By rotating a drum at a low speed, the laundry is redistributed so that the eccentric load due to the laundry comes at a position opposing a balancing chamber. Then, while the drum is rotated at a middle speed, a balancing-water supply valve is opened to supply water from a balancing-water nozzle into a water-guiding chamber provided on the back of the drum. The water supplied flows into the balancing chamber, thus increasing the weight of the balancing chamber. The water supply is continued until the magnitude of the eccentric load of the drum holding the laundry and the water becomes smaller than a predetermined value. After an adequate amount of water is supplied, the total eccentric load is so small that the abnormal vibration does not occur even when the drum is rotated at a high speed for extraction.

In a so-called drum type (or a front loading type) spin extractor, wet laundry after being washed are thrown into a basket drum having a horizontal rotation axis from the front opening, and the drum is rotated about the horizontal axis at high speed. When, in the spin extractor of this type, the drum is rotated at high speed with the laundry distributed unevenly therein, abnormal vibration occurs due to the uneven mass distribution around the axis. In conventional washing machines that include such a drum type spin extractor, one or several heavy weights are attached to the tub enclosing the drum for suppressing such an abnormal vibration. This naturally increases the weight of the washing machine, which makes the transportation and more installation difficult.
Several proposals have been made addressing this kind of abnormal vibration of the drum type spin extractors. In the Publication No. H6-254294 of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, a spin extractor is disclosed in which the laundry is evenly redistributed in the drum by rotating the drum at low speed before rotating it at high speed for extraction. The process in detail is as follows. First the drum is rotated at a very low speed for a very short time, and then it is rotated at a low speed which is a little higher than said very low speed but quite lower than the speed for liquid extraction. By the two-stage rotating operation, the laundry in the drum is redistributed. And the machine is equipped with a vibration sensor on its base. When the sensor detects vibration while the drum is rotated at high speed for extraction, the speed of the drum is lowered.
In the above spin extractor, it is not assured that the laundry is redistributed evenly with a single low-speed rotating operation. If vibration is detected by the sensor when the drum is rotated at high speed for extraction after the low-speed rotating operation, another trial of low-speed rotating operation is necessary to redistribute the laundry. It may take a long time before a thoroughly even distribution is obtained if such trials are repeated several times.
Another disadvantage of the above spin extractor is that an even distribution in the drum is impossible if the laundry in the drum is a single article and is heavy, for example jeans. In this case, vibration cannot be suppressed by the above method.
In the Publication No. H7-100095 of Japanese Examined Patent Application, a spin extractor is disclosed that adjusts the rotating balance using a weight piece attached on a part of the inner wall of the drum. It is assumed in the spin extractor that, while rotated at low speed, the drum is balanced when the weight piece is at the top because the laundry in the drum rests at the bottom naturally because of the gravity, at which time the drum is started and rotates at high speed for extraction.
The complete balancing of the drum is not assured, however, because the weight of the laundry is not always equal to the weight of the weight piece. It is of course possible to balance the weights if the weight of the laundry thrown in the drum is strictly controlled, which is unpractical in actual use of a spin extractor.


A method and apparatus for controlling light intensity from two or more light sources. A timing scheme is used to modulate the light sources. Light from the light sources is combined to form a beam and a photo-sensor senses the beam. In a time interval when only one of the light sources is activated, the signal from the photo-sensor is monitored and used in a feedback control circuit to control the active light source.

An ultra-compact projection display, called a micro-projector, can provide an image larger than the hosting projecting device dimension. Such displays have the potential to overcome the display size limitation on mobile devices and can be used to display documents and images, for example. The displays can also help to overcome the input interface size limitation on mobile devices by displaying virtual input devices, such as keyboards.
One technology used for micro-projection is laser scanning, in which red, green and blue laser beams are scanned across a surface to form a full color image.
It is known that an individual semi-conductor or solid-state laser requires dynamic intensity stability control, which is usually performed by monitoring the laser output with a photo-diode and using a feedback control loop to control the laser intensity.
When micro-projection is used in a mobile device, the environmental conditions, such as temperature, will be subject to large changes. These changes increase the need for intensity control.
In a full color micro-projector, the laser sources are very close together and some techniques used for feedback control of a single laser may be ineffective due to cross-talk between the lasers. For example, one prior approach is to monitor the main beam reflection in the system, either from the housing or from the lens, to provide a feedback signal. Another approach is to measure leakage from a back mirror of the laser cavity. However, this is not a direct measure of laser power and reduces laser efficiency. Neither of these approaches will work when multiple lasers are used, because they do not provide feedback for the individual lasers, or they result in increased overall size of the system.

Method and apparatus for intensity control of multiple light sources using source timing


Processes for the preparation of 4-amino-1-((1S,4R,5S)-2-fluoro-4,5-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-cyclopent-2-enyl)-1H-pyrimidin-2-one (13, RX-3117) and its intermediates are described.

4-Amino-1((1S,4R,5 S)-2-fluoro-4,5-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-cyclopent-2-enyl)-1H-pyrimidin-2-one (RX-3117)
is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,405,214, which describes a synthetic method and method of treatment as well. The method described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,405,214 includes a total of 11 steps to synthesize the (3R,4R,6aR)-tert-Butyl-(5-fluoro-2,2-dimethyl-6-trityloxymethyl-4,6a-dihydro-3aH-cyclopenta[1,3]dioxol-4-yloxy)-diphenyl-silane from D-ribose, which is an important intermediate for the synthesis of 4-amino-1-((1S,4R,5S)-2-fluoro-4,5-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-cyclopent-2-enyl)-1H-pyrimidin-2-one. U.S. Pat. No. 7,405,214 uses an expensive catalyst which poses a challenge for implementation in plant production.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Process or the preparation of 4-amino 1-((1S,4R,5S)-2-fluoro-4,5-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-cyclopent-2-Enyl)-1H-pyrimidin-2-one


A charging device for rechargeable batteries. The device includes a basic charging device, which contains a recharging circuit which may include a transformer, rectifier and control circuit. An interchangeable adapter insert is received in this basic device. Each insert has the same exterior shape but a different type of inner loading channel that is compatible with the geometry of a particular type of battery that is to be charged. Thus, any type of rechargeable battery may be charged with one basic device and appropriate, additional interchangeable inserts.

The present invention relates to a charging device for rechargeable batteries of any size, voltage and capacity.
Charging devices for rechargeable storage batteries are known in various forms. (Although the term "storage batteries" is used herein, it is to be interpreted as meaning any type of rechargeable battery.) They are used for charging suitable storage batteries repeatedly and include a broad spectrum of devices in order to charge different kinds of storage batteries as exemplified by heavy vehicle batteries down to the smallest button cell.
Recently, charging devices for storage batteries are being used to a greater extent because more and more battery-operated devices are being used. Such batteries are used not only in the domestic area (rechargeable toothbrushes, flashlights, etc.), but also in the handicraft and industrial sectors, especially also for electric tools. To avoid the need for being connected to an electrical network, electric tools have a storage battery pack or some other power supply equipment which makes them independent of such a network.
Such storage battery packs, as well as the nickel-cadmium storage batteries which are already being used frequently at the present time, are obtainable in the common battery sizes and can, in some cases, withstand more than 1,000 charging cycles. They are preferred over regular batteries not only for environmental reasons, but also because they can provide high currents for long periods of time for driving motors.
Until now, practically any device which is used in the household, the trade or the industry and obtains its power from storage batteries, has at its disposal its own, specially matched charger. Such a charger is designed so that many hours of charging time are required before the device can be used again.
Such chargers usually have all of the equipment required for charging the storage battery or batteries satisfactorily. Such equipment includes transformers, rectifier circuits, control systems, temperature sensors to avoid overheating the storage battery during the charging, etc. However, such equipment is not suitable for use with storage battery packs or rechargeable batteries of a different size and/or different capacity that usually also have a different type of connector. This not only leads to inconvenience when the various devices driven by storage batteries are used, but also to undesirable investments in inventory and extensive inventory storage requirements.
Universal chargers for rechargeable batteries are known, particularly if they are of a size for charging conventional monocells or baby cells. Such chargers have several possible positions, perhaps being adjustable by spring tension. However, these chargers, which have not been matched to the batteries, generate only a particular, low charging current and cannot take the state of the battery into consideration nor determine, for example, the temperature of the battery.
It is desired to provide an integrated, yet universally applicable storage battery charging system in modular construction so that rechargeable storage batteries of any size, voltage and capacity may be recharged within a very short time if desired.

Charging device for rechargeable batteries


A clip dispensing device has a dispenser body and a magazine inside the body for storage of a stack of clips. The magazine includes an outlet end adjacent a front end of the body, a biased platform for bearing on the last clip in the stack of clips and urging the first clip in the stack of clips against the outlet end of the magazine and an outlet groove at the outlet end of the magazine for dispensing clips from the magazine. A presser is movably attached to the body for reciprocating movement in a clip ejection direction and a withdrawal direction. A pusher is connected to the presser for reciprocating movement with the presser. The pusher reciprocates within a pusher groove communicating with the magazine through a pusher slot located in the body. A tongue having a size smaller than the pusher slot is pivotally attached to the pusher at a first end of the tongue. A second end of the tongue engages the first clip. When the presser is moved in the clip ejection direction, the pusher moves within the pusher groove toward the magazine and the second end of the tongue pivots through the pusher slot to engage the first clip in the stack of clips and push the first clip through the outlet groove. The tongue retracts through the pusher slot into the pusher groove when the pusher and presser move in the withdrawal direction. With this construction, the biasing force of the clips does not bear against the torque or pusher, so that the presser easily retracts in the withdrawal direction.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a device to dispense clips for clipping plants or vines to a trellis wire.
2. Description of Related Art
In the growing of plants with vines or stems, it is desirable to support the vines or stems, so as to maximize the growth potential of the plants. There exists equipment for manual attachment of plants to a trellis wire which involves multiple steps or operations. These multiple steps or operations are time consuming.
It is also necessary to remove the clip or other means of attachment after a certain growth has occurred or time has passed. Many of the existing forms of manual attachment require labor-intensive and costly procedures to remove the attachment.
Russian Patent No. 2,048,064 discloses a device designed to overcome these problems with the prior methods of attaching a vine or stem to a trellis wire. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, Russian Patent No. 2,048,064 discloses a device consisting of body 102, handle 105, dispenser 106 which holds stack of clips 103, spring 114 urging the stack of clips toward the top of the dispenser, exit grooves 118 located at the top of the dispenser adjacent the uppermost clip of the stack of clips, and pusher 110 for pushing the uppermost clip through exit grooves 118 and out of the device. Arm 108 attached to handle 105 meshes with notch 109 in pusher 110 so that when handle 105 is depressed, arm 108 pushes pusher 110 by way of notch 109 and moves pusher 110 toward exit grooves 118. In moving toward exit grooves 118, pusher 110 contacts the end of the uppermost clip of the stack of clips and pushes the clip out of exit grooves 118.
The structure of the device of the Russian patent creates a problem in that after a clip has been dispensed, the new uppermost clip is pushed against the bottom side of pusher 110 by spring 114 which urges the stack of clips upward, thus creating a frictional force between the uppermost clip and pusher 110. This frictional force prevents pusher 110 from smoothly and easily retracting to its initial position ready to dispense another clip.


This invention relates to the use of aldose reductase inhibitors in the treatment, prevention or reversal of diabetic cardiomyopathy in a human subject.

Of all identified diabetic sequelae, perhaps the most physiologically deleterious are those complications involving the cardiovascular system. These may, for example, involve the blood or nervous supply to the heart or the heart muscle (myocardium) directly. An associated disease state related to myocardial abnormalities is diabetic cardiomyopathy, an affliction in which subjects afflicted therewith manifest such symptomes as, inter alia, an overall reduction in cardiac performance, reduced ventricular compliance as characterized by slowed, incomplete cardiac filling (diastolic dysfunction), an increased incidence of congestive heart failure and a markedly enhanced potential for death during episodes of myocardial infarction. Moreover, secondary indicators such as the development of interstitial and myocellular tissue abnormalities (including interstitial, perivascular and focal scar-like connective tissue accumulations) may be present in addition to microangiopathy (including thickening of the capillary basement membrane, pericapillary edema and capillary microaneurysms). These characteristic abnormalities define the syndrome of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Detailed discussions of this condition may be found, for example, in F. S. Fein, et. al., "Diabetic Cardiomyopathy", Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy, Vol. 8, pp. 65-73, 1994, and D. S. H. Bell, "Diabetic Cardiomyopathy", Diabetes Care, Vol. 18, pp. 708-714, 1995 and pertinent references cited therein.
Aldose reductase inhibitors constitute a class of compounds which have become well known for their utility in the treatment of certain diabetic complications such as ocular cataract formation and diabetic neuropathy and nephropathy. Such compounds are well known to those skilled in the art and may be identified by standard biological methodology.
The compound zopolrestat, 3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3-(5-trifluoromethylbenzothiazol-2-ylmethyl)phthalazin-1 -ylacetic acid, is known, for example, from commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,939,140, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, together with a number of related compounds, as having utility as aldose reductase inhibitors. Zopolrestat has the structure ##STR1## and, as an aldose reductase inhibitor, has utility in the treatment of certain complications arising from diabetes mellitus.
Other aldose reductase inhibitors are known to have use in the lowering of lipid levels in mammals, including humans. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,706 and EP 0 310 931 A2, as well as commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,551, the disclosures of which are also incorporated herein by reference.
Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,830, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses the use of certain oxophthalazinyl acetic acids, including zopoirestat, for the lowering of blood uric acid levels.

Aldose reductase inhibition in preventing or reversing diabetic cardiomyopathy


An insulative block of foam insulation has interspersed on an upper angled surface, a series of ridges and valleys. The valleys afford passageways for air circulation through the soffits and out the attic vents, be they ridge vents or attic turbines. This eave insulation prevents/reduces the thaw freeze phenomenon resulting from heat escaping in the vent region which results in the formation of ice dams which often produce roof damage.

The present invention is directed to the field of energy conservation. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an insulation unit which can provide significant R value while affording proper ventilation in the eaves of an attic.
Failure to properly insulate and ventilate attic eaves can create numerous problems for a home owner including, but not limited to, exorbitant fuel bills, formation of ice dams in gutters leading to roof and/or ceiling damage in the winter, retention of excessive heat in the attic increasing the costs of cooling the home beneath and baking any items stored in the attic space in the summer. In addition, without proper ventilation, moisture may accumulate in the attic leading to mold, mildew, and possibly, dry rot of the joists.
Most of these problems arise from improperly installed insulation which extends an improper distance into the eave area of the attic. It is difficult enough to achieve the proper balance of insulation and ventilation. When this difficulty is compounded by the lack of accurate information in the minds of most do-it-yourselfers who add R value to their existing attic insulation, you have a formula for failure.
The present invention provides a solution to these problems. The vent insulation of the present invention provides a simple, inexpensive insulation unit which may be inserted between the joists on 24″ centers and pushed out into the eave area. No dimension of the vent insulation unit exceeds 2′ and, accordingly, the vent insulation of the present invention augments, it does not replace, conventional insulation systems. The body of insulation is tapered from front to back at an angle which is in the range of between 20° and 60° and more preferably between 30° and 45° to mimic the pitch of the roof of the building in which the insulation is used.
Various other features, advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after a reading of the following specification.


A noise cancellation method comprises receiving, by an adaptive phase-noise cancellation apparatus, an incoming symbol from a receiver, performing a hard decision process on the incoming symbol to generate a corresponding clean symbol of the incoming symbol, generating a conjugate instance of the corresponding clean symbol, multiplying the orthogonal instance of the incoming symbol by the conjugate instance of the corresponding clean symbol to generate an intermediate component and calculating a phase deviation of the incoming symbol based upon a real part of the intermediate component and an imaginary part of the intermediate component.

Wireless communication systems are widely used to provide voice and data services for multiple users using a variety of access terminals such as cellular telephones, laptop computers and various multimedia devices. Such communications systems can encompass local area networks, such as IEEE 801.11 networks, cellular telephone and/or mobile broadband networks. The communication system can use one or more multiple access techniques, such as Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) and others. Mobile broadband networks can conform to a number of standards such as the main 2nd-Generation (2G) technology Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), the main 3rd-Generation (3G) technology Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and the main 4th-Generation (4G) technology Long Term Evolution (LTE).
A wireless network may include a wireless device and a plurality of base stations. The wireless device may be a notebook computer, a mobile phone or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a media player, a gaming device or the like. The base stations communicate with the wireless device over a plurality of wireless channels coupled between the wireless device and the base stations (e.g., a downlink channel from a base station to a wireless device). The wireless device may send back information, including channel information, to the base stations over a plurality of reverse channels (e.g., an uplink channel from the wireless device to the base station or a backhaul link between base stations or relay nodes).
The wireless device may include a processor, a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter may be coupled to one transmit antenna. The receiver may be coupled to a receive antenna. Alternatively, both the transmitter and the receiver are coupled to the same antenna via a duplexer. One major function of the receiver is rejecting unwanted noise such as additive thermal noise and multiplicative phase noise so that a desired signal from a wide spectrum of signals can be recovered.
Unwanted noise may prevent the receiver from correctly recovering a signal. For example, phase noise generated by an oscillator of a local receiver and/or a corresponding remote transmitter may cause the demodulator of the receiver to make incorrect decisions. Such incorrect decisions result in a higher bit error rate (BER), which may cause an unacceptable loss of information and reliability in a digital communication system.

Phase-noise cancellation apparatus and method


An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system includes an enclosure and a plurality of power converter modules positioned in the enclosure, each power conversion module including a power converter circuit, a module controller circuit configured to control the power converter circuit and at least one module fan controlled by the module controller circuit. The system further includes a system controller positioned in the enclosure and configured to communicate with the module controller circuits over a communications bus and at least one exhaust fan configured to exhaust air from the enclosure and controlled by the system controller. The system controller is configured to control the at least one exhaust fan responsive to information, such as temperature and/or load information, received from the module controller circuits.

The inventive subject matter relates to electronic systems and, more particularly, to cooling systems and methods for electronic systems.
In data centers, telecommunications centers and the like, such equipment is typically mounted in standardized enclosures (e.g., "racks") that may be arranged in rows. Such enclosures may have slots configured to be loaded with modular components, such as servers, routers, hubs and the like, that perform various computing and communications functions. Because electronic equipment may generate significant amounts of heat, cooling systems are often required to prevent equipment malfunction or failure. The equipment and/or the enclosures may be equipped with fans or other air moving devices to provide such cooling. Additional cooling may be provided by duct systems that evacuate heated air from racks using fans in conjunction with various types of exhaust ductwork coupled to the racks. Various cooling system arrangements are described, for example, in a brochure entitled Airflow Management Solutions, published by Eaton Corporation (2011).
Rack mounted uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems are commonly used in data center applications. Such systems may include multiple power converter modules mounted in one or more enclosures. The power converter modules may include integral cooling fans that, for example, draw air into the module and across heat-generating components and exhaust heated air through, for example, a back wall of the module. There is an ongoing need for improved cooling to enable increased power density, reduction in footprint and increased implementation flexibility of these UPS systems.

Equipment enclosure fan control systems and methods


A tracheotomy valve unit for use with a tracheotomy tube inserted into a patient's trachea comprises a first end for connection to the tracheotomy tube, a second end comprising a valve unit inlet, a first valve that permits airflow to the tube when the patient inhales and blocks airflow from the tube when the patient exhales thereby permitting speech, and a second valve that permits airflow from the tube back out the valve unit when the intrathoracic pressure during expiration is greater than about 12 cm of water. The second valve functions as a pressure release valve that increases tolerance and wearing comfort. In one embodiment, the second valve comprises a slit valve or an umbrella valve.

The present invention relates to a tracheotomy valve unit adapted for use with a tracheotomy tube inserted into a patient's trachea. More particularly, the invention relates to a tracheotomy valve unit containing a first valve that permits airflow through the valve unit when the patient inhales and blocks airflow through the valve unit when the patient exhales to enable speech, and a second pressure release valve that reduces intrathoracic pressure during expiration and improves comfort.
Individuals with tracheotomy tubes often have difficulty with speech, which is normally produced by airflow past the vocal cords on expiration. If a tracheotomy tube is present, air on expiration is mainly expelled through the tracheotomy tube rather than through the vocal cords. To overcome this problem, a one-way tracheotomy valve (or speaking valve) can be placed over the entrance to the tracheotomy tube. This allows air to be inhaled through the valve and into the tracheotomy tube, but does not allow exhaled air to escape back through the tracheotomy tube and out the valve. Instead, the air is forced around the tracheotomy tube, or through the shaft of the tube if it is fenestrated, and escapes through the vocal cords, permitting speech. The corresponding increase in subglottic pressure during exhalation also facilitates swallowing and cough production.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,356, Muir, issued Jul. 26, 1988, discloses such a one-way tracheotomy valve that prevents airflow except when the patient inhales. This is accomplished by positively biasing a flexible diaphragm against a valve seat using a rivet structure. The valve is thus entirely closed during the exhalation phase of the respiration cycle and at the beginning and end of the inhalation phase of the cycle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,058, Depel et al., issued Apr. 15, 1986, discloses a tracheostoma valve assembly containing a spring-biased main valve that remains open during normal breathing and closes during normal air flow associated with speech. The valve assembly includes a separate external relief valve that is closed during normal breathing and speaking and opens to release air pressure resulting from a substantially increased air pressure within the valve assembly, such as due to a cough. The relief valve automatically closes when the air pressure is reduced in the valve assembly.
However, some people with a tracheotomy tube, particularly children, cannot tolerate a speaking valve because their airway is too obstructed by the tube to allow full and comfortable clearance of air inspired through the one-way valve. This may be caused by an upper tracheal or subglottic stenosis, suprastomal collapse, or too large a tracheotomy tube. These conditions limit the escape of inhaled air, and may result in a feeling of suffocation and raised intrathoracic pressure on expiration. This may cause the speaking valve to be displaced, or may result in chronically raised intrathoracic pressure which, in turn, may compromise venous blood return to the heart and predispose one to pulmonary hypertension.
Thus, there is a need for a tracheotomy valve unit that allows full and comfortable clearance of inspired air and prevents the build up of excess intrathoracic pressure during expiration, while maintaining sufficient pressure to allow the user to generate speech.


The timepiece movement is provided with an analog device for displaying information whose value varies periodically or intermittently, this analog display device including, on the one hand, an indicator provided with a first toothing, and on the other hand, a mechanism for the periodic or intermittent driving of the indicator. The drive mechanism is formed by an irreversible transmission system which ensures a shock resistant function for the indicator. The display device further includes a positioning jumper for the indicator generating a positioning force on the first toothing, which is sufficient to precisely position the indicator in a plurality of discrete display positions, but considerably insufficient to ensure a shock resistant function for the indicator. Thus, the indicator can be driven with a relatively low torque; which therefore requires less energy and makes it possible to provide a drive mechanism with a lower gear reduction for the drive torque transmission ratio.

There are mainly three known types of mechanism for driving a calendar indicator, in particular a date ring: a continuous mechanism, a conventional semi-instantaneous mechanism and an instantaneous mechanism.
In a conventional variant shown in FIG. 1, the continuous mechanism 2 is arranged to drive a date ring 4 provided with an inner toothing 6. This continuous mechanism includes a Maltese cross 8 and a wheel set 12 for actuation thereof. The Maltese cross includes six branches 9 and is integral with a coaxial pinion 10 which meshes with the date ring toothing 6. Pinion 10 has six teeth. The number of branches of the Maltese cross and the number of teeth of the pinion are given here by way of non-limiting example. Thus, there is also a known mechanism of this type having a Maltese cross with four branches and a pinion with eight teeth. Preferably, the ratio between the number of teeth and the number of branches is an integer number. Actuation wheel set 12 includes two drive pins 16, 17 and a locking member 14 which cooperates with branches 9 to lock the Maltese cross in stable positions between two successive drive operations respectively performed by the two pins. This actuation wheel set is driven in rotation, for example, by a pinion 20. As the operation of a Maltese cross system is well known, it will not be described in more detail here.
The continuous drive mechanism described above is characterized by a gear with little or no play, and by the absence of a jumper spring. Thus, the driving function and the function of positioning the date ring in its display positions are both performed by the pinion associated with the Maltese cross. Moreover, the shock-resistant function is performed by the Maltese cross system, as the locking member 14 easily ensures this function. The manufacture of a timepiece movement with this type of mechanism is expensive since it it necessary to reduce to a maximum the machining and assembly tolerances (manufacturing tolerances) of the mechanism and of the date ring, to ensure precise positioning of the ring in its display positions, for example precise centering of each date in the aperture of a dial provided for the timepiece movement.
The conventional semi-instantaneous drive mechanism includes a drive wheel for the date ring generally provided with one finger-piece or two finger-pieces which periodically penetrate(s) the ring toothing to drive it from one display position to the next. The spaces between the teeth of this toothing are generally made relatively wide, in particular to allow each finger-piece to enter and exit the ring toothing with no risk of locking; especially because of the manufacturing and centering tolerances of the date ring. Thus, it is clear that the drive wheel cannot ensure the function of positioning the ring. Further, it cannot ensure a shock resistant function, since generally there is no meshing between the toothing and the finger-piece, respectively the two finger-pieces, over a certain range of angles of the drive wheel.
To ensure the positioning function and the shock resistant function, there is provided a jumper-spring, also called a "jumper", which is inserted between two successive teeth of the ring toothing. This is referred to as a semi-instantaneous system since, in a first phase of the change to the next date, the ring is driven in rotation by a finger-piece of the drive wheel and the tip of the tooth downstream of the jumper lifts the jumper until the tip of the jumper is resting against the tip of the tooth. Next, the jumper exerts a tangential force on the rear flank of the tooth concerned and then takes its next rest position. In this second phase, the jumper rapidly drives the date ring in rotation to its next display position, the finger-piece of the drive wheel continuing its rotation at a lower speed than the ring and thus ceasing to exert a torque force on the ring. The space between the teeth is arranged to be sufficiently large so that the tooth following the tooth pushed by a finger-piece does not abut against the finger-piece inserted into the ring toothing. A major drawback of this semi-instantaneous mechanism arises from the fact that the shock resistant function is accomplished by the jumper, which therefore has to press on the date ring with significant force in order to exert sufficient locking torque in the event of a shock. Thus, at each change of date, the drive mechanism must provide a large drive torque to overcome the positioning torque of the jumper; which requires a great deal of energy and a mechanism capable of providing such a drive torque at the date ring toothing.
There exist several embodiments of an instantaneous drive mechanism. In each case there is provided a positioning jumper that also ensures the shock resistant function. This mechanism therefore has the same drawbacks as the semi-instantaneous mechanism described above.

Timepiece movement provided with a drive mechanism for the periodic or intermittent movement of an analogue indicator


An apparatus for cleaning teeth having a first portion with a teeth cleaning element such as a brush. The apparatus further having a second portion coupled to the first portion and having a wall with an inner surface defining a cavity, an outer surface, and an aperture extending completely through the wall providing a passageway between the cavity and the inner surface. A roll of messaging sheets being positioned within the cavity and the aperture being sufficiently large to allow a sheet section to pass therethrough. The sheet section preferably having an adhesive sticker removably attached thereto.

The brushing of children's teeth has been an age old problem for parents. Most children are not easily persuaded to brush their teeth regularly. Some prior art toothbrushes have attempted to remedy this problem by providing entertainment for children while they brush their teeth. This has been attempted in various ways but has not solved the problem of getting children to regularly brush their teeth.
Examples of some prior toothbrushes that attempt to produce sounds and/or lights are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,877,477 to Levin; 4,341,230 to Siahou; 4,744,124 to Wang et al. and 5,339,479 to Lyman.
Examples of additional prior toothbrushes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,486,062 to Ridner; 3,890,986 to Gerlich; 4,140,140 to Proia et al.; 4,152,804 to Morris; 4,209,871 to Ernest et al.; 4,821,752 to Widlak; 5,305,490 to Lundgren and 5,361,446 to Rufo.
Thus, there is a continuing need to provide improved toothbrushes that encourage children to regularly brush their teeth. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs which will become apparent to those skilled in the art once given this disclosure.


The present invention provides a novel human P.sub.2X purinoreceptor (HPURR) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HPURR. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding HPURR and a method for producing HPURR. The invention also provides for use of HPURR, and agonists, antibodies or antagonists specifically binding HPURR, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of HPURR. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding HPURR for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of HPURR. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding HPURR.

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) has many different physiological functions in the cell. For example, ATP is the energy source for many biochemical reactions, a precursor for ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis, the precursor for cyclic AMP synthesis, etc. ATP also functions as an extracellular messenger in neuronal and non-neuronal tissues. Extracellular ATP exerts its effects on these tissues by acting through membrane-associated purinoreceptors (Burnstock, G. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. (1990) 603:1-17). The purinoreceptors can be either ligand-gated ion channels (Bean, B. P. (1992) Trends Pharmac. Sci. 12:87-90; Bean, B. P. and Fried, D. D. (1990) Ion Channels 2:169-203) that are generally referred to as P.sub.2X receptors, (but also known as: purinergic channels, P.sub.2X R-channels, and ATP-gated channels) or G-protein-coupled (P.sub.2Y or P.sub.2V) receptors (Barnard, E. A. et al. (1994) Trends Pharmac. Sci. 15:67-70).
ATP-gated P.sub.2X receptors have been identified on autonomic and sensory neurons and on smooth muscle cells where they mediate membrane depolarization and, in certain cases, Ca.sup.2+ flux (Bean, B. P., supra). The P.sub.2X receptors are present on both nerve terminals and cell bodies of peripheral (PNS) and central (CNS) neurons. The receptors have short latency and inactivation time-constants that are consistent with a physiological role in neurotransmission. Their function includes fast signaling across synapses of the PNS and CNS. In the CNS, where ATP acts as a fast excitatory synaptic transmitter at nerve--nerve synapses, P.sub.2X receptors may mediate rapid sensory, motor, and cognitive functions. ATP may also serve as a co-transmitter of acetylcholine, substance P, and noradrenaline signals.
Peripheral P.sub.2X receptors also regulate effector structures such as cardiac and smooth muscle (Burnstock, G., supra), and are responsible for sympathetic vasoconstriction in small arteries and arterioles (Burnstock, G. (1988) Trends Pharmac. Sci. 9:116-7; Evans, J. R. and Surprenant, A. (1992) Br. J. Pharmacol. 106:242-9). In muscle and other cells, .sub.P2X receptors exert effects via direct conductance of Ca.sup.2+ ions as well as via conductance of Na.sup.+ ions; Na.sup.+ conductance causes membrane depolarization and subsequent activation of voltage-gated neuronal Na.sup.+ channels. Ca.sup.2+ influx through ATP-gated channels may also have a role in neurosecretory processes where the effector is a gland.
P.sub.2X receptors also have several roles in immune system responses. A purinoreceptor, originally designated P.sub.2Z, has been cloned and identified as a member of the P.sub.2X family (Surprenant, A. et al. (1996) Science 272:735-738). This P.sub.2X receptor, expressed in both rat brain and macrophages, is responsible for ATP-dependent lysis of antigen-presenting macrophages. ATP-gated channels are involved in mitogenic stimulation of human T-cells, and extracellular ATP exerts a synergistic effect on DNA synthesis stimulated by T-cell-specific mitogens such as phytohemagglutinin (Baricordi, O. R. et al. (1996) Blood 87:682-90). ATP can also mediate differentiation and cell death (apoptosis) of thymocytes and peripheral T cells (Chused, T. M. et al. (1996 J. Immunol) 157:1371-80). Other effects of extracellular ATP include mitogenesis of vascular smooth muscle cells (Erlinge, D. et al. (1995) Eur. J. Pharmacol. 289:135-49), and inhibition of platelet aggregation and clot size (Soslau, G. et al. (1995 Biochim. Biophys. Acta) 1268:73-80).
Ion channels gated by extracellular ligands such as nicotinic acid, serotonin, GABA, glycine or the excitatory amino acids all share common features and topology. Because of the functional similarities between those receptors and the ATP-gated P.sub.2X receptors, there was an expectation that the latter would also share common structural features. Cloning of P.sub.2X receptors from rat (Valera, S. et al.(1995) Nature 371:516-9; Brake, A. J. et al, supra) and human (Valera, S. et al.(1995) Recept. Channels 3:283-9; Longhurst, P. A. et al.(1996) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1308:185-8) demonstrates that the P.sub.2X receptors comprise a separate and distinct family of ion channels. However, the sequences of cloned P.sub.2X cDNAs (Valera, S. et al, Nature, supra; Brake, A. J. et al, supra) have homology to the RP-2 partial cDNA clone previously identified by Owens G. P. (1991; J. Molec. Cell Biol. 11:4177-88). The RP-2 gene is activated in thymocytes which have been induced to undergo apoptosis. Such activation of RP-2 is consistent with a role for ATP and P.sub.2X receptors in programmed cell death.
Numerous P.sub.2X receptors have been cloned from the rat and are distinguishable pharmacologically by their responses to various ATP analogs such as .alpha.,.beta.-methylene-ATP, .beta.,.gamma.-methylene-ATP, 2-methyl-thio-ATP, and .gamma.-thio-ATP. For example, when cloned rat P.sub.2X receptor g558831 (SEQ ID NO:5) is expressed in Xenopus oocytes, 2-methyl-thio-ATP and .gamma.-thio-ATP are roughly equivalent agonists, whereas .alpha.,.beta.-methylene-ATP and .beta.,.gamma.-methylene-ATP are inactive as either agonists or antagonists ( Brake, A. J. et al.(1995) Nature 371:519-23). This profile is similar to that of native P.sub.2X receptors expressed by rat PC12 cells and some sensory and autonomic neurons (Nakazawa, K. et al.(1990) J. Physiol. 428:257-72; Majid, M. A. et al.(1992) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1136:283-289; Fieber, L. A. and Adams, D. J. (1991) J. Physiol. 434:239-56; Cloues, R. et al.(1993) Pflug. Archiv 424:152-8), but differs from that of P.sub.2X receptors expressed by vascular smooth muscle, vas deferens, and some CNS neurons (Friel, D. D. (1988) J. Physiol. 401:361-80; Evans, R. J. et al.(1992) Nature 357:503-5; Benham, C. D. and Tsien, R. W. (1987) Nature 328:275-8).
At the molecular level, the P.sub.2X proteins are of variable length and have no significant homology with receptors outside of the family. The lack of an apparent amino terminal signal sequence suggests that both the N- and C-termini of the protein are cytoplasmic. There is a conserved loop, bounded by two hydrophobic putative transmembrane domains, that contains regularly spaced hydrophilic cysteine residues and likely resides on the outside of the cell membrane; all three potential N-linked glycosylation sites are within this loop. Extracellular ATP may bind to the loop in region(s) that resemble Walker type-A phosphate binding motifs (Saraste, M. et al.(1990) Trends Biochem. Sci. 15:430-4).
Northern blot analyses detect P.sub.2X messenger RNAs of varying sizes and relative abundances in adrenal gland, bladder, brain, intestines, lung, ovary, pituitary, retina, spinal cord, spleen, testis, thymus, and vas deferens, but fail to detect related sequences in liver or kidney (Valera, S. et al. Nature, supra; Brake, A. J. et al, supra.
The discovery of polynucleotides encoding novel human P.sub.2X purinoreceptors, and the molecules themselves, present the opportunity to investigate ATP-gated signal transduction. Discovery of molecules related to P.sub.2X purinoreceptors satisfies a need in the art by providing new diagnostic or therapeutic compositions useful in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disorders and diseases of the immune system, nervous system, cardiovascular system, and of smooth muscle.


A connector device is provided which can be made small and thin in a form as close to the external width dimension of an information processing medium per se as possible. A frame member for guiding an IC pack and connector section to be connected to the IC pack are mounted on a housing plate member. An ejection mechanism for the IC pack is incorporated on the housing plate member. The ejection mechanism is equipped with guide portion so as to operate the ejection mechanism. An operation unit is arranged in a width direction of the housing plate member so as to be slidable in a direction intersecting with that in which the IC pack is inserted and withdrawn. A stopper is provided in the width range of the housing plate member 2 such that it can prevent a movement of the slide plate member in the withdrawing direction and allows a movement of the operation unit in the withdrawing direction when the operation unit is released.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector device for an information processing medium and, in particular, to a connector device equipped with an ejecting mechanism whereby an information processing medium, such as memory cards, IC cords, floppy discs and hard discs, can be received relative to an electronic apparatus side, such as a personal computer, while being electrically connected to the electronic apparatus body side, and, when being in a non-operative state, can be electrically disconnected from the electronic apparatus body side so that the information processing medium can be withdrawn from a storage space (the electronic apparatus).
2. Description of the Related Art
In an electronic apparatus, such as a personal computer, a connector device has extensively been employed which, in order to extend an application range etc., enables an IC pack, such as a memory card and IC card, to be electrically mounted, as required, in the electronic apparatus body.
Such a connector device for the IC pack comprises an U-shaped frame having opposed right and left frame sections with a guide groove in an inner surface side of the respective frame section and an intermediate frame section provided between the right and left frame sections and having a plurality of pin terminals. A plate-like IC pack is inserted into the U-shaped frame via an open insertion inlet, while being moved along the respective guide grooves, and held in the frame with the pin terminals fitted into associated socket terminals of the IC pack for electrical connection.
When the IC pack is not used, it can be withdrawn, by an ejection mechanism, from a storage space to achieve an electrical disconnection. Generally, the ejection mechanism enables a plate-like lever member which has a hook engaged with a forward free end edge of the IC pack to be rotated about a pin fixed to the U-shaped frame so that the IC pack is withdrawn.
A recent tendency has been toward achieving an electronic apparatus as a compact and thin unit. Such a demand is also made for a connector device so that it can be received, as a compact and thin unit, in the electronic apparatus for electrical connection.
However, since the operation section of the lever member for IC pack ejection is projected from the side of the storage frame across the width of the frame, a resultant connector device becomes greater in the width direction of the connector. Further, there is a risk that, when the lever member of the ejection mechanism is rotated, the IC pack will be ejected from the storage space by an inadvertent operation of the ejection operation lever even if data is now reading out of the IC pack.

Connector device for an information processing medium


A number matching game which includes a matching game with multiple number sets. A player can win standard Keno paytable awards in addition to relatively large awards. A player's initial set has a minimum size requirement for the player to be eligible for the relatively large award. The gaming machine provides supplemental numbers to the player if the player does not select the minimum quantity of numbers. Any supplemental numbers created for the player cannot be used towards the Keno paytable awards. In one embodiment, odds of winning the relatively large awards are kept proportionate with the player's wager level.

Although the present disclosure is applicable to Keno, Lotto, Bingo, Spinning Reel, and Card games, for ease of illustration, the disclosure is described mainly in connection with a Keno game and in particular, gaming devices having video keno games.
Early versions of American Keno used characters on the Keno ticket, rather than the numbers used today. The American game dropped the number of characters to the more familiar eighty. When gambling was legalized Nevada in 1931, the Chinese lottery game was referred to as Horse Race Keno, capturing the idea that the numbers are horses and the player wants the wagered horse to win, place or show. Over time the name has been shortened to simply Keno. Keno is similar to a lottery game. The goal is to choose a winning number or numbers from a plurality of numbers. Most current versions of Keno have eighty numbers including the numbers one to eighty. The player can bet on any number or numbers, up to fifteen numbers, which the player does by marking or picking the selected numbers. Typically, the player can pick 2 to 10 numbers for video keno or 2 to 15 for paper Keno.
In older Keno games the numbers were generated using ping-pong type balls. In more modern Keno, numbers are generated via computers using random number generators. When a number is chosen, the number is shown electronically on Keno boards throughout the casino or on a video monitor of a Keno gaming device.
In live Keno, a number of Keno outlets and Keno monitors are placed in various places around a casino or gaming establishment. The player plays using a ticket and returns a winning ticket to the Keno ticket writer to redeem the win. In video keno, the game keeps track of wins and losses via a credit display as with other types of wagering gaming machines.
Certain variations of Keno have expected returns that are dependent on a number of factors. In general, the highest award for matching all picked numbers increases as the amount of numbers the player plays increases. The frequency of winning depends for example on how few matches are needed to obtain any award. The gaming device manufacturers create a paytable for varying amounts of matches to produce a desired average expected value.
Keno has been embodied in various types of gaming devices. While Keno is relatively popular, a need exists to provide variations of Keno to players to make the play of both the video and casino versions of Keno more enjoyable, fun and exciting.
Some ways gaming device manufacturers have added enjoyment and excitement to gaming devices is through larger payouts or special awards. However, due to the typical 80 number Keno game odds, it is difficult to provide large awards in such Keno games for at least the reasons described below.
One known way to provide large payouts in other wagering games such as slot games has been with progressive gaming. The odds in slot games can be configured to easily accommodate large progressive awards. Progressive games, which have existed at least since the mid-1980's, have become very popular. For instance, known progressive slot machines contain progressive awards that increase every time a player places a wager on a play of a primary game of the slot machine. Progressive awards can involve one or more gaming machines. For example, an individual progressive slot machine can have a self contained progressive award, wherein the jackpot grows with every play of that machine. A linked progressive includes two or more slot machines at the same or different locations connected to a common progressive award, each of which individually contribute to the progressive award. Each machine usually takes a percentage of the player's wager, such as two percent, and adds it to the progressive award. The progressive awards can reach sizeable amounts, such as multi-million dollar jackpots, before a player hits or wins the progressive award.
Such sizeable progressive awards become very attractive to players. As the progressive award grows, so does the game's average expected payout percentage because the game pays out more (by way of the progressive award) while the likelihood of receiving the progressive award remains constant.
Known methods of incorporating progressive awards or other relatively large awards or prizes in a variable wager level game such as Keno suffer from the problem of fixed odds of winning awards. The likelihood of receiving a progressive award or other relatively large award is generally not proportionate to a player's wager level. This encourages certain players to wager at a minimum level because a minimum or maximum wager will give the player the same odds of winning a progressive award or other relatively large award. A partial solution to this problem is to require a player to match a specific or minimum wager level to qualify for the progressive awards or other relatively large award. However, the player may not have an incentive to wager more than the required minimum and up to the maximum allowed by the game.
Keno further complicates the wagering process because a player is typically given a variable number of selections (i.e., in the conventional video keno game, the player can pick from 2 to 10 numbers as mentioned above). This variable number of selections causes the outcome odds to vary radically according to the number of player selections. However, certain casino operators like to offer one or more progressive awards or other relatively large awards in video keno games regardless of the number of player selections. A potential solution to this problem is to only offer such progressive awards or other relatively large awards if a player makes a minimum specific number of selections such as 10 of 10 or 9 of 10. This potential solution makes the progressive awards or other relatively large awards unavailable to a player that may want to select only 4 of 10 numbers to play the Keno game.
A need therefore exists to provide a player an improved ability to win progressive awards or other relatively large awards in games such as Keno, where there is a variable wager level and a variable number of player selections.

Gaming device and method providing relatively large awards with variable player participation levels


A data processing network includes a set of servers, at least one switch module to interconnect the servers, and a management module. The management module consults power state information stored in the network following a power transition and restores power to at least some of the servers and switch modules based on the power state information. The power state information prevents the management module from restoring power to servers and switch modules having incompatible communication protocols. In one embodiment, the plurality of servers and the switch modules are hot-swappable modules that are all inserted into a single chassis. In this embodiment, the server modules and at least one switch module share selected resources of the network including system power. The switch modules and servers may employ Ethernet, fiber channel, optical, and serial communication protocols.

1. Field of the Present Invention
The present invention is in the field of data processing systems and more particularly the field of data processing system power restoration following a power transition.
2. History of Related Art
In the field of data processing systems and networks, many applications such as Internet data centers are implemented with a set of densely packed servers interconnected using one or more switching modules. In this type of environment, it is highly desirable if the servers, switch modules, and other components of the network are hot-swappable so that maintenance can be performed without sacrificing the network's availability. In addition, it is desirable if the network is capable of implementing various interconnection protocols or fabrics using switching modules of different types. While these characteristics are desirable in a multi-server network configuration, the ability to hot-swap various components, some of which have different protocol characteristics than others, can result in compatibility problems. Specifically, as operators, technicians, and maintenance personnel attempt to address network problems by swapping various cards or modules, some of which may have different communication protocol characteristics than others, in and out of a densely packed server configuration, it is difficult to maintain complete compatibility among all of the modules in the network. Incompatibilities between various communication protocols, for example, can damage system components. It would be desirable, therefore, to implement a system and method for managing power in a multi-server data processing network. It would be further desirable if the implemented network and method were highly automated to prevent powering on incompatible modules within the network. It would be still further desirable if the implemented network and method automatically restored power to the various network modules following a power reset such that the power state after a power transition mirrored the power state before the transition.

Restoring power in a hot swappable multi-server data processing environment

International Business Machines Corporation


Methods, systems, and computer readable media for copy-on-demand optimization for large writes are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for copy on demand optimization for large writes includes, in a system having a source data storage entity and a destination data storage entity, receiving a write request to write data to a target portion of the source data storage entity, the target portion of the source data storage entity comprising at least one data storage block. The method includes determining whether the source data storage entity and the destination data storage entity are engaged in a backup operation in which data sufficient to synchronize the source data storage entity to the destination data storage entity is copied from the destination data storage entity to the source data storage entity, and if so, determining whether the target portion of the source data storage entity is not yet synchronized to the destination data storage entity. If the target portion of the source data storage entity is not yet synchronized to the destination data storage entity, a copy-on-demand operation is performed to synchronize the target portion of the source data storage entity to the destination data storage entity, where each data storage block within the target portion of the source data storage entity that will be completely overwritten as a result of the write request is not synchronized to the destination data storage entity. The write request to write data to the target portion of the source data storage entity is then processed.

It is desirable that data stored on data storage entities, such as disk arrays, be protected against loss due to accidental erasure, malicious removal, or equipment failure. For this reason, data that is stored on data storage entities may be copied to another entity or location for safe-keeping, a process commonly referred to as backing-up the data, or a "backup process". If the backup data is needed, it is copied back to the original data storage entity, a process commonly referred to as recovering or restoring the data, or a "restore process". By convention, a backup process copies data from a source data storage entity ("the source") to a destination storage entity ("the destination"). A restore process copies data from the destination back to the source. If a portion or block of the destination data storage entity contains the same data as the corresponding block in the source, the two blocks are said to be synchronized to each other, or "in sync". If the entire contents of the destination match the corresponding contents of the source, the source and destination are said to be in sync.
The backup process may occur on demand, such as in response to a backup request from a user, or it may occur continually in the background as data is written to the source. For example, any time new data is written to the source, a backup process manager may detect that the data in a particular block or portion of the source has changed, and initiate a request to copy data from the changed block in the source to a corresponding block in the destination.
In this scenario, a potential conflict may occur if the source receives a request for a write to a source block while a restore process is occurring. There are three writes involved: 1) the write of new data to the source; 2) the write of data from the source to the destination that occurs as part of the continual backup process; and 3) the write of data from the destination to the source that occurs as part of the ongoing restore process. The relative order of these three writes will determine whether the source and destination contain the new write data or the previously backed up data. In one example, the new data is written to the source, copied from the source to the destination as part of the continual backup process, and copied from the destination back to the source as part of the restore process. In another example, the new data is written to both the source and destination, and later copied from the destination back to the source as part of the restore process. In both of these examples, the restore process fails to restore the source to the exact state of the destination at the time that the restore request was made, i.e., at the time that the restore process was started. Instead, at the conclusion of the restore process, the source will have the same data as the destination, except for the block that was modified by the write that occurred in the middle of the restore process. This kind of restore, i.e., in which the contents of the destination may be changed while the restore is still in progress, is commonly referred to as an "unprotected restore".
For this reason, some data storage systems support a "protected restore" operation, which is a restore process during which no writes are allowed to the destination and during which reads must return restored data. If a read request is received by the source while a protected restore is executing, a storage manager typically checks to see if the blocks to be read have been restored from the destination yet. If they haven't, the storage manager will either put the desired blocks at the top of the queue of blocks to be copied from destination to source as part of the restore process, or the storage manager will instruct some other process to copy the desired blocks from the destination to the source, so that the read request will return restored data. This process of copying needed blocks is referred to as "copy-on-demand", or COD.
Systems that implement a protected restore are disclosed in the following commonly-assigned U.S. patents, all having the same title of "System and Method for Managing Data Associated with Copying and Replication Procedures in a Data Storage Environment": U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,096,331 and 7,133,985, both filed on Sep. 29, 2003; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,353,351, filed on Oct. 6, 2003, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
Conventional systems, however, process a write during a protected restore in the same manner, by first copying the affected blocks from the destination to the source, e.g., performing a COD, and then overwriting the blocks with the new data. When performed in preparation for a write to the source, a conventional copy-on-demand process is inefficient, because it must copy blocks from the destination to the source even though those blocks will be completely overwritten during subsequent the write.
Furthermore, as the capacities of data storage systems increase, the amount of data contained in each block tends to increase, e.g., the block size becomes larger and larger. This causes two problems: first, with the advent of digital multimedia, the size of an average data file that is stored on the data storage system has increased from kilobytes to gigabytes in size; second, block sizes are so large that a single block may contain portions of more than one file. As a result of the first problem, conventional implementations of a write during a protected restore end up needlessly copying enormous amounts of data that will just be overwritten again—a waste of time and resources. As a result of the second problem, special attention must be given to blocks which contain data from more than one file, to make sure that data from one file is not accidently overwritten while writing data for another file in the same block.
Accordingly, in light of these disadvantages associated with conventional implementations of a write during a protected restore, there exists a need for systems, methods, and computer readable media for copy-on-demand optimization for large writes.

Systems, methods, and computer readable media for copy-on-demand optimization for large writes


A piston construction for an opposed-piston engine accommodates contoured end surfaces of the piston crowns and articulation of the pistons with piston rods. The shape of each piston crown includes a bowl with an adjoining ridge that protrudes axially of the piston. A cooling construction for the piston includes an outer gallery running around the inner surface of the piston sidewall in the vicinity of the crown. The outer gallery girds and is in fluid communication with a central gallery that abuts the deepest part of the bowl. The outer gallery has an asymmetric profile that rises under the ridge and that slants upwardly under a peripheral portion of the bowl. A mechanism for coupling the piston to a piston rod includes a biaxial slipper bearing.

The field is internal combustion engines, particularly two-stroke opposed-piston engines. In one aspect, the field relates to cooling opposed pistons with contoured end surfaces. In another aspect, the field relates to articulation of opposed pistons with crankshaft linkages.
As seen in FIG. 1, an internal combustion engine is illustrated by way of an opposed-piston engine that includes at least one cylinder 10 with a bore 12 and longitudinally-displaced exhaust and intake ports 14 and 16 machined or formed therein. Fuel injector nozzles 17 are located in or adjacent injector ports that open through the side of the cylinder, at or near the longitudinal center of the cylinder. Two pistons 20, 22 are disposed in the bore 12 with their end surfaces 20e, 22e in opposition to each other. For convenience, the piston 20 is referred as the "exhaust" piston because of its proximity to the exhaust port 14; and, the end of the cylinder wherein the exhaust port is formed is referred to as the "exhaust end". Similarly, the piston 22 is referred as the "intake" piston because of its proximity to the intake port 16, and the corresponding end of the cylinder is the "intake end".
Operation of an opposed-piston engine with one or more cylinders such as the cylinder 10 is well understood. In this regard, and with reference to FIG. 2, in response to combustion occurring between the end surfaces 20e, 22e the opposed pistons move away from respective top dead center (TDC) positions where they are at their closest positions relative to one another in the cylinder. While moving from TDC, the pistons keep their associated ports closed until they approach respective bottom dead center (BDC) positions in which they are furthest apart from each other. The pistons may move in phase so that the exhaust and intake ports 14, 16 open and close in unison. Alternatively, one piston may lead the other in phase, in which case the intake and exhaust ports have different opening and closing times.
In many opposed-piston constructions, a phase offset is introduced into the piston movements. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the exhaust piston leads the intake piston and the phase offset causes the pistons to move around their BDC positions in a sequence in which the exhaust port 14 opens as the exhaust piston 20 moves through BDC while the intake port 16 is still closed so that combustion gasses start to flow out of the exhaust port 14. As the pistons continue moving away from each other, the intake port 16 opens while the exhaust port 14 is still open and a charge of pressurized air ("charge air") is forced into the cylinder 10, driving exhaust gasses out of the exhaust port 14. The displacement of exhaust gas from the cylinder through the exhaust port while admitting charge air through the intake port is referred to as "scavenging". Because the charge air entering the cylinder flows in the same direction as the outflow of exhaust gas (toward the exhaust port), the scavenging process is referred to as "uniflow scavenging".
As the pistons move through their BDC locations and reverse direction, the exhaust port 14 is closed by the exhaust piston 20 and scavenging ceases. The intake port 16 remains open while the intake piston 22 continues to move away from BDC. As the pistons continue moving toward TDC (FIG. 2), the intake port 16 is closed and the charge air in the cylinder is compressed between the end surfaces 20e and 22e. Typically, the charge air is swirled as it passes through the intake port 16 to promote scavenging while the ports are open and, after the ports close, to mix the air with the injected fuel. Typically, the fuel is diesel which is injected into the cylinder by high pressure injectors. With reference to FIG. 1 as an example, the swirling air (or simply, "swirl") 30 has a generally helical motion that forms a vortex in the bore which circulates around the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. As best seen in FIG. 2, as the pistons advance toward their respective TDC locations in the cylinder bore, fuel 40 is injected through the nozzles 17 directly into the swirling charge air 30 in the bore 12, between the end surfaces 20e, 22e of the pistons. The swirling mixture of charge air and fuel is compressed in a combustion chamber 32 defined between the end surfaces 20e and 22e when the pistons 20 and 22 are near their respective TDC locations. When the mixture reaches an ignition temperature, the fuel ignites in the combustion chamber, driving the pistons apart toward their respective BDC locations
In some aspects of two-stroke, opposed-piston engine construction it is desirable to utilize pistons with crowns having highly contoured end surfaces that interact with swirl and with squish flow from the periphery of the combustion chamber to produce complex, turbulent charge air motion that encourages uniform mixing of air and fuel. However, combustion imposes a heavy thermal load on the piston crowns. The highly contoured end surfaces create non-uniform thermal profiles that are not suitably cooled by conventional forced cooling configurations, leading to asymmetrical thermal stress, wear, and piston crown fracture. It is therefore desirable to provide piston constructions with the capability of cooling the contoured crowns of such pistons.
In other aspects of two-stroke, opposed-piston engine construction, the nature of the operating cycle results in the uninterrupted application of compressive loads on bearings in the piston-to-crankshaft connecting linkages. These non-reversing loads prevent the separation of bearing surfaces, which blocks the flow of lubricant therebetween and limits the durability of such bearings. As a result, during opposed-piston engine operation a continuous compressive load is exerted on wristpin bearings throughout the operating cycle. It is therefore desirable to provide piston constructions with the capability of articulating the piston with a connecting rod by way of a bearing construction that separates bearing surfaces for provision of lubrication during the operational cycle of an opposed-piston engine.
In yet other aspects of two-stroke, opposed-piston engine construction, the cooling and bearing structures are both housed in a limited space defined by the piston skirt. It is therefore desirable to provide a piston construction that positions those structures with a minimum of occupied space.

Piston constructions for opposed-piston engines


The present invention relates to a method for producing a polymer/conductive carbon composite electrode comprising dehydration condensation polymerization of a tetramine derivative and a tetracarbonyl compound in the presence of an electrically conductive carbon material. The synthetized polymer comprises quinoxaline structural units such as polyphenyl quinoxaline (PPQ) and serves as an active material having proton conductivity. The composite material for electrode obtained by the method has a large capacity of inserting/releasing a proton and excellent in durability. An electrode comprising the composite material and a secondary battery comprising the electrode is excellent in safety and reliability high-speed current characteristics, has a longer life and a larger gravimetric energy density (Wh/kg).

Recent new-type secondary batteries such as nickel/hydride battery and Li ion secondary battery are characterized by the high energy density and because of this characteristic, these are used by mounting it on a small-size portable equipment and abruptly making a drastic growth in recent years. Particularly, the Li ion battery is predominating in the secondary batteries because the instrument using this battery can be more reduced in the weight, size and thickness.
A large number of studies are being made, for example, on a lithium ion battery using an organic electrolytic solution, where a metal oxide or a metal sulfide, such as LiCoO2, LiNiO2, LiMn2O4 or MOS2, is used for the positive electrode and lithium, a lithium alloy or a carbon material or inorganic compound capable of occluding/releasing lithium ion is used for the negative electrode. A lithium battery using LiMn2O4 or LiNiO2 for the positive electrode is reported in J. Electrochem, Soc., Vol. 138, No. 3, page 665 (1991).
Also, there are many reports on batteries using an electrically conductive polymer as an electroactive material. For example, a lithium secondary battery using a polyaniline for the positive electrode is commercially available as a coin-type battery for backup power sources. It is also reported that polyaniline can be oxidized/reduced by a proton and is applicable as a positive electrode active material of a battery using an acidic aqueous solution (see, e.g., Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., 57, page 2254 (1984)).
However, these lithium batteries have a problem in the safety and reliability in the case of short circuiting, high temperature, liquid leakage and unsealing because lithium and/or a lithium-base compound used therein is active to water or air and is oxidized easily. Therefore, various methods for improving the safety are employed, such as an improvement of the separator, incorporation of a PTC element or sealing.
For the purpose of improving the safety, high-speed current characteristics and the like which are defects of the above-described new-type batteries such as lithium ion battery, the present inventors have previously proposed a proton migration type secondary battery excellent in safety, reliability and current characteristics and having a long life and a high capacity (JP-A-10-289617 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application")). The electroactive material used in this proton migration type secondary battery is a polypyridine series and/or polypyrimidine series polymer, a sulfonic acid side chain series and/or hydroquinone series polymer, a manganese oxide and the like.
These electroactive materials are facilitated in the insertion/release of a proton and therefore, a secondary battery excellent in the safety and high-speed current characteristics can be obtained. However, a secondary battery thus obtained has much room for further improvement in its capacity for the insertion/release of a proton and the energy density greatly inferior to conventional new-type batteries.
J. Electrochem. Soc., Vol. 145, No. 4, page 1193 (1998) has reported that polyphenylquinoxaline exhibits an oxidation-reduction reaction in an acid aqueous solution.
European Patent Publication EP1035603A1 and JP-A-2000-260423 have proposed an electrode using a quinoxaline-base resin compounded with a specific sulfonic acid and applications thereof to a battery and a capacitor. Polymer having a quinoxaline structural unit, for its properties, is much more expected to contribute to improvement of the capacity as compared with conventionally used polypyridine or polyaniline.
Furthermore, JP-A-2000-30710 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,274,268) has proposed, as a means to enhance the capacity, a polymer battery where a polymer-carbon composite composition obtained by coating the surface of powdery carbon with an organic compound polymer capable of electrochemically adsorbing/desorbing a proton, such as polyaniline or polypyridine, is used as an electroactive material.
In JP-A-2001-110423 (EP 1091434A1), the present inventors have proposed use of a polymer having a quinoxaline structural unit, such as polyphenylquinoxaline for an electrode material of a proton migration type battery and a composite electrode using such a polymer with an electrically conductive carbon material, which has considerably improved the capacity, however, the improvement is not sufficient to put such a battery to practical use. Moreover, though a composite material of the polymer and an electrically conductive carbon material is preferable for an electrode in terms of the conductivity, studies on the methods did not go into details and the Examples only disclosed methods for mixing a polymer having quinoxaline structural unit and an electrically conductive carbon material. In addition, a problem that the amount of the electrically conductive carbon material required is comparably large, was left unsolved.

Method for producing composite material for electrode comprising quinoxaline based polymer, such material, electrode and battery using the same


Embodiments of the invention provide a head gimbal assembly (HGA) capable of effecting solder ball connection with use of low energy. In one embodiment, the HGA includes a head/slider. In the head/slider, slider pads and lead wire pads are connected to each other by reflow of solder balls under the radiation of a laser beam. Lead layers are connected to a magnetic head and electrode studs are connected to the lead layers, respectively, and are also connected to the slider pads. The diameter R (m) of a solder ball and a sectional area S (m2) of an electrode stud are in a relation of R2≧4S.

The present invention relates to a head/slider structure adapted to connect slider pads and lead pads through solder balls and more particularly to a head/slider structure suitable for solder ball connection with high-quality by radiation of weaker laser energy.
Recently, magnetic disk drives have come to be used in many electronic devices and the necessity of improving yield in mass production is becoming more and more important. A head gimbal assembly (hereinafter referred to as "HGA") which supports a slider formed with a magnetic head for data read and write is incorporated in a magnetic disk drive. The HGA comprises a head/slider including a magnetic head and a slider, a flexure constructed so as to permit the head/slider to perform a track follow-up motion while flying over the magnetic head and performing pivotal motions, a load beam which applies a pushing load to the flexure, a mounting plate adaptable to fix the load beam to an actuator assembly, and a lead wire for electric connection between the magnetic head and a circuit board. The construction of the HGA exclusive of the head/slider is designated a suspension assembly.
A slider pad which functions as a relay terminal for connecting the magnetic head to a lead pad formed at an end of the lead wire is formed on an outer side face of the slider. After fabrication of the suspension assembly, the head/slider is fixed to a flexure tongue of the flexure with use of an adhesive. Therefore, it is necessary that the lead pad and the slider pad be connected together electrically after the head/slider is fixed to the flexure tongue.
Soldered surfaces of the lead pad and the slider pad are disposed in a positional relation such that planes including the soldered surfaces intersect perpendicularly to each other (a virtual right angle is formed at an intersecting point when the soldered surfaces of both pads are viewed sideways). FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state where a lead pad and a slider pad are connected together by a solder ball connecting method. In FIG. 10(A) there are shown metallic layers 219a and 219b which constitute a support structure of a flexure, dielectric layers 217a and 217b of polyimide laminated onto the metallic layers 219a and 219b, and a lead wire 221 formed by laminating a copper layer onto the dielectric layer 217b. A head/slider 211 is mounted on the dielectric layer 217a in such a manner that an air bearing surface (hereinafter, referred to as "ABS") 223 thereof opposed to a magnetic disk faces upward. A magnetic head is embedded into the head/slider 211 so that it can be magnetically coupled with the magnetic disk opposed to the ABS 223. Further, a slider pad 213 for connection between the magnetic head and the lead wire 221 is formed on an end side face of the head/slider 211.
The metallic layer 219a which supports the head/slider 211 is called a flexure tongue and, when the head/slider 211 flies over the surface of the magnetic disk, the metallic layer 219a performs gimbal motions or pivot motions about a dimple which is formed as fulcrum on a load beam (not shown). The lead wire 221 extends toward the front face of the slider pad 213 up to a position such that there remains a space 225 between the position and the head/slider 211. The lead wire 221 is formed with a lead pad 229 at its distal end.
According to the solder ball connecting method, first a spherical solder ball 215 is temporarily fixed so as to come into contact with both the slider pad 213 and lead pad 229 and a laser beam is radiated to the solder ball 215 in the direction of arrow A to melt the solder ball 215. Thereafter, the radiation of the laser beam is stopped, followed by cooling, to form a solder fillet 227 shown in FIG. 10(B) for electric connection between the pads. In the solder ball connecting method, at the time of reflowing the solder ball 215 with use of laser energy, there sometimes occurs a connection defect such as molten solder being attracted strongly to one pad, resulting in the solder fillet 227 being not connected to the other pad, or the area of connection between the solder fillet 227 and the pads being insufficient, or the strength of connection being insufficient, or the occurrence of short-circuit with an adjacent pad. The solder ball reflowing process using a laser beam includes a process of performing both heating and cooling in an extremely short time as is described in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 10-79105.

Head gimbal assembly and magnetic disk drive with specific solder ball or slider pad and electrode stud dimensioning to produce reliable solder ball connection using laser energy

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.


Error correction circuitry attempts to detect and correct on the fly erroneous words within random access memory (RAM) within a computer system. RAM errors are scrubbed or corrected back in the memory without delaying the memory access cycle. Rather, the address of the section or row of RAM that contains the correctable error is latched for later used by an interrupt-driven firmware memory-error scrub routine. This routine reads and rewrites each word within the indicated memory section--the erroneous word is read, corrected on-the-fly as it is read, and then rewritten back into memory correctly. If the size of the memory section exceeds a predetermined threshold, then the process of reading and re-writing that section is divided into smaller sub-processes that are distributed in time using a delayed interrupt mechanism. Duration of each memory scrubbing subprocess is kept short enough that the response time of the computer system is not impaired with the housekeeping task of scrubbing RAM memory errors. System management interrupts and firmware may be used to implement the memory-error scrub routine, which makes it independent of and transparent to the various operating systems that may be run on the computer system.

When data is read back from a memory in which it has been stored, it occasionally happens that an error occurs, i.e. that the data read back is not identical to the data previously stored.
A number of error correcting codes (ECC) are known in the prior art that are capable of not only detecting but also correcting errors. Typically, these codes can detect a broader range of errors than they can correct. For example, a DED-SEC code is capable of detecting any double errors that occur within the data field the code covers (i.e. errors in which two bits within the field are erroneous) and of correcting any single errors (i.e. only one wrong bit).
As applied to main memory or Random Access Memory (RAM) within a computer system, it may be desirable to consider each 64-bit double word as its own data field, i.e., to store along with it its own ECC or redundancy check information. As the computer system reads words from memory, this ECC information would be checked so that errors in the word could be detected and hopefully corrected.
If the ECC hardware detects a correctable error, then it is desirable to correct the word being read on-the-fly so as to provide the processor or I/O controller that is reading main memory with a corrected word. This is a performance critical task because accessing main memory is one of the most performance-critical aspects of computer system design. Any improvement or degradation in the latency between an access request and the delivery of the data requested often has a substantial effect on overall system performance.
It is further desirable to correct the word in main memory because errors accumulate over time. If subsequent errors occur within the same word, then they may convert a correctable error into an un-correctable error. The process of correcting the data stored in memory is called scrubbing the memory. Compared with the on-the-fly correction described above, the process of correcting the data stored in main memory is more time consuming and more costly in terms of requiring additional hardware and/or software to implement it.
In one approach to scrubbing memory, it is desired to not impose any of the error correction task on software. In this case, it would be desirable to include in the memory controller a state machine that temporarily suspends the normal operation of the memory and writes the corrected word back to the erroneous memory location. Disadvantages of this approach include both the complexity of the hardware that would be required to do the write back and the performance penalty because the memory would not be accessible for other purposes until the correct and re-write process is completed.
In another approach to scrubbing memory, it is desired to keep hardware costs and complexity at a minimum and impose most of the error correction task on software. Such an approach would find it desirable to generate an interrupt to activate software or firmware, executing on the processor, to correct the erroneous memory location. Unfortunately, in some systems the limited number of interrupt request signals or vectors that are available are already utilized. Also, a different version of the correction routine may be required for each different operating system that will be run on the computer system.

Time-distributed ECC scrubbing to correct memory errors


A communication system, which performs communication using a transmission packet encrypted by an IP-SEC encrypting method, includes a first encrypting circuit that encrypts a transmission packet by an IP-SEC encrypting method, a second encrypting circuit that encrypt header data to be used to decode the transmission packet encrypted by the first encrypting circuit, and a transmitting circuit that transmit the transmission packet whose header is encrypted by the second encrypting circuit. The communication system further includes a first decoding circuit that decode the authentication data of the reception packet using information to be used to decode the authentication data recorded in the IP-SEC header of the transmission packet and a second decoding circuit that decodes the reception packet using the authentication data decoded by the first decoding circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and method that encrypt a packet to perform communication, and more particularly to a communication system and method that encrypt a packet using an IP-SEC encrypting method to perform communication, a Network control apparatus (such as LAN control apparatus) with an encryption processing function, and a communication control program.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there is carried out communication in which a security function is added to a TCP/IP based on an IP-SEC (IP Security Protocol). A LAN (Local Area Network) control apparatus with the security functions based on the IP-SEC encrypts a packet to be sent to LAN from an upper apparatus such as a personal computer etc., based on an IP-SEC standard to transmit the encrypted packet, and decodes the encrypted packet received and transmits the decoded packet to the upper apparatus.
In recent years, the proportion of data encryption by software processing has increased. Also, the amount of using LAN network increases with the widespread use of server client apparatuses and the importance of data to be handled is improved. For this reason, a system having high reliability and faster processing speed is demanded.
However, in order to response to this demand, the prior art had the following problems.
First, the conventional LAN control apparatus had a problem that a large load was applied on the CPU at the time of encrypting and decoding processing and much time was required for the processing.
Secondly, in the conventional LAN control apparatus, transmission data from the upper apparatus is transmitted to a LAN interface based on the LAN standard. Regarding the packet subjected to IP-SEC encryption based on the IP-SEC standard, data for decoding data subjected to IP-SEC encryption is recorded as authentication data of an IP-SEC header for the transmission packet. As a result, the transmission packet sent to a LAN network via the LAN interface is stolen by a third person (an unauthorized user) and the IP-SEC encryption is decoded, causing a risk that important secret data is relatively easily leaked out.
The IP-SEC encryption technique is disclosed in, for example, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application KOKAI Publication No. 2001-313679 (which corresponds to the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/518,399) and Unexamined Japanese Patent Application KOKAI Publication No. 2001-298449. The disclosure of these publications is incorporated herein by reference.

Communication system and network control apparatus with encryption processing function, and communication control method


A magnetic recording medium on which servo information is recorded efficiently with a sufficient output amplitude for favorable read accuracy of the servo information. In servo areas, a magnetic layer is separated into a plurality of servo pattern unit parts forming a predetermined servo pattern and servo pattern peripheral parts/part surrounding the servo pattern unit parts. The servo pattern unit parts and the servo pattern peripheral parts/part are formed in different sizes so as to have different magnetic properties.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic recording medium and a method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, magnetic recording media such as a hard disc have magnetic layer which is sectioned into a plurality of data areas and a plurality of servo areas for information recording. Servo information intended for control such as head positioning is magnetically recorded on the servo areas in a predetermined servo pattern.
The process of recording the servo information has a problem of low productivity since servo pattern parts of the servo areas and the peripheral parts thereof are magnetized in opposite polarities one by one for every magnetic recording medium by a servo track writing method. In particular, with a recent improvement in surface recording density and an accompanying decrease in head flying height, high-density high-precision recording has also been required of the servo information. This means an increasing need for an improvement to the recording efficiency of the servo information.
In view of this, there have been proposed magnetic recording media in which the magnetic layer is formed only in either ones of the servo pattern parts and the peripheral parts so that a servo pattern is formed physically (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. H 6-195907). In this case, a direct-current magnetic field can be uniformly applied to the magnetic recording medium to magnetize the magnetic layer to the servo pattern, with a significant improvement in the recording efficiency of the servo information.
Nevertheless, when the magnetic layer is formed only in either ones of the servo pattern parts and the peripheral parts, it is either the servo pattern parts or the peripheral parts alone that can be magnetized. This produces the problem that the output amplitude shrinks by half or so as compared to conventional magnetic recording media in which the servo pattern parts and the peripheral parts are magnetized in opposite polarities, with a drop in the read accuracy of the servo information.