A battery pack charger has an external frame provided with an insertion slot for inserting a battery pack. A charging terminal and a charging control circuit are housed in the external frame. A heat-sensitive switch is provided between the charging terminal and the charging control circuit. A lead wire is provided between the charging terminal and the heat-sensitive switch. The lead wire has a length appropriate for not losing the effect of heat transferred along the lead wire. The battery pack charger is capable of reliably charging a battery pack without the occurrence of overcharge, even if the battery pack is not provided with a heat-sensitive switch.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a battery pack charger capable of charging a battery pack while preventing the occurrence of overcharging. The term "battery pack" as used herein contains a plurality of battery cells connected in series and covered by an external frame typically formed of resin, and is provided with both charging and discharging terminals.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Technology for rechargeable batteries and rapid charging of such batteries has become more and more advanced in recent years, thereby greatly increasing the use of portable battery-powered equipment such as cordless electric tools. When rapidly charging batteries, it is essential that the charging operation is stopped when the battery has reached a full charge. If rapid charging is continued after the battery has reached a full charge, the battery may become extremely hot, causing damage to the battery or even the breakout of fire. The extremely high temperatures caused from such overcharging may also deform the external frame or damage the control circuit of the battery charger.
Battery chargers are provided with a charging control circuit for terminating the charging operations when the battery has become fully charged but there is always a possibility that this control circuit will malfunction. For this reason, it is necessary to provide an overcharge prevention mechanism that is separate from the control circuit. Conventionally, this overcharge prevention mechanism has been accomplished using a heat-sensitive switch within a battery pack.
FIG. 1 is a circuitry diagram showing the state when a conventional battery pack 10 is connected to a battery charger 1. The battery pack 10 includes a plurality of battery cells 11 connected in series; a charging terminal 13; a charging/discharging terminal 12; a discharging terminal 13a; and a heat-sensitive switch 9 connected between the charging terminal 13 and the positive polarity of the battery cells 11. The battery pack 10 has an outer appearance as shown in FIG. 3.
During charging operations, a terminal 8 of the battery charger 1 is connected to the charging terminal 13 of the battery pack 10, and a terminal 7 of the battery charger 1 is connected to the charging/discharging terminal 12 of the battery pack 10. The charging current flows in a path from the charging terminal 13, to the heat-sensitive switch 9, the plurality of battery cells 11, and the charging/discharging terminal 12.
The discharging terminal 13a is exclusively used during discharging operations. That is, a battery-powered equipment is used while connecting it to the discharging terminal 13a.
In a battery charging system having the above-described construction, if the charging control circuit of the battery charger is incapable of properly terminating the charging operation for any reason, the resulting abnormal heat emitted from the plurality of battery cells 11 will cause the heat-sensitive switch 9 to open, effectively stopping the charging operation. If the heat-sensitive switch 9 is designed to open at an operating temperature of approximately 80.degree. C., no substantial performance loss will be incurred to the battery cells 11.
The heat-sensitive switch 9 contained in the battery pack 10 serves as a fail-safe element so that this type of the battery pack 10 will never be overcharged. However, when charging a battery pack that does not contain a heat-sensitive switch 9, the occurrence of overcharge will not be prevented unless the battery charger 1 properly terminates the charging operation.
To overcome this problem, a battery charger 1 as shown in FIG. 2 has been proposed. As shown in the drawing, this battery charger 1 includes external frames 1a and 1b; a control circuit board 3 housed within the external frames 1a and 1b; terminals 7 and 8 (terminal 8 is not shown); and a heat-sensitive switch 9. The heat-sensitive switch 9 is mounted on the control circuit board 3 and inserted into an opening 15 provided in the external frame 1a so that heat emitted from the battery cells 11 is transferred to the switch 9 via the external frame 1a.
The battery pack 10 is provided with an external frame 14; battery cells 11 housed in the external frame 14; and terminals 12 and 13 (terminal 13 is not shown) fused to the positive and negative electrodes, respectively of the battery cells 11. The battery pack 10 is inserted into an insertion opening formed in the external frame 1a of the battery charger 1.
The heat-sensitive switch 9 prevents overcharge of the battery cells 11 by stopping the charging operation when the switch detects an abnormal amount of heat emitting from the battery cells 11. Heat from the battery cells 11 is transferred to the heat-sensitive switch 9 both via the battery pack terminals 12 and 13, the battery charger terminals 7 and 8, and the control circuit board 3, and via the external frame 14 of the battery pack 10 and the external frame 1a of the battery charger 1. When this transferred heat increases the temperature of the heat-sensitive switch 9 above a predetermined value, the heat-sensitive switch 9 opens to stop the charging operation.
However, the amount of heat transferred via the external frames 14 and 1a is extremely small, and the heat transferred via the control circuit board 3 is cooled by the same, causing the amount of heat actually transferred to the heat-sensitive switch 9 to be much smaller than the heat emitted from the battery cells 11. Hence, by the time the heat-sensitive switch 9 is activated, the battery cells 11 have reached an abnormal temperature that could potentially cause the battery cells 11 to overcharge, deform the external frames 14 and 1a, and damage the control circuit.

Battery pack charger having a fail-safe heat-sensitive switch for preventing overcharge


A system, method, and computer program product are provided for predicting delays in delivering a project to a customer. In operation, a system identifies one or more go-live milestones associated with a software project. The system receives information from a plurality of project management systems that are managing a governance process of the software project. The system determines whether there are any potential delays and associated magnitudes in accomplishing the one or more go-live milestones based on the information by utilizing a machine learning algorithm that implements a first analytic layer that analyzes static variables and a second analytic layer that analyzes dynamic variables. The system correlates and combines results from the first analytic layer and the second analytic layer upon every upload of new information. The system outputs information associated with any determined potential delays in accomplishing the one or more go-live milestones.

Go-live is the time at which something becomes available for use. In software development, for example, go-live is the point at which code moves from a test environment to a production environment. Currently, predicting whether a company is going to meet a go-live milestone in a project requires manual effort from a project management team.
There is thus a need for addressing these and/or other issues associated with the prior art.

System, method, and computer program for predicting delays in delivering a project to a customer


A system generates and arranges images depicting volume data using opacity nd color transfer functions for review and selection by a user. In volume rendering, an opacity and/or color transfer function is applied to three-dimensional scalar field data. The transfer functions have different characteristics represented as input parameters, such as control points of the function. The input parameters are then processed to determine images of the volumes and corresponding output vectors. The output vectors can be pixels in the images, or other characteristics of interest. The input vectors are selected to provide a dispersed set of output vectors. A large number of random input vectors can be generated and then culled to leave a dispersed set of output vectors. Alternatively, a set of randomly generated input vectors of a predetermined size are randomly perturbed, to further disperse the output vectors. The output vectors are displayed so that positions represent distances between the output vectors. The user can then select specific output vectors so that the corresponding animation sequence is displayed.

One of the major difficulties in computer simulation is input parameter selection. Sets of input parameters define outputs based upon a mapping function given by the stimulation. While certain output effects might be desired, finding a set of input parameters that yield a desirable output is difficult and tedious for many processes. Generally, the mapping functions are multidimensional, nonlinear, and discontinuous. Thus, one cannot calculate specific input parameters which have the desired output. Even if the input parameters could be determined for a given desired output, the output cannot always be described.
Two general computer-assisted processes have been developed for parameter selection: interactive evolution and inverse (or optimization-based) design.
Examples of interactive evolution are disclosed in K. Sims, Artificial Evolution for Computer Graphics, COMPUTER GRAPHICS (Proc. of SIGGRAPH 91), v.25, 319-328 (July 1991) and S. Todd and W. Latham, Evolutionary Art and Computers,(1992). In such systems, the computer explores possible parameter settings, and the user subjectively selects desirable outputs. The computer generates and displays outputs generated. The user then selects certain outputs for further exploration. The computer bases subsequent selections of input parameters based upon the user's selection of certain corresponding outputs. However, the system becomes less useful as the computational complexity of the mapping increases. If the process cannot generate outputs from different parameters in real time, the system is unusable because the user must wait for each output before selection.
Examples of inverse design systems are discussed in K. Sims, Evolving Virtual creatures, COMPUTER GRAPHICS (Proc. of SIGGRAPH 94) 15-22 (July 1994) and J. K. Kawai, J. S. Painter, and M. F. Cohen, "Radioptimization--Goal-Based Rendering," COMPUTER GRAPHICS (Proc. of SIGGRAPH 93) 147-154 (August 1993). With inverse design, the user inputs an objective function over the outputs. The computer then searches parameter settings so as to optimize the objective function. However, the objective function must be mathematically stated in order to perform the search. In many cases, an objective function cannot be developed to describe the desired results. Often, it is not possible to determine the qualities or features of an output which makes it desirable.
These various approaches have been or could be used in the context of selecting, placing and adjusting lights in a three-dimensional virtual environment. Under an interactive-evolution approach, the user repeatedly selects certain randomly generated lights to add to a scene. As each light is added, the image of the invironment rendered again. Subsequently, the computer generates more random lights, biasing the generation process towards the user's selections. The user then selects from the new random set. This process can be extremely time consuming. If sophisticated rendering programs, such as ray tracing or radiosity, are used, production of an image based upon the lights takes considerable time. The image-rendering process must be repeated each time that the lights are changed.
The inverse-design approach has also been used in an attempt to determine lights to achieve a specified lighting effect. However, the user must be able to articulate desired illumination characteristics of an image. This requires a sophisticated user experienced in lighting design. It also requires a user who can formulate lighting objectives in an understandable format. In addition to requiring a sophisticated user, existing computer systems and processes that determine lights from the desired illumination limit the lighting possibilities for an image.
For example, "Radioptimization--goal-based rendering", Proceedings of SIGGRAPH 93, pp. 147-54, by Messrs. Kawai, Painter, and Cohen, describes a system for determining lights from subjective impressions of illumination entered by a user. The system uses optimization techniques to determine optimum lighting parameters to meet the entered illumination impressions. However, the user must enter a limited set of possible light positions, which severely limits the lighting options which are considered. Similarly, Schoeneman, Dorsey, Smits, Arvo and Greenberg disclose a system in "Painting with Light", Proceedings of SIGGRAPH 93, pp.143-46, which uses optimization techniques to determine lights to achieve certain pixel intensity levels entered by the user. This system requires the user to be able to input the pixel intensity levels for the entire image. It also requires a limited set of light positions to be entered by the user in order to determine the optimum lights.
Another system, disclosed in Poulin and Fournier, "Lights from Highlights and Shadows", Proceedings of the 1992 Symposium on Interactive Graphics, pp. 31-38, allows the user to specify the desired locations of highlights and shadows. This system uses geometric techniques to determine optimum light positions and types in order to achieve the desired highlights and shadows. As with the previously discussed systems, this system requires a sophisticated user who has a set lighting pattern in mind. Adjustments to the specified lighting pattern have to be reprocessed in order to determine a new set of light positions.
Therefore, a need exists for a system for selecting input parameters and generating outputs which is easily manipulable by the user to obtain a desired result. A need exists for a system which allows the effects of changes in input parameters to be easily reviewed by a user. A need exists for a system that allows a large set of potential parameters to be considered and combined. Finally, a need exists for a system that is usable by persons having limited experience in the mapping of inputs and outputs.

System for color and opacity transfer function specification in volume rendering

Mitsubishi Electric Information Technology Center America, Inc.


In general, one embodiment of the invention involves a method to protect the integrity of the sign mask. The method involves computing a key shared by a plurality of software modules employed within an image display device and encrypting a sign mask with the shared key. The sign mask is used for scrambling a bit stream prior to its transmission along with the encrypted sign mask. The encrypted sign mask is decrypted at the destination in order to descramble the scrambled bit stream.

For many years, there has been a growing demand for electronic systems that provide visual and/or audible content to consumers. Previously, content providers have supplied consumers with content in a variety of forms (e.g., vinyl records, audio cassette tapes, video cassette recorder "VCR" tapes, etc.). When played back in an analog format, the content is somewhat protected at that time. For example, analog content is troublesome to illicitly copy and redistribute. Also, the recorded copies have poorer image or sound quality than the original content.
Over the last few years, there has been a growing demand for and use of digital content. For instance, digital versatile disks (DVDs) are an optical disc technology that is expected to rapidly replace the CD-ROM discs over the next few years. A DVD digitally stores content (e.g., Motion Picture Experts Group-2 "MPEG-2" file), and during use, the content is retrieved, processed and converted into an analog format just prior to playback.
One concern experienced by content providers is that computers are now being manufactured with DVD-RAM drives that enables data to be written on a DVD. As a result, content may be retrieved from a DVD, temporarily stored in its digital format, and subsequently rewritten on a new DVD. Thus, copies with the same images and/or sound quality as the master may be illegally reproduced and sold.
In order to protect content providers from unauthorized copying and distribution of their digital content, a data scrambling scheme is performed during playback decoding of the DVD in order to avoid extraction of unmodified digital content. In particular, the bit streams retrieved from sectors of the DVD are scrambled by the DVD playback application and the scrambled bit streams are transferred to a driver software. The driver software performs descrambling operations on the scrambled bit streams. This enables recovery of the original bit streams before transmission to the graphics hardware to decode and display the images.
The data scrambling scheme involves the application of a sign mask to each block of the bit stream. More specifically, bits of the sign mask are Exclusively OR'ed (XOR'ed) with signed bits of DCT coefficients partially forming the block. Thereafter, the sign mask is transferred from the DVD playback application to the driver software for later use to descramble and recover the original bit stream.
One disadvantage with this content protection mechanism is that the data scrambling scheme can be circumvented if a third party obtains the particulars of the sign mask, which is transferred in the clear between the DVD playback application and the software driver. This threat may impede further expansion of digital content distribution.

System and method for sign mask encryption and decryption


Methods and systems for producing a change in a medium. A first method and system (1) place in a vicinity of the medium at least one upconverter including a gas for plasma ignition, with the upconverter being configured, upon exposure to initiation energy, to generate light for emission into the medium, and (2) apply the initiation energy from an energy source including the first wavelength λ1 to the medium, wherein the emitted light directly or indirectly produces the change in the medium. A second method and system (1) place in a vicinity of the medium an agent receptive to microwave radiation or radiofrequency radiation, and (2) apply as an initiation energy the microwave radiation or radiofrequency radiation by which the agent directly or indirectly generates emitted light in the infrared, visible, or ultraviolet range to produce at least one of physical and biological changes in the medium.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to methods and systems for producing light from lower energy activation sources. The invention also relates to systems and methods for broad band up conversion from the microwave and RF regime to electromagnetic radiation of higher photonic energy in the UV, VIS, and IR regime.
2. Discussion of the Background
Presently, light (i.e., electromagnetic radiation from the radio frequency through the visible to the X-ray wavelength range) is used in a number of industrial, communication, electronic, and pharmaceutical processes. Light in the infrared and visible range is typically generated from an electrical energy source which for example either heats a material to extremely high temperatures where black body emission occurs (as in an incandescent lamp). Light in the visible and ultraviolet range is typically generated by heating a gas to an electrical discharge where transitions from one electronic state of the gas atom or molecule occur with the emission of light. There are also semiconductor based light sources (as in light emitting diodes and semiconducting lasers) where electrons/holes in a material recombine to produce light emission.
Visible light is defined as the electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 380 nm and 750 nm. In general, electromagnetic radiation including light is generated by the acceleration and deceleration or changes in movement (vibration) of electrically charged particles, such as parts of molecules (or adjacent atoms) with high thermal energy, or electrons in atoms (or molecules). Both processes play a role in the glowing filament of incandescent lamps, whereas the latter process (electrons within atoms) occurs in fluorescent lamps.
The duality nature of light (or more generally electromagnetic radiation) is such that light is both a wave (characterized by a wavelength and amplitude) and a discrete parcel of energy or photon (characterized by its frequency times the Planck constant (denoted h). The higher the frequency the higher the quantized energy carried by the radiation. All energy above the visible is considered in many circumstances to be ionizing radiation as its photons carry sufficient energy to ionize matter.
For reference purposes, infra-red (IR) radiation just beyond the red end of the visible region; and, ultra-violet (UV) radiation has a shorter wavelength than violet light. The UV portion of the spectrum is divided into three regions: UVA (315-400 nm), UVB (280-315 nm) and UVC (100-280 nm).
Industrial lamps used in lighting applications cover the visible range of wavelengths for proper white perception. Thermal sources like heated filaments can be made of different type conductors, including W-filaments, halogen-protected W-filaments, and electrically induced high temperature plasmas (arc lamps).
The power (energy emitted per second) of a radiant source is frequently expressed in watts (W), but light can also be expressed in lumens (lm) to account for the varying sensitivity of the eye to different wavelengths of light. The derived relevant units are the radiance (luminance) of a source in W/m2 (lm/m2) in a certain direction per steradian (unit of solid angle) and the irradiance (illuminance) of a surface in W/m2 (lm/m2 or lux).
With the development of ultraviolet sources, ultraviolet radiation is being increasingly utilized for industrial, chemical, and pharmaceutical purposes. For example, UV light is known to sterilize media and is known to drive a number of photo-activated chemical processes such as the cross-linking of polymers in adhesives or coatings. Typically, ultraviolet sources use gas discharge lamps to generate emitted light in the ultraviolet range. The emitted light is then optically filtered to remove many of not all of the non-ultraviolet frequencies. Ultraviolet light can also be produced in semiconductor phosphors from the excitation of these phosphors from high energy sources such as, for example, X-ray irradiation.
With the development of infrared radiation sources, infrared radiation is being increasingly utilized for communications and signaling purposes. Typically, infrared sources use broad spectrum light sources referred to as glowbars to generate a broad spectrum of light centered in the infrared range or use lasers to emit very specific infrared wavelengths. For the broad band sources, the emitted light is optically filtered to remove many if not all of the non-infrared frequencies.
It is generally desirable to have devices, materials, and capabilities to convert light from one frequency range to another. Down conversion has been one way to convert higher energy light to lower energy, as used in the phosphors noted above. Up conversion has also been shown where lower energy light is converted to higher energy light. Typically, this process is a multi-photon absorption process where two or more photons are used to promote an excited electronic state in a host medium which in turn radiates at a wavelength of light that has a higher energy than the energy of the incident light which promoted the multi-photon absorption process. Both down conversion and up conversion have been studied and documented in the past.
Up conversion and down conversion of electromagnetic radiations are very relevant to various industrials fields. Photo-activated chemical reactions find broad use in the industry from catalyzing reactions to Bio-modulation of therapeutic agents. However, UV radiation suffers from a lack of depth of penetration in matter especially biological media, polymers and most solids). For this reason, UV based photo-initiation is limited by direct line of site which prevents volumetric applications.
UV has been limited to reactions taking place on the outer surfaces of materials may they be solids or liquids; organic or inorganic; biological organs, living tissues and composites thereof, structural composites, materials residing inside chemical tanks/reactors for food processing or hydrocarbon chains fractionation (to name a few examples).
Recently, there has been interest in the development of microcavity plasma devices which have been shown to have robust lighting capabilities. These devices are unitarily connected devices driven by a common electrode shared between the microcavities patterned on a common substrate. Lamps have been made from arrays of microcavity plasma devices including dielectric barrier structures in each of the microcavoties. The microcavities have used diamond-shaped cross sections and anodized aluminum for the dielectric barriers. The microcavity plasma devices require no ballast. In addition, the microcavity plasma devices have operated at pressures up to one atmosphere and beyond, thereby minimizing or eliminating the pressure differential across the lamp packaging.
Yet, the fact that these devices are unitarily connected devices driven by a common electrode shared between the microcavities patterned on a common substrate restrict utilization of the microcavity devices to discrete device applications such as lamps and recently have been used in transistor structures.

Up and down conversion systems for production of emitted light from various energy sources including radio frequency, microwave energy and magnetic induction sources for upconversion


Agents, compositions, and medicaments that reduce interactions between muscle specific kinase receptor (MuSK) and pathogenic immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) antibodies specific for the first Ig-like domain of MuSK and methods and uses thereof to reduce such interactions are encompassed herein. Also encompassed are screening assays to identify inhibitors of these pathogenic antibodies, particularly those that reduce binding to MuSK. Agents identified using the screening assays described herein are envisioned for use as therapeutics, alone or in compositions or in medicaments, to improve motor function in subjects afflicted MuSK-MG.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease, caused by auto-antibodies to proteins in the postsynaptic membrane at neuromuscular synapses. Most MG patients carry antibodies to acetylcholine receptors (AChRs), the neurotransmitter receptor at vertebrate neuromuscular synapses (1,2,3). Auto-antibodies to AChRs are largely of the IgG1 and IgG3 subclass (4), which cause muscle weakness by three mechanisms: complement-mediated membrane lysis (5); crosslinking and depletion of cell surface AChRs (6); and to a lesser extent, functional blocking of the ACh-binding site (7). The ability of antibodies to AChRs to recruit complement, dimerize and modulate AChR expression is an important component of their pathogenic mechanism, since animals with experimental autoimmune MG (EAMG) can be rescued from disease with monovalent Fab fragments generated from AChR IgG antibodies and complement-deficient mice are protected against EAMG (8,6,9).
Approximately 20% of patients with MG lack antibodies to AChRs, and approximately 40% of these AChR-negative patients carry auto-antibodies to Muscle specific kinase (MuSK), a receptor tyrosine kinase that is essential for all aspects of synaptic differentiation and maintenance (10,11,12). The synaptic defects in MuSK MG overlap with those in AChR MG, including a reduction in the number of functional AChRs at synapses and unreliable synaptic transmission, resulting in muscle fatigue and weakness. In contrast to AChR MG, MuSK MG is caused in large part by IgG4 antibodies (13,14,15) that fail to engage complement and are considered functionally monovalent (13,14,15,16). Consequently, the accumulation of complement and muscle membrane damage, hallmark pathological features of AChR MG, appear insignificant in MuSK MG (13,17). Despite the paucity or absence of complement and cell damage in MuSK MG, the structural and functional deficits of synapses are extensive in MuSK MG, which highlights the key role that MuSK plays in organizing all aspects of synaptic differentiation (10,18).
AChR clustering and synapse formation are orchestrated by neuronally released Agrin, which binds to Lrp4, a member of the low density lipoprotein-related protein family, causing Lrp4 to bind and activate MuSK (19,20,21). Once tyrosine-phosphorylated, MuSK recruits Dok-7, an adaptor protein that becomes phosphorylated and recruits additional signaling molecules essential for synapse formation (22,23,24).
The extracellular region of MuSK contains three Ig-like domains and a Frizzled-like domain (10). The first Ig-like domain in MuSK is required for MuSK to bind Lrp4. Mutation of a single residue, I96, on a solvent exposed surface of the first Ig-like domain, prevents MuSK from binding Lrp4 and responding to Agrin (25,21). A hydrophobic surface on the opposite side of the first Ig-like domain mediates MuSK homodimerization, essential for MuSK trans-phosphorylation (25). Although MuSK is expressed by muscle and not by motor neurons, MuSK is essential for presynaptic as well as postsynaptic differentiation (10). In mice lacking MuSK, motor axons fail to stop and differentiate and instead wander aimlessly throughout the muscle (11). MuSK regulates presynaptic differentiation by clustering Lrp4 in muscle, which functions bi-directionally by serving not only as a receptor for Agrin and a ligand for MuSK, but also as a direct retrograde signal for presynaptic differentiation (26). In addition to its role during synapse formation, MuSK is also required to maintain adult synapses, as inhibition of MuSK expression in adult muscle leads to profound defects in presynaptic and postsynaptic differentiation (27,28).
In view of the above, a better understanding of MuSK activity and its role in the neuromuscular synapse in healthy and pathological states is an objective that serves a profound need. The need is underscored by the fact that MuSK MG is a debilitating autoimmune disease and one third of MuSK MG patients experience a life-threatening respiratory crisis. Long-term immunosuppression is the only current treatment option and the side effects of such an approach are considerable.
The citation of references herein shall not be construed as an admission that such is prior art to the present invention.

Methods for treating muscle specific receptor kinase (MuSK) myasthenia gravis with the Ig1 domain of MuSK


The present invention provides at least one nozzle that sprays a rotating workpiece with an etchant at an edge thereof. The at least one nozzle is located in an upper chamber of a vertically configured processing subsystem that also includes mechanisms for plating, cleaning and drying in upper and lower chambers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to semiconductor processing technologies and, more particularly, to a system and process that removes a conductive layer from the edge and/or bevel of a work piece.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the semiconductor industry, various processes can be used to deposit and etch conductive materials on the wafers. Deposition techniques include processes such as electrochemical deposition (ECD) and electro chemical mechanical deposition (ECMD). In both processes, a conductor is deposited on a semiconductor wafer or a work piece by having electrical current carried through an electrolyte that comes into contact with the surface of the wafer (cathode). A detailed description of the ECMD method and apparatus can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,992 to Talieh, entitled 'Method and Apparatus For Electro Chemical Mechanical Deposition', commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention.
Regardless of which process is used, the work piece is next transferred to a cleaning and drying station after the deposition step. During the cleaning steps, various residues generated by the deposition process are rinsed off the wafer, and subsequently the wafer is dried by spinning and if necessary blowing nitrogen on its surface. In one design, the ECD or ECMD chamber and the rinse chamber can be stacked vertically in a vertical process chambers arrangement. In this arrangement, the plating process can be performed in a lower chamber, and the cleaning and drying can be carried out in an upper chamber after isolating the upper chamber from the lower chamber. One such vertical chamber is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,623, entitled 'Vertically Configured Chamber Used for Multiple Processes', filed Dec. 17, 1999, commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention.
Conventionally, after the plating process is performed to deposit the conductive material, the work piece may be polished mechanically and chemically, e.g., chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), so as to remove overburden conductive material from the front face of the work piece. As is known, the material removal can also be carried out using chemical etching or electrochemical etching. In electrochemical etching, the wafer is made anodic (positive) with respect to an electrode after completing an ECD or ECMD process.
Copper is a preferred conductive material that can be deposited by ECD and ECMD processes. Therefore it will be used as an example. As a result of electroplating process, copper may be deposited on the edges and sides, i.e., bevel, of the wafer where no ICs or circuits are located. Such remaining copper, which is often referred to as the edge copper, may migrate to neighboring active regions from the sides and edges of the wafer. Further, copper from a wafer edge may contaminate the wafer transport system, and so be passed on to contaminate other wafers. For this reason, it is important to remove the copper from the edges and the bevel of the wafer following each copper plating process step.
To this end, there is a need for removing edge copper in copper plating processes in an efficient and effective manner with high throughput.

Edge and bevel cleaning process and system


This invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting common spans within one or more data blocks by partitioning the blocks (FIG. 4) into subblocks and searching the group of subblocks (FIG. 12) (or their corresponding hashes (FIG. 13)) for duplicates. Blocks can be partitioned into subblocks using a variety of methods, including methods that place subblock boundaries at fixed positions (FIG. 3), methods that place subblock boundaries at data-dependent positions (FIG. 3), and methods that yield multiple overlapping subblocks (FIG. 6). By comparing the hashes of subblocks, common spans of one or more blocks can be identified without ever having to compare the blocks or subblocks themselves (FIG. 13). This leads to several applications including an incremental backup system that backs up changes rather than changed files (FIG. 25), a utility that determines the similarities and differences between two files (FIG. 13), a file system that stores each unique subblock at most once (FIG. 26), and a communications system that eliminates the need to transmit subblocks already possessed by the receiver (FIG. 19).

Much of the voluminous amount of information stored, communicated, and manipulated by modern computer systems is duplicated within the same or a related computer system. It is commonplace, for example, for computers to store many slightly differing versions of the same document. It is also commonplace for data transmitted during a backup operation to be almost identical to the data transmitted during the previous backup operation. Computer networks also must repeatedly carry the same or similar data in accordance the requirements of their users.
Despite the obvious benefits that would flow from a reduction in the redundancy of communicated and stored data, few computer systems perform any such optimization. Some instances can be found at the application level, one example being the class of incremental backup utilities that save only those files that have changed since the most recent backup. However, even these utilities do not attempt to exploit the significant similarities between old and new versions of files, and between files sharing other close semantic ties. This kind of redundancy can be approached only by analysing the contents of the files.
The present invention addresses the potential for reducing redundancy by providing an efficient method for identifying identical portions of data within a group of blocks of data, and for using this identification to increase the efficiency of systems that store and communicate data.

Method for partitioning a block of data into subblocks and for storing and communcating such subblocks


An electronic device can include a static-random-access memory cell. The static-random-access memory cell can include a first transistor of a first type and a second transistor of a second type. The first transistor can have a first channel length extending along a first line, and the second transistor can have a second channel length extending along a second line. The first line and the second line can intersect at an angle having a value other than any integer multiple of 22.5°. In a particular embodiment, the first transistor can include a pull-up transistor, and the second transistor can include a pass gate or pull-down transistor. A process can be used to form semiconductor fins and conductive members, which include gate electrode portions, to achieve the electronic device including the first and second transistors.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to electronic devices and processes, and more particularly to electronic devices including static-random-access memory cells and processes of forming the electronic devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Static-random-access memory ("SRAM") cells are commonly used within integrated circuits as stand alone memories or as a memory array within a microcontroller, microprocessor, or other electronic device. FIG. 1 includes a circuit schematic for a six-transistor SRAM cell 100. A bit line 112 is electrically connected to a source/drain ("S/D") region of a pass gate transistor 122. As used herein, S/D region will be used to refer to a region that can act as a source region, a drain region, or a region that can act as a source or drain, depending on biasing conditions. Another S/D region of pass gate transistor 122 is electrically connected to S/D regions of a pull-down transistor 124 and a pull-up transistor 126 and to gate electrodes of a pull-down transistor 144 and a pull-up transistor 146. The node, which is formed by the electrical connections between the S/D regions of transistors 122, 124, and 126 and the gate electrodes of transistors 144 and 146, is a storage node of the SRAM cell 100.
A S/D region of pass gate transistor 142 is electrically connected to a different bit line 132. During the write operation and at the end of the read operation of the memory cell 100, the signal on the bit line 132 is complementary to the signal on the bit line 112. Bit line 112 or 132 may be referred to as BL, and the other bit line 112 or 132 may be referred to as BL bar. For example, if the signal on bit line 112 has a value corresponding to "high" or "1", the signal on bit line 132 typically has a value of "low" or "0" during the write operation or at the end of the read operation. Another S/D region of the pass gate transistor 142 is electrically connected to S/D regions of the pull-down transistor 144 and the pull-up transistor 146 and to gate electrodes of the pull-down 124 and the pull-up transistor 126. The node, which is formed by the electrical connections between the S/D regions of the transistors 142, 144, and 146 and the gate electrodes of the transistors 124 and 126, is another storage node of the SRAM cell 100.
The gate electrodes of pass gate transistors 122 and 142 are electrically connected to a word line 152. Other S/D regions of the pull-down transistors 124 and 144 are electrically connected to a VSS line 154, and other S/D regions of pull-up transistors 126 and 146 are electrically connected to a VDD line 156. Typically, transistors 122, 124, 142, and 144 are n-channel transistors, and transistors 126 and 146 are p-channel transistors.
Semiconductor-on-insulator ("SOI") technology can be used in forming memory cells. FIG. 2 includes an illustration of a layout of active regions and conductive members that may be used for an SRAM cell. As used throughout this specification, insulating layers are not illustrated in top views to simplify understanding of the positional relationships of features to one another.
FIG. 2 includes semiconductor fins 222, 224, 226, and 228 that overlie a base material 202 (e.g., a semiconductor wafer). In FIG. 2, the semiconductor fins 222, 224, 226, and 228 are patterned such that they extend in vertical directions as illustrated in FIG. 2. Conductive members 242, 244, 246, and 248 extend in horizontal directions as illustrated in FIG. 2 and overlie portions of the semiconductor fins. Portions of the conductive members 242, 244, 246, and 248 include gate electrodes where those conductive members lie adjacent to the semiconductor fins. Locations of transistors 122, 124, 126, 142, 144, and 146 are illustrated in FIG. 2.
The semiconductor fin 224 has a portion that is electrically connected to the conductive member 244 at contact 254, and the semiconductor fin 226 is electrically connected to the conductive member 246 at contact 256. Although not illustrated, other contacts and conductive members or other interconnects can be formed to complete the electrical connections to achieve and SRAM cell. For example, the conductive members 242 and 248 may be connected to an overlying conductive member (not illustrated) that forms part of the word line 152. Another overlying conductive member (not illustrated) may be formed at the same level to complete the electrical connections for the storage nodes of the SRAM cell. Other conductive members or interconnects can be formed to make the connections to the bit lines 112 and 132, the VSS line 154, and VDD line 156.
By using rectilinear patterns for the features within the SRAM cell, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the SRAM may occupy too much area, and thus lower the memory cell density within a memory array. In addition, the transistors have channel lengths that lie long substantially parallel lines that are typically along a (100) or (110) crystal plane. Regarding the (100) and (110) crystal planes, those crystal planes intersect at 45° when the primary surface a semiconductor layer lies along a (100) or (110) crystal plane. Electron mobility is higher along a (100) crystal plane, as opposed to a (110) crystal plane, and hole mobility is higher along a (110) crystal plane, as opposed to a (100) crystal plane. The electronic characteristics for the transistors may not be optimized for use within the SRAM cell.
One or more of the semiconductor fins could include portions that lie along different lines that intersect at angles that are integer multiples of 22.5° (e.g., 0°, 22.5°, 45°, 67.5°, etc.). While angles can be integer multiples of 22.5°, the use of discrete values for the angles still may limit how much the area of the memory cell can be reduced, may not allow the electronic performance of the SRAM cell to be optimized, or both.
Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the invention.

Electronic device including a static-random-access memory cell and a process of forming the electronic device


Execution of threads in a processor core is controlled. The processor core supports simultaneous multi-threading (SMT) such that there can be effectively multiple logical central processing units (CPUs) operating simultaneously on the same physical processor hardware. Each of these logical CPUs is considered a thread. In such a multi-threading environment, it may be desirous for one thread to stop other threads on the processor core from executing. This may be in response to running a critical sequence or other sequence that needs the processor core resources or is manipulating processor core resources in a way that other threads would interfere with its execution.

One or more aspects relate, in general, to multi-threaded processors, and in particular, to controlling execution of threads in such processors.
A processor may include multiple hardware threads that have instructions executing simultaneously. Such a processor is said to implement simultaneous multi-threading (SMT), which is a technique used to improve overall efficiency of a processor by permitting multiple independent threads of execution to better utilize resources provided by modern processor architectures.
By controlling execution of the threads of a multi-threaded processor, further efficiencies may be gained.

Controlling execution of threads in a multi-threaded processor

International Business Machines Corporation


A feedback module for preventing voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) runaway in a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit can include a first, a second, and a third input to receive a first output signal from a PLL circuit, a reference signal, and a first control signal. The feedback module may also include a feedback circuit to generate a second control signal, the second control signal being coupled to an input of the PLL circuit, wherein the feedback circuit generates the second control signal by comparing a number of cycles of the first output signal to a first threshold, and a number of cycles of the reference signal to a second threshold.

The present disclosure relates to electronic circuits, and more specifically, to an electronic circuit that can prevent voltage controlled oscillator runaway in a phase locked loop circuit.
Phase locked loop circuits include control systems that can generate an output signal having a phase that is related to an input signal. Electronic systems, including those concerned with radio, telecommunications, and computing may use phase locked loop (PLL) circuits for clock distribution, signal recovery, and frequency synthesis. Low noise/jitter PLL circuits may be important to certain systems (e.g., servers, gaming devices, and cloud computing infrastructure) whose architecture require high precision frequency control of signals.

Voltage controlled oscillator runaway prevention


Versions of an application are managed by receiving a request for a version of an application, retrieving, responsive to the received request, a version of a master application component based at least in part on version data that associates a version of the master application component with the version of the application, retrieving a relationship operable to relate the version of the master application component with a corresponding version of a first component on which the master application component depends for a function of the application, retrieving the corresponding version of the first component, responsive to the retrieving of the relationship, assembling the version of the application based at least in part on the retrieved version of the master component, the retrieved relationship, and the retrieved first component, and providing for an execution of the assembled version of the application.

Providers provide applications developed by contributors such as producers, independent software vendors (ISVs), and third-party application developers. The contributors contribute applications, application modules (AppModules), and other application components for developing the applications. Different contributors can modify these components, and the components can be even further modifiable or customizable by users or administrators of user systems. This can provide a complex web of dependencies between versions of applications and application components.


A seeding machine is provided with a frame comprising a center frame section and left and right wing frame sections. The frame has a planting configuration and a transport configuration. The center frame section and the left and right wing frame sections each have a hollow toolbar forming a pneumatic manifold. Individual planting units are mounted to the toolbars. The pneumatic manifold of the center frame section is automatically pneumatically coupled to each of the left and right wing frame sections by a resilient bell that forms a pneumatic path between the center frame section and the left and right wing frame sections when the frame is in its planting configuration. The pneumatic manifolds are pneumatically coupled to pneumatic seed meters on the planting units by air hoses.

Agricultural seeding machines use air pressure to meter and transport seed and agricultural chemicals. Pneumatic seed meters on row crop planters fall into two basic systems. In one system positive air pressure, that is air pressure which is greater than ambient air pressure, is used to meter the seeds. In the other system negative air pressure, that is air pressure that is less than ambient air pressure, is used to meter the seeds. An air pump is used to create the positive or negative air pressure. The air pump may be pneumatically coupled to an air pressure manifold. The air pressure manifold in turn is pneumatically coupled to the individual seed meters by an air hose. It is known to seal a transverse support beam or toolbar to form the air pressure manifold.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,983 discloses a quick pneumatic coupling for use in a folding agricultural planter comprising a rigid plastic funnel mounted to the end of a first conduit and a flexible and resilient rubber flange member mounted to a second conduit. The inner surface of the funnel forms a sealing surface which is contacted by the flange when it is inserted into the funnel. The coupling can be automatically coupled and decoupled by pivotally inserting and withdrawing the flanged member into and out of the receiving funnel

Automatic pneumatic seal between frame members


A single power distribution board having pin coded connectors may be used for both AC and DC power distribution to appropriate AC and/or DC power supplies in an information handling system. A common conductive layer may be used for either AC neutral or DC power supply return so as to eliminate one conductive layer in the power distribution board. Alternatively, total isolation of AC and DC power source inputs allow both AC and DC power supplies to operate together in a robust, redundant fashion. The DC power supplies in combination with a battery system may be used as an inexpensive uninterruptable power supply for the information handling system. Various DC and/or AC source voltages and frequencies may be coupled to appropriate power supplies through the pin coded connectors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to information handling systems, and more specifically, to distribution of power sources to power supplies of the information handling system.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes, thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems, e.g., computer, personal computer workstation, portable computer, computer server, print server, network router, network hub, network switch, storage area network disk array, RAID disk system and telecommunications switch.
Mission critical information handling systems such as computer servers and associated storage disk arrays require high availability and rapid replacement of defective modules, e.g., power supply. With high availability in mind, these information handling systems are being designed with modular power supplies that may be plugged into a power distribution board (PDB). The modular power supplies may be powered from either a direct current (DC) source or an alternating current (AC) source. However, different input power supplies and a different PDB must be used for connecting the power supplies to either the DC or AC source. Since the power supplies are modular plug-in units, switching from AC to DC input source power is not a major problem, however, having to change the PDB for the desired input source voltage is both impractical and expensive. A typical information handling system power supply is illustrated in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,854, entitled "Computer Power Supply Apparatus" by Wiscombe, et al., and is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Therefore, a problem exists, and a solution is required to eliminate having to install one of two different PDBs when either a DC or an AC input power source is used.

Power distribution board having connectors with AC and DC power distribution capabilities


The invention concerns a flexible conduit comprising an internal gasproof undulating metal tube (1), the wall of which has helical undulations (8), the external surface of said internal tube having at least concave (10) and convex (11) rounded parts corresponding to the internal and external parts of the undulations respectively, and at least an arch (2) arranged around said internal metal tube and made up of at least a form wire (9) coiled in spires. The invention is characterized in that the arch (2) has an internal surface with helical undulation, comprising at least concave (16) and convex (15) rounded parts and the external surface of the internal metal tube is supported in its concave rounded part (10) by a convex part (15) of the arch (2) internal surface and in its convex rounded part (11) by a concave part (16) of the arch internal surface, said internal arch surface and said internal tube external surface matching in form and the interstices (i) between the adjacent spires are small. The invention is particularly applicable to flexible conduits used in oil mining.

The present invention relates to a long flexible pipe having an impermeable internal metal tube and more particularly to a flexible pipe including an internal corrugated metal tube which is, in particular, gas-impermeable.
The present invention also relates to a flexible pipe for transporting fluids at high pressure such as, for example, that used during operations for extracting crude oil from a subsea deposit. Such a pipe must, in particular, withstand the various forces to which it is subjected such as, for example, the internal and/or external pressures developed in and on the said flexible pipe, and must have a degree of flexibility along its longitudinal axis so that it can bend without risk of rupturing.
Under extreme service conditions such as, for example, in Arctic regions where very difficult climatic conditions prevail or else for transporting liquefied natural gas, it has been proposed to use either rigid steel pipes or flexible pipes which include an internal corrugated metal tube, as described in FR-A-2,458,022.
Other structures are also described in WO 96/17198 or GB-A-1,486,445.
The flexible pipe described in FR-A-2,458,022 comprises, from the inside to the outside:
an internal corrugated metal tube; PA1 a metal casing wound around the internal corrugated tube and consisting of profiled wires, the winding pitch of which is in the opposite direction to the pitch of the corrugations of the said internal corrugated tube, this metal casing providing the bursting strength and called a pressure vault; PA1 two crossed armouring plies which provide the resistance to tensile loads and to the end cap effect due to the internal pressure of the pipe; and PA1 an external sleeve for protection and sealing.
In a variant, it is proposed to use as pressure vault a winding of a round wire which is housed in the troughs of the corrugations of the internal corrugated tube.
However, such a pipe has many drawbacks both with regard to the structure and from the behavior standpoint.
In order to reinforce the internal corrugated tube, it is internally lined with an overlapping flat and welded spiralled metal tape or with a smooth tape, the space between the corrugations of the internal tube and the tape being optionally filled with a filling material. Consequently, this is a substantially more rigid structure which must be wound onto a large-diameter drum and which is fragile during the unwinding and winding operations in manufacture. When the corrugated tube is not reinforced with the aforementioned tape, then any momentary elongation of the pipe, as occurs when it is under tension, may generate a permanent elongation of the internal tube sometimes leading to rupture. Finally, whatever the recommended pressure vault, there is a risk of ovalizing the internal tube.
Whatever the circumstances, the flexible pipe of the prior art is unable to withstand the very high external pressures which develop at great depths, of the order of several thousands of meters, and/or the very high internal pressures developed in the pipe during exploitation operations.
The object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a flexible pipe which not only is capable of withstanding pressures of several hundred bar exerted on the outside and/or on the inside of the pipe, but also of being able to be used at high temperatures and in an acid medium, i.e. capable of high performance in a corrosive medium, and of being suited for what those skilled in the art call "SOUR SERVICE".
The subject of the present invention is a flexible pipe of the type comprising, from the inside to the outside, an internal corrugated metal tube, a pressure vault obtained by winding at least one shaped wire around the said internal tube, a polymeric sleeve around the said pressure vault, at least one armoring ply for resistance to tensile loads and an impermeable external sleeve, the pressure vault having a helical corrugated inner surface comprising at least concave and rounded parts and convex rounded parts, the outer surface of the internal metal tube bearing in its concave rounded part on a convex part of the inner surface of the pressure vault and in its convex rounded part on a concave part of the inner surface of the pressure vault, the said inner surface of the vault and the said outer surface of the internal tube being in shape correspondence, and it is characterized in that the ratio of the height (h) of a corrugation (8) to the pitch (T) of the said corrugation is less than 1 and greater than 0.035, the gap (i) between two consecutive turns being small but not zero.
According to another characteristic, the flexible pipe is characterized in that the pressure vault is made from a wire wound around the said internal tube, each turn having a width approximately equal to the period of the corrugation of the internal tube.
According to another characteristic, the flexible pipe is characterized in that the gap between two consecutive turns lies more or less vertically in line with a crest of the corrugation of the internal tube.
According to another characteristic, the flexible pipe is characterized in that the gap between two consecutive turns lies more or less vertically in line with a trough of the corrugation of the internal tube.
According to another characteristic, the flexible pipe is characterized in that the pressure vault is made from several wires wound around the internal tube.
According to another characteristic, the flexible pipe is characterized in that the internal corrugated tube has corrugations, the radius of curvature (R) of a crest of which is greater than or equal to the radius of curvature (r) of a trough.
According to another characteristic, the flexible pipe is characterized in that the internal corrugated tube is made of a metallic material having a low modulus of elasticity and being resistant to a corrosive medium.
Other advantages and characteristics will become more apparent on reading the description of several embodiments according to the invention, as well as on examining the appended drawings in which:

Flexible pipe with internal gasproof undulating metal tube


Condensation of water from a gas, such as from atmospheric air or other nearby ambient gas, is provided for use in a variety of jetting devices, such as inkjet and lab-on-a-chip applications. Further embodiments involve the use of frozen liquids, not limited to frozen condensed water, and microcooling of fluidic components or working materials for improved process control and reliability.

There is an ongoing application-explosion involving the manipulation and management of microscopic quantities of fluids for useful purposes. No application serves as a better example than the numerous permutations of inkjet-printers for commercial and personal printing applications that employ inks or marking materials. A multitude of methods for creating droplets and transferring them to substrates such as paper in desired patterns are known and many others are under development. The known methods include thermal-jetting drop-on-demand, piezo-jetting drop-on-demand, and pressurized continuous inkjets with electrical droplet steering. New methods under development and seen in the patent literature include ballistic aerosol printing and ballistic aerosol printing with gas flow droplet-deflection. There are many more not mentioned.
For the purposes of the invention herein, we define a "microfluidic device" as any device or component that utilizes, implements or supports the storage, management, arrangement, manipulation, analysis, processing or distribution of microscopic quantities of at least one working material. Thus, this clearly includes any droplet or particulate emitter used for any purpose as well as substrates or "labs-on-a-chip" upon or within which microfluidic quantities of material are stored, arrayed, combined, compared, analyzed, processed or otherwise manipulated. Examples would include all inkjets and combinatorial bioarrays made using "inks" comprising biological fluids as well as fluidic-incorporating "labs-on-a-chip" for clinical testing or environmental chemical sensing. By "fluid" we mean any flowable (or diffusible) material, mixture, suspension, solid, emulsion, solution, vapor, gas, liquid, slurry, fluidized media such as suspended cellular material, gel, cream, wax, oil, hydrocarbon, paste or solution. In short, we define a fluid as anything that can be moved or moves along at least one path, whether by net mass-transport, liquid flow, gas flow or even atomic or molecular flow as moving diffusing concentration-gradients. Such flow may be over macroscopic or microscopic distances or across a permeable or other membrane in the device.
Despite all of the investment in microfluidic devices, there are still some fundamental issues and challenges that have not been overcome to anyone's satisfaction. Solutions to these issues would provide further reduced costs, further reliability improvements, further inkjet image-quality improvements and better performing biochips. Some of these unsolved issues addressable by the invention herein are as follows:
Ink or Other Media Fouling and Clogging of Printheads and Nearby Printer Components.
Tiny nozzles and orifices tend to clog if they dry out or if they are contaminated during nozzle self-servicing steps involving wipers or scrapers. The trends toward jetted pigment-based inks and biological fluids are only making matters worse.
Ink, Media and Debris-Contamination and Wetting of the Printhead Orifice Face.
If the face of the printhead becomes fouled, then the orifice ink wets out onto the surface and causes misfires and unwanted deflection of droplets.
Shutdown, Startup and Priming of Printheads.
As printheads incorporate more and more fine orifices and channels, lumens, and conduits, the opportunity for the printhead to incorporate (e.g., grow) bubbles or other blockages during long standby periods increases. In particular, outgassing of ink and ingress of atmospheric gas can cause blocking bubbles in fine channels. Even inks with water-retention features such as glycol or hydrophilic constituents can eventually dry out or at least uncontrollably thicken at the ambient interface.
Use of Ink Dryer Modules.
There is a lot of developmental activity in the area of methods to dry ink quickly so that printed paper, for example, can be stacked soon after printing without smudging. Such suggested techniques involve everything from microwave drying to blown gases and infrared radiation. As one can easily discern, uncontrolled and unintended heating or convective drying of the printheads and their orifices could greatly worsen many of the above listed challenges.
Cartridge Life and Reliability Issues.
The management of dissolved gases in inks is becoming a major issue both for onaxis and off-axis ink tank strategies. Such air incorporation in an uncontrolled manner can lead to bubbles and unpredictable emission-bubble formation. It can also cause unpredictable cavitation in piezo-fired printheads and misfiring of thermal-bubblejets.
Customers have also complained loudly about perceived cartridge lifetime issues and perceived wasted-ink issues. The invention herein also offers a new method of ink provision that can avoid some of these difficulties, perceived or otherwise.
We emphasize the inkjet printer applications by way of example, but the reader will realize that the invention is equally applicable to microfluidic-based labs-on-a-chip wherein microparticulates, liquids and gases are processed and one has similar issues of shelf-life, clogging, material storage, and useful-life.
By inkjet printing we include all droplet or particulate microemission applications, whether continuous or drop-on-demand, regardless of the marking material involved. The marking material could be ink or could be microdroplets of biofluids being placed on or in a combinatorial bioarray, for example. By lab-on-a-chip we include any microfluidic component having miniature or microscopic conduits, reservoirs, valves or manifolds. This would include, for example, blood analysis labs-on-a-chip, urine analysis labs-on-a-chip, DNA analysis labs-on-a-chip, and chemical sensor arrays on-a-chip.
Thus, the present invention should be seen as offering generic improvements to the field of microfluidics in general, with microfluidics being defined as the manipulation, storage and/or processing of minute quantities of materials, as stated earlier.
The appendix contains a set of reference patents useful for understanding the applications of the invention herein. These patent references in no way lead to any embodiment of the invention but they do help the reader appreciate the seriousness of some of the challenges that we wish to solve with our inventive embodiments, and they demonstrate attempts at solving some of these issue to date.

Cooling, condensation and freezing of atmospheric water or of a microfluidic working-material in or on microfluidic devices


A method of manufacturing a core stiffened structure includes orienting the plurality of core wafers in a non-uniform pattern onto a first face sheet, the non-uniform pattern producing non-uniform spacing between adjacent core wafers; assembling a second face sheet onto the plurality of wafers; and curing an adhesive to create a bond between the plurality of wafers, the first face sheet, and the second face sheet.

Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a method of configuring composite core in a core stiffened structure, as well as a core stiffened structure with composite core configured using such a method.
Description of Related Art
Typically, composite core is built in bulk shapes that must be cut into usable slices. The usable slices are adjacently joined together in a bonding process, such as by bonding cell walls of adjacent composite core slices together. Such a method is labor intensive and can substantially increase the expense of the core stiffened structure.
Hence, there is a need for an improved method of manufacturing a core stiffened structure.
In another typical method of manufacturing a core-stiffened structure, the core is homogeneously placed within the core stiffened structure, thus some areas of the structure may be stronger than necessary since the homogenous composite core is configured for the area of the structure that requires the most strength.
Hence, there is a need for efficiently tailoring the properties of a composite core stiffened structure by tailoring the composite core in the core stiffened structure.

Method of configuring composite core in a core stiffened structure and a structure incorporating the same


The method of adjusting the volume and the loudness in an audio device uses a volume-control unit for attenuating an audio signal by a predetermined value and a loudness-control unit for attenuating, by a further predetermined value, every component of the audio signal when in an inactive state and only the high-frequency components when in an active state. The method includes the steps of setting a volume level, associating a first and a second attenuation value with the volume level set, attenuating the audio signal by the first value and by the second value by means of the volume-control unit and the loudness-control unit, respectively, and switching the loudness-control unit selectively between the active state and the inactive state.

Audio devices which are used, for example, in car radios, generally allow a user to set various volume levels so as to vary the intensity of the sound produced by one of more loud-speakers connected thereto. Typically, this variation is achieved by means of a volume-control unit which attenuates (or amplifies), dependent on the volume level set, an audio signal input to the device.
These audio devices usually also allow the user to switch on (or off) a loudness effect which improves the physiological sensation produced by the sound. This effect typically includes an amplification of the low-frequency components of the audio signal by a predetermined value (the high-frequencies possibly also being amplified by a lower value) so as to compensate for the lower response of the human ear to low-frequency sounds. In some known audio devices, the loudness effect amplifies the low-frequency components of the audio signal by a value which depends on the volume level set. More particularly, the loudness effect may be accentuated for low volume levels so as to compensate for the poorer response of the human ear to low frequencies when the sound is of lower intensity.
The loudness effect is achieved by means of a loudness-control unit comprising a low-pass filter which, when the unit is in an active state, attenuates the components of the audio signal having frequencies greater than a cut-off frequency, for example, of 1 kHz by a predetermined value (possibly also attenuating the other components by a lower value). When the loudness-control unit is in an inactive state, it attenuates every component of the signal by this value. If the loudness effect is switched off by the user, the loudness-control unit is put in the inactive state and the attenuation value is set at zero (0 dB) so that it does not modify the audio signal. When the user switches on the loudness effect, the audio device obtains the amplification value for the low-frequency components corresponding to the volume level set and consequently activates the loudness-control unit so as to attenuate the high-frequency components of the audio signal by an equal value. To achieve the desired amplification effect on the low-frequency components, it is then necessary to reduce correspondingly the attenuation of the audio signal produced by the volume-control unit. Similar operations are carried out in reverse order when the user switches the loudness effect off.
A disadvantage of the known devices described above is that the control of the loudness effect is quite complex and makes fairly high processing demands on the audio device.

Method of adjusting the volume and the loudness in an audio device


The swing centers of guide shafts in inclination adjustment of an optical head are set to be on a plane which is perpendicular to a predetermined radial direction of an optical disk and has thereon the rotation axis of a disk motor. When the inclination adjustment of the optical head is conducted, relative gap variation between the optical head and the optical disk does not occur, and the inclination adjustment is realized within a movable range of an objective lens. The inclination angle of the optical head in a radial direction of the optical disk is adjusted by simultaneously moving upward or downward ends of two guide shafts, and the inclination angle of the optical head in a tangential direction of the optical disk can be adjusted by moving upward and downward one end of at least one of the guide shafts.

The invention relates to an optical head adjusting apparatus which adjusts an angle formed between a normal to the face of an optical disk and the optical axis of an optical head in an optical disk apparatus.
An optical head adjusting apparatus of a first prior art is disclosed in the Japanese published unexamined patent application Hei 2-94115.
FIG. 11 is a side view of the first prior art optical head adjusting apparatus. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the apparatus will be described with reference to this figure.
A disk motor 49 which rotatably supports an optical disk 33 is fixed to a base frame 50.
An optical head 51 is supported by a guide shaft 52 and a roller 34 which is disposed on a side face of the optical head 51. The roller 34 engages with a groove (not shown) formed on the base frame 50, thereby enabling the optical head 51 to move in a radial direction of the optical disk 33 which is indicated by an arrow 10 (hereinafter, the direction is referred to as "radial direction 10").
An end portion 52a of the guide shaft 52 which is closer to the disk motor 49 is pivotally supported via a leaf spring 35 by a supporting part 36 which is disposed on the base frame 50.
A part of the guide shaft 52 in the vicinity of the other end 52b engages with a groove-like portion (not shown) of a supporting part 5b which is disposed on the base frame 50, so as to be slidable in the direction perpendicular to the base frame 50. The other end 52b of the guide shaft 52 engages with a spiral cam groove 37a of a cylindrical cam gear 37 disposed on the base frame 50.
The first prior art optical head adjusting apparatus operates in the following manner.
The optical head 51 detects the inclination of the optical head 51 with respect to the radial direction 10 of the face of the optical disk 33. Specifically, the optical head detects whether an angle formed by the optical axis 1a of the optical head 51 and the face of the optical disk 33 is 90 deg. or not. If the angle is not 90 deg., the cylindrical cam gear 37 is rotated. The rotating operation of the cylindrical cam gear 37 causes the other end 52b of the guide shaft 52 engaging with the spiral cam groove 37a to vertically move, so that the guide shaft 52 is swung about the supporting part 36 functioning as the fulcrum. When the guide shaft 52 swings, also the optical head 51 supported by the guide shaft 52 is swung. Therefore, the inclination of the optical head 51 can be adjusted so that the optical axis 1a of the optical head 51 forms the angle of 90 deg. with respect to the face of the optical disk 33.
Another optical head adjusting apparatus of a second prior art is disclosed in the Japanese published unexamined patent application Hei 7-320290.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the configuration of main portions of a driving mechanism of the second prior art of the Japanese published unexamined patent application Hei 7-320290.
Referring to FIG. 12, a disk motor 49 which rotatably supports the optical disk 33 is fixed to a base frame 55. An optical head 51 is supported by guide shafts 52 and 53 so as to move in the predetermined radial direction 10 of the optical disk 33.
End portions 52a and 53a of the guide shafts 52 and 53 which are closer to the disk motor 49 are pivotally supported via leaf springs (not shown) by supporting parts 38 and 39 which are disposed on the base frame 55, respectively.
The other ends 52b and 53b of the guide shafts 52 and 53 are supported by a movably supporting mechanism 40 which vertically moves the guide shafts 52 and 53 with respect to the base frame 55.
The optical head adjusting apparatus operates in the following manner.
The optical head 51 detects the inclination of the optical head 51 with respect to the radial direction 10 of the face of the optical disk 33. Specifically, the optical head detects whether an angle formed by the optical axis 1a of the optical head 51 and the face of the optical disk 33 is 90 deg. or not. If the angle is not 90 deg., the movably supporting mechanism 40 vertically moves the guide shafts 52 and 53. The guide shafts 52 and 53 swing about respective supporting parts 38 and 39 which are functioning as fulcrums. When the guide shafts 52 and 53 swing, also the optical head 51 supported by the guide shafts 52 and 53 is swung. Therefore, the angle of the optical head 51 can be adjusted so that the optical axis 1a of the optical head 51 forms the angle of 90 deg. with respect to the face of the optical disk 33.
As the density and capacity of an optical disk are increased, the wavelength of a laser beam of an optical head is made shorter and the NA (numerical aperture) of an objective lens mounted on the optical head is made higher. Therefore, an error of the inclination angle of the optical axis of a laser beam emitted onto the face of the optical disk produces optical aberration in the optical head.
In other words, signal recording and reproducing properties of an optical disk apparatus are largely affected by the error of the inclination angle of the optical axis of the laser beam with respect to the face of the optical disk. In a large-capacity optical disk apparatus, the inclination angle must be adjusted so that an inclination angle error is largely reduced.
Moreover, in order to prevent deteriorations of the signal recording and reproducing properties of the optical disk apparatus, it is essential to conduct the inclination angle adjustment within a movable range of an objective lens used for converging light from the optical head on the optical disk.
Furthermore, "relative gap variation" which is produced as a result of the inclination angle adjustment and which is defined by variation in the distance between the optical head and the optical disk must be reduced to a level as low as possible.
In the afore-mentioned configuration of the first prior art optical head adjusting apparatus disclosed in the Japanese published unexamined patent application Hei 2-94115, the inclination of the optical head 51 with respect to the radial direction 10 of the optical disk 33 can be adjusted. However, the inclination of the optical head 51 with respect to a tangential direction of the optical disk 33 which is perpendicular to the radial direction 10 cannot be adjusted.
In the first and second prior arts of optical head adjusting apparatuses disclosed in the Japanese published unexamined patent applications Hei 2-94115 and Hei 7-320290, the supporting parts 36 of the base frame 50, or the supporting parts 38 and 39 fixed to the base frame 55 are placed at respective positions which are separated from the rotation axis 4a of the disk motor 49. When the guide shafts 52 and 53 swing about the supporting parts 38 and 39 functioning as the fulcrums, for example, the relative gap variation occurs between the optical head 51 and the face of the optical disk 33.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relative gap variation between the optical head 51 and the optical disk 33 in the optical head adjusting apparatus of the second prior art.
Referring to FIG. 13, the positions of the supporting parts 38 and 39 which are disposed on the base frame 55 have a height h and are separated from the rotation axis 4a of the disk motor 49. The horizontal distance between each supporting part 38 or 39 and the rotation axis 4a is indicated by G. It is assumed that the rotation axis 4a of the disk motor 49 is inclined by an angle .theta. with respect to the base frame 55 and oriented in the direction of an arrow 4b. The design value of the relative gap which is the distance between the optical head 51 and the optical disk 33 is indicated by H0.
Under this state, in order to adjust the angle of the optical axis 1a of the optical head 51 with respect to the face of the optical disk 33, the guide shafts 52 and 53 are rotated by the angle .theta. about the upper points 38a and 39a of the supporting parts 38 and 39, respectively. As a result, a relative gap H1 between the optical head 51 and the optical disk 33 after adjustment becomes a value shown in expression 1. Furthermore, a relative gap variation .DELTA.H is indicated by expression 2. EQU H1=H0+G sin .theta.+h(1-cos .theta.) (1) EQU .DELTA.H=G sin .theta.+h(1-cos .theta.) (2)
In the relative gap variation .DELTA.H, the amount of height variation corresponding to the second term (3) of the right side is very small and hence is negligible. However, the amount of height variation corresponding to the first term (4) of the right side cannot be neglected because the movable range of the objective lens is limited to a very short length (for example, .+-.0.8 mm to .+-.1.0 mm). EQU h(1-cos .theta.) (3) EQU G sin .theta.(4)
As described above, in the optical head adjusting apparatuses of the prior art, the positions of the supporting parts 38 and 39 disposed on the base frame 55 are separated from the rotation axis 4a of the disk motor 49. Therefore, such apparatuses have a problem in that, when the inclination of the optical head 51 is adjusted, the relative gap between the optical head 51 and the optical disk 33 is varied and the distance between the optical head 51 and the optical disk 33 is changed, with the result that the optical disk apparatus cannot satisfactorily perform recording and reproducing operations.

Matsushita Electric Indsutrial Co., Ltd.


Data can be provided via devices based on levels of functionalities of the devices. In one example, a broker receives content from a data source and sends the content to devices in a network for presentation to a user. The devices may have different functionalities and the broker may modify the data content in accordance with each devices level of functionality. Modification of the data content may include, for example, re-formatting or changing the amount of content to be displayed or provided at the respective devices in the network.

Users typically possess many different types of devices where any of the devices can have different capabilities. With such a combination of different devices, content presentation in desired formats on the different devices has become problematic. Users are typically unable to receive content in formats that are easy to understand or read on the different device. Also, when content is received on the different devices, at least some of the devices having different capabilities, may be unable to present the content in a clear and conventional manner.

Content management that addresses levels of functionality


An apparatus and method for forming absorbent articles having superabsorbent particles. Air-entrained absorbent particles are directed through a diverter valve which alternately directs the particles to first and second dispensing nozzles. The nozzles are positioned for dispensing the particles into a moving web of fibrous material, such as wood pulp fluff. Selective operation of the valve in synchronization with the conveying arrangement for the wood pulp fibrous material permits deposition of the absorbent particles in desired patterns within selected portions of the fibrous material.

Disposable absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers and the like, usually have an absorbent panel containing superabsorbent polymers to increase the absorbent capacity of the panel while reducing the bulkiness of the article. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,731 to Harmon.
Particular absorbent panel constructions contain a zoned region of superabsorbent material in a selected portion of the panel in an attempt to make efficient use of the superabsorbent material. U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,463 to Holtman discloses an absorbent pad which contains a zoned region of superabsorbent material in its front upper or lower portion. U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,783 to Elias describes an absorbent article wherein one or more separate and distinct moisture-permeable cells or pockets containing superabsorbent particles are provided in a crotch region of the article. U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,915 to Hasse et al. suggests application of a zoned deposit of superabsorbent polymers in a central portion of an absorbent article. U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,650 to Bernardin teaches an absorbent structure wherein superabsorbent material is located more at a rearward portion of an absorbent structure.
A number of methods and apparatus have been proposed to manufacture absorbent pad structures having a zoned deposit of superabsorbent material. U.S. Pat. No. 4,087,506 to Cook et al. discloses a method of producing a fluid absorbent web wherein superabsorbent polymer particles are applied onto a central zone of a moving web by means of a spreader. U.S. Pat. No. 4,551,191 to Kock et al. describes an arrangement wherein gas-entrained superabsorbent polymer particles are discharged through a nozzle having a predetermined width in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the moving porous web so that they are uniformly deposited on the predetermined width portion of the web.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,102 to Takada discloses the use of a rotating screen disc having openings of various shapes at intervals, which disc is positioned between a superabsorbent supplier and a moving web so that superabsorbent polymer particles are intermittently deposited on the web at the intervals and patterns corresponding to the openings in the disc. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,927,346 and 5,017,324 to Kaiser et al. respectively disclose an apparatus and a method for depositing superabsorbent polymer particles into a pad of fibrous material in a forming chamber. A controller selectively directs gas-entrained polymer particles either to a supply hopper or to the fibrous material to produce discrete patterns of superabsorbent polymers along the pad.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,582 to Bryson teaches another method for depositing superabsorbent particles into a pad in a forming chamber. The flow velocity of the superabsorbent polymer particles into the forming chamber is controlled so that a selected distribution of the polymer particles is achieved within the fibrous material deposited in the forming chamber. U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,224 to Pieper et al. teaches forming a split stream of superabsorbent material particles by centrifugal segregating means. The split stream is intermittently delivered into a forming chamber so that zoned regions of higher polymer density are formed within the fibrous material.

Method and apparatus for zoned application of particles in fibrous material


An actuator may include a housing, a ball screw engaged with the housing, a tie rod disposed in the ball screw, a plurality of friction springs in the ball screw and around the tie rod, and a bearing having an interference fit with the tie rod and a clearance fit with the ball screw.

This background description is set forth below for the purpose of providing context only. Therefore, any aspect of this background description, to the extent that it does not otherwise qualify as prior art, is neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the instant disclosure.
Some actuators do not provide any indication that primary or backup components have failed, and/or it may be difficult to determine if primary or backup components have failed.
There is a desire for solutions/options that minimize or eliminate one or more challenges or shortcomings of linear actuators. The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate examples of the present field and should not be taken as a disavowal of scope.


The present invention relates to engineered extra-cellular vesicle internalizing receptors that have the ability to enhance uptake, processing, and presentation to T-cells of tumor-associated antigens by an antigen-presenting cell. It further relates to vectors or antigen presenting cells expressing said receptors, composition and uses thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of a cancer.

Immunotherapy is gaining increasing importance for the treatment and prevention of various human diseases including infections, inflammatory and degenerative conditions, and cancers.
In cancer, immunotherapy includes stimulating the patient's own immune system to attack cancer cells or other cellular components of the tumor (Waldmann et al., 2003, Nat Med, 9: 269-277; Miller et al., 2015, Cancer Cell, 27(4):439-49). The main types of immunotherapy now being used to treat cancer include use of monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and cancer vaccines (Miller et al., 2015, supra).
In cancer-related applications, immunotherapy is based on the assumption that cancer cells express on their surface molecules that are not expressed (or are expressed at lower levels) by normal cells and that can be detected by the immune system. These molecules are known as cancer antigens and are often proteins (normal or mutated) or other macromolecules such as carbohydrates and lipids. In the last decade, an increasing number of molecules derived from the processing of tumor proteins have been identified and classified as tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). So-called active immunotherapy is used to engage the immune system into attacking the tumor cells by targeting TAAs. TAAs can be recognized by different cell types including CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). After cancer-cell recognition by CTLs, these can subsequently engage in eliminating cancer cells.
One of the main goals of current research on immunotherapy approaches is to elicit or enhance cancer-specific CTLs by vaccinating the patient against potential or known TAAs.
Approaches developed and transferred to clinical trials include adoptive immunotherapy with ex vivo TAA-loaded antigen presenting cells (APCs), hereon referred to as APC-TAA.
Indeed, the generation of potent and persisting anti-tumor immunity requires the presentation of TAAs by professional APCs, such as dendritic cells (DCs), to the CTLs (Palucka et al, 2012, Nat Rev Cancer, 12(4):265-77). DCs are generated ex vivo by culturing hematopoietic progenitors or monocytes, obtained from the patient, with specific cytokine/growth factor combinations. Once generated, the DCs are exposed to total tumor lysates or specific TAAs ex vivo, before reinfusion of the APC-TAA in the patient. During the past decade, preclinical studies in mice and several clinical trials have shown the safety of the procedure, its ability to induce the expansion of circulating CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells that are specific for tumor antigens, and objective clinical responses in some patients (Palucka et al., 2012, supra).
Currently, only one APC-TAA vaccine, Sipuleucel-T (Provenge®), is approved in the US to treat advanced prostate cancer that is no longer being helped by hormone therapy (Gardner et al., 2012, Hum Vaccin Immunother, 8(4): 534-9). This example demonstrates the feasibility of active immunization for the treatment of established cancer.
However, the use of ex vivo cultured APC-TAA is typically labour-intensive (the APCs need to be isolated, manipulated ex vivo, and then re-infused), expensive, and is generally not individualized to each patient (Kastenmueller et al., 2014, Nat Rev Immunol., 14(10):705-11).
An alternative vaccination approach consists of targeting a selected TAA to APCs in vivo, without ex vivo manipulation (Palucka et al., 2012, supra; Kastenmueller et al., 2014, supra).
This can be achieved by several means, e.g., by using chimeric proteins that are comprised of an antibody, specific for an APC receptor (e.g. CD205, CLEC9A, CD11c), that is also fused to a selected TAA. The chimeric protein can target APCs and promote TAA internalization, processing, and presentation by the APC to the T cells. However, these approaches are not very efficient and only one TAA can be delivered. Furthermore, the induction of CTLs by the targeted APCs also requires the provision of DC maturation and/or activation signals, as the absence thereof can induce antigen-specific tolerance (Kastenmueller et al., 2014, supra).
In one approach, DCs were exposed ex vivo to cancer cell lysates or extracellular vesicles (EVs) and then inoculated back into the subject to activate antigen-specific T cells and induce anti-tumor immune responses (Gu et al., 2015, Intern Journal of Cancer, 136, E74-84).
Another approach used monocytes/macrophages engineered to express an anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), or DCs engineered to express an anti-HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) CAR to directly target and lyse cancer cells in vitro and in vivo (Biglari et al., 2006, Gene therapy, 13: 602-610; Wei et al., 2008, Cancer research, 68: 3854-62). In a different type of approach, CTLs or natural killer (NK) cells were engineered to express a CAR designed against a specific TAA. The CAR-engineered T or NK cells then recognized cancer cells that expressed the specific antigen and killed them (Ahmed et al., 2015, Journal of clinical oncology, 33, 1688-1696; Schonfeld et al., 2015, Molecular therapy, 23, 330-338). However, the efficacy of the aforementioned approaches is limited by the ability of the engineered cells to traffic to solid tumors once re-infused.
Therefore, there is still a need for developing anti-tumor vaccines able to induce strong and broad T-cell responses that are specific for multiple known and unknown TAAs on a personalized manner, but at the same time applicable to a broad range of patients.

Engineered antigen presenting cells and uses thereof

ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPPFL)