A method is disclosed for gaining access to an object and/or to a service of an object or service provider. A biometric reference parameter of at least one user is recorded in a personal mobile station. The user orders an object or service from a remote server by means of his personal mobile station. An actual biometric parameter is recorded by a biometric sensor of the object or service provider and the recorded actual biometric parameter is compared to the reference parameter. On a successful comparison, access to the object or service is permitted. The invention further relates to a system with the components mentioned.

Numerous biometric access control installations are known from the prior art. EP-A2-1347420 discloses for example a control when entering a stadium, where the user has to have his fingerprint taken. The scanner is connected over a stadium computer with a national central computer and establishes within less than half a second that the user is a perfectly normal spectator. A revolving stake door is opened and the spectator can proceed. If a reference fingerprint corresponding to the taken fingerprint is however recorded in the computer, the user is a rioter or a ruffian. Instead of the revolving stake door, a side revolving door is opened and the undesired visitor is invited to leave. It is also conceivable that the reference fingerprint is stored on a chip card that the user has to carry. The card is inserted in the device and the comparison is performed locally.
US publication US-A1-2003/0197593 discloses a system in which access control and identification, for example for employees of a company, take place on the basis of recorded biometric data. The reference data are stored in a central database. In one embodiment, the biometric data of a user are taken and the central database is interrogated. In the case of positive identification, access is granted. The central data storage of the biometric data in this embodiment is less advantageous. It is questionable whether data security is guaranteed since hackers can penetrate a central computer or server and misuse is thus possible. Furthermore, data protection problems arise in the case of permanent storage of the biometric data.
On the other hand, many mobile devices are already provided with a biometric sensor. US-A1-2002/0089410 discloses a PDA with a smart card on which a fingerprint of the user is stored and that is connected to a fingerprint module. If the print taken by the sensor corresponds to the stored print, further functions (access to software etc.) are executed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,096 further discloses a system in which airline passengers are recorded biometrically when booking the flight. The iris is scanned when booking and the recorded data is assigned to a person-bound data set of a common central database. The passenger receives his booking number for the desired flight, seat etc. At the airport, no further controls are provided to identify the passenger. He only needs to be identified biometrically by scanning the iris and can board his flight. It is again questionable whether sufficient data security of these sensitive data can be provided by a central storage of the biometric data. The mentioned data protection problems of permanent storage of the biometric data also apply here.
Publication DE-A1-101 33 647 concerns a method where a user connects with a (money or ticket) machine and is authenticated biometrically in order to access a service. In one variant embodiment, the fingerprints are stored in a database of a bank and a customer wishing to withdraw money at a machine is authenticated in front of the machine through comparison with the stored data. In particular, there is no disclosure of a service being ordered with a mobile device from a service provider and the service is always immediately provided at the machine.

Mehtod and system for achieving access to an object or a service


A training device for nasal hygiene comprises a facial tissue sheet; where the facial tissue sheet has a first side, and where the facial tissue sheet also has a second side having an opposing planar relationship to the first side. A first-side tissue graphic is visible on the first side of the facial tissue sheet. The first-side tissue graphic comprises a permanent graphic and/or an active graphic. In addition, the first-side tissue graphic is a training mark.

The benefits of proper nasal discharging (i.e., blowing one's nose) into a facial tissue are well documented. This is particularly important during cold and flu season. However, despite the known benefits, not all people regularly and properly utilize a facial tissue for nasal hygiene, particularly nasal discharge. This is particularly true with children who may not yet be trained, or may not be motivated, to properly blow their nose into a facial tissue. As such, children often resort to wiping their nose with their hand or on their shirt sleeve, or only using a small portion of the facial tissue sheet, such as a corner section, thus not catching all of the exudate, or spreading the exudate to other items that they later touch.
To help a child with the training and/or motivation process, a parent or other caregiver may verbally instruct the child on how to properly use a facial tissue for nasal discharge hygiene. However, while parental supervision and coaching can improve the child's nasal discharge habits, parents or caregivers are not always able to be with the child when nasal discharge is desired.
Several products have been introduced which provide children with instructions for using certain hygiene products, such as how a bathing mitt works, or for obtaining a desired amount of bathroom tissue. However, none of these products provides interactive training between the child and the device regarding how to properly use a facial tissue for nasal discharge hygiene, while at the same time providing motivation to do so.
Therefore, there remains a need for a system of training users in proper nasal discharge hygiene that is interactive and that can provide motivation.


A vacuum timing device for applying a vacuum on a roll includes a roll with an axis of rotation, a surface, and a surface longitudinal axis oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. The device also includes at least one vacuum line running along at least a portion of the length of the roll. The device also includes a plurality of apertures defined in a surface of the roll and in fluid communication with the vacuum line. In order to alleviate angular delay of vacuum propagation, the plurality of apertures is arranged in a line that is skewed with respect to the surface longitudinal axis. Preferably, the plurality of apertures is arranged in a line that is skewed away from the direction of rotation of the roll, thereby substantially eliminating the angular propagation delay as the vacuum roll operates.

The invention relates generally to vacuum assisted rolls, and more particularly to a vacuum timing device that compensates for the delay in vacuum propagation along the length of the roll.
It is well known to utilize vacuum means to transfer webs from roll to roll or from a roll to another device such as a set of guide rods. The vacuum is selectively applied through apertures at selected circumferential locations on the rotating roll in order to hold a web of material to the roll for a desired time or along a desired path. As used herein and in the appended claims, the term xe2x80x9cwebxe2x80x9d means any material (including without limitation paper, metal, plastic, rubber or synthetic material, fabric, etc.) which can be or is found in sheet form (including without limitation tissue, paper toweling, napkins, foils, wrapping paper, food wrap, woven and non-woven cloth or textiles, etc.). The term xe2x80x9cwebxe2x80x9d does not indicate or imply any particular shape, size, length, width, or thickness of the material.
FIG. 1 illustrates a typical prior art vacuum roll system 10 for use in operations requiring web transfer. The prior art vacuum roll system 10 includes a roll 14 having an axis of rotation 18 and a surface 22. The surface 22 has a plurality of apertures 26 therein which are spaced longitudinally along the length of the roll 14 forming a straight row 30. Typically, there are a plurality of straight rows 30 (e.g., four rows spaced at ninety-degree angles), around the surface 22. Each row 30 is in fluid communication with a vacuum line 34. Normally, the vacuum line 34 is a bore that extends longitudinally along the length of the roll 14 just beneath the surface 22. The apertures 26 are typically drilled through to the vacuum line 34, thus providing the fluid communication between the apertures 26 and the line 34. The line 34 has an vacuum inlet 38 in at least one end of the roll 14, the purpose of which will be described below.
In prior art devices, a rotary vacuum valve 42 is usually coaxially coupled to the roll 14 at one end and is fixed against rotation. The valve 42 is connected to a vacuum source (not shown) at a valve inlet 50. The valve 42 also includes an arcuate groove 54 in the end adjacent the roll 14. The arcuate groove 54 is in fluid communication with the valve inlet 50. The arcuate groove 54 is spaced radially from the axis of rotation 18 such that it can be in fluid communication with the line 34. In operation, the vacuum source creates a vacuum that enters the valve 42 at the valve inlet 50. As the roll 14 rotates to angular position A, the vacuum inlet 38 of the line 34 is adjacent the arcuate groove 54. The vacuum therefore enters the vacuum inlet 38 and propagates longitudinally along the length of the line 34. As the vacuum propagates, the apertures 26 experience the vacuum which is then applied to the web, holding the web to the surface 22 of the roll 14. As the roll 14 rotates to angular position B, the fluid communication between the vacuum inlet 38 and the arcuate groove 54 is blocked, thereby cutting off the vacuum supply to the line 34 and apertures 26. The line 34 is often vented in a conventional manner to remove the vacuum inside the line 34 quickly. By changing the length of arcuate groove 54, the timing of vacuum application and removal can be modified to suit a specific application. The description of the prior art vacuum valve 42 is only presented by way of illustration. Other types of vacuum valves (not shown) are also commonly used in prior art vacuum roll systems 10.
Surface speeds of the roll 14 typically vary depending upon application, but can reach 600 feet per minute or higher. Vacuum propagates through each line 34 at the speed of sound. Therefore, for long rolls 14 rotating at such high speeds, it is common to encounter angular delay in the propagation of the vacuum along the lines 34. For example, when roll 14 reaches angular position A, and the vacuum is introduced into the vacuum inlet 38, it is common in longer rolls 14 for the vacuum to reach the apertures 26 closest to the vacuum inlet 38 almost instantaneously while reaching the apertures 26 located farthest from the vacuum inlet 38 at a measurably later time. Often, the vacuum will not reach the apertures 26 located farthest from the vacuum inlet 38 until the roll has rotated to an angular position A+xcex94A. When this angular delay occurs, the portion of the web (not shown) closest to the vacuum inlet 38 will experience the vacuum before the portion of the web farthest from the vacuum inlet 38. This can cause binding, inadequate web retention, or misalignment of the web, resulting in flawed product, jams, misfeeds, wrinkling and/or even line shut-down.
Angular delay will also be experienced when vacuum is removed from the lines 34. For example, when roll 14 reaches angular position B, and the communication between the vacuum inlet 38 and the arcuate groove 54 is blocked, it is common in longer rolls 14 for the vacuum to remain in the apertures 26 located farthest from the inlet opening longer than the vacuum remains in the apertures 26 located nearest to the vacuum inlet 38. Thus, the vacuum will not be removed from the apertures 26 located farthest from the vacuum inlet 38 until the roll has rotated to an angular position B+xcex94B. When this occurs, the portion of the web closest to the vacuum inlet 38 will be released from the surface 22 earlier than the portion of the web farthest from the vacuum inlet 38. Again, this can cause the above-mentioned problems. FIG. 2 shows an exaggerated profile of the angular delay just described. The profile illustrates the angular location of the apertures at the actual point of vacuum removal.
Attempts to alleviate the problem of angular delay have led to the use of two rotary vacuum valves 42, one on each end of roll 14. Each valve 42 has its own valve inlet 50 and arcuate groove 54. Each arcuate groove 54 communicates with an adjacent vacuum inlet 38 at either end of the line 34. This configuration has reduced angular delay problems associated with long rolls 14 in that the vacuum need only propagate half the length of the roll 14. However, the high rotational speed demanded in many applications still results in angular delay near the center of the roll 14. Furthermore, the use of two vacuum valves 42 adds more parts to the vacuum roll assembly 10 which increases the cost, complexity and maintenance required of the system.
In light of the problems and limitations of the prior art described above, a need exists for a vacuum timing device that can account and compensate for angular delay of vacuum in a rotating vacuum roll, can perform such compensation at a variety of roll rotational speeds, presents a simple and inexpensive solution to the angular delay problems described above and permits the use of a vacuum roll at high speeds without the angular delay experienced in prior art vacuum rolls. Each preferred embodiment of the present invention achieves one or more of these results.
The invention provides a vacuum timing device for applying a vacuum on a roll. The vacuum timing device includes a roll with an axis of rotation, a surface, and a surface longitudinal axis that is oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. The device also includes at least one vacuum inlet communicating with at least one vacuum line running along at least a portion of the length of the roll. The device also includes a plurality of apertures defined in a surface of the roll and in fluid communication with the vacuum line. In order to alleviate angular delay of vacuum propagation, the plurality of apertures is arranged in a line that is skewed with respect to the surface longitudinal axis. Preferably, the plurality of apertures is arranged in a line that is skewed away from the direction of rotation of the roll, thereby substantially eliminating the angular propagation delay as the vacuum roll operates.
For longer rolls, the device can include two or more pluralities of apertures, each being in fluid communication with a respective vacuum line. Using two pluralities of apertures reduces the vacuum propagation distance, thereby reducing the propagation delay. When these long rolls operate at high speeds, however, delay often still exists. Therefore, each plurality of apertures is arranged in a line that is skewed with respect to the surface longitudinal axis to compensate for the remaining angular delay.
The pluralities of apertures can be formed directly in the surface of the roll, or alternatively, can be formed in one or more vacuum members that are coupled to the roll. Rolls having the apertures formed directly in the surface are preferable when the roll will rotate in the same direction and with substantially the same rotational speed over its lifetime. Once the direction of rotation and the rotational speed are known, the plurality of apertures can be machined directly into the surface with the appropriate skew. In the event the production line is changed and the direction or speed of rotation is modified, a different roll having a different skew configuration could be substituted, or portions of a roll could be replaced.
On the other hand, rolls that incorporate at least one vacuum member provide greater flexibility in that the vacuum member is preferably movable. The vacuum member can be selectively positioned to accommodate the direction of roll rotation and any number of rotational speeds. Most preferably, the vacuum member can be selectively positioned to accommodate both possible directions of roll rotation. The vacuum member can be moved with respect to the surface longitudinal axis either manually or automatically in any suitable manner. Preferably, the vacuum member is pivoted either about its end or a center portion of the vacuum member. When the vacuum member is moved automatically via a suitable actuating device, it is preferable to electronically (via computer or electronic switching controls) or mechanically link the actuating device to the roll to allow for automatic adjustment of the vacuum member proportional to the rotational speed of the roll. When more than one vacuum member is used, the vacuum members preferably operate in substantially the same manner.
When a vacuum member is used, the preferred configuration includes a roll having a longitudinal gap in the surface. The gap receives and accommodates at least a portion of the vacuum member. The plurality of apertures are preferably formed in a central portion of the vacuum member and communicate with the vacuum line in the roll. Preferably, the vacuum member also includes tab portions that extend from either side of the central portion. The tab portions are preferably received in respective grooves that are located radially in the roll. Preferably, the location of the grooves is such that when the vacuum member is inserted, the plurality of apertures in the central portion are at substantially the same radial distance from the axis of rotation as the surface. Alternatively, the location of the groove can be varied so that the plurality of apertures is slightly recessed or raised from the surface of the roll.
The grooves and gap are preferably appropriately sized to permit movement of the vacuum member relative to the roll. The vacuum member is preferably made from a flexible material so that as the vacuum member is pivoted it wraps partially around the roll, thereby skewing the plurality of apertures with respect to the surface longitudinal axis. The vacuum line should be large enough to accommodate preferably the entire range of movement available to the plurality of apertures. When more than one vacuum member is used, the vacuum members are preferably configured in substantially the same manner.
More information and a better understanding of the present invention can be achieved by reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

Vacuum timing device and method for producing the same

C.G. Bretting Manufacturing Company, Inc.


An apparatus for separating solid matter from a liquid has a rotatably driven conveyor spiral with one end projecting into a container, such as a gutter, in which a liquid containing solids flows. The spiral conveyor conveys the liquid from the container into a surrounding screen jacket so that liquid escapes from the jacket while the solids continue to be conveyed by the spiral. The spiral conveys the solids into a hollow, cylindrical jacket in which is supported a rotatable shaft drivingly connected to the conveyor spiral and extending longitudinally therefrom. The shaft and hollow, cylindrical jacket form a compression zone and the hollow, cylindrical jacket has a lateral opening through which the solids are conveyed to an outlet device extending laterally from the opening for discharge of the solids to a transport container, a sack filling machine or the like.

Apparatuses of this type are known in the art. For example, screen screws with integrated screening presses are already known in the art. A conveyor spiral or helix is, in such instance, disposed in a cylindrical screen jacket which, with its one end, terminates in a gutter in which flows a liquid carrying solid matter, the solid matter being separated from the liquid by means of the screen casing or jacket and being removed via the conveyor spiral. This known screen screw features a drive motor disposed at that end opposite the channel and by means of which the conveyor spiral is driven. A press for screenings is disposed between the end of the conveyor spiral and the drive motor and is provided with a downstream discharger.
Consequently, this prior art screening screw with integrated press for screenings is disposed in a gutter which is subject to through flow by waste water. In this instance, the screen surface retains floating and semi-suspended matter, as well as heavier matter in the waste water, these matter fractions being discharged by the conveyor spiral in connection with the screen surface. To this end, the conveyor spiral is disposed at an angle which slopes relative to the horizontal, whereby the conveyor spiral, at that end which is opposite the gutter, reaches a predetermined height in relation to ground level. This makes it possible to dispose a receptacle container or a sack filling machine under the downwardly directed discharger. The discharged solid matter can be taken care of by means of the receptacle container or sack filler machine, i.e. further transport may be put into effect. Discharge of the solid matter which is compressed in the screening press takes place in that the continuously supplied solid matter reaches a pressure in the screening press, whereby the solid matter fractions which are disposed in the region of the discharger are pressed out and, by force of gravity, fall down into the sack filling machine, transport or landfill container.
One disadvantage inherent in this prior art apparatus is that, as a result of a limited angle of inclination for the conveyor spiral, a long conveyor path is required in order to achieve sufficient height for the discharger so as to make possible the provision of the sack filling machine or suitable receptacle containers, respectively, beneath the discharger. As a result, these apparatuses, because of their longitudinal extent, take up considerable space, for which reason such apparatuses may only be disposed in correspondingly dimensioned buildings.

Apparatus and method for separating solid matter from a liquid


A gaming machine shock prevention device having a door hingedly coupled to a cabinet of the gaming machine, a gaming machine display positioned between the cabinet and the door, the gaming machine display hingedly coupled to the cabinet, and at least one spring, a first end of the spring coupled to the gaming machine display and a second end of the spring coupled to a cabinet interior, wherein the gaming machine display and door are moveable between a first position which defines the cabinet interior and a second position which exposes the cabinet interior, wherein compression of the at least one spring reduces shock to the gaming machine display when moved to the first position, and wherein opening the door to the second position releases the at least one spring to move the gaming machine display to the second position.

Current gaming machine devices comprise a cabinet including a display for displaying information. The display may be a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD). A control in the form of hardware and/or software is provided for playing a game of chance or a wager based game, including displaying the information on the display. For example, in a video poker game, the control causes cards to be displayed on the screen, along with other game play information such as bet information.
The displays are generally mounted to the gaming machine door that is generally very large and heavy. Opening the gaming machine door allows access to the internal areas of the gaming machine cabinet, but is problematic when the gaming machine door is closed. When the gaming machine door is closed, it is typically slammed closed to overcome the latch mechanism on the machine that secures the gaming machine door to the cabinet. Unfortunately, the slamming of the gaming machine door creates a shock load on the display that damages the sensitive, necessary, and expensive display. This results in down time for the gaming machine as well as added costs to replace and maintain the display.

Shock prevention device and system for display


Universal health seat in which the peripheral edge of the top face of the sitting part 5 and the sitting face 4 are formed in such a way that the user thereof receives ideal support. The pelvis of the user is tilted into a correct position by a combination of the position of the recess 6 and the support of the thighs by the peripheral edge of the top face of the sitting part 5. The position of the pelvis affects the curvatures of the spine and consequently the sitting posture of the user. Back complaints are prevented in this way by the universal health seat.

Such a seat is generally known. The peripheral edge of the sitting part in such a seat is generally symmetrical, for example rectangular or U-shaped, and the recess is provided in the centre thereof. GB-A-342.428 discloses a seat having a rectangular peripheral edge and a substantially flat top face comprising two recessed portions. The depressions enable a user of the seat to avoid discomfort arising from pressure upon the pelvis bones. For a good sitting posture, it is important that the pelvis of a person seated on the seat tilts towards a certain position. For the tilting of the pelvis has an effect on the curvatures of the spine of the user. A wrong posture can therefore lead to many back complaints. The tilting of the pelvis is affected to a large extent by the degree of support of the thighs combined with the position of the recess.
A disadvantage in the case of this known seat is that it is intended for sitting on in one position which is determined by the designer. This means that in the case of any person sitting on it only one specific degree of support of the thighs combined with the position of the recess is possible. This support will hardly ever be the most ideal, because no two persons are the same. Each person in fact has a build, posture, weight and height which is characteristic of him/her. For example, the length ratio between thighs and lower legs and between lumbar region of the spine, thoracic region of the spine and cervical region of the spine, and the distance between the seat bones, is different in every case. In the case of each person there should therefore be a characteristic support of the thighs combined with a suitable support of the seat bones, i.e. the buttocks, in the recess.


A dual damascene process starts with providing a substrate having thereon a base layer, a lower copper wiring inlaid into the base layer, and a lower cap layer covering the inlaid lower copper wiring. A dielectric layer is deposited on the lower cap layer. A TEOS-based oxide cap layer is deposited on the dielectric layer. The TEOS-based oxide cap layer has a carbon content lower than 1×1019 atoms/cm3. A metal hard mask is deposited on the TEOS-based oxide cap layer. A trench recess is etched into the metal hard mask and the TEOS-based oxide cap layer. A partial via feature is then etched into the TEOS-based oxide cap layer and the dielectric layer through the trench recess. The trench recess and partial via feature are etch transferred into the underlying dielectric layer, thereby forming a dual damascene opening, which exposes a portion of the lower copper wiring.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to copper interconnects. More particularly, the present invention relates to a partial-via-first copper dual damascene process utilizing a TEOS-based oxide cap layer having reduced carbon content, which is capable solving via self-etching stop problem.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Damascene interconnect processes incorporated with copper are known in the art, which are also referred to as "copper damascene processes" in the semiconductor industry. The copper damascene processes provide a solution to form a conductive wire coupled with an integral via plug without the need of dry etching copper. Either a single damascene or a dual damascene structure is used to connect devices and/or wires of an integrated circuit. Generally, the dual damascene process encompasses trench-first, via-first, partial-via-first, and self-aligned processes.
FIGS. 1-5 are schematic, cross-sectional diagrams showing a conventional partial-via-first dual damascene process. As shown in FIG. 1, a substrate 1 having thereon a base layer or a lower low-k dielectric layer 10 is provided. A lower copper wiring 12 is inlaid into the lower low-k dielectric layer 10. The lower copper wiring 12 and the low-k dielectric layer 10 are covered with a lower cap layer 14. A low-k dielectric layer 16, a silicon oxide cap layer 18, a metal hard mask layer 20 and a bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) layer 22 are sequentially deposited on the lower cap layer 14. A layer of photoresist (Trench Photo) 30 having a trench opening 32 therein is formed on the BARC layer 22.
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, a dry etching process is carried out. A trench recess 36 is etched into the metal hard mask layer 20 and the silicon oxide cap layer 18 through the trench opening 32. The dry etching stops on the silicon oxide cap layer 18. The remaining photoresist 30 and BARC layer 22 are then stripped off.
As shown in FIG. 3, another BARC layer 38 is coated over the substrate 1 and fills the trench recess 36. A layer of photoresist (Via Photo) 40 is then formed on the BARC layer 38. The photoresist layer 40 has a via opening 42 patterned by using conventional lithographic methods. The via opening 42 is situated directly above the trench recess 36.
As shown in FIG. 4, using the photoresist layer 40 as an etching hard mask, the BARC layer 38, the silicon oxide cap layer 18, and the lower low-k dielectric layer 16 are etched through the via opening 42, thereby forming a partial via feature 46 in an upper portion of the dielectric layer 16. The remaining photoresist layer 40 and the BARC layer 38 are stripped off by using oxygen plasma.
As shown in FIG. 5, using the metal hard mask layer 20 as an etching hard mask, a dry etching is performed to etch away the silicon oxide cap layer 18 and the lower low-k dielectric layer 16 through the trench recess 36 and the partial via 46, thereby forming a dual damascene opening 50 comprising a trench opening 56 and a via opening 66.
The via opening 66 is supposed to expose a portion of the underlying inlaid copper wiring 12. However, as indicated in FIG. 5, as the critical dimension of the via hole shrinks to 90 nanometers or beyond, the via etching stops before the lower copper wiring 12, and thus fails to open the lower copper wiring 12. This via self-etching stop problem becomes worse when the via opening is an isolated via.
In light of the above, there is a need in this industry to provide an improved method of forming dual damascene structure in the fabrication of integrated circuits, which is capable of solving the aforesaid via self-etching stop problem.

Dual damascence process utilizing teos-based silicon oxide cap layer having reduced carbon content


To optimize the resources of an optical transmission network using wavelength division multiplexing, assigning carrier frequencies to signals to be transmitted consists in associating N sets of optical frequencies of the comb with N respective ranges of consecutive error rate values, each of the sets comprising frequencies generating a mean error rate in the associated range, defining a measured signal transmission constraint level that is a function of the transmission constraint parameter(s) and may take N distinct values referred to as constraint values, associating the N constraint values in increasing order respectively with the N sets of frequencies in decreasing order of the error rate values of the associated N ranges, assigning any signal to be transmitted a constraint value obtained by applying the measurement, and assigning the signal to be transmitted a carrier frequency belonging to one of the sets of frequencies that is associated with a constraint value at least equal to the constraint value assigned to the signal to be transmitted.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention is that of optical transmission networks and to be more precise that of networks utilizing wavelength division multiplexing. It relates primarily to a method of assigning to signals to be transmitted carrier frequencies that can be used in this kind of network.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Optical networks essentially comprise nodes interconnected by optical links. A node is often connected to a plurality of other nodes, in which case it incorporates routing functions for selectively switching signals received from upstream links to different downstream links as a function of the respective destinations of the signals. Some nodes have access functions for adding signals to the network and/or dropping signals from the network.
In wavelength division multiplex (WDM) networks, the signals conveyed by the links are WDM signals comprising a plurality of components carried by respective different optical frequencies. A WDM signal is therefore formed of a combination of optical signals each consisting of an optical carrier wave modulated as a function of the information to be sent. Each optical frequency (or the corresponding wavelength) of a carrier wave therefore defines a corresponding WDM channel. In the remainder of this description, the channels are referred to interchangeably by their optical frequencies f or by their wavelengths λ, which are related by the equation f=c/λ in which c is the velocity of light in a vacuum.
In WDM networks, a first option is for the nodes to be equipped with regenerator devices operating separately on each channel of the wavelength division multiplexes received to carry out reshaping and resynchronization. The network is then known as an opaque network and has the advantage of providing a minimum transmission quality fixed for all the routes that the various channels may take. On the other hand, the regenerators affect the cost of the network, which increases as the number of WDM channels increases.
A less costly solution is to design a network with no individual channel regenerator devices. This kind of network is referred to as transparent but may nevertheless include optical amplifiers adapted to amplify simultaneously the channels of the wavelength division multiplexes transmitted. There is additionally the compromise of a hybrid network in which only some links are provided with regenerators.
In a transparent network (or in the transparent portion of a hybrid network), the links between two nodes, whether direct or indirect via other nodes, are themselves transparent and must on average be lower than in an opaque network because, despite the possible inclusion of amplifiers, the signals are degraded to an extent that increases with the transmission distance. A transparent network therefore offers less flexibility of design and use.
Furthermore, it has been observed that the transmission quality of an optical signal depends among other things on the optical frequency of the wave carrying the signal.
For example, in the C band of wavelengths from 1 530 nm to 1 560 nm, the lower wavelengths are found to be less "efficient", i.e. achieve transmission qualities that on average are worse than those achieved with higher wavelengths. This is because, at lower wavelengths, losses in the fibers in particular are higher, more noise is introduced by conventional amplifiers, and nonlinear effects are aggravated.
This phenomenon remains marginal provided that a transparent network uses carrier frequencies belonging to a relatively narrow band of frequencies. However, it is not without consequences as the band of frequencies that can be used becomes ever wider.
The simplest way to take account of this phenomenon is to rate the network (link wavelengths, amplifier gains) as a function of the least efficient carrier frequencies. However, this means that the network is rated higher than it need be for other frequencies.
Various compensation measures might also be envisaged, such as the use of dedicated amplifiers of higher gain at low wavelengths, or controlling chromatic dispersion with a view to equalizing the transmission performance of the various wavelengths of the band used. These solutions always lead to an additional cost or to less than optimum use of the resources of the network, however.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to improve the use of the resources of a transparent or partially transparent network.
On examining the operating conditions of transparent networks in more detail, it emerges that the signals to be transmitted do not impose uniform transmission constraints. For example, the transmission distance without regeneration varies from one signal to another according to the destination of the signal and the route chosen to reach it. Similarly, in some networks there may be a plurality of transmission data rates, depending on the signals concerned. Then again, there may be different classes of service that can be assigned to the signals, those classes imposing respective different maximum permissible values of the error rates affecting the signals received after transmission.
Accordingly, in a transparent network, it is found, firstly, that the transmission constraints vary as a function of the signals and, secondly, that the transmission quality of an optical signal depends on the frequency of the carrier wave. Rather than seeking to compensate the differing efficiencies of the carrier waves according to their frequencies, the invention seeks a more economic approach that, to the contrary, matches the varying efficiencies of the carrier frequencies to the varying constraints of the signals to be transmitted, i.e. establishes a rule for assigning the more efficient frequencies to the signals with the more severe constraints, and vice versa.
This kind of assignment rule can be generated if it is possible to define beforehand a measurement of the efficiency of the frequencies and a measurement of the "constraining" character of the signals. To define these concepts, it must be possible to attach them to measurable parameters operative in transmission over transparent links.
One decisive parameter is the transmission quality of a signal, which may be measured directly by determining the error rate of a signal received after transmission. This quality is conditioned firstly by physical parameters associated with the link, such as its length, the type of fiber used, and the amplifier characteristics. It depends, secondly, on parameters associated with the physical properties of the signal. Those physical properties are conditioned by the spectrum of the signal, and thus by its carrier frequency and its data rate, as already mentioned, and additionally by its modulation format. The transmission quality of a signal also depends on its environment, i.e. the presence and the nature of other signals transmitted simultaneously on nearby frequencies.
With regard to the efficiency of a given frequency, it can be evaluated from the mean value of the error rate values of the signals carried by that frequency as received after transmission in the network concerned.
As for the constraining character of a signal, this may be the result of a plurality of parameters linked to each signal to be transmitted and referred to hereinafter as "transmission constraint parameters". The transmission distance, the data rate, and the maximum error rate are examples of such parameters. The resulting "constraint value" is therefore a function of the various transmission constraint parameters that can be assigned to a signal.
When the efficiency of a frequency has been defined, and likewise a function for evaluating the constraint values of the signals, it becomes possible to establish a one-to-one correspondence between each frequency and a constraint value that the frequency concerned might assume. In practice, however, to allow some flexibility in assigning an appropriate frequency to any signal, it is necessary to construct a limited predefined number N of classes or sets of frequencies such that each class groups together the frequencies whose efficiencies are within a given range of values, and thus whose mean error rates are also in a given range of values. The function of the constraint parameters mentioned hereinabove can therefore be seen as a staged function able to assume N distinct values, referred to as constraint values, associated with the N sets of frequencies.
The foregoing considerations make it possible to define more precisely the method of the invention for assigning the carrier frequencies to the signals.

Method of assigning carrier frequencies in an optical transmission network


According to an aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, there is provided a constant on-time buck converter with calibrated ripple injection having improved light load transient response and reduced output capacitor size. The constant on-time buck converter may include a controller having a pulse width modulator (PWM) comparator that generates an on-time request, an error amplifier that regulates an average feedback voltage to an internal reference voltage, and passes a feedback node ripple signal to an input of the PWM comparator, an on-time generator that outputs an on-time signal that controls an on-time of the buck converter based on the on-time request, a MOSFET driver that drives the buck converter based on the output of the on-time generator, a zero crossing detection circuit configured to detect when a current through an inductor of the buck converter equals zero, and an injection signal generator coupled to the on-time generator, and that is configured to output an injection signal that limits a dip in an output voltage of the buck converter during a load transient based on an output of the zero crossing detection circuit indicating that the current through the inductor of the buck converter equals zero. The error amplifier may receive a feedback voltage based on the output of the injection signal generator and based on the output voltage of the buck converter.

Step down switching converters (Buck converters) are commonly used whenever DC voltage step down is required. A buck converter typically consists of a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) controller, a Power Stage, and sensing circuits. The Power stage typically consists of two MOSFETs Q1 and Q2 (High side MOSFET Q1 and Low side MOSFET Q2), Inductor (L1) and output capacitor (COUT) as shown in FIG. 1. The PWM controller senses the output voltage (Q1, Q2 and Inductor current as well in some cases) and generates PWM control signals which drive Q1 and Q2 to regulate the output voltage, VOUT.
Buck converters can be divided into two categories: Synchronous and Asynchronous. A synchronous buck converter allows reverse current (current from drain terminal to source terminal of the low side MOSFET Q2), whereas an asynchronous buck converter does not allow reverse current through the low side MOSFET Q2. FIG. 1 shows a synchronous buck converter according to the prior art. If Q2 in FIG. 1 is replaced by a diode, it becomes an asynchronous buck converter as a diode does not allow reverse current through it. Synchronous buck converters give higher efficiency at higher load currents whereas asynchronous buck converters give higher efficiency at light loads.
A synchronous buck converter can be operated as an asynchronous buck converter by turning off the low side MOSFET (Q2 in FIG. 1) whenever reverse current (current from drain terminal to source terminal) is detected though it. This mode of operation is known as discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). Operating a synchronous converter in DCM mode at light loads improves light load efficiency. In a synchronous buck converter, the low side MOSFET (Q2) current is allowed to flow in both directions. This mode of operation is known as Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM).
When operating a converter in DCM mode at light loads, the output voltage dip may be higher when a sudden load is applied on the converter output. The voltage dip may be greatest when a load is suddenly applied to a converter that is initially operating at no load. In order to keep the output voltage deviation within the allowable range when a sudden load is applied, more output capacitors are generally added at the output of a converter. This leads to higher BOM (Bill Of Material) cost and increased solution size.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Constant on-time buck converter with calibrated ripple injection having improved light load transient response and reduced output capacitor size


Methods and apparatus for allocating tones for communications purposes in adjoining cells of an OFDM system are described. Tones used in each cell are allocated to tone hopping sequences according to a tone to tone hopping sequence allocation function. Different cells use different tone to tone hopping sequence allocation functions to minimize the number of collisions between hopping sequences of neighboring cells. Tone hopping sequence to communications channel allocation functions are used to allocate tone hopping sequences to communications channels. Communications channels are used by wireless terminals, e.g., mobile nodes, to transmit data. Over time, a wireless terminal uses the tones included in the tone hopping sequences corresponding to communications channels it is authorized to use. Accordingly, tones are assigned to communications devices by a multi-function, e.g., two level, mapping operation.

In a cellular wireless system, a service area is divided into a number of coverage zones generally referred to as cells. Wireless terminals in a cell communicate with the base station that serves the cell. Wireless terminals may include a wide range of mobile devices including, e.g., cell phones and other mobile transmitters such as personal data assistants with wireless modems.
A problem with known cellular communications systems is that transmission by wireless devices in one cell may collide with transmissions by wireless devices in a neighboring cell. For example, OFDM takes a given bandwidth and splits it into a number of evenly spaced tones that can be used to transmit data. When transmissions by devices in overlapping cells use the same tone or set of tones, multiple collisions may occur over a period of time due to the operation of devices in neighboring cells. This problem is particularly noticeable where transmissions are periodic or nearly periodic.
In periodic or nearly periodic situations, mutual interference caused by wireless terminals in adjacent cells may be highly correlated. This is because when a tone assigned to a wireless terminal A corresponding to a first base station is the same as a tone of another wireless terminal B corresponding to an adjacent base station, in the next transmission period, the tone of wireless terminal A will again be the same as wireless terminal B in the case where the tones are assigned using the same function and recur periodically. Correlated interference of this type can cause signals transmitted by the same two wireless terminals to repeatedly interfere with each other over a long period of time. If the two interfering wireless terminals are disadvantageously located, the base stations in the overlapping cells may not be able to detect the signals correctly from the two interfering wireless terminals for a long period of time.
In order to reduce the risk of correlated or prolonged interference it would be beneficial if it was possible to assign tones to devices in neighboring cells in a manner that would minimize the risk of correlated interference. Unfortunately, this goal is complicated by the difficulties associated with trying to synchronize transmission from neighboring base stations.
One reason different cells are not synchronized is because of cost considerations concerning hardware and/or software implementation. For example, GPS (Global Position System) may be needed in the base station of each cell if accurate synchronization between base stations is desired.
The difficulty of synchronizing OFDM signals is a function of the carrier frequency used and the tone spacing. OFDM can use a carrier frequency of, e.g., 1.9 GHz and the space between each tone may be around, e.g., 10 KHz. In such system the spacing between tones is relatively small in comparison to the carrier frequency. As a result, even relatively small differences in the carrier frequencies used by neighboring base stations due to oscillator errors in neighboring base stations may result in differences in tones of neighboring base stations by being off by the spacing of a full tone or more. For example, a first base station trying to transmit tone 0 at 1.9 GHZ may actual transit it at 1.9 GHz+10 KHz causing tone 0 of the first base station to be transmitted at the frequency of tone 1 of a neighboring base station which properly transmits tone 0 at 1.9 GHz and tone 1 at 1.9 GHz+10 KHz. Given the difficulty in synchronizing base stations in neighboring cells, the transmitter of neighboring cells are frequently unsynchronized.
The unsynchronized nature of different cells complicates the problem of minimizing the interference of wireless terminals between cells so that repeated interference encountered by any individual device is minimized.
In view of the above discussion, it becomes apparent that there is a need for minimizing the potential for collisions between transmissions that occur in neighboring cells of a wireless communications system, particularly in the case of unsynchronized base stations. It is desirable that the probability that transmissions from any given device in neighboring cells will collide repeatedly be minimized to avoid extended periods where communication signals are blocked for any particular device.

Method of tone allocation for tone hopping sequences


An MOS comparator circuit for sensing small voltage differences between two inputs is disclosed. The response time of the comparator circuit is improved by providing both a differential amplifier circuit and an output circuit with faster response times. The response time of the differential comparator circuit is improved by preventing the current-mirror from turning off. The response time of the output circuit is improved by limiting the input voltage to the inverter of the output circuit to a range of slightly greater than the balance-point voltage and slightly less than the balance-point voltage of the inverter.. The difference between the response of the comparator circuit to large amplitude input voltages and small amplitude input voltages is also improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of MOS integrated comparator circuits and more specifically to CMOS integrated comparator circuits.
2. Prior Art
In the design of complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuits, comparator circuits are used to detect small differences between the voltages of two input signals. A comparator circuit commonly includes a differential amplifier circuit for receiving two input voltages and generating an output current proportional to the voltage difference between the two inputs, coupled to an output circuit for converting the output current of the differential amplifier circuit to a suitable output voltage signal.
One application for an integrated comparator circuit is the decoding of digital information transmitted at high frequencies over transmission cables. Two rapidly changing voltage signals of varying amplitudes are decoded using a comparator circuit to compare the encoded digital information. For high data transmission frequencies with large amplitude voltage swings, prior art comparator circuits fail to decode the information correctly due to slow comparator response time to large input voltage swings. To allow reliable decoding of digital information transmitted at high frequencies, comparator circuits with faster response times to large input voltage swings are required. The overall response time of a comparator circuit is determined by the individual response times of the differential amplifier circuit and the output circuit.
Prior art differential amplifier circuits commonly include a current source coupled to a differential pair of transistors that are coupled to a current-mirror. Large voltage swings on the inputs to the differential pair of transistors increase the response time of prior art differential amplifier circuits considerably.
Prior art output circuits commonly include an inverter having a balance-point voltage. The balance-point voltage is the input voltage of the inverter that produces a substantially equal voltage at the output of the inverter. As commonly understood, the inverter output switches to a low state when the input voltage increases above the balance-point voltage and to a high state when the input voltage decreases below the balance-point voltage. If the input to the inverter is driven much higher than the balance-point voltage to switch the output to the low state or much lower than the balance-point voltage to switch the output to the high state, then the additional time needed to drive the inverter input below the balance-point voltage or above the balance-point voltage, respectively, in order to subsequently switch the output to the opposite state increases the response time of the inverter and, therefore, output circuit considerably.
The response time of the output circuit can be decreased by limiting the voltage swing at the inverter input. Some MOS read-only memory circuits prevent column lines from fully discharging in order to reduce the time to recharge the column lines as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,394.
It is appreciated then that what is needed is a comparator circuit with a faster response time. Furthermore, the response time of the comparator circuit can be decreased by decreasing the response times of the differential amplifier circuit and the output circuit.


The invention comprises a time slot interchanger and method for multiplexing ISDN D-channel signals into multiplexed signals in a digital communications terminal. The method comprises receiving a frame of communication signals wherein some of the communication signals represent ISDN D-channel signals. The frame of communication signals is stored in memory during a first frame period. During a second frame period, at least some of the stored communication signals are retrieved from memory. Multiplexed signals are assembled wherein each multiplexed signal comprises a multiplexed combination of the data bits of ISDN D-channel signals retrieved from memory. The multiplexed signals are then output during a second frame period.

Bellcore has developed a series of requirements for telecommunications equipment manufacturers to follow when interfacing a digital loop carrier with a class V central office switch. These requirements are collected in Bellcore document TR-303.
One of the optional requirements of TR-303 concerns assembly of a plurality of Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) D-channel signals into a single DS0 signal. This option of TR-303 now requires that up to four ISDN D-channel signals be multiplexed together to form a single DS0 signal for transport from a digital loop carrier to a class V central office switch. The regional bell operating companies now require that this option be made available.
An ISDN signal comprises two B-channel and one D-channel signal. Each B-channel signal comprises an 8-bit signal while the D-channel signal comprises a 2-bit signal. Because the 8-bit DS0 signal has been the traditional base unit of transport for the telephone system, ISDN D-channel signals often consume an entire 8-bit DS0 signal. Transporting individual D-channel signals in a DS0 signal wastes three-fourths of the bandwidth for that particular DS0.
The optional requirement of TR-303 discussed above seeks to utilize bandwidth more efficiently. In accordance with TR-303, one to four ISDN D-channel signals may be multiplexed together and carried in a single DS0 signal between the digital loop carrier and the central office class V switch. This TR-303 requirement reduces wasted bandwidth between a digital loop carrier and a class V central office switch, particularly where a large number of ISDN lines are connected to the digital loop carrier.

Time slot interchanger and digital communications terminal for ISDN D-channel assembly


A continuously angle-adjustable multifunction tripod is provided. The continuously angle-adjustable multifunction tripod includes a connecting base, at least three legs, an adjusting cap, and a supporter. The adjusting cap and the supporter are disposed on and under the connecting base, respectively. Each of the legs is peripherally distributed around the supporter. Upper ends of the legs are movably connected to the connecting base. Distances between the adjusting cap, the connecting base and the supporter are adjustable along a vertical direction, and can be relatively fixed at anywhere therebetween. Meanwhile, a bottom of the adjusting cap and the supporter clamp and fix the legs, so that an angle of each of the legs relative to the horizontal plane can be arbitrarily adjusted in a range from 0° to 90° in accordance with variations of relative positions of the adjusting cap, the connecting base, and the supporter. The present invention has a simple and compact structure, small volume, light weight, low cost, and convenient to operate. Spans of the legs may be arbitrarily adjusted in a range from 0° to 180°, so that the tripod may be mounted quick and steadily in all kinds of complex environments. The present invention may be widely applied in areas of observation, photography, and illuminating, etc.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a tripod for supporting an instrument, such as a telescope, a camera, a camcorder or a measuring instrument, and more particularly, to a continuously angle-adjustable multifunction tripod.
2. The Prior Arts
A tripod is a device operated in accordance with the principle that a plane can be determined by three non-collinear points. A tripod is usually used for supporting a measuring instrument, a camcorder, an illuminating apparatus, or a laboratory appliance. A typical tripod is often provided with three legs designed to be extractable and retractable in order to adjust a supporting height, so that the instrument supported thereupon can be steadily operated at a certain height. Nowadays, tripods are more widely used, and therefore more functions and requirements are desired from tripods. For example, for observation equipment, such as an astronomical telescope, during the observation, even the least dither or vibration may cause a failed observation. Meanwhile, such observation equipment may usually be carried by a user, so as to be used in a variety of complex environments, such as a city, a village, a desert, and a mountain area. Therefore, a tripod has a structure which is simple, stable, easy to operate, may be steadily mounted in a variety of environments, and has an adjustable supporting height would be very indispensable. Unfortunately, none of the existing tripods may well satisfy the foregoing demands.
For example, Chinese Utility Model Patent Publication No. CN2724048, issued on Sep. 7, 2005, a tripod having three legs with an adjustable opening angle therebetween is disclosed. The tripod includes three legs, protection caps, leg connectors connecting every leg and the protection caps, a tripod head provided on the protection caps. Each protection cap is configured with a plurality of bayonets for defining a plurality of opening angles. The leg connectors which hinge jointed with the protection caps are configured with assembling slots. An elastic button is assembled to the assembling slots with pins and torsional springs. The button is held by the torsional springs for engaging with the bayonets of the protection caps. In such structure, the tripod is adapted for adjusting the opening angle of the legs by levels. Unfortunately, it is more difficult when using the tripod in an environment having more varied landforms and the tripod may need to be continuously fine tuned with respect to the spans of the legs.
Similarly, Chinese Invention Patent Publication No. CN1936690, issued on Mar. 28, 2007, a disclosed tripod for a camera also has similar disadvantages. This tripod provides an opening/closing mechanism disposed between a base of a leg and a body of the tripod for fast adjusting the opening angle of the legs. Although the adjustment to the spans between the legs may be realized, the adjustment is also conducted by levels, and therefore the adjustment is very restricted and may not adapt to complex environments. Further, the tripod employs many precise components, e.g., ratchets, for adjusting the opening angle of the legs, and thus the tripod is featured with a raised cost and an increased probability of failure.

Continuously angle-adjustable multifunction tripod

Suzhou Synta Optical Technology Co., Ltd.


A liquid-crystal polymer includes at least one repeating unit having a spiro structure, and the repeating unit occupies 1 mol % to 20 mol % of the liquid-crystal polymer. The liquid-crystal polymer is composed of the following repeating units: 1 mol % to 20 mol % of

In recent years, liquid-crystal polymer (LCP) has been widely utilized in many high-value, high-end applications, especially in LCP films. Such LCP films have low moisture absorption, low dielectric constant, and low dielectric loss. Moreover, the polyimide (PI) films utilized in flexible copper clad laminate (FCCL) in mobile cell phones cannot satisfy the needs of 4G/5G high speed communication, and the PI films may possibly be replaced with LCP films. However, traditional LCP materials have a high-order molecular alignment, which can easily result in a crystallinity difference between MD and TD directions during the processes of film extrusion and film blowing. As such, the LCP film strength in the MD orientation is high, and the LCP film can easily crack in the TD direction. Accordingly, the thermal processes for preparing LCP films need high-threshold equipments and technologies.
Accordingly, a novel soluble LCP composition is called for, in order for solution-type and film-level LCP to be applied in FCCL product.

Liquid-crystal polymer, laminated material, liquid-crystal polymer solution, and method of forming liquid-crystal polymer film

Abstract: 10 mol % to 35 mol % of

Abstract: 10 mol % to 35 mol % of

Abstract: 10 mol % to50 mol % of

Abstract: and 10 mol % to 40 mol % of

Abstract: AR1 is

Abstract: wherein each of ring R and ring S is independently a C3-20 ring, ring R and ring S share a carbon atom, and each of K1 and K2 is independently a C5-20 conjugated system. Each of AR2, AR3, AR4, and AR5 is independently AR6 or AR6—Z—AR7.

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE


The method of managing time M, at which maintenance of a gas compressor multiple system incorporating therein a plurality of gas compressors should be carried out, involves making a comparison between a value of M and a predetermined time N for necessary maintenance to carry out the maintenance when the value of M is larger than or substantially equal to a value of N, where M is equal to the product of the operating time T of the system, the average load factor L, and a safety factor C.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of managing time, at which maintenance in a gas compressor multiple system incorporating therein a plurality of gas compressors should be carried out.
2. Description of Related Art
Time, at which maintenance in a gas compressor multiple system should be carried out, that is, time, during which operation is possible until maintenance is carried out, is conventionally managed on the basis of an operating time of the gas compressor multiple system. However, such method of management involves such unreasonableness that specifically in the case where a plurality of gas compressors incorporated in a gas compressor multiple system are low in load factor, a difference between an operating time of each gas compressor and an operating time of the gas compressor multiple system becomes large and maintenance is carried out although an operating time of each gas compressor has not yet reached one, for which maintenance should be essentially carried out.
Therefore, maintenance is increased in number of times as compared with that number of times, which is essentially necessary, and operation and stoppage of gas compressors for maintenance are also increased in number of times, so that there is a fear that a utilization plan of a compressed air on a side of a user is hindered.
Further, large ranges are in some cases caused among gas compressors with respect to a difference between an operating time, in which actual maintenance is carried out in each gas compressor, and an operating time, in which maintenance should be essentially carried out.
In addition, no known document is found to describe management of time, at which maintenance of a gas compressor multiple system should be carried out, in view of load factors of a plurality of gas compressors incorporated in the system.

Method of managing time, at which maintenance in a gas compressor multiple system should be carried out


A multi-hybrid power generator and system that facilitate energy harvesting, generation, and storage from interchangeable power sources. The system including a plurality of battery banks; a plurality of power management devices, a plurality of battery banks; a first gearbox, a first generator, a second gearbox, a second generator, a crankshaft having a first crankshaft and a second crankshaft that allow for independent operation of one from the other, a multi-hybrid generator including a plurality of hydraulic electrical actuation devices (HEADs) for driving the first and second generators, and an intelligent power controller communicatively coupled to an electrical load and to the plurality of power management devices for selectively controlling power monitoring, power generation, power distribution and power storage between or to the plurality of battery banks, the at least one electrical load and the plurality of HEADs.

Today's news is full of media reports of global warming, pollution and other environmental hazards that are impacting the world's inhabitants. Dire predictions are being made about the environmental state of the world and its natural resources. One focal point of these reports is the worldwide generation, use, and consumption of electricity. The generation of electricity involves different kinds of resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas and the processing of the foregoing resources has been identified as a source of deleterious environmental effects that include pollution, acid rain, and greenhouse effects. Given the importance of electricity to everyday comforts including, but not limited to, heating, lighting, communications, transportation, and computing, and to worldwide industries and economies, it is unlikely that worldwide electricity demand will slow in any appreciable manner.
To combat some of the adverse environmental impacts, perceived or otherwise, of electricity generation, scientists, researchers, and industries have recently focused their efforts on alternative and/or renewable energy sources such as solar power, wind power, and tidal power. Wind power is present in certain countries that are erecting large wind farms or wind parks that consist of various numbers of wind turbines spread out over an extensive geographic area that is known to have regular and sustained winds over extended periods of time. The winds turn blades on the turbines that convert the energy of the wind into mechanical power. The mechanical power is then converted to electricity using generators. However, wind power does suffer from potential limitations related to the heavy reliance on location, season, and weather to produce and maintain the necessary winds for the electricity generation. Further, the cost of acquiring the necessary real estate and installation of the plethora of wind turbines thereon can be very high and a barrier to market entry.
Solar energy, another one of the above-identified alternative energy sources, is directed to harvesting energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy. Typically, solar energy is harnessed in three main ways: using photovoltaics, solar heating and cooling, and concentrating solar power. Photovoltaics generate electricity directly from sunlight via an electronic process and it is typically associated with powering small and/or medium-sized applications ranging from single devices (e.g., a calculator) to an off-grid home powered by a photovoltaic array. Solar heating and cooling (SHC) and concentrating solar power (CSP) applications use both the heat generated by the sun to provide space or water heating (in the case of SHC systems), or to run traditional electricity-generating turbines (in the case of CSP power plants). This type of renewable energy is typically characterized as either passive solar or active solar and this energy technology can be built as a distributed generation model (e.g., located at or near the point of use) or as a central station model (e.g., a utility-scale solar power plant that is similar to traditional power plants). These energy methods may also store energy that is produced for distribution at some later time (e.g., after the sun sets) using a variety of solar storage technologies. These features have made solar power one of the more desirable alternative renewable energy sources. However, solar power has one significant potential drawback in that the technology in inherently intermittent in nature and may be subject to periods where the source sunlight is unavailable thereby making the solar energy produced therefrom unavailable. As such, this requires that generated solar energy be stored in batteries, thereby increasing the overall costs of pure solar energy systems.
Solar thermal usage is another form of solar energy. This approach is similar to traditional electricity generation in that the energy of the sun drives a power plant, such that electricity is produced indirectly. The solar thermal efforts have focused on matching the efficiencies of traditional power plants that burn fossil fuels, however, this requires complex devices, such as focusing concentrating mirrors to heat oil to very high temperatures. Also, the cost of designing, building, running, and maintaining solar thermal operating plants is very high. In addition to this financial challenge, finding a suitable geographical location for such solar thermal operating plants is a further challenge.
As noted previously, many of the renewable energy technologies require some type of energy storage capacity. Many systems and methods for energy storage have been developed. One such energy storage system pumps water into high elevated reservoirs and then releases the water through hydro-generators. Compressed air energy storage systems compress air with a compressor, and the compressed air is stored in a geological formation (e.g., a cavern, aquifer, etc.) or other structure where it can be drawn upon when energy demands require. Typically, the compressed air mixes with natural gas, combusts and expands through a turbine to generate mechanical power that drives an electric generator to generate electricity. Mechanical gearboxes are used to convert the speed and torque from the power source (e.g., a renewable energy source) to interface with the electrical generator. However, mechanical gearboxes require substantial maintenance and tend to deteriorate faster than the systems they support. Direct drive generators can eliminate the need for these expensive mechanical gearboxes, but the complexity and associated maintenance of direct drive generators make them no less of a cost burden. Such compressed air energy systems are also challenged by geographic constraints and using fixed volume of geological formations, and therefore typically operate at high variable pressures during energy storage and retrieval. This high variable pressure need decreases the efficiency of the compressor and the turbine, which operate at an optimal performance at a single design pressure.
While various energy storage solutions exist, these systems have certain disadvantages that include energy losses during the conversion process, the use of water reservoirs that require large geographical footprints, are expensive to construct, limitations as to the amount of energy that can be stored, and the dissipation of stored energy over time. Further, converting pressurized air back to electricity is a complicated and inefficient process.
Another type of energy system is the hybrid energy system. Hybrid energy systems are defined as the integration of several types of energy generation equipment, such as electrical energy generators, electrical energy storage systems, and renewable energy sources. A hybrid energy system, or hybrid power, usually includes of two or more renewable energy sources used together to provide increased system efficiency as well as greater balance in energy supply. Hybrid systems combine two or more modes of electricity generation together, for example, using renewable technologies such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbines. Hybrid systems provide a high level of energy security through the mix of generation methods, and can incorporate a storage system (e.g., battery, fuel cell) or small fossil fueled generator to ensure maximum supply reliability and security. The basic components of such systems are power sources (e.g., wind turbine, diesel engine generator and solar arrays), and the battery and the power management center, which regulates power production from each of the sources. The advantages of hybrid energy systems include the provision of power on a continual basis without any interruption, as the batteries connected therein store energy for later use, these batteries also increase the utilization of the renewable energy sources, lower maintenance costs, provide higher efficiency, and improved load management. The disadvantages of hybrid energy systems include increased process control complexity given the different energy source types and their interaction and coordination must be precisely controlled, higher installation costs, battery life and the overall load capacity that can be connected to the system.
Accordingly, there is need for multi-hybrid power generator system that improves energy harvesting, generation, and storage from an interchangeable power source.

Multi-hybrid power generator system and method


A spring structure includes a support body, a first support rod, a second support rod, a first spring, a second spring, a first mounting member, and a second mounting member used for connecting to a lower shell of the slide phone. An installation hole running through the support body is disposed on the support body. One end of the first support rod is connected to the first mounting member and the other end is inserted in the installation hole of the support body. The first support rod may move along the installation hole and is sleeved with the first spring. One end of the second support rod is connected to the second mounting member and the other end is inserted in the installation hole of the support body.

At present, slide phones are more and more popular among people, especially among young and fashionable people. A spring structure, as an accessory for connecting an upper sliding cover and a lower sliding cover of a slide phone, may be said to be the most important part in the slide phone. The spring structure functions to implement semi-automatic opening or closing of the slide phone by applying a force through compression and stretching of the spring structure in a process of pushing and closing a sliding cover.
A spring structure in the prior art generally includes two pieces of plate-shaped sheet metal that cooperate with each other for sliding and a compressed spring disposed between the two pieces of sheet metal. One piece of sheet metal has a sliding groove disposed at two side edges, and the other piece of sheet metal has a sliding rail which cooperates with the sliding groove for sliding and is disposed at two side edges. The two pieces of sheet metal are connected to two shells of a slide phone through a structure such as a screw or a fastener, respectively. Its function principle is that, when a hand pushes an upper shell or a lower shell of the slide phone, the two pieces of sheet metal connected to the shells also slide through the sliding groove and the sliding rail that cooperate with each other, and in a sliding process, the compressed spring connected to the sheet metal may implement, through its elastic force, semi-automatic relative sliding of the two pieces of sheet metal, thereby implementing opening and closing effects of the slide phone finally.
The foregoing spring structure has the following technical defects. First, the spring structure includes two pieces of sheet metal and a compressed spring, resulting in a complicated structure, a complicated processing technique and a high manufacturing cost. Second, due to the existence of the two pieces of sheet metal, the spring structure occupies a greater thickness space, resulting in difficulty satisfying light and thin requirements for a cell phone. Third, the compressed spring in the spring structure has a lot of spring steel inside, resulting in a complicated structure.

Spring structure and slide phone using spring structure


An interval centroid-based watermark encoder encodes a watermark into a packet flow. Intervals are defined for the packet flow. Some of the intervals are selected as group A intervals while other intervals are selected as group B intervals. Group A and group B intervals are paired and assigned to watermark bits. A first or second value may be encoded by increasing the relative packet time between packets in either the group A (for the first bit value) or group B (for the second bit value) interval(s) of the interval pair(s) assigned to the watermark bits that are to represent the first or second bit value and the beginning of the same group interval(s). The relative packet times may be measured by a decoder and used to calculate a centroid difference for each interval pair. The centroid differences may be used to reconstruct the watermark.

Privacy and anonymity have become major concerns as people become increasingly dependent on the Internet in their daily lives. For example, people sometimes do not want others to know what Web sites they have visited. Under certain circumstances, people want to remain anonymous to the Web sites they have visited so that their personal interests can not be profiled by the Web sites. To address these privacy concerns, a number of anonymous communication systems (e.g. DC-Net [7]Anonymizer.com [1], Crowds [25], Onion Routing [24], Tor [9], Hordes [27], Web Mixes [3]) have been designed to provide anonymity to the communicating parties.
According to Pfitzmann and Waidner [23], there are three types of anonymities that can be provided by anonymous communication systems: sender anonymity, receiver anonymity, and unlinkability of sender and receiver. Sender anonymity means that the identity of the information sender is hidden, and receiver anonymity means that the identity of the information receiver is hidden. Unlinkability of sender and receiver refers to the property that the sender and receiver of a communication cannot be identified even if the sender and receiver are known to be of communicating with someone. Since anonymity is the state of lacking identity, anonymous communication can only be achieved by removing all the identifying characteristics from the anonymized network flows.
It's well known that encryption alone is not adequate to achieve anonymity. For example, various traffic analysis techniques [33, 32, 10, 31, 30] have been shown to be able to uniquely identify encrypted flows. These traffic analysis techniques can be used to link the encrypted flow to its original information sender and receiver, which would break the sender and receiver anonymity as well as the unlinkability of sender and receiver.
Traditional methods of achieving anonymity in communication include using proxies [24, 25, 9], MIXes [6, 17, 3], and various other flow transformations such as adding cover traffic, packet dropping, flow mixing, flow splitting, and flow merging. Since these flow transformations drastically change the original network flow, it is generally believed that these flow transformations would remove most, if not all, identifying characteristics of the original flow and make it indistinguishable from some other independent network flow. For example, cover traffic has long been believed to be able to prevent the adversary from using traffic analysis to uniquely identify the covered flow and link the information sender and receiver. A number of works [16, 15, 12] have used cover traffic to achieve anonymity. In addition, Blum et al. [5] claimed that a packet flow would become indistinguishable from other independent packet flows if the ratio of the cover traffic added to the original flow reaches certain threshold. They further claimed that their hardness result regarding the traffic analysis holds true even if the adversary is active.
There are fundamental limitations of flow transformations in anonymizing packet flows by taking the role of active adversary. What is needed is a mechanism for uniquely identifying a packet flow in spite of various flow transformations that may be used to link an anonymized packet flow to its original flow thus breaking the anonymity of the packet flow.

George Mason Intellectual Properties, Inc.


A method and system for controlling a drive motor are provided. The method includes determining whether a vehicle is at a sudden braking event by detecting a brake depth of a brake pedal and calculating a depth rate of the brake pedal based on the detected brake depth. In addition, the drive motor is operated to reduce regenerative braking torque when the vehicle is determined to be at the sudden braking event.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling a drive motor, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for controlling a drive motor, by which the physical shock applied to a drive motor, occurring during the sudden braking of a vehicle, is reduced.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fuel cell vehicles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles obtain main power from a drive motor, and, unlike engine driven vehicles mounted with a hydraulic transmission, these environmentally-friendly vehicles are configured to have a serial connection structure between a drive motor and a wheel. This connection structure improves fuel efficiency and the results in substantially high efficiency of power transmission. However, in such a configuration the driver may be physically shocked upon the torque conversion of a drive motor due to the absence of a shock-absorbing mechanism between a wheel and a drive motor.
Particularly, this shock may be aggravated by the sudden braking of a vehicle. Before the sudden braking of a vehicle, a driver's foot is removed from an accelerator pedal, with the associated performance of regenerative braking, together with the application of a reverse torque to a drive motor. Subsequent sudden braking by the driver causes the instantaneous application of a forward torque to the driver motor, thus physically shocking the driver again due to the torque conversion. This shock result also increases when an ABS (anti-lock braking system) is actuated upon a sudden braking event of a vehicle on a low-friction road. Therefore, there is a need for a strategy of reducing the physical shock attributable to torque conversion at a sudden braking event of a vehicle.
It is to be understood that the foregoing description is provided to merely aid the understanding of the present invention, and does not mean that the present invention falls under the purview of the related art which was already known to those skilled in the art.

Method and apparatus for controlling drive motor


Disclosed is a tune-producing feeding utensil, such as a spoon or a fork. In the case of a spoon, the spoon mainly includes a metal bowl portion, a plastic handle portion, and a metal back cover. The handle portion is provided with compartments for receiving a circuit board and two serially connected button cells, as well as a shallow groove around the compartments for receiving a gasket. When the back cover is fitted onto the handle portion, the circuit board and button cells are sealed in the handle portion and the gasket is tightly pressed against the shallow groove to make the handle portion watertight. When a baby uses the spoon to feed itself with one hand holding the handle portion at the back cover and its mouth contacting with the bowl portion, an integrated circuit on the circuit board is actuated to cause a tune-producing device attached to the back cover to send out music or voice. The music or voice is helpful in encouraging the baby to enjoy feeding itself concentratively.

The present invention relates to a tune-producing feeding utensil, such as a spoon or a fork. When a baby's mouth contacts with the bowl or prongs of the spoon or fork of the present invention, music or voice will be sent out from the spoon or fork to attract and encourage the baby to enjoy feeding itself concentratively.
Nowadays, most families have only one or two children and they are always the most cherished thing of the parents. Sometimes, the children are unduly pampered. For instance, most small babies like to play around while taking a meal. Some parents would rather to laboriously bring the bowl and spoon or fork in an attempt to follow and feed the baby. It will, therefore, take a considerably long time to finish the meal. The parents are exhausted and the food is no longer warm and delicious. Even when the baby is old enough to feed itself slowly, some parents may still decide to feed the baby. This might very possibly result in a delayed age of the babies for them to feed themselves and forms confusion to the parents. It is therefore desirable to find a way to eliminate the confusion of the parents in feeding their babies.


The notion of checkpointing model building is introduced to safeguard against the loss of computational results due to abnormal termination of long running computation algorithms. A checkpoint manager initiates a checkpoint, wherein initiation occurs by various scenarios, including dynamically, automatically and manually. A computation module executes the checkpoint on an in progress data computation. The checkpoint manager also monitors the execution of the checkpoint for abnormal termination. Upon a determination of abnormal checkpoint termination, the inability to resume model building from a checkpoint, the checkpoint manger either resumes model build from the checkpoint or aborts the model build.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method, system and computer program product for checkpointing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method, system and computer program product of checkpointing model building for data mining.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The present invention relates to a method, system and computer program product of checkpointing model building for data mining. Generally, software that performs compute intensive tasks, such as data mining, implement long running model build data analysis algorithms. These algorithms may terminate abnormally or fail before their completion resulting in the loss of time, waste of computing effort and inability to make time critical decisions. Algorithms may terminate abnormally due to loss of poser, network service interruption, schedule machine downtime, hardware failure, or software errors, such as operating system applications. One of the reasons for the loss of time, waste of computing effort and inability to make time critical decisions is that the applications implementing the model build algorithms assume that a model build will complete successfully. Accordingly, a built model is not saved until the model build data analysis algorithms are completed. Saving model builds only at the completion of model build data analysis algorithms fails to safeguard against the loss of time, waste of computing effort and inability to make time critical decisions in the event of abnormal termination of model builds.
Therefore, there is a need for a checkpointing system and method for long running model build algorithms. In addition, there is a need for the checkpointing to occur through manual, dynamic, and automated initiation. There is also a need for the checkpointing to generate an intermediate representation of a model. Moreover, there is a need for the intermediate representation to be stored in non-volatile storage.

Checkpoint model building for data mining