A method and structure for a semiconductor chip includes a plurality of layers of interconnect metallurgy, at least one layer of deformable dielectric material over the interconnect metallurgy, at least one input/output bonding pad, and a support structure that includes a substantially rigid dielectric in a supporting relationship to the pad that avoids crushing the deformable dielectric material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to semiconductor chips and more particularly to structures which protect the chip during bonding processes.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of low dielectric potential (k) interlevel dielectric (ILD) materials (e.g., spin-on-glass (SOG), Hydrogensilsesquioxane(HSQ), Methylisilane (MSQ), Benzocyclobutene (BCB), etc.) has become very popular for input/output (UO) and mechanical support structures which are applied to a previously fabricated semiconductor chip. Such I/O and support structures are formed after the logical function sections of the semiconductor chip have been completed. Therefore, such structures/processing are sometimes referred to as xe2x80x9cback end of linexe2x80x9d (BEOL) structures/processing because they are formed at the back end of the production line.
However, many low k materials are brittle or soft as compared to silicon dioxide and, when bonding forces are applied, the low k materials can be easily damaged. More specifically, the forces applied during bonding processes (such as ultrasonic wirebonding) or during the formation of solderball (C4) connections, can damage the low k dielectric materials. Thus, the damage from ultrasonic energy (wirebonding), capillary pressure and temperature can weaken or collapse the low k insulator.
Also, ultra low dielectric constant materials (k less than 3), such as polyarylene ether (trade name SILK manufactured by Dow Chemical, Midland, Michigan, USA, and FLARE manufactured by Honeywell, Sunnyvale, Calif. USA) or silica aerogels, carbon containing CVD dielectrics, Methylsisquoxiane (MSQ), Hydrogen-sisquoxiane (HSQ) have poor mechanical strength as compared to silicon dioxide. Lack of mechanical strength has been a severe problem with connections wirebonded to complimentary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS) which use ultra w low dielectric constant materials as an intermetal dielectric. Therefore, new processes and structures are needed that will provide compatibility between the low k insulator and the C4/wirebond structures.
Current activity with regard to the above problem includes enhancing the material properties of low k dielectrics (such as processes which increase strength and adhesion), integrating multiple metal films on the copper to provide for compatibility with current C4/wirebond processes, and silicidation of copper to improve nitride adhesion. A recent publication 1998 IEEE 38th Annual IRPS-Reno, Nev., Mar. 31, 1998, p. 225-231, by Mukul Saran et al. (incorporated herein by reference) describes the use of metal grids to provide for mechanical reinforcement of the dielectric stack to eliminate bond-pad damage during wirebonding of Al or Au wires to aluminum pads.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a structure and method for a semiconductor chip that includes a plurality of layers of interconnect metallurgy, at least one layer of deformable dielectric material over the interconnect metallurgy, at least one input/output bonding pad, and a support structure that includes a substantially rigid dielectric in a supporting relationship to the pad that avoids crushing the deformable dielectric material.
The support structure includes a cap over the deformable dielectric material, where the cap is co-planer with the patterned last metal layer or the cap has a thickness greater than that of the patterned last metal layer. The support structure may also include patterned metal layers separated by the rigid dielectric where the patterned metal layers are joined by a plurality of metal connections through the rigid dielectric or may include metallic leg structures extending from the last metal layer into the deformable dielectric material. The leg structures can be a plurality of metallic blocks formed at progressive levels within the deformable dielectric material. The metallic blocks can form a herringbone pattern in cross-section or a step-shaped structure in cross-section.
Another embodiment of the invention is an integrated circuit chip that includes logic circuitry, an external insulator covering the logic circuitry, and a contact over the insulator allowing electrical connection to the logic circuitry. The external insulator includes a first dielectric layer having a first dielectric constant and a support structure having a second dielectric constant higher than the first dielectric constant.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is an integrated circuit chip that includes logic circuitry, an external insulator covering the logic circuitry, and a contact over the insulator allowing electrical connection to the logic circuitry. The contact includes a metallic structure extending above the external insulators. The metallic structure has a pillar or pyramid shape.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is an integrated circuit chip that includes logic circuitry, an external insulator covering the logic circuitry, a contact over the insulator allowing electrical contact to the logic circuitry, and a lattice structure that includes a first dielectric having a first dielectric constant and a second dielectric having a second dielectric constant higher than the first dielectric constant. The lattice structure can be a crisscross pattern of the second dielectric in a layer of the first dielectric, an alternating layer of the first dielectric and the second dielectric, or sidewall spacers of the second dielectric between portions of the first dielectric.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is an integrated circuit chip that includes logic circuitry, an external insulator covering the logic circuitry, and a contact over the external insulator allowing electrical contact to the logic circuitry. The external insulator includes support columns between the logic circuitry and the contact. The support columns are portions of metallization and via levels within the external insulator and can be hollow columns filled with an insulator. The support columns can include heat sinks, and are spaced to permit wiring to be positioned within the external insulator.
The invention overcomes the problems associated with conventional BEOL structures that are discussed above. More specifically, the invention comprises additional structures on top of or within the BEOL structure that add support to the inter-layer dielectric (ILD) during wire or C4 bonding processes.

Method and structure of column interconnect

International Business Machines Corporation


A retrofit bracket for wall mount speakers has a support surface configured for mounting at least one speaker thereto and a pair of elongate clamping bars extending across to opposite sides of the rear of the support surface and adjustably attach thereto such that a wall covering is clampably capturable intermediate the support surface and the bars. An adjustment means facilitates varying of the distance between the support surface and the bars to accommodate various wall covering thicknesses. The elongate bars are sufficiently flexible to provide spring tension against the wall covering captured intermediate the bars and the support surface. A foot is formed upon each end of the elongate bars for distributing the force applied by the bars over an increased surface area. The use of feet to spread the force of the bars over an increased surface area mitigates the potential for compression of the wall covering captured therebeneath. The use of bars which are sufficiently flexible to provide spring tension against the wall covering provide for continued tension of the feet against the wall covering as the wall covering compresses. Thus, the retrofit bracket for wall mount speakers of the present invention provides a means whereby speakers mounted to a wall covering are not susceptible to loosening due to compression of the wall covering and consequently are not susceptible to the degradation of performance and appearance caused thereby.

The demand for high quality speakers has increased dramatically over the last twenty years. As a consequence, there is a large selection of high-quality speakers available on the market. Unfortunately, speakers are somewhat bulky and cumbersome. There has consequently been a demand to mount speakers in the ceilings and walls. The mounting of high-quality speakers in a ceiling or wall is an expensive enterprise, particularly since brackets must typically be custom made, and frequently considerable effort is required in the fabrication of such brackets.
This is of particular concern in pre-existing wall structures wherein a retrofit bracket must be utilized. In such retrofit applications, an opening is typically formed within the wall surface and the bracket is then inserted through the opening and attached to the wall surface and/or studs disposed within the wall. As will be recognized, this is a difficult and time consuming process.
Furthermore, after installation, such prior art brackets are subject to loosening wherein portions of the wall covering supporting the mounting bracket compact or compress. Compression of the wall covering is of particular concern where drywall or the like is utilized and the wall mount speaker bracket is clamped thereto. Clamping the bracket to such a wall covering typically involves utilizing a clamping member to apply pressure to the wall covering which is captured intermediate a clamping member disposed within the wall and a portion of the bracket disposed outside of the wall covering. As the wall surface compresses due to the pressure of the clamping member, the bracket loosens.
Additionally, vibrations from the speaker--particularly over an extended length of time--tend to loosen contemporary wall mount speakers. Vibration frequently causes fasteners to loosen, thereby reducing their effectiveness in mounting the speaker assembly. For example, it has been observed that after extended periods of time nuts and bolts tend to loosen and nails tend to pull out. Thus, mounting of in-wall speakers is typically more troublesome than the mounting of other items, i.e., light fixtures.
Such loosening of the bracket allows the bracket, speaker, and/or wall surface to vibrate as a result of acoustic energy radiated by these speakers. This vibration results in annoying audible rattling, thus degrading the performance of the in-wall speaker system. In addition to such acoustic rattling, the in-wall speaker may also be displaced or moved from its intended position, much like a picture in need of straightening.
As such, it is desirable to provide a retrofit bracket for wall mount speakers wherein speakers may easily be mounted within existing wall structures without requiring the fabrication of a custom bracket and wherein the bracket is not subject to loosening due to compression of the wall covering.

Retrofit bracket for wall mount speakers


An optical amplifier for a 4-fiber system having two inputs and outputs is provided that makes use of a single amplifier rather than two separate amplifiers. The optical amplifier node makes use of an interleaver before and after the single amplifier to demultiplex and multiplex even and odd channel signals traveling in opposite directions. The arrangement can also amplify wide channel spaced signals traveling through a plurality of optical fibers. The optical amplifier node can be combined with other like amplifier nodes to provide more complex amplifier solutions at reduced costs due to the need for only half of the typical number of amplifiers. The optical amplifier node can also be combined with, e.g., variable optical attenuators, L/C/S filters, channel add/drop, co- and counter-propagating Raman amplification, and dispersion compensation modules to modify the optical signals as desired.

The invention relates to an optical amplifier, and more particularly relates to the use of a single optical amplifier to amplify signals traveling through a plurality of fibers.
A conventional 4-fiber optical amplifier is illustrated in FIG. 1. The optical amplifier node 10 has a first input fiber 12 that couples with a first variable optical attenuator 18 for attenuating optical signals carried over the first input fiber 12. The variable optical attenuator 18 can be either before or after an amplifier 14. In this instance, the optical signals leave the optical attenuator 18 and pass to the amplifier 14. The resulting amplified optical signals exit the amplifier 14 and pass to a first output fiber 16. A second input fiber 20 carries optical signals entering from the same direction for from a second direction opposite the direction of the signals in the first input fiber 12. The second input fiber 20 couples to a second variable optical attenuator 26. The attenuated optical signals pass to a second amplifier 22. The amplified output from the second amplifier 22 passes to the second output fiber 24.
In this conventional optical amplifier node, each signal path requires a separate optical amplifier. As optical amplifiers are costly, the use of multiple amplifiers poses a significant cost for constructing optical networks.
There is a need for an optical amplifier node that uses a single amplifier to amplify signals travelling in different directions, or to use a single amplifier to amplify signals traveling in multiple fibers. The present invention is directed toward further solutions. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, an optical amplifier node has a first and second input fiber in communication with a first combiner. A first amplifier is also in communication with the first combiner. A first de-combiner is in communication with the first amplifier, and first and second output fibers are in communication with the first de-combiner. The first and second input fibers, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, each support signal traffic traveling in opposite, or the same, directions.
The combiners and de-combiners can take the form of interleavers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The optical interleaver can take an optical signal and separate it into, e.g., odd and even channels when the optical signal passes through the interleaver in a first direction or fiber. A number of odd and even channels can also pass through the interleaver in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, and the interleaver will combine those odd and even signals into a combined signal. Further, a number of odd and even channels can also pass through the interleaver in a second fiber, parallel to the first direction, and the interleaver will combine those odd and even signals into a combined signal. The interleaver can separate and combine other types of signals, and in different ways including by bit, byte, signal, channel, wavelength, band, and the like.
The combiner and de-combiner can also take the form of a number of other network components such as, multiplexors, de-multiplexors, L/C/S combiners and de-combiners, fiber Bragg gratings, thin film filters, holographic filters, and the like.
The optical amplifier node, in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, has a first variable optical attenuator in communication with one of the first input fiber and the first output fiber. The optical amplifier node further has a second variable optical attenuator in communication with one of the second input fiber and the second output fiber.
In addition, the optical amplifier node can have a second amplifier in communication with an L/C splitter and L/C combiner. The function of the L/C splitter is to separate two wavelength bands spatially into two separate fibers. The C band is commonly defined as 1530 nm to 1565 nm, while the L band is commonly defined as 1570 nm to 1610 nm. The L/C combiner takes two separate C and L wavelength bands, and combines them accordingly. Alternatively, the L/C splitter and combiner can be an L/C/S splitter and an L/C/S combiner. The function of the L/C/S splitter is similar to that of the L/C version, except that the LIC/S splitter separates three wavelength bands spatially into three separate fibers. The S band is commonly defined as 1490 nm to 1525 nm. The L/C/S combiner takes three separate C, L, and S wavelength bands and combines them accordingly.
In addition, the optical amplifier can have a Raman amplifier (co- and/or counter-propagating). The function of the Raman amplifier is to use the nonlinear effect in fibers to impart additional gain to the signals by co- and/or counter-propagating additional Raman pump wavelength signals in the fiber(s). Each fiber must have its own Raman amplifier, unlike the optical amplifier, which can be shared. Alternatively, a single Raman amplifier can be shared between many fibers by using an optical splitter.
Prior to a signal reaching the input of the optical amplifier node, the signal can travel through a multiplexor in communication with the combiner. A dispersion compensation module can be positioned on the communication path between the multiplexor and the first combiner. A dispersion compensation module can also be positioned on the communication path between the first combiner and the first amplifier to compensate for dispersion. Alternatively, the optical amplifier node can have a first amplifier that is a multistage access amplifier with an integrated dispersion compensation module. The dispersion compensation module can be shared between a plurality of fibers.
The optical amplifier node, in accordance with other aspects of the present invention, includes a demultiplexor in communication with the first de-combiner off of the output fiber. A dispersion compensation module can be positioned on the communication path between the demultiplexor and the first de-combiner.
Aspects of the present invention further include a method of amplifying an optical signal. The method begins with routing signal traffic traveling originating from opposite directions, or the same direction, through a first combiner to combine each of the traveling signals into a combined signal. The method continues with routing the combined signal through a first amplifier to amplify that signal. The combined signal is then routed through a first de-combiner to separate the combined signal into the distinct signals traveling in opposite, or the same, directions. The method can further include the step of routing the signals originating from opposite, or the same, directions through variable optical attenuators. Alternatively, the method can include the step of routing the combined signal through an L/C/S splitter, a second amplifier, and an L/C/S combiner.
The signals can travel through one of a multiplexor and a demultiplexor at points external to the amplifier. The method can further include the step of routing the combined signal through a dispersion compensation module, either as a stand-alone module, or as a part of a mid-stage access amplifier having a dispersion compensation module built within.
The optical amplifier node, according to still another aspect of the present invention, can include a first and second input fiber in communication with a first interleaver. The optical amplifier node further includes a first amplifier in communication with the first combiner. A first de-combiner is in communication with the first amplifier. At least two dispersion compensation modules are in communication with the first de-combiner. A second combiner is in communication with at least two dispersion compensation modules. A second amplifier is in communication with the second combiner. A second de-combiner is in communication with the second amplifier, and a first and second output fiber are in communication with the second de-combiner.
In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention a method of amplifying optical signals is provided beginning with the step of routing a first plurality of signals through a first combiner to form a first combined plurality of signals. A second plurality of signals is routed through a second combiner to form a second combined plurality of signals. The first combined plurality of signals and the second combined plurality of signals are then routed through a third combiner to form a further combined signal. The further combined signal is then routed through an amplifier to generate an amplified signal. The optical signals entering the first, second, and third combiners can be narrow spaced, or wide spaced, channels traveling through single or multiple fibers.

Two fiber support with single optical amplifier


A spike for track shoes is disclosed. The spike has a central section in a cylindrical configuration having a first enlarged exterior diameter. It also has an upper section in a generally cylindrical configuration extending upwardly from the central section with a threaded exterior face for removable attachment to and removable attachment from the track shoe of a wearer, the exterior diameter of the upper section being less than the exterior diameter of the central section. Lastly, a lower section is provided having an uppermost region with a generally circular cross-sectional configuration with an exterior diameter less than that of the central sections. The lower section also has an axis co-extensive with the central and upper sections and a lowermost region with a circular cross-sectional configuration. In addition, the lower section also has intermediate regions of varying diameters between the uppermost and lowermost regions, the intermediate regions having downwardly tapering generally cone-shaped lower edges. Lastly, the lower section also has two opposed planar sections extending downwardly on each side from the central section to an intermediate point thereof. Each spike is fabricated as a single piece from an ultra-lightweight ceramic material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a new and improved track spike and, more particularly, pertains to providing a compression track spike of an ultra-lightweight ceramic material.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of track spikes of various designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, track spikes of various designs and configurations heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of configuring track spikes through various methods and apparatuses are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
The prior art discloses a large number of track spikes of various designs and configurations. By way of example, Japanese Patent Numbers 602082 dated 1983 and 656481 dated 1985 both disclose a track spike with a central tapering reverse from that of the present invention.
In this respect, the track spike according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a compression track spike of an ultra-lightweight ceramic material.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved track spike which can be used for providing a compression track spike of an ultra-lightweight ceramic material. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A method may include a processing system having at least one processor for receiving a first machine learning model, the first machine learning model in a first format associated with a first development environment, adapting the first machine learning model to a containerized environment, validating the first machine learning model according to at least one validation criterion associated with a repository, and publishing the first machine learning model to the repository.

Big data applications and services may employ machine learning models that analyze large volumes of data to deliver various insights, key performance indicators, and other actionable information to the users of the applications and services. Designers may differentiate machine learning models (MLMs), or machine learning algorithms (MLAs) for different big data applications involving video, speech, text, location information, images, network traffic data, and so forth. For example, different machine learning models (derived from corresponding MLAs) may include support vector machine (SVMs), e.g., binary classifiers and/or linear binary classifiers, multi-class classifiers, kernel-based SVMs, or the like, a distance-based classifier, a decision tree algorithm/model, a k-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm/model, and so on.

Network-based machine learning microservice platform


A drill chuck for use with a tool having a shaft has a chuck body centered on and rotatable about an axis and an adjustment body centered on the axis, rotatable about the axis on the chuck body, and axially fixed on the chuck body. One of the bodies is formed with a plurality of angularly equispaced jaw-guide passages centered on respective jaw axes all lying on the surface of an imaginary cone centered on the axis. The other of the bodies is formed with a screwthread centered on the axis and exposed in the guide passages. Respective jaws displaceable in the passages along the respective axes are each formed with a row of teeth meshing with the screwthread so that relative rotation of the bodies in one direction moves the jaws radially inward and axially forward and opposite relative rotation moves the jaws radially outward and axially backward. Each of the jaws is formed with a generally axially extending entrainment ridge projecting radially inward relative to the chuck axis from the respective jaw, lying offset forward in a normal rotation direction of the chuck when drilling from a respective jaw plane including the respective passage axis and the chuck axis, and lying mainly within an imaginary cone defined by the jaw axes and centered on the chuck axis.

A drill chuck such as described in German patent document 3,727,147 for use with a tool having a shaft typically has a chuck body centered on and rotatable about an axis and an adjustment body centered on the axis, rotatable about the axis on the chuck body, and axially fixed on the chuck body. One of the bodies is formed with a plurality of angularly equispaced jaw-guide passages centered on respective jaw axes all lying on the surface of an imaginary cone centered on the axis. The other of the bodies is formed with a screwthread centered on the axis and exposed in the guide passages. Respective jaws displaceable in the passages along the respective axes are each formed with a row of teeth meshing with the screwthread so that relative rotation of the bodies in one direction moves the jaws radially inward and axially forward and opposite relative rotation moves the jaws radially outward and axially backward.
Such a chuck is often set up to be self-tightening by forming the passages in the adjustment body and is provided with a locking ring that is axially and limitedly angularly displaceable on the chuck body and engageable with teeth on the adjustment body to limit its rotation As the chuck is used the torque imparted to it tends to screw down the jaws, tightening them on the tool.
In U.S. Pat. No. 1,894,515 of Hubbel a nontightening chuck is described whose jaws are each formed with a generally axially extending entrainment ridge projecting radially inward and engaging the tool behind a plane drawn from the respective jaw axis to the chuck axis. Thus as the chuck is tightened the jaws are twisted in the passage to lock them all tightly in place with the ridges in a rear-pointing position. Thus when the chuck is used, however, the jaws are twisted all the way back, so that there is no tightening action and it is in fact fairly common for the tool to slip so that the chuck has to be retightened.


Disclosed is a lamp transformer assembly, transformer winding arrangement and method of assembling a transformer assembly and lamp igniter transformer core. The lamp transformer assembly comprises a transformer core comprising two or more core members, wherein the core members ends are adapted to provide a transformer core with axially distributed air gaps. Furthermore, the transformer assembly comprises a primary and secondary winding, wherein one or more core members and the secondary winding are adapted to provide insertion of the one or more core members within the interior of the secondary winding. The transformer core members are attached to complete the core.

This disclosure relates to a high voltage lamp transformer assembly, winding arrangement and method of assembly. Specifically, the disclosed high voltage lamp transformer assembly can be mounted within an automotive headlamp module, for example a D1 or D5 automotive headlamp module. The disclosed transformer assembly and winding arrangement is particularly well suited as a high voltage lamp igniter transformer for lamp applications requiring a relatively large amount of current during ignition while maintaining a relatively small transformer size.
Conventionally, high voltage igniter circuits are used to start HID lamps. One example of a HID lamp requiring a high voltage ignition is an automotive lamp commonly referred to as a headlamp. To produce the high voltage ignition signal, an igniter circuit is operatively connected to the HID lamp. The igniter circuit typically includes a lead frame and a high voltage transformer arrangement. The high voltage transformer is necessary to produce the required lamp ignition high voltage signal, which may be as high as 30 kV. For purposes of this disclosure, high voltage refers to voltages in the approximate range of 1 kV-30 kV and low voltage refers to voltages less than 1 kV.
U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0066150 discloses a gas discharge lamp base comprising a conventional ignition circuit. The housing includes a compartment within the housing to contain a high voltage ignition bar core transformer which is mounted to a lead frame (FIG. 3). The igniter module is connected to a DC source via a connector which may be molded directly to the housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,731,076 discloses another conventional gas discharge lamp base and associated components. The gas discharge lamp base comprises a carrier part (16) which carries electrical components and a toroidal core transformer (23) to ignite a gas discharge lamp (2). The toroidal shape of the transformer provides clearance for a housing top part (10) including an attached lamp mounting base to pass through the center of the toroid transformer.
Other examples of conventional shaped transformer cores include a core comprising a magnetic material with an open end, producing a "c" shaped or horseshoe shaped core. The open space at the longitudinal ends of the core can be coupled with a gap material to control the saturation of the transformer core, for example, air and/or epoxy.
This disclosure provides a lamp transformer assembly, winding arrangement, and method of assembly for use in a lamp module, for example a high voltage lamp ignition module. As compared to conventional lamp igniter transformers, this disclosure and embodiments herein provide a transformer core construction which can increase the saturation threshold of a transformer core and provide an increase in current delivered to a lamp from the transformer assembly.


A cartridge is provided with a supply housing having at least one exterior surface defining a supply area adapted to receive a donor ribbon of predetermined width and a take-up housing having a main wall that defines a take-up area for receiving donor ribbon of predetermined width. A take-up projection on the take-up housing and the main wall jointly define a take-up window therebetween through which donor ribbon passes into the take-up area. The take-up projection includes at least one tensioning feature so as to pre-load the take-up projection such that the take-up projection is inhibited from warping toward towards the main wall.

A thermal printer produces images on a receiver medium by transferring donor material from a donor ribbon to the receiver medium by selectively heating the donor ribbon while simultaneously pressuring the donor ribbon against the receiver medium. In this way, heated donor material transfers from the donor ribbon to the receiver medium to form an image while unheated donor material remains on the donor ribbon. Transfer may be by flow of melted donor material or by movement of sublimated donor material to the receiver medium. The donor ribbon and receiver medium are separated after transfer of the material to yield a receiver medium having a pattern of deposited donor material forming an image.
Donor ribbon is typically connected between a supply spool, which initially carries a supply of unused donor ribbon, and a take-up spool upon which used donor ribbon is wound. In operation, the take-up spool is rotated to draw donor ribbon from the supply spool and across the print head for use in printing. Often the donor spool and take-up spool are joined together by a structural framework to form a thermal donor cartridge. This structural framework positions the supply spool and the take-up spool in a preferred geometric relationship to facilitate proper loading and can also be used to provide surfaces that enclose or otherwise protect the donor ribbon from damage due to incidental contact and from damage due to exposure to contaminants. Such a thermal donor cartridge is disclosed in commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/479,853 filed Jul. 3, 2006 in the name of Lysiak et al.
The cartridge disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. patent application provides a take-up window between a take-up projection and a main wall of a donor ribbon take-up housing. Because the take-up projection needs to be very thin to meet other design criteria, the take-up projection tends to warp. Sometimes, the direction of warp is towards the main wall of the donor ribbon take-up housing; closing down the take-up window. When this occurs, it creates a donor pinch point during printing. Any such pinch point on the take-up side of the cartridge would cause an unusual gradient in the web tension on the take-up side of the thermal head, tending to result in image artifacts and resulting in user dissatisfaction.
Another potential problem associated with cartridges such as shown in the above-mentioned U.S. patent application pertains to the desire to produce a printer that does not cause unnecessary vibrations. Such vibrations can arise when a receiver material rubs across a lower portion of the take-up projection. The image receiver rubbing on the take-up projection during printing generates a particular vibration due to the flexibility of the guide rib. Such vibration would be considered to be objectionable to many users, and can impact printer performance.


A multiprocessing system having a plurality of processing nodes interconnected by an interconnect network. To optimize performance during spin-lock operations, a home agent prioritizes the servicing of read-to-own (RTO) transaction requests over the servicing of certain read-to-share (RTS) transaction requests, even if the RTO transaction requests are received by the processing node after receipt of the RTS transaction requests. In one implementation, this is accomplished by providing a first queue within the home agent for receiving RTO transaction requests conveyed via the interconnect network which is separate from a second queue for receiving RTS transaction requests. The queues may each be implemented with FIFO buffers. A home agent control unit is configured to service a pending RTO transaction request within the RTO queue before servicing an RTS transaction request in the second queue, even though the RTS transaction request was received by the processing node from the interconnect network prior to receiving the RTO transaction request.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of multiprocessor computer systems and, more particularly, to mechanisms and methods for optimizing spin-lock operations within multiprocessor computer systems having distributed shared memory architectures.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Multiprocessing computer systems include two or more processors which may be employed to perform computing tasks. A particular computing task may be performed upon one processor while other processors perform unrelated computing tasks. Alternatively, components of a particular computing task may be distributed among multiple processors to decrease the time required to perform the computing task as a whole. Generally speaking, a processor is a device configured to perform an operation upon one or more operands to produce a result. The operation is performed in response to an instruction executed by the processor.
A popular architecture in commercial multiprocessing computer systems is the symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) architecture. Typically, an SMP computer system comprises multiple processors connected through a cache hierarchy to a shared bus. Additionally connected to the bus is a memory, which is shared among the processors in the system. Access to any particular memory location within the memory occurs in a similar amount of time as access to any other particular memory location. Since each location in the memory may be accessed in a uniform manner, this structure is often referred to as a uniform memory architecture (UMA).
Processors are often configured with internal caches, and one or more caches are typically included in the cache hierarchy between the processors and the shared bus in an SMP computer system. Multiple copies of data residing at a particular main memory address may be stored in these caches. In order to maintain the shared memory model, in which a particular address stores exactly one data value at any given time, shared bus computer systems employ cache coherency. Generally speaking, an operation is coherent if the effects of the operation upon data stored at a particular memory address are reflected in each copy of the data within the cache hierarchy. For example, when data stored at a particular memory address is updated, the update may be supplied to the caches which are storing copies of the previous data. Alternatively, the copies of the previous data may be invalidated in the caches such that a subsequent access to the particular memory address causes the updated copy to be transferred from main memory. For shared bus systems, a snoop bus protocol is typically employed Each coherent transaction performed upon the shared bus is examined (or "snooped") against data in the caches. If a copy of the affected data is found, the state of the cache line containing the data may be updated in response to the coherent transaction.
Unfortunately, shared bus architectures suffer from several drawbacks which limit their usefulness in multiprocessing computer systems. A bus is capable of a peak bandwidth (e.g. a number of bytes/second which may be transferred across the bus). As additional processors are attached to the bus, the bandwidth required to supply the processors with data and instructions may exceed the peak bus bandwidth. Since some processors are forced to wait for available bus bandwidth, performance of the computer system suffers when the bandwidth requirements of the processors exceeds available bus bandwidth.
Additionally, adding more processors to a shared bus increases the capacitive loading on the bus and may even cause the physical length of the bus to be increased. The increased capacitive loading and extended bus length increases the delay in propagating a signal across the bus. Due to the increased propagation delay, transactions may take longer to perform. Therefore, the peak bandwidth of the bus may decrease as more processors are added.
These problems are further magnified by the continued increase in operating frequency and performance of processors. The increased performance enabled by the higher frequencies and more advanced processor microarchitectures results in higher bandwidth requirements than previous processor generations, even for the same number of processors. Therefore, buses which previously provided sufficient bandwidth for a multiprocessing computer system may be insufficient for a similar computer system employing the higher performance processors.
Another structure for multiprocessing computer systems is a distributed shared memory architecture. A distributed shared memory architecture includes multiple nodes within which processors and memory reside The multiple nodes communicate via a network coupled there between. When considered as a whole, the memory included within the multiple nodes forms the shared memory for the computer system. Typically, directories are used to identify which nodes have cached copies of data corresponding to a particular address. Coherency activities may be generated via examination of the directories.
Distributed shared memory systems are scaleable, overcoming the limitations of the shared bus architecture. Since many of the processor accesses are completed within a node, nodes typically have much lower bandwidth requirements upon the network than a shared bus architecture must provide upon its shared bus. The nodes may operate at high clock frequency and bandwidth, accessing the network when needed. Additional nodes may be added to the network without affecting the local bandwidth of the nodes. Instead, only the network bandwidth is affected.
Despite their advantages, multiprocessing computer systems having distributed shared memory architectures can suffer severe performance degradation as a result of spin-lock operations. In general, spin-lock operations are associated with software locks which are used by programs to ensure that only one parallel process at a time can access a critical region of memory. A variety of lock implementations have been implemented, ranging from simple spin-locks to advanced queue-based locks. Although simple spin-lock implementations can create very bursty traffic as described below, they are still the most commonly used software lock within computer systems.
Systems employing spin-lock implementations typically require that a given process perform an atomic operation to obtain access to a critical memory region. For example, an atomic test-and-set operation is commonly used. The test-and-set operation is performed to determine whether a lock bit associated with the memory region is cleared and to atomically set the lock bit. That is, the test allows the process to determine whether the memory region is free of a lock by another process, and the set operation allows the process to achieve the lock if the lock bit is cleared. If the test of the lock bit indicates that the memory region is currently locked, the process initiates a software loop wherein the lock bit is continuously read until the lock bit is detected as cleared, at which time the process reinitiates the atomic test-and-set operation.
Spin-locks may be implemented using either optimistic or pessimistic spin-lock algorithms. An optimistic spin-lock is depicted by the following algorithm:
______________________________________ top: atomic.sub.-- test&set ;RTO if failed begin while busy spin ;spin on RTS goto top end ______________________________________
For the optimistic spin-lock algorithm shown above, the process first performs an atomic test-and-set operation upon the lock bit corresponding to the memory region for which access is sought. Since the atomic test-and-set operation includes a write, it is treated as a read-to-own (RTO) operation in shared memory systems. The system will thus place the coherency unit containing the lock bit in a modified state in response to the atomic test-and-set operation. If the atomic test-and-set operation fails, the process reads the lock bit in a repetitive fashion until the lock bit is cleared by another process. The process then reinitiates the atomic test-and-set operation.
A pessimistic spin-lock is depicted by the following algorithm:
______________________________________ top: while busy spin ; spin on RTS atomic.sub.-- test&set ; RTO if failed begin goto top end ______________________________________
For the pessimistic spin-lock algorithm, the process first reads the lock bit corresponding to the memory region for which access is sought in a repetitive fashion until the lock bit is cleared. The read of the lock bit is treated as a read-to-share operation in shared memory systems. When the process determines that the lock bit is clear in accordance with the read operation(s), the process performs an atomic test-and-set operation to lock and gain access to the memory region. If the test failed upon execution of the atomic test-and-set operation, the process again repetitively reads the lock bit until it is cleared.
For both implementations, when a memory region corresponding to a contended spin-lock is released, all N spinning processors will generate RTS transactions bound for the cache line. In a distributed shared memory architecture, N RTS requests will therefore be queued at the home node, and will be serviced one at a time.
The first processor to receive a data reply detects the free lock and will generate an RTO transaction. The RTO transaction will be queued at the home node behind the earlier RTS requests. Since the processor of each of the remaining RTS requests will similarly receive an indication that the lock is free, each of these processors will also generate an RTO transaction. When the first RTO transaction is ultimately serviced by the home node, the processor issuing that transaction will lock and gain access to the memory region. The test-and-set operations corresponding to the RTO requests of the remaining processors will therefore fail, and each of these processors will resume spinning RTS requests.
From the above discussion, it is evident that when several spinning processors contend for access to the same memory region, a relatively large number of transaction requests will occur when the lock is released. Due to this, the latency associated with the release of a lock until the next contender can acquire the lock is relatively high (i.e., on the order N times the latency for an RTS). The large number of transactions can further limit the maximum frequency at which ownership of the lock can migrate from node to node. Finally, since only one of the spinning processors will achieve the lock, the failed test-and-set operations of the remaining processors result in undesirable request-to-own requests on the network. The coherency unit in which the lock is stored undesirably migrates from processor to processor and node to node, invalidating other copies. Network traffic is thereby further increased despite the fact that the lock is set. A mechanism is therefore desirable for optimizing operations of a multiprocessor system during spin-locks to reduce the number of transaction requests resulting from a released lock, thereby improving overall system performance.

Multiprocessing system including an apparatus for optimizing spin--lock operations


A higher-order acoustical pressure measurement device (e.g., microphone) is disclosed. The device includes a first acoustic pressure measurement from a generally concentrated spatial location and a second acoustic pressure measurement having a spatiality greater than the concentrated spatial location of the first acoustic pressure measurement and at least one destructive interference signal. The destructive interference signal is characterized at least in part by the spatiality of the second acoustic pressure measurement. A higher-order microphone includes sensor elements configured to provide a destructive interference signal such that interference at one sensor element is configured to lower the destructive interference signal for the primary direction of directivity from a source signal.

High-fidelity microphones, particularly with the advent of portable electronic devices and other applications using captured sound, are of significant interest. Particularly, higher order, including second order microphones, offering reduced size and better sound capturing and processing qualities are amongst those most highly sought after. Despite advances over the years, microphones still have pickup patterns that exhibit unwanted sound and inability to isolate a sound source in, for example, a noisy environment.


Probiotic bacterial strains are provided which inhibit or prevent growth or pathogenic bacteria in marine organisms. Also provided are methods of culturing marine organisms using the probiotic bacteria.

Since the mid-1970's, the bivalve mollusk (oysters, clams, scallops and related species) aquaculture industry has become increasingly intensified, particularly on the west and east coasts of the United States, and more recently, efforts toward hatchery development are also taking place on the Gulf coast. Previously (and still, in some areas), the edible market industry for these products depended on wild reproduction and natural recruitment into extensively harvested populations. High variability in the supply and quality of natural bivalve seed motivated research and development to establish technology for the intensive management of brood stock, reproduction and rearing of bivalves, at least through early seed stages. Thus today, the industry in many locations on both the west and east coasts is based largely on an intensive agricultural production model, although there are many modes and methods for the grow out of marketable product. However, there remains a very significant need and opportunity to markedly improve the efficiency of various components in the production cycle, as well as address the unique problems inherent for each new species brought into aquaculture.
Although the bivalve shellfish seed production industry, even for the longest cultured species such as oysters, operates on a commercial scale, the consistency of production is still highly variable and a great scope for improvement of efficiency exists. One of the most serious challenges has always been the management of aggressive opportunistic bacterial infections in larval and juvenile cultures. One reason that these diseases have not been uniformly and effectively managed by sanitation and health management procedures is because the bacterial colonization of culture systems remains an uncontrolled variable. Sometimes the benign bacteria colonize the system but often pathogens or a population of bacteria that are antagonistic in some way to the cultured animals establish dominance and result in low productivity and high variability in the success of culture batches.
Opportunistic infections are even more significant in the culture of seed or juvenile bivalves than in larvae. Different shellfish species have variable susceptibility to these bacterial infections. Many, but not all of these infections, are caused by Vibrio spp. (Elston et al. 1999). Elston (1999) identified a variety of instances in which bacterial diseases were causal in larval and seed oyster mortalities. Chronic bacterial diseases of bivalve seed are especially insidious and often go unrecognized as a bacterial disease, even though the cumulative mortality may, in some cases, approach 100% (Elston et al. 1999) and poor growth and discarded substandard seed dramatically compound the losses. In addition, a syndrome of seed oyster losses along the northeast coast of the United States referred to as juvenile oyster disease (JOD), that affects seed of the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, appears to have a bacterial etiology (Boettcher et al., 2000). Current experience with commercial nursery losses shows that bacterial diseases of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), Kumomoto oyster (Crassostrea sikamea), and geoduck clam (Panope abrupta) seed can be highly destructive. The primary mode of pathogen invasiveness, especially for larval and seed oysters, is the progressive growth of bacteria from the oyster shell surface into the soft tissues (Elston et al. 1982, Elston et al. 1999) although there is limited documentation of gastro-intestinal bacterial abscesses (Elston and Leibovitz 1980) and the role of bacteria in the water column and associated with algal cultures is not well understood.
Based on the findings described above, there is a significant need in the art for compositions and methods to treat and or prevent pathogenic bacterial infections in marine orgamsms.


The invention relates to a convertible top arrangement for a vehicle, comprising a top mechanism, which actuates a convertible top and is arranged on a body of the vehicle, a rear window, which is designed to close an aperture in the convertible top when the top mechanism is closed, a rear-window mechanism arranged outside the top mechanism engaging on the rear window and on the body, the rear-window mechanism of the rear window being capable of being lowered outside the convertible top, thereby freeing the aperture, and raised against the convertible top, thereby closing the aperture, wherein the rear-window mechanism is designed as a double four-joint system that can be folded up in a Z shape.

The invention relates to a convertible top arrangement. More particularly, the invention relates to a convertible top arrangement of the type comprising a top mechanism, which actuates a convertible top and is arranged on a body of the vehicle, a rear window, which is designed to close an aperture in the convertible top when the top mechanism is closed, a rear-window mechanism arranged outside the top mechanism engaging on the rear window and on the body, the rear-window mechanism of the rear window being capable of being lowered outside the convertible top, thereby freeing the aperture, and raised against the convertible top, thereby closing the aperture.
Vehicles with cloth tops which allow windows made of plastic to be fitted into the top and removed are known in practice, although the top as such cannot be lowered. These removable windows are scratch-prone transparent plastic panels and fitting or removing them requires a considerable amount of work and, in particular, cannot be carried out while the vehicle is under way.
Also known in practice are all-terrain vehicles and transport vehicles in which the tail essentially forms a vertical end and the rear window is formed essentially vertical and flat, these vehicles allowing the window to be retracted in a guide rail within the paneled tail-flap structure in a manner similar to a side window. Although these known vehicles allow ventilation by means of the retractable rear window, it is not possible to apply this solution to a vehicle with a notch back or hatch back, especially a convertible.
Also known in practice are motor vehicles with a convertible top designed as a hard top, which can be folded as a whole and stowed in a holder arranged in the region of the C-post. However, it is not possible here to lower part of the top to ventilate the interior of the motor vehicle while at the same time retaining the remainder of the top.
It is furthermore known in practice, in addition to the top mechanism driving a pivoted folding top, to provide supporting arrangements for the rear window, which is, in particular, made of glass and inserted permanently into the pivoted top, to prevent sagging of the top due to the weight of the rear window and to stabilize the rear window. These supporting arrangements can only be released when the folding top is to be lowered and do not offer any possibility of ventilating the interior of the motor vehicle.
German laid open publication DE 36 07 650 A1 describes a convertible vehicle with a rear window which is enclosed in a frame, the frame together with the rear window closing the rear window opening in a raised position or opening it in a lowered position. The change in the position of the rear window is accomplished either by means of a handle or a worm/worm gear system, a pair of levers being attached at one end to an upper flange of the frame and at the other hand to a joint provided in a fixed manner on the body, and a second pair of levers being attached to a lower flange of the frame and to a mounting element. Basically, the pairs of levers define a four-joint system. With the flat window inserted, the frame performs a movement essentially along a circular radius and is deposited behind the driver""s seat in an almost vertical deposition position. To achieve leaktight contact with the roof structure, the frame, which is what gives the rear window its actual stiffness, is provided with a bulky seal in the form of a strip, which is not provided in the region of the upper edge of the rear window. There is the risk that the window will gradually be displaced out of its position under its own weight and owing to vibrations which occur under way, without the handle being operated. In the case of a motor drive, a special brake should be provided for this purpose, further increasing the outlay for the retractable rear window. It should furthermore be noted that the lever projects at least partially into the passenger compartment and hence performs troublesome movements in the region of the driver""s head and that, owing to the type of holder for the rear window, a structure of this kind can fundamentally only be considered for a two-seater convertible.
German patent DE 198 04 101 C1 describes a folding top for convertibles. With this folding top, a rear window rests by means of a frame surrounding the rear window on the outside of a convertible top, a flap provided on the outer frame being capable of assuming a position which deviates from the plane of the window and being pivotable about 90xc2x0 to allow it to be swung behind the convertible top, parallel to the frame, and hence to hold the window together with the frame. The window is opened by pivoting the flap upward and swinging the window outward by about 135xc2x0 by means of a piston/cylinder unit to allow the window to be deposited with its outer side lying flat underneath the luggage-compartment lid. For this purpose, the luggage-compartment lid must first of all be opened, more specifically about additional hinges provided at the rear, it being necessary for this purpose for the rear window to be of essentially flat design. This has the effect, in particular, that the rear window cannot be opened partially while under way.
German patent DE 197 53 209 C1 gives a theoretical description of a rear window that can be lowered, this rear window on the one hand being connected to the C-posts by connecting devices when closed and being capable of being lowered into the luggage compartment by means of joints. The joints can make up a four-joint system.
German patent DE 196 36 209 C1 describes a folding top for a convertible, in which a rear window made of glass or plastic is provided in the fabric of a rear top component which can be lowered into a top compartment with a lid independently of a front top component, the two independently movable top components being fixed relative to one another by means of a releasable locking arrangement which is not explained in greater detail. Since the two top components are cloth tops, it must be assumed that the linkage is locked by overcenter locking, where the internal stress in the top cloth ensures mutual locking.
German laid open publication DE 197 46 569 A1 describes a convertible top, the rear part of which is divided into a main frame part and a rear frame part, it being possible to swing the rear frame part down relative to the main frame part to allow space-saving arrangement in the luggage compartment. The main frame part includes the rear window. This document does not describe actuation of the rear frame part to open a window opening.
German patent DE 43 20 603 C2 describes a convertible in which a flat window that can be lowered by means of a handcrank or an electric motor is provided in the rear area, this window being capable of being lowered and raised on an extension of its flat plane. Together with the side parts, which can be pivoted down separately, and the roof component, the rear window defines the convertible top, the lowered rear window being stored outside the luggage compartment and there by entailing an increase in the overall length of the vehicle and furthermore having to be moved along a sealing surface of the side parts, the convertible having overall a cockpit which is not very attractive esthetically and falls away at a shallow angle.
It is the object of the invention to provide a convertible top arrangement which creates a flexible and space-saving means of ventilating the interior of a convertible vehicle.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a convertible top arrangement which allows a space-saving means to move and dispose a rear window of a convertible vehicle.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a convertible top arrangement which allows to design a convertible vehicle top having a curved back.
The present invention relates to a convertible top arrangement. More particularly, the invention relates to a convertible top mechanism, which actuates a convertible top and is arranged on a body of the vehicle, a rear window, which is designed to close an aperture in the convertible top when the top mechanism is closed, a rear-window mechanism arranged separately from the top mechanism engaging on the rear window and on the body, the rear-window mechanism of the rear window being capable of being lowered separately from the convertible top, thereby freeing the aperture, and raised against the convertible top, thereby closing the aperture.
A first embodiment of the present invention provides a convertible top arrangement for a vehicle, comprising a convertible top mechanism, which actuates a convertible top and is arranged on a body of the vehicle, a rear window, which is designed to close an aperture in the convertible top when the top mechanism is closed, a rear-window mechanism arranged separately from the top mechanism engaging on the rear window and on the body, the rear window mechanism of the rear window being capable of being lowered separately from the convertible top, thereby freeing the aperture, and raised against the convertible top, thereby closing the aperture, wherein the rear-window mechanism is designed as a double four-joint system that can be folded up in a Z shape.
Another embodiment of the present invention a convertible top arrangement for a vehicle, comprising a top mechanism, which actuates a convertible top and is arranged on a body of the vehicle, a rear window, which is designed to close an aperture in the convertible top when the top mechanism is closed, a rear-window mechanism arranged separately from the top mechanism engaging on the rear window and on the body, the rear-window mechanism of the rear window being capable of being lowered separately from the convertible top, thereby freeing the aperture, and raised against the convertible top, thereby closing the aperture, wherein the rear-window mechanism engages the top mechanism with the rear window raised.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a convertible top arrangement for a vehicle, comprising a top mechanism, which actuates a convertible top and is arranged on a body of the vehicle, a rear window, which is designed to close an aperture in the convertible top when the top mechanism is closed, a rear-window mechanism arranged separately from the top mechanism engaging on the rear window and on the body, the rear-window mechanism of the rear window being capable of being lowered separately from the convertible top, thereby freeing the aperture, and raised against the convertible top, thereby closing the aperture, wherein the rear window is made of curved single-layer safety glass.
Still another embodiment of the invention provides a convertible top arrangement for a vehicle, comprising a top mechanism, which actuates a convertible top and is arranged on a body of the vehicle, a rear window, which is designed to close an aperture in the convertible top when the top mechanism is closed, wherein the rear window is made of curved single-layer safety glass, a rear-window mechanism arranged outside the top mechanism engaging on the rear window and on the body, the rear-window mechanism arranged of the rear window being capable of being lowered separately from the convertible top, thereby freeing the aperture, and raised against the convertible top, thereby closing the aperture, wherein the rear-window mechanism is designed as a double four joint system that can be folded up in a Z shape, and wherein the rear-window mechanism engages the top mechanism with the rear window raised and the rear-window mechanism and the top mechanism enter into mutual form-locking engagement through projections and recesses which engage in one another in a form-locking manner.
According to the invention, the rear-window mechanism is designed as a double four-joint system that can be folded up in a Z shape, a window-side stop component having two joints for the pivotal connection of two links which, at their end pointing away from the window-side stop component, are connected pivotally to two further links, which form the diagonal arm of the Z. The two window-side links extend essentially parallel to or along the sides of the rear window and are pivoted by only a small amount relative to the latter. The intermediate links, for their part, are each connected pivotally to a link forming the foot of the Z. The preferred design of the rear-window mechanism makes it possible to provide the stop components for the rear window approximately in the middle and thus to limit the pivoting radius of the displacement. Moreover, the stop components for the rear window are provided in the border region of the latter, with the result that the associated links of the rear-window mechanism do not extend on the optical axis, defined by the rear-view mirror and the aperture, which could obstruct the driver""s view. Moreover, the approximately central arrangement of the stop components for the rear window, one on the left and one on the right, allows very uniform distribution of pressures and forces over the, generally curved, area of the rear window.
The convertible top arrangement according to the invention makes it possible to release the rear window from the top and lower it independently of the latter and thus provide ventilation for the interior of the vehicle. This makes it possible to ventilate the interior of the vehicle without the need to open the entire top. In particular, it is possible to open and close the rear window while the motor vehicle is under way, something which is generally not possible for the top as a whole. This makes it possible, e.g. at high temperatures, when the interior is heated up particularly severely owing to the, generally dark, colors of the top and the poor thermal insulation, to achieve rapid removal of the warm air, which generally rises, via the opened rear window, especially if this is combined with opening a side window, without the need to open the entire top. This is advantageous particularly when the intention is to make journeys at high speed over relatively long distances, where the driver does not want to expose himself to the relative wind and the sun or where, for example, a shower could damage the interior fittings of the vehicle if the top were open. The convertible top arrangement according to the invention furthermore also makes it possible to insert long or bulky objects, which may protrude, or guide them through the aperture for the rear window since, in the case of vehicles with a convertible top, the storage space required for the folded-up top often prevents objects from being passed through the luggage compartment. Other objects too can be passed into the vehicle from the rear in this way.
Another advantage of the convertible top arrangement according to the invention is that the rear window can be stored in an optimum manner in the place of deposit, independently of the convertible top, thanks to its arrangement in a particular position in the stowage space, in particular due to the fact that the folded length of the convertible top no longer depends on the height of the rear window integrated into it but can be reduced to smaller formats. Moreover, when pressing the top in a corresponding place of deposit, there is no need to consider the risk of breaking or scratching the rear window. Replacement of the rear window, which is otherwise integrated into the top, is also made easier in the event of breakage or damage.
Moreover, in addition, the convertible top arrangement according to the invention provides advantageous support for the window when raised, thereby eliminating vibration of the rearward part of the top, which otherwise carries the window, and improving visibility to the rear, in particular via an interior rear-view mirror. It is self-evident that visibility to the rear is likewise unimpaired with the window lowered. The possibility of lowering the rear window and the convertible top separately and independently of one another furthermore creates an opportunity to provide a larger rear window than was hitherto necessary owing to the matter of stowage, thereby allowing visibility to the rear to be further improved. The weight imposed on the convertible top and its associated tendency to sag is also reduced in an effective manner, thereby allowing the use of top fabrics in the rearward region of the top which are thinner and hence less expensive to produce.
Another advantage of the convertible top arrangement according to the invention is that it is possible to provide ventilation for the interior of the vehicle while imposing on the driver of the vehicle significantly less driving noise and, furthermore, less severe drafts since the rear window is at a sufficiently large distance from the front seats, in particular, in the interior of the vehicle. In the case of a folding top, the material of the top can moreover be made with approximately the same thickness in the region of the aperture for the rear window as the remainder of the top, thereby making possible a further reduction in space when the top is lowered as a xe2x80x9cpackagexe2x80x9d.
A rear-window mechanism arranged outside the top mechanism ensures that, in a first, raised end position, the rear window closes the aperture in the convertible top and brings the rear window into contact with the convertible top in such a way that the contact between the two components is, to a first approximation, airtight and, in all cases, rainproof. In the second, lowered end position, in which the aperture is open, the rear window is completely outside the region of the aperture and also outside the angle of vision of a rear-view mirror in the vehicle interior and thus allows unobstructed visibility to the rear without partially closing the aperture. In the lowered open position, the rear window is in an end position in which it does not touch the closed top and permits free actuation of the top. It is expediently possible to halt the rear window at any desired position along its path of displacement from the first end position to the second end position and back, as with a side window, in order to vary, with respect to the cross section of flow exposed, the air gap created by opening the aperture in the convertible top by pivoting the rear window away. However, it is also possible, as an alternative, to provide just two end positions and to eliminate the possibility of halting the rear-window mechanism in an intermediate position, in which the rear window might be exposed without protection to loads that would result in breakage or scratching. It is furthermore possible to provide a rear window for a convertible which, in terms of its dimensions, corresponds completely or substantially to the rear window of a vehicle with a fixed structure, so that the overall styling of the vehicle is not lost as a result.
With the rear window closed, i.e. raised, the rear-window mechanism preferably changes the top mechanism and, in particular, means are provided for locking the rear-window mechanism relative to the top mechanism, e.g. a device which engages in a form-locking manner and by which the rear window is fixed locally- at least in one directionxe2x80x94relative to the top and its aperture in such a way that the formation of a gap due to shock-induced movements while under way or due to other causes is eliminated in an effective manner. Moreover, the locking system can interact with the top mechanism in such a way that unintentional release of the rear-window mechanism, e.g. after depressurization of the hydraulic actuating cylinder or due to the rear window""s own weight, is prevented by the fact that the so-called fifth hoop (tensioning hoop) of the top must first be raised slightly in order to release the rear-window mechanism from its positive engagement with the top mechanism. When opening the rear window, it would then admittedly be necessary first of all to release the top at the rearward, fifth, hoop while, for the closure of the window, the locking system could be of the snap-action type to ensure reliable and tensioned latching-in of the rear window and moreover advantageously to indicate this fact by means of a snap sound.
However, it is advantageous if the form-locking engagement between the rear-window mechanism and the top mechanism defines only a supporting abutment which acts essentially normal to the aperture and along the partially open exit path of which the top mechanism can thus slide out again with initial guidance as the rear window is lowered.
In a snap-action development which is possible as an alternative, the snap fit for the rear window would be released automatically as the top was lowered, so that in the case where the top is retracted, the usual steps involved in retracting the top would be modified in that, after the release of a (releasable) fifth hoop, the rear window would be released from the top by the rear-window mechanism and lowered into the position in which it opens the aperture, while the top as such would simultaneously be lowered. In this case, it is possible to arrange the package comprising the top above the lowered rear window in such a way that the latter, for its part, can be raised only when the top has been raised again. The process of retracting the rear window while lowering the top is expediently synchronized using a hydraulic control system but it is also possible to provide this constraint by mechanical coupling of the top mechanism and the rear-window mechanism, it always being possible to actuate the rear-window mechanism independently of the top mechanism to lower the rear window with the top raised.
It is expedient if the top mechanism can be actuated to open or close the convertible top only with the rear window lowered, i.e. if the convertible top can only be completely raised or lowered if the rear window is first moved into the lowered end position or is lowered into this position during this process. This is an expedient way of ensuring that the rear window arranged in the region of the aperture in the top is not damaged while the top is being lowered.
The rear window preferably comprises curved single-layer safety glass. Although it is likewise possible to provide a rear window made of plastic or uncurved glass, the convertible top arrangement allows the provision of a rear window with a spherical shape and transverse bending in a correspondingly shaped aperture in the top, which rear window can then no longer be moved in a linear guide parallel to the top but is opened by pivoting. In contrast to plastic, single-layer safety glass is very scratch-resistant and can also help to give the impression of a vehicle with high-spec equipment, e.g. by tinting or some other adaptation to the design of the vehicle body. Moreover, the intrinsic weight of a rear window made of single-layer safety glass can be supported reliably by means of the rear-window mechanism and can be countenanced without imposing additional weight on the top, even in the case of a relatively large rear window. As a result, there is no weight-induced bending of the top material and, in addition, the spherically curved rear window is especially suitable for transmitting force over its entire edge to the border material surrounding the aperture in the top. It is expedient if the rear window made of single-layer safety glass has an enamel component, which is printed on and burnt in and is designed in a known manner as a decorative print or conductor track. The decorative print, in particular the decorative print provided as a border, allows the lamination of the stop components for the rear window which are arranged on the inside. The conductor tracks on the rear window are optionally designed as antenna wire for a radio arranged in the interior or as heating wires for a rear-window heating system. It is not readily possible to achieve both functions with plastic windows. When conductor tracks are arranged on a surface of the rear window, e.g. either for radio reception or for a heated rear window, operation of these requires the ability for control via contacts. For this purpose, the contacts must follow the displacement of the rear window into the deposition region outside the aperture in the top and this requires either a long contact wire, which is, for example, seated on a spring-loaded spool in a manner which allows it to be wound up, or, preferably, a sliding contact, which establishes contact only when the rear window is in its raised position. As an alternative, it is possible to provide for the contacting of the conductor tracks of the rear window along the rear-window mechanism by using wires laid along the links of the latter, although these would admittedly have a certain length. In this case, the contact wires are routed outside the moving parts of the rear-window mechanism to prevent mutual interference.
It is fundamentally possible to connect the stop components of the rear-window mechanism to the rear window by using a screwed joint, it being necessary to produce corresponding holes with high precision in the rear window before bending the glass. Especially in the case of slotted holes for compensating tolerances and preventing stresses that endanger the rear window, cutting slotted holes may require sand-blast cutting of the window, this being associated with a considerable outlay. It is expedient if the stop component is not arranged directly on the window using holes through the latter but is connected to it using a rear-window frame which is preferably molded on and is, for example, composed of a plastic. This eliminates holes in the glass and, indeed, the stop component can, for example, be introduced during the encapsulation process itself, if appropriate together with electrical contacts. It is expedient if the encapsulating material is a foamed, curing plastic, such as polyurethane or PVC, which can be colored black using colored pigments, for example. The frame resting against the outside of the rear window expediently comes up against the border of the aperture in the top, it being possible for the two components to be given a matching shape and, in particular, also to have further means of, for example force-locking, retention, e.g. touch-and-close fasteners or the like. In particular, it is possible for the two components to define a seal using projecting ribs and depressions in the manner of an interengaging labyrinth. As an alternative to encapsulation or screwed joints, there is also the possibility of bonding the stop component to the glass using a correspondingly shaped surface and a coating provided for this purpose if appropriate. Suitable adhesives for this purpose are, for example, those which are provided for the purpose of bonding the foot of the rear-view mirror to the windshield. The frame is expediently constructed from a slightly flexible material to enable relatively small tolerance deviations or play to be compensated and is furthermore preferably molded on in such a way that, when the rear window is mounted on, self-centering bedding in on the top takes place.
One advantage of complete enclosure of the periphery of the rear window, by encapsulation for example, is that when machining the edge of the glass it is not necessary to achieve a fully cylindrical grinding profile, which would otherwise have to be provided to avoid cuts in protruding portions or flanks that have not been cleanly ground.
It is expedient if the rear-window mechanism can be controlled by a hydraulically actuable piston/cylinder unit, so that the command to open the rear window issued by the push of a button by the driver of the vehicle, for example, leads to a movement of the rear-window mechanism due to the hydraulic actuation of the piston/cylinder unit. Hydraulic actuation is advantageous, in particular because the lever ratios for a pivoting movement in which that side of the rear window which faces the interior of the vehicle is pivoted in the direction. of the interior but also away to the rear can be achieved only with difficult using an electric drive. In principle, however, manual actuation by means of an actuating lever extending as far as the driver is also possible.
It is expedient to provide a control system which, on the basis of the position of the hydraulic piston/cylinder unit, reliably detects the pivoting travel of the rear window, e.g. using contact detectors or the like and, on this basis, controls the top mechanism or other moving parts or indicators of the vehicle. In particular, the control system can trigger the actuation of the rear window mechanism when the top mechanism as a whole is actuated and the rear window should be released from the top for this purpose. It is expedient to provide a separate contact detector for each joint arrangement of the rear-window mechanism.
It is possible to make the top fabric the same thickness in the region of the edge of the aperture as the remainder of the top fabric. However, it is expedient to reinforce the top material in the region of the edge of the aperture and, in particular, in the region of contact of the rear window or its border, it being possible for a reinforcement to comprise an applied plastic border or a sewn-in reinforcement. This ensures that, with the rear window lowered for example, the top is not tom or deformed by physical action.
According to a preferred development, it is possible to provide a check to indicate whether the displacement path of the rear window is free of obstructive material either placed in the displacement path or material piled on the lowered window. For this purpose, it is possible, on the one hand, to provide an optical measuring device which monitors the optical path of the movement of the rear window from its lowered position to its raised position and delivers a fault signal if the optical path is obstructed by objects or to provide a pressure or resistance sensor which delivers a warning signal during the movement of the rear window if there is increased resistance due, for example, to an increased weight of the window or due to an obstructing object which is inhibiting further movement.
Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the subclaims.
The invention will be explained in greater detail below by means of a preferred exemplary embodiment, with reference to the attached drawings.


A light emitting diode lighting system and kit includes a plurality of matched pairs of breakaway light emitting diode assemblies adapted to be mounted in a primary lamp holder where each individual matched pair assembly includes: (1) a light emitting diode coupled to a printed circuit board; (2) a break away housing adapted to be pressed fit over the light emitting diode; and (3) a breakaway lens adapted to be pressed fit into the housing to facilitate controlling the spread of light emitted by said light emitting diode from a wide range angle Ø to a narrow range angle β at a user selected breakaway angle θ of between about A degrees to about B degrees.

1. Field of the Invention
This application relates to adjustable lighting systems, lighting system kits, and methods for using the same. More particularly, this invention relates a to a light emitting diode lighting system, kit and method of using the kit to enable a user to customize light spread and distribution to illuminate an object within a field of view.
2. Background of Prior Art
Off road vehicles, military vehicles and similar vehicles and equipment need to illuminate large land areas with high intensity light in a fast and convenient manner. Therefore there is a need for a new and improved adjustable lighting system and lighting system kit for customizing a light spread and light distribution pattern across a desired field of view.

Adjustable LED lighting system, kit and method of using same


A software defined transmit architecture includes a plurality of individually selectable components that can be selectively enabled to transmit a data signal that complies with any of a plurality of transmission standards. The software defined transmit architecture comprises components that can be enabled by associated logic to transmit, for example, communications signals that comply with the global system for mobile communications (GSM), enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE), which employs TDMA, and wide band code division multiple access (WCDMA) transmission standards. A single transmit architecture supports multiple transmission standards, thus minimizing the number of components in a multi-band, multi-mode portable transceiver, while reducing the number of active components.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to transmit circuit architecture in a wireless portable communication device. More particularly, the invention relates to a software defined multiple transmit architecture for a wireless transmitter that is capable of communicating using multiple transmit methodologies.
2. Related Art
With the increasing availability of efficient, low cost electronic modules, mobile communication systems are becoming more and more widespread. For example, there are many variations of communication schemes in which various frequencies, transmission schemes, modulation techniques and communication protocols are used to provide two-way voice and data communications in a handheld, telephone-like communication handset. The different modulation and transmission schemes each have advantages and disadvantages.
As these mobile communication systems have been developed and deployed, many different standards, to which these systems must conform, have evolved. For example, in the United States, third generation portable communications systems comply with the IS-136 standard, which requires the use of a particular modulation scheme and access format. In the case of IS-136, the modulation scheme can be 8-quadrature phase shift keying (8QPSK), offset π/4 differential quadrature phase shift keying (π/4-DQPSK) or variations thereof and the access format is TDMA.
In Europe, the global system for mobile communications (GSM) standard requires the use of the gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modulation scheme in a narrow band TDMA access environment, which uses a constant envelope modulation methodology.
Furthermore, in a typical GSM mobile communication system using narrow band TDMA technology, a GMSK modulation scheme supplies a very low noise phase modulated (PM) transmit signal to a non-linear power amplifier directly from an oscillator. In such an arrangement, a non-linear power amplifier, which is highly efficient, can be used thus allowing efficient modulation of the phase-modulated signal and minimizing power consumption. Because the modulated signal is supplied directly from an oscillator, the need for filtering, either before or after the power amplifier, is minimized. Further, the output in a GSM transceiver is a constant envelope (i.e., a non time-varying signal containing only a phase modulated (PM) signal) modulation signal.
Many non-constant envelope transmit architectures use a modulation scheme where both a PM signal and an amplitude modulated (AM) signal are transmitted. Standards employing these schemes increase the data rate without increasing the bandwidth of the transmitted signal. Unfortunately, even though it would be desirable to have one portable transceiver that can accommodate all of the above-mentioned transmission schemes, existing GSM modulation schemes are not easily adapted to transmit a signal that includes both a PM component and an AM component. One reason for this difficulty is that in order to transmit a distortion free signal containing a PM component and an AM component, a highly linear power amplifier is required. Unfortunately, highly linear power amplifiers are very inefficient, thus consuming significantly more power than a non-linear power amplifier and drastically reducing the life of the battery or other power source.
In non-constant envelope modulation, an amplitude modulated (AM) portion of the signal causes the transmit output signal to vary in amplitude. In constant envelope modulation, the transmit output signal is always at a constant amplitude. Emerging communication standards, such as enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE), which is an extension to the global system for mobile, communications (GSM) and wide band code division multiple access (WCDMA) will likely use a non-constant envelope modulation scheme. As the transmit architectures for these new standards are under development, it is generally desirable to have a single transmit architecture that supports as many standards as possible.
One possible manner of developing a single transmit architecture that is capable of both constant envelope and non-constant envelope modulation use a conventional upconverter with filters inserted into the transmit chain. Such an architecture requires filters at the intermediate frequency (IF), at the radio frequency (RF) before the power amplifier and at RF after the power amplifier. Unfortunately, a multi-standard transmit architecture would require many filters to be switched in and out of the transmit circuit, or would require separate transmit chains.
Further, when a new wireless communication system standard emerges, it is desirable to have a transmit architecture that can satisfy the new standard and still remain "backwards compatible" with existing standards. Often the new standard is designed using principles and techniques that are fundamentally at odds with one another. For example, an existing standard may us TDMA, narrow signal bandwidth, constant-envelope modulation (i.e., GSM), while a new standard may use code access (CDMA), wide signal bandwidth, non-constant envelope modulation (i.e., wideband CDMA (WCDMA)). Further, the two systems may operate in different frequency bands. Such differences in transmission standards cause a "ripple effect" throughout the system design process and will typically result in very different transmit architectures (i.e., different filtering, different power amplification, etc.). Yet, it is desirable to have a single transmit architecture that can satisfy multiple standards.
Existing transmit architectures for wireless digital standards are not sufficiently flexible to support alternative standards without significant modifications of the transmit hardware. As a result, existing multiple standard (also referred to as "multi-band" or "multi-mode") transmit architectures require a significant number of components including both active and passive devices. This can require that a single portable communication device include two separate transmitters, resulting in a costly and excessively bulky device. Further, when operating in communication standards that require non-constant envelope modulation (i.e., standards that include an AM component), power efficiency is reduced, resulting in shortened battery life and increased heat dissipation from the active components. An example of such a situation is the universal mobile telephone service (UMTS) standard, which requires a portable communication device to operate in both GSM mode and WCDMA mode.
With the increasing desirability of developing one worldwide portable communication standard, it would be desirable to have a portable transceiver that can operate in multiple digital standards, while minimizing the number of components in the transmit architecture.

Software defined multiple transmit architecture


A method for producing iron carbide by bringing iron ore into contact with a reducing gas containing hydrogen and a carbon compound at a high reaction temperature and at a reaction pressure of the atmospheric pressure or more to reduce and carburize the iron ore with the participation of a sulfur component, the method includes measuring the reaction temperature, partial pressure P(H.sub.2) of the hydrogen and partial pressure P(H.sub.2 S) of hydrogen sulfide contained in the reducing gas, calculating sulfur activity a.sub.s in the reducing gas from Equation (1) shown below, and adjusting the partial pressure P(H.sub.2 S) of the hydrogen sulfide in the reducing gas to obtain a.sub.s =1.0 to 2.0 at reaction temperatures of 550.degree. C. and above but less than 650.degree. C., a.sub.s =0.7 to 2.0 at 650.degree. C., and a.sub.s =0.05 to 1.0 at over 650.degree. C. and up to 950.degree. C.: (1) a.sub.s =(P(H.sub.2 S)/P(H.sub.2))/(P(H.sub.2 S)/P(H.sub.2)).sub.E where (P(H.sub.2 S)/P(H.sub.2)) represents the ratio between the partial pressures of H.sub.2 S and H.sub.2 in the reducing gas and (P(H.sub.2 S)/P(H.sub.2)).sub.E is the ratio between the partial pressures of H.sub.2 S and H.sub.2 in a condition where the reaction of Equation (2) below is in equilibrium: (2) FeS(s)+H.sub.2 (g)=Fe(s)+H.sub.2 S(g) where (s) and (g) represent solid and gaseous phases, respectively. The method includes controlling the reaction pressure to the atmospheric pressure or more in accordance with the oxidizing gas contained in a reducing gas at a reaction temperature of 650.degree. C. or more.

This invention relates to a direct iron making technology which utilizes a shaft furnace or a fluidized bed furnace, more particularly, to a method for producing iron carbide (Fe.sub.x C.sub.y, x/y=2 to 3) from iron ore efficiently.
Iron carbide has been attracting considerable attention in recent years as a new, high-quality iron source material capable of realizing a new generation of energy-saving iron making technology which produces a smaller amount of carbon dioxide gas. There have been known some methods for producing iron carbide. These include a Stelling method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,780,537 in which fine iron ore is brought into contact with gas containing carbon monoxide (CO) at a temperature between 400.degree. C. and 900.degree. C., and an Iron Carbide method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,053,301 in which fine iron ore is reduced by H.sub.2 gas at a temperature between 595.degree. C. and 705.degree. C. in a fluidized bed and carburized by a carbon-containing substance at the same time.
In the Iron Carbide method, when the treatment temperature is raised to improve the reduction efficiency, metallic iron produced in a furnace is liable to cause the sticking phenomenon derived from the surface characteristics of the produced metallic iron, making it difficult to ensure the stable operation. In producing sponge iron or iron carbide, there is liable to occur an undesirable phenomenon that pipes are plugged by free carbon or soot caused by precipitation from CO and CH.sub.4 in a reducing gas. Another undesirable phenomenon is brittle fracture of a reactor vessel, for example, due to carburizing reaction. To overcome these problems, the operation temperature is kept in a lower range or the concentration of carburizing gases such as CO and CH.sub.4 is controlled to be slightly higher than that at which Fe/Fe.sub.3 C equilibrium is attained.
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 44-14462 discloses a method for suppressing conversion of CO to free carbon or to carbon reactable with iron in the process of sponge iron production. In this method, specifically, 1 to 1000 ppm by volume of sulfur compounds is added to the reducing gas within a temperature range of 426.degree. C. to 816.degree. C.
However, the productivity of the conventional iron carbide producing methods is extremely low. This is because iron carbide is produced at relatively low treatment temperatures and with carburizing gas composition close to the Fe/Fe.sub.3 C equilibrium, that is, under conditions undesirable for reducing and carburizing reactions.
In view of these problems, the inventors of this application have studied to improve the productivity of iron carbide, and discovered that it is possible to 1) suppress precipitation of free carbon without hindering iron carbide production; and 2) prevent decomposition of the produced iron carbide by adjusting the activity of sulfur contained in a reducing gas containing hydrogen and a carbon compound and by causing the iron carbide to adsorb sulfur on its surface. Based on this discovery, the inventors succeeded in producing iron carbide at a remarkable high efficiency.
However, there has been yet a problem to be solved. Specifically, the reducing gas usually contains oxidizing gas, such as H.sub.2 O, CO.sub.2. It has been noticed that the oxidizing gas hinders the production of iron carbide, and give adverse influence to the production of iron carbide. Also, it is usually impossible to remove the oxidizing gas from the reducing gas entirely. This requires fine and delicate control of composition of reducing gas in accordance with various reaction conditions, thus impairing the industrial applicability.