Certain known and available strains of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) have been found to have activity against coleopteran pests. Previously, these strains were not known to have any insecticidal properties. The B.t. strains can be used in various environments to control coleopteran pests, e.g., the Colorado Potato Beetle.

Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) produces an insert toxin designated as .delta.-endotoxin. It is synthesized by the B.t. sporulating cell. The toxin, upon being ingested in its crystalline form by susceptible insect larvae, is transformed into biologically active moieties by the insect gut juice proteases. The primary target is insect cells of the gut epithelium, which are rapidly destroyed.
The reported activity spectrum of B.t. covers insect species within the order Lepidoptera, many of which are major pests in agriculture and forestry. The activity spectrum also includes the insect order Diptera, which includes mosquitos and black flies. See Couch, T. L. (1980) "Mosquito Pathogenicity of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis," Developments in Industrial Microbiology 22:61-76; Beegle, C. C., (1978) "Use of Entomogenous Bacteria in Agroecosystems," Developments in Industrial Microbiology 20:97-104. Krieg, et al., Z. ang. Ent. (1983) 96:500-508, desribe a B.t. isolate named Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis, which is reportedly active against two beetles in the order Coleoptera. These are the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, and Agelastica alni.
In European Patent Application 0 202 739 there is disclosed a novel B.t. isolate active against Coleoptera. It is known as B. thuringiensis var. san diego (B.t.sd.). U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,765 discloses the coleopteran-active Bacillus thuringiensis isolate B.t. PS86B1.

Coleopteran-active Bacillus thuringiensis isolates and genes encoding coleopteran-active toxins


The present document relates to amplifiers, notably multi-stage amplifiers, such as linear regulators or linear voltage regulators (e.g. low-dropout regulators) configured to provide a constant output voltage subject to load transients. An amplifier comprising an output stage for providing an output current at an output voltage, in dependence of an input voltage at a stage input node of the output stage, is described. The output stage comprises a first input transistor; wherein a gate of the first input transistor is coupled to the stage input node of the output stage. Furthermore, the output stage comprises a first diode transistor; wherein the first diode transistor is arranged in series with the input transistor. In addition, the output stage comprises a pass device configured to provide the output current at the output voltage; wherein the first diode transistor and the pass device form a current mirror.

An example of multi-stage amplifiers are low-dropout (LDO) regulators which are linear voltage regulators which can operate with small input-output differential voltages. A typical LDO regulator 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1a. The LDO regulator 100 comprises an output amplification stage 103, e.g. a field-effect transistor (FET), at the output and a differential amplification stage or differential amplifier 101 (also referred to as error amplifier) at the input. A first input (fb) 107 of the differential amplifier 101 receives a fraction of the output voltage Vout determined by the voltage divider 104 comprising resistors R0 and R1. The second input (ref) to the differential amplifier 101 may be a stable voltage reference Vref 108 (also referred to as the bandgap reference). If the output voltage Vout changes relative to the reference voltage Vref, the drive voltage to the output amplification stage, e.g. the power FET, changes by a feedback mechanism called main feedback loop to maintain a constant output voltage Vout.
The LDO regulator 100 of FIG. 1a further comprises an additional intermediate amplification stage 102 configured to amplify the output voltage of the differential amplification stage 101. As such, an intermediate amplification stage 102 may be used to provide an additional gain within the amplification path. Furthermore, the intermediate amplification stage 102 may provide a phase inversion.
In addition, the LDO regulator 100 may comprise an output capacitance Cout (also referred to as output capacitor or stabilization capacitor or bybass capacitor) 105 parallel to the load 106. The output capacitor 105 is used to stabilize the output voltage Vout subject to a change of the load 106, in particular subject to a change of the load current Iload. It should be noted that typically the output current Iout at the output of the output amplification stage 103 corresponds to the load current Iload through the load 106 of the regulator 100 (apart from typically minor currents through the voltage divider 104 and the output capacitance 105). Consequently, the terms output current Iout and load current Iload are used synonymously, if not specified otherwise.
Typically, it is desirable to provide a stable output voltage Vout, even subject to transients of the load 106. By way of example, the regulator 100 may be used to provide a stable output voltage Vout to the processor of an electronic device (such as a smartphone). The load current Iload may vary significantly between a sleep state and an active state of the processor, thereby varying the load 106 of the regulator 100. In order to ensure a reliable operation of the processor, the output voltage Vout should remain stable, even in response to such load transients.
At the same time, the LDO regulator 100 should be able to react rapidly to load transients, i.e. the LDO regulator 100 should be able to rapidly provide the requested load current Iload, subject to a load transient. This means that the LDO regulator 100 should exhibit a high bandwidth.
Usually the settling time of the output voltage Vout, subject to a load transient, is dependent on the starting load current from which a load increases up to e.g. a maximum load. Load transient responses may be distinguished between the case where the load current increases from 0 mA to the maximum load current Imax and the case where the load current increases from e.g. 1 mA to Imax. These load transient responses may be substantially different from one another. As will be outlined in the present document, this is mainly due to a substantial mirror ratio of the output stage 103 and due to a large range of output currents. Since a relatively high ratio is typically important for low current applications, the performance and stability may be defined and/or limited by this mirror ratio. In order to improve the performance and stability, nonlinear current mirrors may be used. However, it has been observed that even when using nonlinear current mirrors, the settling speed of the output voltage Vout is still limited. As will be outlined in the present document, the limitation of the settling speed is mainly due to a relatively large load capacitance which is formed by the pass device of the output stage 103.
The present document is directed at providing amplifiers which provide an improved trade-off between stability and bandwidth (or response speed), subject to load transients. In particular, the present document addresses the technical problem of providing an output stage 103 of an amplifier 100 having a reduced settling time and an improved stability, subject to a load transient.

Method and circuit for improving the settling time of an output stage


A fleece sock is made from a first blank of fleece material of a length and width to cover the foot and to encompass at least part of the ankle of a wearer, the blank having an arcuate cut-out in each side thereof in the region to be occupied by the heel of the wearer and being folded in half to align the cutouts, and a second, generally circular blank of fleece material formed into a separate heel cup having arcuate marginal edges. The marginal edges of the heel cup are aligned with and secured to the marginal edges of the arcuate cut-outs in the first blank, and the remaining marginal edges of the first blank are secured to one another to form a seam that extends along one side of the foot and ankle of the wearer. The two blanks as thus secured together form a sock with seamless plantar and dorsal surfaces, a seamless side surface, a fitted heel cup and at least a partial ankle encompassing portion. The heel cup mitigates creeping of the sock down over the heel of the wearer and balling of the sock under the wearer's foot. The sock fits comformably to the wearer's foot and has large seamless areas and minimal stitching to insure wearer comfort.

Spun fleece, also known as polar fleece, is a lightweight, breathable, cushioning and quick drying material which when worn imparts warmth and comfort to the human body. It is especially useful for manufacture of socks intended to be worn during activities such as outdoor camping, hiking, boating, skiing and the like where cold and/or wet conditions are likely to be encountered.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,630, issued Sep. 19, 1995 to Don Hale, discloses a fleece sock and method of manufacture, and describes with particularity the advantages of fleece over other materials customarily employed for manufacture of socks for outdoor activities. The disclosure of the Hale patent is incorporated herein by reference. However, there are some disadvantages inherent in the fleece socks heretofore available, most notably; (1) a tendency of the sock to creep or slip down under the heel of the wearer's foot, to ball up under the foot, and eventually to cause the ankle and calf portions of the sock to creep into the wearer's shoe, leaving the wearer's calf and ankle exposed to the elements and causing the wearer great discomfort; (2) a tendency of the sock to bunch up over the wearer's instep, resulting in a poor fit of the sock on the foot and causing the wearer further discomfort; and (3) the extensive stitching required to form the sock, thereby creating seams that are confined between the wearer's foot and shoe at anatomically sensitive locations causing rubbing, chaffing and even blistering of the wearer's foot.


A robust Giant Magneto Resistive effect type multilayer sensor comprising a free and a pinned ferromagnetic layer, which can withstand high temperatures and strong magnetic fields as required in automotive applications. The GMR multi-layer has an asymmetric magneto-resistive curve and enables sensors with complementary output signals so that a Wheatstone bridge is possible. The improvement is obtained by a combination of measures including the use of a combination of an Artificial Anti Ferromagnet as the pinned layer and an IrMn exchange-biasing layer, the latter preferably arranged at the bottom of the layer stack on top of a buffer layer.

The invention relates to a magnetic multilayer sensor. The sensor may present a spin tunneling or a magnetoreresistive effect. Magnetoresistive sensors are known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,837.
Certain magnetoresistive sensors use the so-called GMR effect.
Giant magnetoresistance (GMR) is the phenomenon that the resistance of a material (e.g. a magnetic multilayer) depends on the angle between magnetization directions (e.g. of different layers). Examples of GMR material systems are exchange-biased spin valves and multilayers comprising artificial antiferromagnets (AAF""s).
For automotive applications it is required that magnetic sensors also operate at high temperatures (up to 175xc2x0 C.-200xc2x0 C.). Moreover, the sensors should operate in a broad field range and may not be irreversibly affected in an even larger field range. At present no material system is available that can fulfil both of these requirements and has suitable magnetoresistance characteristics for practical sensors.
For example, the antiferromagnetically coupled multilayers of commercially available sensors could fulfil the requirements reasonably; however, the symmetric output curve complicates (e.g. with respect to full Wheatstone-bridge configurations) or even inhibits (e.g. analog angle sensor in saturation) many applications.
Exchange-biased spin valves show poor thermal stability or have a too small field range. On the other hand, AAF""s are only stable up to limited magnetic fields. At higher magnetic fields the output characteristics can even be flipped, which is unacceptable because of safety matters. Therefore a different, robust method of fixing a magnetization direction is needed.
In order to eliminate output variations due to temperature changes often (Wheatstone-)bridge configurations are used. This requires MR-elements with opposite (signs of) output signals, which in principle could be accomplished if elements with opposite directions of the fixed magnetization could be made.
Thus it is an object of the present invention, in order to enable practical applications of GMR in field sensors, to provide a new material system that provides an unambiguous, asymmetric output signal in a broad temperature and magnetic field range.
The above object is met by a sensor which comprises a substrate which carries a free and a pinned ferromagnetic layer for presenting the magnetoresistive effect, said pinned layer comprising an artificial antiferromagnet layer system (AAF), and an exchange biasing layer of an IrMn type material, said exchange biasing layer being adjacent to and in contact with the AAF layer system.
By this multilayer system the following is achieved:
the blocking temperature of IrMn is higher than that of FeMn and unlike NiMn no annealing treatment is needed. The blocking temperature is the temperature above which the exchange biasing between the antiferromagnetic IrMn type layer and the pinned layer vanishes (reduces to zero).
the AAF diminishes magnetostatic coupling between the pinned and the free layer;
the AAF provides a large rigidity in magnetic fields because of the very small net magnetic moment (theoretically zero in the ideal case), however it is stable in two opposite directions;
in combination with the exchange-biasing layer this provides a very large magnetic field range (for comparison: in exchange-biased spin valves the exchange biasing field is typically at most 20-30 kA/m);
by means of exchange-biasing an unambiguous curve is obtained;
the exchange-biasing provides a way to set the direction of the pinned layers, which is required e.g. for Wheatstone-bridge configurations.
The AAF may comprise a Co/non-magnetic metal/Co system, but preferably CoFe/non-magnetic metal/CoFe is used, because in such systems an anisotropy can be induced.
The non-magnetic metal in the AAF preferably is Ru, which provides strong coupling and appears to be very stable (no oxidation, no diffusion) which is very important for the definition of the thinnest and most critical layer in the AAF stack.
To eliminate diffusion Ni preferably is avoided at all interfaces with Cu: CoFe is used instead of NiFe. Moreover, this increases the GMR ratio. Compared with Co, CoFe gives a lower coercivity (and better texture) in the free layer.
The exchange-biasing field is larger in inverted than in conventional spin valves; therefore the exchange-biasing layer is preferably positioned nearest to the substrate. However, in this case a buffer layer may be needed to obtain the required texture. Investigations showed that (2 nm) NiFe on (for example 3.5 nm) Ta is preferred.
These and other embodiments of the invention will be elucidated with reference to the drawing.

Robust giant magnetoresistive effect type multilayer sensor


An auxiliary layer is formed above a semiconductor body surface of a semiconductor body, the auxiliary layer being coupled to the semiconductor body and having an auxiliary layer surface. Trenches extend from the auxiliary layer surface along a vertical direction through the auxiliary layer into the semiconductor body, wherein two facing trench sidewalls of two adjacent trenches laterally confine a mesa region of the semiconductor body along a first lateral direction, each adjacent trench including a trench section protruding out of the semiconductor body surface. The trenches are filled with a trench filler material which is planarized to expose the auxiliary layer. The auxiliary layer is removed to least partially while maintaining the protruding trench sections. The mesa region is subjected to an implantation tilted by an angle of at least 10°, the protruding trench sections of the adjacent trenches serving at least partially as a mask during the implantation.

Many functions of modern devices in automotive, consumer and industrial applications, such as converting electrical energy and driving an electric motor or an electric machine, rely on power semiconductor switches. For example, Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs), Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) and diodes, to name a few, have been used for various applications including, but not limited to switches in power supplies and power converters.
A power semiconductor device usually comprises a semiconductor body configured to conduct a load current along a load current path between two load terminals of the device. Further, the load current path may be controlled by means of an insulated electrode, sometimes referred to as gate electrode.
For example, upon receiving a corresponding control signal from, e.g., a driver unit, the control electrode may set the power semiconductor device in one of a conducting state and a blocking state. In some cases, the gate electrode may be included within a trench of the power semiconductor switch, wherein the trench may exhibit, e.g., a stripe configuration or a needle configuration.
It is usually desirable to keep losses, e.g., switching losses, on-state losses during a conducting state and off-state losses during a blocking state of the power semiconductor device low.
Further, a power semiconductor device shall usually exhibit a high reliability. To this end, accurate formation of doped semiconductor regions, e.g., in terms of their positions, is desirable.

Power semiconductor device with self-aligned source region


A packaging system and method includes an immersive reality system that renders a 3D representation of an item to be shipped and the shipping box in which the item is to be shipped. A server includes a database of items and item data and shipping box data, which is used to produce a 3D representation of the item and the shipping box. A GUI exhibits the items such that a user may selectively view, select, and/or manipulate the items. A computer enables a user to query the server to ship a selected item. A network node transmits selected item data and shipping box data to the immersive reality system. The 3D representations include position and orientation data enabling manipulation of the 3D representation of the selected item relative to the 3D representation of the shipping box into a desired position. The system ships the selected item in the desired position.

In conventional packaging systems, purchased, selected, procured, or otherwise desired items that are to be shipped are shipped within a shipping box according to the entity shipping the item. Indeed, the individual making the query to the entity to ship the item has no say whatsoever in terms of how the item to be shipped is positioned or oriented within the box during shipping. Rather, the entity shipping the item places the item in the box either without considering the position or orientation of the item within the shipping box during shipping process and/or according to whichever position and orientation suits their own packaging system or logistics infrastructures.
Moreover, although items can typically be viewed virtually on online stores, websites, and the like, there is no means for manipulating those items to position and orient them with respect to another item, such as a shipping box.
Accordingly, there is a need for an immersive reality system that enables individuals to immersivity position and orient an item to be shipped within a shipping box in a desired manner prior to shipping.


A free-space N by M, where N and M>1, optical signal switch (OXC) requires only transmitter beam steering for controlling to which receiver an optical signal from a transmitter is directed. In a preferred embodiment the transmitters handle single mode optical signals and the receivers handle multimode optical signals. The OXC may optionally include a fixed optical unit implemented using either a single fixed shared lens or a plurality of M optical elements for further directing each of the M optical signals to their respective receivers.

Single mode (SM) fiber, with it's virtually unlimited bandwidth, has become the telecommunications standard despite the precise alignment tolerances and corresponding high components costs. However, the alignment tolerances for multimode (MM) fiber is typically a factor of 10 or more looser than for SM fiber. Unfortunately, the standard 62.5 micron core MM fiber has a limited bandwidth-distance product of typically 160 and 600 MHz-km. This means that a 10 GHz signal would degrade unacceptably after transmission over a distance of 16 to 60 meters.
An optical switch array (also referred to herein as an optical cross connect [OXC] or optical crossbar) is used to provide switchable cross connects between optical fibers. One prior art optical crossbar, illustratively shown in FIG. 1, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,153 issued on Jun. 4, 1996 to the Astarte company. This optical crossbar provides an array of free-space optical connections between collimated input and output fibers. With reference to FIG. 1, this system enables an input fiber, e.g., 101, to be selectively switched to any output fiber, e.g., 110. The switching is accomplished using a piezo-electric lateral actuator (not shown) which laterally translates, 102, the input fiber 101, relative to the axis of a collimation lens, e.g., 103, thereby enabling the optical beam, 104, to be steered or directed to the collimation lens, e.g., 105, where another piezo-electric actuator has translated, 111, fiber 110 into the correct location to receive optical beam 104.
Undesirably, these prior art optical crossbars (OXC) have required beam steering units at each of the input and output fibers. Beside being costly, the physical size of these beam steering units affect the overall size of the optical crossbar. With the continued emphasis on cost reduction and miniaturization, what is desired is an optical crossbar that is lower cost and smaller.

Free-space optical signal switch arrangement


An extendable, retractable footrest assembly for use in combination with a seat having a backrest portion and a seat portion having an upper surface and a lower surface. The footrest assembly is disposed proximate the lower surface of the seat portion and is readily movable from a first stowed position beneath upper surface of the seat portion to a second deployed position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to seating. More particularly, the invention concerns a vehicle seating unit embodying a novel, retractable foot support assembly.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Various types of footrest mechanisms for use with seating units have been suggested in the past. In many types of prior art footrest constructions, the footrest mechanisms is pivotally connected to the front portion of the chair frame and is pivotally movable from a generally vertical orientation proximate the front of the seat into a generally horizontal orientation. Often the prior art footrest mechanisms include an inner extendable supporting member that is strategically positioned to support the rear portions of the user's legs and further comprise an outer supporting member for supporting the user's feet. In many prior art constructions the outer supporting member is pivotally movable from a retracted stowed position to an extended deployed position.
In prior art footrest mechanisms that are adapted to be used with transport vehicles such as trains, buses and airplanes, the footrest mechanism is pivotally connected to the seating unit that is disposed forwardly of the seating unit upon which the passenger is seated. In such constructions, the footrest mechanism pivots from a stowed position proximate the back of the forward seating unit to a lowered, extended or deployed position.
When the footrest mechanism is used in connection with aircraft, space considerations become extremely important. Since the distance between the rows of aircraft seats is of necessity limited, footrest mechanisms that are interconnected with the back of the forward seat are undesirable because they occupy the valuable space between the rows of seats. It is this problem that the present invention seeks to address by providing a novel footrest mechanism that is stowed beneath the seat cushion and is movable forwardly from the stowed position into the deployed position, thereby conserving the valuable space between the rows of aircraft seats.

Abstract: The foot support assembly includes a subassembly that comprises a pair of side support members that support a pivotally movable footrest that is movable from a stowed position between the side support members to a deployed position wherein it extends forwardly of the side support members.


A machine boot up protection structure for parallel power supply equipment provides a determination level to set the parallel power supply equipment in an ON condition. It has a control unit to receive a connection signal output by each of power supply units to compare with the determination level. If the comparison matches, all of the power supply units are activated to the ON condition. If the comparison does not match, all of the power supply units are set to an OFF condition. Thereby when the external power is not completely connected, some of the power supply units do not suffer from overloading and damaging.

The contemporary power supply equipment for large computers such as industrial computers or servers generally includes a plurality of parallel power supply devices connecting to a back panel. The back panel has a power distribution circuit to integrate and distribute DC power transformed from an external power to loads at the rear end. ON/OFF processes of the power supply devices are controlled by an external PS ON/OFF signal provided by an external controller (through a power supply switch or an I2C remote control). The back panel has a control unit to receive the PS ON/OFF signal and outputs a Remote ON/OFF signal to drive all power supply devices.
The large computers such as the industrial computers or servers usually are installed in a machine room. During installation, the external electric power has to be connected to the power supply devices before the computer can be installed. If the external power is interrupted or a portion of external power is missed during installation, or more than one external power is connected to the power supply equipment (such as external DC and AC power are connected at the same time), when machine boot up operation takes place for the computer, because of no machine boot up protection structure on the power supply devices, only a portion of the power supply devices that are connected to the external power can transform the external power to output. Other power supply devices that are not connected to the external power can receive the machine boot up signal issued by the control unit, but remain in an OFF condition because of no external power input. In such an abnormal condition, the starting power supply devices become overloaded. As a result, jumping or burn-out of the power supply devices could happen after the machine boot up. The cause of power supply devices burn-out is difficult to determine. Hence the entire set of the power supply equipment has to be sent back to the power supply producer for inspection and repairs. This is especially troublesome for the producer. The inspection and repairs resulting from poor problem determination not only incur extra costs, also cause damage to company reputation and image.

Machine boot up protection structure for parallel power supply equipment


An impedance transformer for use with a quadrature passive mixer is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a mixer configured to generate an up-converted signal at a mixer output port in response to local oscillator (LO) signals, and an impedance transformer configured to provide a complex impedance at the mixer output port. The complex impedance configured to generate a selected level of the reverse isolation for the mixer thereby generating a selected amplitude flatness symmetry characteristic for the up-converted signal.

1. Field
The present application relates generally to the operation and design of analog front ends, and more particularly, to the operation and design of direct conversion transmitters that utilize passive mixers.
2. Background
Direct conversion transmitters typically use active mixers to up-convert baseband signals to radio frequencies (RF). Active mixers provide high conversion gains and excellent isolation between the mixer's input and output ports. However, active mixers typically require large power supplies and may have problems with noise performance.
Passive mixers address some of the problems exhibited by active mixers. For example, passive mixers can operate with smaller power supplies and exhibit better noise performance than active mixers. However, passive mixers typically do not provide the same reverse isolation as active mixers. Thus, passive mixers are generally not used in direct conversion transmitters due to the interaction of the complex impedances on the mixer's baseband and RF ports, which may affect the amplitude flatness symmetry across the transmission band.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a way to utilize a passive mixer in a direct conversion transmitter that overcomes the problems associated with reverse isolation described above.

Impedance transformer for use with a quadrature passive CMOS mixer


A magnetic memory device is provided. The magnetic memory device may include a memory track in which a plurality of magnetic domains is formed so that data bits, each of which may be a magnetic domain, are stored in an array. The memory track may be formed of an amorphous soft magnetic material.

1. Field of the Invention
Example embodiments relate to a magnetic memory device, and more particularly, to a magnetic memory device where data bits are stored in an array. Each data bit may include a magnetic domain and may be moved according to magnetic domain motion. Example embodiments also relate to methods of reading and writing to the magnetic memory device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A magnetic random access memory (MRAM) is an example of a non-volatile magnetic memory and may operate based on a magnetic resistance effect, which takes advantage of spin-dependent conduction peculiar to a nano-magnetic material. An MRAM may operate based on the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect or the tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) effect manifesting as spin. Spin is a degree of freedom of an electron and may have an influence on electron delivery.
The GMR effect manifests as a resistance difference observed in an arrangement of ferromagnetic materials having a non-magnetic material interposed therebetween. The resistance difference results from an orientation of magnetization directions in a ferromagnetic material/metallic non-magnetic material/ferromagnetic material arrangement. The TMR effect occurs in an arrangement of ferromagnetic materials having an insulator interposed therebetween. The TMR resistance of the arrangement may allow current to more easily flow through the arrangement if two ferromagnetic materials have the same magnetization direction as compared to a case in which the two ferromagnetic materials have different magnetization directions.
Because a conventional MRAM based on the GMR effect generally has a relatively small resistance difference caused by a magnetization direction, a large voltage difference generally cannot be achieved. Also, because a conventional MRAM has the disadvantage that a size of a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) that may be combined with a GMR layer in order to form a cell should increase, research pursuing commercialization of an MRAM using the TMR layer instead of a GMR layer is more actively being pursued.
A conventional MRAM may include a transistor, which is a switching device, and a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) cell in which data may be stored. Generally, the MTJ cell may include a pinned ferromagnetic layer having a pinned magnetization direction, a free ferromagnetic layer whose magnetization direction may be parallel or anti-parallel to the pinned magnetization direction of the pinned ferromagnetic layer, and a non-magnetic layer located between and magnetically separating the pinned ferromagnetic layer and the free ferromagnetic layer.
However, because a conventional MRAM having MTJ cells only stores one-bit data per cell, the conventional MRAM is limited with respect to increasing data storage.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Magnetic memory device using magnetic domain motion


To provide an electrical connection box which can easily respond to a change in the circuit construction among different types of vehicles and among different grades of the same type of vehicles, and can be generally used, an internal circuitry of an electrical connection box is divided into a common circuitry 1 and a special circuitry 2. A conductive layer on which the common circuitry 1 is formed and another conductive layer on which the special circuitry 2 is formed are arranged one over the other at different levels in a casing of the electrical connection box. The common circuitry 1 comprises flat busbars 10, whereas the special circuitry 2 preferably comprises a wire, longitudinal busbars 20, or a flat circuit 25 such as a flexible printed circuit (FPC) or a printed circuit board (PCB). The common circuitry 1 and the special circuitry 2 may alternatively be formed of the same types of conductors or circuit members. An insulating plate 11 between the common and special circuitry 1 and 2 may include intermediate terminals to join the common and special circuitry. The special circuitry may be modified by changing the positions of terminals in a casing which houses the special circuitry.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connection box for automotive vehicles and is particularly designed to, when an internal circuitry of the electrical connection box partially differs among different types of vehicles and among different grades of the same type of vehicles, enable the use of the same electrical connection box only by changing a different portion of the internal circuitry.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An electrical connection box used to connect a wiring harness for an automotive vehicle with a variety of wiring devices is adapted to realize a rational and economical junction connection of the wiring by concentrating points of junction connection on one location. A variety of types of such electrical connection boxes are being developed as the wiring harness is made more compact.
Generally, flat busbars formed of a conductive metal plate in conformity with a circuit pattern are used as an internal circuitry of an electrical connection box such as a junction box. A plurality of flat busbars are arranged one over another at a plurality of levels to compact the electrical connection box.
The busbars are formed by suitably bending the punched conductive metal plate. Accordingly, upon a change in the circuit pattern, a mold used to punch the metal plate needs to be changed, and the way the punched metal plate is bent differs. This leads to more labor and an increased cost.
In order to cope with the above problem, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 2-136989 discloses an electrical connection box in which a large current circuitry formed of busbars and a small current circuitry formed of wire and cramping terminals are accommodated at different levels.
Further, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 1-166419 discloses an electrical connection box in which a supply side circuitry connected with fuses F is formed of busbars indicated by bold lines, and a load side circuitry is formed by a combination of a wire and cramping terminals indicated by thin lines in FIG. 10.
The internal circuitry of the electrical connection box differs among different types of vehicles and among different grades of the same type of vehicles.
If the internal circuitry is divided into the large current circuitry and the small current circuitry as disclosed in the above publication No. 2-136989, the construction of the large current circuitry may differ since both necessary and unnecessary circuits thereof differ among different types of vehicles and among different grades of the same type of vehicles. Similarly, the construction of the supply side internal circuitry disclosed in the above publication No. 1-166419 may also differ.
Therefore, even if the internal circuitry is divided into the large current circuitry and the small current circuitry and the large current circuitry is formed by the busbars, or even if the internal circuitry is divided into the supply side circuitry and the load side circuitry and the supply side circuitry is formed by the busbars, the circuit construction differs among the different types and the different grades of vehicles. Therefore, there are many cases where new busbars have to be formed.
On the other hand, even in the small current circuitry formed by the wire and the cramping terminals or even in the load side circuitry, there are small current circuits required for all types and all grades of vehicles at the load side. These circuits include, for example, circuits connected with lamps such as head lights, and a circuit connected with a horn (honker). These circuits are common circuits which are required for any vehicle.
Thus, there is no problem in forming these common circuits by busbars. The formation of these circuits by wire and cramping terminals instead of the busbars may result in more labor to arrange the wire and to mount the cramping terminals.
In view of the above problems, it is an object of the invention to provide an electrical connection box which can be commonly used among different types of vehicles and among different grades of the same type of vehicles by partially changing a circuitry.

Electrical connection box with general and special circuits


A method and apparatus are provided for providing custom product support for a computer program based on levels of execution instability. The execution of a software program is monitored over a period of time to determine the execution stability of the program. Based upon the monitoring and upon one or more threshold levels of instability, the execution stability of the program is categorized. Based upon the categorization, custom program support may be provided for a user of the computer system executing the program. For instance, based on the categorization free or reduced fee product support may be provided.

One of the most important stages in the software development cycle is the debugging stage that occurs after a software product has been shipped to customers. This stage is important because the actual experiences of users of the software product may be utilized during this stage to isolate program errors, identify frequently or infrequently used features, and to generally make the software product better and more stable.
The main focus of analysis in the after-release debugging stage is typically to identify the program errors (also referred to herein as "bugs") that occur most frequently. By identifying the most frequently occurring bugs and fixing them, the usability experience of many users can be improved. There is another category of analysis, however, that has been generally unaddressed by previous after-release debugging systems. This category involves identifying computer systems that most frequently encounter problems during the execution of an application program. These problems may or may not include the program errors that occur most frequently amongst all users.
Statistics show that a small number of users experience a high percentage of the total number of overall problems. Such problems may include program crashes, program hangs, abrupt program terminations, and other types of abnormal program terminations. Application programs that exhibit these types of problems are generally referred to herein as being "unstable" or having "program execution instability." An unstable program can be particularly frustrating for the computer user that frequently encounters the problems while using the program.
Previous after-release debugging systems do not provide a way to identify computer systems having the highest frequency of program execution instability and therefore do not provide a mechanism for the software developer to assist the user experiencing the problems. Accordingly, there is a need for a method, system, and apparatus for identifying computer systems having a high frequency of program execution instability and for providing custom product support to a user of such a computer system.
It is with respect to these considerations and others that the various embodiments of the present invention have been made.

Method, system, and apparatus for providing custom product support for a software program based upon states of program execution instability


In a wireless communication system, a first wireless device transfers an authorization request to an authorization server, and the authorization server authorizes the first wireless device to access a wireless communication network under a user service account. The first wireless device and the server store data indicating the first device identifier and an event time for a communication event that occurs for the first wireless device. The wireless device transfers data indicating a first device identifier and the event time to a second wireless device. The second wireless device transfers an authorization request to the authorization server that indicates a second device identifier, the first device identifier, and the event time. The authorization server determines that the event times match, and in response, authorizes the second wireless device to access the wireless communication network under the user service account.

A wireless communication system provides wireless communication services to a user under their user service account. The wireless communication services may utilize Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Evolution Data Only (EVDO), Bluetooth, and the like. The user service account typically specifies device Identifiers (IDs) for the wireless communication devices that are authorized for service under the account. The device IDs may be Electronic Serial Numbers (ESNs), International Wireless Equipment IDs (IWEIs), Mobile Equipment IDs (MEIDs), and the like.
The wireless communication system uses an authorization server to determine whether a given wireless communication device is authorized to access wireless communication services under the user service account. The wireless communication device initially transfers its device ID to the wireless communication system which typically regenerates a corresponding authorization request for the authorization server. The authorization server checks the device ID in its database to ensure that the device ID is authorized for the user service account, and that the account is currently in good standing.
Many users operate multiple wireless communication devices under the same user service account. In some cases, the users may physically transfer electronic cards from device to device to transfer authorization capability. In other cases, the users may control multiple devices contemporaneously to communicate with the authentication server in parallel to transfer authorization capability from one device to another. Unfortunately, there is not a more efficient and effective way for the user to transfer authorization capability among multiple devices.
Technical Overview
In a wireless communication system, a first wireless device transfers an authorization request to an authorization server, and the authorization server authorizes the first wireless device to access a wireless communication network under a user service account. The first wireless device and the server store data indicating the first device identifier and an event time for a communication event that occurs for the first wireless device. The wireless device transfers data indicating a first device identifier and the event time to a second wireless device. The second wireless device transfers an authorization request to the authorization server that indicates a second device identifier, the first device identifier, and the event time. The authorization server determines that the event times match, and in response, authorizes the second wireless device to access the wireless communication network under the user service account.

Multi-device authorization to access wireless network communications based on shared event times


A dispenser includes a plurality of beverage dispensing valves mounted thereto along a front end thereof Each valve includes an air switch that is pneumatically operable to turn its associated valve on and off. An equal plurality of air actuators are secured to an elongate panel hingedly secured to the dispenser front surface. Each air actuator includes a pressurized chamber and a pliable front surface. Flexible tubes extend between the air switches and the air actuators for communicating pneumatic pressure there between. The air actuators include a graphics layer secured to the front surfaces thereof. In operation, a front surface an air actuator is depressed manually whereby pneumatic pressure created thereby in the pressurized chamber is communicated by the tube thereof to its particular air switch. The air switch then serves to operate a solenoid of the valve with which it is associated, resulting in dispensing of the beverage. Release of pressure on the actuator front surface breaks the electrical connection stopping dispensing.

Beverage dispensers having one or more beverage dispensing valves for dispensing carbonated or non-carbonated beverages are well known. The beverage valves are generally actuated in one of two ways. The first type of actuator comprises a lever that depends from an area behind a dispensing nozzle of the valve. A cup is pressed against this lever to start a flow of beverage into the cup and the beverage flow stops when the cup is removed. Such actuators are commonly used by food service personnel, and are easy to operate with one hand.
In self service operations, however, customers may drink from a cup and then return to the dispenser for a refill. It is likely that the lip of the cup from which the customer has drunk will come into contact with the dispensing lever. Sanitary considerations therefore generally preclude the use of such actuators in self service settings. Thus, the second type of common actuator is a push button located above the dispensing nozzle and in proximity to information about the beverage available at each nozzle. These push buttons comprise electrical switches which are toggled by a user's fingers. These switches must be durable as customers may abuse them by pushing too hard or by repeatedly opening and closing a switch when they don't push hard enough or when they attempt to top off a cup of beverage. Because these switches are touched repeatedly by customers, many of whom have been handling food, they must also be cleaned frequently. The switches must therefore be well sealed to prevent the entry of water into the electrical wiring. They also must be well insulated to prevent electrical shocks to customers who may have wet hands or be standing on a wet floor in front of the dispenser.
A further problem with electrical push button switches concerns their size and required actuation pressure. The target or push button area for positively actuating such switches is relatively small, and can be turned off if sufficient force is not constantly applied during the entire filling process. Thus, a small electrical switch button that can turn off, even by a slight release of the pressure thereon, is not desirable for someone who may be carrying a other objects, such as a tray of food, and who can not devote full attention to operating the dispenser because their attention must be focused on others, such as children. In addition, since prior art self serve electrical buttons are relatively small, the advertising graphics indicating the particular flavor beverage can not be practically placed thereon. Thus, it can be very easy to push the button that activates the wrong flavor dispensing valve, again, particularly where the operator's full attention is otherwise divided.

Beverage dispenser having improved actuator mechanism


The invention provides compounds of, and methods for the preparation of compounds of, the molecular formula, SixGeyHz—aXa; wherein X is halogen, and x, y, z, and a are defined herein, and methods for the deposition of high-Ge content Si films on silicon substrates using compounds of the invention.

Heteroepitaxial Ge1-xSix layers on Si(100) with high Ge contents are of interest due to many applications in key technologies such as solar cells, MEMS, quantum cascade lasers and Si-based photonics (see, Mooney, P. M.; Chu, J. O. Annu. Rev. Mater. Sci. 2000, 30, 335; and Tromp, R. M.; Ross, F. M. Annu. Rev. Mater. Sci. 2000, 30, 431), including high speed modulators and photodetectors (see, Kuo et al., Nature 2005, 437, 1334). However, these materials are much less developed in spite of this high impact potential in IR optical devices. In addition, they serve as virtual substrates for growth of high mobility, strained Si and Ge device channels, and are also considered as a potential pathway to monolithic integration of III-V based devices with Si technologies (Lee et al., J. Vac. Sci. Technol. 2004, B 22 (1), 158; and Kasper, E.; Heim, S. Appl Surf. Sci. 2004, 224, 3). The best current route to these materials is complicated and fraught with difficulties, requiring both high temperature growth of thick (>10 μm) compositionally graded films and a chemical-mechanical planarization step to relieve the misfit strain between the Ge1-xSix epilayer and Si substrate and produce a flat surface, respectively (see, Currie et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 1998, 72 (14), 1718).
Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods that allow growth of Ge-rich (Ge≧50 atom %) device-quality alloys on Si that cannot be obtained by conventional routes have been recently developed (see, Ritter et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127(27), 9855-9864; Hu et al., J. Appl. Phys. Lett. 2005, 87(18), 181903/1-3; and Chizmeshya, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128(21), 6919-6930). Ge-rich films can enable higher speeds in microprocessors, lower power consumption in cell phones, silicon-based photonics, and more efficient solar cells (see, Mooney and Chu, supra; and Tromp and Ross, supra). The technology utilizes previously unknown designer Si—Ge hydride precursors to precisely control the chemical composition, morphology, and microstructure of the corresponding films, circumventing the need for thick graded layers and lift off techniques (see, Currie et al., supra).
To prepare such semiconductor structures, SidGe1-d alloys can be deposited selectively in, for example, the source and drain regions of a transistor architecture. Conventional selective growth of SidGe1-d alloys is achieved using high temperature reactions of chlorosilanes, germane and elemental Cl2 which typically do not yield films with suitable morphology and microstructure in the high Ge concentration range. For example, selective growth of SidGe1-d alloys has been achieved using high temperature reactions of chlorosilanes, germane and elemental Cl2. However, the complexity of the associated multicomponent reactions and the presence of corrosive Cl2 call for alternative approaches to selective growth. This need is particularly acute in the high Ge-concentration range, for which the chlorosilane route does not yield selectively deposited films with suitable morphology, microstructure or composition. Furthermore, for high Ge content the conventional processes lead to high dislocation densities, non-uniformities in strain, lack of compositional control, and reduced film thickness, all of which ultimately can degrade the quality and performance of the stressor material thereby limiting the practical usefulness of this approach.
Therefore, there exists a need in the art for methods for the deposition of SidGe1-d materials, methods for the selective deposition of SidGe1-d materials, and in particular, high Ge content SidGe1-d materials on substrates which avoid the issues described above.

Methods for making and using halosilylgermanes

Arizona Board of Regents, A Body Corporate Acting for and on Behalf of Arizona State University


A system and method are provided for strategic power supply sequencing in a computer system. The system and method includes a plurality of processing resources that process data and a plurality of power supplies that provide power for the processing resources. A power management engine adjusts the power supplies in response to processing resource changes to optimize power consumption. The power management engine brings online power supplies to meet the demand created by bringing online additional processing resources and brings offline power supplies to meet the decreased demand caused by a decrease in the number of processing resources. Also, the power management engine rotates which power supplies operate to take advantage of more efficient power supplies and to extend the lives of the power supplies. The power management engine also adjusts the power supplies in advance based upon predicted demand levels for the computer system.

Computer systems, including servers and storage subsystems, use significant amounts of power. In the past, conserving power has always been secondary to speed and processor availability. However, Internet sites with excess capacity for high peak periods such as an Olympics website or an online stock trading website waste power keeping the computer systems ready for the next peak period. In addition, power problems and rolling blackouts, such as those experienced in California in 2000-2001 during deregulation, have begun to spur awareness that power conservation may be required in order to keep a network center operational. In addition, as microprocessors continue to scale up in speed and density, corresponding power consumption may increase dramatically requiring more efficient power management.
Because of the increased processing demands required by today's software and Internet sites, more computer systems utilize multi-processor systems which require more power to operate than single processor computer systems. In addition, the multi-processor computer systems generally have multiple power supplies to power the multi-processors and provide redundancy features. In multi-processor technology, multi-processor specifications often describe how to start and stop processors in multi-processor servers. The multi-processor specifications select a boot processor and then add application processors as discovered, so that a multi-processor server is dynamically configured without a fixed foreknowledge of the number of processors in the server. But the multi-processor and the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface ("ACPI") specifications do not typically allow for any power consumption control or savings from a source or decision engine external to the server unit in which the multiple processors reside nor do the specifications typically provide for strategic control over the multiple power supplies.
With the advent of power hungry processors and multi-processor computer systems, power management has become more important. In addition, powering up and down the multi-processors imposes inrush loads and efficiency changes in the power supplies. For instance, power supplies may fail during startup, when inrush currents stress the power supply components. Therefore, the power supplies must be able to manage the inrush load without failing and yet efficiently supply a steady state current to the multi-processors and other computer components. The power supplies also must continue to provide appropriate redundancy for the computer system while optimizing power consumption. Power supply management, sequencing, and conservation requires meeting not only inrush and steady state load demands but also policy based redundancy and efficiency requirements. Demand triggered power supplies have attempted to reduce power consumption by starting up additional power supplies based upon the load on the computer system but they do not generally account for inrush supply, choose the most efficient power supply to start from a pool of available power supplies, or provide for enterprise wide power conservation.

Methods for power management in a computer system with multiple processing resources and multiple power supplies


A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for providing a patient with prescribed medication cost information at a point of prescribing. A prescription benefit coverage inquiry is received and provided to a claims processor for processing. Historical data associated with prior prescription transactions is utilized to determine an estimated cost range of a prescribed medication in the event of an insufficient or absent response from a benefits manager. The estimated cost range is then provided to a prescriber to share with a patient.

In the healthcare services industry, patients may appreciate discussing costs of a prescribed medication with their physician or other prescriber during the service and prior to obtaining the prescription at a pharmacy so different medication options may be considered. However, physicians and other prescribers may not always have accurate information available to them during the service regarding costs of the medication. Providing the costs of such prescriptions to prescribers during the service can be a challenge with today's healthcare provider systems as benefit coverage inquiries continue to evolve. Over time, the financial structures for prescription claims have become more sophisticated (i.e. formulary tiers, deductibles, maximum benefits, etc.), and prices can vary greatly between pharmacies.

Method, apparatus, and computer program product for providing estimated prescription costs


A process includes the steps of: 1) heating a mold at a temperature ranging from 100° C. to 200° C.; 2) feeding a silicone encapsulant composition including a mold release agent, where the composition has a viscosity ranging from 100 cps to 3,000 cps at operating temperatures of the process, to an assembly for preventing the silicone encapsulant composition from flowing backward out of the assembly; 3) injecting the silicone encapsulant composition from the assembly into a mold having a horizontal orientation and having a mold cavity through a gate, where the mold cavity has a top and a bottom, a vent is located at the top of the mold cavity, the vent comprises a channel 0.1 mm to 1 mm wide by 0.0001 mm to 0.001 mm deep, the gate is located at the bottom of the mold cavity, and injecting is performed at a pressure ranging from 1,000 psi to 10,000 psi for up to 5 seconds; 4) holding the silicone encapsulant composition at 1,000 psi to 10,000 psi for an amount of time sufficient to prevent the silicone encapsulant composition from flowing out of the mold cavity; 5) curing the product of step 4). Lenses for LED packages may be prepared by the process.

The fabrication of optical device components with precision using silicone compositions has been challenging using transfer molding or casting due to the long cycle times (on the order of several minutes) and high amounts of waste, e.g., up to 50% or more of curable silicone composition in these processes may be discarded as waste. In the past, injection molding was not accepted in industry because of defects observed in the molded parts (for example, cracks, air bubbles, and flow lines) and the difficulty of injecting a material with low viscosity; on the order of 100 to 3,000 centiPoise (cps) at molding process temperatures.

Silicone encapsulant composition for molding small shapes


A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a second unlock mechanism rotating an unlock lever in a direction that unlocks a lock mechanism by pushing the unlock lever in accordance with a predetermined seat operation, an unlocked state retaining lever retaining the lock mechanism in an unlocked state cooperating with the second unlock mechanism by operating in conjunction with the second unlock mechanism, a first unlocked state release mechanism moving the unlocked state retaining lever to a position where the lock mechanism is released from the unlocked state by making contact with an operation body in accordance with movement of an upper rail relative to an lower rail, and a second unlocked state release mechanism moving the unlocked state retaining lever to a position where the lock mechanism is released from the unlocked state by pushing the unlocked state retaining lever in accordance with the operational input.

In general, a seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail to be retained to a vehicle floor, an upper rail retaining a seat, the upper rail provided movably relative to the lower rail, and a lock mechanism for restraining movement of the upper rail relative to the lower rail. In the seat slide apparatus for a vehicle, a seat position in a vehicle frontward-rearward direction may be adjusted by releasing the lock mechanism from a restrained state to an unlocked state where the upper rail is allowed to move relative to the lower rail.
Furthermore, a known seat slide apparatus includes a function generally known as a walk-in function. The walk-in function brings a lock mechanism of the known seat slide apparatus to an unlocked state in accordance with an operation to knock down a seat back in a frontward direction and retains the lock mechanism in the unlocked state.
For example, a known seat slide apparatus disclosed in JP2004-122798A, hereinafter referred to as Reference 1, includes an unlock lever and an unlocked state retaining lever. The unlock lever rotationally moves in conjunction with an operation to knock down a seat back in a frontward direction to unlock a lock mechanism. The unlocked state retaining lever restrains the unlock lever from making rotational movement by engaging with the unlock lever. The unlock lever is restrained from making rotational movement at a position at which the unlock lever unlocks the lock mechanism. Accordingly, the lock mechanism is retained in an unlocked state in which the lock mechanism is unlocked. Furthermore, in the known seat slide apparatus according to Reference 1, a sensor bracket is arranged on a lower rail. In a case in which a walk-in function is operated, the sensor bracket and an end portion of an unlocked state release lever, which is integrally formed with the unlocked state retaining lever, make contact in accordance with an upper rail moving relative to the lower rail. As a result of the sensor bracket and the end portion of the unlocked state release lever making contact with each other, the unlocked state retaining lever makes rotational movement that disengages the unlocked state retaining lever and the unlock lever so that the lock mechanism is released from the state where the lock mechanism is maintained in the unlocked state.
In other words, the configuration of the known seat slide apparatus according to Reference 1 retains the lock mechanism in the unlocked state unless the upper rail moves to a position at which the unlocked state release lever makes contact with the sensor bracket. As a result, in order to adjust a seat to a desired position during sliding movement, the seat is required to move to a position where the seat is released from the state in which the seat is retained in the unlocked state first, then the seat is required to make the lock mechanism unlocked again to adjust the seat to the desired position, which is considered as a drawback.
A need thus exists for a seat slide apparatus for a vehicle, which is not susceptible to the drawback mentioned above.


A systems for test elements used for clinical chemical analyses has several test elements, each of which is individually sealed to be impermeable to water vapor. The method provides for the removal of test elements and protects the test elements contained in it against effects from the outside.

Test elements are used, for example, in the field of clinical analysis to qualitatively and/or quantitatively detect components in body fluids. Particular importance is attached to test elements for the determination of blood glucose; such test elements are frequently provided in the form of test strips. Handy instruments for the determination of blood glucose in which the storage systems of the invention could be used are commonly known.
Prior art test strips that are individually sealed in an aluminum laminate foil are known. To remove the test elements, the user tears open the foil and takes out the test element.
Further, it is known to store certain types of medication in the form of tablets. In so-called tablet blister packs, the tablets are individually sealed in chambers from which they can be removed by applying mechanical pressure. In this process, the tablet destroys the sealing.
The above-described prior art for storing and providing test elements has several drawbacks. Sealing test elements in aluminum laminates produces a lot of waste material and is relatively impractical for the user as tearing up the aluminum laminate often causes problems. Removing the test strips from the pack requires motor skills of the fingers which older and ill persons often lack. Automatic removal of test strips from flexible aluminum laminates by means of an automated device is only possible with great technical difficulties.
The sealing technology known from tablets cannot be applied to test elements as the test element normally are flexible thin strips where pressing the test elements out of the sealing of a blister pack is not possible without problems.


The invention relates to a method and data processing system of managing a storage system, wherein the storage system comprises a first storage space and a second storage space, wherein the first storage space comprises a plurality of files, wherein for each file of said plurality of files at least one attribute is specified, and wherein a policy is assigned to each attribute. The method comprises the steps of determining a policy-specific probability distribution for each policy and of determining a policy-specific probability for each file by use of the policy-specific probability distribution. The method further comprises the step of determining a total probability for each file by use of each policy-specific probability and of moving each file of the plurality of files having a total probability equal to 1 from the first storage space to the second storage space. The method further comprises the step of moving files of the plurality of files having a total probability between 0 to 1 if the storage space used on the first storage space reaches a high threshold value until a low threshold value is reached, wherein the low threshold value and the high threshold value are predetermined.

Storage systems are systems that are used to mange and to store files. A storage system usually comprises several storage devices, whereof some are high speed storage devices such as hard disc drives and whereof others are slower storage devices such as tape drives. In principle, it is preferable to keep all files on high speed storage devices so that these files can be provided quickly to an application which requests any of these files. However slower storage devices are less expensive than high speed storage devices so equipping a storage system with slower storage devices leads to more cost efficient storage systems.
A storage system needs to mange the files that are held by the storage devices of the storage system. A storage system uses various concepts in order to decide if a file is placed on a fast storage device or on a slower storage device. For storage systems the concepts of policies by which it is decided where a file is stored, is well known. This concept was introduced by the data facility storage management system (DFSMS) which is a commercial system for IBM Corporation on zOS. The Tivoli Storage Manager which is also part of a commercial storage system from IBM Corporation provides also similar policy based storage management for backup and archives.
A policy generally refers to an attribute of a file and describes an action that is performed on the file depending on the attribute. For example, the storage system could consist of a tier 1 storage and a tier 2 storage. All old files should be placed on the tier 2 storage, which is a relative cheap storage media, while all files that are younger than a specific point in time should be placed on the tier 1 storage. A policy based on the attribute of file age could than be: 'move all files older than 100 days from the expensive (tier 1) storage device to the cheap (tier 2) storage device'.
Another example of a policy that controls the distribution of files with various sized could be: 'move files larger than 10 GB from the tier 1 storage device to the tier 2 storage device'. Both policies can be combined so that only files older than 100 days and larger than 10 GB are moved from one storage device to the other.
Another concept of managing the distribution of files on various storage devices is called hierarchical storage management (HSM). The Tivoli Storage Manger for space management for example employs the concept of hierarchical storage management. The Tivoli Storage Manager for space management monitors the used capacity of file system that is distributed between, for example, a tier 1 storage device and a tier 2 storage. If a high threshold value of used capacity on the tier 1 storage is reached files are moved to the tier 2 storage until the used capacity on the tier 1 storage reaches a low threshold value. This means however, that a file that could be moved due to a policy might nevertheless remain on the tier 1 storage. For example, a file that is older than 100 days could be moved according to the policy given about but resides on the tier 1 storage device as long as there is sufficient storage space available on the tier 1 storage device.
Even worse becomes the situation if the tier 1 storage is filled up to 100% of its capacity and no file is eligible to be migrated to the tier 2 storage because each file is required to remain stored on the tier 1 storage due to a policy. For example the distribution of files between the tier 1 storage and the tier 2 storage is managed by the policy that files older than 100 days should be moved to the tier 2 storage. If no file is older than 100 days, then no file is moved even if the used capacity of the tier 1 storage is 100%. The implementation of Tivoli Storage Management hierarchical storage management solves this problem by applying a score based policy. An individual score is computed for each file by using: score=file age×age factor+file size×size factor. The factors for age and size can be used to adjust the influence of age and size of a file for its eligibility criteria. Candidates for file movement are now selected by their score so files with the highest score get moved first while files with a low score reside on the expensive media. This avoids an out of space condition for a file system but it does not give the system administrator the ability anymore to define exact age or sizes of a file for becoming eligible to be moved.
There are therefore two concepts of managing a storage system. One concept triggers the migration of files based on policies while the other triggers the migration of files based on the used storage of the high speed storage devices. The two concepts can however not be combined without interference between each other. There is therefore a need for an improved method and data processing system of managing a storage system.

Managing storage systems based on policy-specific proability

International Business Machines Corporation


An abnormality diagnostic device for an air-fuel ratio sensor that detects the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is provided. The abnormality diagnostic device includes: a device that an device that models a system extending from a fuel injection valve to the air-fuel ratio sensor by using a first order response delay element and a waste time element, and that identifies at least a waste time of the waste time element based on an input given to the air-fuel ratio sensor and an output obtained from the air-fuel ratio sensor; and another device that performs determination about an abnormality of the waste time based on the identified waste time.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device for diagnosing an abnormality of an air-fuel ratio sensor that detects the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, and a method for the abnormality diagnosis.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an internal combustion engine equipped with an exhaust gas purification system that uses a catalyst, it is indispensable to control the mixing proportion between air and fuel in a mixture that is burned in the internal combustion engine, that is, the air-fuel ratio, in order to effectively remove harmful components of exhaust gas through the use of the catalyst. In order to perform such a control of the air-fuel ratio, an air-fuel ratio sensor that detects the air-fuel ratio on the basis of the concentration of a specific component of exhaust gas is provided on an exhaust passageway of the internal combustion engine, and a feedback control is carried out so as to bring the detected air-fuel ratio closer to a predetermined target air-fuel ratio.
Incidentally, if the air-fuel ratio sensor has an abnormality, such as degradation, a failure, etc., the air-fuel ratio feedback control cannot be accurately executed, so that the exhaust gas emission deteriorates. Therefore, diagnosis of abnormality of the air-fuel ratio sensor has been conventionally conducted. Particularly, in the case of engines mounted in motor vehicles, the detection of abnormality of the air-fuel ratio sensor in a vehicle-mounted state (on board) is required by laws or regulations or the like in many countries in order to prevent the motor vehicles from running while emitting deteriorated exhaust gas.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-30358 (JP-A-2005-30358) discloses an abnormality detection device for an air-fuel ratio sensor that cyclically increases and decreases the air-fuel ratio through an open-loop control and that detects an abnormality of the air-fuel ratio sensor on the basis of the length or area of the locus of the air-fuel ratio sensor output that increases and decreases corresponding to the cyclical increases and decreases in the air-fuel ratio. Besides, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-360591 (JP-A-2004-360591) discloses that the system from the injection of fuel to the output of the air-fuel ratio sensor downstream of the catalyst is modeled, and a transfer function of this model is represented by a first order response delay element and a waste time element, and the air-fuel ratio feedback control gain is recursively changed on the basis of identified parameters (a proportional constant, a time constant of delay, a waste time) that are recursively identified in this model. The identified waste time is also used for the degradation diagnosis of the catalyst.
However, the technology described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-30358 (JP-A-2005-30358), although being able to specifically determine abnormality of the air-fuel ratio sensor itself, is not able to specifically determine details of the abnormality. The technology described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-360591 (JP-A-2004-360591) is intended to optimize the control gain of the air-fuel ratio feedback control, and is therefore able to perform the degradation diagnosis of the catalyst in association with the optimization, but is not able to perform diagnosis of abnormality of the air-fuel ratio sensor.
Incidentally, with regard to abnormality of the air-fuel ratio sensor, there is a problem of mis-installation in which the mount position of the sensor is mistaken at the time of mounting or replacing the sensor. If this mis-installation occurs, inability to execute a required air-fuel ratio control results and the exhaust gas emission deteriorates, as in the case where the sensor itself is abnormal.

Abnormality diagnostic device for air-fuel ratio sensor, and control method for the device


A packing container includes: an outer case; a partition member disposed inside the outer case; and a pair of holding plates connected to upper edges of a pair of side plates of the outer case and inserted into the inside of the outer case, the pair of holding plates holding the partition member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a packing container for packing products and to a composing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various kinds of products (for example, electric products) are transported with being packed in a packing container of paper or the like. For example, a component housing carton which houses electric components or the like is disclosed (see JP-A 9-142447 (KOKAI)).

Packing container and assembling method thereof


A processor-based device (e.g., a wireless device) may include a processor and a semiconductor memory (e.g., a flash memory) to selectively pipeline and prefetch memory data, such as executable data, in one embodiment, using prefetch/pipeline logic that may enable storage of a first indication associated with executable data at a first storage location and a second indication associated with executable data at a second storage location. Upon retrieval, the prefetch/pipeline logic may selectively perform at least one of pipelining and prefetching of the executable data associated with the second storage location based on the first indication.

This invention relates generally to storage and retrieval of memory data, and more particularly to pipelining and prefetching of executable memory data associated with various storage locations.
In portable environments or otherwise, many processor-based devices, such as consumer devices may include a semiconductor nonvolatile memory for erasably and programmably storing and retrieving information that may be accessed. One type of commonly available and used semiconductor nonvolatile memory is a flash memory. To operate a consumer device, a mix of code and data may be used in applications, especially in context-driven applications. For instance, a variety of wireless devices including cellular phones may include a flash memory to store different data files and resident applications. Likewise, a portable device, e.g., a personal digital assistant (PDA) may incorporate a flash memory for storing, among other things, certain operating system files and configurable data. As an example, flash memory executable data associated with instructions executing application programs may be stored and retrieved via a resident file management system. These instructions may be accessed in sequence rather than randomly, as is data.
One of the concerns regarding storage and retrieval of memory data involves memory latencies. Power and bandwidth consumption and portability of instructions across platforms or standards is another significant concern, particularly for wireless devices. While accessing instructions, a myriad of techniques including prefetching or pipelining has been deployed to reduce memory latencies. However, the memory latencies have not improved as fast as the operating frequency of microprocessors in processor-based devices. Moreover, conventional methods used for prefetching or pipelining are either static—sequentially prefetching or pipelining cache lines, decreasing the memory latencies at the expense of power or bandwidth consumption, or require additional complex silicon, again increasing power consumption. Likewise, alteration of instruction code to accommodate special no operation (NOP) instructions may cause the instruction code to become unportable across platforms and/or standards.
Thus, there is a continuing need for better ways to store and retrieve memory data.

Selectivity pipelining and prefetching memory data


Methods and apparatuses for adjusting the size of a virtual band or virtual zone of a storage medium are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a data storage device including a data storage medium having a physical zone; and a processor configured to receive a virtual addressing adjustment command, and adjust a number of virtual addresses in a virtual band mapped to the physical zone based on the virtual addressing adjustment command. In another embodiment, a method may comprise providing a data storage device configured to implement virtual addresses associated with a virtual band mapped to a physical zone of a data storage medium of the data storage device, receiving at the data storage device a virtual addressing adjustment command, and adjusting a number of virtual addresses in a virtual band based on the virtual addressing adjustment command.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for accessing a storage medium, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for accessing a storage medium using a virtual address.
2. Background of the Invention
A disk drive is a type of storage device that contributes to the operation of a computer system by writing or reading data on or from a storage medium in response to a command issued from a host machine. A variety of writing methods are being studied in order to improve the recording density of the disk drive. Moreover, there is a demand for a new storage medium accessing method suitable for a new writing method for increasing recording density.

Method and apparatus for adjustable virtual addressing for data storage


A method and apparatus for delivering labels and the like to a compression molding machine for molding plastic closures wherein the labels or disks are delivered successively from a source to the cavities. The method and apparatus comprises an indexing turret supporting a plurality of stacks of labels, a pick and place turret for removing a label from a stack, and a label inserter turret which tracks a portion of the path of the cavities of the compression molding machine and delivers the labels successively into the cavities.

In the compression molding of plastic closures, a charge of molten plastic is delivered to the tooling of the machine and the charge is molded to the final shape by the tooling. In such a machine, a turret supports a plurality of tooling sets, each including a cavity and a core in a rotary turret. It has been heretofore proposed to decorate the base wall of the closure on the interior or the exterior thereof.
Among the objectives of the present invention are to provide a plastic closure with a label or disk embedded in the closure, and a method and apparatus wherein the label or disk is delivered successively to the cavities of the compression molding machine.
In accordance with the invention, the labels or disks are delivered successively from a source to the cavities. The method and apparatus preferably comprises an indexing turret supporting a plurality of stacks of labels, a pick and place turret for removing a label from a stack, and a label inserter turret which tracks a portion of the path of the cavities of the compression molding machine and delivers the labels successively into the cavities.

Method and apparatus for delivering labels and the like to a compression molding machine for molding plastic closures


A control center continuously monitors a security state of a container through an extended network spanning from a shipper to a consignee. The control center changes the security state responsive to explicit information received from a trusted agent, or implicit information deducted from business logic. A trusted shipper agent sends manifest information from a shipper checkpoint to the data center that includes, for example, container information, shipping route information, and other security information. Trusted monitor agents continuously track the security state from the shipper checkpoint to the origin checkpoint, from the origin checkpoint to a destination checkpoint, and from the destination checkpoint to a consignee checkpoint. A trusted consignee agent sends termination information from the consignee checkpoint to the data center. The checkpoints further comprise site managers to communicate information, gathered by RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) readers from RFID tags on containers, to the control center.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to tracking cargo and, more specifically, to continuously monitoring cargo as it is transported by various modes and handed-off through points in a global supply chain.
2. Background Art
Ever-increasing global trade underscores a modern global economy which depends on goods transported in a global supply chain. Generally, a global supply chain is a network of international suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and other entities that handle goods from their component parts to consumer consumption. For example, semiconductor testing equipment is exported from the United States to Taiwan, where semiconductors are processed and then sent to Malaysia for assembly into computers. Subsequently, the computers are shipped to warehouses in the United States, and ultimately, to consumer outlets for consumption.
However, nonuniform customs procedures and security standards at exporting country borders make importing countries susceptible to a lowest common denominator. Some export countries have less motivation and/or ability to police exported goods, and thus, perform little or no export inspections. Further, because the importing country only has physical jurisdiction at its borders, a Customs Agency has limited opportunity to enforce heightened inspections and security. A resulting tension arises between quickly inspecting all imports and thoroughly inspecting certain imports. Moreover, this tension is exacerbated by increasing national border threats, such as terrorist activities, that take advantage of disparate standards within cargo transport to illegally import unauthorized goods.
Even when the exporting and importing countries have similar standards, the lapse of security between countries provides ample opportunity for security breaches. During this unmonitored period, cargo that was secure at an export port can be compromised for illegal purposes. Furthermore, goods can be stolen during this period without being noticed until a full inventory is taken.
Within an internal supply chain, private companies seek to increase operational efficiency. For example, to avoid warehousing large stocks of goods, a distributor unit of a company may place orders at a manufacturing unit on an as needed basis. But to avoid inventory depletion, the distributor unit must have historical and current information about shipping duration and other supply chain metrics to ensure that goods arrive in a timely fashion.
Therefore, what is needed is a container tracking system that controls container security starting as early in the process as possible, and continuously monitors the container for security breaches during transport to ensure that the container remains secure through receipt. Moreover, the solution should report aggregated information concerning performance metrics within a supply chain.

Continuous security state tracking for intermodal containers transported through a global supply chain


A method of regenerating a diesel particulate filter involves directing an exhaust stream from a combustion engine through the diesel particulate filter and selectively introducing a syngas stream at least periodically into the diesel particulate filter to regenerate it. The syngas stream is introduced at a first average flow rate during an initial regeneration stage and at a second average flow rate during a subsequent regeneration stage. In preferred embodiments the flow rate is varied in order to reduce temperature spikes and/or the rate at which CO slips through the filter during regeneration. In certain embodiments the first average flow rate is lower than the second average flow rate.

Diesel particulate filters (DPF), also known as particulate filters, particulate traps, soot filters or soot traps, can be employed in a combustion engine emissions reduction exhaust after-treatment system to reduce the levels of particulates in an exhaust stream of the engine. The particulate matter, produced during the combustion process of an engine, can comprise a variety of components including, for example, elemental carbon, hydrocarbons and sulfates. Particulates in the engine exhaust stream are trapped by the DPF until the accumulation of particulates adversely affects the flow of the exhaust stream through the DPF. This can occur when the accumulated particulates obstruct the filter causing the pressure drop across the filter to be undesirably high. An oxidation process can be used to regenerate the DPF in situ from time to time, allowing the DPF to continue to trap particulates.
A prior approach to actively regenerate a DPF involves increasing the temperature of the exhaust stream to a suitable regeneration temperature, or lowering the temperature at which regeneration occurs, by the periodic introduction of a hydrogen-containing gas stream (or other fuel) into the exhaust stream upstream of the DPF. As the mixed gas stream travels downstream and through the DPF, the mixed gas stream can be heated by catalytic combustion of the mixture promoted by an optional catalyst located upstream of and/or within the DPF. The regeneration process is an exothermic process which can be initiated above a threshold temperature, for example, above about 600° C. for a DPF without catalysts and above about 400° C. for a DPF with catalyst, and requires the presence of oxygen in the exhaust stream. The regeneration process can be self-sustaining provided there are sufficient amounts of heat, oxygen and particulates.
The oxidation of particulates can generate a large amount of heat in a short period of time. The heat generated is dependent on factors including, for example, the amount and composition of particulates accumulated in a DPF, the oxygen content of an exhaust stream, the mass flow of the exhaust stream, and heat transfer from the DPF to an exhaust stream. Under certain operating conditions including, for example, at elevated exhaust stream temperatures, with elevated oxygen content in an exhaust stream and/or with excessive amounts of fuel introduced, one or more high temperature spikes can be generated near the start of a regeneration process due to the initial reaction of easily oxidized components of the accumulated particulates. Exposure of the DPF to excessive temperatures can reduce the efficiency and/or durability and operating lifetime of the filter, for example, due to sintering and deactivation of the catalyst, high thermal stress, and cracking of components.
A fuel reformer or syngas generator can be employed to create a hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) containing gas, commonly referred to as a syngas, for the regeneration process. Advantages of using a syngas as a fuel or reactant to regenerate a DPF can include, for example, potential to lower the threshold temperature suitable for the regeneration process, ability and ease of varying the syngas composition and flow, and ability to supply a fuel without the requirement to alter the operating condition of an engine. A shortcoming of using syngas and other fuels to regenerate a DPF can be the potential for CO to slip past the DPF when a catalyst and/or DPF are below a threshold temperature value.
The present approach overcomes at least some of the shortcomings of the prior DPF regeneration techniques and offers additional advantages. The present approach seeks to reduce the exposure of the DPF to high temperature spikes and to reduce the amount of CO slip past the DPF during the regeneration process. This can increase the durability of the DPF and reduce regulated emissions form the engine.

Method for regenerating a diesel particulate filter


A method for increasing the expected return of a game, such as a lottery, comprises selling tokens that have a residual value. The price of the tokens is divided between a prize pool and an investment fund. The game is played and the prizes are awarded from the prize pool. Assets are purchased with the investment fund such that the overall expected return of the game over a given period of time is positive. A commitment is made to provide the cash value of the assets to the owners of the tokens at the end of the period of time.

The global gaming industry is enormous, generating many billions of dollars in annual revenue. It is a significant part of the global economy, with important relationships to the global travel, entertainment, and telecommunications industries. Directly and indirectly, the global gaming industry entertains and employs millions of people.
For all its value to the global economy, gaming has an obvious downside. The vast majority of customers of the gaming industry lose money. This is true whether they visit casinos, place bets over the internet, or buy lottery tickets. Most of these losses are small; some, however, are catastrophic to the people involved.
Current games typically have—for the average player—negative expected rates of return, with the house receiving cumulative net gains. Obviously, there are individual players who win money, hot tables, etc., but these are, for the most part, statistical anomalies and do not disprove the above statement.
A more serious exception should be noted: occasionally, a player devises a way to "beat the dealer" at his own game. In such cases, a window opens in which, for certain players, the true expected rate of return is greater than the house believes.
In short order, the house adapts, either by changing the game or ejecting the excessively successful player(s); otherwise the game soon ends, for the simple reason that the house cannot afford to play a losing game indefinitely, any more than a player can.
Another limitation of the gaming industry is that large prizes cannot be offered unless some entity is willing to accept the risk of payout. For example, assume that a lottery wishes to offer a one billion dollar prize with appropriately long odds against anyone winning the prize. The prize cannot be offered unless a backer willing to accept the risk of payout can be found. Insurance and reinsurance companies offer backing for certain rare events, such as holes-in-one; but for truly enormous prizes there may be no entity ready to accept the risk.

Method and system for increasing expected rate of return and maximum payout in a game with one or more players


Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method of using a bypass buffer in a node coupled to a ringlet includes the steps of: writing a packet of binary digital signals on the ringlet into the bypass buffer; and retaining the packet of binary digital signals in the bypass buffer for a predetermined amount of time before transferring the packet to the ringlet.. Briefly, in accordance with another embodiment, a node to be coupled to a ringlet includes: a transmit buffer and a receive buffer. The transmit and receive buffers are coupled in a configuration to transfer binary digital signals between the node and the ringlet via the transmit and receive buffers. The configuration further includes a bypass buffer to temporarily queue binary digital signals passing through the node. The bypass buffer is further coupled in the configuration to retain a packet of binary digital signals for a predetermined amount of time before transferring the packet to the ringlet.. Briefly, in accordance with yet one more embodiment, a node to be coupled to a ringlet includes a bypass buffer. The bypass buffer is able to be coupled to the ringlet to temporarily queue data signals from the ringlet. Digital logic circuitry coupled to the bypass buffer includes a head pointer for the bypass buffer. The bypass buffer is coupled to the head pointer to retain a packet of data signals for a predetermined amount of time before transferring the packet to the ringlet.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to ringlets and, more particularly, to a method of achieving deterministic latency for packets in a ringlet
2. Background Information
Ringlets lack the ability to broadcast information at the same time to all devices or nodes coupled to the ringlet. Information in the form of electrical signals is passed around the ringlet from one device or node to another in a sequential fashion. Because a ringlet may have more than one device or node simultaneously transferring information to the ringlet, there is a large random component to the delay of the delivery of information in the form of electronic signals from one device or node to another.
Typically, the transmitting node includes a fixed size storage unit or buffer having memory locations to store incoming signals. Typically, the size of this storage buffer is chosen to match the largest amount of time that the node could be transferring its own data to the ringlet while simultaneously receiving data from a previous node coupled to the ringlet. However, the node could originate different amounts of information at different times and the relationship between when the incoming data is arriving and when a node is originating data is not fixed. A need therefore exists for an approach to ringlets that addresses these problems.

Method and apparatus for transferring deterministic latency packets in a ringlet