Provided is a printing and thermal activation device for a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet that is compact, lightweight, and simple in structure. The heat-sensitive adhesive device for a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet includes a thermal head capable of printing on a printable layer and thermal activation for a heat-sensitive adhesive layer. When the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is inserted, a platen roller and the thermal head are operated to transport the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet while printing on the printable layer. The heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is cut with a cutter unit at a predetermined position and then the cut sheet passes through a transporting roller pair and is guided to a reversing mechanism. The heat-sensitive adhesive sheet makes almost one rotation on an outer periphery of a reversing roller and is reversed, and then is transported by the transporting roller pair and the platen roller starting reverse rotation while the heat-sensitive adhesive layer is thermally activated with the thermal head.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing and thermal activation method and device for a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet having a printable layer on one side and a heat-sensitive adhesive layer on the other side.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, most of commonly used sticker labels as barcode labels or price stickers are such that a heat-sensitive adhesive layer is formed on an opposite side of a recording surface (printable layer) and release paper (separator) is stuck and temporarily bonded onto the heat-sensitive adhesive layer when in storage. However, this type of sticker label is disadvantageous in that the release paper needs to be peeled off from the heat-sensitive adhesive layer before use in label form, which inevitably involves wastes.
To cope with this, there have been developed as a release-paper-free system, a heat-sensitive adhesive label having a sheet-like base material on a rear side of which a heat-sensitive adhesive layer is formed, the layer exhibiting no adhesion in normal state but exhibiting the adhesion under heat, and a thermal activation device for heating the heat-sensitive adhesive layer formed on a rear surface of the heat-sensitive adhesive label to thereby bring out its adhesion.
For example, devices employing various heating systems such as a heating roll system, a hot air blower system, an infrared radiation system, and a system using an electrothermal heater or induction coil have been proposed for the thermal activation device. For example, JP 11-079152 A ([0024] and [0025], FIGS. 1 and 2) discloses a technique for bringing a head having as a heat source plural resistors (heater elements) provided on a ceramic substrate into contact with a heat-sensitive adhesive label to heat a heat-sensitive adhesive layer like a thermal head used as a print head for a thermal printer.
Here, a typical structure of a conventional printer for a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet will be explained with reference to a thermal printer of FIG. 15.
The thermal printer of FIG. 15 is a printing and thermal activation device including: a roll housing unit 20 for holding a rolled heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60; a printing unit 30 for printing on the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60; a cutter unit 40 for cutting the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60 into a label with a predetermined length; and a thermal activation unit 50 as a thermal activation device for thermally activating a heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60 in the form of a single cut label.
The heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60 has a structure where a heat-insulating layer and a heat-sensitive color-developing layer (printable layer) are formed on a front side of a sheet base material and a heat-sensitive adhesive layer is formed on a rear side thereof by applying and drying a heat-sensitive adhesive, for example.
The printing unit 30 includes: a thermal print head 32 having plural heater elements 31 composed of relatively small resistors arranged in a width direction so as to enable dot printing; and a printing platen roller 33 brought into pressure contact with the thermal print head 32 (heater element 31). In FIG. 15, the printing platen roller 33 rotates clockwise, by which the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60 is transported from the left to the right in FIG. 15.
The cutter unit 40 is used for cutting into an appropriate length the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60 printed with the printing unit 30 and composed of a movable blade 41 operated by a drive source (not shown) such as an electric motor and a stationary blade 42 facing the movable blade 41, for example.
The thermal activation unit 50 includes: a thermal-activation thermal head 52 serving as heating means and provided with a heater element 51; a thermal activation platen roller 53 as transporting means for transporting the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60; and a draw-in roller 54 for drawing the label-like heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60 fed from the printing unit 30 side in between the thermal-activation thermal head 52 (heater element 51) and the thermal activation platen roller 53. In FIG. 15, the thermal activation platen roller 53 rotates in a (counterclockwise) direction reverse to the rotation direction of the printing platen roller 33 to transport the label-like heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60 in a predetermined direction (to the right).
Note that if the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60 irregularly sags when transported, wrinkles may develop on the sheet or any transport failure is more likely to occur. Hence, in general, a transport speed (print speed) of the printing platen roller 33 is matched with a transport speed (activation speed) of the thermal activation platen roller 53.
With the thermal printer thus structured, after the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60 exhibits adhesion, it is possible to label the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet as-is in the form of an indicator label, onto cardboard cartons, wrapping for foods, glass bottles, or plastic containers or in the form of a price sticker or advertisement label. Therefore, it is possible to dispense with the release paper used for conventional, typical sticker labels to realize cost reduction. Also, the label thus prepared is desirable from the viewpoint of recourse-saving and environmental protection on account of requiring no release paper that may end up in wastes after the use.
With the aforementioned conventional structure, the printing unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and the thermal activation unit 50 are arranged in line and require power sources for driving. The structure has a disadvantage that the entire device is large and cumbersome. In addition, such a structure requires transporting means for transporting the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60 while smoothly transferring the sheet among the printing unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and the thermal activation unit 50. Thus, a structure and control for the entire device are complicated when aiming at continuously and efficiently performing printing and thermal activation on the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60 while synchronizing the transport of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60 with the transporting means with operations of the printing unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and the thermal activation unit 50. Further, an expensive thermal head is necessary for both the printing unit 30 and the thermal activation unit 50, leading to an increased cost of the entire device.
Also, the heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60 is thermally activated under heat in abutment with the surface of the thermal-activation thermal head 52 of the thermal activation unit 50 to exhibit adhesion. However, the heat-sensitive adhesive layer may adhere to the thermal-activation thermal head 52 due to its adhesion and slightly peel off from the base material and remain on the surface of the thermal-activation thermal head 52 as adhesive residues. As a result, a foreign matter as the adhesive residue exists between the thermal-activation thermal head 52 and the thermal activation platen roller 53, which lowers reliability of movement of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60 from that point forward. There is a possibility that the smooth transport of the sheet cannot be maintained. To prevent this, it is necessary to clean the head at regular intervals.
The general heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60 lacks in keeping the adhesion exhibited by thermal activation, and the strong adhesion can be only kept for about 1 minute. Thus, in the case of continuously performing printing and thermal activation on the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet 60 with the aforementioned conventional structure, a function of the adhesive sheet is lost unless labeling is completed in a short time. Accordingly, it is impossible to prepare a large amount of sticker labels in advance and collectively affix the labels later, i.e., so-called batch-labeling. This means that the sticker labels are produced one by one or in small amounts and successively affixed, imposing limitations on the application as the adhesive sheet.

Printing and thermal activation method and device for a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet


The present invention relates to compounds and methods for treating retroviral infections and/or Hepatitis B viral infections. Some compounds of the invention are described by Formula I:

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) encodes three enzymes which are required for viral replication: reverse transcriptase, protease, and integrase. Combination therapy with protease inhibitors and reverse transcriptase inhibitors has a long record of effectively treating HIV and integrase inhibitors are starting to make significant contributions (See Palella, et al, N. Engl. J. Med., 338, 853-860 (1998); Richman, Nature, 410, 995-1001 (2001)). However, therapy frequently fails due to the development of drug resistance, non-compliance with complicated dosing regimens, pharmacokinetic interactions, toxicity, and/or lack of potency.
3-(hexadecyloxy)propyl hydrogen ((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yloxy)methylphosphonate; (referred to as CMX157, hexadecyloxypropyl tenofovir or HDP-TFV), a lipid conjugate of tenofovir, was designed to mimic lysophosphatidylcholine to take advantage of natural lipid uptake pathways and to achieve high intracellular concentrations of the active antiviral, with the aim of increasing the effectiveness of tenofovir (TFV) against wild-type and mutant HIV (See Hostetler et al., Biochem Pharmacol 53:1815-22 (1997); Painter et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 51:3505-9 (2007), Lanier et al., AAC 2010, and Painter, et al., Trends Biotechnol. 22:423-7 (2004).) In addition, CMX157 may also be used to treat HIV and inhibit the development of resistance to other antiviral compounds. (See PCT Publication Nos. WO 2009/094191 and WO 2009/094190). The structure of CMX157 is shown below:

Methods of treating retroviral infections and related dosage regimes

Abstract: or a stereoisomer, a diastereomer, an enantiomer or racemate thereof.


Disclosed and described herein are systems and methods of performing computer-aided analysis of health claims to determine if a current claim is consistent with past claims for a member. Consistent claims are directed to a healthcare payor while non-consistent claims are returned for review and/or revision.

Health plans participating in government sponsored programs including, for example, Medicare Advantage, Managed Medicaid, and the Commercial ACA market have an obligation to undertake due diligence to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and truthfulness of the risk adjustment data they submit to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) or other healthcare payors (e.g., insurance companies, etc.). This data is primarily in the form of the diagnosis codes on medical claims. Conventionally, healthcare payors have relied on healthcare providers to code completely and accurately, but healthcare providers receive payment based on the codes that are submitted (including evaluation and management (E&M) (current procedural terminology (CPT) or procedure) codes), so there's a disconnect and not necessarily a shared objective between the healthcare provider and the healthcare payor. And while healthcare payors rely on healthcare providers to achieve their goals, healthcare providers are under continued pressures, with reduced fee schedules, programs from multiple payers, and programs are not typically aligned with healthcare provider workflows. Furthermore, because of the sheer volume of health claims generated by healthcare providers, it is impracticable if not impossible for healthcare payors to review, verify and confirm the diagnosis codes submitted by the healthcare providers to the healthcare payors in all health claims.
Traditionally, healthcare payors have relied on in-office chart reviews or requests for medical records so that they can be manually reviewed, which is burdensome to healthcare providers and costly to healthcare payors. Medical record reviews have other limitations as well. Some healthcare providers won't comply and won't provide the medical records. Sometimes the records can't be reviewed completely because of deadlines. Health plans may also be constrained by the cost of these reviews. The conventional approach can delay receiving reimbursement from healthcare payors up to 12 months for healthcare providers.
Healthcare payors, as an express condition of receiving payment or reimbursement from CMS, must certify, based on best knowledge, information, and belief, that their risk adjustment data they submit to CMS are accurate, complete, and truthful. CMS has made it clear that Medicare Advantage organizations have an obligation to undertake due diligence to ensure this, and that they are held responsible for making good faith efforts.
Therefore, a due diligence tool is desired that overcomes challenges in the art, some of which are described above, that better ensures accurate and complete coding by engaging healthcare providers within their existing billing workflow as the healthcare provider submits a claim.

Systems and methods for automated review of risk adjustment data on submitted medical claims


A method of evaluating the quality of an image of a document comprises examining the image to determine if the image satisfies at least one parameter-based image metric and examining the image to determine if the image satisfies a plurality of order-dependent image metrics.

Document imaging is well known in the art. When scanning documents of value such as for example cheques, ensuring that the resultant document images are of sufficient quality for subsequent processing is important. Various techniques for assuring image quality have been considered.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,912,297 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0175221 to Scott et al. disclose a method of determining whether a cheque document in an image has a torn or folded corner. A tracing algorithm is used to trace along a diagonal line of pixels from a corner of the cheque document within the image. If the pixel located in the expected position of the corner of the cheque document does not represent part of the cheque document, the pixels along the diagonal line are checked in succession. If pixels representing part of the cheque document are found along the diagonal line, the path of the diagonal line is deviated and pixels along the deviated diagonal line are checked in succession to determine if they represent part of the cheque document. If the number of consecutive pixels along the deviated diagonal path that do not represent the cheque document exceeds a threshold, a tear or fold is deemed to be present. In order to distinguish between folds and tears, the first pixel representing part of the cheque document is located along both sides of the expected edges of the cheque document from the corner. A straight line is determined between these two pixels, and pixels adjacent this straight line along each row or column are checked to determine if the missing portion of the cheque document represents a fold or a tear.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,754,674 to Ott et al. discloses a method and system for determining whether a cheque image is acceptable. A first normal sensitivity image and a second more intense sensitivity image of a cheque are captured. Speckle filtering is performed on both cheque images. Clusters of black pixels are grouped and classified as stroke-like or otherwise based on a number of statistics. If a cluster of black pixels in the first cheque image is classified as stroke-like, but is not recognized, the second cheque image is analyzed to determine if the particular cluster of black pixels forms part of another cluster of black pixels.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,508 to Park discloses a method of aligning a document image using horizontal and vertical alignment lines placed on a document in the image. The alignment lines are located in the document image, and one or more translations required to translate the document in the image into a correctly-aligned orientation are determined using the alignment lines. The document image is then oriented using the determined translations.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,253 to Tretter discloses a method of determining the skew angle of a document image. The edge of the document in the image is determined by comparing each line scanned with that of a background when the document is not present. The first and last pixels forming part of the document in each scan line are registered and collectively form the edge. The slope of the detected edge is then determined and used to calculate the orientation of the document in the image.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,310,984 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2001/0014183 to Sansom-Wai et al. disclose a system and method for automatically determining the presence of extraneous information in a cheque image. The extraneous information is then ignored to determine the skew of the cheque document in the image.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,587,576 to Wesolkowski discloses a method of determining the quality of a grayscale cheque image. A two-dimensional histogram of the cheque image is generated using the grayscale values of the pixels in the cheque image. One axis of the histogram represents the foreground or actual grayscale values of the pixels. The other axis of the histogram represents the background values of the pixels, calculated as the average grayscale value of a surrounding N×N pixel window. The centers of background and foreground pixel clusters are determined and the normalized distance therebetween is calculated. This distance is used to determine the quality of the cheque image.
Although the above references disclose techniques for evaluating the quality of document images, improvements to assure image quality are desired. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for evaluating the quality of document images.

Method and apparatus for evaluating the quality of document images


A magnetic-inductive flowmeter with a nonconductive measuring tube, a magnetic field generating apparatus, two measuring electrodes conductively coupled to the medium for tapping a measuring-circuit voltage induced in the flowing medium, and with a measuring device for detecting an empty tube. Detection of an empty tube is obtained by the measuring device being an admittance measuring device having a detector, a counter-electrode, an ac signal source and an evaluation unit, the detector having an electrode connected to the ac signal source so that the electrode is exposed to an ac signal in the range of roughly 50 MHz-200 MHz and then an electrical field extends from the electrode into the medium. The electrode of the detector and the counter-electrode planiform shaped and are located essentially opposite one another on the outer surface of the measuring tube above and underneath the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a magnetic-inductive flowmeter for measuring the flow rate of a flowing conductive medium with a measuring tube which consists of a nonconductive material, with a magnetic field generating apparatus for generating an especially changing magnetic field which permeates the measuring tube essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube, with two measuring electrodes which are especially conductively coupled to the medium for tapping a measuring-circuit voltage which has been induced in the flowing medium and with a measuring device for detecting an empty tube, the measuring electrodes being located along a connecting line which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube and perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field.
2. Description of Related Art
Magnetic-inductive flowmeters whose manner of operation is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction (=Faraday induction) have been known for many years and are extensively used in industrial measurement engineering. According to Faraday's Law, in a flowing medium which entrains charge carriers and which flows through a magnetic field, an electrical field intensity arises perpendicular to the flow direction and perpendicular to the magnetic field. Faraday's Law is used in magnetic-inductive flowmeters in that, by means of a magnetic field generating apparatus which conventionally has two energized magnet coils, a magnetic field is generated which is routed at least partially through the measuring tube, the generated magnetic field having at least one component which runs perpendicular to the flow direction. Within the magnetic field each volumetric element of the flowing medium, which element is moving through the magnetic field and which has a certain number of charge carriers, with the field intensity which arises in this volumetric element contributes to a measuring-circuit voltage which can be tapped via the electrodes.
Since the induced voltage which has been tapped via the electrodes is proportional to the flow velocity of the medium averaged over the cross section of the measuring tube, the volumetric flow can be directly determined from the measured voltage at a known diameter of the measuring tube. The prerequisite for the use of a magnetic-inductive flowmeter is simply a minimum conductivity of the medium. Moreover, it must be ensured that the measuring tube is filled with the medium at least to the extent that the level of the medium is above the measuring electrodes. But since when the measuring tubes are not completely filled, depending on the degree of filling, a considerable measurement error can occur, and magnetic-inductive flowmeters are optimally suitable primarily for applications in which the measuring tube is completely filled. For this reason, magnetic-inductive flowmeters, in practice, generally have a measuring device for detecting an empty tube, which indicates to the user when the degree of filling has dropped so far that the determined measured value can no longer be ascertained with the required accuracy. This can be the case, for example, in a measuring tube which is only two thirds filled so that the measuring devices used in practice for "detecting" an empty tube generate a signal not only when the measuring tube is in fact "empty".
If a magnetic-inductive flowmeter is also to display a measured value when it is not completely filled, the degree of filling must be known so that the measured value can be corrected. These correction values and their determination are discussed for example, in German Patent DE 196 37 716 C1. For this purpose, a test signal voltage is applied to a first pair of electrodes which are opposite one another and a reaction voltage is measured which is caused, in this way, on a second pair of electrodes which are opposite one another, the two electrode pairs being electrically coupled to the medium. Based on the determined ratio between the reaction voltage and the test signal voltage, a correction value is determined, corresponding correction values having been determined empirically beforehand and having been stored in a memory.
The amount of filling of the measuring tube can also be capacitively determined according to German Patent DE 196 55 107 C2 and corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,428. Here, the two electrodes for measuring the flow rate of the medium are capacitively coupled to the medium, the electrodes with the medium as a dielectric forming a capacitor. Using the two electrodes, on the one hand, the voltage which has been induced in the medium is tapped as a measure for the flow rate of the medium, and on the other hand, the electrodes are exposed to an ac voltage and the capacitance between the electrodes is determined by a control and evaluation circuit as a measure for the proportion of the conductive medium in the measuring tube.
According to German Patent Application DE 10 2009 045 274 A1 a measurement is also enabled for a partially filled measuring tube by a magnetic field generating apparatus being arranged such that the magnetic field which has been generated by it horizontally permeates the measuring tube and there is one electrode in the bottom and the other electrode is located in the top of the measuring tube. The electrode located above the measuring tube has an electrically conductive nonmagnetic extension which is located in the measuring tube and in measurement operation is connected to the medium.
Finally, German Patent Application DE 10 2010 001 993 A1 discloses a magnetic-inductive flowmeter in which, in addition to the magnetic-inductive measuring unit, there is another temperature measuring device which has a metal housing which is in contact with the medium and which is used as an electrode for measuring a minimum conductivity. Depending on the presence of the minimum conductivity, a certain degree of filling is then deduced by an evaluation unit.
In the prior art, in part different measurement principles are combined with one another in order to obtain information about the flow rate and the liquid level. To some extent, the values for the flow rate and liquid level are also determined at different instants. In addition to the problem that the measurement of the flow rate can be influenced by the measurement or the determination of the liquid level, especially when the measuring electrodes which are intended primarily for the flow rate measurement are also included in the measurement, there is also the problem that, for the different measurement principles, the measured value for the liquid level depends on the conductivity of the medium so that it must be known in order to be able to draw a conclusion about the liquid level. Additionally, the measurement of the liquid level can be adversely affected by thin liquid films or conductive adhesions in the region of the measuring device so that it cannot be reliably distinguished whether it is "only" adhesion of the medium or there is a corresponding, relatively high liquid level.

Magnetic-inductive flowmeter with an empty tube detecting device of an admittance measuring type


Adaptive Finite Impulse Response Filter control includes structure and steps for receiving an input signal, filtering the input signal with an FIR filter having a plurality of filter stages, and delaying application of the input signal to at least one of said filter stages with respect to the other filter stages to skip filtering a portion of the input signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a finite impulse response filter, and particularly to such a filter in which a delay in a portion thereof has an adjustable or selectable delay period, and to an echo canceller and an Ethernet transceiver including such an FIR filter.
2. Description of the Related Art
Finite impulse response (FIR) filters are extremely versatile digital signal processors that are used to shape and otherwise to filter an input signal so as to obtain an output signal with desired characteristics. FIR filters may be used in such diverse fields as Ethernet transceivers, read circuits for disk drives, ghost cancellation in broadcast and cable TV transmission, channel equalization for communication in magnetic recording, echo cancellation, estimation/prediction for speech processing, adaptive noise cancellation, etc. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,535,150; 5,777,910; and 6,035,320, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Reference is also made to the following publications: "An adaptive Multiple Echo Canceller for Slowly Time Varying Echo Paths," by Yip and Etter, IEEE Transactions on Communications, October 1990; "Digital Signal Processing", Alan V. Oppenheim, et al., pp. 155–163; "A 100 MHz Output Rate Analog-to-Digital Interface for PRML Magnetic-Disk Read Channels in 1.2 um CMOS", Gregory T. Uehara and Paul R. Gray, ISSCC94/Session 17/Disk-Drive Electronics/Paper FA 17.3, 1994 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference, pp. 280–281; "72 Mb/S PRML Disk-Drive Channel Chip with an Analog Sampled Data Signal Processor", Richard G. Yamasaki, et al., ISSCC94/Session 17/Disk-Drive Electronics/Paper FA 17.2, 1994 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference, pp. 278, 279; "A Discrete-Time Analog Signal Processor for Disk Read Channels", Ramon Gomez, et al., ISSCC 93/Session 13/Hard Disk and Tape Drives/Paper FA 13.1, 1993 ISSCC Slide Supplement, pp. 162, 163, 279, 280; and "A 50 MHz 70 mW 8-Tap Adaptive Equalizer/Viterbi Sequence Detector in 1.2 um CMOS", Gregory T. Uehara, et al. 1994 IEEE Custom Integrated Circuits Conference, pp. 51–54, the contents of each being incorporated herein by reference.
Typically, an FIR filter is constructed in multiple stages, with each stage including an input, a multiplier for multiplication of the input signal by a coefficient, and a summer for summing the multiplication result with the output from an adjacent stage. The coefficients are selected by the designer so as to achieve the filtering and output characteristics desired in the output signal. These coefficients (or filter tap weights) are often varied, and can be determined from a least mean square (LMS) algorithm based on gradient optimization. The input signal is a discrete time sequence which may be analog or digital, while the output is also a discrete time sequence which is the convolution of the input sequence and the filter impulse response, as determined by the coefficients.
With such a construction, it can be shown mathematically and experimentally that virtually any linear system response can be modeled as an FIR response, as long as sufficient stages are provided. Because of this feature, and the high stability of FIR filters, such filters have found widespread popularity and are used extensively.
One problem inherent in FIR filters is that each stage requires a finite area on an integrated circuit chip. Additional area is required for access to an external pin so as to supply the multiplication or weighting coefficient for that stage. In some environments, the number of stages needed to provide desired output characteristics is large. For example, in Gigabit Ethernet applications it is preferred that every 8 meters of cable length be provided with 11 stages of FIR filter. In order to cover cable lengths as long as 160 meters, 220 FIR stages should be provided. In such environments, chip area on the integrated circuit is largely monopolized by the FIR stages.
Moreover, each FIR stage requires a finite amount of power and generates a corresponding amount of heat. Particularly where a large number of stages is needed, such power requirements become excessive and require significant mechanical adaptations to dissipate the heat.
The inventors herein have recently recognized that in some environments, not all stages of an FIR contribute significantly to the output. FIG. 1, for example, is a waveform showing signal amplitude versus time in an Ethernet echo cancellation application, where time (on the horizontal axis) is expressed in delay units for an FIR filter. The waveform shown in FIG. 1 represents an Ethernet transmission and its echo (or, reflection). As seen in FIG. 1, the waveform includes the near end echo at region 1, followed by a relatively quiet period in region 2, a relatively negligible signal at region 3, and the far end echo at region 4. One use of an FIR filter in such an Ethernet environment is to cancel the echo so as to distinguish more clearly between incoming signals and simple reflections of transmitted signals. However, the relatively negligible signal at region 3 contributes very little to the overall output of the FIR filter. The reason for this is that, whatever value of coefficients are set at the stages corresponding to region 3, those coefficients will be multiplied by a value which is approximately zero. Thus, contributions of those signals to the FIR output will be negligible, especially compared to regions 1, 2 or 4.
The inventors have considered simplifying the selection of coefficients by setting the coefficients corresponding to region 3 to zero, which would result in simpler algorithms needed to select coefficients. However, even with zeroed coefficients, the stages corresponding to region 3 still exist on the integrated circuit chip, stealing valuable surface area and power, and generating unwanted heat.

Movable tap finite impulse response filter


A servo control apparatus for a machine that performs machining by causing a plurality of synchronizing axes to operate cooperatively in synchronized relationship with a reference axis, the servo control apparatus comprising: a position detection unit for detecting at least one of the position of the servo motor and the position of a driven body; a position error calculation unit for calculating an error between the position command and the position detected by the position detection unit; a reference axis position acquisition unit for acquiring the positions of a plurality of reference axes; a reference axis selection unit for selecting one reference axis based on a machining condition of the driven body from among the plurality of reference axes whose positions have been acquired; and a learning control unit for performing learning control using an angle synchronization method, based on the error and the position of the selected reference axis.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a servo control apparatus for controlling a servo motor used in a machine such as a machine tool; in particular, in the case where machining is performed with a plurality of synchronizing axes synchronized to a reference axis, this invention relates to a servo control apparatus that performs learning control by changing the reference axis according to a machining condition.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, learning control is performed using one of two methods: a time synchronization method and an angle synchronization method. The major difference between the two methods is that, in the time synchronization method, learning control is performed by reference to the cycle (learning cycle) with which the learning control is performed (time reference), while on the other hand, in the angle synchronization method, learning control is performed by reference to the angle of the reference axis (position reference).
In the case of the time synchronization method, since the correction value obtained through learning control is a function of time, the learning cycle changes as the velocity of the reference axis dynamically changes. As a result, the correction value obtained by the previous trial no longer corresponds to the correction value in the current trial, and thus the effect of the learning control cannot be achieved. On the other hand, in the case of the angle synchronization method which performs learning control by reference to the angle, the learning cycle does not change even when the velocity of the reference axis dynamically changes, and thus the effect of the learning control can be achieved.
Accordingly, in applications where the velocity fluctuates, the angle synchronization method is advantageous (for example, refer to Japanese Patent No.
4043996).
One example of a machining method using the angle synchronization method is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. As illustrated in the perspective view of FIG. 1A, a workpiece 1002 rotates about a rotation axis 1001, and a portion 1003 of the workpiece is machined using a tool 1004. The servo axis (the rotation axis 1001 in FIG. 1A) that serves as a reference is called the "reference axis". In FIG. 1A, machining is performed with a plurality of servo axes (also called the "synchronizing axes", more specifically the X and Y axes in FIGS. 1A and 1B) synchronized to the reference axis. FIG. 1B is a plan view; as illustrated, when the workpiece 1002 rotates in the direction of arrow around the rotation axis 1001, the portion 1003 of the workpiece moves to the position indicated at 1003′, and at the same time, the tool 1004 moves to the position indicated at 1004′.
For example, in a machine that grinds a cylindrically shaped eccentric workpiece 1002 such as shown in FIG. 2, machining is performed by a rocking axis 1006 that moves the tool 1004, such as a grinder mounted on a table 1009, in synchronized fashion to the rotation axis 1001 of a servo motor 1005 that rotates the workpiece 1002. When learning control using the angle synchronization method is applied to this machine, learning control is performed with the rocking axis 1006 by reference to the rotation angle of the rotation axis 1001.
In recent years, in order to improve the productivity of a machine tool, a method has come to be employed that uses two rotation axes as shown in FIG. 3 and that performs machining using one of the axes while, at the same time, performing work setup such as attaching or removing a workpiece using the other axis. As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the machining step, the workpiece 1002 is rotated around the first rotation axis 1001-1 by means of the servo motor 1005, and in this condition, machining is performed using the tool 1004 mounted on the table 1009 by synchronizing the rocking axis 1006 to the first rotation axis 1001-1.
On the other hand, in the setup step, the workpiece 1002′ to be machined subsequently to the workpiece 1002 is attached to the servo motor 1005′ that rotates about the second rotation axis 1001-2. In the setup step, the tool 1004′ mounted on the table 1009′ is not used.
When the machining of the workpiece 1002 is complete, the machining step and the setup step are switched as indicated by an arrow 1008 in order to perform machining on the workpiece 1002′; that is, the workpiece 1002′ is rotated around the second rotation axis 1001-2 by means of the servo motor 1005′, and in this condition, machining is performed using the tool 1004′ by synchronizing the rocking axis 1006 to the second rotation axis 1001-2. In this case, depending on the machining condition indicating whether the workpiece 1002 as the object being machined is in the machining step or in the setup step, a servo control apparatus (not shown) for controlling the servo motor 1005 must be moved as indicated by an arrow 1007. At this time, the reference axis changes from the first rotation axis 1001-1 to the second rotation axis 1001-2.

Servo control apparatus that performs learning control by changing reference axis


A dynamic calibrating current sensor control system includes an input power supply that generates an input current and a current sensor interposed between the input power supply and the load. The current sensor is configured to output at least one current signal indicating a level of current delivered to the load. The dynamic calibrating current sensor control system also comprises an electronic switching control circuit that generates at least one control signal to selectively connect the input power supply to the load, and an electronic drift suppression circuit in signal communication with the current sensor and the switching control circuit. The drift suppression circuit is configured to generate a corrected current signal in response to applying an offset value to the current signal. The offset value cancels the drift current from the current signal in response to connecting the input power supply to the load.

Current sensor control systems are used in a variety of applications that require knowledge of the level current delivered to one or more loads. As illustrated in FIG. 1, conventional current sensor control systems 100 typically include a current sensor 102 interposed between an input power supply 104 and a load 106. The current sensor 102 is configured to output a current signal 108 indicating a level of current delivered to the load 106.
Traditional current sensors 102, however, are susceptible to current drifting. Namely, the surrounding temperature of the current sensor 102 can affect the measurement precision of the current sensor 102. In fact, the current sensor 102 may indicate false current readings even when switching control logic 110 commands a switch 112 into an open state so as to disconnect the input power supply 104 from the load 106. These imprecisions and false readings introduce undesirable errors in the output current signal 108. Many applications utilize bit circuitry 114 to diagnose the behavior of the overall system 100 including, for example, failure to distinguish between an on state and off state of the load 106. When the bit circuitry 114 is connected directly to the current sensor 102 as illustrated in FIG. 1, an output current signal 108 including drifting errors can cause the bit circuitry 114 to misdiagnose the system.


An access restriction system having a true random number generator (TRNG) to generate true random keys based on quantum-level physical properties and hub computer to provide those keys. An access-restricted component executes one or more tasks in response to receiving a verified task instruction. A component computer associated with the access-restricted component receives true random keys from the hub computer and stores the keys to a memory. A controller provides a task request to the component computer that includes a task instruction paired with a key. The component computer then verifies the task instruction by comparing and ensuring that the true random key stored to the memory matches the key received from the controller with the task request and then provides the verified task to the access-restricted component. The access-restricted component then carries out the verified task instruction.

Conventional locks are prone to break-ins and are increasingly being replaced with "smart locks" in the name of increased convenience and security because no physical key is required and the locks can be unlocked using a mobile device. Unfortunately, smart locks only give the illusion of increased security. In actuality, they are even less secure than traditional locks. Because most smart locks are built only with convenience in mind, many still have a key face, which leaves them vulnerable to being physically picked using traditional lock picking methods. Additionally, passwords used by smart locks are often communicated between the smart lock and a mobile device wirelessly in plain text and are, therefore, susceptible to surveillance and interception. Attempts have been made to encrypt passwords using pseudo-random number generators (PRNG). In operation, PRNGs use a randomly-selected number as a "seed" and an algorithm then generates a sequence of numbers that appear random. However, if the seed is discovered, sophisticated parties can uncover the sequence of numbers generated by the PRNG.
Similar issues might also impact other computer-connected equipment, including equipment found in "smart factories". In general, the term "smart factory" describes a highly-digitalized and connected environment where machinery and equipment are able to improve processes through automation and self-optimization. Equipment and processes in a smart factory are often coordinated with one another to enable high levels of precision and adaptability and design changes, which enables production to be optimized for changes in supply and demand. However, a disadvantage of the inter-connected nature of a smart facility is that a security flaw or weakness that results in one component being compromised could result in the entire facility being comprised.
Accordingly, what is needed, is a securing system that may be employed in securing the inter-connected equipment in "smart factories" while also being more secure against hacking.


A magnetorheological fluid that includes magnetic-responsive particles, a carrier fluid and a phosphorus additive. The magnetorheological fluid does not include an organomolybdenum, a thiophosphorus additive or a thiocarbamate additive.

This invention relates to fluids that exhibit substantial increases in flow resistance when exposed to magnetic fields.
Fluid compositions that undergo a change in apparent viscosity in the presence of a magnetic field are commonly referred to as Bingham magnetic fluids or magnetorheological fluids. Magnetorheological fluids typically include magnetic-responsive particles dispersed or suspended in a carrier fluid. In the presence of a magnetic field, the magnetic-responsive particles become polarized and are thereby organized into chains of particles or particle fibrils within the carrier fluid. The chains of particles act to increase the apparent viscosity or flow resistance of the overall materials resulting in the development of a solid mass having a yield stress that must be exceeded to induce onset of flow of the magnetorheological fluid. The force required to exceed the yield stress is referred to as the "yield strength". In the absence of a magnetic field, the particles return to an unorganized or free state and the apparent viscosity or flow resistance of the overall materials is correspondingly reduced. Such absence of a magnetic field is referred to herein as the "off-state".
Magnetorheological fluids are useful in devices or systems for controlling vibration and/or noise. For example, magnetorheological fluids are useful in providing controllable forces acting upon a piston in linear devices such as dampers, mounts and similar devices. Magnetorheological fluids are also useful for providing controllable torque acting upon a rotor in rotary devices. Possible linear or rotary devices could be clutches, brakes, valves, dampers, mounts and similar devices. In these applications magnetorheological fluid can be subjected to shear forces as high as 70 kPa, often significantly higher, and shear rates in the order of 20,000 to 50,000 sec.sup.-1 causing extreme wear on the magnetic-responsive particles. As a result, the magnetorheological fluid thickens substantially over time leading to increasing off-state viscosity. The increasing off-state viscosity leads to an increase in off-state force experienced by the piston or rotor. This increase in off-state force hampers the freedom of movement of the piston or rotor at off-state conditions. In addition, it is desirable to maximize the ratio of on-state force to off-state force in order to maximize the controllability offered by the device. Since the on-state force is dependent upon the magnitude of the applied magnetic field, the on-state force should remain constant at any given applied magnetic field. If the off-state force increases over time because the off-state viscosity is increasing but the on-state force remains constant, the on-state/off-state ratio will decrease. This on-state/off-state ratio decrease results in undesirable minimization of the controllability offered by the device. A more durable magnetorheological fluid that does not thicken over an extended period of time, preferably over the life of the device that includes the fluid, would be very useful.
Magnetorheological fluids are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,382,373, 5,578,238, 5,599,474 and 5,645,752. These patents mention that phosphate esters, in general, can be used as surfactants in magnetorheological fluids. U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,752 describes a magnetorheological fluid example formulation that includes a polyoxyalkylated alkylaryl phosphate ester.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,858 relates to an electrorheological fluid that includes esters and amides of an acid of phosphorus. U.S. Pat. No. 2,751,352 mentions that a magnetic fluid could include antioxidants or antiwear agents such as organic phosphorus compounds with dilorol phosphate, dilauryl phosphite, tributyl phosphate and tricresyl phosphate being listed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,573 relates to a magnetic colloid or ferrofluid that includes a surfactant having the general structure R"--R'--R-- YH. Phosphate and thiol are mentioned as possible groups for YH and a secondary amine is mentioned as a possibility for R'.


A semiconductor device and fabrication method thereof are provided. The fabrication method include: providing a to-be-etched material layer; forming a plurality of discrete sacrificial layers on the to-be-etched material layer; forming first initial spacers on sidewalls of each of the discrete sacrificial layers. Each first initial spacer includes a first bottom region and a first top region on the first bottom region; removing the discrete sacrificial layers. The method further includes: removing the first top region of each first initial spacer to form a first spacer from each first bottom region; forming second spacers on sidewalls of each of the first spacers. Each second spacer includes a second bottom region and a second top region on the second bottom region; removing the first spacers; The method further includes: removing the second top regions by etching; and etching the to-be-etched material layer by using the second spacers as a mask.

In a semiconductor fabrication process, patterns on masks are usually transferred to substrates by photolithographic processes. A typical photolithographic process includes: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a photoresist on the semiconductor substrate; exposing and developing the photoresist to form a patterned photoresist by transferring a pattern in a mask to the photoresist; etching the semiconductor substrate by using the patterned photoresist as a mask to transfer the pattern in the patterned photoresist to the semiconductor substrate; and removing the photoresist. As critical dimensions of semiconductor devices continuously decrease, critical dimensions of the photolithographic process approach and even exceed physical limits of the photolithographic process, which impose a more serious challenge on the photolithographic technology. To solve these problems, a double patterning technology uses two patterning processes to form a final pattern. The physical limits of the photolithographic process in a single patterning process are overcome.
A self-aligned double patterning technology (SADP) is one of the important double patterning technologies. A self-aligned double patterning process may include: proving a to-be-etched material layer; forming a sacrificial material layer on the to-be-etched material layer; patterning the sacrificial material layer by a photolithographic process to form a sacrificial layer; depositing a pitch spacer material layer on the sacrificial layer and on the to-be-etched material layer; etching the pitch spacer material layer to at least expose a top surface of the sacrificial layer and to form pitch spacers on sides of the sacrificial layer; removing the sacrificial layer to preserve the pitch spacers; and etching the to-be-etched material layer by using the pitch spacers as a mask.
Based on the self-aligned double patterning technology, a self-aligned quadruple patterning (SAQP) technology is used to achieve a finer resolution and to further improve a critical density of a semiconductor device.
However, performances of patterns in the semiconductor devices formed by the self-aligned quadruple patterning technology still need to be improved. The disclosed devices and methods are directed to at least partially alleviate one or more problems set forth above and to solve other problems in the art.

Semiconductor device and fabrication method thereof

Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation

Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation


In a power supply monitoring device, a power supply voltage monitoring portion always monitors a power supply voltage supplied to a monitored circuit and outputs a voltage reduction signal when detecting that the power supply voltage is reduced below a predetermined threshold (e.g. a second voltage higher than a voltage guaranteeing a normal operation of the monitored circuit and lower than a rated voltage). A monitoring controller having received the voltage reduction signal determines whether or not an operational malfunction has occurred in the monitored circuit by comparing operation data of the monitored circuit with reference data of the monitoring controller itself. Also, the monitoring controller executes recovery processing (reset processing or reference data overwrite processing) suitable for the monitored circuit referring to a prestored recovery processing type specific to the monitored circuit when detecting an operational malfunction of the monitored circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power supply (or power source) monitoring device, and in particular to a power supply monitoring device monitoring a power supply voltage supplied to a monitored circuit to protect the monitored circuit from an operational malfunction which occurs due to a reduction of the power supply voltage or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the above-mentioned power supply monitoring device, the following prior art examples [1] and [2] have been known.
Prior Art Example [1]: FIGS. 14A and 14B
A power supply monitoring device 10 shown in FIG. 14A is composed of a fuse/electromagnetic wave filter 100 which is connected to a ground GND and is supplied with an input voltage Vin (e.g. "−48 V") for the whole device, onboard power supplies 200_1-200_3 (hereinafter, occasionally represented by a reference numeral 200) respectively receiving an output voltage Vout from the fuse/electromagnetic wave filter 100 as the input voltage Vin and supplying voltages Vcc_1-Vcc_3 (hereinafter, occasionally represented by a reference character Vcc) of e.g. "+1.2 V", "+1.8 V", and "+3.3 V", power supply voltage monitoring portions 300_1-300_3 respectively monitoring the power supply voltages Vcc_1-Vcc_3, a monitored circuit 400_1 operated with the power supply voltages Vcc_1 and Vcc_3, a monitored circuit 400_2 operated with the power supply voltages Vcc_2 and Vcc_3, a monitored circuit 400_3 operated with the power supply voltage Vcc_3, and a pull-up resistor 600 commonly connected to the power supply voltage monitoring portions 300_1-300_3.
Also, the onboard power supplies 200_1-200_3, the power supply voltage monitoring portions 300_1-300_3, and the monitored circuits 400_1-400_3 are commonly connected to a signal ground SG. Each reset input RST of the monitored circuits 400_1-400_3 is commonly connected to each output of the power supply voltage monitoring portions 300_1-300_3.
In operation, as shown in FIG. 14B, the power supply voltage monitoring portions 300 perform reset processing to all of the monitored circuits 400 since there is a possibility that an operational malfunction is occurring in the monitored circuits 400 when any one of the power supply voltages Vcc_1-Vcc_3 is reduced down to a voltage V4 lower than a voltage V1 guaranteeing the operation of the monitored circuits 400.
Thus, it is made possible to protect the monitored circuits 400 from the operational malfunction occurring due to a reduction of the power supply voltage Vcc.
Prior Art Example [2]: (Not Shown)
There is a power supply monitoring device, which will be described referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B. This power supply monitoring device stops an operation of the monitored circuits 400 shown in the above-mentioned prior art example [1] to perform abnormality processing (saving active data in memory or the like) when the power supply voltage Vcc is reduced down to a voltage set higher than the voltage V1 guaranteeing the operation of the monitored circuits 400, and performs the reset processing to the monitored circuits 400 when the power supply voltage Vcc is further reduced down to the voltage V1 (e.g. see patent document 1).
[Patent document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 7-93066
While an IC circuit or the like is generally used for the power supply voltage monitoring portion in the prior art example [1] shown in FIG. 14A, there are variations (detection errors) for a detection accuracy of the power supply voltage per circuit.
In consideration of such detection errors, in the above-mentioned prior art example [1], the power supply voltage monitoring portion sets a voltage detecting a malfunction of the monitored circuit so as to have a margin for errors, compared with a voltage guaranteeing the operation of the monitored circuit. Therefore, there has been a problem that an occurrence of an operational malfunction in the monitored circuit can not be instantaneously detected by the reduction of the power supply voltage, and services provided by the device are kept stopped for a long time.
Also, in the above-mentioned prior art example [2], the operation of the monitored circuit is stopped at the time when the power supply voltage is reduced down to the voltage set higher than the voltage guaranteeing the operation of the monitored circuit. Therefore, when the power supply voltage is instantaneously interrupted, suddenly reduced, or the like (namely, when the monitored circuit recovers after the power supply voltage is reduced down to the voltage for stopping the operation of the monitored circuit, but not to the voltage for performing the reset processing to the monitored circuit), the operation of the monitored circuit is kept stopped regardless of the presence or absence of the operational malfunction. Consequently, there has been a problem that the services provided by the device are stopped even when stopping the services is not necessary.


An internal frame backpack having a large flat closable pocket along one entire side which pocket is adapted to receive a rigid contoured rectangular piece in order to provide support for said pack. The piece may be corrugated for additional strength, and is specially molded to conform to the lumbar region, shoulders, back and head of a human wearer so as to minimize interference with the free movement of the wearer's back, shoulders and head. An alternative embodiment provides contours adapted to receive the shoulder straps of the backpack to avoid their rubbing against the back of the user.

The present invention relates to packs used in outdoor backpacking, and more particularly to a new and improved support device for an internal frame backpack.
In the field of outdoor sport backpacking, there are several distinct styles of packs. Common day packs are used by students to carry books, or by hikers to carry provisions for a very short trips (picnics or hikes) lasting usually less than a full day. Such day packs usually include two zipper-closed compartments (a large one and a pocket-sized one), and a pair of adjustable shoulder straps. Larger frameless overnight packs are available to provide more space for supplies for a single night outdoors. Finally, extended trip frame packs are available for trips lasting several days or weeks.
For extended trip backpacking enthusiasts, there are at least two distinct styles of packs that are widely used: external frame packs and internal frame packs. External frame packs are generally characterized by one or more large compartments (the pack) having several various sized pocket compartments sewn thereto all of which is attached to a metal frame. The frame is outside of and external to the compartments of the pack, and is attached to the pack by stitches, bolts or other similar means. Two shoulder straps and a waist belt are typically attached to the frame, and not to the pack itself, so that the frame acts as the support for the pack. In use, parts of the metal frame are visibly apparent between the wearer and the pack.
Internal frame packs are generally characterized by one or more large compartments (the pack) having several various sized pocket compartments sewn thereto, on the inside of which a metal support frame (usually in the form of two metal strips or stays mounted in a parallel pattern) is placed. Typically, one or more tubular sleeves are sewn onto the inside of the largest, lower compartment of the pack (in a parallel pattern) into which the metal strips are slidably placed. In place, these strips define a rigid surface on the otherwise flimsy pack. On the outside of this rigid surface the shoulder straps and waist belt are attached, so that the weight of the load in the pack is transferred to the waist belt of the user, and not the shoulders.
Internal frame packs are typically used in winter camping where the user is on skis and requires a low center of gravity. Other uses for internal frame packs are for rock climbing or other technical camping where the bulk of an external frame might inhibit or endanger the wearer. The most important benefit of an internal frame pack is that it fits closely to the body of the user. This close fit provides warmth as well as a low center of gravity, and the separate strips of the internal frame allow the pack to move with the user (torsional flex) during skiing or technical climbing.
External frame packs are generally used in non-technical summer backpacking and hiking. The rigidity of the external frame provides a much more efficient transfer of the load in the pack to the waist belt of the user than an internal pack. However, the same rigidity of the external frame prohibits such a pack from moving or bending with the user during climbing, etc.
One of the most common problems presented by internal frame packs is a lack of good support by the internal frame itself. A very full pack will protrude slightly below and significantly above the frame itself, often to the point where the frame provides little more than a location at which the user wears the pack. Weight shifting above the frame tends to put the whole pack off balance, and the frame does little by way of compensating for it. The greater the load, the more deformed the support strips become. Thus, with larger loads, weight transfer to the waist belt is often very inefficient.
Other related problems with internal frame packs are the discomfort and fatigue suffered by the wearer because the frame is, by definition, flimsy and insubstantial. As more is loaded into the pack, it bows away from the user's back (in a barrel shape) failing to transfer the load to the waist, and instead putting more of the load on the user's shoulders.

Internal frame pack and support device therefor


A human CD2 cytoplasmic tail binding protein, CD2BP2, is described, as well as the nucleic acids encoding the protein. Also described are expression vectors and recombinant host cells comprising nucleic acids encoding the CD2BP2 protein, and methods of use for the CD2BP2 protein and nucleic acids encoding the CD2BP2 protein.

The human CD2 molecule is found on virtually all T cells and thymocytes as well as natural killer cells, and it binds to the surface glycoprotein CD58 which is present on many cell types including antigen presenting cells. Human CD2 functions to facilitate both adhesion and activation of T lymphocytes on binding to CD58 (Bierer et al., Annu. Rev. Immunol. 7:579–599 (1989); Moingeon et al., Immunol. Rev. 111:111–133 (1989); Springer, Nature (London) 346:425–434 (1990)). Moreover, the binding of CD58 to CD2 augments interleukin (IL)-12-driven T cell responsiveness (Gollob et al., J. Exp. Med. 182:721–731 (1995); Gollob et al., J. Immunol. 157:1886–1893 (1996)) and initiates reversal of the anergic state (Boussiotis et al, J. Exp. Med. 180:1665–1673 (1994)). Although the important contribution of the cytoplasmic tail of CD2 to T cell activation has been studied in both rodents and humans (Chang et al., J. Exp. Med. 169:2073–2083 (1989); Chang et al., J. Exp. Med. 172:351–355 (1990); Bierer et al., J. Immunol. 144:785–789 (1990); He et al., Cell 54:979–984 (1988)), the mechanisms by which the CD2 tail mediates those functions are not clear.

Cloning and characterization of a CD2 binding protein (CD2BP2)

President and Fellows of Harvard College


A device for controlling a horse with a line which contains a first layer of material joined to a second layer of material, several filaments located between the first and second layers of material and extending through an opening in one of such layers of material, a locking device connected to such filaments for removably connecting the line to a horse's bit, a first crimping sleeve disposed around such filaments and above the layers of material, and a strap with fastening elements for connecting the line to a horse's bit.

When riding a horse, lines are essential for controlling the horse; these lines are referred to as lines in harness racing but are often referred to as "reins" in other applications; and, in the remainder of this specification, reference will only be made to "lines" for simplicity of representation.
These lines are well known to those skilled in the art. By way of illustration and not limitation, some typical reins are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,442,900, 5,148,656 (training reins), 5,094,062 (flex rein), 3,604,183, and the like. The disclosure of each of these United States patents is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification.
Typically the lines are buckled to rings at each end of a bit in the horse's mouth; the lines or reins work together to establish a primary link and means of communication between the horse and the driver or rider. By using the lines to exert or release pressure on the bit, the driver relays commands to the horse. Depending upon the individual horse's temperment and what conditions exist, various amounts of pressure are applied to the lines. In racing competitions, a tremendous amount of pressure is placed on the lines.
If a line breaks away from one side of the bit, the driver loses all control of the horse; he is helpless and subject to being involved in a serious accident. The resulting dangerous situation endangers not only the horse and driver but also any other horses and drivers near the team with the broken line. This type of incident has caused serious injury and death to both man and/or horse. The worst case scenario, which happens all too often, is when a line breaks in a race or during a training mile. The break in the line occurs where the line is buckled to the bit either as a result of stress or human error.
It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for controlling a horse which is substantially stronger and less likely to fail than prior art devices.


A rechargeable lithium battery includes a positive electrode including a positive active material and an activated carbon, a negative electrode including a negative active material, and a lithium salt and a non-aqueous organic solvent, wherein the non-aqueous organic solvent includes about 30 volume % to about 90 volume % of propylene carbonate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rechargeable lithium battery.
2. Description of the Related Art
Lithium rechargeable batteries have recently drawn attention as a power source for small portable electronic devices. They use an organic electrolyte solution and thereby have twice the discharge voltage of a conventional battery using an alkali aqueous solution, and accordingly have high energy density. For positive active materials of a rechargeable lithium battery, lithium-transition element composite oxides being capable of intercalating lithium such as LiCoO2, LiMn2O4, (0<x<1), and so on have been researched.
The negative active material may include various shapes of carbonaceous materials that are capable of intercalating/deintercalating lithium such as artificial or natural graphite, hard carbon, a metal-based material such as Si, or a lithium composite compound such as lithium vanadium oxide. The electrolyte solution is composed of a lithium salt such as LiPF6 or the like and an organic solvent. The requirements for an organic solvent are low reactivity with lithium; low internal resistance to facilitate the transferrance of lithium ions; thermal stability over a wide temperature range; compatibility with other battery constituent elements of a negative electrode, a positive electrode and the like, in particular, a negative active material; and a high dielectric constant for dissolving a large amount of lithium salt.
Representative examples of an organic solvent include a cyclic carbonate such as ethylene carbonate or the like, dimethyl carbonate, a linear carbonate such as diethyl carbonate or the like, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, diethoxyethane, and mixtures thereof. Recently, research for improving the low temperature characteristics have been conducted. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,575 discloses an electrolyte solution in which diethyl carbonate having good low temperature characteristics is added to ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate. However, the low temperature characteristics are still not satisfactory.

Rechargeable lithium battery including positive electrode including activated carbon and electrolyte containing propylene carbonate


A power module has several circuit units (20, 21) that are electrically connected in parallel and are provided with terminal contacts (5, 5′) which are electrically and mechanically interconnected via at least one current-conducting saddle (26). In order to create a power module which is easy to produce and in which the current-conducting saddle (26) requires little space, the saddle (26) is embodied in several parts while encompassing a terminal element (12) that can be connected in a fixed manner to a terminal contact (5) of a circuit unit (20) independently of a connecting element (25) of the saddle (26). The connecting element (25) of the saddle (26) extends on a plane that is spaced apart from the circuit unit (20) while being electrically connected to the terminal element (12).

Power modules of this type frequently have a plurality of parallel-connected circuit units in order to realize a high current-carrying capacity. The circuit units may be implemented, for example, on substrates on which power components are arranged, it being possible to make electrical contact with said power components via conductor tracks and terminal contact points (so-called contact pads). In order to connect the circuit units in parallel, the latter are connected to one another via current-carrying straps.
DE 197 21 061 A1 reveals a power module having a housing for holding a plurality of electronic components and having a plurality of terminal contacts for internal and/or external electrical connection. The module comprises a plurality of ceramic substrates on which semiconductor components are respectively arranged and connected so as to form circuit units. Contact can be externally made with the circuit units via a connection block which also connects the circuit units to one another. The connection block is comparatively expensive and has a high construction. Detailed information as regards the connection of the circuit units cannot be gathered from DE 197 21 061 A1.


A power quality management system includes a plurality of phase balancers, each phase balancer including single phase converters coupled between two phase lines and a plurality of controllers to control the plurality of phase balancers. Each controller includes a voltage unbalance detection module to detect amount of voltage unbalance in a plurality of phase lines and a voltage unbalance compensation module to generate reference current commands for each of the single phase converters to reduce the voltage unbalance.

In a balanced three-phase power system, the individual phase quantities (voltages/currents) are equal in magnitude and are displaced with respect to each other by 120°. Generally, transmission systems are balanced, but distribution power systems, are highly unbalanced. Some of the sources of imbalances include asymmetrical winding impedances of distribution transformers and asymmetrical line impedances. The main source of voltage imbalance at distribution points is the uneven distribution of single phase loads. Another source of imbalance is a fault or other interruption (e.g. for maintenance) along a single phase line. This would create a need for short term balancing until the affected line can be brought back into service. Further, the energy consumption by these loads changes continuously, making the balancing process challenging. Another unbalance problem is a current unbalance seen in a microgrid system at generator output terminals. In the microgrid system, there are multiple single phase loads supplied by a three phase generator. Since these single phase loads are not balanced equally, the current seen by the three phase generator will be unbalanced.
Effects of phase imbalances include increased line losses and heating, equipment overloading, and decreased system stability. Unbalanced phase currents create neutral current flows (if a neutral path exists) leading to additional losses (neutral line losses) on the system. Unbalanced voltages are an issue for three phase loads like induction motors or power-electronic converters, as the negative and zero sequence currents create additional losses. Unbalanced currents also lead to torque pulsations, increased vibrations and mechanical stresses, increased losses, and motor overheating and thus degrade the performance and shorten the life of the induction motors. In power electronic converters, the effects of unbalanced voltages include increased input current distortion, generation of twice the fundamental frequency voltage ripple in the direct current (DC) link and an increased reactive power.
There is currently a very limited ability to alleviate phase imbalances on distribution systems. Manual feeder switching operations to transfer circuits with multiple customers or loads from one phase to another phase at the substation level is one way of balancing an electricity distribution system. Several algorithms have been developed to optimize feeder switch positions. However, the switching is performed in a discrete manner and it cannot dynamically balance the system load.
For these and other reasons, there is a need for the present invention.

Power quality management system and methods of controlling phase unbalance


An electrical switch (4), in particular for electric hand tools (1), such as electric drills, hammer drills, electric screwdrivers or the like, has an actuating member (5) that can be moved from an initial position into an operating position. In the operating position, the actuation member (5) acts, for example, to switch a contact system or to adjust a potentiometer. In addition, the switch (4) has a movable actuating element (13) which, when it is moved, acts to actuate a first device the actuating element (13) is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the actuating member (5). Furthermore, in addition, a further, second device can be actuated by means of the actuating element (13).

The invention relates to an electrical switch for use in electric hand tools, such as electric drills, hammer drills, electric screwdrivers or the like, to switch the electric motor on and off and, if appropriate, to control the rotational speed of the electric motor.
DE-A 24 10 871 discloses an electrical switch with a housing in which a contact system is arranged. Mounted such that it can be moved on the housing is an actuating member which serves as a manual handle and which can be moved by the user into an actuating or operating position. In the operating position, the actuating member then acts to switch the contact system. In order to lock the actuating member in the operating position, the switch also has a locking device. The locking device comprises a slide that is connected to the actuating member and is guided on a side wall of the housing, and an actuating element that is mounted such that it can be moved on the side wall of the housing. By means of manual movement of the actuating element essentially perpendicularly with respect to the side wall of the housing, in the operating position of the actuating member, the actuating element can be brought to interact with the actuating member in order to lock the actuating member.
The actuating element for the known locking device is located on the side wall of the housing of the switch. In many cases, when the electric hand tool is used, manual handling of the actuating element can become arduous.
A switch for an electric tool, having a lateral locking device actuated by a plunger is also disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 3,814,886. In addition, the switch has a changeover switch for reversing the direction of rotation of the electric tool. A rotary knob for actuating the changeover switch is arranged concentrically with a sleeve to accommodate the plunger. The rotation of the rotary knob about the sleeve moves a contact slide, which is connected to the rotary knob by means of a joint, as a result of which the changeover switch is actuated in order to reverse the polarity of the electric motor. The plunger for the locking device and the rotary knob for the changeover switch for reversing the direction of rotation are two separate actuating elements which differ from each other. Because of the lateral arrangement of the two actuating elements, again their manual operability can be made more difficult.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,097,703 discloses an electrical switch for electrical appliances in which an actuating member can be moved from an initial position into an operating position, so that, in the operating position, the actuating member acts to switch a contact system and to adjust a potentiometer. The switch has a movable actuating element which, during its movement, acts to actuate a first locking device on the switch. For electrical appliances with an electric motor which can be operated reversibly and which can be operated in two opposite directions of rotation, this switch has an additional switching element for changing over the direction of rotation. This additional switching element is actuated by a slide which is located on the rear of the switch, which is opposite the actuating member and the actuating element. Here, too, the actuation of actuating member, actuating element and slide is made more difficult for the user during the use of the electrical appliance. In particular, there is a risk of maloperation.
As a rule, so-called universal motors are used in electrical appliances. In these universal motors, the carbon brushes which feed the power to the armature via the collector are adjusted from the neutral position by a certain angle in order to achieve optimization of the motor operation in one direction of rotation. In order to achieve optimization in the other direction of rotation of the electric motor as well, a device for adjusting the carbon brushes can also be arranged on the electric motor.
DE 195 45 651 A1 discloses a device for adjusting the carbon brushes for the electric motor in accordance with its direction of rotation. This device for adjusting the carbon brushes has a pivotable carrier, on which brush holders for the carbon brushes which slip on the collector of the electric motor are arranged. The carrier can be pivoted manually by means of an actuating element. The electrical changeover switch for the direction of rotation of the electric motor can be integrated into this device for adjusting the carbon brushes at the same time.
In order to start up the electrical appliance, the user has to set the direction of rotation by means of the actuating element located on the device for adjusting the carbon brushes. In addition, in order to operate the electrical appliance, the actuating member of the electrical switch has to be actuated manually by the user. Both the electrical switch and the device for adjusting the carbon brushes are arranged at different points relatively far removed from each other on the electrical appliance, which means that when the electrical appliance is being used, manual handling of the actuating element can be made more difficult.
Finally, EP-A2-0 057 414 discloses an electric hand tool having a switch which has a trigger, a changeover switch for the direction of rotation of the electric hand tool additionally being arranged on the switch. The changeover switch can be actuated by means of a sliding handle, which is fixed to a lever which is arranged on the upper side of the trigger and can be pivoted about an axis. In addition, a brush carrier with brush holders for the electric motor is arranged in the housing of the electric hand tool such that it can be adjusted. When the lever for actuating the changeover switch is pivoted, at the same time the brush carrier is adjusted. To this end, there is a fork element on the lever, which interacts with a stub axle on the brush holder of the brush carrier.
In this known electric hand tool, two devices are actuated simultaneously by means of the lever as an actuating element, namely on the one hand the adjusting device for the brush carrier and on the other hand the changeover switch for the direction of rotation of the electric motor. However, the lever does not permit mutually independent actuation of the two devices, so that the manual handling of the actuating element is severely restricted.
Starting from EP-A2-0 057 414, the invention is based on the object of developing the electrical switch for an electrical appliance further in such a way that the operation becomes more simple and more convenient for the user.
In a generic electrical appliance, this object is achieved by an electrical switch and a movable actuating element. The electrical switch has an actuating member that can be moved between an initial position and an operating position in a direction of movement. The actuating member, in the operating position, acts to switch a contact system or to adjust a potentiometer. The movable actuating element is arranged in an immediate vicinity of the actuating member. The actuating element, during movement, acts to actuate a first device and a second device. The actuating element includes a first part being mounted such that it can be moved in a second direction and a second part that can be moved both with the first part in the second direction and also in a first direction that is different from the second direction such that the first device is actuated when the actuating element is moved in the first direction, and the second device is actuated when the actuating element is moved in the second direction.
One of these two directions may lie within an angular range of less than +/xe2x88x9290 degrees in relation to the direction of movement of the actuating member. The angle in relation to the direction of movement of the actuating member is preferably up to a maximum of +/xe2x88x9215 degrees. In particular, the actuating element can be moved approximately in the direction of the actuating member.
For the purpose of particularly good handling, the actuating element adjusting the carbon brushes. In addition, in order to operate the electrical appliance, the actuating member of the electrical switch has to be actuated manually by the user. Both the electrical switch and the device for adjusting the carbon brushes are arranged at different points relatively far removed from each other on the electrical appliance, which means that when the electrical appliance is being used, manual handling of the actuating element can be made more difficult.
The invention is based on the object of developing the electrical switch further in such a way that the operation becomes more simple and more convenient for the user.
In a generic electrical switch, this object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1.
The electrical switch according to the invention has a movable actuating element which is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the actuating member. When the actuating element is moved, this acts to actuate a first device on the switch. In addition, by means of the actuating element, a further, second device can be actuated, so that the actuating element represents a type of multifunctional lever. Further refinements of the invention are the subject matter of the subclaims.
In order to actuate the first device, the actuating element can be moved in a first direction and, in order to actuate the second device, can be moved in a second direction, the two directions being different. One of these two directions may lie within an angular range of less than +/xe2x88x9290 degrees in relation to the direction of movement of the actuating member. The angle in relation to the direction of movement of the actuating member is preferably up to a maximum of +/xe2x88x9215 degrees. In particular, the actuating element can be moved approximately in the direction of the actuating member.
For the purpose of particularly good handling, the actuating element can be arranged directly on the upper side of the actuating member, specifically approximately at the transition between the housing body and the handle of the electric tool. In this case, the actuating element is designed as a push button, lever or the like, while the actuating member of the switch is a trigger. The actuating element can then be moved by being pressed essentially in the direction of movement of the trigger.
If one of the two devices is a locking device, then the actuating element for actuating the locking device can be moved in a direction differing from the perpendicular to the direction of movement of the actuating member. It is often the case that the electric tool can be operated both in the clockwise and in the counterclockwise direction. It is then obvious for the electrical switch to include a changeover switch for the clockwise/counterclockwise rotation of the electric tool as one of the two devices. The changeover switch has a changeover lever which is mounted such that it can be pivoted by up to about +/xe2x88x9215 degrees, for example, with respect to the direction of movement of the actuating member. Likewise, it is obvious to design the changeover lever for the clockwise/counterclockwise rotation as an actuating element for the locking device at the same time. The changeover lever can then be moved in its longitudinal direction for the purpose of locking. The changeover lever can be configured in two parts, in such a way that a first part can be pivoted and the other, second part can both be pivoted with the first part and can be moved linearly, counter to a restoring force, approximately radially with respect to the pivoting movement.
In a development, the locking device has a blocking element that can be moved by means of the actuating element. The blocking element is mounted such that it can be moved on the housing of the switch and can be brought by the actuating element into engagement with the movement path of the actuating member in order to lock the actuating member. The blocking element is further provided with a hook which, in order to lock, acts on a blocking face, an undercut or the like on the actuating member. Of course, the hook can also act on a part connected to the actuating member, such as a slide guided laterally on the housing of the switch. Because of the interaction between the hook and the blocking face, the return movement of the actuating member effected by a restoring force in the operating position is prevented, and therefore the actuating member is locked in the operating position.
In one embodiment, the blocking element can be designed as a spring-loaded slide element that is mounted such that it can be moved linearly on a housing part of the switch. In this case, it is obvious to arrange the housing part at the transition between the walls of the housing which are assigned to the changeover switch for the clockwise/counterclockwise rotation and the actuating member. The slide element is guided in the housing part approximately parallel to the wall of the housing facing the actuating member. Furthermore, the slide element has a hook at the first end, which faces away from the wall of the housing that is assigned to the changeover switch for the clockwise/counterclockwise rotation. A wedge face on the actuating element, which is located in particular on the linearly movable, second part of the changeover lever, interacts with the second end of the slide element, which faces the wall of the housing that is assigned to the changeover switch for the clockwise/counterclockwise rotation. As a result, the slide element is displaced by the movement of the actuating element such that, in order to lock, the hook acts on a blocking face on the actuating member, if appropriate a blocking face configured like a shoulder, in the operating position of the actuating member.
In another embodiment, the blocking element is designed as a lever element that is mounted such that it can be rotated on the housing of the switch, for example on the wall of the housing that is assigned to the changeover switch for the clockwise/counterclockwise rotation. From the lever element there projects approximately perpendicularly an arm which extends approximately parallel to the wall of the housing facing the actuating member, and has a hook. A cam on the actuating element, which is located in particular on the linearly movable, second part of the changeover lever, engages in a slotted guide on the lever element. As a result, during the movement of the actuating element, the lever element is pivoted such that the hook, in order to lock, engages behind a blocking face on the actuating member, which is located on the lateral slide, for example, in the operating position of the actuating member.
Furthermore, one of the two devices may be a device for adjusting the carbon brushes for the electric motor, it being possible for this device to be adjusted by means of the movable actuating element. The device for adjusting the carbon brushes can have a pivotable carrier to accommodate the brush holders, a coupling element being arranged between the actuating element and the carrier. The coupling element can be designed in the manner of a gear mechanism or can comprise a toggle lever, tilting lever, a tilting detent mechanism or the like.
In particular, in this case it is also preferred for the actuating element for the device for adjusting the carbon brushes to be designed in the manner of a multifunctional lever. In addition to actuating the device for adjusting the carbon brushes, using this multifunctional lever, the switch for reversing the direction of rotation can be switched at the same time, and the actuation of a locking device for the actuating member in the operating position can be performed.
The advantages achieved by the invention consist in particular in that there is only one actuating element for a number of functions, for example for the locking, adjustment of the carbon brushes and changing over the direction of rotation. This results, on the one hand, in a considerable saving in costs. On the other hand, at the same time the ergonomics for the user when handling the electrical appliance is increased, and the aforementioned functions of the switch can be operated more conveniently for the user. Otherwise, maloperation by the user is also avoided, and the risks of an accident when using the electrical appliance are reduced. For example, changing over the direction of rotation can be blocked by the actuating element in a simple way if the actuating member of the switch is actuated.
In addition to the actuating member of the switch, the actuating element for the locking device and/or for the direction-of-rotation changeover switch and/or for the device for adjusting the carbon brushes can also be accommodated in the handle of the electrical appliance. At the same time, the handle which accommodates the switch and belongs to the electric tool can advantageously be configured to be symmetrical. In particular, it should be emphasized that, in particular, the locking action is equally suitable for right-handed and left-handed people, which is not the case in previous switches.
In addition, no additional opening is needed in the handle of the electric tool, such as was previously needed for the actuating element of the locking device and/or the adjusting device for the carbon brushes and/or for the direction-of-rotation changeover switch. As a result, not only is a more pleasing appearance of the electrical appliance or of the handle achieved, but also improved protection against the penetration of foreign bodies, such as dust, humidity or the like, into the electrical appliance. This also prevents premature failure of the electrical appliance and/or of the switch and/or of the aforementioned devices on the switch, and their service life is increased.


A method of managing context-sensitive help data for a computer system includes displaying a plurality of program components to a user for interaction, and retrieving from a first memory area having a first access time first help data corresponding to a first of the components, where the first component is not interacted with by the user. Then store the first help data in a second memory area having a second access time less than the first access time. Subsequent to storing the first help data, determine whether the user has interacted with the first component, and responsive to the determination, retrieve the first help data from the second memory area and display the first help data to the user.

Application and system computer programs typically provide access to help. Often the help is available as a menu item in a menu bar provided by the application or systems program currently being used by the user. The user, if confused or otherwise in need of assistance, can select the menu item labeled "help", and, it is hoped, receive information that answers the computer user's question or otherwise clears up any confusion. If the help is well written and presented, it can be of considerable aid to the computer user, truly helping to boost the user's productivity and efficiency.
One approach to making help more useful to a computer user is to automatically make the help "context sensitive". Context sensitive help is tailored to the computer user's use of the application or system program. For example, any given application or systems program will typically include a variety of components which are accessible through a graphical user interface (GUI). At any given time, the computer user is typically only using a subset of those components. The user may, for example, have a particular dialog box presented on the display, which dialog box includes a variety of components that the user may select. Context sensitive help tracks the user's navigation through the program, and in response to that tracking, provides help information that relates to the particular component of the program being used at that time. Thus, when the user selects the help item from the menu bar, he or she is not simply presented with an index to the entire help database or a request to enter a search keyword for particular help. Rather, help information is presented that focuses on that aspect of the program being currently used by the user. Of course, should the user desire to search the entire help database or to view an entire index, the user can do so.
In one version of context sensitive help, the help information is automatically and constantly rendered, that is, displayed on the user's screen, typically in a separate pane that is located adjacent to a window with which the user interacts to run the application program. The contents of this separate help pane are updated as the user references various components of the graphical user interface of the application program, such as by moving a cursor over that component.
As is evident from the discussion above, help is provided to a user to boost the computer user's productivity and efficiency. The goal is to save, not waste, the user's time. Unfortunately, the effect at times can be the opposite. Computer systems are now often distributed. The Internet, a worldwide collection of networked computers, may be the best known example of a distributed computer system. Often, the computer user operates a client computer that communicates with a remote server that actually stores and runs the application program and help data. Unfortunately, due to delays in retrieving the help, such as a delay in transmitting information over networks, there can be a noticeable time lag in the rendering or retrieving of help information. The help displayed may not be relevant to the GUI component referenced. Furthermore, such delays can even interfere with the user's use of the application program, as the client computer can be occupied receiving help information over the network. In such circumstances, context sensitive help can be a nuisance and a hindrance rather than an aid. The user may even be tempted to shut off the help function completely so as to avoid the distraction of constantly loading possible irrelevant help data, and to free up system resources to avoid waiting to use the graphical user interface of the application program.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to address one or more of the foregoing disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for improving the presentation of help to a computer user.

Method and apparatus for providing computer-based help