An automatic golf ball teeing apparatus using a pivot linkage which connects a tee cylinder and an air cylinder. The pivot linkage extends in a first direction approximately orthogonal to a second direction in which the tee cylinder reciprocates. A tee is coupled to the tee cylinder and thus reciprocates with the tee cylinder. The pivot linkage minimizes the height of the automatic golf ball teeing apparatus since the air cylinder is not located axially beneath the tee cylinder.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for practicing golf and more particularly, to an apparatus for automatically teeing a golf ball. The present invention is especially useful in driving ranges.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, golf has become more and more popular. It is necessary for a player to improve golfing skill by practicing with various clubs repeatedly paying close attention to his or her stance and hand grip. This practice is often executed at a driving range.
At a driving range, each time the player attempts to hit a golf ball, he must first pick up the golf ball from a bucket and place it on a tee. However, there are some disadvantages. For example, it is arduous for the player to pick up the golf ball from the bucket and place it on the tee without breaking his or her stance or grip. It is not good practice for the player, especially for a beginner, to continually adjust his or her stance and hand grip while practicing a golf shot. Moreover, this action could be a great burden for a player having a back or waist problem.
Accordingly, it is desirable for the player to have the golf balls automatically placed on the tee. The prior art discloses numerous automatic golf ball teeing apparatuses used in driving ranges. U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,152 issued Dec. 22, 1970 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,778,067 issued Dec. 11, 1973, both to Joseph A. Gentiluomo, disclose automatic golf ball teeing apparatuses which incorporate a photocell for detecting the presence or the absence of a golf ball on a retractable tee. Each golf ball is delivered by an underground tube to an automatic tee elevating mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,744 issued Mar. 28, 1989 to Manolis Diamandis discloses a mechanical golf ball tee apparatus in which the elastic elevating mechanism is switch-activated upon demand of a player. U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,886 issued May 21, 1991 to Bobby J. Gould discloses an automatic golf ball teeing apparatus which uses a vacuum pump. Canadian Patent No. 525,751 issued May 29, 1956 to Bart A. Hogeberg discloses a golf ball teeing apparatus which uses a photocell.
None of the above patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.


Embodiments are directed to systems for laser cutting at least one glass article comprising a pulsed laser assembly and a glass support assembly configured to support the glass article during laser cutting within the pulsed laser assembly, wherein the pulsed laser assembly comprises at least one non-diffracting beam (NDB) forming optical element configured to convert an input beam into a quasi-NDB beam; and at least one beam transforming element configured to convert the quasi-NDB beam into multiple quasi-NDB sub-beams spaced apart a distance of about 1 μm to about 500 μm; wherein the pulsed laser assembly is oriented to deliver one or more pulses of multiple quasi-NDB sub-beams onto a surface of the glass article, wherein each pulse of multiple quasi-NDB sub-beams is operable to cut a plurality of perforations in the glass article.

Focused short-pulsed laser beams are used for cutting and modifying transparent substrates, such as glass, through the process of nonlinear absorption via multi-photon ionization and subsequent ablation. Such laser systems must thus deliver a very small spot size and have high repetition rates in order to process materials at significant speeds. Typically laser processing has used Gaussian laser beams. The tight focus of a laser beam with a Gaussian intensity profile has a Rayleigh range ZR given by:
                              Z          R                =                              π                                                                                n              o                                                  w              o              2                                            λ            o                                              (        1        )
The Rayleigh range represents the distance over which the spot size wo of the beam will increase by √{square root over (2)} in a material of refractive index no at wavelength λ0. This limitation is imposed by diffraction. As shown in Eqn. 1 above, the Rayleigh range is related directly to the spot size, thus a tight focus (i.e. small spot size) cannot have a long Rayleigh range. Thus, the small spot size is maintained for an unsuitably short distance. If such a beam is used to drill through a material by changing the depth of the focal region, the rapid expansion of the spot on either side of the focus will require a large region free of optical distortion that might limit the focus properties of the beam. Such a short Rayleigh range also requires multiple pulses to cut through a thick sample.
Another approach to maintaining a tightly focused beam in a material is to use nonlinear filamentation via the Kerr effect, which yields a self-focusing phenomenon. In this process, the nonlinear Kerr effect causes the index at the center of the beam to increase, thereby creating a waveguide that counteracts the diffraction effect described above. The beam size can be maintained over a much longer length than that given in Eq. 1 above and is no longer susceptible to surface phase distortions because the focus is defined at the surface. To produce a sufficient Kerr effect, the power of the incident laser beam must exceed a critical value given by equation 2 below:
                              P          Cr                =                              3.72                                                                                λ              o              2                                            8                        π                                                                                n              o                                                  n              2                                                          (        2        )            where n2 is the second-order nonlinear refractive index.
Despite the benefit of this extended focal range, generating beams in accordance with the Kerr effect undesirably requires much more power than the above described Gaussian beam approach.
Accordingly, there is a continual need for a beam generation method in a laser cutting system which achieves a beam(s) having a controlled spot size, longer focal length, while minimizing power requirements and increasing process speed.

Method of laser cutting glass using non-diffracting laser beams


We disclose herein a gate controlled bipolar semiconductor device comprising: a collector region of a first conductivity type; a drift region of a second conductivity type located over the collector region; a body region of a first conductivity type located over the drift region; a plurality of first contact regions of a second conductivity type located above the body region and having a higher doping concentration than the body region; a second contact region of a first conductivity type located laterally adjacent to the plurality of first contact regions, the second contact region having a higher doping concentration than the body region; at least two active trenches each extending from a surface into the drift region; an emitter trench extending from the surface into the drift region; wherein each first contact region adjoins an active trench so that, in use, a channel is formed along said each active trench and within the body region; wherein the second contact region adjoins the emitter trench; and wherein the emitter trench is located between two active trenches.

Power semiconductor devices are often used as switches as they operate in both on and off states. In the on-state a device can conduct high currents, and conduction losses are desired to be reduced. In the off-state a device can withstand the system maximum voltage with little or no current passing.
Insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) have the combined advantage of metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) gate drive with the high current densities found in bipolar transistors. Bipolar transistors make use of conduction by majority and minority carriers. This means that bipolar transistors have a high density of charge carriers. This high level of charge reduces on-state conduction losses (VCE(ON)) however increases switching losses (EOFF) and switching time.
Within IGBTs it is advantageous to increase the concentration of the carrier storage layer (CS layer) to improve the VCE(ON)-EOFF trade-off relationship. However this degrades breakdown voltage (VBR). Reducing the trench-to-trench spacing is one way of improving the VCE(ON)-EOFF trade-off relationship without sacrificing VBR2. The close proximity of the trenches results in a more uniform electrical potential distribution between the trenches and eliminates the electric field crowding at the bottom of the trenches.
In IGBTs, where trench-to-trench separation is miniaturised and current density is high, the reverse bias safe operating area (RBSOA) and short circuit safe operating area (SCSOA) performance can be compromised. Previously this has been controlled by either changing the length of the n+ emitter or changing the resistance or doping concentration under the junction between the n+ emitter region and the p-well region. However, trench-to-trench spacing can limit how much the doping of the n-well can be enhanced without VBR degradation.


The invention relates to a metering device for lubricant having a lubricant reservoir (1), a piston (3), which is arranged on a threaded spindle (2), within the lubricant reservoir and a drive head 4, which has a drive shaft (7) connected to the threaded spindle (2) and an electromechanical drive (5) for actuating the drive shaft. The drive shaft (7) contains a lubricant passage duct (8) which opens into the lubricant storage space of the lubricant reservoir. A ram (9) is inserted into the lubricant passage duct (8) of the drive shaft, said ram having an axial bore (10) with a nonreturn valve (11) on the inlet side, and also a ram head (13) which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner and is loaded by a compression spring (12). The ram head (13) bears under the effect of the compression spring (12) against a control surface (14) of the drive shaft (7). The control surface (14) and the associated contact surface of the ram head (13) are designed as slotted-guide surfaces which, when the control surface (14) rotates, bring about stroke movements of the ram (9), said movements conveying lubricant through the bore (10) in the ram (9) to a lubricant outlet at the end of the ram.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a metering device for lubricant having a lubricant reservoir, a piston, which is arranged on a threaded spindle, within the lubricant reservoir and a drive head, which has a drive shaft connected to the threaded spindle and an electromechanical drive for actuating the drive shaft.
2. The Prior Art
In an embodiment known from EP-A 0 845 631, the electromechanical drive has a threaded spindle which is driven by a geared motor. The lubricant reservoir is provided with an outlet opening for lubricant which is ejected by a movement of the piston. The build-up of pressure which can be achieved in the lubricant reservoir is limited. If a large flow resistance builds up at the outlet opening or in an adjoining line, a device protecting against overload responds, switching off the electromechanical drive. The supply of the lubricating points with lubricating products is not always ensured. Furthermore, in the known embodiment, the changing of the lubricant reservoir is complicated. Line systems arranged downstream have to be detached from the lubricant reservoir. If the electromechanical drive is supplied externally with power and/or the lubricant dispenser is connected to a central controller, electric plug-in connections have to be pulled off from the housing before the housing containing the electromechanical drive can be unscrewed from the lubricant reservoir.
Furthermore, lubricant dispensers comprising a piston pump arranged in a housing and a lubricant reservoir connected detachably to the housing are known in practice. A duct which is fixed on the housing is connected to the intake side of the piston pump and opens into the lubricant reservoir. The housing, in which the piston pump, a control device and, if appropriate, batteries for supplying the piston pump with power are arranged, has an outlet duct which is connected to the delivery side of the piston pump. The lubricant reservoir contains a spring-loading piston or expansion bellows which puts the lubricant store under pressure and supplies the generally very viscous lubricating product, for example lubricating grease, to the intake side of the piston pump. The constant pressurization of the lubricating-product store gives rise to the risk of the lubricant bleeding out, i.e. the pressurization by the piston causes small quantities of oil to be continuously ejected out of the grease and thereby causes the lubricating grease to solidify. The piston pump furthermore constitutes a relatively complicated and expensive assembly.


A technique for making a bulk isolated PN diode. Specifically, a technique is provided for making a voltage clamp with a pair of bulk isolated PN diode. Another embodiment provides for a voltage clamp with a pair of bulk isolated PN diodes in parallel with a pair of MOSFET diode-connected transistors. In addition, a method for manufacturing the bulk isolated PN diodes is recited.

1. Field of the Invention
This present invention relates generally to the field of electronic circuitry and, more specifically, to forming diodes.
2. Description of the Related Art
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
In today's high-speed computer systems, the relative size of electronic devices is steadily decreasing as technology advances. Generally, the reduction in the overall footprint of the electronic components is due to the consumer's demand for smaller, more powerful electronic devices. The different components of an electronic system generate signals that are transmitted from one component to another. For example, processors transmit signals to associated memory devices to read and write data. As the size of these electronic devices becomes smaller, the magnitude of the electrical signals they use also decreases. This decrease is not only due to the inability of smaller electronic structures to handle large electrical signals, but also due to the desire to produce electronic components that consume less power and generate less heat.
The signals from one electrical component to another are typically digital signals, in that they indicate a "logical 0" state or a "logical 1" state. The "logical 0" state is usually a zero voltage state, and the "logical 1" state is a steady voltage state. In transitioning from the zero voltage state to the steady voltage state, the voltage and current may oscillate at levels above and below the steady voltage state until a constant steady voltage state is achieved. One issue faced by the designers of the electronic systems is protecting the various components from damage as a result if peaks in the oscillations of the over-voltage or over-current situations.
Historically, memory devices have used a voltage clamp between the input pad of the device and the internal circuitry to prevent the over-current or over-voltage situation from damaging the memory device. Generally, the voltage clamp includes a pair of MOSFET diode-connected transistors in series. A limitation with the MOSFET diode-connected transistors is that the forward bias current handling capacity is limited by a squared function. As technology advances, it is generally desirable to scale down the size of all transistors on an integrated circuit, because such scaling simplifies the design process, saves valuable chip space, and facilitates efficient manufacturing.
However, the current handling capacity of the smaller MOSFET diode-connected transistors raises some concerns for designers. While the larger MOSFET diode-connected transistors are able to handle the over-voltages and over-currents of the input signals, the smaller MOSFET diode-connected transistors may be unable to do so. In other words, the reduction in the size of the MOSFET diode-connected transistors limits their effectiveness in a voltage clamp. As a result, the MOSFET diode-connected transistors used in voltage clamps remain relatively large and cannot be scaled down with the other transistors in the memory device.
Diodes may be used in place of MOSFET diode-connected transistors because diodes exhibit a greater current carrying capacity for a given size. To manufacture these diodes, a fabrication process typically uses a P well or an N well in conjunction with an N+ doped silicon or P+ doped silicon, respectively. Generally, the interface between the doped region and the well covers a large surface area and is not optimally defined. Also, the P well or the N well may not be adequately isolated. If a well is not adequately isolated, then too many carriers may be injected into the substrate and degrade performance. With the current flow above the specified parameters for a circuit, a state of latch-up may occur. Once latch-up occurs, the circuit output may become fixed and not react to input signals.

Bulk-isolated PN diode and method of forming a bulk-isolated PN diode


A moldable plastic guard segment for use in a protective guard for a conduit such as a hoses, tubing, wire, cable, and fiber optics. The guard is receivable over the surface of the conduit and is formed as a series connection of a first guard segment and at least a second guard segment. Each of the guard segments is formed as having a generally-annular body which extends longitudinally along a central axis of the guard segment intermediate a first end and a second end defining a unit length of the guard therebetween. The body first end has an inner radial surface of a first diametric extent. The body second end has an outer radial surface of a second diametric extent configured to be receivable within the first diametric extent of the inner radial surface of the first end of an adjacent guard segment for coupling each guard segment to an adjacent guard segment in forming the guard.

The present invention relates broadly to protective guards for conduit such as hose, tubing, wire, cable, and fiber optics, and more particularly to a moldable, plastic guard segment having a first end adapted to be connected with a mating second end of another guard segment in providing a segmented guard assembly of a variable length.
When conduit such as hose, tubing, wire, cable, or fiber optics is exposed to certain environmental conditions, physical obstacles, or human abuse, the portion of the conduit so exposed may be protected with an external guard or armor. Such guards typically are formed as a coiled steel wire spring or, alternatively, as an elongate plastic or rubber sleeve or spiral. The coil, sleeve, or spiral is configured as having an inner diameter which is sized to be marginally larger than the outer diameter of the wire or conduit to allow the guard to be installed coaxially over the hose or wire. Guards or armor of such type are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,857,711; 5,816,622; 5,608,963; 5,277,227; 4,967,799; 4,876,810; 4,805,933; 4,446,607; 4,406,852; 3,926,141; and Des. 356,858; and in European Pat. Appln. Nos. 824,205; and 655,377. A plastic guard is manufactured by WABCO (Westinghouse Air Brake Co.) GmbH of Hannover, Germany. Typical applications of guards and coils of such type include the protection of hydraulic hose in construction machinery or plant equipment, and of airbrake tubing coils in tractor trailers rigs and other vehicles. Hoses, tubing, fittings, and other components for these applications are described further in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,232,645; 4,009,734; and 3,977,440; and in U.K. Pat. Appln. GB 2,239,503. Such components are manufactured commercially by Parker-Hannifin Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio, through its Parflex Division of Ravenna, Ohio, and its Brass Products Division of Otsego, Mich., and by Tectran, Inc., of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Each of the guard types heretofore known in the art offer varying degrees of strain relief and/or cut, crush, abrasion, or kink resistance. In general, steel wire springs offer good kink and abrasion resistance. However, as being formed of a metal, springs are subject to corrosion and are relatively heavy which may impact their use in certain mobile applications. When employed at the connected end of a hose or tubing assembly, the spring conventionally is locked to the end fitting which usually is provided as a multi-component including a body, nut, ferrule, and insert.
Plastic or rubber sleeves or spirals conventionally are manufactured by either extrusion, molding, or spiraling, and are known to be generally lightweight and corrosion resistant. In particular, extruded guards offer long, continuous lengths, but the raw materials suited for extrusion generally are considered to be either too flexible to prevent kinking, or too rigid to prevent flexing of the hose without breaking or kinking the guard absent the addition of strain relief slots. Spiral guards, typically provided as strips of plastic thermoformed about a mandrel into a helical shape, also offer long, variable lengths, but generally do not afford appreciable kink resistance. Molded guards can be formed with the rigidity necessary to prevent kinking, but heretofore have been limited in length to the size of the mold.
In view of the foregoing, it is believed that continued improvements in guard constructions for wire and conduit tubing coil assemblies would be well-received by the transportation, construction, and other industries involved. A preferred construction would be economical to manufacture, but also would afford good abrasion and kink resistance. Such a construction additionally would be corrosion resistant and accommodate variable guard lengths.
The present invention is directed to a protective guard for conduit such as hose, tubing, wire, cable, and fiber optics, and more particularly to a segmented guard assembly which may be varied in length depending upon the number of guard segments connected in series to form the assembly. In accordance with the precepts of the present invention, each of the guard segments which form the assembly is provided as a unit construction having a first end adapted to be coupled with a mating second end of another guard segment.
Such unit construction may be molded of plastic material which may be both corrosion-resistant and lightweight, and further which may be selected to provide sufficient rigidity to prevent kinking and to offer good abrasion resistance. Advantageously, the series connection of the first end of one unit to the second end of an adjacent unit allows a given unit length to cover a range guard lengths while obviating the need and expense of having to mold long, continuous guard lengths or guards of different lengths. The units may be removably joined such as with a threaded engagement, an interference, i.e., xe2x80x9csnapxe2x80x9d fit, or other mechanical method. Alternatively, the units may be permanently bonded using an adhesive, fusion welding, or other bonding method.
When employed, for example, as a point of attachment guard for lengths or coils of tubing or hose such as may be found in hydraulic or airbrake applications, the guard assembly and unit construction thereof of the present invention permits the use of economical, one-piece barbed-type fittings as the end connection for the tubing or hose. In this regard, the distal end of the first guard segment in the series may be interference fit over the hose or tubing end as received over the fitting barb. Such an arrangement eliminates the necessity of the more expensive multi-component fittings heretofore used with spring coil guards.
These and other advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based upon the disclosure contained herein.

Moldable plastic guard segment for a variable-length guard assembly for conduits


This disclosure relates to using a hand held target (e.g. tae kwon do paddle) as a tool for providing physical performance instructions according to a digital workout performance template loaded in advance.

With the advent of a global economy, sports enthusiasts are more likely than ever to travel to compete.
In tae kwon do it is common for a trainer or coach to use a hand held paddle as a target. The student or trainee attempts to kick the paddle as it is raised, lowered and moved from side to side by the trainer or coach. WO 2017/046800 (also published as US 2018/0272219 which is fully incorporated herein by reference) describes a paddle including an altimeter and an accelerometer.

Performance evaluation equipment, systems and related methods


An input message processor translates interface-specific input messages into a core and extended format. A message interpreter includes a core and extended set of instructions associated with a multi services application protocol for interpreting call processing records in response to input messages in the core and extended format. An output message processor receives output messages from the interpreter and uses interface-specific output message definitions to process the output messages into interface-specific output messages.

The present invention relates generally to a message processing system and method and more particularly to a rapid development method and system for a message processing application.
Today, communication network elements communicate according to predetermined application interfaces. For example, today's Advanced Intelligent telephone Network ("AIN") has network elements which support several applications including an AIN Release 0 service control point ("SCP") application and an AIN Release 0.1 SCP application. As new interfaces are added to the telephone network, so are service-related applications. Interfaces comprise a set of messages which must be processed by the service related applications. This specification also refers to the interfaces as message sets. For example, personal communication services ("PCS") and customer contact services ("CCS") in the AIN are new applications which have been designed and supported using IS41 and 1129+ message sets. To do so, however, telephone network elements, such as SCPs, must be upgraded to support IS41 and 1129+ message sets in addition to AIN Release 0 and/or AIN Release 0.1 message sets. Network elements may also support generic interfaces such as the Generic Data Interface ("GDI") message set. Moreover, as new applications are created, new message sets must also be supported.
Today's AIN Release 0 and other telephone network applications are supported by a Multi Services Application Protocol ("MSAP") and SPACE-based call processing records ("CPR") for each user. As explained in the related patent applications, in the AIN, telephone switches respond to calls from a caller by sending triggers requesting call processing information to a SCP running MSAP and SPACE-based CPRs. MSAP executes the SPACE-based CPRs corresponding to certain trigger information to provide call processing instructions back to the switch.
Each time a new interface, such as a new cellular network interface, is added to the telephone network, MSAP must be extended to support that new interface. This has several drawbacks. In particular, since MSAP is a huge application, hundreds of thousands of lines of code must be reevaluated, rewritten, developed, tested, and compiled, before being set up in the network. Developers must not only test the new code, but must test the old code, as well, to ensure that the old capability continues to exist and the new capability works as required. Moreover, since the MSAP platform is distributed across many SCPs in the network, to deploy the rewritten MSAP, software fixes must be applied at each SCP site, all of which takes a great deal of time.
Thus, in today's telephone network, the design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance of new interfaces are time-consuming and expensive. The same holds true for expanding interfaces in other domains, such as operations systems and network engineering systems.
It is therefore desirable to provide a message processing system that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
It is also desirable to provide a message processing system that can be rapidly designed, developed, tested, deployed, and maintained.
It is further desirable to provide a flexible message processing system and method which can be efficiently and rapidly expanded to support new applications and interfaces.
Additional objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the written description and appended claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings.

System and method for developing message processing applications


Tools and techniques are described to modify a defined space state depending on number of users in the space and/or preferences of users in the space. In some embodiments, users entering or leaving a space are noticed by network systems. A controller then modifies resources in the space to account for the greater or lesser load. In other cases, the network system notices that a specific user has entered a building. This user may have preferences stored in the system which the building control system then responds to by changing state of a device that controls physical state within the space.

Different people and different objects may all have different requirements or preferences for what may be broadly termed "comfort." For example, an old, expensive violin may require humidity between 40-60% to keep it from degrading. A person may prefer a temperature of 74°. However, the temperature inside, the temperature outside, wind, and the humidity (among other factors) all interact to create a comfort level, which is not just the temperature as read by a thermometer. Further, someone dressed in a wool suit will prefer a different temperature than someone dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. Add to this, people are warm; when they enter a building, the building warms up due to their heat.

Methods and systems of building automation state load and user preference via network systems activity


A method provides for extracting features from a handwritten character which is input to an on-line input device. The on-line input device successively outputs stroke information indicating points on strokes of the handwritten character. The method includes a first step of detecting strokes of the handwritten character based on the stroke information. Thereafter, singular points are detected, based on the stroke information. Each of the singular points is defined as a pair of points on the strokes of the handwritten character which are written at different times but have substantially the same coordinates. Then, primitive sequences forming each of the strokes are obtained, and a connective relationship between each two formative sequences of each of the strokes is determined. Finally, the structure of each of the singular points is determined.

(1) Field of the invention
The present invention generally relates to a method for extracting features from characters which is applied to a character recognition system, and more particularly to a method for extracting features from an on-line handwritten character.
(2) Description of related art
In an on-line handwriting recognition system, when an operator writes a character on a digitizing tablet, the character (an on-line handwritten character) is recognized based on coordinate data output from the digitizing tablet. The on-line handwriting recognition system has been studied for a long time. However, since the on-line handwritten character can have various shapes, it is difficult to accurately recognize the on-line handwritten character.
A conventional on-line handwriting recognition method is disclosed, for example, in Yoko Suminaga, "On-line handwriting recognition for Kanji characters easing restrictions of writing, such as a restriction regarding simplified characters" (NIKKEI ELECTRONICS, 331, pp. 115-133, Dec. 5, 1983). In this conventional on-line handwriting recognition method, the on-line handwritten character which can have various shapes is recognized by use of many features describing shapes of characters. However, as these features are adhoc determined, there is a disadvantage in that it requires a great deal of labor to make a dictionary regarding character shapes. Further, although the on-line handwriting recognition method requires an effective and high speed matching process, in the conventional on-line handwriting recognition method, a dynamic programming in which complex calculations are carried out is used to distinguish many different shapes of a character from each other. In addition, in a case where characters are recognized by use of a structural technique, as the structural technique greatly depends on a writing stroke order of each character, there is a disadvantage in that it requires a large-scale dictionary to recognize characters which can have various shapes, such as Kanji characters.

Method for extracting features from on-line handwritten characters


Disclosed is an electro surgical device for use by a surgeon to perform coagulation procedures to damaged tissue and evacuation procedures to related fluids. In one embodiment, the device comprises a first electrode having a first open end, a second open end, an outside surface, and a channel extending from the first open end to the second open end. The device further comprises a second electrode having a first end, a second end, an inside surface, and an outside surface. The inside surface of the second electrode is encased about the outside surface of the first electrode and electrically isolated by an insulator. The device further comprises first and second terminal pins each having a first end connected to the first and second electrodes, respectively, and a second end adapted to engage with the electrical generator. The device further comprises a housing having a suction port and a terminal pin portion. The suction port comprises an inner portion in communication with the second end of the first electrode and an outside portion adapted to engage with the suction device. Upon activation of the suction device, the surgeon may cause fluid to evacuate into the first end of the first electrode, flow through the channel, and exit the suction port to the suction device. Upon activation of the electrical generator, the surgeon may cause an electrical potential to be generated at and between the first end of the first electrode and the first end of the second electrode.

Surgical devices are continuously being developed to allow surgeons to perform safer surgical procedures. U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,714 which is commonly assigned with the present application discloses a monopolar suction coagulator. With the device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,714, a surgeon can coagulate damaged tissue and evacuate related fluids as needed. Devices of the type exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5, 133,714 have several drawbacks. Most principally, such devices are monopolar wherein one of the electrodes is formed as part of the device and the return electrode is attached to the patient in the form of a ground pad. Such devices require a high energy output in order to perform the coagulation process and it is very difficult for the surgeon to precisely apply the electrical energy output to only the damaged tissue and as a result surrounding tissue is often damaged. As such, for surgical procedures requiring very high precision and where it is imperative that surrounding tissue not be damaged (such as neurosurgery, endoscopic surgery, and sinusoidal surgery) such monopolar devices cannot be easily and effectively used.


A method and a device for controlling a drive unit of a motor vehicle. In this context, in response to a tendency to spin of at least one drive wheel, the torque of the drive unit is reduced. The reduction of the torque, in this context, is limited to a minimum value, which is preferably a function of the prevailing driving situation.

European Patent No. 705 177 describes a method and a device for controlling a drive unit, in which the drive torque is measured, which is the maximum that can be transferred from the drive to the street. In this context, the drive torque is, calculated by taking into account the air resistance, the rotational resistance torque, the acceleration resistance torque, etc., and from this, a drive torque is determined for the drive unit of the vehicle, corresponding to the maximum transferable drive torque under the prevailing conditions. If instability should occur in at least one drive wheel, i.e., if this drive wheel shows a tendency to spin, the torque of the drive unit is reduced to the drive torque that is calculated to be the maximum possible.
When starting up on roadways having a lower coefficient of friction, e.g., on snow or ice, the drive wheels, due to their high drive torque (caused by a powerful excess torque in first gear), very frequently begin to slip significantly. The known solution counteracts this increased slipping by engaging the engine and, optionally, the brakes, as described, it being possible in these situations, as a result of the slowly accumulating acceleration of the vehicle connected with high slipping at a relatively low drive torque, that the reduction of the drive torque can turn out to be so pronounced that the slipping is completely eliminated. If the drive wheels take on the velocity of the reference wheels, then the acceleration of the motor vehicle declines. Associated with this is a pitching of the vehicle, which is felt by the driver subjectively to be extremely uncomfortable and intrusive.
The same applies, outside the start-up range, in which in some situations on roadways having a lower coefficient of friction, a powerful reduction of the drive torque takes place as a result of the engagement of the anti-spin regulator. This is especially the case when the drive wheels have significant slipping in response to a change in the coefficient of friction of the roadway (e.g., in the transition from snow to an ice plate). Since, apart from the start-up range, in a situation of significant slipping, a stability-endangering state cannot be excluded, in particular during cornering, the torque reduction takes place very rapidly, resulting frequently that, here too, the velocities of the drive wheels are reduced to very close to the reference velocity. A corresponding pitching of the motor vehicle is the consequence.
A different problem area is represented by the so-called xe2x80x9cpower startxe2x80x9d (starting up with squealing, spinning drive wheels) on roadways having a high coefficient of friction. This situation can also arise in a gradual start-up, for example on wet roadways. Here too, the drive wheels can experience significant slipping. An engagement of the anti-spin regulation, here too, causes a very significant acceleration slump, which is also felt by the driver to be very unpleasant.
It is an object of the present invention to improve the control of a drive unit such that the disadvantages described do not arise or are reduced, without significantly impairing the stability or the traction of the motor vehicle.
German Patent No. 44 30 108 describes a procedure in which the coefficient of friction of a roadway is estimated on the basis of the drive torque of the vehicle and the wheel slip of at least one drive wheel.
As a result of the procedure described below, the aforementioned disadvantages are effectively eliminated or reduced. This is due to the fact that by stipulating a minimal drive torque for engaging the anti-spin regulation, an excessive, uncomfortable reduction of the drive torque is avoided and the control comfort of the anti-spin regulator is significantly increased, while maintaining stability and traction.
It is particularly advantageous that, as a result of the use of the procedure described below, a uniform start-up is made possible on roadways having a lower coefficient of friction, the drive wheels rotating in state of continual slipping. This has particular advantages in vehicles having fewer cylinders, in which the torque reduction is realized by limiting the fuel injection pulses. The procedure described below effectively avoids an uncomfortable process, the so-called engine shaking, in response to the engaging of the anti-spin regulation.
In an advantageous manner, the start-up process of the motor vehicle is improved, since, despite the spin detected by the anti-spin regulator, the value for the torque cannot sink below the minimum reducing torque due to the drive torque reduction, so that the start-up in a continuous slip can take place without the motor vehicle pitching. In an advantageous manner, the regulation can be adjusted, apart from the start-up range, such that maximum stability is achieved with the greatest possible comfort.
In a particularly advantageous manner, the level of the pre-determined minimum torque is a function of the driving situation.
Advantages as a result of the procedure described below are also yielded in regard to roadways having a high coefficient of friction or wet roadways, in which an elevated torque is required in order to carry out a so-called xe2x80x9cpower start.xe2x80x9d The acceleration slump caused by the engagement of the anti-spin regulation is reduced, or ideally prevented.

Method and device for controlling a drive unit of a motor vehicle


A transistor semiconductor die includes a first current terminal, a second current terminal, and a control terminal. A semiconductor structure is between the first current terminal, the second current terminal, and the control terminal and configured such that a resistance between the first current terminal and the second current terminal is based on a control signal provided at the control terminal. Short circuit protection circuitry is coupled between the control terminal and the second current terminal. In a normal mode of operation, the short circuit protection circuitry is configured to provide a voltage drop that is greater than a voltage of the control signal. In a short circuit protection mode of operation, the short circuit protection circuitry is configured to provide a voltage drop that is less than a voltage of the control signal.

Transistor devices such as metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), junction field-effect transistors (JFETs), and bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) are often used in power electronics, in which they may be used to selectively deliver current to and from a load. In certain situations, a load may provide a short circuit across a transistor device. Such a short circuit event may cause the transistor device to fail.
In recent years, there has been a push towards using wide bandgap semiconductor material systems for devices used in power electronics. For example, silicon carbide transistors are now in widespread use in power electronics. Compared to their silicon counterparts, silicon carbide transistors provide better performance, for example, by providing higher blocking voltage, lower on-state resistance, and lower switching loss. Silicon carbide transistors are also much smaller in size, and thus have higher current density. Accordingly, the short circuit withstand time, or the amount of time that a device can survive without failure during a short circuit event, of a silicon carbide transistor is much lower than that of a similar silicon device.
In light of the above, there is a present need for silicon carbide transistor devices with improved short circuit protection.

Device design for short-circuitry protection circuitry within transistors


A molded shoe assembly having an outer sole with a heat activatable adhesive coated on one surface and absorbed in the sole surface and a release liner above the adhesive surface. The adhesvie will reactivate at a temperature of between 115 and 125 degrees F.

In the manufacture of footwear, several steps in the process require that surfaces be bound together by adhesives. Once the surfaces are adhered they may or may not be stitched depending upon the specific footwear construction. Typically, solvent-based adhesives are used for the adhesive applications. The surfaces that are adhered together are often conditioned such as by washing, roughening, etc. in order to ensure a good adhesive bond.
A component in footwear construction is the sole of the footwear. For certain types of footwear the soles are molded and after molding they are adhesively secured to an upper. The unit soles are usually injection molded from thermoplastic materials, e.g. urethanes, polyvinyl chlorides, block copolymers (Kraton.RTM.), polyolefins, etcetera. Prior to the molding step, a mold release is applied to the surfaces of the mold which will contact the sole during the molding step. The agent transfers, at least in part, to the surface of the molded sole.
Typically the next step in the manufacturing process is the attachment of the sole to the upper. The surface of the molded sole where the adhesives will be applied are cleaned to remove the mold release agent and may be abraded for enhanced bonding. This step is critical in that any mold release agent left on the adhesive margin of the sole will contaminate the bond line and result in failure of the adhesive. Adhesive application machines apply a ribbon of adhesive to the periphery of the sole. The cemented surface of the upper is then put into contacting engagement with the adhesive on the sole and pressure applied to insure a good adhesive bond.
The present invention embodies a sole assembly comprising an outer sole, a film of heat activatable adhesive molded into (absorbed) the sole and on the surface (adsorbed) of the sole and a release film over the adhesive. The sole per se is formed by prior art techniques.
The adhesive is an integral part of the sole. This allows the handling of the molded sole assemblies without displacing either the adhesive film or liner prior to the bonding step.
When the molded sole is used in the next step of the bonding process the release liner is simply removed, the adhesive on the sole is activated, and the upper attached. No washing or further sole preparation is necessary.
The adhesive properties are the same or better than prior art adhesives. The chemical nature of the adhesive is not critical. For the adhesive, the various adhesives are selected such that they possess at least the following characteristic--an adhesive which has an affinity for the surface which is greater than the cohesive force of the adhesive layer such that the adhesive bond will not break but rather the substrate will tear.
Further, for the adhesive to be suitable for its use in bonding the outer sole to the upper in addition to causing substrate tearing bonds when forcefully pulled apart, it preferably must meet or exceed the following performance tests:
1. Reactivate at 115.degree.-125.degree. F. PA1 2. Have enough initial tack or grab to adhere the sole to the upper without slipping, prior to fully pressing. PA1 3. Bond to the upper permanently within 8 seconds under pressure. PA1 4. Pass standard heat and water resistance tests (140.degree. F./95% R.H., and 48 hour water soak). PA1 5. Be impervious to oil and plasticizer migration; and PA1 6. Pass 100,000 flex cycles without opening.
Film adhesives generally useful in the practice of the invention would include compounded thermoplastic resins, such as polyurethanes, polyolefins, or ethylene vinyl acetates. Obviously, the adhesive of choice is based upon the composition of the sole to which the upper is to be attached and the composition of the upper.
The release liner used, such as silicone, polyethylene coated paper, polyethylene or polypropylene, can be used for the applications described herein, as long as the release liner provides a weak bond to the face of the adhesive and should be as thin as possible while still serving that function.
The following sole/adhesive/upper combinations are believed suitable for purposes of the invention: polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, or block copolymer for the soles/polyurethane for the adhesives/leather, fabric, or synthetic (PVC, urethane, etc.) for the uppers; polyethylene, polypropylene, or EPDM blends for the soles/polyolefins for the adhesives/polyolefin film/leather or fabric, for the uppers; and EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) for the soles/ethylene vinyl acetates or chlorinated rubber compounds for the adhesives/EVA film/leather, fabric, or non-PVC synthetic for the uppers.


In a brushless motor, a stator includes an annular core member. A rotatable shaft is placed radially inward of the core member and extends in an axial direction. A rotor is supported by the rotatable shaft. A centerpiece supports the core member and includes a center portion, which is placed radially inward of the core member. A platy vibration absorbing member connects between the core member and the center portion of the centerpiece and damps circumferential vibrations transmitted from the core member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a brushless motor.
2. Description of Related Art
For example, Japanese Patent No. 3051827 discloses a brushless motor, which includes a vibration absorber. In the brushless motor of Japanese Patent No. 3051827, a vibration isolation rubber is interposed between a motor fixing flange and a stator.
However, in this kind of brushless motor, the vibration absorbing member made of the resilient member (e.g., rubber, spring) is installed in a motor main body. Thus, unbalanced vibrations of the motor main body may possibly be promoted to increase rotational primary vibrations. Therefore, it has been demanded to reduce motor vibration without increasing the unbalanced vibrations of the motor main body.


When injecting red blood corpuscles it is important to know their elasticity since they can alter from an elastic to a substantially rigid state. The present invention allows it to be ascertained whether the elasticity fulfills the requirements stipulated.

The present invention relates to a device for measuring the elasticity of red blood corpuscles (Erythrocytes). Red blood corpuscles are stored under sterile conditions in plastic bags together with nutrient such as SAG-M solution. In the case at certain conditions of disease red blood corpuscles only have to be injected, and to enable injection the quality of the red blood corpuscles must be known. Hitherto no means has been available for determining the elasticity of the red blood corpuscles and it has just been assumed that after a certain period of storage the red blood corpuscles cannot be used for injection purposes and must therefore be rejected. It is normally assumed that red blood corpuscles can be stored for about 60 days at a storage temperature of between 4 end 6xc2x0 C. Initially the red blood corpuscles are elastic and mouldable but become gradually stiffer with time, which means that when the elasticity has fallen to a certain level the rod blood corpuscles can no longer be injected since this would cause problems in conjunction with injection.
The object of the present invention is to provide a device with the aid of which it is possible to determine the elasticity of the red blood corpuscles so that the lowest tolerable elasticity can immediately be determined. For this purpose two surfaces are used which can be moved towards and away from each other, one of the surfaces being stationary while the other can be moved towards or away from the lower surface. A package, e.g. a plastic bag, containing red blood corpuscles and nutrient, the contents being sterile, is placed between the two surfaces. The movable surface is subjected to a pressure applied thereon so that the surface is continuously under a predetermined pressure. The weighted surface is subjected to extra pressure pulses with intervals between, whereupon the time is measured for the cell to resume the shape it had prior to a pressure pulse. This measuring procedure can be repeated and transferred to a computer, with the aid of which information is available as to whether the contents of the bag being tested is suitable for injecting or not. It has proved suitable for the two surfaces to be in the shape of a rectangular plates, one plate being movable and the other stationary, the ends of the plates being pivotably joined together by means of a suitable hinge construction. The point of pivot is suitably arranged at a distance from a support surface, whereas the other and of the lower plate abuts the support surface. A suitable angle for the lower plate in relation to the support surface is in the order of 45xc2x0. With this arrangement also the bag is placed between the plates and the upper plate is subjected to pressure. In this case no distance can be measured between the two plates and instead the angle prevailing when the red blood corpuscles have been compressed as far as possible is measured. After which the time is measured from when a pulse ceases to when the red blood corpuscles resume their normal shape. The frequency of the pressure and variations in the angle are transferred to a control station which records the necessary data to be able to reach an assessment of whether the red blood corpuscles in the blood bag are injectable or not.

Device for measuring the elasticity of red blood corpuscles (erythrocytes)


An alcoholic foam composition, which can be dispensed as a foam via a pump-foam system contains a) at least 52 to ≦99 wt % of an alcohol or mixture of alcohols, b) a surfactant or a surfactant mixture, c) at least one polyalkylene glycol, d) optionally, at least one foam stabilizer, e) optionally, at least one member selected from the group consisting of cosmetic auxiliaries, adjuvants, active ingredients, and mixtures thereof, and f) optionally water. The surface tension of component b) lies in the range of ±15 dyn/cm of the surface tension of component a) or corresponds to the surface tension of component a), and the sum of components a) to f) is 100 wt % relative to the total quantity of the foam composition.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to alcoholic foam compositions.
2. Discussion of the Background
Disinfectants are used to combat pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi, etc. The use of disinfectants is unavoidable in many regions or the use is expressly required by the legislators in many countries.
Disinfectants are usually classified according to their area of application and, depending on intended use, a distinction is made between antiseptics for wound, skin, stools and sputum disinfection as well as instruments disinfection, laundry and surface disinfectants, and especially also skin and hand disinfectants.
The area of application of the aforesaid disinfectants is medically indicated and they are used for prevention of infections in hospitals, doctors' and dentists' offices, in public areas such as schools, kindergartens, nursing institutions, retirement homes, sanatoriums, etc., and also in sports facilities and other places in which infections can be transmitted. Besides the use of disinfectants in the food industry and pharmaceutical industry, they are in general use not only at the workplace or in the home, but also in service industries such as laundries and kitchens, where the products are delivered directly to patients or consumers.
Demonstration of the effectiveness of such disinfecting agents for one or more of the aforesaid areas of applications is achieved by thorough testing of these agents on the basis of standardized test methods, such as the guidelines of the German Association for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) in Germany or the guidelines of the French Association for Standardization (AFNOR) in France. Examples of further standards are listed below:
DIN EN 1040Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics (basic test)DIN EN 1276Chemical disinfectants and antisepticsBactericidal action in the fields of foods, industry,home and public institutionsDIN EN 1499Disinfecting hand washingDIN EN 1500Hygienic hand disinfectionDIN EN 12054Chemical disinfectants and antisepticsProducts for hygienic and surgical hand disinfectionand hand washing - bactericidal effectDIN EN 12791Surgical hand disinfectantsAFNOR T 72 300Bactericidal effectiveness of antiseptics anddisinfectants that are employed as liquid mixed inwaterAFNOR T 72 170Bactericidal effectiveness in the presence of interferingsubstancesNF EN 1040Bactericidal effectiveness of antiseptics and chemicaldisinfectantsNF EN 1275Fungicidal effectiveness of antiseptics and chemicaldisinfectants
In the capacity of pharmaceuticals, antiseptics are further subject to legally governed approval and registration procedures.
For example, as can be seen from German Patent DE 4328828 A, various methods are available for achieving hand disinfection. Explicitly mentioned therein are the alcoholic hand disinfection methods that are standard in Germany as well as the scrub methods of hand disinfection. Products intended for hand disinfection among other purposes must satisfy at least the minimum requirements indicated in the aforesaid standards if they are to be certified as conforming with those standards and included as preparations in the disinfection list of the DGHM.
Commercially available disinfectants, especially skin and hand disinfectants, are usually composed of alcohol or mixtures of alcohols, optionally of active ingredients, which remain on the skin after evaporation of the alcohol components and which can be, for example, nonvolatile antimicrobial substances and/or common skin-care substances, and possibly other auxiliaries. If the alcohol component is used alone as the antimicrobial agent, the alcohol concentration in the product is to be chosen such that a disinfectant effect is assured even after evaporation of part of the alcohol. In this connection, it is known that this is the case for ethanolic compositions having an alcohol concentration of at least 52 wt %.
To address the disadvantages of alcoholic disinfectant solutions applied for skin and hand disinfection, thickeners have been added to such disinfectant solutions in order to increase the viscosity of these agents. Disadvantages include especially the difficulty of dosing due to the fact that the needed quantity of disinfectant often cannot be distributed uniformly over the skin or the hands and that aqueous alcohol solutions drip very easily from the hands. An example for added thickeners is found in European Patent EP 0604848 B, wherein the subject matter is a fast-drying disinfectant composition. As thickener there is described a combination of carboxyvinyl polymers and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, wherein the total weight of the two components in the disinfectant composition is not greater than 3 wt %.
Also known are antimicrobial alcoholic gel compositions for skin and hand disinfection containing moisturizers and skin-care substances, as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,170. In these compositions, cross-linked partly neutralized or neutralized acrylic acid polymers are used as thickeners. The antibacterial agent used in these compositions is 60 to 75 wt % of alcohol such as ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or mixtures thereof. Regarding the emollients contained in these gel compositions, especially petrolatum and other mineral-oil products that can be used in cosmetic preparations, as well as further hydrophobic constituents that can be used safely not only in cosmetics but also in disinfectants, it has been found that the use of such constituents in alcoholic gel compositions having high alcohol concentrations is highly detrimental to the stability of such gels, because the gels lose their viscosity and therefore their stability in the course of time during storage, and the compositions deliquesce. In general, it has been found that the gel stability suffers with increasing alcohol concentration, especially at alcohol concentrations higher than 60 wt %.
Such high alcohol concentrations, especially in gel compositions containing alcohol as the sole active component, are unavoidable, however, in order that such agents can also be certified as disinfectants for hand disinfection.
German Patent DE 10132382 discloses a simple, economic production method for the production of stable disinfectant hand-care and skin-care gels having high alcohol concentration, permitting the production of disinfectant hand-care gels that contain care components, that satisfy the standards
DIN EN 1499Disinfecting hand washingDIN EN 1500Hygienic hand disinfectionamong others directly without further additional antimicrobial adjuvants, and that also have a hepatitis B activity. Although it has been shown that the application of a disinfectant agent in gel form is to be preferred to the application of a disinfectant agent in liquid form, especially as regards its drying-out tendency, such disinfectant alcoholic gel compositions nevertheless have the disadvantage that they must lose their gel structure upon being applied on the skin, in order to ensure uniform wetting of the skin areas and thus a safe disinfectant action.
Also known are alcoholic cleaning foam compositions, which are dispensed by commercially available pump-foam systems, which are to be found mainly in sanitary units of hospitals, doctors' and dentists' offices, schools, kindergartens and nursing institutions, such as old-age homes, sanatoriums, etc. The alcohol concentration of such foam compositions is only around 40 wt %, however, because the instability of the foams increases at higher alcohol concentrations. This can also be regarded as the reason why the advantageous form of application by means of foam, which is even more manageable than alcoholic gels, has not yet been considered for disinfectants, especially not for skin and hand disinfection, because of the low alcohol concentration of the products that have been commercially available heretofore.


Techniques described herein relate to performing wireless diagnostic analyses including execution and evaluations of interactive content resources executed by execution devices on and/or for separate content receiver devices. A multi-phrase diagnostic session may proceed with an execution of an initial set of diagnostic modules on an execution device, during which interactive content is transmitted/received from a connected receiver device. The results of the diagnostic modules may be evaluated in real-time and transmitted to a diagnostic analyzer server to select additional diagnostic modules for execution during the diagnostic session. The diagnostic analyzer server may select the additional diagnostic modules based on based on response data received via the content execution device to the interactive content of the previously executed diagnostic modules, and/or data received from additional data sources related to the content receiver.

Using content delivery network infrastructures and content receiver devices such as laptop and desktop client computers, tablet devices, televisions, etc., upstream content providers can provide vast and diverse content resources to users live, live-streamed, and on-demand. In some cases, content distribution networks and systems may generate and provide various interactive content resources to content receiver devices using various delivery techniques. Such interactive content resources may include, for example, audio and video media content, gaming software, professional training and educational content resources, clinical assessments administered by educators or medical personnel to students or patients, and the like. In some cases, the devices executing and providing the content resources to users may receive and analyze responses and other feedback data associated with the execution of the content resources, and may return such data to the content provider via one or more feedback channels. For example, the content provider may receive feedback from a content receiver device on the content or the quality of the content delivery. Additional feedback may correspond to the execution status of resource(s) on the content receiver device, while other feedback may relate to interactive user responses provided during or after execution of content resources.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Diagnostic analyzer for content receiver using wireless execution device


Techniques for performing data tracing in an integrated circuit with multiple embedded memories are described. A trace module within the integrated circuit forms packets of trace data for memory accesses of the multiple memories. The trace module includes multiple data capture units (one for each memory) and a trace stream generator. Each data capture unit includes a register, a comparator, an address compressor, a data compressor, and a packetizer. The register stores an address for a prior memory access of the associated memory. The comparator compares an address for a current memory access against the address stored in the register. The address and data compressors perform address and data compression, respectively, for the current memory access. The packetizer forms a packet of trace data for the current memory access. The trace stream generator generates a stream containing trace data packets from all data capture units.

I. Field
The present invention relates generally to integrated circuits, and more specifically to techniques for compressing data and address traces for testing and debugging an integrated circuit with multiple memories.
II. Background
Continual improvement in integrated circuit (IC) fabrication technology has enabled more and more complicated integrated circuits to be fabricated for a variety of applications. For example, a system-on-chip (SOC) device may include a microprocessor, a memory, and other processing units, all of which are embedded on a single integrated circuit. The microprocessor may perform various functions and/or control the processing units. The processing units may be designed to perform specific computational tasks. The memory may store code and data for the microprocessor and processing units. The integration of all these circuit blocks on a single integrated circuit reduces cost and improves reliability.
An important aspect in the development of a complicated integrated circuit is the testing and debugging of the various circuit blocks within the integrated circuit. A technique commonly used for debugging an integrated circuit is real-time tracing, which includes program/instruction tracing and data tracing. Program tracing refers to the capture of lines of code being executed by processors within the integrated circuit, and data tracing refers to the capture of data accessed by the processors. The real-time tracing provides a user/developer with the capability to capture and view instructions and data accesses within the integrated circuit at run-time speed. This helps the user/developer to track down bugs in the hardware and/or code such as, for example, obscure bugs that only occur in situations where there is an unpredictable interaction between the hardware and code.
Real-time trace capability is normally provided by a trace module and a trace port that are embedded within the integrated circuit. The trace module typically includes configurable filters and trigger logic that allow the user/developer to select which instructions and data to capture and report. The captured information is often compressed and then provided via the trace port to an analysis tool located off-chip. Conventionally, the trace module only supports data tracing for a single memory or a unified data memory within the integrated circuit.

Compression of data traces for an integrated circuit with multiple memories


An approach for providing stateless compression is disclosed. A message (such as an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) GET request message or a Domain Name Service (DNS) message) is received from a host. A stateful compressor is initialized with a prescribed sequence to yield a primed state. The message is input into a stateful compressor, which outputs a compressed message based upon the primed state. The stateless compression scheme has particular applicability to networks with high latency—e.g., a satellite network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to data compression, and is more particularly related to performing compression to improve network performance.
2. Discussion of the Background
The entrenchment of data networking into modern society, as evidenced by the immense popularity of the Internet, particularly the World Wide Web, has placed ever-growing demands on service providers to continually improve network performance. To meet this challenge, service providers have invested heavily in upgrading their networks to increase system capacity (i.e., bandwidth). In many circumstances, such upgrades may not be feasible economically or the physical constraints of the communication system do not permit simply "upgrading." Accordingly, service providers have also invested in developing techniques to optimize the performance of their networks. One such technique that has received significant industry attention is data compression.
Data compression provides an approach to send more data over a communications channel of a given bandwidth. Specifically, data compression is useful for bandwidth efficiency in bandwidth-constrained networks. Furthermore, compression techniques are attractive to networks that are both bandwidth-constrained and exhibit high latency. In such networks, compression may be essential for providing acceptable performance in certain applications, particularly user-interactive applications. An example of a network that typically exhibits both of these undesirable characteristics, namely constrained bandwidth and high latency, is a satellite network.
Undoubtedly, World Wide Web browsing applications have transformed the manner in which information is exchanged. Because World Wide Web browsing is a highly user-interactive activity, it is desirable to reduce delay experienced by a user between requesting a WWW object (e.g., text, image, etc.) and receiving a response, such as the first portion of the object. The request and delivery of these objects are governed by the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). Given the highly interactive nature of web browsing, compression of HTTP messages is particularly desirable in a bandwidth-constrained, high-latency network.
Data compression techniques may be described as "stateless" or "stateful." In stateful (or "state-based") compression schemes, the compressor output for a given message depends on the input of prior messages—perhaps even all previous messages. It is observed that with stateful compression, the evolving overall compression ratio (total number of input bytes divided by total number of output bytes) increases asymptotically as more messages are processed. In other words, initial messages undergo comparatively less compression than later messages.
A stateful compression scheme for HTTP request messages in a satellite network has a number of drawbacks. One drawback is that the first message (i.e., request message) does not undergo any significant compression, relative to the amount that later messages are compressed. Consequently, delivery of objects specified by the first request message may be delayed. Another drawback is that decompressing a received compressed message requires successful receipt of earlier messages that are implicitly used by the compression algorithm to produce the received compressed message. This drawback is magnified in a network with mesh connectivity, in that different compressed messages may be sent to each of the connected terminals. If a state-based compression scheme were to be used in such a setting, then a separate compression state must be created and maintained in a sending terminal for each receiving terminal. Similarly, a separate compression state must be created and maintained in a receiving terminal for each terminal which sends to that receiving terminal. Hence, considerable memory may be required in a terminal for maintaining the compression states associated with multiple peer terminals.
Under a stateless compression scheme, each input message may be compressed and decompressed without regard to any other messages. However, conventional stateless compression schemes provide poor compression gains with respect to stateful compression schemes.
Furthermore, satellite networks commonly employ reservation procedures to secure bandwidth for transmission. Reservation procedures entail additional delay, which exacerbates response time for user-interactive applications. In some systems, however, such reservations procedures are not required for transmitting short messages. Accordingly, data compression techniques are desirable to convert messages to a form suitable for transmission as short messages, without reservation procedures.
Based on the foregoing, there is a clear need for improved approaches to performing data compression. There is also a need to implement a compression scheme that enhances scalability. There is a further need to provide data compression that efficiently utilizes resources of a high-latency network. Therefore, an approach for enhancing network performance using an effective compression scheme is highly desirable.

Method and system for performing stateless compression of messages


A power supply circuit includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator, a current adjustment unit, a drive unit, and a feedback unit. The PWM signal generator outputs a PWM voltage signal to the drive unit. The drive unit outputs a first control signal to control the current adjustment unit to work, and outputs a first direct current signal and a direct voltage signal. The current adjustment unit outputs a second direct current signal. A working current of the electrical device comes from the first and second direct current signals. The feedback unit generates a feedback voltage signal according to the direct voltage signal, and transmits the feedback voltage signal to the PWM signal generator to adjust the PWM voltage signal.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to power supply circuits, and particularly to a power supply circuit for supplying a direct current (DC) current to an electrical device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, an output current of a power supply circuit will increase to meet load demand. However, if the output current becomes too great, a drive unit in the power supply circuit may be destroyed. However, popular power supply circuits cannot ensure the security of the drive unit and the current requirement of a load at the same time.

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.


A device for connecting a personal audio/video player to a vehicle equipped with a FM radio. The device connects to the lighter/DC connector of the vehicle with a power block 1 to provide a source of power for the player and recharges the internal battery of the player. The device also connects to docking receptacles of a personal audio player with a receive port 6 allowing unattenuated sound and recharging connection. A wire 4 serves as an antenna for a FM transmitter 3 to make a wireless connection to the vehicle radio.

Presently, personal digital audio players are portable stand-alone units that allow a user to enjoy digital quality music with headphones or portable speakers. Many such players have hard disk drives which allow a user's entire music collection to be stored on a pocket-sized device. The most popular such device is the Apple iPod produced by Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Many users of iPods and similar devices have a desire to listen to the digital audio player recorded music, while driving in an automobile. It can be dangerous to listen to headphones while driving and an alternative would be to use a standard FM radio so that the automobile speaker system is utilized to listen to high quality digital music. Only the most expensive car radios have accessible inputs which accept the digital audio players input. In older car radios with cassette tape players, adapters are sometimes used which fool the player into thinking a tape is in the cassette slot. In the slot is a small recoding head which makes a magnetic connection to the tape players play head. Such devices sacrifice play quality, battery life, and are problematic as most newer car radios have CD players and no tape slot. As such, there is a need for an apparatus that can receive audio signals from the digital audio player and transmit these signals through a standard FM radio. If a FM transmitter is connected to an iPod, for example, the iPod's internal battery can be drained quite quickly and require their own battery. Conventional FM transmitters and tape adapters typically connect to the headphone jack and remote control plug of an iPod or similar player. The headphone jack is subject to the players internal attenuation circuitry which may degrade sound quality. This connection is also incapable of providing power to the unit and the capability of recharging the player's internal battery. It is thus desirable to provide other advantages such as providing power for the digital audio player, and allow a user to select an available FM station and recharge the battery or batteries of an MP3 player while connected to a vehicle cigarette lighter or accessory plug.


Described herein is a distributed computer system having a plurality of computer nodes arranged logically adjacent to each other in a communications ring. Each computer node receives communications from a preceding computer node and sends communications to a succeeding computer node. The computer nodes maintain individual local clocks with local time values c. The clocks are synchronized to each other through a sequence of distributed processing steps. The steps include a step of measuring an approximate local offset d of the local time value of each computer node relative to the local time value of a logically adjacent computer node in the communications ring. A subsequent step includes passing a plurality of collation variables from a lead computer node, through the computer nodes forming the communications ring, and back to the lead computer node in a single pass. The collation variables are processed at each computer node as they are passed around the communications ring. This processing is based at least in part on the measured approximate local offsets d at each computer node. The lead computer then calculates a difference m between its local time value and the mean of the local time values of all the computer nodes based upon the collation variables received back at the lead computer node after being passed around the communications ring. Based upon difference m, values are provided to the distributed computer nodes representing their offsets from the mean. Each computer node then adjusts the rate of its local clock to achieve synchronization. To prevent frequency runaway, each computer node updates its clock through a PLL which limits the amount of correction which can be applied to the local clock.

There are a number of situations in which it is desired or required to synchronize the actions of multiple computers. This invention arises in the context of a continuous media server being developed by Microsoft.RTM. Corporation to independently supply multiple video streams from a cable system headend to set-top boxes in individual subscriber's homes. One architecture under investigation uses a plurality of cooperating data handlers to supply the video streams. Each data handler comprises a conventional computer with a high-capacity disk storage system.
Superior-quality performance is vital to a video service, and repairs and maintenance must be invisible to users. The Microsoft.RTM. architecture features optimal fault tolerance by eliminating all single points of failure and incorporating a repair strategy that minimizes support time. No single hardware failure can shut down the system, so viewers always receive uninterrupted service. In the event of a hardware component failure, the system automatically reconfigures itself to prevent any disruption in data distribution. For example, if one data handler fails, the system redistributes that data handler's responsibilities to other data handlers. Once repairs are made, the system automatically reintegrates the repaired data handler back into operation, while maintaining continual data flow to viewers.
This performance is achieved by distributing data and responsibilities among the plurality of data handlers. For instance, the data for a single video stream is distributed over all the data handlers. The data handlers cooperate to merge their various portions of data into a single continuous data stream. In many cases, it might seem desirable to have a single controller computer for synchronizing and directing the data handlers. However, this would result in a single, critical point of failure. Instead of using this approach, the Microsoft.RTM. architecture distributes control responsibilities among the data handlers themselves.
The data handlers are logically connected in a ring topology for data communications with each other. When creating a continuous data stream, a first data handler supplies the first segment of data and then passes responsibility to a second data handler in the ring. The second data handler supplies its data and passes to the third, and so on. Messages are continually passed around the ring to coordinate tasks.
A failure in an individual data handler is handled by bypassing it--the failed data handler is simply cut out of the communications ring and the two surrounding data handlers henceforth communicate directly with each other. Repaired data handlers simply insert themselves into the communications ring.
In order to merge their data, the data handlers must be in very close time synchronization. The particular ring-type architecture of the system, however, makes such synchronization difficult. Many synchronization systems rely on a "master" time-keeper computer, to which all other computers in the system synchronize. In the dynamically configured system described above, however, having a dedicated master is not desirable since it would introduce a single critical point of failure. Furthermore, it is not desirable from a control standpoint to allow different data handlers to act as masters at different times, or to allow each data handler to act as a master to a succeeding data handler. The prior art apparently does not include an adequate method for local clock synchronization in a dynamically changing distributed computing environment such as described above.

System and method for synchronizing clocks in distributed computer nodes


Magnetic resonance apparatus includes an examination zone (29) for receiving an object (37) to be examined, a component (41) of an electrically non-conductive plastic material being located in the examination zone at least when the apparatus is in an operating condition. In order to reduce the visibility of this component (41) in MR experiments, the plastic material contains an additive of a paramagnetic material.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a magnetic resonance examination apparatus, comprising an examination zone for receiving an object to be examined, a component of an electrically non-conductive plastic material being located in the examination zone at least when the apparatus is in an operating condition. The invention also relates to a patient table for use in an apparatus of this kind.
2. Description of the Related Art
An apparatus of this kind is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,413). The known apparatus comprises a support for a coil system, the support being made of a non-conductive synthetic (plastic) material. When the apparatus is in operation, the support is located in an examination zone in which a strong, uniform magnetic field, gradient magnetic fields and an RF magnetic field are generated. Thus, the apparatus can be used e.g. for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging or spectroscopy of an object to be placed in the examination zone. It has been found that in some experiments plastic parts become visible or give artefacts in unknown and unpredictable locations in the images and spectra. Results of an investigation of this phenomenon have been published in Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 13, 498-503 (1990). From this publication it is clear that many materials which, from the point of view of dielectric properties and/or machinability, would be very suitable for manufacturing components to be used in the examination zone cannot be used because they become visible or give artefacts as mentioned above.

Components of a plastic material for use in a magnetic resonance apparatus


A functional unit for carrying out logical test cases on a test system interconnected to a unit that is to be tested, the functional unit being suitable for being interconnected between the logical test cases and the test system in such a way that the logical test cases are decoupled from the test system, and, in this context, for supporting an execution of the logical test cases on the test system as mediator.

Automated tests for electronic control systems have been widely introduced and are widely known these days. For the automation of tests of that kind, various techniques, pieces of equipment and strategies of different manufacturers and self-developed ones are used. In this context, the required interfaces between the test cases, which implement the automated tests, and the test system which produces the access to the unit to be tested, known from here on as the test specimen, are specific to the manufacturer and are proprietary.
This gives rise to a series of problems. For one thing, test cases are not able to be developed independently of the test system used. A change or an exchange of the test system used generally makes it necessary to adapt the test cases. Such an adaptation may, under certain circumstances, be very costly, since the test cases, in general, directly call up the proprietary interfaces of the test systems, and the interfaces of the respective test systems differ widely from one another. Because of this, the preparation of logical test cases that are independent of a respective test system is made more difficult. An exchange of tests or test cases between control unit manufacturers and their customers is only possible in a simple manner if both partners use identical test systems. In this context, the reuse of test cases is severely limited.
Furthermore, the reuse of test systems is also not possible in a simple way. Test cases have to be implemented in test description language or a test sequence control supported by the test system used. If a test description language or a test sequence control is not supported by the test system used, then first of all a costly transfer or port of the test cases into the language or sequential control supported by the test system has to take place before the test system is able to be used for the present test or test case. Under certain circumstances such a port is very costly or is not possible technically, so that the test system cannot be used for the test or the test cases.
Furthermore, in many known design approaches, a test case is, in addition, strictly connected to a certain variant of the unit to be tested, or the test specimen. Thus, in these cases, for example, concrete physical addresses are coded for access to input and output signals of the test specimen. The reuse of these test cases for various variants of the test specimen is made difficult thereby, or even impossible.
ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) has standardized a test description language designated as TTCN in ETSI ES 201 873-1 to -4. This test language makes possible the preparation of test cases independent of the test system used in this connection. The test system is accessed via so-called ports. In this context, a port is a set of signatures which will be designated as test steps below. A test step, in this context, is a certain function that may be called up by a test case in order to stimulate and gage a test specimen, such as an electronic control unit. In this context, for instance, a functionality may be involved that reads a fault storage of the test specimen or the control unit. TTCN-3 directly accesses the test system used via so-called system-under-test adapters or platform adapter. In this context, the two adapters, that is, the system-under-test adapter and the platform adapter, are components of the executable program generated from TTCN-3. Because of this, if there is a change in the test system, a new generation of the executable program is also necessary. Furthermore, the test steps able to be called up are limited to test description language TTCN-3.

Functional unit for carrying out logical test cases on a test system interconnected to a unit to be tested and corresponding method


An actuation assembly adapted to protect against overload conditions, includes an active material actuator and an active material overload protection device either with or without a manual reset.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure generally relates to devices for and methods of protecting an active material actuator against overload conditions; and more particularly, to a device for and method of overload protection that lacks an automatic reset in accomplishing the same.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Active material actuators, such as shape memory alloy (SMA) wires, are generally protected from mechanical overload by the use of mechanical springs or electrical/controls schemes to avoid damage to the actuators when the output load exceeds a recommended limit. To service the actuator over its life, these measures often feature automatic resets that present various concerns in the art. Most notably, it is appreciated that the added functionality of automatic resets increase the complexity, packaging space, and costs associated with overload protection, and with respect to springs, present an increasing biasing force that must be overcome by the actuator. Moreover, as a result of automatic resets, overload events may go undetected, thereby exposing the actuator and driven mechanism to a continuous condition. More simplistic non-automatically resetting overload protection mechanisms have been developed, including end crimps designed to release an SMA wire when the load exceeds a specified level; however, these mechanisms also present concerns. For example, where releasable crimps are used, it is appreciated that wire damage may occur as the wire is stripped from the crimp.

Overload protection lacking automatic reset for use with active material actuation


A portable animal tracking system. The portable animal tracking system provides two-way communication between a first unit carried by an operator and a second unit carried by an animal. The first unit allows an operator to issue warnings or corrections to an animal and to locate an animal. The second unit delivers warnings and corrections to the animal by the second unit and responds to location requests from the first unit. Location is accomplished through an angular-bearing analysis.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to animal tracking devices. More specifically, this invention relates to an electronic animal tracking device based on instantaneous direction of arrival determination.
2. Description of the Related Art
Free-roaming animals have the potential of being out of the owner's sight, effectively lost. Whether an escaped house pet or a sporting dog in the field, a simple and reliable mechanism for locating the animal is desirable.
Other devices have been used to locate out-of-sight animals. Common in the sport dog industry is the beeper locator. The beeper locator generates an audible alert that allows the sportsman to locate the animal. Location using the audible technique is limited both in precision and in range by a number of factors including the sportsman's hearing and the density of the vegetation in the area. Further, the beeper locators are generally suitable for use in wilderness settings when activated prior to the controlled release of the animal, i.e., a sporting dog released to track. In a populated setting, the beeper locator has the potential to be disturbing to others if constantly sounding.
In addition to beeper locators, other devices using satellite, e.g., a global positioning system (GPS), or cellular technologies have been developed to locate animals. These devices are predicated on the support of an existing third-party infrastructure. While there is currently no fee associated with the use of GPS signals, cellular providers charge for the use of their networks. Both GPS and cellular technologies have varying quality of service that is primarily location dependent. Dependence on a third-party infrastructure exposes the animal owner to limitations on service that are outside the control of the equipment manufacturer and the possibility of recurring service fees.


Disclosed is an SR (switched reluctance) generator with improved generation capability in a low-speed range. The SR generator is configured such that an inductance of a phase winding wound around a stator is increased in a low-speed range and is reduced in a high-speed range. Accordingly, a variation rate of the inductance relative to a phase angle is increased in a low-speed range, resulting in an increased output energy in a low-speed range and an improved generation efficiency. The phase winding of the stator may be configured to have a single phase. Accordingly, since the generator is configured with the reduced number of switches, it can be manufactured inexpensively and simply.

This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 2005-27620, filed on Apr. 1, 2005, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a switched reluctance (SR) generator and, more particularly, to an SR generator with improved generation capability in a low-speed range.
2. Description of Related Art
An SR generator is an energy conversion device which, through electronic switching, applies electrical energy from a voltage source to a winding having at least one phase over a prescribed range of rotor angle and receives back from the phase winding over a later range of rotor angle a larger quantity of energy than previously applied. This additional energy is mechanical energy, imparted to the generator rotor by applying a torque in the direction of rotation. Such an SR generator is advantageous in that it can generate energy in a low-speed range since it outputs in a form of a current source.
Conventionally, induction generators or synchronous generators have been used as wind generators. The induction generator is simple in structure and is inexpensive, while there are disadvantages in that it needs an additional gear box to keep a constant speed upon generating electricity and a speed range of wind necessary to generate electricity is limited. Meanwhile, there are disadvantages in that the synchronous generator is complex in structure and is expensive. In addition, in the synchronous generator, a battery is not charged at low wind speeds since voltage outputted from the generator is small. Accordingly, it is very difficult to generate electricity using the induction generators or synchronous generators in an area where the wind speed is low, such as in Korea. While developing a generator that is able to efficiently generate electricity by wind power even in a low-speed range, the present inventor has found it possible to improve the SR generator to be applied to such an area.

Switched reluctance generator with improved generation efficiency in low-speed range