A method of booting an operating system for use with an information handling system includes identifying an operating system dependent configuration, and determining an operating system type of the operating system. Further, the method includes changing the operating system dependent configuration in response to the operating system type.

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option is an information handling system. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements may vary between different applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
Most computer systems include a basic input output system (BIOS) that provides an interface between the operating system kernel and the underlying hardware. The kernel is the portion of the operating system that is closest to the application system. The kernel is responsible, typically, for process control, memory management, file management, and peripheral support. The BIOS provides boot services and run time services to the operating system. Examples of run time services are interrupts, ACPI, SMBIOS, and power management.
BIOS is firmware for a computer, such as a personal computer (PC) or a server, that is responsible for initializing when it is first switched on or reset. The major task of the BIOS is to load and begin execution of the operating system that is normally stored on the computer's hard disk. The BIOS also provides a low level interface to the peripheral devices of the computer system. The BIOS is stored in a non-volatile memory that can be updated, or in a read-only memory (ROM).
A BIOS configuration can store parameters that affect the operation of the computer. For example, the BIOS configuration can include the boot order of storage devices. Additionally, some parameters can affect the performance of the operating system. The PC can have a feature or mode of operation that is not supported by the operating system and the feature can be disabled. However, another operating system may support the feature and realize a performance benefit when the feature is enabled. A default value can be chosen for the configuration and, depending on the operating system selected by a user, the default value may either improve or adversely affect performance of the computer. Often, the user is not aware of the feature or does not know how the feature will affect performance. Additionally, the user can change the operating system, or the operating system can be updated to support the feature, and the user can be unaware that the configuration should change.
The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.

System and method of booting an operating system in an optimal performance state


An exemplary embodiment of the present invention a lighting device comprising a processor and a memory comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, are configured to cause the lighting device to access identification information relating to the lighting device and transmit the identification information to a remotely located system controller automatically upon commissioning the lighting device.

In the recent years, there has been a growing interest in remotely controlling individual lighting devices, e.g., lighting ballasts and dimmers, or groups of lighting devices. For example, it may be desirable to transmit control signals to certain devices instructing the devices to turn on, turn off, or dim. These conventional systems often comprise a central controller in communication—either wired or wirelessly—with a plurality of lighting devices. The central controller can receive status information from the devices, e.g., is the light on or off, and can transmit a control signal to the devices to perform one or more actions, e.g., turn the light on or off. One popular protocol employed in conventional lighting control systems is the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface ("DALI") that allows for bi-directional communication between a controller and the lighting devices it is controlling.
When an individual lighting device is being commissioned for use in a lighting control system, the technician installing the device must record certain information about the device, which may include, but is not limited to, the manufacturer, style, part number, manufacture date, wattage, source, correlated color temperature ("CCT"), lumen output, distribution type, and fixture color, dimming method, driver manufacturer, driver part number, customer purchase order number, and/or customer item number. Conventionally, this information must be manually entered into a system level database that can be accessed by the controller. The information entered into the database provides the controller with the information necessary to control the lighting device. Unfortunately, the manual recordation and entering of information about a specific lighting device leads to many errors necessarily associated with manual data collection and entry processes. These errors may lead to the inability of the controller to control certain lighting devices or to improper control signals being sent to certain devices.
Therefore, there is a desire for improved systems and methods for commissioning lighting devices. Various embodiments of the present invention address these desires.

Systems and methods for commissioning lighting fixtures


A skeletal realignment system (10) which is specifically designed to alleviate many of the back aches and pains that are a direct result of a skeletal misalignment. The system (10) consists of a first implement (12) and an identical second implement (12A). To use the system (10), the two implements are positioned side-by-side on a flat surface, such as a floor mat (74), with one of the implements rotated 180 degrees from the other. The back of a person is then positioned over the implements (12, 12A) and a short exercise is performed until the back is realigned at which time the person carefully rises to a standing position.

Amongst all people a primary source of pain and/or discomfort originates from skeletal problems. Particularly in the neck and back regions of a person's body. Skeletal problems of this type can effect people who do manual labor and those whose jobs simply require them to sit at a desk for the majority of their time. Even individuals who take precautions to avoid neck and back problems can be afflicted because of the aging process. Serious injury to the back or neck can even occur from a minor accident. once such an injury has occurred or a person begins to experience discomfort or pain, it is highly unlikely that the pain will just "go away".
Most of the time, an injured individual will have to seek some type of professional help, such as from a chiropractor. It is not at all uncommon for people to see a chiropractor on a regular basis even though no obvious injury has occurred. Because chiropractors are relatively expensive other people will rely on a massage. A massage generally provides a good "temporary fix" but rarely can it alleviate a problem permanently.
A severe neck and back pain will cause a person to have great difficulty functioning if they just leave their problem alone to fix itself. This is why it is obviously necessary to provide a means by which an average person, with no specialized training, can administer some type of relief for skeletal problems. A device that would allow an individual to remedy a skeletal mis-alignment would be beneficial for the individual user as well as the medical community. By being able to treat themselves at home, patients would not need to use valuable time that a doctor could be dedicating to more serious problems.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention, however the following U.S. patents are considered related:
______________________________________ Pat. No. INVENTOR ISSUED ______________________________________ 5,575,295 Khalsa et al 19 November 1996 5,528,783 Kunz et al 25 June 1996 5,387,186 Edland 16 July 1995 ______________________________________
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,295 patent discloses a method and apparatus for restoring spinal cervical curvature. A patient will lie on his back on a surface with his neck at the C3/C6 vertebra positioned in a groove formed in the top of a block supported in an upright position on the surface. The width of the groove is greater than the width of the patient's neck, and the thickness of the block's top surface is generally in the range of 1/2 inch to 3 inches. The patient remains in this position for several minutes and the treatment is repeated preferably three times a day for a period of several months.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,783 patent discloses a device for the positioning and support of the head or the head and torso of a person in a spine or reclined position. This device consists of a wedge-shaped inflatable air bladder, a source of pressurized air, and air hose and valves for the controlled inflation and deflation of the air bladder. There is also a sheet of resilient material extending forward from the base of the air bladder, upon which the user's weight is superimposed during use. The air bladder may be fully inflated, partially inflated or fully deflated as desired by the user, to incline the head or the head and torso, depending upon the size of the air bladder, of the user to the desired position.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,166 patent discloses a traction apparatus for treating vertebral problems, which comprises a tripod-type self-standing support having a block and tackle unit suspended from the tripod apex. The lower block includes a T-bar upon which triangular cushions are supported for location under the knees of a supine patient, and a torso encircling belt includes a strap passing through the patient's legs that if adjustable attachable to the lower block. The block and tackle tension member includes a tail passing from the upper block to the patient, thus permitting the patient to raise and lower the leg supporting cushions to adjust the degree of back tension being achieved. A lock mechanism mounted on the upper block permits automatic positioning of the degree of leg lift.
For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention is related reference may be made to the remaining cited patents.
______________________________________ Pat. No. INVENTOR ISSUED ______________________________________ 5,362,682 Kornberg 6 November 1994 5,378,045 Siekman et al 3 January 1995 5,485,856 Buckland 23 January 1996 5,496,239 Kallman et al 5 March 1996 ______________________________________

c/o Apachie Palms R.V. Park 1836 E. Apachie Blvd., Unit 29


In one embodiment, a pillow comprises a pillow body comprising a medial region and two opposing arms with ends extending from the medial region to define an inner well region. The pillow body is sized and configured to permit the medial region to rest on a user's lap, with the ends of the opposing arms being generally adjacent to the user's waist. A support member is disposed across at least a portion of the well region such that the ends of the arms extend beyond the support member. The support member is sized and configured to assist in supporting a baby when lying on the pillow body while the ends of the arms are generally adjacent to the user's waist.

This invention relates generally to the field of support pillows, and in particular to support pillows useful in supporting infants, babies and other items. In one particular application, the support pillows may be useful in holding a baby while feeding the baby.
When feeding a baby, some type of support typically needs to be provided. For example, one common technique used in breast feeding is to position the baby lengthwise across the mother while holding the baby in the mother's arms. A similar position may be used when bottle feeding except that the baby's head may be rested in the crook of the feeder's arm while the rest of the body rests on the feeder's lap.
In either case, supporting the baby while feeding can tire and fatigue the feeder, especially if feeding is prolonged or is required numerous times throughout the day. To help support the baby, a variety of pillows have been proposed including, for example, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,661,861; 5,581,833 and 5,519,906, the complete disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.


An actuating device comprising a bracket and an operating device is provided. The front end portion of the operating device is provided with an anchoring portion and a first operating portion. The first operating portion defines a first, a second and a third edge which are connected with each other. The bracket is provided with a first post which passes through the receiving chamber. The operating device can be moved such that the first operating portion is contacted with the first post. Wherein when the operating device is moved upward, a temporary braking function is effected; and when the operating device is moved downward, a continuous braking function is effected.

A walker with wheels (i.e. rollator, or rolling walker) has become increasingly more popular. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,907,794 and 5,020,560 disclose a foldable rolling walker. Consequently, a braking system is needed to stop the wheels. However, such braking system is a temporally braking device which is similar to that of a bicycle, i.e. a braking effect is actuated only when a user pulls up the braking handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,180 (Henriksson) discloses a braking system which can be operated in two ways, i.e. temporally and continuously braking status. When a user pushes an operative arm of downward, by utilizing the "locking force", the operative arm is maintained in a continuously locking position. Therefore, when the user releases the operative arm, for example, the wheels of a rolling walker are still braked. However, the "locking force" must be larger than the returning force of the releasing spring installed in the braking system, which may causes the following disadvantages:
1. The locking engagement between an operative arm and a bracket is affected by an interference fit therebetween and, as a result, after a period of usage, the contacting area will be worn out and the "locking force" will be diminished.
2. Because the "locking force" is larger than the returning force of the releasing spring, the force of pushing the operative arm of downward, therefore, must larger than the returning force of the releasing spring. The pushing force will hasten the deterioration of the contacting area of the operative arm and the bracket.


To provide an optical apparatus which controls an interface state to change a focal length by using an optical element having a container sealing first liquid that is conductive or polarized and second liquid that does not mutually mix with the first liquid with their interface in a predetermined form and electrodes provided in the container and of which optical characteristics change according to change of interface form due to application of voltage to the electrodes, and in particular an optical apparatus that controls a duty ratio of alternating current voltage applied to said electrodes for changing said interface form.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical apparatus including an optical element utilizing electro-wetting (electro-capillarity), and in particular to power supply means for driving the element.
2. Related Background Art
Of optical systems built into optical apparatuses such as a still camera and a video camera, those capable of changing a focal length mostly change a focal length of the entire optical system by mechanically moving part of lenses (or a lens group) comprising the optical system in a direction of an optical axis.
For instance, Japanese Patent No. 2633079 shows a configuration wherein, of a zoom lens-barrel comprising a first group of lenses moving in a direction of an optical axis by zooming, a first group of lens-barrels moving in the optical axis direction on movement of the first group of lenses and a cam barrel moving in the optical axis direction due to movement of the first group of lens-barrels, the first group of lens-barrels fit an outer-diameter side of a fixed barrel, the cam barrel fits an inner-diameter side of the fixed barrel, and a front part of the cam barrel fits an inner diameter side of the first group of lens-barrels, and the cam barrel is moved in the optical axis direction so as to move the first group of lenses and perform zooming.
Thus, in the case of changing a focal length by mechanically moving lenses (or a lens group) in a direction of an optical axis, there is a deficiency, that is, complicated mechanical structure of the optical apparatus.
To solve this deficiency, there is a case of rendering a focal length variable by changing optical characteristics of a lens itself.
For instance, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-114703 provides a varifocal lens wherein, in the case where hydraulic fluid is filled in a pressure chamber at least one side of which is comprised of a transparent elastic diaphragm, and the transparent elastic diaphragm is deformed by hydraulic fluid pressure exerted on the diaphragm to render a focal length under variable control, the deformed form of the transparent elastic diaphragm is optimized so as to make lens aberration less likely to occur, and also hydraulic fluid pressure in the pressure chamber is measured with a pressure sensor formed on the transparent elastic diaphragm so that, by adjusting hydraulic fluid pressure based on that value, change of a focal length due to thermal expansion and contraction of hydraulic fluid and so on can also be controlled.
In addition, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-133210, an electric potential difference is given between a first electrode and a conductive elastic plate to lessen the space between them by generating attraction by Coulomb's force, and it consequently becomes possible, by using a volume of transparent liquid excluded from the space between them, to make convex and deform a central portion of the transparent elastic plate with respect to its back facing the transparent liquid. Then, a convex lens is formed by the convex-deformed transparent elastic plate, transparent plate and the transparent liquid filled between them, so that power of this convex lens is adjusted by the above electric potential difference to constitute a varifocal lens.
On the other hand, a varifocal lens using electro-capillarity is disclosed by WO99/18456. If this technique is used, electrical energy can be used directly to change form of a lens formed by an interface between the first and second liquid, so that it becomes possible to make the lens varifocal without mechanically moving it.
However, the above-mentioned related arts have the following problems. For instance, the above Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-114703 describes an actuator controlling apparatus for driving an actuator wherein, as the actuator, a unimorph mechanism by a piezoelectric element formed on a transparent elastic diaphragm is utilized. However, this known technique requires high rigidity of the elastic deformed portion, and consequently has a fault of requiring large amounts of electric power.
Moreover, the above Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-133210 also requires high rigidity of the elastic deformed portion, and consequently has a fault of requiring large amounts of electric power likewise.
Furthermore, the above WO99/18456 can change optical power with small amounts of electric power since there is no mechanical movable part, but there is no detailed description of power means, and a technique for controlling optical power with precision and small amounts of electric power is not disclosed.


A coated tool includes a base material and a wear-resistant coating film formed on the base material. The composition of the wear-resistant coating film is expressed as (Ti.sub.x,Al.sub.y,V.sub.z)(C.sub.u,N.sub.v,O.sub.w). Relations x+y+z=1, u+v+w=1, 0.2<x<1, 0.ltoreq.y<0.8, 0.02.ltoreq.z<0.6, 0.ltoreq.u<0.7, 0.3<v.ltoreq.1 and 0.ltoreq.w<0.5 hold between x, y, z, u, v and w. The thickness of the wear-resistant coating film is at least 0.5 .mu.m and not more than 15 .mu.m. A coated cutting tool in particular includes a base material consisting of cemented carbide and a wear-resistant coating film formed on the surface of the base material. The wear-resistant coating film includes a titanium nitride film which is formed to be in contact with the surface of the base material, and a composite nitride film, formed on the titanium nitride film, containing titanium, vanadium, nitrogen and an unavoidable impurity or titanium, aluminum, vanadium, nitrogen and an unavoidable impurity, or a composite carbo-nitride film, formed on the titanium nitride film, containing titanium, vanadium, carbon, nitrogen and an unavoidable impurity or titanium, aluminum, vanadium, carbon, nitrogen and an unavoidable impurity. The outermost surface of the wear-resistant coating film is coated with a low melting point oxide, containing vanadium oxide, having a melting point of not more than 1000.degree. C.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a coated tool provided with a wear-resistant coating film on its surface, and more particularly, it relates to a coated cutting tool employed for milling, turning, drilling and the like, and a coated tool such as a coated mold, punch and die employed for metal forging, punching, pressing and the like.
2. Description of the Background Art
In recent years, new tool materials have been developed one after another, in order to satisfy a requirement for higher efficiency and higher precision of working. In the process of such material development, techniques of coating various tool materials with ceramics for manufacturing the so-called coated tools are indispensable. As a recent trend, working speeds are now increasing, in order to improve working efficiency. As a result, ceramics coating films provided on surfaces of such tools become remarkably worn.
In order to suppress such wear, titanium ceramics such as titanium carbide (TiC), titanium nitride (TiN) or titanium carbo-nitride (Ti(C,N)) are most generally employed as a component of a ceramics coating film for a cutting tool, for example. Further, there has been developed a method of improving wear resistance and oxidation resistance of such a ceramics coating film by adding aluminum into the titanium ceramics material. Thus, titanium aluminum nitride ((Ti,Al)N) is now coming into wide use as the material for a ceramics coating film.
When such a coating film is formed on a coated cutting tool, however, the material being cut (hereinafter referred to as a workpiece) is disadvantageously deposited onto the ceramics coating film around the insert of the tool to induce chipping, the so-called deposition chipping, of the insert. Such deposition chipping takes place conceivably because the adhesion force between the ceramics coating film serving as a wear-resistant coating and the deposit is so high that the deposit grows on the cutting edge to cause a phenomenon such as remarkable chipping on the forward end portion of the insert.
In perforation work using a drill provided with a ceramics coating film, on the other hand, effusion resistance of swarfs is increased to break the drill particularly in case of drilling a deep hole.
In order to solve these problems, a tool prepared by depositing a lubricative coating consisting of a layer compound such as molybdenum disulfide on a wear-resistant coating film has been proposed and put on the market. In such a tool, the layer compound such as molybdenum disulfide is easily worn due to low mechanical strength. Immediately after starting of cutting, therefore, the problem such as deposition chipping or increased effusion resistance is hardly caused, due to the lubricative action of molybdenum disulfide. However, the quantity of molybdenum disulfide is reduced with progress of cutting, to readily cause the problem of deposition chipping or increase of effusion resistance of swarfs.
In order to suppress such deposition chipping or increase of effusion resistance of swarfs, therefore, a large quantity of cutting fluid is generally employed during cutting. However, such employment of the cutting fluid leads to an environmental problem. In case of working a deep hole with a drill, further, it is difficult to feed such a cutting fluid to the forward end portion of its insert. Thus, a tool which can withstand high-speed cutting with no cutting fluid is needed.
Also in relation to a mold, a technique of coating its base material with ceramics is indispensable. As the recent trend, further, warm or hot forging is now coming into use, in order to implement improvement of working accuracy or reduction of a lubricant coating step. Thus, wear of the mold material is remarkable.
In order to suppress such wear, the ceramics coating film for the mold is prepared from a component similar to that for the cutting tool. However, such a ceramics coating film is inferior in lubricity, although the same is effective for improving wear resistance. Therefore, a technique of forming a bonderizing film on the workpiece or using lubricating oil, graphite or a boric acid lubricant during working is employed.
The term "bonderizing" indicates formation of a zinc phosphate coating film on the surface of a workpiece. Thus, it is possible to suppress the so-called galling of the workpiece and the mold material during cold forging. However, the surface of the mold material must be cleaned with acid in a pretreatment for the bonderizing, disadvantageously leading to a large quantity of waste solution. Further, the cold-forged workpiece is hardened, and must be annealed after the cold forging. The zinc phosphate coating film separates from the surface of the workpiece at this time, and hence the workpiece must be bonderized again after the annealing.
In order to solve these problems in cold forging, warm or hot forging is widely employed. Flow stress of the workpiece can be reduced by increasing its temperature (to at least 500.degree. C. in forging of a ferrous material, for example), thereby reducing a mechanical stress load on the mold. Further, the workpiece does not need to be annealed/bonderized after forging.
In the warm or hot forging process, however, no reliable lubrication method can substitute for bonderizing. Although a method using a solid lubricant of graphite or boric acid is employed, sufficient lubricity is not attained, so that the surface of the mold is remarkably worn in this method. Thus, a mold which is hardly worn in cold, warm or hot forging is needed.

Coated tool and method of manufacturing the same


An image processing apparatus inputs an image signal obtained by scanning a document in which a character region, a photographic region and a dot region are mixed and stores image data in a local block composed of a target picture element and plural picture elements surrounding the target picture element. The image processing apparatus computes first and second feature parameters P.sub.0 and P.sub.1 representing the features of each region based on the image data in the local block, and inputs the resulting first and second feature parameters P.sub.0 and P.sub.1 to an identification circuit adopting a neural network. The identification circuit outputs the region identification information O.sub.0 and O.sub.1 of the target picture element, and the filter processing circuit performs a spatial filtering process according to the region identification information O.sub.0 and O.sub.1. As described, in the image processing apparatus, since a multi-dimensional identification process is performed using the neural circuit which receives inputs of plural feature parameters, an image identification with very high precision is permitted, and an optimum spatial-filtering process can be applied according to the feature of each picture element,

Conventionally, in digital copying machines, facsimile machines, etc., an image signal obtained by reading a document composed of a character region, a photographic region or a dot region, or a document composed of a mixture of these regions by means of a CCD image sensor is processed to attain an improved quality of a recorded image. In the described process of the image, first, the type of the read image is identified, i.e., whether the read image is a character image, a photographic image or a dot image. Then, based on the result of this identification, an optimum process is applied to each picture element.
Known image identification methods to attain an improved image quality in the described manner include: A method wherein an image is divided into blocks, each being composed of plural picture elements, and an identification of an image is performed per each block by a pattern matching technique or using feature parameters indicative of features of the character image or the dot image.
However, the image identification method using the pattern matching technique has the following problem. That is, since it is required to prepare many patterns, a huge memory is required. Thus, this method is not suitable for practical applications. For this reason, the image identification method using the feature parameters is used in many cases.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 194968/1986 (Tokukaisho 61-194968) discloses a dot/photographic image identification method as an example of such image identification method using the feature parameters. In the method of this disclosure, a change in signal level in two picture elements which are three-dimensionally in sequence is measured separately between the following two cases: the case where the two picture elements are in sequence in a main-scanning direction and the case where the two picture elements are in sequence in a sub-scanning direction. Then, a sum of the measured values in each block is compared with a predetermined threshold, and an image is recognized based on the result of this comparison.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 147860/1987 (Tokukaisho 62-147860) discloses an intermediate tone facsimile signal processing method as another example of the image identification method using the feature parameters. In this method, first a difference between a maximum signal level and a minimum signal level in the block is computed, and the computed difference is compared with a predetermined threshold. As a result of this comparison, if the computed difference in signal level is smaller than the predetermined threshold, an identification signal for a smooth change in signal level indicating that the block is located in a photographic region is outputted. On the other hand, when the computed level difference is larger than the predetermined threshold, an identification signal for a sudden change in signal level indicating that the block is located in the character region or on the outline portion of the photographic image is outputted. Furthermore, according to a predetermined access order in the block, a number of changes in signal level in two picture elements which are three dimensionally in sequence is compared with a predetermined number. As a result of this comparison, if the number of changes is greater than the predetermined number, an identification signal indicating that the block is located in the dot region is outputted. On the other hand, if the number of changes is smaller than the predetermined number, an identification signal indicating that the block is not in the dot region is outputted. Based on the identification signal, the signal process is applied to each picture element in the block.
For the image process to attain an improved image, conventionally, a spatial-filtering process is adopted. One example of the technique of attaining an improved image quality adopting the filtering process is disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 5-21384 (Tokukohei 5-21384). In the image processing apparatus of this disclosure, a spatial filter for smoothing the image signal and a spatial filter for enhancing the image signal are prepared beforehand, and based on an output from edge detection means for detecting an edge portion of the image signal, a signal obtained by applying a smoothing process to the image signal or a signal obtained by applying an enhancement process to the image signal, or a signal obtained by applying a combined process of the smoothing process and the enhancement process is outputted. Another method is adopted in a filtering apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 246076/1988 (Tokukaisho 63-246076). In this method, a spatial filter for removing a dot region is prepared beforehand, and when the edge portion is not extracted by edge extraction means for extracting the edge portion of the image signal, a signal having gone through the filtering process is outputted. On the other hand, when the edge portion is extracted, a signal is outputted before having gone through the filtering process.
However, in the described image identification method, an error may occur in identifying the image, and to attain a high quality image, a still more precise identification is required. The possible cause of this identification error of the image would be a mismatch of a feature parameter. That is, the error is caused as the feature parameter fails to fully represent the features of each region. The other possible cause of the described identification error is an inappropriate selection of the classification method itself for identifying the image based on the feature parameter, or the threshold value for the classification.
Moreover, in the conventional filtering process by the spatial filter prepared beforehand, an identification process is completely performed for each block based on the resulting feature parameters, and based on the result of identification, a filtering process is applied to a target picture element in block using a predetermined spatial filter. In this method, the image is greatly affected when an identification error occurs, and the feature parameter of a target picture element reflects only a specific filter feature, thereby presenting the problem that a fine processing such as applying an optimal filtering process to each picture element cannot be achieved.


Provided is a polyamide resin composition capable of yielding highly abrasion-resistant molded article, while keeping high mechanical strength, and, a molded article using the polyamide resin composition. The polyamide resin composition contains (A) polyamide resin, (B) polyolefin wax, and (C) at least one metal salt selected from alkali metal salt and alkali earth metal salt, and the (A) polyamide resin contains (a-1) semiaromatic polyamide resin.

Usage of polyamide resin for sliding part has been discussed. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a sliding component (sliding part) composed of a polyamide resin composition that contains 100 parts by mass of polyamide composed of terephthalic acid component and 1,10-decanediamine component, and 0.5 to 60 parts by mass of a sliding modifier. Patent Literature 2 discloses a resin composition for abrasion resistant molded article, which contains a resin-impregnated fiber bundle that is obtained by bundling fibrous fillers while aligning their longitudinal direction, by allowing a molten polyamide resin to impregnate into the fibrous filler bundle to integrate them, and then by cutting the bundle into 5 to 15 mm long; wherein the polyamide is an aromatic polyamide obtained from an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and an aliphatic diamine, or from an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and an aromatic diamine; the fibrous filler is selected from carbon fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber and basalt fiber; and the resin composition, when tested in an abrasion test, is visually confirmed to cause no turning-up of the skin portion.

Polyamide resin composition and molded article


The present invention relates to the field of attenuated live viruses useful as vaccine or medicament for preventing or treating Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in swine, and is based on the surprising finding of a PRRS virus which is able to induce the interferon type I response of a cell infected by said virus. In one embodiment, the PRRS virus according to the invention is a PRRS virus mutant comprising, in comparison with the genome of a wild type strain, a mutation in the gene encoding the non structural protein 1 (nsp1) of said virus.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a member of the virus family Arteriviridae and belongs, together with the Coronaviridae, to the virus order Nidovirales. PRRSV is an enveloped virus with a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome of about 15 kilobases comprising nine open reading frames (ORFs), namely ORF1a, ORF1ab, ORF2a, ORF 2ab, and ORFs 3 through ORF7. ORFs 1a and 1ab encode large polyproteins that are processed into the viral nonstructural proteins (nsp) by auto- and transcleavages of viral proteases nsp1, nsp2, and nsp4 (Snijder and Meulenberg, 1998).
There are two distinct viral PRRSV genotypes causing similar clinical symptoms that diverge by about 40% on nucleotide sequence level, genotype I (EU) and genotype II (US). The North American (US) prototype strain is VR-2332, while the European (EU) prototype strain is Lelystad virus.
PRRSV is considered one of the economically most important infectious agents in pigs causing late-term reproductive failure in sows and respiratory disease in growing pigs. Often, PRRSV infection is complicated by secondary bacterial infections being attributed to the immunosuppressive nature of the virus. Also, PRRSV viremia lasts for weeks, and virus then still can be detected in lymphoid organs for several months, demonstrating difficulties or failure of the host's immune response to clear the virus (Allende et al., 2000).
The specific immune response to PRRSV infection is characterized by delayed induction of neutralizing antibodies (Lopez and Osorio, 2004) and short cell-mediated immune response (Xiao et al., 2004). It is commonly accepted that these effects can in part be attributed, along with presentation of decoy epitopes (Ostrowski et al., 2002; Ansari et al., 2006) and glycan shielding of viral envelope proteins (Ansari et al., 2006), to the viral inhibition of the host's innate immune system. It has been demonstrated that PRRSV infection does not or only weakly or delayedly induce production of type I interferon (IFN) (interferon α and interferon β; (Miller et al., 2004)) or type II IFN, (interferon γ; (Meier et al., 2003)) in susceptible cell lines (swine pulmonary alveolar macrophages, monkey kidney cells MARC-145) and/or pigs (Buddaert et al., 1998).
Thus, there is a need for novel vaccines and medications effecting a rapid induction of neutralizing antibodies and interferon responses for the prophylaxis and treatment of PRRSV infection.

PRRS virus inducing type I interferon in susceptible cells


A system and method for depositing a CVD diamond coating on a non-planar surface of an object is provided. The system includes a deflector having a deflecting surface which resists diamond coating by the diamond forming reagents produced by the system and which is adapted to withstand the relatively high deposition temperatures is provided. The deflector is positioned substantially axially with an axis of the distribution head of the CVD engine. The deflector is preferably generally wedge-shaped or conical and coupled to a motor which is adapted to rotate the deflector at a relatively high speed. A mandrel may be positioned about or to one side of the deflector. The deflector is oriented with respect to the distribution head and the mandrel such that a jet exiting the distribution head is deflected by the deflector onto a surface of an object positioned on the mandrel. The object surface may be non-planar.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates broadly to a system and method for depositing diamond coatings on surfaces. More particularly, this invention relates to a system and method for coating a diamond film on a non-planar surface.
2. State of the Art
The utility of high quality diamond films for various applications is well known. Superior physical, chemical, and electrical properties make diamond films desirable for many mechanical, thermal, optical and electronic applications. For example, diamond has the highest room-temperature thermal conductivity of any material, a high electric field breakdown (xe2x88x92107V/cm), and an air stable negative electron affinity. These properties make possible high power, high frequency transistors and cold cathodes which cannot be made with any semiconductor other than diamond. In addition, the etch-resistance of diamond coatings, makes such coatings ideal for components of semiconductor etching devices.
One method for producing thin diamond coatings is by using a chemical vapor deposition (hereinafter xe2x80x98CVDxe2x80x99) system. In CVD systems, a mixture of hydrogen and a gaseous hydrocarbon, such as methane, is activated and contacted with a substrate to produce a diamond coating on the substrate. The hydrogen gas is disassociated into atomic hydrogen, which is then reacted with the hydrocarbon to form condensable carbon radicals. The carbon radicals are then deposited on a substrate to form a diamond film.
One manner of practicing CVD is with a plasma jet system. Referring to prior art FIG. 1, a plasma jet system 10 includes an engine 12 having a hydrogen gas inlet 14, a cathode 16, an engine wall 18, and an anode 20. The system 10 further includes a gas injection disc 22 having a plurality of injectors 24, a distribution head (nozzle) 26 which is directed toward a mandrel 28 on which a substrate 30 may be located, and a vacuum deposition chamber 32 surrounding the engine 12, the gas injection disc 22, the distribution head 26, and the mandrel 28. In operation, atomic hydrogen gas is introduced through the hydrogen gas inlet 14 and formed into a hydrogen plasma jet by means of a direct current arc, an alternating current arc, or microwave energy within the engine. The plasma torch is hot enough (typically approximately 10,000xc2x0K) to reduce gases to their elemental form. Hydrocarbon reagents are then introduced from the injectors 24 of the gas injection disc 22 into the plasma torch, and the torch is directed into the distribution head 26 such that a jet of the condensable reagents exits the distribution head and is directed toward the substrate 30 on the mandrel 28. The mandrel 28 is oriented normal to the distribution head 26 such that the jet is directed at the substrate 30 in a line-of-sight manner, and a diamond coating is created on the substrate.
For coating planar surfaces of objects larger than the jet and also for obtaining uniformity of coating and elimination of hot spots which may reduce the quality of the coating through the formation of temperature gradients, it may be advantageous to rotate the object beneath the distribution head, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,660 and as shown in FIG. 1.
However, when coating a non-planar surface, e.g., the inside surface of an object such as a ring or bowl, particularly where the inner diameter increases in a direction away from the jet, the line-of-sight nature of the jet makes it difficult to obtain a uniform coating or any coating at all in some areas. In addition, while rotation of an object is typically preferred for coating uniformity and minimization of temperature gradients, it may be impractical or impossible to rotate, within the confines of the chamber, objects which are relatively large, oblong, complex, and/or awkward (i.e., having an off-axis center of gravity). Moreover, even if it were possible to rotate or otherwise move large, oblong, complex, and/or awkward objects within the chamber, it may not be feasible or practical to do such at a speed which would minimize the temperature gradient to which the surface of the object would be subject.
For the foregoing reasons, there is needed a system and method for depositing diamond coatings on objects having non-planar surfaces, such that the coating is applied in a substantially uniform thickness while minimizing temperature gradients.
The present invention is a novel system and method for depositing a CVD diamond coating on a non-planar surface of an object. The system includes a deflector having a deflecting surface which resists diamond coating as well as a conventional plasma jet engine, injection disc, distribution head, and mandrel on which a substrate object may be provided. At least the exit of the distribution head and the mandrel are contained within a vacuum deposition chamber.
According to several embodiments of the invention particularly suited for coating inner diameter surfaces of objects, the deflecting surface of the deflector resists diamond coating by diamond forming reactive reagents produced by the system and is adapted to withstand the relatively high deposition temperatures. The deflector is positioned substantially axially relative to an axis of the distribution head, and thereby relative to the axis of the jet exiting the distribution head. The deflector is preferably generally wedge-shaped or conical and coupled to a motor which is adapted to rotate the deflector at a relatively high speed. The mandrel may be positioned partially or completely around the deflector. The deflector is oriented with respect to the distribution head and the mandrel such that a jet exiting the distribution head is deflected by the deflector onto a surface of the object positioned on the mandrel. The object surface may be non-planar.
According to another embodiment of the invention particularly adapted for coating the outer diameter surface of a ring-shaped object or a perimeter portion of a non-circular object, a rotatable mandrel is adapted to rotate an object non-axially relative to the jet from the distribution head. A preferably stationary deflector is situated beneath the distribution head and oriented to deflect the jet from the distribution head toward the non-planar surface object. When the object is rotated on the mandrel, its outer diameter or perimeter portion is coated with a diamond coating by the jet.
The several embodiments of the invention provide systems adapted to coat diamond films on non-planar surfaces. Additional advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the provided figures.

System and method for coating non-planar surfaces of objects with diamond film


A branching memory-bus module has one uplink port and two or more downlink ports. Frames sent downstream by a host processor are received on the uplink port and repeated to the multiple downlink ports to two or more branches of memory modules. Frames sent upstream to the processor by a memory module on a downlink port are repeated to the uplink port. A branching Advanced Memory Buffer (AMB) on the branching memory-bus module has re-timing and re-synchronizing buffers that repeat frames to the multiple downlink ports. Elastic buffers can merge and synchronize frames from different downlink branches. Separate northbound and southbound lanes may be replaced by bidirectional lanes to reduce pin counts. Latency from the host processor to the farthest memory module is reduced by branching compared with a serial daisy-chain of fully-buffered memory modules. Point-to-point bus segments have only two endpoints despite branching by the branching AMB.

Personal computers (PC's) and other systems often use small printed-circuit board (PCB) daughter cards known as memory modules instead of directly mounting individual memory chips on a motherboard. The memory modules are constructed to meet specifications set by industry-standard groups, thus ensuring a wide potential market. High-volume production and competition have driven module costs down dramatically, benefiting the electronics buyer.
Memory modules are made in many different sizes and capacities, such as older 30-pin and 72-pin single-inline memory modules (SIMMs) and newer 168-pin, 184-pin, and 240-pin dual inline memory modules (DIMMs). The "pins" were originally pins extending from the module's edge, but now most modules are leadless, having metal contact pads or leads. The modules are small in size, being about 3-5 inches long and about an inch to an inch and a half in height.
The memory modules contain a small printed-circuit board substrate, typically a multi-layer board with alternating laminated layers of fiberglass insulation and foil or metal interconnect layers. Surface mounted components such as DRAM chips and capacitors are soldered onto one or both surfaces of the substrate.
FIG. 1 shows a fully-buffered memory module. Memory module 10 contains a substrate such as a multi-layer printed-circuit board (PCB) with surface-mounted DRAM chips 22 mounted to the front surface or side of the substrate, as shown in FIG. 1, while more DRAM chips 22 are mounted to the back side or surface of the substrate (not shown). Memory module 10 is a fully-buffered dual-inline memory module (FB-DIMM) that is fully buffered by Advanced Memory Buffer (AMB) 24 on memory module 10.
Metal contact pads 12 are positioned along the bottom edge of the module on both front and back surfaces. Metal contact pads 12 mate with pads on a module socket to electrically connect the module to a PC's motherboard. Holes 16 are present on some kinds of modules to ensure that the module is correctly positioned in the socket. Notches 14 also ensure correct insertion of the module. Capacitors or other discrete components are surface-mounted on the substrate to filter noise from the DRAM chips 22.
As system clock speeds increase, data must be transmitted and received at ever-increasing rates. Differential signaling techniques are being used to carry data, clock, and commands to and from memory modules. AMB 24 is a chip mounted onto the substrate of memory module 10 to support differential signaling through metal contact pads 12. AMB 24 sends and receives external packets or frames of data and commands to other memory modules in other sockets over differential data lines in metal contact pads 12.
AMB 24 also extracts data from the external frames and writes the extracted data to DRAM chips 22 on memory module 10. Command frames to read data are decoded by AMB 24. AMB 24 sends addresses and read signals to DRAM chips 22 to read the requested data, and packages the data into external frames that are transmitted from AMB 24 over metal contact pads 12 to other memory modules in a serial daisy chain and eventually to the host processor.
Memory module 10 is known as a fully-buffered memory module since AMB 24 buffers data from DRAM chips 22 to metal contact pads 12. DRAM chips 22 do not send and receive data directly from metal contact pads 12 as in many prior memory module standards. Since DRAM chips 22 do not directly communicate data with metal contact pads 12, signals on metal contact pads 12 can operate at very high data rates.
FIG. 2 shows detail of an advanced memory buffer on a fully-buffered memory module. AMB 24 contains DRAM controller 50, which generates DRAM control signals to read and write data to and from DRAM chips 22 on memory module 10. Data is temporarily stored in FIFO 51 during transfers.
The data from FIFO 51 is encapsulated in frames that are sent over differential signals through metal contact pads 12. Rather than being sent directly to the host central processing unit (CPU), the frames are passed from one memory module to the next memory module, along a daisy chain series of memory modules, until the frame reaches the host CPU. Differential data lines in the direction toward the host CPU are known as northbound lanes, while differential data lines from the CPU toward the memory modules are known as southbound lanes.
When a frame is sent from the host CPU toward a memory module, the frame is sent over the southbound lanes toward one of the memory modules in the daisy chain. Each memory module passes the frame along to the next memory module in the daisy chain. Southbound lanes that are input to a memory module are buffered by its AMB 24 using re-timing and re-synchronizing buffers 54. Re-timing and re-synchronizing buffers 54 restore the timing of the differential signals prior to retransmission. Input buffers 52 and output buffers 56 contain differential receivers and transmitters for the southbound lanes that are buffered by re-timing and re-synchronizing buffers 54.
Frames that are destined for the current memory module are copied into FIFO 51 and processed by AMB 24. For example, for a write frame, the data from FIFO 51 is written to DRAM chips 22 on the memory module by AMB 24. For a read, the data read from DRAM chips 22 is stored in FIFO 51. AMB 24 forms a frame and sends the frame to northbound re-timing and re-synchronizing buffers 64 and out over the northbound lanes from differential output buffer 62. Input buffers 66 and output buffers 62 contain differential receivers and transmitters for the northbound lanes that are buffered by re-timing and re-synchronizing buffers 64.
Forming outgoing frames and examining packet headers of incoming frames are performed by packet controller 60. Packet controller 60 may support a variety of frame sizes, formats, and features that may be programmable.
FIG. 3 shows fully-buffered memory modules daisy chained together in a series. Host CPU 210 on motherboard 28 reads and writes main memory in DRAM chips 22 on memory modules 201-204 through memory controller 220 on motherboard 28. Memory modules 201-204 are inserted into memory module sockets on motherboard 28.
Rather than read and write DRAM chips 22 directly, host CPU 210 sends read and write commands in packets or frames that are sent over southbound lanes 102. The frame from host CPU 210 is first sent from memory controller 220 to first memory module 201 in the first socket. AMB 24 on first memory module 201 examines the frame to see if it is intended for first memory module 201 and re-buffers and passes the frame on to second memory module 202 over another segment of southbound lanes 102. AMB 24 on second memory module 202 examines the frame and passes the frame on to third memory module 203. AMB 24 on third memory module 203 examines the frame and passes the frame on to fourth memory module 204.
When data is read, or a reply frame is sent back to host CPU 210, northbound lanes 104 are used. For example, when DRAM chips 22 on third memory module 203 are read, the read data is packaged in a frame by AMB 24 and sent over northbound lanes 104 to second memory module 202, which re-buffers the frame and sends it over another segment of northbound lanes 104 to first memory module 201. First memory module 201 then re-buffers the frame of data and sends it over northbound lanes 104 to memory controller 220 and on to host CPU 210.
Since northbound lanes 104 and southbound lanes 102 are composed of many point-to-point links between adjacent memory modules, the length and loading of these segments is reduced, allowing for higher speed signaling. Signaling is to AMB 24 on each memory module rather than to DRAM chips 22.
When branches are included in a physical bus link, there are 3 or more endpoints. Reflections may occur from the third endpoint (stub) and create distortions for signals being sent between the other two endpoints. Terminating the branching physical bus link is more difficult and less effective than when a physical bus link has only two endpoints. Thus southbound lanes 102 and northbound lanes 104 are composed of physical bus links having only 2 endpoints. A serial chain of fully-buffered memory modules has been the most obvious and widely used topology since it is a natural extension of the 2-endpoint physical links.
While such a daisy chain of fully-buffered memory modules is useful, memory modules at the end of a long serial chain of memory modules have increased delays or latencies for data to and from the CPU at the head of the chain. The data has to pass through and be buffered and re-timed by each of the intervening memory modules, resulting in significant delays. For example, data read from last memory module 204 has to pass through three other memory modules 201, 202, 203 to reach memory controller 220. It is desirable to reduce such delays by improving the memory-bus topology.

Branching memory-bus module with multiple downlink ports to standard fully-buffered memory modules


A method is provided for addressing short messages in a fixed network, both to fixed-network terminals that are operated as standalone units in a fixed network or to terminals that are operated in parallel in the fixed network and to extensions of cord-connected or cordless fixed-network terminals that are configured as private branch exchanges and operated either as standalone units or in parallel in the fixed network. To achieve this, several numeric identifiers are assigned to each fixed network terminal in order to address the short messages, in such a way for a fixed network terminal that is configured as a private branch exchange, the numeric identifiers can be arbitrarily distributed among the extensions.

The sending and receiving of short messages has, to date, been offered as a telecommunications service in GSM radio networks, wherein subscriber A can transfer up to 160 alphanumeric characters in one transmission session to subscriber B (cf.: Funkschau 19/98, pages 67 to 69). Efforts currently are being made to implement this service in fixed networks as well, e.g., in the Public Switched Telecommunications Network (PSTN) or the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). A publication on the subject of "Access and Terminal (AT)—Short Message Service (SMS) for PSTN/ISDN" has been produced at the European Standardizations Institute for Telecommunications ETSI under registration number DES/AT-030009 Vol. 0.1.1; 2001-02. This SMS service in the fixed network enables short messages to be sent and received in the fixed network with appropriate fixed-network telephones (both ISDN telephones and PSTN telephones). In this service, messages are always sent and received via a service center specially designed for this purpose, called the Short Message Service Center (SMSC), which is connected to the public telephone network.
For the parallel operation of several SMS-compatible terminals on an analog or digital fixed-network connection, a numeric identifier known as the terminal identifier (TID) is currently used to address a short message to a required terminal. The user is able to assign such a TID specifically to a terminal. The terminal in question then responds only to calls from the Short Message Service Center that correspond precisely to this one TID. However, it does not permit short messages to be addressed to SMS-compatible extensions, known as SMS entities (extensions for receiving short messages) of cord-connected or cordless fixed-network terminals that are configured as a private branch exchange and can be operated in parallel on the fixed network; e.g., DECT portable units of a DECT cordless telephone or internal subscribers of telecommunications systems.
In ISDN private branch exchanges operated on the ISDN network, it is known for the individual extensions of the telecommunications system to be addressed via multiple subscriber numbers (MSN).
An object of the present invention, therefore, is to address short messages in a fixed network, both to fixed-network terminals that are operated as standalone units in the fixed network or to terminals that are operated in parallel in the fixed network and to SMS-compatible extensions known as SMS entities (extensions for receiving short messages), of cord-connected or cordless fixed-network terminals that are configured as private branch exchanges and operated either as standalone units or in parallel in the fixed network.

Method for addressing short messages to at least one terminal suitable for receiving the same in a fixed network


A method and apparatus for generating and emitting amplified coherent acoustic energy. A cylindrical transducer is mounted within a housing, the transducer having an acoustically open end and an acoustically closed end. The interior of the transducer is filled with an active medium which may include scattering nuclei. Excitation of the transducer produces radially directed acoustic energy in the active medium, which is converted by the dimensions of the transducer, the acoustically closed end thereof, and the scattering nuclei, to amplified coherent acoustic energy directed longitudinally within the transducer. The energy is emitted through the acoustically open end of the transducer. The emitted energy can be used for, among other things, effecting a chemical reaction or removing scale from the interior walls of containment vessels.

This invention relates to acoustical devices and methods, and to the manipulation of acoustical energy. More particularly, the invention relates to a SASER (Sound Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation), the acoustic analogue of the laser. The method and apparatus of the invention enable the directional emission of amplified, coherent sound waves.
The fundamentals of acoustics, sometimes referred to as vibrational energy, have long been studied and understood. At its simplest, the field of acoustics concerns the propagation through a medium of a series of pressure waves. The wavelength, frequency, and speed of the waves can be measured and correlated. The most familiar form of acoustic energy to humans is perceived sound. The term in general, and specifically as used herein, however, refers to the entire spectrum of this type of energy.
Acoustics, especially at ultrasonic frequencies, are finding an increased number of uses in a widening array of fields. Ultrasonic devices are used for cleaning, such as removing scale or other contamination from surfaces. Ultrasound is also being used to effect certain chemical processes in a field sometimes referred to as sonochemistry.
A method of using ultrasonic energy for separating the constituents of a mixture, referred to as acoustophoresis, is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,450, issued to Heyman. According to the disclosure, an acoustic wave is transmitted at one end of a container to a sample therein via a transducer at ultrasonic frequencies. The wave can be xe2x80x9ctunedxe2x80x9d to the resonance of a desired constituent, forcing the constituent to one end of the container for separation. This methodology requires that the acoustic wave be propagated throughout the container, requiring either a relatively small sample size or prohibitive amounts of energy.
Separation using ultrasonic means is also the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,189, issued to Peterson et al. The discussion and disclosure therein concerns the use of ultrasonic frequencies to establish standing waves in a medium. Particles in the medium, depending on a number of characteristics such as resonance, size, and composition, will migrate toward the regions of highest pressure in the standing wave or to the regions of lowest pressure in the standing wave. In standard nomenclature, adopted herein, a region of high pressure is termed an antinode and a region of low pressure is termed a node. This separation technique, sometimes also called acoustophoresis, requires that the entirety of the sample be subject to the standing wave, or waves, to effect separation. Again, this limits the method to relatively small sample sizes or large expenditures of power.
A fairly common use of ultrasonic energy is cleaning surfaces. It is believed that the cleaning is accomplished largely through a process known as cavitation. Cavitation is the creation and rapid collapse of relatively small voids in a medium subjected to acoustic energy at ultrasonic frequencies. While not all aspects of cavitation are fully understood, it is believed that this phenomenon causes extremely high and transient temperatures and pressures. An intense, highly localized, shock wave is also created.
These effects, although occurring over only a very small area for each void created and destroyed, can be very destructive. Cavitation is therefore a very useful way to clean a relatively hard surface of such accretions as scale and alga without damaging the surface. Because acoustic energy can essentially permeate a medium, the technique is also useful for surfaces which because of size, location, or intricacy are difficult to reach.
One prior art device that can be used for cleaning surfaces is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,724 to Garcia et al. This patent discloses a probe which can be lowered into a medium. The intention can either be to clean the surfaces of the vessel containing the medium, or to clean objects within the vessel. Garcia et al. describe a means by which both longitudinal and radial waves can be generated by the probe. The probe contains a piezoceramic transducer, which vibrates in response to input from a tunable power source to produce ultrasonic waves in the medium.
Generating controlled radial and longitudinal waves, according to the disclosure, produces surface-cleaning cavitation more efficiently and throughout a greater volume of medium. With this device also, the entire medium must be permeated, especially to reach and clean the walls enclosing the medium. The radial waves at least are generated omnidirectionally around the circumference of the probe such that for any given surface area, only a fraction of the energy input is effective at that area.
In recent years, theoretical attention has been paid to the physics of a SASER, the acoustic equivalent of the well-known laser. The known literature, however, does not disclose a functional, practicable apparatus or method of embodying the proposed physics. Such an apparatus and method, useful for solving the problems with existing acoustic equipment as set forth above, has thus been long-sought in the art.
It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus and a method for concentrating acoustic energy and emitting it as a narrow beam of single frequency sound waves.
It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method for greatly increasing the efficiency of the transduction of electrical energy to acoustic energy.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an acoustic laser, or SASER, capable of emitting concentrated pressure waves at a single frequency into a medium.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a highly efficient means of projecting directional sound waves into and through a suitable medium.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a means for inducing cavitation within a medium along a specified path or at a specified location.
These and other objectives are achieved by means of an acoustic apparatus having a housing having an opening, a hollow cylindrical transducer mounted in the housing, the transducer having a first and a second end, the first end of the transducer being aligned with the opening in the housing and the second end being closed by a rigid wall, an acoustically conductive active medium filling said transducer, and a power supply operatively connected to the transducer capable of exciting the transducer to produce acoustical energy in the active medium.

Method and apparatus for generating acoustic energy


The invention concerns a mixing system for mixing two liquids at the inlet to the headbox of a paper machine with: an inlet line (A) for the first partial volume flow (a); an inlet line (B) for the second partial volume flow (b); an outlet line (C) for the mixture volume flow (c) with the flow resistance (W); a mixing angle (.alpha.) with the inlet line (A) and the inlet line (B); a main flow angle (.beta.) between the inlet line (A) and outlet line (C); a valve (S) installed in the inlet line (B) for control of the partial volume flow (b). The mixing angle (.alpha.) is selected so that the mixture volume flow (c) remains constant, independent of the partial volume flow (b).

The present invention concerns a mixing system for mixing two liquids at a constant mixture volume flow rate for supplying the headbox of a paper machine.
It is known that when mixing two volume flows A and B, with A being uncontrolled and B controlled, a mixture having a volume flow rate with a magnitude normally dependent on the mixing ratio of A to B is produced thereby. In some technical processes, for instance in the production of paper, however, it is desirable or necessary to obtain a constant mixture volume flow which is independent of the mixing ratio of the partial volume flows A and B. This can be accomplished with expensive and elaborate control technology.
A mixing system is known from the German patent document DE-PS 40 05 281 (FIG. 3). Proposed there is introducing diluting water axially in the expanded pressure socket of a connecting line to the headbox. In the specification, it is described that the diluting water should be introduced in the expanded pressure socket of a connecting line contained on the manifold The main claim of the patent even speaks of feeding diluting water into the separate, central manifold, in addition to the fiber suspension. Both proposals presuppose that the flow direction of the dilution component is axial to the connecting line, since the dilution component would otherwise not, or only with a slight part of it, proceed into the connecting line. Input pressure and output pressure of the lines are constant. The sole actuator for modifying the partial volume flow ratio is installed on the dilution water line.
Ensuing problems are these: Since the velocities of both partial volume flows have at the mixing point the same direction but normally differ by amount, energy is transmitted from one to the other partial volume flow. With the momentum theorem, it can be proved that this results in a mutual acceleration and retardation of the respective partial volume flows. Jet pumps utilize this effect for pumping liquids or gases. If a flow resistance, for instance a choke, is located in the line following the mixing point, the effect of the mutual acceleration or retardation diminishes because the partial volume flows displace one another before the flow resistance.
Experiments have shown that with a pressure loss at the flow resistance that is still acceptable for practical use, the acceleration of the main flow through the dilution component is at a 20% share of the dilution component already so high that the volume flow of the mixture, i.e., the sum of main flow and dilution component, increases by about 1% as compared to a dilution component share of 0%. When boosting the share of the dilution component to values of 50% and more, which may be necessary specifically in the marginal area of the headbox, the mixture volume flow change is greater than 8%. That is, a fundamental problem of such a mixing system is constituted in that the mixture volume flow changes heavily in relation to the amount dosed in.
It is also known to provide a mixing system which serves to mix several partial volume flows in such a way that a constant mixture volume flow will be created. To that end, all partial volume flows are controlled dependent on one another by application of an elaborate valve control. The resulting disadvantages are that, for one, such a valve is very expensive in design and manufacture, and of another, in that all volume flows must be controlled. That is, a valve is installed also in the partial volume flow carrying a high fiber concentration, with all negative effects occurring thereby, such as fiber wad formation and clogging tendency.
Additionally, the parallel arrangement requires actuator valves with an extraordinarily linear performance, in order to allow keeping the mixture volume flow constant, independently of the partial volume flow ratio. This good linearity requirement mandates either valves with a steep pressure drop or cost-intensive control measures.
A concept corresponding to the prior art consists in sectioning the headbox across the working width and supplying the individual sections with suspension of different stuff consistency. With increasing stuff consistency of a section, the basis weight of the paper web increases at this point and vice versa.
The fiber orientation of the paper web being a function of the angle at which the jet issues out of the headbox, the fiber orientation can be specifically influenced by modification of the headbox geometry, for instance in the form of geometry changes on the discharge gap. Geometry changes on the head box, depending on working point, influence the amount of suspension issuing out of the headbox in the pertaining section at different degrees. The result of this is that, with the concept described above, an intervention in the fiber orientation profile unintendedly causes also the basis weight to change at the point of intervention of the paper web.
Practical experience and theoretical thoughts regarding the hydraulic conditions in the headbox as well as regarding the mechanism of sheet formation in the wire section show clearly that interventions in the fiber orientation cross profile need to be carried out by far more seldom than interventions in the basis weight cross profile. The illustrated one-sided linkage between the fiber orientation and basis weight is thus in the practical application of the illustrated concept of subordinate significance.
The variation of the stuff consistencies in the individual sections can be achieved in that with each section there is a mixer coordinated in which two partial volume flows of different stuff consistency are mixed with each other and the mixture volume flow is fed exclusively to the respective section of the headbox. An absolute prerequisite for not changing the fiber orientation of the section with a change of the stuff consistency, is the absolute constancy of the mixture volume flow independently of the partial volume ratio adjusted at the mixer.
If adjacent mixture volume flows are not always equally large at a change of the stuff consistency, such will lead to compensating flows transverse to the main flow direction in the headbox, and thus to variations of the jet discharge angle from the machine direction. Since a direction relationship exists between the jet angle and the orientation of the fiber in the paper web, the amounts of the individual mixture volume flows must be absolutely equal and constant across the entire headbox width, also when changes of the stuff consistency are brought about in the individual sections.
Another concept for influencing the fiber orientation profile and the basis weight cross profile provides for a locally, narrowly limited change of the mixture volume flow and the stuff consistency. The effect of the mixture volume flow change on the fiber orientation is based here on the relations described above. The basis weight is adjusted by changing the stuff consistency, with the demand for absolute constancy of the mixture volume flow at stuff consistency changes remaining unchanged also with this concept, so that stuff consistency changes will not at the same time influence the fiber orientation profile. A valve may be installed in the mixture volume flow for adjustment of the fiber orientation.
The required constancy of the mixture volume flows of the individual sections at a change of the partial volume flow ratios will not allow a satisfactory solution either with considerable control expense, since the run time of the basis weight measuring signals is too long for holding the basis weight constant at the prevailing frequency of the basis weight change.

Mixing system for mixing two liquids at constant mixture volume flow for supplying the headbox of a paper machine


A power distribution system for office furniture includes a powerway having a power block with power block conductors therein. A intermediate connector block is supported on the power block and includes recesses for receiving outlet blocks having power outlets therein. The intermediate connector block may include a generally C-shaped housing which is assembled into the utility raceway between the top of the power block and the top of the utility raceway. In one embodiment powerway, cables includes woven sheaths. The woven sheaths are attached to a connector using a fastener.

The present invention relates to electrification of office furniture and the like, and in particular to a modular power distribution unit therefor.
Open offices are well known and generally comprise large open floor spaces that are divided into individual offices or work stations. Several different furniture arrangements are presently available to divide such open office spaces and include partition panels, system furniture and modular furniture. These office arrangements are widely utilized as they are relatively easy to install, convenient to rearrange after installation, attractive in appearance and allow a large number of offices or work stations to be installed within an open floor space.
It is desirable that office furniture units include an electrical wiring system of some type. Such wiring systems preferably provide electrical power to the various work stations for typewriters, computers, dictating equipment, lights, clocks and other electrical appliances. The wiring system should not detrimentally effect the ease of installation, the convenience in rearranging the furniture after installation, or the attractive appearance of the furniture. Thus, to facilitate electrification, many furniture units include a utility raceway associated therewith in which the wiring system is housed.
A wide variety of wiring system for such office furniture units are currently available. These wiring system employ different techniques and arrangements to conduct electrical power through the office furniture unit and to interconnect adjacent office furniture units. Versatility, durability, electrical integrity, convenience of installation and rearrangement of furnished units, and overall safety are all important design consideration for a wiring system. An additional important design consideration is providing a wiring system which is adapted to fit within the limited confines of existing furniture units which also includes the capability of providing power to all the various electrical appliances at various work stations. Thus, it is desirable to provide a wiring system having a plurality of power supply circuits. However, the utility raceways of some existing furniture units are designed only for a three-wire power distribution system. Thus, it is desirable to provide a very compact or space efficient power distribution system with the versatility and convenience of a large number of wires in a powerway design to accommodate a three-wire power distribution system. Yet another desirable design goal is to increase the number of outlets which can be provided on an electrical circuit and still remain within National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements.

Modular powderway for partition panels and the like (C-39)


A method and system for introducing support for SM rejections in a USAT network rejection event including an APN. The method and system provide the UICC with all PDP Context activation rejection cause codes received by the ME and their respective APNs. Such a method and system allows the UICC to monitor all the rejections to intelligently select an appropriate APN to activate using its Open channel command.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed in general to communications systems and methods for operating same, and more particularly to communication of PDP context activation rejection cause codes and Configure-Request Error Codes to a UICC.
2. Description of the Related Art
In known wireless telecommunications systems, transmission equipment in a base station or access device transmits signals throughout a geographical region known as a cell. As technology has evolved, more advanced equipment has been introduced that can provide services that were not possible previously. This advanced equipment might include, for example, an E-UTRAN (evolved universal terrestrial radio access network) node B (eNB), a base station or other systems and devices. Such advanced or next generation equipment is often referred to as long-term evolution (LTE) equipment, and a packet-based network that uses such equipment is often referred to as an evolved packet system (EPS). Another example of advanced equipment includes evolved High Rate Packet Data (eHRPD) type equipment such as that which conforms to the 3GPP2 X.s0057 v3.0 specification. An access device is any component, such as a traditional base station or an LTE eNB (Evolved Node B), that can provide a user agent (UA), such as user equipment (UE) or mobile equipment (ME), with access to other components in a telecommunications system.
In mobile communication systems such as an E-UTRAN, the access device provides radio accesses to one or more UAs. The access device comprises a packet scheduler for allocating uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) data transmission resources among all the UAs communicating to the access device. The functions of the scheduler include, among others, dividing the available air interface capacity between the UAs, deciding the resources (e.g. sub-carrier frequencies and timing) to be used for each UA's packet data transmission, and monitoring packet allocation and system load. The scheduler allocates physical layer resources for physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) data transmissions, and sends scheduling information to the UAs through a control channel. The UAs refer to the scheduling information for the timing, frequency, data block size, modulation and coding of uplink and downlink transmissions.
In certain mobile communication systems, there is a requirement for a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) application (e.g., a subscriber identity module (SIM), an Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) SIM (ISIM), and a universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) SIM (USIM)) a removable user identity module (RUIM) or a code division multiple access (CDMA) subscriber identity module (CSIM).
In certain known mobile communication systems, the UICC can use USIM Application Toolkit (USAT) commands (e.g., Open/Close Channel commands) to trigger a Packet Data Network (PDN) Connectivity request or an activate packet data protocol (PDP) Context request on the ME. Use of these commands enables the UICC to send IP data to the network on an access point name (APN) of its choosing. This end-to-end IP data session establishment can be used for features like bearer independent protocol (BIP) which provides the UICC with an IP interface to perform over-the-air updates. This interface is more efficient than, e.g., a short message service (SMS) over the air (OTA) mechanism and also allows for larger updates. FIG. 1, labeled Prior Art, shows an example of a UICC interaction with a network when performing USAT commands.
In certain known mobile communication systems, the UICC can use CDMA Card Application Toolkit (CCAT) commands (e.g., Open/Close Channel commands) to trigger a 3GPP2 VSNCP Configure-Request on the ME. Use of these commands enables the UICC to send IP data to the network on an access point name (APN) of its choosing. This end-to-end IP data session establishment can be used for features like bearer independent protocol (BIP) which provides the UICC with an IP interface to perform over-the-air updates. This interface is more efficient than, e.g., a short message service (SMS) over the air (OTA) mechanism and also allows for larger updates.
With the arrival of Machine to Machine M2M, or Machine type communication (MTC) there is speculation that processing functionality for the M2M device will reside inside the UICC and therefore it is likely that the UICC will require more input about its interactions from the network.
An issue which relates to Open and Close channel is that the UICC is not aware of the network failures that may occur during the PDP Context activation procedure (see e.g., 3GPP TS 24.008) or during a PDN Connectivity procedure (see e.g., 3GPP TS 24.301). In some systems, poorly implemented UICC applications could attempt PDP Context or PDN Connectivity retries that result in a negative impact to the network. For example, some event occurs that triggers all the cards deployed on the network to request a data session for an OTA update. The PDP context or PDN Connectivity may be rejected based on lack of capacity. If this condition occurs, the UICC application should back-off its retry attempts to allow the system to recover from this sudden rise in data activity. FIG. 2, labeled Prior Art, shows an example of a UICC retrying a PDP context activation procedure or PDN Connectivity procedure that may impact the network.

Transmission of the PDP context activation rejection cause codes to the UICC


A fingerprint identification device includes a first dielectric layer, a fingerprint sensing chip, a packaging layer, a first redistribution layer, a second dielectric layer, a second redistribution layer, and a third dielectric layer. The fingerprint sensing chip is disposed on the first dielectric layer and has a sensing transmission pad. The packaging layer defines a first via hole and covers the first dielectric layer and fingerprint sensing chip. Disposed on the packaging layer, the first redistribution layer contacts a drive transmission pad via the first via hole. The second dielectric layer defines a second via hole and covers the packaging layer and the first redistribution layer. Disposed on the second dielectric layer, the second redistribution layer defines a looped pattern, in addition to connect electrically with the first redistribution layer via the second via hole. The third dielectric layer covers the second dielectric layer and second redistribution layer.

Technical Field
The instant disclosure relates to a fingerprint identification device and manufacturing method thereof, in particular a fingerprint identification device utilizing the wafer level package (WLP) technique.
Related Art
With the continuous advancement of technology, biometric identification schemes such as fingerprint, voiceprint, iris, and retina are gradually being applied widely to personal identification and authentication. Since fingerprint characteristic information requires less memory space relative to other biological characteristic information, and based on the combined consideration of biological characteristic information with regards to user friendliness, security, and identification efficiency, fingerprint identification has become the mainstream method of biological identification technology. Consequently, many products in the market such as laptop computers, tablet computers, and mobile phones, are equipped with fingerprint identification capability to enhance user security.
To date, capacitive fingerprint identification may be categorized into active and passive types. With the active capacitive fingerprint identification technique, fingerprint identification devices utilize standalone metal rings for contacting the user's fingers, such that the fingers export pulse wave signals. The pulse wave signals are received by the finger touching area, and identified to obtain the fingerprint information. However, after each fingerprint identification device has been made, these metal rings for the known active capacitive fingerprint identification devices must be individually recessed into the fingerprint identification device, which makes the overall manufacturing process more complex and increases the manufacturing cost.
With the passive capacitive fingerprint identification technique, fingerprint information is obtained via parasitic capacitance of each sensing element in a fingerprint sensing chip and difference in electrical charge of the sensing capacitance formed between the user's fingers. However, since sensing elements with a large area are required for the known passive capacitive fingerprint identification chip, the chip itself takes up a large area that also increases the manufacturing cost.
Consequently, how to simplify the manufacturing process of fingerprint identification devices and lower its manufacturing cost are important issues to consider for persons having ordinary skill in the art.


A generator for driving an ultrasonic transducer for use in ultrasonic cleaning. The generator is capable of maintaining substantially constant real output to a load while the output frequency of the generator is square wave frequency modulated about a wide bandwidth. Thus, the generator is capable of maintaining substantially constant real output to the load even if the output frequency is modulated substantially away from the load's resonant frequency. The square wave modulation of the output frequency causes improved cavitation of semi-aqueous cleaning solutions used in the load, and thus improves the cleaning action of the ultrasonic transducer.

In ultrasonic cleaning, a transducer, usually piezoelectric but sometimes magnetostrictive, is secured to or immersed in a cleaning tank to controllably impart ultrasonic vibration to the tank. The tank is filled with a cleaning liquid and parts are immersed into the liquid to be cleaned by ultrasonic agitation and cavitation. The ultrasonic energy itself can dislodge contaminants. Under certain conditions the ultrasonic energy also creates cavitation bubbles within the liquid where the sound pressure exceeds the liquid vapor pressure. When the cavitation bubbles collapse, the interaction between the ultrasonically agitated liquid and the contaminants on the parts immersed in the liquid causes the contaminants to be dislodged.
Various circuits have been configured for driving ultrasonic transducers and have provided a variety of features. Parameters which are available for adjustment or control are the ultrasonic frequency, the power level, amplitude or frequency modulation, and duty cycle control of power bursts, among others.
In ultrasonic cleaning, it is known that the output circuit, which usually includes a driver, the ultrasonic transducer, and the load have a resonant frequency. The load, of course, includes the cleaning tank, the liquid in the tank, and the parts immersed in the liquid. Quite clearly, the mass and shape of the parts, the temperature of the liquid, and other factors all influence the resonant frequency of the output circuit.
It is known that when the ultrasonic transducer is driven at the resonant frequency of the load, the system is capable of delivering maximum power to the load. Cavitation of the cleaning liquid can be enhanced by modulating the driving frequency, which implies moving away from resonance. Because the phase angle changes as the generator is modulated away from the resonant frequency, this dictates that even if the center frequency of the generator is tuned to resonance, as the output frequency is modulated, the real power delivered to the output is reduced. In generators without power control circuitry, the output power will thus fluctuate along with the output frequency as the output frequency is modulated.
Ultrasonic generators with power control capabilities are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,376 to Puskas teaches a generator with power control circuitry capable of maintaining substantially constant power as the phase angle changes. To maintain constant power to the load, however, these systems sought to limit the maximum change in phase angle by limiting the modulation frequency bandwidth to substantially near resonant frequency, e.g., within .+-.1 kHz of resonant frequency. In systems of this type, therefore, a resonant follower automatically tuned the output frequency to resonance, and the modulation range was limited, so that the automatic power control worked within a limited band.
High efficiency is desirable in an ultrasonic generator, not only because high efficiency is generally considered to be more favorable than low efficiency, but also because it allows the components to be sized to match the designed task. Thus, if one were to produce a generator with a 500 watt output, and efficiency could be maintained within say 20%, then no part of the circuit would need to be designed to handle much more than about 600 watts. However, if the phase angle swings are such that the efficiency might vary by as much 2 to 1 or more, and it is desired to have 500 watts out at the worst case conditions, then it might be necessary to have input circuitry capable of handling 1000 watts or more. This extra capacity needed at the input in order to accommodate poor power factors at the output can be considered "head room". Large head room would not be necessary if the phase angle changes were small, but becomes more necessary in order to maintain the output power level as the phase angle changes become larger. Typically it is more straightforward to configure a generator which operates substantially near resonant frequency with perhaps a limited modulation bandwidth, than to configure a generator which might or might not operate at resonance, or may swing through resonance at unpredictable points, and to provide sufficient head room to maintain approximately consistent output power under these possible operating conditions.
In operation a further disadvantage of present ultrasonic generators is that they are incapable of adequately cavitating semi-aqueous cleaning solutions to obtain optimal cleaning results.

Frequency modulated ultrasonic generator


An automatic driver adjuster and methods using the same are provided that modify off-chip drivers based on load characteristics. The preferred embodiments are preferably automatic and require little or no human intervention. Preferred embodiments of the current invention analyze and determine the impedance of a node and adjust a number of output drivers in response to the impedance of the node, or analyze a resultant waveform of the node, caused by an input waveform, and adjust a number of output drivers in response to the resultant waveform of the node.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to the field of drivers for semiconductor chips. More specifically, the invention relates to automatic off-chip driver adjustment based on load characteristics.
2. Background Art
An off-chip driver is the very last circuit before a signal leaves a chip and this driver drives data onto a board, wire, to another chip, etc. If the driver is a very strong driver, it has low impedance and high current. If such a driver is hooked up to a light load (in terms of capacitance, for instance), the driver over-drives the load and there will be instability, which causes ringing and excessive noise. On the other hand, if the driver is not strong enough, the driver will under-drive the load, and the performance suffers. The best driver design matches the driver""s impedance to the load""s impedance, ideally at the point where response of the system is at critical damping. At this point, the off-chip driver has the most performance with no ringing or other detrimental effects. System designers actually tend to use a little under damping, as this allows for variance in load impedance.
There has been some movement in recent years towards programmable off-chip drivers. For instance, drivers exist that can be set to a specific impedance by electrical adjustment (such as by connecting wires to the driver or programming it). However, this technique requires human intervention.
What is needed is an automatic off-chip driver that requires little or no human intervention and that adjusts itself, based on load characteristics, to the optimum driver strength and impedance.
To overcome these problems, the current invention provides an automatic driver adjuster and methods using the same that modify off-chip drivers based on load characteristics. The preferred embodiments are preferably automatic and require little or no human intervention. Preferred embodiments of the current invention analyze and determine the impedance of a node and adjust a number of output drivers in response to the impedance of the node, or analyze a resultant waveform of the node, caused by an input waveform, and adjust a number of output drivers in response to the resultant waveform of the node.
In this manner, the proper number and strength of drivers may be automatically chosen for the current load characteristics of impedance or signal waveforms. Should the load characteristics change, the mechanisms of the current invention may be used to ensure that the driver has the optimal drive strength to meet these changing load characteristics.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Automatic off-chip driver adjustment based on load characteristics

International Business Machines Corporation