The present invention relates to hotline routing of calls originating from mobile stations. The hotline routing conserves MSISDNs for valid subscribers and provides a relatively generic solution. In one example, a computer system stores in a location register a subscriber profile with an IMSI and a pseudo-MSISDN. A mobile station (which includes a SIM with the IMSI) originates a call. After translation of the pseudo-MSISDN, a serving MSC routes the call to a service activation center.

When a user buys a mobile telephone, the user often must subscribe to a service plan in order to make and receive calls with the mobile telephone. For example, the user might have to fill out a service order to subscribe to various basic and supplementary services from the network operator (alternatively called the carrier) of a mobile telephone network. An employee of the network operator processes the service order, entering information about the subscriber into a database for the network. After the information is entered, service is activated for the subscriber. This process can be fairly quick, and it works well when subscribers have personal contact with the employee of the carrier, as happens at a store run by the carrier.
When a mobile telephone is sold off-the-shelf at an independent retail outlet, however, the buyer may need guidance to activate service. Simply providing a special number on the packaging or manual for the buyer to call to activate service may not provide adequate guidance in some cases.
To facilitate distribution through independent retail channels, some existing mobile telephone networks support a single number origination (or "hotline routing") feature for pre-activated subscribers. When conventional single number origination is used for a subscriber, any call originating from the subscriber (except 911) is routed to the same number. For a pre-activated mobile telephone, a user buys the mobile telephone off-the-shelf, powers on the phone, dials any number (again, except 911), and the call is routed to an activation center. The user then provides subscriber information, credit card information, subscription choices, etc. over the phone to personnel at the activation center to activate service.
Unfortunately, single number origination as used in certain existing mobile telephone networks does not work well in networks that follow the Global System for Mobile Communication ["GSM"] standard. In much of the world, mobile telephones operate according to the GSM standard. In fact, the GSM standard is becoming more popular in North America. To understand why single number origination (as supported in existing networks) does not work well in GSM networks, it helps to have some background knowledge about GSM networks
I. GSM Networks
The GSM standard is a collection of technical documents and agreements that address the network infrastructure for GSM service. FIG. 1 shows part of a generalized GSM network (100) according to the prior art. At a high level, the GSM network (100) includes a mobile station (120), a base station subsystem ["BSS"] (140), and a network switching subsystem ["NSS"] (160). In practice, a GSM network can include an arbitrary number of certain entities (e.g., mobile station, BSS, MSC) shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, FIG. 1 omits certain entities (e.g., operations and maintenance center, business systems). For additional information about GSM networks, see, e.g., Gunnar Heine, GSM Networks: Protocols, Terminology, and Implementation, Artech House, Boston (1999) and the GSM-related specifications referenced therein. Some telecommunications networks (e.g., third generation networks) extend the GSM architecture, complying with the GSM standard in various respects while enhancing service in other respects.
A. Mobile Station
The mobile station (120) includes mobile equipment ["ME"] (124) and a subscriber identity module ["SIM"] (122) (alternatively called a SIM card or smart card). To provide personal mobility for a subscriber, the SIM (122) is often detachable such that the subscriber can join the SIM (122) with another ME to receive/make calls or use other services with that ME.
The ME (124) (sometimes called the terminal) is a mobile telephone, other kind of telephone, personal digital assistant or other computer, or other device with GSM capability. A terminal identification, or international mobile equipment identity ["IMEI"], uniquely identifies the ME (124). The IMEI can be used to reduce trafficking in black market equipment.
The SIM (122) installs or inserts into the ME (124). The SIM (122) is usually the size of a credit card or a small plug-in unit. The SIM (122) includes a microprocessor and memory that stores subscriber-related data such as an international mobile subscriber identity ["IMSI"]. After a mobile subscriber integrated service digital network number ["MSISDN"] has been provisioned for the SIM, the SIM (122) may (but need not) store the MSISDN.
The subscriber identification, or IMSI, uniquely identifies the subscriber in any GSM system. The IMSI includes three parts: a mobile country code ["MCC"] consisting of three digits, a mobile network code ["MNC"] consisting of two or three digits, and a mobile subscriber identity number ["MSIN"] consisting of up to ten digits. For example, consider the IMSI 310555123456789. The first three digits "310" are the MCC for the United States, the next three digits "555" are the MNC for the home network of the subscriber within the country, and the final nine digits "123456789" are the MSIN identifying the subscriber within the network. The IMSI is not the subscriber's phone number. In general, the subscriber will never see the IMSI or need to remember it. For additional detail about IMSIs, see International Telecommunications Union ["ITU"] Recommendation ITU-T E.212.
Conventionally, a SIM vendor provides a set of GSM SIMs in bulk for a carrier. The carrier gets a file listing the IMSIs for the SIMs. The IMSIs each begin with the appropriate MCC and MNC for the carrier, and then include an MSIN.
The subscriber dialable number, or MSISDN, is assigned to the subscriber as the subscriber's phone number. The MSISDN and IMSI are never the same number and have different formats. (In contrast, in time division multiple access ["TDMA"] networks, the subscriber's phone number (the mobile dialable number) and the subscriber's mobile identification number ["MIN"] may be the same number.) A MSISDN includes a 1 to 3 digit country code, a 3-digit national destination code (i.e., an area code in the United States), and a variable length subscriber number. In North America, the subscriber's MSISDN is an eleven-digit number composed of the country code "1" and ten digits for the area code and subscriber number, for example, 12065551234. For additional detail about MSISDNs, see the relevant GSM standards or ITU Recommendation ITU-T E.164.
The mobile station (120) communicates with the BSS (140) across the Um interface (130), which is often called the air interface. The air interface (130) and other standardized interfaces shown in FIG. 1 facilitate interoperation between equipment from different manufacturers.
B. Base Station Subsystem
The BSS (140) includes a base transceiver station ["BTS"] (142) and a base station controller ["BCS"] (146) that communicate across the Abis interface (144). As shown in FIG. 1, the BSS (140) may include additional BTSs and BSCs. The BSS (140) communicates with the NSS (160) across the A interface (150).
The BTS (142) contains one or more radio transceivers that transmit and receive information over the air interface (130). The radio transceivers provide coverage to a geographic area and define a cell for the GSM network (100).
The BSC (146) manages the radio resources for the BTS (142) and other BTSs for specified cells of the GSM network (100). In particular, the BSC (146) participates in setup of various aspects of the air interface, (130), frequency hopping, and call handoffs from cell to cell in the GSM network (100).
C. Network Switching Subsystem
The NSS (160) performs switching for calls involving GSM network (100) users. The main component of the NSS (160) is the MSC (162), which operates in conjunction with the home location register ["HLR"] (164), the visiting location register ["VLR"] (166), the equipment identity register ["EIR"] (168), and the authentication center ["AuC"] (169). Depending on implementation and role in the GSM network, a NSS may lack certain components shown in the NSS (160) of FIG. 1 or share a component with one or more other NSSs. In one common configuration, each of multiple MSCs for a carrier is implemented with and controlled by a VLR, and each shares a single logical HLR for the carrier with the other MSCs. Depending on implementation, the database components may be distributed or implemented at a single location.
The MSC (162) performs many of the switching functions of a normal switching node of a public switched telephone network ["PSTN"] or integrated services digital network ["ISDN"] and (indirectly or directly) connects to the outside network (170). In addition, the MSC (162) provides functionality for handling mobile subscribers, including registration, authentication, location updating, call handoffs, and call routing. In some implementations, a MSC can perform a translation based upon the MSISDN of a calling subscriber. For example, in the MSC translation system of a MSC produced by Nortel Networks ["Nortel"], the TNUM selector allows the MSC to make a decision based upon the MSISDN of a subscriber who originates a call. MSCs from other vendors may provide the same or similar functionality.
The HLR (164) is a database that stores information about subscribers in the GSM network (100). Much of the information is relatively permanent, for example, information identifying a subscriber by IMSI and indicating services for the subscriber. Parts of a subscriber's HLR profile indicate whether the subscriber uses different bearer services for telephony, short message service, facsimile, and/or circuit-switched data, etc. A bearer service can have its own associated MSISDN, or several bearer services (e.g., telephony and short message service) can share a MSISDN. If a subscriber uses telephony bearer service, a corresponding MSISDN field of the subscriber's HLR profile needs a value for the telephony bearer service to work. In some implementations, each MSISDN in the HLR (164) must be unique—the same MSISDN cannot appear in multiple subscriber profiles.
Essentially, the HLR (164) stores information about a subscriber needed to load a VLR when the subscriber appears in the service area of that VLR. Particularly when the subscriber is not in his or her home system (i.e., roaming), the HLR (164) stores information about the current location of the subscriber, which typically includes the address of a VLR in which the subscriber is currently registered.
The VLR (166) is a database that stores selected information from the HLR (164) for subscribers currently visiting a geographic area serviced by the VLR (166). The VLR (166) uses the information to set up, control, and track calls and other subscribed services with mobile stations. For example, for a call involving the mobile station (120), an entry in the VLR (166) includes identifying information for the subscriber, MSISDN, information indicating the last known location area/cells for the mobile station (120), physical attributes of the mobile station (120), and services available to the subscriber. When a call is set up, the entry in the VLR (166) might also store the current cell for the mobile station (120), encryption keys, etc.
The EIR (168) and AuC (169) are used for authentication and security. The EIR (168) is a database that stores a list of IMEIs for MEs, and can be used to identify mobile equipment that has been stolen, etc. The AuC (169) is a database that stores keys and other information used for authentication and encryption.
D. Service Activation for a GSM Network
To make and receive calls using a GSM mobile station in a GSM network, a user activates service with a GSM carrier. For example, the user provides personal information such as name and address, billing information such as a credit card number, service choices for basic and supplementary services, etc. To activate service for the subscriber, a MSISDN is assigned to the subscriber for voice services and information for the subscriber is entered into the HLR for the GSM carrier.
E. Registration on a GSM Network
When a GSM mobile station is powered on, the mobile station (more specifically, the SIM) registers in a GSM network. A similar registration may occur when the mobile station changes locations in the GSM network or occur periodically to check the location of the mobile station.
After establishing a connection with a BSS, the mobile station sends a message to the MSC for the geographic area in which the subscriber is currently located. The message includes information identifying the subscriber. Initially, the identifying information is the IMSI, but for later registrations might be a temporary mobile subscriber identity ["TMSI"], which is assigned for use instead of the IMSI to complicate unauthorized tracking of mobile subscribers.
The VLR of the visited MSC may already have a record for the subscriber if the subscriber previously registered in the visited MSC. For example, the record includes identifying information for the subscriber, MSISDN, and supplementary service information. If the visited MSC has a record, the MSC authenticates the subscriber, and optionally authenticates the mobile equipment and assigns a new TMSI.
On the other hand, the VLR of the MSC may lack a record for the subscriber if the subscriber has never powered on the mobile station or has not registered in the visited MSC recently. In this case, the visited MSC uses the IMSI/TMSI to determine the subscriber's HLR. Through the subscriber's HLR (and perhaps a VLR in which the subscriber was previously registered), the visited MSC gets authentication information and authenticates the subscriber. The location of the subscriber is updated in the subscriber's HLR record and, if the subscriber was previously registered in another VLR, subscriber data is removed from that VLR. The VLR of the visited MSC then receives subscriber data for the subscriber, for example, identifying information for the subscriber, MSISDN, and supplementary service information.
F. Mobile Originating Calls in a GSM Network
When a GSM mobile station originates a call in a GSM network, the mobile station establishes a connection with a BSS and sends a message to the MSC in which the mobile station is registered. The message requests a connection with the MSC, specifying information identifying the subscriber (e.g., IMSI or TMSI).
After the MSC confirms the connection and authenticates the subscriber, the mobile station sends a setup message to the MSC that includes the number (e.g., the called MSISDN) dialed by the subscriber. The MSC routes the call to one or more other MSCs or switching nodes in other networks to set up the connection with the called party. This can involve locating a roaming subscriber, routing the call to another network, etc. Assuming the negotiations and connections between various components succeed and the called party accepts the call, the active phase of the call begins. When either party ends the call, the mobile station, BSS, and MSC release the resources used for the call.
II. Single Number Origination
To facilitate distribution of mobile telephones through independent retail channels, existing TDMA networks support hotline routing for pre-activated subscribers. In addition, several proprietary mechanisms have been proposed or implemented for hotline routing in GSM networks.
A. Hotline Routing for Pre-Activated Subscribers in TDMA Networks
The architecture of TDMA networks is similar in some respects to the architecture of GSM networks. For instance, a HLR in a TDMA network includes records with information about subscribers. A subscriber's profile includes a MIN as well as an electronic serial number ["ESN"] for the mobile telephone of the subscriber.
TDMA networks explicitly support single number origination. To implement this feature, the HLR profile for a pre-activated mobile telephone is provisioned with a MIN and ESN. In addition, the HLR profile includes a particular value (i.e., Origination Indicator=8) and the hotline number. When a user powers on the mobile telephone, the mobile telephone registers with a visited MSC. When the user dials a number, the visited MSC checks the profile for the pre-activated mobile telephone, detects the setting Origination Indicator=8, and routes the call to the hotline number. This feature is specified in Intermediate Standard 41 for existing TDMA networks.
B. Hotline Routing in GSM Networks
The GSM standard does not provide for single number origination as in TDMA networks. To address this problem, several mechanisms have been implemented or proposed which force originations from a particular GSM subscriber to a single hotline number by changing the subscriber's profile. In one common scenario, calls originated by an activated but delinquent subscriber are routed to a collections department. The subscriber is also barred from receiving calls, roaming, etc. Once the subscriber resolves the problem with the delinquent account, the hotline routing is removed.
These mechanisms are typically used for hotline routing of activated subscribers, not pre-activated subscribers. While several of the mechanisms could be used for pre-activated subscribers, there would be several disadvantages to doing so.
First, to the extent a mechanism uses settings or other features of a HLR profile for hotline routing, a MSISDN must be provisioned for the HLR profile. The MSISDN will not be in use for some period of time before service activation. In many countries, there are an insufficient number of available MSISDNs to justify assigning a MSISDN that will not be used for some indefinite period of time.
Second, to the extent a mechanism is proprietary to a vendor (for example, due to reliance on vendor-specific features, equipment, or messaging protocols), the mechanism ties a carrier to the vendor. This can prevent or at least complicate combining equipment from different vendors.
Nortel provides a non-intelligent network ["non-IN"], proprietary mechanism for hotline routing in GSM networks. Implementation requires Nortel MSC/VLRs and a Nortel HLR. To turn on hotline routing, a subscriber's HLR profile includes a Nortel Network Class of Service ["NCOS"] feature associated with a hotline number. The proprietary feature is passed as part of the subscriber profile in GSM mobile application part messages. The Nortel MSCs include translations from different NCOSs to different hotline numbers associated with the NCOSs. Thus, when the activated subscriber originates a call, the call is routed to the hotline number associated with the NCOS of the subscriber. The Nortel non-IN mechanism could be used for pre-activation hotline routing, but would require a profile in a Nortel HLR (with a MSISDN provisioned). Also, the Nortel non-IN solution will not roam outside of the configured network, nor will it work with another vendor's MSC/VLR or HLR.
Nortel also provides an intelligent network ["IN"] proprietary mechanism for hotline routing in GSM networks. Implementation requires Nortel MSC/VLRs, a Nortel HLR, and a Nortel service control point ["SCP"], which is a database that supplies translation and data needed for certain advanced services. To turn on hotline routing, a subscriber's HLR profile sets up the subscriber for virtual private network service with the SCP. In the SCP, the subscriber is provisioned as a virtual private network/hotline routing subscriber. The Nortel SCP is also configured with the hotline numbers. When a subscriber originates a call, the SCP provides a hotline number, and the call is routed to the hotline number. The Nortel IN mechanism could be used for pre-activation hotline routing, but would require a profile in a Nortel HLR (with a MSISDN provisioned). Moreover, at present, the Nortel IN solution does not easily roam outside of the configured network or work with another vendor's MSC/VLR, SCP, or HLR.
The GSM standard establishes four network-definable barring types that can be used to impose restrictions on subscribers. A network operator could use a mobile network-specific barring type in a subscriber's HLR profile to indicate to MSCs on the mobile network that hotline routing should be used for the subscriber. This mechanism does not easily roam outside the mobile network of the operator, since different carriers might use the same barring type for a different functionality. Moreover, to the extent the mechanism relies on settings in a subscriber HLR profile for hotline routing, it requires that a MSISDN be provisioned. In addition, the MSC translations required to implement the hotline routing can be relatively complex.

Hotline routing of pre-activated GSM subscribers using pseudo-MSISDNs


A mold for a battery, such as a secondary battery, and a method of molding a battery, such as a secondary battery, using the mold, uses a minimum amount of a molding substance, such as a resin, has its molding time shortened, and has a safety vent of a can being prevented from being fractured by high pressure during a molding process. Runners, through which a resin flows, are arranged parallel to cavities and the safety vent of the can is positioned closest to the gates, into which a resin is injected after the can and a protective circuit board are seated in the cavities. Due to the structure of the runners of the mold and the location of the safety vent of the can, the amount of resin used and the molding time are reduced. A fracture of the safety vent is avoided since a lower pressure occurs at the location closest to the gates during a resin filling process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to molding a battery, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a mold for a battery and a method of molding a battery, such as a secondary battery, using the mold, wherein a minimum amount of a molding substance, such as a resin, is used to retain a board, such as a protective circuit board, on the battery, resulting in the molding time using the resin being shortened and a safety vent of a battery can being prevented from being fractured by high pressure during a molding process.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As generally known in the art, a secondary battery, particularly a square-type lithium ion secondary battery electrically connects a protective circuit board to the positive and negative terminals of a can (battery sheath), in order to protect the battery from overcharging, over-discharging, an over-current, a short due to an external load, and the like. The can has a safety vent, which has a smaller wall thickness than that of the remainder of the can, formed on a side of the negative terminal so that if abnormal pressure occurs, the safety vent is fractured and internal gas is discharged to the exterior.
Both the can and the protective circuit board are contained in a sheath cover, which is composed of an upper cover and a lower cover, and are shipped as a product, in order to enhance the mechanical coupling strength between the can and the protective circuit board and protect them from external environments.
Recently, a method has been used wherein the gap between the can and the protective circuit board is filled with a resin or wherein the can and the protective circuit board are completely coated with a resin, in order to reduce the number of parts and improve the productivity. For example, upper and lower molds are provided with cavities, in which cans and protective circuit boards are to be contained, and gates and runners, which are connected to the cavities and act as channels for the resin during filling. Both the cans and the protective circuit boards are then seated on the cavities of the upper and lower molds and a resin, which has high temperature and high pressure, is injected toward the cavities through the runners and the gates, which are in communication with the runners. As a result, the cans and protective circuit boards are firmly mechanically retained by the resin.
However, such molds have a problem in that the runners, which act as channels for the resin, are formed a great distance away from the cavities and the amount of resin, which remains in the runners and the gates, is larger than that which is used to fill the gap between the cans and the protective circuit boards. This wastes the resin. In particular, after the resin molding is completed and the batteries are removed from the molds, the resin, which remains in the runners and the gates of the molds, is in a hardened state. Consequently, the expensive resin, which cannot be reused, must be removed from the runners and gates and disposed of.
In addition, it takes a long time for the resin to reach the cavities, because the runners are positioned away from the cavities and are very long. This prolongs the filling time. It is also likely that the cavities, in particular, the gap between the cans and the protective circuit boards, are not completely filled with the resin and the process ends in that state. This results in a poor molding of the secondary battery.
Conventional resin molding methods also have a problem in that, since the safety vent of the can is positioned farther from the gate into which the resin is injected, the safety vent is vulnerable to fracture due to the resin filling pressure. This is because the farther from the gate into which the resin flows, the higher the air pressure due to the resin filling becomes, and the safety vent, which has a smaller wall thickness than that of the remainder of the can, can be fractured toward the interior of the can by such high pressure.
If the safety vent is fractured in this way, a secondary problem can occur, i.e., the resin at a high pressure can penetrate into the can, and the electrolyte can easily leak to the exterior along the interface between the can and the resin during use of the battery.

Maetan-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do


Treatment of sewage water contaminated by phosphorus is accomplished by passing the water through iron oxide. The iron oxide is placed in close proximity to soft resilient open-cell foam, which serves to slow down, and even out, the rate of travel of the water while under treatment, thus increasing the residence time.

The quantity of phosphorus in effluent water from residences is often the factor which limits the concentration of residences that can be accommodated around the banks of a lake. Too much phosphorus in the lake water leads to a nutrient imbalance, a depletion of the oxygen content of the water, a damaging effect on the fish population, and other effects.
In order to permit more residences around the lake, or to enable the water of the lake to be kept clean, a system for removing the phosphorus from the effluent water is desirable. The invention is aimed at providing a more practical and cost-effective system for removing phosphorus from effluent water than has been available hitherto.

Treatment of phosphorus in septic tank effluent


The invention described herein generally pertains to temperature-indicating foam gun nozzles and/or at least one temperature-indicating hose which employs at least one thermochromic material disposed within said foam gun nozzle and/or hoses.

This invention is particularly suited for in-situ applications of liquid chemicals mixed and dispensed as a spray or a foam and more specifically, to in-situ application of polyurethane foam or froth and the measurement of the temperature of the chemicals used therewith. In-situ applications for polyurethane foam have continued to increase in recent years extending the application of polyurethane foam beyond its traditional uses in the packaging, insulation and molding fields. For example, polyurethane foam is being used with increasing frequency as a sealant in the building trades for sealing spaces between windows and door frames and the like and as an adhesive for gluing flooring, roof tiles, and the like.
Polyurethane foam for in-situ applications is typically supplied as a "one-component" froth foam or a "two-component" froth foam in portable containers hand carried and dispensed by the operator through either a valve or a gun. However, the chemical reactions producing the polyurethane froth foam in a "one-component" polyurethane foam is significantly different than the chemical reactions producing a polyurethane froth foam in a "two-component" polyurethane foam. Because the reactions are different, the dispensing of the chemicals for a two-component polyurethane foam involves different and additional concepts and concerns than that present in the dispensing apparatus for a "one-component" polyurethane froth foam.
A "one-component" foam generally means that both the resin and the isocyanate used in the foam formulation are supplied in a single pressurized container and dispensed from the container through a valve or a gun attached to the container. When the chemicals leave the valve, a reaction with moisture in the air produces a polyurethane froth or foam. Thus, the design concerns related to an apparatus for dispensing one-component polyurethane foam essentially concerns the operating characteristics of how the one-component polyurethane foam is throttled or metered from the pressurized container. While one-component guns can variably meter the polyurethane froth, they are typically used in caulk/glue applications where an adhesive or caulk bead is determined by the nozzle configuration. Post drip is a major concern in such applications as well as the dispensing gun not clogging because of reaction of the one component formulation with air (moisture) within the gun. To address or at least partially address such problems, a needle valve seat is typically applied as close to the dispensing point by a metering rod arrangement which can be pulled back for cleaning. While metering can occur at the needle valve seat, the seat is primarily for shut-off to prevent post drip; and depending on gun dimensioning, metering may principally occur at the gun opening.
In contrast, a "two-component" froth foam means that one principal foam component is supplied in one pressurized container, typically the "A" container (i.e., polymeric isocyanate, fluorocarbons, etc.) while the other principal foam component is supplied in a second pressurized container, typically the "B" container (i.e., polyols, catalysts, flame retardants, fluorocarbons, etc.).
In a two-component polyurethane foam, the "A" and "B" components form the foam or froth, when they are mixed in the gun. Of course, chemical reactions with moisture in the air will also occur with a two-component polyurethane foam after dispensing, but the principal reaction forming the polyurethane foam occurs when the "A" and "B" components are mixed, or contact one another in the dispensing gun. The dispensing apparatus for a two-component polyurethane foam application has to thus address not only the metering design concerns present in a one-component dispensing apparatus, but also the mixing requirements of a two-component polyurethane foam.
Further, a "frothing" characteristic of the foam (foam assumes consistency resembling shaving cream) is enhanced by the fluorocarbon (or similar) component, which is present in the "A" and "B" components. This fluorocarbon component is a compressed gas which exits in its liquid state under pressure and changes to it gaseous state when the liquid is dispensed into a lower pressure ambient environment, such as when the liquid components exit the gun and enter the nozzle.
While polyurethane foam is well known, the formulation varies considerably depending on application. In particular, while the polyols and isocyanates are typically kept separate in the "B" and "A" containers, other chemicals in the formulation may be placed in either container with the result that the weight or viscosity of the liquids in each container varies as well as the ratios at which the "A" and "B" components are to be mixed. In the dispensing gun applications which relate to this invention, the "A" and "B" formulations are such that the mixing ratios are generally kept equal so that the "A" and "B" containers are the same size. However, the weight, more importantly the viscosity, of the liquids in the containers invariably vary from one another. To adjust for viscosity variation between "A" and "B" chemical formulations, the "A" and "B" containers are charged (typically with an inert gas,) at different pressures to achieve equal flow rates. The metering valves in a two-component gun, therefore, have to meter different liquids at different pressures at a precise ratio under varying flow rates. For this reason (among others), some dispensing guns have a design where each metering rod/valve is separately adjustable against a separate spring to compensate not only for ratio variations in different formulations but also viscosity variations between the components. The typical two-component dispensing gun in use today can be viewed as two separate one-component dispensing guns in a common housing discharging their components into a mixing chamber or nozzle. In practice, often the gun operator adjusts the ratio settings to improve gun "performance" with poor results. To counteract this adverse result, the ratio adjustment then has to be "hidden" within the gun, or the design has to be such that the ratio setting is "fixed" in the gun for specific formulations. The gun cost is increased in either event and "fixing" the ratio setting to a specific formulation prevents interchangeability of the dispensing gun.
Besides the ratio control which distinguishes two-component dispensing guns from one-component dispensing guns, a concern which affects all two-component gun designs (not present in one-component dispensing guns) is known in the trade as "cross-over". Generally, "cross-over" means that one of the components of the foam ("A" or "B") has crossed over into the dispensing mechanism in the dispensing gun for the other component ("B" or "A"). Cross-over may occur when the pressure variation between the "A" and "B" cylinders becomes significant. Variation can become significant when the foam formulation initially calls for the "A" and "B" containers to be at high differential charge pressures and the containers have discharged a majority of their components. (The containers are accumulators which inherently vary the pressure as the contents of the container are used.) To overcome this problem, it is known to equip the guns with conventional one-way valves, such as a poppet valve (or other similarly acting device). While necessary, the dispensing gun's cost is increased.
Somewhat related to cross-over and affecting the operation of a two-component gun is the design of the nozzle. The nozzle is a throw away item detachably mounted to the gun nose. Nozzle design is important for cross-over and metering considerations in that the nozzle directs the "A" and "B" components to a static mixer in the gun.
A still further characteristic distinguishing two-component from one-component gun designs resides in the clogging tendencies of two-component guns. Because the foam foaming reaction commences when the "A" and "B" components contact one another, it is clear that, once the gun is used, the static mixer will clog with polyurethane foam or froth formed within the mixer. This is why the nozzles, which contain the static mixer, are designed are throw away items. In practice, the foam does not instantaneously form within the nozzle upon cessation of metering to the point where the nozzles have to be discarded. Some time must elapse. This is a function of the formulation itself, the design of the static mixer and, all things being equal, the design of the nozzle.
The dispensing gun of the present invention is particularly suited for use in two-component polyurethane foam "kits" typically sold to the building or construction trade. Typically, the kit contains two pressurized "A" and "B" cylinders of about 7.5 inches in diameter which are pressurized anywhere between 150-250 psi, a pair of hoses for connection to the cylinders and a dispensing gun, all of which are packaged in a container constructed to house and carry the components to the site where the foam is to be applied. When the chemicals in the "A" and "B" containers are depleted, the kit is sometimes discarded or the containers can be recycled. The dispensing gun may or may not be replaced. Since the dispensing gun is included in the kit, kit cost considerations dictate that the dispensing gun be relatively inexpensive. Typically, the dispensing gun is made from plastic with minimal usage of machined parts.
The dispensing guns cited and to which this invention relates are additionally characterized and distinguished from other types of multi-component dispensing guns in that they are, "airless" and do not contain provisions for cleaning the gun. That is, a number of dispensing or metering guns or apparatus, particularly those used in high volume foam applications, are equipped or provided with a means or mechanism to introduce air or a solvent for cleaning or clearing the passages in the gun. The use of the term "airless" as used in this patent and the claims hereof means that the dispensing apparatus is not provided with an external, cleaning or purging mechanism.
While the two-component dispensing guns discussed above function in a commercially acceptable manner, it is becoming increasingly clear as the number of in-situ applications for polyurethane foam increase, that the range or the ability of the dispensing gun to function for all such applications has to be improved. As a general example, the dispensing gun design has to be able to throttle or meter a fine bead of polyurethane froth in a sealant application where the kit is sold to seal spaces around window frames, door frames, and the like in the building trade. In contrast, where the kit is sold to form insulation, an ability to meter or flow a high volume flow of chemicals is required. Still yet, in an adhesive application, liquid spray patterns of various widths and thickness are required. While the "A" and "B" components for each of these applications are specially formulated and differ from one another, one dispensing gun for all such applications involving different formulations of the chemicals is needed.
At least one recurring quality issue facing the disposable polyurethane foam kit industry is the inability of end-users to effectively assess the core chemical temperature of the liquid and gas contents contained therein. Two important functions are often negatively impacted: achievement of maximum foam kit yield on the job site, and proper chemical cure of the "A" & "B" components.
Maximum yield is highly desired by purchasers of polyurethane foam kit products. If the chemicals are too cold for optimum use, the "B"-side viscosity increases, which in turn distorts the 1:1 ratio (by weight) required for proper yield. Lower-than-advertised yields carry significant economical consequences for the contractor.
Proper chemical cure (on-ratio ˜1:1) is also critical to achieving maximum physical properties. It ensures that the cured foam meets building code specifications, e.g. fire ratings. In addition, a complete, on-ratio cure is critical for the health and safety of foam kit operators and building occupants. Again, cold chemical temperatures (below recommended) can create off-ratio foam, with the resulting incomplete chemical cure.
At least one important variable impacting the above issues is the core chemical temperature of the liquid/gas contents of the foam kit. The core chemical temperature of a kit before use must meet the manufacturer's recommended temperature, usually ˜75° F.-85° F., in order to meet the objectives of maximum yield and proper (complete) chemical cure. However, end-users typically do not condition the kits long enough at the recommended temperature. For example, kits stored in an unconditioned warehouse or insulation truck in the winter months may have a core chemical temperature of only ˜40° F. If dispensed without being conditioned for a sufficient amount of time, the result is foam of very poor physical quality and appearance. Also, improper chemical cure will most likely occur (unbalanced ratio of "A" to "B" chemical, which is typically 1:1 by weight). This "off-ratio" foam becomes a liability for the reasons mentioned above. It can take up to 48 hours to condition cylinders to the recommended chemical temperature, a recommendation often ignored by end-users.
The industry has long searched for an effective, economical way to allow end-users to gauge the core chemical temperature of a kit with a reasonable degree of qualitative accuracy before applying the foam. This invention utilizes thermochromism in both the nozzle and the hoses associated with the "A" and "B" chemicals to determine when the temperature of the chemicals falls within the acceptable use range, based upon the color change of the nozzle or hose due to a change in temperature of the flowing chemical.

Temperature indicating foam gun nozzles and hoses


The invention relates to an increment charge (4) to be placed around a tail shaft of a fin-stabilized mortar projectile (1), the increment charge (4) having a centrally located space for the tail shaft and a mounting opening in the space for mounting the increment charge (4). On the opposite side of the increment charge (4) there is provided a protrusion that fits into the mounting opening of an adjacent increment charge (4) for locking them in relation to each other.

The invention relates to an increment charge for a fin-stabilized mortar projectile, the increment charge being provided with a substantially centrally located space for a tail shaft of the projectile to allow the increment charge to be mounted around the tail shaft, and with a mounting opening extending from the space to the edge of the increment charge, the opening being smaller in width than the tail shaft.
Fin-stabilized mortar projectiles typically have a tail shaft extending from the cartridge containing the actual explosive, the tail shaft being provided with guiding fins fixed thereto. There are typically four or more guiding fins, although their number may vary.
Inside the mortar tail shaft there is the usual propellant charge, which ignites upon firing and provides the projectile with a muzzle velocity of a certain magnitude, thus making the projectile fly in a predetermined manner.
Upon firing, the flight distance of these fin-stabilized mortar projectiles and thus their range can be controlled with different kinds of increment charges placed around the tail shaft of the projectile, the burning of the charges in the mortar barrel supplying added propulsion force to the projectile. By using increment charges of different type and different burning properties, it is possible to control the desired flight distance.
In prior art solutions increment charges are mostly round in shape so that they fit into a mortar barrel. Moreover, the increment charges have a mounting opening on one side to allow the tail shaft of the projectile to be pushed into a centrally located space of the increment charge the shape of which substantially corresponds to that of the tail shaft.
A problem with prior art increment charges is that they cannot be used in solutions in which the projectiles are kept in a separate ammunition cassette or holder and fed with a mechanical feeding device into the mortar barrel. The reason for this is that due to the mass of the increment charges, vibration causes them to set into a position in which their mounting opening faces upward and thus the increments may come off and drop. The possibility that an increment charge may come off is such a major risk factor in the handling of this type of ammunition that it cannot be allowed. Further, the increment charges are in different positions and therefore burn unevenly in the barrel, which may cause harmfully great variations also in the trajectories of the projectiles.

Increment charge for fin-stabilized mortar projectile


A device for aspirating and dispensing liquid samples comprising a pump that comprises a cylindrical chamber, a piston movable in this cylindrical chamber, and a piston drive that engages the piston. The device further comprises a tip connected to the cylindrical chamber with a line, and a channel system that discharges into the cylindrical chamber for flushing or rinsing the latter. The device is characterized in that the piston entirely seals this cylindrical chamber from the channel system, if the piston is positioned in the cylindrical chamber in such a way that a free piston end comes to rest between the channel system and the line. Preferably, the cylindrical chamber is located in a cylinder block, which comprises two parts that are separated by and enclosing an intermediate channel system. The channel system most preferably is implemented as a coherent cavity. According to a first embodiment, the cylindrical chamber is implemented as a sleeve that is inserted in a boring located in a cylinder block. According to a second embodiment, the cylindrical chamber is implemented as a boring located in a cylinder block. Furthermore, the invention also concerns systems with, for example, 384 or more such devices that are arranged in an array.

It is known that droplets with a volume of more than 10 μl can be dispensed from the air very easily, since if the pipette is correctly manipulated, the droplets leave the pipette tip of their own accord. The droplet size is then determined by the physical properties of the sample liquid, such as surface tension or viscosity. The droplet size thus limits the resolution of the quantity of liquid to be dispensed.
The aspirating and dispensing, i.e. the pipetting of liquid samples with a volume of less than 10 μl, in contrast, typically requires instruments and techniques which guarantee the dispensing of such small samples. The dispensing of a liquid with a pipette tip, i.e. with the endpiece of a device for aspirating and/or dispensing sample liquid, can occur from the air ("from air") or by touching a surface. This surface can be the solid surface of a container ("on tip touch"), into which the liquid sample is to be dispensed. It can also be the surface of a liquid in this container ("on liquid surface"). A mixing procedure following the dispensing is recommended—particularly for very small sample volumes in the nanoliter or even picoliter range—so that uniform distribution of the sample volume in a diluent is ensured.
Disposable tips significantly reduce the danger of unintentional transfer of parts of the sample (contamination). Simple disposable tips are known (so-called "air-displacement tips"), whose geometry and material is optimized for the exact aspirating and dispensing of very small volumes. The use of so-called "positive-displacement tips", which have a pump plunger inside, is also known.
For automation of the pipetting process, two procedures must be differentiated from one another: the defined aspiration and the subsequent dispensing of liquid samples. Between these procedures, typically the pipette tip is moved by the experimenter or by a robot, so that the aspiration location of a liquid sample is different from its dispensing location. For the precision of aspiration and dispensing, only the liquid system is essential, which includes a pump (e.g. a diluter implemented as a syringe pump), tubing, and an endpiece (pipette tip). Among the many possible pumps for highly precise aspirating and dispensing of liquids, commercially available devices with the name "CAVRO XL 3000 Modular Digital Pump" or "CAVRO XP3000 plus Modular Digital Pump", sold by the firm Tecan Systems Inc., 2450 Zanker Road, San Jose, Calif. 95131 USA (formerly Cavro Scientific Instruments Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif., USA), have, for example, proven themselves. Such pumps include a cylinder with a piston movable therein and a stepping motor for driving the piston. The stepping motor operates at a voltage of 24 V and is controlled by an external computer or microprocessor. Further details can, for example, be found in the "Operators Manual P/N 724043C" from Cavro Scientific Instruments Inc.
A device and a corresponding method are known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,278. They involve automatic pipetting of small volumes, with the device including a pipetting needle, a diluter with a liquid outlet having a syringe, and a valve. The syringe includes a piston and a piston drive. A line connects the needle and the liquid outlet of the diluter, with the diluter and the line containing an essentially incompressible liquid. A pulse generator is located in the device and connected with the incompressible liquid in the line so that mechanical pulses with a force of at least 0.01 Ns can be output directly into the liquid of the line. A pulse of this type serves for driving the liquid out of the needle. The droplet size is defined by a targeted advance of the diluter piston and the droplet is ejected from the needle with a pulse. By defining the volume with the diluter, the droplet size and its reproducibility depends on the resolution of the diluter and is limited by it. Another pipetting device of this class which includes a piston pump and a pulse generator in the form of a piezoelectric element is known from JP 09 327628.
Multichannel systems in which 4, 8, or 12 pipetting channels are distributed on one line have been known for some time. The tips are either arranged in a fixed raster (e.g. the MiniPrep device series from the firm CAVRO Scientific Instruments Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif., USA) or they can be spread out along one line (e.g. the GENESIS device series from TECAN Schweiz AG, Seestrasse 103, CH-8708 Männedorf). The pipetting channels are either operated jointly via a stepping motor with one or more syringes or individually operated via the same number of diluters as syringes.
Multichannel systems for volumes in the sub-microliter range are known in the form of fixed two-dimensional combs (e.g. the PixSys4500 from Cartesian Technologies, Inc., 17851 Sky Park Circle, Irvine, Calif. 92614, USA) or from EP 0 956 449. These two-dimensional combs of pipettes, however, are typically no longer sufficient for the current demands for sample throughput.
Multichannel pipettors arranged in three dimensions are also known. They can be implemented as 96 tip devices with 96 individual hoses and 96 individual syringes, which are each driven in groups of 8 by a joint stepping motor (e.g. the MICROLAB MPH-96 Workstation from Hamilton Bonaduz AG, P.O. Box 26, 7402 Bonaduz, Switzerland). This system is very costly due to the large number of syringes and motors. In addition, it is difficult to remove interfering air bubbles from all of the hoses.
Arrays with up to 384 individual glass syringes with cannulas have also been arranged in the raster of a 384 microplate. The plungers of the syringes are moved simultaneously by one single stepping motor (e.g. the Hydra from Robbins Scientific, 1250 Elko Drive, Sunnyvale, Calif. 94089-2213, USA). The method is costly due to the many syringes. It cannot be expanded for disposable tips.
In place of diluters, syringes, and pistons, metal bellows are also used (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,986). Due to the smaller mass to be moved, dispensing speeds are achieved which are suitable for dispensing volumes down to 0.5 μl from the air (e.g. the Liliput Dispenser from Fluilogic Systems Oy, Luoteisrinne 4, 02270 Espoo, Finland). A disadvantage is, however, that the metal bellows cannot be calibrated like, for example, a diluter.
The most frequent constructional principle of three-dimensionally arranged multichannel pipettors comprises a plate to which and/or in which the 96 or 384 pistons or plungers are attached. As known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,087,248, this plate is moved, with the pistons for aspirating and/or dispensing, up and down by one or more motors. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,087,248 (see there FIG. 3), feeding reagents, solutions, and the like, to the tips of syringes is described: According to one embodiment, the syringes are in fluid connection with a reservoir through orifices. When the plunger is moved above the orifices, fluid from the reservoir will enter the syringe. This fluid may then be expelled from the syringe into the tips by moving the plunger downwardly. In an alternative embodiment, a so-called "Eppendorf Syringe", comprising a hollow plunger with a central post, is employed. The central post is spring mounted and connected to a foot. An O-ring is compressed between the foot and a projection which is rigidly attached to the plunger. The foot is shaped to leave a gap between the foot and the inner wall of the syringe. The O-ring provides a seal with the inner wall of the syringe. By pressing on the central post, the foot is lowered with respect to the projection and O-ring so as to provide fluid connection between the hollow center of the plunger and the syringe. Fluid can therefore dispensed by means of the plunger or withdrawn from the syringe employing suction. On the one hand, the alternative embodiment with the "Eppendorf Syringes" appears to be too complex in particular for a multichannel pipetter with 96 or more pipetting channels. On the other hand, the first embodiment suffers from the fact that the plunger has to be moved against the pressure of the rinsing or flushing liquid for aspiration of a liquid sample; the same pressure acting with the plunger for dispensing liquid samples. Such pressure differences provoke a complex drive and monitoring system, if accurate pipetting is targeted.

Device for aspirating and dispensing liquid samples


A power supply cell is arranged in the corner of a rectangular semiconductor chip. A first or second power supply voltage is supplied to a pad of the power supply cell. A first connecting line of the power supply cell connects a first power supply line in an input/output cell area to a first power supply line in a power supply line area. A second connecting line of the power supply cell connects a second power supply line in the input/output cell area to a second power supply line in the power supply line area. A leadout line of the power supply cell connects the first or second connecting line to the pad.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit and a designing method therefor; more particularly, to a semiconductor integrated circuit formed of a semiconductor chip having input/output cells arranged only along two sides thereof facing to each other and to a designing method therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is a known technique for increasing the number of input/output cells arrangeable on a semiconductor chip of a semiconductor integrated circuit which is formed of the semiconductor chip having input/output cells arranged along an outer periphery thereof. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Hei 4-56355 has disclosed a semiconductor integrated circuit in which a power supply line has linear portions on input/output cells arranged along an outer periphery of a semiconductor chip and curved portions along corners of the semiconductor chip. The curved portions of the power supply line are smaller in width than the linear portions and are formed in multilayers. This makes it possible to form the input/output cells also in areas near the corners of the semiconductor chip. As a result, a larger number of input/output cells can be arranged on the semiconductor chip.
Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Hei 5-48048 has disclosed a semiconductor integrated circuit in which four input/output cell areas are formed by arranging input/output cells outside a basic cell area in parallel with each of four sides surrounding the basic cell area. A corner area of two joining sides is shared by two input/output cell areas, and input/output cells forming one of the input/output cell areas are arranged therein. A metal power supply line on one of the input/output cell areas does not have any connecting terminal to electrically connect to a metal power supply line on the other input/output cell area. Such a configuration enables efficient arrangement of a large number of input/output cells on a semiconductor chip.
In case of a semiconductor integrated circuit having a small number of input/output cells (namely, external input/output terminals), the input/output cells are often arranged only along two sides of a semiconductor chip facing to each other due to easiness in terms of manufacturing or the like. However, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. Hei 4-56355 and Hei 5-48048 have disclosed a technique for forming a semiconductor integrated circuit with a semiconductor chip having input/output cells arranged along all the four sides thereof, but not one with a semiconductor chip having input/output cells arranged only along two opposite sides thereof.

Semiconductor integrated circuit and designing method for same


A night vision system usable as either a helmet mounted or face mask mounted monocular, or as a pocketscope, comprising an optical portion having an objective lens, an eyepiece, and an image intensification apparatus for intensifying a received image intermediate the objective lens and the eyepiece, a control housing affixed to the optical portion and having internal circuitry for powering the optical portion, and an apparatus for selectively mounting the monocular in an operational position adjacent to a desired one of an operator's eye and being rapidly switchable between the eyes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a night vision system, and more particularly to an improved night vision system usable as either a helmet mounted or face mask mounted monocular, or as a pocketscope.
2. Description of Related Art
Night vision systems are commonly used by military and law enforcement personnel for conducting operations in low light or night conditions. Night vision systems are also used to assist pilots of helicopters or airplanes in flying at night. Such night vision systems either take the form of binoculars, having separate eyepieces for each eye, or monoculars, having only a single eyepiece.
A night vision system intensifies the ambient light to produce an image. These systems require some residual light, such as moon or starlight, in which to operate. The ambient light is intensified by the night vision scope to produce an output image which is visible to the human eye. The present generation of night vision scopes utilize image intensification technologies to intensify the low level of visible light and also make visible the light from the infra-red (IR) spectrum. The image intensification process involves conversion of the received ambient light into electron patterns and projection of the electron patterns onto a phosphor screen for conversion of the electron patterns into light visible to the observer. This visible light is then viewed by the operator through a lens provided in the eyepiece of the system.
The typical night vision system has an optics portion and a control portion. The optics portion comprises lenses for focusing on the desired target, and an image intensifier tube. The image intensifier tube performs the image intensification process described above. The control portion comprises the electronic circuitry necessary for controlling and powering the optical portion of the night vision system. Although technologically advanced, all of the prior art systems fail to meet one or more of the human factors requirements of the typical operator.
For example, the typical control portions take up considerable space in comparison to the optical portion. To be most effective, a night vision system must be small, rugged and lightweight. While binocular systems have the advantage of allowing the operator to determine depth of field, binocular systems are often bulkier and heavier. Although monocular systems are smaller, the control portions are often as large as the optical portion. This makes the device cumbersome to manipulate.
Monocular systems are additionally advantageous since it is often desirable for the operator to have a single eye not coupled to the night vision system, or "free". This free eye can remain adapted to the darkness, so that if the night vision system is disengaged the operator will not be temporarily blinded as his iris dilates to adapt for the night conditions. The operator may also wish to keep one eye free in order to aim a weapon, since it is also common for weapons to be equipped with an eyepiece for sighting purposes. These eyepieces frequently utilize a night vision system as well. An operator may utilize a monocular system with a first eye, in conjunction with a night vision system equipped on a weapon for use by the other eye. Thus, monocular systems are frequently preferred over binocular systems.
It is common for operators to use a night vision system as a pocketscope. When not in use, the pocketscope can be conveniently stowed in a pocket or backpack, or can be attached to a lanyard and hung from the operator's neck. When needed, the operator would hold the pocketscope up to his eye to observe the night environment. To be most effective, a pocketscope must be small, lightweight and easy to manipulate.
If an operator desires hands free operation, binocular and monocular systems are frequently mounted to a mask worn on the operator's face. The typical face mask mounting assembly comprises a bar or rod having a plurality of cushion plates attached thereto. The bar would partially encircle the operator's face, and the cushion plates would press against specific points on the face, such as the cheeks and the forehead. The bar is held to the face by use of a strap which wraps around the head and connects to the bar at two places. At the forehead portion of the bar, a mount is provided which would attach to the binocular or monocular system. As discussed below, this mounting method has significant disadvantages.
If the operator is wearing a monocular system, it is often necessary to switch the monocular from eye to eye. To accommodate this, face masks either utilize a pair of mounting points, or a pivoting system in which the monocular is pivoted from the left eye position to the right eye position. A significant problem with this configuration is that it is time consuming to move the monocular from one eye to the next. The monocular must be readjusted in the new position to accommodate the precise position of the operator's eye. While the time required to make the configuration change and adjustment may be slight, it could mean the difference between life and death of an operator.
Another type of prior art face mask has a horizontal bar mounted to the front of the face mask above the operator's eyes, to which a night vision monocular is attached. A locking screw holds the monocular in a position on the bar. The operator slides the monocular along the bar to move it from proximity with one eye to the second eye. This presents a problem to the operator, since each time the position of the monocular is changed, the operator must carefully calibrate the new position with his eye to effectively use the monocular.
Another problem with face mask mounting is that the adjustments of the mask could be altered by the wearing of a helmet. If an operator intends to wear a standard ballistic helmet, the mask must be first adjusted to the operator's face prior to putting the helmet on. The operator adjusts the mask for alignment of the scope with the eyes and tightens the mask so that it remains in the adjusted position. When the helmet is put on the operator's head, the bulk and weight of the helmet frequently interferes with the upper portion of the face mask. This forces the mask downward relative the operator's face knocking the monocular or binocular out of alignment with the operator's eyes. The operator must then readjust the mask to accommodate the weight and bulk of the helmet. Alternatively, the operator can readjust the helmet so that it rides higher on the head, and does not interfere with the mask. However, this usage of the helmet is dangerous for the operator, since it removes the temples, forehead and back of the head from protection by the helmet.
Since conditions often occur in which there is extremely little ambient light, it is common for night vision systems to also include a small infra-red radiation source. The radiation source can be energized by the operator to illuminate the local area with a cone of infra-red light which, although invisible to the unaided eye, can be seen by the observer through the eyepiece of the night vision system. Frequently, operators mistakenly leave the infra-red source powered on, without realizing it. This poses a significant danger to the operator, since hostile forces equipped with night vision systems can also see the radiation source.
The prior art devices provide a mechanism for insuring that the operator knows the infra-red source is activated. The switch which activates the source must be simultaneously turned and pushed. The additional step of pushing requires an intentional act by the operator, so that the source could not be activated by accident. However, once the source is activated, the switch remains in the activated position. Since the operator does not receive any additional notification that the infra-red source is activated, the operator could forget to de-activate the source, and be seen by hostile forces.
Most night vision systems utilize an internal battery which provides electrical power to the image intensification tube and the radiation source. These battery powered systems can only run for a finite period of time before the battery must be replaced. Once the battery has run down, the night vision system is rendered useless. None of the prior art night vision systems provide a mechanism visible within the eyepiece for warning the operator that the battery is running low and should be replaced.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a human engineered night vision system with a compact control section, so that it could be easily manipulated by an operator as a pocketscope for hand held operations. It would be further desirable to provide a night vision monocular which could be easily and rapidly switched between an operator's eyes. It would be further desirable to provide a mounting system for a monocular or binocular to be used in conjunction with the wearing of a helmet, or in association with a face mask. It would also be desirable to provide a night vision monocular with an IR illumination system which would allow an operator to only permit a burst of IR light to be illuminated from the system. It would also be desirable to provide a night vision monocular having a mechanism that more reliably informs the operator that the IR illumination system is in use. It would be still further desirable to provide a night vision system having a mechanism that reliably informs the operator that the internal battery is running low.

Night vision system and mounting assembly


For controlling an automatic transmission having an electronic control unit and having a power control element, the control unit detects a desired-power signal corresponding to the position of the power control element and, basically as a function of this desired-power signal, causes a change of gear corresponding to the characteristic shifting curves stored in the control unit. The control unit also generates a gradient signal corresponding to the rate of change of the desired-power signal and can—when certain conditions exist—cause a backshift deviating from the characteristic shifting curves as a function of this gradient signal. By way of the control unit, an immediate multiple backshift is initiated as a function of the gradient signal when, as a characteristic shifting curve for a first backshift has been reached, the gradient signal has exceeded at least a first lower limit value.

The invention relates to a device for controlling an automatic transmission having an electronic control unit. In particular, the invention relates to a device for controlling an automatic transmission having an electronic control unit and having a power control element, the control unit detecting a desired-power signal corresponding to the position of the power control element and, basically as a function of this desired-power signal, causing a change of gear corresponding to the characteristic shifting curves stored in the control unit, and the control unit generating a gradient signal corresponding to the rate of change of the desired-power signal and being able to cause a backshift deviating from the characteristic shifting curves as a function of this gradient signal.
Such a device is known, for example, from European Patent document EP 1 117 951 B1. In the case of this known device, backshifts are caused as a function of a gradient signal related to the desired power completely independently of the characteristic shifting curves. Furthermore, already caused backshifts are terminated again if the gradient signal falls below a defined lower limit value. As a result, uncomfortable pendulum shifts may occur.
It is an object of the invention to simultaneously take comfort aspects into account during shifting operations of an automatic transmission when adapting the dynamics to a driver's desired-load signal.
According to the invention, this is achieved by providing a device for controlling an automatic transmission having electronic control unit and having a power control element, the control unit detecting a desired-power signal corresponding to the position of the power control element and, basically as a function of this desired-power signal, causing a change of gear corresponding to the characteristic shifting curves stored in the control unit, and the control unit generating a gradient signal corresponding to the rate of change of the desired-power signal and being able to cause a backshift deviating from the characteristic shifting curves as a function of this gradient signal. The control unit is further developed such that an immediate backshift or multiple backshift is initiated as a function of the gradient signal when, as a characteristic shifting curve for a first backshift has been reached, the gradient signal has exceeded at least a first lower limit value.
In the case of the device according to the invention for controlling an automatic transmission having an electronic control unit and having a power control element, the control unit detects a desired-power signal corresponding to the position of the power control element and, basically as a function of this desired-power signal, causes a change of gear corresponding to the characteristic shifting curves stored in the control unit. Furthermore, the control unit generates a gradient signal corresponding to the rate of change of the desired-power signal and can—when certain conditions exist—cause a backshift deviating from the characteristic shifting curves as a function of this gradient signal. By way of the control unit, an immediate backshift, and if required, multiple backshifts, are initiated as a function of the gradient signal when, as a characteristic shifting curve for a first backshift has been reached, the gradient signal has exceeded at least a first lower limit value. The desired-power signal may correspond, for example, directly to the position of a power control element (such as the accelerator pedal or the throttle valve) or indirectly in the form of a desired torque (such as a desired engine torque or a desired wheel torque) or to a desired acceleration, both, as required, while also taking into account additional parameters.
With respect to the invention, the term "characteristic shifting curve" should be interpreted such that any fixedly stored default leading to a gear change is covered in the electronic control device. This may concern, for example, a gear change control based on characteristic shifting curves (known, for example, from European Patent document EP 0 471 102 B1) or a gear change control based on tension force (known, for example, from European Patent document EP 1 248 021 A1; here, the characteristic shifting curves are called tensile force curves).
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Device for controlling an automatic transmission having an electronic control unit

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A system, method and device for providing a mobile application across smart phone platforms to enable consumer connectivity and control of media. The viewing experience of the individual is improved by the added control and the advertising experience is enhanced by ensuring advertisements are relevant and actionable. A system for providing interactivity between a mobile device and content includes a content provider providing content for presentation on a display device and a mobile device configured with a media management module communicating to provide user interactivity with the content. The media management module enables individualized consumer media services for the mobile device.

Currently viewers of TV and other media have no intuitive way to collect and organize product opportunities as they are presented to them. In addition, consumers do not have an electronic method of organizing those promotions on a retail level.
As the smart phone achieves commonplace and customary status in the lives of individual consumers around the world, it simultaneously introduces the ability to radically disrupt the traditional media model. That model previously consisted of a one-way broadcast to the mass market with limited understanding and no interactivity. Now a more optimal model that is bi-directional, focused on an individual consumer's needs and desires, and permits new consumption behaviors, and which may be discretely controlled by the entities who own this "channel" to the consumer is possible. Individuals are not able to connect their smart phones to their entertainment media viewing experiences, although a very high percentage of users are using their phone in all other aspects of their day-to-day lives. The mobile device is no longer just a way to receive or make voice communications with others, it is a way to communicate in short messaging (texting), send and receive email, enjoy video while on the move, play games and organize their lives (thru applications). But in today's world, users cannot effectively manage their media thru this now ubiquitous device.
There are over twenty million unique smart phone subscribers in the current market. Smart phones possess the ability to run third party applications in a mobile device with a wireless and/or Internet data connection. Smart phones are overtaking the existing install base as mobile provider contracts renew. All of the research to date confirms that the smart phone will dominate in the foreseeable future and provide a reliable platform for the software product itself.
Mainstream consumer interests are not rapidly adopting high-end televisions and cable set-top boxes due to cost and limited additional benefits provided by the high cost. For cable companies themselves, the cost of the existing cable set-top boxes is one of their largest installed assets. The lowest common denominator for the mainstream is a typical television (regardless of screen type) and infrared remote control. This television and infrared remote arrangement will dominate into the foreseeable future and provide the base requirement for the product environment.
Consumers are increasingly fickle and spend greater amounts of recreation time on the Internet with social networking. Consumers want recommendations and variety and ease of use. They want to participate, communicate with friends, and buy when it fancies them. Further, they want to do everything reasonably possible on the smart phone platform—from banking, to map navigation, to newspapers, to weight loss applications.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system, method and device for providing a mobile application across smart phone platforms to enable consumer connectivity and control of media.

System, method and device for providing a mobile application across smartphone platforms to enable consumer connectivity and control of media


According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes a storage unit, a specifying unit, an extraction unit and a setting processing unit. The storage unit stores first X-ray image data in which a blood vessel of an object is not visually enhanced, and second X-ray image data in which the blood vessel is visually enhanced. The specifying unit specifies a catheter image included in the first fluoroscopic image by performing image processing of the first X-ray image data. The extraction unit extracts a blood vessel region included in the second fluoroscopic image by performing image processing of the second X-ray image data. The setting processing unit sets a region of interest based on the position of end point of the catheter.

X-ray image processing apparatuses for cardiovascular disease have been developed as image guide apparatuses used for angiographic examination and interventional treatment which examines and treats arteries and veins in the whole body. X-ray image processing apparatuses process images obtained by X-ray imaging in the state where a contrast medium is injected in blood vessels, and display image data on an image display unit or apparatus.
In, for example, coronary angiography, a contrast medium is injected through a catheter inserted at the proximal of a coronary artery. Arterial examination measures the degree of stain of a blood vessel, and tissue examination measures the degree of stain of myocardial tissue. In the latter examination, there is known a method for measuring the flow in myocardial tissue, namely, perfusion, on the basis of the degree of stain.
In these types of measurement, it is necessary to set a region of interest (ROI) on an image and acquire time-density information relating to the ROI. In a conventional method for determining a ROI, the operator has to operate the mouse or buttons of a computer by means of the Graphical User Interface (GUI) or the like, while simultaneously observing an X-ray image. However, the operation may be troublesome to perform, and the operation performed may vary depending upon the skill of the operator. In addition, it is not desirable to perform the operation in a clean room such as a room where intravascular treatment is being performed. There have been needs to automate ROI setting, and hence demands have arisen for some technical developments.

Image processing apparatus and X-ray diagnosis apparatus


There is provided a communication connector for improving signal transmission performance, the communication connector including a cable termination component being sized and configured for selective receipt of a plurality of conductor pairs of a cable; a plurality of slots on said cable termination component, wherein each wire of each of the plurality of conductor pairs may be selectively pressed into one of the plurality of slots; a receptacle component including a plurality of electrical contacts and a plurality of offset-positioned insulation displacement contacts (IDCs), each of the plurality of offset-positioned IDCs being aligned for engaged abutment with a corresponding one of the wires of the plurality of conductor pairs when the cable termination component and the receptacle component are coupled; a printed circuit board; and wherein the offset placement of the IDCs increases the separation distance between IDCs of another receptacle component when a plurality of the receptacle components are adjacent to one another, whereby a signal transmission is improved.

This invention relates to reducing electrical signal interference and return loss which arises due to parallel contacts in electrical connectors. More particularly, it relates to reducing return loss and pair to pair as well as common mode cross talk interference in FCC type plugs. The Federal Communications Commission has adopted certain architectural standards with respect to electrical connectors utilized in the telecommunications industry so as to provide intermatability. The connectors most commonly utilized are FCC type modular plugs and jacks, also referred to as RJ45 plugs and jacks. The plug is commonly terminated to a plurality of conductors which may be connected to a communication device. Normally, each plug is terminated to eight conductors which form four pairs. The corresponding jack is commonly mounted to a panel or a printed circuit board or a wall outlet, which in turn is connected to the telecommunication network. To complete the circuit, the plug and jack are intermated.
While most of the cross talk and return loss problems arise in the plug, normally the reduction of cross talk and return loss is dealt with in the jack. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,956 assigned to Optical Cable Corporation, assignee of this application, shows a jack connected to a circuit board in which traces on the board are used to cancel cross talk which primarily arises in a corresponding plug. U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,363, also assigned to Optical Cable Corporation, shows a similar jack having both cross talk cancellation and return loss reduction features.
Industry standards for maximum cross talk, both near end cross talk (NEXT) and far end cross talk (FEXT), common mode coupling, and maximum return loss are governed by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). The TIA is currently addressing performance standards at the so-called Category 8 level, which is in a bandwidth of up to 2,000 MHz and designed to enable data transmission rates up to 40 Gbits per second. The TIA standards are pair and frequency dependent. The TIA standards as currently drafted for NEXT, FEXT and return loss for various frequencies and pairs are shown in the graphs illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 14.
Moreover, cable termination in a jack presently includes an arduous process requiring usage of tools such as punch down tools and pliers to electrically connect and hold together the insulation displacement contacts (IDCs) on the jack with the corresponding connector pairs of a cable. Therefore, a tool-less mechanism for termination of cables in a jack is desirable in the art.


A brake calliper has two arms, where each arm includes a housing and a stub. A member for guiding a disc brake pad is disposed in the housing, and is secured by lugs to a front of the stub. The member includes a body having a U-shaped section formed by an inner radial surface, a base, and an outer radial surface. An inner side of the body is bordered by an inner supporting surface located on an inner surface of the arms, and an outer supporting surface of the body is disposed against a front of the stud. The out supporting surface extends into a supporting surface toward the front of the stud. The body further includes a locking tongue that extends beyond an edge of the body, and is configured to be hooked in the housing.

In a vehicle provided with disk brakes, each wheel to be braked comprises a brake disk which is fixedly joined to the wheel and brake pads which are fixedly joined to the chassis of the vehicle and which brake the disk by friction. The brake comprises a calliper having a cap having at each side of the brake disk a U-like branch which carries a brake pad and each pad is movable perpendicularly relative to the plane of the disk, in a state guided by the two ends (lugs) thereof in the housings of the arms of the cap.
During braking, the pads are moved in the direction tangential to the disk and the lugs move into abutment, sometimes abruptly, against the bottom of their guiding housing, bringing about a noise referred to as a "clonk" or tapping. In order to damp the impact of the lugs in their housing and thereby to attenuate the noise, there is provided a spring between each lug and the housing thereof and the damping is obtained by the deformation of the spring whose shape is adapted to the force applied by the brake pad during its tangential displacement.
Furthermore, the pad must be able to move axially by its lugs sliding in the retention spring which combines a function as a slide and a function as a spring.
Once the pad is in position, the slide system becomes deformed as a result of the geometric defects and the spring effect and brings about a spring/rigidity effect which has an influence on the generation of noise during the braking.
Such guiding members for pads of disk brakes are already known according to the documents WO 01/31223 and FR 07 09 124.
An object of the present disclosure is to improve such guiding members for disk brakes in order to improve their efficiency.

Lock-equipped member for guiding a disc brake pad and disc brake provided with such guiding members


A parameter affecting the absorptivity or the concentration of blood in tissue is measured using a semiconductor light source (7) and a light detector (8). The semiconductor light source (7) is operated at several operating conditions, at which it has different temperatures and therefore different emission spectra. In particular, the operating conditions correspond to different time intervals after switching the light source (7) on, while the light source (7) has not yet reached thermal equilibrium. This allows to perform a spectroscopic measurement using one light source only, which increases accuracy and reduces device cost.

It has been known to measure blood content and also blood oxygenation from the absorption spectrum of skin measured in reflection or transmission. A corresponding methods are extensively covered e.g. in corresponding collections Berardesca 1995, Serup 2006 (see section "further references" at the end of this text) and the references therein.
For example, it has been known to measure blood oxygenation by measuring tissue spectrum with a broad band source [Osawa 1993, Feather 1989, Liu 1995] or at several wavelengths in the visible and infrared spectral range [Nitzan 2009, Diffey 1984, Sinichkin 2002].
More details on a conventional spectroscopic approach for measuring blood content are given in the section "conventional approach" below.

Optical determination of blood perfusion and similar parameters


A receiving apparatus includes: a reception portion configured to receive audio-visual content being transmitted; a trigger extraction portion configured to extract trigger information for controlling an application program for execution either by the receiving apparatus proper or by an external device connected thereto in conjunction with the audio-visual content, the application program being transmitted along with the audio-visual content; an apparatus proper control portion configured such that if a command indicated by the extracted trigger information is destined for the receiving apparatus proper, the apparatus proper control portion controls performance of the application program in accordance with the command; and an external device processing portion configured such that if the command indicated by the extracted trigger information is destined for the external device, the external device processing portion transfers the command to the external device.

The present technology relates to a receiving apparatus, a receiving method, and a program. More particularly, the technology relates to a receiving apparatus, a receiving method, and a program for controlling the performance of a predetermined application program in conjunction with the progress of AV content such as a TV program.
In digital TV broadcasting, not only the TV program broadcast service but also the so-called data broadcast service has been put into practice (e.g., see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-50237). Studies are now under way to introduce more advanced services in the future into digital TV broadcasting using the Internet.
For example, the advanced services to be introduced into digital TV broadcasting using the Internet may include the service of feeding application programs or the like to receiving apparatus for control thereof or for control of an external device connected thereto in conjunction with the progress of AV content such as a TV program.

Receiving apparatus, receiving method, and program


The present invention relates to systems and methods for eliminating unnecessary link state database exchanges and processes when two OSPF routers are forming a full adjacency. In particular, the invention provides methods and mechanisms for deducing information about unreachable routers from link state changes received, recording the information about the unreachable routers for a given period of time, constructing a neighbor database summary list that does not contain the LSAs that the neighbor has through using the information about the unreachable routers and reachable routers, and determining whether the neighbor router is restarted after it becomes unreachable. In addition, the present invention provides a few of options to deduce and use the information about the unreachable routers and the information in the link state database for eliminating unnecessary link state database exchanges and processes.

This application relates to systems and methods for link state database exchanges and processes when two Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) routers are forming a full adjacency. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for eliminating unnecessary link state database exchanges and processes.
Link state databases are exchanged when two Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) routers are trying to establish a full adjacency. If the full adjacency is to be formed between the OSPF routers, the link state databases are synchronized through a database exchange procedure. A first router sends a second router a summary of a link state database of the first router through a set of Database Description (DD) packets that contain a header of every Link State Advertisement (LSA) in the link state database of the first router. For every received LSA header that is contained in the DD packets, the second router compares the LSA header with a corresponding LSA instance in a link state database of the second router. The second router sends the first router a request for the LSA if the LSA instance in the database of the second router is older. The second router sends the first router a summary of a link state database of the second router through a set of Database Description (DD) packets that contain a header of every Link State Advertisement (LSA) in the link state database of the second router. For every received LSA header that is contained in the DD packets, the first router compares the LSA header with a corresponding LSA instance in the link state database of the first router. The first router sends the second router a request for the LSA if the LSA instance in the database of the first router is older.
An adjacency becomes full from the point of view of the first router, when the first router finishes sending the summary of the link state database of the first router and processing all the DD packets from the second router and gets all the LSAs from the second router that the first router has requested. An adjacency becomes full from the point of view of the second point of view, when the second router finishes sending the summary of the link state database of the second router and processing all the DD packets from the first router and gets all the LSAs from the first router that the second router has requested. A full adjacency between the first router and the second router is formed successfully when an adjacency becomes full from the point of view of both the first router and the second router.
For a large database, eliminating the unnecessary database exchanges may speed up establishment of full adjacency and save lots of link bandwidths for transmission of the unnecessary DD packets and central processing unit (CPU) cycles for the process of the packets.
Conventional mechanisms and methods use a passive approach for eliminating unnecessary link state database exchanges and processes. For two routers to establish a full adjacency, if a first router receives the same or a more recent instance of a LSA listed in a DD packet from a second router, the first router does not need to list the LSA in the DD packet to be sent to the second router. There are some concerns regarding this passive approach. For example, about 50% of the unnecessary exchanges and processes of the link state database are done in the passive approach. Such unnecessary exchanges of link state databases can consume link bandwidth between routers.
From the foregoing, systems, devices, and methods for eliminating undesired link state database exchanges and processes are desired.


The present invention relates to a method for making a profit using an individual shop. The method includes (a) when a first advertisement is provided from an advertisement provider terminal, an information providing server searching for display units that are suitable for displaying the first advertisement from among a plurality of display units installed in a plurality of individual shops on the basis of the properties of the first advertisement and medium analysis information for each of the plurality of display units installed in the plurality of individual shops; (b) when the advertisement provider terminal selects at least one display unit from among the searched display units, transmitting, by the information providing server, the first advertisement to the at least one selected display unit; (c) displaying the first advertisement on the at least one selected display unit; and (d) calculating, by the information providing server, an advertisement fee for the first advertisement, and calculating a portion of the advertisement fee as a profit of an individual providing the individual shop in which the at least one selected display unit is installed.

In general, a display unit in a private shop is used as a receiver for providing television or cable broadcasts, or used to display information on the shop with video, image, contents or the like.
Therefore, there has been no way to make an additional profit on a private shop because the display unit of the private shop is simply used to provide broadcasts or display information on the private shop.
In this regard, a method for making a profit by displaying an advertisement using a display unit of a private shop has been contrived. However, the method has a disadvantage of requiring considerable time and cost because an advertisement provider should visit and make a request in each private shop that demands to display the advertisement.
Further, it may be difficult to easily display the advertisement when a display unit is not provided in the private shop demanding to display the advertisement or when there is no one having expertise to display the advertisement even if a display unit is provided.
According to the technique disclosed in Korean Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2000-0054805, when a server is provided with an advertisement, it may transmit the advertisement to a display unit so that the advertisement may be displayed. However, the technique has disadvantages in that it fails to designate a display unit that demands to display the advertisement or bring a profit to a private shop that provides a space in which the display unit is installed.

Method for making a profit using individual shops, and system and recording medium