The heat distribution plate provides controlled flare-up through a system of drop-in distribution plates having holes or slots to allow dripping fats to be ignited. Good heat uniformity across the entire grill is afforded, and the controlled flare-up provided by the holes are slots gives the food a barbecued rather than baked flavor. The distribution plates are held in position in the containment casting by engaging flanges on the casting. The flanges are arranged to minimize the air gap between adjacent edges of the plates.

The invention relates generally to gas barbecue grills and more particularly to a barbecue grill construction in which the major components may be preassembled at the factory for final assembly by the end user with minimal fasteners, tools and effort. The preassembled modular construction reduces shipping package size, affording lower shipping costs and the minimal number of fasteners greatly reduces end user assembly time and the possibility of lost parts and assembly errors.
Conventional gas barbecue grills in popular use today comprise a containment casting which houses the burner assembly and a framework or stand upon which the casting is placed. Although some attempts have been made to achieve a factory-assembled unit which the end user can simply remove from the shipping carton and use, there is still a great deal of room for improvement. Because many users prefer a grill having outwardly extending side shelves, condiment racks and the like, it has not heretofore been practical to offer a factory-assembled grill of this type without greatly increasing the size of the shipping container. Shipping costs contribute significantly to the overall cost of the grill. Hence the larger the shipping carton, the more cargo space and warehouse space is required and the more expensive the grill.
The more common approach has been to offer a barbecue grill which is shipped in a disassembled state, to be fully assembled by the end user. Frequently the disassembled grill will be accompanied by one or more bags of bolts, nuts and assorted small parts and other fasteners. Many persons find the assembly of such grills to be quite tedious and challenging. Often tools are required which the consumer either does not own or which the consumer is not sufficiently practiced in using. While some retailers may be equipped to fully assemble and deliver the grill for the consumer, most retailers, particularly those selling high volumes, simply cannot offer such services and still remain competitive in the marketplace. This leaves the consumer with the tedium of grill assembly before the first barbecue can commence.
The present invention offers a departure from the conventional barbecue grill by offering factory-assembled modular units which easily assemble to form the completed grill by hanging or placing the modules in position. A minimal number of fasteners and a minimal use of tools are required. The presently preferred embodiment may be assembled without tools and uses only a pair of loose wing nut fasteners (these are used to attach a handle to the lid). If a side burner attachment is desired, additional fasteners are employed, which may also be assembled without tools. As a result, the assembly instructions for the present barbecue grill are considerably simpler than those of conventional design. Moreover, assembly is so straightforward that many will not need to make extensive use of the assembly instructions.
According to one aspect of the invention, the barbecue grill comprises a frame, a combustion source containment member supported on the frame and one or more readily attachable and detachable accessory shelves mounted on the upstanding portion of the frame. Each shelf is mounted for selective movement to a first position in which the shelf is rigidly supported in a generally horizontal position; to a second position in which the shelf is pivotally supported to permit rotation to a generally vertical, hanging position; and to a third position in which the shelf is free to be detached from the frame. The shelf is thereby readily attachable and detachable by the end user in a simple and straightforward manner, without the need for tools.
Further in accordance with the invention, the barbecue grill includes a plurality of readily attachable and detachable wheels mounted on the frame. Each wheel has its own pop-in axle which is received in an axle supporting means with detent to retain the individual wheel and axle. The resulting grill can be packaged without wheels and accessory shelves in a compact configuration requiring a shipping container large enough only to accommodate the generally rectangular frame and containment casting. Like the readily attachable shelf, the wheels are easy to install without tools or additional fasteners, by simply sliding the axle through the wheel and popping the wheel and axle assembly into the axle support until the detent clicks into place.
In models where a decorative front panel is desired, the invention provides an easily assembled pop-in panel. The lower edge of the panel is held in place within the confines of the rectangular frame by alignment pins and apertures. The upper portion of the panel is held in place by being captured between the structural member on the frame and a readily attachable and detachable condiment rack. The frame structural member may be a downturned flange forming part of the valve housing or control panel, while the condiment rack is preferably a wire frame rack having means for readily attaching to the frame by hanging.
Further in accordance with the invention, an optional side burner accessory is provided. The side burner may be attached using mounting bracket supporting means such as those used to implement the accessory shelf. A locking means is provided to securely lock the side burner in the horizontal position of use.
Still further, the invention provides readily installed heat distribution plates which are disposed in a generally vertical plane above the burner within the lower containment casting. The heat distribution plates spread the heat uniformly across the entire grill surface, preventing hot spots. The heat distribution plates have slotted openings to allow a controlled flare-up which enhances the barbecued flavor. The heat distribution plates are dropped into place by engagement of lugs and flanges. Again, no tools or fasteners are required.
The resulting barbecue grill is economical to ship and simple to assemble and use. It has a number of features and advantages not found in conventional barbecue grill constructions. For a more complete understanding of the invention, its objects and advantages, reference may be had to the following specification and to the accompanying drawings.

Easily assembled barbecue grill with heat distribution plate


Deposition methods and apparatus for conditioning a process kit to increase process kit lifetime are described. A nitride film formed on a process kit is exposed to conditioning process comprising nitrogen and hydrogen radicals to condition the nitride film to decrease particulate contamination from the process kit.

Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) process chambers used for depositing some types of nitride films need frequent cleanings and maintenance. There is a low mean wafer between cleaning (MWBC) due to the properties of the deposition material on the process kit (e.g., consumable parts used in a deposition chamber). The process kit includes, but is not limited to, elements of the deposition chamber that are removable parts that touch reactive chemicals during processing. For example, chamber showerheads, pumping liners, pump shields, etc.
During processing, ALD tantalum nitride (TaN) is deposited on the wafer as well as the process kit. The wafer temperature and process kit temperatures are different, with the wafer temperature being greater than the process kit. Due at least in part to the temperature differences, the TaN deposited on the process kit is different from the film deposited on the wafer. The TaN on the process kit is low density and has high levels of impurities. The TaN formed is powdery and causes particle issues. There are no known in-situ cleaning processes capable of cleaning ALD TaN from the process kit, necessitating long equipment downtimes for cleanings and maintenance.
Additionally, plasma based processes are prone to increased particulate contamination due to plasma-induced stress accumulation on the chamber body. The particle lifetime of a process kit in a plasma process is about 20% of the particle lifetime of a process kit in a thermal process chamber.
Accordingly, there is a need for methods and apparatus to extend the mean wafer between cleaning (MWBC) for nitride deposition processes.

Conditioning treatment for ALD productivity


A system and a method for managing log information. The system includes an input module that receives log information on a data renewal and a control module that stores a renewed data image based on the received log information when a page area where the renewed data exists is a hotspot, wherein the control module manages a hotspot control list (HSCL) including hotspot managing information and address information on a storage area in which the renewed data image is stored.

1. Field of the Invention
Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate to log information management in a database management system, and more particularly, to separately managing information on a data area where a lot of renewals are generated, thereby minimizing repetitively generated log information.
2. Description of the Related Art
A "log" or "logging" in a database management system means that data is stored before being modified in order to prevent the data, being modified by an operation of an application program, from not having a normal value due to a system error or user's carelessness.
The database management system can restore the data, being controlled by an abnormally completed application, to a normal status by the above-described logging.
FIG. 1 illustrates a related art logging system for performing a logging.
Referring to FIG. 1, a related art logging system 100, referred to as a "log manager", includes a log information input unit 110, a log record generating unit 120, a log request input unit 130, a log buffer managing unit 140 and a log buffer 150.
The related art logging system 100 receives, via the log information input unit 110, information on a data renewal performed in another program module within a system to which the logging system belongs.
The log record generating unit 120 generates a log record by setting required information additionally. The generated log record is recorded in the log buffer 150 via the log buffer managing unit 140. In this case, the log records are recorded in the order in which they were generated.
The log request input unit of the logging system 100 receives a log request message (e.g., transaction completion) by other modules of the system and transmits it to the log buffer managing unit 140. The log buffer managing unit 140 records the log records stored in the log buffer 150 in a log file based on the transmitted log request message.
Based on the log records recorded in the log file and the log buffer 150, data can be safely restored in a case of an abnormal completion of an application or a system error.
The log records maintain at least important information (or data) for restoring the data to an original status. FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration of a related art log record.
Referring to FIG. 2, a log record 200 includes a log sequence number (LSN) field of a previous log record 201, a transaction identifier field 202, a log record type filed 203, a page number filed 204, a page offset field 205, a data length field 206, a previous data image field 207, a new data image field 208, and a LSN field of a log record to-be-invalid 209. Hereinafter, the above information included in the log record 200 is referred to as "log information".
The LSN field 201 of the previous log record displays numbers for identifying the recorded log record.
The transaction identifier field 202 displays an identifier of a transaction performing a logging.
The log record type field 203, as a field which displays the type of a log record, has different types for each of generated operations such as "renewal", "transaction start" or "transaction completion".
The page number field 204 displays the number of a page in which renewed data is stored, when a renewal occurs. The page offset filed 205 displays a start position in the page where the renewed data is stored, when the renewal occurs. The data length field 206 displays a size of the data to be renewed.
The previous data image field 207 displays a previous data value before the renewal is performed and the new data image field 208 displays a modified data value after the renewal is performed.
The LSN field 209 of the log record to-be-invalid displays numbers for identifying the log record to be restored.
A configuration of the log record 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be different depending upon a system using the logging, but its basic configuration and meaning are similar.
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a related art process of a logging operation and a transaction cancellation. A configuration of a log record of a log buffer or a log file, illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, is similar to the configuration of the log record illustrated in FIG. 2. The configuration of the log record illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B does not include the data length field 206 of the configuration of the log record illustrated in FIG. 2, and the number marked at each log record corresponds to an identification number for identifying each log record.
To perform a logging operation, other modules transmit a before-image and an after-image, as a result of a renewal generated in a transaction, to the log information input unit 110 of the logging system 100.
The log record generating unit 120 generates a log record based on information on the two received data. The log buffer managing unit 140 records the generated log record in the log buffer 150.
All of the generated log records are successively recorded and an LSN value of the recorded log record is allocated in ascending order. The log records recorded in the log buffer 150 are recorded in the log file when the log buffer 150 is full or a "disk writing request" for the log record occurs.
As described above, all of the log records of a renewal generated by other modules are successively recorded. The logging system 100 performs a cancellation by reading the log file when a request to cancel an application program or to restore a system error.
Referring to FIG. 3A, a process of performing a logging operation will be described, which assumes that a transaction T1 performs a renewal of three data pages P1, P2, and P3.
Whenever a renewal is generated for each data page, a corresponding area in the data page is modified to a new value. A first log record displays that "BBB" recorded at 50 bite position in the data page P1 is modified to "AAA".
Each of the following log records display that a value stored in a specific offset of the corresponding data page is modified to a new value.
Especially, the data recorded at 50 bite of the data page P1 is modified four times. Whenever a modification occurs, a corresponding log record is generated. The logging system 100 generates log records corresponding to all renewals, and records the log records in the log buffer 150 and a log file successively.
FIG. 3 illustrates a process of canceling a transaction. When a renewal illustrated in FIG. 3A occurs, it is assumed that a transaction T1 is not completed normally.
To restore all data that are modified by the transaction T1 into original normal values, all log records of the transaction T1 recorded in the log buffer 150 or the log file are read in reverse order. By doing so, a data value in the corresponding data page is modified into a before-image recorded in each log record. Accordingly, all areas renewed in the corresponding data pages P1, P2, and P3 are restored to previous values before the transaction T1 is performed. In this process, the value at 50 bite of the data page P1 is modified from "EEE" to "BBB" that is the previous value before the four renewals.
As described above, the logging system 100 generates log records and records them successively in the log of all renewals performed by other modules. Accordingly, the logging system 100 repetitively generates new log records of a specific data page where frequent modifications occur by the application or a specific area in the data page. Hereinafter, the data area where a lot of modifications occur is referred to as a "hotspot".
A hotspot may appear throughout a lot of areas in a system and its size may be greatly various. Accordingly, the number of the log records of the hotspot generated while one operation (transaction) is performed may greatly increase, which may enlarge the log size while the system is operated and a function as a real-time system deteriorates because the log records are continuously generated and page inputs and outputs increase.
In cancellation of an application or system restoration, run-time and restoration functions of the system may deteriorate because all log records generated for the hotspot are used to restore data to an original status.
In the process illustrated in FIG. 3B, for example, the operations with respect to three log records identified as 109, 106, and 103 are unnecessary in order to restore a value at 50 bite of the data page P1.
As various embedded systems such as digital devices are introduced, a safe management of user data stored in the embedded systems is highly required. The data stored in a system may not be maintained as a normal value due to user's carelessness, an abnormal operation of an application program, or a power interruption. Accordingly, a data restoring system to maintain normal data safely is a greatly important system component. However, it is difficult that a logging-based data restoring system ensures a response time and function required in an embedded system in which resources are limited.
Accordingly, it is needed to improve the relate art method of managing log information in the logging-based data restoring system.

System and method for managing log information


A system and method for controlling the display of video content upon one or more displays as a function of user identity as determined by facial recognition. The system and method provide for the video content to be transferred between multiple screens so as to provide a user with a substantially continuous video experience as the user travels between screen locations. User images captured by both video and still image cameras can be utilized for purposes of user recognition. One or more media hubs may be utilized in performing and supporting the disclosed technology.

With the advent of ever-increasing computing capacity in consumer electronics and the proliferation of digital camera technology in computers, telephones and other household devices, the use of facial recognition for purposes of identifying a given user or users of a particular product or system has become a common-place occurrence. Facial recognition technology has advanced to point where positive recognition of an individual can be accomplished so quickly that it appears to be almost instantaneous to a user.
The use of facial recognition throughout more and more areas of consumer technology has resulted in users becoming more and more comfortable with the technology. Something that might have seemed cumbersome, intrusive and even unreliable when implemented on older systems, has now become a means of recognition that a significant portion of consumers not only accept, but desire as a means of providing access to personal devices, information and services.
Recent years have also seen the continued expansion of broadband consumer media services throughout the world. It is not uncommon for a given household to have multiple broadband media gateway appliances ("MGAs"), such as set-top boxes adapted to provide bidirectional communication with a cable, fiber or satellite multi-service operator ("MSO"). Each of these MGAs is typically linked to one or more screens (computers, televisions, tablets, smartphones) via which a consumer can view selected media content. The number of media sources a consumer can access via a given MSO has continued to increase. It is common for MSO MGAs to provide a consumer with access to commercial networks, on-demand video and a host of streaming providers (Amazon, Hulu, Netflix, etc.). This multiplicity of media sources has given consumers a wide selection of content to choose from and enabled a more personalized viewing experience to be created.
Consequently, it would be advantageous to provide a system utilizing facial recognition to access particular media content and to provide a recognized viewer with a seamless media experience as they moved about their residence and/or switched the device upon which they were consuming the media.

System and method for the access and routing of content on the basis of facial recognition


A light guide member and a sensor that constitute a front light mechanism are bonded with a bonded sheet. A double-sided adhesive tape is provided on each surface of the bonded sheet. A repairing material is printed on a surface of the sensor so as to fill concave portions provided between the adjacent X-electrodes. This substantially increases the contact area with the double-sided adhesive tape, and increases the bonding strength between the light guide member and the sensor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to input devices that allows coordinate input and switch input through an operation surface, and more particularly, to an input device equipped with an illumination mechanism that illuminates an operation surface.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a coordinate input device called a touch pad is mounted in a mobile computer terminal device such as a notebook personal computer. The touch pad is a pointing device for operating a cursor or a pointer displayed on the screen of the terminal device, similarly to a mouse. When a user's finger or a pen tip (pointing member) touches an operation surface of the touch pad, the touch point is detected by a sensor, and the cursor or the pointer is operated in accordance with a coordinate value of the touch point or the displacement of the coordinate value by movement of the touch point.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-107307 discloses a coordinate input device in which an operation surface is illuminated by an LCD panel (light guide plate) with a front light provided on a sensor.
In this input device, however, a reflection plate is provided on the sensor, and a light guide plate having a prism surface is provided on the reflection plate. Although the sensor, the reflection plate, and the light guide plate are combined by being fixed at both ends by a fixing frame, particularly, the fixing strength between the reflection plate and the light guide plate is apt to be insufficient.
In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to increase the mechanical strength by entirely joining an upper surface of the reflection plate and a bottom surface of the light guide plate with an adhesive such as a double-sided adhesive tape.
Unfortunately, the bottom surface of the light guide plate is formed by a prism surface having fine irregularities. If the prism surface is buried in the adhesive, it does not fulfill its function, that is, a light reflecting function. Further, since light leaks from the joint portion, the light guide efficiency decreases, and luminance on an illuminating surface (principal surface of the light guide plate) easily becomes nonuniform.
When the reflection plate and the light guide plate are simply fixed with the adhesive, an air layer is sealed between the prism surface and the reflection plate. For this reason, if the temperature changes, the air pressure in the air layer increases or decreases. When this stress is repeatedly caused, the joint portion is deteriorated.
Multiple electrodes are provided on a surface of a substrate that forms the sensor, and the surface of the sensor has irregularities formed by the electrodes and the substrate surface. For this reason, a space is easily formed between the upper surface of the sensor and the lower surface of the reflection plate, and the joint therebetween is apt to be insufficient.
While an LED covered with a case is disposed adjacent to an end face of the light guide plate so as to face the end face, the efficiency in guiding light emitted from the LED into the light guide plate is low.
Further, in this input device, marks are not optically displayed on the operation surface, and it is difficult to visually recognize an operation mode and an object to be operated.

Input device equipped with illumination mechanism


Method and system for drilling control comprising a plurality of controllers adapted to control performance process parameters, on the basis of driller controls from a driller that provides this as instructions to said controllers, wherein the system further comprises sensors and means for obtaining process values, such as downhole pressure, temperature and torque, wherein the system is adapted to, continuously and/or repeatedly, calculate safeguard envelopes for performance process parameters on the basis of process values and drilling process models and that it is adapted to restrain said controllers from applying performance process parameters outside said safeguard envelopes as a result of driller instructions, and—a method and system for automatically triggering a remedying action in case of an evolving or existing critical situation, comprising calculation of process parameter boundaries which represent a critical condition for the well by using calibrated drilling process models, comprising (i) triggering an emergency action if a parameter exceeds said boundaries, said emergency action being intended to minimize the effect of said critical situation, (ii) then further analyzing the well in order to determine which remedying action to then be applied, the remedying action being intended to remedy the cause of said effect; (iii) if said remedying action is not capable of remedying the cause of said effect, then applying predetermined safe process parameters or shutting down.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to drilling of hydrocarbon wells. In particular, the invention relates to a method and a drilling control system for providing risk reduction and improved efficiency of a drilling process.
2. Background Information
When drilling a hydrocarbon well, such as a subsea well, it is known to operate the drilling equipment through a computerized drilling system. The drilling operator controls the various parameters of the process using control devices such as joysticks, throttles or switches. The control devices are connected to equipment controls, such as a controller for the rotary table.
When drilling such a well, one wishes to drill the well as efficiently as possible, with regards to time, cost and safety, while at the same time avoiding doing any damage to the formation being drilled, which may contain producible gas and oil reservoirs. To achieve this one must adapt the drilling process to drilling of the well in question. This has been the case for the history of drilling of oil and gas wells.
Systems are known which monitor drilling control parameters in order to prevent damage to the drilling equipment, for instance to the drill bit or tubular (drill string, casing or liner). Such control parameters can include drill string velocity, drill string torque, drill string RPM, hook load, WOB, pump flow rate, and choke opening and choke pump flow rate. They may automatically generate an alarm if a critical situation is detected.
The challenges in controlling the drilling process are not new, but drilling of oil and gas wells is becoming more and more of a challenge. Known reservoirs are being depleted, leading to problems with both formation stability and narrowing pressure windows. Expanding areas of exploration and production, including increasing activities in arctic and deep sea/deep reservoir areas, are generating new demands on safety and accuracy of drilling process control.
Patent publication U.S. Pat. No. 7,172,037 (Baker Huges Inc.) describes a system for optimizing a drilling process by providing optimized parameters to the driller or drilling control system. Patent publication U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,110 also regards a system for optimization of a drilling process as well as for protection of well drilling systems.
Patent publication U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,909 (Schlumberger) describes a downhole drilling system that is based on running scripts for various drilling steps and drilling conditions. For instance, a tripping script is run for tripping of the drill string. Thus, with this system, the drilling is performed on "autopilot", for as long as the system recognizes what is taking place ("diagnostic" (316) and "manual control" (320) in FIG. 3).
This automated system collects downhole and surface measurements to continually update drilling process models and to calculate optimized drilling parameters as well as operating limits. In addition, it contains automated analysis of the drilling conditions, which can result in running of a remedying script if an undesired condition is detected.
It is, however, desirable to perform drilling operations manually, in the sense of controlling the drilling equipment, such as the top drive/the rotary table, mud pumps, and the winch drive (drawworks) with suitable interface means, such as a joystick, without the risk of damaging the well due to human error. The present invention provides a novel solution to this task.
Furthermore, current systems for optimization of drilling parameters work independently, individually controlling one parameter or a set of parameters to enable optimization with respect to a particular mechanism. Full optimization with respect to individual mechanisms may be detrimental to other process mechanisms. As an example, fully optimized rate of penetration with respect to specific mechanical energy, through adjustment of WOB and RPM may lead to cuttings build-up issues if the pump rate is not adjusted accordingly, which is further constrained by the existing formation geopressures. Intelligent coordination between different input to optimization and given constraints is desirable to ensure that the overall process is optimal.
A new methodology has been developed to fulfil the requirements described above. The overall objective of this method is to maintain the functioning of the drilling machinery within safeguards accounting for both the machine limitations but also the wellbore limits. In addition, automatic triggering of corrective actions can assist in maintaining the well integrity in case of abnormal situations.
The goal of this methodology is not to completely automate part or the whole of the drilling process, but to apply continuously updated envelopes of protection. Therefore the operator has the freedom to operate the drilling machinery as he wishes, while he is given assistance in maintaining the drilling conditions within safe boundaries. This methodology is solely used by the drilling machinery operators.
The methodology provides direct machine control but can also provide early problem detection during the drilling process, so that the operator can decide on corrective actions, or alternatively trigger automatic actions in case of emergency to take advantage of the rapidity of computer controlled machine steering.
When determining preferable drilling control parameters today, such as ROP, WOB, applied drillstring torque and drilling fluid circulation rate, one takes into account such properties as the dimensions of the well, formation properties (e.g. stresses, geopressures, geothermal), the drillstring (e.g. bit type, material properties of string elements) and the drilling fluid (e.g. density, rheology). For updating of optimal parameters, analysis of well behavior during drilling of the well may be performed, where available data from sensors on the rig and downhole are applied, possibly together with results from active testing of the well. From such analysis permissible operational windows and process constraints may also be determined Such analysis is normally performed independently of the drilling operation on the rig.
Process constraints comprise machine limits, material limits and wellbore/formation limits Machine limits (e.g. maximum power of draw works engines) and material limits (e.g. maximum torque on drill string elements) are provided by the suppliers of the drilling machinery. Wellbore and formation limits may be determined by analysis of historical data from offset wells and survey data, and by active testing of the well (e.g. Leak Off Test/Formation Integrity Test to determine upper pressure bound). Such active tests are performed by the drilling crew on the rig.
Since all decision making is done by the operator based on availability of information, there will always be a time delay before any action is taken when undesired symptoms are observed. During this delay there is a great risk of the observed problem escalating and becoming more severe (e.g. pressure buildup).
Unexpected behavior occurring during drilling operations is today detected by the drilling crew with the aid of alarms. It is the drilling crew's task to interpret behavior and take appropriate mediating measures. The reaction taken depends on the experience of the crew, and various procedures may be used for the same type of incident. This is one of the major challenges of today's drilling process. The full know-how of the organization is not applied, and inappropriate mediating actions may cause loss of time, loss of production, and possibly loss of the well. Thus, as will appear from the description below, an advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises means for rapid remedial action.


The present invention provides a sp3-bonded boron nitride, represented by a general formula BN, having a hexagonal 5H or 6H polytypic form and having a property of emitting light in ultraviolet region. Its producing method comprises: introducing reaction mixed gas containing boron and nitrogen being diluted with dilution gas into a reaction chamber; and irradiating a surface of a substrate placed in the chamber, a growing surface on the substrate, and a growing spacing region about the growing surface with ultraviolet light to cause gas phase reaction, thereby generating, depositing, or growing the boron nitride on the substrate.

Boron nitride is a material having been mainly used for industrial applications as heat resistant and abrasion-resistant materials. Recently, boron nitride has been also put as a subject of research as a part of research and development of boron compounds expected to develop new products and has received considerable attention.
Currently known sp3-bonded BNs are of cubic phase (3C polytypic form) and wurtzite form (2H polytypic form).
As a result that inventors of this invention have earnestly studied sp3-bonded boron nitride, represented by a general formula "BN", as a part of the aforementioned research, the inventors found a sp3-bonded boron nitride which has quite new crystalline structure and a very interesting, important, and specific property of emitting light in ultraviolet region. This invention was made on the basis of this finding. That is, the present invention provides a boron nitride having new crystalline structure, a producing method of the same, and applications of the same.

Sp3 bond boron nitride emitting light in ultraviolet region, its producing method, and functional material using same

National Institute For Materials Science


Methods and systems remotely monitor a current value of a meter display. A picture of the display is taken with a camera equipped portable communication device. The picture is sent through the portable communication device and associated infrastructure to a processing system. The processing system receives and stores the picture and, optionally, verification data, imaging location data, and other data, in a datastore. The processing system processes the picture to obtain a current value of the meter and authenticates the sender and/or the meter using the verification data and/or location data.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a system and method for remotely monitoring meters and other displays. More particularly, this invention relates to remotely monitoring utility meters such as electricity, water, and gas meters, industrial meters such as tank level meters, mobile meters such as odometers, or any other type of meter.
2. Background Information
Meter monitoring, particularly for utility meters, is commonly accomplished by manually reading meter digits or other indicators such as dials, needles, or bars. The read value is entered in a computerized system for further processing including statistical processing, invoicing, and other processing. A professional worker for the utility company typically monitors the meter, while in other scenarios the consumer may monitor the meter. In the later case, problems of fraud in communicating false or inadvertently incorrect values may arise.
Automatic remote monitoring systems also exist. Such systems require sophisticated dedicated equipment on the meter side, special network conditioning components, and other communication elements. For example, electricity utility meters may be provided with transmission circuitry, like modems, to communicate with a central server that periodically collects meter values. Such remote automatic monitoring systems alleviate the drawbacks of manual monitoring, including inaccuracies, whether voluntarily or not, in reading and entering meter values. However, automated monitoring requires specific costly equipment on the meter side and is not widely deployed. Remote automated meter reading cannot be employed with legacy, non-electronic, or non-upgradeable meters. These meters represent a large majority of the installed meter base and include, for example, old utility meters that therefore require manual monitoring.
An additional problem is that, in most applications, the meter value must be verified as the right meter value for a specific customer. For example, the meter value may need verification as the meter value of the correct house. Verification requires extra time and expense for a specific manual check and authentication process. The verification process may include looking for a meter identifier and an associated street residence, or business address, and reporting back to the metered service provider.
A need has long existed for improved meter monitoring that address the drawbacks noted above and other previously experienced.

Method and system for remotely monitoring meters


A device to be used by an operator which may grasp objects in a sterile or non-sterile field, and may facilitate the precise placement and passage of a needle or pin into tissues while using X-ray guidance. The device provides a secure hold while keeping the hands remote from the radiation field, and by permitting non-obstructed viewing of the held instrument and tissues. A radiolucent hammer may be used to help drive a needle into firm tissues without obscuring visualization.

Medical procedures sometimes involve the use of x-ray fluoroscopy to visualize the passage of a needle or pin or other radio-opaque (easily visible under x-ray) device through tissues which may also be moderately to highly radio-opaque. The operator's hands should not be in the direct beam so it is challenging to manipulate the medical instruments without a holding device. Current methods involve manipulation of the needle with the hands or with grasping devices which are imperfect for this purpose. Current grasping devices may not be radio-opaque, obscuring the important structures under fluoroscopy, or do not provide precise grasp of the equipment to prevent slippage, torqueing, or bending during use. Current methods also do not provide a calibrated force of grasp which can help prevent excessive passage of the needle during application of force from the hands, a hammer, or other. Also, current hammers are metallic and obscure visualization. The current invention serves to improve the described shortcomings.


A solid state drive device includes a housing defining an interior space and first through fourth edges defining a perimeter thereof; and a package substrate module in the interior space. The package substrate module includes a package base substrate, a plurality of semiconductor chips mounted on the package base substrate, and an external connector corresponding to the third edge of the housing. The housing includes at least one groove adjacent to the first edge and a rail unit on each of the second and fourth edges.

The inventive concepts relate to data storage systems and solid state drive devices accommodated therein.
Solid state drive devices have attracted attention as a next generation storage device to replace a hard disk drive. The solid state drive device is a non-volatile memory-based storage device with low power consumption and high storage density. When solid state drive devices are used as storage devices, input/output of a large amount of data may be performed at a high speed, and thus, demand for solid state drive devices may be expected to increase.
Accordingly, solid state drive devices, instead of or in addition to hard disk drives, may be adopted as a data storage system.

Solid state drive device and data storage system including the same


A method may include receiving a reconfiguration to a first Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)/spanning tree table, where the first VLAN/spanning tree table has a first identifier and is associated with a region of a network; updating the first VLAN/spanning tree table to generate a second VLAN/spanning tree table based on the reconfiguration; determining a second identifier of the second VLAN/spanning tree table; and generating a list of identifiers associated with the region of the network, the list including the first identifier and the second identifier.

In an increasingly networked world, more and more traffic, such as data, voice, and video, is transmitted over public and proprietary networks. Some network topologies may introduce situations, such as endless communication loops and broadcast floods, which may be undesirable. To help avoid these and other situations, some networks may employ spanning trees. Some spanning tree protocols include the IEEE Standards 802.1D, 802.1W (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)), or 802.1Q (Multiple Instances Spanning Tree Protocol (MISTP)). When routing traffic through the network, it may be desirable for a network administrator to change, reconfigure, or test network configurations, including configurations related to spanning trees.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Configuring networks including spanning trees


A lithographic apparatus comprises an illumination system, an array of individually controllable elements, a projection system, a substrate table, and a sensor system. The illumination system supplies a beam of radiation. The array of individually controllable elements patterns the beam. The projection system projects the patterned beam onto a target plane, the patterned beam comprising an array of radiation spots. The substrate table supports a substrate, such that a target surface of the substrate is substantially coincident with the target plane. The sensor system comprises an array of detector elements arranged to receive at least one of the spots. The sensor system measures an energy of the or each received spot and provides an output signal indicative of the energy of the or each received spot.

1. Field of the Present Invention
The present invention relates to a lithographic apparatus, a device manufacturing method, and a device manufactured thereby.
2. Related Art
A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a target portion of a substrate. Lithographic apparatuses can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs), flat panel displays, and other devices involving fine structures. In a conventional lithographic apparatus, a patterning means, which is alternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, can be used to generate a circuit pattern corresponding to an individual layer of the IC (or other device), and this pattern can be imaged onto a target portion (e.g., comprising part of, one or several dies) on a substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer or glass plate) that has a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist). Instead of a mask, the patterning means can comprise an array of individually controllable elements, which serve to generate the circuit pattern. This is generally referred to as maskless lithography.
In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively exposed. Known lithographic apparatus include so-called steppers, in which each target portion is irradiated by exposing an entire pattern onto the target portion in one go, and so-called scanners, in which each target portion is irradiated by scanning the pattern through the beam in a given direction (the "scanning"-direction) while synchronously scanning the substrate parallel or anti-parallel to this direction.
In maskless lithography a beam of radiation illuminates the array of individually controllable elements. Each element can be controlled by a separate control signal, such that each element can assume one of a number of states. A desired pattern can thus be imparted to the cross section of the beam, that pattern being dependent upon the state of each element within the array. In cross section in a target plane, the projected pattern can be regarded as comprising an array of radiation spots formed by an array of sub-beams, with each spot corresponding to, and controlled by, an individual element or group of elements within the array. The energy of each spot is thus dependent upon the state of the corresponding individually controllable element or elements.
The lithographic apparatus can comprise a projection system arranged to project the patterned beam onto the target plane. In normal operation of the lithographic apparatus (i.e., when it is being used to project a pattern onto a target portion of a substrate) a target surface of the wafer containing the target portion is arranged to be substantially coincident with the target plane and in the path of the patterned beam. Consequently, an array of spots is projected onto the target portion of the substrate, each spot corresponding to an individual sub-beam. Measurement of the received radiation energy for each spot provides an indication of the radiation energy for the corresponding sub-beam. The energy of each spot is ultimately controlled by the corresponding individual element (or group of corresponding individual elements) within the array. Therefore, measurement of the energy of a spot provides an indication of the state of the corresponding individually controllable element(s). Measurement of the energy of the spots can be used to calibrate the array of individually controllable elements.
Each element within the array can be controlled such that it is fully on, fully off, or in one of a number of intermediate states, such that substantially all, substantially none, or an intermediate amount of the radiation incident upon that element is reflected or transmitted towards the target plane. Consequently, the energy of each spot at the target plane can vary according to the state of the corresponding element or elements.
Over time the performance of the lithographic apparatus, in particular the array of individually controllable elements, can become degraded. For instance, this degradation can be caused by contamination. Contamination can affect the performance of some elements more than others. Additionally, individual elements within the array can malfunction. The ability of each element to accurately change its state can vary over time. Consequently, the power of the radiation within each sub-beam may not accurately reflect the control signal supplied to the individually controllable element. It is desirable to be able to calibrate the array of individually controllable elements so as to detect and compensate for any malfunction or degradation.
One arrangement to calibrate the performance of the array of individually controllable elements could be to provide a dose sensor. A dose sensor can comprise a photodiode arranged to measure the radiation energy within a single spot illuminating the photodiode. Certain types of element malfunctions can result in the element being stuck in the fully on position (or an intermediate state) when the control signal indicates that it should be fully off. Therefore, it cannot be assumed that by providing the appropriate control signals to turn all but one element off, the only radiation received by the dose sensor will be from the remaining element. A single dose sensor may not be able to distinguish between radiation received from the element being measured and stray radiation received from other elements. Therefore, in order to exclude radiation from the other elements, a pinhole in a screen over the photodiode can be provided. The pinhole is sized such that only radiation from a single element can pass through.
In order to measure the energy of every spot the dose sensor can be aligned with each spot in turn. This provides considerable difficulties in aligning each spot accurately with the pinhole. Additionally, the sensor has to measure each spot for a minimum period of time in order to accurately measure its energy. Consequently, calibration of the whole array of individually controllable elements can be extremely time consuming.
With a dose sensor as described above, in order to calibrate the ability of each element at a range of element states then the energy of each spot must be measured separately a number of times. This further increases the amount of time required to calibrate the array.
Therefore, what is needed is a system and method that allow for a more effective determination for malfunction or degradation of an image spot.

Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method, and device manufactured thereby for calibrating an imaging system with a sensor


The invention relates to a method for routing telecommunication connections (TC connections) to a mobile communications terminal located in the reception area of a current mobile network that differs from a home network of the mobile communications terminal. The mobile communications terminal firstly has a first SIM card, which is assigned to the home network and to which is assigned a first telephone number.

The invention relates to a method for routing telecommunication connections (TC connections) to a mobile communications terminal. It also relates to a mobile communications gateway and a mobile communications terminal which are suitable for assisting in implementing the method.
It is known that when the user of a mobile communications terminal is in a foreign country, the mobile communications terminal maintains its connectivity by means of international roaming and hence is able to receive or make calls automatically in a foreign mobile network of the other country. At the same time, mobile network providers levy high roaming charges for international roaming, so that significant costs are associated with using roaming abroad. The same problems arise, although normally involving lower costs, whenever a mobile network is used that is not the home network of a mobile communications terminal in question.
There are also what are known as mobile communications gateways, which provide an interface between one or more mobile telecommunication networks and any other networks, for instance a fixed telecommunication network or an IP network.
A mobile communications gateway is called by the user of another network and forwards the required connection via a mobile communications channel to the mobile network in which the called subscriber is located. For this purpose, the mobile communications gateway implements the functionality of a cellular telephone and effectively acts as a cellular telephone to call the called subscriber. Mobile communications gateways therefore have the same mobile communications modules that are used in mobile communications terminals (cellphones). DE 103 14 144 A1, for instance, discloses such mobile communications gateways.
Here it is provided that a mobile communications gateway contains a multiplicity of SIM cards for the managed mobile communications channels. Any SIM cards from different network operators can be inserted. A SIM card is a plug-in card having an identity (IMSI=international mobile subscriber identity) which uniquely identifies a network subscriber and is the means by which a mobile communications device is assigned to a specific network operator and receives a specific telephone number. In addition, a SIM card comprises a PIN number (PIN—Personal Identity Number), security-related data such as communications keys and security algorithms, user-specific data such as speed-dial numbers, and network-specific data such as the identification of the region in which the user is currently staying. A SIM card personalizes a mobile communications terminal with regard to the user and the network operator and allows the network operator to bill for call charges.
In addition there are what are known as SIM servers. A SIM server provides, at a central location or in a central computer, SIM cards for mobile communication. According to demand and need, a mobile communications gateway requests a SIM card from the central computer and is provided with a SIM card by said computer. This providing of the SIM card for mobile communication is not done physically. The information that identifies a SIM card and reflects the functionality thereof is merely transferred to the mobile communications gateway by remote data transfer. Thus the SIM card is effectively located virtually on a central computer, and the functionality of the SIM card is emulated as required on the mobile communications gateway on the basis of specific information and data that are transferred from the central computer. This allows the use of a central SIM card pool for one or more mobile communications gateways. DE 103 11 980 A1, for instance, describes such SIM servers.

Method for routing telecommunication connections to a mobile radio terminal, and mobile radio gateway and mobile radio terminal


An image processing apparatus including: a generating section, operable to analyze compressed image data stored in an external memory and generate an analytic table indicative of a storage manner of the compressed image data; an internal memory, adapted to store the compressed image data therein; a storage section, operable to acquire at least a part of the compressed image data from the external memory and store the compressed image data in the internal memory with reference to the analytic table; a decoding section, operable to read and decode the compressed image data stored in the storage section, and rotate and then output the compressed image data as a rotated image data; and an updater, operable to update the analytic table in accordance with a decoding situation of the decoding section.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a printing apparatus and an image processing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, an image compression technique has spread with the development of a network and a digital apparatus. The most popular example of a format of the image compression includes "JPEG (Joint Photograph Experts Group)". The JPEG is a high efficiency coding standard which can compress static image information expressed in 24 bits of RGB (red, green and blue).
FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram showing a typical example of compression and decode processing based on the JPEG. More specifically, FIGS. 21(A) to 21(D) illustrate a compressing (coding) process and FIGS. 21(E) to 21(H) illustrate a reconstituting (decoding) process.
In the JPEG compression, original images expressed in RGB, or Y (brightness) Cb (blue color difference) Cr (red color difference) are first divided into blocks of 8 pixels×8 pixels as shown in FIG. 21(A).
As shown in FIG. 21(B), next, a DCT (discrete cosine transform) processing is carried out for each block. The DCT processing corresponds to a spatial frequency transformation, and a block image is expressed in a frequency by this processing. If image data are generally expressed in a frequency spectrum, information concentrates in a low frequency band. By omitting a high frequency band, therefore, it is possible to carry out coding in a small amount of information. Thus, the information is further quantized after the conversion to the frequency and is thus made discrete.
Next, data thus DCT quantized are subjected to a zigzag scan and are arranged in a line (are changed into serial data) as shown in FIG. 21(C). By carrying out an entropy code processing, then, it is possible to obtain a coding row shown in FIG. 21(D).
On the other hand, a reconstitution is executed as shown in FIGS. 21(E) to 21(H) by reversely carrying out a serial processing.
In some cases in which image data are treated, an input image is to be simply rotated at a predetermined angle. For example, when a JPEG image fetched into a personal computer through a medium such as a CD-ROM or internet is to be printed and output by means of a printer, the JPEG image is to be output in a rotating state at 90 degrees, 180 degrees or 270 degrees corresponding to a size of a paper or a layout of an image in some cases.
In such cases, it is possible to propose a method of reconstituting a whole JPEG image to be a target and then carrying out a rotation processing at a predetermined angle.
According to this method, however, there is a problem in that a memory having a large capacity for temporarily holding the whole reconstituted image is required, and furthermore, a time required for carrying out the rotation processing over image data having a large capacity is also increased, resulting in an increase in a load for a system.
For example, if it is assumed that the processing of reconstituting, holding and rotating the JPEG image is executed by a host computer, a memory cost of the host is increased, and furthermore, a processing load is increased. On the other hand, it is necessary to additionally provide a memory having a large capacity in order to execute the same operation on the printer side. Consequently, the cost is increased considerably.
In order to solve the problems, therefore, the technique disclosed in JP-A-2001-086318 has been proposed, for example.
A rotation processing described in JP-A-2001-086318 has been implemented in software. If the processing is to be carried out in software, thus, there is a problem in that a processing speed can be simply enhanced to some extent.

Image processing apparatus, printing apparatus and image processing method


A method and system for efficiently delivering messages from a service provider to individual receiving devices in a unidirectional, multi-channel communications system that provides parallel distribution of information from the service provider to the receiving devices. The messages are transferred from the service provider to the receiving device only on an agreed-upon channel at an agreed-upon time, wherein each message is tagged with an address corresponding to the receiving device by the service provider and then transmitted by the service provider to the receiving device on the agreed-upon channel with the receiving device filtering the agreed-upon channel to detect the address and decode its messages. The agreed-upon channel and the agreed-upon time of message transfers are coordinated between the service provider and the receiving device prior to transferring the message from the service provider to the receiving device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods and systems for efficient message delivery in a multi-channel uni-directional communications system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Media delivery systems, such as direct broadcast satellite and cable systems, have become commonplace in recent years. A media delivery system is an example of a "uni-directional" system, in that communication is primarily uni-directional.
Media delivery systems are also generally defined as "multi-channel" communications systems, in that a given message may take one or many of several parallel paths from origin to destination. Examples of such multi-channel communications systems include a direct broadcast satellite system with multiple transponders or a cable system with multiple channels in frequency division.
In current direct broadcast satellite systems, a Conditional Access Packet (CAP) data stream is typically used to distribute user-specific messages to receiving devices, such as emails, authorizations and the like. A "message" in this context is any information transmission that has a finite total size, e.g., an email message, but not a continuous audio/video data stream.
However, the distribution of user-specific messages requires the use of a multi-channel message "flood" in order to ensure message deliver to the receiving devices. In such a flood, the system sends all messages, even individually addressed messages, over multiple paths of the system at the same time, because it is not known which path is being "listened to" by the receiving device. Each individually addressed message is tagged with a unique address for the receiving device and then transmitted repeatedly on each channel with each receiving device filtering at least one channel to detect its unique address and hence decode its messages.
However, the CAP data stream has limited bandwidth in a typical direct broadcast satellite system and cannot be increased because of system legacy issues. Thus, there is a need in the art for more efficient message delivery in a multi-channel unidirectional communications system. "Efficiency" in this context is used to mean moving the message reliably from the origin to the destination with the least consumption of channel capacity. The present invention provides such efficiencies, which equate to effective increases in available capacity for new services using the fixed system capacity.

Efficient message delivery in a multi-channel uni-directional communications system


A hand tool or grooving or cutting pipes has an aperture for receiving a portion of pipe, and adjustable support means. A cutting or grooving wheel is displaceable along a predetermined path to cause it to move radially relative to the pipe, as the tool is manually rotated round the pipe.

The present invention relates to a tool for grooving or cutting pipes. It particularly relates to a hand tool capable of dealing with a range of pipe diameters.
International patent application WO86/03439 discloses a pipe cutter formed as a single cylinder having an entry slot. This device suffers from the disadvantage that it is not possible to make a quick, simple and accurate adjustment for a different diameter of pipe.


A system and method for managing electrical power generated by an engine for use in connection with operating a hybrid energy off highway vehicle load control system. A load control circuit determines a current operating condition of the Off Highway Vehicle, and determines a corresponding target operating condition of the Off Highway Vehicle The load control system determines a difference between the current operating condition and a target operating condition to identify transients. The load control system delivers power from the power source to a energy storage for an initial period after a transient condition is identified and then delivers power from the power source to source to the traction motors to propel the Off Highway Vehicle. The load control system also retrieves to power from the energy storage to assist in propelling the Off Highway Vehicle.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an exemplary prior art off highway vehicle. In particular, FIG. 1A generally reflects a typical prior art diesel-electric off highway vehicle. Off highway vehicles include locomotives and mining trucks and excavators, where mining trucks and excavators range from 100-ton capacity to 400-ton capacity, but may be smaller or larger. Off highway vehicles typically have a power weight ratio of less than 10 h.p. per ton with a ratio of 5 h.p. per ton being common. Off highway vehicles typically also utilize dynamic or electric braking. This is in contrast to a vehicle such as a passenger bus that has a ratio of 15 h.p. per ton or more and utilizes mechanical or resistive braking.
As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the off highway vehicle 100 includes a diesel primary power source 102 driving an alternator/rectifier 104. As is generally understood in the art, the alternator/rectifier 104 provides DC electric power to an inverter 106 that converts the AC electric power to a form suitable for use by a traction motor 108. One common Off Highway Vehicle configuration includes one inverter/traction motor per wheel 109, with two wheels 109 comprising the equivalent of an axle (not shown). Such a configuration results in one or two inverters per Off Highway Vehicle. FIG. 1A illustrates a single inverter 106 and a single traction motor 108 for convenience. By way of example, large excavation dump trucks may employ motorized wheels such as the GEB23™ AC motorized wheel employing the GE150AC™ drive system (both of which are available from the assignee of the present system).
Strictly speaking, an inverter converts DC power to AC power. A rectifier converts AC power to DC power. The term "converter" is also sometimes used to refer to inverters and rectifiers. The electrical power supplied in this manner may be referred to as prime mover power (or primary electric power) and the alternator/rectifier 104 may be referred to as a source of prime mover power. In a typical AC diesel-electric Off Highway Vehicle application, the AC electric power from the alternator is first rectified (converted to DC). The rectified AC is thereafter inverted (e.g., using power electronics such as Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) or thyristors operating as pulse width modulators) to provide a suitable form of AC power for the respective traction motor 108.
As is understood in the art, traction motors 108 provide the tractive power to move Off Highway Vehicle 100 and any other vehicles, such as load vehicles, attached to Off Highway Vehicle 100. Such traction motors 108 may be an AC or DC electric motors. When using DC traction motors, the output of the alternator is typically rectified to provide appropriate DC power. When using AC traction motors, the alternator output is typically rectified to DC and thereafter inverted to three-phase AC before being supplied to traction motors 108.
The traction motors 108 also provide a braking force for controlling speed or for slowing Off Highway Vehicle 100. This is commonly referred to as dynamic braking, and is generally understood in the art. Simply stated, when a traction motor 108 is not needed to provide motivating force, it can be reconfigured (via power switching devices) so that the motor operates as an electric power generator. So configured, the traction motor 108 generates electric energy which has the effect of slowing the Off Highway Vehicle. In prior art Off Highway Vehicles, such as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the energy generated in the dynamic braking mode is typically transferred to resistance grids 110 mounted on the vehicle housing. Thus, the dynamic braking energy is converted to heat and dissipated from the system. Such electric energy generated in the dynamic braking mode is typically wasted.
It should be noted that, in a typical prior art DC hybrid vehicle, the dynamic braking grids 110 are connected to the traction motors 108. In a typical prior art AC hybrid vehicle, however, the dynamic braking grids are connected to the DC traction bus 122 because each traction motor 108 is normally connected to the bus by way of an associated inverter 106 (see FIG. 1B). FIG. 1A generally illustrates an AC hybrid vehicle with a plurality of traction motors; a single inverter is depicted for convenience.
FIG. 1B is an electrical schematic of a typical prior art Off Highway Vehicle 100. It is generally known in the art to employ a single electrical energy source 102, however, two or more electrical energy sources may be employed. In the case of a single electrical energy source, a diesel engine 102 coupled to an alternator 104 provides the primary source power 104. In the case where two or more electrical energy sources 102 are provided, a first system comprises the prime mover power system that provides power to the traction motors 108. A second system (not shown) provides power for so-called auxiliary electrical systems (or simply auxiliaries). Such an auxiliary system may be derived as an output of the alternator, from the DC output, or from a separate alternator driven by the primary power source. For example, in FIG. 1B, a diesel engine 102 drives the prime mover power source 104 (e.g., an alternator and rectifier), as well as any auxiliary alternators (not illustrated) used to power various auxiliary electrical subsystems such as, for example, lighting, air conditioning/heating, blower drives, radiator fan drives, control battery chargers, field exciters, power steering, pumps, and the like. The auxiliary power system may also receive power from a separate axle driven generator. Auxiliary power may also be derived from the traction alternator of prime mover power source 104.
The output of the prime mover power source 104 is connected to a DC bus 122 that supplies DC power to the traction motor 108. The DC bus 122 may also be referred to as a traction bus 122 because it carries the power used by the traction motor subsystems. As explained above, a typical prior art diesel-electric Off Highway Vehicle includes two traction motors 108, one per each wheel 109, wherein the two wheels 109 operate as an axle assembly, or axle-equivalent. However, a system may be also be configured to include a single traction motor per axle or configured to include four traction motors, one per each wheel 109 of a two axle-equivalent four-wheel vehicle. In FIG. 1B, each traction motor subsystem 124A and 124B comprises an inverter (e.g., inverter 106A and 106B) and a corresponding traction motor (e.g., traction motor 108A and 108B, respectively).
During braking, the power generated by the traction motors 108 is dissipated through a dynamic braking grid subsystem 110. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, a typical prior art dynamic braking grid subsystem 110 includes a plurality of contactors (e.g., DB1–DB5) for switching a plurality of power resistive elements between the positive and negative rails of the DC bus 122. Each vertical grouping of resistors may be referred to as a string. One or more power grid cooling blowers (e.g., BL1 and BL2) are normally used to remove heat generated in a string due to dynamic braking. It is also understood that these contactors (DB1–DB5) can be replaced by solid-state switches like GTO/IGBTs and can be modulated (like a chopper) to control the effective dynamic brake resistance.
As indicated above, prior art Off Highway Vehicles typically waste the energy generated from dynamic braking. Attempts to make productive use of such energy have been unsatisfactory. For example, one system attempts to use energy generated by a traction motor 108 in connection with an electrolysis cell to generate hydrogen gas as a supplemental fuel source. Among the disadvantages of such a system are the safe storage of the hydrogen gas and the need to carry water for the electrolysis process. Still other prior art systems fail to recapture the dynamic braking energy at all, but rather selectively engage a special generator that operates when the associated vehicle travels downhill. One of the reasons such a system is unsatisfactory is because it fails to recapture existing braking energy and fails to make the captured energy available for reuse on board the Off Highway Vehicle.
One desirable characteristics of an OHV system is fast acceleration and response. The engine load rate limits the present vehicles from accelerations. With hybrid energy storage it is possible to preload the engine and put that energy into the batteries (or other storage means) before the vehicle needs to move and thereby loading the engine. Therefore, there is a need for an energy management system and method that control when energy is captured and stored, and when such energy is regenerated for later use for traction and auxiliaries to improve the fuel efficiency and improve the performance of Off Highway Vehicles.

Hybrid energy off highway vehicle load control system and method


A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device having a page program mode of operation. The device including a data input buffer for receiving program data from a data line and a plurality of program voltage generating circuits each of which is selectively operable for generating a program voltage output having a first and second logic level. The device further including a plurality of first selecting MOS transistors coupled to respective ones of the program voltage generating circuits and alternating ones of bit lines included in the memory device and a plurality of second selecting MOS transistors coupled to respective ones of the program voltage generating circuits and a second sequences of alternating one of the bit lines. A select circuit having a first output connected to each of the first selecting transistors and a second output connected to each of the second selecting transistors for selectively turning on either of the first and second selecting transistors to thereby selectively couple either the bit lines of the first and second sequence to the program voltage output of the respective ones of the program voltage generating circuits.

The present invention relates generally to nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices, and more particularly, to an electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM) device having a page program mode and which is characterized by a unique architecture which provides a higher level of integration density than is possible with currently available EEPROMs having a page program mode.
Various methods have been heretofore proposed for improving the operating speed of nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices such as EEPROMs, flash EEPROMs, and the like. One of these methods, commonly referred to as a page program mode, is performed by temporarily storing data in a data buffer and simultaneously writing the data in a selected column of the memory array, thereby minimizing the time for programming data into the memory device.
Known techniques for implementing the page program mode are disclosed, for example, in IEEE JOURNAL OF SOLID-STATE CIRCUITS, Vol. 24, No. 5, October 1988, pp. 1238-1243 and IEEE JOURNAL OF SOLID-STATE CIRCUITS, Vol. 23, No. 5, October 1988, pp. 1164-170. With these known techniques, a data storing circuit for storing data and a program voltage generating circuit for generating a program voltage are connected to every bit line. Because these techniques require that the data storing circuit and the program voltage generating circuit be connected to every bit line, there is an inherent limitation on the size of the memory cells or the width between bit lines, thereby limiting the level of integration density of the semiconductor memory device.
Based upon the above and foregoing, it can be appreciated that there presently exists a need in the art for a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device having a page program mode which overcomes the above-described limitation and shortcoming of the presently available nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices having a page program mode.


A holder for two beverage containers is provided for installation in a motor vehicle. The holder has a pull-out element having insertion openings for the beverage containers. The pull-out element is guided not only displaceably but also is mounted pivotally, so that, as desired, one insertion opening instead of both insertion openings is accessible and available for use.

The invention relates to a holder for a beverage container.
Such holders, also called cup holders, are known per se. They are provided, for example, for installation in dashboards or central consoles of motor vehicles. The holders have a pull-out having one or two insertion openings for insertion of drinks containers. Beverage containers are to be understood as being beverage cans, cups, beakers, bottles and the like. The pull-out is displaceably guided like a drawer; it can be displaced from a pushed-in normal position into a pulled-out in-use position and vice versa. In the pushed-in normal position, the pull-out is recessed in, for example, the dashboard or the central console of a motor vehicle; the insertion openings are not accessible and the pull-out is not available for use. In the pulled-out in-use position, the pull-out projects into the interior of the motor vehicle and the insertion openings are accessible for insertion of beverage containers.


A processing system includes a plurality of processor cores formed in a first layer of an integrated circuit device and a plurality of partitions of memory formed in one or more second layers of the integrated circuit device. The one or more second layers are deployed in a stacked configuration with the first layer. Each of the partitions is associated with a subset of the processor cores that have overlapping footprints with the partitions. The processing system also includes first memory paths between the processor cores and their corresponding subsets of partitions. The processing system further includes second memory paths between the processor cores and the partitions.

Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates generally to processing systems and, more particularly, to stacked memory elements in processing systems.
Description of the Related Art
Processing systems include one or more processing units that execute instructions stored in memory to manipulate data stored in the memory. The processing units can include one or more central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), accelerated processing units (APUs) that include both central processing and graphics processing capabilities, or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Each processing unit can be made up of one or more processor cores that execute instructions concurrently or in parallel. The conventional design of a processing system distributes the processing units and the memory in a two-dimensional (2-D) plane. For example, the processing units of a processing system may be distributed over the surface of a substrate, a die, or a circuit board. Memory elements may be placed on the same substrate, die, or circuit board as the processing elements or they may be placed on different substrates, dies, or circuit boards. Interconnections between the processing units and the memory elements are formed by wires or traces that lie in the same plane (e.g., in the same substrate, die, or circuit board) as the processing units and the memory elements.

Interconnect architecture for three-dimensional processing systems


A centralized control system comprising interface circuits which are provided in respective terminal devices requiring field service such as copying machines or automatic vending machines and collect functional information concerning functions of the terminal devices and abnormality information showing their abnormality; communication units which are provided at every one or plural interfaces circuits and transmit collected information as the need arises; and remote control device which receives transmitted information and selectively displays it on a display unit to execute a plurality of control processing at every terminal device. Abnormality information is announced whenever it occurs or at a predetermined time according to a degree of abnormality, and information concerning the abnormality information announced is displayed on a part or full of the whole display picture screen concerning all the control processing. Further, a record of the abnormality information is stored and displayed and also information on a function along with usage quantity information of consumable goods are displayed in lists, thus notice of abnormality when it occurs and search for its cause are accurately conducted. Still further the system accurately predicts a date for replacement or supply of the consumable goods on the basis of usage quantity information, thus reducing using-up of the consumable goods.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a centralized control system which controls terminal devices such as copying machines or automatic vending machines, requiring field service, at remote places through communication lines and, more particularly, to the same which can accurately decide the conditions of the terminal devices by means of data of abnormality information or functional information of the terminal devices:
2. Description of Related Art
An image forming device such as a copying machine requires periodic maintenance because of deterioration of its photosensitive body, dirt in the interior due to scattering and adhesion of toner, that is, the copying machine needs field service. Besides the periodic maintenance, when a copying machine causes troubles of image defects or the like due to noises such as paper jam, skin eruptions or deterioration of the photosensitive body or other abnormality, a user phones a service company to have the company dispatch a service man for maintenance of the machine. Usually a specialized service company performs the maintenance of the copying machine and also management of copying charges.
Machines such as automatic vending machines vending beverages or tobacco, air-conditioners, refrigerating showcases also require the same field service as the copying machine and makers or service companies take charge of managing these machines. Particularly, as to the automatic vending machine, some specialized vendor companies control goods and the machines, in this case a serviceman makes routine rounds for the machines and takes control of using up of goods and consumable goods and money collection. It is required for the service company to perform centralized control of the machines as the terminal devices which need the field service and to quickly respond to the abnormality.
A prior art system which carries out the centralized control of the terminal devices by a central station unit has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-12652. In this prior art, a control device, that is, the central station device receives data of a number of copies by a department transmitted from each of a plurality of copying machines and makes accumulative additions of a number of copies by a department and by a copying machine to store the data and displays or prints them as the need arises.
Further, trouble information such as paper jam and maintenance information such as lack of paper sheets, lack of developer are transmitted to the control device to display them every preset time. Particularly trouble display is carried out by providing the control device with lamps for terminal devices and blinking them to surely inform a control device's operator of trouble occurrence, together with to display the number of times of trouble occurrence.
However, in the conventional control device disclosed in said Patent Application, trouble display is effected by turning on the respective terminal lamps provided in the control device, thus many lamps corresponding to the number of the terminal devices are required to control the many terminal devices, this, therefore, causes a large size of the control device and a high cost of it. Further the number of the terminal devices is limited to the number of the lamps and as many terminal devices as a number more than the number of the lamps can not be controlled.
Further, only a number of times of troubles is displayed, thus the trouble portions or their conditions can not be recognized, therefore when a serviceman copes with the troubles, he can not analyze the contents of the troubles and also can not obtain sufficient maintenance information on whether parts should be replaced or not. In addition, there is a possibility that when a plurality of the terminal devices simultaneously transmit information on respective troubles, trouble information with high urgency can not be transmitted to the center device.
The fact that abnormality is displayed when it occurs is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-81656, but practical contents of the display are not disclosed and in this case there is a possibility of causing time lag in notice of the abnormality to an operator when it is displayed on only specified screens.
A prior art system which performs centralized control of the terminal devices by a center device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-263163. This technology decides abnormality of a copying machine and to check the machine's quality by connecting a plurality of the copying machines and a data summation device with bidirectional signals. The system of this application collects user data such as a number of copies, usage quantity of toner and service data such as dirt on an optical system, a number of times of paper jam, voltage variation and the like.
However, in the above application display of data such as a number of copies, usage quantity of toner is not concretely disclosed, and in the case of only displaying these data as they are, urgency of necessity of replacement parts and supplies can not be decided and moreover in order to check the urgency it is necessary to check usage quantity at each terminal and in the case of many terminals much time is required to check them. Further, in the case of only usage quantity at the time of data reception, replacement time of parts and supply time of consumable goods can not be decided and there is a possibility of causing lack of the parts and lack of the goods at the user side.
When an abnormal tone arises in images and its cause is searched for and when only reference to individual data such as exposure volts, development bias volts are possible, much time is required to search for its cause. This is a problem.
Further, existence of abnormality can be decided by collected data but change in data in time series can not be detected, thus the abnormality can not be predicted and the serviceman can not cope with the abnormality until it has arisen and can not obtain sufficient data for searching its cause, therefore he can not accurately make a decision of the necessity of the replacement parts and supplies. This is a problem.
In the conventional centralized control system of this type, it is required to input and set on the terminal side various types of information necessary for controlling the terminals, and when the input and set of the information is large in quantity, it is troublesome.

Centralized control system for terminal device


An electric storage device includes an electrode assembly, in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode in the shape of a sheet are wound with a separator sandwiched therebetween. The electrode assembly has a flat shape and includes a first flat portion and a second flat portion, which are opposed to each other, and a first curved portion and a second curved portion which connect end portions of the first and second flat portions together. One of the positive electrode and the negative electrode covers an inner-circumferential end portion of the other electrode and is disposed on an innermost circumference of the electrode assembly. An inner-circumferential end portion of the one of the electrodes causes an elastic force to act outwardly on the other electrode.

Rechargeable electric storage devices have recently been adopted as the power sources of vehicles (e.g., an automobile and a motorcycle) and various devices (e.g., a portable terminal and a laptop personal computer). Examples of the electric storage devices include battery cells (e.g., a lithium-ion battery cell and a nickel-metal-hydride battery cell), and capacitors (e.g., an electric double layer capacitor). Various types of cells are provided. As one of such cells, there is available a cell which is provided with an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode in the shape of a sheet are wound with a separator sandwiched therebetween and a current collector connected to this electrode assembly.
As shown in FIG. 9C, a positive electrode 21, a negative electrode 22 and a separator 23 are stacked in the order of the separator 23, the negative electrode 22, the separator 23 and the positive electrode 21. These are wound in cylindrical shape to have the positive electrode 21 located outside. After that, the side surfaces of the cylindrical shape are pressed from both sides, whereby the side surfaces are crushed into a flat shape and deformed. Thus, the electrode assembly is fabricated. Alternatively, the electrode assembly is fabricated such that a laminate of the separator 23, the negative electrode 22, the separator 23, and the positive electrode 21, which are stacked in this order from the inner side, is wound into a flat shape.
As shown in FIG. 9A, the positive electrode 21 is provided with a positive-electrode active material layer (a positive-electrode active material coated portion) 21b on each of both surfaces of a positive-electrode current collector substrate 21a. This positive-electrode active material layer is formed, for example, by applying a positive-electrode active material paste to one surface of the positive-electrode current collector substrate 21a, drying the paste, then similarly applying a positive-electrode active material paste to the other surface of the positive-electrode current collector substrate 21a and drying the paste. The positive-electrode current collector substrate 21a is formed from, for example, long strip-shaped aluminum foil.
As shown in FIG. 9B, the negative electrode 22 is provided with a negative-electrode active material layer (a negative-electrode active material coated portion) 22b on each of both surfaces of a negative-electrode current collector substrate 22a. This negative-electrode active material layer is formed, for example, by applying a negative-electrode active material paste to one surface of the negative-electrode current collector substrate 22a, drying the paste, then similarly applying a negative-electrode active material paste to the other surface of the negative-electrode current collector substrate 22a and drying the paste. The negative-electrode current collector substrate 22a is formed from, for example, long strip-shaped copper foil.
More specifically, with the exception of one end portion of the positive-electrode current collector substrate 21a in the width direction, the positive electrode 21 is, for example, coated with a positive-electrode active material paste on both surfaces. Whereby, the positive electrode 21 is provided with the positive-electrode active material layer 21b on each of both surfaces of the positive-electrode current collector substrate 21a except this end portion. For this reason, in this end portion, the positive-electrode current collector substrate 21a (a positive-electrode active material layer-non-formed portion 21c) is exposed. On the other hand, with the exception of one end portion of the negative-electrode current collector substrate 22a in the width direction, the negative electrode 22 is, for example, coated with a negative-electrode active material paste on both surfaces. Whereby, the negative electrode 22 is provided with the negative-electrode active material layer 22b on each of both surfaces of the negative-electrode current collector substrate 22a except this end portion. For this reason, in this end portion, the negative-electrode current collector substrate 22a (a negative-electrode active material layer-non-formed portion 22c) is exposed.
As shown in FIG. 9C, the separator 23 physically isolates the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 from each other and holds an electrolyte.
In order to prevent the precipitation of dendrite and the like, the negative-electrode active material layer 22b is applied with a larger width than the positive-electrode active material layer 21b. The separator 23, which provides insulation between the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22, has a larger width than the positive-electrode active material layer 21b and the negative-electrode active material layer 22b. However, the separator 23 has a width not covering the positive-electrode active material layer-non-formed portion 21c or the negative-electrode active material layer-non-formed portion 22c, which protrude widthwise.
As shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 10, an electrode assembly 20 (a wound electrode assembly 80) of a cell described in Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-287513) is such that an inner-circumferential end portion 22d (indicated by a solid line) of the negative electrode 22 covers an inner-circumferential end portion 21d (indicated by a solid line) of the positive electrode 21 and is wound so that the negative electrode 22 is disposed on an innermost circumference of the electrode assembly 20. As shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 11, an electrode assembly 20 (an electrode assembly group 2) of a cell described in Patent Literature 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-251256) is such that an inner-circumferential end portion 21d (indicated by a solid line) of the positive electrode 21 covers an inner-circumferential end portion 22d (indicated by a solid line) of the negative electrode 22 and is wound so that the positive electrode 21 is disposed on an innermost circumference of the electrode assembly 20. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the number of windings of the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 is smaller than it really is in order to make the configuration of winding clearly understandable. In an actual electrode assembly 20, winding is performed in a larger number and in a denser manner. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the illustration of the separator 23 is omitted.
Each of the electrode assemblies 20, 20 is of a flat shape. The electrode assembly 20 has first and second flat portions 20a, 20a, and first and second curved portions 20b, 20b. The first and second flat portions 20a, 20a are opposed to each other. The first and second curved portions 20b, 20b connect end portions of the first and second flat portions 20a, 20a together. The electrode assembly 20 described in Patent Literature 1 is wound in such a manner that a leading-end edge of the inner-circumferential end portion 22d of the negative electrode 22 is positioned in the flat portion 20a. The electrode assembly 20 described in Patent Literature 2 is wound in such a manner that a leading-end edge of the inner-circumferential end portion 21d of the positive electrode 21 is positioned in the flat portion 20a. That is, in each electrode assembly 20, the leading-end edge of the inner-circumferential end portion of the electrode disposed on the innermost circumference is positioned in the flat portion 20a.