Described herein are technologies related to a ensuring that graphics commands and graphics context are offloading and scheduled for consumption as the commands and graphics context are sent from coherent to non-coherent memory/fabric in a “processor to processor” handoff or transaction.

In a computing device, graphics data are typically provided by a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU may be part of a general computing architecture. The CPU may be involved in "processor-to-processor" multi-tasking techniques to process/render graphics. In particular, the CPU communicates and hands graphics data to a graphics processing unit (GPU), and the GPU renders (processes) the graphics data. The hand off between CPU and GPU may make use of semaphores, where semaphores are a variable or abstract type used for controlling access for multiple processes (i.e., multi-tasking).
The CPU may offload or send the graphics data for processing to memory, like dynamic random access memory (DRAM) for example. The hand off between CPU and GPU using semaphores, may rely on the graphics data being produced and consumed from the same memory (i.e., DRAM). The GPU accesses memory (i.e. DRAM) to receive the graphics data. This type of offload graphics command scheduling may involve sending command lists into a non-coherent memory (fabric) through memory mapped (MMIO) access. The non-coherent memory may then use a graphics translation table to translate the MMIO address to a DRAM address. The resulting translated access will be redirected to DRAM using the translated address. The non-coherent memory (fabric) may be considered as a "first space." Coherent memory (fabric) is then used to notify the GPU, or a command scheduling graphics microcontroller of the GPU, that there is new work/graphics data to schedule. The coherent memory (fabric) may be considered as a "second space." Because the new work notification occurs through coherent memory (fabric), and not non-coherent memory (fabric), a method is needed to ensure that the command list has been pushed from non-coherent memory MMIO memory back to DRAM before scheduling the work.
The command list is produced or sent to one space (i.e., non-coherent memory or fabric), but graphics data is consumed by the GPU in another space (coherent memory). Because two different spaces are involved for the command list, when the control is passed from CPU to GPU, the command list is not guaranteed to be visible via the coherent memory (i.e., coherent DRAM).

Ordering mechanism for offload graphics scheduling


A system for using a cutting torch for making accurate curved, straight and beveled cuts. A supporting and guiding device is attached to cutting torches, which may be of various sizes and shapes, and includes an elongated bar having a ring and opposed set screw clamp at one end to receive the torch tip. A member on the elongated bar carries a workpiece engaging knife-edge wheel and supports the lower parallel tube of the torch, this member being removably mounted on and slidable along the bar to desired positions. The height bar above the wheel is adjustable for positioning the burning tip at the correct angle and spacing with respect to the workpiece. The wheel can be positioned with its plane transverse to the bar for making curved or lateral cuts, or parallel to the bar for making longitudinal straight, perpendicular or bevel cuts. A centering pin is slidably positionable on the bar for making long radius cuts. Smaller circular and other cuts are made with the use of a template having grooves in which the centering pin rides, the wheel being retracted during such operation. A method is disclosed using a template having a straight edge and keeping the torch parallel to such edge. Both the attachment and template are made of stainless steel to reduce hot metal adherence.

1. Field of the Invention
This application relates to a CUTTING TORCH SYSTEM, and more particularly to attachments for a cutting torch for enhancing accuracy of curved, straight and beveled cuts.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Currently available cutting torch guides are quite expensive, and the more inexpensive devices are not particularly effective. Various problems observed in prior attachments include hot steel particles sticking to the tool and interfering with various adjustments thereof; the common requirement for separate, special tools to operate the adjustments; inability of the attachments to fit the wide variety of cutting torches available on the market; interference of the attachment with the operation of the torch when the attachment is not being used; and inability of the same devices to cut circles and curves of various radii, ranging from very small circles to very large curves. Typical of the prior art are the following patents:
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Inventor ______________________________________ 1,495,994 Farmer 2,170,305 Ingwersen 2,743,101 Clark 2,852,245 Lamb 3,139,471 Root 3,170,015 Ziebart 3,514,087 Richards 3,804,391 Case ______________________________________
The cutting torch attachment of the present invention includes features of advantage and operates in modes not contemplated by the prior art.


The present invention provides several novel diffraction limited microlens configurations which are especially valuable for use in conjunction with laser diodes, and optical fibers. Collimators, circularizers and focusers (couplers) are provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to microlenses, and more particularly to microlenses for use with laser diodes and integrated optics.
2. Description of Related Art
The related art is described in the section of the same name in each of the above-referenced applications of which this application is a CIP.


A cotton molecular breeding method includes (1) obtaining a chr.7 single QTL segment substitution line with high fiber strength, and (2) using the obtained chr.7 single QTL segment substitution line as a non-recurrent parent () to cross with a recurrent parent (♀) to obtain an F1 generation. Then (3) the F1 generation is back-crossed with the recurrent parent to obtain a BC1F1 generation, and (4) plants of the BC1F1 generation are screened for plants carrying the chr.7 single QTL segment, and then the screened plants are back-crossed with the recurrent parent for 2-4 times to obtain a BCnF1 generation. The method also includes (5) screening plants of the BCnF1 generation for plants carrying the chr.7 single QTL segment, and selfing the screened plants for 1-3 times to obtain a bred line BCnFm having the high cotton fiber strength.

Cotton is an important economic crop and is a main raw material in textile industry. For a long period, yield and quality of cotton fiber have always been two important goals of cotton breeding improvement. Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) accounts for about 90% of the world's current total cotton production due to its high yield and wide adaptability (Zhang et al. 2015: Sequencing of allotetraploid cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. acc. TM-1) provides a resource for fiber improvement. Nat Biotechnol 33:531-537). However, since the fiber quality of the upland cotton is still not ideal enough to meet the requirements of rapid development of modern textile technology, while the genome of Sea-Island cotton (G. barbadense L) contains excellent fiber genes (Liu et al. 2015: Gossypium barbadense genome sequence provides insight into the evolution of extra-long staple fiber and specialized metabolites. Sci Rep 5:14139; Wang et al. 2013: Genetic dissection of the introgressive genomic components from Gossypium barbadense L. that contribute to improved fiber quality in Gossypium hirsutum L. Molecular Breeding 32:547-562; Yuan et al. 2015: The genome sequence of Sea-Island cotton (Gossypium barbadense) provides insights into the allopolyploidization and development of superior spinnable fibres. Sci Rep 5:17662), it has always been a goal pursued by breeders how to introduce the excellent genes into the upland cotton which has high yield and wide adaptability, to improve the fiber quality of the upland cotton. However, due to reproductive isolation existed in interspecific crossing or severe segregation distortion in cross offspring, it is very difficult to directly use these excellent genetic resources for breeding, which is also an important reason why the improvement of upland cotton fiber quality has always been stagnant.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to improve cotton molecular breeding methods to address these and other drawbacks in the known art.

Molecular breeding method for improving cotton fiber strength by using chr.7 single QTL segment substitution line

Cotton Research Center of Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences


This invention relates to highly toughened alumina sintered bodies, and the highly toughened alumina sintered bodies are fabricated by sintering an .alpha.-aluminum oxide powder which is obtained by employing an aluminum hydroxide produced by the Bayer's process as a starting material, and calcining at 900-1200.degree. C. a mixture obtained by adding abrasion powder worn from pulverizing alumina balls or another product to the material, in an amount of 0.01-20 mass % as seed crystals for .alpha.-aluminum oxide.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to highly toughened alumina sintered bodies and to a manufacturing method therefor, and more particularly to a novel method for manufacturing alumina sintered bodies in which abrasion powder and other byproducts worn from grinding media always brought about as contamination during the pulverization or grinding of starting powders are efficiently utilized, which allows the same low-temperature sintering as that achieved with highpurity, readily sinterable aluminum oxide powders to be applied to .alpha.-aluminum oxide powders fabricated using inexpensive aluminum hydroxide produced by the Bayer's process as a starting material, and which makes it possible to obtain alumina sintered bodies with high strength and fracture toughness; and relates to highly toughened alumina sintered bodies thus obtained.
The highly toughened alumina sintered bodies of the present invention can be used as a structural material or substrate material with high mechanical strength and reliability requirements.
2. Description of the Background
The following are examples of reports describing conventional alumina sintered bodies.
These examples include techniques in which several percent of silicon oxide, magnesium oxide, or other glass-forming compounds are added to an .alpha.-aluminum oxide powder fabricated by heating and pyrolyzing an aluminum hydroxide produced by the Bayer's process as a starting material, and sintered bodies are fabricated using a liquid phase formed at a high temperature; and techniques in which the aforementioned powder is pulverized into a fine powder, and solid-phase sintering is then performed without any additions or with an addition of a small amount of magnesium oxide (T. Furubayashi, K. Yamada, "New Technologies for Advanced Materials: Development, Manufacture, Assessment"; Edited by G. Adachi, K. Shibayama, and T. Minami, Kagaku Dojin Publishing House, Tokyo, 1981, pp. 35-59).
It has also been reported that highly toughened alumina sintered bodies can be obtained by low-temperature sintering through the use of a high-purity .alpha.-aluminum oxide powder fabricated without the use of the Bayer's process (S. Kato, T. Iga, "Effect of Crystallinity of NH.sub.4 AlO(OH)HCO.sub.3 Matrix Salt on Sinterability of .alpha.-Alumina," Yogyo Kyokaishi, 85 (6) 253-257, 1977).
Such conventional alumina sintered bodies, however, have a fracture toughness of about 3.5 MPa.multidot.m.sup.1/2. For example, a sintered body fabricated from a conventional high-purity, readily sinterable aluminum oxide powder is a material that has high strength but low fracture toughness (see, for example, R. Morrell, "Handbook of Properties of Technical & Engineering Ceramics. Part 2. Data Reviews. Section 1. High-alumina Ceramics," Her Majesty's Stationery Office. London, 1987; Edited by H. Okuda, T Hirai, and T. Kamijo, "Structural Ceramic Materials," Ohm Publishing Company, Tokyo, 1987; and M. Yasuoka, Manuel E. Brito, K. Hirao, and S. Kanzaki, "Effect of Dispersed Particle Diameter on Mechanical Properties of Alumina Containing Dispersed Non-oxide Particles," J. Ceram. Soc. Jpn., 101 (8), 889-894, 1993).
In addition, highly strengthened, highly toughened zirconia is expensive, has inferior mechanical characteristics due to the effect of low-temperature heating or atmosphere, and cannot be used in a wide variety of applications (see, for example, P. F. Bevher, "Microstructural Design of Toughened Ceramics," J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 74 (2), 255-69, 1991).
An urgent need therefore existed for developing inexpensive structural materials having high strength and high fracture toughness, and for developing alumina sintered bodies in particular.
In view of this situation, the inventors, in the course of a study on alumina sintered bodies, turned their attention to the efficient use of abrasion powder worn from grinding media for starting powders, and research extensively the effects on the properties of such alumina sintered bodies. As a result, the inventors perfected the present invention upon discovering that a structural material with high fracture toughness can be obtained by adding and sintering a prescribed proportion of abrasion powder worn from alumina balls or another product as seed crystals for .alpha.-aluminum oxide.

Highly toughened alumina sintered bodies and their manufacturing process

Japan as represented by Director General of Agency of Industrial Science and Technology


A burner for diluted combustion includes a fuel nozzle for supplying fuel to a combustion chamber, at least one air nozzle for supplying air to the combustion chamber, and at least one oxygen nozzle for supplying oxygen to the combustion chamber. The air nozzle and oxygen nozzle are spatially separated from each other.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for diluted combustion.
Known from prior art are burners with flameless combustion. As described in the information sheet "projektinfo 07/06" of the BINE information service, which is available for download online at
http://www.bmwl.de/BMWi/Redaktion/PDF/B/bine-themeninfo-flammenlose-verbrennung,property=pdf,bereich=bmwi,sprache=de,rwb=true.pdf,
fuel gas and combustion air stream into a combustion chamber at a high flow rate in such burners. The major difference from conventional flame burners is the strong internal recirculation of exhaust gases in the combustion chamber, and their becoming mixed with the combustion air. The resultant diminished oxygen content in the combustion air and delayed mixture of air and fuel gas prevents the formation of a flame front. At high enough temperatures of at least 450° C. to 500° C., the fuel oxidizes in the entire combustion chamber volume. Very homogeneous temperatures set in as a result. The formation of thermal nitrogen oxides (NOx) that takes place predominantly at a flame limit is avoided. The more uniform temperature distribution not only causes the nitrogen oxide emissions to drop, but also allows a higher average combustion chamber temperature to be maintained.
In conventional burners, the combustion processes are most frequently monitored using UV measuring instruments. This is not always possible during flameless operation. As a rule, the useful space temperature is measured instead of measuring the UV signal. If a temperature limit is exceeded, ignition and complete burnout are ensured.
DE 44 00 831 A1 describes a burner with reduced corrosive gases. This burner encompasses a central feed channel for a primary oxygen stream, which is arranged on the center axis of a water-cooled feed channel for a fuel stream, and hence concentrically enveloped by the feed channel. The temperature of the primary oxygen stream is ≦30° C., and the percentage of primary oxygen stream in the stoichiometrically required oxygen quantity is <1%. Also provided is to recirculate combustion exhaust gases so as to ensure flameless combustion. For example, eight primary oxygen nozzles are provided, circularly enveloping the feed channel. Recirculating the combustion exhaust gases is intended to prevent temperature spikes in the flame root, and hence pollutant emissions. As a result, the flame is kept stable at the outlet, and burns at a low flame temperature. The cooling and associated low temperature of ≦30° C. of the primary oxygen stream yields a stable ignition flame with small quantities of primary oxygen, which produces a sufficient UV signal for monitoring the burner.
Known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,961 is an oxygen burner. This burner uses oxygen or oxygen-enriched air. In this burner, a first oxidant containing at least 30% v/v (volume per volume) oxygen is fed to a burner. This oxidant is supplied at a high speed. In addition, a second oxidant is to be supplied, the portion of which measures at least 1% of the total oxygen quantity fed to the combustion chamber. This second oxidant also contains at least 30% v/v oxygen, and is supplied at a low speed. For example, oxygen-enriched air can be generated by mixing pure oxygen and air. A stable flame is to be obtained at an interface between the gases.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,310 describes a burner that operates at a reduced flame temperature. This burner encompasses a central oxygen nozzle, and at least one nozzle for supplying the fuel, which concentrically envelops the oxygen nozzle. Provided radially spaced apart from the oxygen nozzle is at least one additional nozzle, which is designed as a de Laval nozzle. In this burner, the oxygen is supposed to be supplied at a very high rate, in particular to aspirate ambient air having a lower temperature than the flame before the oxygen from the oxygen nozzle reacts with the fuel. Several peripheral oxygen nozzles concentrically arranged around and spaced radially apart from the central oxygen nozzle can also be provided. The percentage of oxygen volume supplied through the peripheral nozzles measures between 60% and 90%, and preferably between 75% and 85% of the overall oxygen quantity fed to the burner. In this way, the majority of the oxygen-containing gas necessary for burning the fuel is supplied via the peripherally arranged oxygen nozzles. These oxygen streams aspirate additional ambient air before the oxygen reacts with the flame. The ambient air has a lower temperature than the flame. The aspiration of ambient air reduces the oxygen content and temperature in the peripheral oxygen streams. This mixture is prepared before it comes into contact with the fuel. This gas mixture consists of oxygen-enriched air, which contains at least 50% oxygen.
EP 0 685 683 A2 describes a burner with low NOx emission. In this burner, it can be provided that the combustion chamber be exposed by an air supply device to so high an air throughput that the combustion exhaust gases exiting the nozzle-like outlet of the combustion chamber become aspirated by the injector action, and are thereby again fed to the combustion air. After a temperature of 600° C. to 800° C. has been exceeded in the heating chamber, the fuel supply is to be switched over to bring this burner into a normal operating state, in which the high outlet pulse in particular of the combustion air from the combustion chamber is retained, largely suppressing the reaction of fuel and air in the area in front of the nozzle outlet into the combustion chamber and shifting it into the heating chamber. This burner can encompass a fuel nozzle enveloped by a coaxial fuel lance, wherein a combustion air feed pipe socket that empties into a combustion chamber is provided, which together with a combustion valve forms an air supply device.
Known from EP 1 355 111 A2 is a burner for flameless combustion. This burner encompasses a reaction chamber, which is fed with a fuel-gas mixture by a burner. The burner encompasses an air supply channel that extends until into an interior space enveloped by the burner head. A fuel pipe extends through the air supply channel until into the interior space. The fuel pipe is centrally arranged in the interior spaces, and hence enveloped by the air supply channel. The burner emits the fuel-air jet transversely to its longitudinal axis. An exhaust gas channel is arranged in or on the burner, concentrically or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the burner. The outlet direction of the burner and exhaust gas channel direction cross each other. In this burner, the fuel is introduced into the furnace chamber parallel or inclined relative to the furnace wall. The burner head is preferably configured in such a way that the fuel-air mixture assumes a high enough speed at the outlet opening to sweep away any flame. This permits a flameless mode of operation, in which the reaction between the fuel and air is distributed over a larger portion of the reaction chamber. In addition, the fuel-air jet aspirates a lot of hot exhaust gas, in particular in proximity to the inlet opening of the exhaust gas channel, and entrains the latter, additionally supporting flameless operation. For example, a recuperator or regenerator can be provided to preheat the fuel, air or fuel-air mixture. This burner is an air burner.

Method and device for diluted combustion


A speech recognition system and method thereof, a vocabulary establishing method and a computer program product are provided. The speech recognition method includes: storing a speech recognition model including speech-units and basic components of acoustic models, wherein each of the speech-units includes at least one state and each state corresponds to one of the basic components of acoustic models; receiving first and second speech signals; obtaining a speech-unit sequence of a native/non-native vocabulary from a speech-analysis and unit-expansion module; recognizing the first speech signal according to the speech recognition model and the speech-unit sequence of the native/non-native vocabulary and further outputting a recognition result; and selecting an optimal component from the basic components of acoustic models according to the speech recognition model, the second speech signal, and the word corresponding to the second speech signal, and further updating the speech-units according to the best basic component of acoustic model.

The conventional speech recognition systems are mostly based on a single language. In the case of multiple-or mixed-language speech recognition, it is common to establish a speech recognition model for a second language (e.g., English) other than a first language (e.g., Chinese) or establish a corresponding relationship between the speech-units of the first language and the speech-units of the second language. Then, the speech recognition model for a single language is adopted to perform the multiple-or mixed-language speech recognition. However, such speech recognition may have some challenges to overcome.
Taking the case of Chinese and English bilingual mixed speech recognition, where Chinese is taken as the native language (i.e., first language) and English is taken as the second language. To train the speech recognition model for speech recognition, it normally requires a significant number of training materials. And the training materials are more easily to collect through recordings of native speakers, i.e., recording the English materials from American people and recording the Chinese materials from Chinese people. However, when training is performed individually for the respective speech recognition models and put the two models together for bilingual mixed speech recognition, either for Chinese's bilingual speech or for American's bilingual speech, the recognition rate is not desirable due to the mismatch accent and can not put the bilingual mixed speech recognition system into practice. Besides, it is difficult to collect and check English materials recorded by the native Chinese speakers due to the pronunciations of the same English word pronounced by different Chinese native speakers may differ significantly. Therefore, through using above poor-quality materials for English speech modeling, it is difficult to come out with a Chinese-accented-English speech recognition system whose performance is as well as the Chinese one, using of the native Chinese speech materials for Chinese speech modeling. Therefore, the resources and efforts required for the multiple-or mixed-language speech recognition are much higher than those required for the single language.
It should be noted that, the native language is the main communication language in local, the frequency of using other languages is normally lower except for the so-called non-native words or foreign words (also referred to as "loan blends"). Moreover, the non-native words or foreign words are updated frequently. Besides, it is noticed that the local users normally speak in local accent. According to the conventional methods for multiple-or mixed-language modeling, a large number of training materials for other languages in local accent are required. For example, the Chinese-accented English materials are required for the modeling of Chinese-accented English speech recognition. However, such materials are not easily to collect.
Therefore, how to establish a speech recognition system capable of recognizing the non-native words, or even providing a speech recognition system for the mixed-lingual in native and non-native languages, without excessively consuming resources, thereby enabling broad applications of such speech recognition system, is certainly an issue for the researchers in this field.

Speech recognition system and method thereof, vocabulary establishing method and computer program product

Industrial Technology Research Institute


The present invention is a differential M phase shift keying optical receiving circuit to improve an identification property of a signal from an optical front-end unit having a plurality of lines. For this, the differential M phase shift keying optical receiving circuit includes: a light-electricity converter for outputting a plurality of electronic signals in which phase-modulated element is intensity modulated from a received optical signal; a data reproduction unit for reproducing a plurality of data signals synchronized with a common clock signal from the plurality of electronic signals output from the light-electricity converter; a clock signal generation unit for generating the common clock signal to be used for reproducing the plurality of data signals in the data reproduction unit with the use of one of the plurality of electronic signals output from the light-electricity converter; and a selection unit for selecting an electronic signal to be used for generating the common clock signal.

1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a differential M phase shift keying optical receiving circuit, more particularly, to a differential M phase shift keying optical receiving circuit suitable to be applied to an optical receiver in an optical communication system.
2) Description of the Related Art
Recently, as the Internet becomes more widely used, demands for wider band of an optical communication network have been increasing. Since the optical communication network is used in core network trains or the like, it should be adapted to a long distance communication and a high-speed communication with a wide band. However, according to conventional methods, it is assumed that there is limitation of possibility of wider bands due to influences of chromatic dispersions of optical fibers and nonlinear effects.
In order to solve this problem, an effort to widen the band by devising optical signal modulation methods not by directly suppressing its physical effects is proposed (for example, see US Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004/0081470). According to this proposal, the method used as an optical signal modulation method is a differential M phase shift keying upon M=2n where n is an integer equal to or more than 2. Further, a method in which the n is set as n=2 (M=4) is called DQPSK (Differential Quadrature Phase Shift Keying) modulation system.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a typical structure of a DQPSK optical receiving circuit 100 of DQPSK modulation system. According to the optical receiving circuit 100 shown in FIG. 15, an optical splitter 101 bifurcates an optical signal modulated by the DQPSK modulation system and a π/4 delay interferometer 102-1 and a −π/4 delay interferometer 102-2 respectively perform a delay interfering process for the optical signal bifurcated by the optical splitter 101. Further, balanced photodiodes 103-1, 103-2 convert the light which is delay interfered in the delay interferometers 102-1, 102-2 into electronic signals (current signals).
A DQPSK signal employs optical phases of π/4, 3π/4, −π/4, and −3π/4 as a relative phase value for a signal of one prior symbol. The π/4 delay interferometer 102-1 and the −π/4 delay interferometer 102-2 relatively give a π/2 differential delay to the optical signal from the optical splitter 101. Accordingly, the balanced photodiode 103-1 of line #1 in which the π/4 delay interferometer 102-1 is provided outputs an electronic signal in which phase changes of π/4 and −3π/4 of the optical signal are converted into intensity change. On the other hand, the balanced photodiode 103-2 of line #2 in which the −π/4 delay interferometer 102-2 is provided outputs an electronic signal in which phase change of −π/4 and 3π/4 of the optical signal (orthogonal component for phase changes of π/4 and −3π/4) are converted into intensity change.
Transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs) 104-1, 104-2 respectively convert the current signals from the balanced photodiodes 103-1, 103-2 into voltage signals. Then, a clock and data recovery (CaDR) unit 105 digitizes the electronic signals from the TIAs 104-1, 104-2 and a multiplex unit (MUX) 106 performs a logical process or the like to restore the original signal.
Here, the CaDR unit 105 includes a clock recovery (CR) 105a for extracting a clock signal from an input signal of line #1 from the TIA 104-l and DFFs (D-FlipFlop) 105b, 105c for outputting, as synchronizing with the clock signal in the clock recovery 105a, digital signals in which levels of the input signals of lines #1, #2 from the TIAs 104-1, 104-2 are identified.
As described above, according to the DQPSK optical receiving circuit 100 shown in FIG. 15, input signals of two lines (line #1, line #2) are input in the CaDR unit 105 and the CaDR unit 105 is configured to extract a common clock from the input signal of line #1 and identifies input signals of lines #1 and #2.
However, according to the DQPSK optical receiving circuit 100 shown in FIG. 15, a clock signal to be extracted is deteriorated when gain property of the optical front-end unit (reference numerals 102-1, 103-1) in line #1 or an error of delay property occurs in delay interferometer 102-1. Accordingly, there is a problem that, even when the gain property and the delay property in the optical front-end unit (reference numerals 102-2, 103-2) in line #2 are normal, identification property of not only the signal of line #1 but also the signal of line #2 may be deteriorated in the digitization unit 105.
Further, when a gain property reduction or an error delay property occurs, as described above, in the optical front-end unit of lines #1, #2, as shown in FIG. 16, a phase shifting t1 (that is, a phase shifting π/2 from phase difference) of the input signals of lines #1, #2 addressed to the digitization unit 105 may occur. This phase shifting corresponds to a relative identifying shift t2 in the digitization unit 105. That is, there is another problem that, regarding the signal of line #1 in which clock C is extracted from a signal of the own line, identification can be implemented at an appropriate identification timing in the DFF 105b; however, regarding the signal of line #2 in which the clock is not extracted from the signal of the own line, an effective identification phase margin in the DFF 105c may be deteriorated.

Differential M phase shift keying optical receiving circuit


An improved lockup control system for a lockup-type torque converter including a lockup clutch performs a lockup releasing control of the lockup clutch with a satisfactory response characteristic at any input torque of the torque converter without causing a lockup releasing shock. The control system includes a controller which is operative when the driving condition of a vehicle as represented by the throttle valve opening and the vehicle speed is judged to belong to a lockup releasing region, to reduce the differential pressure across the lockup clutch for disengaging the lockup clutch and thereby releasing the lockup. On such occasion, in the first place, the differential pressure is set to an initial differential pressure immediately before the lockup clutch begins to slip, depending upon the input torque of the torque converter at the instant of the lockup releasing command. Subsequently, the differential pressure is gradually reduced from the initial differential pressure to become zero after the lapse of a predetermined time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a torque converter used for an automatic transmission or the like. More particularly, it pertains to a lockup control system which properly performs a lockup releasing control when effecting changeover from a lockup mode in which input and output elements of the torque converter are directly coupled to each other, to a converter mode in which the direct coupling between the input and output elements is released.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, automatic transmission inclusive of continuously variable transmission comprises a torque converter on its input side, to achieve torque multiplication or absorb torque fluctuation. As generally known in the art, ordinary torque converter suffers from a low power transmission efficiency because power is transmitted from the input element to the output element via a working fluid in the converter. Thus, it is a recent trend to employ a lockup-type torque converter comprising a lockup clutch which is capable of directly coupling the input and output elements when torque multiplication function and/or torque fluctuation absorption function are not required.
The above-mentioned lockup clutch for directly coupling the input and output elements is engaged by a differential pressure across the clutch, and disengaged to release the direct coupling or lockup as the differential pressure is reduced. In order to minimize a shock upon releasing the lockup, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2-35,266 discloses a technology wherein the differential pressure across the lockup clutch is reduced at a predetermined variation rate depending upon a selected speed range of the automatic transmission.
With such a conventional lockup releasing technology, however, not only does the operation give somewhat unnatural feel in that the time required for the lockup releasing becomes different depending upon the speed range of the transmission, but also there arises a problem as follows. That is to say, when achieving a lockup state by engaging the lockup clutch and thereby directly coupling the input and output elements to each other, it has been a conventional practice from the viewpoint of facilitating the control to maximize the differential pressure across the lockup clutch, without performing a pressure control. This means that, for releasing the lockup, the differential pressure has to be gradually reduced at the above-mentioned predetermined variation rate from the maximum differential pressure. In this instance, the reduction of the differential pressure at the predetermined rate is performed even in a pressure rage from the maximum differential pressure to a certain pressure level which is not relevant to the lockup releasing shock, thereby unnecessarily prolonging the time required for releasing the lockup.
In view of such a problem, there has been proposed an improved lockup releasing control technology which is actually employed in A32-type passenger cars manufactured and sold as from 1994 under the trade name "Nissan Maxima" by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., the assignee of this application, and which will be explained below with reference to FIG. 9. This technology is featured by a unique reduction control of the differential pressure P.sub.A -P.sub.R between the torque converter apply pressure P.sub.A and a torque converter release pressure P.sub.R on opposite sides of the lockup clutch. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 9, the differential pressure P.sub.A -P.sub.R is instantaneously reduced at the instant t.sub.1 of the lockup releasing command from the maximum differential pressure to a certain initial differential pressure .DELTA.P.sub.0 which is not relevant to the lockup releasing shock, and is then gradually reduced at a constant variation rate to the minimum differential pressure. With such a reduction control, the lockup clutch is disengaged and the lockup is released at the instant t.sub.2 when the differential pressure P.sub.A -P.sub.R becomes zero, and the control is completed at the instant t.sub.3 when the differential pressure P.sub.A -P.sub.R reaches the minimum differential pressure.
The above-mentioned lockup releasing control technology which is actually employed in "Nissan Maxima" proved to be highly advantageous for shortening the time required for releasing the lockup, though it would be still desirous to further improve the technology by refining the control function.

Lockup control system for torque converter


A connecting device for detachably connecting electrical connections, for example between a rechargeable battery and an electrical power tool or a rechargeable battery and a charging device. The connecting device includes a carrier unit and at least one receptacle connectable to the carrier unit. A receptacle as part of and for connection to a connecting device. A carrier unit as part of a connecting device and for accommodating at least one receptacle.

Electrical power tools and rechargeable batteries may be connected to each other with the aid of an electrical connecting device. Frequently it is a detachable connection. The power tool includes electrical contacts for this purpose (also called plugs), which are inserted into correspondingly designed receptacles on the rechargeable battery when the rechargeable battery is connected to the power tool. However, it is also possible for the power tool to include the receptacles and the rechargeable battery to include the electrical contacts.
Moreover, charging devices having rechargeable batteries are also connected to each other with the aid of an electrical connecting device. The charging device includes electrical contacts, which are inserted into correspondingly designed receptacles on the rechargeable battery when the rechargeable battery is connected to the power tool. However, it is also possible for the charging device to include the receptacles and the rechargeable battery to include the electrical contacts.
Due to the ever greater capacities of rechargeable batteries and the associated increase in the available current able to flow between the rechargeable battery and the power tool, conventional electrical connecting devices, as well as their contacts and receptacles, are reaching their physical limits. Damage to the connecting devices as well as their contacts and receptacles may thus occur. This problem is frequently solved by correspondingly increasing the dimensions of the contacts and receptacles. Alternatively, the current made available by the high capacity rechargeable battery is restricted to prevent possible damage from occurring in the first place. These existing approaches have the disadvantage that they are too big, too expensive and/or too complex to manufacture. By restricting the current, in turn, the full capacity of the power tool or the charging device is not made available to the user.
Another problem with conventional connecting devices is that they are ordinarily not able to be adapted modularly/flexibly to the corresponding capacity or maximum current of the rechargeable battery. Both the manufacture and the provision of a wide range of connecting devices, adapted to the particular capacity or maximum current of the particular rechargeable battery to be used, involve high costs as well as a great deal of management effort.


The present invention provides an impact sensor which has neither electrical contacts exposed to an atmosphere nor any movable components, which is durable and highly reliable, and which is able to safely sense a vehicle impact even if loaded in a vehicle for a considerable period of time. The impact sensor comprises a piezoelectric element (3, 13) for generating a voltage of a magnitude in accordance with a pressure, a pair of electrodes (1c, 1d, 11c, 14) disposed to sandwich the piezoelectric element, an inertial mass (6,16) adapted to apply a pressure to either one of the electrodes, and a biasing member (7, 17) for biasing the inertial mass (6, 16) toward the piezoelectric element (3, 13). When the inertial mass (6, 16) is subject to an impact, the inertial mass (6, 16) is biased to apply to the piezoelectric element (3, 13) a pressure of a level in accordance with the magnitude of the impact. The piezoelectric element (3, 13) then provides a voltage of a magnitude in accordance with the pressure applied thereto.

In order to protect a vehicle occupant from impact, use of a vehicle airbag has recently been increased.
Such an airbag is inflated instantaneously when a vehicle collision is detected, and its operation depends mainly on the performance of an impact sensor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,091 discloses an acceleration sensor designed to detect a substantial change in the speed of a motor vehicle in the event, for instance, of a vehicle collision and comprises a cylindrical body formed of an electrically conductive material, a magnetic inertial mass mounted for axial movement within the cylindrical body, an electrically conductive element attached to at least one axial end of the magnetic inertial mass, a pair of electrical terminals mounted to one axial end of the cylindrical body and electrically bridged upon contact with the electrically conductive element of the magnetic inertial mass, and a magnetic biasing body mounted to the other end of the cylindrical body and adapted to magnetically bias the magnetic inertial mass.
With this acceleration sensor, the magnetic inertial mass is magnetically biased toward the magnetic biasing body. When the acceleration sensor is subject to no or little accelerating force, the magnetic inertial mass is fixed in place at the other end of the cylindrical body.
When the acceleration of sufficient magnitude is applied, the magnetic inertial mass is displaced against the biasing force of the magnetic biasing body. At this time, an electric current is induced in the cylindrical body to provide a magnetic force to return the magnetic inertial mass or to retard the displacement of the magnetic inertial mass. This results in a descease in the speed of the magnetic inertial mass.
When the acceleration input is less than a predetermined (threshold) level, the magnetic inertial mass does not reach the one end of the cylindrical body and then returned to the other end of the cylindrical body from any other position short of the one end of the cylindrical body by a biasing force of the magnetic biasing body.
When the acceleration input is greater than a predetermined (threshold) level (for example, a vehicle incorporating this acceleration sensor is crashed), the magnetic inertial mass reaches the one end of the cylindrical body. The electrically conductive element or end surface of the magnetic inertial mass is then brought into contact with the both terminals to electrically bridge the two terminals. If a voltage has previously been applied between the two terminals, an electric current flows between the terminals when the two terminals are short-circuited. This electric current shows a vehicle collision.
In the sensor of U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,091, the magnetic inertial mass is advanced to a full extent so as to contact a pair of electrodes. This electrically bridges the two electrodes. In order for the sensor to properly operate for a prolonged period of time, the inner suface of the cylindrical body within which the magnetic inertial mass is slidably moved must be totally flat and free of friction and corrosion. Additionally, the ends of the electrodes and the magnetic inertial mass must be totally free of rust or corrosion. Therefore, the cylindrical body should be made of a material which provides high resistance to corrosion, and its inner surface should also be finely abraded. This results in a substantial increase in the production cost. Also, the electrodes should be plated with gold so as to fully prevent corrosion. This further increases manufacturing costs.


A precision oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) uses an adjustment feedback signal that, when mixed with a reference signal from a stable reference oscillator, accurately controls the generation of an output signal from a voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO). An OCXO according to the invention has high stability and high accuracy. The digital OXCO can be manufactured at low cost, and is particularly beneficial for Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) base station applications in cellular communication networks an the like.

The invention relates generally to oscillators and, more particularly, to oven-controlled or xe2x80x9covenizedxe2x80x9d quartz crystal oscillators or OCXOs.
Oscillators are used to generate frequencies for applications varying from relatively unsophisticated applications for wristwatches and the like, to such extremely sophisticated applications as timing systems for space navigational systems. Most commonly, quartz crystals composed of SiO2 are used in oscillators, although certain highly accurate frequency standards can be configured using an atomic reference source, such as cesium or rubidium.
Precision OCXOs, that are both stable and accurate, are highly desirable for use in many applications. Currently, for example, both stable and accurate OCXOs are sought for use in the design of base stations for cellular, PCS (personal communication system), and wireless local loop (WLL) systems that connect subscribers to a public switched telephone network. OCXOs can be used successfully, for instance, in the transmit and receive functions or in the clocks of CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) base stations.
The stability of a crystal is rated according to the extent to which the crystal""s inherent instabilities can be compensated. Significant contributors to the assessment of stability are the degree to which the frequency of the crystal changes with temperature, and the degree to which the frequency changes over the long-term, i.e., the aging characteristic of the crystal. Typically, the accuracy per year of OXCO is on the order 1xc3x9710xe2x88x928, and desired stability over a wide range of environmental conditions is better than 1xc3x9710xe2x88x9210. These conditions include operating temperature, humidity, supply voltage variations, repeatability, frequency-setting ability, and frequency drift over long periods of time. (Frequency xe2x80x9cdriftxe2x80x9d is distinguishable from xe2x80x9caging,xe2x80x9d insofar as the aging characteristic of a crystal is defined with reference to internal changes in oscillator when external factors, such as the environment or the power supply voltage, are constant.)
In an OCXO, the crystal and associated components, the latter of which might also be sensitive to temperature, are enclosed in an oven with a stable temperature. The temperature is kept constant by adjusting the amount of power supplied to the oven whenever the ambient temperature in the oven begins to change. The oven temperature selected is one at which the slope of the frequency vs. temperature curve for the crystal is zero. The oven thus minimizes the degree to which the frequency of the oscillator will vary with variations in temperature.
The realization of an OCXO typically requires (1) a reference element (e.g., a quartz crystal); (2) associated circuitry for frequency generation or synthesis; (3) a frequency tuning element or elements; (4) a thermal control system for the oven; and (5) an output buffer amplifier so that the signal output of the OCXO can be utilized.
In order to achieve an OCXO with a desired accuracy and stability, the precision of the reference element has always been of great significance. Unfortunately, the requirement for a precise reference element has limited the yield of crystal production and has kept the cost of creating OCXOs high. This is because the precision of the frequency of a crystal is affected by a great number of factors in the manufacturing process, such as the thickness of the cut of the crystal wafer, the angle of the cut, and imperfections or scratches on the crystal. The oscillator circuitry sensitivity to the frequency of the reference element likewise has contributed to manufacturing obstacles to large-scale and cost-effective OCXO production. Typical frequency-tuning components, such as inductors, capacitors and varactor diodes, are sensitive to environmental conditions, such as temperature, and repeatability and tolerance drift of these components over time must be taken into account in a typical OCXO design. The thermal control system for the oven had to be capable of achieving very accurate temperature settings adjusted for the characteristics of the particular reference element used.
Accordingly, those concerned with the design and manufacture of OCXO""s have long recognized the need for an OCXO which can manufactured with good yields in fairly large quantities and for reasonable cost. The present invention fulfills this need.
Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides an oscillator and method for realizing an oscillator that is a precision oscillator with desirable accuracy and stability over a wide range of environmental conditions, even while using a reference element with a frequency that is not as precise as has been necessary in the past. According to the present invention, an accurate and stable (better than 1xc3x9710xe2x88x9210/day) OCXO can be implemented using a reference element cut from a quartz bar to a thickness corresponding to, for example, 5.0033 or 5.0049 MHz (as opposed to, for example to 5.0000 MHz), and which has been manufactured without an especially precise cutting angle as otherwise would be required to achieve precise operating temperature characteristics. The OCXO according to the invention also is not dependent on reactive components, such as capacitors and the like, to tune and set the desired output frequency. Thus, by eliminating the necessity for cost-driving features normally associated with the manufacture of a precise reference element, the present invention results in a very precise OCXO that is reproducible and relatively easy to manufacture at reasonable cost.
The design of the OCXO according to the invention provides a stable reference source that is not wholly dependent on the precision of the reference element. More particularly, and by way of example and not necessarily by way of limitation, the present invention provides an OCXO characterized by a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCXO) which is configured to provide a desired predetermined output frequency, for example, 15 MHz. The VCXO frequency also is used by a high resolution frequency synthesizer to generate a VCXO adjustment frequency which, when added to the VCXO output frequency, will correspond to the frequency of the reference element or a multiple thereof. The sum of the adjustment frequency and the VCXO output frequency is then mixed with the reference frequency, or a multiple thereof, to create a substantially zero-beat feedback signal that is introduced into a phase-locked loop including the VCXO. The feedback signal thus locks the VCXO to the desired frequency. The high resolution frequency synthesizer thus insures that the VCXO output frequency is maintained as stable as the frequency of the reference element, but the accuracy of the output of the VCXO nevertheless will not be dependent on the precision of the reference element.
In a presently preferred embodiment, the VCXO adjustment frequency, is generated from the VCXO frequency using a direct digital synthesizer or DDS. In a DDS, adding circuitry or a phase accumulator is used to accumulate phase at a rate dependent upon the value of the frequency selected. The phase value is used to address some type of read-only memory (ROM), which stores discrete values of the sine function. The digital output of the read-only memory is converted to a sine wave by a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter. The sine wave is then low-pass filtered to remove such elements as the clock frequency and glitches due to the D/A conversion. However, it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other techniques for high resolution synthesis of a VCXO adjustment frequency from the VCXO frequency are possible using any method known in the art.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the VCXO RF output frequency (e.g., 15 MHz) is first applied to a buffer amplifier, and the output signal from the buffer amplifier is applied simultaneously (1) to another amplifier which precedes the input of the DDS, and (2) to a first mixer. The DDS synthesizes a signal, which has been predetermined to serve as an adjustment frequency for the VCXO. A divider preferably is used to divide down the signal from the DDS (e.g., to 10 kHz). The output of the divider is input to a first mixer, together with the VCXO output frequency. The mixer sums the two signals that are input to it (e.g., 15 MHz+10 kHz=15.01 MHz). The result of the first mixer then is input into a second mixer. The other input to the second mixer is the reference element frequency (e.g., 5.0033 MHz). The second mixer functions to multiply the reference element frequency by three and then subtract the result from the result of the first mixer (e.g., (3)(5.0033)xe2x88x9215.01=15.0099xe2x88x9215.01=0.0001). This substantially zero-beat signal from the second mixer is used to lock the VCXO, via a phase-locked loop, to maintain the VCXO output frequency. Given that the frequency of the VCXO output frequency is adjustable via the feedback signal derived from the high resolution DDS, the precision of the frequency of the reference element is not as critical to the stability of the oscillator as it would otherwise have been in prior art OCXO designs.
In some preferred embodiments of the invention, a microprocessor may be provided to generate various control signals for, e.g., the DDS to accomplish fine and coarse adjustments of the adjustable VCXO output frequency signals. For example, the OCXO may include an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter for generating electronic frequency control (EFC) signals. These EFC signals may be provided to the DDS for adjustment of the adjustable VCXO output frequency signals. Alternatively, a digital interface port may be provided to permit digital system interface controls to the DDS for frequency adjustment.
In other preferred embodiments, a temperature sensor preferably may be included for generating temperature control signals or signals to adjust the synthesizer frequency to accommodate the effect of temperature variations on frequency. The oven structure preferably might one with a thermal gain greater than 100,000, such as can be accomplished by using a zero-temperature gradient outer oven surrounding an inner oven.
Hence, the present invention satisfies a long-existing need for an oscillator with high stability and accuracy, which can be manufactured at reasonable cost with high yields.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following, more detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Precision oven-controlled crystal oscillator


A computer implemented method and system for ordering food that creates a cloud-based central account. The method uses computer instructions to create and store a user account and restaurant accounts in the central account. A dynamic library of restaurant information is connected to the user account, the restaurant account and the central account. A menu ordering software application is accessed by a client device processor. Computer instructions create an order and a code indicating the order price and menu items, prompt the restaurant to create the menu items in the order, and tell the client device processor when the order is ready for pick up.

A need exists for a mobile application that allows consumers to place more accurate orders within restaurants, including payment for those orders, without the need to stand in line, speak to a receptionist, or even speak the local language found in the area that the restaurant is located.
A need exists for a mobile application that allows consumers to transfer money from their selected financial account to another, such as a non-profit organization, a homeless person, or their own child away at college, allowing the consumer to find comfort in the knowledge that their financial transfer will only be used on food or other necessities offered through the application.
The present embodiments meet these needs.
The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.

Computer implemented method and system for ordering food from a restaurant


The present invention relates to a system and method for dynamically controlling odor emission. The system comprises an odor measurement tool, a weather condition measurement tool, a processing module and a controller. The odor measurement tool is adapted to measure an odor level. The weather condition measurement tool is adapted to measure at least one weather condition. The processing module is adapted to calculate an odor emission threshold based on the measured odor level, the at least one weather condition, an atmospheric dispersion model and a predetermined remote odor level threshold. The controller is adapted to control the odor emission below the odor emission threshold.

Nowadays, as global population density increases, residential properties encroach closer and closer to land that is in close proximity of agricultural and industrial enterprises. Some of those enterprises are well known for producing unpleasant odor emissions. In some instances, the unpleasant odor emissions produced by those enterprises corresponds to pollutants released in the surrounding environment. Therefore, various groups such as local residents, environmental groups and governments have been pressuring enterprises to lower their emissions of pollutants for health reasons, and of odor emission for comfort reasons.
So far, various systems that lower odor emissions have been developed. However, even with governmental grants, enterprises find them costly to purchase and to maintain. Most systems use chemicals or energy that reduces odor level in an emission. Often, for better results, the systems can be used in combination with other systems, however all systems require maintenance and replenishing, thus the more it is used the costlier it is for the enterprise.

System and method for dynamically controlling odor emission


An adjustable arm load mechanism for an automotive windshield wiper is provided in which a load-adjusting linkage assembly is provided between the pivot shaft of the windshield wiper assembly and the wiper arm. The linkage assembly includes a cam member operative with a lever to effect variation of the spring load imposed upon the wiper arm in response to reversing reciprocal rotative movement of the pivot shaft so that wiper arm load is reduced at its extreme positions and increased in its intermediate positions.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to devices for controlling the load imposed by a windshield wiper to the windshield of an automotive vehicle, and more specifically to a mechanism for adjusting such load responsive to reciprocal rotative movement of the windshield wiper driving shaft.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The problems and technical considerations considered in the setting of the forced to be imposed by the wiper arm and a windshield wiper mechanism of an automobile to urge the wiper against the windshield are well appreciated in the prior art. On the one hand, sufficient loading of the wiper is needed to overcome the lifting of the wipers from the windshield surface at high vehicle speeds, while on the other hand providing sufficient load to overcome the tendency of blades to lift the high speed may result in sticking and shattering of the blades under load speed operation where the lift is not present to counterbalance the loading force imposed at assembly.
A variety of approaches have been used in the automotive industry to effect loading of the wiper arm and hence the wiper blade in the direction of the windshield. One of the most common schemes involves the use of an extension spring grounded at one end on the wiper arm and at the other end on wiper structure through which the wiper arm is rotated. To make the force of this spring adjustable in response to the diverse loading requirements referred to above, the industry has made a number of attempts at devising suitable mechanisms exemplary of such attempts as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,872 to Watanabe. Such devices have been found to be unsuitably heavy and expensive to manufacture, and the Watanabe device in particular requires subjected evaluation of the load by the operator of the vehicle and actuation of the switch mechanism to effect change in load.

Wiper system including an adjustable arm load mechanism


An electronic musical instrument having an automatic performance device includes a memory storing in addition to automatic performance data, envelope control data for controlling envelopes of automatic performance tones to be generated. The envelope control data has two logical values and is used for controlling the envelope of the tone at the decaying portion. The value "0" designates a gradual decay and the value "1" designates a quick decay. The automatic performance tones are respectively imparted with either of the gradual and the quick decay shapes suitable for the time intervals between the generated tones in the designated automatic performance pattern.

This invention relates to electronic musical instruments, and more particularly to the envelope control automatic performance tone production in an electronic musical instrument which carries out automatic performances such as automatic bass, chord and arpeggio performances.
U. S. patent application No. 825443, filed Aug. 17, 1977, and U.S. patent application No. 952098, filed Oct. 17, 1978, both assigned to the same assignee as the present case, disclose a technique wherein automatic bass or arpeggio tone production rhythm patterns timings are stored in a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to merely as "a ROM" when applicable), and are read out according to the tempo signal. In these prior inventions, the pattern data stored in the ROM include only such data as indicate the pitches of automatic performance notes, and the envelopes of the automatic performance tones are not controlled in accordance with patterns; that is, the envelopes are shaped in a predetermined characteristic. Accordingly, in the case of using an envelope waveform having a decaying tail an envelope of a tone tends to rise before an envelope of an immediately preceding tone is sufficiently decayed. This tendency is increased as the time intervals of the automatic performance tone productions become short. Thus, the successively produced tones give an impression that they are not sufficiently separated from one another.

Electronic musical instrument having envelope controlled _automatic performance


A computer system that supports an advanced operating system and advanced application programs that create high resolution images for display and further supports old operating system and application software that run as subordinate processes to the advanced operating system of the computer and which create low resolution images for display, wherein images from both the advanced and old software are displayed, at high resolution, simultaneously on the computer system's display device, typically in separate windows, has a high resolution graphics control pathway and a low resolution graphics control pathway, both for displaying images over the entire viewable area of a display device. In this way, when one of the images seen in a high resolution window is an image generated by software that only produces enough data to drive a low resolution display, that image can be redisplayed at the resolution that it was originally intended to be displayed at, in order to see that image more clearly.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to computers, and more specifically to computers that display multiple windows at differing resolutions.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, computers are equipped with CRT-type monitors of a predetermined resolution (e.g., 1120.times.750 dots) and performed display by means of a CRT controller and a video memory having a capacity corresponding to this resolution.
Some computers execute a single application under the control of a single operating system, while other computers execute multiple applications under a single operating system. Further, configurations are possible in which one of the multiple application programs is executed under the control of a minor operating system being executed as a subordinate process of the main operating system. Therefore, there is a need to be able to display a window of one program at a resolution that matches the resolution of the CRT, i.e., 1120.times.750 dots, and to display a window of another program at a resolution different born that resolution (e.g., 640.times.400 dots).
The former is referred to as "high-resolution mode" screen display, and the latter is referred to as "normal mode" screen display. Conventional computer display systems that satisfy this need for both screen displays are configured such that the CRT is a multi-scan device that switches the deflection frequency, and the initial power-up condition is determined by a high resolution/normal selection switch provided on the computer.
However, when a window is displayed by an application program with a resolution different from that of the screen being displayed by another application, conventional computer display systems require much time and trouble in switching. This is because when switching, the series of actions of terminating the first application program, turning the power to the computer display system off, switching the selection switch, turning on the power to the computer display system and executing the next application program must be performed in sequence.
There are conventional computer systems with displays in which a number of windows are open on the screen and processing by each of the application programs is assigned to each window. When one of the open windows is selected, the selected window is displayed on the very top layer and the process assigned to that window is active.
Further, when multiple windows are open on some of these computers, the size of the selected window can be increased to enlarge the display area by means of a mouse or other pointing device or the combination of prescribed keys referred to as hot keys.
However, when the maximum resolution that can be handled by the program controlling the window is smaller than the resolution of the full size of the screen in computers with this window system, the display area of the window is only part of the screen even when the window is at its maximum size and the window cannot be displayed over the entire screen. In the case of an application program having maximum resolution of 640.times.400 dots, that application can only be opened in a window that occupies part of the screen (approximately one third of display area) when run on a computer with a screen having a resolution of 1120.times.750 dots.
The present invention solves this problem, and facilitates the rapid switching of display of multiple screens with differing resolutions and in particular to facilitate the rapid switching of display between windows when those screens are displayed in windows.

System and method for dynamically adjusting display resolution of computer generated displays


A method for manufacturing an array substrate, comprising forming a pattern of a gate electrode by one pattering process; forming a gate insulating layer on a substrate provided with the pattern of the gate electrode; forming first and second patterns thereon, in which the first pattern corresponds to a pattern of a semiconductor active layer and the second pattern corresponds to a source electrode and a drain electrode; forming a pattern layer including an opening area on the substrate provided with the second pattern, in which the opening area corresponds to a gap between the source electrode and the drain electrode, the minimum width thereof being greater than the width of the gap between the source electrode and the drain electrode, and at least forming a pattern of the source electrode and the drain electrode and a pixel electrode electrically connected with the drain electrode through the opening area.

Thin-film transistor liquid crystal displays (TFT-LCDs) have dominated the field of flat-panel display technology due to the characteristics of small volume, low power consumption, non-radiation and the like and hence is widely favored by people.
In the conventional method for manufacturing an array substrate, in order to reduce the number of patterning processes, a half-tone mask process is applied to form a semiconductor active layer and source/drain electrodes in one patterning process. Therefore, the process difficulty will be increased, and hence the performance of a thin-film transistor (TFT) may become instable.
In addition, in order to optimize the performances of the array substrate and increase the flatness, at least one pattern layer with other specific function is usually arranged in the array substrate. However, in the process of forming the pattern layer with other specific function, a corresponding number of patterning processes must also be performed. Moreover, each patterning process respectively includes processes such as film forming, exposing, developing, etching and stripping.

Array substrate, manufacturing method thereof and display device


Techniques for monitoring and processing network reachability events across a service provider's network are disclosed. The techniques include monitoring provider-edge routers by identifying reachability events and partial packet loss events, and processing those events so as to reduce the number of alarms generated for investigation.

Virtual Private Networks ('VPNs') are secured private network connections that are built on top of publicly-accessible infrastructure, such as the Internet or the public telephone network. VPNs typically employ a combination of data routers, switches and access controls that allow various types of data to be transmitted between computers.
Typically, VPNs are configured to connect to a service provider's backbone network. Today, service provider networks tend to be Internet protocol ('IP') based and are configured to use Multiprotocol Label Switching ('MPLS'). MPLS is a vendor-independent protocol that applies labels to data packets that are transmitted across a service provider's backbone network.
Effective operation of the network requires that two service Provider Routers ('P-Routers') agree on the meaning of labels used to forward traffic between and through them. This common understanding is achieved by a set of procedures, an example being Label Distribution Protocol ('LDP'), by which one P-Router informs the other of the label bindings it has made. Various MPLS enabled protocols may be used by P-Routers to establish Label Switched Paths ('LSPs') through the network by mapping the network-layer routing information directly to the data-link layer switched paths.
Use of VPNs can reduce an organization's networking complexity and costs. For example, rather than setting up and managing individual point-to-point circuits between offices using leased lines, VPN implementations only need to establish one connection from each offices' router (e.g., a Customer Edge Router ('CE-Router')) to a service Provider Edge Router ('PE-Router'). Typically, the PE-Router is linked directly to the service provider's backbone network.
Network monitoring and alarming is critical to understanding the impact of a network fault in the service provider's network. For example, a single network fault in a service provider's backbone network can result in an array of symptoms that impact several VPNs. Associating these symptoms to their original cause can be difficult. A multitude of alarms/traps also may be generated by these symptoms that can cumulatively overwhelm support organizations charged with determining the original cause of network failures. As a result, improved monitoring and alarming techniques to determine the cause of network failures are needed.

MPLS VPN connectivity alarm storm reduction


The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for displaying a document on a touch screen display, which belongs to the field of human computer interaction. The method for displaying a document on a touch screen display includes: displaying an edge region of an electronic document on the touch screen display where the edge region contains an edge of the electronic document and one or more display elements, detecting a movement of an object acting on the touch screen display, and in response to the movement of the object, stretching, for display, the one or more display elements in a direction away from the edge. Thereby, it reminds the user that the display has reached the edge of the electronic document, prevents the user from repeating move operation which is practically inapplicable, and thus improves efficiency of user operation.

With functionality of mobile terminals becomes increasingly powerful, contents to be displayed on a user interface of a mobile terminal become increasingly numerous. In this case, easiness to use of the user interface becomes especially important. In particular, when a mobile terminal has a relatively small screen size, easiness to use of the user interface is even more important.
In case where the mobile terminal has a relatively small screen size and an electronic document has a relatively large screen size, only a part of the electronic document can be displayed on the screen at a time. Then, a user needs to move the electronic document on the screen for display, so as to display other parts of the electronic document. For example, the user can move the electronic document upward or downward for display.
However, when the mobile terminal is displaying one side of the electronic document, a request triggered by the user for moving the electronic documents to another side for display, is typically not responded by the mobile terminal. At this time, it is often appreciated by the user as if the mobile terminal might be stuck or crashed.

Methods and devices for displaying document on touch screen display


The present invention generally provides methods and apparatus for monitoring performance of an injection valve. In one embodiment, a control signal relates to an actuator movement is monitored and correlated to performance of the injection valve.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an apparatus and method for processing semiconductor substrates. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to monitoring performance of an injection valve configured to vaporize liquid reactant and to provide vaporized reactant to a process chamber.
2. Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor processes, for example chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD), sometimes require one or more vaporized processing liquids. These vaporized liquids are generally generated and supplied to a process chamber via a system of pipes (or "lines") and vaporizing mechanisms known as a gas delivery system. Typically a separate vaporizing mechanism is provided for vaporizing each processing liquid, and is coupled to a source of processing liquid and a source of carrier gas. Each vaporizing mechanism and processing liquid source combination within a gas delivery system is referred to as a vaporization stage. Although a number of vaporizing mechanisms exist (e.g., bubblers, injection valves, etc.), most conventional gas delivery systems employ a plurality of injection valves for vaporizing processing liquids to be delivered to a process chamber, for example a CVD chamber or an ALD chamber.
A typical injection valve comprises a vaporization region. The vaporization region is coupled to a processing liquid inlet for receiving a pressurized processing liquid, a carrier gas inlet for receiving a pressurized inert carrier gas, and an outlet for delivering a vaporized processing liquid/carrier gas mixture. The processing liquid inlet, by necessity, is small in size so as to maintain a low partial vapor pressure of the processing liquid in the carrier gas.
The processing liquid inlet's small size renders the processing liquid inlet susceptible to clogs which result from residue produced when processing liquid reacts with moisture or other contaminants in the gas delivery system. A clogged injection valve can cause downtime not only of the chamber to which the clogged injection valve is coupled, but also of upstream and/or downstream chambers.
To prevent clogging and system downtime caused by clogging, injection valves may be cleaned after in use for a period of time. However, clogging may still happen when cleaning is not performed soon enough while too frequent cleaning increases cost of ownership.
Therefore, there exists a need for apparatus and methods for detecting injection valve clogging and corresponding injection valve cleaning.


Polymeric fibers, and apparatuses for and methods of processing such fibers to be useful as sutures, where at least one end of a fiber includes a termination feature. The termination feature is formed through the application of energy to a coiled region of the fiber.

Various surgical methods employing sutures have been used in the past for closing or binding together wounds in human or animal tissue, such as skin, muscles, tendons, internal organs, nerves, blood vessels, and the like. More specifically, the surgeon may use a surgical needle with an attached conventional suture (which can be a smooth monofilament or can be a multi-filament) to pierce the tissue alternately on opposing faces of the wound and thus sew the wound closed. Whether the wound is accidental or surgical, loop stitching is the method often used, especially for surface wounds. The surgical needle is then removed and the ends of the suture are tied, typically with at least three overhand throws to form a knot.
Since the time of their conception, self-retaining sutures (sometimes referred to as barbed sutures), which are generally of the same materials as conventional sutures, have offered numerous advantages over closing wounds with conventional sutures. A self-retaining suture includes an elongated body that has one or more spaced retainers, which project from the body surface along the body length. The retainers are arranged to allow passage of the self-retaining suture in one direction through tissue but resist movement of the self-retaining suture in the opposite direction. Thus, the main advantage of self-retaining sutures has been the provision of a non-slip attribute. Accordingly, self-retaining sutures do not have to be knotted at the completion of the stitch, the requirement for a surgical follower to maintain tension on a continuous stitch, as is done in the application of conventional sutures, is also eliminated. However, like a conventional suture, a self-retaining suture may be inserted into tissue using a surgical needle.
While the retainers provide the strength necessary to prevent the fiber from slipping backwards and eliminates the need for tying a knot at the termination point of the stitch, the initial placement of the stitch may require the use of some means to anchor the suture in the local tissue. In response to this need, stitch initiation features have been incorporated into some self-retaining devices. Stitches may be initiated through the creation of a typical surgeon's knot or through the addition of clips or other mechanical clamping devices appended to the suture. Stitches may be initiated through the use of integral looped ends, tabs, buttons and reverse retainer elements. However, many of these anchoring means suffer from defects or are burdensome or costly to prepare, and thus the present invention seeks to provide an improved anchoring means.
For example, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0267531 discloses a barbed suture device that is produced with a variety of anchoring elements attached to the non-needled end of the device. However, preparing these anchoring elements requires multiple secondary operations with great precision in the production of the anchors and the subsequent attachment to the fiber. This increased demand for secondary operations increases the cost to produce the device. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0248067, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,932,327 on Jan. 13, 2015, discloses an anchoring device with a looped end with barbed type projections, while U.S. Pat. No. 8,403,017 similarly discloses a suture having a looped end.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0116718, now abandoned, discloses a prosthetic screen tacking device that is produced with a perpendicular foot at one end, while U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,765 discloses a single-piece soft tissue fixation device that includes an elongated element terminating in a tip at one end and a receptacle at the other end which can be bonded with each other in a welded joint. The device is made of a heat-bondable, biocompatible material that can be ultrasonically or thermally welded. The tip and receptacle of the device can be textured or contoured or otherwise complementarily configured to promote mutual engagement prior to and during bonding. It should be noted, that the receptacle component is not intended to provide the stitch initiation functionality, but rather to provide a replacement for a knot with a welded joint of the looped suture. Producing these geometries, however, is difficult.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0149447, now abandoned, discloses a barbed suture device that is produced with a stopper on the non-needled end. It is proposed that the device can be produced through injection molding, cutting ribbon or stamping ribbon stock to produce the desired shapes. These methods, including the use of injection molding, however, limits options of materials given the required melt viscosity, and through any of these methods, may ultimately result in weaker sutures. U.S. Pat. No. 8,297,330 discloses a welded end effector, in which a knot is first tied in the suture, and subsequent fusing the knot to form a stopper. This method is inefficient since it requires the initial formation of a knotted structure, and then the application of energy may result in notches or dents due to the inherently open initial knotted structure. Similarly, U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,323,316 and 8,333,788 each disclose the use of a knotted end effector, where the end effector includes a knot including a plurality of throws. The initial formation of a knotted structure is to be avoided through the present invention.
PCT Publication No. WO 2012/004758 discloses a suture thread that is produced with a stopper on the non-needled end of the fiber. It is proposed that the stopper may be molded or heated and the free end of the suture fiber is inserted into the molten polymer to seal the fiber to the stopper. This method of production requires the addition of the secondary component to the base fiber in a molten condition and the thermal exposure to the molten polymer may result in a loss of strength in the base fiber due to elevated temperature exposure.
While the aforementioned publications have attempted to improve sutures by preparing end effectors, each of the attempts have been either ineffective, inefficient, or pose processing problems. There remains a need to produce a stitch initiation feature that does not require significant secondary processing steps, such as the formation of a knot, or the addition of secondary components, such as addition of molten material, and which results in a strong anchor to hold the suture in place.

Suture having a restraining element at an end and method and use thereof


A technique or mechanism for use with a vibrator to be employed for subterranean surveying includes receiving, from a sensor, a unipolar indication of movement of an actuator mass of the vibrator. According to the indication from the sensor, a correlation is determined between the movement of the actuator mass and a reference signal provided to cause movement of the actuator mass.

Seismic surveying is used to perform characterization of subterranean elements in a subterranean structure. Examples of subterranean elements of interest include hydrocarbon and mineral bearing structures, fresh water aquifers, gas injection zones, and other subterranean elements. Seismic surveying is performed by deploying seismic sources (e.g., air guns, vibrators, explosives, etc.) and seismic receivers (e.g., hydrophones, geophones, etc.). The seismic sources are used to produce seismic waves (e.g., acoustic waves) that are propagated into the subterranean structure, with some of these seismic waves reflected and or refracted from the subterranean elements of interest and received by the seismic receivers.
One type of seismic source is impulsive, such as dynamite or one or more air gun(s) for generating seismic signals. With an impulsive energy source, a large amount of energy is produced in a relatively short period of time. Another type of seismic source is a seismic vibrator that imparts a signal at a lower energy level but over a longer period of time.
A type of seismic vibrator employs a servo-hydraulic actuator mounted on a carrier vehicle and controlled by a control system to impart seismic signals into the earth. Such an actuator includes a mass that is supported on a fixed double acting piston. The piston is fixed to a baseplate that is held in contact with the ground. Movement of the actuator mass causes the baseplate to transmit energy into the earth.
During this operation the weight of the vehicle is supported on the baseplate (via isolation devices), so that the baseplate does not decouple from the surface. The movement of the actuator mass is controlled by an electrical drive signal, derived from a reference signal, both provided by a control system. The drive signal can be conditioned to cause the mass to move in either direction. The mass is driven via a torque motor and one or more hydraulic servo valve stages.
During operation of the vibrator the reference signal can be generated in the form of a sinusoidal wave that changes frequency at a controlled rate. Such a signal is termed a sweep and is characterized by start and end frequencies and fixed or variable rates of change of frequency and amplitude. Other forms of signals such as band filtered pseudo-random series may also be used.
In order to control the transmitted energy, various sensors mounted on the actuator provide signals that are used by the control system. In a common system, the drive signal operates a torque motor connected to the mass via two stages of servo hydraulics. With this system, changes in the level of the drive signal would change the acceleration of the mass and control of the output energy would be difficult. Sensor measurements of the displacement of the main valve and the displacement of the mass are used as feedback signals for control loops in the control system. The addition of these control loops allows mass displacement to be controlled, allowing easier control of the output energy. Conventionally, both these sensors are bipolar, in that they measure positive and negative displacements from a center zero.
Other sensors are used to estimate the energy output of the actuator and to allow the drive signal to be adjusted to make the output energy more closely match the reference signal in amplitude and phase, while minimizing distortions. Commonly, single or multiple accelerometers are mounted on both the mass and the baseplate or its supporting structure. These accelerometers are also bipolar, in that they measure both positive and negative acceleration.
As the sensors described above produce analog outputs and are bipolar, sensor measurement polarity can be reversed by a badly wired cable or connector. It is possible to replace a defective component or cable on a vibrator, and introduce a polarity reversal, such that the measured energy output appears to have the correct phase relationship to the reference, but in fact the actual motion of the actuator is anti-phase.
Conventionally, testing techniques are used to confirm the polarity of a seismic vibrator. While many different polarity conventions are possible, it is important to establish the direction of movement of the actuator mass when the controller provides a known stimulus as the reference signal. The components in the control system and actuator that either drive the mass or make measurements may be connected in one of two polarities. Testing the polarity of a seismic vibrator can be a time consuming process, is subject to human errors and usually has to be repeated regularly and following maintenance work on the seismic vibrator.

Determining the polarity of movement of an actuator mass in a seismic vibrator


A detachable moldboard dozer blade assembly for tractors having a push frame pivotally attached at a rear end thereof to the underchassis of a tractor. A frame structure is attached to the forward end of the push and provides for a vertical pivotal axis for the attachment of the dozer blade assembly. An attachment plate is pivotally connected transversely to the frame structure for blade movement in a horizontal plane and shim and plate means retain the attachment of the dozer blade assembly. An attachment plate is pivotally connected transversely to the frame structure for blade movement in a horizontal plane and shim and plate means retain the attachment plate to the dozer blade to permit vertical or tilt movement of the dozer blade relative to the attachment plate. Hydraulic piston means extend from the push frame to the attachment plate and from the attachment plate to the dozer blade to move the dozer blade about a vertical and horizontal plane.

The invention is in the field of attachments for existing tractors.
There are many instances in farm and ranch usage for dozer blade operations to build roads, move dirt or other materials, etc. Suitable power for doing such operation is available by way of the tractor used on such farms and ranches. Need for dozing operations usually does not justify a bulldozer unit in and of itself. However, it has not been easy to attach a dozer blade readily and easily to the chassis of the tractor, nor has it been readily available to have dozer blades which can be angled in a horizontal direction about a vertical axis and thereby push and/or move material to one side or the other and/or tilt the dozer blade in a vertical direction about a horizontal axis where it is desired to use the corner of the dozer blade for extra digging or ditching operations and/or slope material, such as on roads.

Frame for mounting tilt and angled dozer blade to tractors


For damping undesirable whipping of a bicycle sprocket chain, especially of a mountain bike when it is being ridden rapidly downhill over rough terrain, and thereby preventing chain suck, a segment of the return run of the chain extending tangentially forwards from the pitch circle of the idler sprocket towards the pitch circle of the drive sprocket in use, is encased within a tube. The tube is mounted by a bracket to the axle of the idler sprocket, and is loose and slippery enough to permit desirable running of the drive chain, while restraining and preventing undesirable deviations, especially in a vertical plane (i.e., transversally or laterally of the running path of the drive chain). Conveniently, the tube may be a self-recoiling longitudinally split member for ease of installation on the chain, and its bracket can be springly clipped over the conventional mounting structure of the idler sprocket.

When racing a bicycle, particularly when racing a mountain bike downhill, there are intervals during which the drive chain, particularly along its lower (return) run is under little tension, and subjected to varying high forces and vibration. During these intervals, the chain can whip wildly. All too frequently, if the drive sprocket is cranked while the chain is whipping, the loose chain will become jammed (wedged) between the sprocket and the bicycle frame. This event is sometimes designated to mountain biking enthusiasts by the term "chain suck".
Others have proposed solutions to this problem.
The U.S. Pat. of Nagano, 4,786,071, issued Nov. 22, 1988, discloses a device (perhaps the one sold as the Shimano Sharktooth), which mounts on the chain stay of the frame and has a guard body flange which extends upwards and inwards on a slant to intercept and thereby guide the lower run of the chain from below.
The U.S. Pat. of Klein 4,960,402, issued Oct. 2, 1990, discloses a device, similar to Nagano's and said to be an improvement. It has additional curved flanges 40, 41, 42 which are said to raise the chain out of the chain ring teeth.
It is the present inventor's conclusion from reviewing those two prior art patent documents, that the devices shown in them will not damp undesirable bicycle sprocket drive chain vibration. Rather, these devices attempt to prevent the chain from becoming stuck only after the chain already has been displaced, e.g., by the high forces encountered when cycling downhill off-road at high speed, such as at forty miles per hour.
On a conventional mountain bike, undamped chain motions can be caused by transient waves or inertial displacement, or both, in the vertical plane. Lateral forces usually are relatively low assuming the bike is upright.


In liquid ring pumps having rotating lobe liners supported by a bearing fluid in an annular clearance between the liner and the surrounding housing, the housing has at least one substantially annular channel formed in the housing for distributing the bearing fluid to a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures extending through the housing from the channel to the clearance.

This invention relates to liquid ring pumps and more particularly to liquid ring pumps having lobe liners which rotate on an annular fluid bearing inside a stationary housing.
Liquid ring pumps having rotating lobe liners are well known as shown by such references as Kollsman U.S. Pat. No. 2,609,139 and Russian patent 219,072. In such pumps an annular liner is supported on an annular fluid bearing inside the stationary annular housing of the pump. Rotation of the rotor in the pump causes the pumping liquid in the pump to form into a recirculating annular ring inside the liner. This motion of the pumping liquid causes the liner to rotate in the same direction on its fluid bearing at a speed which is somewhat less than the speed of the pumping liquid. The rotating liner reduces fluid friction losses in the pump because it reduces the amount of rapidly recirculating pumping liquid which is in direct contact with the stationary housing.
The known references showing prior art pumps of the type described above recognize the need to introduce a bearing liquid into the annular clearance between the liner and housing at multiple points around the circumference of the pump. For example, this may be accomplished by withdrawing pumping liquid from the liquid ring at several circumferentially spaced points and conveying that liquid substantially axially from the withdrawal point to an associated bearing liquid introduction channel or aperture. This approach has several disadvantages. For example, it may not be desirable or possible to use ring liquid as the bearing fluid. The ring liquid may not be clean enough for use as the bearing fluid, or it may be desirable to use a bearing fluid which is different from the ring liquid. The liner may have end walls as shown in commonly assigned, co-pending application Ser. No. 635,233, filed Dec. 28, 1990 (hereby incorporated by reference herein) which may prevent withdrawal of liquid from the ring for use as a bearing fluid. Structure like that shown in Russian patent 219,072 necessitates large amounts of external piping for conveying the ring liquid from its multiple outlets to the bearing liquid inlets. Such piping is expensive, may be relatively fragile in some applications, and makes the pump at least appear excessively complex.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of this invention to improve and simplify liquid ring pumps having rotating liners supported on annular fluid bearings.
It is a more particular object of this invention to improve and simplify the distribution of bearing fluid to the annular fluid bearing on which the rotating liner in liquid ring pumps having such liners is supported.

Bearing fluid distribution systems for liquid ring pumps with rotating lobe liners