A method, system, and program for determining a capacity of a grid environment to handle a required workload for a virtual grid job request are provided. A bid controller receives a virtual job request for processing a job within a grid environment from a client system. The bid controller determines the total required workload for the virtual job request. Then, the bid controller calculates a capacity of the grid environment to handle the total required workload, such that a bid for performing the job is enabled to be automatically generated responsive to the virtual job request based on the capacity of the grid environment to handle the total required workload.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to improved grid computing and in particular to automated bidding for virtual job requests within a grid environment. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to responding to virtual grid job requests for grid resources by calculating the capacity of grid resources to handle the workload requirements for the virtual requests, where a bid for handling the virtual job request can be generated based on the capacity of the grid environment to handle the workload requirements.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ever since the first connection was made between two computer systems, new ways of transferring data, resources, and other information between two computer systems via a connection continue to develop. In typical network architectures, when two computer systems are exchanging data via a connection, one of the computer systems is considered a client sending requests and the other is considered a server processing the requests and returning results. In an effort to increase the speed at which requests are handled, server systems continue to expand in size and speed. Further, in an effort to handle peak periods when multiple requests are arriving every second, server systems are often joined together as a group and requests are distributed among the grouped servers. Multiple methods of grouping servers have developed such as clustering, multi-system shared data (sysplex) environments, and enterprise systems. With a cluster of servers, one server is typically designated to manage distribution of incoming requests and outgoing responses. The other servers typically operate in parallel to handle the distributed requests from clients. Thus, one of multiple servers in a cluster may service a client request without the client detecting that a cluster of servers is processing the request.
Typically, servers or groups of servers operate on a particular network platform, such as Unix or some variation of Unix, and provide a hosting environment for running applications. Each network platform may provide functions ranging from database integration, clustering services, and security to workload management and problem determination. Each network platform typically offers different implementations, semantic behaviors, and application programming interfaces (APIs).
Merely grouping servers together to expand processing power, however, is a limited method of improving efficiency of response times in a network. Thus, increasingly, within a company network, rather than just grouping servers, servers and groups of server systems are organized as distributed resources. There is an increased effort to collaborate, share data, share cycles, and improve other modes of interaction among servers within a company network and outside the company network. Further, there is an increased effort to outsource nonessential elements from one company network to that of a service provider network. Moreover, there is a movement to coordinate resource sharing between resources that are not subject to the same management system, but still address issues of security, policy, payment, and membership. For example, resources on an individual's desktop are not typically subject to the same management system as resources of a company server cluster. Even different administrative groups within a company network may implement distinct management systems.
The problems with decentralizing the resources available from servers and other computing systems operating on different network platforms, located in different regions, with different security protocols and each controlled by a different management system, has led to the development of Grid technologies using open standards for operating a grid environment. Grid environments support the sharing and coordinated use of diverse resources in dynamic, distributed, virtual organizations. A virtual organization is created within a grid environment when a selection of resources, from geographically distributed systems operated by different organizations with differing policies and management systems, is organized to handle a job request.
One important application of a grid environment is that companies implementing an enterprise computing environment can access external grid computing "farms". Sending jobs to a grid computing farms is one way to outsource job execution. The grid computing farms may include groups of grid resources accessible for executing grid jobs received from multiple customers.
A limitation of current grid computing farms is that the process for attaining bids from multiple grid computing farms is time consuming and inefficient. In particular, a customer needing to send jobs to a grid computing farm will typically want the least costly grid computing farm from among multiple available grid farm providers to process the grid jobs. However, to determine the most competitive bid from among the multiple available grid farm providers, a customer must contact a representative of each grid computing farm, provide a description of the type of grid resources needed and receive a bid from the representative of each grid farm. Requiring a customer to contact a representative of each grid computing farm and go through a bidding process is inefficient for the customer and for the grid computing farm vendor.
Therefore, in view of the foregoing, it would be advantageous to provide a method, system, and program for receiving virtual grid job requests and automatically calculating a bid for performing the grid job, such that the consumer and the grid resource vendor can more efficiently determine whether a particular grid environment is able to handle a virtual grid job request and provide on the spot prices for use of a grid environment. In particular, it would be advantageous to provide a method, system, and program for calculating the workload associated with a virtual grid job request so that an accurate determination of the ability of the grid environment to handle a virtual grid job request is quickly determines and a price can be calculated based on the estimated workload of the virtual grid job request.

Determining a capacity of a grid environment to handle a required workload for a virtual grid job request

International Business Machines Corporation


An indicator light for a motor vehicle includes a lamp, a reflector, a cover lens, and a screen placed between the lamp and the cover lens so as to mask the lamp. The reflector has a set of deflecting panels or facets, adjacent to each other and arranged to generate a plurality of secondary light sources visible within a given field of observation.. Each deflecting panel comprises a central zone having a contour, projected orthogonally on the optical axis, which is generally rectangular with horizontal and vertical sides and adapted to cover the whole field of illumination, together with at least one pair of peripheral zones with oblique sides, smoothly extending the central zone on two opposed sides of the central zone. The peripheral zones together also cover the whole field of illumination. Each deflecting panel reveals at least two virtual light sources within a given field of observation, when viewed from any angle within that field. The screen is a translucent plate having retro-reflective optical means on one of its faces, and includes means for generating further secondary light sources, in a distribution similar to that of the secondary sources generated by the deflecting panels and visible in the same field of observation.

In such an indicator light, each facet of the mirror has a form such that it is adapted to direct the reflected light horizontally and vertically, so that the facet by itself covers at least part of the field of illumination of the indicating light. As a result, when the indicating light is observed within this field of illumination, and whether or not the cover lens is smooth or, as may be the case, includes reliefs such as decorative elements, which have little influence on the behaviour of the radiated light, it is found that there occur a number of secondary light sources which are spaced apart at regular intervals. These secondary light sources are created by the various facets of the mirror, and they give the indicating light an aspect which is sometimes called a "diamond aspect". This diamond aspect is very attractive to styling designers.
An indicating light with these features is quite easy to design when each of the facets has, in orthogonal projection on the optical axis, horizontal and vertical sides, because each facet can then easily be designed in such a way as to distribute the light projected in a rectangle which is selected so as to be equal or similar to the required field of illumination, the latter being also generally of rectangular form.
However, this constraint regarding the edges of the facets involves some penalties for the stylist. In this connection, the stylist may want the contours of the facets to be, not horizontal and vertical, but with oblique orientations instead, following for example the contour lines of the neighbouring parts of the bodywork of the vehicle. But if the facets are to have such contours, it becomes impossible to make them able to cover a projected field of illumination corresponding closely enough to the required rectangular field of illumination. In that case, when the observer, outside the vehicle, is close to the edges of the field of illumination, or moves progressively away from this field, some of the secondary light sources cease to be visible to the observer, while others remain visible. From the styling point of view this effect is regarded as being extremely undesirable.

Indicator light for a motor vehicle, having a faceted reflector


A method of processing a spectrally-encoded digital audio signal comprising band data components representing audio contributions in respective frequency bands comprises the steps of altering a subset comprising one or more of the band data components; and generating recovery data to allow the original values of the altered band data components to be reconstructed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to digital audio processing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Audible watermarking methods are used to protect an audio signal by combining it with another (watermark) signal for transmission or storage purposes, in such a way that the original signal is sufficiently clear to be identified and/or evaluated, but is not commercially usable in its watermarked form. To be worthwhile, the watermarking process should be secure against unauthorised attempts to remove the watermark.
The watermark signal may be selected so that it carries useful information (such as copyright, advertising or other identification data). It is a desirable feature of watermarking systems that the original signal can be restored fully from the watermarked signal without reference to the original source material, given the provision of suitable software and a decryption key.
EP-A-1 189 372 (Matsushita) discloses many techniques for protecting audio signals from misuse. In one technique, audio is compressed and encrypted before distribution to a user. The user needs a decryption key to access the audio. The key may be purchased by the user to access the audio. The audio cannot be sampled by a user until they have purchased the key. Other techniques embed an audible watermark in an audio signal to protect it. In one technique, an audio signal is combined with an audible watermark signal according to a predetermined rule. The watermark degrades the audio signal. The combination is compressed for transmission to a player. The player can decompress and reproduce the degraded audio signal allowing a user to determine whether they wish to buy a "key" which allows them to remove the watermark. The watermark is removed by adding to the decompressed degraded audio signal an equal and opposite audible signal. The watermark may be any signal which degrades the audio. The watermark may be noise. The watermark may be an announcement such as "This music is for sample playback".
With a frequency-encoded (also referred to as "spectrally-encoded") audio signal, for example a data-compressed signal such as an MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer III) signal, an ATRAC™ signal, a Phillips™ DCC™ signal or a Dolby™ AC-3™ Signal, the audio information is represented as a series of frequency bands. So-called psychoacoustical techniques are used to reduce the number of such bands which must be encoded in order to represent the audio signal.
The audible watermarking techniques described above do not apply to frequency-encoded audio signals. To apply—or to subsequently remove—an audible watermark, it is necessary to decode the frequency-encoded audio signal back to a reproducible form. However, each time the audio signal is encoded and decoded in a lossy system, it can suffer degradation.


A plasma ashing method to prevent a generation of a resist-residue buildup is disclosed that includes a step for installation of a substrate on which a photoresist material is formed in a chamber, a step for drawing a vacuum in the chamber and keeping the chamber at a predetermined pressure, a step for filling oxygen gas in the camber and keeping the chamber at approximately 1 Torr, and a step for applying a high-frequency electric power of 0.10 [W/cm.sup.2 ] or less to the oxygen gas. A more effective range of the high-frequency electric power per area of the internal wall of the chamber is from 0.008 to 0.10 [W/cm.sup.2 ]. The most effective value of the high-frequency electric power is 0.055 [W/cm.sup.2 ].

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a plasma ashing method used in a semiconductor fabrication process, more particularly to a plasma ashing method for control of generation of residual resist.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1A shows mainly a cross sectional view of an inner portion of a quartz chamber in a compositional diagram of a conventional barrel-type plasma ashing device.
FIG. 1B shows a right side view of the plasma ashing device as shown in FIG. 1A. In these drawings, a reference number 21 designates a semiconductor substrate installed on quartz boat 22. A number 24 is a quartz chamber or a ceramics door to close the chamber 23. A reference number 25 denotes a vacuum pump for evacuating the chamber 23 through an exhaust pipe 28. An electrode 26 is located along the external wall of the chamber 23. The electrode 26 is connected to a high-frequency power electric source 29. A reference number 29 is an introduction pipe in order to introduce an ashing gas for a plasma ashing into the chamber 23.
Hereinafter, we will now describe steps of a plasma ashing process by using the plasma ashing device having the composition as described above.
First, the semiconductor substrate 21 on which an organic compound, for instance a photo resist pattern is formed is installed on the quartz boat 22, then placed in the chamber 23.
Next, the ceramic door 24 is closed for hermetically sealing the chamber 23. Then, the air in the chamber 23 is exhausted through the exhaust pipe 28 for keeping the chamber 23 at a predetermined high vacuum. Oxygen gas is provided into the chamber 23 through an introduction pipe 27 until the gas pressure in the chamber 23 reaches a predetermined value.
Next, the high-frequency electric power source 29 is applied to the electrode 26 to generate a plasma in the chamber 23. Thereby, the oxygen gas is excited to become active oxygen. The active oxygen reacts with the organic compound formed on the semiconductor substrate 21.
The reaction process may be expressed by the following equation. EQU C.sub.x H.sub.y +O*=CO.uparw.+H.sub.2 O.uparw.+CO.sub.2 .uparw.(1)
where
the symbol `O*` is the active oxygen and PA1 the symbol `.uparw.` denotes evaporation.
The organic compound on the semiconductor substrate 21 is removed through the above described reaction process and plasma ashing process is accomplished.
In the prior art, the voltage supplied from the high-frequency power source 27 is increased to speed up the reaction process (1). Thereby, the concentration of the active oxygen O* and the temperature in the chamber 23 become high. In addition, the reaction process is rapidly advantaged by directly heating the chamber 23 with a heater.
The condition of the plasma ashing process used in the prior art is as follows:
______________________________________ PLASMA ASHING PROCESS CONDITION Example 1 Example 2 ______________________________________ CHAMBER d .times. L 250 .times. 400 300 .times. 450 [mm] HIGH-FREQUENCY 600 800 APPLIED POWER [W] HIGH-FREQUENCY 0.19 0.19 APPLIED POWER INTERNAL WALL IN CHAMBER [W/cm.sup.2 ] ASHING RATE [.ANG./min] HEATER ON 750 800 HEATER OFF 500 600 ______________________________________
In the conventional plasma ashing process as mentioned above, a bridge between resists is easily produced. The bridge is often left as a resist-residue on the semiconductor substrate 21 after the plasma ashing process is finished.
Moreover, the resist-residue is bonded so strongly on the semiconductor substrate 21 that it cannot be removed easily. It is difficult to remove adequately the resist residue 41 by a wet etching process which is performed later.
In the later processes, abnormality of the resist film deposited around the resist-residue on the substrate occurs.
Thereby, it is difficult to form a flat resist film on the semiconductor substrate. Reliability of the products fabricated by using the conventional method and productivity of the semiconductor device are degreased.
Accordingly, this is one of the factors causing the producer's price of the semiconductor device to be high.


A system and method of registering voters and tabulating an election is provided. A voter database is maintained with a record of each eligible voter comprising at least one voter characteristic. Based on the at least one voter characteristic, a set of positions and issues for which the voter is eligible to vote is determined. The set of positions and issues is printed onto a ballot. The ballot may be printed on demand or mailed to the voter along with a return envelope and an anonymous ballot envelope. A system and method for tabulating and auditing election results is also provided. Voted ballots are scanned and computer readable visual representations of the ballots are generated and stored. The visual representations are analyzed to generate vote data. The visual representation, vote data and ballot are associated with each other by a unique ballot identification. Visual representations of ballots can be retrieved based on a database query and displayed along with the associated vote data for review. Based on the unique ballot identification, the ballot associated with the vote data may also be identified and reviewed. If necessary, vote data associated with a ballot may be corrected.

As the most recent presidential election demonstrated, present election systems are not 100% accurate. There are several problems with present election systems which contribute to the inherent inaccuracy. While the vast majority of ballots in most election systems are cast and recorded without incident, a small percentage of ballots are often counted incorrectly, either because of human error, or because the intent of the voter is not cleat from the ballot. In close elections, the outcome may depend on the accurate accounting of every ballot. Furthermore, it should be the goal of every election to include the greatest participation of registered voters, and to accurately count as many cast ballots as possible in the final tabulation of results.
One problem with present election systems occurs when a voter votes too many or too few times on a particular ballot. As an example, the voter may be required to choose one candidate for the office a president, but choose several candidates for a local office. Voters occasionally vote for too many or too few candidates for a particular office, or forget to vote on a particular office or issue.
Another problem with most present election systems is each voter must show up to their designated voting location. It would be desirable to allow voters to choose among several voting locations. In this manner, mote voters may be able to vote at a more convenient location, who otherwise may not have participated. Thus, total voter participation would be increased.
Another problem with present election systems is maintaining the integrity of the election by accounting for all of the ballots produced. Most election systems produce more ballots than necessary, and all ballots are identical. Ideally, one ballot would be produced for each voter, and furthermore the ballot would be unique to that voter, while maintaining anonymity with regard to the actual votes case by a particular voter.
Finally, in close elections, it is often important to audit the election to ensure an accurate tabulation. However, in many present election systems, entire batches of ballots must be reviewed, because there is no simple way to separate the erroneous ballots. The inventors are unaware of any current election system that provides a means to retrieve a set of ballots according to the vote data associated therewith. The result is a tremendous amount of tedious work to review entire batches of voted ballots in close elections.

Automated voter registration and tabulation system


Attenuating or blocking light in a vehicle includes a rotatingly connected first and second sheet each with a plurality of holes and apertures, respectively. During use, a hole of the first sheet is registered with an aperture of the second sheet and both the hole and aperture are securely fitted about a support arm of a rear view mirror in the vehicle. Because the sheets are tinted or opaque, and fitted to eliminate space gaps, light incoming to the vehicle is attenuated or blocked. To adjust positioning, users realign a second hole of the first sheet with a second aperture of the second sheet and fit both about the support arm. Because of the arrangement of the sheets relative to one another, and their relative pivot point locations, the sheets hang in a different position on the support arm, after adjustment, higher or lower than before.

As is well known, drivers and passengers are often inconvenienced by sunlight or headlights entering their vehicle. Sometimes it is so severe that accidents or near-misses result. With reference to FIG. 1, an interior of an automobile is given generally as 10. While the visors 12 and 14 traditionally block sunlight and headlights from entering the windshield 16 and interfering with the vision of driver/passengers, a space or region 18 exists between the visors that has nothing blocking light. Sometimes, especially during dusk or dawn, light fills this space and causes visual inconvenience or impairment.
While many makeshift and specialized products have been developed over the years to attenuate or block light in this region, many do not appreciate the height H1, H2 and length L1 intricacies of various vehicles. Namely, heights H1 and H2 and length L1 are relatively large in the cab of a tractor trailer semi truck and relatively small in a compact passenger car. Thus, the various light attenuation devices over the years simply contemplating a single-sized attenuator is generally too small for semi trucks and too large, and perhaps too cramped, for compact cars. On the other hand, other attenuation devices have contemplated size adjustment, such as via the functionality of swing arms, splayed panels, flip panels or even motorized operation. However, these suffer from undo complexity and/or proneness to misalignment when the vehicle "bumps" upon encountering rough, rugged or potholed driving terrain.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a simple light attenuator or blocker for a vehicle contemplating both size adjustment for variously sized light openings in a variety of vehicles and reliable positioning methodology. Naturally, any improvements should further contemplate good engineering practices, such as relative inexpensiveness, ease of manufacturing, low complexity, etc.

Adjustable light attenuator or blocker for vehicle


In a provider backbone—traffic engineering network, a method and a bridge node are provided for setting up path between edge bridges connected to customer premises. A first edge bridge advertises towards peer edge bridges a tuple comprising a port identity and a layer two address. When it needs to set up a path towards the first edge bridge, one of the peer edge bridges uses information in the tuple to compute a path label.

Today's wide area networks (WAN) make extensive use of multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) networks to provide Internet services at very high rates over very broad areas. MPLS-based IP networks can efficiently route traffic and provide quality of service (QoS) control.
FIG. 1 is a prior art representation of a simplified multiprotocol label switching network. The MPLS network 100 connects a first host 110, which is a data source, and to a second host 160, which is a data destination. The first host 110 connects into the MPLS network though a first router, called label edge router (LER) 120. The second host 160 connects to a second router, called LER 170. Between the two LERs 120 and 170 are located several label switch routers (LSR) 132, 134, 136 and 138. Only the LERs 120 and 170 are used to connect the MPLS network to external hosts. Connections may exist between any label edge and LSRs, though in general, connections between routers within the MPLS network 100 are installed in accordance with good practices based on geographical location of each router, need for providing sufficient capacity and reliability between the routers, etc.
When the first host 110 intends to send a packet towards the second host 160, it includes in that packet an IP header comprising a source IP address of the first host 110 and a destination address of the second host 160. The packet including the IP header is forwarded to the LER 120. The LER 120 forwards the packet towards one of the LSRs based on traditional IP forwarding methods. In addition, the LER 120 adds a label request in the packet. For example, the LER 120 sends the packet to the LSR 132. In response to the label request, the LSR 132 allocates a label for use between the LER 120 and the LSR 132, and stores that label in an internal table for later use. The LSR 132 forwards the packet, for example towards the LSR 134, the packet still including the label request. The LSR 134 in turn allocates another label for use between the LSR 132 and the LSR 134. The process is repeated at each router until the packet reaches the LER 170 on a unidirectional, forward path. At that time, labels have been allocated for each link between two routers and each allocating router has stored label values internal tables. The LER 170 removes the label request and forwards the packet to its destination, that is, towards the host 160. At the same time, the LER 170 informs one of the LSRs, that is, the LSR which was immediately before the LER 170 on the forward path, of the label the LER 170 has allocated to a link between it and that LSR. That LSR takes note of the label value allocated by the LER 170, and forwards the packet towards a next router, informing that next router of the label value it has itself allocated. The process continues towards the LER 120. As such, as this label information towards the LER 120, each router along the forward path is informed of labels used between itself and the next router on the forward path. A collection of labels between routers along a data path is called a Label Switched Path (LSP). As new packets are sent from the first host 110 and the second host 160, the LER 120 that receives those packets directly from the first host 110 adds a relevant label value to the packets, wherein the relevant label value relates to traffic to be exchanged between these two hosts and to the next router on the LSP towards the other host. That next router does not need to look at any destination address included in those packets as it rather forwards the packet based on the label only. As a result, not only all packets exchanged between the two hosts travel through a same LSP, but the routers act more rapidly in receiving and forwarding the packets based on those labels, not having to route the packets based on IP addresses. It should be noted that an LSP is unidirectional, so an identical process of setting a second LSP is required, in a reverse direction from the LER 170 connected to the second host 160 towards the LER 120, connected to the first host 110.
A tutorial entitled "Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)" is available from the International Engineering Consortium. This tutorial is included herein by reference.
Generalized MPLS (GMPLS) extends MPLS beyond the IP routing domain into other areas such as time division multiplexing, optical networks, and the like. GMPLS uses a suite of protocols, including open shortest path first (OSPF), resource reservation protocol (RSVP) and link management protocol (LMP). OSPF finds the topology of a network and provides information on the property of ports within the network, this information comprising for example data rate capacity of such ports. RSVP, once a path has been computed by use of OSPF, reserves the resources. LMP distributes information e.g. on link failures. One of the improvements added within GMPLS is the possibility for a router to suggest a label value when opening a path, rather than simply requesting a label value from the next router in on the path. The router that receives the label request comprising the suggested label value may optionally accept the suggestion, or decline it and supply another label value. Ideally, the suggested label value is accepted, as this accelerates the process of setting up switching configuration within the routers. The suggested label value may be declined if the router that receives it detects that the value is in conflict with another label already in use.
A tutorial entitled "Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS)" is available from the International Engineering Consortium. This tutorial is included herein by reference.
One important disadvantage of MPLS is that this technology requires important capital and operational investments. These networks require sophisticated levels of configuration and expensive hardware. As a result, there is a drive towards using Ethernet as a base for providing high quality and high rate services at lower costs. However, Ethernet is not, traditionally, well suited to traffic engineering and QoS control. Provider backbone bridge-traffic engineering (PBB-TE), specified in Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) specification number 802.1Qay, is a recent technology based on Ethernet, which aims at providing similar advantages as those offered by MPLS networks, at lower costs. PBB-TE, sometimes also called provider backbone transport (PBT), works at layer two in a manner similar to MPLS at the IP layer.
GMPLS added to PBB-TE enables automation of the PBB-TE configuration. A path computation engine, defined in GMPLS, uses information obtained by use of OSPF, to know the network topology within the PBB-TE network.
FIG. 2 is a prior art representation of a simplified provider backbone bridge-traffic engineering network. To those skilled in the art, a strong parallel is evident between FIGS. 1 and 2. In contrast with the MPLS network of FIG. 1, the PBB-TE network of FIG. 2 comprises bridges, not routers, and switches traffic at layer two.
The PBB-TE network 200 connects a first customer premise 210, which is a data source, and to a second customer premise 260, which is a data destination. The first customer premise 210 connects into the PBB-TE network through a first bridge, called backbone edge bridge (BEB) 220. The second customer premise 260 connects to a second bridge, illustrated as BEB 270. Between the two BEBs 220 and 270 are located several backbone core bridges (BCB) 232, 234, 236 and 238. Only the BEBs 220 and 270 are used to connect the PBB-TE network to customer premises. Connections may exist between any BEBs and BCBs.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are prior art representations of a backbone edge bridge and of a backbone core bridge, respectively. The BEB 300 comprises a customer instance component 310, sometimes called I (for 'Instance') component, and a backbone component 350, sometimes called B (for 'Backbone') component. The BCB 400 only comprises a B component. Both the I and the B components comprise external ports, and a switching relay, each B component also comprises the above mentioned forwarding database (FDB). The I component of the BEB 300 comprises a plurality of customer instance ports (CIP), for connection towards customer premises. The B component of the BEB 300 comprises a plurality of provider backbone ports (PBP) for connection towards other bridges of the PBB-TE network. The B component of the BCB 400 has a single type of ports, the provider network port (PNP). In the BEB 300, the I and B components are linked by connections between provider instance ports (PIP) of the I component and customer backbone ports (CBP) of the B components.
Returning to FIG. 2, when the first customer premise 210 intends to send a packet towards the second customer premise 260, it first sends the packet to the nearest, or first, BEB 220. Configuration information in the first BEB 220 indicates that the second customer premise 260 is served by the second BEB 270. Part of the configuration information present at the first BEB 220 comprises a layer two address of an input/output (I/O) port of the second BEB 270 for serving the second customer premise 260. The first BEB 220 initiates creation of a tunnel, or switched path, by sending the packet towards the second BEB 270. The packet now comprises, as a destination address, the layer two address of the I/O port of the second BEB 270, a layer two source address designating an I/O port of the first BEB 220, a tag designating the customer site 210 where the packet was originated, and a virtual location area network (VLAN) identifier, in addition to the original packet content. Each BCB along the path receives the packet. On FIG. 2, an exemplary path is shown with links 240a, 240b, 240c, 240d and 240e, noting that links 240a and 240e are not, properly speaking, part of the PBB-TE network. In this example, BCBs 232 and 238 are part of the path. A forwarding database (FDB) in those BCBs 232 and 238 considers the destination address and VLAN identifier to determine an I/O port of the BCB on which the packet shall be forwarded towards its destination. When the OSPF and RSVP processes are executed, the FDBs of each BCB have all stored the layer two destination address and the VLAN identifier. Thereafter, as new packets come in, the BEBs and BCBs forward those packets based on the layer two destination address and on the VLAN identifier stored in FDBs along the path. In essence, the VLAN identifier acts as a label for the path.
It is essential that a combination of the VLAN identifier and layer two address of the second (receiving) BEB 270 is unique within the PBB-TE network, in order for switching based thereon to be functional. It may happen that, in the exemplary PBB-TE network of FIG. 2, the second BEB 270 receives the first packet and discovers that the VLAN identifier cannot be accepted because its value is already in use, for the layer two address of a receiving port. In such a case, negotiation must be made between the two BEBs to select a different VLAN identifier. Evidently, this delays the set-up of the path between the two BEBs.
In US 2007/0086455, Allan et al. attempt to solve this problem. A path request is sent from a bridge on an originating side. The path request arrives at a bridge on a terminating side. The terminating side bridge allocates a VLAN identifier and passes it towards the originating side on an RSVP message. While their method may avoid collision between VLAN identifier values, it may extend the time required to set-up a path, at the beginning of a session. Their method also requires extensive configuration in all BEBs.

Efficient path setup in a provider backbone bridge network


According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for securely extending a private network to include one or more remote access points (APs) comprises a first operation of establishing a secure communication path with a destination device. Then, the information received from a source device is prepared for transmission to the destination device. This involves the received information undergoing Layer 3 (L3) encryption prior to encapsulation into a message for transmission to the destination device if the received information constitutes control information. If the received information constitutes data, the received information optionally undergoes L3 encryption, since the payload data might be already L2 encrypted by the source device, prior to encapsulation into the message.

Over the last decade or so, companies have installed enterprise networks with one or more local area networks in order to allow their employees access to various network resources. While these networks are typically configured to greatly improve work efficiency for employees physically at work, they tend to provide a lesser level of efficiency for those employees remotely accessing the enterprise network through a virtual private network (VPN).
For example, once a network is configured, employees become quite familiar with the manner in which resources of the network are accessed. This may involve increased familiarity with any graphic user interfaces as well as familiarity with association and authentication procedures. Employees working off-site, however, normally need to associate with different networks and navigate through various non-intuitive VPN client applications designed to form a VPN for accessing network resources from the enterprise network.
As a result, off-site employees access network resources less frequently, which may decrease productivity of these employees. In addition, off-site employees tend to use a greater amount of information technology (IT) resources than other employees, due in part to this lack of a uniform connectivity procedure.

Mechanism for securely extending a private network


A charge pump can advantageously include a PMOS transistor that functions as a first current source and an NMOS transistor that functions as a second current source. The transistors can be appropriately sized to provide low parasitic charge injection. Capacitors can function as low impedance voltage sources for rapidly turning on the PMOS and NMOS transistors, whereas switches can be used for quickly turning off the PMOS and NMOS transistors. The capacitors can be charged using a current mirror circuit, thereby facilitating the matching of currents of the transistors and ensuring low power consumption. Alternatively, an operational amplifier can be used in the charge pump to provide high output voltage range and superior current matching.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a charge pump and in particular to a charge pump that can provide matched currents, high output currents, low parasitic charge injection, high output voltage range, and low power consumption.
2. Description of the Related Art
Charge pumps can be used in many types of circuits, including, but not limited to, frequency synthesizers. Because of their ubiquitous use, designers are continually trying to improve charge pumps to more closely approximate the "ideal" charge pump. FIG. 1 illustrates an ideal charge pump 100 including two current sources 101A and 101B providing equal current as well as two switches 102A and 102B. Switch 102A, which is coupled to a high voltage supply, is controlled by a logic signal UP. In contrast, switch 102B, which is coupled to a low voltage supply, is controlled by a logic signal DN. Opening and closing of switches 102A/102B at predetermined intervals can generate a desired output current.

Charge pump with large bypass capacitors


An apparatus for manufacturing a carbon nanostructure and a method for manufacturing a carbon nanostructure that can achieve an increase in length and shape stabilization of the carbon nanostructure can be obtained. A manufacturing apparatus for a carbon nanostructure includes a catalyst member on which a carbon nanostructure is grown, a source gas supply unit and a source gas supply pipe, a coil, and a heater. The source gas supply unit and the source gas supply pipe supply the catalyst member with carbon for forming the carbon nanotube. The coil applies a gradient magnetic field (e.g., a cusped magnetic field indicated by magnetic flux line whose magnetic field strength gradually increases from one surface of the catalyst member to the other surface opposite to the one surface. The heater heats the catalyst member.

Conventionally, a carbon nanostructure, such as a carbon nanotube, is expected to be an excellent next-generation conductive material for use in electric power transmission and communications. As methods for manufacturing the carbon nanostructure, various methods including a catalyst CVD method through the use of a metal nanoparticle catalyst and a carbon transmission method have been proposed (see e.g., Takeshi HIKATA, "Study of New Manufacturing Process for Longer length Carbon Nanotubes", SEI Technical Review, No. 173, pp. 30-34, July 2008, (NPL 1)).

Apparatus for manufacturing carbon nanostructure and method for manufacturing carbon nanostructure


The present invention relates to a nasal dilator which comprises a means for dilating the nostrils and a thermal element, which can be worn on the nose of a human for an extended period of time, as well as a method of treatment for relief of nasal congestion/blockage, sinus discomfort and pain, and other cold and/or allergy symptoms associated therewith, by applying said nasal dilator to the nose of a human in need of such treatment.

Blockage of the nasal passages is obviously an inconvenience to persons who experience it. Blockage of the nasal passages is particularly uncomfortable at night, since it can lead to sleep disturbances, sleep irregularities, and/or snoring. In addition, a person with such a condition may wake often because he/she is not inhaling sufficient quantities of oxygen.
While there is a small portion of the human population which has some type of malformation of the nasal passages, such as a deviated septum, the majority of people who experience blockage of the nasal passages usually are suffering from the nasal congestion and other symptoms associated with the common cold and/or allergies. The common cold, although not usually a serious illness, is a highly prevalent, discomforting and annoying affliction. The term "common cold" is applied to minor respiratory illnesses caused by a variety of different respiratory viruses, of which rhinoviruses are the major known cause of common colds, accounting for approximately 50 percent of the colds in adults.
With the common cold, symptoms of nasal discharge, nasal congestion/blockage, and sneezing usually commence on the first day of illness and progress to maximum severity by the second or third day. Other symptoms may include mild burning of the eyes, loss of smell and taste, a feeling of pressure or fullness in the sinuses, sinus pain, headache, and vocal impairment. Many of these symptoms are shared by sufferers of allergies.
At present, treatment for the nasal congestion/blockage, sinus discomfort and pain, and other cold symptoms, including fever and the general malaise associated therewith, generally contain an analgesic (aspirin or acetaminophen) and one or more antihistamines, decongestants, cough suppressants, antitussives and expectorants; the majority of these drugs are taken orally. Other specific pharmaceutical actives for nasal symptoms (e.g., congestion) generally contain either oxymetazoline or phenylephrine and are generally delivered topically to the nasal mucosa via a nasal spray.
Nasal delivery of therapeutic agents has been well known for a number of years.
See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,700 to Wenig, issued Jun. 7, 1988, U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,810 to Wenig, et al., issued Oct. 18, 1988 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,997 to Wenig issued Mar. 8, 1988. Nasal saline sprays have been used to moisturize nasal passages and to dissolve build-up in the nasal mucosa; however, saline solutions alone have not proved satisfactory for relief of nasal congestion. Menthol has been administered orally from lozenges and the like, as well as delivered to the nasal mucosa from an inhaler, see for example, Clinical Otolaryngology, 1988, vol. 13, pp. 25-29. Yet menthol delivered in such a manner has not been found to provide a sufficient level of relief.
Another method of relieving the sinus pain, and other cold symptoms described above, is by application of heat to the nose and/or sinus areas. Such heat treatments include the use of hot towels and reusable thermal packs containing water and/or microwaveable gels. In general, such devices, which require the thermal source to be replenished, are inconvenient to use. Further, many of these thermal units or devices do not provide long lasting heat or maintain a consistent temperature over long periods of time. The beneficial therapeutic effects from this administration of heat diminishes after the heat source is removed; therefore, it is desirable to provide a sustained heat source to the afflicted area for as long as possible, preferably for about eight hours. These devices are also inconvenient to use at night, when the treatment is most often needed. Further, these thermal devices do little to aide breathing through the nose due to nasal congestion/blockage.
Nasal dilators for aiding breathing through the nose are known, however, these devices are also not generally effective in relieving nasal congestion/blockage, sinus discomfort and pain, and other cold/allergy symptoms. U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,977, issued to Rezakhany, discloses one such nasal dilator. The nasal dilator includes generally elongated top and bottom rings which are spaced apart and connected together by a rear strut and a front strut. The front strut is longer than the rear strut and includes a bend therein formed at a position close to the front end of the bottom ring. When in place in the nasal passage, the top ring fits in the nasal valve within the nostril to prevent the tissue from being drawn in during inhalation, and to reduce extra flow resistance during exhalation. The bottom ring fits above the entrance to the nostril and serves to stabilize the position of the top ring within the nasal passage. One of these nasal dilators must be inserted into each nasal passage to provide unobstructed breathing. These nasal dilators, however, are not always effective since they are uncomfortable to wear, may cause irritation and itching of the nostril, unsafe to use at night during sleep, and are inconvenient to use when the wearer has nasal drainage due to a cold.
Another nasal dilator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,292,083, issued to Sawyer. This nasal dilator includes pads of adhesive material to which are attached metal loops. The pads are applied to the exterior surface of the nose above the nostrils. Once the pads are affixed, a dilating member is connected with each of the loops. The dilating member consists of a metal wire that provides a spring force which is directed outward or upward when hooked ends of the dilating member are engaged with the loops of the pads. A further nasal dilator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,950,839, issued to Chirila. This nasal dilator is similar to that of Sawyer but employs suction cups to secure a dilating member to the exterior surface of the nose. These dilators are not always effective because the dilating members can easily become disengaged from the pads or suction cups that secure the dilating members to the exterior of the nose, which could cause injury to the face or eyes, particularly during sleep.
Other nasal dilators are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,499, issued to Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,503, issued to Doubek, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,929, issued to Muchin. These nasal dilators comprise a truss comprising a flexible strip and spring member which traverses the bridge of the nose. The flexible strip adheres to the exterior surface of the nose such that the ends of the truss member stabilize the outer wall of the nostrils, thereby preventing the outer wall from drawing in during breathing.
While the above described nasal dilators may aid breathing through the nose in a healthy person, it is evident that there is a continuing need for an improved means of treating the nasal congestion/blockage, sinus discomfort and pain, and other cold/allergy symptoms associated therewith. For example, Cronk, et al. have disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,800, a nasal dilator which includes an aromatic medication or transdermal medication disposed on the dilator. Unfortunately, these devices are not completely effective, and therefore, a need for a nasal dilator that can provide safe and effective relief of these symptoms still exists. Moreover, there still is a need for a nasal dilator that can be reliably worn at night when the nasal congestion/blockage problem is most acute and most uncomfortable. In addition, there still is a need for a nasal dilator that can be reliably worn through extended therapeutic periods without discomfort to the wearer. The nasal dilator should also be of efficient design and relatively uncomplicated.
The inventors of the present invention have developed a nasal dilator which comprises a means for dilating congested and/or blocked nasal passages due to the common cold and/or allergies and at least one thermal element to relieve the sinus discomfort and pain, and other cold/allergy symptoms associated therewith, which can be safely and comfortably worn, day or night, on the nose of a human for an extended period of time. The present inventors have also discovered a method of treatment for relief of the nasal congestion/blockage, sinus discomfort and pain, and other cold/allergy symptoms associated therewith, by applying said nasal dilator to the nose of a human in need of such treatment.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a nasal dilator which comprises a means for dilating the nostrils and at least one thermal element which can be safely and comfortably worn, day or night, on the nose of a human for an extended period of time.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method of treatment for relief of the nasal congestion/blockage, sinus discomfort and pain, and other cold symptoms associated therewith, by applying said nasal dilator to the nose of a human in need of such treatment.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of treatment for relief of the nasal congestion/blockage, sinus discomfort and pain, sneezing, and other symptoms associated with allergies, by applying said nasal dilator to the nose of a human in need of such treatment.
These objectives and additional objectives will become readily apparent from the detailed description which follows.

Thermal nasal dilator and method of treatment for relief of nasal congestion and other symptoms associated with common cold and allergies


Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for pacing the rate at which packets of one or more information streams are sent from a device, such as, for example, a workstation, computer, communications mechanism, or component thereof. Typically, multiple timing wheels each having a different timing granularity are used to schedule the transmission of packets of information corresponding the to the information streams. Using multiple timing wheels in this manner allows scheduling of a larger range of rates while typically using a significantly smaller amount of memory than a single timing wheel covering the same range of rates. An entry, corresponding to a next portion of an information stream to be sent from the device, is inserted into the timing wheels at a target time for sending the information. At the target time, the entry is removed and placed in a transmit list of items to be sent from the device. In one implementation a single transmit list is used for all timing wheels. In another implementation, multiple transmit lists are used, typically one for each timing wheel. Entries corresponding to portions of the information streams to be sent from the device are removed in a queued or target transmission time order from a transmit list. A packet of information corresponding to a removed entry is sent, and the entry itself is re-inserted in a timing wheel for the determined next transmission target time.

The communications industry is rapidly changing to adjust to emerging technologies and ever increasing customer demand. This customer demand for new applications and increased performance of existing applications is driving communications network and system providers to employ networks and systems having greater speed and capacity (e.g., greater bandwidth). In trying to achieve these goals, a common approach taken by many communications providers is to use packet switching technology.
As used herein, the term "packet" refers to packets of all types, including, but not limited to, fixed length cells and variable length packets. Moreover, these packets may contain one or more types of information, including, but not limited to, voice, data, video, and audio information. The term "system" is used generically herein to describe any number of devices, computers, components, packet switch elements, packet switches, networks, computer and/or communication devices or mechanisms, or combinations thereof. The term "computer" is used generically herein to describe any number of computers, including, but not limited to personal computers, embedded processors, workstations, mainframes, etc. The term "device" is used generically herein to describe any type of mechanism, including a computer or system or component thereof (e.g., network interface card, etc.) which is directly or indirectly connected to a network, other devices, or components of the original or other device.
Many devices communicate with other devices and may want to "pace" or send traffic corresponding to one or more streams of information at a predetermined rate, which may correspond to a predetermined time interval between sending packets or groups of packets comprising a stream of information. For example, a computer connected to an asynchronous transfer mode ("ATM") network may want to pace the rate it sends information into the network. The desired pacing rate of each information stream may be static or dynamic, and may be determined based on one or more of several factors including, but not limited to, the type of traffic, the amount of bandwidth available, a communication service employed, the tariff or cost structure for sending information through the network, and numerous other technical and/or business reasons.
Networked devices, such as a computer or workstation connected to a private or public network (which may or may not include packet switching systems), use various techniques for pacing the flow of packets of information from these networked devices. However, known prior approaches for pacing one or more streams of information have drawbacks. Some of these prior approaches require a large amount of memory and/or induce jitter or drift into the transmission of packets of information over time.

Method and apparatus for pacing the flow of information sent from a device


The present invention relates to porphyrins and to metal ion-containing monomers and polymers. The monomer ##STR1## wherein A, R.sup.1,R.sup.2,R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 defined herein, is used with dianhydride to produce a porphyrin polymer or a metal ion containing porphyrin polymer. These polymers are useful as electrical conductors and as liquid crystal polymers, non-linear (NLO) materials, magnetic materials, electrochromic polymers photo-and electrocatalysts and advanced materials.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a porphyrin monomer, a porphyrin-containing poly(imide), and a metal ion porphyrin-containing poly(imide) and the process of formation thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to the preparation of specific porphyrin monomers having reactive diamine substituents, their reaction with dianhydrides, to produce polyporphyrin optionally containing one or more metal ions. The polymers are useful as semiconductors and electrically conducting films, non-linear optical (NLO) materials, sensor materials, magnetic materials, electrochromics polymers, photo and electrocatalysts and advanced structural materials.
2. Description Of Related Art
There is a strong demand for the development of metal ion containing organic polymers for a variety of advanced electrical, optical and structural applications. To synthesize useful metal ion containing polymers is often a complicated time-consuming and costly process.
U.S. Patents of general interest include the following:
K. Tamkawa, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,004 disclose phthalocyanine monomers useful in optical storage and reading.
J. E. Kuder, et al., disclose in U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,782 a dimer acid polyamide resin. Porphyrins are not taught.
K. Y. Law, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,750 disclose novel naphthophthalocyanine monomers for use as dyes.
D. E. Nickles, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,607 discloses an unusual polyimide polymer.
Tsuchida, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,104,466 disclose non-azine polymeric metal ion complexes.
Fukuda, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,681 disclose non-azine porphyrin derivatives for cancer diagnosis.
Schmidt, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,723 disclose non metal ion-containing porphyrin monomer derivatives as immunoassay markers.
Gotoh, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,386 disclose magnesium or aluminum ion-containing phthalocyanine monomer and polymer compositions.
S. C. Narang et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,502 disclose the synthesis of porphyrin-based metal ion-containing polymers using tetraketone porphyrin monomers and tetramines.
Matsuchita Electric Industries, KK in JP 6-2014321, Jan. 22, 1987, disclose the vapor deposition of phthalocyanine monomers.
Kanegafuchi Chem KK in JP 87258565, Oct. 14, 1987, disclose a porphyrin polymer always having at least one free ester group per unit.
H. Tsuchida, in Japanese Patent No. JP 58010515, Jan. 21, 1983 discloses hydrophobic polyamide urethane polymers containing porphyrin complex polyimides.
Mitsubishi Kaser, JP 8-870723, Mar. 24, 1980, and JP 1-242584, Sep. 27, 1989, and JP 1-242,680, Sep. 27, 1989, disclose a porphyrin amine having the amine on the pendant phenyl substituent.
None of these references individually or collectively teach or suggest the present invention.
All references, articles, patents, standards and the like cited in this application are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
It is therefore desirable to produce new generation polymers which exhibit high thermal stability and good electrical conductivity without undue expense or time. The conjugated porphyrin based polymers of the present invention accomplish these objectives.

Metal ion porphyrin-containing poly(imide)


The RFID tag is composed of the first antenna of metal film layer on which the IC chip is mounted and at least one second antenna of metal film layer on which the IC chip is not mounted The metal film layer is formed on the base, and the metal film layer is formed on the base. The metal film layer partially overlaps the metal film layer with the base interposed between them, so that the first antenna and the second antenna are capacitively coupled to each other.

This invention relates to an IC tag incorporating therein an IC chip operable by radio waves, and also to a method for fabricating such an IC tag.
RFID (radio frequency identification) tags have recently come to be widely used in such a way that they are attached to commercial articles, IC cards, etc. so as to control the information on the articles. Such an IC tag mainly consists of an IC chip and an antenna. An external reader/writer can communicate with the IC chip by using radio waves radiated from the antenna so that the reader/writer can interpret such information as ID (identification) data stored in the IC chip. Thus, the data stored in the IC chip can be read out, or additional data can be written in the IC chip, in a non-contact manner, i.e. without any physical contact between the reader/writer and the IC tag.
For example, in one of widely known applications, RFID tags in which specific information is written are attached to commercial articles; a reader/writer reads out the information from or writes other information in, the RFID tags during the process of fabricating or transporting the articles; and the information on the articles provided during the process is administered. The reader/writer mentioned above is so designed as to be able to read out the information as a whole stored in the IC chip of the RFID tag located within an area in which the reader/writer can communicate with the RFID tag. Thus, the RFID tags can improve the efficiency of information administration.
There, however, is a problem with this useful application of the RFID tag. To illustrate such a problematic example, let it be assumed that envelopes are administered by the use of RFID tags. RFID tags are normally stuck at almost the same positions on the envelopes and if these envelopes are piled up one upon another, those RFID tags are also piled up one upon another, with one tag located very closely to another. This close existence of plural RFID tags gives rise to the change in the impedance of the antenna of each RFID tag and to the interference between the radio waves radiated from the antennas of the RFID tags. Consequently, the reader/writer fails to properly read out the information stored in the RFID tags.
To solve such a problem as described above, a technical measure has been proposed wherein a spacer is interposed between two piled RFID tags, the thickness of the spacer being larger than a specific distance at or beyond which the radio waves radiated from the antennas of the two piled RFID tags do not interfere with each other. Reference should be made to, for example, Japanese patent document JP-A-2005-001692, paragraphs 0016 through 0019, FIGS. 1 and 2.

IC tag and method for fabricating the same


An implant having an integrally-textured, hemocompatible blood-contacting surface and a method for producing the same is provided. The implantable device can include a device body having a textured surface and a predefined complex shape, such as a bladder or a generally U-shaped conduit. The device body can be composed of a first device material, and the textured surface can be formed of a second device material on the obverse side of the device. The textured surface can have multiple, blood-compatible structures integrally formed thereon. The structures can be fibrils that are suitable for a generally uniform biological layer to be established thereupon. The method for producing an implantable device can include the steps of fabricating a mold; applying a flock to the mold; introducing a conformable dissoluble material to the mold; removing the dissoluble material from the mold; removing the flock from the dissoluble material using a first solvent thereby creating a dissoluble device form having a form surface having multiple invaginations therein; applying a layer of a selected device material to the dissoluble device form thereby providing a device wall with the structures being integrally formed thereon; and removing the dissoluble device form from the device wall by liquefying the device form, thereby providing the implantable device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices that are implanted in animals, for example, human beings, and have direct contact with blood.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In certain devices implantable in an animal, such as a human, it is desirable to provide blood-contacting surfaces that are substantially stable and biocompatible. One of the problems that can be encountered in connection with implanted devices is incompatibility of blood-contacting surfaces with the blood to the extent of inducing thrombosis or damage to the blood.
One approach to producing hemocompatible surfaces is to bond polyester fibrils to polyurethane substrates. The bonded fibrils or flocking can create a textured surface that can initiate controlled blood clotting which ultimately can result in a generally stable biological lining. Although a textured surface of polyester flocking can promote formation of a biologic lining, fibers may separate from the substrate and can be washed away in the blood stream to lodge in vital organs such as the brain or spleen.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,016,303 discloses a method for addressing the separation of polyester fibers from blood pump surfaces by over-coating the fibers with polyurethane after bonding the fibers to the polyurethane substrate. However, fiber separation can still occur and implantable devices produced by that method may be unacceptable for particular applications.
Another approach to forming a textured, biocompatible surface can involve forming the fibers as an integral part of the blood-contacting devices, such as a polyurethane blood bag, so that an adhesive bond between fibers and substrate may not be used. By forming the blood bag on a mold that had a surface containing millions of microscopic pores or invaginations, such textured surfaces can be obtained. Using this method, a female mold of the desired device shape can be constructed, typically of brass, and assembled. The female mold can be placed in the tail stock of a lathe and rotated while a custom-built electrostatic applicator is inserted into the mold cavity to apply nylon flock to the mold surface. A thermoset silicone molding compound can be cast into the mold cavity to make a male mold for dip-coating, or solution casting, of the desired substrate material. The nylon fibers can be dissolved from the silicone male mold with a solvent solution such as phenol-methylene chloride to produce a mold that can contain millions of microscopic invaginations which correspond to the dissolved nylon fibers.
A significant limitation of this technique is that it accommodates device configurations of relatively simple shape, primarily axi-symmetric structures such as a cylinder because the electrostatic applicator needs to fit inside the rotating mold assembly. The size of the electrostatic applicator also can impose a practical minimum diameter for the blood bag, which can be dictated by the diameter of the applicator and the air gap between applicator and mold which can prevent electrical arcing. Another limitation of this method can be that the cross-sectional area of the blood bag may not vary significantly because of the difficulty in stretching the polyurethane bag to remove it from the silicone male mold.
What is needed then is an implant having integrally-textured, hemocompatible blood-contacting surfaces, and a method for producing the same, that obviate the aforementioned limitations and disadvantages. Moreover, it is desired to produce such implants having complex shapes.

Implant having integrally-textured, hemocompatible, blood-contacting surfaces and method for producing the same


A roller skating practice and exercise apparatus for combined upper body and lower body exercise has a skating platform with an upper surface for supporting a user wearing a pair of roller skates or in-line skates. The skating platform is foldable for easier portability and storage of the apparatus. Two extensible telescoping arm exercising poles are pivotally attached to the skating platform. The telescoping poles are constructed to provide axial resistance and rotational resistance to pivotal motion in all directions. An elastic tension member inside the hollow telescoping poles provides resistance to axial motion when the arm exercising poles are extended. The resistance to axial motion varies directly with the amount of displacement of the pole from its contracted position. The rotational resistance is provided by ball-and-socket joints which join the lower ends of the telescoping poles to the skating platform. The geometry of the ball-and-socket joints provides pivotal motion with rotational resistance in all directions. The ball-and-socket joints are adjustable to provide varying degrees of rotational resistance. The telescoping poles are removable for easier portability and storage of the apparatus. The full range of lower body movement in combination with the axial and rotational resistance of the telescoping poles allows a varied and complete workout for practicing the skills needed for roller skating and roller dancing while simultaneously training for improved strength and endurance.

In recent years there has been a resurgence in the popularity of roller skating as a sport and as a leisure activity. One reason for the renewed popularity of roller skating is the emergence in the marketplace of in-line roller skates which are made with all of their wheels aligned in a single line from the front to the back of the skate. A consequence of this has been a renewed interest in roller skating in general, including standard roller skates which have their wheels arranged in pairs side-by-side and in roller dancing which is an offshoot of roller skating. Roller dancing is a graceful and energetic sport which combines the gracefulness of ballroom dancing or a chorus line and the athleticism of roller skating. Roller dancing can be practiced as a leisure activity, as an exhibition performance, as a paid performance or as a competitive tournament sport. Roller dancing requires a great deal of skill and precision that comes from training and practice, as well as strength and endurance which come from athletic training.
The aspiring roller skater or roller dancing participant can exercise his or her skills and gain strength and endurance by actual skating practice on a regular basis, but this is not always convenient. Skating practice generally requires an indoor skating rink or a large outdoor area which is smoothly paved. Indoor skating rinks are not available in every community and, when available, they can be costly to use on a regular basis and scheduling may be difficult. Outdoor areas suitable for skating are highly variable in their surface quality and they are subject to seasonal changes and weather. Consequently, it would be convenient to have a means for practicing the skills needed for skating and roller dancing while simultaneously training for improved strength and endurance without the necessity of a large skating area.
Prior art exercise apparatus have addressed some of these needs, but none have provided a complete solution which simultaneously addresses the multiple needs of practice for skating skills and athletic training for strength and endurance in a limited space. A number of strength training devices have been contrived for strengthening the specific musdes used in roller skating or ice skating. U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,372 for an Ice-Skating Exercise Device describes a weight lifting machine with foot pedals that run in tracks which are placed at a diverging angle to roughly simulate the motion of skating while strengthening the quadriceps and related muscles. U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,373 for an Exercise Machine for Ice Skating describes a strength training machine with foot pedals that run in loop-shaped tracks for more closely simulating the motion of skating while strengthening the leg muscles. While these strength training devices strengthen the specific muscles used in skating, they do not provide aerobic exercise for endurance training and they do not provide practice for the techniques, skills, balance and coordination required for roller skating.
A number of endurance training devices have also been contrived for increasing endurance for competitive roller skating or ice skating. U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,563 for a Combination Exercise Apparatus describes a treadmill with foot skates that are selectively placed on the surface of the treadmill. The straight back-and-forth motion of the foot skates more closely simulates the motion of cross country skiing than roller skating or ice skating. U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,427 for a Skating/Skiing Simulator with Ergometric Input-Responsive Resistance uses a lateral motion for the foot pads which roughly simulates the movements of skating or skiing. Resistance is provided by an ergometric input-responsive resistance device. In addition, ski pole handles attached by cables to the resistance device can provide arm exercise. U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,460 for a Skate Training Exercise Apparatus and Method describes an endurance training device with foot pedals that move in an arcuate path for more closely simulating the motion of actual skating. Resistance is provided by an electromagnetic brake, by flywheel-fans or by weight stacks. These devices improve a skater's endurance through aerobic exercise and strengthen the specific muscles used in skating. However, they also do not provide practice for the techniques, skills, balance and coordination required for roller skating.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,862 for an Exercising Apparatus for Skaters and U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,563 for a Simulated Skating Exercising Apparatus exemplify a different approach to providing skating-specific exercises. Each of these devices includes a low friction plastic glide sheet with stops at each end. The user wearing heavy socks glides side to side across the sheet between the stops in a lateral motion. While this approach comes closest to simulating the push-and-glide motion of actual skating it does not simulate the full range of movements used in roller dancing or the feel and balance of wearing roller skates.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,194 for a Roller Skate Exercise Device allows a skater to exercise in a limited space while wearing actual roller skates or in-line skates. The device has a platform with a top surface to support a pair of roller skates. Resistance is provided by elastic cords which attach to the user with ankle straps or by nonelastic cords which are connected to tension reels. The resistance cords restrict the movement of the roller skates to a back-and-forth motion simulating cross country skiing. Holes are provided in the platform for ski poles to improve the user's balance. Although this device allows the user to develop some balance and coordination by exercising while wearing actual roller skates, the restricted movement of the skates prevents the user from experiencing the full range of movement used in roller skating or roller dancing and therefore does not provide optimal practice for skating skills.
None of the above mentioned patents provide a satisfactory means for practicing roller skating or roller dancing in a limited area in a way that develops technique, skills, balance and coordination while simultaneously improving strength, endurance and overall fitness. It is desirable, therefore, to provide an apparatus that would allow a user to exercise while wearing actual roller skates or in-line skates in order to develop the balance and coordination that are important to roller skating and roller dancing. Advantageously, the exercise apparatus may also provide means for assisting novice skaters with their balance until they are fully comfortable on roller skates. Such an apparatus should allow a full, unrestricted range of motion to the user in order to develop techniques and skills for roller skating or roller dancing. Accordingly, the apparatus should allow sufficient area for lateral and forward and backward movements on the roller skates without being overly expansive. The apparatus should allow skating-specific muscular training exercises for the leg muscles and, preferably, should also provide cross-training exercises for upper body strength and general fitness. The exercise apparatus should also facilitate aerobic exercise routines, including upper and lower body movements, for improving cardiovascular fitness and increasing endurance. At the same time, the exercise apparatus should perform all of these functions in a minimal amount of space so that the users can complete a full exercise routine in their own homes or wherever a small amount of space is available. Preferably, the exercise apparatus should also be lightweight, portable and easily stored.

Roller skating practice and exercise apparatus


A rotary fluid pressure device (11) includes a plate assembly (17) having a plate member (71) and at least one cover plate (105), which defines a mounting surface (107) adapted for sealing engagement with an exterior surface (77) of the plate member (71), or at least one control valve assembly (105), which defines a mounting surface (117) adapted for sealing engagement with the exterior surface (77). The cover plate assembly (105), when mounted to the exterior surface (77), provides fluid communication between openings (95, 97) of upstream and downstream fluid passages (91, 93), thereby providing single-speed functionality. The control valve assembly (115), when mounted to the exterior surface (77), provides selective fluid communication between the openings (95, 97) of upstream and downstream fluid passages (91, 93), thereby providing multi-speed functionality.

The present invention relates to rotary fluid pressure devices, and more particularly, to such devices that are provided with a single-speed option and a multi-speed option.
Although the present invention can be used in connection with various pump and motor configurations that include various types of fluid displacement mechanism, such as a cam lobe type, it is especially advantageous when used with fluid motors having fluid displacement mechanisms of the gerotor type and will be discussed in connection therewith. While the present invention may also be used in connection with fluid motors having various types of valve arrangements, it is especially advantageous when used in connection with fluid motors of the disc valve type. Therefore, the present invention will be discussed in connection with disc valve gerotor motors without intending to limit the scope of the invention.
Fluid motors of the type utilizing a gerotor displacement mechanism to convert fluid pressure into a rotary output are widely used in a variety of low-speed, high-torque commercial applications, such as skid-steer loaders. One common use for fluid motors in low-speed, high torque commercial applications is vehicle propulsion, wherein the vehicle includes an engine driven pump which provides pressurized fluid to a pair of fluid motors, with each motor being associated with one of the drive wheels.
For many years, vehicle manufacturers have provided vehicles with the option of fluid motors capable of operation in a low-speed, high-torque mode only (single-speed motors) or with fluid motors capable of operation in both low-speed, high-torque mode and high-speed, low-torque mode (two-speed motors). While choosing between a vehicle with either single-speed propulsion motors or two-speed propulsion motors for vehicle applications enables the vehicle manufacturer's customers to choose the best vehicle for their particular needs, this propulsion motor option creates some difficulties for the vehicle manufacturers. One such difficulty is that the manufacturer is required to maintain two part numbers for motors used on the same vehicle model. In other words, the manufacturer must maintain part numbers for a single-speed version of a propulsion motor, as well as a two-speed version of the propulsion motor in order to accommodate the option choice of the customer. While the single-speed motor and the two-speed motor are not identical given that one is capable of only single-speed functionality and the other is capable of two-speed functionality, the motor mounting, displacement, valve type, output shaft, and porting type are typically the same.
Another difficulty that vehicle manufacturers have in providing this option to customers is that this option requires manufacturers to have accurate build orders early in the assembly process. Typically, fluid motors are assembled onto the vehicle frame very early in the assembly process. Many times, the fluid motors are installed on the vehicle frame before the build orders have been placed. Therefore, if the assemblers are building single-speed versions of a vehicle and incoming build orders, which were submitted after assembly had started, require two-speed versions of the vehicle, the single-speed fluid motors must be removed from the partially assembled vehicle and replaced with two-speed fluid motors. This becomes difficult because after the fluid motors and other vehicle components have been assembled to the frame, access to the mounting surfaces of the fluid motors is limited.
In addition to these difficulties, some vehicle manufacturers receive requests from customers to "upgrade" their current vehicle, which is configured for single-speed functionality, to a vehicle with two-speed functionality. While vehicle manufacturers have done this successfully in the past, the removal and replacement of the single-speed fluid motors with two-speed fluid motors is a labor intensive task.

Rotary fluid pressure device with modular multi-speed control mechanism


A battery charging circuit includes a plurality of unit batteries that are connected in series; a current path forming unit that is connected between the unit batteries and forms a charging current path to one or more unit batteries selected by one or more selection signals; a control unit that senses the charging status of each of the plurality of the unit batteries, and generates the selection signals and controls the duty ratio according to the sensing results; and a charging electricity providing unit that controls the charging voltage provided to the charging current path forming unit according to the duty ratio of the charging control pulse.

When serially connected batteries are repeatedly charged and recharged, the batteries end up with different voltage levels due to different life of the batteries. When the voltages having different voltage levels are repeatedly charged and discharged, the batteries that are more deteriorated and nearer to the useful life will tend over-charge and over-discharge during charge/discharge operations and it will accelerate the deterioration process and lower the overall performance of the battery pack. For efficient use of a battery pack, it is important to uniformly charge and discharge the serially connected batteries, and for this, the voltage levels of the batteries are kept at a same level. This is called cell-balancing, and the present invention is proposed to satisfy this need.
FIG. 1 shows the battery charging concept in accordance with general battery management system.
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of batteries BAT1-BAT4 are connected in series.
Between the cathode and anode terminals of each battery BAT1, BAT2, BAT3, BAT4, a current path forming part is provided. The current path forming part includes a resistor R and a switch SW, and it provides a current path when the associated battery is fully charged so as to prevent the overcharging.
Charging electricity providing unit is connected to anode of the first battery BAT1 and the cathode of the fourth battery BAT4 among the plurality of batteries BAT1-BAT4 and provides the charging electricity.
If the batteries BAT1, BAT3, BAT4 are fully charged, the switches SW1, SW3, SW4 of the current path forming parts for the batteries BAT1, BAT3, BAT4 are turned on such that the current is redirected to the associated resistors R1, R3, R4. That is, the current is bypassed to resistance for each of the fully charged batteries BAT1, BAT3, BAT4.
This type of conventional battery management system allows continuing current flow into resistance even when a battery is fully charged, and this is outputted in form of heat increasing the electricity consumed and lead to wasted energy. The energy waste gets worse as more number of fully charged batteries are present in the battery pack, and as more number of bypassed current path to resistance.
Even if the current is bypassed into the current path leading to resistance, voltage may still be applied to the fully charged battery due to leakage current to cause overcharging of the battery, and this can lead to shortened life of the battery.


The purpose of the invention is to detect a surveillance signal in a shorter time without lowering the usable merit of wavelength. The transmission signal transmitting through the optical fiber transmission lines is specified as a light FDM signal multiplexed in wavelength, and the surveillance light signal is interposed in the middle of two adjacent channel slots. The surveillance light signal is produced such that the spread spectrum is applied to the surveillance carrier and thereby a light signal is modulated in intensity. The light FDM signal and surveillance light signal are turned to the facing transmission lines in the optical repeaters to be received by each terminal station, and the modulation rate of the surveillance light signal can be made deeper so that the surveillance signal can be detected in a shorter time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a surveillance method of an optical amplifier-repeater transmission system that is designed to survey troubles in optical repeaters and optical fiber transmission lines in a long-distance relay system using optical amplifiers such as a submarine optical fiber cable system.
2. Description of the Related Art
An optical communication system using optical fiber cables is applied to a long-distance transmission system such as a submarine optical fiber cable system; and if trouble occurs in such a submarine optical fiber cable system, a quick recovery is strongly required because of the potential huge influence to the information society.
Generally, the submarine optical fiber cable system is composed of optical repeaters and optical fiber cables, and the cable can possibly be damaged by a human activity such as fishing or anchoring and the optical repeater can fall in trouble due to a failure of the electric circuit. In order to eliminate such a trouble in its earliest stages, it is most important to locate the optical cable or optical repeater fallen in trouble.
Conventionally in the optical communication system, the regenerative relay system is used which a light signal transmitted through an optical fiber cable is transformed into an electric signal in an optical repeater to perform waveform shaping and reproducing, and the electric signal is again transformed into a light signal to be sent out. Recently, however, an optical amplifier-repeater transmission system has been developed in which a light signal transmitted through an optical fiber cable is directly amplified to be sent out by an optical amplifier.
As a surveillance method of the transmission line that exploits a property of the optical amplifier-repeater transmission system to amplify a light signal optically directly without regeneratively repeating, an optical turn method is disclosed (for example, in Japanese Patent Official Publication, JP-A-5-344067 and JP-A-6-204949).
This surveillance method can detect a repeater section that is in trouble by always circulating a turned signal for surveillance from the optical repeater via the transmission line. This optical turn method will be described with reference to a block diagram showing a construction of the optical amplifier-repeater transmission system shown in FIG. 6(A). The optical turn method is designed to detect troubles in the repeaters or in optical fibers between the repeaters, whereby a light signal transmitting on one of the transmission lines and having surveillance signal superimposed is turned with a specific attenuation to the other transmission line.
In FIG. 6(A), it is assumed that the direction facing to a receiving terminal station 124a from a transmitting terminal station 123a is the ascent and the direction facing a receiving terminal station 124b from a transmitting terminal station 123b is the descent. 112a.about.112z are ascent optical fiber transmission lines, 113a.about.113z are descent optical fiber transmission lines, 116a.about.116n are optical repeaters provided at each specific distance on the ascent optical fiber transmission lines 112a.about.112z and the descent optical fiber transmission lines 113a.about.113z, 117n and 118n are optical amplifiers provided in the optical repeater 116n, 119n and 120n are optical couplers provided in the optical repeater 116n, 121n and 122n are attenuators provided in the optical repeater 116n, An is an optical turn circuit composed of the optical coupler 119n, attenuator 121n, optical coupler 120n, and attenuator 122n connected in a loop, 123a and 123b are transmitting terminal stations, and 124a and 124b are receiving terminal stations.
Furthermore, the optical repeaters 116a.about.116n are all identical in circuit, and only the optical repeater 116n is illustrated in detail.
In the optical amplifier-repeater transmission system thus constructed, each of the transmitting terminal stations 123a, 123b sends out a main line light signal, on which a surveillance signal is superimposed, as a transmission signal to each of the ascent and descent optical fiber transmission lines 112a, 113z. Each of the main line light signals sent out to the ascent and descent optical fiber transmission lines 112a, 113z is repeatedly optically amplified in the optical repeaters 116a.about.116n, and transmits through the ascent optical fiber transmission line 112a.about.112z or the descent optical fiber transmission line 113z.about.113a to be received by each of the receiving terminal stations 124a, 124b.
The main line light signals are attenuated to a specific level transmitting through the optical turn circuits Aa.about.An provided in the optical repeaters 116a.about.116n, and are turned to the facing optical fiber transmission lines. Each of the turned signals transmits through the ascent optical fiber transmission line 112a.about.112z, or the descent optical fiber transmission line 113z.about.113a to the corresponding receiving terminal station 124a or 124b on the transmission lines, respectively.
Next, how the light signal is turned will be described in an example of the optical repeater 116n. The main line light signal transmitted through the ascent optical fiber transmission line 112n is optically amplified by the optical amplifier 117n to enter the optical coupler 119n. A part of the main line light signal is split in the optical coupler 119n, and attenuated to a specific level by the attenuator 122n to enter the descent optical coupler 120n. The light signal thus attenuated is superimposed as a turned signal on the descent main line light signal transmitting through the descent optical fiber transmission line 113n. Thus, the ascent main line light signal is turned to the descent optical fiber transmission line 113n.
This function is the same in the descent main line light signal. Namely, the main line light signal transmitted through the descent optical fiber transmission line 113(n+1) is optically amplified by the optical amplifier 118n to enter the optical coupler 120n. A part of the main line light signal is split in the optical coupler 120n, and attenuated to a specific level by the attenuator 121n to enter the ascent optical coupler 119n. The light signal thus attenuated is superimposed as a turned signal on the ascent main line light signal transmitting through the ascent optical fiber transmission line 112(n+1). Thus, the descent main line light signal is turned to the ascent optical fiber transmission line 112(n+1).
Assuming that the coupling attenuation of the optical coupler 119n and 120n is designed to be, for example, 10 dB, and the attenuation of the attenuator 121n and 122n is designed to be, for example, 25 dB, the light signal transmitted through the ascent optical fiber transmission line 112n is attenuated by 45 dB to be turned to the descent optical fiber transmission line 113n as a turned signal. In the same manner, the light signal transmitted through the descent optical fiber transmission line 113n is attenuated by 45 dB to be turned to the ascent optical fiber transmission line 112n as a turned signal.
In this case, extracting the surveillance signal out of the turned signal and measuring the signal intensity enables the detection of the repeater section in which the optical repeaters or optical fiber cables are in trouble.
As a means to extract the surveillance signal out of the turned signal at the receiver stations 124a, 124b, a method is applied which finds an autocorrelation coefficient between the surveillance signal superimposed on the transmission signal at the transmitting terminal stations 123a, 123b and the received turned signal.
Thus, extracting the surveillance signal out of the turned signal at the receiving terminal stations 124a, 124b gives high level surveillance signals at each delay time corresponding to each location of the optical repeaters. The peak levels of the surveillance signals indicate turned signals from the optical repeaters. Continuously measuring (surveying) the peak levels corresponding to the locations of the repeaters and investigating level variations by comparing these peak levels with the levels measured immediately after the optical fiber cable was installed leads to detecting troubles in the optical repeaters or optical fiber transmission lines.
The surveillance method of optical amplifier-repeater transmission system shown in FIG. 6(A), however, has the following problems. FIG. 6(B) illustrates a state wherein turned signals La.about.Ln are superimposed on the ascent or descent main line light signal LCH in this surveillance method. Although, in this figure, the main line light signal LCH and the turned signals La.about.Ln are shown in different wavelengths, this is only for easy understanding, practically they have an identical wavelength. Because the main line light signal and turned signals are regulated to have an identical wavelength, the turned signal must be reduced to a level that does not give any influence to the main line light signal (attenuation requirement).
Furthermore, the surveillance signal superimposed on the main line light signal is regulated to have a low modulation rate so as not to influence the main line light signal, and therefore, received surveillance signals at the receiving terminal stations 124a, 124b become very low levels. Therefore, it takes long time to receive a signal of good S/N ratio from among weak turned surveillance signals.
To solve this problem, providing an exclusive surveillance channel can raise the modulation rate of the surveillance signal and can receive the surveillance signal of a good S/N ratio in a shorter time. However, in the wavelength-multiplexed optical transmission system aiming at increasing the transmission capacity by multiplexing multiple optical transmission signals, to avoid interference between a light signal of the exclusive surveillance channel and a light transmission signal, it becomes necessary to secure a wavelength band for the exclusive surveillance light signal in the limited light transmission band in the same manner as the light transmission signal. Consequently, a band has to be allocated for the exclusive surveillance signal, whereas the band should be used primarily for the transmission signal. Therefore, the transmission capacity will be limited, which lowers the economic efficiency.
This is stated also in "Supervisory signal transmission method for optical amplifier repeater system", IEEE GLOBECOM '90, 903.2, 1990.
Still, allocating the surveillance signal outside the band can be considered, however, it is generally known that the wavelength gain characteristics of the optical amplifier varies depending on the magnitude of input light power and the excited light intensity of an optical fiber amplifier. Generally, in a repeater system with optical amplifiers of identical characteristics connected in multiple stages, the wavelength gain characteristics are accumulated; and the multi-stage connection confines the possible repeater band, and a large gain difference occurs between a gain at a wavelength giving the peak gain and a gain at a wavelength at band edges. In view of these points, assuming the measurement of the band edge or outside of the band to be the gain characteristics within the band of the optical amplifier is imperfect in surveying the system.

Surveillance method of optical amplifier-repeater transmission system