In a wireless local area network a probe request frame is transmitted over the wireless local area network by a station. The probe request frame is received at a detector in the wireless local area network. The received probe request frame is analyzed to determine if the station that transmitted the probe request frame is an unauthorized station.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to wireless local area networks. More particularly, the present invention relates to detecting an unauthorized station in a wireless local area network.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computers have traditionally communicated with each other through wired local area networks ("LANs"). However, with the increased demand for mobile computers such as laptops, personal digital assistants, and the like, wireless local area networks ("WLANs") have developed as a way for computers to communicate with each other through transmissions over a wireless medium using radio signals, infrared signals, and the like.
In order to promote interoperability of WLANs with each other and with wired LANs, the IEEE 802.11 standard was developed as an international standard for WLANs. Generally, the IEEE 802.11 standard was designed to present users with the same interface as an IEEE 802 wired LAN, while allowing data to be transported over a wireless medium.
Although WLANs provide users with increased mobility over wired LANs, the security of communications over a WLAN can vary for reasons that are not present in wired LANs. For instance, an unauthorized station can scan for signals transmitted over the WLAN to obtain information about the WLAN. This type of network intrusion is commonly known as a "war driving" activity.

Detecting an unauthorized station in a wireless local area network


Functionalized copolymers of .alpha.-olefin and para-alkylstyrene having the formula: ##STR1## in which in which R, R' and R", independently, are hydrogen or primary or secondary alkyl groups; X comprises a functional group, such as --COOH, --OH, --SH, --NH.sub.2, --Cl, --Br, --M, --COOM (M=metals, e.g. Li, Na, K and Ca) and anhydrides; P comprises a polymer having the molecular weight of at least about 500, which can be derived from both step and chain polymerization reactions; Y is a chemical linkage between polymer P and para-alkystyrene side chain, which is also a residue derived from graft reaction; and the combination of a+b+c+d represents the empirical formula of a substantially random functional polymer, where a ranges from about 50 to about 100,000, b, c and d range from 0 to about 10,000, and the sum of c+d is at least 1, and processes for preparing the funcitonalized copolymers are disclosed.

The copolymerization of styrene and .alpha.-olefins is usually very difficult in the direct copolymerization processes using Ziegler-Natta catalysts (see Aaltonen, et al., Macromolecules 27, 3136, 1994 and Soga et al., Macromolecules, 22, 2875, 1989). Especially involving stereospecific heterogeneous catalysts, the reactivity of monomer is sterically controlled, the larger the size the lower the reactivity. Only very few % of styrene has been randomly incorporated in polyethylene (HDPE) and isotactic polypropylene (i-PP) in the batch reactions. By using several low reactivity metal oxide catalysts and tinder very inconvenient "living" polymerization conditions, the combination of Ziegler-Natta polymerization and transformation reactions has been reported to produce some .alpha.-olefin/styrene diblock copolymers (see Doe et al., "Coordination Polymerization","Living" Coordination Polymerization of Propylene and its Application to Block Copolymer Synthesis, pages 249-265, edited by Price and Vandenberg, Plenum Press, 1983).
On the other hand, the copolymerization of styrene (styrene derivatives) and isobutylene with cationic catalysts is known in the art (see Harris et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,145,190 and Macromolecules, 19, 2903, 1986). Under cationic polymerization conditions, p-alkylstyrene and isobutylene have been copolymerized rather readily to yield copolymers covering a wide compositional range. Thus, such copolymers ranging from tough, glassy high poly(p-alkylstyrene) content copolymers for use in plastic blends, to rubbery p-alkylstyrene incorporated isobutylene copolymers have been prepared. Furthermore, the copolymers have been used in a variety of applications, including use as adhesives in connection with other materials taking advantage of the surface characteristics of the polyisobutylene sequences, as coatings, as asphalt blends, and in various plastic blends.
The interest of incorporating p-alkylstyrene in polymers is due to its versatility to access a broad range of functional groups. The benzylic protons are ready for many chemical reactions which introduce functional groups at the benzylic position under mild reaction conditions. The oxidation of alkylbenzene to carboxylic acids has been widely studied (see Onopchenkov et al., J. Org. Chem. 37, 1414, 1972 and Ferrari, et al., Macromolecules, 24, 6340, 1991). The halogenation of benzylic systems is also a well-established chemistry (see Mohanraj, et al., Macromolecules, 19, 2470, 1986; Pini, et al., Macromolecules, 20, 58, 1987, Jones et al., Polymer, 31, 1519, 1990). Some reports have also shown the effective metallation reactions to form a benzylic anion in alkylbenzene species (see Nagasaki, eta al., Makromol. Chem., Rapid Commun., 7, 437, 1986 and Bonaccorsi, Roggero et al., Polymer International, 30, 93, 1993). In addition, the further conversion of halogenated and metallated products significantly broaden the scope of functional groups in polymers to almost all the desirable organic functional groups. The benzylic halogen functionality constitutes a very active electrophile that can be converted to many other functionalities via nucleophilic substitution reactions. This functionalization route has long been recognized and the chemical literature is replete with examples of these reactions. "Clean" conversions in high yield to many functionalities, including the following have been reported: aldehyde, carboxy, amide, ether, ester, thioester, thioether, alkoxy, cyanomethyl, hydroxymethyl, thiomethyl, aminomethyl, cationic ionomers (guaternary ammonium or phosponium, s-isothiouronium, or sufonium salts), anionic ionomers (sulfonate and carboxylate salts), etc. In addition, the literature describes many examples in which a benzylic halogen is replaced by a cluster of other functionalities by nucleophilic substitution with a multifunctional nucleophile such as: triethanol amine, ethylene polyamines, malonates, etc. Nearly all of this previous work has been with simple, small (i.e. non-polymeric) molecules containing an aromatic halomethyl (or benzylic) functionality. However, a considerable amount of art also exists on nucleophilic substitution reactions involving chloromethyl styrene and polystyrenes containing aromatic chloromethyl groups to introduce other functionalities. Much of this work involves reactions with "styragels", or lightly cross-linked polystyrenes containing various amounts of benzylic chlorine (see Camps et al., Macromol Chem. Physics, C22(3), 343, 1982-83; Montheard et al., Rev. Macromol. Chem. Phys., (C-28, 503, 1988; and Chemical Modification of Polymers Via Phase Transfer Catalysis by J. M. J. Frechet in "Crown Ethers and Phase Transfer Catalysts in Polymer Science", edited by Matthews and Canecher and Published by Plenum Press, N.Y., 1984).
It is well-known that most of polyolefins are produced by coordination polymerization using transition metal catalysts, commonly known as Ziegler-Natta catalysts (see J. Boor, Jr., Ziegler-Natta Catalysts and Polymerizations; Academic Press: New York, 1979). In recent years, the new developments in metallocene homogeneous catalysts (see Kaminsky et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,199; Ewen et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,914; Slaugh et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,665,047; Turner, U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,597; Canich et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,798 and Lai et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,236) provide a new era in polyolefin synthesis. With a well-defined (single-site) catalyst, monomer insertion can be effectively controlled. The reaction is especially important for copolymerization reactions. Several prior art disclosures have shown the use of metallocene catalysts with constrained ligand geometry producing linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) with narrow composition distribution and narrow molecular weight distribution. The relatively opened active site in a metallocene catalyst provides equal access for both comonomers. The incorporation of olefin comonomer is significantly higher than those obtained from tranditional Ziegler-Natta catalysts. In addition, the prior art has identified the cationic coordination mechanism responsible for the polymerization reaction conducted in the presence of the single site catalysts. Both cationic active site insertion mechanism and effective copolymerization of comonomers are very important and favorable for the incorporation of para-alkylstyrene in polyolefins.
Although useful in many commercial applications, polyolefins, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) and isotactic polypropylene (i-PP), suffer a major deficiency, i.e., poor interaction with other materials. The inert nature of polyolefins significantly limits their end uses, particularly, those in which adhesion, dyeability, paintability, printability or compatibility with other functional polymers is paramount. Unfortunately, polyolefins have been the most difficult materials in chemical modifications, both in functionalization and graft reactions. In post-polymerization, the inert nature and crystallinity of the polymer usually cause the material to be very difficult to chemically modify under mild reaction conditions. In many cases, the reaction involves serious side reactions, such as degradation in the polypropylene modification reaction. In the direct polymerization, only a Ziegler-Natta process can be used in the preparation of linear polyolefins. It is normally difficult to incorporate functional group-containing monomers into the polyolefins by Ziegler-Natta catalysts due to catalyst poisons (see J. Boor, Jr., Ziegler-Natta Catalysts and Polymerizations; Academic Press: New York, 1979). Our previous inventions (see Chung et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,472; 4,751,276; 4,812,529; 4,877,846) have taught the uses of borane-containing polyolefins. The chemistry involves the direct polymerization by using organoborane-substituted monomers and .alpha.-olefins in Ziegler-Natta processes. The homo- and copolymers containing borane groups are very useful intermediates to prepare a series of functionalized polyolefins. Many new functionized polyolefins with various molecular architectures have been obtained based on this chemistry. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the polar groups can improve the adhesion of polyolefin to many substrates, such as metals and glass (see Chinsirikul et al, J. Thermoplastic Composite Materials 6, 18, 1993 and Lee et al, Polymer, 35, 2980, 1994). The chemistry of borane containing polymers has also been extended to the preparation of polyolefin graft copolymers, which involves free radical graft-from reaction (see Chung et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,800, 1994). In polymer blends, the incompatible polymers can be improved by adding a suitable polyolefin graft copolymer which reduces the domain sizes and increases the interfacial interaction between domains (see Chung et al, Macromolecules 26, 3467, 1993; Macromolecules, 27, 1313, 1994).


To provide a stator in which a stator and an impeller or a turbine are brought into direct contact with each other to thereby dispense with a thrust bearing, and in which a frictional wear in the contact portion is suppressed to a small extent to thereby prolong a service life of a torque convertor, a stator 7 is provided with a thrust receiving portion 7c for a torque convertor with an impeller and a turbine facing each other. The thrust receiving portion 7c is provided in an inner circumferential portion of the stator, and brought into contact with the impeller so that an axial movement of the thrust receiving portion 7c is limited. Oil grooves 7d for recirculating and holding working oil are formed in a contact surface of the thrust receiving portion 7c.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a stator and stator support structure for a torque convertor.
2. Description of the Related Art
A torque convertor includes a front cover and an impeller shell, which together define a fluid chamber. Within the fluid chamber, the torque convertor includes an impeller, a turbine and a stator. Torque is transmitted via a working fluid from rotation of the impeller to the turbine. The stator is interposed between a radial inward portion of the impeller and the turbine. The stator is fixed to a one-way clutch which is in turn fixed to a stator shaft. The stator shaft is fixed to a transmission housing. The one-way clutch is composed of an outer race fixed to a stator carrier, an inner race fixed to the stator shaft and a plurality of clutch members interposed between the two races.
Annular retainers are disposed on each axial side of the two races of the one-way clutch. The retainers limit the axial movement of the one-way clutch. Furthermore, the one-way clutch includes thrust roller bearings that limit axial movement of the retainer and the one-way clutch. There may be one thrust bearing at either axial end of the one-way clutch. One side surface of the thrust roller bearing is in contact with one surface of the retainer, and the other side surface is supported on the hub of the turbine or the hub of the impeller. Oil grooves extending radially are formed on the side surface of the retainers contacting with the thrust roller bearings serve to recirculate working oil.
As described above, in the conventional torque convertor, the thrust roller bearing is interposed between the one-way clutch and either the impeller or the turbine for supporting the above described portions of the one-way clutch to limit the relative movement between these components in the axial direction. The thrust roller bearings are provided at two positions between the one-way clutch and the impeller and between the one-way clutch and the turbine.
These bearings are needed for maintaining the position of the stator with respect to the impeller and the turbine for relative rotation with respect to each other. The retainer and roller bearings are costly and take up a significant amount of axial space within the torque convertor. Therefore, if it is possible to reduce the size of these members or dispensed with any of them, it may be possible to reduce the cost and weight of the torque convertor and to shorten an axial dimension thereof.
In order to dispense with the bearings, it may be proposed to bring the stator and the impeller or the turbine into direct contact with each other. However, if the bearings are simply dispensed with from the conventional structure, the contact portion between the stator and the impeller or the turbine causes wear of the components, resulting in the reduction in service life of the torque convertor.

Stator and stator support structure for torque convertor


A phase-sensitivity detector detects a phase sensitivity of an AC signal with a known frequency, output by an input amplifier, and an integrator double-integrates an output of (X-Y) of which the phase sensitivity is detected, thereby obtaining vector detecting information α(tend−tst)/tm=A cos θ and α(tend−tst)/tm=A sin θ of the AC signal with the known frequency.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vector detecting device that detects a vector of an AC signal with known frequency. More particularly, the present invention relates to a living-body complex impedance measuring apparatus that measures living-body impedance by detecting a vector of a signal from a living body in which an AC signal having a known frequency flows.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, in a vector detecting device that detects a vector of an output as a target, and an impedance measuring apparatus that measures impedance of which a vector is detected, a phase detector detects a vector of an, output from a measuring target, an integrator smoothes and integrates the output of which the vector is detected, and an A/D converter converts an analog output which is smoothed and integrated into a digital signal (see, e.g., Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 4-80667 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 4-109174 (Patent Document 2)).
However, in the above-described conventional apparatus, the integrator integrates the output only to amplify the detected vector from the phase detector. Therefore, in the conventional apparatus, an offset voltage of the integrator is generated and, disadvantageously, an expensive A/D converter is needed independent of the integrator.

Vector detecting device and living-body complex impedance measuring apparatus having the vector detecting device


A coin feeder (A) comprises a drum-shaped rotating body capable of feeding not only a single size of coins but also different sizes of coins within an allowable range. A coin receiving part (6) and a coin pressing projection (12) pressing a coin (CN) against the coin receiving part (6) are provided at the inner surface of the peripheral wall (2) of the drum-shaped rotating body (1) capable of rotating vertically with a number of coins (CN)(CN) . . . accommodated therein. A coin pressing projection (12) is operated according to the rotation of the dram-shaped rotating body (1) so as to press-hold the coin (CN) against the inner surface of the peripheral wall (2) and release the pressing of the coin at the upper position. Immediately before the coin press-hold state is released, a coin striking member strikes the coin (CN) and the coin pressing projection (12) urges the coin (CN) so as to eject the coin (CN) toward the side of the drum-shaped rotating body (1), i.e., the front of the coin feeder.

Conventionally, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, this kind of coin feeder generally employs the so-called rotor system using a disc-shaped rotating body called a rotor 83 provided with a plurality of coin receiving aperture 84 arranged in the circumferential direction thereof at equal intervals (see, for example, Japanese Examined Laid-open Utility Model Publication No. 4-45084).
In this rotor system coin feeder B, a number of coins randomly accommodated in a hopper 80 provided at the upper portion of the rotor 83 are sequentially fed from the coins CN located at the lowermost portion of the hopper.
That is, in accordance with the rotational movement of the rotor 83, which is equipped below the hopper bottom 81, in the direction of the arrow driven by the electric motor 82, coins CN are fitted in each coin receiving apertures 84. When the coin CN fitted in the coin receiving aperture 84 approaches the coin exit 85, the coin CN gets under the rotor 83 and is moved toward the coin exit 85 while being guided by a guide (not illustrated) to be discharged outside.
Although this rotary system coin feeder B can feed coins each having a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the coin receiving aperture 84 smoothly at high speed, it was not possible to assuredly feed coins having a diameter other than the above-mentioned diameter or coins having different thickness.
Accordingly, in cases where two types of game machines using coins different in size are manufactured, it is required to manufacture two types of coin feeders each corresponding to each coin size, which is indeed irrational.
The present invention was made in view of the aforementioned technical backgrounds, and the object is to provide a coin feeder capable of feeding not only one size of coins but also different sizes of coins and increasing the allowable range as large as possible.
Other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following embodiment of the present invention.


In a mobile radio communication device, a gain of a GaAs FET for high frequency power amplification is controlled by a negative voltage based on a clock signal generated by a microcomputer in the device.

The present invention relates to a technique useful in a mobile radio communication device and further to a super high-frequency band mobile radio communication device using a GaAs FET (gallium arsenide field effect transistor) in a high-frequency power amplifier, for example, in a digital mobile telephone or a cordless telephone.
FIG. 2 shows an outline constitution of a mobile radio communication device which was investigated by the present inventors prior to the present invention.
A mobile radio communication device shown in FIG. 2 is intended to be used especially for a mobile telephone whose main parts are composed of a signal source unit (base band unit) 1 generating sending signals to be signalled on the radio frequency, a sending unit (radio-frequency (RF) power module) 2 amplifying a sending signal from the signal source unit 1 to a predetermined sending power using GaAs FET 20, a receiving unit 3 carrying out the reception and demodulation of a radio signal, an antenna connecting unit 4 connecting output of the sending unit 2 and input of the receiving unit 3 to a common antenna unit 41 in the separated condition, an operation unit 5 gathering operating functions such as key switches and indicators, a power supply unit 6 supplying the positive operating source (+Vdd) being derived from the built battery to every part in the unit, a control unit 7 controlling centrally each unit (1-6) by integrated circuit universal logic control units, so-called micro computers (CPUs), a microphone 8 and a loudspeaker 9 carrying out sending and receiving speeches.
In the mobile radio communication device, (1) high level or multiple functioning has been made possible by the logic control of microcomputers. Also (2) the use of radio waves of super high frequency band such as 1.5 GHz band has been made possible by using a GaAs FET 20 for high-frequency power amplification in the sending unit 2. Further (3) the main functions, such as sending and control, are facilitated by single units thereby increasing the efficiency of the package and the degree of flexibility of the overall design.
By the above-mentioned items (1), (2) and (3), for example, a mobile telephone capable of being linked with a general public telephone line can be of a smaller type.
Here, in the above-mentioned device, when a radio signal is RF-power amplified using the GaAs FET 20, in the RF power amplifier, i.e., final amplifier 24, in addition to the positive operating supply voltage +Vdd, the negative bias voltage -VB is required so as to render the GaAs FET 20 inoperative. In order to obtain the negative bias voltage -VB, a communication device in the prior art has used an inverter power supply being composed of a combination of an independent oscillator and a rectifier. However, a problem is found in that when the inverter power supplies are built in the radio communication devices, the outputs of oscillators of those inverter power supplies become noise sources interfering with the normal operation of the radio communication devices.
Further, the inventors of the present invention have investigated that in the sending unit 2 for RF-power amplifying radio signals as shown in FIG. 2, a part of the radio signals outputted from a buffer amplifier 21 of the former stage is branched by a coupler 25, and the branched radio signals are rectified and smoothed by diodes and capacitors, thereby the negative bias voltage -VB is supplied to the final amplifier 24. That is to say, the negative voltage generator 26, with radio signals being made the input power supply, is built in the sending unit 2 (see JP-A--63-202106).
Thereby super high-frequency radio transmission can be carried out by a high-frequency power amplifier requiring a negative bias voltage -VB even if the negative voltage is not supplied from the outside.
However, the inventors of the present invention have revealed that the following problems exist in the above technique.
That is, (1) if radio signals are linear signals, the system in FIG. 2 is effective, as the energy of the radio signals can be deemed constant by taking the average thereof. But, if the radio signals are digital signals, the energy of the radio signals is not always constant on account of the modulation or the sending stop at the time of standby. For example, in the case of a digital mobile telephone, radio signals outputted from the base band unit 1 are made burst signals. Therefore, the energy of the signals in themselves varies according to whether sending signals exist or not. Therefore, stable and accurate negative bias voltage -VB cannot be obtained from the negative voltage generator 26 having radio signals being made burst signals as the input source. As a result, the case may occur in which stabilizing of the sending operation becomes difficult.
(2) Generally speaking, when an AC signal of the same power is obtained, the power consumption and the cost of the circuit necessary to get the AC signal tend to increase as the frequency of the AC signal becomes higher. Therefore, use of especially super high frequency radio signals such as 1.5 GHz in order to produce the DC negative bias voltage --VB would cause already limited power sources to be excessively consumed and circuit costs to be increased more than necessary.
(3) When super high frequency radio signals being not less than UHF or microwave bands are dealt with, the main circuits in the sending unit 2 are composed of a distributed constant such as slip lines. Therefore, the negative voltage generator 26 may be required to be installed with sufficient buffer spaces not to interfere with the distributed constant. As a result, necessary dimensions of the sending unit 2 are more significantly increased than required fundamentally by the negative voltage generator 26, and the efficiency of the package and the flexibility in external shape design may be significantly damaged.
(4) As the generation of the negative bias voltage -VB is carried out only inside the sending unit 2, when the negative bias voltage -VB is to be controlled centrally to the external control unit 7, for example, for switching the transmission power, the constitution would be complicated because of an increase in the wiring between units.

Using a clock signal generated by a microcomputer for providing a negative bias voltage to a galium arsenide field effect transistor in a high frequency amplifier of the device


A measuring instrument for testing mobile-radio relay stations provides at least one first measuring device and a receiver device. The first measuring device generates a first signal and transmits it either directly or via at least one further device to a relay station under test. The receiver device receives from the relay station under test a second signal derived from the first signal. The first measuring device compares the first signal and at least one signal derived from the second signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a measuring instrument for the laboratory testing of converter stations, referred to below as relay stations, and a measuring method for the laboratory testing of relay stations.
2. Discussion of the Background
In contemporary mobile-radio systems, mobile stations are connected directly via a radio link to base stations. In this context, each base station covers a given range. Only mobile stations which are disposed within this range can establish contact with the base station. For example, European Patent Application EP 1 478 115 A1 discloses a communications system in which a plurality of mobile stations are each connected to a single base station. The disadvantage here is that the range of the base stations depends heavily upon their location and the surrounding buildings.
The use of relay stations (converter stations) to increase the range or to improve the reception conditions is also known. In this context, the connection of the mobile station to the base station is not implemented by a direct route. Instead, the mobile station is connected to a relay station which is connected in turn to the base station. For example, the German specification DE 199 55 503 A1 discloses a communications system which uses relay stations to increase the range.
However, no measuring instruments or measuring methods are so far known which allow a testing of the relay stations under defined conditions.

Measuring instrument and a measuring method for stationary testing of mobile-radio relay stations


Aspects of the methods and apparatus relate to improving the overall decision quality of the Fractional-Dedicated Physical Channel (F-DPCH) channel. One aspect of the methods and apparatus relates to detecting bad channel conditions of a serving base station and improving the serving base station F-DPCH decoding performance in such bad conditions based on the serving base station signal-to interference ratio (SIR) estimation. Another aspect of the methods and apparatus relate to improving the overall decision quality of the F-DPCH channel in soft handover (HO) scenarios by increasing the non-serving base station F-DPCH channel rejections thresholds based on certain SIR estimations. The F-DPCH channel rejections thresholds are based on either the SIR of the non-serving base station, or a difference between non-serving base station SIR and serving base station SIR.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for improving the overall decision quality of the F-DPCH channel based on the channel conditions of a base station, thereby providing consistent service in a wireless communication system.
Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide various communication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, broadcasts, and so on. Such networks, which are usually multiple access networks, support communications for multiple users by sharing the available network resources. One example of such a network is the UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). The UTRAN is the radio access network (RAN) defined as a part of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), a third generation (3G) mobile phone technology supported by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The UMTS, which is the successor to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technologies, currently supports various air interface standards, such as Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA), Time Division-Code Division Multiple Access (TD-CDMA), and Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA). The UMTS also supports enhanced 3G data communications protocols, such as High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), which provides higher data transfer speeds and capacity to associated UMTS networks.
In a typical wireless communication environment, RF signal transmissions between a base station (e.g., NodeB in UMTS) and user equipment (UE) are subject to degradation, such as path loss, shadow fading and multipath, which typically caused by such factors as terrain contours (e.g., mountains, forests), environment (e.g., urban or rural), propagation medium (dry or moist air), changes in distance between a base stations and a mobile UE, etc. A transmit power of the UE is typically controlled by downlink (DL) Transmit Power Control (TPC) commands that are sent from the NodeB to the UE through a downlink (DL) channel. The UE decodes these DLTPC bits (e.g., where a "0" represents a "down" or reduce power command, and a "1" represents and "up" or increase transmit power command) and adjusts the transmit power accordingly. DLTPC can be carried in either a regular Dedicated Physical Channel (DPCH), or a Fractional-DPCH (F-DPCH) channel which constitutes only DL TPC symbols.
When the F-DPCH channel is used, downlink power control may be adopted on the serving base station F-DPCH to warrant a desired level of decoding performance of the DL TPC bits of the base station. The UE may request a change in downlink transmission power by sending uplink (UL) TPC commands on an uplink to the serving base station. The transmission of ULTPCs on the uplink to the base station and the receiving of DLTPCs on the downlink from the base station may be referred to as a power control loop.
In an aspect where the UE has a power-controlled channel from a serving base station but is experiencing bad channel conditions, the F-DPCH power control may not work properly to warrant a desired level of DLTPC decoding performance. In other words, in bad channel conditions such as severe path loss and/or fading, the serving base station may not be able to transmit the F-DPCH channel (and consequently the DLTPC bits) with a power required for reliable reception by the UE, as the base station may already be transmitting at a maximum DL power or the base station could not hear UE's DL power request due to a bad uplink. In these cases, the channel decoding performance at the UE may not be maintained at a desired level, and the decoding error rate may be very high. This results in bad DL power control and difficulties to retain UL/DL connections.
In another aspect, since non-serving base station F-DPCH channels are not power controlled, their DL TPC decoding performance is not protected from channel variations. As such, in bad channel conditions, this may lead to large amount of DLTPC decoding errors for non-serving base stations DLTPC, and thus an inaccurate decision after combining with serving base station DL TPC. Again, this results in bad DL power control and difficulties to retain UL/DL connections.
Thus, aspects of this apparatus and method for to improving the overall decision quality of the F-DPCH channel based on the channel conditions of a serving base station and a non-serving base station.

Apparatus and method of improving the overall decision quality of the F-DPCH channel


The shaft seal assembly of cartridge designed for sealing shafts entering or exiting enclosed vessels. The enclosed vessels may have a pressure different from the atmospheric pressure and the seal will normally prevent leakage from or into the vessel. The seal is accomplished by having a plurality of fluid pressures presented to different faces or portions of the seals. Utilization of these pressures provides a seal between the faces of the rotating parts and the stationary parts of the seal with a minimum of friction. This reduced friction is a result of some amount of air movement between the sealing faces. This air movement into and out of the seal, resulting from fluid pressure differentials, will also carry away any contaminants that may get into the seal, either to the ambient atmosphere or to a recovery system. The seal is designed to accept axial and radial shaft displacement while maintaining a positive seal between the vessel and the atmosphere. The seal of this invention includes force loading of the rotating members toward the stationary members, each member with its own sealing face. The force of the loading means is modified by utilization of a first pressure to decrease the loading force and a second fluid pressure proportionate to the first fluid pressure applied to increase the loading force. The first and second fluid pressures provide a barrier to the flow of materials in either direction through the seal. The rotating members are driven by drive rings which also act as sealing members along the shaft.

1. Field of the Invention
For many years industry has been searching for a method and/or equipment to ensure that fugitive emissions from pumps, etc. were controlled. This control of undesirable fluid emissions is especially needed for the equipment, including pumps, vessels for batch materials, etc. where shafts exit a housing and any leakage around the exit and shaft is discharged into the atmosphere. It is also desirable, while preventing escape of said fluid emissions, to retain the fluids in the vessels or pumps without contamination from the exterior. This contamination matter may be fluid or solid. The provision of a seal, which would control emissions from the rotating equipment and prevent contamination into the equipment, is an object of this invention.
In the field of sealing it is desirable to have long life of the seal and total control of fugitive or other emissions, especially in this day of environmental concerns.
2. Related Art
Various forms of shaft sealing devices have been utilized to try to prevent the leakage of emissions from pumps, vessels having batch materials and/or other equipment utilizing rotating shafts which exit a housing. The housing will normally contain the material being pumped or mixed. The prior art has attempted to solve this problem of emission leakage, especially undesirable emissions by a variety of means, including sealless pumps, seals with liquid barriers and seals utilizing pressurized gasses such as air or nitrogen. The prior art has also attempted to solve the problem of emission leakage by introducing a seal having sealing members of different materials, such as carbon against ceramics. The prior art has also attempted to solve the problem of emission leakage by providing inert fluids between the rotor and the stator to minimize and improve the dissipation of the heat generated between the sealing faces, while not specifically and totally preventing the leakage of the materials. The prior art has utilized these various means to improve the emission control but has never provided for the positive removal and disposal of any contamination either by a liquid barrier or a pressurized gas. These prior devices did not remove the contaminations nor did they absolutely prevent the leakage of emissions.
The present invention utilizes controlled or uncontrolled absolute fluid pressures and controlled volumes of said pressures to ensure that any emissions leaking through the housing to the seal are removed to a proper disposal unit. This invention also provides an effective "dry running" mechanical seal utilizing the fluid pressures to minimize the frictional contact between sealing faces and indeed to control the frictional contact between the sealing faces.
The present invention utilizes a plurality of axial forces to effectively seal the equipment where the forces may be varied in strength without affecting the efficiency of the seal. The seal is also equally effective at any rotational velocity, and indeed performs in an identically predictable fashion as the rotational velocity is varied. This invention is also an excellent seal when emissions control are not necessary, i.e., no hazardous materials are involved, and will discharge into the atmosphere any leakage or debris which may be leaked into the seal.
This invention uses fluids, which may be air, gas, steam, and/or air-oil combinations which are introduced under pressure from an external source into the novel seal of this invention. The seal has a plurality of compartments formed within the chamber of the stationary member by a plurality of the sealing rings attached to the stationary member and the rotating members, including sealing faces. The stationary member also includes a separate passage for movement of fluid. The fluid is injected into the passage surrounding the rotating members and then is removed from the chamber through an outlet means, either to a recovery system or to the atmosphere.
This invention modifies the fluid pressure introduced to the chambers past the seal members and the rotational affect of the rotating members to produce and affect a pressure in a second chamber approximately one-half the fluid pressure introduced at the inlet.


The present invention provides a storage system for migrating a storage apparatus. The storage system comprises the steps of: defining a logical volume on a storage apparatus to be migrated coupled to a first controller as a local volume coupled to a second controller; setting to receive an access targeted to the logical volume through an input/output port of the storage apparatus to be migrated, as the local volume coupled to the second controller; blocking the input/output port of the storage apparatus to be migrated; connecting the other input/output port of the storage apparatus to the second control apparatus.

The present invention relates to a method for migrating from one storage system to another, and more particularly to a method for smoothly migrating data from one storage system to another without shutting down these systems.
Data migration techniques for moving data stored in one storage system to another storage system are important in running a computer system to which storage systems are connected. For example, when a new storage system is introduced, the data in the old storage system may need to be moved to the new storage system.
Further, data may be moved from a storage system under high load conditions to that under low load conditions while using these storage systems. Data migration may be carried out not only between storage systems but also between storage devices in a storage system.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,748 discloses a technique of migrating data from one storage system to another transparently to the host while maintaining access by the host. This technique connects the new storage system to which data is to be migrated between the host computer and the old storage system from which the data is to be migrated. The data to be migrated is moved from the old storage system to the new storage system while the new storage system is receiving read/write requests for the data from the host computer. When the new storage system has received a read/write request for data to be migrated which has not yet been migrated, the new storage system first issues a read request to the old storage system to migrate that data and then processes the read/write request after the data migration.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Disk array system and method for migrating from one storage system to another


The present invention is directed to a manual stem cutting and fruit removal apparatus. The device comprises a receptacle member and a handle attached thereto. A mouth and a blade are located adjacent at the top of the receptacle member. The blade is adjustably removable for case in replacement. A collection chamber is positioned beneath the mouth and the blade and includes a sloping surface for supporting the precut fruit and a cushioned surface for catching the fruit after the stem is severed. In use, the mouth receives the fruit while it is hanging on the tree. By manipulating the device, the blade engages and cuts the stem, and the fruit falls into the collection chamber.

The present invention relates generally to the field of fruit harvesting devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to manual fruit picking apparatus.
Many manual fruit picking devices are either difficult to use or are expensive. One such device, described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,949, by Edward J. Wier of Springfield, Mass., is basically a box with a notch and a telescoping pole, which allows for removal of fruit from high parts of a tree. However, the fruit must be pulled from the stem, which is undesirable in that many fruit growers prefer to leave the stem on the fruit. In addition, the force required to remove fruit from a tree by pulling often causes damage to the fruit.
Some devices, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,098,062 and 4,835,955 by Alfred E. Gaubis of Fruitland Park, Fla. also remove fruit by pulling. Those devices basically comprise a basket with a hingedly attached top which clamps shut over the top of the basket. A similar device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,418 by Doyal C. Reece of Florence, Ala. That device includes a blade that cuts stems as the collection basket clamps shut. However, that device is undesirable since the blade is located on the collection basket, which increases cutting effort as the basket fills with fruit. In addition, the device is undesirable because it is clumsy and since its moving parts complicate use of the device, increase the cost of manufacture and render the blade generally ineffective for cutting fruit stems. Thus, a user may still be required to pull the fruit from the tree.
Another manual fruit picking device, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,697 by Mark Miller of Vancouver, Wash. is basically a long tube with an opening and a movable blade which cuts fruit stems as fruit is inserted into the opening. The blade is engaged using one's thumb or finger, making it difficult to cut most fruit stems. In addition, while the tube shape is acceptable for picking small fruits such as berries and cherries, it is not desirable for picking larger fruits such as apples and oranges. Increasing the size of this device would add to the user's burden by creating a substantial weight increase.
A light-weight manual fruit removal device is needed which removes fruit by cutting the stem. More particularly, a device is needed which includes an effective cutting mechanism, which substantially reduces damage to fruit as compared to the existing devices which require a user to pull fruit from a tree.

Manual stem cutting and fruit collection apparatus


A tachometer circuit includes a flutter reduction circuit and a tachometer. The tachometer circuit cancels pointer flutter in the tachometer without adversely affecting pointer response.

In traditional tachometers, engine RPM (revolutions per minute) is converted to a representative voltage by feeding pulses from the ignition system to a frequency-to-voltage converter circuit. Every pulse from the ignition adds a fixed electrical charge to the driver circuit; the faster the engine runs, the faster the ignition pulses occur, and the more charges are pumped into the driver circuit. A driver circuit causes the pointer to move at an angle proportional to the rate that the charges occur.
There are many known tachometers. Some of which are discussed below. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,979 to Marino et al. describes a battery tachometer, where the input signal is from the battery, which is related to the RPM of the engine.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,512 to Braun et al. describes an engine analyzer (handheld tachometer) designed to be held in contact with a fan belt of an engine to determine cylinder power balance (from engine speed variations). That is, the handheld tachometer is used for determining the relative power contributions of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine. The engine analyzer is used for cars, which have a different number of pulses per revolution.
U.S. Pat. No. RE38,100 to Rentsch et al. describes a tachometer apparatus including a microphone for disposition next to the exhaust and an accelerometer next to the engine. That is, the apparatus is an external device that calculates and which displays the speed of the engine based on sensing engine vibrations. The tachometer has two channels, where one channel is used when the engine is idle and another channel is used when the engine is in normal operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,969 to Gross describes a tachometer circuit that has a zero ripple DC output that is directly proportional to the frequency. The circuit uses two full wave rectifiers to act on the sine and cosine signal inputs. The signal is rectified, squared, summed and extracted.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,883,510 to Torre et al. describes a ground pick-up tachometer, separate from the vehicle ground. The '510 patent describes a noise threshold, but does not remove flutter.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,799 to Faria describes a tachometer apparatus for use on automobile assembly lines and accepts an electric pulse input of frequency, which is directly related to engine speed. The purpose is to measure speed of engines with different numbers of cylinders on an assembly line. The pulsating input signal is characterized by pulses of alternating polarity and uses a rectifier with shunts to measure the speed of the engines passing through the assembly line.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,719 to Hadden et al. describes an external apparatus including a pressure transducer for sensing pressure variations at the exhaust of a vehicle. That is, the apparatus is external to the engine and the signal sensed is passed through an amplifier with automatic gain control and then through a tracking filter to separate the prominent frequency component.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,200 to Schoonover et al. describes an apparatus for producing a non-linear ripple-free output voltage using a temperature compensation circuit, a ripple reduction circuit, a linearity compensation circuit, a summing amplifier circuit and a low RPM linearity compensation circuit.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,014 to Vacek describes a system whereby ripple is removed independent of generator speed using two tachometer generators where both signals are full wave rectified to eliminate the fundamental.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,886,450 to Trusell et al. describes an apparatus for measuring the RPM of an internal combustion engine without attachment to the engine.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,822,402 to Vest describes producing a voltage across a meter that varies essentially linearly with engine speed.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,662,252 to Smith describes a tachometer including an alternator connected to a shaft which generates an alternating voltage.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,662,251, "Method and System for Measuring Acceleration and Velocity" by Smith describes the simultaneous generation of acceleration and velqcity signals.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,451 to Westberg describes an apparatus for use with engines having a different number of cylinders. The apparatus uses a relay switch and a relay coil.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,614,616 to Bucek et al. describes an AC tachometer and circuit in which an AC tachometer generator has two out-of-phase windings independently connected through rectifiers with outputs connected in parallel to provide a DC output potential indicative of the rate of rotation.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,949 to Spear et al. describes a tachometer that is used to generate a signal indicative of the motor speed which is combined with a command signal and a current limit signal.
Traditional tachometers, however, suffer from a visible pointer flutter at low pulse rates. This situation is aggravated by the 1 and ½ pulse per revolution ignitions typically used in motorcycles. Traditional solutions have been ineffective and cause other problems (e.g., they reduce flutter at the expense of slowing down the response of the pointer when there are rapid changes in the engine RPM).
Accordingly, it is desirable to reduce flutter in a tachometer without adversely affecting the response of the tachometer.


A new and distinct variety of Junebearing strawberry plant named MNUS 248 combines the characteristics of midseason ripening, high productivity or yield, excellent survival in cold temperatures, resistance to red stele root rot, and moderate resistance to common foliar diseases. MNUS 248 yields strawberries characterized by a flavor that is balanced between sweetness and acidity, a glossy appearance, a firm flesh with a melting, creamy texture in the mouth.

MNUS 248 is a Junebearing or short-day strawberry variety (Fragaria.times.ananassa) that is notable for its combination of traits that include a midseason ripening period; high productivity or yield; excellent survival in cold temperatures; resistance to five Eastern North American races of Phytophthora fragariae Hickman, the causal organism of red stele root rot; moderate resistance to common foliar diseases such as leaf spot, powdery mildew and leaf scorch; and a fruit with a smooth, creamy texture.


A memory module including at least one memory device mounted on a support member and at least one connect terminal mounted on the support member a distance from an edge of the support member and a memory system including the memory module are provided. The memory device may be a semiconductor device. The connect terminal may be located on at least one surface of the support member, which may be a printed circuit board. The connect terminal may be capable of connecting the memory module to a main board or to other memory modules. Further, the connect terminal may be electrically connected to the memory devices. A buffer may be mounted on the support member a distance from the edge of the support member. A main board including a base member and a second connect terminal may be connected to the memory module to form the memory system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a memory module and a memory system, and more particularly, to a memory module that includes at least one memory device mounted on a support member and at least one connect terminal mounted on the support member a distance from an edge of the support member, and a memory system that includes the memory module.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a top plan view illustrating a conventional memory module. Referring to FIG. 1, a memory module 100 includes memory devices 10_1 through 10_8, such as semiconductor memory devices, mounted substantially linearly on a circuit board 110, e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB), and contact terminals 20, which may be located at the bottom edge of the circuit board 110. "Substantially linearly" as used herein is meant to indicate a linear or close to linear orientation.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustrating a conventional memory module that includes a buffer 220. Referring to FIG. 2, a memory module 200 includes memory devices 110_1 through 110_8, such as semiconductor memory devices, mounted on a circuit board 210, e.g., a printed circuit board, contact terminals 20 arranged at the bottom edge of the circuit board 210, and a buffer 220. The buffer 220 and the memory devices 110_1 through 110_8 are arranged substantially linearly on the circuit board 210. The buffer 220 may buffer data input to and output from each of the memory devices 110_1 through 110_8.
When the buffer 220 is mounted on the memory module 200 and interconnected with each of the memory devices 110_1 through 110_8, the length of the interconnections between the buffer 220 and each of the memory devices 110_1 through 110_8 is different. As a result, the performance of the memory devices 110_1 through 110_8 may deteriorate. For example, when the length of the interconnections between the buffer 220 and each of the memory devices 110_1 through 110_8 is different, skew may occur in the data input to and output from the memory devices 110_1 through 110_8.


A frame supports stereoscopically paired pictures and a pair of lenses for viewing the pictures. The frame is foldable to vary the distance between the lenses and the pictures so that an observer can focus on the pictures in accordance with the observer's particular optical characteristics, whereby a three-dimensional picture image is viewed. The distance between the viewing lenses can be varied to accommodate variations in the distance between the eyes of different observers. The entire viewer can be folded flat for storage and shipping convenience.

This invention relates to stereoscopic viewers of the type having two eyepieces for helping an observer to combine the images of two pictures taken from laterally spaced points of view a little way apart and to thus provide a three-dimensional effect. More particularly, this invention relates to stereoscopic viewers of the type described which are foldable so as to facilitate storage and the like.
A stereoscopic viewer is an optical instrument for obtaining from two pictures, such as photographs made from points of view typically corresponding to the position of an observer's two eyes, a single three-dimensional image by means of two lenses used one with each eye and set to deflect rays coming from corresponding points in the two pictures in such a manner as to produce the effect of coming from a single point.
Stereoscopic viewers have long been in existence. Older viewers have been generally of a rigid and cumbersome construction, while modern viewers are more compact and are capable of being folded. Some of these modern viewers are shown and described in Catalog No. 14 published in 1992 by Reel 3-D Enterprises, Inc., P.O. Box 2368, Culver City, Calif. 80231.
However, none of the prior art viewers have the particular structural features of the present invention, as will be discerned from the description thereof which follows.


When an AC adapter and a battery are connected to a system, trickle charge is performed with respect to the battery through a trickle charge resistor. During the trickle charging of the battery, the adapter voltage of the AC adapter and the battery voltage of the battery are detected by voltage detectors, respectively. On the basis of a differential voltage representing a difference between the two detected voltages, a power source controller controls the start and stop of the trickle charge at predetermined timings in such a manner that a trickle charge current does not exceed a predetermined value even when the differential voltage increases.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling power supply.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, many electronic apparatuses, such as lap-top personal computers or word processors, are operated by an AC adapter and/or an incorporated chargeable battery. The battery is charged, with a current (i.e., a charge current) supplied from the AC adapter. Even after the battery is in the full charge state, The battery charge is performed by supplying a trickle charge current, the amount of which is smaller than that of the normal charge current. This battery charge is generally referred to as "trickle charge." For the trickle charge, a fixed resistor having a constant resistance is used, and the trickle charge current is supplied through this resistor to the battery. In general, the trickle charge current supplied to the battery is about 1/3 of the capacity of the battery. When the battery has a capacity of 2,100 mAh, the trickle charge current is about 70 mA.
In this type of electronic apparatus, a diode for preventing back flow of a charge current and a fixed resistor for controlling a trickle charge current are arranged between an AC adapter and a battery, and the trickle charge is performed when the AC adapter is electrically connected to the electronic apparatus. In the case where the operating voltage of the electronic apparatus is high, it is likely that the battery will be in an over discharge state. Even then the battery voltage of the battery becomes 0 V, the elements located around the trickle charge resistor must not be adversely affected by the heat which the resistor generates. Therefore, the wattage of the resistor has to be as large as possible. However, a resistor having a large wattage is inevitably large in size, and is not suitable for incorporation in an electronic apparatus which should be small in size and light in weight, like a lap-top type personal computer.
Under the circumstances mentioned above, there is a demand for a power source control apparatus which controls a trickle charge current such that the trickle charge can be efficiently performed by use of a small-sized and small-wattage resistor element.

Method and apparatus for controlling power supply


Methods and apparatus for assessing propagation delay based on factors in addition to the propagation delay associated with a selected circuit, in order to provide a more accurate propagation delay value associated with a communication transaction. Factors to be assessed include the propagation delays associated with a particular bearer service involved in the communication transaction, a type of information being transmitted, any supplementary peripheral equipment involved with the communication transaction, any transmission media involved with the call, and/or any combination of these factors in a communication transaction.

This invention generally relates to systems for tracking propagation delays associated with various communications through a central office switch, or other comparable communication node, in a public telephone network. In particular, the invention provides methods and apparatus for accurately determining a propagation delay associated with a particular communication transaction in a network having common channel signaling, such as Signaling System 7 (SS7), by assessing propagation delays associated with the provision of a particular bearer service, transmission path delays, impacts depending on an information type transmitted and transmission devices involved, or any combination of these.
A telecommunications environment having a common signaling protocol is one in which central office exchanges share a common interfacing language. Hence, no translation or interpretation of messages between exchanges is required. SS7 is a common signaling protocol that has been globally adopted. An SS7 network contains dedicated signaling channels that are separate from voice or data paths or links and that are used for control messaging. This is illustrated in FIG. 1, which shows a separate speech connection and signaling network for carrying speech data and control messages, respectively, between exchanges A and B. Although the signaling messages are separated from the speech, each signaling message is associated with a specific speech connection. All signaling messages for setting up and releasing a call travel through a dedicated signaling channel, that may be shared by signaling messages for several calls.
The signaling channel can be physically separated from the speech path, i.e., take a different route through the communication network. As a result, a propagation delay procedure such as that described here is needed. Since signaling messages can be routed a different way through the communication network, propagation delay measurements on a signaling path are typically not useful for a speech path.
A call in an SS7 supported network is basically completed as follows. A calling party dials the phone number of a called party. The dialed digits are received by the originating exchange and an Initial Address Message (IAM) is generated that contains the dialed digits and other information. The IAM is routed through the network to the terminating exchange based on dialed digits and transmission requirements. When the IAM is routed through the network, it may pass through one or more intermediate exchanges. When the IAM is received at the terminating exchange, the called party's line is checked. The called party's line status (busy/idle) is returned back to the originating exchange. If the line is busy, the call is released; if the line is idle, the subscriber is alerted in an appropriate way. If there is an answer, the terminating exchange sends an answer or connect message back toward the originating exchange, at which point call set-up is completed. The call is then in a so-called active phase, in which the originating party and the terminating party have successfully entered into a connection with one another.
A communication transaction in a telecommunication environment is any part of a call set up or call completion. A communication transaction may involve any communication means such as a central office exchange, toll or gateway exchange, land based communication node, cellular base station, microwave or satellite link, or any other connection between the aforementioned, or like, communication devices.
Propagation delay is that amount of time required by a signal to travel from a source to a receiver. Propagation delay information is accumulated during call set-up (communication set-up) in a forward direction (i.e., from the originating exchange toward the terminating exchange). The accumulated propagation delay information is sent back toward the originating exchange before the call enters the active phase.
The assessment of the propagation delay information is based on increasing a propagation delay counter (PDC) contained in the IAM as the call is set up. The accumulated result is sent in a backward direction (back to the originating exchange) within a call history information parameter in the answer or connect message.
In accordance with the International Telecommunication Union standard ITU-T Q.764 for SS7 standards regarding ISDN User Part (ISUP) signaling procedures, propagation delay information associated with a communication transaction is to be maintained. An initiating exchange includes the propagation delay counter in the IAM. Initially, the counter is set to zero milliseconds (ms), or if a propagation delay value is known (having been predetermined for each of the various circuits available to the initiating exchange), the counter is set to that value. Depending on the route (circuit) selected to the terminating or succeeding exchange, the originating or preceding exchange increases the PDC by the value representing the appropriate delay value (for the selected circuit) prior to sending the IAM. The value of the delay for each circuit is typically maintained in an exchange. If the chosen circuit includes a satellite link, a satellite indicator is set accordingly.
Upon receipt of the call history information parameter in the answer or connect message, the initiating exchange stores the received data value until the call is released. If an intermediate exchange (between the originating and terminating exchanges) is involved in the call, such as a national transit exchange, outgoing gateway exchange, toll exchange, or international outgoing exchange, appropriate adjustment of the PDC is required in the intermediate office for the particular circuits selected.
Upon receipt of the IAM, the intermediate exchange analyzes IAM routing information, including PDC information, in order to select an appropriate circuit for connection to a succeeding exchange. After such a circuit is selected, the propagation counter is increased by a value corresponding to the delay value associated with the selected circuit. This value is made available in the intermediate exchange. The IAM is sent to the succeeding exchange containing the new value of the PDC. When the call enters the active phase, the intermediate exchange relays the received answer or connect message back toward the originating exchange which message includes the call history information parameter, and consequently the accumulated PDC value.
A terminating exchange is the exchange (e.g., the destination central office) in which the PDC assessment is completed. Upon receipt of the IAM in the terminating exchange, the exchange increases the PDC by the delay value of a terminating access, if available, and stores the PDC until the call is released. The terminating exchange, prior to sending the answer or connect message back to a preceding exchange, updates the call history information parameter according to the stored value of the propagation delay counter.
In addition to communications between exchanges having common protocols, there are two basic interworking scenarios where offices having different signaling protocols interact. The first scenario is where an office that provides a signaling system that supports the PDC update procedure (supported) initiates a call set up with an office having a signaling system that does not support the PDC update procedure (unsupported). The second scenario is where an unsupported office initiates a call set up with a supported office.
In the case of an interworking situation where a supported office initiates a call to an unsupported office, the supported exchange stores the propagation delay value accumulated up to the present point, until the call is released. If a delay value referring to the unsupported part of the connection is available, the delay is added to the delay value stored in the supported exchange. Otherwise, the supported exchange acts as a terminating exchange. Upon receipt of an answer or connect message back from the unsupported office, the supported exchange includes the call history information parameter set to the stored delay value. The answer or connect message, including the call history information parameter, is sent to the preceding exchange by the supported exchange.
In the case of an interworking situation where an unsupported office initiates a call to a supported office, the unsupported exchange typically does not have signaling containing a propagation delay counter. In such a case the supported exchange inserts the propagation delay counter in the IAM resetting it to zero ms. If a delay value referring to the unsupported part of the connection is available, the propagation delay counter shall be set to this delay value. Otherwise, the supported exchange acts as an initiating exchange. The calculated delay value in the supported exchange reflects the delay incurred on the preceding circuit(s). This includes delay values corresponding to satellite delays, if applicable. Prior to sending an IAM to a succeeding exchange, the propagation delay counter in the supported exchange is increased according to the delay value of the circuit selected.
In the situation where the incoming exchange is supported, but where the IAM does not contain the propagation delay counter parameter, a propagation delay value is created just as it would be when there is interworking from an unsupported exchange to a supported exchange. If a supported exchange receives an answer or connect message from which the call history information parameter is missing, no special action is required as the answer or connect message is sent backward without this parameter. If a supported exchange receives a confusion message referring to the PDC, or to the call history information parameter, both the confusion message and any stored propagation delay value are discarded.
A confusion message (CFN) is an SS7 message that indicates that unrecognized information has been received. Because an SS7 exchange supports interworking with different versions of SS7 exchanges, the SS7 exchange may receive information that is not within the exchange's communication protocol. The CFN message is used to inform the sending exchange that it has sent information that the receiving exchange could not understand. The CFN message indicates what action, if any, was taken (e.g., whether the received information was passed on or discarded), as well as information about what type of information was not understood.
In the above-described ITU-T propagation delay procedures, the delay value is set solely according to the delay associated with a selected circuit. Such a procedure fails to take into consideration the fact that different delays can exist on the same circuit depending on the particular bearer service being provided. Bearer services include voice, data, and video communications. The above identified standard also neglects a number of additional factors that may impact the propagation delay value. These include delays associated with the utilization of supplementary network equipment in combination with bearer services. Hence, the ITU-T procedures mandate a propagation delay tracking standard in which the propagation delay information may be inaccurate, or at best, a crude estimate of an actual value.
Accurate propagation delay information is needed for a number of reasons, including provision of a determination factor for utilizing echo suppression systems or other signal processing to maintain communication signal quality. Accurate propagation delay information also can facilitate enhanced routing determination, more effective selection of circuits, and more efficient use of network resources. If propagation delay becomes too great, there is degradation in communication quality. Hence it is desirable to maintain propagation delay at a manageable level.
For instance when a call having a relatively high propagation delay value is received in an exchange, it is desirable that a circuit with a relatively low delay value be selected to avoid unduly increasing the accumulated propagation delay. Conversely, when a call whose propagation delay value is relatively low is received, it may be acceptable to select a circuit with a relatively high delay value, thus saving low delay circuits for use in high delay calls. Hence, in order to make the most efficient use of exchange resources without degrading communication quality and to avoid reliance on undue echo suppression or signal processing, the most accurate propagation delay information should be maintained.
In accordance with the invention, methods and apparatus are provided for maintaining more accurate propagation delay information compared to that prescribed by the ITU-T standards discussed above.

Method and apparatus for propagation delay determination


A hard disk drive including an end tab extending from an end portion of a suspension that supports a read/write head, and a ramp including a plurality of end tab limiters and preventing the end tab from being separated, due to an external impact, from a parking zone where the end tab is supported, and at least one assembly guide rail inclined at a predetermined angle to form an assembly guide slope that guides movement of the end tab to the parking zone. At least one end tab limiter may be connected to at least one assembly guide rail and upper and/or lower sides of the end tab limiter forms with the assembly guide slope a movement guide path to guide the movement of the end tab to the parking zone.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a hard disk drive, and more particularly, to a hard disk drive and method parking a read/write head to minimize deformation of a ramp end tab, generated as the end tab bumps against a lateral surface of an end tab limiter when a head stack assembly (HSA) is assembled on a base while the end tab is located at an initial assembly position of the ramp.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hard disk drives (HDDs) are recording and reproducing apparatuses for writing/reading data to/from a disk using a read/write head. HDDs are presently widely being used as auxiliary storage devices for computer systems due to their ability to access a large amount of data at high speeds.
Recently, HDD capacities have been increasing with the increases in the number of tracks per inch (TPI) (representing a density of the hard disk in a disk radial direction) and the number of bits per inch (BPI) (representing a density of the hard disk in a disk rotational direction). With such increases in capacities, the available application range for HDDs also has been extended. Further, HDDs have also been shrinking in size for use in portable electronic devices, such as in notebook computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and mobile phones. For example, 2.5 inch HDDs have been developed for such notebook computers. Similarly, an ultra-compact HDD having a diameter of 0.85 inches, for example, similar to that of a coin, is actively under development for use in mobile phones.
HDDs typically include a disk for recording/reproducing data, a spindle motor to rotate the disk, and an actuator having a read/write head to record and/or reproduce data to/from the disk. The actuator can pivot around a pivot shaft, e.g., through a voice coil motor (VCM), and may further include an actuator arm rotatably coupled to the pivot shaft capable of pivoting, a slider on which the read/write head may be mounted, and a suspension installed at the actuator arm and supporting the slider for elastically biasing the read/write head over a surface of the disk. Here, the slider may be supported by the suspension by being attached to a flexure.
During the recording and/or reproduction of data, both the lift force generated by airflow formed by the rotation of the disk and an elastic force generated by the suspension act on the slider with the read/write head. Accordingly, the slider can maintain lifted above a data zone of the disk, at a height where the lift force and the elastic force are balanced. Thus, the read/write head mounted on the slider records and/or reproduces data to/from the disk while maintaining a particular gap with the rotating disk. When the rotation of the disk is stopped, e.g., when power is turned off, the lift force disappears. When the lift force disappears, the slider needs to be away from the data zone of the disk before the lift force disappears to prevent the slider from contacting and damaging the data zone. Accordingly, before the disk completely stops rotating, the actuator arm is caused to move, e.g., rotate, the slider to a parking zone, e.g., on the disk. Accordingly, even when the disk rotation is stopped, since the read/write head has been moved to the parking zone, such damage to the data zone can be prevented.
Therefore, when the disk rotation is stopped, e.g., when power to the hard disk drive is cut off, it is common for the read/write head mounted on the slider to be parked by moving the same to a parking zone on the disk, for example, before the rotation of disk is completely stopped.
Methods of parking the read/write head include a contact start stop (CSS) method and a ramp loading method. In the CSS method, a parking zone on the disk, where no data is recorded, is provided along the inner circumferential surface of the disk, and the read/write head can escape from data zones by moving to the inner circumferential surface of the disk and contacts the parking zone, where it can stay parked. However, according to the CSS method, since the parking zone needs to be provided along the inner circumferential surface of the disk, the available space for storing data is reduced. Also, when the HDD is not operating, that is, when the disk is not rotating, an external impact could be applied to the HDD causing read/write head to become separated from the disk, by the impact, and collide with a data zone of the disk. Because of this head slap phenomenon data on the disk and/or the read/write head may be damaged.
This head slap occurs when a considerable impact is applied to the HDD causing the read/write head to become separated from the disk and then collide with the disk either in the parking zone or a data zone on the surface of the disk. As a result, the disk surface may be damaged by the read/write head striking the disk surface. In addition, debris may also be scattered within the disk drive enclosure and across the surface of the disk. Although the debris may only be small enough to be observed using a microscope, since the hard disk drive is a high precision apparatus, if the debris is scattered in the data zone or interposed between the read/write head and the disk, the HDD can malfunction.
Thus, for the aforementioned portable HDDs, e.g., having diameters of 2.5 inches, 1 inch, or 0.85 inches, for example, for use in mobile environments, the ramp loading method may also be available, where the read/write head is separated from the disk and placed on a ramp structure adopted to minimize the amount of impact occurring when the HDD is not in use.
As described above, the ramp loading method parks the read/write head on a ramp installed outside of the disk. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates such a ramp where an end tab 120 portion of the suspension 114 moves to a parking zone of the ramp 130 to park the read/write head. As shown in FIG. 1, the end tab 120, upon moving into the parking zone and during the parking of the read/write head, becomes supported on a parking zone 136a on the ramp 130. Here, the ramp 130 includes a parking guide rail 135, forming a parking guide surface 136, to guide the movement of the suspension 114 when the corresponding read/write head is parked, a disk guide rail 139 located adjacent to the parking guide rail 135, an assembly guide rail 133, an end tab limiter 132 to prevent the end tab 120 from being separated from its location in the parking zone, e.g., by an external impact, and a third limiter 137 to prevent a flexure (not shown) from being separated from the parking zone, e.g., by the external impact. A predetermined section of the parking guide surface 136 is assigned to the parking zone 136a for the end tab 120.
In such a configured HDD, when the disk rotation is stopped, e.g., when the power of the HDD is turned off, a VCM (not shown) rotates the actuator arm 112, connected to a pivot shaft holder 113, clockwise. Accordingly, the end tab 120 portion of the suspension 114 contacts an inclined surface 139a of the disk guide rail 139 of the ramp 130. Next, the end tab 120 moves along the inclined surface 139a of the disk guide rail 139 and the parking guide surface 136 of the parking guide rail 135 to be placed in the parking zone 136a on the parking guide surface 136.
FIG. 2 illustrates a head stack assembly on a base where the end tab is placed at an initial assembly position of the ramp, e.g., such as in the HDD of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, when a head stack assembly 110 is assembled on a base (not shown), for example, and while the end tab 120 is placed on the initial assembly position of the ramp 130, a shipping comb 150 may be applied to the suspension 114 to separate a plurality of end tabs, i.e., to increase the distance between each end tab so that the respective suspensions 114 are maintained at constant intervals. When the actuator arm 112 is rotated counterclockwise toward the assembly guide rail 133 to be inserted in an end portion of the ramp 130 at an inlet side thereof, the end tab 120 contacts the assembly guide slope 134, formed along an end of the assembly guide rail 133, and is guided from the assembly guide slope 134 to the parking zone 136a on the parking guide surface 136. The parking zone 136a is the initial assembly position, as an assembly position when product assembly is completed. Before the end tab 120, after moving along the assembly guide slope 134, arrives at the parking zone 136a, the shipping comb 150 may be removed by an external apparatus (not shown) in a direction indicated by the illustrated arrow shown in FIG. 2. The end tab 120 contacts the parking zone 136a on the parking guide surface 136 of the parking guide rail 135, which may be the initial assembly position. In this state, the head stack assembly 110 may be fixed through a coupling member to a base (not shown).
However, in the conventional HDD, when the head stack assembly is assembled on the base while the end tab is placed at the initial assembly position, due to various reasons such as the inappropriate aligning of the shipping comb with the suspension(s) or the head stack assembly being manufactured out of allowance, the end tab is moved to the parking zone through the entrance end portion of the ramp at an inappropriate position at which the end tab is inclined in a direction resulting in the end tab colliding with the lateral surface of the end tab limiter.
As described above, in the conventional HDD, due to various reasons such as the inappropriate insertion of the shipping comb in the suspension, when the head stack assembly is assembled on the base while the end tab is placed at the initial assembly position, the end tab may collide with the end tab limiter so that excessive torque is applied to the end tab resulting in the end tab and the flexure being deformed. Thus, the operation of the slider becomes unstable during the loading/unloading of the slider resulting in serious defects such as scratches, thermal asperity (TA), or head-media touch occurrences, which ultimately cause defects in the final product.

Hard disk drive apparatus and method with ramp parking


A bypass valve assembly for directing fluid flow having at least one inlet and at least one outlet for fluid flow, the bypass valve assembly being attachable to a fluid treatment system. The bypass valve assembly also includes at least one bypass valve in the bypass valve assembly, the bypass valve having a service configuration and a bypass configuration wherein in the service configuration at least a portion of fluid entering the bypass valve assembly through the inlet is transmitted to the water treatment system and wherein in the bypass configuration fluid entering the bypass valve assembly is not transmitted to the fluid treatment system. At least one blending valve is operatively interconnected to the bypass valve assembly, wherein when the bypass valve is in the service configuration the blending valve allows a portion of fluid entering the inlet to be transmitted to the outlet without being transmitted to the fluid treatment system.

Bypass valves for use with water treatment systems, such as water softeners and water filters are known in the art. Typically, such bypass valves contain inlet and outlet "service ports" and inlet and outlet "valve ports". The service ports generally face the source of untreated water and the valve ports face the water treatment system. Bypass valves generally have two configurations: a "service" configuration, where the bypass valve transfers untreated water from a household or commercial supply line to the treatment system and then transfers treated water exiting the treatment system to the household or commercial water system that ultimately leads to faucets, showers, and other end user plumbing attachments. The second configuration is generally referred to as a "bypass" configuration, wherein water flow to and from the treatment system is blocked and water entering the service inlet port passes through a bypass passage to eventually exit the service outlet port without coming into contact with the treatment system. The bypass configuration of a bypass valve is generally used when it is desired to use untreated water or when the treatment system needs to be maintained or repaired.
In addition to bypass functionality, it is sometime desired to have "blended" water (i.e., a mix of treated and untreated water) for end use. For instance, in the case of a water softening treatment system, it is sometimes desired to mix some amount of hard water with softened water, if, according to a user's preference, the treated water exiting the water softener is too soft. Most often this blending feature is built into the main control valve of the treatment system. Putting the blending feature on the control valve has some disadvantages: First, the manufacturer must produce and stock a larger variety of control valves, since not all customers wish to pay for the blending feature. Second, a valve is not easily converted from non-blending style to blending style in the field. Third, the blending adjustment itself may be relatively inaccessible to the end user, since the control valve may be hidden in an enclosure. Therefore, it is advantageous to include the blending feature in the bypass valve. Thus, while bypass valves having blending features have been known, there is a need for a bypass valve with a blending feature that is inexpensive, easy to use, and easily added in the field. Other needs will become apparent upon a further reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.


Provided is an artificial leather sheet that comprises microfine fibers of an inelastic polymer having a mean fiber diameter of at most 5 μm and an elastic polymer, in which the major portion of the elastic polymer forms a fibrous structure of the entangled nonwoven fabric with the microfine fibers of inelastic polymer throughout the entire layer of the artificial leather sheet in the thickness direction thereof, and a part of the elastic polymer forms a porous layer integrated with the entangled nonwoven fabric structure on at least one face of the artificial leather sheet. The artificial leather sheet does not substantially undergo structure deformation even when repeatedly elongated and deformed. It has good elastic stretchability, and has a soft and dense feel, and its appearance is good not detracting from the drapability of the sheet.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to artificial leather sheets of good elastic stretchability. More precisely, the invention relates to artificial leather sheets that do not undergo substantial structure deformation even when repeatedly elongated and deformed. That is, the invention relates to artificial leather sheets that have good elastic stretchability, shape retainability, shape stability and shape recoverability, while having a soft and dense feel. Additionally, an aspect of the present invention relates to napped artificial leather sheets produced by napping at least one face of the artificial leather sheets, while having good uniformity in the napped condition thereof and which have a good feel and have good elastic stretchability and drapability. Furthermore, an additional aspect of the present invention pertains to grained artificial leather sheets produced by forming a coating layer on at least one face of the artificial leather sheets; whereby said grained artificial leather sheets have a good feel and have good elastic stretchability and drapability and in which the coating layer has good surface smoothness and peeling strength even though it is extremely thin. An additional aspect of the present invention also relates to a method for producing those types of artificial leather sheets.
2. Description of the Background
Napped sheets produced by napping at least one face of fibrous textiles such as woven fabrics, knitted fabrics and nonwoven fabrics or at least one face of fibrous substrates having a foamed structure of elastic polymer therein have appearance, texture, feeling and handling that are expressed by the length, density and other properties of raised fibers, which simulate those characteristics of natural suede or nubuck leathers. Therefore, such napped sheets are now mass-produced as napped sheets with suede- or nubuck-finish.
Additionally, napped artificial leathers with suede- or nubuck-finish, which are produced by raising a nap of microfine fibers on the surface of a fibrous structure comprising an entangled nonwoven fabric of microfine fiber bundles and an elastic polymer impregnated thereinto, are known as textile materials being comparable to natural leathers in their structures and having qualities equal to or higher than those of natural leathers. Thus, it is noted that these napped artificial leathers possess excellent properties such as elegant napped surface, soft touch, dense feel, excellent drapability irrespective of its light weight, and unlike woven or knitted fabrics, there is a diminished occurrence of surface unraveling when cut.
There has been a continuous demand for further improving the quality of napped artificial leather sheets to provide high-quality products which are satisfactory in every quality relating to aesthetic sense, feeling, handling, and clothing comfort such as suede appearance, nubuck appearance, soft touch, excellent feel and excellent drapability.
For example, JP-B-01-41742 describes stretchable napped artificial leather sheets with excellent feel, which is prepared from a stretchable entangled nonwoven fabric via a process which entails shrinking an entangled nonwoven fabric comprising elastic polymer fibers (elastic fibers) and inelastic polymer fibers (inelastic fibers) in an areal ratio of 10 to 80%. The proposed artificial leather made of the elastic fibers and inelastic fibers is excellent in drapability. This is, in part, due to the flexibility thereof, which is, in turn, attributable to the elastic fibers all remaining in a free fibrous form therein. However, the proposed artificial leather made of the elastic fibers and inelastic fibers suffers immeasurably during the napping process, for example, by buffing or the like, because of poor binding ability of the inelastic fibers. Consequently, the proposed artificial leather made of the elastic fibers and inelastic fibers, when napped, is rough in appearance, and deviates from the desired suede or nubuck appearance.
JP-B-03-16427 describes artificial leather with good mechanical properties, which is made of multi-component fibers capable of forming two or more kinds of elastic fibers having different melting points and fibers capable of forming microfine inelastic fibers. However, this artificial leather is problematic in that its low-melting elastic fiber constituents provide only a small binder effect, which results in an artificial leather that is unable of attaining an excellent suede-look.
JP-B-05-65627 describes artificial leather with good appearance, which is produced by impregnating polyurethane into a nonwoven fabric made only of sea-island fibers capable of forming inelastic microfine fibers, removing the sea component by solvent extraction to form the inelastic microfine fibers, and then dyeing. However, since the nonwoven fabric does not include elastic fibers, the artificial leather loses its original structure after repeated extensional deformations. Additionally, the artificial leather is not soft to the touch, is rough feeling, and has poor drapability, which is, in part, due to the fact that polyurethane resin impregnated into the nonwoven fabric forms a foamed sheet structure.
JP-B-01-41742 and JP-B-03-16427 describe methods that produce stretchable artificial leathers, but do not produce artificial leathers capable of having a napped surface of raised fibers with good appearance. Alternatively, the method described in JP-B-05-65627 provides for artificial leather that has good appearance, but experiences poor stretchability, feel, and drapability.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the previously described products and procedures, in order to provide an artificial leather sheet, whose elastic stretchability, feel, and drapability characteristics are excellent; a method of making the same; and a napped artificial leather sheet and a grained artificial leather sheet that are excellent in appearance.
As a result of extensive studies to attain the object as above the inventors have found the method mentioned below and have reached the present invention.

Artificial leather sheets and method for producing them


A computer system including in-memory cache storage may be used to store collections of metadata that provide a semantic layer for a query of a data source. The computer system may provide multiple users access to the metadata collection, using different security policies for the users, without duplicating the metadata collection in the in-memory storage. For instance, the computer system may retrieve the metadata collection and provide the first user access to the metadata collection based on a first security policy of the first user. The computer system may then provide a second user access to the metadata collection based on a second security policy of the second user, without the metadata collection being duplicated in the in-memory cache storage.

The present disclosure pertains to data generation and data access, and in particular to smart direct access of a semantic layer.
Software applications can be used to visualize and analyze large sets of data. Such applications may present the data in documents such as spreadsheets or text documents including visualizations (e.g., tables, graphs, and charts) of the data. The data presented in the document may be obtained from one or more data sources. The data for the document may be obtains by querying each of the data sources. A metadata collection or semantic layer may be generated and used to perform each query of each data source. The metadata collection may abstract the data complexity for accessing, manipulating, and organizing data. The data retrieved from the queries using the different metadata collection may be presented in the document to end users.
In certain systems, the metadata collection must be generated before making the corresponding query. This may ensure that the metadata collection is still a valid representation of the data source. However, the computational time and resources required to generate the metadata collection may be related to the size of the corresponding data source, or a portion thereof. Since the data source may include large sets of data, it may take a long time to generate the metadata collection, thereby delaying the query and presentation of the document to the user. Furthermore, since different users may have different security policies for accessing the data source, the metadata collection may be generated separately and differently for each user. As such, the computational time and resources used for generating the metadata collection may be duplicated for each user accessing the same document. As such, loading the document may be a slow and resource intensive process.
The present disclosure addresses these issue and others, as further described below.