A method comprising modulating a plurality of synchronized signals by an orthogonal probe sequence (OPS) to generate a plurality of modulated synchronized signals, wherein the OPS comprises a zero element (0-element) column that indicates a start or an end of the OPS, and concurrently transmitting, using one or more transmitters, the plurality of modulated synchronized signals over a duration of a number of discrete multi-tone (DMT) symbols, wherein each of the plurality of modulated synchronized signals is intended for one of a plurality of receivers that are remotely coupled to the one or more transmitters via a vectored group of subscriber lines, and wherein the 0-element column causes all of the plurality of modulated synchronized signals to have a zero-amplitude during a first or a last of the DMT symbols.

Digital subscriber line (DSL) technologies provide a large bandwidth for digital communications over existing subscriber lines (e.g., copper pairs). When transmitting data over the subscriber lines, crosstalk interference can occur between the transmitted signals over adjacent lines, for example in a same or nearby bundle of lines. Crosstalk, including near end crosstalk (NEXT) and far end crosstalk (FEXT), may limit the performance of various DSL systems, such as those defined by existing standards including asymmetric DSL 2 (ADSL2), very high speed DSL (VDSL), very high speed DSL 2 (VDSL2), as well as G.fast which is a future standard to be issued by the International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) Study Group 15 (SG15).
In vectored DSL systems, an orthogonal probe sequence (sometimes also referred to as a pilot sequence) is used to estimate channel matrix. Take a VDSL2 system as an example: in order for an initializing VDSL2 transceiver unit on a remote side (VTU-R) modem to join in at the right bit index of an upstream probe sequence, the upstream probe sequence and its bit index may need to be transmitted from a VDSL2 transceiver unit on an operator side (VTU-O). Details regarding how an upstream probe sequence marker is transmitted from the VTU-O to the VTU-R can be found in the ITU-T G.993.5 Recommendation Section 10.3.3.5 headlined "Downstream Sync symbol and upstream pilot sequence markers", which is incorporated herein by reference.
According to G.993.5 that defines vectoring protocols for FEXT cancellation in VDSL2 modems, per-tone frequency domain equalizers (FEQs) of a discrete multi-tone (DMT) demodulator may be primarily trained. In other vectored DSL systems such as G.fast, a used frequency band may be much higher and FEXT may be much stronger. Consequently, FEQ training using traditional methods, including least mean square (LMS), blind LMS (BLMS), and averaging, may work less effectively (e.g., convergence may take a long time).


Apparatuses for playing miniaturized recreational games can include a base, a coupler, and a projectile launcher. The coupler can be rotatably positionable and engaged with the base. The projectile launcher can include a deformable elongate rod which can be engaged with the coupler. The apparatus can also include a second coupler and a projectile putter. The second coupler can be rotatably engaged with the base assembly. The projectile putter can include a rigid elongate rod which can be engaged with the second coupler. In use, the projectile launcher can aerially discharge a playing piece such as a ball, and the projectile putter can impart motion of the playing piece resting on a playing surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns miniaturized recreational games. More specifically, some embodiments of the present invention pertain to apparatuses and methods for playing miniaturized golf where the path of a ball can be modified by changing numerous parameters.
2. Background
Conventional golf is played using a plurality of clubs, each having differing shaft lengths, head weights, and face angles. Along with the force applied by the player's swing and the grip position, the particular club selected by the player significantly affects the trajectory, path, and/or travel distance of the ball upon impact. Repeated practice enables a player to move the ball to a desired position by selecting one of a plurality of clubs and then hitting the ball with a certain amount of force, and thus improving their skill.
However, conventional golf requires a large course that sometimes spans tens of acres. Upkeep of these courses requires significant time and money, which directly affect the cost of the fees that one must pay to play. Additionally, conventional golf can usually not be played in inclement weather.
Conventional miniaturized golf requires a much smaller course and typically includes reduced maintenance features, such as synthetic grass. This allows miniaturized golf facilities to be not only cheaper to play, but centrally located in urban areas, sometimes inside of buildings. However, conventional miniaturized golf heretofore has been limited to putting applications where the ball is intended to at all times remain on the ground. Miniaturized golf also conventionally does utilize varying clubs from which a player can select. As a result, many do not view conventional miniaturized golf as a suitable alternative to conventional golf since it lacks the ability for players to improve their skill.
It is therefore desirable for apparatuses and methods for playing games which include the mechanics and skill of conventional golf but and the convenience of miniaturized golf.


In order to prevent occurrence of the significantly frequent transmission of messages, a user terminal is configured such that, when a reception power of a target cell is equal to or greater than a first threshold value ThLOW, the user terminal starts preparation for a handover to the target cell, and when the reception power is equal to or greater than a second threshold value ThHIGH, the user terminal performs the handover to the target cell, and that, until a waiting time has elapsed after performing the handover, the user terminal, by using a timer, performs a timing control for maintaining an immediate handover state in which the user terminal can immediately perform a handover, and, when the waiting time has elapsed, the user terminal ends the immediate handover state.

In recent years, in the technical field of land mobile communications, the fifth generation mobile communication technology standard (5G) is being formulated in order to increase communication capacity and achieve low latency communications. In such 5G systems, a new technical method called fast handover (conditional handover) has been proposed for use in a handover operation; that is, switching a communication destination of a mobile station from one base station to another.
In the fast handover technology, a mobile station sets a first threshold value which defines the time at which preparation for a handover starts, and a second threshold value which defines the time at which the mobile station performs a handover, and the mobile station is configured to start preparation for a handover when a reception power is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, and perform the handover when the reception power is equal to or greater than the second threshold value.
Known technologies include one in which, in order to avoid occurrence of intermittent communication breaks, when a user terminal performs a handover for switching its communication destination from one base station to another, the user terminal calculates a handover occurrence probability, predicts the occurrence of a handover, and prospectively starts preparation for a handover. (See Patent Document 1)

Mobile terminal apparatus, base station apparatus, communication system, and communication control method


A mechanism is provided at a host node to implement redirection for Class Managers that do not reside on the host node in order to process incoming data messages accordingly in a switched fabric for scalable solutions.

As high-speed and high-performance communications become necessary for many applications such as data warehousing, decision support, mail and messaging, and transaction processing applications, a clustering technology has been adopted to provide availability and scalability for these applications. A cluster is a group of one or more host systems (e.g., computers, servers and workstations), input/output (I/O) units which contain one or more I/O controllers (e.g. SCSI adapters, network adapters etc) and switches that are linked together by an interconnection fabric to operate as a single data network to deliver high performance, low latency, and high reliability. Clustering offers three primary benefits: scalability, availability, and manageability. Scalability is obtained by allowing servers and/or workstations to work together and to allow additional services to be added for increased processing as needed. The cluster combines the processing power of all servers within the cluster to run a single logical application (such as a database server). Availability is obtained by allowing servers to "back each other up" in the case of failure. Likewise, manageability is obtained by allowing the cluster to be utilized as a single, unified computer resource, that is, the user sees the entire cluster (rather than any individual server) as the provider of services and applications.
Emerging network technologies for linking servers, workstations and network-connected storage devices within a cluster include InfiniBand™ and its predecessor, Next Generation I/O (NGIO) which have been recently developed by Intel Corp. and other companies to provide a standard-based I/O platform that uses a channel oriented, switched fabric and separate I/O channels to meet the growing needs of I/O reliability, scalability and performance on commercial high-volume servers, as set forth in the "Next Generation Input/Output (NGIO) Specification," NGIO Forum on Jul. 20, 1999 and the "InfiniBand™ Architecture Specification," Revision 1, the InfiniBand™ Trade Association on Jun. 19, 2001.
One major challenge to implementing clusters based on NGIO/InfiniBand™ technology is to ensure that data messages traverse reliably between given ports of end nodes, via one or more given transmission links of a switched fabric data network. Work queues formed in pairs for a certain class of operation, known as a queue pair (QP), are typically utilized at an interface mechanism, known as channel adapter (CA), to process work requests (i.e., message send/receive operations and remote direct memory access "RDMA" read/write operations) posted from clients to describe data movement operation and location of data to be moved for processing and/or transportation via a switched fabric data network. Any time an incoming data message arrives at a queue pair (QP) from the wire, a receive buffer must be posted for that data message. Before data message can be exchanged between end nodes, all nodes in the switched fabric data network need to be configured, and the interface to a given class service agent may be relocated or redirected to an appropriate queue pair (QP) to processing the data message.
However, the current method of redirection on general services queue pair (QP) for management as defined by the InfiniBand™ Architecture Specification set forth on Jun. 19, 2001 requires a redirection stub to be resident on a subnet management "SM" node in the switched fabric data network which, in turn, requires complex hardware platform and operating system for implementation. In addition, all class managers/agents must be implemented on the SM node which can suffer a lot of wasted bandwidth and high message processing times due to congestion and message drops and retries.
Accordingly, there is a need for a more efficient mechanism to implement redirection on general services queue pair (QP) for InfiniBand™ management to process data message without providing a redirection stub on the SM node in a switched fabric data network so as to reduce fabric bandwidth required for management traffic and fabric congestion.

Mechanism for implementing class redirection in a cluster


A minute structure such as a cantilever 11 is formed on a silicon substrate 10 and heated by irradiating a laser beam to a part of the cantilever 11, by which the cantilever 11 is bent. The two bent cantilevers 11 are inserted into through holes 14 in a crystal substrate 10 formed in advance, and the tip end portions 15 thereof are heated. The heared tip end portions 15 become thicker and at the same time shorter, so that the crystal substrate 12 can be fixed to the silicon substrate 10 without play. By heating a part of the minute structure by such a method, plastic deformation is produced, so that bending and deforming can be performed. Thereby, a three-dimensional micromachined structure is constructed and assembled.

The present invention relates to a micromachining method for forming a three-dimensional microstruture minute structure and to a three-dimensional microstructure formed by the micromachining method.
A so-called micromachining for forming micromachines and other microstructures by using a micromachining technology is expected to be applied in various fields. As today's micromachining technology, a method in which a two-dimensional photolithography technology and an anisotropic etching technology are combined is mainly used to form a minute structure (or microstructure) of several micrometers to several millimeters. In addition, a technology in which a workpiece is cut by using a laser beam to form a two-dimensional structure is available. Also, a bonding technology is known in which bonding of silicon substrates to each other or a silicon substrate to a glass substrate etc. can be accomplished by using an anodic bonding technology.
The limitation in conventional two-dimensional micromachining technology is that even when a three-dimensional structure is formed by combining a plurality of pares, the three-dimensional height of structure is restricted by the thickness of the original substrate. This limitation constitutes an enormous obstacle in manufacturing a mobile structure, a three-dimensional sensor, and the like.
Further, the prior art has a disadvantage that in it is difficult to manufacture a multilayer structure. For the construction of the multilayer structure, a bonding technology used for substrates is available. However, the bonding of substrates requires heating or other processing, so that the bonding strength and the durability, which depend on the difference in coefficient of thermal expansion and the condition of bonded surface, are liable to be unreliable. Also, since a bonded surface of a given range is required, the area of the bonded surface on the substrate must be large with respect to the functional portion. Moreover, the bonding technology is unsuitable for assembling a complicated structure.

Micromachining method and micromachined structure


The present invention relates to an integrated management system for heterogeneous logistics automation equipment, including: an equipment standard protocol server adapted to receive commands from a plurality of warehouse management systems (WMS), to check equipment standard protocol identification (ESP ID) matching the received commands, and to produce work information in the form of telegram: a plurality of warehouse control systems (WCS) adapted to control the logistics automation equipment through the work information produced from the equipment standard protocol server; and a plurality of equipment control systems (ECS) adapted to receive the work information from the plurality of warehouse control systems (WCS) to control the logistics automation equipment.

Generally, a large-sized logistics center has various logistics automation equipment and warehouse management systems. Within the large-sized logistics center, all logistics automation equipment are individually managed through super systems which order works to the logistics automation equipment and manage the records of the logistics automation equipment, but because different communication systems and protocols are used according to manufacturing companies of the logistics automation equipment, it is hard to build and manage new systems in the logistics center.
For example, logistics automation is carried out through sorting equipment such as a cross belt sorter, a tilt/tray sorter, a wheel sorter, a digital assorting system (DAS), and a quick picking system (QPS), storing equipment like AS/RS, and transfer equipment such as a roller conveyor, a spiral conveyor, and a singulator, and various warehouse management systems (WMS), but if new equipment or systems are introduced in the logistics center, a lot of costs and labors are needed to allow the equipment and systems located at present in the logistics center to cooperatively operate with the new equipment or systems.
Accordingly, there is a need for development of a method and system capable of building a standardized protocol, while maintaining scalability between heterogeneous logistics automation equipment and heterogeneous super systems.

Integrated management method and system for heterogeneous logistics automation equipment


An igniter assembly including, an igniter, a metal collar arranged around the igniter, and a resin joining portion, the collar including, a joining surface portion having an annular surface covered with the resin joining portion, a first joining groove opened in the annular surface and including a first inner circumferential edge that has a first corner portion formed on the entire circumference of the first inner circumferential edge, and a second joining groove opened in an inner wall surface of the first joining groove and including a second inner circumferential edge that has a second corner portion formed on the entire circumference of the second inner circumferential edge, and the joined state being established when the resin joining portion enters the first joining groove and the second joining groove in a state in which the resin joining portion presses the first corner portion and the second corner portion.

An igniter assembly including an igniter, which is supplied with an ignition current to be actuated, is formed by fixing the igniter to a metal collar with use of a resin material. Further, the igniter assembly is widely used, for instance, by being attached to a safety device such as an airbag gas generator with use of the metal collar. For such a safety device, it is important to ensure that the igniter assembly is actuated when required and that the device in which the igniter is incorporated securely functions. Further, for this purpose, moisture absorption of ignition charge has to be avoided. In the igniter assembly, in general, when sealing performance of a resin material between the igniter and the metal collar is low, atmospheric moisture enters the device from the outside of the igniter assembly through a fine gap (for example, a gap between the metal collar and the resin) in the igniter assembly, and this may cause a defect. In view of this, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of improving sealing performance using a shrinkage force of a resin material by arranging and arraying a plurality of annular grooves, which are held in contact with the resin material, in a predetermined surface of a metal collar surrounding an igniter, and then injecting the resin material into the grooves.
Further, as another technique of improving sealing performance using a resin material between the igniter and the metal collar in the igniter assembly, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique of forming annular protrusions in a predetermined portion of a metal collar surrounding an igniter, and then joining the igniter and the metal collar such that the resin material clamps the protrusions.


Solid additive particles are added to solid vinylidene chloride (VDC) polymer particles by a process comprising the steps of: A. Polymerizing VDC monomer, optionally with one or more mono-ethylenically unsaturated comonomers, in a polymerization zone under polymerization conditions to form solid VDC polymer particles; B. Stopping the polymerization of the VDC monomers after formation of the solid VDC polymer particles; and C. Contacting the solid VDC polymer particles with the solid additive particles (i) before the solid VDC polymer particles are de-watered, and (ii) at a temperature sufficient to melt or soften the solid additives particles but insufficient to melt or soften the solid VDC polymer particles such that the melted or softened solid additive particles adhere to the solid VDC polymer particles upon contact.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to vinylidene chloride (VDC) polymers. In one aspect, the invention relates to the incorporation of solid additives into the polymer while in another aspect, the invention relates to the incorporation of solid additives into VDC polymers without the use of a blender.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many VDC polymers require processing aids and other additives for efficient and successful extrusion. Liquid additives, e.g., various plasticizers, can be added as part of the monomer feed to the process for making the polymer. Many solid additives, e.g., lubricants, however, can not be added to the process for making the polymer, and thus are typically added to the finished polymer after it has been recovered, de-watered and dried. Depending upon the process equipment, this addition can take one or more of several forms, e.g., addition of multiple additives one-at-a-time, blending multiple additives into a premix or masterbatch, etc.

Process of incorporating additives into vinylidene chloride polymers without the use of a blender


An unmanned working vehicle of the present invention comprises a work mechanism section which performs a specified work, and a main body section having a wheel for moving said unmanned working vehicle and a driver for driving said work mechanism section or said main body section, wherein said driver having a weight and being arranged on the side opposite from said work mechanism section relative to said wheel, whereby the center of gravity of said unmanned working vehicle is located on or near said wheel.

The present invention relates to autonomous movement type unmanned working vehicles, and in particular, to an unmanned working vehicle of which movement is consistently stabilized.
The present inventor has developed, for example, one which performs a specified work such as a cleaning work or a conveyance work while moving on a floor surface as an autonomous movement type unmanned working vehicle which autonomously moves while detecting the existence of an obstacle around it. This kind of unmanned working vehicle is comprised of a work mechanism section for performing the aforementioned specified works and a main body section provided with a drive means for moving the unmanned working vehicle. Further, when performing a cleaning work with the work mechanism section, the main body section is sometimes mounted with a solution tank for storing therein a cleaning solution for the cleaning.
With regard to the aforementioned unmanned working vehicle, there has been no consideration for the arrangement of the work mechanism section, the main body section and the solution tank. That is, there has been no consideration for the position of the center of gravity of the entire unmanned working vehicle. Therefore, there has been problems that, a driving wheel may slip or behave similarly, to possibly cause a shaking when the unmanned working vehicle moves, leading to an unstable movement depending on the position of the center of gravity.


In an information processing system including a computer device, and a storage device storing data used by the computer device, the region in which the data is held is managed in association with a change, over the passage of time in the performance and availability required of the data holding region. The computer device includes a storage device managing unit for managing the storage device which stores data used by the computer device. The storage device managing unit periodically monitors temporal characteristics information, and moves data, if the storage region having functional characteristics corresponding to the temporal characteristics information is different from the storage region to which the data is currently assigned.

The present invention relates to an information processing device, comprising a computer device, and a storage device for storing data used by the computer device, wherein data is relocated between a plurality of storage devices in accordance with a change in the characteristics of the data with the passage of time.
There are disk array systems which achieve high-speed operation and high reliability by providing a plurality of disk devices in an array fashion, in a single two-dimensional storage system for an information processing system. The disk devices have distributed access and are operated in a parallel fashion, thus providing redundancy for the stored data.
A disk array system provided with redundancy is assigned various RAID levels, from RAID level 1 to level 5, according to the redundancy structure (for example, see the below-listed Non-Patent Reference 1), and data transmitted from a host computer connected to the disk array system is located in a plurality of disk devices, in accordance with the RAID level.
In a disk array system, the logical storage region that is recognized when the system is accessed by a host computer is associated with a physical storage region indicating an actual storage region in the disk device, in such a manner that the host computer is not aware of the fact that the data is stored in a distributed fashion in a plurality of disk devices.
When constructing a disk array system of this kind, in order to achieve optimal cost performance, disk devices of differing storage capacities and differing characteristics may be used in combination. In a case of this kind, desirably, the data transmitted by the host computer and located hypothetically in a logical storage region is stored in the physical storage region provided by the most suitable disk device, on the basis of indicators relating to access frequency and access patterns, and the like.
In a system which combines disk devices of different characteristics, the method used for allocating the data to the physical storage region provided by the most suitable disk device involves, for example, technology whereby the data access frequency is monitored and data is moved to the most suitable physical region on the basis of the access frequency (see, for example, the below-listed Patent Reference 1.)
In the technology disclosed in Patent Reference 1, a threshold value is set previously, the frequency of access to the data is monitored, and if the access frequency has exceeded the threshold value, then the data is moved to a physical storage region provided by the disk device operating at a higher speed. Furthermore, it is also possible to relocate the actual logical storage region itself, wherein the disk array system monitors the conditions of the access load to the respective logical storage regions from the host computer, and determines the details of the relocation in such a manner that the data is optimally located after relocation, in accordance with the results of the load monitoring. When the logical storage region has been relocated, the association between the logical storage region and the physical storage region is changed to the physical storage region after relocation.
Furthermore, there is also technology for performing relocation wherein the use status of a disk device corresponding to read/write operations from the host computer is gathered, the disk access is predicted from the information thus gathered, and the most suitable disk device for locating the data is determined (see, for example, the below-listed Patent Reference 2).
Moreover, in a document relating to SMI-S (Storage Management Initiative Specification) under deliberation by the SNIA (Storage Networking Industry Association), which is a storage industry group, technology for a storage system consisting of a disk array system is described, wherein a logical storage region is assigned to a physical storage region provided by a disk device, in accordance with previously determined "hints" which indicate the access characteristics for the data (see, for example, the below-listed Non-Patent Reference 2). The storage system conforming to SMI-S is equipped with functions for selecting a physical storage region on the basis of a "hint" and assigning a logical storage region to the same.
(Non-Reference Patent 1) D. Patterson, G. Gibson and R. H. Kartz, "A Case for Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks (RAID)" (ACM SIGMOD, June 1988, pp. 109-116)
Reference Patent 1: Japanese Patent Laid-open No. (Hei) 9-274544
Reference Patent 2: Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2002-82775
(Non-Patent Reference 2) "SMI-S Specification Public Review Draft" p. 157 (SNIA, 2003)

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Information processing system and management device for managing relocation of data based on a change in the characteristics of the data over time


A self-diagnostic system for a checking all functions of a cellular-transceiver system having a cellular-interface unit, which interface unit couples a standard telephone set to a cellular transceiver, which interface unit converts the DTMF or pulse-type of dialing signals into digital format for transmission to the cellular transceiver, whereby the dialed number made on the land-type of telephone may be used to call a number over the cellular system. The present invention not only monitors and checks the proper functioning of the transceiver and associated power supply, and the like, but will also monitor and check the interface unit, and report the results to an off-site monitoring center by means of the cellular network.

The present invention is directed to a self-diagnosis system for checking all functions of a cellular-transceiver system. The present invention has especial relevance to a cellular-interface system, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,658,096 and 4,737,975, which are incorporated by reference herein. In the systems of these patents, an interface unit couples a standard telephone set, facsimile machine, modem, or other communications devices, to a cellular, or cellular-like, transceiver, which interface unit allows for normal operation of the communications device through the radio transceiver. The interface unit may also convert DTMF or pulse-type of dialing signals into digital format for transmission to the radio transceiver, whereby the dialed number made may be used to call a number over the radio system by means of the transceiver. The system of the invention tests for the proper operation of all functions of the adapter interface unit, as well other characteristics, such as the power output of the radio transceiver, which can be varied by either signals from the transceiver or from the radio network, or the frequency at which the transceiver is utilizing, which can be changed selectively by either the transceiver or the cellular network.
The diagnostic and testing system of the present invention may be used in any cellular-like system, such as a pure cellular system, or cellular-like systems, such ISDN and other personal communication systems, where a cellular-like adapter or interface unit is provided for converting the DTMF or pulse-type of dialing signals into digital format for transmission to the cellular-like transceiver associated with the cellular-like system.
It is known to provide diagnostic and testing equipment for entire cellular systems. It is also known to provide a self-contained unit that tests itself. The latter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,269--Rogers, which is incorporated by reference herein, which discloses a cellular-telephone, emergency call-box. This patent discloses self-diagnostics that are performed by the call-box itself. The call-box of this patent has self-diagnostics within it, and periodically reports the status of items checked to a central station through the cellular network. Rogers discloses a cellular handset and transceiver and associated auto-diagnostic system for checking on the system and for reporting back to a central station. However, this patent does not disclose the monitoring and self-diagnostic function of a DTMF converter, such as used in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,658,096 and 4,737,975, nor does Rogers disclose the initiation of a ring-back tone from the central office to check on proper working of the system.
The types of cellular-like systems, besides the pure-type of cellular systems, in which the present invention may be used, are those that relate generally to a wireless digital personal communications systems having a plurality of intelligent base stations and intelligent portable handset terminals, each having a predetermined radio cell coverage area, and more particularly to a digital, radio cell, radio-telephone, personal communications system (or PCS) having a full ISDN interface, thereby facilitating direct interconnection and switching of PCS call traffic through the ISDN interface and the public switched telephone network, or any switched network, the personal communications system having voice/data/image (or any combination thereof) and two-way full-duplex incoming and outgoing calling capability, and being fully operational and compatible with any modulation approach selected, with the intercell protocol hand-off being provided through distributed logic which is implemented in software that is resident in the intelligent portable handset terminals, the intelligent base stations, and the public switched telephone network (or any switched network) equipped with a PCS service control data base.
The increasing availability of mobile and portable communications over the past decade is freeing business and residential users from the physical constraints of a totally wired telecommunications network. Particularly, cellular communications systems, together with paging and other complementary services, brought true mobility to telecommunications services for the first time. Significant technical advances in mobile and portable technologies, as well as in new technologies such as digital transmission with respect to wireless telecommunications, have substantially expanded the number and types of wireless telecommunications services using the radio spectrum that can be made available to the user. These prospective services include, but are not limited to, advanced forms of cellular telephone service, advanced digital cordless telephone service, portable facsimile services, wireless centrex, wireless private branch exchange services, and wireless local area network services, and may be used through the existing public switched network or through alternative local wired networks (such as cable television systems). As such, digital personal communications systems can exist independently of, and in conjunction with, local wired networks, filling gaps that are existing in current communications systems, and also in creating new markets, many of which are yet to be defined. The advent of PCS will have a great impact on the future development and configuration of all telecommunications networks by significantly improving their flexibility and functionality. Accordingly, providers of PCS will have the ability to reach and serve existing and new markets nationally in an economic and responsive manner.
Personal communications requirements in the United States are rapidly changing as the demand for instantaneous communications increases due to increased mobility of the user. One of the advantages of PCS is that it will use a single communications device to reach anyone, anytime, anywhere. PCS will facilitate increased mobility and flexibility of the user, since this approach solves the underlying problem of being in constant communications with user. PCS wireless will enable users not to miss important calls, as well as reduce the time and expense in returning calls. PCS combines the functionality of radio and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) technologies and infrastructure, and will accommodate full-duplex capabilities (two-way incoming and outgoing calling) and hand-off between radio cells (allowing users to freely move from one radio cell to another without interrupting the user's call). It is important to remember that there has been a steady increasing demand for new PCS services and technologies for numerous, sometimes incompatible, applications, namely, wireless private branch exchanges, smaller lighter portable cellular phones, portable fax machines, multi-channel cordless telephones, and additional services which are targeting the facilitation of contacting a particular individual user (rather than contacting a particular station). Current radio equipment and related services presently offered (i.e., cordless telephones, radio paging, and cellular radio) cannot fully meet the demands for these new types of PCS services. For example, cordless telephones are used in and around the home or office, operate on only a very few channels (10 or so) that are congested, and are limited to use in the immediate vicinity of their associated base station. Radio paging services are only one-way and have limited capabilities. Cellular and specialized mobile radio services cannot meet the full range of expected demand for PCS. Over time, PCS will have standardized equipment with common modules in hardware resulting in improved reliability in the associated equipment which will also be less vulnerable to transient interference from external sources, have automatic call registration, automatic call forwarding, voice mail, faxing capability, easy roaming features, remote data transfer, increased privacy protection/caller ID/class services, increased battery life, and common protocols. In order to best fulfill this marketplace mandate, a digital PCS is a necessity. Wireless PCS may eventually eliminate the need to have a building hard-wired for communications. Generally speaking, PCS will facilitate communications equipment with additional features. A digital PCS will facilitate improvements in technical communications equipment, systems and design.
The present invention, therefore, may be used in those ISDN or other PCS systems where there is provided a cellular-type adapter or interface board that allows for the use of a standard, land-type telephone instrument in this system, or other communications device, by converting the DTMF or pulse signals thereof into digital format that may be sent to a PCS transceiver unit, or by providing other functions that may be specific to the system. For example, in dedicated alarm systems where only outgoing calls are made by the radio transceiver, the interface unit need not provide ring generation, busy signal generation, and the like. Alternatively, in those systems where only incoming calls are required, the interface unit need not convert dialed DTMF or pulse signals into digital format. Such a PCS-cellular adapter also provides all of the other functions required, such as the generation of dial tone, ringing, and the like, as the cellular interface board set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,658,096 and 4,737,975.

Self diagnostic system for cellular-transceiver systems with remote-reporting capabilities


The invention refers to a tipping conveyor element for a continuous piece goods conveyor the driven barrow tram of which included many flexibly linked conveyor elements that each have a tray-shaped supporting plate in their upper end section. The first supporting plate sections of this supporting plate running in conveyor direction are preferably bent or curved upward in relation to the next adjacent section inward, i.e., the second supporting plate sections. A third supporting plate section is connected to a second supporting plate section inward. This third section is inclined or curved downward in relation to the adjacent second supporting plate section.

The present invention refers to a tipping conveyor element for a continuous piece goods conveyor generally referred to as a tipping bucket conveyor for short. Its driven barrow tram consists mainly of a number of conveying elements connected flexibly with each other. At their upper end-section these elements each have a dish-shaped supporting plate, whose edge sections (=first supporting plate sections) running in the conveying direction are each (i.e. on both sides of the symmetric line) bent or curved upwards in relation to the section (=second supporting plate sections) adjacent to this section toward the inside (=i.e. toward the middle).
Such tipping bucket conveyors are used today particularly as sorters for packet or luggage distributing facilities, for example.
The piece goods are fed to the sorter at at least one feed point (but often at several feed points) manually or preferably with appropriate feeding devices in such a way that they are each placed on the supporting surface of a conveying element. In the process, the barrow tram generally circulates on a horizontal plane, but it can also run at an incline or vertically, in which case precautions are taken that the piece goods do not unintentionally slide down from the supporting surfaces.
The essential task of a sorter consists of calculatedly feeding each of the piece goods to one of several feed stations arranged laterally to the conveyor belt in order to sort them according to determined criteria. For postal packages, for example, this can be sorting by zip code or, in the case of a sorter deployed at an airport, sorting of pieces of checked luggage according to flight destination, a certain flight number or the like.
We are familiar with a tipping conveyor system from DE-OS 14 31 736 the conveyor elements of which have a level, horizontal supporting plate with an accordingly designed supporting surface. Such conveyor elements are completely inappropriate for many types of piece goods, particularly (but not exclusively) when considering piece goods such as cylindrical rolls of drawings or the like which, after being fed onto a tipping conveyor element with level, horizontal supporting plate or surface, would roll off of the conveyor element.
Thus, we are already familiar with dish-shaped tipping conveyor elements (see DE-AS 2 037 380, for example) whose bottom forming the actual supporting surface is level only in the middle area (and in the normal conveyor position--i.e. not in the tipping position --horizontal), while the adjacent edge sections on both sides are curved upward at an angle of just a few degrees.
These previously known conveyor elements are also inappropriate for sure handling of piece goods such as cylindrical rolls of drawings, for example, because they have high, flange-like ridges at both of their edges running crosswise to the conveyor direction in such a way that there is the same problem if the rolls of drawings or the like are longer than the measured length of a conveyor element in conveyor direction.
There are therefore dish-shaped tipping conveyor elements of a similar type (see DE-OS 1 431 845, for example) that have no such edge ridge running crosswise to the conveyor direction. But with these known conveyor elements as well, sure handling of rolls of drawings or the like is still not possible because the incline of the two supporting plate sections designed symmetrically to the longitudinal center line is only a few degrees, as is the case for the conveyor elements according to DE 30 50 102 Al.
A (tipping) conveyor element of the type described at the beginning is known from DE-PS 36 02 861 in which the edge sections running in conveyor direction (first supporting plate sections) are each curved upward in relation to the adjacent second supporting plate section connected inward or toward the middle. In this arrangement, in a manner similar to that of the conveyor element according to the already mentioned DE-AS 2 037 380, the level second supporting plate section runs horizontally in the (not tipped) conveying mode, but there are no high edge ridges at the conveyor element edges running crosswise to the conveyor direction.
It has been shown that the tipping conveyor element known from DE-PS 36 02 861 is far superior to the other previously described arrangements in terms of the problem being discussed at this point, but this previously known conveyor element still does not solve this problem satisfactorily.
Until now, with sorters equipped with such conveyor elements and, for example, deployed in postal package distributing facilities, the occurring rolls of drawings or the like were sorted manually or were laid by hand crosswise onto such a dish-shaped tipping conveyor element. Since such rolls of drawings or the like are usually considerably longer than the width of the supporting plate of the conveyor elements, side walls, light-barrier mountings and the like regularly had a highly disruptive effect on the trip of such rolls or the like to their destination. Furthermore, an undefined center of gravity evidently led to similar problems as those found with the above-mentioned dish-shaped tipping conveyor elements with high edge ridges.
When feeding manually, piece goods like rolls of drawings or the like were laid parallel to the longitudinal direction (in conveyor direction) of a tipping conveyor element. Even then, although the above-mentioned difficulties were considerably reduced, there was still no relatively short-term steadying (more precisely a steadying of the fed piece good of the type in question on a short stretch) because of the only slightly curved dish incline. This disturbed the operation just as before in an unacceptable (sometimes critical) manner.


A facility for processing output from a network of mechanical sensors is described. The facility accesses time-series data outputted by the network of sensors. The facility applies to the accessed time-series data a trained autoencoder to obtain a version of the accessed time-series data in which noise present in the accessed time-series data is at least partially suppressed. The facility stores the obtained version of the accessed time-series data, such as in order to perform human activity recognition against the obtained version of the accessed time-series data.

In human gesture and activity recognition, gestures or activities performed by a person are automatically inferred. In some cases, such human gesture and activity recognition is performed with respect to data generated by a number of inertial measurement units that are tightly bound to a human body using individual straps, and/or by incorporating them into snugly-fitting clothing. A group of sensors secured to different parts of the body in this way is sometimes referred to as a "constrained body-sensor network."

Learning-based noise reduction in data produced by a network of sensors, such as one incorporated into loose-fitting clothing worn by a person


A link-state synchronization method on an ad-hoc network includes the steps of each node broadcasting link state information indicating the state of a link connected directly to the node, to a neighboring node; and the neighboring node receiving the link state information, storing the received link state information and broadcasting the link state information to another neighboring node. According to the link state synchronization method, the link state can be quickly synchronized without overhead.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for link state synchronization on a small-sized ad-hoc network, a method for checking a link state with a neighboring node, a method for processing a disconnected link state, a method for managing a link state, a method for processing link state error information, and an apparatus and a data structure therefor. This Application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 2002-46807, filed Aug. 8, 2002, incorporated in full herein by reference.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the size of a network terminal decreases, demands of users for connection to a network when they are moving increase, and computing resources of a network terminal itself can perform the function of a router, technologies that can connect local area network terminals are increasingly needed.
An ad-hoc network is a set of wireless mobile hosts that form a temporary network without centralized administration or standardized supporting services. This ad-hoc network transmits a packet from a backbone host or other mobile host, to another mobile host.
An example of a prior art technology for obtaining route information to a destination in this ad-hoc network environment is shown in FIG. 1.
Here, a node means an independent mobile host on an ad-hoc network. The network shown in FIG. 1 includes node 0 60, node 1 10, node 2 20, node 3 30, node 4 40, and node 5 50. In order to provide information on the link state of each node, a routing table containing information on all link states is flooded (broadcast to many nodes of the network) such that overheads due to the capacity of the routing table occur.
Also, in the prior art, for example, when a link between node 2 and node 3 is disconnected, information only on the disconnection of the node 2 and node 3 is flooded. At this time, node 0 cannot be connected to node 4 and node 5 as well as node 3. However, since node 0 receives information only on the disconnection of node 2 and node 3, node 0 may uselessly try to access node 4 or node 5.

Link state synchronization method and apparatus on ad-hoc network, and data structure therefor


A method for rapid transportation and loading of stacks of cartons aboard vessels is provided which may include the mounting of slings about the stacks of cartons, transporting the cartons to the dock by a flatbed vehicle, hoisting the stacks of cartons off the flatbed vehicle and into the hold, depositing the cargo onto a landing pad, lifting the cargo off the landing pad with a lift truck, preferably a load push type lift truck, and depositing the cargo in the hold at the appropriate location. A sling pallet and a landing pad for use with the method are also disclosed. The method provides the advantages of improving the quality of the product by, inter alia, reducing the risk of thawing or spoilage, reducing costs by eliminating labor, eliminating the need to remove pallets and debris from within the vessel, reducing the likelihood of injury to workers, saving demurrage charges and speeding the transportation to and loading of the vessel.

While there have been significant advances in the methods employed for the loading and unloading of vessels, the loading of refrigerated, cartonized cargo, and in particular, frozen animal products has proved particularly difficult due to several intractable problems. As a result, the transfer of the products from the packers to their loading aboard a vessel is presently carried out by processes that involve high costs and significant expenditure of manual labor, and which include bottlenecks that slow the process, that may result in product degradation or spoilage, and that result in long loading times for the product onto the vessel. It is presently common for the handling of cartons of frozen animal products to proceed as follows.
A large volume of animal products such as frozen chicken, turkey, beef, pork and seafood products (including livers, hearts, parts, deboned meat and the like) are frozen and shipped in and from the U.S. in relatively flat boxes. For example, chicken thighs, legs or quarters may be shipped in cartons of about 23.5 inches in length by 16.5 inches in width by 4 to 6.25 inches in height (59.7 cm by 41.9 cm by 10.2 to 15.9 cm). A preferred standardized box size for use with this invention, however, would be 24 inches by 16 inches (61.0 cm by 40.6 cm) with the height of the box varied to hold the particular products to be shipped. A box of such chicken parts may weigh on the order of 35 to 45 pounds (16 to 20 kg).
For simplicity, reference will hereafter be made to cartons of chicken parts, as other animal products may be handled in a similar manner.
Owing to the size restrictions imposed by standard trucks and trailers, the cartons are normally stacked on 40.times.48 inch (102.times.122 cm) pallets in layers of five cartons arranged with two cartons placed on the pallet in an end-to-end relationship beside three cartons placed side to side with their long axes perpendicular to those of the first two cartons. A palletload of cartons generally contains between about 10 to 12 such layers of cartons.
The packer sends the fresh chicken parts in such palletloads to a blast freezer/cold storage warehouse. At the warehouse, the cartons are restacked with spacers between the layers thereof. The spacers allow the circulation of air between the layers of cartons. Once the cartons are so stacked, the palletload of cartons are transferred to a blast freezer, which forces air chilled to about -40.degree. F. (-40.degree. C.) between and around the cartons. When the freezing process is completed, the cartons are removed from the blast freezer and placed in a rotator. The load of cartons is then rotated 90 degrees onto its side, the spacers are removed, and the load of cartons is then rotated back to an upright position in which it rests once more on the pallet. In order to facilitate transportation and storage of the stacks of cartons, the stack may be wrapped with a stretchable plastic film to help prevent excessive sliding of the layers of cartons relative to one another. Lift trucks are then used to move the cartons of frozen chicken products and transport them into the cold storage warehouse.
When the time comes to load a ship, lift trucks are used to remove the palletloads of cartons of chicken parts from the warehouse, and the cartons are placed inside dry van trucks or truck trailers for transportation to the dock. These are typically uninsulated and unrefrigerated, and thus can be deleterious to the frozen product contained therein. At the dock, the cartons are removed from the truck trailer and placed on the dock, where they are subsequently lifted into the hold using the ship's gear, such as by using slings, lifting platforms or flying forks to lift the cartons and pallets.
In the hold, lift trucks engage the pallets and transport the pallets with their stacks of cartons to locations near where the cartons will be stowed. Stevedores then manually remove the cartons from the pallets and stack them without pallets for shipping. The pallets are then returned to the square of the hatch and are stacked to be hoisted out of the hold and back onto the dock by the ship's gear. The square of the hatch is the volume of space extending vertically downward from the open hatch to the floor of the cargo hold.
This process is quite inefficient. Delays in bringing a sufficient quantity of product to the dock and in unloading the cartons from the truck can increase the time needed to load the vessel. The space constrictions in the vessel limit the number of workers who can be engaged in stowing of the cartons, and thus may create a backup for product arriving at the dock. Excessive delays in loading which result in the cartons being left on the dock or in the truck can allow the product to begin to thaw, which can result in spoilage or otherwise render the product unmarketable. Delay in loading may also result in increased condensation of moisture on the cartons which can complicate the handling process. As the industry is seeking to use less wax on the cartons and to utilize paper-coated boxes, the damaging effect of condensation and internal thawing on the boxes is increased.
The breakage rate for pallets during this process is fairly high. As many as half of the pallets may suffer some breakage, and this can result in splintered wood, which may contain protruding nails, being left at the warehouse, on the dock or in the cargo hold of the vessel. Additional work is thus required to collect the pallets and pallet debris, to extract it from the hold of the ship or remove it from the dock, and to repair or discard the broken pallets. Further, the existence of pallet debris at the warehouse, on the dock, and in particular in the hold of the vessel, presents a risk of injury to workers.
Inefficient as this method of handling may be, there are a number of constraints that have made it difficult to improve. The main problems encountered is that the holds of the ship are irregular both in the overhead clearance and in the shape of the floor space. Not only does the overhead clearance of the cargo holds vary from ship to ship, and perhaps within a ship from hold to hold, the internal structure of the vessel and of the cooling system within it can result in overhead clearances that vary depending on the location within the hold.
Another difficulty in loading such cargoes is that the cartons are typically stacked to a uniform height after freezing. This is necessary for efficient use of the cold storage warehouse. This uniform height is generally ten or twelve layers of boxes arranged on a lift truck pallet, but it may vary somewhat from this number depending on the size of the cartons. The cartons are unitized by wrapping them with a stretchable plastic film that aids in transportation of the palletloads by fork lift, etc. However, space on refrigerated vessels is at such a premium that the wasted space of such pallets is considered undesirable. Thus, it has been considered necessary to avoid stowing the cartons on the pallets, and thus it has been the practice to stow the cartons in the ship by restacking them without the pallets within the ship. Moreover, since the ceiling height of holds on ships varies, and is seldom equal to the height of the cartons when stacked for warehousing purposes, it has heretofore been considered essential to manually stack the cartons in order to obtain as complete a filling of the vessel as possible.

Method for handling, transporting and loading cartons of frozen animal products onto vessels


To shorten a long aging time required for meat processing and reducing the viable cell count of a carcass before being cooked, an electric stimulus is imparted by applying an AC voltage via from electrode needles to at least the neck and legs of the meat carcass. The AC voltage is turned on for a time Ton and then turned off for a time Toff, and the application of the voltage is repeated a predetermined number of cycles. The Ton period is not longer than the Toff period, although the first Ton period can be longer than the Toff period. The voltage is not higher than 100V, and the frequency is not higher than the commercial frequency (maximum, 60 Hz). The aging effect is improved by stimulating the entire meat carcass electrically from at most three points.

Conventionally, it is typical to stun poultry with an electrical shock, then thereafter bleed, scald, defeather, eviscerate, cool, and age at low temperatures for extended periods. In the conventional method, the carcass is usually scolded to make the removal of feathers easier. Next, the carcass is defeathered, and then eviscerated. As there is a fear that the carcass becomes deteriorated during succeeding elongated processing scheme, its temperature at this point is reduced to about 4.4° C., typically by chilling the carcass in an ice or cold water bath. The chilled carcass is then aged at this low temperature for an extended period, for example, on the order of about 4 to 12 hours, to provide the required degree of tenderness and organoleptic quality.
After the low temperature aging process, the carcass is drained and cooked. However, the time required to age the carcass from the evisceration to cooking is about 4 hours to half a day in the case of poultry carcass, and 7 to 10 days or more in the case of large carcasses, such as those of pigs and cows. Such an extended aging period may cause a great problem from the hygiene and operation viewpoint.
According to the method for processing poultry disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,675,947, a live poultry bird is slaughtered without applying electrical energy, the resulting carcass is scalded, then the carcass is held in a warm, humid atmosphere at a temperature approximately equal to the normal temperature of the live bird before defeathering, and then the carcass is eviscerated. During while the carcass is held in the warm, humid atmosphere, intermittent electrical stimulation is applied to the carcass for a period sufficient to render the poultry meat tender upon subsequent cooking without the need for an extended, low temperature aging period. This method eliminates the low temperature aging, which requires an extended period, and a solution containing phosphate salts and sodium chloride is introduced to the carcass or component parts thereof to further improve tenderness.
However, it is ideal to evade deposition of phosphate salts and sodium chloride in natural food. Thus, there remains a need to greatly reduce the time period required for the aging of carcasses in comparison with conventional processing apparatuses and methods. There also remains a need to reduce viable cell count on the carcasses before cooking.


A modular head assembly or end effector for a fiber placement machine having a machine controller includes a back plate and a plurality of carbon fabric spool assemblies, each assembly including a servo motor combination and a dancer assembly for maintaining tension of the fabric as it is payed out. The spool assemblies include a linear displacement sensor for the dancer assembly and a sensor for determining the diameter of the carbon spool, the outputs of which are used to control the action of the servo motors. A programmable disconnecting assembly mates the modular head assembly with the fiber placement machine.

Automatic fiber replacement (AFP) machines currently have two primary mechanical configurations. One is the integral head or end effector design (IEE) and the other is the modular head or end effector design (MEE). Both designs use carbon fiber tow wound onto a bobbin or spool. In general operation, the fiber on the spools is unwound by a motor with a tensioning assembly and is directed to a placement tool which lays or places the fiber on a part, such as an aircraft part. Consistent tension on the fiber must be present during operation; otherwise tangling or breaking can occur, resulting in failure of the tape laying process.
Traditional IEE design requires electrical connections from the IEE to the main CNC processor which controls the overall fiber replacement machine. The carbon fiber in the form of tow spools is threaded through a series of redirects to the tow deposit system, which includes an add-cut-clamp module. The long path of the carbon fiber to the tow deposit, which is referred to as the tow path, requires conventional servo motors to control tension in the system.
On the other hand, the MEE design has advantages of serviceability. In the MEE approach, the material spools are loaded on the head itself. Due to the relatively short tow path, tension is a less severe issue and pneumatic braking systems have been used in place of a servo motor system for tension control. The pneumatic braking system has the advantage of being lightweight and does not require the numerous electrical power supplies, drives and wire connections that servo motor systems normally require. However, the tension, repeatability and reliability of present MEE systems with pneumatic braking to maintain tension on the tow is insufficient during high acceleration and high speed payouts. Although servo control has in the past been an effective solution to maintain tension in IEE systems, implementation has heretofore not been accomplished in MEE systems, due to size, power and inertia constraints on the tensioning system. Further, communication with the remote machine CNC would require communication with each servo motor individually, creating many more connections between the modular head and the remote CNC than in current MEE systems. The sheer number of connections which would have to be made quickly and reliably such as when spools are damaged or replaced, has prevented use of modular head based servo controlled spool motors in the past.

Servo motor tension control for modular AFP head assembly


An integrated text based TTY system comprises a telephone network, a private branch exchange ("PBX"), a voice mail system, and a text server, all in communication with one another. The telephone network and the PBX are adapted to receive a TTY call from a calling party from a TTY device to a called party. The PBX is also in communication with a telephone to which the called party has access. The called party has access to the terminal device that is in communication with the text server via a network. The text server uses a identification information associated with the TTY call that identifies the called party, so that the text server can check a database of individuals able to receive the TTY call to determine whether the called party is in the database and is able to receive the TTY call. If the called party is in the database and is able to receive the TTY call, the text server notifies the called party that the TTY call is waiting, and, if the called party desires, then the text server establishes an interactive communication link between the calling party and the called party via the network and the terminal device. The text server may also check a voice mail database of all parties having access to the voice mail system and, if the called party is not in the database, then the text server instructs the voice mail system to check the voice mail database to determine whether the called party is in the voice mail database and is able to receive the TTY call.

There is an immediate need to provide enhanced text capabilities for the deaf, hearing impaired, and/or speech impaired communities. This is consistent with an overriding social goal of integrating handicapped individuals into traditional society, which is, in part, perhaps, best illustrated by the two recent statutes passed by the United States Congress and signed by the President of the United States: the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Among other things, these statutes compel manufactures and telecommunications service providers to enhance existing approaches used by members of the deaf, hearing impaired, and/or speech impaired communities to access and utilize telecommunications networks and systems. For instance, the ADA generally requires that handicapped persons have equal access to public (and, in some cases, private) facilities. Among other things, 47 U.S.C. .sctn. 225(b)(1) states that the Federal Communications Commission "shall ensure that interstate and intrastate telecommunications relay services are available, to the extent possible and in the most efficient manner, to hearing-impaired and speech-impaired individuals in the United States." Consequently, over the past several years, it has become imperative for telecommunications companies to develop systems, processes, and apparatus that enable members of the deaf, hearing impaired, and/or speech impaired communities to use telecommunications networks and systems.
Deaf, hearing impaired, and/or speech impaired individuals primarily communicate with others via a Telecommunication Device for the Deaf ("TDD"), which is primarily a teletypewriter ("TTY"). One current problem for users of TTY devices is that the number of people who can be called is limited, because TTY users can only have conversations with others who have a TTY device, have access to a TTY device, and know how to use a TTY device. Many business do not have any TTY device or, if they do have a TTY device, there are a limited number available. Alternatively, TTY-to-speech relay services are sometimes used by deaf, hearing impaired and/or speech impaired people to communicate with hearing/speaking persons. These services are generally provided by a group of people, who basically read the TTY text and vocalize the message to the hearing person and also hear the message from the hearing person and type the TTY text to the deaf, hearing impaired, and/or speech impaired person. A major disadvantage of relay services is that they require a third party for each and every telephone, conversation, which is especially problematic for the TTY user in personal or financial matters. Moreover, relay readers employed by relay services can also make mistakes, in part, due to the lack of immediate feedback.
One problem with designing new systems, processes, and apparatus is that TDD and TTY devices are, by today's standards, quite slow. Specifically, in the age of 33.4K baud modems, Digital Simultaneous Voice and Data ("DSVD"), and 64 Kbits per channel BRI/PRI, a TTY uses the Baudot format consisting of 5-bit words transmitted at a rate as slow as 45.45 bits per second, which is a TDD standard. These signals do not have any carrier and only support 38 characters. Numbers and punctuation characters are generally sent after a shift character is sent to change the character mode to a number mode, so as an example, the number "3" and the letter "E" are both represented by the same code (00001). The difference is dependent on the mode each TDD device is in. If the mode of the TDD devices used in a conversation do not match, the result is garbled words. This problem is exacerbated with the fact that the standards are not likely to change for a variety of reasons. In particular, the existing standards are reliable in that the slow speed will work on almost any quality of a telephone line. In fact, TDD devices routinely use an acoustic coupler to connect to the public network. It can be easily read, as it is received, which is important, because most TTY devices are equipped with a small digit window that shows only one line of text. In addition, existing equipment implementing the standard are relatively inexpensive at about $225.00/device.
Existing designs and procedures have other problems as well.

Telephone system integrated text based communication apparatus and systems to establish communication links to TDD and/or TTY devices and other telephone and text server systems


A service unit including a vessel defining a chamber configured to receive fluid. A first conduit is coupled to the vessel and is in fluid communication with the chamber. The first conduit defines an inlet. A second conduit is coupled to the vessel and is in fluid communication with the chamber. The second conduit defines an outlet. The first conduit, the chamber, and the second conduit define a fluid passageway, and the fluid is unpressurized when in the chamber.

The present invention relates to inboard marine engines. In particular, the invention relates to a service or maintenance unit for an inboard marine engine to preventing flooding of the engine.
Many inboard engines are positioned at or below the water line. Therefore, water, which is often used as a coolant, has to flow uphill through the engine for cooling purposes. When maintenance or winterization is necessary, people often erroneously attempt to couple a pressurized water source to the engine. The pressurized water source introduces water at a rate that is too fast for most inboard marine engine systems. Consequently, water ends up running back downhill (i.e., with gravity) into the engine, which causes appreciable damage, corrosing, and costing the owner both time and money for fixing the inboard marine engine.

Maintenance unit for an inboard marine engine


A Group of circuits and a testing method thereof and a testing machine thereof are provided. In the testing method, a first voltage of a first circuit is adjusted to be a second voltage according to a first adjusting signal, wherein the second voltage is closer to a standard voltage compared to the first voltage. Further, a third voltage of a second circuit is adjusted to be a forth voltage according to a second adjusting signal, and the forth voltage is closer to the standard voltage compared to the third voltage. In addition, a margin range of the second voltage and a margin range of the forth voltage are adjusted together according to a margin adjusting signal. Thereby, time required for testing the first circuit and the second circuit can be decreased, so as to lower the cost.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a testing technique for a group of circuits. More particularly, the present invention relates to a testing technique for margin voltages of a plurality of circuits.
2. Description of Related Art
For most of integrated circuits (ICs), direct current (DC) voltage generators are generally applied therein. If the DC voltage generator provides an unsuitable voltage to the IC, it may lead to malfunction of the IC. Therefore, when fabrication of the IC is completed, the IC is generally tested to guarantee a production yield thereof. In the following content, a conventional circuit testing technique is described in detail with reference of a figure.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional method of adjusting voltages of a DC voltage generator via a fuse technique. Referring to FIG. 1, a circuit 11 includes a DC voltage generator 101 and a test mode trim unit 102. The DC voltage generator 101 is used for providing a DC voltage V1. The test mode trim unit 102 may trim the DC voltage V1 into a plurality of testing voltages Vout for testing whether or not the circuit 11 can work normally.
First, assuming an optimal working voltage of the circuit 11 is 2.5V, and a margin voltage thereof is 2.3V˜2.7V. Moreover, assuming the test mode trim unit 102 has 8 test modes shown as table 1.
TABLE 1the test modes of the test mode trim unit 102Shifting amount ofTest modethe DC voltage V1011−0.2 V010−0.1 V001−0.05 V 000    0 V100+0.05 V 101+0.1 V110+0.15 V 111+0.2 V
Generally, testing the circuit includes two stages, and in a first stage thereof, a testing voltage closest to the optimal working voltage is supplied to the circuit 11 for testing whether or not the circuit 11 can work normally. In a second stage, a margin voltage is supplied to the circuit 11 for testing whether or not the circuit 11 can work normally, so as to ensure a quality of the circuit 11.
Assuming the DC voltage V1 generated by the DC voltage generator 101 is 2.65V, in the first stage of circuit testing, to simulate whether or not the circuit 11 can work normally under the optimal working voltage, the test mode of the test mode trim unit 102 can be set to "0, 1, 0", so as to shift the DC voltage V1 by −0.1V, and supply a 2.55V testing voltage to the circuit 11. Next, whether or not the circuit 11 can work normally under the margin voltage is tested. If the circuit 11 can work normally, it represents the circuit 11 can be repaired via the fuse technique, and if the circuit 11 cannot work normally, it represents the circuit 11 has a defect and cannot be shipped, so that purchase of malfunctioned circuits by customers can be avoided.
As described above, in the second stage of the circuit testing, to simulate whether or not the circuit 11 can work normally under the margin voltage, the test mode of the test mode trim unit 102 can be set to "1, 0, 0", so as to shift the DC voltage V1 by +0.05V, and supply the 2.7V testing voltage Vout to the circuit 11. Therefore, whether or not the circuit 11 can work normally under the 2.7V margin voltage may be simulated by applying the 2.7V testing voltage Vout.
As described above, the test mode of the test mode trim unit 102 can be further changed to "0, 1, 1", so as to shift the DC voltage V1 by −0.2V, and supply the 2.45V testing voltage to the circuit 11. Therefore, whether or not the circuit 11 can work normally under the 2.3V margin voltage may be simulated by applying the 2.45V testing voltage Vout. It should be noted that due to limitation of the test mode trim unit 102, it cannot provide the 2.3V testing voltage for simulating whether or not the circuit 11 can work normally under the 2.3V margin voltage. In other words, the aforementioned method cannot ensure that the circuit may work normally under the voltages 2.3V˜2.45V.
Besides, assuming there are one hundred circuits 11 required to be tested, since the DC voltages V1 generated by the DC voltage generators 101 of the circuits 11 are slightly different with each other, when the circuits are tested, the test mode trim units 102 of the one hundred circuits 11 have to be set one by one to generate suitable testing voltages. In detail, according to the conventional method, assuming testing time spent at the first stage and the second stage for testing each of the circuits 11 are respectively T1 and T2, a total time spent for testing the one hundred circuits 11 is then 100×(T1+T2). Therefore, the conventional method is very time-consuming and cost-consuming.
Referring to FIG. 1 again, assuming there are one hundred circuits 11 to be tested, to shorten the total time spent for testing the circuits 11, another method is provided according to the conventional method, and the method may be described as follows. In the first stage of the circuit testing, the 2.5V testing voltages V1 are simultaneously supplied to the one hundred circuits 11 by a testing machine (not shown), so as to test in parallel whether or not the one hundred circuits can work normally.
As described above, in the second stage of the circuit testing, first, the 2.3V testing voltages V1 are simultaneously supplied to the one hundred circuits 11 by the testing machine, so as to test in parallel whether or not the one hundred circuits can work normally. Next, the 2.7V testing voltages V1 are simultaneously supplied to the one hundred circuits 11 by the testing machine, so as to test in parallel whether or not the one hundred circuits can work normally. Though such method can reduce the total time spent for testing the circuits, it cannot ensure that the DC voltage generators 101 of the one hundred circuits 11 can work normally. In other words, if the DC voltage generator 101 of the circuit 11 has a defect, the circuit 11 then cannot work normally, and the conventional method cannot detect such defect of the DC voltage generator 101.
Moreover, since the testing voltage V1 provided by the testing machine is stable and has a powerful driving capability, if the circuit 11 has a defect such as current leakage, etc., shifting of the testing voltage V1 may still not occur. In other words, if the circuit 11 has the defect such as current leakage, etc., though the DC voltage generator 101 of the circuit 11 may provide the 2.5V working voltage to the circuit 11, the working voltage provided by the DC voltage generator 101 is shifted (for example, shifted to 2.0V) due to the current leakage of the circuit 11, so that the circuit 11 probably cannot work normally, and the conventional method cannot detect such defect, either.

Group of circuits and testing method thereof and testing machine thereof


In an exemplary embodiment, a laser light source device includes a laser light source that emits laser light from a laser emission aperture. The laser light source device also includes a condenser lens disposed in front of the laser light source in a laser emission direction to collect the laser light. The laser light source device also includes a fluorescent member disposed in front of the condenser lens in the laser emission direction to receive the laser light collected by the condenser lens and to emit light of a different wavelength from that of the laser light. The laser light source device also includes a light guide that forms a light path of laser light from the laser light source to the condenser lens.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laser light source device that uses a laser light source.
2. Description of the Related Art
Vehicle lamps require a high brightness light source in order to illuminate a long distance with a sufficient intensity of light. Vehicle lamps having a laser light source device have been proposed in recent years, which combine a semiconductor laser that emits blue laser light and a fluorescent member that emits light when excited by the blue laser light from the semiconductor laser.
Japanese Patent Application Publication (Kokai) No. 2008-10228 describes a laser light source device. This laser source device includes a surface emitting laser element having a plurality of light emitting parts arranged on the surface of the surface emitting laser element, a mask having mask apertures formed in the surface of the surface emitting laser element to expose the light emitting parts, and a fluorescent member filled inside the mask apertures.
FIG. 1A of the accompanying drawings shows the shape of a beam spot Sp1 formed by laser light emitted from a common laser diode 200 on a projection surface orthogonal to the optical axis of the laser light. FIG. 1B of the accompanying drawings shows the brightness distribution of the beam spot. As depicted in FIG. 1A, the beam spot Sp1 has an oval shape, its width AH in direction X parallel to a pn joint surface of the laser diode 200 being smaller than the width AV in direction Y vertical to the pn joint surface. As shown in FIG. 1B, the light intensity distribution of the beam spot Sp1 is a symmetric Gaussian distribution, wherein the light intensity is the highest at the optical axis center, and decreases smoothly outward from the optical axis center.
The laser light source device used in a vehicle lamp generates white light by irradiating light having such a Gaussian light intensity distribution to the fluorescent member through a condenser lens. The white light also has a Gaussian light intensity distribution, so that the light intensity at both ends of the light emission area is relatively low. In vehicle lamp applications, an optical system including a lens and a reflector is used to project light from the light source onto the road surface. The illuminance on the road surface is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the light source. Thus, if end areas of the light source that illuminate a distant road surface have a relatively low brightness, the illuminance of the distant road surface will be lower than that near the vehicle. As a result, the bright/dark boundary commonly referred to as a "cutoff line" will be blurry, and the visibility in a distance will be low. For this reason, commonly, a light shield member such as a shade is provided in front of the light source to shut off part of light from the light source to make the bright/dark boundary clearer. This, however, significantly lowers the light utilization efficiency. Some laser diodes have a beam spot that is not oval as that of the surface emitting laser shown in FIG. 1A, but they have the same problem because they have a similar light intensity distribution in which the light intensity is highest at the optical axis and smoothly decreases outward.


The invention provides antiviral compounds and compositions comprising a viral specific oligonucleotide. Also provided are methods to inhibit or treat viral infections with the compounds or compositions of the invention.

Viral RNA replication, a process fundamental to viral pathogenicity, requires specific recognition of RNA features by proteins. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is a complex composed of viral and cellular proteins that directs viral RNA synthesis from infecting RNA templates. Many viral RdRp proteins have been sequenced and analyzed. However, a comprehensive mechanism describing RNA synthesis is lacking. Consequently, general knowledge of RdRp is significantly less than that of other RNA and DNA polymerases.
Viruses are obligate parasites which depend upon the infected host for many of the basic processes needed for a successful infection. Because viruses depend on the enzymatic and synthetic functions of the host cell, it is very difficult to treat viral infections without affecting cellular processes. For example, interferon causes significant and widespread changes in the cell and hence leads to a number of side effects, including fever, nausea, and other discomforts. Given that several viral diseases are at pandemic proportions, including influenza, AIDS, and hepatitis, the design of effective virus-specific drugs is increasingly important.
Potential antiviral drugs are usually subjected to an intensive and costly screening program to determine whether the drug can preferentially inhibit a viral process. One such drug is Aziduovir, which is utilized more readily by the reverse transcriptase of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) than by host cellular polymerases. Yet other potential antiviral therapies, including antisense molecules and ribozymes, are difficult to produce due to the need for complex molecular recombinant technology.
Thus, there is a continuing need for agents that specifically inhibit viral replication.
The invention provides an isolated and purified nucleic acid sequence that can be used as a specific inhibitor of viral RNA synthesis, i.e., an inhibitor of the viral polymerase. In particular, the present invention provides an isolated and purified oligonucleotide of at least four nucleotides, wherein the oligonucleotide comprises a viral nucleic acid sequence which includes the viral initiation nucleotide. Preferably, the oligonucleotide includes viral initiation sequences and optionally viral promoter sequences.
As described hereinbelow, the sequences needed for the replication of a (+) single strand RNA virus, brome mosaic virus (BMV), have been determined. These sequences are needed to correctly and efficiently initiate RNA synthesis. Mutations in the promoter or initiation sequences of BMV abolish RNA synthesis by the BMV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Moreover, as the promoter and initiation sequences are conserved in several RNA viruses, the mechanism of RNA synthesis is likely to be very similar in all RNA viruses with genomes of (+)-sense RNA. Furthermore, mutations in the initiation sequences will not result in a decrease in the efficacy of the nucleic acid sequences of the invention, as these mutations result in a decrease in viral replication.
The oligonucleotide preferably includes the initiation nucleotide and at least the first, and more preferably the first two nucleotides which are 3xe2x80x2 of the initiation nucleotide in the viral sequence. An oligonucleotide of the invention, or a plurality thereof, is useful to prepare an antiviral composition. The antiviral compositions of the invention are particularly useful in methods to inhibit the infection or replication of (+) single strand RNA viruses, such as the alpha virus superfamily, which includes bacterial, plant and animal viruses. The oligonucleotide of the invention may comprise DNA or RNA, or a hybrid thereof. Preferably, the oligonucleotide is DNA. It is also preferred that the oligonucleotide of the invention comprises at least about four to about fifty, more preferably at least about eight to about forty, even more preferably at least about twenty to about thirty-five, and yet even more preferably at least about eight to about thirteen, contiguous nucleotide bases that preferably have at least about 90%, more preferably at least about 95%, and even more preferably 100%, contiguous nucleotide sequence identity to a particular wild-type viral sequence. However, the invention is not limited to oligonucleotides having identity to a wild type viral promoter and/or initiation sequence, as nucleotides may be substituted with analogs thereof, e.g., analogs of nucleotide bases. Preferred nucleotide analogs are those which have enhanced adsorption for human cells and/or enhanced stability in human serum relative to native nucleotides. For example, the incorporation of sulfur residues in an oligonucleotide, e.g., in the RNA backbone, increases the binding of RdRp to the oligonucleotide. Oligonucleotides may be prepared by methods well known to the art.
Also provided is a method to inhibit or treat a viral infection which employs at least one oligonucleotide of the invention. The method comprises the administration to a cell having, or suspected of having, a viral infection, an effective amount of at least one oligonucleotide of the invention, wherein the oligonucleotide comprises the initiation nucleotide for the virus. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a DNA oligonucleotide of the invention inhibits viral RNA replication in vitro at a concentration in the micromolar range. The DNA oligonucleotides of the invention may be modified in such a manner so as to prevent RdRp release, e.g., by the incorporation of abasic residues, bulky blocking groups, terminal nucleotides with aliphatic moieties, or covalent crosslinker.
The present invention may be superior to other known antiviral agents because it requires only the nucleic acid sequence(s) for initiation of viral nucleic acid synthesis. Thus, the sequence is readily prepared, does not require complex manipulation by molecular biology techniques, and only a minimal screening regime is necessary. Moreover, the present oligonucleotides may be modified to increase their efficacy at lower concentrations, e.g., RNA oligonucleotides may be modified so as to contain nucleotide analogs or be subjected to circularization, to provide agents that are more stable in vivo so as to, for example, have increased resistance to degradation in serum. Given that every virus will have a minimum of one, and more likely at least two, sequences needed for the initiation of nucleic acid synthesis, at least one, preferably two, and more preferably three (for viruses with subgenomic promoters), therapeutics can be designed for every virus. In particular, a nucleic acid sequence can be prepared to inhibit genomic as well as subgenomic (internal initiation from subgenomic promoters) nucleic acid synthesis. In addition, a particular inhibitor may also be used to disrupt other steps in viral replication, e.g., translation, protein and nucleic acid modification, which may be tightly linked to the initiation of RNA synthesis. Thus, an oligonucleotide of the invention may be employed in combination with other anti-viral agents.
As used herein, the terms xe2x80x9cisolated and/or purifiedxe2x80x9d refer to in vitro preparation, isolation and/or purification of an oligonucleotide of the invention, so that it is not associated with in vivo substances.

Use of nucleic acid molecules as antiviral agents

Advanced Research and Technology Institute, Inc.


A graphical user interface provides a link to network related measurements by network analysis devices, to present a test including perceptibly correlated network-related measurements by two or more of the network analysis devices through a selectable graphical display corresponding to the network analysis devices, and a selectable graphical display corresponding to at least one measurement for each selected network analysis device. The test provides a newly added measurement.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a graphical user interface to a test as a collection of correlated network-related measurements on a distributed network troubleshooting system. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a user interface allowing a user to add measurements from different network analysis devices into a test so that those measurement results can be visually correlated.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a conventional distributed networking problem domain in which a plurality of network analysis agents (network troubleshooting agents) 20a-n, 22a-n, and 24a-n (NAs) provided on networks 26a-n (network 26), measure how the network 26 performs as network devices (computers) 28a-n perform their respective jobs (e.g., data communication) on the network 26.
In FIG. 1, as an example, the network 26a is an Internet Protocol (IP) network, the networks 26b and 26f are telephony networks, and networks 26c, 26d and 26f are other data networks. The network analysis agents 20a and 20b are telephony network analyzers (TNAs), the network analysis agent 22a tracks remote monitoring (RMON) data, and the network analysis agents 24a and 24b are network analyzers (NA) providing protocol vitals as a measurement.
A measurement is something being measured on the network 26. For example, a measurement may determine the amount of IP traffic or voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP) traffic on a packet network. Generally, a measurement represents a plurality of related, measured variables. For example, a measurement of VOIP traffic might be based on related variables, such as packet jitter, packet delay and packet loss. The concept of a measurement is well known.
Network analysis agents 20, 22 and 24 are used to perform measurements. The network analysis agents 20, 22, and 24 can be homogeneous (i.e., same type and/or by same manufacturer) or heterogeneous (i.e., different types and/or by different manufacturers). Network analysis agents are often specialized for performing particular measurements. Moreover, a single network analysis can often perform multiple measurements. Network analysis agents are well known, such as those available from Agilent Technologies, Inc., Palo Alto, Calif., assignee of the present application.
However, in conventional distributed network troubleshooting systems, one network-related measurement (measurement) is run on one network analysis agent, and another measurement is run on another network analysis agent, and so on. Accordingly, conventionally the network related measurements are performed in individual network segments. In the context of troubleshooting a distributed network, a network can be logically segmented based upon network nodes through which connections are managed, such a telephone switch in case of a telephony network. Therefore, typically a network analysis agent is provided at each network segment, such that troubleshooting between two locations on the network may require running at least one measurement at each network segment, and, thus, requiring separate analysis of corresponding measurement results.
For example, to solve a network problem between the San Francisco telephones 28b and the email server 28d, the data of the San Francisco telephone network analyzers (TNA) 20b and the Phoenix RMON 22a must be correlated. However, the conventional distributed network troubleshooting systems fail to provide such a correlation of one or more network analysis agent measurements from two or more network analysis agents, because in the conventional distributed network troubleshooting system, a user has to look at the data for the measurement from the San Francisco TNA 20b in one window, then in a different window look at the data from the Phoenix RMON 22a, and then mentally troubleshoot based upon the information in the two windows, which is difficult and very inefficient, and in particular not possible to mentally analyze the information from the two windows over a time line. Of course, if more than two agent measurements are being analyzed, mental analysis is not effective.
More particularly, with the conventional distributed network troubleshooting systems, when a customer is dissatisfied with something happening on the network, such as connectivity failure, slow performance, etc, the customer calls the service provider. If, for example, the customer is in San Francisco and getting garbled conversations with a phone in Denver, the service provider deploys network analysis agents on the network at various network segments (i.e., the set of network segments) between San Francisco and Denver. Therefore, the service provider has to look at multiple network segments to see which network segment is causing the problem or which combination of segments are causing the problem, and the service provider must analyze all of the data from the deployed network analysis agents in the network segments to come up with a way to troubleshoot and solve the problem.
Although there are some distributed network troubleshooting systems that allow running measurements on multiple devices, the problem with such conventional systems is that the system presents a separate display window or a separate graphical user interface (GUI) per measurement. So there is no way that a user can look at measurement data from different devices all in one user interface. Therefore, the conventional distributed network troubleshooting system fails to correlate one or more network analysis agent measurements from two or more network analysis agents.
Further, the conventional distributed network troubleshooting systems fail to provide a way a user can control configuration and execution of the network analysis agent measurements at two or more network analysis agents from a central place, because conventionally a user basically look at one measurement in one display window, configure the measurement and go to another display window to open and configure another measurement.
More particularly, although some conventional distributed network troubleshooting systems allow a user to look at measurement data remotely on a remote system, so that the user could bring up (open) a window to look at the San Francisco data and then bring up another window to look at the Denver data, these conventional distributed network troubleshooting systems fail to provide a way to dynamically set up a test that contains those two measurements to do the correlation for the user.

Graphical user interface for adding measurements to existing distributed network troubleshooting system