A turret assembly is provided for use with a light box for supporting and indexing a plurality of fiber optic bundles relative to a light source contained within the light box. The turret assembly includes a supporting element having a plurality of openings for retaining a plurality of fiber bundles which is rotatably attached to a hub member mounting the turret assembly to the light box. The turret assembly also includes a light intensity control member for adjusting the intensity of light entering each indexed fiber optic bundle from said light source. The intensity control member is fixedly attached to an adjustment knob which independently rotates a light vane positioned in the light path extending from the light source in order to selectively to vary the illumination output therefrom.

Fiber optics have long been used in medical examination devices such as otoscopes, endoscopes, and the like, due to the bright illumination that is provided over longer distances by internal reflection. Typically, a light box having a single illumination source is utilized to provide light to an examining device. A single fiber optic light bundle is used to transmit the illumination between the light box and the examining device of choice.
Fiber optic light bundles are used in variety of different medical applications and are manufactured in a wide range of sizes such as, for example, 1 to 12 mm. In addition to being made in different sizes, fiberoptic light bundles are also manufactured with a variety of different types of fiberoptic connectors or ports. There is a natural desire to create an adapter operatively connected to the light box which allows several fiber optic bundles to be interchangeably used in order to perform a number of applications.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,718 to Stephenson, et al describes a fiber optic turret assembly which is rotatably attached to the drawer face of the light box and selectively aligns a planar fiber optic interface with one of several sizes of fiber optic cables. Each fiber optic cable or port is therefore rotatably positioned into the light path of the light source within the light box. Similar concepts are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,831,017 to Auer, 4,773,723 to Cuda and 4,786,127 to Molnar, each employing an external rotatable selector to move any of a plurality of fiber optic ports into and out of alignment with at least one light source retained internally within a light box.
It is sometimes desirable to adjust the intensity of light passing into the fiber optic ports. One way of adjusting the intensity is to provide a light box having a variable illumination control, either mechanically or through circuitry, which is contained within the light box. Such light boxes are usually more costly, however, and correspondingly increase the size and weight thereof.
It is a need therefore, to provide an adaptor for a light box which allows for different types and sizes of fiberoptic bundles to be conveniently switched therebetween, and includes an illumination control in the adapter which is easy to use and adjust during an examination procedure.

Fiber optic light turret with built-in illumination control


Embodiments of the present invention relate to the filling of cache memory for cache memory initialization. In one embodiment, cache architecture dependent data is loaded into cacheable memory. The flow of initialization execution is transferred to the cache architecture dependent data in response to a trigger that indicates that an initialization of cache memory has been initiated. Each line contained in cache memory is filled using the cache architecture dependent data. The flow of initialization execution is returned back to the place in the initialization process from which it was transferred when the filling of cache memory is completed.

Random-access memory (RAM) is a data storage mechanism that allows stored data to be accessed at random instead of in sequence. RAM is conventionally employed to hold operating systems, application programs and data that are in current use by a computer system. This allocation of data storage responsibility allows such information to be speedily accessed by a computer system processor. This is because RAM is much faster to read from and write to than many other types of storage mechanisms.
Cache memory is random access memory (RAM) that a computer microprocessor can access even more quickly than regular RAM. Cache memory is used to temporarily store information. As the microprocessor processes data, it looks first to cache memory and if the data that is desired is found (such as from a previous reading of data), the more time-consuming reading of data from slower memory is avoided.
Cache memory is described in levels of closeness and accessibility to the microprocessor. An L1 cache is on the same chip as the microprocessor. L2 cache is usually a separate static RAM. The main RAM is usually a DRAM chip.
In many cases, especially after a system powerup, cache memory can be filled with random unknown data that can make reliable error checking very difficult. This is because the information that is to be checked for errors can contain the aforementioned random unknown data rendering reliable comparisons practically impossible.
Various techniques are currently employed as a means of ensuring the integrity of the data that is contained in RAM. In one conventional approach, data integrity checking (like parity checking) is used as a means of detecting errors particularly to combat problems such as soft errors (e.g., bit flips). Using this approach the data integrity bits are initialized when the RAM is written to.
However, in the case of cache memory, which is actually not directly written to by the computer processor, the loading of lines into cache memory must take place via an indirect mechanism. Some cache memories offer mechanisms that facilitate the forcible loading of lines into memory by the processor. However, these mechanisms are often cumbersome and complex.
Moreover, some cache architectures allow the user to "lock" known information into cache memory addresses. However, this approach involves a special mode of operation that requires special machine instructions and often involves complicated or cumbersome placement of known data in memory. It can also involve multiple iterations before data is finally locked into every line of cache memory. Alternatively, some cache memory designs employ the use of special hardware logic whose function is to initialize the cache to the proper state. However, this special hardware logic can be of such limited use that its cost/benefit ratio can be prohibitive.
The drawings referred to in this description should not be understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically noted.

Method and system for filling cache memory for cache memory initialization

HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.


A system and method for use in spectrometric measurements of an article using selecting an optimal integration time range of the light detection system during which the measurement is to be applied, the optimal integration time being that at which a required value of signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the measurements is obtainable.

Spectrometry (or spectrophotometry) is an optical method for measuring the spectral response of an article to incident light including a plurality of wavelengths. This response may be based on reflectance (the method known as "reflectometry"), polarization change (the method known as "polarimetry" or "ellipsometry"), grating diffraction efficiency (the method known as "scatterometry"), and others.
In the spectrometric methods, one of the most important elements is a light source for article illumination, which produces a light beam of desired geometry, intensity and spectral range; and a light detection system that transforms light returned from the illuminated article into an electrical signal to be further digitized and processed with appropriate electrical and computing means.
In the spectrometric methods, various optical components are used for implementing a chosen optical scheme. A proper optical design is selected being aimed at keeping the brightness of a light source, i.e., providing attenuation of the light intensity by optical components as little as possible, in order to reach maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the output measured signal. This SNR depends mainly on the sensitivity and noise of a detector, brightness of a light source, attenuation of an optical scheme, and the article properties as well. The higher SNR, the more precise measurements may be achieved.
A light detector typically has a limited range of signal to be accurately measured. A low level of the measured signal is limited by its intrinsic noise and shot noise of illumination light, while a high level of the measured signal is limited by saturation, i.e., the level of signal above which the light detector is no more sensitive to incident light. A ratio between the saturation and noise levels is a "dynamic range" of the light detector.
A high dynamic range is typically needed to enable accurate measurements with a required SNR in a wide range of varying properties of the measured article. For example, if an article under measurements is a silicon wafer with a multiple layer coating, and reflectance of the wafer is measured, a reflectance coefficient of such an article may vary from single percents at a certain wavelength range to about 100% at another wavelength range. Therefore, the required dynamic range of a light detector is to be large enough in order to provide a desirably high SNR in the entire range of measured parameters of the article.

Spectrometric optical method and system providing required signal-to-noise of measurements


A device is provided for adjusting the position of an element, arranged to be movable in a predetermined direction, comprising a driving member for generating driving force to be applied to the element, and a transferring member for transferring the driving force to the element. The device further comprising a plate member, arranged to be movable in parallel to the predetermined direction, for supporting at least the driving member. Thus, it becomes possible to easily execute a position adjustment operation of the predetermined element along the predetermined direction. Such position adjustment can be easily effected by only moving the plate member.

The present invention relates to a head adjusting device provided with, for example, a magnetic recording apparatus for recording and reproducing data to and from a magnetic disk. More particularly, the present invention is drawn to a head adjusting device arranged in such a manner that a positional relationship adjustment thereof to a desired position, for example, an initial tracking position or a final tracking position and so forth, can be easily executed.
In a magnetic data recording apparatus for recording and reproducing data to and from a magnetic disk such as a floppy disk and the like, the recording and reproducing operations are carried out by causing a magnetic head to come into contact with the recording surface of the magnetic disk arranged to be rotated.
The recording surface of this type of magnetic disk has a multiplicity of concentric magnetic recording tracks. The magnetic head comes into contact with any one of these tracks for effecting the recording and reproducing. It is then moved in the radial direction thereof for effecting recording and reproducing for the desired recording track.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a conventional head adjusting device for moving a carriage on which the above magnetic head is mounted, in a tracking direction, indicated by an arrow T', of the magnetic disc. In FIG. 1, 1' designates the magnetic head and 2' designates a carriage for supporting the magnetic head 1' thereon. The carriage 2' is slidably supported by two parallel guide bars 3', 4', respectively fixed to a chassis, not shown, of the magnetic data recording apparatus. The carriage is urged in a direction substantially parallel to the tracking direction of the disc and toward the center of the disc by a bias force applied by means of a spring 6'. A spindle motor 5', including a spindle 5a', is provided for rotating the magnetic disc. A step motor 11', fixed to a base, not shown, is provided on the chassis or the like, by means of a pair of screws 15', 15', passing through slots 11b', 11b', defined in both side flanges of the step motor 11'.
The above step motor 11' is provided with a pinion 9', which is brought into engagement with a driven gear 10' to enable a spiral cam 7', coaxially provided with the driven gear 10', to be rotated. The cam 7' comes into contact with a cam follower 8' provided on the carriage 2', and the carriage 2', as well as the magnetic head 1', supported by the carriage 2', are moved in the tracking direction by rotation of the cam 7'.
Positional adjustment of the magnetic head 1' is conventionally carried out such that a rotational shaft of the step motor 11', not shown, is locked so as not to be rotated by energization of the step motor 11'. The step motor 11' is then excited while the screws 15' are loosened. Thus, the main body of the step motor 11' is rotated along the slots 11b' about the rotational shaft of the step motor 11', and the spiral cam 7' is directly rotated, without a rotation of the rotational shaft of the step motor 11', through the driven gear 10', to cause the carriage to move in the tracking direction T'.
In the conventional device, however, a problem arises in that the adjustable range is limited by the speed reduction ratio between the pinion 9' and the driven gear 10', which is defined by the number of teeth of the pinion 9' and the driven gear 10'. In other words, since the cam 7' is only slightly rotated in accordance with the speed reduction ratio, the adjustable range is extremely limited. Further, another problem also arises in that a sufficient dead space is needed to enable a terminal plate 11a, through which electrical power for driving the step motor 11' is supplied, projecting from the step motor 11' to be rotated during the above position adjusting operation.


Process to optimize the yield of base oils from a Fischer-Tropsch derived feed by performing the following steps (a) performing a hydroconversion/hydroisomerization step on part of the Fischer-Tropsch derived feed; (b) performing a hydroconversion/hydroisomerization step on another part of the Fischer-Tropsch feed at a conversion greater than the conversion in step (a); and (c) isolating by means of distillation a fraction boiling in the base oil range from the two reaction products obtained in steps (a) and (b) and performing a pour point reducing step on said fraction.

WO-A-02070629 describes a process to prepare a gas oil product and a base oil product from a Fischer-Tropsch derived synthesis product by performing a hydroconversion/hydroisomerisation step and isolation of a gas oil fraction and a residue from the obtained cracked effluent. The gas oil as obtained had an iso-paraffin content of 80 wt %. The residue is further distilled to obtain a distillate fraction boiling between 370 and 510° C. This fraction boiling between 370 and 510° C. was subjected to a catalytic dewaxing step to obtain various base oil grades.
The present invention provides a process to optimise the yield to base oils from a Fischer-Tropsch derived synthesis product.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An electric drive for a motor vehicle, in particular a fan drive, comprising an electric motor that includes a rotor which is mounted on a motor shaft so as to be able to rotate about a stationary stator as well as a driving part which is coupled to the rotor, and at least one electroconductive cover part for influencing and/or blocking interfering electromagnetic fields generated during operation of the electric motor.

Motor vehicles having an internal combustion engine develop a considerable amount of heat during operation. To maintain the operating temperature of an engine or within an air-conditioning system, a coolant that must be cooled may be used. This is generally accomplished by cooling air passing over cooling fins, which are in thermal equilibrium with the coolant. Since, especially at low driving speeds, the relative wind is normally no longer sufficient for cooling, it is possible, for example, to secure a radiator cowl with an electric (electric-motor) drive on the radiator comprising the cooling fins, said drive generating an additional air flow, which is guided by the cowl body. For this purpose, the (fan) drive has an electric motor, which is coupled to a drive part, in particular to a fan impeller that generates the flow.
In conventional arrangements, the cowl body has a substantially round aperture, within which the fan drive is arranged. Here, the plane in which the fan impeller is situated is substantially parallel to the plane of the cooling fins. The electric motor coupled in terms of drive engineering to the fan impeller is fixed on a rigid holder at the end by means of screws or rivets, for example, and the holder is held in the center of the aperture by means of radially extending struts.
For this purpose, use is made, for example, of brushless electric motors, where a rotor mounted so as to be rotatable relative to a stator is driven by a rotating magnetic field. In this arrangement, phase windings of the rotor (rotating-field winding) are supplied with a corresponding electric three-phase or motor current, which is subject to open-loop and closed-loop control by means of a controller as part of (motor) electronics.
In the electric-motor mode, alternating currents are generated in the lines of the motor electronics and in the rotating-field winding owing to switchover processes. These alternating currents generate corresponding electromagnetic interference fields, which must be assessed as critical as regards compliance with EMC directives (electromagnetic compatibility).

Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Würzburg


A method of marking pavement includes applying a first layer of liquid tar to the pavement. The layer has a thickness of approximately between 0.01 inch and 0.1 inch, and a width of approximately between one inch and six inches. A layer of rubber is placed on top of and centered on the layer of tar. The layer of rubber has at least one vertically-oriented throughhole sized to allow liquid tar to flow therethrough. A second layer of liquid tar and reflective elements is applied on top of the layer of rubber sheet. Enough time is allowed to pass for the first and second layers of tar to cool and become solidified. Paper is adhered to a top surface of the second layer of tar and/or reflective elements. The paper and an adjacent portion of the pavement is painted over to thereby form a painted marking.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for marking pavement, such as asphalt used in making roads.
Pavement (asphalt) is initially black, but as it ages its color turns gray and eventually whitish gray. Concrete roads are whitish gray even when they are new. Hence, most roads are whitish gray in color.
Traffic markings are put down on roads in order to guide vehicle traffic. Such markings include lane dividers and turn arrows. A problem is that such traffic markings are typically white and yellow/orange, which has good contrast with, and visibility on, fresh black pavement, but has decreasing contrast, and decreasing visibility, as the asphalt turns whitish gray with age.


A device for optical mapping of protein binding sites, in particular, transcription factor binding sites, on single DNA molecules, includes an insulating substrate having two parallel channels and at least one slit connecting the two channels, a coverslip on the substrate, at least two reservoirs on the substrate connecting the channels of the insulating substrate, and at least two electrodes in the reservoirs. When the reservoirs are filled with a buffer solution, the electrodes are in electrical contact in the buffer solution.

Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins that bind to specific bases of DNA to carry out the process of transcription. TFs play a major role in the process of transferring sequential information from DNA to RNA to protein. Thus, mapping TF binding sites becomes crucial in understanding the regulatory circuits that control cellular processes, such as cell division and differentiation as well as metabolic and physiological balance. Currently practiced techniques like chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) are well established in TF binding site mapping.
In the recent years, single molecule techniques have a major contribution in the process of getting some insights on details at the molecular scale, which in general are not feasible with ensemble experiments. Various research groups have tried and reported TF binding site mapping using single molecule techniques like optical tweezers, atomic force microscopy, molecular combing etc.

Nanofluidic devices for single-molecule analysis of protein-DNA complex


A method of controlling access from a virtual machine executed in a server device to a storage device, the method including acquiring a service level corresponding to a virtual machine identifier that identifies a virtual machine and is output from the virtual machine together with an input/output command by using the virtual machine identifier and by referring to a storage device that stores correspondence relationship between the virtual machine identifier and the service level and executing the input/output command from the virtual machine in accordance with the acquired service level in at least either the server device or the storage device.

There are conventionally computer systems that include multiple servers providing virtual servers and a storage device. When data access from the multiple servers to the storage device is executed, the throughput of the computer system is distributed in accordance with the total number of the executed data accesses. For that reason, as the number of the executed data accesses increase, the execution time for each data access becomes longer. As a result, the throughput of the computer system is reduced.
In relation to the above technology, a computer system has been known that controls its performance as the entire computer system in consideration of both the servers providing virtual servers and the storage system. This computer system associates the settings of servers that adjust I/O processing performance between virtual servers by controlling I/O processing for each of the virtual servers in accordance with I/O priority relating to the virtual server with the setting of the storage device.
In addition, a management server has been known that moves virtual machines in accordance with input/output (I/O) to or from an array group in the virtual machine after moving. This management server calculates a predicted amount of I/O in the virtual machine after the moving and when the maximum amount of I/O in the array group connected to the moved virtual machine exceeds the predicted amount of I/O, the management server searches for an array group in which the maximum amount of I/O is less than the predicted amount of I/O.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-108409
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-108114

Access control method, server device, and storage device


A boot sole adapted for attachment of a bottom and lower sides of a fishing or hiking boot. The boot sole includes a recessed cavity for receiving one or more cleats therein. The cleats are used for engaging rough and irregular surfaces. The cleats are attached to an inner sole. The inner sole is attached to a bottom of the boot using heating bonding or an adhesive. Disposed around the recessed cavity is a downwardly extending sole ring. The sole ring includes a flat surface for engaging a smooth ground or floor surface.

(a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a fishing and hiking boot with a unique boot sole and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a boot sole having recessed cleats for engaging a rough and irregular surface when fishing and hiking for increased stability and safety. The boot sole also has an outer sole or sole ring with a flat bottom portion for engaging a smooth or flat floor surface.
(b) Discussion of Prior Art
Heretofore, fishing boots often have a flat bottom, which makes wading difficult and dangerous when negotiating rocks and gravel in a fishing stream or lake bed. Also, flat bottom boots often have a felt surface for improved traction. But, the felt surface helps transplant invasive aquatic species, which can destroy a river. Also, metal studs have been incorporated into a rubber boot sole. But, the studs wear out quickly and can't be used for walking on a bottom of a fishing boat or a floor surface.
In U.S. Pat. No. 7,836,610 to Laporte, a footwear item is disclosed having releasable attachments for engaging an outer sole. The attachments include spikes, studs, or cleats to improve traction when hiking and other sports activities. This type of footwear does not provide the unique features and objects of the subject invention having a plurality of recessed cleats incorporated into a boot sole as disclosed herein.

Fishing and hiking boot with recessed cleats


A serial to parallel I/O circuit apparatus includes M sequential logic circuits and each of them includes a first D-type flip-flop for receiving one bit of input data, and the output of each the first D-type flip-flop connects to the input of a first D-type flip-flop of a next stage. A second D-type flip-flop receives one bit of enable control signal, and the output of each of the second D-type flip-flops connects to the input of a second D-type flip-flop of a next stage. A multiplexer contains two input terminals and an enable control signal receiving terminal, wherein one input terminal is used to receive the input data received by the first D-type flip-flop, and the enable control signal receiving terminal receives the enable control signal received by the second D-type flip-flop. A D-type latch outputs the data, and the output data is fed back to another input terminal of the multiplexer so as to be selected as a data output when a next set of data are input.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for an I/O circuit, in particular to an apparatus and method for serial to parallel in an I/O circuit.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, the number of pins of an IC is fixed after being manufactured. In the meantime, because of the trend of an SOC (system on a chip), a part of the pins must be shared so as to achieve an object of reducing IC size. Therefore, under the limitation of pin counts and the trend of SOC, it is an inevitable result that a single pin has multi-functions.
As shown in FIG. 1, a pin of an IC designed by using the concept of a single pin with a multifunction can possess many functions simultaneously, but at one time only a function can enable (i.e., the pin can be used by selecting only one of those functions each time). Thus a next function will not be shifted to until the present function is completed. Its speed is slower than that of an IC without any multifunction pin, and therefore is only suitable for use in a relatively slow bus. In addition, an additional pin as a chip select should be provided for function switching in the above architecture.
Generally, in order to overcome the advantage of insufficient output pins, such a way of a sequential logic circuit (as shown in FIG. 2A) may be used to extend pins. An I/O circuit can be formed by combining a plurality of sequential logic circuits, and each of which can process one bit of data. If there is a need to increase the number of outputs, it only needs to increase the number of the sequential logic circuits (as shown in FIG. 2B). Each sequential logic circuit comprises a D-type flip-flop and a D-type latch. For an M-bit input data stream I (I0 . . . IM−3IM−2IM−1), one bit of the input data is input into the D-type flip-flop of the first sequential logic circuit each time in accordance with the bit sequence thereof. After the D-type flip-flop receives a set of input data, it will transfer the previously received input data to a next stage D-type flip-flop. When the input of data stream I (I0 . . . IM−3IM−2IM−1) is completed, triggered by a clock signal CLK, the written input data stream I (I0 . . . IM−3IM−2IM−1) is output to a corresponding D-type Latch for latching. Finally, triggered by another clock signal Load, the data stream I (I0 . . . IM−3IM−2IM−1) is outputted, where M is greater than or equal to the number of the sequential logic circuits.
For example, FIG. 2C shows an 8-bit I/O circuit 200, which includes 8 sequential logic circuits. Firstly, the D-type flip-flop D0 of a first sequential logic circuit 210 receives a first set of input data I0 of a M-bit input data stream I (I0 . . . IM−3IM−2IM−1) (M>=8) as its input data. Thereafter, when a second set of input data I1 is input into the first D-type flip-flop D0, I0 is sent to the D-type flip-flop D2 of the second sequential logic circuit 220 as its input data. Then, after a third set of input data I2 is input into the first D-type flip-flop D0, I1 is sent to a second D-type flip-flop D1 while I0 is transmitted to a third D-type flip-flop D2, . . . etc. After the input of all the data stream I (I0 . . . IM−3IM−2IM−1) (M>=8) is completed, being triggered by the clock signal CLK, the input data are outputted to corresponding D-type latches (for example, the first D-type flip-flop D0 corresponds to a first gating latch DG0), respectively, and the corresponding gating latches latch their input data, respectively. Finally, being triggered by a clock signal Load, all the input data stream I (I0 . . . IM−3IM−2IM−1) (M>=8) are outputted simultaneously. Before the input data stream I (I0 . . . IM−3IM−2IM−1) (M>=8) is written in, a clear signal CLR may be used to clear out the input data written previously in the D-type flip-flops. As can be seen from the input and output statuses in FIG. 7, the system will not output data until it is written in at least 8 bits.
FIG. 3 shows an operational flowchart of an existing I/O circuit, and the steps of which are described as follows:
Step 310: a clear signal CLR is inputted to clear out the input data written previously;
Step 320: the input data stream I (I0 . . . IM−3IM−2IM−1) (M>=8) is input into the first D-type flip-flop one bit each time in order of bit, and when a next set of input data are inputted, the previous set of input data will be pushed to a next stage D-type flip-flop;
Step 330: after the input of the data stream I (I0 . . . IM−3IM−2IM−1) (M>=8) is completed, triggered by the clock signal CLK, the input data are outputted to corresponding D-type latches for latching, respectively; and
Step 340: triggered by the clock signal Load, the input data stream I latched by the D-type latch is output.
As can be seen from the above descriptions, the sequential logic circuits are designed with additional output pins in a series connection manner so as to overcome the problem of insufficient output pins in an IC. However, the output will not be performed until all the sequential logic circuits are fully written in each time, which might affect the whole system performance because of slow data transmission rate.

Apparatus and method for serial to parallel in an I/O circuit


A head suspension load beam including a beam region and a headlift formed by etching from a laminated sheet of material having first and second stainless steel layers separated by a polyimide layer. The beam region includes a base portion formed from the first stainless steel layer and a stiffener portion formed from the second stainless steel layer. The headlift extends from the beam region and includes an offset region and a concave tab. The offset region is formed from the first and second stainless steel layers and the polyimide layer. The tab extends from the offset region and is formed from only the second stainless steel layer.

Head suspensions for disk drives and other dynamic data storage devices are generally known and disclosed, for example, in the Tangren U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,319 and the Ruiz et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,215,622.
An important performance-related criteria of a suspension is specified in terms of its resonance characteristics. For example, in order for the suspension to accurately position a read/write head slider with respect to a desired track on a magnetic disk, the suspension must be capable of precisely translating or transferring the motion of a positioning arm to the slider. An inherent property of moving mechanical systems, however, is their tendency to bend and twist in a number of different modes when driven back and forth at certain rates known as resonant frequencies. Any such bending or twisting of a suspension can cause the position of the head slider to deviate from its intended position with respect to the desired track. Since the head suspension assemblies must be driven at high rates of speed in high performance disk drives, it is desirable for the resonant frequencies of a suspension to be as high as possible. The detrimental effects of the bending and twisting at the resonance frequencies can also be reduced by minimizing the extent of the bending and twisting motion of the suspension (also known as the gain) at the resonant frequencies.
Common bending and twisting modes of suspensions are generally known and described, for example, in the Yumura et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,208 and the Hatch et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,734. Modes which result in lateral or transverse motion (also known as off-track motion) of the head slider are particularly detrimental since this motion causes the head slider to move from the desired track on the disk toward an adjacent track. The three primary modes which produce this transverse motion are known as the sway, first torsion and second torsion modes. The sway mode is a lateral bending mode (i.e., the suspension bends in the transverse direction along its entire length. The first and second torsion modes are twisting modes during which the suspension twists about a rotational axis which extends along the length of the suspension.
Various techniques for compensating for the detrimental effects of resonance modes are known and disclosed, for example, in the Yumura et al. and Hatch et al. U.S. patents mentioned above, as well as the Tangren U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,574. There remains, however, a continuing need for suspensions having improved resonance characteristics. Suspensions of this type that can be efficiently manufactured would be especially desirable.
Headlifts are well known components or features of disk drive head suspensions. Briefly, in some applications the headlift is used only during manufacturing operations to merge the suspension into place with respect to the disk. In other applications, the headlift is engaged and used by other structures of the disk drive during its operation to load the suspension onto and unload the suspension from the spinning disk. Headlifts and related structures are disclosed, for example, in Japanese patent document no. 2,000,011,571, South Korean patent document no. 98,004,812 and in the following U.S. patent documents.
InventorU.S. Pat. No.Hatch et al.5,027,241Blaeser et al.5,187,625Wolter5,291,359Yaeger5,463,514Shimizu5,526,206Larson et al.6,151,197Mangold et al.6,157,520Mei6,239,953Sampietro et al.6,362,933Ray et al.6,463,514Hadian et al.6,538,850Shirashi6,700,745
There remains a continuing need for improved headlift structures for disk drive suspensions. In particular, there is a need for headlifts that are stiff, but provide little, if any, detrimental impact on the resonance characteristics of the suspension. To be commercially viable, any such headlift should be capable of being efficiently manufactured.

Laminated headlift structure for disk drive suspensions


A module includes a first piezoelectric element and first electronic device. The first piezoelectric provides physical support for said first electronic device. One embodiment includes a first insulating layer. The first insulating layer is mounted on the first piezoelectric element. The first electronic device is mounted on the first insulating layer for providing an electronic support function to the first piezoelectric element. In one embodiment the first electronic device includes a rectifier. One embodiment includes multiple contacts to the piezoelectric element each with its own rectifier. Another embodiment includes a stack of piezoelectric elements.

Piezoelectric elements are used as sensors, actuators, and energy harvesting devices. Vibration or strain in a workpiece can be sensed from the electricity the piezoelectric element produces. That electricity can also be harvested to provide power for such things as charging a capacitor, recharging a battery, powering an electronic circuit, logging data from a sensor, or transmitting that data.
Alternatively, electricity from an external source can be provided to the piezoelectric element causing it to strain or vibrate. If mounted on a substrate this strain or vibration can be transferred to the substrate. The external source can include a power supply and function generator. A pulse of electricity having a particular amplitude variation or that includes a particular set of frequencies can be provided from the function generator to the piezoelectric element to impart a desired vibration to the substrate.
Thus, piezoelectric elements have been combined with support circuits including signal conditioning, energy harvesting, and signal generator circuits. Each of these support circuits includes a variety of electronic components, such as capacitors, resistors, inductors, transistors, memories, integrated circuits, batteries, transmitters, and the like. These components have typically been mounted and wired together on a printed circuit board. The piezoelectric elements and the printed circuit board have been separately mounted on the substrate and wiring provided there between.
Commercially available piezoelectric composites have been constructed from a piezoelectric element composed of an array of parallel fibers of a piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric element has been sandwiched between two sheets of metalized polyimide, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,341 to Wilkie, et al. ("the '341 patent"), incorporated herein by reference. One of the sheets of polyimide has a pair of metal pads on a top surface in electrical contact with metalization layers on inner surfaces of the polyimide sheets contacting each surface of the piezoelectric element. Wiring has been connected to the pair of contact pads extending to the printed circuit board carrying the support circuits.
Providing piezoelectric composites and circuit boards with support circuits, mounting them on a substrate, and connecting the piezoelectric composites to their support circuits has posed difficulties, and a system has not yet been optimized for this purpose. Thus, an improved system is needed, and this system is provided in the present patent application.

Integrated piezoelectric composite and support circuit


Methods and compositions for improved clinical outcomes for trauma patients receiving whole blood transfusion. Methods and compositions for improved clinical outcomes for blood transfusions for cancer patients are also provided.

When stored conventionally, stored blood undergoes a steady deterioration which is associated with various storage lesions including, among others, hemolysis, hemoglobin degradation, and reduced ATP and 2,3-DPG concentrations. When transfused into a patient, the effects of the steady deterioration during storage manifest, for example, as a reduction in the 24-hour in vivo recovery. Because of these and other medical sequelae of transfusion of stored blood, a variety of approaches have been developed to minimize the effects of storage on blood and to improve medical outcomes. See, for example, Zimring et al., "Established and theoretical factors to consider in assessing the red cell storage lesion" in Blood, 125:2185-90 (2015).
A number of approaches have been developed aimed at minimizing storage lesions and improving transfusion outcomes. One approach has been the development of additive solutions included during storage. Examples of this approach include U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,318 to Hamasaki et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,786 to Sasakawa et al. which are directed to additive solutions for blood preservation and activation. For example, Rejuvesol® (available from Citra Lab LLC, Braintree, Mass.) is added to blood after cold storage (i.e., 4° C.) just prior to transfusion or prior to freezing (i.e., at −80° C. with glycerol) for extended storage. U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,987 to Hess et al. is directed to additive solutions for the refrigerated storage of human red blood cells. An alternative approach is to freeze the blood and prevent the development of storage lesions. Storage of frozen blood is known in the art, but such frozen blood has limitations. U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,713 to Serebrennikov is directed to a method of storing blood at temperatures below 0° C. See Chaplin et al., "Blood Cells for Transfusion," Blood, 59: 1118-20 (1982), and Valeri et al., "The survival, function, and hemolysis of human RBCs stored at 4 degrees C. in additive solution (AS-1, AS-3, or AS-5) for 42 days and then biochemically modified, frozen, thawed, washed, and stored at 4 degrees C. in sodium chloride and glucose solution for 24 hours," Transfusion, 40:1341-5 (2000). Another approach relates to the containers for blood storage as provided by U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,047 to Sato et al.
One approach that has proven successful in improving blood quality and extending its utility is through the depletion of oxygen and storage under anaerobic conditions. U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,794 to Bitensky et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,396 to Bitensky et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,764 to Bitensky are directed to the storage of red blood cells under oxygen-depleted conditions. U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,151 to Bitensky et al. is directed to blood storage additive solutions. Among the benefits of storing blood under oxygen depleted conditions are improved levels of ATP and 2,3-DPG, and reduced hemolysis. Storing blood under oxygen depleted conditions can also result in reduced microparticle levels, reductions in the loss of deformability, reduced lipid and protein oxidation and higher post transfusion survival when compared to blood stored under conventional conditions.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,396 to Bitensky et al. (the '396 patent) discloses anaerobic storage bags for blood storage that comprise an oxygen impermeable outer layer, a red blood cell (RBC) compatible inner layer that is permeable to oxygen having an oxygen scrubber placed between the inner and outer layers.
While the effects of oxygen depletion on packed red blood cells has been explored, the effects of oxygen depletion on whole blood has not been reported. In part, the lack of studies on the deoxygenation of whole blood may be due to the expectation that deleterious effects are expected when platelets are deprived of oxygen. More specifically, given the critical role of platelets in the coagulation process, there were concerns that decreases in platelet function would result in coagulopathies and negative consequences to clinical outcomes.
Storage of platelets has been extensively studied to identify the most favorable conditions including temperature, pH, O2 and CO2 concentrations. The result of this work is the conclusion that for stored platelets to persist in a recipient after transfusion, platelets require access to oxygen and storage at room temperature. Murphy and Gardner noted in 1975 that unwanted morphological changes were associated with reduced oxygen consumption. See, Murphy et al., "Platelet storage at 22 degrees C.: role of gas transport across plastic containers in maintenance of viability," Blood 46(2):209-218 (1975). The authors observed that increased access to oxygen allows for aerobic metabolism (oxidative phosphorylation) resulting in a reduced rate of lactate production. At low PO2 levels lactic acid production is increased consistent with the Pasteur effect. Moroff et al. noted that continuous oxygen consumption is required to maintain the pH of stored platelets at pH 7. See Moroff et al., "Factors Influencing Changes in pH during Storage of Platelet Concentrates at 20-24° C.," Vox Sanguinis 42(1):33-45 (1982). Specially tailored container systems allow permeability to carbon dioxide as well as oxygen to prevent a lethal drop in pH. As shown by Kakaiya et al., "Platelet preservation in large containers," Vox Sanguinis 46(2):111-118 (1984), maintaining platelet quality was the result of improved gas exchange conditions obtained with increased surface area available for gas exchange. The importance of maintaining oxygen levels during platelet storage led to the development of gas permeable containers and storage of platelets in oxygen enriched atmospheres. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,299, issued Jun. 19, 1984, to Grode. The importance of oxygen to the viability of stored platelets was reinforced by the observation that in an oxygen poor environment, the lactate levels increased 5-8 fold. See Kilkson et al., "Platelet metabolism during storage of platelet concentrates at 22 degrees C.," Blood 64(2):406-14 (1984). Wallvik et al., "Platelet Concentrates Stored at 22° C. Need Oxygen The Significance of Plastics in Platelet Preservation," Vox Sanguinis 45(4):303-311 (1983), reported that maintaining oxygen during the first five days of storage was critical for platelet preservation. Wallvik and co-workers also showed that the maximum platelet number that can be successfully stored for five days is predictable based on the determination of the oxygen diffusion capacity of the storage bag. See Wallvik et al, "The platelet storage capability of different plastic containers," Vox Sanguinis 58(1):40-4 (1990). By providing blood bags with adequate gas exchange properties, pH is maintained, the loss of ATP and the release of alpha-granular platelet Factor 4 (PF4) was prevented. Each of the foregoing references are hereby incorporated in their entireties.
These findings, among others, led to practice standardization ensuring the oxygenation of platelets during room temperature storage to maximize post-transfusion viability. When platelets are stored at refrigerated temperature, post-transfusion viability is lost, making such platelets unsuitable for prophylactic transfusion to oncology patients unable to produce their own platelets. On the other hand, platelets stored at refrigerated temperature maintain hemostatic functions when transfused to recipient. Thus, when giving platelets to patients suffering from traumatic bleeding, viability is less important than hemostatic activity. We demonstrate that anaerobic storage of refrigerated whole blood up to 3 weeks yields hemostatic activity consistent with refrigerated conventionally stored whole blood, clearly indicating that hemostatic activity of platelets is maintained with hypothermic storage, even though they are oxygen starved.
Though the depletion of oxygen in whole blood has been mentioned in the literature, the effects of anaerobic storage of whole blood has not been disclosed. As discussed above, it is well established that room temperature storage as well as oxygen is required during storage for long-term survival of platelets (PLT) (more than 24 hours) in recipients. However, for hemorrhagic trauma resuscitation, the long-term survival of PLT is not critical compared to its hemostatic potential. Recently, it became apparent that patients transfused with stored or fresh whole blood, as well as reconstituted whole blood (a mixture of plasma, red blood cells and platelets), have significantly lower post-trauma mortality. We recently discovered that cold storage enables anaerobic storage of PLT and also provides known advantages of anaerobically stored RBCs observed in packed red blood cells, in the whole blood. More specifically, while unexpectedly preserving the coagulability without introducing negative effects, deoxygenated whole blood provides for improved 2,3,-DPG levels. Over a storage period, the deformability of RBCs is maintained under deoxygenated conditions.
Oxidative damage during storage has been implicated as a major contributor to packed red blood cell (pRBC) membrane damage, as suggested by the accumulation of markers of lipid peroxidation, such as isoprostane. Increasing amounts of cytokines during storage duration may also play a role in storage lesion development with potential clinical implications for a negative transfusion outcome.
Certain patient populations are more susceptible to storage lesions than others. Among these more sensitive populations are, as non-limiting examples, trauma patients and cancer patients. Associated with the adverse clinical outcomes is the accumulation of biologic response modifiers (BRMs) that include cytokines that mediate inflammation, regulate cell growth, regulate angiogenesis and modulate t-helper cell function. Among these BRMs are interleukin 17 (IL-17), eotaxin (CCL11), basic FGF (bFGF), macrophage inflammatory protein 1a (MIP-1a), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). See Behrens et al., "Accumulation of biologic response modifiers during red blood cell cold storage," Transfusion 49 (Suppl 3):10A (2009). It has also been observed that cytokines accumulate during blood storage and these accumulated cytokines can be associated with negative outcomes when given perioperatively to cancer patients. See Benson et al., "Accumulation of Pro-Cancer Cytokines in the Plasma Fraction of Stored Packed Red Cells," J Gastrointest Surg. 16:460-468 (2012). There is a need for methods of blood storage that result in reduced levels of BRMs and cytokines, thereby improving patient outcomes.
Traumatic injury accounts for 30% of life years lost in the US, outpacing cancer (16% of life years) and heart disease (12%). Trauma is the leading cause of death among 1-46 year old patients. While death from hemorrhage often occurs within 24 hours of traumatic injury, early death (within 3-6 hours) due to massive hemorrhage is preventable with prompt and appropriate care.
Damage Control Resuscitation (DCR) protocols describe the concept of using balanced ratios of blood components. DCR is rapidly becoming a standard for arresting hemorrhage and reversing shock for rapidly hemorrhaging trauma victims. In the civilian setting, current blood banking practice does not include whole blood inventory and thus DCR is conducted with a sequential transfusion of separated components (RBC, plasma and platelets) such that blood is 'reconstituted' in the recipient. Earlier this year, a large scale randomized controlled trial (RCT), Pragmatic Randomized Optimal Platelet and Plasma Ratios (PROPPR), was completed comparing the efficacy of transfusing 'reconstituted blood' at a 1:1:1 unit ratio (plasma, platelets and RBC) vs. a 1:1:2 ratio to trauma patients with massive transfusion. In major trauma centers, massive transfusion kits combining pre-packaged blood products consisting of thawed fresh frozen plasma (FFP), platelets and RBC at 1:1:1 ratios are now readily available.
Recent studies suggest that whole blood may be superior when treating patients with severe bleeding to control hemorrhage and reverse shock for patients with life-threatening bleeding. The 2015 proceedings of the NHLBI State of the Science in Transfusion Medicine Symposium prioritized the study of whole blood for patients with severe bleeding. Likewise, the THOR Network, an international group focused on damage control resuscitation, has prioritized the comparison of the efficacy and safety of whole blood to components for hemorrhagic shock. Since modern blood banks do not routinely supply whole blood, over 80% of level 1 trauma centers surveyed attempt to mimic the hemostatic, shock-reversing properties needed in massive transfusion protocols with plasma, platelets and red blood cells units at ratios of 1:1:1 to 1:1:2 for both traumatic and non-traumatic life-threatening bleeding cases. Logistically providing all three blood components rapidly and safely is difficult, especially given the need to thaw plasma at centers where an inventory of thawed plasma is not immediately available. Recent data also indicates that storage of whole blood at 4° C. for up to 14 days maintains platelet function and global hemostatic efficacy that is superior to storage at 22° C.
In addition to a need for blood banks to provide whole blood for use in certain patient populations, the ability to conserve valuable blood resources is important. In particular, blood banks typically discard whole blood stocks after 2 weeks (even though FDA regulations allow for longer usable lifetimes), thus failing to take advantage of a valuable and often scarce resource. Such ability to maximize the value of the blood resource is particularly useful for small hospitals that serve as Level III and Level IV trauma centers where an oxygen depleted hemostatic whole blood product can be maintained under anaerobic conditions and then processed for packed red blood cells. The present specification provides for improved whole blood quality for use in trauma patients, and further provides for an additional source of packed red blood cells having improved properties and reduced storage lesions. The present specification overcomes concerns regarding the wasting of valuable O-negative RBCS (typically used for whole blood transfusions). Thus, the anaerobic RBCs may be obtained from the oxygen reduced whole blood and recycled into oxygen depleted RBC units suitable for storage for up to six weeks. As provided herein, deoxygenated packed red blood cells may be obtained from the unused oxygen depleted whole blood, used for transfusion, or stored for later use under anaerobic conditions.

Methods for the storage of whole blood, and compositions thereof


This invention relates to a wireless LAN access point including a communication unit capable of communication by the first wireless communication method, a unit which detects that the traffic density in the communication band used by the first wireless communication method exceeds a predetermined traffic density, and a unit which limits the traffic density in the communication band of the first wireless communication method by a wireless LAN client when the traffic density is detected to exceed the predetermined traffic density.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a relay and communication system and, more particularly, to a relay and communication system capable of switching between two wireless communication methods.
2. Description of the Related Art
A technique of increasing the throughput has conventionally been developed (Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 11-55286). According to this technique, the number of clients connectable to a wireless LAN access point is defined. If a wireless LAN access point is accessed by clients exceeding this determined number, connection requests from the wireless LAN access point are denied.
In this technique, an access is limited by only the number of clients accessible to a wireless LAN access point. An access is limited when clients each connected to an access point produce relatively light traffic, like a client which merely browses the Web or a client which uses only mail.
Such clients produce only light traffic, and even if more than a predetermined number of such clients are connected, the throughput does not decrease. However, accesses are limited even with a margin for the communication band, failing to effectively use the communication band.


In one embodiment, a vehicle braking system, for delivering pressurized air to a brake chamber to achieve a desired braking response, includes an air-pressure controlled relay valve for delivering the pressurized air to the brake chamber. A solenoid receives a variable control input pressure and delivers the control input pressure to the relay valve as a function of a state of the solenoid. An ECU controls the solenoid according to a control model for delivering the pressurized air to the brake chamber and achieving the desired braking response.

The present invention relates to electronically controlled pressure systems. It finds particular application in conjunction with control models for controlling pressure in pneumatically operated vehicles systems and will be described with particular reference thereto. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is also amenable to other applications.
Electronic controlled brake systems (ECBS or EBS), antilock braking systems (ABS), and automatic traction control (ATC) systems are incorporated into vehicles to improve braking performance and vehicle handling. EBS permits perpetual optimal balancing of braking forces among individual wheel brakes and for achieving optimal stability and braking performance during all driving and braking situations. Proportional-solenoid or multiple-solenoid controlled valves are used for distributing and modulating desired pressure to the individual wheels as processed and controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU receives sensor input signals from, for example, the driver's brake pedal demand, the speed of individual wheel(s), along with control and brake chamber pressures.
The brake pressures calculated by the ECU for the individual wheels must be delivered to the respective wheels with a high accuracy and, furthermore, must be delivered and adjusted very quickly. Therefore, pressure modulator relay valves are used in air-braked systems to achieve quick pressure apply and release times. Also, additional pressure sensors are used to achieve desired pressure accuracies.
A modular relay valve (MRV) operates as a remote controlled brake valve for delivering or releasing air to brake chambers in response to control air that is delivered from the driver's operated brake valve or other sources. The relay valve applies, holds, or releases a brake chamber's pressure in proportion to the control pressure, which is controlled as a function of the driver's brake pedal demand.
ABS and ATC as integrated in EBS prevents wheel lock-ups during braking and excessive wheel spinning during accelerating in order to provide vehicle stability and braking and traction performance.
MRVs used in conjunction with EBS typically include three (3) solenoids for controlling the air pressure. A backup solenoid (electrically) provides supply pressures from an air reservoir; a hold solenoid maintains air pressure; and a release solenoid removes or exhausts air pressure. An MRV used in conjunction with EBS may only include a single solenoid, which is designed as a pressure/current proportional solenoid.
A proportional solenoid converts a control current, which is determined by an algorithm in the ECU, into a proportional control pressure for the relay valve. One advantage of controlling pressure with a proportional solenoid is the possibility of providing and controlling different pressure curves and pressure modulations as a function of the control current supplied to the solenoid. However, proportional solenoids are more complex and expensive and, furthermore, require the ECU to supply a current controlled output stage that acts as the control current.

Control module for single 3/2 solenoid controlled relay valve


When identification data 601 and required scene data 602 of a target object are inputted by specifying by a user, a memory 2 rewrites scene data of a stored target object image to required scene data. After that, a identification data extractor 52 extracts object image data and scene data of elemental and composite object images included in the object image specified from the memories 1 and 2. An object composer 41 composes the object image based on the object image data and scene data.

The present invention relates to a picture image composition system for generating a composite image by overlapping a plurality of groups of object images, and more particularly to a picture image composition system capable of changing a transformation or position of an arbitrary object image in a composite image.
An object image 1000 as each of object images constituting an output image 100 is supplied to an image composition system, and is stored in a memory 1 together with identification information 301. A memory 2 receives and stores scene information 2000 together with the corresponding identification information 301, the scene information 2000 which includes position data of each of object images in the output image 100 and a various kinds of transformation data such as geometrical data, light source data, color transformation data and the like, which define the various kinds of transformation operation when each object image is displayed in the output image. Here, the object image 100 and scene information 2000 are supplied to the image composition system regardless of a displayed order in the output image 100. A memory 3 stores depth information 3000 which shows a displayed order of each of the object images in the output image 100.
A depth data retriever 60 retrieves the object image and scene information from individual depth data 3001 in the depth information 3000 stored in the memory 3 to output identification data 3002 directed by the depth data 3001 to the memories 1 and 2, respectively. A scene data separator 44 separates scene data 231 supplied from the memory 2 into transformation data 241 and position data 242. After object image data 130 issued from the memory 1 are processed in an image processing unit 43 with transformation processing according to the transformation data 241, the object image data 130 are written in a frame memory 40 according to the position data 242. When all of the object image data stored in the memory 1 are written in the frame memory 40, the output image 100 is generated on the frame memory 40.
There is described operation at transforming the specified object which has been selected by a user. When the memory 2 receives target object identification information 601 for discriminating an object image selected by the user and required scene information 602 denoting a various kinds of transformation such as a position change and image processing required by the user, the image composition system rewrites a specified scene data which are included in the scene data stored in the memory 2 and are specified by the target object identification information 601, to the required scene information 602. After that, the image processing unit 43 writes all of the object image data 130 stored in the memory 1 into the frame memory 40 according to the method as the same as that described above. By this, it is possible to generate the output image which is processed by the required transformation by the user with respect to the target object specified by the target object identification information 601.
However, since the conventional image composition system writes all of the object image data constituting the output image into the frame memory after the target object image has been transformed when the user requires the transformation of the object image in the output image as described above, it is necessary to write all of the object image data into the frame memory after the same transformation is performed to individual object image constituting the target composite object image when the target object image is the composite object image in which the plurality of object images are superposed on each other. Accordingly, when the user requires to compose another image by using a n object image as a part of the output image, there is the problem that the number of processing image must be processed because all of the object images constituting the output image are necessary to be processed.


A temperature control system (100) includes a heating system (1), a cooling system (2) and a control unit (3). The heating system has a heated fluid. The heated fluid is heated by a solar energy for increasing the mold temperature. The cooling system has a cooled fluid. The cooled fluid cools for decreasing the mold temperature. The control unit controls the heating system and the cooling system to be opened or closed.

In the process of injection molding, hot molten thermoplastics are periodically injected into a cold mold. Without mold temperature control, the cavity surface will be heated unevenly due to the constant supply of heat from the molten plastic. Therefore, temperature control is a major prerequisite for achieving high molding quality.
A typical temperature control system 99 for a mold is represented in FIG. 5. The temperature control system 99 is shown in use in a mold apparatus. The mold apparatus includes a housing 92 and a media cavity 93 defined therein. The temperature control system 99 includes a control panel 94, a heat exchanger 95, a heater 96, a first electromagnetic valve 98 and a second electromagnetic valve 97. The control panel 94 is located on the housing 92. The mold body 102 also defines therein a media channel (not shown) communicating with the media cavity 93. The media cavity 93 is filled with a media fluid, which flows in the channels for heating or cooling the housing 92 during molding. The heat exchanger 95 is disposed in the media cavity 93, and the heater 96 is disposed on the outside of the media cavity 93 for heating the media fluid. The heat exchanger 95 is connected with the controlling panel 94 and the second electromagnetic valve 97 for controlling the mold cooling process. The heater 96 is connected with the controlling panel 94 and the first electromagnetic valve 98 for controlling the mold heating process. In use, the heater 96 heats the media cavity 93. Then, the media cavity 93 further heats the media fluid. The media fluid transmits the energy to the mold cavity. When cooling, the heat exchanger 95 is filled with cooling water which carries energy from the media fluid so as to decrease the temperature of the mold. Users may control the first electromagnetic valve 98 and the second electromagnetic valve 97 by means of the controlling panel 94 thus enabling the user to control the heating and cooling processes of the mold. However, conventional temperature control systems use an electrical method of heating. This method consumes large amounts of electrical energy both in the heating and in the cooling processes of the mold.
Therefore, a new temperature control system is desired in order to overcome the above-described problems.


Calculating costs of application operations in a virtually provisioned environment is described. Servers are identified that support application operations associated with executing an application, based on a configuration file. A count of each type of application operation currently executing and a resource utilization associated with each of the servers are recorded. A set of linear equations is created if the resource utilization is recorded on the number of occasions that equals the number of application operation types. Each linear equation equates a sum of a count of each type of application operation recorded as executing during an occasion with the resource utilization recorded on the occasion. The set of linear equations is solved to estimate and output resource costs of each individual type of application operation to assist in resource management.

An enterprise may face a challenge in evaluating whether sufficient resources are available to sufficiently support the users of a critical enterprise application or whether sufficient resources are available to meet service level agreements of the critical enterprise application. Evaluation tools commonly use benchmarks on sets of simple low level, often atomic system operations, such as document check-in, object create, and document relate. However, such operations are simple, and do not reflect the entire complexity of the operations which the application users can perform, or indicate the impact of each operation that a user can perform in the application on the entire application environment. Such high level operations are executed in the context of some business goal, such as paying for a purchase, and may be referred to as "business level operations." Two types of business level operations that users can perform include operational screen opening and operation on a screen. The evaluation challenge is that any such business level operation can trigger a set of simpler operations, all the way down to atomic operations, such as the operations to save or delete an object. For example, many "open screen" high-level operations load a screen and execute data services to populate the screen's result list and charts. In another example, an administrator adds a new user by clicking on a screen, the system opens a window to collect the necessary information and, on submit, executes business logic or even an automated business process that will go to a repository and create a new entry, call an application programming interface to create the new user, and send a notification email to the newly created user. The challenge is determining the impact of each one of the business level operations that users perform in the context of other simultaneously running operations under parallel load on top of complex multi-server virtually provisioned environments under existing service level agreements.

Method and system for calculating costs of application operations in a virtually provisioned environment


A system for error correction in digital transmissions using the so-called Reed Solomon coding/decoding techniques. At the reception side, the received data stream is processed using a new decoding algorithm. Also, with the described decoding algorithm, error correction is implemented using more simplified equipment than that found in other types of conventional error correction systems. The components making up the error correction system of the invention basically consist of: (1) a central timing unit, (2) a preset unit and (3) at least one Reed Solomon coding/decoding circuit operating in accordance with the proposed algorithm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for error correction in digital transmissions, and more specifically, to such a system using the so-called Reed Solomon encoding/decoding techniques.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Error correction coding theory in digital transmissions using the so-called Reed Solomon encoding/decoding techniques is well known in the field. See, e.g., W. W. Peterson and E. J. Weldon Jr., "Error Correcting Codes" 2d Ed., The MIT Press, 1972. Such error correction provides for the protection of a transmitted symbol stream from the errors introduced by the transmission channel. This technique foresees the association of each block of k information symbols, generated by the data source, with n-k redundancy symbols selected according to a relation specified in the following description.
The n symbols obtained in this manner are transmitted by the channel characterized by a certain error probability. On the reception side, using the analysis of received symbols and limited by the code correction capacity, the positions of eventual errors introduced by the channel can be located and the originally transmitted information is reconstructed. Visualizing the concept, FIG. 1 shows a conventional system in which the symbols represent the functional blocks (Bxx) and signals (Sxx), and are as follows:
B11) is a data source SO in the form of symbols having a length of m bit in time-serial succession;
S11) is generated by SO, and is the input signal towards the encoder CODIF that is now divided in blocks of k symbols;
B12) is the encoder CODIF that adds n-k redundancy symbols to each input block;
S12) is the signal generated by the encoder CODIF that is now formed with blocks of n symbols;
B13) is a scheme of the transmission channel CT, whereby the transmitted blocks are submitted to errors with a certain probability;
S13) indicates the received symbols that can be considered as an overlapping of the original transmitted symbols and symbols introduced from the channel CT;
B14) is the block DEC that, executes the analysis of received words and, limited to the correction capacity of the code, establishes the positions and the amplitudes of the errors introduced by the channel CT;
S14) is the signal that indicates the error position;
S15) is on its turn the signal that holds the information related to the error amplitude;
B15) is the function block delay that introduces a suitable delay for allowing the correct synchronization of operations;
S16) is the signal that coincides with the signal S13 suitably delayed;
B16) is the block CORR that reconstructs the original information transmitted according to signals S14, S15;
S17) is the sequence of symbols obtained correcting the errors and coinciding with S12;
B17) is the EXTRACTION block of the useful information.
The applications of this technique allow corrections of up to "t" received wrong symbols in a block of n symbols, where t is equal to: t=(n-k)/2 with the preceding definition of parameters. The algorithms used for the association of redundancy symbols to the information symbols in transmission and for decoding the eventual positions of errors in reception are well-known and are described in a general mathematical form in the technical literature.
A brief review of a known application of the Reed Solomon corrections technique should be helpful. Briefly the theoretical basis of this technique applied, e.g., to the case of symbols having a length of m bits, can be described as follows:
Given a generical sequence of L symbols b0, b1, b2, . . . bL-1, it can be associated univocally with a polynomial of degree L-1: ##EQU1##

"System, devices and algorithms for the error correction in digital transmission"


A dual sensitivity image sensor provides a standard mode and a high-sensitivity mode of operation via iSoC integration. In addition to boosting sensitivity, the high sensitivity mode also reduces temporal noise thereby optimally boosting the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of the image sensor. The circuit does not significantly increase pixel complexity and requires minimal changes to the support circuits in the iSoC including the addition of support and control circuitry to facilitate seamless mode change.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to CMOS image sensors, and more particularly to pixel circuits for imaging System-on-Chip (iSoC) sensors capable of imaging under a variety of lighting conditions including low light.
2. Description of the Related Art
Visible imaging systems implemented using CMOS image sensors significantly reduce camera cost and power while improving resolution and reducing noise. The latest cameras use CMOS iSoC sensors that efficiently marry low-noise image detection and processing with a host of supporting blocks including timing controller, clock drivers, reference voltages, A/D conversion and key signal processing elements. High-performance video cameras are now produced using a single CMOS integrated circuit supported by only a lens and battery. These improvements translate into smaller camera size and longer battery life. The improvements also translate to dual-use cameras that simultaneously or successively produce high-resolution still images and high definition video.
The advantages offered by system-on-chip integration in CMOS visible imagers for emerging camera products have spurred considerable effort to further improve active-pixel sensor (APS) devices. Active-pixel sensors with on-chip analog and/or digital signal processing provide temporal noise superior to scientific-grade video systems using CCD sensors.
Most currently available image sensors use an architecture wherein the pixel establishes the sensor's intrinsic sensitivity and base ISO speed per Industry Organization for Standardization specification ISO 12332-2006, which is used for determining the standard exposure index for electronic image sensors. In order to boost sensitivity or ISO speed, amplifiers downstream of the pixel normally amplify the nominal pixel sensitivity. This approach typically degrades dynamic range for video applications or exposure latitude for still capture use. Post-pixel amplification also raises the requisite gain-bandwidth requirement for the signal processing chain and thereby often increases sensor noise. Consequently, while the sensitivity-based ISO speed is set higher, the noise-based ISO speed often actually degrades. In-camera signal processing is hence used to reduce the noise in trade for actual resolution.
FIG. 1 illustrates a four transistor (4T) pixel circuit of the prior art that is supported with correlated double sampling in the iSoC for low-noise imaging in rolling shutter designs. In operation, the reset transistor M1 is reset to clear the charge from the pixel. In this circuit, the pixel signal is stored as a charge on a floating diffusion (shown as CFD). The readout transistor M3 reads out a first signal from the pixel. This first signal is not photo-generated signal from the photodiode, but is instead reset noise associated with circuit operation. Then the transfer transistor M4 transfers a charge from the photodiode PD1 to the floating diffusion CFD, which in turn is amplified by the amplifier transistor M2, configured as a source-follower. The signal is then read out by the readout transistor M3. The two signals are differenced to efficiently remove the reset noise component. This process is repeated on a row-by-row basis for each row in an image sensor array.
This basic circuit requires four transistors for each pixel cell and the floating diffusion sets the nominal sensitivity for the pixel and image sensor. Prior to any amplification in the column buffer, the detector voltage, Vdet, generated by reading out the photodetector immediately after a specific integration time, tint, is:
      V    det    =            Q              C        FD              =                            i          det                                  t          int                            C        FD
Typically, any required boost in sensitivity is normally accommodated by post-pixel amplification. For example, FIG. 2 is a column buffer circuit taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,540 and fully incorporated herein by reference; it provides: 1) a multitude of selectable gain settings to boost or decrease sensitivity along with: 2) a means for supporting the correlated double sampling required for subtracting reset noise; and 3) column buffer dc offset nonuniformity cancellation. Unfortunately, particularly under condition of the higher gain settings and for high frame rate applications such as high definition television, the requisite gain-bandwidth product of the amplifier stages can be especially challenging to support and thereby generate nonlinearity, excess noise, or other artifacts. Furthermore, generation of excess white noise is likely since gain is applied after signal is transferred to the column buffer.


Reference dictionaries and data dictionaries are used in order to analyze data in data formats, which cannot be directly processed and which are communicated between geodesic units. These dictionaries are transmitted preferably in conjunction with the transmission of the data and they index analyzable data fields in data formats. When a geodesic unit receives a data format that cannot be directly processed, data fields, which can be analyzed by the reference dictionary, can be found and data fields, which cannot be analyzed by a data dictionary, can be utilized.

The invention relates to a method for using usable data in data formats which cannot be directly processed, a geodetic device, a geodetic system, a computer program product, a computer data signal and a reference or data directory.
In many geodetic applications and systems, there is the necessity of frequent or continuous transmission of data between various devices. Predominantly transmitted data are those which have a time or space reference and may contain parameters of the measurement, measured values or general communication, such as, for example, error messages. Examples of such data are the current time, the location of a measuring device as well as any existing reference points, and direction, distance and angle relative to measuring points. The transmission may be effected by a large number of suitable wire-linked or wireless communication means, such as, for example, via a direct cable connection and directional or nondirectional radio data transmission.
Without restriction of the general usability of the method according to the invention and of the devices according to the invention, the application for a differential global navigation satellite system (D-GNSS), such as, for example, the global positioning system (GPS), is intended to serve here as an explanatory example. Data types and data formats which are described purely by way of example but can be used with a similar form in many further applications also relate thereto.
In differential GNSS, the position determination of a mobile unit, the so-called rover, is effected by data reception and data measurement relative to satellites as well as data reception of data measurements from at least one reference station. Since the position of the reference station is known and it likewise receives the identical signals of the satellites, some inaccuracies and errors can be eliminated by this differential correction method. By means of this method, a higher accuracy is possible than will be possible with a rover without a reference station. Such a station continuously transmits data from the received satellite signals to the rover. Depending on design, this may be raw data or already processed data.
In practice, however, reference stations are generally not installed newly for each measuring process but a procedure is effected which is based on an entire network of fixed reference stations which can also be used simultaneously by different users. In addition to the satellite-related data and the time, these stations also transmit specific information about themselves, such as, for example, their own reference station number. In addition, it is necessary to transmit technical data, such as, for example, antenna parameters, or correction parameters. Examples of such a correction parameter are atmospheric or geometric corrections which were determined, for example, in a network of permanent reference stations and associated network evaluation software and can now be used for correcting rover measurements as a function of the distance to the participating reference stations.
Since the utilization of the data of a reference station for various rovers should be possible, the transmission of the signals is nondirectional. However, this gives rise to the requirement that the communication also has to be possible with the various systems in the transmission range of a reference station, so that a form of standardization of transmitted data formats is necessary.
A standard for manufacturer-independent data formats which is used for such a transmission of data is specified by the Radio Technical Commission For Maritime Services (RTCM) in Alexandria, Va., USA. The term data format describes a complete information unit for transmission between geodetic devices. The information exchange takes place by means of identical or different data formats at identical or different data frequencies. The term data field describes a complete, defined data content having a specified value range. Data formats are composed, for example, of an initial identity code, different data fields and a final identity code with a possible checksum for data testing on receiving. The term data type describes the possible distinctness, such as, for example, length, without a sign or with a sign, of an information unit. Data types are used for describing data fields.
The standard RTCM V2.x applicable to date consists of one or more headers with data fields as basic information, to which additions can optionally be attached.
The occurrence of such additions in a data format is indicated by so-called flags as indicators. This means that each message transmitted has, after its introductory part, a sequence which indicates to the receiver whether and optionally which further additions follow. From this information, the recipient knows how he has to interpret and to process the data stream.
However, this solution of the prior art has the disadvantages that the number of possible permutations with the number of flags used is relatively small but nevertheless not every manufacturer has taken into account all possible permutations and the processing of the data associated therewith in his devices.
A solution known in the prior art for the limited number of flags consists in defining data formats, for example as selected permutations, and providing them with a continuous coding. From this number transmitted at the beginning of the communication, a device is able to derive the data format as a sequence of different data fields comprising data types and hence to evaluate the data fields.

Method and devices for utilizing data in data formats which cannot be directly processed


An ion implantation apparatus including a resolving aperture-shutter assembly (31) placed in the ion beam path (18). The resolving aperture-shutter assembly includes a movable shutter (34) and a shutter housing surrounding the movable shutter (34). Selected ions in an ion beam path (18) pass through a hole (44) in movable shutter (34) when the movable shutter (34) is in a first position, and are blocked by the solid surfaces when the movable shutter (34) is in a second position. The enclosure (32, 33, 39) completely surrounds the movable shutter (34). The enclosure (32, 33, 39) includes a first aperture (42) aligned with the ion beam path (18) for allowing the selected ions to enter the enclosure and a second aperture (41) aligned with the ion beam path (18) for allowing the selected ions to exit the enclosure after passing through the hole (44) in the movable shutter.

This invention relates, in general, to ion implanters, and more particularly, to ion implanters with resolving apertures and shutters.
Ion implanters are able to implant ions in a controllable profile into a substrate. Ion implantation is a popular method for introducing dopant atoms into semiconductor and semi-insulating substrates during the manufacture of electronic devices. Ion implantation provides accurate dose control of chosen atomic species, and provides greater uniformity of dose across a semiconductor wafer.
Ion implanters include a source chamber in which gasses containing the desired atomic species are introduced and ionized. The ions are extracted from the source chamber in a beam by electromagnetic acceleration. The extracted ion beam then passes through an analyzing magnet that diverts ions selected by atomic mass from the extracted beam and redirects the selected ions on a second beam path. The ions in the second beam path are then accelerated towards a semiconductor substrate.
Some ion implanters include a shutter for controllably blocking the selected ions and additional discrimination of unwanted ions. The shutter serves to stop implantation when the semiconductor substrate has received a desired dose, and so is important for dose control. Unfortunately, conventional shutter structures allow a significant beam current leakage of selected ions to escape beyond the shutter even when the shutter is in an ion-blocking position.
Until recently, it was difficult to accurately measure this low level beam current leakage, and so manufacturers were not aware of its existence or significance. Shutter leakage causes significant dose variation. Moreover, even when the shutter is open, the desired ion beam current varies significantly due to beam current leakage past conventional aperture-shutter assemblies. A measure of this variation is referred to as beam stability. Beam stability also affects dose uniformity in the semiconductor wafer.
What is needed is a resolving beam shutter with significantly reduced leakage that provides improved beam stability and dose control for ion implantation.

Ion implanter with beam resolving apparatus and method for implanting ions


This invention provides a position-detecting mechanism and a position-detecting sensor, the calibration of the sensor easy, the deviation of a web from the reference line of the sensor easy to find. The position-detecting mechanism comprises (i) a light-emitting means 13 to emit a beam of visible light to a subject of measurement and (ii) a regulating means 14 to regulate the beam so that its cross section will be in a certain shape at the place of the subject of measurement and detects the position of the subject of measurement. Because the light-emitting means 13 emits a beam of visible light, the spot lit up by the beam on a subject of measurement is visible to the operator. Accordingly, the operator can judge the position of the subject of measurement by using his eyes alone without using a scale and easily, safely judge its position even while it is running on its production line.

The Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 1995-10334 and 1999-282143 disclose position-detecting devices. Each device comprises a light source to cast light such as infrared rays on a web and a sensor to detect the light penetrating, or reflected by, the web. The position-detecting devices determine the movement of one side of a web based on the change of the quantity of light detected by the sensor. The reference value for the position-detecting devices to determine the positional slippage of a web is the quantity of light detected by the sensor when the web is positioned in its reference position. Accordingly, it is necessary for the sensor to be calibrated for a correct reference value before the production line is started. To put it concretely, while a web is positioned in its reference position, the reference line of the sensor is put exactly on one of the right and left sides of the web for a correct reference value. The reference line of the sensor may be the center line of the sensor.
The operator applies a ruler to the sensor to put its center exactly on one side of a web based on the reading on the ruler; accordingly, there may occur an error in applying the ruler to the sensor.
A plurality of said position-detecting devices are arranged along the right and left sides of a web running through a production line, and every position-detecting device's sensor has to be calibrated for a correct reference value; thus, the calibration work takes a good deal of labor and time.
Besides, if the centers of sensors come off the sides of the web due to vibrations, etc., the operator has to put them back into their places by applying a ruler while the production line is being operated; thus, the position-correcting work takes a great deal of labor and time.

Position-detecting mechanism and position-detecting sensor


A pawl carrier system comprising a pawl hub disposed substantially coaxially to a pawl carrier, a spring circumferentially disposed between the pawl hub and the pawl carrier, a pawl pivotably mounted to the pawl hub on a pivot joint, the pivot joint comprising an axially extending pin mounted to the pawl hub, wherein the axially extending pin extends through the pawl carrier and the pawl hub. A ratchet carrier system is provided comprising a ratchet carrier disposed substantially coaxially to a ratchet hub, wherein the ratchet hub comprises a ratchet tooth, a spring circumferentially disposed between the ratchet carrier and the ratchet hub and a retaining pin axially extending through the ratchet carrier and the ratchet hub.

Turbine engines typically windmill when idle. A turbine engine will often windmill due to wind blowing through the engine. Many times, wind enters through the engine outlet, causing the engine to windmill in reverse. Many turbine engines do not have a feature to prevent the reverse wind milling of the engine or utilize a complex and/or heavy system to accomplish this feature. Moreover, forward wind milling is often desired, for example, to enable the engine to more readily restart in flight. Reverse wind milling is not desired, for example, to reduce wear on the engine when idle. A turbine engine typically has a system to facilitate lubrication of rotating components when idle, but often this system only lubricates the rotating components when the engine is forward wind milling. Thus, reverse wind milling is often not desired. Certain reverse wind milling devices may introduce a large shock load, which would advantageously be avoided.

Systems and methods for shock load reduction