Provided is a method for operating multi-type beacons by a first terminal connected with at least one second terminal through short-range communication. The method includes checking at least one variable related to the second terminal, allocating one selected from a plurality of beacons having different characteristics to the second terminal, taking into account the checked variable, and transmitting the beacon allocated to the second terminal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to short-range communication, and more particularly, to a method for operating beacons.
2. Description of the Related Art
A Personal Area Network (PAN), in concept similar to the well known Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN), is a unique network owned by an individual. That is, terminals owned by one person form a network for the convenience of that person. The concept of forming a PAN in a wireless manner is referred to as a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN).
In an effort to implement PAN in a wireless manner, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15 Working Group has defined WPAN as a standard of a short-range wireless network. The IEEE 802.15 Working Group has worked for the IEEE 802.15.1 standard known as Bluetooth®, the IEEE 802.15.3 and IEEE 802.15.3a standards associated with high-rate WPANs, and the IEEE 802.15.4 standard known as ZigBee. In particular, the 802.15.6 TG6 is working to standardize Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) for providing a medical service such as telemedicine and an entertainment service, using equipment or a motion sensor, for wearable computing, through a nearby communication network, within 3 meters from a human body.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram, which illustrates a general structure of a WBAN, where an individual forms a network, that is, a piconet. The piconet includes a coordinator terminal 10, such as a mobile communication terminal, and a plurality of participating terminals 11, 12, 13, and 14, such as various types of peripheral devices or sensors attached to a human body. Since the WBAN is targeted for a device small in size and a mobile power source, such as a sensor with poor power conditions, low power consumption is the most critical system requirement.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a super-frame 20 used in a conventional short-range communication system, which includes a beacon (B) 21, a Contention Access Period (CAP) 22, a Contention Free Period (CFP) 23, and an inactive period 24. The conventional super-frame 20 is provided from the coordinator terminal 10 of FIG. 1 to the participating terminals 11 through 14 of FIG. 1. The beacon 21 provides sync reference time to the participating terminals 11 through 14 of FIG. 1, status of the piconet and the status of resource allocation. In the contention access period 22, the participating terminals 11 through 14 of FIG. 1 transmit requests for joining or leaving the network, requests for resource allocation, requests for connection, and requests for authentication to the coordinator terminal 10 of FIG. 1 based on contention access, and the coordinator terminal 10 of FIG. 1 responds to the requests of the participating terminals 11 through 14 of FIG. 1. In the contention free period 23, the coordinator terminal 10 of FIG. 1 and the participating terminals 11 through 14 of FIG. 1 communicate by using allocated resources (e.g., time slots).
In a short-range communication system, which performs communication by using the above-described super-frame, if a beacon is not transmitted to the participating terminals 11 through 14, the system performance abruptly degrades. Therefore, the beacon requires a design that is more robust to a channel condition than a general data message, and also needs a strong modulation and coding scheme according to system conditions. In a personally tailored communication system such as a WBAN, data security is a major consideration. Consequently, the beacon should be encrypted.
Moreover, when a single beacon is used in a super-frame and a large number of participating terminals are connected to the coordinator terminal, the participating terminals may demand various communication environments. As a result, the beacon design must take into account the requirements of all the participating terminals, to avoid causing unnecessary performance degradation of the participating terminals. In particular, a WBAN requiring low power consumption undergoes significant degradation in efficiency and stability.


A transfer apparatus for performing transmission and reception of data using a plurality of lanes includes: a transmission control unit configured to, upon receiving a transmission instruction for performing a data transfer in a redundant mode in which the same data is transferred using a plurality of lanes, output transmission data as first data and second data without renegotiation with another transfer apparatus; a first transmission unit configured to transmit the first data output by the transmission control unit via a first lane; and a second transmission unit configured to transmit the second data output by the transmission control unit via a second lane.

In recent years, a serial transmission method has been used for the interconnection between integrated circuits between which data transfer is performed. The serial transmission method is a method of superimposing a clock and data on each other in a single signal and transmitting the signal. A multi-lane serial transmission method in which a plurality of serial transmissions are set as a group realizes a wide frequency band.
In the multi-lane serial transmission, a transmission side distributes data among a plurality of lanes as bit strings. Each of the lanes transmits a bit string using a clock. A reception side reproduces a clock from a signal received from each lane and reads out a bit string from the received signal using the reproduced clock. In addition, the reception side corrects the skew of a transmission delay between lanes and restores original data from the bit strings in the lanes.
The distribution of data among a plurality of lanes and the restoration of data from the lanes are usually performed by a physical coding sublayer in a physical layer. A physical layer accommodates the difference between transmission media, so that an upper layer in the physical layer may perform multi-lane serial transmission without depending on the transmission media.
In the multi-lane serial transmission, for the increase in availability, negotiation regarding a transmission speed and a lane to be used is performed at the time of initialization. For the purpose of fault tolerance and power saving, a data transfer is temporarily suspended during operation and renegotiation is performed.
In a case where multi-lane serial transmission is performed under severe transmission conditions, an error rate in the multi-lane serial transmission increases under the influence of environmental conditions such as power supply quality and temperatures. An upper layer detects a generated error and corrects the error by retransmitting data. However, in a case where the error rate is high, the transfer of the data is not successfully performed even though retransmission is repeated. The upper layer diagnoses the unsuccessful data transfer as a failure in the serial transmission. Renegotiation is performed and the detection and isolation of a lane whose transmission quality has deteriorated are performed. As a result, the multi-lane serial transmission is continuously performed.
There is a serial attached SCSI (SAS) expander that isolates a fault by automatically detecting faulty communication in one of links and disabling a PHY connected to the link where the faulty communication has been detected.
There is a failover technique for, when detecting a fault in a first link that connects a first PCI bridge and a first IO device, using the unused portion of a second link that connects a second PCI bridge and a second IO device as an alternative to the first link.
Related arts are disclosed in Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2009-540436 and Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2012-118969.


Provided are a liquid developing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, wherein a high-viscosity liquid developer layer is transferred sequentially from a developer supply member to a developer coating member and to the developer carrying member among rollers, and the developer supply width of the developer supply member is made smaller than the width of the developer coating member and greater than the width of the developer carrying member, whereby an occurrence of the area, at the end portions of the developer carrying member, where the volume of developer is uneven is reduced, and the liquid developer is prevented from wrapping around the end faces of the developer coating member, without making the apparatus complicated.

There is a widespread use of an image forming apparatus utilizing electrophotographic technology which employs toner to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor and transfers the developed image on a sheet of paper. Specifically, such an image forming apparatus as an on-demand printing apparatus required to provide higher image quality and higher resolution has come to utilize the wet development method employing a liquid developer with toner having a diameter smaller than that in a dry developer.
In recent years, a proposal has been made of liquid developing apparatuses using a high-viscosity liquid developer wherein a solid toner made of resin and pigment is dispersed, in high concentration, in a liquid carrier which is an insulating liquid such as silicone oil.
When a liquid developer is used for development, it is preferred that a thin layer of liquid developer of the order of microns be formed on the developer carrying member such as a developing roller, and this thin-layered liquid developer should be brought in contact with a photoconductor. This arrangement is particularly preferred when high-viscosity liquid developer is employed.
To stabilize the image density, a very thin layer of liquid developer is required to be uniformly formed on the developing roller. One of the techniques proposed so far for forming this thin layer of developer is a method of using a coating roller wherein the liquid developer on the coating roller is applied onto the developing roller under predetermined conditions. Further, a technique of using a supply roller is proposed to supply a predetermined volume of liquid developer to the coating roller.
To be more specific, a supply roller is used to supply a predetermined volume of liquid developer to the coating roller, and a thin layer of liquid developer is formed while the developer is conveyed by the coating roller, and then, the developer is transferred onto the developing roller. The developing roller brings a thin layer of liquid developer in contact with the photoconductor, whereby an electrostatic latent image is developed on the photoconductor.
When the liquid developer is transferred from roller to roller, the problem is in the behavior of the liquid developer on both ends of the roller in the longitudinal direction (across the width). Thus, it is important to determine whether the liquid developer is to be transferred on the entire surface across the roller or is to be transferred on both ends of the roller across the width with a margin of safety.
For example, when the liquid developer is to be transferred from a narrower (shorter) roller A to a wider (longer) roller B, a line-shaped area, where a lot of liquid developer exists, is formed the part, of the roller B, opposed to both ends of the roller A—i.e., both ends of the developer layer to be supplied. This is caused by the liquid developer wrapping around the end faces on both ends of the roller A, or the liquid developer wrapping around the end faces on both ends of the roller A, in the nip portion between the roller A and roller B, by surface tension.
If the liquid developer is transferred to another roller with the liquid developer unevenly formed, the unevenness still remains on that roller, with the result that the unevenness will remain uncorrected at the time of development.
Conversely, when the liquid developer is to be transferred from a wider (longer) roller B to a narrower (shorter) roller A, an uneven area does not occur to the transferred liquid developer. However, the liquid developer on the surface of the roller B spreads to the end faces of both ends of the roller A and sticks there. The liquid developer sticking to the end faces of both ends of roller A is spread to reach the shaft portion of the roller A by the repeated rotation/stop operations of the roller A. It is further spread in the axial direction, and the liquid developer eventually reaches the bearing section and leaks out of the development apparatus or enters the bearing section, thereby causing troubles.
To avoid this problem, it may be possible to provide both ends of the roller with a sealing member for preventing the developer from spreading. However, provision of many rollers with sealing members will complicate the apparatus structure and will increase the cost.
The Japanese Patent No. 3521975 discloses an apparatus wherein the liquid developer is sequentially transferred using a plurality of coating rollers. This apparatus is structured in such a way that the width of the coating roller is gradually reduced. However, for many rollers in this structure, there is required some measures such as a seal member in order to prevent the liquid developer from wrapping around the end faces on the ends of the rollers.
In the Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-72334, the width of the developing roller is smaller than that of the coating roller (measuring roller). Further, use of a plurality of measuring rollers is also mentioned, but this is based on the same concept as that of the aforementioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 3521975. Thus, similar problems remain to be solved.
According to the technique disclosed in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-243050, an anilox roller is used as the coating roller, and the width of the anilox roller pattern, namely, the width of the liquid developer supply area is designed smaller than that of the developing roller. Since a liquid developer is not transferred to the entire surface of the developing roller, the liquid developer on the developing roller may be uneven.
According to the technique described in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-235306, the width of the coating roller is greater than that of the developing roller, and the width of the area wherein the liquid developer is coated by the coating roller is smaller than that of the developing roller. In this arrangement, the width of the liquid developer to be transferred is smaller than that of the developing roller. This may cause the liquid developer on the developing roller to be uneven.

Liquid developing apparatus and image forming apparatus

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


A motor control apparatus includes a first FG pattern for generating a first induced voltage attendant upon rotation of the rotor of a motor; a second FG pattern for generating a second induced voltage due to noise; a differential amplifier for differentially amplifying the first and second induced voltages, which are input thereto; and a motor speed control unit for controlling rotation of the motor so as to achieve synchronization between the output of the differential amplifier and a prescribed frequency signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motor control apparatus for controlling rotation of a motor such as a brushless motor.
2. Description of the Related Art
The market is seeing increasing supply of products such as wireless LANs and mobile telephones that use electromagnetic waves as well as a variety of home electric appliances such as TVs and microwave ovens. Radiation noise emitted from these electronic devices is pervasive. In addition, the increasing use of large-scale facilities in plants, factories and offices has led to an increase in power consumption and in the production of radiation noise, and there will be no lessening of radiation noise owing to automation and the spread of personal computers. Furthermore, aging equipment is fast becoming a source of unnecessary radiation noise.
If new equipment is introduced under such conditions, the electromagnetic noise it will be subjected to is incalculable. In order to deal with this, the nations of the EC have taken the initiative and clarified methods and standards of immunity specifications as by the EN standard (EN55024/1998) put in the form of a recommendation, and this has become a standard for evaluating the performance of equipment. Further, there is increasing debate at various facilities such as ITU-T and CISPR, which are facilities that establish international standards. In particular, the CISPR (Comite International Special des Perturbations Radioelectriques) deals with the immunity problem through CISPR240.
[reference Non-Patent Document 1]: "Noise Immunity in Information Communication Equipment", published by Corona K.K.
[reference Non-Patent Document 2]: "Boundary Values and Measurement Methods Relating to Immunity Characteristics of CISPR24—Information Technology Devices", published by Science Forum K.K.
Conventional devices are evaluated according to a method compliant with the above-mentioned immunity standard and are provided with noise shields made of well-known metal materials. In addition, circuits are provided with capacitors or choke coils to alleviate the effects of exogenous noise. Further, devices equipped with a conventional brushless motor unit or brushless motor for dealing with changes in the electromagnetic environment are also similarly affected by exogenous noise. As a result, the rotational speed of the motor becomes unstable with regard to the target rpm.
Adding on a noise shield or electronic circuit filter is an example of a technique for preventing malfunction due to noise inflected upon equipment from the outside. A problem with such a countermeasure, however, is an increase in number of parts and a rise in cost.


An exercise apparatus on which a wide variety of body exercises can be performed is disclosed herein having a base supporting an upright frame with a movable carriage traveling between guide tracks. The frame further supports an adjustable tension mechanism operably connected to the carriage for providing a resistance force against which the user applies muscle pressure. A handle is attached to the carriage and the carriage is movably mounted to the frame. Hand grips are coupled to the adjustable tension mechanism for use without the carriage and the base includes a first section supporting the frame and a second section for supporting the user or an incline bench. By orientation of the frame in a vertical or a horizontal position and by selected use of the carriage, various groups of muscle may be selectively exercised.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of exercising apparatus as taken in the direction of arrows 17--17 of FIG. 18 and more particularly to a novel exercising unit having multiple stations by which various muscles and muscle groups of the body can be selectively exercised and wherein the apparatus includes an adjustable tension means coupled to a movable carriage and to operable hand grips on a frame which is pivotally carried on a base susceptible for use in a horizontal or a vertical orientation.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
In the past, it has been the conventional practice to employ a variety of exercise equipment in order to exercise and condition selected groups of muscles of the body. In some instances, a single apparatus may be used for more than one group; however, no machine appears to be available which will exercise all of the muscles in the body. In this connection, such a device must be susceptible for conversion from one station to another by employing alternate equipment sections or portions so that the exercising unit is versatile and adaptable to accommodate the user when exercising different body areas. Some attempts have been made to provide such a device, which requires expensive and multiple parts for achieving their intended purpose. Obviously, the size, expense and complexity are greatly increased so that such prior apparatus is not in wide use.
Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide a novel universal exercising device which may provide the user with a choice of performing selected exercises by interchanging a variety of parts to the equipment so that selected muscle groups or muscles can be exercised. Such a device must be susceptible for use orientation in a vertical or in a horizontal position in order to effect wide and selected use.


In continuous radiography, while a patient stands in front of an imaging support, a total image capture field is determined. The total image capture field is divided into small image capture fields. A map scaling section scales up or down a full spine irradiation area map in accordance with the size of the total image capture field. A map dividing section divides the scaled map into small maps corresponding to the small image capture fields. In each division exposure, a detection pixel selector selects one or more detection pixels belonging to an irradiation area defined by the small map, out of all detection pixels distributed in an imaging surface of an electronic cassette. If an integration value of a detection signal from the selected detection pixel reaches a threshold value, X-ray emission is stopped. Division X-ray images obtained by the division exposures are merged into a single continuous X-ray image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a radiation imaging system for taking a continuous radiographic image, a method for taking the continuous radiographic image, and a radiation image detecting device.
2. Description Related to the Prior Art
In a medical field, a radiation imaging system, for example, an X-ray imaging system using X-rays is widely known. The X-ray imaging system is constituted of an X-ray generation apparatus for generating the X-rays, and an X-ray image capturing apparatus for taking an X-ray image of a patient's body. The X-ray generation apparatus includes an X-ray source for emitting the X-rays to the body, a source controller for controlling the operation of the X-ray source, and an exposure switch for issuing an emission start signal of the X-rays. The X-ray image capturing apparatus includes an X-ray image detecting device for detecting the X-ray image based on the X-rays passed through the patient's body, and a console for controlling the operation of the X-ray image detecting device and applying various image processes to the X-ray image.
In recent years, the X-ray image detecting device that uses a flat panel detector (FPD) instead of an X-ray film or an imaging plate (IP) becomes widespread. The FPD has a matrix of pixels each of which accumulates signal charge by an amount corresponding to the amount of the X-rays incident thereon. The FPD accumulates the signal charge on a pixel-by-pixel basis, and converts the accumulated signal charge into a voltage signal by its signal processing circuit. Thereby, the FPD electrically detects the X-ray image, and outputs the X-ray image as digital image data.
An electronic cassette (portable X-ray image detecting device) that has the FPD contained in a flat and thin housing is in practical use. The electronic cassette is mounted not only on a specific imaging support, but also on an existing imaging support shareable between a film cassette and an IP cassette. Furthermore, the electronic cassette can be used while being put on a bed or held by the patient himself/herself, to take a radiograph of a body part that is hard to take with the stationary X-ray image detecting device. The electronic cassette is sometimes brought out from a hospital for use in bedside radiography of a home-care patient or in an outside accident or natural disaster site in an emergency.
There are some X-ray imaging systems having an automatic exposure control (AEC) function. Such systems have a dose detection sensor for detecting a dose of the X-rays passed through the patient's body. When an integration value of the X-ray dose detected by the dose detection sensor reaches a predetermined threshold value, the emission of the X-rays from the X-ray source is stopped.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-000590 discloses an X-ray imaging system that carries out the AEC based on pixel signals from the FPD. This system obtains data that represents a pixel area (irradiation area) of the FPD corresponding to a body portion of interest (body portion to be imaged), that is, the addresses, size, and the like of the pixels corresponding to the body portion. The pixels to be used in the AEC are chosen in accordance with the body portion of interest.
According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 08-033621, in a mammography system, an outline of a breast is recognized in a preliminary exposure, and the size of the breast is calculated. The size of the pixel area (irradiation area) used in the AEC is varied in accordance with the size of the breast.
Besides taking a single exposure of a body part such as chest or abdomen with use of the fixed X-ray source and the fixed X-ray imaging detecting device, continuous radiography is known in which a plurality of exposures are taken while shifting the X-ray source and the X-ray image detecting device to obtain a continuous X-ray image. The continuous radiography is mostly used for observation of bones of the patient, such as skeletal age and bone curvature. In most cases, the continuous radiography is performed on a full spine extending from a clavicle to a pelvis, and on lower limbs extending from the pelvis to toes.
In the continuous radiography, a radiological technician firstly sets up a total image capture field in accordance with a body part to he imaged and the size of the patient i.e. standing height, sitting height, and an inseam. Based on the total image capture field and the size of the X-ray image detecting device (size of an imaging surface of a detection panel), the number of division exposures to be performed and division exposure positions, which are the positions of the X-ray source and X-ray image detecting device set in each division exposure, are calculated. After that, the division exposures are carried out. The division exposure positions are determined such that a plurality of division X-ray images obtained by the division exposures partly overlap one another. After completion of the division exposures, the plurality of division X-ray images are merged into the single continuous X-ray image by overlaying overlap areas of the division X-ray images.
In the continuous radiography, the total image capture field is large in size. Thus, for example, in the case of lower limb radiography, body thickness and the size of a directly-exposed area, in which no object exists, widely vary between waist and leg. Therefore, it is difficult to optimize the X-ray dose in each of the division exposure positions. Accordingly, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2011-139761, an object is imaged by a digital camera, and an outline of the object is extracted. An AEC irradiation area is set up based on the outline in each division exposure. The pixels of the FPD are used as AEC sensors, and the AEC is performed in each division exposure based on signals from the pixels within the AEC irradiation area.
However, in the mammography system of the Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 08-033621, the preliminary exposure is carried out with the sole purpose of determining the irradiation area. In the system of the Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2011-139761, the outline of the object is extracted from the image of the digital camera. Both the systems bring about increase in size and cost and a complicated and long-time process.
Also, in the Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 08-033621, the patient has to be exposed to an extra radiation dose in the preliminary exposure. In the Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2011-139761, since the irradiation area is determined based on the outline of the object, the irradiation area includes not only an area of an important bone but also an area without the bone. Thus, the AEC may be performed improperly. If the patient puts on clothes or in plaster, the outline of the object becomes unclear, so the irradiation area possibly includes an area of no concern for diagnosis.

Radiation imaging system, method for taking continuous radiographic image, and radiation image detecting device


The present invention, generally speaking, relates to taking advantage of existing outputs from logic groupings that neighbor a digital signal processing block in a programmable logic device to expand the functionality of the digital signal processing block. The outputs from the logic groupings are used as dedicated routing interconnects that provide additional inputs into the digital signal processing block (e.g., into function specific blocks) such that the signal processing block receives additional signals. These additional signals can be input into the signal processing block via the dedicated routing interconnect without significant addition of input interconnection resources that are silicon-area expensive.

As applications for which programmable logic devices (PLDs) are used increase in complexity, it has become more common to design PLDs to include "function-specific blocks" (FSBs) in addition to blocks of generic programmable logic resources. Typically, an FSB is a concentration of circuitry on a PLD that has been partly- or fully-hardwired to perform one or more specific tasks, such as a logical or a mathematical operation. An FSB may also contain one or more specialized structures, such as an array of configurable memory elements. Examples of structures that are commonly implemented as FSBs include: multipliers, arithmetic logic units (ALUs), barrel-shifters, various memory elements (such as FIFO/LIFO/SIPO/RAM/ROM/CAM blocks and register files), AND/NAND/OR/NOR arrays, etc., or combinations thereof.
While the availability of FSBs on a PLD may lessen the need for programmably implementing such structures in soft-logic (e.g., by piecing together and configuring several blocks of generic programmable logic resources), the nature of the functions implemented in FSBs are often those which require inputs and/or outputs that are several bits wide (i.e., multi-bit signals). As a result, significant interconnection resources may be required simply for routing input and output signals to and from FSBs. The need for interconnection resources may be further compounded when FSB output signals undergo additional processing, such as bitwise/logical/mathematical operations, signal conditioning/manipulation, combination with output signals from other FSBs, and the like.
For many FSBs, the silicon area taken up by the interconnection resources is significant. In fact, the interconnection resources may be comparable or even larger than the logic to implement the functionality of the FSB. It is therefore an object to increase the functionality of FSBs (and sub-blocks internal FSBs) without significantly increasing the cost in silicon area by more efficient use of interconnection resources.


A variable shifter includes: a plurality of shifters that cyclically shift input data having a plurality of bits or cyclically shifted data; and a control unit that selects a shift amount for each of the plurality of shifters in accordance with a predetermined cyclic shift amount. The number of types of the predetermined cyclic shift amount is smaller than the number of bits in the input data, each shifter selects one of a plurality of shift amounts in accordance with the predetermined cyclic shift amount, and the plurality of shift amounts have a combination of shift amounts that differ from one shifter to another.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a variable shifter, a decoder, and a data shifting method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes have been known for error-correction encoding methods that can realize bit error rates close to the Shannon limit and that can realize decoders in large scale integration (LSI).
In recent years, among LDPC codes, Quasi-Cyclic LDPC (QC-LDPC) codes with which it is relatively easy to configure encoders have been known. QC-LDPC has been utilized in many industrial fields. QC-LDPC codes are used, for example, in IEEE standard 802.11n used for wireless local area networks (LANs) and in IEEE standard 802.11ad, which is a short-distance wireless communication standard using the 60 GHz band.
Details of the IEEE 802.11ad standard are disclosed in IEEE 802.11ad-2012, 21.3.8, Page 452 (Non-Patent Document 1).
Data encoded with a QC-LDPC code is decoded by an LDPC decoder. For example, a sum-product decoding method, a min-sum decoding method, and a bit-flipping decoding method are known LDPC decoding methods using an LDPC decoder. In any of the decoding methods, barrel shifters shift data, and variable node processing and check node processing are repeated to perform decoding. For example, LDPC decoders applied to high-speed wireless communication perform each of the variable node processing and the check node processing in parallel.
The configuration of an LDPC decoder of the related art is described in Matthew Weiner; Borivoje Nikolic; Zhengya Zhang; "LDPC Decoder Architecture for High-Data Rate Personal-Area Networks" IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems (ISCAS), 2011, Pages 1784-1787 (this document is hereinafter referred to as "Non-Patent Document 2"). Non-Patent Document 2 describes an offset min-sum decoding method, which is one type of min-sum decoding method.

Variable shifter, decoder, and data shifting method

Panasonic Intellectual Property Managament Co., Ltd.


The present invention relates to a wearable self-defense spray system and method of use. The system comprising a wristband having a cartridge bay, a band, and a clasp that interconnects to secure the wristband around a wrist of a consumer. A cover fastens across the back surface to seal the body closed. A spray canister is pressurized with a self-defense spray liquid and snuggly fits into the cartridge bay in a non-slip, non-rotating manner. The spray canister has an egress port through which by depressing the spray valve the self-defense spray liquid egresses the spray canister in the direction of a threat such as a person, animal, or other threat. In exemplary embodiments, the wristband and spray canister can be scaled in dimension to fit the finger of a consumer as a ring or hung on a cord or chain and worn as a necklace around neck of the consumer.

Before our invention, a consumer could carry a self-defense spray in their purse or pocket. While these can be suitable locations to store a self-defense spray it can be difficult to access and use the spray in response to an immediate threat such as against an attacking person, animal, or other threat. In this regard, often success in thwarting a threat is dependent on the speed that the consumer can access and dispense the self-defense spray in the direction of the attacker. The quicker the better. However, sprays stored in concealed places like pockets and purses can be difficult to reliably access in an emergency. So, while the consumer has the spray in their possession it may not get used in time to thwart an attack simply because the consumer couldn't act quickly enough to access and dispense the spray in the direction of the attacker. In support of this, in law enforcement there is a 21-foot rule that is a measure of distance that related to the time it would take an officer to recognize a threat, draw a sidearm, and fire two rounds center mass against an attacker charging with a knife or other stabbing weapon. This impacts the reaction time as an attacker with a knife can close a distance of seven yards in about 1.5 seconds.
In addition, sprays that are on keychains can be heavy and bounce around when worn or carried by the consumer during motion such as when walking, running, or exercising. In addition, keychains that require the consumer to hold in their hand prevent the consumer from using their hand during activities. Such encumbrances as having to hold the spray in their hand can make the consumer think twice about carrying the spray at all.
The present invention addresses these and other shortcomings by providing a wearable self-defense spray system, method of use, and other advantages. For these reasons and shortcomings as well as other reasons and shortcomings there is a long-felt need that gives rise to the present invention.

Wearable self-defense spray system and method of use


An exhaust treatment system to treat exhaust gas includes a particulate filter configured to trap soot contained in the exhaust gas, and a pressure sensor that outputs a pressure signal indicative of a pressure differential of the particulate filter. A soot mass module is configured to determine a soot mass indicative of an amount of soot stored in the particulate filter based on the pressure differential. The soot mass is selectively determined according to a first soot model or a second soot model. An adaptation soot load module corrects the first soot model based on the second soot model such that the first soot model is adapted to the second soot model. A frequency regeneration module determines an actual rate at which the first soot model is corrected. The frequency regeneration module further determines the particulate filter is excessively regenerated based on the actual rate and a threshold.

Vehicle exhaust treatment systems are used to reduce undesired emissions, such as nitrous oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (e.g., soot) output by the vehicle engine. The vehicle exhaust systems typically include a particulate filter ("PF"), which traps the soot from the exhaust gas generated by the engine. The PF may include one or more filter substrates that define a plurality of apertures, through which the exhaust gas must flow. The particulate matter collects on the filter substrate as the exhaust gas flows through the apertures.
A regeneration operation may be performed in response to the occurrence of a regeneration event. The regeneration operation heats the particulate filter to a combustion temperature sufficient to combust (i.e., burns) the collected soot, thereby regenerating the PF. However, performing frequent regeneration operations exposes the PF to excessive heat which accelerates the aging of the filter substrate.

System to monitor regeneration frequency of particulate filter


A method may include classifying a text by applying a dense convolutional neural network trained to classify the text. The dense convolutional neural network may include one or more dense convolution blocks, each of which including a plurality of convolution layers. Each dense convolution block may be configured to operate on a different quantity of consecutive tokens from the text. Moreover, each of the plurality of convolution layers in a dense convolution block may operate an input to the dense convolution block as well as an output from all preceding convolution layers in the dense convolution block. The text may correspond to an issue associated with a service ticket system. A response for addressing the issue associated with the test may be determined based on the classification of the text. Related systems and articles of manufacture are also provided.

An automated service ticket system may be configured to track the creation, updating, and resolution of reported issues. The automated service ticket system may generate a ticket in response to an issue being reported, for example, via one or more telephone calls, emails, short messaging service (SMS) messages, social media posts, web chats, and/or the like. Moreover, the automated service ticket system may update the status of the ticket to reflect the progress towards resolving the issue. The automated service ticket system may generate the ticket to include a textual description of the issue associated with the ticket. A suitable response for addressing the issue associated with the ticket may be determined based at least on the textual description of the issue. As such, the automated service ticket system may rely on an accurate classification of the textual description of the issue in order to achieve an adequate resolution of the issue associated with the ticket.

Densely connected convolutional neural network for service ticket classification


In automatically obtaining a height h of a collimated position by collimating a leveling rod 1 to which bar marks 11 are attached, if the height h is obtained by an image pattern of the leveling rod 1, the size of the image pattern of the leveling rod 1 must be corrected inside an electronic level 2 depending on the distance between the leveling rod 1 and the electronic level 2. A long time is required for the computation processing for this correction. In this invention, on the other hand, the ratios of the distances between respectively adjoining bar marks 11 are obtained and the height h is obtained from the manner in which the ratios are arrayed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic level to automatically obtain a height and to a leveling rod (or a staff) which is used together with the electronic level.
2. Description of the Related Art
As this kind of electronic level and a leveling rod, there is known, for example, in Japanese Published Examined Patent Application No. 18042/1993 or Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 4959/1995, a leveling rod for use with an electronic level having a plurality of bar marks (i.e., marks in the shape of bars) which are provided in a longitudinal direction of the leveling rod. In this leveling rod, bar marks whose pitches between respectively adjoining bar marks are appropriately varied with one another are collimated by the electronic level. Then a wave form which is obtained from an array pattern of the bar marks in the collimated position is compared inside the electronic level with a wave form that is stored in advance in the electronic level. From a position in which the wave forms coincide with each other, the height of the collimated position is obtained.
The wave form to be obtained from the array pattern of the bar marks that are attached to the leveling rod varies in its size with the distance between the leveling rod and the electronic level, or with the magnification of the electronic level. In the above-described conventional electronic level and the leveling rod, the collimated position is obtained by coinciding the wave form to be obtained from the array pattern of the bar marks with the wave form that is stored in advance in the electronic level. It follows that, before comparing the wave forms with each other, they must be corrected to a predetermined size. However, in order to perform this kind of correction, the distance between the leveling rod and the electronic level must be obtained, resulting in a disadvantage in that a long time is required to make computation for the correction.
The present invention has an object of eliminating the above-described disadvantage.

Electronic level and leveling rod for use in electronic level


Disclosed is a cellular network handoff decision mechanism which comprising the steps of: determining a sampling interval using a carrier wavelength; determining a local averaging interval that is larger than the sampling interval; determining a handoff decision interval that is larger than the local averaging interval; selecting at least two base stations from a multitude of base stations having a pilot signal from a reference cellular network using a selection criterion; determining a received signal strength from the pilot signal strength for each of the selected base stations once during every sampling interval; calculating a local average signal strength value using each of the received signal strengths once during every local averaging interval; determining an assignment region in which the local average signal strength value lies using a hysteresis range; and calculating a handoff decision once during every handoff decision interval using a handoff calculation.

The present invention relates to the field of cellular network systems. In particular, the present invention provides for efficient cellular handoffs in cellular networks.
In cellular networks each mobile unit maintains connectivity via an active set of base stations (BS). A handoff mechanism may determine the dynamics of the active set as the mobile unit moves through the network. In a hard handoff, the mobile unit is "handed off" from one BS to another BS as it leaves the cell coverage area of the first BS and enters that of the second BS. In this case, the active set of a mobile unit consists of at most one BS at any given time. Hard handoff mechanisms are used in the GSM and GPRS wireless networking standards and are still under active investigation for use in High Data Rate (HDR) services. Wireless technologies based on CDMA generally employ soft handoff, whereby the mobile unit maintains an active set that may contain multiple BSs. A soft handoff occurs whenever a BS enters or leaves the active set of a mobile unit. Soft handoff mechanisms are used in the IS-95, cdma2000, and WCDMA standards.
To manage the expected increase in subscriber density in future telephone systems, microcells may be used. The introduction of microcells causes some difficulties. The radio propagation characteristics for microcells differ from the macrocellular characteristics because of houses, buildings, and other obstacles disturbing the radio path. For line-of-sight (LOS) handoffs, the mobile always maintains a LOS with both the serving and alternate base stations as shown in FIG. 1. On the other hand, NLOS handoffs arise when the mobile suddenly loses the LOS with both the serving and alternate base station and gains an LOS component from a third base station. As shown in FIG. 2, a NLOS handoff can be due to a so-called corner effect, i.e., there is a 20–30 dB drop of signal level within a 10 m distance while the mobile turns corners in an urban microcellular environment.
Temporal-based handoff mechanisms may yield poor handoff performance in microcells due to the diverse propagation environment and the wide range of user velocities. Consider the NLOS handoff scenario shown in FIG. 2, where a mobile traveling from BS0 has a Rician faded, log-normal shadowed LOS signal from BS0 and a Rayleigh faded, log-normal shadowed, NLOS signal from BS1 until it rounds the corner where the situation is suddenly reversed. The loss of the LOS component may cause a rapid decrease in the signal strength. Handoff mechanisms for this scenario should use shorter temporal averaging windows and larger hysteresis levels so that rapid changes in the mean signal strength can be detected and unnecessary handoffs avoided. Unfortunately, temporal averaging with a short fixed window length gives optimal handoff performance for only a single velocity.
Early work on handoff analysis has largely been based on computer simulation studies. Indeed, in industrial practice, computer simulation remains the primary means for choosing key parameters to optimize the performance of modern-day wireless networks. Detailed computer simulations of wireless cellular networks require considerable computation time, making them cumbersome to use for the purposes of network design and dimensioning.
Vijayan and Holtzman were among the first to propose an analytical model for handoff based on relative signal strength measurements with hysteresis. (See A Model for Analyzing Handoff Algorithms, IEEE Trans. on Vehicular Technology, 42(3):351–356, August 1993). Their model was based on an asymptotic approximation that is inaccurate for smaller hysteresis levels. Subsequently, Zhang and Holtzman proposed an alternative approximate method to analyze handoff based on the Gaussian properties of the received signals. (See Analysis of Handoff algorithms using both absolute and relative measurements. IEEE Trans. on Vehicular Technology, 45(1):174–179, February 1996).
A numerical procedure for analyzing signal strength-based handoff algorithms that computed handoff performance measures of interest was disclosed by Leu and Mark. (See Discrete-time Analysis of Soft Handoff in CDMA Cellular Networks, In Proc. Int. Conf. Comm. '2002, pages 3222–3226, New York City, April/May 2002). This procedure was very efficient for small hysteresis levels, but the computational complexity grew polynomially in the averaging parameter and the hysteresis value.
None of the works mentioned above deal with the corner effects that arise in microcellular urban environments. This effect has been verified by measurements and is characterized by a 20–30 dB drop of signal level in 10–20 meters and appears when a mobile unit turns around a corner and loses the LOS-path to the BS. This important phenomenon must be considered when handoff mechanisms and strategies are discussed.
What is needed is a cellular network handoff decision mechanism that reacts quickly to corner effects in microcellular urban environments and is efficient over a wide range of hysteresis values, avoiding a need for computer simulation of the system.

Cellular network handoff decision mechanism

George Mason Intellectual Properties, Inc.


A control device (10) for a die cushion mechanism that produces a force for a slide (24) in a press machine, comprising slide velocity command-forming means (61) for forming a velocity command for the slide (24), die cushion velocity command-forming means (62) for forming a velocity command for said die cushion (20), and velocity relation calculation means (65) for calculating a velocity relation between the velocity of the slide and the velocity of the die cushion based on a rate of increase (dF) in the force produced between the slide and the die cushion immediately after the collision of the slide with the die cushion. The cushion velocity command-forming means forms the velocity command for the die cushion based upon the slide velocity command formed by the slide velocity command-forming means and upon the velocity relation calculated by the velocity relation-calculation means. This makes it possible to form an optimum velocity command for the slide and/or the die cushion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control device for a die cushion mechanism.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a press machine for effecting press-work such as bending, drawing or punching, it is a known practice to install a die cushion mechanism as an accessory unit for applying a predetermined force (pressure), from the side of a support member (usually called bolster) that supports a second mold to a movable support member (usually called slide) that supports a first mold used for the press-work, during the machining operation. The die cushion mechanism is usually so constituted that a cushion pad moves together with a slide while applying a force (pressure) to the slide after the slide (or the first mold) moving in a direction of closing the mold is brought into direct or indirect collision with a moving element (called cushion pad) held with a predetermined pressure until when the mold is opened after the mold is closed (molding). During this period, the peripheral region of a working portion of a workpiece is held between the cushion pad and the slide to prevent the occurrence of wrinkles on the workpiece.
The die cushion mechanism is operated by a control device. The control device produces an instruction related to the velocity of the die cushion mechanism and an instruction related to the velocity of the slide. The die cushion mechanism and the slide are driven based on these instructions (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-195097).
However, the above conventional control device forms the instruction related to the velocity of the die cushion without referring to any reference for judgement. When the velocity command that is produced for the die cushion mechanism is relatively small, therefore, the relative velocity between the die cushion and the slide becomes relatively great. As a result, the slide comes into collision with the die cushion at a relatively large velocity and produces large noise on collision. In this case, further, a relatively large impact acts on the first and second molds causing their life to be shortened.
In order to suppress the noise and the impact, therefore, it can be considered to decrease the relative velocity between the die cushion and the slide. In this case, however, though the noise can be suppressed, as a pressure acting on the workpiece from the first and second molds is decreased, and it is possible that the workpiece is not worked to a sufficient degree.
It is therefore desired to obtain an optimum velocity for the die cushion to suppress the noise while favorably working the workpiece. From the same reason, further, it is desired to obtain an optimum velocity for the slide.
The present invention was accomplished in view of the above circumstances, and has an object of providing a control device capable of forming an optimum velocity command for the die cushion and/or an optimum velocity command for the slide.

Control device for a die cushion mechanism


An animal tag that contains first and second three-dimensional accelerometers and a processing unit, where the first accelerometer registers a first acceleration vector describing a spatial movement of a first position of the animal tag, and the second accelerometer registers a second acceleration vector describing a spatial movement of a second position of the animal tag, the second position separated from the first position by a distance, and the processing unit receives the first and second acceleration vectors and based thereon determines at least one behavior-related parameter for an animal carrying the animal tag in the form of inclination angle(s) (ψ, Φ, θ) of the animal tag relative to a reference frame external to the animal tag, and/or an elevation of the animal tag relative to a reference level external to the animal tag.

For animal-health reasons and to maintain high quality and efficiency in animal-based food production it is important that the physical status of livestock animals can be monitored in a convenient and reliable manner. To this aim, the identification tags are now being equipped with sensors that are becoming more and more resourceful for each new generation.
EP 2 510 783 describes one example of a method for monitoring the movements of an animal. Here, the animal is provided with a device having sensor means for detecting movements, and generating at least a signal with information about detected movements of the animal. The device is further provided with a control unit for processing the information in the signal and for storing the processed information and transmitter means for transmitting information stored in the control unit. The method involves: storing in the control unit a number of predetermined-type movements counted during a predetermined set of periods which comprises a number of successive first periods, and transmitting a number of the stored numbers of counted movements at moments which depend on the number of detected predetermined-type movements in at least one of the past first periods and/or depend on at least one of the stored orientations of the sensor means. The sensor means are implemented as a G-sensor capable of measuring accelerations in three dimensions and measuring the orientation of the sensor with respect to the earth's surface.
Traditionally, measuring orientation parameters requires gyroscopic sensors, which are comparatively energy demanding. Considering the size and operation life-span requirements of animal tags, it is challenging to integrate orientation sensors in animal tags.

Animal tag, method and computer program for determining behavior-related data


A spacecraft including control vanes for controlling the pointing direction of the spacecraft by providing a variable absorptive, reflective, emissive and/or transmissive properties. The control vanes provide a torque on the spacecraft to maintain the spacecraft pointing towards the sun. The control vanes can include at least one xb-axis control vane and at least one yb-axis control vane where the xb axis control vane provides xb-axis control torque on the spacecraft rotated about the xb-axis, and the yb-axis control vane provides yb-axis control torque on the spacecraft when rotated about the yb-axis.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a method and system for maintaining the pointing direction of a spacecraft and, more particularly, to a method and system for maintaining the pointing direction of a spacecraft using control vanes having a directionally reflecting, emitting, absorbing and transmitting surface.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
When a spacecraft is in space, a variety of environmental disturbances, including solar pressure, gravity-gradient, magnetic and aerodynamic effects, act on the spacecraft producing forces and torques. These forces and torques vary depending on the spacecraft's orbital altitude. If the spacecraft is in a low Earth orbit (LEO), the forces and torques other than solar pressure are typically dominant because they vary inversely with orbital radius. If the spacecraft is in a high altitude orbit, such as a geosyncronous Earth orbit (GEO), the dominant disturbance is solar pressure. This discussion deals with solar torque. The article, Harris, Christian M. et al, "Effect of Thermal Radiation Torques on the TDRS Spacecraft," American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., 1990, pgs. 1602–1614 also provides a discussion of solar torque on a spacecraft.
Various spacecraft, such as the next generation space telescope (NGST), the terrestrial planet finder (TPF) and the planet imager (PI), require sun shades that can be extremely large in order to protect cryogenic instruments mounted on the spacecraft. These large sunshades are typically opaque and receive large amounts of incident solar radiation, and thus may increase the solar torque on the spacecraft. Spacecraft systems of this type are typically designed to point off-angle from the sun, usually within a 45° "anti-sun" conical region. If the center of pressure (CP) of the incident solar radiation is co-incident with the spacecraft center of mass (CM), then little or no solar torque is produced. However, typical spacecraft designs preclude co-locating the center of pressure and the center of mass because of mission payload configuration constraints.
FIG. 1 is a simple schematic of a spacecraft 10, such as the TPF or NGST, used to illustrate how solar pressure produces spacecraft disturbance torque. The spacecraft 10 includes a bus 12 positioned on one side of a thermal shield assembly 14, and sensor optics 16 positioned on the opposite side of the thermal shield assembly 14. The bus 12 houses the spacecraft avionics subsystems and is typically on the "sun side" of the assembly 14. The thermal shield assembly 14 includes a multi-layer insulation (MLI) 18 on the bus side of the assembly 14, and a series of angled specular shields 20 that act to reflect light and heat away from the sensor optics 16. In one design, the optics 16 are on the order of two meters, and the shields 20 are on the order of 10 meters.
Based on the spacecraft schematic shown in FIG. 1, a simplified schematic of the center of mass 24 and the center of pressure 26 of the spacecraft 10 relative to a solar shield 28 as shown in FIG. 2. The solar shield 28 represents the thermal shield assembly 14. Typically, the spacecraft center of mass 24 is on the bus side of the thermal shield 28, and the center of pressure 26 is at the geometric center of the thermal shield 28.
FIG. 3 utilizes the schematic shown in FIG. 2 to depict the forces generated by solar radiation pressure that impinges normal to the shield 28 and the resultant thermal radiation from the shield 28. Incident photons 30 can be either absorbed, specularly reflected at 32 in a mirror like manner, or can be reflected in a diffuse manner at 34, sometimes referred to as a Lambertian distribution. The absorbed energy must be emitted as thermal radiation energy with the bulk of the thermal emission occurring from the sun side due to the insulation effectiveness. This emitted thermal energy also typically has a Lambertian energy distribution 35. The resultant force vector due to the reradiated thermal energy is shown at 43. Thus, there are four force vectors caused by the impinging photons 30, including a force vector 40 from the absorption of the incident photons 30, a force vector 38 from the specularly reflected photons, and force vector 42 from the diffusely reflected photons and the force vector 43 from thermal radiation. The momentum from the specularly reflected photons is twice as much as the momentum of the absorbed photons. The combination of the force vectors 38–43 gives an effective force vector 44. For this depiction, the sunlight is aligned along an axis running through the CM 24 and the CP 26, where the effective force vector 44 is along this axis. Therefore, the resultant force vectors are the same at both sides of the shield 28, resulting in no net torque being imposed on the spacecraft 10.
For typical sunshield designs, most of the incident light energy is reflected or absorbed and re-emitted from the shield 28 at the side facing the sun. The thermal insulating nature of the thermal shield 28 reduces heat leakage to one or two percent of the total incident front side energy. Therefore, backside thermal radiation is negligible due to the effectiveness of the thermal shield 28. In a situation where the CM 24 and the CP 26 are co-aligned relative to the direction of the incident sunlight, there is no net induced torque on the spacecraft 10.
The force on a surface due to photon absorption, i.e., the force due to solar radiation pressure, is given by:Fabsorbed=SA/c,   (1)where Fabsorbed is the absorption force, S is solar flux (power per unit area), A is the projected area, and c is the speed of light. For a specular surface, the angle of incidence of the impinging photons equals the angle of reflection of the reflected photons, resulting in a force opposite to the surface normal vector direction. Thus, when the incident surface is totally specularly reflective, and the surface is normal to the sun vector, the specular reflection force (Freflection specular) is given by Freflection specular=2SA/C. A diffusely reflective surface, i.e., Lambertian distribution, produces a force given by:Freflection diffues=2SA/3c.   (2)
Emitted photons also result in forces opposite to the direction of travel of the emitted photon.
For most spacecraft functions, the pointing direction of the optics, and thus the pointing direction of the entire spacecraft, will be in such a direction that the incident solar radiation is angled relative to the axis through the CM 24 and the CP 26. FIG. 4 is a representation of the schematic shown in FIG. 3 where the shield 28 is angled relative to the incident solar radiation, and the CM 24 is thus tilted to the left. Each of the force vectors generated by the incident, reflected and radiated photons identified in FIG. 3 are shown in FIG. 4. However, the direction of the reflected and emitted radiation is different, and therefore the effective force vector 44 is not aligned with the CM 24 and CP 26 axis. Because the effective force vector 44 is not aligned along the axis between the CM 24 and CP 26, a torque is created about the CM 24 identified by a moment 46 in the clockwise direction.
The net torque T produced by a single surface about the spacecraft 10 body axes is then:T=LCP-CM×(Fabsorbed radiation+Freflected radiation+Femitted radiation)   (3)where LCP-CM is the position vector from the center of mass 24 to the surface center of pressure 26. For the spacecraft, the total magnitude of the generated torque T can be determined by an area integration of the cross-product of the local force vector and the respective CP/CM moment arm of the localized surface area elements, dA, given as:T=∫A{right arrow over (L)}(θ, r, φ)xd{right arrow over (F)}=∫A{right arrow over (L)}(θ, r, φ)x{right arrow over (ƒ)}(θ, r, φ, Φs)dA   (4)where θ, r, φ are the spherical coordinates in body-axes and Φs is the angle of incident sun.
Various techniques are known in the art to compensate for solar torques. One of these includes employing torque compensating reaction wheels (one wheel is provided for each spacecraft body axis) that provide spacecraft attitude control. As the solar torque acts on the spacecraft, one or more of the wheels is accelerated to compensate for the solar pressure disturbance torque resulting in wheel momentum accumulation. Periodically, it is necessary to unload momentum from the reaction wheels to prevent saturation.
Suitable momentum unloading compensation can be performed by magnetic torquers if the spacecraft is in a low Earth orbit, where the Earth's magnetic field strength is sufficiently large to produce appreciable magnetic torques. In this situation, a magnetic dipole is generated using onboard magnetic torque rods that interact with the Earth's magnetic field to produce a torque. However, as the spacecraft orbital altitude gets farther from the Earth, the Earth's magnetic field strength reduces rapidly, thus reducing the ability to provide this type of momentum unloading. For high orbit altitudes where momentum unloading cannot be provided by Earth's magnetic field, typically the spacecraft thrusters are used to provide momentum unloading of the wheels. However, spacecraft weight is an important design consideration, and therefore, thrusters firing should be minimized in order to reduce on board propellant requirements.
Some spacecraft designs employ appendages (e.g., solar sails) to align the spacecraft center of pressure with the spacecraft center of mass to reduce solar torques. Other possible approaches for mitigating solar torque include active devices such as moveable fins or electrochromic surfaces. However, these types of devices are typically expensive and heavy, and are generally unproven and have a limited reliability. A simple, low cost approach to mitigating the effects of solar torque on spacecraft which have large surface areas, is thus needed.
When a spacecraft failure occurs, the onboard computers typically direct the spacecraft to a sun-pointing safe-hold attitude. Sun-pointing provides power with proper solar array orientation, and by design provides a benign or low torque, stable thermal environment. The spacecraft can typically remain in this orientation indefinitely while ground based diagnostics examine telemetry and implement failure work arounds. Typically, reaction wheels are shut down, and the spacecraft thrusters are used to orient the spacecraft to maintain the sun-pointing direction.
Various systems are known in the art for accumulating and unloading angular momentum, as well as for directing the spacecraft to the sun-pointing direction. However, these systems are typically complicated and expensive. What is also needed is a passive method of reducing solar induced torque and achieving and maintaining sun-pointing.

Spacecraft including control vanes having variable absorptive, reflective and emissive characteristics


Disclosed is a battery module having a plurality of battery cells, the battery module including a cell module stack having a structure in which a plurality of cell modules having the battery cells mounted in cartridges is vertically stacked, a lower end plate supporting a lower end of the cell module stack, and an upper end plate fixing an uppermost cartridge of the cell module stack disposed on the lower end plate, wherein the cartridges and the upper and lower end plates are provided with through holes formed such that the through holes communicate with one another, a fixing member is inserted through the through holes and coupled to the upper and lower end plates, and the fixing member and the through holes are configured to have a horizontal sectional structure to restrain rotation of the fixing member when rotational force for fastening is applied to the fixing member.

Recently, a secondary battery, which can be charged and discharged, has been widely used as an energy source for wireless mobile devices or as an auxiliary power unit. Also, the secondary battery has attracted considerable attention as a power source for electric vehicles (EV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (Plug-In HEV), which have been developed to solve problems, such as air pollution, caused by existing gasoline and diesel vehicles using fossil fuels.
Small-sized mobile devices use one or several battery cells for each device. On the other hand, middle or large-sized devices, such as vehicles, or an auxiliary power unit uses a middle or large-sized battery module having a plurality of battery cells electrically connected to one another because high power and large capacity are necessary for the middle or large-sized devices or the auxiliary power unit.
Preferably, the battery module is manufactured so as to have as small a size and weight as possible. For this reason, a prismatic battery or a pouch-shaped battery, which can be stacked with high integration and has a small weight to capacity ratio, is usually used as a battery cell (unit cell) of the middle or large-sized battery module. In particular, much interest is currently focused on the pouch-shaped battery, which uses an aluminum laminate sheet as a sheathing member, because the pouch-shaped battery is lightweight, the manufacturing costs of the pouch-shaped battery are low, and it is easy to modify the shape of the pouch-shaped battery.
Generally, a plurality of battery cells is stacked and fixed using long bolts to constitute a battery module. However, the thickness of portions of the battery module at which the long bolts are fastened is less than that of the other portions of the battery module with the result that it is difficult to maintain dimensional stability.
Also, dimensional stability of the battery module may not be maintained due to accumulated tolerance generated at welded portions between electrode tabs and bicells of each of the battery cells.
The battery module may be individually used. Alternatively, two or more battery modules may be combined to constitute a battery pack. In this case, if dimensional stability of the battery pack is not maintained, the battery modules are not fixed in the battery pack when strong external impact or vibration is applied to the battery pack with the result that durability or safety of the battery pack is lowered.
If dimensional stability of the battery pack is maintained, the battery pack may be configured based on dimensions such that the battery pack is protected from strong external impact or vibration, thereby improving durability or safety of the battery pack.
Consequently, there is a high necessity for a battery module having a novel assembly structure to solve the above problems.

Battery module and battery pack employed with the same


A method for producing a security document having printed image 1 produced by steel intaglio printing and embossed microstructures 2 of an order of magnitude of less than 100 microns is carried out by one printing plate 8 on which both the steel intaglio structures and the microstructures are present. The parts of the microstructures closest to printing plate surface 9 are located 20 to 100 microns below the printing plate surface so that they are not touched and destroyed by the wiping cylinder. Alternative methods for producing a steel intaglio printing plate with integrated microstructures are provided. The microstructures can be used for embossing a diffractive relief or a blind embossing.

It is known to equip security documents not only with a printed image applied by steel intaglio printing but also with special authenticity features, those of interest for the present invention being in particular optically variable elements such as embossed holograms or grids (DE-A-40 02 979) and blind embossings (DE-A-198 45 552).
Blind embossings are occasionally produced together with the steel intaglio printed image in a common printing operation using one partially inked steel intaglio printing plate. During the printing operation the paper is pressed into the depressions of the blind embossing areas and thus lastingly deformed. The blind embossing areas of the printing plate are not filled with ink, unlike the printed image areas, so that the substrate material of the security document is only lastingly deformed, i.e. embossed, in these areas (WO 97/48555; DE-A-198 45 552).
When blind embossings are viewed, light and shadow effects produce special three-dimensional optical impressions. In addition, blind embossings with suitable dimensions can also be easily detected tactilely.
The structures for the steel intaglio printed image and for the blind embossings are usually incorporated in the printing plate surface by means of a graver, laser or by etching. Regardless of the incorporation technology used, these structures will also be referred to in general as "engravings" in the following. The fineness of the structures is limited, however, firstly by the employed engraving techniques themselves, but secondly by the fact that especially fine structures do not long withstand the mechanical influences of the wiping cylinder used for wiping surplus ink off the partially inked printing plate. The lightly reciprocating motion and the friction prevailing at a corresponding contact pressure of the wiping cylinder cause embossed structures of an order of magnitude of distinctly less than 100 microns (referred to as "microstructures" in the following) to be damaged within a very short time. Embossings with microstructures distinctly smaller than 100 microns for producing special optical effects are accordingly produced in an embossing operation performed separately from the printing operation for applying the steel intaglio printed image.
The same holds for the application of optical diffraction structures such as holograms and grids. The order of magnitude of these diffraction structures is within the wavelength range of visible light, i.e. under 1 micron. In DE-A-198 45 552 it is proposed that a paper of value be prefabricated with all security elements, including for example embossed diffraction structures, and the paper printed as the last method step for example by steel intaglio printing. It is described in this context as a possible variant that the diffraction structures are built up in layers on a previously locally smoothed area of the paper-of-value substrate by first applying a curable lacquer to the smoothed area and providing it with an extremely thin, reflective metal layer. A diffractive relief structure is then embossed into this coated lacquer layer with an embossing die, and the thus produced diffraction structure then covered with a protective lacquer.
Producing embossed microstructures in a security document, whether as a blind embossing in the substrate material itself or as a diffractive relief structure in a specially provided lacquer layer, thus requires a separate working step in addition to the printing operation for producing the steel intaglio printed image.

Steel gravure method for the production of a security document, steel gravure plate and semi-product for the same and method for production thereof


A segmented frame adapted to receive a storage drive is provided. The segmented frame in one example includes a plurality of linked frame segments configured to pivot with respect to each other and wrap around the storage drive, with a first frame segment and a last frame segment of the plurality of linked frame segments latching together to form a joined segmented frame and hold the storage drive, and a plurality of isolator cups trapped within the joined segmented frame and fitting over a corresponding plurality of mounting wings extending from the storage drive, wherein the plurality of isolator cups suspend the storage drive within the joined frame.

1. Field of the Invention
Aspects of the disclosure are related to the field of data storage systems, and in particular, to a frame for receiving a storage drive.
2. Description of the Related Art
As computer systems and networks grow in numbers and capability, there is a need for more and more storage system capacity. Cloud computing and large-scale data processing have further increased the need for digital data storage systems that are capable of transferring and holding immense amounts of data.
One approach to providing sufficient data storage is the use of arrays of Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). A number of HDDs can be held in a container, sometimes referred to as a sled. A sled is a modular unit that can hold and operate a number of HDDs. The HDDs are held and operated in close proximity within the sled, so that many HDDs can be fit into a defined volume. Multiple sleds can be installed in a chassis assembly, with a chassis assembly being installed in racks or other support structures. Consequently, storage capacity can be increased in large increments by the installation of an additional chassis assembly or chassis assemblies.
HDDs include a spinning disk. A read head is moved inward or outward with respect to the spinning disk in order to read and write data. These moving components generate vibrations in the HDD.
Each HDD to be included in a sled can include a frame, wherein the frame and HDD are designed to fit into the sled. Consequently, the frame can transmit shocks and vibrations to the sled and to other frames and HDDs within the sled. The transferred vibrations can interfere with operations of the affected HDD or HDDs. The transferred vibrations can disrupt or block the read and write operations in an affected HDD. The transferred vibrations can combine with local vibrations already produced by the affected HDD to produce stronger and more disruptive vibrations than where the affected HDD is operating in isolation. The transferred vibrations can cause increase wear and breakage in components of the affected HDD.


A two-wheel vehicle foldable to have a width equivalent to the width of a license number plate can be contained in a door, side walls, or a rear wall of a four-wheel vehicle. Handles and steps of the two-wheel vehicle can be folded so that the vehicle width becomes equivalent to the width of the license number plate. Accordingly, containing space on the four-wheel vehicle at the time of mounting the two-wheel vehicle can be made to be small. As a result, vehicle compartment space of the four-wheel vehicle can be secured, and the two-wheel vehicle can be easily mounted onto the four-wheel vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mounting structure for mounting two-wheel vehicle on four-wheel vehicle in which the size of the containing space needed for mounting a folded two-wheel vehicle on a four-wheel vehicle is reduced, and the two-wheel vehicle can be easily mounted on the four-wheel vehicle.
2. Description of Background Art
A mounting structure for mounting a foldable bicycle on a four-wheel vehicle is known. One example is shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 7-228284 for a "Tricycle".
FIG. 3 in the above-mentioned publication shows a tricycle in the state of being mounted in the vehicle compartment by folding a handle post portion to the rear side. FIG. 2 in the publication shows a plan view of the tricycle having two front and one rear wheel.
The above-mentioned tricycle has a large vehicle width due to the two front wheels. Therefore, a containing space on a four-wheel vehicle must have a large width because the pedals provided at the tip ends of the foot step levers 3 are projected to the left and right. With this device, the object is simply to mount the tricycle on a four-wheel vehicle, and reduction of space is not taken into consideration. Therefore, a large space for exclusive use is required in the compartment of the four-wheel vehicle, and it is not easy to mount the folded tricycle onto the four-wheel vehicle.

Mounting structure for mounting foldable two-wheel vehicle on four-wheel vehicle


After a lower silicon oxide film is formed on a silicon region, a silicon film is formed on the lower silicon oxide film by, for example, a thermal CVD method. Subsequently, the silicon film is completely nitrided by a plasma nitriding method to be replaced by a silicon nitride film. Subsequently, a surface layer of the silicon nitride film is oxidized by a plasma oxidizing method to be replaced by an upper silicon oxide film. An ONO film as a multilayered insulating film composed of the lower silicon oxide film, the silicon nitride film, and the upper silicon oxide film is formed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a gate insulation film or a dielectric film including a nitrided film, and a semiconductor memory device capable of holding information by storing electric charges in the nitrided film.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, an ON film composed of a silicon nitride film formed on a silicon oxide film, and an ONO film composed of a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, and a silicon oxide film formed in this order are used for a memory cell of a semiconductor memory device.
A multilayered insulating film such as the ON film, the ONO film, or the like (hereinafter often referred to as simply a multilayered insulating film) is used as a capacity insulation film with high permittivity and low leakage current in a floating gate type nonvolatile semiconductor memory (hereinafter simply referred to as a floating gate type memory) having an island-shaped floating gate, that is a charge-storage portion, with respect to each memory cell. The multilayered insulating film is used as a gate insulation film of the charge-storage portion in a SONOS type or an MNOS type nonvolatile semiconductor memory (hereinafter simply referred to as a SONOS type (an MNOS type) memory) having the silicon nitride film as the charge-storage portion thereof.
Recently, a tendency toward a demand for miniaturization and high performance of a semiconductor memory has been further increasing, and accordingly, the following serious problems regarding formation of the multilayered insulating film have been raised.
-Influence of Generation of Hydrogen-
A lower silicon oxide film which is on a bottom layer of the ONO film and the ON film in the SONOS type memory, the MNOS type memory, or the like functions as a tunnel oxide film, and extremely high reliability is required. Therefore, generally, it is formed by thermal oxidation of a silicon surface under a temperature condition of 1000° C. or above in dry oxidation, and under a temperature condition of 800° C. or above in wet oxidation.
Subsequently, the silicon nitride film to be the charge-storage portion is formed on the lower silicon oxide film. It is deposited by a thermal CVD method using ammonia and silane as raw material gases. In addition to that high uniformity is required, a temperature condition is set as high as from 700° C. to 900° C. based on the following reasons.
Here, concerning the SONOS type memory, FIG. 36 shows a result of a study in a relationship between a deposition temperature of the silicon nitride film and a threshold value (Vt) shift caused by leaving the silicon nitride film under a high temperature condition. This characteristic chart tells that the higher the deposition temperature of the silicon nitride film is, the lower the amount of Vt shift is, so as to generate a better result. It is inferred that this may be caused by the following reasons.
When the silicon nitride film is formed, a large amount of hydrogen is generated from a raw material gas, and passes into the lower silicon oxide film at the same time with deposition of the silicon nitride film. Simultaneously, the large amount of hydrogen is entrapped also in the silicon nitride film. Here, when the ONO film is formed as the multilayered insulating film, an upper silicon oxide film is formed by further thermal oxidation of a surface of the silicon nitride film. However, since heat treatment with a high temperature and long hours is required, the hydrogen entrapped in the silicon nitride film is diffused and passes into the lower silicon oxide film. It is clear that the passing of the hydrogen into the lower silicon oxide film causes deterioration of a film quality of the lower silicon oxide film.
When the deposition temperature of the silicon nitride film is high, the amount of the hydrogen entrapped in the silicon nitride film decreases. Furthermore, the amount of passing of the hydrogen into the lower silicon oxide film by diffusion is lowered in a later process, which is thought to lower the amount of the Vt shift. Accordingly, the silicon nitride film is required to be formed as high temperature as possible in order to improve the film quality of the lower silicon oxide film by controlling generation of the hydrogen and to obtain the good Vt shift.
The same thing can be said to the floating gate type memory. Since high temperature is required for forming the multilayered insulating film, the hydrogen reaches the lower silicon oxide film through the floating gate, resulting in deterioration of quality of the lower silicon oxide film as the tunnel oxide film.
-Influence of Processing at High Temperature-
As described above, a temperature condition at a high temperature is required when the multilayered insulating film which includes the silicon nitride film functioning as a charge-storage film or a dielectric film is formed, which prevents miniaturization of an element as described below.
In the memory having the multilayered insulating film, when an element isolation structure is formed by, for example, a LOCOS method or an STI (Shallow Trench Isolation) method, the multilayered insulating film is formed after a well is formed by introducing impurities on a substrate. However, the impurities of the well are thermally diffused by the aforementioned processing at high temperature, resulting in difficulty in miniaturization of the element.
Especially, in a memory having sources/drains also serving as embedded bit lines, when the sources/drains are formed after the multilayered insulating film is formed in order to prevent thermal diffusion of the impurities caused by the processing at high temperature, a defect occurs in the multilayered insulating film by ion implantations of the impurities, causing such a problem as increase in leakage current or decrease in reliability.
As described above, even if the multilayered insulating film such as the ON film, the ONO film, or the like is formed by the thermal CVD method or a thermal oxidation method in order to attempt further miniaturization and high performance of the semiconductor memory, the processing at high temperature is required, thereby preventing miniaturization of the element. This makes a current situation that a semiconductor memory of high performance is difficult to be realized.

Semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device


A container for securing a hand gun and ammunition in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, the container being foam lined and having preformed contour receptacles for accommodating a particular style of hand gun and ammunition associated therewith, the container having a securable lid and further having a hinged flap along a lower edge for insertion between the passenger seat and passenger seat back rest, the hinged flap having a securing means for attachment once so inserted, the container further having hook and loop fasteners secured to the underside for alternatively securing the container to the front passenger floor of the passenger compartment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a container for a hand gun and ammunition and more particular to a container which can be secured within the passenger compartment of a vehicle securing the handgun and ammunition.
2. Background of the Invention
The laws of the various states differ considerably with respect to the possession and carrying of hand guns. In many states it is illegal to carry a hand gun in public unless the individual is a law enforcement officer or has been properly licensed by the appropriate state authority. In many states it is illegal to carry a hand gun unless it is carried openly and overtly so that it can be viewed by other individuals. In still other states it is legal to carry a hand gun in public in a concealed location, such as a shoulder holster under a jacket or a belt holster overlaid by a jacket.
Still further the laws from state to state vary with respect to the carrying of hand guns or any weapons in a vehicle. Some states require all fire arms to be carried in an unloaded condition, and be locked in the trunk of the vehicle. Still other states allow an individual who is properly licensed to carry a hand gun to place the hand gun on the seat of the vehicle or in some other location in the passenger compartment of the vehicle as long as it is in plain sight. Many other states prohibit the carrying of a hand gun in the passenger compartment of the vehicle if the hand gun is positioned in a concealed position such as under the seat, etc.
Applicant's invention is directed to a container which is securable within the passenger compartment of a vehicle and for use by individuals who are properly licensed to carry a hand gun, be they law enforcement individuals or ordinary citizens, which permits the removal of the hand gun from the body holster and the positioning of the hand gun in the container in either a secured or unsecured position so as to provide for a more comfortable operation of the vehicle while at the same time providing the individual with rapid and easy access to the hand gun.
There are patented devices for carrying a hand gun on the individual person, these devices being in the form of pouches or fanny packs as evidenced by U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,355 to Williams and U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,031 to Volpei. Still further there are security assemblies which secure a hand gun in an open accessible position as disclosed by Rassias in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,768,816 and 5,611,164. These security assemblies are particularly designed for mounting of the assembly on the dashboard of a police squad car.
Still further, there are assemblies for securing the hand gun and holster within a vehicle such as that disclosed by Serres in U.S. Pat. No. 4,256,245.
Applicant's invention offers an improvement and advantage over the prior art in that it can be mounted on the passenger seat of the vehicle or the front floor of the vehicle and allows for the easy removal and storage of the hand gun from the individual's holster yet permits easy access to the hand gun if need be.
Still further applicant's invention provides that the gun is in clear sight and not concealed when the individual is in the vehicle, yet permits the individual the option to secure the hand gun in a concealed position within the secured container when the individual leaves the vehicle and wishes to leave the hand gun within the vehicle.


The preferred embodiment of the invention measures the temperature increase of a light-transmitting optical component to determine the optical absorption of the optical component. Accurately determining the optical absorption of light-transmitting optical components advantageously allows for the accurate and efficient selection of light-transmitting optical components for use in an optical system. In one embodiment, an optical absorption tester holds multiple optical components and, for each optical component, the tester includes a temperature sensor placed in contact with the optical component and a reference temperature sensor placed in the vicinity of the optical component.

Light-transmitting optical components, such as prisms, windows, and lenses, are frequently used in optical systems for a laser or other light source. The effect of a light-transmitting optical component on the emergent wavefront represents an important specification for the optical component. Light absorption by the optical component develops internal thermal gradients which are manifested as wavefront distortions. A wavefront distortion is the total, peak-to-peak, deformation in the direction of propagation of the emergent wavefront from its intended shape. Wavefront distortions can cause spherical lensing or other distortions that degrade the overall performance of the optical system.
Accordingly, it is generally desirable to measure the light absorption of optical components to assess their performance prior to being incorporated in an optical system. Measuring optical absorption indirectly by using optical detectors such as photodiodes or photomultipliers represents one well known method of measuring the absorption of optical components. In particular, this method involves comparing the difference between the intensity of a light beam entering an optical component and the intensity of the light beam exiting the optical component (and accounting for reflection losses which also must be measured) to calculate the absorption of the optical component.
Unfortunately, measurements performed by the above-described method become increasingly difficult as the absolute value of the absorption of the optical component decreases. For example, absorptions may be on the order of 1% or less of the incident light. The above-described method is especially difficult when differences on the order of a fraction of a percent are important, because drift and noise in the optical source and the optical detectors limit the accuracy of the absorption measurements. Further, this method requires deducing the absorption by measuring the difference between two potentially very large numbers (i.e., the intensity of a light beam entering the optical component and the intensity of the light beam exiting the optical component). Moreover, this method requires several expensive optical sensors which must be placed in a spread-out arrangement for each optical component to be tested.
What is needed is a better structure and technique for measuring optical absorption so that light-transmitting optical components are selected efficiently and accurately for use in a particular optical system.

Absorption tester for optical components


A flexible, substantially non-stretchable, imprintable tape which includes lines of weakness constituting tear lines defining in outline a longitudinal series of identification bracelets. Each bracelet has a generally rectangular imprintable portion, an elongated strap portion at one end of the imprintable portion, and a stubby strap portion at an opposite end of the imprintable portion. The imprintable portion has a width equal to the width of the tape and the elongated and stubby portions each have a width less than that of the tape. The elongated strap portion has a longitudinal edge aligned with one of the side edges of the tape and an opposite longitudinal edge defined by one of the lines of weakness. The stubby strap portion has a longitudinal edge aligned with an opposite side edge of the tape relative to the elongated strap portion and an opposite longitudinal edge defined by another one of the lines of weakness.

The invention relates generally to bracelets. More particularly, the invention relates to a tape of bracelets with tear lines defining the bracelets.
There is a great need for identification bracelets that can be used in various environments, such as sports events, hospitals, music concerts and the like. Over the years, many types of identification bracelets have been developed for these purposes. However, such bracelets have comfort issues relating to their use. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,843 discloses a roll of bracelets arranged end-to-end along a tape of uniform width. However, the roll is shaped such that mating one end of the bracelet to the other can result in discomfort to the wearer. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,426 discloses a bracelet of uniform width along the length of the entire bracelet. However, while the width is useful in the central area to accommodate the placement of information, the width of the bracelet is likely to cause discomfort to the wearer. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,637 discloses a roll of bracelets arranged end-to-end along a tape of uniform width. However, the shape of the bracelets of the roll is likely to cause discomfort to the wearer.
Accordingly, there is a need for a bracelet that provides the wearer with a comfortable fit. There is a further need for a roll of bracelets that are shaped to provide a comfortable fit. There is an additional need to provide a roll of bracelets shaped to minimize the amount of the roll that is wasted. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other related advantages.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Imprintable tape with tear lines defining identification bracelets


A computer system includes a first on-chip controller and a second on-chip controller, both connected to a control element. In normal operation, the first and second on-chip controllers operate in different clock domains. During testing, the control element causes each on-chip controller to generate a substantially similar clock signal. The substantially similar clock signals are used to test substantially similar test circuitry connected to each on-chip controller, thereby reducing overhead associated with testing. A delay may be incorporated into the path of the clock signal of one of the on-chip controllers to reduce instantaneous power draw during testing.

On-chip-clock controllers are used in scan based designs to provide scan shift and capture clocks during scan testing. Generally, each clock domain has a separate on-chip controller. Where circuit functionality is essentially identical, testing separate clock domains adds overhead and increases the expense of testing by adding to the pattern count.
Consequently, it would be advantageous if an apparatus existed that is suitable for sharing logic across on-chip controllers to perform simultaneous captures.

Integrated clock architecture for improved testing

Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.