Systems and methods are disclosed for drop detection and protection with respect to packet monitoring in virtual processing environments. Tap agents monitor and capture packets from the network traffic associated with network applications running within these virtual processing environments. Sequence numbers are added in packet encapsulation before tap packets are forwarded to tool agents. The tool agents then use the sequence numbers to detect packet drops within the tap packets. After drop detection, the tool agents send drop detection messages to an agent controller, and the agent controller generates and sends reconfiguration messages to the tap agents based upon the drop detection messages. The tool agents can also send drop detection messages directly to the tap agents. The tap agents adjust their operations based upon the reconfiguration messages and/or the drop detection messages to reduce packet drops within subsequent tap packets communications.

Packet-based data networks continue to grow in importance, and it is often desirable to monitor network traffic associated with these packet-based networks on an ongoing basis. To meet these monitoring needs, copies of network packets can be forwarded to diagnostic network monitoring tools. Packets are often forwarded using network hubs, test access ports (TAPs), and/or switched port analyzer (SPAN) ports available on network switch systems.
To help alleviate the problem of limited access to network packets for monitoring, tool aggregation devices or packet broker devices have also been developed that allow shared access to the monitored network packets. In part, these network packet broker devices allow users to obtain packets from one or more network monitoring points (e.g., network hubs, TAPs, SPAN ports, etc.) and to forward them to different monitoring tools. Network packet brokers can be implemented as one or more packet processing systems in hardware and/or software that provide access and visibility to multiple monitoring tools. These network packet brokers can also aggregate monitored traffic from multiple source links and can load balance traffic of interest to various tools. The traffic of interest can be network packets that are selected by the packet brokers through packet filters and related packet forwarding rules that identify particular packets or packet flows from within the monitored network traffic as traffic of interest.
Network packet analysis tools include a wide variety of devices that analyze packet traffic, including traffic monitoring devices, packet sniffers, data recorders, voice-over-IP monitors, intrusion detection systems, network security systems, application monitors, and/or other network tool devices or systems. Network analysis tools are used within packet-based data networks to monitor various details and detect various activities with respect to the network packet traffic flows within the packet communication network infrastructure.
Certain network communication systems also include virtual processing environments that include virtual platforms hosted by one or more host servers. For example, network applications and resources can be made available to network-connected systems as virtualized resources operating as virtual platforms within virtualization layers on host servers. In some embodiments, processors or other programmable integrated circuits associated with a server (e.g., server blade) and/or combinations of such servers operate to provide such virtual platforms and related virtualization layers. By operating multiple virtual platforms including application instances within such virtualization layers also operating on the hardware of the host server, a variety of virtual processing resources can be provided internally to the virtual processing environment and/or externally to other network-connected processing systems and devices.
When a network to be monitored includes virtual processing environments, however, difficulties arise in managing and controlling packet traffic for network communications with virtual platforms operating within such virtual processing environments. For example, cloud based computing services (e.g., Amazon Web Services) allow a wide variety of external users to obtain dedicated and elastic processing resources within virtual processing environments running on a large number of interconnected servers. These external users can install, initialize, and operate a wide variety of user application as instances within virtual platforms operating within the virtual processing environment. Further, the external users can be corporate or commercial entities that provide multiple different application services to employees and/or end-user consumers of the processing resources. When one or more of these external users desires to monitor, manage, and/or control traffic with respect to their respective virtual platforms, difficulties arise in obtaining and managing the network packet traffic to be monitored.
For network packet monitoring in certain virtual processing environments, one difficulty arises when packet drops occur with respect to packet traffic that is captured from monitored traffic flows. For example, virtual tap agents can be operated within virtual processing environments and associated with network applications to monitor, capture, and forward packet traffic for analysis and processing by one or more network tools. These virtual tap agents can be considered "in-line" monitoring solutions as they directly monitor incoming and outgoing packet traffic flows. For their operations, these virtual tap agents use server and/or network resources (e.g., CPU bandwidth, network bandwidth, etc.) associated with the virtual processing environment in which they are operating. Events associated with these server/network resources, however, can lead to packet drops within packets that are captured and forwarded by the tap agents to the network tools thereby degrading the viability of network traffic monitoring.
FIG. 1A (Prior Art) is a block diagram of an example embodiment 100 for packet capture within a virtual processing environment where an event 120 leads to dropped packets. For the embodiment 100, a host server 102 hosts a network application 104 and a tap agent 106 that are operating within a virtual processing environment, and a host server 112 hosts a network tool 114 and a tool agent 116 that are operating within a virtual processing environment. The tap agent 106 operates to monitor and capture packets associated with the application packet traffic 109 flowing to and from the network communication paths 110 with respect to network application 104. The tap agent 106 then communicates the captured packets as tap packet (PKT) traffic 108 to the tap agent 116, and the tap agent 116 provides these packets to the network tool 114 for further processing.
When network bandwidth and/or conditions are adequate for the packet communications, the captured packets within tap packet traffic 108 are all received by the tap agent 116. However, various events 120, such as network congestion and/or resource events, can cause packets to be dropped. For example, packets can be dropped due to resource congestion on the host system, policy violations by the virtual tap agent (e.g., per-instance bandwidth use policy limitations, outbound message rate caps, etc.), and/or other events. When these drop events occur, the tap packet traffic 108 received by the tap agent include only a subset of the captured packets due to drops. Determining that packet drops are occurring with respect to the tap packet traffic 108 can be difficult, if not impossible. For example, the virtual tap agent 106 is not able to directly determine overall resource utilization and performance of the hosting virtual environment for the host server 102 (e.g., CPU load, memory load, etc.), and consequently runs the risk of congesting the host system. In such scenarios, captured packet and other monitoring-related packets (e.g., NetFlow messages) may be dropped by the host server 102. The tap agent 106 and the tool agent 116 will typically not know that these packets have dropped, as there is no way for the transmitting virtual tap agent 106 or the receiving virtual tool agent 116 to know if monitoring-related packets have been dropped by the host system. Typical connection-oriented protocols for confirming packet delivery are not useful for this communication of captured packets for packet monitoring within virtual processing environments.
FIG. 1B (Prior Art) provides an example embodiment 150 for such a typical connection-oriented protocol, such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), that uses sequence numbers and "retry" messages to confirm packet delivery. A transmit device 152 sends packets 156 including sequence numbers, such as TCP sequence numbers, to a receive device 154. The transmit device 152 then buffers at least a portion of the transmitted packets as indicated by block 158. The receive device 154 analyzes the received packets and detects dropped packets when a missing sequence number is detected as indicated by block 160. When a packet drop is detected, the receive device 154 sends a packet retry message 162 back to the transmit device 152 identifying the missing sequence number. The transmit device 152 then accesses the buffered transmit packets to locate the packet including the missing sequence number as indicated by block 164, and resends this missing packet 166 to the receive device 154.
These typical connection-oriented techniques for detecting and resolving packet drops, however, are generally not useful for transporting packet monitoring traffic from network tap devices as there is no return path for retry messages. For example, for the embodiment 100 of FIG. 1, the receiving tool agent 116 does not have a return path to communicate a retry message to the tap agent 106. Further, if such retry and resend techniques were implemented between the tool agent 116 and the tap agent 106, the additional packet traffic would likely further degrade the resource event that caused the packet drops in the first place.
One possible solution to this problem of detecting and resolving dropped packets in a network traffic monitoring environment is manual oversight by network administrators. For example, a network administrator can review packet traffic statistics associated with transmitted packets by the tap agent 106 and packet traffic statistics associated with received packets at the tool agent 116. The manual review of these statistics can then be used to determine if significant differences exist between transmitted and received packets. If so, the network administrator can conclude that packets are being dropped and can further investigate whether network and/or system events are causing the packet drops. This manual oversight, however, would provide a limited and inefficient technique for packet drop determinations and resolution for packet monitoring within virtual processing environments.

Drop detection and protection for network packet monitoring in virtual processing environments

KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES SINGAPORE (SALES) PTE. LTD.


An insulating glazing unit includes a pair of glazing sheets spaced apart with a spacer assembly. The spacer assembly includes an inner spacer member and an outer spacer member that are fabricated in a linear fashion and then folded into a frame. The outer spacer member may be initially formed in a flat configuration, cut to width, and then wrapped around the inner spacer member to form the spacer assembly. The outer spacer member carries the desiccant of the spacer assembly. The outer spacer member may also be gunned directly to the inner spacer member.

1. Technical Field
This invention generally relates to spacer assemblies for insulating glazing units and, more particularly, to a spacer assembly having an inner spacer member and an outer spacer member that carries desiccant outside of the inner spacer member. Specifically, the present invention relates to a spacer assembly and a method for fabricating a spacer assembly that uses an inner spacer member that may be formed by existing automated manufacturing equipment in combination with an outer spacer member carrying a desiccant that is wrapped around the outside of the inner spacer member.
2. Background Information
Insulating glazing units are used to reduce heat loss from the interior of a building during cold weather and to retain cooler temperatures inside the building during hot weather. The proper use of insulating glazing units in a building can significantly reduce the cost of heating and cooling the interior of the building.
An insulating glazing unit typically includes at least a pair of outer glazing sheets held together and spaced apart by a spacer assembly. Numerous spacer assembly configurations are known in the art that function to hold the glazing sheets apart from each other while simultaneously forming a hermetically sealed cavity between the glazing sheets and the spacer assembly. Most spacer assemblies include a desiccant to prevent condensation from forming in the sealed cavity.
One known spacer assembly and method for assembling a glazing unit is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,195 that is assigned to Glass Equipment Development, Inc., of Twinsburg, Ohio. The disclosures of this patent are incorporated herein by reference. The spacer assembly disclosed in this patent carries the desiccant inside the metal spacer member. The spacer assembly is formed by cutting frame segments to length and connecting them end-to-end with folding, locking corner keys. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the patent, a sealant is applied to the three outer sides of the segments by three extrusion nozzles while the segments are linearly aligned. The segments are folded into a polygon and positioned between the glass sheets. The assembly is then passed through a heated roller press to form the insulating glazing unit. This spacer assembly and linear method for fabricating glazing units as well as other similar segmented spacer assemblies that are linearly assembled and then folded have gained success in the art.
Another successful spacer assembly known in the art is sold under the federally registered trademark INTERCEPT® owned by PPG Industries, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pa. An example of an INTERCEPT® spacer assembly is depicted in FIG. 2 and is indicated by the numeral 8. Spacer assembly 8 includes a metal structural element 10 that has a flat bottom wall 12 and two substantially parallel upwardly extending side walls 14. A stiffening flange or lip 16 may extend from the top of each side wall 14 substantially parallel to the bottom wall 12 and toward one another. A desiccant matrix 18 is disposed inside the metal structural element to adsorb moisture that may enter the cavity 20 of the glazing unit. The outer surface of the metal structural element 10 is coated on three sides with a sealant 22 that bonds the glazing sheets 24 to the spacer assembly 8 and seals cavity 20 from the surrounding atmosphere. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,177,916, 5,255,481, and 5,351,451 owned by PPG Industries disclose the INTERCEPT® spacer and methods for fabricating the INTERCEPT® spacer. The disclosures of these patents are incorporated herein by reference.
The INTERCEPT® spacer assembly has gained popularity in the marketplace because it can be manufactured with automated manufacturing equipment that produces large quantities of custom-sized spacer assemblies quickly for a low cost. The automated equipment allows the user to create a custom-sized spacer assembly simply by entering the size of the desired glazing unit. The equipment performs the required calculations and controls the machinery to automatically form the required spacer assembly. Companies that use the automated equipment have invested relatively large sums of money (up to $1,000,000) to purchase and set up the automated manufacturing equipment as well as to train employees to use the equipment. Once an automated line is established and the employees trained, the INTERCEPT® spacer is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. The equipment allows that manufacturer to produce up to 2800 frames per work shift. One exemplary method and manufacturing line for automatically manufacturing the INTERCEPT® spacer assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,292 that is assigned to Glass Equipment Development, Inc., of Twinsburg, Ohio. The disclosures of this patent are incorporated herein by reference.
An undesirable aspect common to both of the spacer assemblies discussed above is that the metal spacer member extends essentially entirely between outer glazing sheets 24 and thus transmits heat or cold directly through the edges of the insulating glazing unit. This transmission reduces the insulating effectiveness of the glazing unit because metal is an excellent transmitter of heat and cold. Sealant 22 on the sides of spacer 10 does not create enough of a thermal break between the glass and the metal to be an effective insulator. It is thus desired in the art to provide a spacer assembly that uses one of the spacer assemblies discussed above in combination with another spacer element to create an assembly that provides an insulating member between the metal spacer member and the glazing sheets to improve the overall insulating properties of the insulating glazing unit.
An undesirable aspect of the INTERCEPT® spacer is that a flowable desiccant matrix must be pumped into the interior of the spacer after the spacer is formed. The pumping operation increases the cost of fabricating the spacer. In addition, the flowable desiccant causes the pumps to wear rapidly requiring the pumps to be frequently maintained or replaced. The art desires a method of adding the desiccant to the spacer assembly that avoids the cost of the pumps.
Two other prior art spacer assemblies are depicted in FIGS. 3 and 3A. The spacer assembly 30 depicted in FIG. 3 has been sold under the trademark SUPER U™ by Edgetech I.G. Inc. of Cambridge, Ohio, the assignee of the present application. The SUPER U™ spacer assembly 30 includes a preformed foam spacer member 32 that carries a preformed metal spacer member 34. The spacer assembly is assembled by first forming a frame from the metal spacer member and then cartwheeling the frame into the foam. The foam-metal assembly then must be cartwheeled again to add the adhesive 36 to the outside of foam spacer member 32 before it is sandwiched between glazing sheets 24. A sealant 38 is then added to the sealant channel formed outside foam spacer member 32 and glazing sheets 24.
The prior art spacer assembly 40 depicted in FIG. 3A is similar to spacer assembly 30 but is used to hold a delicate, center-lite art glass between a pair of outer glazing sheets 24. Spacer assembly 40 also has been sold under the trademark CUSHION EDGE by Edgetech I.G. Inc. of Cambridge, Ohio, the assignee of the present application. The foam spacer member 42 is extruded in its final shape during manufacture and must be sized to fit the art glass 44 and to form the desired spacing between glazing sheets 24. A layer of pressure sensitive adhesive 46 is disposed in the U-channel to hold the position of the art glass 44. Spacer assembly 40 further includes a vapor barrier 48 and sections of adhesive 49 that connect assembly 40 to glazing sheets 24.
Although spacer assemblies 30 and 40 are functional, it is difficult to retrofit an existing automated INTERCEPT® spacer assembly line to create either spacer assembly 30 or 40. The cartwheeling assembly process is time consuming and includes too many manual steps to be easily automated. It is thus desired in the art to provide a nonmetallic, desiccant-carrying spacer member that may be combined with a first spacer member (such as the metal spacer frame segments from the Glass Equipment Development linear system or the metal INTERCEPT® spacer member) to form a spacer assembly that eliminates metal-to-glass contact. It is particularly desirable to provide such a spacer assembly that may be fabricated in a linear arrangement to custom lengths so that the spacer assembly may be simply folded into a frame and used to form the glazing unit.

Spacer assembly for insulating glazing units and method for fabricating the same


According to some embodiments, in a multi-user detection (MUD) receiver, a method for identifying a beam which produces a specific signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) can include: determining a maximum output SINR; determining beam weights to achieve a target SINR using the determined maximum output SINR; applying the beam weights to one or more received signals to generate a beamformed signal having the target SINR, one or more of the received signals having a signal of interest (SOI), one or more interfering signals, and noise; and providing the beamformed signal to a multi-user detection unit to recover the SOI.

As is known in the art, different wireless networks and/or systems of radios avoid interfering with each other by various options. For example, some systems rely on pre-arrangement or careful assignment of frequency bands, time slots, or signature pulses as is done for cellular systems through frequency reuse maps and TDMA for GSM, OFDMA for LTE, spread spectrum for IS-95, and combinations of these for WCDMA through HSPA commercial cellular standards. Other systems utilize collision avoidance techniques such as those employed for a packet based systems such as 802.11/16/22 (WiFi and WiMax) where collisions are controlled as part of a multiple access medium access control procedure (E.g. carrier sense multiple access). Still other systems utilize techniques for "on the fly" interference assessment and avoidance, such as dynamic spectrum access (DSA). This is done by the system of "secondary user" radios actively sensing the radio spectrum and coordinating to choose an empty band for transmission. Existing systems, however, fail if they are unable to avoid interference.
As the consumer market continues to rise for smart phones and wireless data service, the demand for more and more throughput increases and the radio spectrum becomes more crowded. A new paradigm in wireless communication is emerging where radios can be built to withstand interference to the level where interference is no longer avoided. Interference is allowed, even invited, to allow for more wireless devices to make use of the wireless spectrum. For example, the LTE Advanced standard (to support the HetNet feature) allows, even encourages, interference. If this new feature is enabled, reliable performance would require mobiles to have some kind of interference mitigation in the receivers.
Beamforming is a signal processing technique used in sensor arrays for directional signal transmission or reception. A receiver equipped with an array of antennas can employ any number of digital beamforming algorithms to direct a strong beam in particular direction (e.g., the direction of a particular transmitter) while directing deep nulls in other directions.
As may be understood from U.S. Pat. No. 10,091,798, to Learned and Kaminski, multiuser detection (MUD) on a channel may be performed using sequential/successive interference cancellation (SIC). A SIC MUD receiver estimates received signal parameters for an interfering signal, such as received amplitude, carrier frequency, phase, and baud timing. The receiver then demodulates the interfering signal, recreates it using the estimated parameters and demodulated symbol weights, and subtracts it from the received signal to recover (or "reveal") the signal of interest (SOI) underneath. This "cleaned up" received signal is then passed to a legacy receiver that works well in the absence of co-channel (same band) interference. U.S. Pat. No. 9,998,199, to Learned and Fiore, describe structures and techniques for use with MUD receivers including SIC MUD receivers. U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,091,798 and 9,998,199 are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

Targeted ratio of signal power to interference plus noise power for enhancement of a multi-user detection receiver


A method and apparatus for distributing reinforcement fibers includes a chute for supplying reinforcement fibers, the chute having an outlet end, and a metering belt mounted for endless travel along a first path at the outlet end of the chute. The metering belt has elongate members with tips extending outwardly from the metering belt, to define a volume between the tips and the metering belt. The tips of the metering belt pass sufficiently close to the chute so that fibers having penetrated the volume formed by the elongate members are carried away by the metering belt. The metering belt is also mounted for endless travel along a second path around a curved surface which causes adjacent elongate members to spread apart and diverge from each other, thereby causing the fibers to be discharged from the metering belt. A collection surface receives the discharged fibers.

Numerous products are made of matrices, such as resin matrices, which are reinforced with reinforcement fibers. The reinforcement fibers can be introduced into the product in a variety of ways. From the standpoint of industrial production, a major method of introducing fibers into matrices involves the formation of a mat of reinforcement fibers. The reinforced products, generally referred to as "composites", can be used for numerous end uses, including automobile, industrial and domestic equipment as well as electronic components. The reinforcement fibers can be of any material, length, diameter or shape suitable to provide the resin matrix with superior properties, such as strength, stiffness and fire retardancy. Typical reinforcement fibers include mineral fibers, such as glass fibers, organic fibers, such as nylon fibers, and natural fibers, such as flax or sisal. The mineral reinforcement fibers typically have sizes or coatings, involving such polymers as polyvinyl acetate, polyurethane or epoxy.
The formation of a reinforcing mat, and thus the distribution of reinforcement fibers onto a substrate or collection surface, can be accomplished in several ways. The fibers can be mixed with a liquid and formed into a slurry, which is then moved over a porous conveyor where the liquid is removed. This product is known as a wet process mat or wet laid mat. A problem with the wet process is that it requires enormous equipment with associated very high capital investments, and it consumes a significant amount of energy to drive the liquid from the system. The process also requires extensive cleaning to protect the environment.
Another process for distributing fibers is to air lay or air blow them onto a collection surface. The desired effect is uniform distribution and a random orientation, much like the randomness of a snowstorm. A problem with the air laid mat process is that it is difficult to control metering of the fibers (the output rate as a function of time) to allow uniformity along the line axis or machine direction of the mat. It is also difficult to achieve uniform distribution of the fibers transverse to the line direction or machine direction, particularly when the input material is in the form of discontinuous fibers of high aspect ratio (length versus diameter). A uniform air laid distribution of fibers is particularly difficult for wide collection surfaces, such as surfaces wider than one meter.
One problem common to most fiber distribution operations is that the fibers tend to agglomerate or cling together in clumps or tufts, thereby creating areas of high fiber density. This is a problem for both wet laid mats and air laid mats. Some fiber distribution systems are configured to pick apart the clumps or high concentration areas of fibers by pulling apart the clumps of fibers with pins. Even where the fiber distribution apparatus is designed to pick apart the fibers, there is still a great difficulty in producing a uniform distribution of fibers randomly oriented on a collection surface. Also, distribution systems using pins to pick apart or transport fibers have problems with fibers becoming caught or jammed between the pins, and it is difficult to remove the fibers from the pins. Even the use of slippery coatings on the fibers has not solved this problem. Further, trying to distribute long fibers, i.e., longer than about 2 cm, is even more troublesome because the greater amount of intertwining of the long fibers around the pins makes it more difficult to remove the fibers from the pins.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system that can produce a uniform distribution of fibers to make reinforcement mats and reinforced sheet like products. Such system should be able to provide a uniform distribution of fibers on wide collection surfaces, such as those wider than one meter. Also, ideally the system would avoid the use of liquids to avoid high capital investments and energy costs as well as costly pollution control systems. Further, the system should be able to evenly distribute typical long fibers, having a length within the range of from about 2 to about 10 cm.

Method and apparatus for distributing long fibers


A device for fixing a warning lamp of a construction machine according to the present invention is disposed on a side of a frame of an operating compartment, and includes an upper sleeve, a fixing bracket, a lower sleeve, a supporting lever, an upper elastic member, and a lower elastic member. The supporting lever spaces the upper sleeve apart from the lower sleeve by a certain distance, and rotatably supports the upper sleeve and the lower sleeve. The upper elastic member and the lower elastic member are coupled to both side ends of the supporting lever to elastically support the upper sleeve and the lower sleeve respectively, and are coupled in a multi-joint structure. When the construction machine is on a construction site in wet weather, or is kept on a certain site, the warning lamp can be adjusted to various postures.

In general, a construction machine including an excavator or a shovel requires a flashing lamp mounted at a side of an upper portion of an cab frame so as to emit a warning light to the outside so that a danger can be warned which may occur during the work.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a conventional flashing lamp fixing structure for a construction machine in accordance with the prior art.
When a flashing lamp 1 is mounted at a side of the cab frame, it is erectly securely fixed to an upper end of a rod 2 pivotally mounted to a bracket 3. When the flashing lamp 1 is operated, it is easily maintained so as to be identified visibly from the outside. The orientation of the flashing lamp 1 can be selectively adjusted between an upwardly erected position and a downwardly collapsed position facing the ground surface in use in order to prevent a damage due to collision or interference with an external equipment or a facility on a construction site depending on the circumstances.
However, when the flashing lamp 1 is used or stored for a long period of time in its state of being downwardly collapsed to face the ground surface, foreign substances including moisture or soil and rock powder generated from the construction site under rainy weather conditions as well as moisture or the like generated in a washing process may be infiltrated into the flashing lamp 1 through the bracket 3 and the rod 2 to cause the flashing lamp to be electrically short-circuited.
In addition, when the foreign substances adhere to the conventional flashing lamp fixing structure during the long-term use of the flashing lamp, there occurs a serious problem in that the flashing lamp and the bracket are erroneously operated and malfunctioned.
Meanwhile, as an example of a similar flashing lamp fixing technique, Korean Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 1999-006169 discloses a rotary type work lamp fixing structure in which a work lamp fixed to a boom of an excavator is rotated by means of a bracket attached to left and right side plates of the boom and a lamp-fixing pin. This technique has an advantage in that the lamp fixed to the upper portion of the bracket is always oriented toward the front of the excavator so that the irradiation angle of the work lamp for the excavator is maintained constantly, but still entails an disadvantage in that the orientation of the work lamp, i.e., a lamp support angle cannot be changed and then kept in a fixed state during the storage of the work lamp fixing structure or under variable work circumstances.

Device for fixing warning lamp of a construction machine


A baseband card for a base transceiver station of a cellular communications network includes a receive unit containing at least one receive module for receiving an uplink data from an RF signal processing unit and a first interface for sending and receiving data. The baseband card also includes a transmit unit containing a second interface for communicating with the receive unit, a third interface for communicating with the cellular communications network, an interface controller for receiving the uplink data from the receive unit via the first and second interfaces and for transmitting the uplink data to the cellular communications network via the third interface, and at least one transmit module for transmitting a downlink data received from the cellular communications network through the third interface and the interface controller to the RF signal processing unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a base transceiver station, and more specifically, to a baseband hardware architecture for a WCDMA base-station.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a base-station 10 according to the prior art. The base-station 10 can be a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) base-station for a cellular communications network. Up-link data (data transmitted from a mobile phone to the cellular communications network) is received through an RF module 18, and sent to upper layers 12 through a receive unit 16. Downlink data (data transmitted from the cellular communications network to the mobile phone) is sent from the upper layers 12, through a transmit unit 14, and out through the RF module 18. Each of the transmit unit 14 and the receive unit 16 has its own timing unit, which makes it harder for the timing of the transmit unit 14 to by synchronized with the timing of the receive unit 16.
When uplink data from a mobile phone is received through the receive unit 16, the receive unit 16 calculates signal-to-interface ratio measurement (SIRM) values for the uplink data. The SIRM values are then sent to the upper layers 12, and the upper layers 12 determine if the SIRM values are satisfactory. If the strength of the uplink data needs to be altered, the upper layers 12 will send a command to the mobile phone via the transmit unit 14 for informing the mobile phone to adjust the uplink transmission signal strength. On the other hand, the mobile phone can also issue requests to the base-station 10 that the base-station 10 downlink transmission signal strength needs to be adjusted. The requests are sent to the upper layers 12 of the base-station 10 via the receive unit 16. The upper layers 12 will then command the transmit unit 14 to adjust the transmission signal strength. It is necessary to access the upper layers 12 of the base-station 10 for adjusting both the uplink and downlink signal strength. Accessing the upper layers 12 extends the reaction time to adjust signal strength, and lowers the efficiency of the base-station 10.

Baseband card architecture for a base transceiver station


A back-up lamp light system has a portable light that is configured to be detachably attached to a lamp and is configured to automatically turn on in the event of a power outage. The portable light is configured to be retained by a mounting bracket to a lamp. The portable light may be detached from the mounting bracket and used as a flashlight. A portable light has a main light and a night light configured on opposing ends of the portable light. A back-up lamp light system may have a light level sensor that is configured to automatically turn on the nightlight in the event of a light level being detected below a threshold value. A back-up lamp light system may be portable and have a separate power cord or may be integral and have a power cord that extends through the interior of a lamp.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a back-up lamp light system comprising a portable light that is configured to be detachably attached to a lamp, and configured to automatically turn on when there is a power outage.
Background
In the event of a power outage, most residents scramble to find a flashlight, which is the most common back-up or emergency light source. A flashlight is often stored in a kitchen or garage. Attempting to locate and turn on the flashlight can be frustrating and dangerous, as the resident has to navigate through the home in the dark.
Most lamps have a single light setting but, in some cases, a lower light setting is desired. For example, when a baby wakes up in the middle of the night and needs a diaper changed, it may be desirable to have a lower level of light. In addition, most lamps have a single bulb that emits light substantially uniformly from around the bulb. In some cases, it may be desirable to have a light emitted in a downward direction from the lamp to allow safe navigation at a lower light setting.


Antenna lens structures, and antenna systems including the lens structures. In one example, an antenna lens apparatus includes a shell made of a first material having a first dielectric constant, the shell defining an interior cavity, and a second material disposed within and at least partially filling the cavity, the second material having a second dielectric constant higher than the first dielectric constant. The shell defines a shape of the lens, and the second material may be a powder.

Conical horn antennas are commonly used in applications and systems where total antenna volume and antenna efficiency are important. For relatively small apertures, compared to wavelength, the horn antenna provides better efficiency than a reflector since there is no aperture blockage due to the feed. Further improved volume efficiency of the horn antenna can be achieved by having a wider flare angle of the horn; however the phase front of the radiated wave becomes curved and the efficiency drops as the flare angle gets wider. A dielectric lens may be used with a horn antenna to flatten the phase front of the radiated wave, increasing the efficiency while still maintaining a small volume. A drawback to a lensed horn is that the lens can be quite heavy. In addition, the lens moves the center of gravity far forward of the center of volume, forcing the mechanical support structure for the antenna system to be complicated and heavy.


The present disclosure generally relates to a portable, daily-use cleaning product. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus, device, or structural system that is adapted to clean or disinfect a restraining member, such as a seatbelt in a car or a restraining belt of an airplane seat or train, or a supporting member, such as a support bar in a subway car or metro bus, and other suitable examples.

Restraining members, such as a seatbelt in a car, and supporting members, such as support bars in a subway car, are used frequently every day. For example, every time a driver enters a rental vehicle, that driver must secure himself or herself with a seatbelt. The driver must touch the seatbelt to pull the seatbelt to the secured buckle. Frequent handling of seatbelts, however, can cause dirt, grease, dust, viruses, and bacteria to collect on the surface of the seatbelt; especially in a rental car, which is driven by many different drivers over time. Similarly, riders on a metro bus or a subway car often need to hold a supporting bar to stand stably while the bus or subway car is in motion. The frequent handling of the support bar can also leave dirt, grease, dust, viruses, and bacteria, for example, which can potentially cause harm to the riders; especially during flu season.

Multi-feature cleaning apparatus for a supporting or restraining member


A compound objective lens includes a first lens element and a second lens element, the first element including a mirror surface for internally redirecting a radiation beam passing through the first element. The objective lens has a numerical aperture greater than 0.65, and the focal length F1 of the first element is related to the focal length F of the objective lens by the relation:

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to optical systems including a combined objective lens and fold mirror, in particular but not exclusively for such a lens, for use in an optical scanning device for scanning optical record carriers using a built-in radiation source.
It is desirable to reduce the size of optical scanning devices for use, e.g., in portable devices. It is possible to reduce the size of a device by reducing the build height of the optical system. A typical optical system in an optical scanning device includes an objective lens, which may be a single lens or a compound, i.e., multiple element, lens, and a fold mirror. The build height is determined by the total height of the objective lens and by the height of the fold mirror. In a typical optical scanning device, the height of the fold mirror is greater than the entrance pupil diameter.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,763 describes a combined single lens objective and fold mirror, in which the build height is reduced. A further such lens is described in German Patent DE-A-19654388.
For relatively high numerical aperture (NA) systems, i.e., NA>0.65, a two-element objective is desired to relax the manufacturing tolerances to acceptable levels.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,095 describes two-element high-NA objective lens designs without a combined fold mirror. One of the characteristics of the designs is that the focal distance F1 of the first element facing the radiation source and the total focal distance F of the total system satisfies the relation:
                    1.7        <                              F            1                    F                <        2.5                            (        1        )
Japanese Patent Application No. JP-A-08201698 describes a combined lens element and fold mirror. The fold mirror is in the form of a curved surface, and the element is to compensate for field curvature. The element is used in combination with an objective lens of NA=0.55.

Compound objective lens with fold mirror

Abstract: F      1        F    >      2.5    .


A polishing pad, polishing system, method of making a polishing pad and method of using a polishing pad. The polishing pad includes a polishing layer having a polishing surface, a backing layer with an aperture and a first portion that is permeable to liquid, and a sealant that penetrates a second portion of the backing layer adjacent to and surrounding the aperture such that the second portion is substantially impermeable to liquid. The aperture is positioned below a substantially fluid-impermeable element.

This present invention relates to chemical mechanical polishing.
An integrated circuit is typically formed on a substrate by the sequential deposition of conductive, semiconductive or insulative layers on a silicon wafer. One fabrication step involves depositing a filler layer over a non-planar surface, and planarizing the filler layer until the non-planar surface is exposed. For example, a conductive filler layer can be deposited on a patterned insulative layer to fill the trenches or holes in the insulative layer. The filler layer is then polished until the raised pattern of the insulative layer is exposed. After planarization, the portions of the conductive layer remaining between the raised pattern of the insulative layer form vias, plugs and lines that provide conductive paths between thin film circuits on the substrate. In addition, planarization is needed to planarize the substrate surface for photolithography.
Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is one accepted method of planarization. This planarization method typically requires that the substrate be mounted on a carrier or polishing head. The exposed surface of the substrate is placed against a rotating polishing disk pad or belt pad. The polishing pad can be either a "standard" pad or a fixed-abrasive pad. A standard pad has a durable roughened surface, whereas a fixed-abrasive pad has abrasive particles held in a containment media. The carrier head provides a controllable load on the substrate to push it against the polishing pad. A polishing liquid, which can include abrasive particles, is supplied to the surface of the polishing pad.
In general, there is a need to detect when the desired surface planarity or layer thickness has been reached or when an underlying layer has been exposed in order to determine whether to stop polishing. Several techniques have been developed for the in-situ detection of endpoints during the CMP process. For example, an optical monitoring system for in-situ measuring of uniformity of a layer on a substrate during polishing of the layer has been employed. The optical monitoring system can include a light source that directs a light beam toward the substrate during polishing, a detector that measures light reflected from the substrate, and a computer that analyzes a signal from the detector and calculates whether the endpoint has been detected. In some CMP systems, the light beam is directed toward the substrate through a window in the polishing pad.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Sealed polishing pad, system and methods


In order to identify fluorescent X-rays and diffracted X-rays in a software without changing a configuration of an X-ray fluorescence analysis apparatus and to display fluorescent X-ray information and diffracted X-ray information on peaks in a spectrum, the X-ray fluorescence analysis apparatus having an X-ray tube that emits X-rays to a sample and a detector that detects X-rays from the sample and generating and displaying a spectrum indicating a relationship between X-ray energy and an element content based on the X-rays detected by the detector, includes: an identification information generation unit that generates identification information specifying a peak position by a diffracted X-ray caused by a crystal structure of the sample; and a display control unit that displays the diffracted X-ray information on a peak in the spectrum based on the identification information.

An X-ray fluorescence analysis apparatus is an apparatus that performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of elements contained in a solid sample, a powder sample, or a liquid sample by irradiating the sample with a primary X-ray and detecting intensities of fluorescent X-rays emitted from the sample excited by the primary X-ray.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a general energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis apparatus in the related art. An energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis apparatus 101 includes an analysis chamber 20 in which a sample S is arranged, an apparatus casing 50 in which an X-ray tube 10 and a detector 30 are arranged, a pulse processor 41, a data memory 42, and a computer 160 that controls the X-ray tube 10 and the detector 30.
The analysis chamber 20 includes a quadrangular plate-shaped sample base 21 and a quadrangular cylindrical upper chamber 22 having a quadrangular plate-shaped upper surface. A circular opening 21a is formed in the central portion of the sample base 21. The upper chamber 22 is rotatably attached to the sample base 21 so that the lower surface of one sidewall of the upper chamber 22 and one side on the upper surface side of the sample base 21 become axes. The inside of the upper chamber 22 is connected to a vacuum pump (not illustrated) and is evacuated by a vacuum pump. According to such an analysis chamber 20, by opening the upper chamber 22, the sample S can be arranged so that the analysis surface of the sample S covers the opening 21a, and after the sample S is arranged, by closing the upper chamber 22, the inside of the upper chamber 21 can be evacuated.
The apparatus casing 50 has a quadrangular cylindrical shape with a quadrangular plate-shaped lower surface, and the peripheral edge of the lower surface side of the sample base 21 is attached to the upper surface of the sidewall of the quadrangular cylindrical shape. The X-ray tube 10 and the detector 30 are arranged inside the apparatus casing 50.
The X-ray tube 10 is, for example, a point focus X-ray tube and has a casing. A target (not illustrated) as an anode and a filament (not illustrated) as a cathode are arranged inside the casing. Thus, by applying a high voltage to the target and applying a low voltage to the filament, thermal electrons emitted from the filament are allowed to collide against the end surface of the target, so that the primary X-rays generated at the end surface of the target are emitted. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating energy distribution of the primary X-rays obtained in this manner. In the energy distribution, characteristic X-rays corresponding to a material of the target are superimposed on continuous X-rays.
Then, the X-ray tube 10 is fixedly attached to the lower left side of the opening 21a of the sample base 21 and is configured such that the primary X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 10 are incident on the opening 21a at an incident angle θ. Therefore, the analysis surface of the sample S is brought into contact with the opening 21a to cover the opening 21a, so that the analysis surface of the sample S is irradiated with the primary X-rays at the incident angle θ.
The detector 30 has, for example, a casing on which an introduction window is formed, and a detection element (semiconductor element) for detecting fluorescent X-rays is arranged inside the casing. The detector 30 is fixedly attached to the lower right side of the opening 21a of the sample base 21 and is configured such that fluorescent X-rays generated on the analysis surface of the sample S are incident on the introduction window. Therefore, when the analysis surface of the sample S is irradiated with the primary X-rays, the detector 30 detects the fluorescent X-rays generated on the analysis surface of the sample S. At this time, an output signal from the detector 30 has a stepwise waveform in which each step of the stepwise waveform indicates that the fluorescent X-rays are detected, and the height of each step indicates the wavelength λ, that is, the X-ray energy E. The pulse processor 41 receiving such an output signal converts the output signal into a pulse having a height proportional to the height (X-ray energy E) of each step. Then, when one pulse is converted, the data memory 42 adds the intensity "1" to the X-ray energy position E corresponding to the height of the pulse, and as a result, the spectrum in which the horizontal axis indicates fluorescent X-ray energy E and the vertical axis indicates an element content (intensity) is generated. FIG. 6 is an example of a spectrum generated when a sample S of element Sn is measured.
Since each element generates fluorescent X-rays having characteristic X-ray energy E, the measurer can observe the spectrum as illustrated in FIG. 6, so that the measurer determines which peak of the spectrum is due to fluorescent X-rays of which element and identifies the type of the element contained in the sample S. For example, in FIG. 6, a certain peak is at 28.5 keV, and it is determined that the fluorescent X-ray having an X-ray energy E of 28.5 keV is examined to be a line Kb among the fluorescent X-rays of the element "Sn". In addition, a certain peak is at 25.0 keV, and it is determined that the fluorescent X-rays having an X-ray energy E of 25.0 keV is examined to be a line Ka among the fluorescent X-rays of the element "Sn".
The primary X-rays include continuous X-rays as illustrated in FIG. 5, and the generated spectrum includes diffracted X-rays satisfying Bragg's condition in addition to the fluorescent X-rays emitted from the sample S as illustrated in FIG. 6. For example, in FIG. 6, a peak of 5 keV, a peak of 6 keV, or a peak of 7 keV appears as a peak of the diffracted X-rays. It is known that such diffracted X-rays are likely to appear as broad peaks as compared with the peaks of fluorescent X-rays, and changing in the arrangement direction of the sample S changes peak intensity, X-ray energy position E, or the like. Based on the information, the measurer distinguishes between the peak due to the fluorescent X-rays and the peak due to the diffracted X-rays.
On the other hand, in order to avoid the inclusion of the diffracted X-rays in the spectrum, for example, <1> changing the energy distribution of the primary X-rays to be irradiated on the sample S (refer to, for example, Patent Document 1), <2> changing and measuring the incident angle θ and the takeoff angle with respect to the sample S (refer to, for example, Patent Document 2), and the like are disclosed.
Patent Document 1: JP-A-2001-349851
Patent Document 1: JP-A-5-52775

X-ray fluorescence analysis device, and spectrum display method used in same


A Luer securement device comprising a flexible hood that is configured to attach to the surface of a patient, the flexible hood further having a Luer adapter for receiving a catheter inserter and/or a fluid line. The Luer securement device further includes a wedge seal that is positioned within the Luer adapter and is configured to receive a base portion of a catheter during a catheterization procedure. Once the base of the catheter is seated within the wedge seal, a proper insertion depth of the catheter into the patient is achieved.

This disclosure relates generally to catheters and Luer devices. More specifically, this disclosure discusses a Luer securement device that comprises a flexible hood coupled to a Luer adapter having a wedge seal disposed therein, wherein the flexible hood is attached to a patient and a catheter is simultaneously inserted into the patient and seated within the wedge seal during a catheterization procedure.
As used herein, the term "Luer" is understood to describe and include any Luer taper or other system of small-scale fluid fittings used for making leak-free connections between a male-taper fitting and its mating female part on medical devices and/or equipment. A Luer device in accordance with the present invention may further include an integrated septum, whereby to provide selective access between two devices interconnected via a Luer fitting connection. Non-limiting examples of Luer fittings include "Luer-Lok," "Luer-Slip," and "Nexiva Closed IV Catheter" systems produced by Becton Dickenson, Inc.
Infusion therapy involves the administration of a fluid to a patient through a needle or catheter. It is generally prescribed when a patient's treatment cannot be treated effectively by oral medication. Typically, "infusion therapy" refers to procedures where a drug or other fluid is administered intravenously. However, the term also refers to situations where fluids are provided through other non-oral routes, such as intramuscular injections, subcutaneous injections, and epidural routes.
Infusion therapies are generally used to introduce to or remove fluid from a patient. The infusion process generally requires steady control of the catheter and needle to ensure proper access while avoiding or minimizing injury to the patient. In emergency situations, such as in the back of a moving ambulance, a physician or other caregiver may be incapable of inserting a catheter into a patient due to excessive movement of the patient's surrounding. As such, the ambulance is required to stop to allow the caregiver a steady environment in which to insert the catheter. This creates an inconvenience to the caregiver and wastes valuable time that may be needed to save the life of the patient. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a device which overcomes the difficulties and shortcomings associated with currently available technologies. The present disclosure discusses such a device.


A ceiling-mounted troffer-type light fixture for illumination. The fixture comprises a body with a first flange having at least one hook-receiving opening and a second flange with a suspension-member-receiving opening. A cover includes a rectangular frame, at least one catch-arm and at least one suspension member. Frame fasteners along the frame engage the perimeter in a closed position. One-person attaching/closing and removal of the cover for maintenance is facilitated by the cover being supported in an open position, suspended position and fully engaged with the body in a closed position.

Many different types of lighting fixtures, including ceiling-mounted fixtures for various applications and locations, are known in the art. Such fixtures have been installed for illuminating stores, offices, supermarkets, schools, hospitals, banks, and other interior areas. Appreciating the versatility of such lighting fixtures, including the many engineering designs and configurations, there remains a need for a ceiling-mounted troffer-type light fixture whose cover can be attached, closed, removed and serviced by a single individual. In particular, conventional troffer-type light fixtures and lighting methods are not adapted for installation and maintenance by a single individual.
Many ceiling-mounted fluorescent and LED luminaires require a fixture which is unique, high-performance and also a high-value lighting solution. There is a need for a lighting fixture which can be installed and maintained by a single individual.
Various ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures have been developed to include both apparatus and a method for installing the fixture. An example of such a prior art fixture is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,158 (Fischer et al.). Color-changing devices have also been developed. An example of such a prior art apparatus is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,888,322 (Dowling et al.).
Some lighting fixtures of the prior art necessitate several people to work on a single fixture for installation or routine maintenance such as lamp replacement. Specifically, if the door on a lighting fixture is large in size, installing, changing the door, or accessing the lamps often requires two or three maintenance people to remove the door and handle it. This requires a substantial amount of labor and is time-consuming. It would be desirable to have a lighting fixture with a large door which would necessitate only one person to attach, close, or remove the door and service the fixture.
In summary, there are a number of problems and shortcomings in prior ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures.

Ceiling-mounted troffer-type light fixture


A reciprocating saw having a clamping arrangement with a clamp support base, a first locking member and a release lever. The clamp support base defines a first blade slot that is configured to receive a saw blade therein. The first locking member is movable between a disengaged position, which does not inhibit withdrawal of the saw blade from the first blade slot, and an engaged position that inhibits withdrawal of the saw blade from the first blade slot. The release lever is pivotally coupled to the clamp support base and coordinates movement of the first locking member.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Power reciprocating saws including jigsaws and other reciprocating saws are generally referred to in the trade as "recip" saws. These saws incorporate reciprocating drive shafts. The drive shafts can operate to drive generally linear saw blades along a predetermined path so as to provide one of a rectilinear or orbital cutting action.
In a conventional manner, the saw blades used with such power tools can be attached to the reciprocating drive shafts through a blade holder having a slot for receiving the saw blade and a set screw which can be received in a hole in the blade. The blade can be clamped in place relative to the reciprocating drive shaft through tightening of the set screw. While this conventional manner of saw blade attachment has proven to be generally satisfactory and commercially successful, it is nonetheless desirable to provide an improved blade clamping mechanism.


An engine controller comprises a detector for detecting whether a throttle valve has closed an intake passage, a determination device for determining whether the engine is in an idling condition, when a predetermined delay period (tKLLDLY) has elapsed from the detection of the closure of the intake passage, and a control device for controlling the ignition timings in response to the engine operation conditions. The controller further comprises a detector for detecting when the engine is operating, and a setting device for setting the delay period (tKLLDLY) from the detection of the start of the engine operation. The controller prevents the engine from causing a tapping noise, when the engine is operating.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a vehicular engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an engine controller for performing ignition timings and similar controls.
2. Description of the Related Art
The Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 1-195951 discloses a conventional engine control device, which controls the ignition timings and fuel injections. In this conventional control device, the characteristics of the ignition timing control and the fuel injection control, while the engine is idling, differ from those during the engine non-idling operation. This control device determines whether the engine is in the idling condition, based on a signal transmitted from a throttle sensor. The throttle sensor is disposed along an intake passage, for detecting the opening angle of the throttle valve. The throttle sensor outputs the signal indicative of the opening angle amount of the throttle valve, and an idling signal reflective of the state of an idling contact switch, which generates an idling signal. The idling contact switch is ON when the throttle valve fully closes the intake passage, otherwise this switch is OFF.
The ignition timing of this control device is set in the more advance angle side, for reflecting the high output power of the engine, during the non-idling state or condition. When the engine is in the idling condition, the ignition timing is set in the more delay angle side, reflecting stability of the idling condition. When the engine speed exceeds a predetermined value during the idling state, fuel supply to the engine is interrupted.
The control device determines that the engine is in the idling condition, after a delay period has elapsed from the time the idling signal has switched from the OFF state to the ON state. The reasons for the delay period, on detecting the idling condition, are to delay (1) the ignition timing, and (2) the fuel supply interrupting more than when the throttle valve fully closes the intake passage. As a result, its delaying moderates the changes in the engine torque and air-fuel ratio. Such control prevents reductions of drivability because of torque shock, and of the exhaust emission resulting from a change of the air-fuel ratio.
Furthermore, in this conventional device, the delay period for determining the idling condition, in relation to the ignition timing control, is relatively shorter than the corresponding delay period related to the fuel injection control. Setting this delay period compensates for the difference between the actual air intake volume when the throttle valve fully closes the intake passage, and the apparent air intake volume, so as to prevent the ignition timing from being controlled in excessive advance angle.
However, when the engine is not actuated for some time, most of the lubrication oil, which is usually supplied to every part of the engine, generally drops into an oil pan. Consequently, the oil would not lubricate every part of the engine. As a result, the pistons and connecting rods might generate tapping noise, because of the lack of lubricating oil. Noise tends to occur more often, and becomes louder, as the combustion pressure increases, in other words, as the engine torque becomes larger. Therefore, one drawback of the conventional control device is the generation of noise when the engine is operational, since the detection of the idling condition is delayed.
The following illustrative example is given for further classification of the foregoing drawback. If an engine were provided with a throttle opener for preventing the fully closed throttle valve from adhering to a bore wall of the intake passage, when the engine is not actuated, the throttle opener keeps the throttle valve at a slightly opened (or shifted) position, in comparison with the fully closed position. Further when the engine is actuated, the throttles opener causes the throttle valve to switch to the fully closed position from the slightly opened position, under negative pressure.
Consequently, the throttle sensor causes the idling signal to switch from the OFF state to the ON state, simultaneously with the engine activation. Thereafter, the control device determines that the engine is in the idling condition, when a predetermined delay period has elapsed, subsequent to the switching of the idling signal to the ON stage.
Therefore, the ignition timing is to be advanced by the duration length of the delay period, and thereafter delaying. While the ignition timing is advanced by the delay period, the engine torque continuously increases. Therefore, if lubricating oil is not adequately supplied while the engine is actuated, loud noise is generated.
To resolve such problems, two attempted solutions were proposed. The first proposed solution is to use the ignition timing, which is set in the delay angle side specially for idling, regardless of the idling signals, even while the engine is operating. However, some drivers tend to operate the engine with the throttle valve open. Thus, this first solution would not solve the foregoing problems completely. The second proposed solution is to shorten the delay period uniformly at the idling determination time. However, this adversely affect the drivability and the exhaust emission, during the engine running.


A method for calibrating a microstep motor comprising a step motor having a plurality of stator coils, a pair of drivers for applying respective driving voltages to the stator coils. Amplitude adjustment means are coupled to each of the drivers for adjusting the amplitudes of the respective driving voltages and offset adjustment means are coupled to each of the drivers for adjusting the d.c. offsets of the respective driving voltages. The method permits compensation for non-linearities associated with the stator coils, and comprises the steps of adjusting at least one of the amplitude adjustment means a predetermined amount, so as to produce a signal having a specified amplitude, measuring an imbalance of the motor, adjusting the offset and amplitude adjustment means as required in order to reduce the measured imbalance, and iteratively repeating the offset and amplitude adjustments as required until no further reduction in the measured imbalance is possible.

Step motors are rotary or linear motors using magnetic fields as the driving forces. FIG. 1 shows schematically a rotary step motor 10 comprising a stator 11 having four pairs of stator coils 12a, 12b; 13a, 13b; 14a, 14b and 15a, 15b, each pair of stator coils being aligned on opposite sides of the stator 11.
Rotatably mounted within the stator 11 is a rotor 18 which, for the sake of explanation, can be considered as a permanent magnet having a plurality of poles a, a'; b, b' and c, c'.
In operation, a pulse train is applied successively to each pair of stator coils 12a, 12b; 13a, 13b; 14a, 14b; and 15a, 15b so as, in effect, to generate a rotating magnetic field which induces similar rotation in the rotor 18 so that corresponding poles of the rotor 18 become aligned with the magnetic field produced by the energized stator coils.
Step motors are typically used in electromechanical systems wherein a rotary or mechanical movement is required whose magnitude is exactly proportional to a predetermined digital signal. The resolution of the digital component of such a system can easily be increased by increasing the number of bits of digital data from which the digital signal is composed. However, in order to translate the increased resolution of the digital signal into a corresponding increase in the resolution of the step motor, it is necessary to design the step motor so that each pulse applied to its stator coils results in a discrete but reduced rotation of the rotor. Thus, for example, if the resolution of the digital signal is increased by four, then each pulse applied to the stator coils of the step motor will reduce the angular rotation of the step motor by a factor of four.
In the simple arrangement shown in FIG. 1, each pulse applied to opposite coils of the stator 11 results in the rotor 18 rotating through an angle of 15.degree. . Thus, when the coils 14a and 14b are energized (no voltage being applied to any of the remaining stator coils), the rotor 18 will rotate through an angle of 15.degree. until the two poles b and b' of the rotor 18 nearest to the stator coils 14a and 14b are exactly aligned therewith. If now the stator coils 15a and 15b are energized (no voltage being applied to any of the remaining stator coils), then the rotor 18 will execute a further 15.degree. angular rotation until the poles a and a' become aligned with the opposite stator coils 15a and 15b. Since each pulse which is applied to respective stator coils results in a 15.degree. angular rotation of the rotor 18, the resolution of such a step motor 10 is only 15.degree..
It is known to increase the resolution of the step motor by energizing adjacent stator coils simultaneously by means of respective sinusoidal signals having identical amplitudes but being out of phase with respect to each other by 90.degree.. By this means, a driving signal applied to two adjacent stator coils results in a reduced rotation of the rotor 18 such that opposite poles thereof settle between the energized coils rather than in alignment with opposite stator coils.
The technique of energizing adjacent stator coils simultaneously in a step motor, is called micro-stepping and permits the effective resolution of the step motor to be increased many times such that high positioning tolerances can be achieved without loss in speed performance.
It has been shown that higher positional resolution of the step motor may be achieved when adjacent stator coils are energized with sampled sine and cosine phase currents (i.e. 90.degree. out of phase). FIG. 2 shows schematically a typical arrangement for driving a step motor by applying sine and cosine inputs 21 and 22, respectively, to adjacent stator coils thereof.
Each of the two input voltages 21 and 22 is fed to respective drivers 23 and 24, their respective d.c. offsets being adjustable by potentiometers 25 and 26 and their amplitudes being adjustable by means of potentiometers 27 and 28, respectively.
Typically, the drivers of the step motor 20 are calibrated by adjusting the d.c. offsets by means of the two potentiometers 25 and 26 (constituting offset adjustment means) until the resulting d.c. offsets of both the sine and cosine inputs are zero. The amplitudes of the two inputs are then adjusted by means of the potentiometers 27 and 28 (constituting amplitude adjustment means) until they are equal, the resulting symmetrical, equal amplitude input signals theoretically resulting in a balanced operation of the step motor 20.
Whilst such a method of calibration would, theoretically, result in perfectly balanced operation for an ideal step motor, in practice it is found that there exists a non-linear relationship between the angle of the sine and cosine inputs and the angular rotation of the step motor 20. This non-linear relationship is due to inaccurate electrical, magnetic and mechanical properties of the step motor 20. Thus, for example, the above-described method of calibration assumes that the adjacent stator coils are in all respects identical comprising identical numbers of turns and having precise relative orientation. This, of course, cannot be achieved in practice and results in a slight imbalance in the operation of the step motor 20 which is noticeable when the step motor 20 is used in applications requiring a very high resolution and smooth operation.


A method of determining a new position for a node. The node having a distance measuring radio. A list of positions of a plurality of neighboring nodes is obtained. The geometric relationship of the positions in the list and the predicted position of node is analyzed. A subset of the nodes is selected from the list that is less than the total number of modes in the list. Electronic distance measurements from the node to each of the subset of nodes are performed. A new position of the node is determined utilizing the measured distances.

Geolocation using distance measurement equipment employs a plurality of distance measurements from a node to other nearby nodes with known positions in order to determine the local node's position. Many such systems are known in the art. Known methods usually attempt to obtain as many such measurements as possible in order to reduce error by averaging, filtering and other statistical and numerical techniques. Accuracy of position in such systems is improved with increased number of nodes, which makes it desirable to have as many nodes as possible.
With known peer-peer distance measurement technologies, a node can only measure the distance to one other node at a time. Further, unless multiple channels are used, only one pair of nodes within range of radio transmissions can be measuring the distance between them at any given time, to avoid interference from other nodes using the same radio spectrum. Multiple scheduling and arbitration techniques are well known and practiced in the art, including TDMA, CDMA and others.
In a system that attempts to collect all possible distance measurements, when N nodes are present, (N*(N−1))/2 measurements need to be scheduled and performed. This means that radio usage demand increases exponentially with the number of nodes. Employing multiple radio channels can in some cases improve system response but it significantly complicates scheduling and does not fundamentally solve the problem. In some implementations the results of such measurements then need to be collected and distributed to all participating nodes in order for each node to determine its position, potentially further increasing bandwidth demand. As a result the commonly used approaches do not scale well and system response time degrades significantly when number of nodes is increased.
When the number of nodes is decreased, the accuracy of conventional approaches also decreases and the system becomes more prone to error and outright failure.
In the above referenced co-pending application, methods of geolocation are disclosed that select a small subset of only the most favorable measurements among all that are available, based on the disclosed Confidence metric and the geometry of the relative positions of available nodes. In many embodiments, only at most three measurements are used to determine the Position of any given node in accordance with the disclosed methods, while the rest are discarded. In the embodiments having N nodes, only at most (N*3)/2 measurements are actually used, providing potentially linear scalability as opposed to exponential for conventional approaches.
What is needed is a means of determining in advance which measurements are likely to be the most favorable and only performing the requested measurements, greatly reducing the radio usage as a result. The present invention teaches methods that provide the desired means.

Methods for optimization in geolocation using electronic distance measurement equipment


A display and method for making the same are provided that can sense a force applied thereto. The display comprises a substrate, an array of individually controllable image-forming elements arranged on the substrate; and a support located proximate to the substrate. The support has an arrangement of light paths formed therein to transmit light from a light source to a light sensor. The light paths are arranged in an area that is, at least in part, co-extensive with the array. The support is elastically deformable so that an application of force to the support causes the light paths to deform in a manner that reduces the portion of light passing through light paths elastically deformed by the application of force.

Modern electronic devices provide an increasing amount of functionality with a decreasing size. By continually integrating more and more capabilities within electronic devices, costs are reduced and reliability increased. Touch screens are frequently used in combination with conventional soft displays such as cathode ray tubes (CRTs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma displays and electroluminescent displays. The touch screens are manufactured as separate devices and mechanically mated to the viewing surfaces of the displays.
Several examples of such touch screens are known, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/01759001A1 by Armstrong, published Nov. 28, 2002, describes a touch system for use with an information display system including a frame defining an opening corresponding in size and shape to an information display area of a display. On each side is positioned an array of light-emitting devices with a light-transmissive prism positioned along each array of light-emitting devices such that light emitted from the light-emitting devices is directed across the touch input area. The system also includes light detection devices positioned at each corner of the frame. In a preferred embodiment, the light-emitting devices are organic light-emitting diodes.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,351,260 B1, entitled "User input device for a computer system" filed by Graham et al and issued on Feb. 26, 2002 describes a user input device for an electronic device. The user input device provides positional information using a grid of light. The grid of light is produced from a light source and waveguides. The grid of light is also received and processed using waveguides and a light detector. In this patent, the wave-guides separate light from the light source into a plurality of different light beams that form the grid of light. Light sensors detect when a user positions a finger or other indicator in a location that interrupts the light beams. Optionally, optics may be used to enhance the operation of the user input device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,181,842, entitled "Position digitizer waveguide array with integrated collimating optics" filed by Francis et al. and issued on Jan. 30, 2001 describes a similar system. In the system of the '842 patent an XY position digitizer is provided that has an X send substrate with an associated X receive substrate, and a Y send substrate with an associated Y receive substrate, defining free space region therebetween. Send waveguides are embedded in the X send substrate and send waveguides are embedded in the Y send substrate. The send waveguides send an array of send light beams across a free space region to the X receive substrate. The send waveguides likewise sends an array of send light beams across the free space region to the Y receive substrate. Receive waveguides are embedded in the X receive substrate and receive waveguides are embedded in the Y receive substrate in correspondence with the X and Y send waveguides. Each receive waveguide receives at least a portion of the light beam from the corresponding send waveguide. An array of X send optical systems are embedded in the X send substrate. One send optical system is in precise optical alignment with each send waveguide for enhancing the collimation of the constrained send light from that aligned send waveguide.
When such touch screens are used with a display, the touch screens are simply placed over the display and the two are held together by a mechanical mounting means such as an enclosure. These prior-art arrangements combining touch screens and displays suffer from a variety of drawbacks. These drawbacks include, but are not limited, to the increased parts count, weight, and cost of the device created by the use of the frame and the presence of redundant components in the display and touch screen. Such prior-art arrangements also increase the thickness of the combination of the touch screen and display as the combination requires that the light sources and light guides project above the surface of the display. Further, there is a risk that the light sources or light receivers can become blocked or contaminated by environmental matter, and thus yield false results. Further, such light guides are capable only of detecting whether a light path has been fully interrupted and are not capable of sensing interruptions in a way that allows for a variable input to be made.
Thus, there remains a need for an improved touch screen and display system that minimizes device weight, removes redundant materials, decreases cost, eliminates special mechanical mounting designs, increases reliability, and minimizes the degradation in image quality.


A drive circuit and method for driving a thin film transistor liquid crystal display which reduce kickback voltage by generating a gate drive signal that has a reduced on voltage during a drop portion of the horizontal scanning time. The circuit includes a voltage signal generating circuit for receiving both a common electrode signal and an inverting common electrode signal and generating voltage signals, a drop signal generating circuit for generating drop signals, and a signal mixer circuit for combining the voltage signals and the drop signals and generating a composite output signal. The voltage signal generating circuit and the drop signal generating circuits both include a series of boost stages comprised of diode voltage multipliers. The signal mixing circuit includes a series of switches that are controlled by the drop signals. The length of the drop portion of the horizontal scan time can be controlled by a period control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to drive circuits for liquid crystal displays, and more particularly, to drive circuits that reduce kickback voltage and power consumption.
2. Description of the Related Art
Liquid crystal displays (LCD's) have grown increasingly popular as substitutes for cathode ray tubes in electronic appliances. LCD's can be driven by large scale integrated circuits because of their low-voltage and low-power consumption characteristics. Accordingly, LCDs have been widely produced on a commercial scale for use in laptop computers, pocket computers, automobiles, color televisions, etc.
Thin film transistor liquid crystal displays (TFT-LCDs) typically use twisted nematic (TN) crystals and have a transistor and a storage capacitor associated with each pixel. The transistor and capacitor are made of a thin film, such as amorphous silicon on a glass substrate. A pixel in a TFT-LCD can only be turned on by applying a gate signal to the transistor associated with the pixel. A display that uses transistors to turn pixels on and off is referred to as an active display.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a typical TFT-LCD array. Each pixel circuit, or cell, includes a switching transistor, a liquid crystal, and a storage capacitor. Matrix addressing is provided by data lines which connect the source terminals of transistors in each column of cells, and gate lines which connect the gates of transistors in each row of cells. The liquid crystal in each cell is connected between the drain terminal of the transistor and a common electrode, and the storage capacitor is connected between the drain terminal of the transistor and the gate line of the previous row. A pixel is selected by activating a data line and applying a gate signal to a gate line. Since transistors can be selected individually in a TFT-LCD, there is no cross talk between pixels. The storage capacitor stores an electric charge so that the state of the pixel is maintained during a non-selected period.
Referring to FIG. 1, when switching transistors TFT1 and TFT2 are turned on, capacitors Cst1 and Cst2 receive a charge and liquid crystals Clc1 and Clc2 display a grey level based on the voltage level applied to the source terminals of transistors TFT1 and TFT2 through the data line. When the transistors are turned off, the capacitors maintain the voltage level on crystals Clc1 and Clc2, which also have some parasitic capacitance. As long as the leakage current through the crystals is not excessive, the grey level of the crystals is maintained until the pixel is refreshed during the next frame update.
The voltage versus current characteristic of switching transistors TFT1 and TFT2 is shown in FIG. 2.
LCD cells typically require a net DC bias of zero volts to avoid electrochemical degradation. A common method for minimizing the net DC voltage is to apply an AC square wave, typically having a magnitude of 5 volts, to the common electrode terminal, or backplane. The gates of the transistors are then driven with a gate signal having a gate drive signal superimposed on a square wave as is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The square wave portion of the gate signal indicated by Voff1 and Voff2 is the off time. Because the gate signal is in phase with the square wave signal on the common electrode terminal, no voltage is applied to the gate of the switching transistors during the off time. The portion of the gate signal indicated by Von1 and Von2 are applied to the gates lines at intervals of one frame and drive the switching transistors with grey level voltages.
A major problem with this technique is that a high kickback voltage is generated due to the parasitic capacitance Cgs in the switching transistors. When the gate signal changes from Von to Voff, the electric charge in the liquid crystals Clc1 and Clc2 or the capacitors Cst1 and Cst2 is partially transferred to the parasitic capacitance Cgs. As a result, a drop in the grey level voltage is produced. This drop in the grey level voltage is called as the kickback voltage Vk and is given by: EQU Vk=Cgs(Von-Voff)/(Cgs+Clc+Cst) Eq(1)
If the kickback voltage Vk has a high value, the kickback voltage is applied to the TFT-LCD, thereby increasing power consumption and causing poor images due to flickering, stitching, etc.
Accordingly, a need remains for a drive circuit for a liquid crystal display that overcomes the problems described above.

Drive circuit with reduced kickback voltage for liquid crystal display


A method for applying a label, and a label for in-mold molding which comprises a printed layer formed on a surface of a non-oriented plastic base film over which a membrane layer for bonding to be welded by the heat of molded article at the time of the in-mold molding is overlapped. The label is inserted into a mold for the in-mold molding, the label is held on the proper position in the mold by vacuum suction, or by static electricity, and a moldable article, such as a container, is molded by injecting, filling the plastics into the mold or by expanding a parison which was placed in the mold.

The present invention relates to a label to be attached to containers, and a method for in-mold molding using such a label.
In most cases of shampoo and rinse containers, paper labels are utilized on these containers for decreasing cost.
It is also known that a label can be is formed by a plastic film, which is placed in a mold before the container is formed and then in-mold molding is conducted, whereby a container is formed with a bonded label on the surface thereof.
Conventional label for said shampoo and rinse containers, which are typically used and stored in a bathroom where there is frequently high temperature and humidity, have many disadvantages, for example, mildewing the label, peeling the label off by moisture absorption, providing soiled print, and providing unclear label indicia by impregnated inks, thereby, causing such products to have an unsanitary feeling and deteriorating the product image.
Although in-mold labeling of a plastic film label which is formed during container molding overcome difficulties with paper labels, there is still a problem during the in-mold molding in that when attempting to take out a single label from a label supply where many labels are stacked, double or triple labels are often taken out in stuck to each other because of static electricity generated by friction, so that it is difficult to take out the labels one by one.
Further, during in-mold molding, labels may be deformed and consequently accelerate container deformation.
And even if container is not deformed, the label may partially rise to the surface of the container, causing container deformation.
Furthermore, since the printed layer of a label bonded to the container is generally located on the exterior of the label, it is often damaged by friction or by contact with liquid filled in the container.

Method for in-mold Molding using a label


The active bulkhead transceiver includes a housing, an insert body, a keying cap, a first ferrule, a second ferrule, a transmitting optical subassembly, a receiving optical subassembly, an electrical connector, a substrate, a cover, and a panel nut. The housing includes seating surface, an aperture, a first thread form, and a second thread form. The panel nut has a thread form, and a seating surface. The thread form of the panel nut is complimentary to one of the thread forms of the housing so that the panel nut is removeably mountable on the housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to optoelectronic devices. The invention more particularly concerns an optoelectronic transceiver that is mountable to a bulkhead.
2. Discussion of the Background
An optoelectronic device utilizes at least one optical subassembly. The optical subassembly can be an optoelectronic receiver or an optoelectronic transmitter. An optoelectronic transmitter receives electrical signals, converts the electrical signals to light signals, and then transmits the light signals. An optoelectronic receiver receives light signals, converts the light signals to electrical signals, and then transmits the electrical signals. A transceiver is an optoelectronic device which has at least one optoelectronic receiver and at least one otpoelectronic transmitter.
In order to pass optical signals through a bulkhead, an optical bulkhead connector is employed. The optical bulkhead connector employs, in this example, two channels; however, any number of channels may be used. Two discrete optical fibers define the two channels. A first end of the optical bulkhead connector conforms to one interface and the other ends of the two optical fibers conform to either a different interface or an interface substantially the same as the other interface. The optical bulkhead connector is attached to the bulkhead of the device of interest, such as a tank, so that the first end of the connector is exposed to the ambient environment, and the second end of the connector is exposed to the interior of the vehicle.
Jumper cables are used to connect the bulkhead connector to the transceiver. The jumper cables may run some distance before they connect to the transceiver which is mounted elsewhere within the interior of the vehicle. An example of an optical bulkhead connector is set forth in FIG. 15 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,683. Examples of optoelectronic devices are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,528,408; 5,546,281; 6,350,063; and 6,499,890. An example of a bulkhead mountable optoelectronic device is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,913,402. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,884,861; 5,247,595; 5,528,408; 5,546,281; 6,234,683; 6,350,063; 6,499,890; and 6,913,402 are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Some of the following qualities are paramount during the design phase of a successful military vehicle: the maximization of useable interior space, the reduction of weight, and the increased reliability of components that are used to construct the vehicle. Furthermore, such goals must be met while operating within a limited financial budget.


A carrier for different electronic components for installation in an expansion card for a computing device is disclosed. The carrier conforms to M.2 standards such as an M.2 22110 form factor. The carrier has a top heat sink and a bottom heat sink. A circuit board includes the electronic device. The circuit board is seated between the top heat sink and the bottom heat sink. A side clip includes a top panel and a bottom panel. The side clip has an open position and a closed position. When the side clip is in the closed position, the top panel of the side clip contacts the top heat sink, and the bottom panel of the side clip contacts the bottom heat sink, to hold the top heat sink to the bottom heat sink.

Electronic devices, such as servers, include numerous electronic components that are powered by a common power supply. Generally, servers are directed toward specific functions such as storing large amounts of data or processing. Server design begins with a chassis that includes power components and general controllers such as a baseboard management controller. Current large server designs include slots for server sleds that have processors, memory, power and network interfaces. Such sleds in turn include expansion slots that accept expansion device cards that may be plugged in to perform additional server functions, such as storage or processing. For example, a storage server sled may include slots for accommodating additional solid state drive (SSD) device cards while a processing server may include slots for more device cards with processing units.
Servers generate enormous amounts of heat due to the operation of internal electronic devices such as controllers, processors, and memory as well as the components on such device cards. Thus, servers are designed to rely on air flow through the interior of the device to carry away heat generated from electronic components. The heat generation increases when components such as memory devices increase in size. Expansion card carriers for electronic components often have heat sinks to draw heat away from the electronic components. Heat sinks are typically composed of thermally conductive material. Heat sinks absorb the heat from the electronic components, thus transferring the heat away from the components. The challenge of heat removal increases with each generation of card devices, as each generation becomes more powerful, thereby generating more heat.
As explained previously, storage server sleds may include solid state drive (SSD) based expansion cards to increase storage capability. The current generation of SSD cards are based on carriers for the memory chips following the M.2 form factor standard, such as the M.2 22110. Thus, carriers are specifically designed to hold components that are designed based on the M.2 form factor. For example, the M.2 22110 mechanical specification has a top side component area that is approximately 22 mm by 110 mm with a golden finger type connector at one end. The carriers are inserted in expansion cards. Such expansion cards are often mounted on riser brackets, that are in turn mounted parallel to the motherboard of a server sled. In this manner, multiple expansion cards may be mounted in a spatially efficient manner on a server sled.
Next generation storage cards generally favor the larger M.2 carrier dimensions to accommodate greater storage capability in SSD devices. Currently, having additional higher capacity on M.2 devices for expanded storage capability such as 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, 8 TB, or 16 TB, requires a higher thermal design power from 6.8 W to 18 W. Due to the expected increase in storage capacity, current carriers may not be able to accommodate future SSD devices because of thermal issues that cannot be addressed by currently designed carrier heat sinks.
Thus, there is a need for a carrier which accommodates high thermal output components such as SSDs. There is another need for a toolless mechanism to assemble and secure the electronic components of a carrier. There is also a need for a carrier with more efficient heat dissipation from higher storage and thermal power SSD components for expansion cards, such as PCIe expansion cards.

Tool-less M.2 device carrier with grounding and thermal flow