A locking electrical adaptor. The adaptor includes a housing with a pair of conductive prongs for carrying an electrical current, and a grounding prong for grounding an electrical connection of the pair of conductive prongs. The grounding prong is comprised of a flexible conductive material, and includes a lip on a portion thereof, such that upon insertion of the adaptor into an electrical outlet, the lip snaps into place behind a ridge of the electrical outlet to secure the adaptor thereto and lock it in place. The adaptor may be unlocked by depressing a button disposed on the housing, which bends the grounding prong and displaces the lip. After the adaptor is unlocked, the adaptor may be removed from the electrical outlet.

The present invention relates to a locking electrical adaptor for securing an electrical connection between the adaptor and an electrical outlet.
An electrical adaptor is inserted into an electrical outlet to complete a circuit such that a current of the circuit is transmitted through a utility connected to the adaptor, for use of the utility. Many such utilities may require movement to operate the utility, such as rolling a vacuum cleaner, operating a floor buffer, using a power drill at various positions within a space, and the like. These movements can contribute to an increased risk of the adaptor becoming disengaged from the outlet, which opens the circuit and disrupts usage of the utility. These interruptions can be frustrating and labor-intensive, and can lead to mistakes made when using the utility. In addition, some outlets may be positioned at an odd angle, such as on a ceiling or other structure, such that use of the outlet may be difficult or impossible in view of the adaptor persistently falling out of the outlet or otherwise becoming loose such that the circuit is opened.
Therefore, there is a need for an electrical adaptor that removably locks in place within an electrical outlet, such that the adaptor does not fall out of the outlet during use of the adaptor. The present invention addresses this unmet need.
Devices have been disclosed in the art that relate to electrical adaptors. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices are often difficult to use, and unsatisfactory in the sense that they do not effectively reduce the probability of the adaptor opening a circuit or falling out of the outlet. In view of the devices disclosed in the art, it is submitted that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing electrical adaptors. In view of the present disclosure, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in structural and functional elements from devices in the art, and substantially fulfills an unmet need in the art.


An electronic device may include a screen and a plurality of lights. A plurality of image frames may be provided with each image frame defining an image for display on the screen. Illumination instructions may be provided for the plurality of lights, wherein different illumination instructions are associated with different image frames and wherein each illumination instruction defines a respective illumination pattern for the plurality of lights. The images defined by the respective image frames may be displayed on the screen. While displaying a first image defined by a first image frame on the screen, a first illumination pattern for the plurality of lights may be provided with the first illumination pattern being defined by a first illumination instruction associated with the first image frame. While displaying a second image defined by a second image frame on the screen, a second illumination pattern for the plurality of lights may be provided with the second illumination pattern being defined by a second illumination instruction associated with the second image frame. Moreover, the first and second illumination patterns may be different. Related methods and computer program products are also discussed.

The present invention relates to the field of data files, and more particularly, to image data files and related display methods.
Multi-layer (or multi-page) images can be thought of as a set of images, all typically but not necessarily the same size, which are combined for the purpose of displaying on an output display device. Thus, multi-layer refers to multiple images in a single file. Each image in the file may be referred to as a layer. Multi-layer images may be used for image editing, graphic design, and/or animation (such as animation in web pages on the Internet). As will be known to those having skill in the art, the Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) is widely used as a file format for animation. The Graphics Interchange Format is discussed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,714,202.
The GIF standard includes layers (or multiple images) which may be provided in sequence order. Each layer of a GIF file may be of different size and may be positioned using offset coordinates to improve storage efficiency in cases where only small areas contain changes from one layer to the next. The GIF standard defines a virtual screen upon which each layer is composed. The GIF standard generally uses a control block structure to indicate how the layers in the file are to be displayed. Each layer of the file format may be preceded by a control block, which may include: information about the location of the top left corner in the virtual screen, information on how long the layer should be displayed before proceeding to the next layer in the file; and whether the layer should be removed prior to display of a next layer in the file. This control block based structure may allow for relatively simple software implementation of the decoder. In fact little additional coding may be required to implement a GIF decoder capable of correctly displaying multi-layer animated GIF images.
The GIF standard is further discussed in the GIF specification entitled "GRAPHICS INTERCHANGE FORMAT (sm)", Version 89a, Jul. 31, 1990, pages 1-34.

Graphic data files including illumination control and related methods and computer program products


A silver halide color photographic material comprising a blue sensitive emulsion layer unit, a green sensitive emulsion layer unit and a red sensitive emulsion layer unit provided on a support, at least one of said three color sensitive emulsion layer units containing at least three emulsion layers different from one another in sensitivity, in which all photosensitive layers of said three color sensitive emulsion layer units contain photosensitive tabular silver haloiodide grains having an aspect ratio of from two to 100 and said photosensitive tabular silver haloiodide grains contain grains each having a projection at at least one vertex thereof, whereby a color photographic material having excellent relation between sensitivity and granularity and improved push-processing suitability can be provided.

In general, a color photographic material comprises color sensitive emulsion layer units having color sensitivity different from one another which are provided on a support, the units each containing at least one silver halide emulsion layer. (The color sensitivity herein means a nature to have sensitivity to any one of three regions of visible spectrum, that is, red, green and blue.
In the field of color photographic materials, and particularly, in the color reversal photographic materials which are frequently used by professional photographers, high-sensitivity color photographic materials are required to take sports photographs which need high shutter speed or to shoot particular scenes under insufficient quantity of light for exposure like stage photography. However, the high-sensitivity color photographic materials have coarse granularity, and therefore, improvement in the relation between sensitivity and granularity has been desired.
On the other hand, sensitivity adjustment owing to processing has also been conducted to compensate for underexposure. This sensitivity adjustment owing to processing is usually called "push-processing", and in the color reversal photographic materials, push-processing is done by extending the standard processing time in the first development (black-and-white development).
However, conventional color reversal photographic materials do not necessarily have sufficient push-processing suitability. In fact, the first development requires time much longer than the standard processing time to obtain high sensitivity in some cases, or in some photographic materials having a structure composed of two layers, a high sensitivity layer and a low sensitivity layer, different push-processing suitability of both the layers causes variation in gradation owing to the push-processing. An attempt to increase an extent of the push-processing by extending the first development time often results in a marked decrease in color image densities, or difference in the push-processing suitability among a red sensitive layer, a green sensitive layer and a blue sensitive layer causes deterioration in color balance in some cases.
Accordingly, the development of techniques for bringing about an excellent relationship between the sensitivity and the granularity and for obviating defects caused by the push-processing has been desired.
JP-A-51-128528 (The term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application") (U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,553) discloses that a color reversal photographic material having silver halide emulsion layers which are studded with silver halide grains fogged at the surfaces thereof is improved in the interlayer effect. However, the surface-fogged silver halide grains should be differentiated from silver halide grains fogged in the interior thereof (claim (11) in JP-A-51-128528), and addition of such surface-fogged silver halide grains has an adverse effect on photographic properties in standard processing, and in addition, the disadvantage of markedly lowering densities of color images owing to the push-processing.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,996,382, 3,178,282 and 3,397,987 disclose that incorporation of both silver halide grains capable of forming surface latent images on exposure and silver halide grains containing internal fog nuclei into emulsion layers raises the sensitivity and the contrast of a negative image forming photographic element. However, these specifications give no description of push-processing, or conventional color reversal photographic materials at all. Further, in this photographic element, the silver halide grains having the surface latent images release a reaction product in response to exposure amounts during development after exposure, the reaction product generating cracks in the silver halide grains containing internal fog nuclei to make development possible. Therefore, this causes the sensitivity and the contrast to increase even in standard processing to make it impossible to control the sensitivity raised owing to the push-processing.
Further, it is described in JP-B-46-19024 (The term "JP-B" as used herein means an "examined Japanese patent publication") (U.S. Pat. No. 3,505,068) that, with a color reversal photographic material in which a color sensitive emulsion layer is composed of a high sensitivity layer and a low sensitivity layer, the contrast can be efficiently lowered, when silver iodide is used for the high sensitivity layer and grains in which cores consisting of silver haloiodide are covered with shells composed of a silver halide which contains no silver iodide at all are used for the low sensitivity layer. However, the core-shell type silver halide grains used herein exhibit no particular action on the push-processing, because they contain no fog nuclei in the interior thereof.
Further, JP-A-59-214852 discloses that, as a technique for yielding no variation in gradation and no deterioration in color balance and for controlling relatively small the extent of decrease in the densities of color images due to the push-processing, a silver halide emulsion containing fog nuclei in the interior thereof is incorporated into silver halide emulsion layers or layers adjacent to the silver halide emulsion layers, and these fog nuclei function in the push-processing to promote development. In this technique, the sensitivity of the emulsion layers into which a silver halide emulsion having fog nuclei in the interior thereof is incorporated increases on push-processing, and therefore the addition of this emulsion to the emulsion layers undergoing relatively limited extent of sensitization makes it possible to adjust color balance after the push-processing. However, when the sensitivity increase of a particular emulsion layer after the push-processing is extremely large, even incorporation of a large amount of the above-mentioned silver halide emulsion having fog nuclei in the interior thereof into the emulsion layers undergoing a limited extent of sensitization brings about insufficient sensitivity increase in some cases. In these cases, the push-processing gives no satisfactory color balance, and in addition, the incorporation of a large amount of the emulsion having fog nuclei in the interior thereof results in decrease in densities of color images.
On the other hand, colloidal silver is known to improve developing activity of the neighborhood more than the above-mentioned fogged emulsion. Photographic materials containing colloidal silver in emulsion layers or adjacent layers thereof are described, for example, in JP-A-60-126652, JP-A-63-304252, JP-A-2-110539, JP-A-3-113438, JP-A-3-226732, and U.S. Pat. No. 979,001. Of these patents, U.S. Pat. No. 979,001, JP-A-60-126652, JP-A-63-304252, JP-A-2-110539, and JP-A-3-113438 aim at improving image quality and gradation reproduction. Although JP-A-3-226732 refers to the push-processing suitability, it does not state at all that yellow colloidal silver gives high push-processing suitability, and an attempt to incorporate yellow colloidal silver into each layer adjacent to the color sensitive layers is not made. To put it shortly, the effect of colloidal silver on improvement in developing activity, that is, what colloidal silver should be used or how the colloidal silver should be incorporated into a photographic material, has never been examined in order to improve the push-processing suitability.
The process for preparing the tabular silver halide grains and the technique for using them are already disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,434,226, 4,439,520, 4,414,310, 4,433,048, 4,414,306, and 4,459,353, JP-A-59-994335, JP-A-60-209445, and JP-A-63-151618. Some advantages are known about it, which include sensitivity increase including improvement in efficiency of color sensitization due to sensitizing dyes, good relationship between the sensitivity and the granularity, improvement in sharpness due to peculiar, optical nature of the tabular grains and improvement in covering power.
JP-A-59-133540 discloses a silver halide emulsion containing silver halide host grains which are mainly enclosed with {111} crystal faces and have an average aspect ratio smaller than 8:1 and a silver salt which is epitaxially located on selected surface sites of the host grains and substantially limited to the sites, in which the silver halide host grains contain the iodide in an amount insufficient for the epitaxial silver salt to be directed to the selected surface sites of the host grains. However, this specification gives no description of the push-processing which this silver halide emulsion may undergo.
It is mentioned in JP-A-63-244030 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,272) that a photographic material in which silver halide grain substrates have projections on the surfaces thereof and the projections have silver halide composition different from that of the substrates so that the solubility of the projections in developing solution can be higher than the solubility of the substrates in developing solution provides enhanced sharpness without sensitivity decrease. It is revealed, however, that the flexibility to control of the push-processing is insufficient, because the solubility of the projections is much greater than that of the substrates so that the projections dissolve in processing solution in a short period of time.

Silver halide color photographic material


An ultrasound delivery catheter equipped and configured for concurrent delivery of drugs or therapeutic agents. The catheter comprises an elongate pliable catheter body having an ultrasound delivery member or wire extending longitudinally therethrough. A drug/therapeutic agent infusion lumen also extends longitudinally through the body of the catheter and opens distally through one or more outflow apertures at or near the distal end of the catheter body. The drug/therapeutic agent outflow apertures are preferably positioned and configured to cause the drug or therapeutic agent to flow in direction(s) non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter. The delivery of ultrasound through the catheter, concurrent with infusion of drug or therapeutic agent therethrough, will cause the drug or therapeutic agent to be disseminated or dispersed by the ultrasonic vibration or movement at the distal end of the catheter.

A number of ultrasonic devices have heretofore been proposed for use in ablating or removing obstructive material from anatomical structures, such as blood vessels. Examples of devices which purportedly utilize ultrasonic energy, alone or in conjunction with other treatment modalities, to remove obstructions from anatomical structures include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,433,226 (Boyd), 3,823,717 (Pohlman, et al.), 4,808,153 (Parisi), 4,936,281 (Stasz), 3,565,062 (Kuris), 4,924,863 (Sterzer), 4,870,953 (Don Michael, et al.), 4,920,954 (Alliger, et al.), and 5,100,423 (Fearnot) as well as other patent publications W087-05739 (Cooper), W089-06515 (Bernstein, et al.), W090-0130 (Sonic Needle Corp.), EP316789 (Don Michael, et al.), DE3,821,836 (Schubert) and DE2,438,648 (Pohlman).
Ultrasound transmitting catheters have been utilized to successfully ablate various types of obstructions from blood vessels of humans and animals. Patients who are candidates for ultrasound ablation of vascular obstructions may also be candidates for treatment by various thrombolytic agents (i.e., blood clot dissolving agents) or other therapeutic agents or drugs.
Many types of therapeutic agents or drugs may be delivered by the ultrasonic catheter of the present invention. The types of agents or drugs which may be utilized in cardiovascular applications of the catheter include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
i. Thrombolytic Agents
Examples of thrombolytic agents utilized to dissolve thrombotic material include: streptokinase (Streptokinase for Infusion, Astra Pharmaceutical Products, Inc., Westboro, Mass., and Kabikinase.RTM., Kabi Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.); urokinase (Abbokinase.RTM., Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Ill..); and tissue plasminogen activator (TPA). Such agents are administered intravascularly following myocardial infarction or other cardio vascular events wherein a thrombus is suspected to be in formation or in existence.
ii. Anticoagulant Agents
Examples of anticoagulant agents utilized to prevent the subsequent formation of thrombus or blood clots include heparin (Heparin Sodium Injection, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories Philadelphia, Pa.).
In patients who are undergoing ultrasonic angioplasty procedures wherein a vascular obstruction is ablated by way of ultrasonic vibration, the administration of one or more therapeutic agents or drugs may be indicated before, during or after ultrasonic ablative procedure. Thus, it is desirable to design an ultrasonic ablation catheter through which various therapeutic agents or drugs may be delivered.
Additionally, it is desirable to design and devise new catheter devices for concurrently delivering a flow of liquid medicament along with ultrasonic vibration such that the distribution, delivery, absorption and/or efficacy of the medicament may be improved or enhanced by the ultrasonic vibration.

Ultrasound catheter having integrated drug delivery system and methods of using same


An integrated circuit comprising logic circuits and self-test circuits for testing logic circuits including a pseudo random pattern generator for generating at least one pseudo random pattern and weighing circuit for weighing the pseudo random pattern. The weighting circuit and pseudo random pattern generator generate a plurality of weighted pseudo random patterns including at least one pair of a first weighted pseudo random pattern and a second weighted pseudo random pattern that is the complement of the first pattern. A weighting instruction selects one of the first or second pseudo random patterns for testing the logic circuits.

Complex very large scale integrated circuit devices fabricated on a single semiconductor chip contain thousands of functional circuit elements which are inaccessible for discrete testing. Because of the complexity of the internal interconnections and their combinational interdependencies, testing for device integrity becomes increasingly time consuming as the number of circuit elements increases.
If by way of example a semiconductor chip were to have fifty input connections, the number of combinations of inputs is 2.sup.50. While one could apply that number of different input patterns, record the output responses, and compare those responses with the responses that ought to result, that is a herculean task and impossible for modern production testing.
A testing protocol as above-described, is described in the Giedd et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,614,608 assigned to the assignee of the instant application. To reduce the number of patterns required for testing, Giedd et al. employed a random number generator to generate the test patterns. This expedient considerably reduces the number of patterns needed to test a device. This is true because a random pattern generator, unlike a binary counter, produces a succession of binary words wherein the split between binary zeros and ones approaches a 50% split for a substantial number of successive words, which number of words is considerably less than the total possible number of different words. Thus, each input to the device under test (DUT) has a 50% chance of receiving a binary zero or one input with a fewer number of input patterns.
A second expedient to reduce testing time is to employ weighted random patterns as inputs to the device under test (DUT). This ploy applies a statistically predetermined greater number of binary ones or binary zeros to the input pins of the DUT. The object is to apply a weighted test pattern that will have a maximum effect upon the inaccessible internal circuit elements.
A weighted random pattern test method is described by Carpenter et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,719,885 assigned to the assignee of the instant application. They employed a pseudo-random pattern generator to produce a random succession of binary words which were decoded from binary to decimal and the decimal taps connected together in groups of two, three, four, five, etc. to produce multiple or weighted outputs from the decoder. These outputs are then applied to a bit change which produces an output whenever it receives an input.
A further dissertation on weighted random pattern testing can be found in an article by H. D. Schnurmann et al. entitled "The Weighted IRandom Test-Pattern Generator", IEEE Transactions on Computers, Vol. C-24, No. 7, July 1975 at page 695 et seq.
Yet another expedient to improve testability is to build into the chip additional circuit connections for the sole purpose of testing. Obviously these circuits must be kept to a minimum, consistent with testing needs, because they reduce the availability of circuits for the routine function of the device. A device, exemplifying this built-in testability, is described in the Eichelberger U.S. Pat. No. 3,783,254, assigned to the assignee of the instant application. In Eichelberger, a shift register portion of a level sensitive scan device (LSSD) can receive inputs directly from an external connection and deliver an output, and are thus directly accessible for testing.
The use of "signatures" in lieu of a comparison of every individual test response with a known good output response is taught by Gordon et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,864.
While the prior art testing methods were suitable for testing devices of the then-existing complexity, the increase in circuit density requires more sophisticated testing techniques, not only to reduce testing time, but to assure the functional integrity of these devices. While a defective integrated circuit cannot be repaired, it would be most useful if one were able to diagnose the failure mode of the device to at least a few fault-prone elements so that process changes in the manufacturing of the device could be instituted to minimize the number of faults.
BIST (Built In Self Test) design, WRP (Weighted Random Pattern), and deterministic pattern test methodologies have evolved mainly in support of LSSD logic and structural testing, which is today the prevailing main design and test approach. The STUMPS structure shown in FIG. 1 illustrates a typical testing system 10 and chip design that incorporates these test methodologies. This structure utilizes a Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR) 12 which applies test vectors to an integrated circuit device under test (DUT) 14. After each clock cycle, a different test vector is applied to DUT 14. The outputs of DUT 14 are inputted into a Multiple Input Shift Register (MISR) 16.
These test methodologies allow for three distinct test modes. The first mode is based on deterministic LSSD and test techniques as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,783,254. It is fully compatible with the original structural test modes used since the early development of LSSD. In this mode the tester supplies the patterns to be loaded in each SRL (Shift Register Latches) chain and then pulses the appropriate system clocks. The problem encountered with this approach is that the generation and storage (at the tester) of the deterministic patterns is relatively expensive.
To overcome this problem the WRP methodology was developed. This second test mode utilizes a Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR) to algorithmically generate a set of pseudo random test patterns at the tester as shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,688,223, 4,745,355 and 4,801,870. These patterns are then biased or weighted to optimize them for a specific logic design. In addition, a Multiple Input Signature Register (MISR) is used to compress the DUT responses into a signature for eventual comparison to a predetermined good signature. Although this approach has advantages in test pattern volumes and generation cost, it requires special tester hardware.
The third test mode is based on extending some of these techniques to BIST and incorporates the LFSR and MISR in the DUT. The advantage of this approach is that it lessens the dependency on external test hardware support. The problem encountered here is that the patterns generated by the LFSR are "flat random" patterns that usually result in relatively low test coverage or excessive test time.
What is needed is a solution for testing dense VLSI chips which combines all three techniques or test modes described above to balance the three test modes so as to optimize test time, test data volume, and test coverage.

Weighted random pattern built-in self-test

International Business Machines Corporation


The disclosure relates to a lighting device. The object to provide a lighting device comprising a light guide, wherein the amount of guided light is further optimized, is solved in that the lighting device comprises: a light-emitting element with a light-emitting face; the light guide having a light entry face, the light guide being configured to guide light emitted by the light-emitting element by means of total internal reflection; and a separator sheet comprising a first face and a second face, wherein the first face is arranged in direct contact to the light entry face, wherein the second face is arranged opposite the light-emitting face, wherein the separator sheet is arranged such that a minimum distance between the light-emitting face and the light entry face is 300 μm or less, and wherein the separator sheet is arranged such that a gap is provided between the light-emitting element and the separator sheet at least in sections. The invention further relates to a method for production of such a lighting device and to an automotive head light comprising an inventive lighting device.

Lighting devices may comprise optical elements such as collimators configured to shape a directed beam of light from the light emitted by a light source. For example, a beam with specific dimensions and intensity distribution may be obtained from the light emitted by a light source by means of a collimator. Collimators are in particular useful for light-emitting elements such as LEDs that have a relatively broad angular distribution of emission, e.g. a Lambertian distribution of emission.
Optical elements may be configured as light guides. Light may be coupled into an entry face of the light guide, and for instance a collimation is effected inter alia based on a total internal reflection of light at side surfaces of the light guide. The effectivity of the lighting device crucially depends on the amount of light that is coupled into the entry face of the light guide. Hence, it is typically desirable to arrange the light-emitting element and the light guide as close to each other as possible to maximize the amount of light coupled into the light entry face.
In addition, the effectivity of the light guide is further dependent on the rate of total internal reflection and therefore on the angular distribution of the light entering the light guide. Light-emitting elements typically comprise ceramic light-emitting surfaces and transparent materials with high refractive indices such as silicone are used for the light guide. A direct optical contact between a light-emitting face of the light-emitting element and the light entry face of the light guide is to be avoided. Rather, an air gap is typically left between the light-emitting face and the light entry face, as the light is refracted at the interfaces between the light-emitting face and the air and between the air and the light entry face such that a larger amount of light may be subject to total internal reflection. A direct optical contact, on the contrary, would lead to a comparably unfavorable refraction of light at the interface of light-emitting face and light entry face and to a significant loss in intensity in the collimated light. In addition, blue light will be extracted more efficiently from the light emitting element compared to converted yellow light, which will lead to a color shift of the collimated light, in particular when thermal stresses occur.
Therefore, light-emitting element and light guide are usually arranged with a considerably large air gap between light-emitting face and light entry face to avoid such an optical contact. The distance between the light-emitting face and the light entry face is typically chosen with regard to the thermal expansion of the light guide and the production tolerances, which reduces the amount of light that is coupled into the light entry face.
Hence, lighting devices comprising light guides as collimators still require further optimization regarding the amount of light being coupled into the light guide and the effectivity of collimation.

Lighting device comprising separator sheet


A semiconductor power device includes a semiconductor body with a plurality of gate trenches formed therein. Disposed within each gate trench is a spacer gate that extends along at least a portion of the sidewalls of the gate trench but not along at least a portion of the bottom surface of the trench. The spacer gate of each gate trench may also include a layer of silicide along outer surfaces thereof. The semiconductor body may include a channel region and each gate trench may extend through the channel region and into the semiconductor body. Formed at the bottom of each gate trench within the semiconductor body may be a tip implant of the same conductivity as the semiconductor body. In addition, a deep body implant of the same conductivity as the channel region may be formed at the base of the channel region.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to semiconductor devices, and more specifically, to trench type power semiconductor devices with sidewall spacer gates and a method for fabricating the same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Trench type power semiconductor devices such as power MOSFETs are well known. For example, referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a portion of a power MOSFET 100 according to the prior art. MOSFET 100 includes a semiconductor body 14 having an epitaxially grown silicon layer 16 (sometimes referred to as an epitaxial layer or as the drain epi region) of one conductivity (e.g. N-type) formed over a silicon substrate 18 of the same conductivity, but of higher concentration of impurities. A channel region 20 (sometimes referred to as the body region) is formed in drain epi region 16 and extends from the top surface of the semiconductor body to a first depth. Channel region 20 has a conductivity opposite to that of drain epi region 16 (e.g. P-type). Formed within channel region 20 are source regions 22, which have the same conductivity (e.g. N-type) as drain epi region 16.
MOSFET 100 also includes a plurality of gate trenches, such as gate trench 12, formed in semiconductor body 14. A gate insulation layer 24 typically lines the sidewalls and bottom surface of the gate trenches. This insulation layer may be formed with silicon dioxide or the like. A conductive gate electrode 26 is disposed within each gate trench 12. Each gate electrode 26 is typically formed as a thick conductive polysilicon gate mass that fills the gate trench.
MOSFET 100 further includes a source electrode 28, which is electrically connected to source regions 22, and may also include high conductivity contact regions 30 formed in channel region 20. High conductivity contact regions 30 are highly doped with dopants of the same conductivity as channel region 20 (e.g. P-type) in order to reduce the contact resistance between source electrode 28 and channel region 20. Power MOSFET 100 further includes a drain electrode 32 in electrical contact with silicon substrate 18.
In power semiconductor devices like MOSFET 100, the gate trenches 12 typically extend at least through the entire thickness of channel region 20, and in particular, often extend into drain epi region 16. Similarly, the gate electrodes 26 typically overlap at least a portion of source regions 22, and extend through channel region 20 and often into drain epi region 16. With this configuration, the gate electrodes 26 fully overlap channel region 20 and allow for the formation of an accumulation region through the channel region so that current will flow between source electrode 28 and drain electrode 32.
In general, the configuration of gate trenches 12 and gate electrodes 26 in power semiconductor devices like MOSFET 100 create several issues. For example, as is known, the overlap of drain epi region 16 and gate electrodes 26 determines the gate-drain charge (Qgd) of the device, which can affect the switching frequency of the device. In general, it is desirable to reduce this overlap and to keep the gate-drain charge as small as possible. Nonetheless, it can be difficult to reduce this overlap/gate-drain charge. For example, one technique used to reduce the overlap is to use thin gate trenches 12, thereby reducing the size of the gate electrodes 26. However, the cleaning of thin gate trenches during device fabrication can be difficult, leading to trench defects.
Another technique used to reduce the gate-drain charge is to increase the thickness of gate insulation layer 24 along the bottom surface of the gate trenches 12. However, while it is desirable to make this region of gate insulation layer 24 thick, it is also desirable to keep the gate insulation layer 24 thin along the sidewalls of the gate trenches so as to keep the device threshold voltage (Vth) low. Unfortunately, the fabrication of a gate insulation layer 24 with varying thicknesses is often a complicated process sequence.
As is also known, it is desirable to keep the size of gate electrodes 26 in power semiconductor devices like MOSFET 100 small to reduce the gate charge (Qg) of the electrodes and thereby improve the efficiency of the device. One technique used to form small gate electrodes is to use thin gate trenches 12, as described above. However, as also described above, the use of thin trenches can lead to trench defects. Another technique used to reduce the size of the gate electrodes is to recess the electrodes into the gate trenches, as shown by MOSFET 100. As an example, gate electrodes 26 of a semiconductor device like MOSFET 100 may be formed by depositing a thick layer of polysilicon that fills trenches 12 and then etching the polysilicon back. As discussed above, it is desirable to have the gate electrodes overlap source regions 22. In general, it can be difficult to control the polysilicon recess depth to obtain this overlap when etching back a thick polysilicon gate mass.
Another problem with thick polysilicon gates 26 is that voids may form in the polysilicon as the polysilicon is deposited into the trenches 12. Such voids can trap charge that cause instabilities in the threshold voltage (Vt) and drain-to-source leakage current (Idss) of the device.
A further problem with gate trenches 12 and gate electrodes 26 is that it is desirable to have the gate trenches and thereby the gate electrodes extend into drain epi region 16 to ensure the gate electrodes overlap channel region 20, as discussed above. However, it can be difficult to control the trench etch depth to obtain sufficient overlap while not over etching the trenches. Again, over etching the trenches results in larger gate electrodes and thereby increased gate-drain charge and increased gate charge.

Trench MOSFET with sidewall spacer gates


A system for controlling an automatic vehicle transmission, including a gear system and hydraulic clutches which hold a member of the gear system stationary to produce gear reduction or reverse, having an oil line which connects the clutches to an oil pressure source, a pressure control valve having a solenoid provided in the oil line which generates a regulated oil pressure to be supplied to the clutches in response to a current supplied to the solenoid, a switch valve provided in the oil line which switches the oil pressure to be supplied to the one of the clutches between the regulated oil pressure and a line pressure. In the system, it is discriminated whether the pressure control valve does not supply the regulated oil pressure to the clutches and if so, a dither current is supplied to the solenoid such that the valve repeatedly performs a vibrational motion to remove any grit therefrom, thereby removing grit without causing gear-shift shock or clutch vibration.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a control system for an automatic vehicle transmission, particularly to a control system for oscillating a linear solenoid (more specifically, an actuator such as a pressure control valve, etc., connected or associated to linear solenoid) to remove foreign matter such as grit from the valve or actuator.
2. Description of the Related Art
Automatic vehicle transmissions are commonly shifted by using linear solenoid valves or the like (actuators) to operate hydraulic clutches. A technology for this is taught, for example, by Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 5(1993)-17,430. Upon being supplied with current, the linear solenoid (more precisely, a pressure control valve associated with the linear solenoid) supplies the hydraulic clutch with hydraulic pressure proportional to the supplied current so as to engage the hydraulic clutch and shift gears.
Nowadays, direct control using many actuators such as linear solenoid valves, i.e., control without use of an accumulator or other such hydraulic pressure storage means, is becoming increasingly common in hydraulically operated automatic vehicle transmissions.
One problem encountered by hydraulically operated automatic vehicle transmissions is grit (foreign particles) getting mixed into the oil (automatic transmission fluid or ATF). Although most of the grit is caught by a magnet, filter and the like installed in the hydraulic control circuit, total removal of grit of a grain diameter under 100 .mu.m is difficult. The remaining grit finds its way into the linear solenoids, pressure control valves and other components, where it is liable to cause locking, abnormal stroke and other problems.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. Hei 4(1992)-248,059, for example, teaches a method for removing grit by supplying a linear solenoid with dither current, i.e., oscillation-exciting current of a prescribed frequency and amplitude to vibrate the valve. The supplied dither current should be of large amplitude to ensure reliable grit removal.
However, supply of high-amplitude dither current results in large movement of the solenoid plunger and the pressure control valve. The large fluctuation in the hydraulic control pressure thus produces increased gear-shift shock and causes clutch oscillation or vibration. If the amplitude of the dither current is made small to avoid these problems, thorough grit removal cannot be achieved.

Solenoid self-cleaning pressure valve for automatic vehicle transmission


An apparatus is programmed with a video service for facilitating video communication with another remote apparatus, in accordance with a video communication protocol. The video service includes a still image function with logic for providing a plurality of progressive scans of one or more still images to the remote apparatus, in accordance with a still image communication protocol defined within the video communication protocol. In one embodiment, the still image function includes logic for instructing a local video capture driver to switch to a format of the still image function's choice for capturing video image frames, holding constant video image input to a video codec to generate the plurality of progressive scans of the still images, and implementing the still image communication protocol.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of digital imaging. More specifically, the present invention relates to the generation and provision of still images.
2. Background Information
In recent years, continuing advances in computing and communication technology have dramatically improved the affordability of high performance computing/communication devices. Increasingly, these relatively low cost high performance computing/communication devices are being used to conduct video communication, e.g. video telephony. Typically, the video communication are conducted over a low bit rate connection, e.g. a standard telephone connection. Due to the bandwidth constraints of the low bit rate connection, the video images exchanged between the communication endpoints are not of the highest quality. Reference is made to International Telecommunication Union - Telecommunication Standardization Section (ITU-T) Recommendation H.324, entitled "Terminal for low bit rate multimedia communication" (currently in draft form).
Nevertheless, quite often, a participant to a video communication will find it desirable to take a snap shot of the remote video images, i.e. to obtain a still image. Under the prior art, because the remote video images received are not of the highest quality, the snap shot or the still image obtained will not be of the highest quality either.sup.1. Such snap shots are especially inferior, when compared with still images generated and sent in accordance with any one of a number of still image techniques or standards known in the art. Typically, these higher quality still images are generated using specialized image generation software, and exchanged over a data link between the communication devices. Reference is made to the ITU-T Recommendation T.81, entitled "Information technology--Digital compression and coding of continuous-tone still images--Requirements and guidelines", and Recommendation T.84, entitled "Information technology--Digital compression and coding of continuous-tone still images--Extensions". FNT .sup.1 Note that it is the recipient of the remote video images who is taking the snap shots or generating the still images.
Thus, under the prior art, if high quality snap shots or still images are desired, the video communication must be conducted over a much higher bit rate connection to facilitate the provision of better video images, which means high speed connections such as T1 or Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) lines, as standard telephone connections are unable to meet the high bandwidth requirement, or in the alternative, separate image generation software and data link, in addition to the video communication software and video link, must be employed.
Therefore, it is desirable to have a more efficient and effective way for generating high quality "snap shots" of video images.

Method and apparatus for providing still images in a full motion video communication session using the same full motion video communication protocol


A distributed network device and method for policing a flow of traffic in the chassis switch in communication networks. The distributed network device incudes a first processor configured to perform an egress processing operation on data packets received from a plurality second processor units in the distributed network switch, the data packets being destined for a receiving device coupled to the distributed network switch. Further, the distributed network device includes a metering unit associated with the first processor, the meting unit configured to meter a flow of the data packets to the receiving device and output a metering result. Also, the distributed network device includes a message generator configured to communicate to the plurality of second processors in the distributed network device a notification message indicative of the metering result.

1. Field
The current disclosure relates to data communications, and more particularly, to policing a flow of data traffic in switches in communication networks.
2. Background
The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Traffic between a data provider network and a data receiver network is conventionally policed for a Service Level Agreement (SLA) compliance at egress devices in an edge switch that connects the provider network to the receiver network. However, policing at the egress devices results in dropping some data packets that have been significantly processed, for example through ingress and egress devices of a switch fabric.


In order to allow the use of an ink jet printing head of drop-on-demand type and with an ink nozzle assembly having a predetermined length in a direction of travel of a paper web to perform high precision and high speed printing, the ink jet printing head (2) is disposed relative to the traveling paper web (4) at a position such that the nozzle assembly (2a) lies opposed to a linearly traveling surface area of paper web that is leaving from a guide roller (3) immediately after the traveling paper web has had its wrapping contact with the same or a linearly traveling surface area of paper web that is approaching a guide roller (3) immediately before the traveling paper web has its wrapping contact with the same. The nozzle assembly (2a) of the ink jet printing head (2) has its upstream end positioned to coincide in position with a paper wrap end point lying at a downstream end of a paper wrap region in which the paper web (4) is wrapped on the guide roller (3) or has its downstream end positioned to coincide in position with a paper wrap start point lying at a upstream end of a paper wrap region in which the paper web (4) is wrapped on the guide roller (3).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus using an ink jet printing head to perform printing a paper web with jets of ink and, in particular, an ink jet printing head of drop-on-demand type having a nozzle assembly which comprises a plurality of nozzle rows juxtaposed with one another in a direction of travel of the paper web to give the nozzle assembly a predetermined length in the direction of travel of the paper web, each of the nozzle rows having a multitude of ink nozzles juxtaposed with one another in a direction of width of the paper web.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In an ink jet recording apparatus, it is an important requisite in providing good printing quality that the spacing between an ink jet printing head and the surface of a paper web (printing surface) be held constant. When use is made of an ink jet printing head which as in an ink jet recording apparatus as described, e. g., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,988, has a nozzle assembly made of only a single nozzle row having ink nozzles juxtaposed with one another in a direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of the paper web, namely in a direction of width of the paper web, the curving of a paper web traveling path with the paper web wrapped on a roller surface does not hinder printing on the paper web. However, when use is made of an ink jet printing head of drop-on-demand type which as in an ink jet recording apparatus as described, e. g., in JP H11-034360 A, has a nozzle assembly made of a plurality of nozzle rows juxtaposed with one another in a direction of travel of a paper web, the ink discharge ports in these nozzle rows arranged in the direction of travel of paper must have their front ends arranged in a plane whereby if the paper web traveling path is curved with the paper web wrapped on a roller surface, a change may be created in distance between the front ends of the ink nozzles (ink discharge ports) and the paper surface along the direction of travel of the paper web. If this occurs, printing problems such as a printed image being out of register and a distorted print image are significantly brought about. Thus, a nozzle head with a nozzle assembly having a predetermined length in a direction of travel of a paper web gives rise to such printing problems.
There is also known as disclosed in JP H05-124284 A an ink jet recording apparatus in which a plate-like guide member is disposed below a paper web traveling path between a plurality of rollers so that a paper web is urged against the guide member and a single ink jet printing head is disposed opposite and parallel to the surface of the paper web. Further, as disclosed in JP 2000-141618 an ink jet recording apparatus is known in which a plurality of ink jet printing heads are arranged each opposite and parallel to a surface of paper web between rollers on which the paper web is wrapped while having a tension applied to it.
In an apparatus of this type having a single ink jet printing head or a plurality of ink jet printing heads which is or are each disposed parallel to the paper surface between the guide rollers, the or each ink jet printing head may be an ink jet heat of drop-on-demand type and with a nozzle assembly having a plurality of nozzle rows juxtaposed with one another in a direction of travel of the paper web to be able generally to perform printing without adverse influence from a paper wrap angle for a guide roller because it is placed opposite and parallel to the paper surface between the rollers. However, in the ink jet recording apparatus of this type, if the rollers guiding paper while wrapping it on them are spaced from each other by a long distance, it is no longer possible to completely eliminate fluttering of the paper web traveling between the guide rollers. Fluttering of the paper web may occur between the rollers while it is driven to travel at a high speed or when the speed changes. Then, the result may be a disorder created in a printed image or a failure to print with due accuracy.


A member covered with a hard coating according to the present invention has a hard coating which has excellent erosion resistance, a hardness (H) of 20 GPa or more as measured using a nano indenter and a ratio of the hardness (H) to a Young's modulus (E) (i.e., H/E) of 0.06 or more, and comprises Ti and/or Cr, Al and N, wherein the total amount of Ti and Cr relative to the total amount of elements other than non-metal elements in the coating is 0.1 to 0.6 inclusive in terms of atomic ratio and the amount of Al relative to the total amount of the elements other than the non-metal elements in the coating is 0.4 to 0.7 inclusive in terms of atomic ratio.

Parts, for example, steam turbine blades, jet engine compressor blades, compressor screws for gas, liquid compression, turbo compressor impellers, and fuel injection valves, undergo erosion by solid particles, liquids (fluids), and the like. Also, parts (apparatuses) for agitating, transporting, or pulverizing powders (i.e., solid particles) or fluids containing powders undergo erosion because of an occurrence of abrasive wear due to solid particles, liquids (fluids), and the like. In general, hard coatings are formed on part surfaces to protect these parts from erosion. For example, the following literatures have been disclosed with respect to such hard coatings.
PTL 1 discloses a multilayer film in which mild, ductile composition layers and hard fragile composition layers are alternately stacked as a coating having excellent erosion resistance (resistance to erosion). Then, a multilayer film of TiN/Ti is mentioned as an example thereof. Meanwhile, PTL 2 discloses a multilayer film in which Ti1-xNx films having different amounts of nitrogen are stacked. Furthermore, PTL 3 discloses a nitride containing titanium nitride as a primary component and at least one element of Al, Cr, Zr, and Hf. Specifically, it is disclosed that the chemical composition is Ti(100−x)Mex nitride (where Me: at least one element selected from Al, Cr, Zr, and Hf, x satisfies 2%≦x≦30% (atomic percentage (%))).
In addition, PTL 4 discloses a multilayer abrasion-resistant coating on a support surface, wherein the coating is composed of a plurality of layers of metal material and ceramic material and is for the purpose of protection from erosion by particles, erosion by water, and corrosion by these particles and water. Also, a coating is disclosed, in which the above-described metal material is made from at least one element selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, and tantalum and the above-described ceramic material is a nitride of the above-described selected metal material. In addition, PTLs 5 to 7 disclose multilayer films in which metal layers selected from Ti, Cr, V, Al, Mo, Nb, W, Zr, and Hf and ceramic layers of nitrides and the like are stacked.


Systems and methods for automatically evaluating the useful life of an engine oil based on data corresponding to a plurality of preselected key oil properties. The evaluation includes determining, in connection with each of the pre-selected key oil properties, a first current measured oil property value, a first reference oil property value, a first deterioration-limit value, and a first weighting factor. The evaluation also includes determining a single index value, indicating a state of deterioration of the engine oil, in a calculation using each of the values and factors.

Engine oil deteriorates in various ways as it is used in an engine over time. Degradation sources include thermal stresses, tribological interactions (or the interaction of adjacent surfaces under relative motion), and byproducts of combustion. Evaluators of engine oil degradation have, heretofore, considered various key oil properties separately, if at all.
While one evaluator may measure only viscosity of an oil sample, for instance, and conclude based solely on that measurement whether the oil has useful life remaining, another may, measure only a total acid number (or TAN; the amount of potassium hydroxide in milligrams that is needed to neutralize the acids in one gram of oil), and base their conclusion solely on that measurement.
Determinations about overall oil quality based on only one parameter (e.g., viscosity or TAN) have inherent shortcomings because oil deteriorates in many distinct ways. Although an oil sample may have an undesirably high TAN, for example, the oil can be satisfactory overall for continued use. And while a sample may have a healthy viscosity, the oil can be unsatisfactory overall for continued use.
There is a need for technology that automatically generates an objective indication of oil quality and remaining oil life, if any, based on multiple preselected key oil properties taken together.

Systems and methods for determining a state of deterioration of engine oil using multiple preselected oil properties


A method is described for enabling operation of an aircraft turbo-engine to be continued in spite of the accidental occurrence of an unbalance in a tor of the engine, such as may be caused by the breakage of a fan blade. The method involves constructing the bearing support of at least one of the bearings of the rotor so that the support has at least two levels of stiffness, arranging for the support to change from a normal stiffness level to a lower stiffness level in response to the occurrence of an unbalance in excess of a pre-determined minimum value, and setting the clearance between the tips of the rotor blades and the inner wall of the surrounding casing so that it is at least equal to the radial displacement of the rotor under the action of a pre-determined maximum unbalance when the rotor is rotating at the flight idling speed of the engine and the bearing support is at the lower stiffness level. A bearing support construction for implementing the method is also described.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method which enables the operation of an aircraft turbo-engine to be continued, in an impaired manner, after the accidental occurrence of an unbalance in a rotor of the engine, such as may be caused by the breakage of a fan blade following impact by a foreign body. The invention also relates to a bearing support specially designed for use in carrying out the method.
An unbalance of an aircraft turbo-engine rotor causes a centrifugal rotational stress during operation which is transmitted to the structure of the turbo-engine through the bearings and bearing supports of the rotor, and through rotor-stator contact in the case of very considerable unbalances, and thence to the structure of the aircraft. There are two types of unbalances: inherent manufacturing unbalances and accidentally caused unbalances. Manufacturing unbalances, although not negligible, are reduced to relatively low values as a result of the care taken in the manufacture of rotors. Accidental unbalances originate chiefly from the breakage of blades and may be substantial, bringing about a rotational stress which may assume very high values requiring immediate shutdown of the turbo-engine in order to avoid the risk of destruction of the turbo-engine and aircraft structures. The breakage of a blade usually occurs close to the ground during the takeoff or landing of the aircraft, as a result of the accidental entry of foreign bodies such as birds into the air intake of the turbo-engine. Such an accident requiring the immediate shutdown of the engine may, in some circumstances, lead to the crashing of the aircraft. A first problem to be solved therefore is to keep the turbo-engine running in spite of an unbalance caused, for example, by the breaking of a blade, even if only for a limited period and with a reduced thrust, long enough for the aircraft to land.
Modern turbo-engines are generally of the bypass type and include a first stage of rotating blades termed "the fan" which provides the main part of the propulsion force, particularly in subsonic turbo-engines. These fan blades are very vulnerable to breakage because they are placed right at the front of the turbo-engine and because they are thin, of great size and are held by the rotor at one end only, the other end at the periphery of the rotor being free. Although a break will usually occur towards the free tip of the blade, the unbalance created may be substantial because of the great size of the blade. For example, in a large turbofan engine, the unbalance may reach 3 to 4 kg.m, which, taking into account the elasticity of the structure and the resonance phenomena resulting therefrom, can bring about a rotational stress of the order of 10.sup.5 DaN at 5000 rpm. A second problem therefore is to keep the turbo-engine running with such a large unbalance.
To improve the performance of a turbo-engine in normal operation, it is necessary to reduce air leaks between each stage of rotating blades and the inner wall of the casing facing the rotating blades. For this purpose, the clearance between the inner wall and the tips of the blades is increased, and this portion of the wall is lined with a soft material, referred to as abradable, to a thickness which is sufficient to interfere with the blades. When rotating, the blades exert a planing action on the abradable material and thereby adjust its thickness to the exact dimensions of the rotor, thus reducing air leakage to a minimum. A third problem is, therefore, to ensure that this leakage does not increase during the normal operation of the turbo-engine.
2. Summary of the Prior Art
A bladed rotor, and particularly a fan, inevitably possesses an inherent manufacturing unbalance which is all the more substantial if the fan is heavy and of great diameter. During rotation, this unbalance in conjunction with the natural elasticity of the turbo-engine structure brings about a radial and centrifugal rotational stress, with resonance points corresponding to the natural modes of the rotor and structure assembly, which would lead to an accelerated fatigue of the bearings and of the structure of the engine. To avoid this, the bearings of the rotor, and more particularly its front bearing, are usually held by a resilient bearing support which functions primarily to reduce vibrations and reduce the stresses transmitted to the engine structure. European Patent 63993 discloses such a bearing comprising a resilient element having a range of movement in a radial plane, the resilient element being in the shape of an open-work truncated cone forming a squirrel cage, and the movement of this resilient element being limited radially by a rigid element which is also in the shape of a truncated cone.
However, such a bearing suffers from the drawback of increasing the amplitude of the radial vibrations of the rotor, which causes an additional planing of the abradable material and hence air leakage. In practice, the designer must therefore limit the elasticity of such a bearing to the amount strictly necessary to reduce the vibrations resulting from the small manufacturing unbalance of the rotor. Consequently, this bearing does not provide a solution to the problems posed by accidentally occurring unbalance of the rotor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,360 discloses a turbo-engine including a bearing support which is normally rigid but which can be released by the breakage of connection elements in response to the substantial unbalance resulting from a broken blade, the rotor rotating in a casing with an increased clearance filled in by a thicker layer of abradable material. The rotor then tends to rotate around its new axis of inertia, which reduces the unbalance and the stress exerted on the structure of the turbo-engine. However, such an arrangement can operate correctly only with efficient damping, and this is provided by segments which are movable relative to one another and are separated by oil films. This arrangement is not practical for the large turbo-engines used for aircraft, as they would require damping means of a mass and size which would be excessive, as well as substantial cooling means to protect the oil from overheating and eventual carbonisation.
Another known solution, which is particularly suited to the fan stage, again consists of equipping the turbo-engine with a bearing support designed to be released by the breakage of connection elements in response to a substantial unbalance resulting from a broken blade, the fan rotating in the casing with a smaller clearance filled by the abradable material. After the breakage of a blade and the release of the bearing, the fan, in tending to rotate around its new axis of inertia, planes away the abradable material so that the tips of the blades come to bear against the casing. The casing then guides the rotation of the fan and thus acts as a bearing. This solution allows the fan to be rotated for a very limited period of time, thereby obtaining a thrust from the engine, albeit a weak one. As the casing is rigid, this solution shifts the natural mode towards high rotational speeds, which lowers the rotational stress at low speeds, but increases the said rotational stress at high speeds. This stress may reach, for example, 10.sup.5 DaN at 5000 rpm. There are thus four drawbacks to this solution.
1) The maximum rotational stress occurs at the most critical moment in the flight of the aircraft, i.e. on take-off when the turbo-engines are operating at their maximum speed to supply maximum thrust.
2) Considerable energy is produced by the friction of the tips of the blades against the casing, and this energy may cause the blades to vibrate in a direction transversely to the blade, leading to the risk of further blades being broken and the danger of fire.
3) Dry friction of the tips of the blades against the casing is tolerable only for a very short period.
4) The casing must be reinforced to provide for its possible function as a bearing, resulting in an increase in the mass and cost.
Also known from U.S. Pat. No. 4527910 is a bearing support including a resilient squirrel cage element having its movement limited by a fixed ring, the energy thus produced being absorbed by a viscous damping. The fixed ring is itself capable of being freed by the breakage of its connection elements, thereby allowing a more substantial movement, and the energy of this is partly absorbed by a second viscous damping. As will be appreciated, such a solution is not practical for large aircraft turbo-engines, as the damping elements required would be prohibitive in terms of size and mass.

Method for enabling operation of an aircraft turbo-engine with rotor unbalance

Sciete National d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation "Snecma"


A method and apparatus for analyzing a motion based on depth information are provided. The method includes: receiving event signals from a first vision sensor configured to generate at least one event signal by sensing at least a portion of an object in which a motion occurs; receiving a current frame from a second vision sensor configured to time-synchronously capture the object; synchronizing the received event signals and the received current frame; and obtaining depth information of the object based on the synchronized event signals and current frame.

1. Field
Methods and apparatuses consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments relate to motion analysis.
2. Description of the Related Art
Based on a motion-based user interfacing scheme, a user intention may be input by recognizing a motion of a user in a space. Since the motion-based user interfacing scheme is based on image data output from a frame-based vision sensor, the user intention may be inaccurately input based on a distance between a device and an object in which a motion occurs. Also, when two frame-based vision sensors are used to recognize the motion based on depth information of the object, costs for manufacturing the device may increase and an optimal performance of the device may not be guaranteed due to a relatively low reaction velocity of the frame-based vision sensor.


An authorisation privilege for an access request is inferred when no explicit privilege exists. The inference can be performed by way of mining occurrence patterns or derived from user hierarchy, profile, click history, transaction history or role. For any access request, the respective explicit privilege or inferred privilege is verified by the database or security administrator before the access request is permitted. Conditions expressed in an access policy are evaluated on the occurrence of predefined events. The events extend beyond user access requests, and include external events, composite events and access of a referential type. The access policy is framed in ‘event, condition, access enforcement’ terminology. The access control rules can be parameterised and can be instantiated by data obtained from inference rules associated with the conditions of the policy. The conditions have an evaluation component and an inference component. The access privileges supported are: read, write and indirect read. An indirect read operation typically allows a user qualified access to one or more portions of a database, but not the entire database.

Access control functionality is one of the most crucial parts of any database application. Access control privileges are generally statically defined in terms of rules. An example of such an approach is taught in a paper entitled "History-based Access Control for Mobile Code", by Guy Edjlati, Anurag Acharya and Vipin Chaudhary, published as proceedings of the ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security 1998: 28–48. The key idea behind history-based access control is to maintain a selective history to improve the differentiation between safe and potentially dangerous requests. An example is a policy that allows a user to connect to a remote site if and only if it has neither tried to open a local file that it has not created, nor tried to modify a file it has created, nor tried to create a sub-process.
Because these rules (or rights), exemplified by Edjlali et al are fixed, they are not reactive to the changing state of the database. Such functionality can be added using an event-based access control system. In an event-based access control system, contingent access policies are used. Key to an event-based access control system is the idea of multiple states. Events trigger state transitions. The events can be, for example, the arrival of an object, the completion of a process, or the passage of time (such as a deadline). In each state, users may have different access rights to the system: at one state time User A has read and write access, but at another state time may only have read access.
A particular problem arises when an access request does not have a recognisable authorisation (or permission). Such a request may lead to refusal from the viewpoint of a database administrator.
A known arrangement for dealing with a similar problem is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,684 (Glasser et al), issued on May 9, 2000. Glasser et al teaches that in the absence of a relevant access control list, a nearest ("proximate") ancestor element is located, and the control list of that ancestor is inherited. Specifically Glasser et al uses the example of a file system hierarchy having folders whose access permissions can be set. Each folder can, but need not, have an Access Control List. A folder's access permissions can be inherited by its descendants in the hierarchy, however—in the example given—inheritance does not proceed beyond the nearest ancestor having an ACL. If no ancestor is present, then it is possible that the access request will be refused.
Another issue relates to the dynamic modification of access rights. In conventional access control systems having statically defined rules, dynamism is achieved by associating conditions with the access control policy (eg. Edjlali et al). These conditions are evaluated when the user makes an access request. For an events-based access control system, on the other hand, the access rights are changed on the occurrence of predefined events. By way of example, users are ascribed roles. Roles, in turn, are mapped to rights (or privileges) according to a series of rules that are contingent upon events. An example of an event not related to a user request is data being inserted or modified in a database.
The conditions associated with the policy are evaluated on the occurrence of events beyond user access requests. Therefore, when a user makes repeated data access requests, that request is tested against the policy in force at the particular instant of time. The policy may have changed in the period between subsequent requests.
A known arrangement of this type is taught in Technical Report No. 1998.05, entitled "Fine-Grained Event-Based Access Control", by Kenneth K. Pang, published by Lotus Development Corporation, 55 Cambridge Parkway, Cambridge, Mass. 02142. Pang describes an arrangement suited to a process having the properties of user rights depending on time and the roles the users assume. The roles depend upon the requested object (eg. a document or file). Pang has only a limited set of events that can impact on a user's rights at any one time. Specifically, it is the role the user has assumed for the document (ie. object) it wishes to access, and a time function.

International Business Machines Corporation


An exemplary apparatus includes a memory embodying computer executable instructions and at least one processor, coupled to the memory, and operative by the computer executable instructions to facilitate a method. The method includes tracking a topic and a context of an electronic conversation in a first communication channel by using a machine learning method to process the electronic conversation; identifying confusion in a participant of the electronic conversation regarding a change in the topic or the context; identifying a user-effective communication channel for alerting the participant to the change in the topic or the context; and alerting the participant of the change in the topic or the context via the user-effective communication channel.

The present invention relates to the electrical, electronic, and computer arts, and more specifically, to electronic conversations.
Frequently, a single person will be a participant in multiple electronic conversations and the person's attention will be divided among the various conversations. In such a circumstance it can happen that the participant will miss a change in the topic or context of one of the multiple electronic conversations. For example, a conversation about fixing bugs in computer code can abruptly shift to a discussion of sales figures related to the code that is being debugged. A participant who is engaged in other electronic conversations, additional to the bug fixing conversation, may miss the change in topic and be confused by subsequent questions about the sales figures.

Enabling attention by leveraging a user-effective communication channel


A method and apparatus for use in seismic prospecting are disclosed. The method includes: attenuating coherent noise in a seismic data set generated from a sweep signal; and correlating the coherent noise-attenuated seismic data set to the sweep signal. The apparatus includes a program storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computing device perform the method and a computer programmed to perform the method.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to seismic data acquisition and processing, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for attenuating wind noise in seismic data.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a seismic survey, an acoustic or other seismic signal is imparted into a subterranean geological formation. As the signal propagates through the formation, it is reflected back to the surface. Seismic sensors (e.g., geophones, in a land survey) are positioned on the surface to receive the reflections. The reflections are received and converted to data representative of the formation's characteristics and structure. The data is then analyzed to detect the presence of hydrocarbons or other fluids and minerals of interest. Because the cost of extracting such deposits is high, accurate data yielding correct results is highly desired.
Seismic surveys are typically performed in uncontrolled environments. Wind is a common phenomenon with seismic surveys leaving the data degraded with broadband noise. The efficient attenuation of wind noise is therefore of major importance for high quality seismic surveys. Studies of the wind noise have revealed that it has a locally coherent structure. However, when employing vibroseis (i.e., a vibrator powered by a sweep signal) as the seismic source, the data conventionally is correlated without any prior noise attenuation. The internal coherence of the wind noise is therefore destroyed, leaving a pseudo-random noise in the seismic data, which hardly can be removed in processing. More technically, the correlation is performed by a convolution between the survey signal and the resultant seismic data, and the wind noise cannot then be retrieved through deconvolution.
More particularly, wind is a common feature in surface seismic acquisition, especially in desert environments. In general wind is defined by a turbulent flow of air with a turbulent velocity profile above the ground. This means that the average wind velocity increases logarithmically from the ground towards the free air flow.
Observations in the field show that the turbulent flow of air is not a straight movement in layers parallel to the ground. Rather, wind consists of an ensemble of turbulent patches, which move in the average direction of the wind. Within the turbulence patches, the wind imposes a coherent downward pressure on the ground, which in turn is converted into a surface wave. These wind induced, locally coherent, surface waves represent a substantial fraction of wind noise and can not be avoided by burying the geophone.
Conventional seismic recording using vibroseis as a source employs correlation of the geophone with the pilot sweep straight after acquisition. No processing is carried out prior to correlation. The correlation with the pilot sweep, however, has a significant impact on the wind noise. Since wind noise and seismic signal are not correlated, the local phase and amplitude consistency of the wind noise is destroyed. Hence after correlation with the pilot sweep no wind noise filtering based on wind noise coherence can be carried. This implies that all wind noise filtering will result in degradation of the seismic signal.
The present invention is directed to resolving, or at least reducing, one or all of the problems mentioned above.

Method and apparatus for attenuation wind noise in seismic data


A device and a method for determining a reference level for automatic gain control of a radio frequency signal to be received, particularly having a varying strength, in which method radio blocks are received on a logical general packet data traffic channel of a signal, which radio blocks have been transmitted with a predetermined transmission power level and by using a predetermined way of controlling the transmission power level. In the invention, said reference level is continuously determined on the basis of correctly received or valid radio blocks, wherein the reference level is corrected on the basis of the signal strength measured during the reception of each valid radio block.

A wireless communication system generally refers to a communication system which makes a wireless data transmission connection possible between a wireless communication device (MS, mobile station) and stationary parts of the system, the user of the wireless communication device moving within the operating range of the system. A typical system is a public land mobile network PLMN. A majority of wireless communication systems belongs to so-called second-generation mobile communication systems, of which an example to be mentioned is the widely known circuit switched GSM mobile communication system (Global System for Mobile Telecommunications). The present invention is particularly suitable for mobile communication systems under development. As an example of such a communication system, in this description, the GPRS system (General Packet Radio Service) will be used, which is presently under development. It is obvious that the invention can also be applied in other systems which are based on packet systems, such as the GPRS system, or which utilize it (UMTS, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System).
In modern general mobile communication networks based on a cellular system, the system consists, in a known way, of several mobile stations (MS) applying the system, such as mobile phones, and a stationary base station subsystem (BSS). This base station subsystem normally consists of several base transceiver stations (BTS) distributed over a geographical area, and each base station serves a cell which consists of at least a part of this geographical area.
For example, in the GSM system, communication between communication devices, such as a mobile station and a base station, is carried on logical radio channels. A packet switched system based on the GSM system, the GSM GPRS system, makes communication more efficient, since the same logical radio channel can be used by several different mobile subscribers. Data is transmitted only when necessary, and the logical radio channel is not allocated to communication between one mobile station and one base station only. In the system, there is a so-called virtual data transmission connection between the mobile station and the GPRS system. The operating environment of the system is known as such and is widely defined in the ETSI standards, wherein a more detailed description will not be necessary. For using GPRS services, the MS will first log in the network (GPRS attach). The login forms a logical link between the wireless communication device and the serving GPRS support node SGSN.
The trouble-proof operation of the communication network and the efficient utilization of the available resources are only possible, if the power levels used in the transmissions by e.g. the base stations are as optimal as possible. In addition to this, demands are continuously set for the power consumption of the mobile station itself.
The basic idea of the GPRS system is to apply packet switched resource allocation, wherein resources, e.g. a logical radio channel, are allocated when there is a need to transmit and receive data and information. Thus, the use of available resources can be optimized to be as efficient as possible when compared with e.g. circuit switched GSM technology. The GPRS is designed to support applications which utilize discontinuous data transmission containing, intermittently, even large quantities of data. In the GPRS system, the allocation of channels is flexible, and 1 to 8 time slots of a channel, i.e. 1 to 8 physical channels, can be allocated to each wireless communication device within the scope of a TDMA frame. The term TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) refers to the division of a radio frequency channel into successive time slots on the time level, known as such. The same resources can be allocated to several active mobile stations. U communication (uplink, i.e. communication from the mobile station to the base station) and D communication (downlink, i.e. communication from the base station to the mobile station) can be separately allocated to different users. In each time slot, an information packet with a definite duration is transmitted as a radio frequency burst consisting of a set of modulated bits. The time slots are primarily used as control channels (CCH) and traffic channels (TCH). The traffic channels are primarily used for the transmission of speech and data, and the control channels are used for signalling between the BTS and the MS. One logical control channel is the BCCH (Broadcast Control Channel), which is used for broadcasting detailed information related to the communication network or the cell. This information relates, for example, to the frequencies used by the cell in question and by the adjacent cell, as well as to the surrounding cells, frequency hopping, channel combinations, and paging groups.
The most significant difference between the GPRS system and the circuit switched GSM system is the packet-based communication. A physical channel, so-called packet data channel PDCH, is allocated to packet communication in the GPRS system based on a cellular system. The logical channels contained in the PDCH channel (e.g. PDTCH/D, Downlink Packet Data Traffic Channel) are collected into a frame structure (Multiframe) consisting of repeatedly transmitted 52 TDMA frames (20) which are divided (PCDH/F, Full rate PDCH channel) further into 12 successive blocks (radio blocks), each comprising four frames (TDMA FRAME) as well as four extra frames (IDLE FRAME). The blocks 10 are indicated by blocks B0 to B11, respectively, as shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, the idle frames are also indicated with the reference X. In D communication, these can be used for signalling.
The blocks 10 are further divided into the following parts shown in FIG. 2: MAC header (Medium Access Control Header), RLC data block (Radio Link Control Data Block) or RLC/MAC control block, and BCS block (Block Check Sequence). The RLC data block contains an RLC header and RLC data. The MAC header also comprises a USF field (Uplink State Flag). The terms LLC, RLC and MAC refer to different levels (protocol layers) in a protocol structure according to an OSI model (Open Structured Interface), known as such, which are described in more detail in the ETSI standard specifications.
For multiple access in D communication, a temporary flow identifier TFI is used in the data header. Each RLC header contains a TFI which is used to indicate the blocks addressed to a specific, given mobile station MS. According to the GPRS system, all the communication devices MS, which are waiting for data transmitted to them on the channel jointly allocated to them, receive all the blocks, including the RLC blocks, interpret the received information and the TFI, and select the blocks addressed to them.
During channel allocation, at the beginning of the data transmission, the MS is informed of the allocated blocks, during which transmission and reception is possible. The connection is set up either by means of a packet channel request PCR, which is transmitted by the mobile station to request for resources from the base transceiver station on the packet random access channel PRACH, or by means of a packet paging request PPR transmitted by the base transceiver station. The resources allocated for data transmission are indicated, for example, by means of a packet uplink assignment PUA or a packet downlink assignment PDA, containing e.g. a list of the available PDCH channels, the value of the USF field to be used, and a determined individual temporary flow indicator TFI which is added to each RLC block used in the communication. In the GPRS system, the mobile stations must be continuously ready for packet communication (Temporary Block Flow, TBF), wherein they must quickly shift from the so-called idle mode to the so-called packet transfer mode.
In digital TDMA systems, such as the GSM system, the mobile communication device continuously measures the signal strength on radio channels of the serving base station and the adjacent base stations, and transmits a measuring report to the base station. The measurements taken by the mobile communication device are typically, and in a way known as such, related to power control used in D communication, cell reselection or handover. Power control refers, for example, to the transmission power level used by the BTS for transmitting a radio signal to the MS.
In a way known as such, the MS maintains information about the received signal strength of the used BCCH radio channel by means of an average. This information and the calculated C parameter (normalized Rx level) are utilized in decisions related to cell reselection. The signal strength is measured in units of dBm. The averaging is based on at least five, normally six samples taken from the radio channel during one multiframe structure (52 TDMA frames). The rules for power control, the measurement, the calculation of the C value, and the modes A and B for the power control, which will be described in the following, are also defined in more detail for example in the ETSI specification (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) 3GPP TS 05.08 V8.6.0 (2000-09), particularly in the chapter: 10.2. RF Power Control, which is incorporated herein as a reference. The present invention for calculating the ARR parameter utilizes these same samples SSn of the received signal level, Rx level.
One known technology used in mobile stations for controlling the gain of the receiver is the so-called AGC method (Automatic Gain Control), which has the function of tracing the effects caused by the mobility and the environment of the MS, for example, on the radio wave in connection with multipath propagation. These include, for example, reflections, frequency dependent drop-outs and attenuations, as well as various slow and fast changes. The signal levels are also changed as a result of BTS power control in D communication. In the invention, in turn, the operation of the AGC is based on tracing the Rx levels of the received signal, when the MS is receiving on the PDTCH channel. Both the PDTCH and the BCCH channels are traced. The MS must be capable of tracing changes in the received downlink signal in order to be able to interpret the information of the block, for example the TFI data, so that the MS can determine whether the block is addressed to it for reception. The aim is to set the gain level of the received analog RF signal before the AD (analog-to-digital) conversion and on a reference level suitable for input in the receiver of the MS. The dynamic range of the receiver is typically defined to be restricted above (15 dB) and below (20 dB) a specific reference level. The difference in the power levels between the frames can be as great as 30 dB.
According to the rules of the ETSI/3GPP specification in the GPRS system, constant power control is used for D communication on PDCH channels, which are used, for example, as PBCCH and PCCCH control channels. The power level can be lower on the PCCCH than on the BCCH channel (Broadcast Control Channel), the difference (Pb) being indicated on the PBCCH channel. The PTCCH/D channel (Packet Transfer Control Channel) applies the same power level as the PBCCH channel, or if this is missing, the same power level as the BCCH channel. Thus, different frequencies must be allocated for the PCCCH and for the BCCH, because the BCCH frequency always has a constant power level. In the blocks of the other PCDH channels, it is possible to use power control in D communication. The power level is always the same during the bursts (4 bursts) of a single radio block.
In a known manner, two different control modes are used for the power control of the PDCH blocks: Mode A, and Mode B when fixed allocation is used only. In Mode A, the variation in the output power of the BTS is limited, whereas in Mode B, the whole range of variation of the output power of the BTS is in use. The used mode is indicated to the MS in connection with resource allocation (so-called Assignment message). In both modes, the so-called P0 parameter is used, which indicates the power reduction compared to the BCCH channel whose carrier can be continuously traced. The parameter P0 is also indicated in the Assignment message. The used mode and the value of P0 are not changed without new assignment messages when the MS is in packet transfer mode.
Each block of the PDTCH/D channel contains a PR field in the MAC header, to indicate the power level of said block, if it is in use and power control is used. There are two PR modes. In PR mode A (appended Table 1), the PR value is calculated on the basis of the output power level used by the BTS, when the block is addressed to a specific receiving MS. A P0 value is determined for each MS.
The PR value is calculated in relation to the P0 value of the MS in question. In PR mode B (appended Table 2), the same power level is used for each block and for each mobile station on the same PDCH channel communicating (TBF) with the BTS. The P0 value indicates the power level of the first block on the PDCH, and the PR value is calculated in relation to the level of the BCCH.
TABLE 1BitsPower reduction, Mode A0 00 to 2 dB lower than BCCH level - P00 14 to 6 dB lower than BCCH level - P01 08 to 10 dB lower than BCCH level - P01 1Not usable
TABLE 2BitsPower reduction, PR Mode B0 0 0 to 6 dB lower than BCCH level0 1 8 to 14 dB lower than BCCH level1 016 to 22 dB lower than BCCH level1 124 to 30 dB lower than BCCH level
According to the GPRS specifications, the BTS transmits to the mobile stations in packet transfer mode at least one reference block, which conforms to the used mode, at certain intervals (78 TDMA frames). The reference block is also transmitted when the power control is not in use. In addition to this, if power control is used, in PR Mode A and PR Mode B, the reference block contains a usable PR field. In PR Mode A, valid, usable blocks only include blocks addressed to the MS in question and having a valid PR value, but in PR Mode B, the block does not need to be addressed to the MS in question.
For PDTCH configuration, i.e., in a situation in which the MS is in GPRS packet transfer mode, no procedure is defined in prior art, for determining the reference value for the AGC function. It is an aim of the present invention to present this method.

Determination of a reference value for automatic gain control of a receiver communicating with a packet switched communication network


A sunshade includes a fabric shelter, which is sized and shaped adapted for sheltering a window of a window frame of a vehicle, having a heat blocking side for blocking heat radiation of sunlight from entering into the vehicle through the window frame, and a retention frame having at least two resilient retention portions spacedly mounted along a peripheral edge of the fabric shelter, wherein the resilient retention portions of the retention frame is adapted to be deformed for respectively applying an urging force against corners of the window frame of the vehicle so as to substantially support the fabric shelter within the window frame while the window thereof is allowed to be normally operated.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a window shading device, and more particularly to an automobile sunshade which is adapted for detachably mounting on a window frame of the vehicle without interrupting the operation of the window.
2. Description of Related Arts
Driving in the summer time is a nuisance since the driver directly exposes under the sunlight. Therefore, most of the drivers must turn on the air conditioning in order to set an acceptable climate condition within the interior of the vehicle. However, air conditioning is not cost effective and energy efficient to cool down the interior temperature of the vehicle. Moreover, once the air conditioning is off, the hot air is trapped inside the vehicle. Especially when the driver at the time gets in the vehicle, the driver can feel the heat flowing in front of his or her face. In other words, when the driver gets in the vehicle, he or she feels like putting himself or herself in the oven.
In order to prevent the heat entering into the vehicle, the driver can tint the vehicle window to block the sunlight directly entering into the vehicle so as to prevent the interior temperature of the vehicle from rising by the heat of the sunlight. However, the tinted window of the vehicle is not allowed in some countries due to the safety purpose.
Alternatively, the driver is able to purchase a reflecting panel mounted on the windshield to block the sunlight entering into the interior of the vehicle in such a manner that before the driver leaves the vehicle, the driver can simply place the reflecting panel at an inner side of the windshield. It is a hassle for the driver to put on and take off each reflecting panel every time when the driver leaves and get in the vehicle respectively since a number of reflecting panels must be used to totally shelter all the vehicle windows.
Moreover, the size of each reflecting panel is relatively big for the user to carry and store. Even though the reflecting panel can be overlappedly folded into a compact size, it is annoying for the driver to fold up the reflecting panel into the compact form. In addition, the reflecting panel cannot be used during diving such that it is unreasonable to only block up the sunlight while the driver is not in the vehicle.
Another common sun shelter is used for detachably attaching on the side window of the vehicle to block the heat entering into the vehicle during driving. Accordingly, the sun shelter generally incorporates with a glass suction detachably sucking on the side window such that the driver is able to mount the sun shelter on the corresponding side window to block the sunlight. However, such sun shelter has several drawbacks.
The sucking effect of the sun shelter is weak that the sun shelter is easy to fall off from the side window. Therefore, the driver may merely re-mount the sun shelter on the side window during driving. Thus, when the sun shelter is mounted on the side window in position, the side window cannot be operated. It is because the operation of the side window will cause the sun shelter to be drop off from the side window. In other words, the driver can only select either to open the side window for allowing fresh air entering into the vehicle or to mount the sun shelter on the side window for blocking the sunlight entering into the vehicle. Furthermore, the sun shelter is shaped and sized for fitting a particular size and shape of the side window. Therefore, a smaller size of the sun shelter cannot effectively block the sunlight when it is used for a vehicle having a larger side window. Likewise, a bigger size of the sun shelter cannot be mounted on a smaller side window.