A control circuit manages transferring of data within a system, such as an interleaved memory. The system includes a plurality of data sources for providing an output data stream synchronous with an external timing signal, an output register for storing data available at an output of the system, and a selection multiplexer for transferring the data from the plurality of data sources to the output register. The control circuit includes a plurality of circuit blocks, with each circuit block being dedicated to one of the plurality of data sources. Each circuit block includes a detection circuit for detecting availability of the data at an output of a selected data source, and a conditioned update path connected to the detection circuit provides an update flag. A logic gate having a first input receives the update flag and a second input receives an output signal from the detection circuit for providing a selection signal for the selection multiplexer.

The present invention concerns in general integrated digital systems and, more in particular, to a system in which streams of digital data from sources of different characteristics, asynchronous or of different bit rates, must be coordinately conveyed to an output channel. The invention is particularly though not exclusively useful in an interleaved synchronous memory.
In many applications the need may arise to organize a data flow at a certain bit rate in synchronization with an external clock under the control of an external systems controller. This may be done by combining together distinct data streams coming from internal asynchronous sources and/or having different bit rates.
Requirements of this kind are often encountered in data transmission systems where there may be a relatively broad band channel capable of operating at a relatively high speed, on which must be transmitted data coming from different sources. These different sources are relatively slower and often asynchronous. Another very peculiar example of such a system are interleaved synchronous memories.
The ATD (Address Transition Detection) signal recognizes a change of the address input by the external circuitry, and therefore, the new request of access and initiates a new read cycle. After enabling the sense amplifiers by the signal SAenable, an equalization of the sensing circuitry takes place. At the end of which, as timed by the signal EQZ, the effective reading of the memory cells takes place. Finally, after a certain interval of time that may vary from device to device, by way of a signal SAlatch, the recording of the read data into the latches in cascade to the sense amplifiers takes place, from where the read word may be transferred to the output buffers.
In memory devices designed for a synchronous read mode with a sequential type (burst) of access, the reading process exploits the fact that the reading takes place by successive locations. That is, the subsequent memory location to be read, and therefore, its address, is predictable from the address of the location being currently read.
A subgroup of these sequential (burst) synchronous read mode memories is represented by the interleaved memories. A burst access interleaved memory is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,990, for example. In this type of memory, the cell array is divided in two semi-arrays or banks, each having its own read circuitry. The read streams of the two banks are thereafter superimposed according to one of the most commonly followed approaches. They are outphased, i.e., out of phase, from each other. While on one of the two banks or semi-array the steps of evaluation and transfer of the data to the output are being performed, on the other bank or semi-array (the next location to be addressed) a new read cycle may start without waiting for the conclusion of the current read cycle that involves the first semi-array.
In interleaved memories, a basic scheme of which is depicted in FIG. 1, the array is divided into two independent banks or semi-arrays, EVEN and ODD, respectively, each having its own independent read path. Typically, there are two counters (one for each bank) containing the address of the currently pointed memory location. In case of simultaneous reading processes evolving respectively on the two semi-arrays, the least significant bit of the address (A0) supports the multiplexing between the EVEN and the ODD banks. If A0=0, the data coming from the EVEN semi-array will be made available at the output. If A0=1, the data coming from the ODD semi-array will be made available at the output.
As it is commonly known, the reading of the two semi-arrays is carried out according to one of two different approaches. A first approach is simultaneous readings and multiplexing of the outputs. A second approach involves time readings that are out of phase.
According to the first approach, the readings are simultaneous on the two banks. The data read are stored in respective output registers and made available to the outside world in synchronization with an external clock signal. According to the second approach, the readings on the two semi-arrays have an alternate and interleaved evolution over time.
The first approach, though offering a simpler hardware implementation, limits the minimization of the start times of synchronous read cycles. For a better comprehension, it is necessary to consider the basic steps that are performed when passing from an asynchronous read mode to a synchronous read mode.
With reference to the scheme of FIG. 2, and starting the reading from an address X, the latter will be loaded on the EVEN bank counter and on the ODD bank counter, less the least significant bit (A0) of the address. The two counters will point to the same location X of the respective bank or semi-array.
If A0=0: the first read data is relative to the address X of the bank EVEN and the successive read data is the data X of the bank ODD.
If A0=1: the first read data is relative to the address X of the bank ODD and the successively read data is relative to the X+1 address of the bank EVEN.
In the first case, it is sufficient to perform a simultaneous reading of the two banks and multiplex the outputs. In the second instance, it is necessary to increment the counter before starting the reading on the bank EVEN.
Usually, known synchronous memory devices do not make any initial increment and wait for the successive cycle for incrementing both counters, and therefore, read the location X+1 of the banks EVEN and ODD. This makes the times of the first read cycle and of the second sequential read cycle at best equal to the asynchronous read mode time of the memory.
In general, it may be stated that the efficient management of the read processes has a direct influence of the performance of the memory device. Many read-path architectures have been proposed. Known read-path architectures have generally been conceived for responding efficiently to either one or the other of the two modes of operation: asynchronous or synchronous.
If a memory device is designed to be read in an asynchronous mode, it will be generally provided with a rather simple control circuitry for the read data streams. This allows the use of adaptive structures, such as dummy wordlines and dummy sense amplifiers, while leaving the reading circuitry free to evolve as fast as possible in order to achieve the shortest asynchronous access delays.
In contrast, in memory devices designed to function in a burst access mode or in a synchronous read mode, the possibility of making available in output a certain number of words read and stored in advance, permits, after a first asynchronous access, as long as it may be, a series of extremely fast read cycles. In this case though, the control logic must intervene extensively to manage the sense amplifiers which should not be left to evolve freely but be enabled, equalized and read at precise instants established by the control system. Prior European Patent Application Serial No. EP-98830801, filed on Dec. 30, 1998, and Italian Patent Application Serial No. MI99A00248, filed on Nov. 26, 1999, describe burst-mode EPROM devices with the above characteristics. These patent applications are both incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, and are assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
The access mode in a reading phase of operation is set to a specific protocol of use of two of the external protocol signals. These two signals are the address input latches enabling signal ALE and of the read stimulation signal RD.
The counters of the two semi-arrays, or the counter of the first bank and a more simpler register which functions as an address counter of the second bank, are incremented distinctly from one another. This is different from what is commonly done in interleaved memory devices. The readings are thus out of phase on the two banks from the first (asynchronous) read cycle. In this way, the memory device of the invention is perfectly able to switch to a synchronous mode reading phase at any time, which practically cuts in half the access time to such a mode.
The two different reading processes, according to an asynchronous random access mode and according to a synchronous burst access mode remain congruent with each other, having an alternate and interleaved evolution in time, as described in European Patent Application No. 00830068.3, filed on Jan. 31, 2000. This application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and is assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
In view of the foregoing background and, more in general, with similar situations in which it would be advantageous to optimize the management of the data transfer within a system having sources of data of different bit rates and/or asynchronous, a circuit is provided to generate an output data stream synchronous with a certain clock provided by an external system controller.
A control circuit for managing transferring of data within a system is provided. The system preferably comprises a plurality of data sources for providing an output data stream synchronous with an external timing signal, an output register for storing data available at an output of the system, and a selection multiplexer for transferring the data from the plurality of data sources to the output register.
The control circuit may comprise a plurality of circuit blocks, with each circuit block being dedicated to one of the plurality of data sources and comprising a detection circuit for detecting availability of the data at an output of a selected data source, and a conditioned update path connected to the detection circuit for providing an update flag. A logic gate having a first input for receiving the update flag and a second input for receiving an output signal from the detection circuit may provide a selection signal for the selection multiplexer.
The system may further comprise an external data line connected to the output of the system, and an output buffer connected between the output register and the external data line. The control system may also include a pass-gate for coupling an input of the output buffer to the output register. The pass-gate is preferably enabled by the output signal from a respective detection circuit.
The conditioned update path preferably may include a first bistable circuit for providing a first flag for enablement of the updating, an enable detection circuit having a first input connected to the first bistable latch for receiving the first flag, and a second bistable circuit connected to the enable detection circuit for providing the update flag.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of data sources are asynchronous. In another embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of data sources have different bit rates.

Circuit for managing the transfer of data streams from a plurality of sources within a system


A lock unit (1) comprising at least one catch (2), a first pawl (3) with a pawl rotation axis (4), and a blocking lever (5), wherein in a locked state of the lock unit (1), the catch (2) transfers a moment of rotation onto the first pawl (3) and the first pawl (3) is held in place by means of the blocking lever (5), wherein a second pawl (6) is pivotably arranged on the pawl rotation axis (4) and is engageable with the blocking lever (5) and the catch (2), and the first pawl (3) has a curved first blocking surface (12) for the primary position (13) of the catch (2).

1. Filed of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lock unit comprising at least one catch, a first pawl with a pawl axis of rotation, and a blocking lever, wherein in a locked state, the catch transfers a moment of rotation onto the first pawl and the first pawl is held in place by means of the blocking lever. Such lock units are used in motor vehicles, in particular, for locking doors, hatches, or the like.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
In the lock units described herein, the relative position between the catch and pawl is usually not such that the force exerted by the catch is transferred through an axis of rotation of the pawl and, thus, not such that the catch can be arrested alone by means of the pawl. Instead, here, in particular, in order to provide a very quiet operation of the lock unit, the pawl is formed or arranged such that the force exerted by the catch transfers a torque on the pawl directly, which promotes the release of the catch. In this way, the catch (alone) transfers an opening moment onto the first pawl such that the catch can be easily moved into the open position as a result of the spring preloading of the catch and/or as a result of a force transferred to the catch coming (indirectly) from a door seal.
To ensure solid locking, a blocking lever is provided, which arrests the first pawl in the locked position (closed position) such that particular position shifts with respect to the locking mechanism (for example, by pressing together the door seals), driving operation, etc., do not cause an (accidental) opening of the lock unit and a loss of contact between the catch and the pawl. In this way, the self-opening mechanism of the locking mechanism is blocked.
Such a lock unit is described, for example, in WO 2008/061491 A1. There, a lock unit is described, which also has a second pawl, which is mounted on the axis of rotation of the first pawl and is engageable with the blocking lever and the catch. In particular, it is explained there, in connection with the drawings, how the contact force vectors of the components of the locking mechanism are formed in the respective latching positions or movements. This lock unit has already proven to be highly effective. However, further improvements are necessary.
In particular, it is a task of the present invention to provide a lock unit that is dependable with respect to the complex movements of all components under all operating conditions, that fulfills the requirement for limited required installation space, which is quieter, and which provides for a more comfortable operation.

Lock unit having a multi-pawl locking mechanism


A system includes a battery having a battery controller and a container including a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being shaped to receive the battery. The system also includes a charging device including a plurality of charging bays, wherein each charging bay is shaped to receive a respective receptacle of the plurality of receptacles. Each charging bay includes a first antenna configured to provide charging power to the battery, a second antenna configured to communicate with the battery controller, and a charger controller. The charger controller is configured to detect a presence of the battery within a receptacle associated with a charging bay, establish communication with the battery using the second antenna while the first antenna is deactivated, pair the battery to the charging device, activate the first antenna after the battery is paired, and provide charging power to the battery using the first antenna.

Non-rechargeable batteries are known as primary batteries while rechargeable batteries are known as secondary batteries. A secondary battery is capable of repeatedly being charged, storing the charge and delivering the charge to a medical device, such as a surgical tool, to which the battery is attached. Secondary batteries have, over the years, evolved into reliable power sources for powered surgical tools used in operating rooms to perform surgical procedures. The use of a battery eliminates the need to provide a power cord connected to an external power source. The elimination of the power cord offers benefits over corded surgical tools. Surgical personnel using this type of tool do not have to concern themselves with either sterilizing a cord so that it can be brought into the sterile surgical field surrounding the patient or ensuring that, during surgery, an unsterilized cord is not inadvertently introduced into the surgical field. Moreover, the elimination of the cord results in the removal of the physical clutter and field-of-view blockage the cord otherwise brings to a surgical procedure.
Batteries used to power surgical tools are exposed to adverse environmental elements to which batteries used for non-medical uses are seldom exposed. For example, during a surgical procedure, a medical battery may be exposed to blood or other body fluid. Tissue removed from the patient may adhere to the battery. To eliminate the risk of patients being infected during the course of the medical procedure, it is therefore a required practice to sterilize the battery or ensure that the battery is housed within a sterilized housing between surgical procedures. Therefore, the batteries must either be sterilizable themselves, or may be non-sterile batteries that have a sterilizable housing in which the batteries are disposed. In the example of sterilizable batteries, the cleaning/sterilization process typically involves rinsing the battery to remove contaminants that are readily visible on the surface of the battery. However, these events may cause a conductive bridge to form between the battery contacts, which can lead to the formation of a layer of metal oxide on one or more of the contacts. This oxide layer functions as an impedance layer that reduces the efficiency of both the charging of the battery and the efficiency of the battery to deliver charge to the tool to which the battery is coupled.
The batteries may also be subjected to immersion in a steam-filled chamber as part of an autoclaving process. To survive the high temperatures present during the autoclave process, specialized batteries must be used. Autoclave temperatures often exceed 130 degrees centigrade. Even with specialized batteries that are designed to withstand autoclave temperatures, damage may still occur to the batteries during the autoclave process (although less damage than would occur with conventional batteries used in other environments). As a result, batteries used in medical environments that are subjected to autoclaving may sustain more damage than batteries used in other industries.
In addition, as batteries may be unused for a period of time before being connected to a surgical tool for use in a procedure, the batteries may gradually lose charge. Accordingly, a battery that started out with a full state of charge may gradually lose charge while disposed in a storage location and may not have a required level of charge when the battery is desired to be used. Health care professionals who use the surgical tools and associated batteries need to have confidence that the batteries used in the tools have a sufficient level of charge and have a sufficient level of health to be used in a surgical procedure or other potentially critical setting.

System and method for wirelessly charging a medical device battery


The present invention provides modified promoters from Candida troplicalis CYP and POX4 genes. The modified promoters have various sequence motifs added, deleted, or altered in order to modulate expression of a coding sequence operably linked thereto. The sequence motifs comprise repressors of gene induction (URS sequences) and activators of gene induction (UAS sequences) as well as oleic acid response elements (ORE sequences). Yeast host cells comprising such modified promoters are also provided. Methods of altering expression of a protein of the beta or omega oxidation pathways using a subject modified promoter are also provided.

Studies of the biochemical processes by which yeasts metabolize alkanes and fatty acids have revealed three types of oxidation reactions: α-oxidation of alkanes to alcohols, ω-oxidation of fatty acids to α, ω-dicarboxylic acids and the degradative β-oxidation of fatty acids to CO2 and water. The first two types of oxidations are catalyzed by microsomal enzymes while the last type takes place in the peroxisomes. In C. tropicalis, the first step in the ω-oxidation pathway is catalyzed by a membrane-bound enzyme complex (ω-hydroxylase complex) including a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and a NADPH cytochrome reductase. This hydroxylase complex is responsible for the primary oxidation of the terminal methyl group in alkanes and fatty acids as described, e.g., in Gilewicz et al., Can. J. Microbiol. 25:201 (1979), incorporated herein by reference. The genes which encode the cytochrome P450 and NADPH reductase components of the complex have previously been identified as P450ALK and P450RED respectively, and have also been cloned and sequenced as described, e.g., in Sanglard et al., Gene 76:121-136 (1989), incorporated herein by reference. P450ALK has also been designated P450ALK1. More recently, ALK genes have been designated by the symbol CYP and RED genes have been designated by the symbol CPR. See, e.g., Nelson, Pharmacogenetics 6(1):1-42 (1996), which is incorporated herein by reference. See also Ohkuma et al., DNA and Cell Biology 14:163-173 (1995), Seghezzi et al., DNA and Cell Biology, 11:767-780 (1992) and Kargel et al., Yeast 12:333-348 (1996), each incorporated herein by reference. In addition, CPR genes are now also referred to as NCP genes. See, e.g., De Backer et al., Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 45:1660 (2001). For example, P450ALK is also designated CYP52 according to the nomenclature of Nelson, supra. Fatty acids are ultimately formed from alkanes after two additional oxidation steps, catalyzed by alcohol oxidase as described, e.g., in Kemp et al., Appl. Microbiol. and Biotechnol. 28: 370-374 (1988), incorporated herein by reference, and aldehyde dehydrogenase. The fatty acids can be further oxidized through the same or similar pathway to the corresponding dicarboxylic acid. The ω-oxidation of fatty acids proceeds via the ω-hydroxy fatty acid and its aldehyde derivative, to the corresponding dicarboxylic acid without the requirement for CoA activation. However, both fatty acids and dicarboxylic acids can be degraded, after activation to the corresponding acyl-CoA ester through the β-oxidation pathway in the peroxisomes, leading to chain shortening. In mammalian systems, both fatty acid and dicarboxylic acid products of ω-oxidation are activated to their CoA-esters at equal rates and are substrates for both mitochondrial and peroxisomal β-oxidation (J. Biochem., 102:225-234 (1987)). In yeast, β-oxidation takes place solely in the peroxisomes (Agr. Biol. Chem. 49:1821-1828 (1985)).
Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) are terminal monooxidases of a multicomponent enzyme system including P450 and CPR (NCP). In some instances, a second electron carrier, cytochrome b5(CYTb5) and its associated reductase are involved as described below and in Morgan, et al., Drug Metab. Disp. 12:358-364 (1984). The P450s comprise a superfamily of proteins which exist widely in nature having been isolated from a variety of organisms as described e.g., in Nelson, supra. These organisms include various mammals, fish, invertebrates, plants, mollusk, crustaceans, lower eukaryotes and bacteria (Nelson, supra). First discovered in rodent liver microsomes as a carbon-monoxide binding pigment as described, e.g., in Garfinkel, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 77:493-509 (1958), which is incorporated herein by reference, P450s were later named based on their absorption at 450 nm in a reduced-CO coupled difference spectrum as described, e.g., in Omura et al., J. Biol. Chem. 239:2370-2378 (1964), which is incorporated herein by reference.
Monooxygenation reactions catalyzed by cytochromes P450 in a eukaryotic membrane-bound system require the transfer of electrons from NADPH to P450 via NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) as described, e.g., in Taniguchi et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 232:585 (1984), incorporated herein by reference. CPR is a flavoprotein of approximately 78,000 Da containing 1 mol of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and 1 mol of flavin mononucleotide (FMN) per more of enzyme as described, e.g., in Potter et al., J. Biol. Chem. 258:6906 (1983), incorporated herein by reference. The FAD moiety of CPR is the site of electron entry into the enzyme, whereas FMN is the electron-donating site to P450 as described, e.g., in Vermilion et al., J. Biol. Chem. 253:8812 (1978), incorporated herein by reference. The overall reaction is as follows:H++RH+NADPH+O2→ROH+NADP++H2O
Binding of a substrate to the catalytic site of P450 apparently results in a conformational change initiating electron transfer from CPR to P450. Subsequent to the transfer of the first electron, O2 binds to the Fe2+-P450 substrate complex to form Fe3+-P450-substrate complex. This complex is then reduced by a second electron from CPR, or, in some cases, NADH via a second electron carrier, cytochrome b5 (CYTb5) and its associated NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase as described, e.g., in Guengerich et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 205:365 (1980), incorporated herein by reference, and Morgan, supra. Most of the aforementioned studies implicate CYTb5 as being involved in the pathway only for the transfer of the second electron. One atom of this reactive oxygen is introduced into the substrate, while the other is reduced to water. The oxygenated substrate then dissociates, regenerating the oxidized form of the cytochrome P450 as described, e.g., in Klassen, Amdur and Doull, Casarett and Doull's Toxicology, Macmillan, New York (1986), incorporated herein by reference. With respect to the CYTb5, several other models of the role of this protein in P450 expression have been proposed besides its role as an electron carrier.
While several chemical routes to the synthesis of long-chain α,ω.-dicarboxylic acids as 9-octadecenedioic acid are available, such methods are complex and usually result in mixtures containing shorter chain lengths. As a result, extensive purification steps are necessary. As an alternative to chemical syntheses, long chain α,ω-dicarboxylic acids such as 9-octadecenedioic acid can be made via fermentation methods such as microbial transformation of the corresponding hydrocarbons such as alkanes or alkenes, fatty acids or esters thereof. One method for producing substantially pure α,ω-dicarboxylic acids in substantially quantitative yield is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,466, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This method comprises culturing a C. tropicalis strain wherein both copies of the chromosomal POX5 and each of the POX4A and POX4B genes are disrupted in a culture medium containing a nitrogen source, an organic substrate and a cosubstrate.
The POX4 and POX5 gene disruptions effectively block the β-oxidation pathway at its first reaction (which is catalyzed by acyl-CoA oxidase) in a C. tropicalis host strain. The POX4A and POX5 genes encode distinct subunits of long chain acyl-CoA oxidase, which are the peroxisomal polypeptides (PXPs) designated PXP-4 and PXP-5, respectively. The disruption of one or more of these genes results in a partial or complete inactivation of the β-oxidation pathway thus allowing enhanced yields of dicarboxylic acid by redirecting the substrate toward the α-oxidation pathway and also prevents reutilization of the dicarboxylic acid products through the β-oxidation pathway.
Another method for producing substantially pure α,ω-dicarboxylic acids in substantial yield is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,420, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. This method includes increasing the CYP and CPR (NCP) enzymes by amplification of the CYP and CPR gene copy number in a C. tropicalis strain, and culturing the genetically modified strain in media containing an organic substrate.
Gene(s) involved in the bioconversion of various feed stocks, e.g., HOSFFA (high oleic sunflower oil, i.e., fatty acid mixtures containing oleic acid commercially available from Cognis Corp. as Edenor® and Emersol®), have native promoters that control their transcriptional regulation. These promoters are sometimes inadequate to achieve the level of transcription needed to make a gene(s) product, that is involved in a given process. Accordingly, there exists a need for tailored promoters which can aid in pocesses for increasing dicarboxylic acid production in yeast.


Locking device for a telescopic stem for a trolley wherein the stem comprises an inner stem and an outer stem, which may glide into each other, characterized in that a friction element is arranged in the outer stem and that the inner stem is equipped with the blocking element grasping into the friction element and locking the movement of the inner stem in relation to the outer stem, in that the blocking element presses against the friction element of housing with a conical groove linked to a rod stretching from the housing to the upper end of the inner stem and connected to a handle which influences the position of the housing.

It is proposed in the above mentioned patent that the central stem of the trolley can be lengthened in that the stem consists of two parts, wherein the upper part may, for example, be moved within the lower part. In order to lock the stem parts in relation to each other, a locking sleeve may for example be used at the transition between the parts.
The disadvantage of this solution is that the area around the transition is not easily accessible, since modules such as a children's seat which may be height adjusted all the way up to just under the transition, hinder access to the lock.
A telescopic handle is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,029 on a golf trolley, wherein the inner and outer stems glide into each other and are locked by a locking pin, which penetrates both stems in the upper part of the outer stem.
There therefore exits a need for a locking device which may be remotely controlled from a more accessible area on the trolley.

Locking device for a telescopic stem of a trolley


A laminated transparency includes a first ply having a No. 1 surface and a No. 2 surface. A second ply is spaced from the first ply and has a No. 3 surface and a No. 4 surface, with the No. 2 surface facing the No. 3 surface. A polymeric interlayer is positioned between the first and second plies. At least one failure strip is incorporated into the interlayer to provide a predetermined failure orientation for the transparency.

Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to window structures for buildings, vehicles or other applications and, more particularly, to a window capable of controlled failure from blast pressures due to explosions, bomb blasts, car bombs, and the like.
Technical Considerations
Terrorist attacks utilizing explosives, such as grenades, bombs, or similar devices, are increasing in an ever more dangerous world. One of the weakest points on a structure, such as a building or vehicle, is the window or similar transparent glass area. In the event of an explosion outside of the building, people in the building can become injured as the result of shattered and flying glass fragments entering the building. A conventional response to this threat is to make the window stronger and more resistant to blast damage. This can take the form of using glass panes of increased thickness, using laminated glass structures, applying safety films or sheets to the glass, or incorporating perforated metal sheets into the window structure to help prevent blast damage. However, as a general rule, the more components added to the window to increase the window strength, the lower the visible light transmittance of the window and the harder it is to see through the window. Also, conventional precautions, such as perforated metal sheets or other metallic structures, can be easily seen. This would alert a potential attacker that the window is a blast-resistant window.
In some applications, it would be advantageous to provide a window with a controlled failure orientation such that, in the event of an explosive blast exterior to the building, the window would break in a pre-selected orientation and/or remain connected to the window frame to reduce damage or injury to the building occupants. It would also be advantageous if such a failure oriented window were not easily detectable by viewing with the naked eye so that potential attackers would not know that the window is a safety window.

Laminated transparency with controlled failure and method of making the same


An electromagnetic shielding tool that includes a metallic cloth and two bracket body portions. The two bracket body portions each include two elongated portions and a coupling portion, and respectively hold a first outer edge portion and a second outer edge portion on the side opposite to the first outer edge portion among four outer edge portions of the metallic cloth so as to form a ring that surrounds the periphery of electrical wires. The two elongated portions are made of a conductive material, are joined to the metallic cloth in the state of being arranged in series along an outer edge portion of the metallic cloth, and form a ring shape due to being combined with each other on two sides of the electrical wires. The coupling portion couples end portions of the two elongated portions to each other and holds the two elongated portions in the ring shape.

Conventionally, a tube-shaped braided wire such as that shown in Patent Document 1 has normally been used as a shielding member that can change in shape in accordance with a change in the shape of an electrical wire. In Patent Document 1, when the electrical wire is introduced into a metal casing through an opening in the casing, one end of the tube-shaped braided wire is placed over the frame portion of the opening in the metal casing. The tube-shaped braided wire is then fixed to the frame portion of the opening in the casing using a crimping ring.
Note that there are also cases where the frame portion of the opening for electrical wire introduction in the metal casing is provided as an independent member. In this case, the frame portion is fixed to the opening portion of the casing using a screw or the like. Such an independent member is generally called a "shield shell". In the following description, the frame portion of the opening for electrical wire introduction in the metal casing (including the shield shell) will be called the "shield frame portion".

Electromagnetic shielding tool and wire harness


Microfluidic devices according to embodiments of the present invention include an inlet port, an outlet port, and a channel or chamber having a non-uniform array of insulating features on one or more surfaces. Electrodes are provided for generation of a spatially non-uniform electric field across the array. A voltage source, which may be an A.C. and/or a D.C. voltage source may be coupled to the electrodes for the generation of the electric field.

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is the motion of particles caused by the effects of conduction and dielectric polarization in non-uniform electric fields. Unlike electrophoresis, where the force acting on a particle is determined by its net charge, the dielectrophoresis force depends on the geometrical, conductive, and dielectric properties of the particle. A complex conductivity of a medium can be defined as σ*=σ+iωε, where σ is the real conductivity and ε is the permittivity of the medium, i is the square root of −1, and ω is the angular frequency of the applied electric field, E. According to well-known theory, the dielectrophoretic force is proportional to the differences in complex conductivity of the particle and suspending liquid and square of the applied electric field. Without being bound by theory, for a spherical particle of radius r, the DEP force, FDEP is given byFDEP=2πr3εmRe[fCM]∇E2
where εm is the absolute permittivity of the suspending medium, E is the local (rms) electric field, ∇ is the del vector operator and Re[fCM] is the real part of the Clausius-Mossotti factor, defined as:
      f    CM    =                    σ        p        *            -              σ        m        *                            σ        p        *            +              2                          σ          m          *
where σp* and σm* are the complex conductivities of the particle and medium respectively, as described in M. P. Hughes, et. al. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1425 (1998) 119-126, incorporated herein by reference. Depending on the conductivities of the particle and medium, then, the dielectrophoresis force may be positive (positive DEP), or negative (negative DEP).
Thus, when a dielectric particle is exposed to an electric field, it conducts and polarizes. The size and direction of the induced electric current and dipole depend on the frequency of the applied field and electrical properties of the particle and medium, such as conductivity, permittivity, morphology and shape of the particle. Typically in an inhomogeneous field, this causes a force due to the interaction of the induced dipole and the electric field. Particles may also be moved in electric fields due to a gradient in the field phase (typically exploited in electrorotation and traveling wave dielectrophoresis), see for example Pohl H. A., J. Appl. Phys., 22, 869-871; Pohl, H. A., Dielectrophoresis, Cambridge University Press; Huang Y., R. C. Gascoyne et al., Biophysical Journal, 73, 1118-1129; Wang X. B., Gascoyne, R. C., Anal. Chem. 71, 911-918, 1999; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,192, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Typical devices and methods employing dielectrophoresis to manipulate particles employ electrodes shaped or arranged to generate a spatially non-uniform electric field, and therefore dielectrophoretic forces. Particles are generally drawn toward the electrode edges, or toward electric field minimums between electrode regions. This limits the particles to be manipulated to those that are compatible with the electrodes, electrode materials, electrochemical products, and sharp electric field gradients in the immediate vicinity of the electrodes.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Dielectrophoresis device and method having non-uniform arrays for manipulating particles


An ultra-low power, fast start fuze oscillator contained in a fast moving projectile which contains a programmable projectile fuze. It is an RC oscillator which uses a low power comparator, three biasing resistors, a timing resistor and a timing capacitor to produce an output frequency as low as 8 kHz with a frequency error of less than .+-.0.1% over a -40.degree. C. to +60.degree. C. temperature range. At the same time, it is capable of surviving a high g environment (30,000 g to 60,000 g) in a reliable manner. Furthermore, the oscillator draws a very low amount of power, using a maximum of about 20 uA of current and has a start-up time limited to a maximum of 1.5 msec. An additional circuit can be connected to the positive supply voltage input of a lower current version of an RC oscillator to jump start the RC oscillator, thereby improving start-up time to 1.5 msec while reducing the current drain to 15 uA.

The present invention relates to a new and improved highly accurate, low power low speed fuze oscillator contained in a fast moving projectile which contains a programmable projectile fuze.
The timing accuracy requirement for modem projectiles is on the order of .+-.0.1% over wide climatic conditions in order to obtain a high probability of kill on the desired target and to limit undesired damage to adjacent structures or personnel. In a short-barrel/high-speed/high-accuracy weapon, the time between set-back and muzzle exit (when timing should start) is typically only 2 to 3 msec. In addition, set-back imposes an acceleration stress of 30,000 to 60,000 g's on the fuze.
Pyrotechnic devices have been used extensively in the past, but are unable to attain the required accuracy, especially over temperature extremes.
Analog timing circuits have also been used. While they are more accurate than pyrotechnic devices, they also have trouble in reliably meeting the stated accuracy.
Digital count down circuits have, for the most part, replaced other approaches. The primary contributor to accuracy error is the oscillator used to clock the digital circuits. Crystal oscillators can easily provide the accuracy required, but suffer from a typical start up period of several to tens of microseconds and have trouble surviving the high g environment (30,000 g to 60,000 g) in a reliable manner.
On the other hand, ceramic resonators are bulk devices that can readily take the high g environment and, also, can start up ten times faster than crystals. However, their accuracy is poor. They have tolerances of about .+-.0.25% individually for set, temperature drift and aging (which together results in an SRSS error of about .+-.0.43%). Also, ceramic oscillators can not be used at frequencies below about 80 kHz.
RC oscillators exist in the prior art for use at frequencies below 80 kHz, but none are available that can meet the accuracy requirements over temperature while drawing only 10 to 20 uA from the power bus.
Therefore, no previously known prior art involving low speed oscillators provides a frequency accuracy of .+-.0.1% over a wide temperature range while drawing low power, quick start-up, and can survive a high g environment in a reliable manner.

Ultra low-power fast start precision RC oscillator


The present invention relates to a method and device for sealing the entrance of an elongated element (1) into the lower end of an offshore tube (8), --including the steps of arranging a plug-like device (2) on the element, --pulling a predetermined length of the element into the tube, --and fixing the plug on the element surface at the bellmouth entrance (7) of the tube, the outer diameter of the plug being somewhat smaller than the inner diameter of the tube. Expandable foam is injected to a space (11,12) between the outer surface of the plug (2) and the inner surface of the tube (8), --in order to substantially fill said space.. The foam is supplied to the space (11,12) from at least one foam container (15) placed inside the plug, --via ducts (13,14) within the plug. The foam container (15) is operated from a drive gas cartridge (16) also arranged within the plug (2) and is operable by an ROV.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a sealing device or plug for sealing off a elongated element, such as an cable, a pipe or an umbilical, at its entrance into an apparatus, in particular at the lower horizontal end of an offshore J-tube, leading from the sea bed up to a platform structure. The sea bed may be several hundred meters below the sea level.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In some cases it is desirable, after a elongated element has been installed within an J-tube, that the sea water surrounding the element within the J-tube is deoxidized to prevent or reduce corrosion of the element and of the inner walls of the tube. In order to neutralize the sea water in the tube, inhibiting agents are added to the water, and the inside pressure is normally some 5-6 bar more than the pressure of the surrounding water. A problem arises, however, due to difficulties in obtaining a full seal between the surface of the elongated element and the tube entrance. If the seal is poor,--the external sea water will be gradually exchanged with the inhibited sea water within the tube. A suitable sealing device should also prevent pollution that might be caused by leaking inhibiting agents into the sea.
From GB 2 188 999 B, there is known a sealing device or plug comprising at least two elements which are arranged to be pressed against each other, against a circumference of the elongated element and against the aperture of said apparatus. At least one of the elements is hinged to the apparatus
In GB 2 281 365 A, a sealing device or plug comprises centralizing means arranged around the elongated element inside a pull-in-flange at the lower entrance of the J-tube, sealing means arranged around the elongated element next to the centralizing means, and formed as a one-piece split annulus, the split being in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the annulus and to the axis of the elongated element, and pressure means for pressing the sealing means to sealing contact against the elongated element, against the flange surface and against the centralizing means
In GB 2 297 59 A, a sealing device or plug consists of two substantially identical parts or halves which are hinged together along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the elongated element, each half comprising a centralizer part, a sealing part and tensioning parts capable of pressing the sealing means to sealing contact against the elongated element, against the inner surface of the J-tube and against the centralizing means. There are described means for interlocking the two halves with each other and interlock the device with a bellmouth flange. There are also described separate interlockable two-part means for exerting a certain friction against the surface of the elongated element when the sealing parts are interlocked but not yet tensioned.
The technical problem is--as mentioned--to provide a reliable seal at the subsea entrance of an elongated element into a socalled J-tube bellmouth. The prior art solutions all rely on compression of rubber gaskets to obtain a suitable seal, but when the inside of the J-tube is rough it is difficult to obtain a good seal.


A shell and tube heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a shell side fluid and a tube side fluid has a longitudinally extending shell, a longitudinally extending tube bundle and one or more baffles positioned within the shell for directing the shell side fluid to flow across the tube bundle. One or more valves is also provided within the shell of the heat exchanger. Each valve is operable between a first position and a second position and co-operates with a baffle for adjusting the flow of shell side fluid through the shell side of the exchanger. Each of the valves is controlled by an external actuator.

Heat exchangers are commonly used in industrial processes. Typically, heat exchange systems are designed to transfer heat from one fluid to another. The design parameters are based upon the anticipated range of temperatures of the hot heat transferring fluid and the cold heat receiving fluid. In some cases, a series of heat exchangers may be in flow communication. In addition, in some cases, the temperature of the hot heat transferring fluid and the cold heat receiving fluid may vary quite dramatically depending upon the feed stock which is used in the process. Exemplary of such a situation is the contact process for sulphuric acid manufacture.
The contact process for sulfuric acid manufacture is commonly used to recover the sulfur values from gases discharged from metallurgical processes and from waste acid regeneration. For these operations, process heat from the oxidation of sulfur dioxide is transferred from converted or partly converted gases to the unconverted gases to heat the unconverted gases to reaction temperatures typically in the range of 400 to 450.degree. C. In a double absorption plant, for example, there may be as many as six or seven heat exchangers in the exchanger train and the total exchanger area in the plant can be as large as 30,000 square meters. Gas flows can be as high as 200,000 normal cubic meters per hour and gas duct sizes can be as large as 2600 mm. Exchanger sizes may be as large as 6 meters in diameter and 25 meters high. A simplified schematic diagram of such an operation is set out in FIG. 1.
Where the gas source is a smelting furnace or acid burning operation, the gas strength produced may vary significantly and the design requirements of the various exchangers will vary in turn. The exchangers are each designed for the most difficult duty likely to arise and in other conditions, the exchanger performance will have to be decreased to satisfy the existing conditions. Such regulation of performance is normally obtained by passing a portion of the unconverted gas through external bypass means around the exchanger and mixing it with the gas passing through the exchanger at the exchanger exit. The mixed gas then passes to the next process operation. In some cases where the range of gas strengths expected in the acid plant is wide, almost total bypassing of some exchangers may be needed and the bypasses must be so designed. In other cases, there may be a need for very good mixing of the process stream before the next operation such as catalysis.
With the large gas flows and the modest pressure losses in the heat exchangers, the external bypass means has typically been a side stream around the exchanger with several changes of direction in addition to a bypass valve, a route with a significant flow resistance. The driving force for flow through the bypass line is the pressure loss through the exchanger. This driving force drops rapidly as the fraction bypassing the exchanger increases. When a high fraction of shell side fluid must bypass the exchanger, it may also be necessary to throttle the flow through the exchanger to create the needed bypass flow. Such throttling may be achieved by providing a valve on the inlet stream to the heat exchanger or by arranging the flow in such a way that the external bypass line is the preferred flow arrangement such as by placing the exchanger on the side stream and the bypass in the main flow stream. In addition, when the two gas streams are rejoined, there may be several hundred degrees differences in temperature between the bypassing stream and the main stream and mixing of the two streams is not automatic. Thus, the temperature of the recombined stream downstream of the exchanger may vary greatly from point to point. Such a temperature gradient is undesirable. For example, the temperature across the top of a catalyst bed should typically not vary by more than one or two degrees which is much less than the hundreds of degrees difference in temperature which may exist at an exchanger exit.
Normally butterfly valves have been used for control of the flow in the external bypass lines because of the size of the ducts. The valves can have many problems including warping of valves bodies because of mechanical and thermal stresses which can cause the valves to jam. In addition, the valves have shaft seals which can leak and allow process gas leakage to the atmosphere where it can cause an environmental nuisance.
Since the unconverted gas in the exchangers is usually colder and does not give a visible plume on leaking, the bypasses have typically been located on the unconverted gas side of the exchanger although there are many cases where the converted gas side might have offered better bypass opportunity.
A further characteristic of exchangers handling gas in contact acid plants is the possibility of tubes with temperatures which lead either to scale formation if the temperature is too hot or to condensation if the metal is too cold. When shell side bypassing takes place around the exchanger the stream of fluid continuing through the exchanger as opposed to the bypass approaches more closely the temperature of the entering tube side fluid and temperatures can be either too high or too low. A bypass operation which offered some protection against this risk would add to plant life and reliability. The external bypass offers no protection against this risk as the whole exchanger is bypassed and the gas is only mixed after leaving the exchanger.
A further feature of exchanger trains found in sulfuric acid plants is that there may be several exchangers in series and external temperature control bypasses may be arranged to bypass several heat exchange steps instead simply of a single step. Such an arrangement often offers very rapid response but saves less in pressure than individual bypasses and it also creates a more severe mixing problem when the multi-step bypass is combined with the main stream.

Internal bypass valve for a heat exchanger


Method of doing pushups employs a pair of pushup devices including at least one retainer for receiving a connection member at an end of an exercise band; an elastic exercise band is connected to a retainer of each push up device with the band over a user's back as a user pushes upwardly on the handle sections of the pushup devices                a pushup device also constitutes a part of the invention. The pushup device includes a longitudinally extending passage at the lower end of a body section in which an end section of an elastic exercise band is directed when a pushup in accordance with this invention is being carried out. Preferably the pushup device includes a handle section removable from a body section and usable with one or more elastic exercise bands separately from the body section to provide a variety of different exercises other than pushups.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to a method of doing pushups and to pushup devices and components thereof.
2. Background Art
It is well known in the prior art to employ pushup devices of the type including a body section for engaging the floor or other supporting surface and a handle to be engaged by a person doing pushups. A person intending to do a pushup grips the handle section of two pushup devices to carry out a pushup exercise.
In order to increase the resistance during a pushup users have positioned a stretchable elastic exercise band around their back and have engaged opposed ends of the elastic bands while at the same time gripping the handles of the pushup devices. In this method of carrying out a pushup at least a portion of the opposed ends of the exercise band is positioned adjacent the handle and is retained against the handle by the force of the person's grip. This is an extremely uncomfortable arrangement for carrying out a pushup with an exercise band, and actually can cause blisters and other injuries to the person's hand depending on the level of resistance created by the exercise band.
Even with the use of a single exercise band injury to the user's hands can occur, and clearly, based on the state of the art pushup exercises using multiple elastic bands positioned over the user's back is not feasible or even contemplated.
Exemplary prior art pushup devices are disclosed in Schaffer et al. Publication No. US2007/0037678; Ignaczak U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,930; Potok Publication No. US2009/0298657; Barringer Publication No. US2011/0009250 and International Publication No. WO2010/127337.
The '337 publication discloses a substantially circular pushup device having a body section and a handle section and discloses detachable handles in the paragraph bridging pages 41 and 42 in conjunction with FIGS. 35A, 35B and 35C.
The '337 publication also discloses attaching elastic bands to the body section of opposed pushup devices and describes that arrangement on pages 42 and 43 in conjunction with FIGS. 36A and 36B.
The elastic bands attaching pushup devices together or used in connection with a single pushup device in the '337 publication are intended to introduce resistance to the actual movement of the pushup devices relative to each other or relative to a support member during an exercise. There is no suggestion that an elastic exercise band can be connected between opposed pushup devices and positioned over the back of a user to provide added resistance against a person's body during a pushup exercise.
It also should be noted that in the '337 publication the elastic members are connected to the pushup devices through retaining members on the body section of those devices; not the handle sections. Thus, the handle sections of the pushup devices are not intended to be removed for the purpose of using the handle sections in conjunction with exercise bands to provide any exercises independent of exercises with the disclosed pushup devices.
In other words, the '337 publication does not disclose a method of using a pushup device wherein an elastic band is positioned over a person's back while the person is engaged in a pushup exercise. In addition the '337 publication does not disclose the feature of a removable handle of a pushup device, wherein the removable handle includes a retaining or attachment member for cooperating with retaining or attaching members of an exercise band to thereby permit the handle sections to be used separately with an exercise band for carrying out exercises independent of pushups.
A need exists for an improved method and structure for carrying out pushups wherein one or more elastic bands can be reliably attached to pushup devices in a manner to permit pushup exercises to be carried out with the elastic band positioned over a person's back. In addition, a need exists for an improved method and structure for carrying out pushups wherein one or more elastic bands can be reliably attached to push up devices in different positions for permitting the active length of the elastic band positioned over a person's back to be changed. In addition, a need is believed to exist for pushup devices wherein a handle section is removable from the body section of the pushup devices and is capable of being used with one or more elastic bands to provide exercises independent of pushup exercises.

Method of doing pushups and pushup device employed in said method


Systems, methods, and apparatuses for a secure digital controls portal enabling enhanced control over account functionalities and usage of secure information provided to third party systems and devices maintained by various federated and non-federated provider computing systems of various product and service providers. The secure digital controls portal can interface with various provider computing systems via custom APIs protocols. The API protocols may utilize APIs that are particular to the software and hardware operated by the various provider computing systems. The secure digital controls portal can also standardize information from the various provider computing systems. The secure digital controls portal can be a central portal accessible via a client application running on a user device that enhances one-stop switch control and security of a user's digital footprint.

Banks' users currently experience risks of their identities' abuse for criminal intentions such as opening credit cards and taking loans in financial institutions (banks) without users' permission and knowledge. To facilitate these illegitimate acts, the offenders need banks to have a free access to potential victims' credit reports maintained at credit bureaus (the credit reporting agencies and FICO), as banks make their credit decisions largely based on these credit reports.

Digital account controls portal and protocols for federated and non-federated systems and devices


An electronic system and an operation method thereof are disclosed. A method of an electronic system including a field programmable gate array (FPGA) includes: synthesizing, by processing circuitry, code of a high level language into code of a hardware description language; designing, by the processing circuitry, a circuit of an intellectual property (IP) block included in the field programmable gate array according to the code of the hardware description language; and generating, by the processing circuitry, a database containing reference assembly code corresponding to the code of the high level language and information about a circuit configuration of the intellectual property block.

Some example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to memory systems and an operation methods thereof, and more particularly, to memory systems including a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and operation methods thereof.
Some of the factors that may influence the performance of electronic systems are a capacity and a processing amount of a main memory or a system memory and an access speed thereto. A plurality of function blocks may share limited resources. Accordingly, allocation of resources to an unnecessary function block, which a user does not use, may cause a decrease in a total system speed and/or an increase in system power consumption.

Electronic system including FPGA and operation method thereof


A system, for mechanically and electrically connecting to a mobile device that includes a first connector having an exposed first set of one or more electrodes, including a mount and a case. The case is removably attachable to the mount and can removably receive the mobile device at least partially. The case includes: a second connector, configured to removably engage the first connector, and having an exposed second electrode set corresponding to the first set, respectively; and a first mating part that includes an integral and exposed third electrode set corresponding at least in part to and electrically connected to the second set, respectively. The mount includes a second mating part having an integral and exposed fourth electrode set corresponding to the third set, respectively. The first and the second mating parts are removably engageable and provide mechanical and electrical connections between the case and the mount.

Mobile devices have become prevalent in the everyday life of many people. For instance, there are approximately 6.8 billion mobile telephony subscriptions worldwide, which refers to the number of devices or SIM cards being used, noting that many people have multiple devices or multiple accounts. This number is continuously increasing, and the mobile device market continues to grow at an astonishing rate.
Furthermore, people have come to rely on their mobile device for a variety of tasks, including, but certainly not limited to phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, entertainment, taking photographs or pictures, video chat, watching or downloading videos and other media, navigation assistance, for example, via GPS, etc. Particularly, users generally need or want to use their mobile device(s) while doing various activities (whether indoor or outdoor) throughout the day, including, for example, during travel in a car, bicycle, or walking, at a concert, wedding, or other social setting or activity, etc. If the mobile device is unavailable, for example, because it is incompatible with the activity and/or because there is insufficient charge in the battery, then the user may experience frustration and/or may perceive the utility of the mobile device as diminished.
Just as there are many types of mobile devices, there are also many different types of communication (data and/or audio) connectors and charging connectors by which to connect such devices to other devices, e.g., computers, headphones, chargers, etc. For example, in terms of the smartphone type of mobile device for the year 2013, there were at least seven manufacturers with significant market share. Of the seven manufacturers, however, two combined to have about 50% of the U.S. market (SAMSUNG® at about 26%-30% and APPLE® at about 15%-20%). While the majority of SAMSUNG® brand smartphones and APPLE® brand smartphones use the same connector for making data and/or charging connections, the SAMSUNG® brand data and/or charging (hereinafter "data/charging") connectors are incompatible with the APPLE® brand data/charging connectors. Furthermore, within a given brand, different models of smartphones might require different data/charging connectors, e.g., the APPLE® brand IPHONE® 4 models use a different data/charging connector than the APPLE® brand IPHONE® 5 models.

System for mechanically and electrically connecting a mobile device case to different mounts


A brewing machine with brewing water flow control mechanisms for controlling flow between chambers, includes a filling chamber in fluid connection with a heating reservoir. In one aspect of the invention, a control chamber with a sealable opening is formed about a drain hole in the filling chamber so that water must flow through the control chamber to reach the reservoir, and fluid access to the control chamber is controlled by a seal which engages the opening in the control chamber. Engagement of the seal with the opening in the control chamber is controlled by operation of a lid which covers the filling chamber. In another aspect of the invention, a flow rate control valve assembly is at least partially housed within the control chamber and has a portion which is proximate to the drain hole in the filling chamber connected to the reservoir, whereby a rate of flow from the filling chamber to the reservoir is selectively controllable by adjustment of the flow rate control valve. In another aspect of the invention, flow rate control mechanisms which work in conjunction with the showerhead which distributes brewing water over a brewing material in a brewing chamber are provided. The flow control and flow rate control structures and mechanisms of the invention are applicable to any device having at least two fluid chambers wherein controlled flow between the chambers is required.

Automated brewing machines such as coffee and tea makers typically have a brewing water reservoir wherein water is heated by a heating element inside of or in contact with the reservoir. Heated water is then transferred from the reservoir, typically by thermal expansion or displacement, to a brewing chamber or basket which holds a brewing material such as coffee grounds or tea leaves, through which the heated water flows to produce a brewed beverage which drains into a carafe or pitcher positioned underneath the brewing chamber.
The rate of flow of heated water through the brewing material in the brewing chamber directly affects the content and taste of the brewed beverage. For example, a relatively fast rate of flow of hot water through coffee grounds in the brewing chamber will result in relatively diluted coffee with relatively less flavor and caffeine, than is produced by a slower rate of flow. And to correctly brew decaffeinated coffee grounds, a relatively slower rate of flow should be used in order to achieve a taste comparable to "regular" or caffeinated coffee which is brewed with a relatively faster rate of flow. In a displacement style brewing machine, the rate at which the heated water flows into the brewing chamber is primarily a function of the rate at which water is introduced to the reservoir, the size of the conduit or passage between the reservoir and the brewing chamber, and the size of holes in a water distributor or showerhead over the brewing chamber. The rate of flow through the brewing chamber is also a function of the size of the drainage hole at bottom of the basket. These dimensions are typically fixed, leaving no practical means for adjusting the rate of flow for brewing different types of beverages.
Some attempts have been made to enable adjustment of flow rate by, for example, providing an adaptable, interchangeable showerhead with different hole sizes; but this approach is cumbersome, labor-intensive, and dependent upon availability of the part or parts to be interchanged. Reduced-opening showerheads may not provide optimal water distribution over the brewing material in the brewing chamber. Furthermore, showerhead flow rate adjustment does not address the rate of flow into the reservoir.
Another operational difficulty associated with automated brewing machines is that the brewing cycle, i.e., the heating of water in the reservoir and flow through and out of the brewing chamber, may commence immediately upon introduction of additional water into the reservoir. This is especially the case in the well-known displacement type brewing machine, wherein a charge of hot brewing water sits in wait in the reservoir to be displaced into the brewing basket immediately upon introduction of additional water from a separate filling chamber connected to the reservoir. This necessitates that a carafe or pitcher be positioned underneath the brewing chamber as water is added to the filling chamber. Thus a second pitcher is needed to measure and pour water into the reservoir. The requirement of a separate filling pitcher is burdensome, especially in the context of machines designed primarily for domestic use.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,541 describes a displacement type brewing machine wherein a stopper directly engages a fill port between a fill basin and a heating reservoir when water is being added to the fill basin. The stopper is connected to one end of a pivotal arm. The other end of the pivotal arm may be contacted by a cam on a shaft which depends from a lid selectively covering an opening to the fill basin. When the lid is in the closed position, the cam on the shaft contacts the other end of the arm to thereby pivot that arm and lift the stopper out of engagement with the fill port, allowing water to drain through the fill port into the reservoir. When the lid is opened by swinging it to the side, the cam is moved out of contact with the arm, allowing the arm to pivot in the opposite direction so that the stopper directly engages and covers the fill port. While this structure accomplishes suspension of the brewing cycle until the lid on the fill tray is closed, it does not allow any variable rate flow control mechanism to be incorporated into or associated with the fill port, as the stopper must be positioned directly over the fill port.

Flow control and flow rate control mechanisms for use in brewing machines with fluidly connected chambers


A node device for a wireless communications, includes: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to: select an adjacent node device sending a packet to further adjacent node device prior to the node device, from among a plurality of adjacent node devices that communicate with the node device directly, based on record information regarding the further adjacent node device to which the plurality of adjacent node devices sent packets, the further adjacent node device communicating with the plurality of the adjacent node devices directly, and transmit the packet to the selected adjacent node device.

In recent years, autonomous distributed networks are used, which are ad-hoc networks or the like and formed by communication between communication devices and do not use a network infrastructure including a base station, an access point, and the like.
In an autonomous distributed network, many communication devices are connected to each other without an access point by using a technique used for wireless connections of, for example, computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, and the like. The many communication devices each transmit and receive a packet by multi-hop communication. The multi-hop communication is a technique that enables each of communication devices that exist in different communication areas to communicate with the other communication device through another communication device that exists in the communication area in which the interested communication device exists. The communication devices are referred to as nodes that exist in the network.
Traditionally, a technique for causing the nodes to form communication paths in the network is known. Each of the nodes uses this technique to autonomously form communication paths extending from the interested node to a final destination of a data packet. Each of the nodes treats, as a priority path, a communication path that is among paths extending from the interested node to the final destination and of which the quality is highest. The smaller a path cost that depends on the number of hops and the like in multi-hop communication, the higher the quality of the path.
A topology is frequently changed in the autonomous distributed network, unlike a traditional fixed network. Thus, a priority path formed upon, the formation of the paths may not be used for actual transmission of a data packet. In consideration of such situations, each of the nodes holds an alternative path that is not a priority path and is among a plurality of communication paths. For example, if a communication failure occurs in a priority path, an interested node transmits a data packet using an alternative path.
As a method for determining an alternative path, a method for selecting, as the alternative path, a communication path in which the number of hops is small is known, for example. In addition, a method for selecting an alternative path based on a spatial correlation between the alternative path and a priority path is also known.
In addition, there is a method in which a path request message that is used for routing includes a relay node list field in order to form paths and is discarded by each of nodes if addresses of the nodes exist in the relay node list field. Specifically, the method inhibits the path request message from being looped and enables the nodes to form a plurality of paths that are not looped.
In addition, for formation of a path related to a wired ad-hoc network, there is a method for learning the occurrence of a loop by a certain node device when a first frame transmitted by the certain node device is looped in the network and received as a second frame by the certain node device. The node device uses a loop detection table to learn a port that causes the occurrence of the loop. Then, the node device does not transmit a frame to the port that causes the occurrence of the loop.
Those methods are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publications Nos. 2004-336767, 2005-252452, 2005-64721, and 2006-20221 and International Publication No. WO2010/131288.

Communication method and apparatus in a multi-hop communication system


A controller for managing data demand to and from an asset is described. In particular, the controller is configured to obtain streams of local data from one or more local data sources, said local data providing local information of a current condition of the asset. Once received, the controller determines one or more potential future conditions of the asset based on the current condition of the asset and on changes in the local data. A bandwidth requirement is then determined to obtain streams of remote data from one or more remote data sources potentially relevant to the one or more potential future conditions. This bandwidth requirement is then compared to an available bandwidth; and a priority order determined for obtaining the remote data if the available bandwidth is below the bandwidth requirement.

As the number of internet enabled devices, sometimes called smart devices, continues to rise, leading towards an Internet of Things (IoT) world where any and all devices are continually exchanging data, the data analysis and bandwidth requirements also rise. The local data provided by local data sources such as sensors local to devices or assets and the remote data supplied to devices or assets from remote data sources all require an increasing amount of data bandwidth. This trend is set to continue as more devices become 'smart' and as the number and type of local and remote data sources rises.
Whilst the data or information provided by such devices or sensors is useful, it has proved difficult to undertake cross-analysis of seemingly unrelated conditions or data from different devices. Coupled to this is a data and bandwidth management issue where the local data provided by an asset, such as by sensors, together with remote data from remote data sources, such as a server, all have a bandwidth requirement that must be transmitted and received by a controller. When the available bandwidth is greater than the required bandwidth to upload the local data back to a server and to download remote data from the server, the controller is able to analyse the data and make decisions accordingly. However, when the available bandwidth is less than required the controller still attempts to process all the tasks irrespective of the available bandwidth. This can lead to degradation of performance, or for the calculation to halt, pending the arrival of required updated data from the remote data sources.
Currently, the controllers used by such smart devices fail to adequately prioritise data critical to the condition of the asset or device or, in scenarios where the controller does prioritise this is based on a pre-set priority that is not contextual to the current or potential future condition of the device or asset. It can be appreciated that the refresh rate of information supplied by remote data sources can vary depending upon the timing and/or the location of the device or asset. Accordingly, basing decisions on a pre-set non-dynamic work flow or task sequence may lead to errors in decision making by the controller, or potentially an incorrect decision being made by the controller.
A further issue is in the handling of such large volumes of data. US 20140156806 relates to systems and methods for collecting, integrating, processing, distributing, and analyzing spatial and/or spatio-temporal information associated with a variety of data sources and/or locations. Visualizations may be created using such data, and/or analytical queries performed based on the data.
Where bandwidth management has been considered, the known systems rely on prefetching techniques, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,565 or utilising varying encoding to maximise bandwidth use, such as in US 20110302236. These techniques fail to prioritise based on local conditions of an asset instead determining a priority based on the requirements of the user, not the system.
Similarly, applications that rely on prioritising based on a device backlog or workflow, such as US 20150222560 are intended to manage dataflow and capacity on large networks of devices rather than managing a task priority within a single device.
EP2705707 describes an example of optimizing paths for mobile communications—based on a comparison between a user's current location and intended location, a route is determined for the user that ensures a minimum data bandwidth along the route. However, this method is still reliant on inputs from the user, so cannot necessarily adapt quickly or automatically to real-time events or changes in the condition of the user.
As an example, sensors within motor vehicles are becoming more common. Such sensors typically monitor the speed, direction and even road conditions or weather of the motor vehicle at any point in time. Commonly such sensors are used to determine accident events and for insurance purposes.
Whilst such sensors and detectors are useful, they generally provide data in a manner akin to a black box in an aircraft. The sensors are continually recording data, and whilst algorithms may be utilised to increase or decrease the data sampling rate from the sensors based on predetermined criteria, such algorithms are typically based on complimentary information from one of the other sensors. Additionally, the information is locally based. In other words, information detailing a road traffic accident is only analysed after the accident has occurred.
Typically, continuing the road traffic accident example, such events are not so clearly linearly based on only one or two parameters. Accidents or events may be correlated to other factors, including the location of the motor vehicle relative to other motor vehicles; the speed of such other motor vehicles; the driving style of the driver of the motor vehicle or such other motor vehicles; the weight of the motor vehicle; the condition of the motor vehicle, etc. Whilst such information could be collated from individual sensors on the motor vehicles involved, laborious correlation calculations would be required to determine the key reasons for the accident.
Even more preferable would be the ability to pre-empt and prevent such accidents from occurring. For example by analysing the likelihood of two vehicles colliding and, if the risk becomes too high, taking measures to prevent a collision.
One potential area of interest is autonomous vehicles, or at least smart vehicles. In such assets or devices, the vehicle has a central controller that acts to receive local data information from local data sources, such as sensors. This local data may be uploaded to a remote server typically using a wireless protocol. Additionally, the controller may receive information from the remote server or from another remote server with remote data. However, at present, these two requirements compete for data bandwidth and continually attempt to refresh data sent to or from the controller and the server (or operate on a fixed time based refresh rate). There is no contextualisation based on the status or current condition or potential future condition of the vehicle. This leads to a waste of bandwidth, data congestion, and potential issues in areas of low bandwidth.
A further area of potential interest is medical technology. Smart medical devices, such as smart watches, provide a continual stream of medical data about a user to and from an external server, this medical data is sometimes referred to as health and usage monitoring system (HUMS) data. As with the vehicle example, such smart medical devices typically comprise a plurality of sensors that determine and update the remote server on the condition of the user. However, like the vehicle example, such sensors typically provide the information at fixed intervals and lack contextualisation based on the condition (current or future) of the user.
Robotics is another area of potential interest. Robotics utilise cybernetic data such as the control, sensory feedback and information processing data, which can be a combination of local data and remote data. It can be appreciated that bandwidth management issues may also require management to ensure that the robot prioritises obtaining remote data in a similar manner to described above.
It is an object of the present invention to ameliorate or alleviate the aforementioned drawbacks described above.


An apparatus includes a non-volatile memory media and a storage controller. The storage controller is configured to fetch a storage command from a submission queue of a host. The submission queue has a submission queue identifier (SQID). The storage controller then determines a submission queue fetch error in response to receiving a Transport Layer Packet (TLP) error as a result of fetching the storage command. Next, the storage controller is configured to determine a command identifier (CID) for the storage command associated with the submission queue fetch error. The storage controller then sends a completion message to the host. The completion message uniquely identifies the storage command of the submission queue associated with the submission queue fetch error using the SQID and CID.

Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) is a standard for accessing non-volatile storage media attached to a host device via a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) bus. NVMe may be used with a variety of non-volatile storage media, such as solid-state drives (SSDs) and hard disk drives (HDDs). One focus of NVMe relates to input/output (I/O) communication between a host device (which may access and/or write to the non-volatile storage media) and a memory device (which includes the non-volatile storage media). In that regard, NVMe implements a paired submission queue and completion queue mechanism, with host software on the host device placing commands into the submission queue. Completions are placed onto the associated completion queue by the storage controller.
"Host" or "host device" refers to any processing device or computer device or computer system configured to send and receive storage commands. Examples of a host include, but are not limited to, a computer, a laptop, a mobile device, an appliance, a virtual machine, an enterprise server, a desktop, a tablet, a main frame, and the like.
"Storage command" refers to any command relating with a storage operation. Examples of storage commands include, but are not limited to, read commands, write commands, administrative commands, maintenance commands, diagnostic commands, test mode commands, and any other command a storage controller may receive from a host or issue to another component, device, or system.
NVMe is based on a paired submission queue (SQ) and completion queue (CQ). The host device, using host software, places commands into a respective submission queue. "Submission queue" refers to a data structure configured to queue storage commands for retrieval and execution by a storage device.
The memory device/storage device, via the storage controller, places entries in the associated completion queue, with the entries indicative of completions for issued commands. In one implementation, Submission Queues and Completion Queues are allocated in the host device memory, such as a host memory buffer. The allocation of memory to the Submission Queues and Completion Queues in the host memory buffer may be physically located contiguously or non-contiguously.
When a PCIe packet error occurs after, or while, fetching a command from a submission queue, the content of the command may be corrupted or invalid and cannot be reliably used. In this case, the device does not get the command reliably (and in case of some errors may not get the command at all), even though the command was fetched (or a fetch was attempted) from the host.
This is problematic because while certain data for a command may have been fetched, because of the nature of the error, the command identifier for the command cannot be reliably used by the device. Further, the device cannot post a completion entry for that command, or report an error completion, since device does not have the command identifier, or does not have a command identifier that can be trusted as accurate and uncorrupted. Such fetch errors may cause blue screen and fatal failures.
There is a need for a mechanism for recovering from submission queue fetching errors where the command identifier is lost or cannot be trusted to be accurate.

Error recovery from submission queue fetching errors


A recording and reproducing apparatus has an indirect drive arrangement in which the reel turntables are rotated by an existing motor, such as a capstan motor or the like. The reel turntables can pivot about supporting points on a chassis such that they can be moved between large and small cassette driving positions. A drive gear supported on a swing arm and which is driven by a capstan motor, is selectively meshed with one of the driven gears provided on the two reel turntables.

The present invention relates to a recording and reproducing apparatus and, more particularly, to a miniaturized, lightweight and inexpensive recording and reproducing apparatus to which two tape cassettes of different sizes can be loaded.
A recording and reproducing apparatus has been proposed wherein two tape cassettes of different sizes having supply reels and take-up reels can be loaded and wherein the reel turntables that engage the tape reels, are accordingly translated between two positions. This recording and reproducing apparatus further includes reel motors which are exclusively dedicated to rotating the reel turntables and which enable the translation of the reel turntables between the two positions.
Since the recording and reproducing apparatus includes motors which are exclusively provided for rotating the respective reel motors as described above, there is the disadvantage that the members which support the reel turntables are inevitably increased in size and weight. Further, there is the disadvantage that the mechanism for translating the reel turntables between the two positions becomes complex.
Furthermore, when both the reel turntables are driven by a single reel turntable motor or when the two reel turntables are indirectly driven by using the driving force of another motor, the reel turntables need to be translated by a mechanism which applies proper torque to the reel turntables and a mechanism which detects the rotation of the reel turntables. However, this arrangement is also complex in arrangement.

Indirect drive mechanism for recording and reproducing apparatus capable of accomodating different size cassettes


A process for the skeletal isomerization of olefins wherein the olefins are contacted with a SKISO-11 alumina base catalyst to convert into isomerized products effectively under the conversion conditions comprising a temperature of above 200.degree. C. to about 650.degree. C., the pressure of 0.3 to about 10 atmospheres and a molar ratio of hydrogen or nitrogen to olefins feed from 0 to about 10.

In general, the double-bond isomerization reaction of olefins often occurs in the presence of an acidic catalyst by proton transfer between olefins. However, it is not necessary to proceed with the reaction at high temperature. Skeletal isomerization of olefins is known to be conducted by contacting unbranched olefins with acidic catalysts at more extreme conditions. Therefore, for skeletal isomerization of olefins, the alkyl carbonium ion which is the transition state of double-bond isomerization reaction needs to undergo a rearrangement, and subsequently a proton transfer step to form the desired products.
In the past, the skeletal isomerization catalysts were mostly prepared from an alumina support with some modifications on the surface by halogen-containing compounds, such as HBr or butyl bromide. Examples are: Sun U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,943, issued Oct. 18, 1988; Sun U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,463, issued Mar 31, 1987; and Elazar et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,191, issued Feb. 21, 1984. The catalyst in this invention is prepared without any modification of halide compound on the catalyst surface and can be effectively employed for the skeletal isomerization of olefins.
The isomerization reaction of olefins is well known to be limited by the thermodynamic equilibrium of reacting species. The skeletal isomerization catalysts described in some patents or published papers were mostly prepared from the treatment of halogen-containing compounds in order to maintain the activity and the selectivity. However, there are some disadvantages for those catalysts, such as excessively high capital costs, undue waste, difficulty of treatment, etc.
The product of skeletal isomerization for C.sub.4 olefin is isobutylene which is one of the feedstock reagents for producing methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), an ether compound with high octane number used in gasoline. For the skeletal isomerization of C.sub.5 olefin, the desired product is isoamylene which is the feedstock reagent for producing tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME), also a high octane-number compound.

Skeletal isomerication of olefins with an alumina based catalyst


A method and device for generating hydrogen and oxygen from water using the heterodyning or impacting of two radio frequencies on the surface of water in a shielded and grounded enclosure, with separation and collection of gases accomplished by a superimposed manifold. One radio frequency is higher than the other, one typically in the ultra high radio frequency bandwidth (UHF) and the other typically in the very high radio frequency bandwidth (VHF). The heterodyning creates two additional radio frequencies that are also used to fracture the water's molecular bonds. The method is clean, odorless, silent, and environmentally friendly, with no residue, fumes, or other unwanted byproducts. Optionally, water filtering means, water heating means, saltwater, and/or fresh water can be used. A water spray can also be used to increase the water surface area available for bond fracture by the radio frequency disturbance.

2. Description of Related Art
Electrolysis is commonly used to provide pure hydrogen. It involves the immersion of two electrified probes into a prepared brine of sodium hydroxide and water. One electrode of nickel-plated iron is paired with one iron electrode. When current is passed, the water decomposes as bubbles of hydrogen gas leave the cathode and oxygen bubbles leave the anode. A significant disadvantage of electrolysis is that caustic soda brine used is not environmentally friendly. In contrast, the present invention generator and method are much more environmentally friendly than electrolysis. The present invention does not require a hazardous liquid medium with special handling needs, leave residue, or create noxious fumes. It also provides a clean and odorless process that is conducted without noise, wherein two antennae each provide a different radio frequency within a shielded and grounded enclosure, one typically in the ultra high radio frequency bandwidth (UHF) and the other typically in the very high radio frequency bandwidth (VHF). The impinging of the two different radio frequencies against a water surface in the enclosure and against one another creates two additional radio frequencies and results in the heterodyning of four high radio frequencies against the water in the enclosure which overlap with random spacings, whereby the water's molecular bonds become fractured and its gaseous hydrogen and oxygen components released, which can be separated and collected for productive use. The four radio frequencies include the original two radio frequencies provided by the two antennae, as well as one that is equivalent to the sum of the original two radio frequencies and another equivalent to the difference between them.

Radio frequency hydrogen and oxygen generator and method


A vehicular storage device provided in opposed relation to a passenger seat. A convex part, protruding from a rear surface of a lid in a direction opposite from a vehicle occupant, has a deformation allowance part that deforms when an impact is applied to the convex part.

A glove box, which is a storage device for a vehicle provided in front of a passenger seat, is disclosed in JP 08-002333 A.
The glove box is disposed in an instrument panel in front of the passenger seat so that the left and right side surfaces of the box are substantially parallel with the front doors of the vehicle. The side surfaces of the box are formed with curved surfaces in which the sides each bulge inward. An impact can be absorbed by mounting ribs on the curved surfaces.
However, a depth in the glove box is necessary for the left and right sides to deform and collapse, and the effect cannot be expected under a condition in which the depth is reduced. In the particular case that an interior design is adopted in which the instrument panel curves toward the center of the vehicle width so as to encompass vehicle occupants, the center portion of the instrument panel between the driver seat and the passenger seat bulge. Therefore, the depth of the left side surface in the vicinity of the vehicle door cannot be assured in comparison with the right side surface of the glove box in the vicinity of the center portion. In other words, there is a problem in that a distance between the passenger seat and the glove box is less on the right side surface of the glove box in the vicinity of the center portion, and the glove box collides with the legs of a vehicle occupant before the effect of an impact is sufficiently absorbed. The shape of the left and right side surfaces can be made different, but the structure then becomes complex.
A glove box disclosed in JP 09-086318 A has a front surface wall disposed in an instrument panel. The front surface wall is configured as a hollow structure composed of a base wall of a box, and a surface plate mounted on the seat side of the base wall. The hollow interior has lattice-shaped means for absorbing an impact. Impact-absorption is improved for this reason.
However, a thickness sufficient for providing the lattice shaped impact absorption means in the hollow space of the front wall is necessary in the front surface wall of the structure of the glove box, but, depending on conditions, a sufficient thickness of the front surface wall cannot be assured when a certain storage capacity is provided. For example, in the case of an interior design in which the instrument panel is made to curve so as to encompass the vehicle occupants, the center portions of the instrument panel between the driver seat and the passenger seat bulge, but the depth is reduced in the vicinity of the door. Therefore, the hollow space of the front wall is made thin, and as a result, the ability of the impact absorbing means to deform is reduced and it is difficult for the impact to be absorbed. The thickness of the hollow space in the vicinity of the center components can be increased (made wider), but the structure is made more complex in terms of setting the thickness of the impact absorbing means as well as in other aspects.