A vertical blind that includes a plurality of louvers of which certain louvers are alternately positioned and can be placed in various positions so that the vertical blind can be fully changed in form. The vertical blind further includes a rotation-transferring mechanism on alternating carriers. The rotation-transferring mechanism serves to transfer the rotation of the shaft, which is mounted in the head rail, to the louvers, which are hung from the alternating carriers, so that the louvers rotate around their vertical axes. If the louvers that are hung from the carriers with the rotation-transferring mechanism are positioned so that they are almost perpendicular to the head rail, each louver hung from those carriers that are not equipped with a rotation-transferring mechanism almost covers each space left between the louvers on either side of the louver hung from the carrier with the rotation-transferring mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vertical blind.
2. Background Information
A conventional vertical blind is known in the art that includes a head rail and plural movable carriers arranged within the head rail. The conventional vertical blind further includes louvers that are hung from the carriers, rotation shafts that are mounted in the head rail, and a rotation-transferring mechanism for transferring the motion of the rotation shafts to the louvers, which, in turn, rotate about their vertical axes. When the blind is opened, the louvers are folded at the end of the head rail. The vertical blind is closed by moving plural carriers. The louvers hung from the carriers are turned as one unit by turning the rotation shafts. If all the louvers are oriented nearly parallel to the head rail, the louvers are in a screening state and screen the view from the inside. If the louvers are oriented nearly perpendicular to the head rail, the louvers do not screen the view and are in a viewing state. The vertical blind is used by alternating between the screening state and the viewing state.
However, this conventional vertical blind is disadvantageous because all the louvers simultaneously perform the same movements. The movement and shape of the blind, thus, is monotonous.
The conventional vertical blind is further disadvantageous because, when in the viewing state, all the louvers are oriented nearly perpendicular to the head rail. Thus, light from the outside can enter the inside of the room. Moreover, the interior of the room is fully exposed to view through the louvers from the outside. Thus, privacy cannot be guarded.
The present invention seeks to overcome such disadvantages. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vertical blind where alternating louvers can be placed in a different position from those louvers adjacent to the alternating louvers. Thus, the vertical blind has a variety of shapes.
Further, it is another object of the present invention to provide a vertical blind in which light can enter the room from the outside without fully exposing the interior of the room to viewing from the outside through the louvers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vertical blind in which the louvers automatically restore to their original position after the louvers have been flapped by the wind or like. Thus, the inside of the room is not fully exposed to view from the outside of the room.


A light-emitting diode (LED) lamp which can replace a typical fluorescent lamp is provided. The LED lamp comprises external connection pins connected to terminals of an electronic or magnetic fluorescent lamp ballast, capacitors connected to each of the external connection pins, diodes connected to each of the capacitors and a LED array connected between the diodes, wherein an first external connection pin, a first capacitor, a first diode, an LED array, a second diode, a second capacitor and a second external connection pin are connected in series. The LED lamp also further comprises a diode connected in anti-parallel with a series circuit of the second diode and the LED array, and another diode connected in anti-parallel with a series circuit of the first diode and the LED array.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light-emitting diode (LED) fluorescent lamp, and more particularly, to an LED fluorescent lamp which is suitable for use, instead of a typical fluorescent lamp, with a fluorescent lamp ballast.
2. Description of the Related Art
Due to the improvement of the optical efficiency of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which has been previously used as low-power indicator lights, the range of application of LEDs has gradually widened. LEDs, unlike other light sources, do not contain mercury and are thus deemed as environment-friendly light sources. Therefore, LEDs have recently come into the limelight as next-generation light sources for mobile terminals, liquid crystal display (LCD) TVs, or automobiles. Accordingly, incandescent lamps or fluorescent lamps, which have been used as major light sources for the past hundred years, are rapidly being replaced by LEDs.
LED lamps can directly replace incandescent lamps such as E26 base lamps. However, in order to replace existing fluorescent lamps with LED lamps, it is necessary to change lamp fixtures or to additionally install a power supply exclusive for LED lamps. Thus, LED fluorescent lamps have not yet been widely distributed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The disclosed embodiments are directed to the printing of mixed output jobs automatically as a single integrated job. More particularly, a merging module connects two print systems, for example, at approximately 90 degrees to one another, although other configurations are possible. The merging module includes at least one sheet rotator in a plane that is common to both the paper paths of both print engines. It also includes at least two bypass paths (one above and one below the rotator) to route the two paper paths around the rotator and enable both print engines to deliver their output to the appropriate finishing device.

Illustrated herein are methods and systems relating to image and document production. Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to mixed output production using electrophotographic or xerographic marking or printing engines. However, it is to be appreciated that embodiments associated with other marking or rendering technologies are contemplated.
Traditionally, a printer prints a job as the job arrives to the printer. In a networked printer environment, a network server presents the jobs queued at the network to the printer for printing sequentially. The printer is traditionally a two-phase work center. In the first phase of the printing function, the printer processes the job for rasterization. The process is known as raster image processing (or RIP). In the second phase of the printing function, the printer prints the job.
In order to provide increased production speed, document processing systems that include a plurality of printing or marking engines have been developed. These so-called "cluster printing systems" enable high print speeds or print rates by grouping a number of slower speed marking engines in parallel. The systems are very cost competitive and have an advantage over single engine systems because of their redundancy. For example, if one marking engine fails, the system can still function at reduced throughput by using the remaining marking engines. However, to print jobs containing a mix of monochrome, MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) or color prints with cluster printing systems, print shops typically split the job into parts and run those parts on separate color, MICR or monochrome print engine, transferring the output prints to either an off-line collator or to an in-line inserter to assemble the pages into the job correctly. Alternatively, the customer may have to run the entire monochrome+color job on a color machine or run a monochrome+MICR job on a MICR machine. Both of these cases result in a higher printing cost for the job.
In this regard, several companies provide elementary mixed color and monochrome page job processing software, such as Xerox FreeFlow, EFI Balance, and SOFHA MultiFLOW. Typically, the mixed color/monochrome job is rasterized or "RIPped" a first time and all color pages are printed on a color printer. A job ticket is automatically created. The job ticket programs the color pages as inserts into the monochrome print stream. The color pages are then unloaded from the color printer and placed in an inserter tray in the monochrome engine. The job is then run again, this time printing all the monochrome pages. The pre-programmed job ticket inserts the color pages into the monochrome page stream in the correct location. While this process is somewhat simpler than performing these tasks entirely manually, it does require human interaction that is both time intensive and error prone in that the color pages may be loaded in incorrect order, with incorrect orientation and the like.
Thus, there is a need for a means to provide the customer the ability to print mixed output jobs (e.g., monochrome+color, monochrome+MICR, etc.) automatically as a single integrated job, while still allowing the customer the flexibility to use that same equipment to run separate monochrome and color or MICR jobs simultaneously without reconfiguring the hardware.


A new and distinct cultivar of Barberry plant named ‘Redtorch’, characterized by its narrow and upright plant habit; leaves that are dark purple in color and in the autumn become bright red in color; and tolerance to Powdery Mildew.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Barberry plant, botanically known as Berberis thunbergii and hereinafter referred to by the name 'Redtorch'.
The new Barberry plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Allassac, France. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new erect Barberry plants with attractive foliage.
The new Barberry plant originated from an open-pollination in 2002 of an unnamed selection of Barberry thunbergii, not patented, as the female, or seed parent and an unknown selection of Barberry thunbergii as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Barberry plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor in 2003 as a single plant within the progeny of the stated open-pollination in a controlled environment in Allassac, France.
Asexual reproduction of the new Barberry plant by softwood cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Beaufort-en-Vallée, France since the Jun. 1, 2004 has shown that the unique features of this new Barberry plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.


Techniques are provided to facilitate the computation of beamforming weights used by a first communication device when sending a transmission via a plurality of antennas to a second communication device where knowledge of the behavior of the channel between the first communication device and the second communication device is limited to a portion of a wide frequency band. A frequency extrapolation beamforming weight computation process is provided to derive knowledge in other frequency subbands based on information contained in the received transmission from the second communication device.

In a wideband wireless communication systems the bandwidth of a transmission is usually is much larger than the coherent frequency bandwidth. This implies that the channel signatures in different frequency subbands may be mutually uncorrelated. When a first communication device, such as a base station, does not have information pertaining to the channel signature in all frequency subbands, the use of beamforming techniques at the first communication device when transmitting to a second communication device, e.g., a specific or particular mobile station, becomes less reliable. To feedback all estimated channel coefficients in all frequency subbands would require too much overhead in a transmission from the second communication device to the first communication device. The term "uplink" is used herein to refer to transmissions from the second communication device to the first communication device and the term "downlink" is used to refer to transmissions from the first communication device to the second communication device.
In time division duplex (TDD) systems, the uplink channel coefficients matrix is strongly correlated with the downlink channel coefficients matrix. Thus, there is an opportunity to exploit this property in order to derive knowledge about the channel between the first communication device and the second communication device in any frequency subband.

Frequency band extrapolation beamforming weight computation for wireless communications


The ceramide composition includes capsules dispersed in the ceramide composition, the capsules comprising a shell and a core. The shell includes a polycaprolactone, a block copolymer, and a surfactant. The core includes ceramide NP, hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine, 2-oleamido-1,3-octadecanediol, and a hydrophobic solvent. The core has a weight ratio of the ceramide NP of (i) and the hydroxypalmitoyl sphinganine of (ii) to the 2-oleamido-1,3-octadecanediol of (iii) is from 1:2.5 to 1:5. Additionally, the ceramide composition includes hydroxyacetophenone and hydrophilic solvent.

Skin acts as a natural barrier between internal and external environments and therefore plays an important role in vital biological functions such as protection against mechanical and chemical injury, micro-organisms, and ultraviolet damage. Human skin is made up mainly of two main layers, the dermis and the epidermis, which superficially covers the dermis. The dermis provides the epidermis with a solid support. The dermis is composed mainly of fibroblasts and an extracellular matrix of collagen, elastin, and a substance known as ground substance. These components are synthesized by the fibroblasts.
The epidermis, which covers the dermis and is in direct contact with the external environment, has the main role of protecting the body against the dehydration and external attack. Natural human epidermis is composed mainly of three types of cells, namely keratinocytes, which form the vast majority, melanocytes and Langerhans cells. Each of these cell types contributes to protecting the body against external attacking factors (the weather, ultraviolet rays, tobacco, etc.). The epidermis is a keratinized, stratified pavement of epithelium that is about 90% keratinocytes. The gradual differentiation of the cells of the basal membrane, which separates the dermis from the epidermis, towards the surface of the epidermis includes the differentiation of keratinocytes, which migrate towards the surface of the skin, where they desquamate.
Ageing of the epidermis results in a reduction of thickness. Atrophy of the epidermis is the consequence of the slowing down of keratinocyte proliferation and of the accumulation of senescent keratinocytes. The outer layer becomes dull. The cells constituting the epidermis are delimited by a lipid domain. In the course of differentiation, phospholipids, the role of which consists in producing the fluid structure of the cell membranes of the living layers of the epidermis, are gradually replaced by a mixture composed predominantly of fatty acids, cholesterol and ceramides (sphingolipids).
These lipids are organized in specific lamellar structures, the integrity of which depends on the quality of the fractions present, but also on their respective proportions. This lamellar structure of the lipids of the lipid domain of the epidermis is responsible for the fluidity and thus the suppleness of the skin. The lipids are also responsible for the "barrier" properties of the epidermis, particularly of the stratum corneum.
The epidermal lipids are mainly synthesized in living epidermis. They are made up mainly of phospholipids, sphingolipids, cholesterol, free fatty is acids, triglycerides, cholesterol esters and alkanes. The phospholipids are essential for the constitution of cell membranes. They play an important role in the mediation of extracellular signals and the formation of free aliphatic chains used for energy production. They constitute a reservoir of free fatty acids necessary for the constitution of the sphingolipids. The cholesterol plays a fundamental role in moisturization of the skin and in the "barrier" function of the epidermis. Free fatty acids play a major role in maintaining the lamellar structure of the lipids of the stratum corneum, and also in the constitution of cell membranes, where they are responsible for the membrane fluidity, but also for physiological processes such as the functioning of receptors or enzymatic activity.
Ceramides are lipids that play a paramount role in the metabolism of the epidermis, and are necessary for maintaining the multilamellar structure of the intercorneocytic lipids. They are also essential for the "barrier" function of the epidermis and for water exchanges, especially for overcoming age-related moisturization problems.
Accordingly, improved compositions and products that deliver ceramides to skin are needed.

Ceramide containing capsules, ceramide compositions, and cosmetic compositions thereof


A method of preparing an integrated circuit module for attachment to a PC substrate. At least one uncased semiconductor die is affixed to a TAB tape frame having concentrically arranged an outer conductive test pad footprint, and an intermediate bond pad footprint. Conductive traces connect the bond pads individually to test pads and to ball grid array pads on the TAB tape within the confines of the bond pad footprint. Wire bonds connect input/output points of the die to the bond pads The die and the wire bonding are next overmolded with a plastic forming a cased integrated circuit module. Testing and burn-in of the module is achieved by connecting test probes to the test pads After the test and bum-in step, the integrated circuit module is cut free from the TAB tape frame for attachment to a PC board, via the ball grid array.

I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to methods of manufacturing electronic circuit assemblies, and more particularly to a method of semiconductor packaging of single or multiple die using tape automated bonding tape for test and elevated temperature cycling (burn-in) of such semiconductor packages.
II. Discussion of the Prior Art
As integrated circuit (IC) chips are made smaller and of increased complexity and as clock speeds become higher and higher, methods had to be developed to provide a suitable interconnection between the IC chips and printed circuit substrates on which such IC chips are mounted. To address the complexity and size constraints imposed, electronic packaging engineers earlier devised a process called tape automated bonding, often referred to by the acronym TAB. Tape Automated Bonding (TAB) is an inner connect technology between integrated circuits and associated substrates wherein a prefabricated carrier with copper leads adapted to the IC pads instead of individual wires. This prefabricated carrier or tape consists of a perforated polyimide film, like camera film, and of the same dimensions, which has a transport perforation and stamped openings for the IC and the connection leads. A copper foil is glued to the film and the copper is etched using photolithography. TAB is an approach to reduce the pitch and to speed up interconnection of IC chips to a lead frame, especially for high-volume production applications. There are several types of copper/polyimide composite film materials that have been found quite suitable. The polyimide sheet material is laminated with the copper foil using a thermosetting adhesive. The copper is appropriately masked and etched using well-known techniques to define inner and outer pad areas connected by fine, closely spaced conductive traces. Vias through the thickness dimension of the tape are formed and the vias are appropriately metallized, such as by electroless copper plating or by a direct metallization process (DMP) which are the thru-hole copper plating processes that involve conductive thin film deposition on the organic polymer surface of the thru-hole wall and copper electroplating on it. The conductive traces on an undersurface of the TAB tape individually lead to a plurality of solder ball mounting pads commonly referred to as a ball grid array (BGA) that facilitate attachment of integrated circuit chips mounted on the TAB tape to a printed circuit substrate.
In accordance with the prior art and as reflected by the flow chart of FIG. 1, wire bonding techniques are used to connect a fine wire between an on-chip I/O pad and a pad on the TAB tape. Once all of the wire bonds are established, the semiconductor die or dies are overmolded with a plastic encapsulant, after which solder balls are attached to the pads in the BGA located on the undersurface of the TAB tape beneath the die.
Following the teachings of the prior art, the TAB tape is then severed about the perimeter of the integrated circuit to yield discrete chips. The discrete chips are then placed in a custom made ball grid socket so that testing and burn-in can be performed on the chip before it is mounted in the end device using a reflow solder technique to join the solder balls of the BGA to the printed circuit board of the end device.
BGA sockets used for test and burn-in are dependent on ball pitch, ball size and the package outline. Any variation from the standard results in an expensive, custom test socket. Burn-in of BGAs often results in deformation of the solder balls. In that BGA test sockets require a specific ball size, any change in ball size results in the need for retooling of the BGA sockets. This necessarily increases the manufacturing cost of an integrated circuit assembly.
In accordance with the present invention semiconductor I/O are routed on TAB tape first to BGA pads internal to the die outline and secondly to test pads located external to the semiconductor package outline. In this fashion, the test pads can be used during test and burn-in, making it unnecessary to have expensive BGA sockets in order to do the test and burn-in. The method of the present invention also eliminates the need to contact the solder balls on the BGA during testing and burn-in so that they remain properly spaced and shaped for later reflow solder attachment to mating pads on a printed circuit assembly.

Method for preparing integrated circuit modules for attachment to printed circuit substrates


Structurally tunable cores are described that can be implemented, for example, in aircraft components. An example flex beam for coupling a rotor blade to a rotor hub includes a first composite laminate, a second composite laminate, a third composite laminate, first resilient core members and second resilient core members. The first composite laminate forms a first skin of the flex beam. The second composite laminate is located opposite the first composite laminate and forms a second skin of the flex beam. The third composite laminate is located between the first composite laminate and the second composite laminate. The first resilient core members extend between the first composite laminate and the third composite laminate. The second resilient core members extend between the second composite laminate and the third composite laminate.

In nature, bird wings include a highly integrated muscular and skeletal structure that advantageously enables the wings to operate over a large range of motion with variable stiffness. Known efforts to implement a biomimetic solution for aircraft components (e.g., rotors, wings, etc.) that mimics the operational capabilities associated with bird wings have long been hampered by limitations in designs, structural analyses, and material capabilities.
Implementing aircraft components that foster a reduction in the overall part count of the aircraft (e.g., relative to other candidate components) can be advantageous. For example, the implementation of flex beams in an aircraft rotor can advantageously replace complex hinges that would otherwise be required to couple the blades of the aircraft rotor to the hub of the aircraft rotor. Known flex beam implementations are limited, however, in terms of the degree and/or extent of vertical deflection (e.g., flapping) that is attainable via the flex beam while maintaining adequate chordwise and spanwise stiffnesses via the flex beam.


An arrow having a forward portion and an aft portion. The aft portion includes a necked down region having a diameter less than the diameter of the frontal portion. A cutter device includes one or more blades and is mountable along the necked down region of the aft portion. A tube having a plurality of vanes is disposed over the blades during arrow flight and is slidable rearward to allow the blades to deploy outward upon engagement of the vanes with a target.

The present invention pertains to hunting arrows and more specifically to a crossbow arrow or bolt having cutter blades deployable from the aft portion of the arrow.
Bow hunting has become a popular sport and involves the use of specialized equipment. As well known, bow hunters utilize vertical type bows (such as long bows, recurve bows, and compound vertical bows) and crossbows. The arrows employed with vertical type bows and crossbows have many similarities and several differences. Typically, arrows employed with vertical type bows are longer than arrows employed with crossbows. Additionally, the diameter of arrows used with crossbows, which are also known as bolts, are typically greater than the diameter of arrows used with vertical type bows.
When hunting with a bow and arrow, it is generally understood that it is desirable to create an entry and an exit wound in a target animal. By creating an entry and exit wound, it is likely that bleeding from the wounds will permit the hunter to track and locate the target animal more easily. If the entry and exit wounds close quickly, tracking of the wounded animal may become more difficult and the animal may not be able to be located.
To address this problem, hunting arrows have been provided with broadheads at the forward end of the arrow that have cutter blades which deploy upon impact to produce a larger wound than would be produced without such blades. As a consequence of the deployment of the cutter blades in the broadhead at the forward end of the arrow, larger entry and exit wounds are produced. The size of the blades used in a broadhead, however, is limited in practice by the size of the broadhead. Additionally, if cutter blades at the forward end of an arrow are too large, the broadhead will not be as likely to pass through the target animal and create an exit wound.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,079,926 assigned to the assignee of the present invention discloses a rear mountable cutter device for a hunting arrow in which the cutter device is mounted to a component that is affixed to the rearward end of the arrow. The blades of the cutter device extend forward toward the broadhead. Prior to deployment, the blades are generally disposed along the surface of the arrow shaft and a tube is disposed over the blades to retain the blades in a non-deployed orientation during arrow flight. This embodiment results in a discontinuity in the outer diameter of the arrow shaft between the forward end of the arrow and the rearward end of the arrow due to the presence of the blades and the surrounding tube. This discontinuity is undesirable with respect to arrows or bolts launched by crossbows.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an expandable cutter assembly that is mountable to an arrow and that produces an entry wound larger than that typically produced by a conventional broadhead. Additionally, it would be desirable to have an arrow that is suitable for use with crossbows and that produces more substantial internal wounds in a target animal to more quickly cause the demise of the target animal.

Crossbow bolt having a rear deployable cutter device and practice bolt for simulating the same


Methods and systems are presented for the automatic optimal placement text or symbol labels corresponding to graphical objects on maps. Using a map server and a thin, typically mobile client, maps are dynamically drawn and displayed at the client. Optimized labeling of map objects is achieved by dividing the task into pipelined subtasks, some being performed off-line, and others being performed in real time, responsively to changing client requests, and changes in the map viewport. Optimization of candidate label positions is accomplished using simulated annealing.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to map display systems and methodologies. More particularly, this invention relates to the near optimum placement of cartographic labels.
2. Description of the Related Art
Map labeling involves determining a near optimal placement of labels that identify various cartographic features. Typically when drawing a map, there are requirements to label points such as cities, lines such as rivers or political borders, and real features such as swamps, parks or forests. The art of cartography has a long history, and label placement, being part of this art, does not fall short. For many centuries, cartographers have devised some general rules that a well-formed label placement must follow. Labels must be positioned such that they are legible and follow aesthetic quality criteria. A label must be placed in the best position among all legible positions. Labels should, in spite of their incorporation into densely crowded graphics of the map, be easily read, easily discriminated from other labels, and quickly located. The label must permit associativity. That is, the label and the object to which it belongs should be easily associated. A principle of noninterference must be observed. Labels should disturb other map contents as little as possible. Finally, labels should assist the reader to identify spatial situations, territorial extent, connections, importance, and to differentiate objects.
While there are many possible ways to label map features and to resolve conflicts, a well-formed labeling should result in a legible and attractive map that provides easy access to its information. Optimizing label placement in general is a difficult problem for which closed form solutions are either impractical or simply not available.
In map production, the problems of placing labels of a set of nodes or points are referred to as the "node label placement problem" (NLP), and the "point feature label placement problem", respectively. The problem of placing labels of lines or edges is referred to as the "edge label placement problem" (ELP). A related problem is the placement of area labels or face labels. All three problems are NP-hard. Therefore, algorithms based on exhaustive search are impractical due to exponential explosion, even when attempting to solve the problems independently. These three problems are referred to collectively as the "graphical feature label placement problem" (GFLP).
While the particular heuristics that have been used to resolve label conflicts vary, all depend upon three important assumptions: (1) Each individual label can be placed in one of a relatively small number of positions near or on the feature it annotates. The search for a new label position may be an iterative process, but only a few positions for each label are typically evaluated by most label placement algorithms. (2) The relative quality of individual label positions can be measured. (3) Each label should be placed relative to its feature in the best possible position that avoids overlapping with other labels or map symbols. Essentially, the GFLP is a combinatorial optimization problem.
Approaches that have been proposed to solve the map labeling problems are based on greedy algorithms, algorithms that simulate physical models, and algorithms that reduce the labeling problem to a variant of zero-one integer programming, such as relaxation methods, e.g., Lagrangian relaxation methods.
Using physical relaxation methods, labels are moved smoothly in response to virtual forces generated by label-label and label-symbol overlaps, while remaining tethered to the symbols they tag.
Using zero-one integer programming, scores associated with each label's candidate positions are refined iteratively to better reflect the merit of different label positions.
In gradient descent methods, a randomly generated labeling is improved monotonically by considering all alternative positions for each label, chosen from a discrete set, and making the single label move in a manner that most improves the global quality of the map labeling.
Genetic algorithms have also been applied to map labeling optimization. Genetic algorithms are iterative techniques, based on the paradigm of Darwinian evolution, and changes between iterations are not restricted to gradient descent but rather include a degree of randomness. Techniques based on genetic algorithms require careful tuning, as they are prone to converge on local optima.
Simulated annealing is another variant of the gradient descent technique, in which single label moves that worsen the quality of the labeling are performed occasionally in order to avoid becoming entrapped by local optima.
Formerly, map labels could be optimized more or less at leisure, using off-line approaches. However, systems for providing drivers with in-vehicle electronic routing maps and navigation aids have emerged. These systems are commonly coupled to a location-finding device in the vehicle, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The GPS receiver automatically determines the current location of the vehicle, to be displayed on the map and used in determining routing instructions. In-vehicle navigation systems fall into two general categories: "on-board" systems, in which the map data are stored electronically in the vehicle (typically on optical or magnetic media); and "off-board" systems, in which the map data are furnished by a remote map server. These systems typically use a client program running on a smart cellular telephone or personal digital assistant (PDA) in the vehicle to retrieve information from the server over a wireless link, and to display maps and provide navigation instructions to the driver. The off-board systems are particularly versatile, but may require the dynamic production of maps responsively to changing location information transmitted by the vehicle to the remote map server. This can place a significant computational burden on the remote map server.
The above-noted methods reflect progress in solving each component of the graphical feature label placement problem individually, but there is as yet no suitable integrated method that solves both of the graphical feature label placement problems simultaneously and in reasonable time so as to satisfy modern requirements.


A method for manufacturing a food product includes depositing a first foodstuff; transporting the first foodstuff in a first driven direction; depositing a second foodstuff upon a portion of an upper surface of the first foodstuff; transporting the first foodstuff with the second foodstuff deposited thereupon in the first driven direction; separating the first foodstuff with the second foodstuff metered thereupon into a plurality of sheet segments; serially transporting each sheet segment of the plurality of sheet segments from the first driven direction to a second driven direction that is transverse to the first driven direction; compressing the serially transported sheet segments for forming a plurality of thickness segments including the first foodstuff and the second foodstuff that define an elongated, food product body; separating the elongated, food product body into a plurality of food product body units; and finishing the plurality of food product body units.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.
Food product manufacturing systems are known, and are used to manufacture certain pastries and baked goods. For example, food product manufacturing systems can be used to manufacture food products that include multiple layers of foodstuff. In some examples, food product manufacturing systems can be used to roll, stack, and/or fold various layers of foodstuff in order to manufacture a food product. While existing food product manufacturing systems perform adequately for their intended purpose, improvements to food product manufacturing systems are continuously being sought in order to advance the arts.

Method for manufacturing a food product, a food product produced by a food product manufacturing system, and food product manufacturing system


A holder, into which a disk is inserted from above and having an opening in its lower portion, is provided in the interior of a panel whose lower end is supported pivotably on a chassis. The panel is provided so as to translatable between a first position in which with the panel closed from an open position the holder comes into contact with the chassis and a center hole in the disk is brought near the fore-end of a turntable, and a second position in which with the panel further closed from the first position with the holder being in contact with the chassis, the disk is fitted onto the turntable. The stop is supported pivotably on the panel, and its free-end enters a lower portion of the holder so as to receive the disk. The chassis is provided with a protuberance for pivoting the stop in a direction in which, in association with the panel pivoting from the first position to the second position, that the stop comes out of abutment with the disk.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for disk recording/playback with the disk held vertically.
2. Description of Related Art
FIGS. 12 and 13 are side cross-sectional views illustrating a device for recording onto/playing back from a disk D in an upright position (see Japanese Laid-Open Pat. App. Pub. No. 11-273218). In this device, a panel 2 on which a turntable 6 is fitted is supported on a pivot 20 in an upper end of a chassis 1 as a case, in which the disk D is inserted in an upright posture. The chassis 1 is fixed on a base 9, and the panel 2 is rotated by the shifting of a cam plate 90 on the base 9. A surface of the chassis 1 that opposes the turntable 6 has an opening 18, and the turntable 6 fits into a center hole D1 in the disk D through the opening 18.
The lower end of the chassis 1 has an opening, through which a stop 3 enters the lower end portion of the chassis 1 in order to support the lower end of the disk D; the stop 3 is spring-urged and is supported on a pivot 32 on the base 9. The panel 2 is furnished with a protuberance 25, which comes into contact with the stop 3.
When inserting the disk D into the chassis 1, the user opens the panel 2, as shown in FIG. 12. The turntable 6 comes apart from the chassis 1, and the stop 3 catches the lower end of the disk D.
Under this condition, the cam plate 90 is shifted to close the panel 2. Because the disk D is supported by the stop 3 and its position with respect to height is determined, the turntable 6 accurately fits into the center hole D1 in the disk D through the opening 18. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13, the protuberance 25 of the panel 2 pushes the stop 3 to rotate it clockwise. The stop 3 comes apart from the lower end of the disk D so that the disk D can spin. It should be noted that a damper (not shown), which clamps the disk D between it and the turntable 6, is furnished flanking the chassis 1 on the side opposite the panel 2.
Meanwhile, a disk record/playback device as shown in FIG. 11 has been proposed in recent years, taking design appearance into consideration (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Pat. App. Pub. No. 11-185335). In this device, the lower end of the panel 2 is supported on a pivot 20 on the chassis 1, and a turntable 6 for rotating a disk D in an upright position is furnished on the chassis 1. The disk D is placed on the back face of the panel 2 so that the disk D fits on the turntable 6 when the panel 2 is closed against the chassis 1.
Nevertheless, merely placing the disk D on the panel 2 may cause the disk D to fall off from the panel 2 when the panel 2 being pivoted, and for this reason, a catch 30 is furnished on the back face of the panel 2 for supporting the lower end of the disk D. The turntable 6 is formed with, as is well-known, a sloping face 60 where its fore-end part is tapered, and when the panel 2 is closed, the circumference of the center hole D1 in the disk D makes contact with the sloping face 60. Thus, the disk D is slightly lifted and comes apart from the catch 30 so that the disk D can rotate.
In this case, it is conceivable to structure the turntable 6 with a ball chuck so that the disk D can be mounted by hand directly onto the turntable 6. The structure of the ball chuck is as shown in FIG. 14, in which balls 61 provided within the side face of the turntable 6 are urged outward with compression springs 62 so that the balls 61 come into the center hole D1 in the disk D to hold the disk D. Mounting the disk D by hand, however, risks scratching the disk's signal surface. For this reason, from the viewpoint of protecting the disk's signal surface, the configuration illustrated in FIG. 11 is adopted.
In the device illustrated in FIG. 11, the amount of lifting of the disk should be made large for the disk D to be lifted to come apart reliably from the catch 30. This, however, requires that the sloping face 60 be lengthened. This would increase the height of the turntable 6, leading to enlargement in the front-to-rear device thickness.
In view of this point, another conceivable configuration is that the stop 3 as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 is attached as it is to the lower end of the panel 2 in the FIG. 11 configuration. However, when closing the panel 2 in such a configuration, the stop 3 disengages first and the disk D thereafter fits on the turntable 6 due to the fact that the panel 2 is supported on the pivot 20 on its lower end. This causes the disk D to fall off from the panel 2. In other words, with the configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, what makes it possible to disengage the stop 3 from the disk D after the disk D has been fitted onto the turntable 6 is the fact that the panel 2 is supported pivotably on the pivot at the upper end of the chassis 1. If the configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 is adapted as it is to a device in which the lower end of the panel 2 is supported pivotably on the pivot 20 on the chassis 1, it is impossible to obtain the effect of holding the disk D accurately until the disk fits onto the turntable 6.

Disk recording and playback device in which the disk is held vertically in the device


A hard disk support apparatus having a casing having an opening accommodate the hard disk; a main support body combined with the hard disk and accommodated in the opening; a lever provided in front of the main support body, having a first side rotatably combined to the main support body and a second side provided to be combined with the main support body; a control button provided either in the lever or in the main support body and releasing the second side of the lever from the main support body; and wherein the lever has a latch provided in an end side thereof, combined to or released from the opening by a rotation of the lever. With this configuration, the present invention provides a hard disk supporting apparatus readily installed and separated, and a computer having the same.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hard disk supporting apparatus and a computer having the same, and more specifically, to a hard disk supporting apparatus with an improved support structure and a computer having the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a hard disk is employed as a recording medium. Hard disks are usually installed in electronic apparatuses such as computers. The recent trend in hard disk technology is towards minimization of size, coupled with increased storage capacity. As such modern hard disks are becoming much smaller than their predecessors, server design is particularly effected by these recent changes. Specifically, server computers, which require a plurality of hard disks to be installed, are being redesigned to accommodate the changing size of hard disks. As such, various studies have been undertaken to determine the appropriate size for the server computer main bodies, and for a way to easily install the hard disks.
As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional server computer comprises: a computer main body 150, a casing 107 provided in the computer main body 150, having a plurality of opening parts 109, a support bracket 110 combined with a hard disk 105 and inserted into the opening part 109 to form a single body, a support part 120 protruded from each end of the support bracket 110 along its length direction, the support part having penetrating holes 121. At opposite sides of the opening part 109 in the casing 107 screw holes 108, screwed by screws 123, penetrating the penetrating holes 121 are provided.
A process of hard disk installation in conventional server computers follows.
Initially, the support bracket 110 is combined with the hard disk 105 and inserted into the opening 109 of the casing 107. Then, the support parts 120 contact opposite front sides of the opening 109 and the screw holes 108 are aligned with the penetrating holes 121 of the supporting parts 120. The support bracket 110 is then screwed to the casing 107 using the screws 123, thereby installing the hard disk 105 in the computer main body 150.
However, such installation methods in conventional server computers require screwing to install a hard disk in a computer main body, and thus it is an inconvenient and time consuming process.

Hard disk support apparatus and computer having the same


Disclosed is a method for distinguishing a mesenchymal stem cell comprising, using at least one gene selected from the genes having the nucleotide sequences indicated by the accession numbers shown in Table 1 as a distinguish marker, detecting the difference in expression of the distinguish marker between a mesenchymal stem cell and a connective tissue cell to distinguish the mesenchymal stem cell from the connective tissue cell. This method enables to distinguish an undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cell from other connective tissue cell such as fibroblasts, osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipose cells with good accuracy. A mesenchymal stem cell given by this method or a composition comprising the mesenchymal stem sell can be used as a therapeutic for use in the regenerative medicine.

Mesenchymal stem cells are present in mammalian marrows etc. and known as pluripotential stem cells, which can differentiate into adipose cells, cartilage cells, and bone cells. Due to its pluripotency, mesenchymal stem cells are highly expected as transplantation material for use in regenerative medicine for many kinds of tissues. That is, the use of mesenchymal stem cell enables "regenerative medicine by cell transplantation" for regenerating lost tissues lost due to diseases or impairment and have not been able to be regenerated by a conventional remedy method. More specifically, therapeutic treatments have been started or planed, which are for example, transplantation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells to a patient of lower limb ischemia (Buerger's disease), transplantation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells to a patient of a periodontal disease, transplantation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells to a patient of osteoarthritis, transportation of amniotic epithelium sheet to burn injured portion, transportation of amniotic stem cells to a patient of diabetes mellitus, and the other transplantation.
In order to use mesenchymal stem cells for regenerative medicine, the stem cells should be collected from a living tissue and then multiplied without differentiation, and the multiplied and undifferentiated stem cells should be induced to differentiate to desired cells in order to prepare tissue for the regenerative medicine.
The inventors of the present invention have reported a method of easily collecting mesenchymal stem cells by separating mesenchymal stem cells from an oral cavity tissue, which method is safe for an individual from which the mesenchymal stem cells are collected (see Patent Citation 1). Moreover, the inventors of the present invention have reported a culturing method, which can give a significantly larger amount of mesenchymal stem cells than can a conventional culturing method. The culturing method having been reported by the inventors of the present invention is based on a fact found by the inventors that mesenchymal stem cells can be multiplied at a dramatically fast rate by culturing the mesenchymal stem cells in the presence of an extracellular matrix of a basement membrane or in a medium containing fibroblast growth factor (FGF) etc. and this culturing method can multiply mesenchymal stem cells without the differentiating ability thereof (see Patent Citation 2).
These arts are not enough to make the regenerative medicine using the mesenchymal stem cells practically applicable. To speak specifically, for the preparation of the tissue for regenerative medicine by inducing the differentiation of the cultured and multiplied mesenchymal stem cells to desired cells, the cultured cells should be confirmed beforehand that they are mesenchymal stem cells. That is, it is necessary to develop a method of detecting and distinguishing the mesenchymal stem cells after the culturing and multiplication.
To solve this technical problem, the inventors of the present invention have developed a method of effectively identifying and separating mesenchymal stem cells and fibroblast, which are morphologically similar and thus difficult to be distinguish, the method using a gene maker and/or a protein marker for detecting mesenchymal stem cells (see Patent Citation 3).
[Patent Citation 1]
Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukai, No. 2003-52365 (published on Feb. 25, 2003).
[Patent Citation 2]
Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukai, No. 2003-52360 (published on Feb. 25, 2003).
[Patent Citation 3]
Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukai, No. 2005-27579 (published on Feb. 3, 2005).

Method for distinguishing mesenchymal stem cell using molecular marker and use thereof


The battery charging of electric vehicles, etc. is controlled so that the impact on the electric power system is lightened even when a lot of electric vehicles, etc. start the charging all at once. A device for controlling an electricity storage device installed in an electric vehicle or the like calculates a voltage drop by applying a load current at the time of performing the charging of the electricity storage device, and limits the charging quantity of the storage battery (installed in the electric vehicle or the like) based on the calculated voltage drop so that the voltage drop of the electric power system remains less than a prescribed level. Consequently, it becomes possible to reduce the voltage fluctuation around each of the electric vehicles, etc. that is about to execute the charging in cases where a lot of electric vehicles, etc. start the charging all at once.

A great number of customers are connected to an electric power system. In such an electric power system, it is desirable that the electric power to be consumed by the customers be stably supplied from the supplier. In order to realize the stable supply of electric power, there has been proposed a technique that prevents system down of the electric power system by preparing for power outage, instantaneous power interruption, etc. that might occur in the near future by employing a duplexed (redundant) power feeding system, as described in JP, A 2007-172535, for example.

Storage battery control device, charging station, and storage battery control method


A television style channel (program) changer switch is electrically coupled to the central processing unit of a computer system. A user defined lookup table assigns switch positions to programs available for execution in the system. Program controlled means initiates execution of each program and switches between programs in accordance with the positioning of the switch by a system user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a more simplified, intuitive method and means for selecting programs for execution in a computer system. More particularly, the invention in one aspect is intended to permit less sophisticated users of personal computers (PCs) an easier, less intimidating mechanism for selecting between programs for execution in a multi-tasking environment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many attempts have been made over the years, particularly in the personal computer marketplace, to simplify the use of computers. For example, computer programs called graphical user interfaces such as WINDOWS (Trademark of Microsoft Corporation) have been introduced to make the use of the computer easier. Instead of getting things done by typing in cryptic keyboard commands, the user merely "points" a mouse to an object on the computer screen and "clicks" the mouse button.
In one typical WINDOWS environment, an IBM (Trademark of International Business Machines Corp.) PS1 (TM) is turned on, DOS (disk operating system) will "boot up," a DOS prompt appears on the monitor screen, "WIN" is typed and enter key is pressed to load WINDOWS into the computer memory and a Program Manager screen or "window" with icons identifying available applications appears on the monitor screen.
By pointing to and clicking the mouse on an available program icon shown on the Program Manager window, a first program corresponding to the icon is started and is said to be "running." A window of the first program is superimposed on the Program Manager window. By subsequently clicking on part of the Program Manager "window" and other icons several programs can be started and begin running, each having a window superimposed upon the window of the previously started program. The program having its window on "top" of all the others will be identified herein as the "active" program (or "active and running" program since it is obviously running) and as having "focus."
Although this arrangement has been introduced to simplify use of a personal computer, it is still intimidating and difficult to use to many beginning users and problems still exist for beginners when several programs are running concurrently. For example, the need to make the active program window as large as possible (preferably full screen) makes it difficult for beginners to find and access the Program Manager Screen to switch to another task. Also various "folders" must be opened and closed. What is needed is a natural interface to make the PC easier, more intuitive to use so that a new user can quickly become productive.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an even more simplified method and means for initiating the operation of a computer, to start programs running and to switch between programs. The present invention is particularly useful to beginning users of personal computers and is a significant time saver for even sophisticated users.
Two major customer groups for which the present invention will be particularly helpful are members of the American Association of Retired persons, many of whom have not had extensive experience with personal computers, and office and retail store personnel who use only a few applications in their work.

Method and means for controlling the concurrent execution of a plurality of programs on a computer system

International Business Machines Corporation


A belt tensioner of the Zed type with a pivot-arm, a pulley attached to the pivot-arm for receiving a belt load, a pivot, a base, and a torsion spring operatively connected between the pivot-arm and base and wherein damping of the pivot-arm is primarily provided by a pivot bushing in response to the belt load and a force generated by the spring.

The invention relates to an automatic belt tensioner with a torsional spring that biases the position of a pivot-arm to which a belt engaging pulley is attached, but more particularly, the invention relates to a tensioner of the "ZED" type where a radial center plane for the pulley is laterally offset from an axis for a pivot about which the pivot-arm oscillates.
Automatic belt tensioners have a pivot-arm that pivots relative to a base. A pulley is rotatably mounted to the pivot-arm and a spring between the pivot-arm and base biases the position of the pivot-arm to place the pulley against an endless belt of a belt drive system to tension the belt while receiving a belt induced load. In some applications, it is preferred to have a bushing for the pivot to be in a common radial plane with the pulley to simplify or reduce loads that must be carried by the bushing. Within this category of tensioners, there is a type that has a bushing that provides both bearing support and damping to pivoted oscillatory movements of a pivot-arm. Such a tensioner is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,934 (B 1 4,723,934). Another example of a tensioner that has a bushing that provides both bearing support and damping to pivotal movements of a pivot-arm is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,285.
An example of a "ZED" type tensioner is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,362 where the tensioner has a pivot-arm attached to an off-set annular pivot member that supports the pivot-arm and oscillates on a post secured to a base. A torsion spring is used where one end of the spring is constrained at two points by a connection to the pivot-arm, and the other end of the spring is constrained by one connection to the base and one connection by way of a damping mechanism that includes a coil of the spring that presses against a sleeve which in turn presses against the annular pivot member. A single sleeve-type bushing located radially inward of the spring and positioned between the post and annular member, has a bearing surface that supports the annular member with its interconnected pivot-arm. The pivot bushing in connection with the damping mechanism, damps oscillatory movements of the pivot-arm. A problem with this type of tensioner is that the amount of available damping is somewhat limited because the pivot bushing and damping mechanism are located radially inward of the torsion spring and operate at a radius that is substantially less than the length of the pivot-arm.
Another example of a "ZED" type tensioner is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/828,216 and has: a pivot-arm, a pivot-pin connected on one side to the pivot-arm, a base member of generally "tube-pan" shape holding at least one low friction bushing that supports the pivot-pin, a torsional spring with one end constrained and attached to the pivot-arm and another end constrained and attached to the base. The tensioner has a damping mechanism where an end of the spring is operatively connected to a damping mechanism that includes a shoe with an outside friction surface that rubs against an inside wall of the base member to effect damping. A characteristic associated with tensioners of this type is that substantially all of the damping is by way of the damping mechanism; very little damping is generated at the pivot bushing in response to a belt load received at a pulley.


A hydraulic brake system for a motor vehicle supplies pressurized brake fluid to a wheel brake in response to a demand signal. The brake system includes a master cylinder in fluid communication with the wheel brake to control the actuation thereof. Furthermore, actuation of the master cylinder is controlled and/or amplified by first and second pressure-amplifying mechanisms, which are electrically controlled by an electrical control unit.

In a conventional power-assisted vehicle braking system for passenger cars and light trucks, an operator depresses a brake pedal to progressively actuate a master hydraulic brake cylinder that is mechanically coupled to the brake pedal. The applied pedal force is amplified or "power assisted" by either a vacuum booster or a hydraulic booster coupled to the master cylinder, whereupon the master brake cylinder builds up a correlative amount of pressure in the brake lines to actuate the wheel brakes of the vehicle. More specifically, the pressurized fluid causes brake pads to press against a rotor or brake shoes against a drum coupled with the wheel, thereby retarding rotation of the wheel. In this manner, such conventional power-assisted vehicle braking systems achieve a wheel brake damping force sufficient to decelerate the vehicle.
Many vehicles are also equipped with electronically-assisted "active braking" systems, or electronic braking systems "EBS", in which the supply of pressurized fluid to each individual wheel brake is also moderated under a microprocessor control to prevent wheel lockup (in so-called anti-locking braking systems or ABS) and undesirable wheel slip (in so-called automatic slip control or ASR). Other variations and embodiments of such systems are: traction control systems (TCS), electronic stability programs (ESP), and active rollover protection (ARP). These active braking systems typically include wheel speed sensors to identify the wheel lockup and wheel slip. Additionally, solenoid-operated regulating valves selectively control the supply to and release of pressurized fluid to the brake cylinder of each wheel. Furthermore, these systems typically include a motor-driven pump, disposed on the "back" or supply side of the power-assisted master cylinder, which is capable of providing additional hydraulic fluid pressure and volume to the wheel cylinders during ABS operation.
In another known system, the brake pedal is connected to and triggers the activation of an active booster. Under a first set of operating conditions, such as when relatively small forces are applied to the brake pedal, the force applied to the brake pedal is generally proportional to the force applied to the master cylinder. However, under a second set of operating conditions, such as when relatively large forces are applied to the brake pedal, the active booster causes the master cylinder to be "boosted" by applying a force onto the master cylinder that is greater than the force applied to the pedal. The active booster includes at least first and second chambers that have lower pressures than the ambient during the first set of operating conditions. The first and second chambers are separated by a movable diaphragm that is connected to the master cylinder. Once the brake pedal has traveled a predetermined distance such that the second set of operating conditions occur, the first chamber is filled with ambient air, thereby applying a force to the diaphragm and to the master cylinder that is greater than the force applied to the brake pedal.
However, the system described above may not be fully operational during a mechanical failure, such as a vacuum failure, causing the system to have a low response time to system changes or failures. Additionally, the above-described system may not be quickly responsive to other system changes, such as a change in operating conditions. Furthermore, the above-described system may not meet Federal requirements for resulting deceleration in response to a given applied muscle force, or the system may require undesirably expensive and/or bulky components to comply therewith.
Therefore, it is desirous to provide a system that includes secondary, backup system controls that are quickly and fully responsive to system changes and/or system failures.


The present invention provides a method of detecting fraudulent clicks in an online environment to reduce fraudulent paid clicks for online advertisers. The method includes server side and client side code which combined enables a click verification web site to identify valid and invalid clicks and in real-time prevents advertisers from getting billed for fraudulent activity.

Click advertising payment programs ("pay-per-click") have become a popular branch of Internet advertising. In the simplest case, the webmaster of the site running the program, here called the Advertiser site, agrees to pay each Affiliate site for each user who clicks through from the Affiliate Site to the Advertiser Site. That is, if a user views a Web page served from the Affiliate Site, and then clicks on a hypertext link (e.g., banner ad, logo, text) in that page to the Advertiser Site, then the Advertiser Site owes the Affiliate Site some predetermined amount of money. The Advertiser Site runs a click-through payment program in order to motivate Affiliate Sites to prominently display ads for the Advertiser Site on its Web pages. Often, the Advertiser Site does not administer such a program itself but rather employs a third-party ad network to administer the click-through program on its behalf.
Click-through counts are also used by the Internet advertising industry at large to determine the effectiveness of a banner ad (its location, design, etc.). Often the click-through rate (i.e., the percentage of users who clicked on the ad after seeing it) is used as a metric to determine the cost of placing the banner ad on a particular Affiliate Site.
As has been recognized in the click-through payment industry, click-through payment programs are susceptible to hit inflation, where an Affiliate Site artificially inflates the click-through count for which it should be paid. Consequently, most ad networks include clauses in their service agreement that explicitly prohibit hit inflation by the Affiliate Site.

Method for performing real-time click fraud detection, prevention and reporting for online advertising


A memory (50) having a BICMOS sense amplifier (20) includes a differential amplifier stage (11), emitter-follower input transistors (25 and 26), and emitter-follower output transistors (27 and 28). When sense amplifier (20) is deselected, P-channel transistors (31-37) pull the bases of the bipolar transistors (23-28) to V.sub.DD -2V.sub.BE and P-channel transistors (29 and 30) decouple the bases of emitter-follower output transistors (27 and 28) from the collectors of transistors (23 and 24). At the same time, N-channel transistors (38, 40, 42, 44, and 46) decouple N-channel transistors (39, 41, 43, 45, and 47) from the emitters of bipolar transistors (23-28). Thus, no current can flow, reducing the power consumption of sense amplifier (20). Also, bipolar transistors (23-28) are prevented from being excessively reverse-biased. Additionally, a plurality of sense amplifiers (20) can have their outputs wired-OR connected.

An integrated circuit memory, such as a static random access memory (SRAM), is generally implemented as an array of memory cells in a plurality of rows and columns. An array may be subdivided into blocks of memory cells. The memory cells are addressable through block, row, and column decoders for reading data from the memory cells or writing data into the memory cells. During a read cycle, a word line selects the addressed row of memory cells and a pair of complementary bit lines communicate the data between the addressed row and a sense amplifier. The data exists as a relatively small differential voltage on the pair of complementary bit lines. A sense amplifier detects and amplifies the differential voltage and communicates it to the data output stage of the integrated circuit memory via read global data lines.
BICMOS integrated circuit memories are constructed by including bipolar transistors and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) transistors on the same integrated circuit. Bipolar transistors are often used as output devices in BICMOS circuits to provide high output current and fast switching speed, while CMOS transistors are used in the logic elements because of their low power operation. Sense amplifiers are among the circuits on a BICMOS integrated circuit memory that includes bipolar transistors in order to achieve faster operating speeds.
Generally, a BICMOS sense amplifier circuit includes a differential amplifier to receive signals from a bit line pair. A common-emitter differential amplifier includes a pair of NPN bipolar transistors having their emitters connected together. A constant current source is applied to the coupled emitters, and a relatively small differential input signal from a selected bit line pair is received at the bases of the pair of bipolar transistors. In response, an output signal is provided at the collector of each of the bipolar transistors. A load may be connected between the collectors of the differential pair and the positive power supply voltage. An emitter-follower input or output stage may also be included to drop the input or output signal level depending on the particular application.
Several problems must be overcome when including bipolar transistors in a sense amplifier. In order to receive the benefit of fast operating speeds, each bipolar transistor in the circuit typically should be operated in its nonsaturation region. If a bipolar transistor falls into saturation, it may take a long time for the bipolar transistor to recover from the saturated state, thus decreasing the operating speed of the integrated circuit memory. Also, if a bipolar transistor is subjected to a large reverse-bias across its base-emitter junction, degradation of the transistor occurs. Over time, the constant application of this large reverse bias may cause the bipolar transistor to fail, resulting in a failure of the entire integrated circuit. However, a small reverse bias is acceptable, and may even be desirable in some applications.
In order to reduce the area on the integrated circuit memory occupied by the sense amplifiers, sense amplifiers are sometimes shared by adjacent blocks of memory cells, thus reducing the number of sense amplifiers in the integrated circuit memory. Additionally, it is often desirable in an integrated circuit memory for the outputs of a plurality of sense amplifiers to be wired-OR connected to the read global data line pairs to obtain the logic OR function. In order to be wired-OR connected, the outputs should be electronically deselectable from the read global data line pairs. To reduce power consumption of the sense amplifier when it is deselected, it is advantageous to switch off the sense amplifier as well. However, the resolution of one problem often creates other problems that must also be addressed, further complicating the sense amplifier.
It is a common practice to use a MOSFET transistor as an active load on the collector of each bipolar transistor in the differential amplifier. To reduce power consumption when the sense amplifier is deselected, the load transistors and the current source are switched off so that they are nonconductive, thus preventing any current flow through the sense amplifier. When the load transistors are switched off, the voltage drop across them may cause the bipolar transistors to drop in the saturation region, thus increasing the time it takes to switch the bipolar transistors on again. P-channel transistors are sensitive to the power supply voltage, temperature, process variations, and to the current source. This may cause the drain-source voltage of the P-channel transistor to vary, thus decreasing the noise margin, or causing the bipolar transistors to operate in the saturation region.
If the collector of each bipolar transistor is coupled to the positive power supply voltage terminal, the transistor is prevented from falling into saturation, but then an emitter-follower output transistor of the sense amplifier, when deselected, may be prevented from being wired-OR connected to the read global data line pair with other sense amplifiers. This is because noise, or a voltage spike or glitch from the power supply and through one of the differential transistors may cause the emitter-follower output transistors to become conductive. If one of the emitter-follower output transistors inadvertently becomes conductive when it is wired-OR connected to the read global data line pair, the data on the global data line pair becomes unreliable.
If the current source of the differential amplifier is switched off to prevent current flow when the sense amplifier is deselected, the common emitters may become "floating". If the emitters are floating, there is a potential reverse-bias problem of the differential pair of transistors. One solution to the problem of floating emitters is to use two current sources. One current source for normal operation, and another, smaller current source to prevent the emitters from floating when the sense amplifier is deselected. The problem with using a second current source, although smaller, is that the sense amplifier is still consuming power even though it is deselected. Schottky transistors and diodes have been used to prevent bipolar transistors from operating in the saturation region, but the process steps for fabricating a Schottky transistor are not easily adaptable to the BICMOS fabrication process.

BICMOS sense amplifier with reverse bias protection


One example includes a fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) system that includes a fiber coil. The coil includes an optical fiber wound around a spool of a FOG. The optical fiber includes a first input and a second input. The system also includes an optical beam controller comprising an optical switch that provides a first optical beam to the first input and a second optical beam to the second input during a first switching state, and provides the first optical beam to the second input and the second optical beam to the first input during a second switching state. The system further includes a controller that mitigates bias error in determining rotation of the FOG based on comparing the first and second optical beams output from the FOG during the first and second switching states.

Fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) coils are generally controlled by one or more control loops where light traveling in opposite directions is applied to the coil to determine parameters such as rotation rate and angular position changes. As an example, rotation of the coil about an axis can lead to a phase difference between the counter-rotating beams. Phase-modulation is usually applied to the light to improve the observability of the rotation signal. The step duration for the modulation signal applied to the FOG is approximately equal to an optical transit time. In some cases, random phase modulation (RPM) may be employed, but in other cases different types of modulation can be utilized. In the example of RPM, an automatic gain control (AGC) loop is employed to maintain unity gain around the primary (rate) servo loop for the FOG to maximize bandwidth. The bandwidth is generally driven by a multi-period delay in applying a new step in response to a gyroscope input. In the first period, the optical signal is integrated and converted by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The second period is consumed processing the received gyroscope output and computing what the feedback step size should be which is then added to the appropriate modulation value. Typically, this new step size cannot be applied at the end of the second period and needs to wait until the end of the third period to be applied. As the gyroscope sensing coil lengths is made longer however, it is possible to apply the signal at the end of the second period, but the delay may still affect bandwidth and vibration sensitivity.

Calibration circuit to mitigate fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) bias error


A display film includes a transparent glass layer having a thickness of 250 micrometers or less, or in a range from 25 to 100 micrometers. A transparent energy dissipation layer is fixed to the transparent glass layer. The transparent energy dissipation layer has a glass transition temperature of 27 degrees Celsius or less, a Tan Delta peak value of 0.5 or greater, or from 1 to 2 and a Young's Modulus (E′) greater than 0.9 MPa over a temperature range of −40 degrees Celsius to 70 degrees Celsius. In a preferred embodiment, the transparent energy dissipation layer comprises a cross-linked polyurethane layer or a cross-linked polyurethane acrylate layer.

Displays and electronic devices have evolved to be curved, bent, or folded and provide new user experiences. These device architectures may include flexible organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), plastic liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and the like, for example.
Flexible and foldable display architectures represent a new paradigm for displays and provide for significant expansion of design freedom and new form factors that may provide significant new value to consumers. One challenge is the outer protective layer on the display device, sometime referred to as cover glass, cover window films, or cover window sheets. Recent mobile displays have focused on the use of chemically strengthened glass sold under trade names like Gorilla Glass and Dragon Glass. In use these cover glasses tend to have thicknesses in the range of at least 400-500 um in total thickness and provide a gloss surface to the displays and with proper coatings have low coefficient of friction and anti-reflective surfaces. One challenge with these cover glasses is that the emergence of flexible and foldable displays places a requirement on the cover glass surface in that it may be flexed or bent and in the case of folding may need to fold with bend radii of <10 mm or <5 mm or <3 mm or even 1 mm. A variety of hard coated plastic substrates have been explored. More exotic materials like hard coated colorless transparent polyimide films have been shown to have high hardness and good scratch resistance. However many hard coated films fail to withstand folding events around a tight bend radius or impact events without showing visible damage.


An enhanced PIN, password, passcode protection system and method using an input terminal interface displaying a sequence of random symbols and a set of software rules set in a lookup table also prepared by software means, and the software means is stored in hardware means and at least one of a plurality of transformations are selected by a user and are based on preselected rules arranged in the lookup table and preprogrammed into the software. A currently used PIN has one or more symbols transformed according to the preselected rules and the user's PIN, transformed into a modified PIN, is input into the input terminal interface.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to electronic security but more particularly to a method for protecting the PIN or password of a user.
2. Background of the Invention
With the constant threat of hackers, piracy, identity theft and so on, one can never be too careful when it comes to doing electronic transactions. One device that is often the target of thieves is the bank's ATM machine. Over the years, a number of strategies have been used to try to steal money from those machines or to gain access to accounts which makes it possible to withdraw cash. Although ATM machines often make the news, other types of devices using card access could be targeted by thieves such as card access doorways, various types of electronic machines, even Internet access from home which may, in years to come, offer the possibility of "reloading" debit cards or prepaid cards from a home terminal.
For this reason, a number of counter strategies have been developped in recent years to foil attempts by thieves and resolve this issue, not just for ATMs but every device requiring a PIN or password for access. To simplify the description, from now on, the use of the expression <<PIN>> will also include password.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,422 discloses a card combination which is issued to a single cardholder and which can be reprogrammed by the cardholder for use by a sub-user to a desired extent with regard to value and time. The cardholder uses a master enabling code to access the programming mechanism. He/she assigns a sub-PIN for use by the sub-user and opens a subordinate account for the allowed credit value within card's total credit value. This subordinate account can be accessed using the sub-PIN. A limited term can be selected during which any transaction using the sub-PIN and using the subordinate account can be conducted. After the expiration of that term the sub-PIN is automatically erased and any balance in the suborinate account is re-credited to the main credit account of the card. Such a multi-user card can also be used in conjunction with a program for varying the value of units stored in the credit account.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,583 discloses an improvement in structure and credit account access security employing method and means for ensuring that repeating an exact access code which was successful in accessing the account will be unsuccessful at the next or subsequent tries. The user enters a PIN code in accordance with a prescribed, but variable, sequence, the sequence being different for each transaction from the previous transaction. The user inputs the PIN by entering a sequence of alphanumeric symbols in accordance with a prescribed "start" sequence of symbols for recognition as a proper 4-digit PIN for a first transaction. The user must enter a new PIN to access the same account on subsequent tries. Preferably, the sequence of symbols comprising the PIN has only one symbol different from the "start" sequence for recognition as a proper PIN for a second transaction and the third transaction may require yet a third sequence of alphanumeric symbols comprising a third PIN. As many different PINs as desired can be accommodated within reasonable limits.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,259 discloses a group of seven PINs assigned to each card holder. The group of PINs are to be used in a specific sequence changing each calendar day. If a PIN is used out of sequence, then access to the charge or credit card is denied by the card company. A grid of numbers and letters are used to vary the PIN each day. The grid includes seven rows and seven columns with the numbers 1 through 7 randomly selected and placed in the seven rows and columns. The rows and columns, when utilized correctly, allow the card holder to access seven three-digit codes. The codes or personal identification numbers must be used in the correct sequence which is determined by the number of uses per calendar day.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,349 discloses a password access method/algorithm effected by generating a pseudorandom array of each letter of the alphabet and the numerals 0 through 9 such that the password entry can be monitored without disclosing the letters or numerals contained in the password. The preferred arrangement is a square matrix of six rows and six columns of characters. The user enters the password by selecting either the row or column containing each letter of a memorized password.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,994 discloses a secure credit card 10 having a body member to which is attached a microprocessor controller electrically coupled a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) device programmed with a series of random numbers in a predetermined sequence. The random numbers are identical to random numbers in a host computer and in the identical sequence as the random numbers in the host computer. This computer is accessible upon each use of the credit card. The Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) accesses the next random number in sequence with each use of the credit card to permit verification by comparing the random number with each use of the credit card with the next random number in sequence as indicated by the computer. A switch actuated with each use of the credit card provides a pulse signal that activates the microprocessor controller to turn on the Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) to access the next random number in the sequence. A counter connected to the microprocessor controller counts the number of pulse signals received to count each use of the credit card. A display device displays the next Personal Identification Number (PIN) in the sequence each time a pulse is received.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,423 discloses a user authentication service which is both highly secure and user friendly. To access a particular service, a user simply enters a PIN using a portable terminal device which encodes the PIN. More specifically, a character position of the user's PIN is determined, and a random code having a length selectable at each service transaction by the user is generated. The user's PIN is encrypted using one of plural available, pseudo-randomly encrypting algorithms to provide an encrypted PIN. The encrypted PIN is then combined with the code at the determined position before being transmitted over a communications network. When received, the encoded PIN is decoded using an analogous procedure to determine if the user is authorized. A plurality of security levels are provided with each level having a plurality of encryption algorithms and with each increasing level providing encryption algorithms of increasing complexity and sophistication. A user may also change a current PIN from the portable device easily and securely without having to contact a service center.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,754,652 discloses a method for sequentially encrypting the digits of a personal identification number, and an apparatus for practicing the method. According to the method, a random number is generated and supplied to a user requesting access to a system. The user encrypts a digit of his personal identification number by performing a function on the random number and the digit and then provides the encrypted digit to a verification system. A second random number is then generated, provided to the user, applied to encrypt another digit of the user's personal identification number and then input to the verification system. The dialogue between verification system and the user continues, digit by digit, until each digit of the personal identification number has been provided to the verification system in encrypted form. The verification system then compares the encrypted input with the user's personal identification number accessed from memory.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,246,769 discloses a system that eliminates the use and recall of multiple dedicated access codes to verify an authorized user across multiple protected resources. Fixed access codes selected by a user, or issued to a user, such as PINs, passwords and passcodes are replaced by temporary codes that are valid only for the specific transaction in progress. A temporary code is randomly selected by the system and displayed to the user encoded within a completely filled geometric matrix along with other non-code characters. The user must recall a single, predetermined sequential pattern within said matrix in order to obtain the access code. Once the code is obtained, or decoded from the matrix, the user must enter that code into the system. If the entered code matches the transaction specific code in system memory, access to the protected resource is granted and the transaction is allowed to proceed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,523 discloses a method for preventing unauthorized use of credit cards in remote payments and a supplemental-code card for therein. A unique code list is provided by the credit company to the credit card owner for use with the credit card. The codes are distributed in a variety of possible ways, including through ATMs, stores, e-mail or faxes. A copy of each code list is associated at the credit card company with the owner of the credit card. Each code is only for a single use. For every remote payment, the credit card owner transmits one of the codes to the creditor, along with conventional credit card data. The credit card company verifies the transmitted information and accepts or rejects the transaction. The codes may be provided on a supplemental-code card with some mechanism to ensure that each code is used only once.
Canadian patent 2,358,753 discloses a PIN assignation methods which gives a new PIN at the end of each transaction or else, gives out a new modifier which instructs the user on how to modify his PIN on the next transaction. A modifier proposed is a "BME" transformation wherein a user will add a digit at the beginning (B), the end (E) or anywhere in the middle (M) of his regular PIN.
The more basic of such strategies involve a one time use PIN number that a user will select from a card given to him listing all PIN numbers. The obvious disadvantage of this method is that losing or having this card stolen renders the method useless. Another variant is that of a PIN for each day of the week which allows a user to change his PIN according to a listing of digits for each day of the week which are used to modify by simple arithmetics, the PIN number known to the user only.

Enhanced PIN and password protection system and method


A battery module including a plurality of unit batteries spaced apart from each other and cell barriers disposed between the unit batteries, wherein the cell barriers have different strengths depending on their position in the battery module.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a battery module. More particularly, the present invention relates to a battery module suitable for a secondary battery and including a plurality of unit batteries in which cell barriers disposed in the unit batteries have different characteristics depending on their position in the battery module.
2. Description of the Related Art
As generally understood in the art, a primary battery is a single use battery. In contrast, a secondary battery, commonly known as a rechargeable battery, may be repeatedly discharged and recharged. Secondary batteries are generally classified into different types based on the external shape of the secondary battery. Common secondary battery types include prismatic, e.g., square, and cylindrical batteries. Low power batteries may be used for various portable electronic devices, e.g., cellular phones, laptop computers, camcorders, etc. Larger, bulk size batteries may be used as a power source for drive motor, e.g., as used in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).
In order to be used for high power or high capacity applications, e.g., drive motors, HEVs, etc., multiple batteries may be assembled in the form of a battery module. The battery module may be formed by connecting, e.g., serially connecting, several individual batteries. For clarity, individual batteries will be referred to herein as "unit batteries," and assemblies of unit batteries connected in series, parallel, or a combination thereof, will be referred to as "battery modules".
In a battery module each of the respective unit batteries may include an electrode assembly, in which a separator is interposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The electrode assembly may be inserted inside a container, and a cap assembly may be attached to the container to seal the container. The cap assembly may include terminals disposed so as to extend from the inside to the outside of the container, which are electrically connected to the positive and negative electrodes.
Unit batteries may be arranged to alternate positive and negative terminals, such that a positive terminal of a first unit battery may be disposed adjacent to a negative terminal of an adjacent second unit battery. Conductors may be mounted on threaded positive and negative terminals to electrically connect adjacent unit batteries to form the battery module.
A battery module may include several unit batteries to tens of unit batteries. As the unit batteries may generate heat, in a module containing multiple unit batteries there may be a need to efficiently discharge heat generated from each unit battery. In particular, when the battery module is a large, bulk size secondary battery module for, e.g., drive motors, HEVs, electric vehicles, electric scooters, rechargeable vacuum cleaners, etc., the efficient discharge of heat may be of significant importance.
If heat emission from the battery module is not properly managed, the temperature of the battery module may increase excessively, due to heat generated by each unit battery, and the battery module, and the machine connected thereto, may malfunction.
In addition, if the internal pressure of the unit battery is increased due to excessive heat or other factors, e.g., due to a chemical reaction inside the unit battery, the external dimensions of the unit battery may become distorted. This distortion negatively affects the characteristics of the unit battery and may affect the battery module as a whole.


The change in the toe of the steerable wheels of a vehicle when the inside wheel is turned through an angle of twenty degrees is determined by turning the inside wheel through an angle of ten degrees, measuring the change in toe which resulted, and multiplying the measurement by four.

The most common wheel suspension geometry for the steerable wheels of a vehicle is an Ackerman wherein the axes of rotation of the steerable wheels at all times intersect with one another along the axis of rotation of the non-steerable wheels. As the wheels are turned, the outer wheel must turn at a lesser angle than the inner wheel to prevent scuffing of the wheels as the vehicle makes a turn. In an Ackerman system turning of the steerable wheels results in an increase in toe out. Determining the toe-out-on-turns is one of the measurements which must be made during a typical wheel alignment operation and has been difficult even with the development of sophisticated electronic instruments. Indeed, the most advanced computerized wheel alignment systems require that the technician manually record the steering angles from the wheel turntables, record the toe at two or more different angles of the steerable wheels, and then calculate the change in toe between the two wheel positions. The TOOT angles can be measured directly with the use of electronic turntables, but at a high initial cost, the use of complex parts, and additional maintenance problems.
The manufacturers of automotive vehicles provide specifications for various alignment parameters such as camber, caster, steering axis inclination, and toe as well as TOOT. While the calculations for TOOT are given at a steering angle of twenty degrees, the specifications for caster and steering axis inclination are taken at ten degrees. As a consequence, the steerable wheels have had to be turned from the straight ahead position through precisely ten degrees to determine caster and steering axis inclination and then turned another ten degrees to determine TOOT. While time could be saved if the caster, steering axis inclination, and TOOT parameters were specified at the same steering angles, this has not been the case, and as a result, the normal wheel alignment procedure takes longer than would otherwise be the case.

Improvements in the method and apparatus for evaluating the TOOT (toe out on turns) of steerable wheels while said steerable wheels are being aligned