Under VTAM, or similar-type data communications system, co-executing "partner" processes typically exchange data via SEND and RECEIVE requests that are processed by VTAM. A method in accordance with the invention provides a way for optimizing this data exchange process. The optimized method bypasses VTAM to provide significant savings of system resources and improved execution speed over that required for VTAM to process the same SEND and RECEIVE requests.

This invention relates to a mapping-type optimization system for reducing computer-network data traffic between (1) an arbitrary host unit, such as a VTAM application program, which issues SEND- and RECEIVE-type instructions to a communications manager such as VTAM; and a peripheral unit such as a remote terminal. In part, the invention represents an advantageous generalization of mapping-type optimization systems taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,750,137; 4,837,679; 4,937,739; 5,005,137; and 5,046,025. all assigned to the assignee of this application.
Program Operation in the VTAM Environment
VTAM (Virtual Telecommunications Access Method) is a collection of computer program routines and macros that facilitate Systems Network Architecture (SNA) communications. VTAM is distributed by IBM and widely used on IBM-type mainframe computers. VTAM is described in detail in, among other places, the publication "Advanced Communications Functions for VTAM," published by IBM under its catalog number SC23-0015 (updated periodically; hereinafter referred to as the VTAM Manual). Some of the pertinent functions of VTAM are summarized herein, but it is assumed that those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure will be familiar with the VTAM Manual or with the information set forth therein.
Nature of VTAM. Referring to FIG. 1B, VTAM provides callable communication services to application programs that have been designed to make use of such services. Such application programs are commonly referred to as "VTAM applications" and sometimes as "APPLS" (pronounced apples) or colloquially "APPLIDS" (apple-eye-dees). A VTAM application generally comprises two portion, the processing portion and the communications portion.
The processing portion of a VTAM application is largely arbitrary. It performs whatever processing (e.g., database manipulation) is desired by the application designer. It can normally be written in any convenient computer language for which a compiler, interpreter, etc., is available.
The communications portion, normally written in assembly language, handles the application's interface with VTAM and thus with the computer system's communications facilities. The communications portion takes care of:
(1) establishing itself as a VTAM application, i.e., registering with VTAM as a user of VTAM's communications services, usually by issuing macro instructions such as OPEN to VTAM as discussed in more detail below; PA1 (2) handling requests from other logical units, conveyed by VTAM, to establish a communications session with the application program; PA1 (3) sending information to, and receiving information from, other logical units via VTAM's communications services, normally by issuing macro instructions such as SEND and RECEIVE to VTAM; and PA1 (4) when necessary, de-establishing itself as a VTAM application, normally by issuing macro instructions such as CLOSE to VTAM. PA1 (i) specifying just what service is desired, as well as additional control information, in one or more addressable storage "message boards" that are accessible to both the VTAM application and VTAM itself, and PA1 (ii) passing control to a special routine in VTAM itself that, among other things, goes and looks on the message board(s) to determine what action should be taken. PA1 (a) intercepting the outgoing signal; PA1 (b) generating an updated-state map of the buffer as it is expected to exist after the LU's receipt of the outgoing signal, PA1 (c) comparing the updated-state map with a previously-created and -saved present-state map of the buffer to generate a difference map, and PA1 (d) generating a substitute outgoing signal that repaints only selected portions of the terminal screen, e.g., those portions that would actually change as a result of the outgoing signal.
A greatly simplified representation of typical data flows in a SEND request issued by a VTAM application is depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The syntax and other conventions by which the communications portion of an application program interfaces with VTAM is sometimes referred to as the "VTAM application program interface (API)."
As seen in FIG. 1B, in step (a) the application APPL writes outgoing data to be sent to, e.g., a terminal to a buffer. In step (b), the APPL issues a SEND macro instruction to VTAM; in step (c), VTAM retrieves the outgoing data, and in step (d) VTAM sends the outgoing data to the terminal.
Public Library Closed-Stacks Analogy. For purposes of illustration, an analogy to a public library is used below and depicted in FIG. 2. Many public libraries have at least some closed-stack reserved book areas that are accessible only to library staff. Patrons wishing to get books, magazines, etc., from such an area typically must fill out request slips and turn them in to a staff member (referred to here as a "dispatcher") at a service desk located in a publicly accessible area. The dispatcher collects the request slips and passes them, either immediately or periodically in a batch, to other library staff members working in the closed stacks (referred to here as "researchers").
The dispatcher at the service desk is analogous to VTAM, in that he or she serves as an intermediary, a communications interface, between the library's closed-stack researchers and the library's patrons. The researchers working in the closed stacks are analogous to VTAM applications, because they deal with library patrons only via the dispatcher at the service desk.
The above analogy will be referred to from time to time in the discussions below. It must be understood, of course, that the analogy is only a rough one and is presented solely as an aid to understanding.
Issuance and Completion of VTAM Macro Instructions. As is well-known in the art, generally speaking VTAM applications request communication services from VTAM by:
At some point in its processing of the service request, VTAM returns control to the VTAM application. In doing so, it likewise "leaves a note" for the application in one or more message boards to indicate the status of the request processing.
Depending on the nature of the service request, control may be returned to the VTAM application upon completion by VTAM of all steps necessary to process the service request. This is commonly referred to as "synchronous" processing.
Alternatively, control may be returned to the VTAM application earlier than such completion, and generally as soon as VTAM has accepted the request for processing. This is commonly referred to as "asynchronous" processing. The VTAM application and VTAM itself each continue execution more or less in parallel as determined by the operating system of the computer system in question. VTAM reports completion of the service request by leaving a note to that effect for the VTAM application, then passing control to a special routine in the application.
In the library analogy, a closed-stacks researcher may leave a message to the dispatcher on the library staff message board, asking the dispatcher to give certain books to a library patron, and then call out the dispatcher's name to let the dispatcher know that there is work to be done. The dispatcher reads the message, complies with the request, and leaves a return note on the message board, addressed to the researcher, reporting that completion.
In synchronous processing, the researcher would not go back to work until he read the dispatcher's completion report on the message board. On the other hand, in asynchronous processing the researcher would go back to work as soon as he saw the dispatcher read the service-request message on the message board. The researcher would go back to the message board to read the dispatcher's completion report only when his (the researcher's) own name was called for that purpose.
Request Parameter List (RPL) "Message Board". Many kinds of VTAM macro instructions must indicate the address of a "request parameter list" or RPL. The RPL operates as a message board of the kind described above. Its format is described in detail in the VTAM Manual; and its operation can usefully be explained through the library analogy.
Suppose that a closed-stack researcher John Doe (analogous to a VTAM application program) retrieves several bulky books, several pages of which are to be photocopied and delivered to library patron Jane Roe (analogous to a logical unit LU). Further suppose that researcher Doe will not carry these books to the photocopy service area himself, but instead wants the dispatcher (analogous to VTAM) to do so and also to deliver the copies to patron Roe.
John Doe writes out these instructions for the dispatcher, including the fact that the photocopies are to be delivered to patron Jane Roe. Instead of attempting to deliver the specific instructions directly to the dispatcher, John Doe leaves the instructions in, say, pigeonhole number 432 shown in FIG. 2. He then writes a separate, very short note on the library staff message board saying only that there is photocopy work to be done, and that more detailed instructions are located in basket number 432. These more detailed instructions (i.e., control information) and the numbered basket are analogous to an RPL and its address.
John Doe calls the dispatcher's name to get his attention and points at the message board; the dispatcher, perhaps operating in accordance with a priority scheme of some sort, eventually retrieves the detailed instructions from pigeonhole number 432. This frees up researcher John Doe to go back to work if he so desires (thus an example of asynchronous processing; as noted above, John Doe may instead elect to wait around for the dispatcher to report completion of the task, referred to as synchronous processing).
Normal OPEN Processing by VTAM
As alluded to above, a VTAM application commonly establishes itself as a user of VTAM's communication services by issuing macro instructions such as OPEN. An OPEN instruction is analogous to closed-stack researcher John Doe announcing his arrival for work at the beginning of a shift.
The OPEN instruction specifies certain things to VTAM so that VTAM knows what to do in specific situations. This is analogous to the closed-stack researcher John Doe locating an empty desk and signing in on a chart indicating that he will be working at that particular desk today. This sign-in procedure permits the dispatcher to determine where requests that are to be passed specifically to John Doe should be routed.
As shown in simplified form in FIG. 3, in the same vein the VTAM application constructs an access method control block (ACB) and an exit list (EXLST) in addressable storage (step (a)). The formats of these two control blocks are described in detail in the VTAM Manual and are briefly described below.
The access method control block ACB constructed by the VTAM application is an area of addressable storage that is used by both VTAM and the application. The ACB conforms to the conventional VTAM format; that is, the order and type of data in the ACB storage area conforms to a set of rules so that both the application and VTAM can identify and access the ACB data, which are used primarily to identify the application to VTAM. The ACB includes a pointer to the exit list EXLST, shown in FIG. 3 as A(EXLST).
In the library analogy, the ACB corresponds roughly to the part of the researcher sign-in chart that identifies the desk at which researcher John Doe will be working during his shift.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the exit list EXLST serves as a "card catalog" containing the locations of procedures to be performed upon the occurrence of specified events. The exit list EXLST is an area of addressable storage that contains the names of (or addresses other pointers or references to) any "user exit points" previously established by the application. These are shown in FIG. 3 as A(ATTN), . . . A(TPEND). Each user exit point is a program (routine) to which control should be passed by VTAM upon the occurrence of a specified event. For example, in all likelihood the application will include a routine to be given control upon the occurrence of a request to establish a session by an end user at a terminals. The exit list EXLST for such an application would normally contain a reference to a LOGON exit to which control should be passed upon such an occurrence.
In the library analogy, suppose that the closed-stack researcher John Doe is, among other things, conducting an end-user survey to help determine how the library's Russian literature collection might be improved. Toward that end, he wishes to make photocopies of all Russian-literature request slips submitted by library patrons for his later use in this project, and has left detailed instructions with the library's photocopying staff in this regard.
When John Doe signs in for a shift, he might specify, in a special block of the sign-in chart, that whenever the dispatcher desires to route a request slip to him that involves Russian literature, he (the dispatcher) should send the request slip to the photocopying service area to be copied. Clearly, John Doe need not write out, in his space on the sign-in chart, the detailed instructions that he has already left with the photocopying staff; he need only indicate in that space that certain request slips are to be photocopied in the photocopy service area in accordance with the procedures that he has already specified in that area.
This special block on the library sign-in chart thus contains a "pointer" to the photocopying service instructions desired by John Doe upon the routing of a Russian-literature request slip to him. This block is analogous to an application program's exit list EXLST, which includes pointers to user exit routines to which control is to be passed by VTAM upon the occurrence of specified events.
Establishment of VTAM Sessions by APPLs
After a VTAM application program has successfully signed in for work, so to speak, with VTAM, the application can establish one or more work sessions (usually referred to simply as "sessions") with end users of, e.g., terminal equipment or with other VTAM applications (any of which is conventionally referred to as a "logical unit" or LU).
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the session-establishment process normally begins when a logical unit LU (shown in FIG. 4 as USER) sends a formatted signal to VTAM requesting that a session be established with a particular VTAM application (step (a), shown in FIG. 4 as LOGON REQUEST). If the VTAM application in question has signed in for work as described above, then VTAM "drives" the appropriate exit for that application. That is, VTAM passes control to the application's routine specified in the exit list EXLST (e.g., the LOGON exit routine) if any. This exit routine typically collects information about the session being established (referred to as a "pending" session until it is established) and returns control to VTAM. VTAM is thus freed up to process other exit routines, while the application can proceed with setting up formatted data storage areas, specific to the pending session, in accordance with VTAM conventions, and to perform other session-preparation work.
Among the formatted areas set up by the VTAM application in preparation for a new session is a "node initialization block" NIB. The NIB contains information to identify and define the session. It may contain a pointer to a special exit list EXLST, the exit routines of which override certain exit routines specified in the access method control block ACB as described above for the particular session. The node initialization block NIB also specifies the initial CONTINUE mode (ANY or SPECIFIC) for the session, explained in more detail in Section 1.4(e) below.
Eventually, assuming that the VTAM application is willing to establish the requested work session, the VTAM application advises VTAM that it has completed its session-establishment preparations, and that it is ready to begin the requested work session. It does so by issuing to VTAM an OPNDST (open destination) macro instruction. This macro instruction is accompanied by a pointer to a request parameter list RPL, which contains the address of the node initialization block to be used for the new session as well as other control information pertinent to the specific VTAM service desired by the application (in this case, completing a session-establishment request), e.g., a BIND argument and associated data relating to the proposed session.
VTAM processes the OPNDST macro instruction in part by assigning a unique communications identifier or "CID" to the session being established. The CID is VTAM's method of "tagging" each session for identification; it is used by VTAM as an index into a lookup table of session-information storage areas. VTAM informs the VTAM application of the CID by copying it to the CID field of the node initialization block NIB and/or to the ARG field of the request parameter list RPL, depending on the specific circumstance, as described in the VTAM Manual. The VTAM application thereafter uses the CID to identify the specific session in requesting services from VTAM.
Sending and Receiving Data via VTAM
After a session has been established between an end-user (a logical unit LU) and a VTAM application, the application can send data to or receive data from the LU, in either case doing so via VTAM's communications services. These services may be invoked by the application through the issuance of a SEND or RECEIVE macro instruction to VTAM. These macro instructions ("requests" for data transfers) may refer to (i) control information, specified by the application in the request parameter list RPL as described in Section 1.1(d) above; and optionally may refer to (ii) data to be transferred, normally stored in the VTAM application's addressable storage area.
Chains of Request/Response Units (RUs). Data is normally transferred between the application and VTAM in pieces no larger than a specified size. Each piece is referred to as a "request/response unit" or RU. The specified size of the RU is referred to as the RUSIZE and is normally determined by system programmers who operate and maintain the particular computer system in question. In many if not most systems, the RUSIZEs for incoming and outgoing data may be different.
If a VTAM application must transfer data larger than the RUSIZE, and the particular VTAM environment does not support the Large Message Performance Enhancement Outbound (LMPEO) RPL operand, then the APPL must first break the data stream into a chain of smaller request units or RUs. When the RUs in a chain are more than two in number, they are referred to respectively as first in chain (FIC), zero or more middle in chains (MIC), and last in chain (LIC). Depending on the amount of data to be transmitted, a chain may include only one RU (only-in-chain or OIC); a two-RU chain does not have a middle in chain RU. Several examples of RU chains are shown in FIG. 5.
SEND Requests from a VTAM Application. A SEND request is a request issued to VTAM by a VTAM application that wishes to transmit data and/or control information to a logical unit LU. The general flow of data and control information for a SEND request is illustrated in FIG. 6.
The VTAM application can specify, by including a RESPOND operand in the request parameter list RPL for the SEND request, whether and how the receiving LU should report back the successful or unsuccessful receipt and processing of that SEND request. A "definite response requested" notation in the RPL indicates that the receiving LU should report either successful receipt and processing (referred to as a "positive response") or unsuccessful receipt and processing (referred to as a "negative response"). An "exception response requested" notation in the RPL indicates that the receiving LU should report back only unsuccessful receipt and processing, i.e., only negative responses are desired.
SEND-request sequence numbers are assigned by VTAM (in the case of normal-flow requests) or by the VTAM application (in the case of expedited-flow requests). These sequence numbers help VTAM and/or the application correlate a receiving LU's success/no-success response with the SEND instruction that requested such a response.
Because VTAM acts as an intermediary between the sending VTAM application and the receiving logical unit LU, the VTAM application does not become aware of the LU's success/no-success response to the SEND request until notified by VTAM. In issuing a SEND request, the VTAM application can specify in the request parameter list RPL just how and when it is to be so notified. The RPL operand POST=RESP indicates to VTAM that the VTAM application wants to wait until this response is received before continuing its own execution. (In this case, the LU's response is copied by VTAM to the RPL, where it may be accessed by the VTAM application.) Alternatively, the RPL operand POST=SCHED indicates to VTAM that the VTAM application does not want to wait for the receiving LU's success/no-success response, and accordingly that VTAM is to notify the VTAM application as soon as VTAM has accepted the SEND request so that the VTAM application can proceed with its own execution.
RECEIVE Requests from a VTAM Application. A RECEIVE request is a request issued to VTAM by a VTAM application that is ready and wishes to receive data and/or control information from a logical unit LU. Each RECEIVE request includes a pointer to a request parameter list RPL, in which additional control information can be specified by the VTAM application. A VTAM application can have numerous RECEIVE requests pending simultaneously.
As shown in simplified form in FIG. 7 and in somewhat more detail in FIG. 8, VTAM collects RECEIVE requests from VTAM applications (shown as APPL in the figures). It also collects data from one or more users (e.g., terminal operators) or other logical units LU.
RECEIVE ANY vs. RECEIVE SPEC(ific). A VTAM application frequently has multiple sessions on-going at any given time, each session being identified by a CID as explained in Section 1.3. The application may wish to issue a RECEIVE request that is, or alternatively that is not, specific to any particular session.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show in simplified form the general flow of data and control information for a RECEIVE request. By specifying the operation code ANY in the request parameter list RPL for the RECEIVE request in question (OPTCD=ANY), the VTAM application can indicate to VTAM that VTAM can complete that RECEIVE request by giving the application incoming data intended for any session. Alternatively, the VTAM application can use the operation code SPEC (for specific) to indicate to VTAM that only data intended for a specified session can be used to complete that particular RECEIVE request.
CONTINUE ANY vs. CONTINUE SPEC(ific). Suppose that a VTAM application issues several RECEIVE ANY requests, and that soon thereafter VTAM completes one of these requests with a query from an end user operating a terminal (the terminal thus functioning as a logical unit LU, of course). Receipt of the query may touch off a conversation between a subroutine of the VTAM application and the end user LU. The subroutine might be one that is designed to handle the specific type of query send by the end user.
Such a conversation between the VTAM application's subroutine and the end user would take the form of a series of SEND and RECEIVE requests issued by the subroutine. The RECEIVE requests would include the operation code OPTCD=SPEC because the subroutine's interest in receiving data would extend only to the specific end user's session and not to any other session.
In this situation, a problem can arise if one of the other RECEIVE ANY requests remains pending (uncompleted) during this conversation. The subroutine may have issued its RECEIVE SPECIFIC requests to match its SEND requests in anticipation of getting specific information back from the end user in the conversation. If VTAM uses that specific information to complete the previously-pending RECEIVE ANY requests, however, the RECEIVE SPECIFIC requests might not be completed for a long time (more likely, the subroutine would eventually assume that an error had occurred).
The VTAM application can address this problem by specifying in its RECEIVE ANY requests that, upon completion of any one of these requests, VTAM should shift into RECEIVE SPECIFIC mode (i.e., suspend processing of RECEIVE ANY requests) for that particular session only until told otherwise. This may be done by including the operand "CONTINUE=SPEC" (for SPECIFIC) in the request parameter list RPL for each of the RECEIVE ANY requests.
If CONTINUE=SPEC is included in the example above, VTAM completes the first RECEIVE ANY request by delivering the end user's query to the VTAM application. Because of the CONTINUE=SPEC operand, however, VTAM at that point suspends processing RECEIVE ANY requests for that particular session.
Suppose now that the VTAM application's subroutine completes its handling of the end user's query by issuing a final SEND request (e.g., to report completion to the end user). The request parameter list RPL for this SEND command may include an operand CONTlNUE=ANY to cause VTAM to resume processing of RECEIVE ANY requests for that session.
As documented in the VTAM Manual, a session's CONTINUE ANY.vertline.SPEC mode is tracked separately for each of the three different types of RECEIVE input that are permissible under VTAM, namely DFSYN (for normal data flows), DFASY (for expedited data flows), and RESP (for responses).
VTAM Session Termination; CLOSE of APPL
A VTAM application can terminate a session between itself and another logical unit LU (e.g., an end user operating a terminal) by issuing a CLSDST (Close Destination) or TERMSESS (terminate session) macro instruction to VTAM. This macro instruction may include the CID of the session in question to help VTAM identify the proper session to be terminated.
When all of a VTAM application's on-going sessions have been terminated and the application no longer needs any VTAM communications services, the application can take itself off-line, so to speak, by issuing a CLOSE macro instruction to end its communications with VTAM.
Single Session Limitations on End Users
Up to this point, the discussion has been from the perspective of the VTAM application. A limitation of much of the "installed base" of terminal hardware and other peripheral devices is usefully described from the perspective of the end user, e.g., a person operating a terminal device (which device operates as a logical unit LU as noted above).
Many if not most existing device-type logical units do not support more than one session at a time. That is, such an LU cannot be "in session" with more than one VTAM application at a time; nor can such an LU engage in multiple sessions with a single VTAM application, even though the VTAM application itself can engage in multiple sessions with different LUs.
Prior attempts have been made to address this installed-base problem with "add-in" software. These prior attempts appear to have been less than satisfactory.
One prior approach may be referred to as the "CLSDST PASS" approach. Generally speaking, an end user desiring to use a VTAM application logs on instead to a special session manager VTAM application that displays a menu of available VTAM applications. When the user selects an item from the menu, the session manager application issues a CLSDST PASS macro instruction followed by a SIMLOGON to VTAM to cause VTAM to terminate the end user's session with the session manager and to pass the end user to a new session with the VTAM application selected from the menu. This approach has the advantages including simplicity and low overhead, and it provides some user flexibility in logging on to other VTAM applications, but it also has disadvantages including permitting only one session at a time.
Another prior approach may be referred to as the relay session manager approach. In that appproach, a session manager VTAM application establishes numerous access method control blocks ACB, thus fooling VTAM into believing that the session manager application is actually several distinct applications (referred to below as virtual applications). An end user may establish a VTAM session with one of these virtual applications in the usual way described above; the session manager application in turn may establish multiple sessions with other VTAM applications and link these sessions among the end users logged onto the virtual applications.
In effect, an end user under the relay session-manager approach goes into a single session with the session manager VTAM application. The session manager in turn establishes multiple sessions with other VTAM applications, as directed by the end user, and relays information between them. While this approach permits multiple sessions as well as centralized mapping-type optimization, the overhead costs can be dramatic (among other problems).
Mapping-Type Optimization with Input Suppression
The commonly-owned patents referred to above in Section 1 teach methods of performing mapping-type optimization coupled with input suppression. Very generally speaking, mapping-type optimization involves reducing the size of an outgoing data stream, i.e., one being routed from a VTAM application to a terminal or other logical unit LU, e.g., for display on a terminal buffer. Such an outgoing data stream may include instructions for unnecessary repainting of the terminal screen with, e.g., characters that are identical to the characters that are already present on the screen--to that extent wasting the resources used to route the outgoing data stream. Mapping-type optimization generally entails:
"Input suppression" takes advantage of the present-state map to override instructions from an APPL to a terminal or other LU to transmit certain portions of its buffer contents back to the APPL regardless whether those portions have actually changed. An APPL may include such an instruction, for a given field in a terminal's buffer, by pre-setting the modified data tag (MDT) in the field attribute byte for that field.
When the terminal's user hits the ENTER key (or equivalent command), the terminal's control software causes it to transmit a data stream that includes the contents of all fields whose MDTs are set. A field's MDT may be set by the terminal itself in response to editing of the field contents by the terminal user, or it may be pre-set by the APPL as mentioned in the previous paragraph. In the latter case, the field is referred to as "premodified field."
The incoming data stream generated by the terminal would thus include the contents of any fields whose MDTs were pre-set by the APPL (where the MDTs were not otherwise cleared, e.g., by the ERASE INPUT command), regardless whether those contents had actually been changed by the terminal user. This results in unnecessary network traffic.
When an updated-state map of a terminal's buffer contents are saved for later user in mapping-type optimization, the contents of premodified fields are already available and thus need not be re-sent by the terminal. Thus, pre-set MDTs can be cleared. Because the APPL is expecting the contents of the corresponding premodified fields to form part of the incoming data stream, however, those contents can be "spliced" into the data stream by copying from the previously-saved map. cl SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Under VTAM, or similar-type data communications system, co-executing "partner" processes typically exchange data via SEND and RECEIVE requests that are processed by VTAM. As described in detail in Sections 4.5 through 4.8 below, a method in accordance with the invention provides a means for optimizing this data exchange process. The optimized method bypasses VTAM to provide significant savings of system resources and improved execution speed over that required for VTAM to process the same SEND and RECEIVE requests.

Bypass SEND and RECEIVE optimizer method for VTAM processes


This invention provides a system and method for authorizing automated value transfers from an account available to users who do not have a pre-existing trust, business or financial relationship. In an embodiment of the present invention, a Sender at a first location purchases a PIN Card at a point of sale, such as a retail location or a bank teller. The Sender contacts an intended Recipient at a remote location and discloses a Transfer PIN associated with the PIN Card, as well as the amount being transferred, to that intended Recipient. The Recipient needs only the Transfer PIN and a Cash Card to receive the money transfer at a participating remote location. To receive the value associated with the PIN Card, the Recipient inserts or swipes the Cash Card at an ATM and enters the Transfer PIN. An authorization system then authorizes the dispensing unit to dispense that value amount.

As long ago as when people began interacting with others in far-off locations, there has been a need for transferring money to relatively remote locations. As electronic communications became increasingly prevalent, "money wiring" was developed to transfer money rapidly to distant locations. Today, people continue to find the need to send or receive money rapidly, in situations ranging from a parent sending money to a child away at college to a tourist in need of money in a foreign country after having a wallet or purse stolen. However, one drawback of conventional money wiring services is that they typically require a direct or indirect relationship with a bank or other financial institution. For example, some services require that the sending party either has an existing bank account with the institution transferring the funds, while others require the sending party to present a credit card or other bank card with cash advance capabilities. This may simply not be an option for some users, such as migrant or seasonal workers who want to send money back to family at a distant location, including a foreign country, but do not have bank accounts or credit cards due to their itinerant nature or lack of credit history. Moreover, conventional money wiring services typically require that both the sending and receiving party have access to money wiring facilities such as a bank teller or a Western Union location, and that such locations be open at the time of day at which the Sender wishes to send and the Recipient seeks to retrieve the funds.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method for transferring value that allows a Sender and receiver to transfer money without a preexisting relationship with a financial institution such as a bank or other credit card issuer. There is also a need for such a system and method to be implemented using existing financial or electronic banking networks and without the need for extensive new infrastructure at either the sending or receiving location.

Method and system for automated value transfer


A method for diagnosing a cardiac disorder by detecting levels of cardiac-specific membrane polypeptides in tissue samples.

Heart disease and cardiac disorders are a major cause of death in the developed world. One particular category is described as acute cardiac disorders (ACD). ACDs are caused by the rupture or erosion of atheromatous plaques in epicardial coronary arteries. The exposure of the plaque core activates the clotting cascade and results in thrombosis within the plaque. This then initiates platelet aggregation. There are three possible mechanisms by which damage to the myocardium may then occur.
Firstly, intraluminal platelet aggregation may cause sufficient vascular occlusion for cardiomyocyte damage to occur. Occlusion does not have to be total to produce myonecrosis. Partial occlusion will produce a reduction in the rate of blood supply in the myocardium downstream. If there is already supply/demand mismatch in this area, the reduction in blood supply may be enough to render an area of myocardium non-viable. The tissue will then become sufficiently ischaemic for necrosis to occur. This is most likely to affect small areas of myocardium at the watersheds of different branches of the vascular supply.
The second mechanism is the release of platelet microaggregates. These will embolise small vessels causing ischaemia and localised infarction (Davies et al, 1986; Falk E, 1995).
Finally, progression of white thrombus formation to activation of the clotting cascade will result in partial or total occlusion of the vessel. Partial occlusion will produce ischaemia and necrosis if it produces inadequate flow to maintain tissue viability downstream, as described above. Total occlusion will initially produce ischaemia. This will progress to necrosis if maintained and there is inadequate or no collateral blood supply.
In order to either limit or prevent myocardial damage it is therefore desirable to detect ischaemia caused by cardiac disorders before it progresses to necrosis/infarction. In theory, if ischemia can be detected prior to progression to necrosis, it may be possible to intervene to either limit or prevent myocardial damage.
Attempts have been made to detect ischemia using a number of biomarkers, for example choline, unbound free fatty acids (FFAu) and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA®). Unfortunately all of these markers suffer from the disadvantage that assays relying on them can not easily discriminate between patients with or without cardiac disorders. In addition, although these assays may be sensitive, allowing early detection, they lack specificity. Furthermore, the markers are often chemically derived and are produced in any ischemia or as part of normal physiology, for example lactate or free fatty acids. Other early markers such as myoglobin and CK-MB isoenzyme are elevated in non-cardiac diseases such as skeletal muscle trauma/diseases and renal failure.
In light of the problems associated with ischemia biomarkers, tests for biomarkers of myocardial necrosis are used to diagnose cardiac disorders. The measurement of the cardiac troponins, cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI), have become recognised as the diagnostic reference standard for myocardial necrosis and as such may be predictive for myocardial infarction. Release kinetics show troponin elevation occurs approximately 4-6 hours after the onset of the myocardial necrosis and peak at 12-14 hours. There is therefore a window of 4-6 hours in which myocardial damage is occurring, but a diagnosis cannot be made and the correct treatment cannot be initiated.
In addition, the sensitive nature of these tests has also revealed that myocardial necrosis is also found in a range of other clinical situations, highlighting the need to use all clinical information for diagnosis of cardiac disorders.
There is therefore a need in the art for methods which are capable of sensitively, specifically and rapidly detecting the onset of cardiac ischemia and myocardial necrosis caused by cardiac disorders at the earliest possible point.

Methods and devices for diagnosing cardiac disorders


A system for providing hosts with a capability to determine which threshold rule of a plurality of threshold rules to use based upon threshold consensus. For example, the system would address a configuration case of several hosts sharing an output port of a fabric via zoning and that port being connected to a single port of a storage controller. If one host is executing lower priority jobs and its threshold is much higher than another host with higher priority jobs and a lower threshold, and the storage controller recognizes that several hosts are sharing the same storage controller port, the consensus will be to ignore the threshold of the first host and to use the threshold of the second host to prevent performance degradation in the system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the field of computers and similar technologies, and in particular to managing path failure threshold consensus within computer system environments.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computing devices generate information. It is known in the art to store such information using a plurality of data storage devices disposed in an automated data storage system. An originating host computer may be in communication with a storage controller using a plurality of communication paths.
Using prior art methods, when a host computer detects a path failure during I/O to a storage device the host computer begins a path verification protocol. The host computer typically sends path verification commands to the device through each logical path recited in a device path mask. If the data returned in one of the path verification commands does not match the expected result, or the host path verification command times out, the host removes that logical path from the device path mask. At the completion of the path verification process, the device path mask may or may not still include the failed logical path.
The path verification process can become extremely time consuming if I/O failures are detected for multiple logical control units within the failure window of the several logical paths. As a result, a host computer can expend an inordinate amount of time and processing resources executing path verification commands rather than I/O commands. As a result, data storage system performance can be degraded.
In large, enterprise data processing system environments, a system 390 type host or other hosts that attach to a storage control unit are often use a channel path identifier (CHPid) operation to physically connect to a storage controller host adapter port directly to an input port of a switch. From the switch, the input port can be zoned to go to one or more output ports of the switch. The output port of a switch can be connected to a storage controller port. A host may have configured several CHPids to access different storage controller ports through direct or switch connection.
Through a physical connection between a CHPid and one or more input ports of a storage controller, a host establishes logical paths to communicate with a storage controller. A host may establish one or more logical paths per each logical control unit (LCU) of a storage controller. An LCU is the entity that contains a plurality of devices (e.g., up to 256 devices) to which a host accesses to perform input output (I/O) operations. To access a device from different logical paths of the same CHPid or several CHPids, it is known for a host to group up to eight logical paths into one path group.
Many system configurations can include multiple hosts accessing a single storage controller via a switch fabric. Where a failure is located between the switch and the port of the storage controller, performance of several hosts may be affected. It is also possible that a user might configure the switch through zoning to use one switch port for the connection of logical paths from different hosts. In this case, if different hosts set forth different failure threshold requirements, there would be a conflict in threshold requirements among the several hosts sharing the same physical connection between the switch fabric and the storage controller.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method to manage path failure threshold consensus

International Business Machines Corporation


A polishing apparatus includes a plurality of polishing fluid supply openings terminating in a polishing surface of a polishing table, and a plurality of grooves which are formed in the polishing surface and arranged so as not to be in direct communication with the polishing fluid supply openings. The polishing apparatus further includes a polishing fluid supply system for supplying a polishing fluid to a surface of a substrate through the openings. The grooves may extend at right angles relative to one another so as to define a plurality of lands therebetween, and the polishing fluid supply openings are formed through the lands.

This invention relates to a substrate polishing apparatus for polishing a surface of a substrate, including a semiconductor wafer, and operates by pressing a surface of a substrate to be polished against a polishing surface of a polishing table, and effecting a relative motion between these respective surfaces.
Conventional substrate polishing apparatuses comprise: a polishing table; a polishing pad, which functions as a polishing surface, provided on an upper surface of the polishing table; and a substrate carrier for holding a substrate to be polished. During a polishing operation, a substrate is held in place by the substrate carrier, and a surface of the substrate to be polished is pressed against the polishing surface of the polishing table, with relative motion being effected between these respective surfaces while a polishing fluid is supplied to the polishing surface.
Recent advances in semiconductor technology, including integration density, have given rise to a need for an improved substrate polishing apparatus which is able to both uniformly and efficiently polish a substrate surface.
A conventional substrate polishing apparatus suffers from a problem in that the substrate carrier for holding a substrate to be polished vibrates during a polishing operation. This vibration is caused by a frictional force generated between the substrate and polishing surfaces when polishing liquid is not supplied appropriately. This vibration affects the apparatus as a whole, and has a negative effect on production capacity. It also generates noise in a work environment.
A further problem with this prior art apparatus is that it consumes as much as 200 ml/min of slurry as polishing fluid, which makes substrate polishing operations expensive.
In view of these stated problems of the prior art apparatus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a polishing apparatus in which substrate carrier vibration does not occur, and in which an amount of polishing fluid consumed is significantly reduced.


Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide lighted vehicle beaconing, particularly for micro-mobility fleet vehicles. A lighted vehicle beaconing system includes a vehicle light assembly configured to be coupled to and/or integrated with a micro-mobility fleet vehicle and a logic device configured to communicate with the vehicle light assembly. The vehicle light assembly includes a programmable light element configured to receive a lighting control sequence and generate a multicolored and/or animated lighting sequence corresponding to the received lighting control sequence. The logic device is configured to determine the lighting control sequence and to generate the multicolored and/or animated lighting sequence by providing the lighting control sequence to the programmable light element of the vehicle light assembly.

Contemporary transportation services can incorporate a variety of different types of vehicles, including motorized or electric kick scooters, bicycles, and/or motor scooters designed to transport one or perhaps two people at once (collectively, micro-mobility fleet vehicles). Rider safety and rental convenience are paramount, particularly when such vehicles are incorporated into a dynamic transportation matching system that links requestors or riders to fleet vehicles for hire or temporary rental and personal use. However, as more micro-mobility fleet vehicles are introduced into the transportation services marketplace, it can become difficult to find a particular requested vehicle in a crowd of similarly styled vehicles, and requestor confusion can increase and degrade the overall quality perceived by prospective riders. Moreover, as traffic congestion increases with the general trend of increased rental of micro-mobility fleet vehicles for daily transportation needs, additional safety features are desirable to help reduce any possible congestion-related risk of damage to the rider, bystanders, other vehicles, and the fleet vehicle itself.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for systems and methods to reduce requestor confusion associated with locating a rented micro-mobility fleet vehicle and to increase rider safety generally, particularly in the context of a dynamic transportation matching system providing transportation services incorporating such micro-mobility fleet vehicles.

Lighted vehicle beaconing systems and methods


An icemaker is mounted remotely from a freezer compartment. The icemaker includes an ice mold. A thermoelectric device is provided and includes a warm side and an opposite cold side. A flow pathway is connected in communication between the cold side of the thermoelectric device and the icemaker. In one aspect, a fan is operatively positioned to move air from the fresh food compartment across the warm side of the thermoelectric device and a pump moves fluid from the cold side of the thermoelectric device to the icemaker. Cold air, such as from a refrigerator compartment, may be used to dissipate heat from the warm side of the thermoelectric device for providing cold fluid to and for cooling the ice mold of the icemaker.

Household refrigerators commonly include an icemaker to automatically make ice. The icemaker includes an ice mold for forming ice cubes from a supply of water. Heat is removed from the liquid water within the mold to form ice cubes. After the cubes are formed they are harvested from the ice mold. The harvested cubes are typically retained within a bin or other storage container. The storage bin may be operatively associated with an ice dispenser that allows a user to dispense ice from the refrigerator through a fresh food compartment door.
To remove heat from the water, it is common to cool the ice mold. Accordingly, the ice mold acts as a conduit for removing heat from the water in the ice mold. When the ice maker is located in the freezer compartment this is relatively simple, as the air surrounding the ice mold is sufficiently cold to remove heat and make ice. However, when the icemaker is located remotely from the freezer compartment, the removal of heat from the ice mold is more difficult.
Therefore, the proceeding disclosure provides improvements over existing designs.

Refrigerator with icemaker chilled by thermoelectric device cooled by fresh food compartment air


A portfolio of debt instruments, managed by an asset manager according to the terms of an asset management agreement between the asset manager and a sponsor, is a debt index. Multiple deals, as collateralized obligations, are linked to the debt index. Changes to the index by the asset manager are reflected in the linked deals. A break in the linkage to the index can be triggered by different events.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of debt obligations and more particularly to collateralized debt obligations.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various forms of Collateralized Debt Obligation (CDO) structures are known. For example, Asset-Managed CDOs can provide a tool for clients to invest in a tranche of a managed portfolio, but they lack the flexibility that some clients desire. Traditional CDO transactions have a pre-defined ramp-up period and closing date which must be observed. This can cause a lack of flexibility with respect to execution timing. Traditional CDO transactions offer certain tranches in the form of swaps and other tranches in the form of notes. This can cause a lack of flexibility with respect to the format. The counterparty for clients of a traditional CDO is normally an SPV. This can cause a lack of flexibility with respect to the counterparty. Traditional CDO transactions are predefined and, once structured, provide little flexibility with respect to individual investors' transaction size wishes. This can cause a lack of flexibility with respect to transaction size. The transactions resulting out of a traditional CDO are normally pre-defined and there is little possibility to accommodate client's needs and risk/return preferences. This can cause a lack of flexibility with respect to structuring.
One existing structure is CDO tranching based on a syndication approach. In this approach, the CDO is typically managed by an asset manager on behalf of an investor. However, the structure is somewhat inflexible in terms of format, size, exact risk/return profile, structure and execution timeline.
Another existing structure is Customized Equity, CLIP and Mezzanine tranche. In this approach, each deal is tailor-made. However, the deal is based on a portfolio that is not managed by an outside asset manager. Instead, the portfolio is either static or lightly managed by the investor himself.
Because the known CDO structures lack either certain flexibility for client/investor needs, or do not provide portfolio management, what is needed is a system and method that provides greater flexibility and also provides for enhanced portfolio management.
The preceding description is not to be construed as an admission that any of the description is prior art relative to the present invention.

System and method for manager enhanced return on collateralized debt obligation transactions


The rotating shaft of the motor is connected to and disconnected from the first coupled rotating shaft, the crankshaft of the engine, and the drive shaft is connected to and disconnected from the second coupled rotating shaft and the third coupled rotating shaft. Thereby, the connection state when a power is output to the drive shaft can be increased and the power to the drive shaft can be output in a more efficient connection state in comparison with only connecting and disconnecting the rotating shaft of the motor to and from the first coupled rotating shaft and the crankshaft of the engine.

Conventionally, as such a power output apparatus, there has been proposed a vehicle-mounted power output apparatus having an engine, a planetary gear in which a carrier is connected to an output shaft of the engine and a ring gear is connected to a drive shaft, a motor MG1 connected to a sun gear of the planetary gear, and a motor MG2 selectively connected to the output shaft of the engine and the drive shaft through a clutch (for example, see Patent Document 1). According to the apparatus, at normal cruise, the motor MG2 is connected to the drive shaft so as to output a power from the engine to the drive shaft for torque conversion by functioning the motor MG1 as a generator and the motor MG2 as a motor; and when at high speed cruise, the motor MG1 is reversely rotated to function as a motor, the motor MG2 is connected to the output shaft of the engine and the motor MG2 is connected to the drive shaft for torque conversion, thereby causing the power circulation (power-electric power) which is prevented to increase the efficiency of the apparatus.    [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-332018

Power output apparatus, vehicle mounting the same, and method for controlling power output apparatus


The present invention relates to a portable information sign device. In one embodiment of the invention, a top plate comprises a foundation and three plate coupling ports. A center arm comprises an arm rod axially coupled to the top plate foundation. A sliding plate is slideably coupled to the arm rod and comprises a sliding plate foundation and three sliding plate coupling ports. A spring encircling the arm rod is connected on a first end to the sliding plate foundation and on a second end to a stop coupled to the distal end of the arm rod. Three guide arms are connected to the coupling ports of the sliding plate foundation. Three legs are connected on one end to the coupling ports in the top plate and on the leg end to coupling ports on the guide arms.

Operators of public and semi-public places often need to announce or otherwise provide information to members of the general public who travel into the places under the operators' control. One simple example situation is where a liquid has been spilled on the floor of a public place and the operator wishes to warn people walking near the area to avoid the wet floor, typically in order to prevent possible injury. This situation is common enough that a number of devices have been developed to inform people of wet floors.
Thus, plastic traffic cones and sandwich board type devices with "Wet Floor" painted or printed on them have become a recognizable feature of modern life. Typical plastic traffic cones, sandwich board type devices and other warning devices are often designed to provide maximum visibility. However, maximum visibility often entails a large size device, which can cause storage problems when the device is not in use. That is, the same feature that improves visibility and safety in typical devices can restrict the use of those devices where storage space is limited. Additionally, inconveniently stored devices can cause a trip hazard that can outweigh the benefits gained by warning people of slip hazards.
Other devices have been employed that seek to minimize storage space. However, many devices so designed are of limited usefulness in warning people of possible hazards. That is, the same feature that improves storability in typical devices can restrict the effectiveness of those devices when deployed. Additionally, some devices can be difficult to deploy from storage, requiring many steps to assemble the device or complicated unpacking or placement problems. Moreover, certain devices can themselves be somewhat hazardous to deploy. For example, certain spring-loaded devices where torsional coils are employed can sometimes be configured with such a high potential energy when stored that their deployment poses a risk to the operator.
Therefore, there is a need for a system and/or method for providing portable information sign devices that addresses at least some of the problems and disadvantages associated with conventional systems and methods.


A window covering system includes a window covering, a motor having a housing and a power supply inlet, for opening or closing the window coverings, and a modular motor converter. The modular motor converter includes a low voltage interface for functional attachment to the motor, a housing for the low voltage interface, a standard motor power supply connector incorporated into the housing and fitting into the motor power supply inlet, and at least one attachment arm, preferably two, that clips onto the motor housing and permits quick clip-on and removal from the motor. In one form, the modular motor converter further includes a remote radio frequency control for functional attachment to and control of the motor. The modular motor converter also includes means for pre-setting silent stop of the motor end positions. The housing permits external access to motor dip switches.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to the use of electric motors to operate window coverings systems for draperies, blinds, shades and the like, and specifically to the ability to convert AC-powered motors by means of a plug-in and detachable modular device to DC switching and/or to radio frequency-controlled remote switching.
2. Description of Related Art
Motorized window coverings systems are traditionally driven by AC motors powered by 120V/60 Hz power line supply or in some instances, by 240 V power line supply. In their most simple form they are switched on and off by means of manually operated, hardwired, line voltage switches. In addition there are also low voltage DC motors operating on 12 to 24 Volts DC. These are traditionally switched on and off by means of hardwired DC switches. As a rule, the DC motors are less powerful than the AC motors, and therefore can only handle smaller loads, which translates into smaller sized window coverings.
Roller and lift systems for shades, blinds and the like commonly use tubular motors to power their operation. Such motors are typically mounted inside the rolling mechanism. By contrast, traversing systems (those moving in horizontal or inclined direction) for draperies, vertical blinds and the like commonly use motors which are externally attached to the mechanical parts such as headrails, etc. Those motors are usually configured in a predominantly square or rectangular box-like shape.
Operation of line voltage (AC) motors by means of a connection with a radio or infrared receiver or by means of adding a low voltage switching device has commonly ben accomplished by wire connection with external receiver units. This requires substantial on-site wiring and creates aesthetic problems, especially in interior environments. In addition to wiring problems, such separate, external devices are bulky and expensive as a rule. The modular motor converter invention with its plug-in features can eliminate these disadvantages.
More recently, motors of both types have been developed to incorporate built-in modifiers such as low voltage converters to permit low voltage switching of AC-powered motors. However, by integrating this feature into the motors, it is no longer possible to switch such motors by means of line voltage switching devices. The option of using specific line voltage equipment to switch such low voltage switched motors has effectively been eliminated.
An additional recent development has been the introduction of motors with integrated electronic and radio frequency (RF) switching. Built-in electronic switching is most commonly accomplished by sending electronic signals to the PC board and processor embedded in the motor. Such electronic processors also may be programmed to set the end position stops of the motor. In the alternative, they may be equipped with current-sensing which measures the increased current draw when a drapery or blind is blocked in its movement upon reaching its fully open or closed position. The blockage point is normally reached under full operating speed, thus is also known as the impact stop. Impact stops typically are associated with an increased noise level of operation and, in the case of draperies, with the risk of somewhat inaccurate stacking points due to drapery backflow.

Modular motor converter for window covering systems


When an opening and closing member is being closed, urging force which a first engaged portion of the opening and closing member receives in a direction opposite to a direction to close the opening and closing member is larger than urging force which a second engaged portion of the opening and closing member receives, and a distance in which the first engaged portion moves until the first engaged portion engages with a first engaging portion is shorter than a distance in which the second engaged portion moves until the second engaged portion engages with a second engaging portion while the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion are caused to engage with the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, respectively, by closing the opening and closing member from an opened state of the opening and closing member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an opening and closing member that is able to opened with respect to an apparatus main body to open the inside of the apparatus main body.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional image forming apparatus adopting an electrophotographic method, such as a copying machine, a printer, or the like, an opening and closing door (opening and closing member) is provided, which rotates with respect to the apparatus main body to be openable and closable, and opens the inside of the apparatus main body to enable maintenance such as replacement of a cartridge, or the like or jam handling.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a conventional image forming apparatus 901, which has the opening and closing door 904. FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view illustrating parts of the opening and closing door 904 and the apparatus main body 901 around the opening and closing door 904, and illustrates a closed state of the opening and closing door 904. The opening and closing door 904 is opened to rotate in the direction of an arrow in FIG. 10 with a rotation shaft 904r as an axis. Herein, in general, the opening and closing door 904 is configured to press a member 907 in the apparatus main body 901 while closing the opening and closing door 904, to open and close a laser shutter (not illustrated) in the apparatus main body 901 or to turn on and off electrification to an interlock (not illustrated) in conjunction with opening and closing of the opening and closing door 904. As a result, the opening and closing door 904 is configured to receive reaction force Fs from the member 907 in the apparatus main body 901 while closing the opening and closing door 904. Therefore, engaged portions 905a and 905b, which engage with engaging portions 906a and 906b of the apparatus main body 901, are provided at both ends in the direction of the rotation shaft 904r of the opening and closing door 904 as illustrated in FIG. 16A, to keep the opening and closing door 904 being closed with respect to the apparatus main body 901.
In this configuration, for example, if a user closes the opening and closing door 904 by moving the opening and closing door 904 with force Fu along a right side of the opening and closing door 904 in FIG. 16B, the following phenomenon may occur. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 16B, at the right side of the opening and closing door 904 in FIG. 16, the engaging portion 906b engages with the engaged portion 905b, but the engaged portion 905a cannot engage with the engaging portion 906a due to the reaction force Fs at the left side of the opening and closing door 904 in FIG. 16B. In this state, the opening and closing door 904 is bent at an angle θ as compared with an initial state. This state is a state called a 'one-sided closing state' and in this state, the apparatus may not normally operate.
In particular, since the member 907, which applies the reaction force Fs to the opening and closing door 904, is mostly located at an end portion of the opening and closing door 904, the one-sided closing state easily occurs when the user operates the opening and closing door 904 by pushing a portion of the opening and closing door 904 where the member 907 is not located.
Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-53193 discusses a configuration to detect the one-sided closing state by the use of a detection unit when the one-sided closing state occurs, and to prevent an image forming operation from starting when the one-sided closing state is detected.
However, in the configuration discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-53193, since the detection unit, which detects the one-sided closing state, needs to be provided, cost increase may be caused and the apparatus may be larger. Further, preventing the one-sided closing state by increasing rigidity of the opening and closing door is also considered, but there is a limit in increasing the rigidity of the opening and closing door in terms of cost or miniaturization.
Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-271408 discusses a configuration in which the opening and closing door itself cannot be closed if the opening and closing door is not closed at a predetermined position to prevent the one-sided closing state.
However, in the configuration discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-271408, since the opening and closing door itself cannot be closed if the opening and closing door is not closed at the predetermined position, the user needs to perform an operation of closing the opening and closing door many times to close the opening and closing door, and there is a room for improvement of usability.


The invention relates to a device for pouring viscous mixtures having solid ingredients including a holder and an exit die rotatably mounted below the holder and having an intake bore through which the mixture passes under pressure. A spiral-shaped stripping element is attached to the holder and has a free end extending downwardly into the intake bore. The exit die rotates with respect to the spiral-shaped stripping element, so that the solid ingredients within the mixture are serially directed through the exit die. The free end of the stripping element extends in the direction of rotation of the exit die.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for pouring viscous mixtures having solid ingredients, especially candy mixtures including raisins, nuts, or similar items.
Such a device is used in the production of so-called fruit bars, granola bars or similar products. The device pours the candy mixture into a baking tray, in most cases a rectangular baking pan, and then the bar is coated with chocolate.
2. The Prior Art
Conventional devices, however, are not suited for pouring candy mixtures with embedded solid ingredients onto the baking trays. The reason for this is, that the solid ingredients tend to wedge together in the entry area of the die, and thus, plug up the bore. Until now, it was necessary to first pour the candy mixture, by itself, and then to apply the solid ingredients in a subsequent work step, by means of a so-called sprinkling device. This solution is very complicated, particularly since up to about 50 dies can be arranged next to one another across the large working width of the production lines. These dies then have to be followed by just as many sprinkling devices. Furthermore, there is the risk that the solid ingredients will fall next to the bars or be pushed off the bars during the coating process, due to insufficient adhesion.

Device for pouring viscous mixtures having solid ingredients

Winkler & Dunnebier Maschinenfabrik und Eisengiesserei KG


The present invention relates to methods of monitoring, via polymerase chain reaction, the clinical progression of human immunodeficiency virus infection and its response to antiretroviral therapy. According to the invention, polymerase chain reaction assays may be used to predict immunological decline and to identify, at an early stage, patients whose infection has become resistant to a particular antiretroviral drug regimen.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) isolated from patients treated with zidovudine (AZT) may demonstrate markedly reduced in vitro susceptibility to AZT (Larder et al., 1989, Science 243:1731-1734; Rooke et al., 1989, AIDS 3:411-415; Land et al., 1990, J. Infect. Dis. 161:326-329; Boucher et al., 1990, Lancet 336:585-590; Japour et al., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 88:3092-96; Tudor-Williams et al., 1992, Lancet 339:15-19). This reduced susceptibility has been related to the duration of therapy with AZT and the severity of HIV disease at the time AZT therapy is begun (Richman et al., 1990, AIDS 3:743-756). Nucleotide sequence analysis of AZT-resistant HIV strains has revealed a number of mutations in the reverse transcriptase (RT) gene associated with decreased AZT susceptibility (Larder et al., 1989, Science 246:1155-1158; Larder et al., 1991, AIDS 5:4137-144; Kellam et al., 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:1934-1938; St. Clair et al., 1991, Science 253:1557-1559; Richman et al., 1991, J. Infect. Dis. 164:1075-1081). Molecular cloning experiments have confirmed that these mutations in the RT gene confer AZT resistance (Larder et al., 1989, Science 246:1155-1158; Larder et al., 1991, AIDS 5:137-144; Kellam et al., 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:1934-1938; St. Clair et al., 1991, Science 253:1557-1559). Of these mutations the one at codon 215 resulting in a single amino acid substitution (Thr.fwdarw.Tyr or Phe) has been shown to be the most common mutation and to have the greatest impact on in vitro susceptibility to AZT (Larder et al., 1991, AIDS 5:137-144; Richman et al., 1991, J. Infect. Dis. 164:1075-1081; Boucher et al., 1992, J. Infect. Dis. 165:105-110).
Several studies have addressed the relationship between in vitro AZT resistance, mutations in the RT gene and clinical disease. Richman and coworkers studied 32 patients with different stages of HIV disease and demonstrated that the development of in vitro AZT resistance was related to the duration of therapy with AZT and to the severity of disease at the time AZT was begun (Richman et al., 1990, AIDS 3:743-746). Boucher and coworkers studied HIV P24-antigenemic patients treated with AZT for 2 years. They observed that at 6 months, seven patients with a mutation at codon 215 had a weak, non-statistically significant trend toward lower CD4 counts compared to nine patients who were wild type at codon 215 (Boucher et al., 1990, Lancet 336:585-590). After 2 years nearly all patents had the mutation. Tudor-Williams and coworkers studied HIV isolates from 19 symptomatic children treated with AZT for 9-39 months and showed that in vitro AZT resistance was associated with poor clinical outcome (Tudor-Williams et al., 1992, Lancet 339:15-19).
Kahn and colleagues (Kahn et al., 1992, N. Engl. J. Med. 327:581-587) reported that patients infected with HIV who have relatively advanced disease and at least 16 weeks of previous zidovudine therapy may have clinical benefit if switched to didanosine monotherapy instead of remaining on zidovudine. The reason patients benefit from switching from zidovudine to didanosine is not fully understood, but one possibility is that dididanosine is suppressing zidovudine-resistant HIV.
Increasing evidence exists of a correlation between zidovudine-resistant HIV and disease progression in patients treated with zidovudine monotherapy (Tudor-Williams et al., 1992, Lancet 339:15-19; St. Clair et al., 1993, AIDS 6:891-897; Kozal et al., 1993, J. Infect. Dis. 167:526-532; Montaner et al., 1993, AIDS 7:189-196). It has been shown that HIV can also develop resistance to didanosine (ddI)(St. Clair et al., 1991, Science 253:1557-1559; Reichman et al., 1993, Antiviral Res. 20:267-277; Japour et al., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:3092-3096). As with the resistance of HIV to zidovudine, the decrease in susceptibility of HIV to didanosine has been shown to be caused by specific mutations in the HIV reverse-transcriptase gene. St. Clair and colleagues (St. Clair et al., 1991, Science 253:1557-1559) identified the first mutation in the reverse-transcriptase gene to confer resistance to didanosine, a mutation at codon 74 that results in an amino acid change from leucine to valine. The codon 74 mutation in an HIV construct can induce an eightfold decrease in susceptibility to didanosine.
Although other mutations have been reported to confer didanosine resistance (Gu et al., 1992, J. Virol. 66:28-35), most data to date suggest the codon 74 mutation is the primary mutation responsible for didanosine resistance in patients receiving didanosine monotherapy.

Polymerase chain reaction assays for monitoring antiviral therapy and making therapeutic decisions in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome


The invention relates to hydrogenolysis of a chlorofluoroethane XYClC--CClX'Y' or of a chlorofluoroethylene XClC.dbd.CX'Y (where at least one of the symbols X, X', Y and Y' is a fluorine atom and the others are hydrogen or chlorine atoms) which is performed on a mixed catalyst based on copper or silver and on at least one platinum group metal (Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt), these metals being deposited on a support.. Even at low operating temperatures, excellent degrees of conversion and selectivities for fluoroethylenes and/or chlorofluoroethylenes are obtained.

The hydrogenolysis of chlorofluoroethanes is a reaction which has been known for a long time (Patent GB 698,386), and many improvements have been made to it. There may be mentioned, for example, Patent GB 931,643, which employs a chromium oxide catalyst on an alumina support for the hydrogenolysis of 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (F113) at temperatures in the region of 500.degree. C., and U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,173, which recommends for the hydrogenolysis of fluorohalocarbons a catalyst based on nickel or chromium on an alumina support activated beforehand with hydrofluoric acid. However, the catalytic compositions described in these patents necessitate high operating temperatures (from 300.degree. to 600.degree. C.) and the degrees of conversion or selectivities are low.
More recently, Patent EP 53,657 describes a process for the dehydrochlorination of F113 to chlorotrifluoroethylene (F1113) and trifluoroethylene (F1123) by means of a catalyst comprising a platinum group metal deposited on an alkaline magnesium fluoride type support. The results show a rapid deactivation of this catalyst with a substantial formation of 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (F143) and 1-chloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (F133) as by-products, even with low degrees of conversion of F113.
In Patent EP 355,907, a catalyst is described comprising an oxygenated porous support impregnated with a group VIII metal and a salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal. The examples given show degrees of conversion of F113 of the order of 50% and selectivities for F1113 and F1123 which do not exceed 80%.
It is known, moreover, that catalysts based on copper alone are active in the hydrogenolysis of chlorofluoroalkanes. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,615,925, which employs such a catalyst, the operating temperatures are high (above 500.degree. C.) and the degrees of conversion and yields are mediocre.
It is also known that catalysts based on palladium are active. However, U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,405 shows that the use of such a catalyst in the hydrogenolysis of symmetrical difluorotetrachloroethane (F112) and of F113 leads to a substantial formation (more than 10%) of saturated by-products such as 1,1-difluoroethane (F152a) and 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (F143).
Moreover, the use of mixed catalysts has already been proposed. There may be mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 2,864,873 relating to mixed catalysts based on copper and on nickel on a chromium oxide support. These catalysts, which function at temperatures from 325.degree. to 425.degree. C., lead to degrees of conversion of F113 to F1113 of less than 50%. U.S. Pat. No. 2,697,124 relating to a copper/cobalt mixed catalyst on a magnesium fluoride support may also be mentioned; despite high temperatures (above 400.degree. C.) for the hydrogenolysis of F113, this catalyst gives degrees of conversion of F113 of less than 80%. The hydrogenolysis of F113 and of F114 with mixed catalysts based on copper and on chromium is also described in Patents BE 653,362 and FR 1,409,109; the operating temperatures are high, and the degrees of conversion and the yields of ethylenic compounds are low. The same applies to U.S. Pat. No. 3,505,417, which describes the hydrogenolysis of F114 to tetrafluoroethylene on copper/chromium or copper/cobalt catalysts.
It has now been found that, for the hydrogenolysis of chlorofluoroethanes or of chlorofluoroethylenes, the use of mixed catalysts based on copper or silver and on at least one platinum group metal (ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium or platinum) enables excellent degrees of conversion and selectivities to be obtained at low operating temperatures.

Manufacture of fluoroethylenes and chlorofluoroethylenes


A dielectric logging tool for use in a borehole that penetrates a subsurface formation, includes: at least one wall-contacting face with one or more embedded microstrip antennas including a transmit antenna; an oscillator that supplies a transmit signal; a coherent receiver that measures the one or more scattering coefficients; and a processor that derives a formation property from the one or more scattering coefficients. The tool may be conveyed along a borehole, with the scattering coefficients and derived formation property values associated with tool position and orientation to provide a permittivity log.

Modern oil field operations demand a great quantity of information relating to the parameters and conditions encountered downhole. Such information typically includes characteristics of the earth formations traversed by the borehole, and data relating to the size and configuration of the borehole itself. The collection of information relating to conditions downhole, which commonly is referred to as "logging," can be performed by several methods including wireline logging and logging-while-drilling (LWD).
In wireline logging, a probe or "sonde" is lowered into the borehole after some or the entire well has been drilled. The sonde is attached to a long cable or "wireline" that provides mechanical support to the sonde and also provides an electrical connection between the sonde and electrical equipment located at the surface of the well. In accordance with existing logging techniques, various parameters of the earth's formations are measured and correlated with the position of the sonde in the borehole as the sonde is pulled uphole.
In LWD, the drilling assembly includes sensing instruments that measure various parameters as the formation is being penetrated. While LWD techniques allow more contemporaneous formation measurements, drilling operations create an environment that is generally hostile to electronic instrumentation and sensor operations.
Dielectric logging tools are among the various types of available logging tools. Dielectric tools determine the dielectric constant and conductivity of downhole formations from the real and imaginary parts of the complex propagation constant of electromagnetic waves traveling through the formations. These measurements are useful for finding water-filled porosity and water saturation can be computed if formation porosity is known. If multiple water saturation measurements are available (e.g., from different types of logging tools), it becomes possible to measure characteristics of the flushed zone.
Existing tool designs have undesirable limitations on robustness and accuracy.
It should be understood, however, that the specific embodiments given in the drawings and detailed description thereto do not limit the disclosure. On the contrary, they provide the foundation for one of ordinary skill to discern the alternative forms, equivalents, and modifications that are encompassed together with one or more of the given embodiments in the scope of the appended claims.

Microstrip antenna-based logging tool and method


A method for condensation of gaseous hydrocarbons from a mixture of inert gas and gaseous hydrocarbons, particularly as found in storage tanks of an LPG/LEG ship. According to the method, the condensate and the cargo gas composition are heat exchanged with a part of its condensate, and with a cargo gas/inert gas mixture, which is to be released to the atmosphere or burned, in a separate condensation step.

Gas present in tanks in LPG/LEG ships at reloading is removed by means of nitrogen or an inert gas. The method which is used presently involves release of the off-gas to atmosphere. This off-gas constitutes a loss of about 250,000 tons of hydrocarbons per year, mainly propane and butane.
NO Patent Application 932417 discloses a method for recovering a portion of this off-gas by condensing the off-gas in heat exchange with liquid nitrogen, whereupon the evaporated nitrogen is used in the removal of gas from the tanks. In relation to the gas removed the consumption of nitrogen with this method is unnecessary high.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,002 describes a process for recovery of vapor released during filling of hydrocarbons in storage tanks. Inert gas is supplied to the tank and intermixed with hydrocarbon vapor to form a non-combustible composition. The composition is thereafter subjected to a two-step compression, and a separation process to condense and separate the hydrocarbon vapor from the inert gas. This process involves the use of a closed coolant circuit in the separation/condensation step.


An assembling device includes: a base, a first pressing plate, a second pressing plate and an ejecting unit. The base defines an accommodating portion which includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface. The top surface defines a plurality of receiving grooves for receiving the moveable frames, the side surface defines a plurality of first through holes, the bottom surface defines a plurality of second through holes, the first through holes and the second through holes are communicated with the receiving grooves. The first pressing plate is configured for assembling a shaft on a first surface of the moveable frame. The second pressing plate is arranged on the side surface and being configured for assembling a magnet on a second surface of the moveable frame. The ejecting unit includes a plurality of ejectors, and configured for ejecting the movable frames in the receiving grooves.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a device for assembling moveable carrier of camera actuator.
2. Description of Related Art
An actuator moves lenses along an optical axis in a camera module during an auto-focus function. The camera actuator includes a moveable carrier, a Hall sensor magnet arranged on one side of the moveable carrier, a shaft arranged on another side of the moveable carrier. When assembling, the shaft and the Hall sensor magnet are assembled at two different work stations, which is a waste of human resources and time.
Therefore, it is desired to provide an assembling device and a related assembling method which can overcome the above mentioned problems.

Device for assembling moveable carrier of camera actuator


A semiconductor wafer level package used to encapsulate a device fabricated on a semiconductor substrate wafer before dicing of the wafer into individual chips. A cap wafer is bonded to the semiconductor substrate wafer using a pre-patterned frit glass as a bonding agent such that the device is hermetically sealed inside a cavity. A hole in the cap wafer allows electrical connections to be made to the device through electrodes which pass through the frit glass seal.

The present invention relates, in general, to semiconductor device packaging, and more particularly to packaging of semiconductor devices before wafer dicing.
Among the fundamental steps during fabrication of a semiconductor device is the dicing of the semiconductor wafer into individual chips which are then encapsulated in some form of package. Application of integrated circuit manufacturing methods to produce micromachined parts has resulted in devices comprising a wide range of microscopic mechanisms which are fabricated on the surface of a semiconductor wafer. Due to their size, these microscopic mechanisms are extremely vulnerable to damage from handling, small particles, moisture, and air flow. It is necessary to encapsulate these mechanisms in some form of hermetically sealed package so as to prevent such damage. It would be desirable to encapsulate the device at the wafer level, that is before separation into individual chips. This would avoid the damage to unprotected mechanisms which occurs during the separation and packaging process. The ideal encapsulation would provide sufficient protection to allow the use of simple, inexpensive separation and packaging methods such as wafer sawing and further mounting in a molded plastic package. Wafer level encapsulation would allow the devices to be thoroughly tested in the actual encapsulated working environment of the device. This early and thorough testing and the subsequent scrapping of bad devices minimizes the further processing which would otherwise be wasted on these bad devices. When fabricating integrated circuits a form of wafer level encapsulation is provided by deposition of a relatively thick layer of silicon dioxide as a final wafer processing step. This method cannot be used with devices which have moving parts since there is no way to provide an accurately controlled cavity within the silicon dioxide so as to allow movement of the parts.
Such a package must also have thermal characteristics which are especially well matched to the device being encapsulated to minimize the thermal stresses on the device. Extreme stress caused by thermal mismatching will damage or destroy all types of devices, but even the much lower values of thermally induced stress which would be acceptable with other types of devices will degrade the accuracy of many sensors.
According to the prior art a partial solution to this problem is described in an article entitled "A Rugged, High-Performance Piezoresistive Accelerometer", by B. Link et al, Sensors, October 1991 pp 43-46, which is incorporated herein by reference. This article describes a package using three layers of silicon which comprise a base, an accelerometer with a surrounding wall, and a lid. The three layers are bonded together to provide some environmental protection, but this prior art method still is described as requiring further packaging. In addition access must be provided to allow electrical contact to be made with the accelerometer by shaping a slot in the lid. Alignment of the three layers with one another requires access to the edges of the individual devices. These considerations require that the accelerometer be assembled individually rather than as a plurality of accelerometers before wafer dicing.
There is a need for a method of packaging devices which are fabricated on a semiconductor wafer before that wafer is diced into individual chips. The method must provide a hermetic seal, a thermal characteristic which closely matches that of the device, and provide a well controlled cavity within which micromachined parts can move. The package must be extremely inexpensive to manufacture, yet provide for electrical connections to the device inside the cavity without compromising the other characteristics of the package or the encapsulated device.


A process and apparatus for writing an item of data to a line in a memory table shared by a plurality of processors is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of determining if the item is already in the line; if the item is not in the line, then determining if the line is empty; if the line is empty, then performing the following steps: creating a reservation for the line for a processor requesting to write the item to the line and trying to write, by the processor requesting to write the item to the line, the item to the line. Although more than one processor can hold a reservation for the line, only one processor can add an item to the line since the reservation for the line is removed or cleared in all processors when the first processor, holding a reservation for the line, writes an item to the line.

In an information handling system having multiple CPUs which add items of data to a single memory table, there is a need to prevent an item from being stored in the memory table twice and a need to prevent two CPUs from writing to the same line in the memory table. The conventional solution is to create a lock from memory to the entire table or part of it, such as for each individual line. The first option can be very slow if the table has many lines and is accessed a lot. In other words, if only one CPU can access the table at a time the ability to add items to the memory table will be very slow. The second option can be very expensive in terms of memory usage, since for each line a lock is created, and each new lock is stored in memory. In summary, what is needed is a process for writing an item to a line in a memory table shared by a plurality of processors, wherein no locks are used.

Apparatus and method for writing an item to a line in a memory table shared by multiple processors

International Business Machines Corporation


Provided are a yaw brake pad and a method of producing the same, which relate to the technical field of friction material. The yaw brake pad is prepared from, by weight, the following main ingredients: 70-75 parts of polyether ether ketone, 10-20 parts of carbon fiber, 3-5 parts of glass fiber and 3-5 of graphite. It alleviates the technical problem that the metal-based friction materials generally for producing current international and domestic yaw brake pads are likely to rust, harmful to dual discs, and produce screechy. It has not only significantly improved mechanical properties and high temperature tolerance, much lower hardness, less wear to dual discs, and lower noise, but also improved friction stability and adaptability to working conditions, and thus can effectively satisfy the demand of the wind driven generator for yaw braking at a low speed.

With the advancement of the science and technology and the rapid development of economy, the demand of human beings for electric power continuously expands. Using non-renewable energy sources like coal and petroleum for power generation is confronted with an awkward situation that resources become increasingly poor. As a green energy, wind energy does not only coincide with the international energy reform, but also is a renewable resource, and it bears positive significance to environment protection as well, and thus has been drawing the attention from more and more countries.
In the process of the power generation of a wind driven generator, the blades of the wind driven generator need to be reoriented as the wind direction changes and be fixed to facing the direction of the optimal wind force, so as to maximize the work efficiency of the wind driven generator. Reorienting the blades of a wind driven generator is realized by a yaw system. To avoid the oscillating wind direction variation which causes yaw gears to produce alternating load, a yaw brake should be used to absorb minor free deflection oscillation, so as to prevent the gear teeth from premature damage caused by the alternating stress from the yaw gears. With the help of the yaw brake pad, the yaw brake prevents a wind driven generator from deflection.
Currently, most of the international and domestic yaw brake pads are made of metal-based friction materials which, however, are too hard, likely to rust, harmful to the dual discs, do not brake smoothly and produce self-excited screechy, among other things. Therefore, it is urgent for those skilled in the art to develop a new yaw brake pad.
In view of this, the present disclosure is hereby proposed.

Yaw brake pad and method of producing the same