A radio frequency plasma display panel that is capable of lowering a discharge voltage and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. In the radio frequency plasma display panel, each of a plurality of discharge cells includes a plurality of first and second electrode lines formed in such a manner that they cross each other with having a dielectric layer therebetween for causing a discharge. An auxiliary electrode is formed at any one of the first and second electrode lines for each discharge cell to position the first and second electrode lines in parallel to each other within the discharge cell.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a plasma display panel, and more particularly to a plasma display panel driven with a radio frequency, hereinafter referred to as "radio frequency PDP", that is capable of lowering a discharge voltage and a method of fabricating the same. Also, the present invention is directed to a radio frequency PDP that is capable of preventing a cross talk between cells and a method of fabricating the same. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a driving apparatus for the radio frequency PDP.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a plasma display panel (PDP) radiates a fluorescent body by an ultraviolet with a wavelength of 147 nm generated during a discharge of He+Xe or Ne+Xe gas to thereby display a picture including characters and graphics. Such a PDP is easy to be made into a thin film and large-dimension type. Moreover, the PDP provides a very improved picture quality owing to a recent technical development. The PDP is largely classified into a direct current (DC) driving system and an alternating current (AC) driving system.
Since the AC-type PDP has an advantage of a low voltage driving and a long life in comparison to the DC-type PDP, it will be highlighted as the future display device. The AC-type PDP allows an alternating voltage signal to be applied between electrodes having dielectric layer therebetween to generate a discharge every half-period of the signal, thereby displaying a picture. Such an AC-type PDP uses a dielectric material that allows a wall charge to be accumulated on the surface thereof upon discharge.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the AC-type PDP includes a front substrate 1 provided with a sustaining electrode pair 10, and a rear substrate 2 provided with address electrodes 4. The front substrate 1 and the rear substrate 2 are spaced in parallel to each other with having barrier ribs 3 therebetween. A mixture gas, such as Ne—Xe or He—Xe, etc., is injected into a discharge space defined by the front substrate 1, the rear substrate 2 and the barrier ribs 3. The sustaining electrode pair 10 makes a pair by two within a single of plasma discharge channel. Any one electrode of the sustaining electrode pair 10 is used as a scanning/sustaining electrode that responds to a scanning pulse applied in an address interval to cause an opposite discharge along with the address electrode 4 while responding to a sustaining pulse applied in a sustaining interval to cause a surface discharge with the adjacent sustaining electrodes 10. Also, the sustaining electrode 10 adjacent to the sustaining electrode 10 used as the scanning/sustaining electrode is used as a common sustaining electrode to which a sustaining pulse is applied commonly. On the front substrate 1 provided with the sustaining electrodes 10, a dielectric layer 8 and a protective layer 9 are disposed. The dielectric layer 8 is responsible for limiting a plasma discharge current as well as accumulating a wall charge during the discharge. The protective film 9 prevents a damage of the dielectric layer 8 caused by the sputtering generated during the plasma discharge and improves the emission efficiency of secondary electrons. This protective film 9 is usually made from MgO. The rear substrate 2 is provided with a dielectric thick film 6 covering the address electrodes 4. The barrier ribs 3 for dividing the discharge space are extended perpendicularly at the rear substrate 2. On the surfaces of the rear substrate 2 and the barrier ribs 3, a fluorescent material 5 excited by a vacuum ultraviolet lay to generate a visible light is provided.
In such an AC-type PDP, one frame consists of a number of sub-fields so as to realize gray levels by a combination of the sub-fields. For instance, when it is intended to realize 256 gray levels, one frame interval is time-divided into 8 sub-fields. Further, each of the 8 sub-fields is again divided into a reset interval, an address interval and a sustaining interval. The entire field is initialized in the reset interval. The cells on which a data is to be displayed are selected by a writing discharge in the address interval. The selected cells sustain the discharge in the sustaining interval. The sustaining interval is lengthened by an interval corresponding to 2n depending on a weighting value of each sub-field. In other words, the sustaining interval involved in each of first to eighth sub-fields increases at a ratio of 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27. To this end, the number of sustaining pulses generated in the sustaining interval also increases into 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 depending on the sub-fields. The brightness and the chrominance of a displayed image are determined in accordance with a combination of the sub-fields.
In the AC-type PDP, a sustaining pulse having a duty ratio of 1, a frequency of 200 to 30 kHz and a pulse width of 10 to 20 μs is alternately applied to the sustaining electrode pair 10. The sustaining discharge occurring between the sustaining electrode pair 10 in response to the sustaining pulse is generated only once at an extremely short instance. Charged particles produced by the sustaining discharge moves through a discharge path between the sustaining electrode pair 10 in accordance with the polarity of the sustaining electrode pair 10 to be accumulated on an upper dielectric layer 14 and thus be left into a wall charge. This wall charge lowers a driving voltage during the next sustaining discharge, but it reduces an electric field at a discharge space during the corresponding sustaining discharge. Thus, if a wall charge is formed during the sustaining discharge, then a discharge is stopped. As mentioned above, the sustaining discharge is generated only once at a much shorter instance than a width of the sustaining pulse, the majority of sustaining discharge time is wasted for a preparation step for the wall charge formation and the next sustaining discharge. For this reason, since the conventional AC-type PDP has a much shorter real discharge interval than the entire discharge interval, it has a low brightness and low discharge efficiency.
In order to solve the above-mentioned low brightness and discharge efficiency problem in the AC-type PDP, there has been suggested a radio frequency PDP, hereinafter referred to as "RFPDP", for exploiting a radio frequency signal of tens of to hundreds of MHz to cause the sustaining discharge. In the RFPDP, electrons make a vibrating motion within the cell by the radio frequency discharge.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the RFPDP includes a rear substrate 12 formed in such a manner that an address electrode 14 is perpendicular to a scanning electrode 18, and a front substrate 30 formed in such a manner that a radio frequency electrode 28 is parallel to the scanning electrode 18. Between the address electrode 14 and the scanning electrode 18, a first lower dielectric layer 16 for insulation between these electrodes is provided. A second lower dielectric layer 20 and a protective film 22 are disposed on the scanning electrode 18. A lattice-shaped barrier rib 24 is formed on the protective film 22. The surface of the lattice-shaped barrier rib 24 is coated with a florescent material 26. An upper dielectric layer 29 is formed evenly on the front substrate 30 provided with a radio frequency electrode 28.
The RFPDP displays a picture by a combination of a number of sub-fields, each of which includes a reset interval, an address interval and a sustaining interval. In the reset interval, the entire field is initialized. Next, in the address interval, a data pulse and a scanning pulse are applied to the address electrode 14 and the scanning electrode 18, respectively, to select cells by a discharge between the address electrode 14 and the scanning electrode 18. The selected cells display a picture by the vibration motion of electrons in the sustaining interval. At this time, a radio frequency signal of several to tens of MHz is applied to the radio frequency electrode 28, and a radio frequency of direct current bias voltage is applied to the scanning electrode 18. By this radio frequency signal, electrons within the cells make a vibration motion within the discharge space in accordance with the polarity of the radio frequency signal. The vibration motion of electrons successively ionizes a discharge gas. A vacuum ultraviolet ray generated by such a discharge excites a fluorescent material 26 to generate a visible light upon transition of the fluorescent material 26. As described above, the RFPDP exploits a radio frequency signal to cause a discharge continuously during the sustaining interval, so that it can obtain higher brightness and higher discharge efficiency in comparison to the AC-type PDP.
However, the conventional RFPDP has a problem in that, since the address electrode 14 and the scanning electrode 18 are positioned at a different height with having dielectric layers 16 and 20 therebetween and the dielectric layers 16 and 20 have a large thickness as shown in FIG. 3, a large voltage drop is caused by the dielectric layers 16 and 20 existing in a discharge path 32 during the writing discharge. In other words, a writing voltage applied to the address electrode 14 and the scanning electrode 18 is lowered as much as a magnitude of the voltage drop caused by the thickness of the dielectric layers 16 and 20. As a result, there can occur an unstable writing discharge. If a writing voltage is raised so as to stabilize the writing discharge, then a discharge field generated upon writing discharge is diffused to the adjacent cells along the address electrode 14 or the scanning electrode 18 to cause a cross talk between the cells. The generation of a cross talk between the cells causes a miss discharge. Also, if a writing voltage is raised, then the manufacturing cost and the power consumption increase because a driving circuit is implemented with the high voltage circuit devices.

Radio frequency plasma display panel and fabricating method thereof and driving apparatus therefor


The present disclosure is directed to a solution that provides for continuous adjustment of a reference signal to a control chip to facilitate controlling the average output power. In some aspects, a system may facilitate continuous adjustment of power provided to a device by providing a reference signal with a slope to a control pin (e.g., current control pin) of a control chip (e.g., power regulator or LED driver). Providing a reference signal with a slope (e.g., a triangle or a sinusoidal wave) can increase the control range of the control chip and improve control chip performance. For example, systems and methods of the present disclosure may increase the dimming range of an LED from less than 0.1% to 100%.

The intensity level of a light emitting diode (LED) may be reduced using duty-cycle adjustment (e.g., pulse width modulation or "PWM") as an on/off signal to an on/off input of an LED driver driving the LED. Varying the duty cycle of the signal being input to the on/off input of the LED driver may turn the LED driver on/off for a percentage of time, thus lower the average power provided to the LED.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems and methods for continuous adjustment of reference signal to control chip


A passback direction for a video monitored area may be defined. Video collected from the video monitored area may be accessed. Video collected from a video monitored area may be analyzed based on a passback direction of the video monitored area to detect any passback events in the video monitored area. An action based on the detected passback events may be initiated.

In several situations, a certain area is reserved for one-way traffic only. For example, at an entrance to a sporting event or an entrance of a secure area. A person not following the one-way traffic can avoid paying the entry fees, or more dangerously, can compromise security at, for example, an airport. Preventing such activity is of great importance.
Traditionally, two approaches are used to prevent a person from moving in such a wrong direction: a physical barrier or a security guard. A physical barrier is typically some sort of a turnstile (e.g., at a sporting event, or at a subway station), or a tire shredding spike strip at a parking lot. The problem with these solutions is that they considerably slow down the traffic flow and have problems accommodating special needs, like wheelchairs or suitcases. For these reasons some locations, like airports, typically use the second approach and employ one or more security guards to watch for and prevent people proceeding in the wrong direction (e.g., at an exit corridor). The problem with this second approach is that a security guard can become distracted or bored, allowing a person to proceed in the wrong direction.
Video surveillance systems are in common use today. Traditional video surveillance systems generally involve the use of one or more video cameras, and the video output from the camera(s) is either recorded for later review or monitored by a human observer, or both. Some video surveillance systems use computer-based video processing techniques to detect various events, providing unobtrusive, 24/7 vigilance (i.e., 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Examples of such systems are discussed in the following, for example, which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/987,707, filed Nov. 15, 2001, titled "Video Surveillance System Employing Video Primitives"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/972,039, filed Oct. 9, 2001, titled "Video Tripwire"; Third Generation Surveillance Systems, Proceedings of the IEEE, October 20001.


In a switching arrangement, a plurality of modules are connected such that the main switching elements, FETs, are in series. Control of and power to the FETs is supplied via a single turn primary passing through a plurality of toroidal secondary transformers. A train of control pulses is applied to the single turn primary and their polarity determines whether the main FET is switched on or off, the length of the pulse train determining the pulse width and PRF of the output of the switching arrangement. The control pulses are also used to supply power to the main driver of the main FET.

This invention relates to a switching arrangement and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a switching arrangement used in a pulse modulator for providing pulses of variable length and pulse repetition frequency (PRF).
A requirement exists for pulse modulator test equipment which is suitable for supplying variable output, with operating voltages, of say up to 30 kV, duty cycles in the range of less than 1% and up to greater than 30%, pulse widths in the range of 15 ns to greater than 100 microseconds and PRFs up to 750 kHz. In conventional arrangements, a pulse transformer would be used as a modulator for driving rf sources. However, it would be difficult to design a pulse transformer which could meet the demanding requirements outlined above.
The present invention seeks to provide a switching arrangement and particularly a switching arrangement suitable for driving rf sources for test purposes. However, it is envisaged that the arrangement may also be suitable for use in other non-test applications where demanding switching requirements exist.
According to the invention, there is provided a switching arrangement comprising a solid state switch and control means arranged to apply control pulses to the solid state switch, such that when pulses of one polarity are applied, the switch is maintained in an on state and when pulses of the other polarity are applied, the switch is maintained in an off state.
Thus, by controlling the duration of the pulse train and its polarity, the switch can be controlled to give an output having characteristics which are variable over wide ranges, giving great versatility. For example, the PRF may be varied so as to give anything from a dc output to a frequency of 750 kHz. Providing pulses of one polarity continue to be applied, the switch will remain in its maintained state. The invention is thus particularly applicable for use in test equipment.
In a preferred arrangement, the control pulses are used to supply power to the switch drive circuitry. Advantageously, the switch is a power FET.
In a preferred arrangement, an H-bridge circuit is included to generate the control pulses, the H-bridge circuit including the primary winding of a transformer, and a secondary of the transformer being connected to the switch.
In a particularly advantageous arrangement, a plurality of switches are included, each switch having a respective different secondary winding connected thereto and there being a common single primary. This enables the switches to be controlled and powered simultaneously with a single input.
According to a feature of the invention, a pulse modulator includes a switch arrangement in accordance with the invention, and in another feature of the invention, test equipment includes a pulse modulator including the switching arrangement also. The invention is particularly advantageously applicable to test equipment where it is often necessary to be able to produce a wide range of outputs having very different characteristics.


An in line switch device (1) includes a switch housing (3, 4) providing a switch component chamber. A switch actuator (8, 9) is operable from the exterior of the switch housing (3, 4). At least two sets of switch terminals (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22) are accessible from the exterior of the switch component chamber and are covered by a removable closure or respective removable closures (26, 27). The removable closure(s) has two cable apertures (28) for passage of respective power cables to be connected to respective sets of switch terminals (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22). A first sealing device (29, 30) is associated with each cable aperture (28) for sealing around the associated power cable. The removable closure(s) (26, 27) are engaged with the switch housing (3, 4) with one or more second sealing devices (14, 15) provided at the interface between the or each removable closure (26, 27) and the housing (3, 4). The switch (3, 4) is sealed, at least externally of the closure(s) (26, 27) to protect against the ingress of moisture into the switch component chamber.

This invention relates to an in line rewirable switch. In particular the present invention relates to an in line rewirable residual current ("RCD") device.
There is an increasing requirement for safety devices to be provided with electrical appliances. These safety devices can be residual current devices built into or attached to the power outlet supplying the appliance. It is however preferable that the safety devices are incorporated into the appliance itself or in the power supply cable to the appliance since the closer the safety device is to the appliance, the sooner earth leakage will be detected.
It is known to incorporate safety devices within an electrical power supply cord. Such units generally comprise a switch housing with the switch components and the terminals for connection to the two intermediate ends of the power supply cord contained within the housing. The remainder of the internal space within the housing is filled with a sealing compound to prevent against the ingress of moisture into the housing. It will be appreciated that various forms of electrical power supply cords and plugs will be required to meet the requirements of a number of countries. However, the conventional units are sealed and cannot easily be rewired to change the electrical power supply cords. The disadvantage therefore, for a manufacturer of conventional units is the need to produce a range of different units to meet the requirements of all the countries in which the units are to be sold.


A design tool for choosing and modifying features of a dot matrix display. The design tool allows a user to design and save a character set and then to enter and view text to be displayed using the character set. The user is able to modify features of the display and to immediately see the result of any modifications made. The user may further see a representation of a hardware display having features and characteristics selected by the user, and may modify the features as desired. As the modifications are made, they are reflected in the representation of the hardware display. The design tool allows the user to store numerical representations of the selected features and characteristics of the design in order to provide the numerical representations to personnel implementing a hardware embodiment of the design.

Dot matrix displays are used in a number of applications and offer considerable advantages because they can be implemented using relatively inexpensive components and can also offer relatively low power consumption. Dot matrix displays are commonly used in retail establishments checkout systems for both retail employee operated and customer operated input and output devices.
The needs of retailers and others who use devices employing dot matrix displays are constantly changing, and different users often have different needs. The visual appearance of a dot matrix display may be an important aspect of a retailer's interface with a customer. Certain designs may be particularly appealing or eye catching, and different designs may be desirable in different applications. Moreover, a manufacturer of dot matrix display devices may wish to experiment with different designs in order to determine which designs are best for the needs of a particular customer, or to offer a variety of different designs. Prior art methods of producing dot matrix designs are complex and time consuming. A design must be manually created and then visually evaluated. This may be accomplished, for example, by making a drawing and then furnishing the drawing to decision making personnel for review. Changes to the design may be suggested and the drawing can be changed in accordance with these suggestions. At various points in the design process, working or non-working prototypes can be fabricated for evaluation. If changes to the prototype design are desired, new drawings and prototypes can be produced, with the design stages continuing until a satisfactory design is arrived at and put into production.
Drawings can be made using software drawing tools, but these drawings lack many of the features of an actual operating display, and can only approximate the appearance of the display. Moreover, making changes to drawings is time consuming. A prototype display can provide an exact representation of a design, but making changes to the design requires fabrication of a new prototype display, a time consuming and expensive process.
The need to manually implement sample designs, evaluate the designs, and then manually implement desired changes adds greatly to the time and expense required to create a desired design. The time and cost of design creation naturally limits the variety of designs which a manufacturer is likely to offer, and limits the ability of a manufacturer to create custom designs in an inexpensive and timely manner.
There exists, therefore, a need for a quick, inexpensive and flexible way to create and evaluate dot matrix designs, allowing for modification of design features as desired and allowing a designer or evaluator to view desired aspects of a design.

Methods and apparatus for design of dot matrix visual displays


An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle includes a mirror case and a variable reflectance reflective element, which comprises a mirror reflector. Preferably, an information display is positioned in the mirror case to the rear of the variable reflectance element. The information display preferably comprises a light source and a display element. The light source is positioned behind the display element so that light emitted by the light source impinges the display element. The display element comprises one or more indicia established at the display element by at least one of etching, printing, and forming on a surface of the display element. When the light source is illuminated behind the display element, the light emitted by the light source causes the information display to display at least one alphanumeric indicia, graphical indicia, or symbolic indicia. The mirror assembly also preferably includes a control for adjusting the light intensity emitted by the light source. The display element and the light source are commonly supported in the mirror case, wherein the display element is positioned in the mirror case such that the information display is generally aligned with said light transmitting portion of the mirror reflector of the reflective element to define a display area at the reflective element. The assembly further preferably includes at least one light sensor, wherein the control adjusts the light intensity emitted by the light source in accordance with a light level detected by the at least one light sensor. In addition, the control adjusts the light intensity emitted by the light source to provide an indicia for displaying to an occupant of the vehicle at the display area having a luminous intensity of at least about 100 candelas/sq. meter when the light sensor detects an ambient light level characteristic of a daytime condition or having a luminous intensity of no greater than about 50 candelas/sq. meter when the light sensor detects an ambient light level characteristic of a nighttime condition.

The present invention relates to rearview mirror assemblies and, more particularly, to a modular variable reflectance interior rearview mirror assembly for use in vehicles incorporating information displays and controls for various electronic or electrical functions.
Variable reflectance interior rearview mirror assemblies include two basic designs: Prismatic mirrors and electrochromic mirrors. Conventional prismatic mirror assemblies include a reflective element having a wedge shape in cross section and a mechanical actuator which moves the mirror case and reflective element between a day viewing position and a night viewing position. Typical mechanical actuators include a bracket pivotally mounted to the rear wall of the casing and a toggle which pivots the mirror case and reflective element with respect to the bracket. However, these actuators often exhibit rotational movement between the casing and the bracket which can lead to increased vibration in the casing and reflective element. With increased vibration, the reflection in the reflective element is blurred. In addition, space within the prismatic mirror casing is limited by the actuator which moves within the casing.
More recently, prismatic mirrors have incorporated a number of electronic and electrical devices within the interior rearview mirror assembly, for example lights for illuminating maps or the dashboard and, furthermore, information displays which provide information to the driver or occupants of the vehicle such as warnings relating to the status of the passenger airbag. In commonly assigned copending application Serial No. 09/244,726, filed by Jonathan E. DeLine and Niall R. Lynam, on Feb. 5, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,613, information displays are provided which include information relating to vehicle or engine status, warning information, and the like such as information relating to oil pressure, fuel remaining, time, temperature, compass headings for vehicle direction, and the like, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. With the increased number of devices desired to be housed in the mirror case and the increased number of functions provided by the various devices, maximizing space or making more efficient use of the available space is highly desirable. In addition, because of the increase in included devices as well as the number of combined features, the rearview mirror assembly process has become more difficult and complex.
Electrochromic mirror assemblies, on the other hand, include a variable reflectance element in the form of an electro-optic cell or unit in which reflectivity is changed in response to changes in light and the amount of electrical voltage applied across the cell/unit. Therefore, electrochromic mirrors do not require an actuator. As a result, the interior of the electrochromic mirror casing has more space for incorporating further electronic and electrical features, such as map reading lights, as noted above, blind spot detection systems, rain sensor assemblies, video cameras for actuating windshield wipers or other purposes, or receivers, such as remote keyless entry receivers, cellular phone receivers, microphones, and the like. Heretofore, electrochromic mirror designs have included mirror casings with structural reinforcement which provides support for the reflective element in the casing, support for additional electronic or electrical features, and stiffness to the casing. However, such reinforcements reduce the potential available space in the mirror casing.
In the interest of economy and ease of assembly, it is highly desirable to simplify the assembly process by having a common modular design for both electrochromic and prismatic mirror assemblies. Heretofore, the designs of the mirror casings of the electrochromic and prismatic mirror assemblies have had different internal structures which result from their different mounting arrangements. As the desire to place more devices and features in the casing has increased, the economy and efficiency use of space is taken on increased importance.
Consequently, there is a need for a rearview mirror structure which permits a wide range of electrical and electronic components to be housed in the mirror housing, and which uses a plurality of common components to assemble either electrochromic or prismatic mirror assemblies as desired. Such structure would enhance the economy of the mirror assembly and, furthermore, would provide a product familiar to consumers and users regardless of whether the consumer/user purchases a prismatic or electrochromic mirror assembly.
The present invention provides a rearview mirror assembly incorporating a modular structure which provides for mounting either prismatic or electrochromic reflective elements, as well as an improved mounting arrangement for information displays.
In one form of the invention, a modular interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles includes a mirror case having a reflective element, with the mirror case being adapted to mount to a vehicle. The reflective element includes a substrate and a reflective coating on one side of the substrate and a window therethrough. A carrier is supported in the case and includes a display element for displaying one or more indicia through the window to define a display area on the reflective element.
In one aspect, the case includes at least one electrical or electronic device which is supported by the carrier. For example, the device may be mounted to a circuit board, with the circuit board being supported by the carrier.
In another aspect, the carrier is adhered to the reflective element. In preferred form, the carrier comprises a plate member, which includes a first portion and a second portion offset rearwardly from the reflective element and from the first portion, with the second portion including the display element.
In yet other aspects, the carrier includes a plurality of light assemblies, with each light assembly being isolated from the adjacent light assemblies such that the light leakage between the respective light assemblies is substantially reduced. The carrier includes a body with a plurality of cavities formed therein and a plurality of light sources associated with the cavities, with the display element extending over the body and over the cavities. The cavities together with the light sources direct light to the display element for displaying the indicia. In preferred form, each cavity includes at least one opening through which the light sources direct light to the display element. Each of the cavities includes a reflecting surface associated with each light source for directing and defusing the light from the respective light source. Preferably, the reflecting surfaces comprise curved reflecting surfaces.
In yet further aspects, a frame is mounted to the display element, which mounts the display element onto the carrier over the body and the cavities. For example, the frame may include a base wall mounted to the display element, with the base wall including a plurality of openings corresponding to and aligning with the cavities of the body. The openings expose areas of the display element for displaying the indicia. In preferred form, the frame includes recessed landing surfaces extending around each of the openings. The body includes projecting perimeter walls around each of the cavities, with the perimeter walls seating on the landing surfaces of the frame to isolate each cavity in each of the areas of the display plate member to substantially reduce light leakage between the respective light assemblies.
According to another form of the invention, a modular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror case having a prismatic reflective element and an actuator assembly supporting the case for shifting the mirror case between a day viewing position and a night viewing position. The actuator has a first member, which is adapted to mount the mirror case to a vehicle support mount, and a second member rigidly mounted to the mirror case. The first member includes first and second portions, with the second member being pivotally mounted to the first portion of the first member about a pivot axis and, further coupled to the second portion of the first member. The second member pivots about the first portion to thereby shift the mirror case between the day viewing position and the night viewing position.
In one aspect, the actuator further includes an actuator handle rotatably supported by the second member. Rotation of the actuator handle about an axis of rotation induces pivoting of the case about the first member on the pivot axis, which is generally orthogonal to the axis of rotation.
In further aspects, the first member includes a downwardly depending member, with the rotation of the actuator handle moving the second member with respect to the downwardly depending member to thereby pivot the case about the pivot axis.
In other aspects, the actuator assembly further includes a cam, with the actuator handle rotating the cam about the axis of rotation. When the cam rotates about the axis of rotation, the cam moves the first member with respect to the second member to thereby pivot the case between the day viewing position and the night viewing position.
Advantages provided by this invention include a structure having modular elements, which comprise common components for assembling a rearview mirror assembly, regardless of whether an electrochromic/electro-optic mirror assembly or a prismatic mirror assembly is desired. Additionally, the invention provides a more stable actuator for the prismatic mirror assembly design, which improves the vibration characteristics of and thus the visibility of reflected images in the reflective element assembly. Further, the invention provides improved space economizing support for various electronic and/or electrical features included in the assembly, as well as improved information display visible by drivers and passengers in the vehicle in which the assembly is mounted.
These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the invention will become more apparent from the study of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

Rearview mirror assembly with added feature modular display


It has been discovered that the meso form of metallocenes can be catalytically isomerized to the racemic form of the metallocene. This is accomplished by heating an isomerization mixture formed from (i) a meso form of a bridged metallocene or a mixture of meso and racemic forms of a bridged metallocene, (ii) a Group 1 and/or 2 metal halide isomerization catalyst, and (iii) a liquid organic isomerization medium, such that at least a portion of the meso form of the metallocene is isomerized to the racemic form.

Chiral metallocenes are useful for the synthesis of polyolefins. The racemic form of these metallocenes provides stereoregular polymers, e.g., poly(alpha-olefins). In addition, racemic metallocenes are considerably more active as catalysts than the meso metallocenes, which tend to produce only low molecular weight atactic polymers. Metallocenes and their use as catalysts in forming various olefin polymers are described, for example, in U. S. Pat. Nos. 4,794,096; 5,017,714; 5,036,034; 5,145,819; 5,296,434; 5,324,800; 5,329,033; 5,455,365; and 5,455,366, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Processes for the synthesis of such metallocenes tend to form mixtures of the meso and racemic forms. One way of obtaining the racemic metallocene is to carry out a physical separation of the racemic and meso forms in such mixtures. For example use can be made of crystallization or extraction procedures such as described in EP 344 887, or Huhn, et al., Chem. Lett., 1997, 12, 1201-1202; or by chromatographic procedures such as described by Wild, et al., J. Organomet. Chem., 1982, 232, 233-247 or by Grossman, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1991, 113, 2321-2322. However such procedures are not well suited for use on an industrial scale because of their expense and low yield.
Other methods for separating the racemic and meso metallocene forms have been proposed. Thus EP 819 695 (published Jan. 21, 1998) describes modifying the racemic/meso ratio of a racemic/meso mixture of a stereorigid, bridged metallocene by subjecting the mixture to selective decomposition of the undesired isomer in the presence of compounds having either acidic hydrogen atoms reactive halogen atoms, such as water, methanol, ethanol, acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, chlorotrimethylsilane, or p-toluenesulfonic acid. For example, use of water with a 1:1 mixture of rac/meso 1,2-ethylene bis(4,7-dimethylindenyl)zirconium dichloride gave 100% of the meso form, and thus destroyed the racemic form.
Another approach involves photochemical isomerization procedures. Thus DE 19,525,178, DE 19,525,184, WO 97/03080, and Schmidt, et al., Organometallics, 1997, 16(8), 1724-1728 describe procedures involving irradiation of meso metallocenes or rac/meso metallocene mixtures into racemic forms in the presence of a chiral reagent such as the R(+) enantiomer of dilithium binaphtholate.
It would be most advantageous if a way could be found for effectively treating meso metallocenes or mixtures of meso and racemic metallocenes so as to produce a product enriched in the desirable racemic form without use of extraction, crystallization, or chromatographic separations, without destruction of one of the isomeric forms, and without need for use of photolysis apparatus and chiral reagents.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,660 (issued Jul. 14, 1998) describes an isomerization process in which a slurry of (i) a mixture of meso and racemic forms of a bridged zirconocene in (ii) a liquid ether-containing isomerization medium, is maintaining at one or more temperatures, preferably 30 to 70.degree. C., for a period of time such that a racemate enriched zirconocene is formed.

Catalytic process for isomerizing metallocenes


A method of managing data center power usage based on service commitments. A power and capacity management utility measures performance characteristics of applications hosted by a data center that include power consumption and transaction processing time. When the performance characteristics are above (or below) a first pre-defined target range, the utility decreases (or increases, respectively) a clock rate and processor voltage of one or more active servers. When the performance characteristics are within the first target range and the clock speed is above (or below) a second pre-defined target range, the utility activates (or deactivates, respectively) one or more inactive (or active, respectively) servers. When the size of an inactive server pool is above a third pre-defined target range, the utility moves inactive servers to an unallocated server pool. When the size of the inactive server pool is below the third target range, the utility allocates additional servers.

The present invention relates in general to data processing systems and in particular to server computers. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved method and system for managing data center power usage based on service commitments.
Conventional data centers house hundreds, or even thousands of servers and other information technology (IT) hardware. A typical data center hosts many enterprise applications on the hardware the data center houses. Each application has formal or informal performance targets in terms of the number of transactions the application can process and the maximum allowable time to process a transaction. These targets are referred to as service level objectives or agreements (SLOs/SLAs). Each application is typically provisioned (i.e., assigned) with sufficient hardware to meet its SLO for the highest anticipated demand or transaction volume.
During periods of low processing demand from enterprise applications, idle data center servers, individual processors, and/or cores within single servers often continue to consume power. Data centers that are provisioned with a large number of hardware resources in order to meet maximum required demand levels thus consume high levels of power. However, conventional data center load management features are not fast enough to respond to changes in application workload in real time.

Method and system for managing data center power usage based on service commitments

International Business Machines Corporation


An anti-cavitation plate actuating system incorporates pressurized air selectively applied through a control valve to an air assist cylinder. The cylinder, when pressurized, applies force to anti-cavitation plate return springs; the force is not sufficient to expand or retract the springs but merely to apply a pre-load. A control pedal operating through a control shaft applies additional force through an actuating shaft connected through a control lever to the anti-cavitation plate to lower the plate.

Boat racing has become a very popular sport and has resulted in greater competitiveness and increased speeds of the boats in the respective boat classes. Typically the driver applies full power to the boat drive system in an attempt to get the hull positioned with as little contact with the water as possible. In such position, there is minimum drag and the boat can attain a higher speed. If the water is ideally smooth, this boat hull attitude, with the hull slightly raised and minimum contact with the surface results in maximum sustained speed. An anti-cavitation plate is typically attached to the bottom of the hull at the stern of the boat (usually flush mounted to minimize drag) that performs the usual duties of anti-cavitation well known in the art. The anti-cavitation plate also performs the function of applying a downward force on the bow of the boat if the anti-cavitation plate is pivoted downwardly into the water. If the water surface is rough or if there are surface disturbances caused by other boats, or there are required changes in speed and direction such as during a turn, there is a danger that the bow will rise and possibly expose the bottom of the hull to sufficient air pressure to cause loss of control or perhaps even make the hull become airborne or flip. To counteract the tendency of the bow to rise in such circumstances, the anti-cavitation plate is pivoted or lowered to apply a countering force on the hull to lower the bow and maintain appropriate control. The mechanism for lowering the anti-cavitation plate under such circumstances is typically a pedal mounted for depression by the driver when the plate is to be lowered.
With high powered boats and high speeds, the force required to lower the anti-cavitation plate can be substantial. The force required at the pedal by the driver can require significant leg strength and, more importantly, become quite fatiguing if the cavitation plate must be maintained in a lowered position for a substantial length of time.


A pivotable hairbrush for offering a hairbrush that would adjust to the contour of a user's head. The inventive device includes a pivotable head, a plurality of bristles protruding from the pivotable head, and a handle extending from one end of the pivotable head. The pivotable head includes a stationary portion and a pivotable portion wherein the pivotable portion and the plurality of bristles protruding therefrom conjointly pivot relative to the stationary portion so as to conform to the contour of the head of a user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hairbrushes and more particularly pertains to a new Pivotable Hairbrush for offering a hairbrush that would adjust to the contour of a user's head.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of hairbrushes is known in the prior art. More specifically, hairbrushes heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art hairbrushes include U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,937; U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,611; U.S. Pat. No. D307,217; U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,892; U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,491 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,070.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new Pivotable Hairbrush. The inventive device includes a pivotable head, a plurality of bristles protruding from the pivotable head, and a handle extending from one end of the pivotable head. The pivotable head includes a stationary portion and a pivotable portion wherein the pivotable portion and the plurality of bristles protruding therefrom conjointly pivot relative to the stationary portion so as to conform to the contour of the head of a user.
In these respects, the Pivotable Hairbrush according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of offering a hairbrush that would adjust to the contour of a user's head.


Methods and systems are described herein for improvements to model development, particularly in terms of source code commitments for these models. For example, methods and systems allow contributors to manage when and where commitments and/or the results of those commitments are stored and/or do so without the use of an additional layer of external software by correlating source code commitments and model result records during model development. Moreover, the methods and systems allow contributors to manage when and where commitments are store automatically without the use of an additional layer of external software through user of native source code commands and libraries.

Computer programming is typically a team-based activity, in which the responsibilities for the features and source code necessary to produce a given project (e.g., a software application) are shared among contributors. To facilitate this activity, contributors may submit contributions to the project via a distributed version control system. This system may include a codebase that features a full history of the project that is mirrored on every contributor's computer. The system may enable automatic management of different branches of the project as well as the merging of different contributions. The system may also utilize one or more issue management and bug-tracking tools. The system may further out-source some issues to software-as-a-service providers. Accordingly, project management for computer programming often involves multiple contributions and service providers sharing multiple versions a single codebase for the project.

Methods and systems for correlating source code commitments and model result records during model development


A display device has a first color mode in which an image is output in monochrome except for a designated color and a second color mode in which colors in an image are output in non monochrome. The display device includes a display unit operable to output a display, and a display controller operable to control the display output on the display unit. While a selecting operation by a user on an image is urged, the display controller displays an image on the display unit in the second color mode, and after completion of the selecting operation by the user, the display controller changes a color mode from the second color mode to the first color mode and then displays an image on the display unit in the first color mode.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a display device. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a display device which has a display mode which leaves only a specific color in an image and displays other colors in monochrome.
2. Related Art
Technologies which allow a user to designate a color of a specific object displayed on a display unit are known. JP-A-2003-344054 discloses a display device which enables a user to designate a desired color in a color pallet display region to change the color of the specific object.
Recently, display devices having a so-called one point color mode which leaves only a specific color in an image and displays other colors in monochrome is known.

Display device and display method for providing image display in first color mode and second color mode

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


Compounds for the treatment of sickle-cell disease, and methods for their use are provided. The compounds have a dual mode of action. First, binding of the compounds to hemoglobin increases the oxygen affinity of both normal and sickle hemoglobin. Secondly, binding of these compounds to the N-terminal amino acid of sickle hemoglobin results in destabilization of potential contacts between sickle hemoglobin molecules, preventing polymerization and the formation of fibrous precipitates of the sickle hemoglobin. The compounds are also useful for inducing hypoxia, e.g. to augment cancer treatments.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to agents for the treatment of sickle-cell disease. In particular, the invention provides 5-membered heterocyclic anti-sickling agents that are highly effective and non-toxic, and methods for their use.
2. Background of the Invention
Sickle cell disease is one of the most prevalent hematologic genetic disorders in the world (Ingram, 1956; Pauling, et al. 1949) that occurs as a result of a single point mutation of Glu6 in Hb to Val6 in sickle hemoglobin (HbS). Two quaternary structures are known for Hb, the deoxy conformation (tense), and the oxygenated conformation (relaxed). When the allosteric equilibrium is shifted toward the relaxed state, a high-affinity Hb is obtained that readily binds and holds oxygen, while the converse is true for the tense state. Perutz (1970) and Baldwin & Chothia (1979) elucidated at atomic resolution the tetrameric structures of the tense (T) and relaxed (R) forms of Hb. The tetramer is composed of two αβ dimers that are arranged around a twofold axis of symmetry. This arrangement yields a central water cavity, with two openings; the α- and β-clefts. The source of the tension in the T state is due to crosslinking salt bridges and hydrogen bonds between the subunits, as well as preferential binding of an indigenous allosteric effector of Hb, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) that stabilize the T state by forming salt bridges between the two β-subunits (Arnone, 1992). The T-R transition occurs as a result of uptake of oxygen which leads to the disruption of many of the T state intersubunit interactions, as well as expulsion of the 2,3-DPG. The allosteric transition results in a rotation of the α1β1 dimer relative to the α2β2 dimer by 12–15° (Baldwin & Chothia, 1979). The R state structure has a smaller central water cavity, as well as fewer intersubunit salt bridges and hydrogen bonds. For a long period of time, the allosteric equilibrium of Hb embodied in the two-state MWC model (Monod, et. al., 1965) was believed to involve only the T-R transition, and the R state quaternary structure was thought to be the only relaxed conformer. However, recent crystallographic and other studies have revealed the existence of multi relaxed Hb states, including R2 and others that exist in solution with R (Silva, et al. 1992; Smith, et al., 1991; Mueser, et al., 2000). There is still a controversy about the physiological importance of all these relaxed states, and how they relate to one another in Hb allostery. Silva et al., (1992) and Smith et al., (1991) suggested that the R2 quaternary structure is an intermediate between the T and R structures. Further analysis has shown that R2 is not an intermediate in the T to R transition, but rather, it is another relaxed end-state structure (Janin & Wodak, 1993; Doyle, et al., 1992). Srinivasan & Rose (1994) have further suggested that R2 may be the physiologically relevant end state and that the R structure is an intermediate structure trapped between the R2 and T states by the high-salt crystallization conditions. In contrast, the R2 structure formation is believed to be favored by low-salt that mimic the in vivo condition (Silva et al., 1992; Srinivasan & Rose, 1994).
Hb and HbS have almost identical positions for all amino acids, even in the A helix of the chains where the mutation occurs. The presence of the Val6 results in hydrophobic interaction between the mutation region of one Hb molecule and a region defined by Phe85 and Leu88 in the heme pocket of another Hb molecule. This interaction occurs only in the deoxygenated HbS (deoxyHbS), and induces polymerization of the deoxyHbS molecules into fibers. The formation of HbS polymers causes the normally flexible red blood cells to adopt rigid, sickle like shapes that block small capillaries and cause both local tissue damage and severe pain. The disease is also characterized by other symptoms, including hemolysis, which gives rise to anemia and jaundice, elevation of bilirubin level leading to high incidence of gall stones and impairment of hepatic excretory function. Other clinical features include leg ulceration, pneumonia, enlarged liver and spleen. Other studies on the gellation of deoxyHbS and various Hb variants have also provided crucial information on other contact points on the Hb that are important in stabilizing the HbS fibre (Adachi & Asakura, 1980; Bunn, et al., 1986). There are various therapeutic strategies to treat sickle cell disease (SCD), including (1) Pharmacological modulation of fetal hemoglobin (HbF): HbF has been shown to decrease HbS polymerization, and there are several agents that are known to induce HbF formation by possibly reactivating the genetic switch for HbF (Olivieri & Weatherall, 1998). Examples of such agents include 5-azacytidine, hydroxyurea and cytosine arabinoside (Mehanna, 2001). Unfortunately, there are serious toxic side effects associated with this therapy as a result of high doses and frequency of administration (Edelstein, 1985), (2) Bone marrow transplantation: Bone marrow transplant has also been used as a total gene replacement therapy for HbS in extreme cases (Hillery, 1998, Johnson, 1985). This approach is very expensive and has its own inherent toxicities and risks (Hillery, 1998), (3) Blood transfusion: This is one of the most common SCD therapies, however, repeated blood transfusions are known to be associated with the risks of infectious diseases, iron overload and allergic reactions (Ballas, 1999), (4) Opioid analgesics: This therapy is necessary to deal with pain crisis, however, opioid therapy often results in addiction and/or seizures and/or depression, (Ballas, 1999), (5) Erythrocyte membrane acting agents: Since the sickling process is partly dependent on intracellular concentration of sickle Hb, agents that induce cell swelling (Asakura, 1980) or inhibit cell dehydration (Orringer & Berkwitz, 1986) could decrease the HbS concentration and help delay the polymerization process, and (6) Antigelling agent or HbS modifiers: These compounds interfere with the mechanism of polymerization by either binding directly to or near contact site(s) of the deoxyHbS to inhibit the polymerization process or act directly on HbS to shift the allosteric equilibrium to the more soluble high-affinity HbS.
In blood, Hb is in equilibrium between the T and the relaxed states. The Hb delivers oxygen via an allosteric mechanism, and the ability for the Hb to release or take oxygen can be regulated by allosteric effectors. The allosteric equilibrium between the T and relaxed states (FIG. 1) shows a typical oxygen equilibrium curve (OEC) for Hb, i.e. a plot of the percentage of oxygen bound by Hb against the partial pressure of oxygen. When the allosteric equilibrium is shifted towards the relaxed state (left shift of the curve), a high-affinity Hb is obtained that more readily binds and holds oxygen while a shift toward the T state (right shift of the curve) results in a low-affinity Hb that more easily releases oxygen. An increase in the naturally occurring allosteric effector, 2,3-DPG in red cells right shifts the OEC as does an increase in temperature and decrease in pH (Reeves, 1980). An increase in pH and lowering of the temperature and DPG levels left shifts the OEC. The degree of shift in the OEC is reported as an increase or decrease in P50 (partial pressure of oxygen at 50% Hb saturation). Regulating the allosteric equilibrium to the relaxed conformation has been of been of interest in medicine. In particular, the identification of non-toxic compounds that efficiently bind to HbS and produce high-affinity HbS which does not polymerize have been clinically evaluated as antisickling agents to treat SCD. There is an ongoing need to identify such compounds to be used as antisickling agents to treat sickle cell anemia. See, for example, the use of vanillin (Abraham, 1991), 12C79 (Fitzharris, 1985), furfural (Zaugg, et al., 1997), and substituted isothiocyanates (Park, et al. 2003).


A circuit that facilitates faster diagnosis of plurality of logic circuits connected in a scan chain is provided. The circuit includes a first multiplexer that receives a scan data input. A flip-flop is coupled to an output of the first multiplexer and generates a scan pattern. An inverter generates an inverted feedback signal in response to the scan pattern. The inverted feedback signal is provided to the first multiplexer. A plurality of logic circuits is connected in a scan chain and generates a logic output in response to the scan pattern. A bypass multiplexer is coupled to the plurality of logic circuits. The bypass multiplexer generates a scan output in response to the logic output, the scan data input and a segment bypass input.

Design for test (DFT) approach is a scan chain based design for testing integrated circuits. Scan chain based design is a preferred mechanism for diagnosis of manufacturing defects. Scan chain based diagnosis is fast and efficient for large integrated circuits thus improving the product yield. The scan chain based diagnosis identifies root cause of logic failure in a circuit in the IC. During IC test, the scan chains are also tested to ensure that scan chains are defect free. Any defect in the scan chains become cumbersome to debug. Conventional method of debugging scan chains includes SOM (scanning optical microscopy) or EMMI (emission microscopy). These debugging techniques are expensive and time consuming. Pattern dependent failure diagnosis is also used to debug scan chain defects. Automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) tools are used to generate multiple patterns to be run on the IC. In case of a scan chain failure, design support tools which know the whole design structure are required to use ATPG tools, and these design support tools are not available either. Thus, a design is needed that facilitates faster scan chain diagnosis.

DFT approach to enable faster scan chain diagnosis


A grey glass composition employing as its colorant portion at least iron (Fe2O3/FeO), cobalt and possibly erbium oxide (e.g., Er2O3) is provided. The glass enables high visible transmission, and satisfactory IR absorption, while at the same time achieving desired grey color. In certain example embodiments, the colorant portion includes:

The automotive industry, for a number of years, has desired glass having grey color (sometimes called "neutral grey") for automotive window applications. At the same time, it is also desirable for transmission in the UV (ultraviolet) and/or IR (infrared) ranges of the light spectrum to be minimized. Moreover, certain Governmental regulations in the automotive industry have been known to require that visible light transmittance be at least 70% in certain vehicular windows when provided by the original equipment manufacturer of the vehicle (e.g. GM, Ford, Chrysler etc.) in the U.S.A. While a visible transmittance of 70% or higher is not always required, it is safe to say that high visible transmittance (e.g., 65% or higher) in general is often desired. Accordingly, there exists a need for a glass which achieves high visible transmittance as well as adequate blocking of IR and/or UV rays.
A glass window or other glass article is said to have the desirable color "grey" when it has a dominant wavelength of from 435 nm to 570 nm (this dominant wavelength range defines the color "grey" herein). Moreover, grey glass preferably has an excitation purity (Pe) of less than about 4.5%.
While glass having "grey" color is often desirable, as explained above there sometimes also exists a need or desire to achieve certain levels of light transmission defined conventionally by:                Lta as visible light transmission,        UV as ultraviolet light transmission, and
IR as infrared light transmission.
Glass thickness ranges of from about 1–6 mm, more preferably from about 3–4 mm, are typically used when measuring the aforesaid characteristics. These thickness ranges are generally recognized as conventional thicknesses for glass sheets made by the float glass process, as well as recognized thickness ranges in the automotive industry.
Classically formulated grey glasses, such as architectural, often include low levels of iron (i.e., less than 0.4% total iron) along with cobalt and nickel oxides. Unfortunately, while this type of glass may achieve satisfactory coloration in certain instances, it typically suffers from undesirable solar characteristics (e.g., UV and/or IR blockage).
Certain known green solar control float glasses are formulated so as to achieve desirable solar characteristics due in large part to their use of large quantities of total iron (e.g., 0.60 to 0.84% total iron). Unfortunately, the green coloration of such glasses does not always harmonize well with certain exterior automotive paints and sometimes affects vehicle interiors when viewed through the glass, and such large amounts of iron are not always desirable for glass processing.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,235,666 discloses a grey glass composition capable of achieving good solar performance characteristics, including the desirable color grey. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 6,235,666 discloses a grey glass with a colorant portion including 0.5–0.8% total iron (expressed as Fe2O3), 0.5–3.0% Er2O3, and 0.0–1.0% TiO2. While this is an excellent glass, it is sometimes undesirable in that it requires much of the very expensive erbium oxide (Er2O3). Rather large amounts of total iron (expressed as Fe2O3) are also required in many instances. Thus, there exists a need in the art for a grey glass which can achieve desired grey color in combination with acceptable solar performance properties, without the need for too much total iron and/or erbium.
WO 02/059052 discloses a grey glass including from about 0.35 to 0.5% total iron and from about 0.5 to 1.2% erbium. Again, erbium is very expensive and such large amounts thereof are not always desired. As explained above, there exists a need in the art for a grey glass which can achieve desired grey color in combination with acceptable solar performance properties, without the need for too much erbium.
In view of the above, it is apparent that there exists a need in the art for a new glass composition which overcomes the above problems while achieving one or more of desired grey color and desired solar management property(ies) of the particular industry in which it is to be used.

Abstract: total iron (expressed as Fe2O3):<=0.35%erbium oxide (e.g., Er2O3):0 to 0.3%selenium (Se):<=15 ppmcobalt oxide (e.g., Co3O4):5 to 60 ppmglass redox:>=0.35.In other example embodiments, the glass may include higher total iron and/or a lower minimum redox.


A transport star having at least one replaceable mounting part with a first locking element and a mounting part holder with a second locking element, and where one of the two locking elements is locked with the other locking element by rotation. In addition, a transport star having at least one replaceable mounting part that can be locked with a mounting part holder, and where a ring-shaped operating element is provided for locking the mounting part with the mounting part holder. Also, a transport star having at least one mounting part and a mounting part holder on which the mounting part can be positioned in a position predetermined by positioning devices, whereby the lifting of the mounting part can be prevented by the positioning devices.

Transport stars are used for transporting containers such as bottles. With transport stars, containers can be transported from one conveyor to another. To do so, the transport stars usually have mounting parts that have recesses to accommodate the containers.
The mounting parts may be exchanged to be able to adapt the transport stars to different container dimensions.
European Patent EP 0 316 001 discloses a transport star in which swivel bars can grip around a lower edge of a mounting part to prevent the mounting part from being removed.
European Patent EP 0 631 561 also discloses a device with which an angle lever can be pressed with a threaded bolt and a star grip against the top side of a star ring and a round rod, so that removal of the star ring is prevented.


A ring capture mechanism of a loose-leaf binder includes a first plate having a U-shaped slot of continuous circumference designed to receive a ring of the binder through the slot within the circumference. The first plate moves across a second plate having a straight slot of continuous circumference designed to receive the ring of the binder, and locks the arms of a ring contained in both slots in the legs of the U-shaped slot.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to a binder which releasably engages an aperture in a sheet, more particularly to a ring binder in which the ring may be releasably latched to a panel of the binder.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A prior art loose-leaf ring binder which releasably latches a ring to a panel of the binder is described in FIGS. 1-4 of the present specification wherein binder 30 cover 31 folds on hinges 34 so that ends 46 of rings 38 can be moved to stamped metal plate 52 of hook bar 44. Hook bar 44 is attached by rivet 36 through slot 37 to panel 32 of binder 30 for limited longitudinal sliding movement along panel 32.
Hooks 40 of hook bar 44 are slipped over ends 46 by moving hook bar 44 in direction 48. Movement of hook bar 44 is accomplished by pushing on tab 50.
Rings 38 are held under hooks 40 of capture mechanism 42 and between upturned shoulder walls 54 and 56 of plate 52 as indicated in FIGS. 3 & 4.
Arms 64 and 66 pivot at conventional pivot mechanism 62 and swing 63 open and closed. They may be opened by operating lever 53.
Arms 64 and 66 hold pages 60 which are moved to arm 66 in the region 58 between the pivot mechanism end of the hooked arm and shoulder wall 56 when rings 38 are locked into capture mechanism 42. Wall 56 is cut away in FIG. 4 for clarity.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,606,557 patented Sep. 20, 1971 by F. S. Schade describes and claims a loose-leaf binder having pivoted arm rings like the one described above, in which the ring capture mechanism for the loose-leaf binder comprises an elongated channel plate member, flanged in a U-shape, fixedly attached to the binder cover with the planar back of the U toward a panel of the binder cover.
Between the elongated channel member and the panel is a locking plate member having a planar portion that is wider than the U-shaped channel plate member. The locking plate member is longitudinally movable over a limited distance, and has ring engaging fingers which extend through longitudinal slots in the elongated channel member and are upwardly offset from the plane of the plates and movable with the locking plate member to releasably lock the ring halves to the binder panel.
The flanged side walls of the stationary plate have opposed notch portions which seat the loose-leaf binder rings spaced from the ends of the ring.
Further, the locking plate is flanged in a U-shape upturned from the panel, so that the flanged side walls on opposite sides of the locking plate slide against the outer surfaces of the opposed halves of the loose-leaf binder rings when the closed rings are held by the fingers.
In the ring binder described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,717,416 patented Feb. 20, 1973 by F. S. Schade, the ring capture mechanism comprises an elongated U-shaped plate member fixedly attached to a panel of the loose-leaf cover, with the planar back of the U towards the panel. The side walls of the U of the plate member have inwardly turned marginal edge sections having notches for receiving the arched corners of the arms of the rings adjacent to the ends of the rings.
An elongated releasable locking plate member having a planar central section overlies the planar central portion of the U-shaped plate member in flat planar relation and is mounted on the planar central portion for limited longitudinal movement thereon. The locking plate member has outwardly angled marginal side portions which extend in underlying relationship to the inwardly turned marginal edge sections of the stationary plate, and has ring engaging fingers offset outwardly of the plane of the planar central section and is movable to releasably hold the outer end portions of the rings against the locking plate.
In the ring binder described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,718,402, patented Feb. 27, 1973 by F. S. Schade, the ring capture mechanism comprises an elongated U-shaped plate member fixedly attached to a panel of the loose-leaf cover with the planar back of the U towards the panel. Each side wall of the U has an inverted U-shaped skirt having the inner side wall of the skirt in common with the side wall. The top connecting wall and common inner sidewall of each skirt has a notch. The notches of the opposed sidewalls of the U are oppositely located for receiving the arched corners of the arms of the rings adjacent to the ends of the rings.
An elongated releasable locking plate member having a planar central section overlies the planar central portion of the U-shaped plate member in flat planar relation and is mounted on the planar central portion for limited longitudinal movement thereon. The locking plate member has ring engaging fingers offset outwardly of the plane of the planar central section of the locking plate member and is movable to releasably hold the outer end portions of the rings against the locking plate.


An address generator is provided with an input to receive a base address for an array of storage locations, an offset generator to generate a number of offsets, and a combiner coupled to the input and the offset generator to combine the base address with the offsets to generate a number of access addresses for accessing the array of storage locations in accordance with a deterministic access pattern having at least one non-sequential access. In various embodiments, the address generator is included in each of a number of signal processing units, which in turn are included in a digital media processor.

Numerous data processing applications require data to be accessed in a deterministic manner that includes at least one non-sequential access. For example, in a number of media applications, such as processing of video data, a block of video data often has to be accessed in what is known as a zig-zag pattern. See FIG. 1 wherein a block of 8×8 video pixels accessed in a zig-zag pattern is illustrated. Such accessing of memory locations are frequently performed when video data are processed in accordance with one of a number of the video processing standards, such as JPEG or MPEG, during e.g. the encoding process. [JPEG=Joint Photographic Experts Group; MPEG=Moving Pictures Expert Group.]
Typically in the prior art, accessing data in a non-sequential manner requires the employment of multiple address generators and multiple control registers. Often, a first address generator is employed to generate a first set of addresses to access a first collection of memory locations to retrieve the commands for driving a second address generator to generate a second set of addresses to access the ultimate data of interest in the desired deterministic non-sequential pattern. Moreover, at least a couple of control registers are required to stage the retrieved commands.
Thus, a more efficient technique requiring less hardware is desired.

Non-sequential access pattern based address generator


A key structure including at least two protruding keys and a key frame is provided. The at least two protruding keys are arrayed adjacently. Each of the at least two protruding keys has a first side edge, a second side edge and a protrusion. The second side edge is opposite to the first side edge. The protrusion has a curved-convex surface, a first side surface and a second side surface. The curved-convex surface is getting protruding inwardly from the first side edge and the second side edge. The top end of the curved-convex surface has a crest line. The first side surface passes through the end points of the first side edge, the second side edge and the crest line in the same side. The second side surface is opposite to the first side surface. The key frame is used for carrying the at least two protruding keys.

1. Technical Field
The application relates in general to a key structure, and more particularly to a key structure providing better touching and recognition.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic devices such as personal digital assistant (PDA) and mobile phone are very popular nowadays. An ordinary electronic device, such as a PDA, normally has many keys disposed on the front surface of the body of the electronic device for the user's convenience of operating the electronic device.
As electronic devices are getting smaller, lighter, thinner and shorter, the available space on the front surface is very limited, the keys are miniaturized and getting smaller. With respect to the miniaturized keys, the fingers are too big. As a consequence, the recognition of the key for the user deteriorates and the user easily touch other undesired keys.


In an embodiment, an automotive inverter assembly has at least one component for cooling. The inverter assembly has a supporting body for supporting the at least one component. The supporting body defines at least part of a volume through which flows a cooling fluid coupled thermally with the at least one component for cooling.

A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle powered by two or more drive systems. Most commonly, the term refers to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that feature a conventional drive system, such as an internal combustion engine, combined with one or more electric motors.
Of particular interest to researchers have been what are known as "plug-in" hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), i.e. vehicles which, in addition to a conventional (e.g. internal combustion) engine and an electric motor, also feature a system of batteries chargeable by plugging in to an electric power source.
PHEVs normally also comprise an electric drive system including a power inverter assembly; a low-voltage battery charger for charging a service battery from the high-voltage traction battery; and a high-voltage battery charger, connectable to the power mains, for charging the traction battery.
A PHEV normally employs connectors to supply electric power from the batteries (for which fuel cells may be substituted) to the internal combustion engine and other devices and electric systems on the vehicle.
The inverter assemblies of such vehicles serve to convert the direct current from the batteries or alternative sources to alternating current to power the vehicle user devices mentioned.
The electronic components of the inverter assembly, however, produce considerable heat, which must be removed to ensure correct operation and prevent overheating, which means the inverter assembly must be equipped with appropriate cooling means.
A need is felt within the industry for an inverter assembly, particularly for hybrid vehicles, designed to effectively dissipate the heat generated in use, and more effectively, for example, than conventional solutions employing a cooling coil.
A need is also felt for an inverter assembly, which is compact and lightweight, and provides for improving vehicle performance in terms of energy efficiency, consumption, and therefore environmental impact.
Finally, a need is also felt for an automotive inverter assembly that is potentially cheaper to produce by being easier to assemble.


A method of designing and forming a mask used for projecting an image of an integrated circuit design. After providing a mask element corresponding to a portion of a design of an integrated circuit layout, the method includes correcting the mask element using OPC techniques, and fracturing the OPC-corrected mask element into a plurality of polygonal segments. The method then includes identifying along an edge of the mask element a polygon edge having a thickness less than that which can be normally reproduced by a mask writer, and modifying configuration of the identified mask element segment to add or subtract length to an end of the polygon to create a corrected mask element having increased resolution by the mask writer. The method then includes using an electron beam or other mask writer to form a mask having the mask element with modified configuration.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to semiconductor fabrication and, in particular, to an improved method for creating a mask pattern of an integrated circuit (IC) for use in lithographic processing.
2. Description of Related Art
Integrated circuits are fabricated by lithographic techniques, where energy beams transmit integrated circuit images or patterns on photomasks to photosensitive resists on semiconductor wafer substrates. The circuit image on the photomask may not be reproduced precisely on the substrate, in part because of optical effects among transmitted and blocked energy passing through the photomask. Optical proximity correction (OPC) has been employed as a key enabling resolution enhancement technique required to meet image size control requirements imposed by state-of-the-art integrated circuit product programs. OPC is essentially the deliberate and proactive distortion of photomask patterns to compensate for systematic and stable errors.
The mask patterns for the elements corresponding to the desired integrated circuit design may be made by a mask writer. A mask writer is typically a variable shaped electron beam tool, such as that available from JEOL Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan. Integrated circuit shapes can be patterned on a semiconductor wafer by the photomask made with an electron beam tool. The mask elements corresponding to portions of a design of an integrated circuit layout are generally made of opaque materials deposited on a quartz substrate.
Typically, designs for the mask elements are made by the following procedure: 1) create the design based on design manual rules; 2) run design rule checks (DRC) on the design data; 3) update the design if any problems are found; 4) run the DRC-clean data through OPC; 5) run the post-OPC data through OPC verification (sometimes referred to as ORC); 6) update the design and/or OPC process if any problems are found; 7) run the final post-OPC data through mask rule checks (MRC); 8) update the design and/or OPC process if any problems are found; and 9) run the DRC/ORC/MRC-clean data through fracturing for the mask writer. These steps are, more or less, run sequentially with potential re-running of various steps as noted above.
The designs for the mask elements are generally made using polygonal shapes. OPC deals with edges of the polygons. Mask fracturing techniques convert those polygons into primitive shapes, generally simple rectangles that can be written by the mask writer. Often the mask writer will be able to resolve larger shapes better than smaller shapes. Long, thin shapes, referred to herein as "slivers," that are generated by the fracturing software may resolve poorly when the mask writer attempts to create the sliver shape for the photomask. If the sliver is small enough, e.g., in the thickness dimension, it may essentially not resolve at all.

Method for optimization of optical proximity correction


A system for repairing cartilage includes a trephine having a passage extending along a longitudinal axis of the trephine. The trephine has a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end includes a cutting member operable to cut a cartilage plug from a donor site. The passage is operable to receive the cartilage plug. Also, the trephine is flexible to selectively move between a first position in which the longitudinal axis is substantially linear and a second position in which the longitudinal axis is nonlinear. Moreover, the system includes a guide tool that is removably coupled to the trephine. The guide tool is operable to selectively move the trephine between the first and second positions. In addition, the system includes an ejector tool that ejects the cartilage plug from the passage toward a defect site.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Various systems and procedures have been proposed for repairing damaged cartilage within a patient's body. For instance, healthy cartilage can be harvested from one area of the body (i.e., the donor site) and moved to another area of the body (i.e., the defect site) where cartilage is damaged. The harvested cartilage can be attached to the defect site, and the harvested cartilage can then grow on and repair the defect site.
In some cases, access to the donor and/or defect site can be limited. For instance, anatomical features may get in the way of certain instruments, thus limiting the ability of the surgeon to obtain cartilage from the donor site and/or place the harvested cartilage on the defect site. Also, the harvesting instruments may have limited access to the donor and/or defect site because these sites may have complex surface curvature. This limited access can complicate the harvesting procedure, for instance, necessitating multiple incisions in the patient, etc.
Thus, a system for repairing damaged cartilage is discussed in detail herein below. A method of using this system to repair damaged cartilage is also disclosed.

Cartilage repair system with flexible trephine


A master copy of a software file has within it a predetermined block of data. When a copy of the file is made that block of data within the copied file is located and overwritten with data identifying the copied file. When an unauthorized copy is found, the data identifying the copy can be read and the source of the unauthorized copy may be traced. The invention is particularly suited to use with software distribution over a computer network in which details such as the time the copied file was made and the name of the authorized user can be embedded within the copy.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of computer software protection. More particularly, this invention relates to combating the making of unauthorized copies of software.
2. Background Information
Computer software, whether in the form of computer programs or data files, is a valuable asset. Much expense is involved in the production of such software, and yet, software is particularly vulnerable to theft. It is possible to make a copy of a piece of computer software in a matter of seconds using standard computer equipment and an appropriate medium such as a blank floppy disk. Once a copy is made the original is completely intact, and the unauthorized copy may be used by the thief without any payment to the software owner.
A large number of techniques have been proposed to combat the making of such unauthorized copies. Typically, these techniques concentrate on the prevention of the production of working copies of the software, e.g. by encryption, passwords or physical devices needed to enable use of the software. Examples of such techniques are described in British Published Patent Application No. 2154769, European Published Patent Application No. 302710, European Published Patent Application No. 67998 and International Published Patent Application No. WO 85/02310. Such techniques result in increased complexity, and while offering a degree of protection are, as with most forms of security, open to defeat by appropriate countermeasures. New security measures, particularly ones that can be simply and cheaply implemented, are desirable in trying to counteract unauthorlzed copying.

International Business Machines Corporation


A method, processor and system for processing data is disclosed that includes evicting one or more evicted fields from a logical register mapper; receiving, by a history buffer, the one or more evicted fields from the logical register mapper; determining whether two or more of the evicted fields from the mapper qualify to be written to a single entry in the history buffer; and in response to the two or more evicted fields qualifying, writing the two or more qualifying evicted fields received from the mapper to a single entry in the qualified history buffer. The method, processor, and/or system further includes in an embodiment, remapping the one or more qualified evicted fields, and further, in response to the two or more evicted fields not qualifying to be written to a single entry in the history buffer, writing the two or more evicted fields to multiple history buffer entries.

The present invention generally relates to information handling and data processing systems, processors, and more specifically handling data in registers in a processor.
Modern information and data handling systems and processors often execute instructions out of order to achieve greater processing efficiency. Processors, to handle executing out-of-order instructions, typically are "pipelined" and have multiple elements that operate in parallel to process multiple instructions in a single processing cycle. Pipelining involves processing instructions in stages, so that the pipelined stages may process a number of instructions concurrently. To improve throughput, processors may include multiple pipelines or execution slices within each processor core. Multiple execution slices may be used as part of simultaneous multi-threading (SMT) within a processor core.
Typically a processor pipeline may refer to a set of data processing circuitry or hardware units connected in series within a processor. The processor pipeline usually includes a number of stages, and may include an "instruction fetch" stage where an instruction is fetched from memory. In a "decode" stage, the instruction is decoded into different control bits, which in general designate (i) a type of functional unit (e.g., execution unit) for performing the operation specified by the instruction, (ii) source operands for the operation, and (iii) destinations for results of the operation. In a "dispatch" stage, the decoded instruction is dispatched to an issue queue (ISQ) where instructions wait for data and an available execution unit. Next, an instruction in the issue queue (ISQ) typically is issued to an execution unit in an "execution" stage. The "execution" stage processes the operation as specified by the instruction. Executing an operation specified by an instruction typically includes accepting data, e.g., one or more operands, and producing one or more results. There are usually registers and queues associated with the processor, execution units, and/or the issue queue (ISQ) to hold data, information and/or instructions for the execution units.
Out-of-order processors execute instructions as soon as its operands are available (and valid), independent of the original instruction sequence. Consequently, as these processors execute out-of-order instructions, they generate numerous temporary register results. The temporary values are stored together with completed values in register files. The temporary values become complete or permanent values when the corresponding instructions are complete. In out-of-order processors, an instruction can change a register value before all of the prior instructions complete. If any of the prior instructions cause an exception or interruption, then all of the sequential instructions prior to the time of the exception, e.g., an interruptible instruction, will need to be flushed. As a result, the registers allocated to the instruction being flushed will also need to be flushed.
One of the complexities in handling and processing out-of-order instructions is restoring the processor state in the event of an interruptible instruction, e.g., a mispredicted branch instruction. In this regard, registers will need to be restored to the state they were in before the exception, e.g., interruptible instruction. Out-of-order processors typically have a history buffer, e.g., Save & Restore Buffer (SRB), that stores the content of logical registers in order to recover the content in the event of an exception. If an exception occurs, for example, a branch mispredict, then typically the content of the logical registers is flushed, and data is recovered from the history buffer, e.g., Save & Restore buffer (SRB), to place the logical registers in the condition that existed before the exception, e.g., the interruptible instruction.

System and handling of register data in processors


A container, for dispensing two substances simultaneously, that includes a neck portion having two orifices therein, a shoulder portion connected to the neck portion, and an elongated body portion connected to the shoulder portion, the body portion including two adjacent chambers sharing a common wall wherein each chamber is in fluid communication with an orifice in the neck portion, and wherein the two chambers are formed from different materials. The size and shape of the orifices can be varied to independently adjust the rate of dispensation of each of the two substances, or to compensate for variances in viscosity between the substances. The sizes of the two chambers can be varied independently from one another. Further, the two chambers can extend beyond the width of the common wall, to promote even and predictable deformation of the chambers when pressure is applied.

This invention relates to a tube for dispensing two products simultaneously, and more specifically to a tube having two chambers formed from different materials.
A known means for dispensing two products simultaneously involves the use of dual chambers in a dispensing tube. As a typical example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,180 to Schaeffer discloses a tube with two chambers, each chamber containing one of the substances to be dispensed. As shown in FIG. 3A of that patent, each chamber is in communication with an orifice through which the substances are dispensed. The two chambers are separated by a divider in the middle of the tube, which is attached to the outside walls of the tube. Upon squeezing the tube, the walls of the tube collapse, creating a pressure within each of the chambers and thereby causing the substances housed in the chambers to be dispensed simultaneously. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of that patent, two separate tubes may be secured together to dispense two substances.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,539 to Meuller discloses a tube with a plurality of chambers for dispensing two or more substances simultaneously. As in the Schaeffer patent, the chambers are separated by dividers that attach to the outside walls of the tube. Upon squeezing the tube, the flexible walls create a pressure within the chambers, simultaneously dispensing the substances in the chambers through orifices in communication with the chambers.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,800 to Schmitt discloses a non-pressurized package for dispensing two products. The package has bellowed chambers for allowing more uniform dispensing of product.
Other such dispensing tubes are known wherein the tube contains two or more chambers, each housing a substance to be dispensed through orifices in communication with the chambers, by squeezing the tube. In all of these known devices, however, the chambers are made from the same material, usually a polymer of some type.
In dual chamber tubes, the amount of material dispensed from each chamber is dependent upon the decrease in volume of the chamber occasioned by the deformation of the walls of the chamber. This deformation, and thus the amount of material dispensed, depends upon several factors including the viscosities of the substances to be dispensed, the size and shape of the orifices through which the substances are dispensed, the pressure applied to the tube, and the configuration of the tube and chambers.
As previously mentioned, in prior dual chamber tubes, the chambers are formed from a single material. Thus, both chambers will have the same properties relating to flexibility, longevity, and resistance to corrosive products, etc. However, this is not always desirable. Where the two materials to be dispensed have different properties, it may be desirable to vary the properties of the dispensing chambers individually.
As an example, two part tooth-cleansing preparations are becoming increasingly popular. Specifically, such preparations often include an oxidizing agent (such as hydrogen peroxide) and a foaming agent (such as baking soda), including coloring and flavoring agents. In such cases, the choice of a proper material for the packaging can be difficult. A material which acts as an oxygen barrier is desirable for the oxidizing agent, whereas a material with good flavor barrier properties is desirable for the flavored material. However, finding one material with all the desired properties may be difficult or impossible. More likely, it is just expensive.
Further, it may be desirable for the two chambers of a dual chamber dispensing tube to have different flex characteristics due to the properties of the materials being dispensed. If one material has a substantially lower viscosity than the other, the chamber containing the less viscous material should be stiffer. In this manner, more energy is taken up by the chamber and less is transferred to the task of pushing material out of the dispensing tube. In this way, the two material could be dispensed evenly, even though they had differing viscosities.
A dual chamber dispensing tube that facilitates application of proper pressure to both chambers and thereby enables a constant, steady flow of materials from each of the tube chambers is desirable.