a parallel program code is created in many cases by parallelizing a program code (hereinafter, sequential program code) so as to be executed in parallel.
Performance evaluation of such a parallel program code can be performed by that a programmer actually creates and executes a parallel program code using a parallelization library such as p_thread and so on. But a lot of cost is required for creating a parallel program code. In addition, as a result of performance evaluation of a parallel program code, when policy of parallelization is to be changed, a parallel program code is to be created again.
There is a technology to automatically create a parallel program code from a sequential program code and parallelization information. But a parallel program code which is automatically created may be abnormally terminated by segmentation fault and so on if combination of input sequential program and parallelization information is no appropriate. In addition, even when the parallel program code is not abnormally terminated, there is a case that a bug such as data race affects a result of control statement which controls an execution path of a program, and a performance evaluation can not be properly performed.

Trace generating unit, system, and program of the same


A card reorienting mechanism and an input hopper of plastic card processing equipment, for example a desktop plastic card printer. The card reorienting mechanism is a modular unit that permits the entire mechanism to be inserted or removed as a single unit from the printer. In addition, the input hopper is designed as an interchangeable system that permits alteration in the card capacity of the hopper.

The use of card processing equipment for processing plastic cards is well known. In such equipment, a plastic card to be processed is input into the processing equipment, at least one processing operation is performed on the input card, and the card is then output from the processing equipment. The processing operation(s) performed on the plastic card by known processing equipment includes one or more of printing, laminating, magnetic stripe encoding, programming of a chip embedded in the card, and the like.
The processing equipment is often configured in the form of a desktop unit which, to limit the size of the unit, typically perform only one processing operation on the plastic card, although the equipment may perform multiple card processing operations. An example of a popular desktop plastic card processing unit is a desktop plastic card printer which performs monochromatic or multi-color printing on a card that is input into the printer. Examples of desktop units that perform printing are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,426,283; 5,762,431; 5,886,726; 6,315,283; 6,431,537; and 6,536,758. Of these, U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,283 describes a unit that performs chip programming in addition to printing.
In plastic card desktop printers, the print mechanism is typically limited to printing on only one side of the plastic card at any one time. In order to permit printing on both sides of the card, some desktop printers include a duplex mechanism or reorienting mechanism that flips the card 180 degrees after the card has been printed on one side and the card is then returned to the printing mechanism to print on the opposite side of the card. Examples of desktop printers that include a duplex mechanism for flipping a card 180 degrees are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,806,999; 5,771,058; 5,768,143; and 6,279,901.
Moreover, many desktop plastic card processing units are configured to process a single card at any one time. Therefore, the processing of the card must be finished, and then the card output from, or nearly output from, the unit before processing can begin on the next card. However, to avoid the need to feed each card by hand into the desktop unit, the unit typically includes some form of card input hopper which holds a number of cards and which is configured to feed the cards one-by-one into the unit.
There is a continuing need for improvements to the reorienting mechanisms and to the input hoppers of plastic card processing equipment.

Plastic card reorienting mechanism and interchangeable input hopper


A process for releasably attaching a tool handle to a tool head includes the steps of (1) inserting an end of the tool handle into the tool head through a tool head aperture, (2) turning the end of the tool handle relative to the tool head to engage a pair of lands therein which prevent withdrawal of the end of the tool handle from the tool head, and (3) threading a nut onto the tool handle so as to engage a portion of the tool head adjacent to the aperture. The process is accomplished by providing the handle a connecting stud at one end thereof, wherein the connecting stud includes a pair of oppositely disposed flanges which extend generally perpendicularly outwardly therefrom. The tool head has a central cavity into which the connecting stud is inserted through the aperture. The pair of lands are capable of selectively engaging the connecting stud flanges to prevent withdrawal of the connecting stud from the tool head. The nut is threadable onto the connecting stud and has a face for engaging a portion of the tool head adjacent to the aperture to prevent movement of the connecting stud relative to the tool head and to thereby releasably secure the tool head to the handle.

This invention relates generally to hand tools. More particularly, the present invention relates to a composite hand tool having interchangeable and replaceable striking heads, and a related assembly process.
Traditionally, in percussive tools such as sledge hammers, the tool head includes an aperture or eyehole through its body which has a single or double taper. In both cases, the taper expands at the top of the tool head or that portion which is normally directed away from the user when the tool is in use. When a wooden handle is driven through the eyehole from the bottom side of the tool head, the excess wood protruding from the top side is cut off, and some wedging device, such as an ordinary wedge, is driven into the wood so that the upper end thereof is expanded to provide an inverted frustum which, theoretically, is tightly expanded into the tool eyehole. The expanded section of wood must fit within the upper tapered portion of the eyehole tightly so that the head cannot fly off during use. This is a very elemental assembly which has been in use for many years.
Recent years have seen the development of extremely strong composite tool handles formed of reinforcing fibers cured within a resin composite. Such reinforcing fibers may include fiberglass, polyester, boron, kevlar or graphite, and suitable resin composites include polyester, epoxy, phenolics, etc. With the development of these composite materials, the shaft underneath the tool head can now be made with a cross-section small enough to pass through the conventional eyehole of percussive tool heads, and yet be strong enough to withstand the impact forces likely to be encountered.
As advanced materials have been introduced to replace wood, the materials have been either bonded into the eyehole of the tool, substituting the bond for the old traditional wedge, and/or welded such as metal to metal. Whereas these techniques are suitable to some degree for the manufacture of original tools in which the handle is installed with appropriate machinery and equipment at a factory, the techniques are not suitable when practiced in the field. In the case of bonding, composite shafts have been attached to tool heads primarily by means of adhesives in the epoxy field. When utilizing such adhesives, despite the continued development of these materials, it takes care, precision and good workmanship to properly install a replacement handle in a tool head reliably in the field with no secondary tools to assist. Even in factories where the tool head is installed on a production basis, high levels of quality control must be practiced in order to insure that the head is secured to the handle under all anticipated working conditions. Further, since the high strength composite shafts are usually inadequate in cross-sectional size to be comfortable for a user's hands, a grip of rubber or some other plastic material is usually molded onto the shaft or subsequently bonded thereto in a manner which guarantees that the grip will not accidentally slide off the shaft.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,381 illustrates a hand tool which addresses many of the drawbacks of the prior art discussed above. There a replacement tool handle for a percussive tool is shown which includes a high strength, load-bearing rod which is inserted through the eyehole of a tool head from its upper end, a grip which ensheathes a portion of the rod projecting from a lower end of the tool head, and two interlocking members which fasten the grip to the rod. The rod includes a handle shaft capable of passing completely through the eyehole of the tool head, and a shaft retainer located at a first end of the shaft for preventing an adjacent end of the rod from passing through the eyehole. The shaft retainer forms a generally frusto-conical slug having an outer surface portion generally corresponding to a portion of the eyehole, an enlarged portion which is incapable of passing through the eyehole, and an inner cavity in which the first end of the shaft is secured. Both the handle shaft and an internal cavity provided the grip have non-circular cross-sections to prevent turning of the grip relative to the shaft. The interlocking members each include tooth portions which engage one another within the outer periphery of the handle in a manner which denies access to a user, thus ensuring a permanent connection.
With the trend toward miniaturization in many industries, there has developed the need for specialized tools to service new lines of product. This applies to striking tools (with percussive tool heads) as well as other specialty tool products. For example, maintenance people who service computers, copy machines, typewriters and the like must be able to carry a variety of striking tools in a very compact space.
Accordingly, there is a need for a novel hand tool which has interchangeable and replaceable striking heads, wherein a single handle may be packaged with a number of different types of striking heads into a kit which is compact and easily utilized in the field by maintenance people. The hand tool must be of such a construction that the tool head and the tool handle may be assembled to one another reliably and efficiently in such a manner which effectively prohibits the tool head from flying off the handle unintentionally. Preferably, the assembly should include a minimum number of separate parts, and should utilize standard manufacturing processes in order to reduce overall costs. Moreover, such a hand tool should permit use of a wide variety of striking tips having differing characteristics in order to maximize the flexibility of the resultant product. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

Hand tool having interchangeable and replaceable striking heads, and assembly process


A service log of a service provider is analyzed to identify IP addresses used by account holders that are populated IP addresses. Existing information about legitimate and malicious accounts of the service provider is leveraged to determine likely good and bad populated IP addresses based on the accounts that use the populated IP addresses. Features of the good and bad populated IP addresses are used to train a classifier that can identify good and bad populated IP addresses based on features of the populated IP addresses. The classifier may be used to provide security services to the same service provider or different service providers. The services include identifying malicious accounts.

Online services such as web-based email, search, and online social networks are becoming increasingly popular. While these services are used every day by billions of legitimate users, they are also heavily abused by attackers for nefarious activities such as spamming, phishing, and identity theft. To limit the damage of attacks, online service providers often rely on Internet Protocol ("IP") addresses to perform blacklisting and service throttling. While such IP-based techniques work well for IP addresses that are relatively static and related to a few users, they are not effective for IP addresses that are associated with a large number of users or user requests.
These IP addresses that are associated with a large number of users or user requests are referred to herein as Populated IP ("PIP") addresses. They are related, but not equivalent to the traditional concept of proxies, network address translators ("NATs"), gateways, or other middle boxes. On the one hand, not all proxies, NATs, or gateways are PIP addresses. Some may be very infrequently used and thus may not of interest to online service providers.
On the other hand, while some PIP addresses may belong to proxies or big NATs, others are dial-up IP addresses that have high churn rates, or datacenter IP addresses that connect to email service to obtain users' email contacts. Additionally, not all PIP addresses are associated with a large number of actual users. Although many good or trusted PIP addresses like enterprise-level proxies are associated with a large number of actual users, some abused or bad PIP addresses may be associated with few real users but a large number of fake users controlled by attackers. In an extreme case, some untrusted or bad PIP addresses are entirely set up by attackers.
Therefore, identifying PIP addresses and classifying PIP addresses as good or bad may be a useful tool for ensuring the security of online service providers. However, identifying and classifying PIP addresses is a challenging task for several reasons. First, ISPs and other network operators consider the size and distribution of customer populations as confidential and rarely publish their network usage information. Second, some PIP addresses are dynamic, e.g., those at small coffee shops with frequently changing user populations. Third, good PIP addresses and bad PIP addresses can reside next to each other in the IP address space. Fourth, a good PIP address can be temporarily abused.


An automatic pharmaceutical dispensing syringe (2), includes a main barrel (4) having hollow interior (18) sized to house a conventional pharmaceutical cartridge (16) and needle (6). A cap (6) at one end (8) of the main barrel is used to rotate a threaded dosing screw (158) housed within the main barrel. The dosing screw is permitted to move axially within the main barrel. The dosing screw threads (156) engage similar threads (146) on an elongate piston driver (140) which abuts the cartridge piston (152). A brake pad (194) secures the piston driver to the main barrel while the cap is rotated to select the desired dose. Doing so causes the dosing screw to move axially relative to the piston driver to compress an injection spring (174). The injection sequence is begun by placing the distal end (114) of an outer sleeve (10) surrounding the main barrel against the patient and pressing a trigger (130). This permits a needle insertion spring (106), captured between the main barrel and the outer sleeve, to drive the main barrel, cartridge and needle assembly distally, thus driving the needle into the patient. Only at the end of travel does the brake pad release the piston driver to permit the injection spring to drive the piston driver against the piston thus forcing the pharmaceutical through the needle and into the patient.

Patients often need to use drug self-delivery systems which are operated by the user for routine medication injections during in-home use. Diabetics must often rely on insulin delivery systems which can be used at home or at work to administer necessary insulin. Persons undergoing human growth hormone therapy must also undergo daily injections. These self-delivery systems must be safe, accurate in dose measurement, and easy to use. Conventional syringe devices have been used in the past but place the burden of accuracy for the dose measurement upon the user.
Every diabetic patient is different and may require direct and continued medical supervision. The patient, however, is commonly instructed by the physician as to the strength, type, amount and times at which insulin must be injected on a self-injection basis. The accuracy of the dose of insulin, therefore, is extremely important. Hypoglycemia, commonly referred to as insulin reaction, can occur when the blood glucose level falls very low. Such an event can happen if a diabetic patient delays or misses a meal, exercises at a higher level or for a longer duration than usual without eating, or takes too much insulin.
In contrast, not enough insulin may result in diabetic ketoacidosis. Such a condition can create loss of appetite, thirst, drowsiness, illness or infection. In severe cases, a diabetic coma can result.
Obviously, the failure to administer accurate doses of insulin can be extreme. Therefore, diabetic patients can benefit from a reliable and accurate dose setting syringe which provides selected dose amounts to furnish accurate doses of insulin or other medication.
Human growth hormone medications are very expensive and are also very critical as to dose. When the person administering the human growth hormone is not medically trained, the use of conventional syringes can make obtaining accurate, consistent injections difficult at best.
In addition to the problems associated with accurate dosing, the process of sticking a needle into one's own or somebody else's arm or leg and expulsing the liquid pharmaceutical can be, especially for the medically untrained, quite difficult.

Automatic pharmaceutical dispensing syringe


The present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing interconnected, easily separable, protective pouches, made from heat-sealable material, and adapted to enclose and protect objects. The pouches are made by feeding a continuous sheet of heat-sealable material through a folding unit, folding the material approximately in half, perforating and heat-sealing the sheet across the width of the sheet, moving the sheet downstream the length of the opening for the pouch, heat-sealing across the sheet, moving the sheet downstream the length of the edge allowances for the pouch, and repeating the steps until the desired number of pouches have been produced. The finished pouches are collected on rewind rolls.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing interconnected, easily separable, protective pouches, made from heat-sealable material, and adapted to enclose and protect objects.
To protect objects or parts which can be particularly susceptible to damage from abrasive contact with other parts or with shipping containers, the parts may be wrapped or enclosed in protective material prior to shipping. One technique is to use individual pouches, with wide openings, to enclose the parts. The pouches can be made by cutting various predetermined widths and lengths of material, assembling the material to form a pouch, and sewing the edges together. However, the cutting and sewing process to form such pouches is labor-intensive and the sewn seams can easily snag on the corners of the parts being covered, resulting in unraveled seams. In addition, because the pouches are supplied as individual units, packing of the pouches for shipment to the parts manufacturer can be labor-intensive, and the individual pouches can become tangled and unwieldy to manage during use.
There have been numerous attempts in the prior art to address the aforementioned problems. However, they have not been applied in toto to develop an efficient continuous process for producing pouches for large parts.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,682,051, issued to Sengewald, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,307, issued to Bridgeman, teach that pouches can be made from a flat tube by perforating the tube across the tube, then heat-sealing across the tube. The resulting pouches are interconnected, have single seal lines across the width of the tube, and openings approximately equal to the width of the flat tube. The pouches can be separated by tearing at the perforations near the seal line. But, the size for the openings on the pouches are restricted to the width of the tube.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,552,278, issued to Guenther, teaches using prefolded material to manufacture pouches which leave an open edge along the length of the material and which are perforated between two separate and distinct heat seals. Guenther teaches that the two heat seals are made in a single step by using a sealer with parallel sealing edges. The resulting pouches are interconnected, have openings that can be varied in length, and can be separated by tearing at the perforations near the seal line. However, one cannot start with a single-ply sheet of material to make these pouches.
It is therefore a paramount object of the present invention to provide a cost efficient method for manufacturing interconnected pouches for parts, without cutting the material and forming stitched seams, starting with a single-ply sheet of material.

Apparatus for manufacturing shipping pouches


The present invention relates to a method for synthesizing mesoporous aluminosilicate and pure silica molecular sieves of new micro-tubular morphology. The wall of the microtubules contains coaxial cylindrical pores of nanometer size. The diameter of the hollow tubular is adjustable from 0.1 to 3 micrometer by varying the reaction conditions such as the surfactant/water ratio, the addition of salts or cosurfactants, the surfactants with different carbon chain length and the silicon/aluminum ratio.

Recently, the discovery of the new family of crystalline mesoporous materials M41S by researchers at Mobil Corp. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,725) has attracted great attention. These mesoporous molecular sieves with adjustable and uniformed pore sizes in the range of 1.5 to 10.0 nm, cover a new range of potential applications. One member of this series, MCM-41, possessing a hexagonal arrangement of uniformly sized channel mesopores, has been the focus of most recent applications as catalysts and sorbents.
Because the MCM-41 materials were formed from a complex mixture of surfactants and silicate, it was suggested that the behavior of the system might be variable. However, literature reported that the morphology of MCM-41 material was in the microparticle form only. We believe that this is due to that the silicate structure, prepared from acidified silicate or highly condensed silicate, are too rigid to bend into other morphologies. Thus, we think that there is an opportunity to change the morphology of MCM-41 products to a novel structure by using a soft or less condensed silicon source.

Mesoporous aluminosilicate molecular sieves having "tubules-within-a-tubule" hierarchical order morphology and the preparation thereof