A hand tool (1, FIG. 1) for use in electronics installations in a vehicle (3, FIG. 3), in which one or more wires 4 need to be run through, for example, the fire wall 5 of the vehicle, in installing, for example, car phones, stereos, and the like. The tool consists of, a hollow shaft (10) inserted into a handle (11) with supplemental adhesive (14) included to prevent the shaft from coming out of the distal end (15) of the handle and a channel (12) through the handle along its axis in alignment with the hollow interior of the shaft. The shaft is restricted from ever extending all the way through the handle by a blocking flange, shoulder or shelf (13) extending about the interior periphery of the channel of the tool, which mechanical or physical blocking element is an important part of the improvement of the present invention over the prior art of electronics installations tools, and prevents the hollow, typically metal, shaft from being able to move down and protrude out of the base or bottom handle end (16) and, for example, potentially injuring a user of the tool, as the user pushes hard on the tool to move the distal or top end (19) of the shaft through, for example, a tight, packed grommet (2, FIGS. 2 & 3), as has occurred in prior art tools which have the shaft extend from end-to-end of the tool handle, securing the shaft to the handle only with adhesive which has failed.

It is known in the art of installing electronic accessories in a vehicle, in which one or more wires need to be run through, for example, the fire wall of the vehicle, to use a hand tool comprising a hollow, typically metal, pass-through shaft which is inserted into and completely through a handle held by the user during use. There is a mating channel through the handle along its axis in alignment with the hollow shaft, which shaft is secured to the handle only by glue or other adhesive.
In the installation of electronic vehicle accessories, such as, for example, car phones, stereos, and the like, wires generally need to pass from the dash board or passenger area, through the fire wall of a vehicle, and into the engine area to provide electrical power to the accessory. The fire wall typically contains a rubber grommet or ring, which securely holds wires passing through the fire wall, while protecting the integrity of the fire wall itself. The prior art tool is used to facilitate such wiring.
In use, the prior art hand tool is inserted through the grommet, and then the wiring of the accessory to be installed is passed internally through the tool to feed it from one side of the fire wall to the other side. It is next to impossible to feed the wiring without the aid of the tool since the grommet space is small and the wire is generally flexible and typically, in and of itself, cannot be used to be forced through the grommet area. The prior art tool therefore provides a rigid access through the grommet.
However, such prior art tools in present usage secure the pass-through tube or shaft inside the handle only with glue or other adhesive, which adhesive ultimately can fail and break away, allowing the bottom or proximal end of the metal tube or shaft to be forced out of the bottom of the handle, potentially cutting the user, which clearly has been a very unsafe situation.
In spite of these safety problems, the prior art tool has been in use for many years and there has been a long-felt want and need for a more safe, hand, wire installation tool.
A list of prior patents which may also be of interest is provided below:
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Inventor Patent Date ______________________________________ 834,344 Linderman 05 FEB 1907 2,727,721 Pinkerton 20 DEC 1955 3,872,806 Bone 25 MAR 1975 5,458,317 Caracofe et al. 17 OCT 1995 ______________________________________
The Linderman (U.S. Pat. No. 843,344) patent is directed to a belt splicing device comprised of a handle and a tubular body with the body having one end fixed within the handle and the other end beveled, sharpened, and shaped to a point for cutting a hole in a belt. The tubular body further has two wedge-shaped, diametrically opposed holes which are used to grasp a lacing thong or cord for insertion through the tubular body and through a hole in the belt. There is no hole or channel through the handle of the tool, and therefore no flange holding a tubular body within the handle.
The Pinkerton (U.S. Pat. No. 2,727,721) patent is directed to a tool for guiding wire, particularly conductor wire, through a junction box. The tool is comprised of a handle with a metal shank. On the end of the shank is a pair of opposed flat oval plates with a grooved pulley journaled therebetween. It is disclosed that, through the use of the tool, wire can be pulled out of the junction box, guided smoothly by the pulley, without any kinking or damage to the wire. However, again there is no hole or channel through the handle of the tool.
The Bone (U.S. Pat. No. 3,872,806) patent is directed to a needle for fastener attachment insertion devices. The needle is comprised of a hollow shaft with a spoon-shaped cutout on the insertion end for guiding the fastener attachment member as it is inserted. The fastener attachment member is initially inserted into and through the needle via a cutout portion (see FIG. 1, reference number 15) in the mounting portion of the needle. The needle is mounted into a fastener attachment insertion device so there is no handle as in the present invention.
The Caracofe et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,317) patent is directed to a device for grasping cable or wire in confined spaces to aid in its installation, adjustment or removal. The device is comprised of an elongated handle, and a spring wire, circular head portion which narrows as it approaches the handle. A cable or bundle of cables is received into the tool through the circular head and is slid down into the narrow section where it is retained by the compressive force of the two wires held by the handle.
It is noted that none of the above referenced devices are comprised of a handle through which wire is fed requiring the safe securing of a shaft of a hand manipulated tool within a handle. Additionally, none of the devices have a shaft which is secured within the handle of the tool at a flange, to prevent the possible sliding of the shaft through the handle. Also, the prior art does not include or teach the over-all system aspects of the present invention as related to these basic, structural differences.
Thus, there is significant, unobvious, novelty in the present invention.

Electronics installation hand tool system


A transparent armor structure includes a layer having a first planar surface and a second planar surface of substantially the same configuration as the first planar surface. The second planar surface is located opposite the first planar surface and oriented such that it is not parallel to the first planar surface and such that corresponding locations on the first and second planar surfaces are displaced approximately 90 degrees from each other.

Various types of transparent armoring products are known. Examples of such products are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,380,406, U.S. Pat. No. 3,624,238 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,290. Transparent armoring products are useful in various environments in which it is desirable to protect personnel from bullets, shrapnel and other projectiles while at the same time permitting personnel to see through the protective structure. For example, transparent armoring products can be utilized by banks at drive-up teller windows. Transparent armoring products are also useful in mobile applications. For example, transparent armoring products can be used instead of traditional glass on military vehicles. This permits the vehicle driver and occupants to directly observe the environment outside the vehicle while protecting them from bullets, shrapnel and other projectiles. Depending on the weight of the transparent armoring products, they can also be useful for personal protection devices such as face shields for police officers or military personnel.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a transparent armor structure includes a first layer of a first material, a second layer of a second material, the second layer positioned adjacent to the first layer, a third layer of a third material, an air gap between the second and third layers, a fourth layer of the second material, the fourth layer positioned adjacent to the third layer, a fifth layer of the third material, the fifth layer positioned adjacent to the fourth layer, a sixth layer of the second material, the sixth layer positioned adjacent to the fifth layer, a seventh layer of the third material, the seventh layer positioned adjacent to the sixth layer, an eighth layer of the second material, an air gap between the seventh and eighth layers and a ninth layer of a fourth material, the ninth layer positioned adjacent to the eighth layer. The third layer includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and four edges extending between the first and second surfaces. The first and third edges have constant thicknesses and are disposed opposite each other. The thickness of the third edge is less than the thickness of the first edge. The second and fourth edges are disposed opposite each other. The fifth layer includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and four edges extending between the first and second surfaces. The first edge is located opposite the third edge and the second edge is located opposite the fourth edge. All four edges have varying thicknesses. The seventh layer includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and four edges extending between the first and second surfaces. The first and third edges have constant thicknesses and are disposed opposite each other. The thickness of the third edge is less than the thickness of the first edge. The second and fourth edges are disposed opposite each other. In one embodiment, the first material is a first type of glass and the second material is a second type of glass. In another embodiment, the third material is a polyurethane. According to another embodiment of the invention, the fourth material is a polycarbonate.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the first edge of the third layer is substantially the same as the thickness of the first edge of the seventh layer. In another embodiment, the first edge of the seventh layer is oriented at a 90 degree angle with respect to the first edge of the third layer. The first edge of the seventh layer can be oriented at a 90 degree angle with respect to the first edge of the fifth layer. According to another embodiment of the invention, the dimensions of the third layer are substantially the same as the dimensions of the seventh layer and the combined thickness of the first edge of the third layer, the first edge of the fifth layer and the fourth edge of the seventh layer is constant when the first edge of the third layer is parallel to the first edge of the fifth layer and the first edge of the seventh layer is disposed at a 90 degree angle to the first edge of the third layer.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the second surface of the third layer faces the first surface of the fifth layer and is parallel to the first surface of the fifth layer, the second surface of the fifth layer faces the first surface of the seventh layer and is parallel to the first surface of the seventh layer and the first surface of the third layer is parallel to the second surface of the seventh layer.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a transparent armor structure includes first, second and third layers. The first layer has a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and four edges extending between the first and second surfaces. The first and third edges are opposite each other and are of constant thickness along their lengths, with the thickness of the first edge being greater than the thickness of the third edge. The second and fourth edges are opposite each other and vary in thickness along their lengths. The second layer has a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and four edges extending between the first and second surfaces. The first edge is opposite the third edge and the second edge is opposite the fourth edge. All four edges vary in thickness along their lengths. The third layer has a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and four edges extending between the first and second surfaces. The first and third edges are opposite each other and are of constant thickness along their lengths, with the thickness of the first edge being greater than the thickness of the third edge. The second and fourth edges are opposite each other and vary in thickness along their lengths. In one embodiment, the dimensions of the first layer are substantially the same as the dimensions of the third layer. In another embodiment, the thickness of the second edge of the first layer at any location along its length is substantially the same as the thickness of the fourth edge at the same location along its length.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the first edge of the second layer at a given distance from the fourth edge of the second layer is substantially the same as the thickness of the second edge of the second layer at the same distance from the third edge of the second layer. Additionally, the thickness of the third edge of the second layer at a given distance from the second edge of the second layer is substantially the same as the thickness of the fourth edge of the second layer at the same distance from the first edge of the second layer.
In another embodiment of the invention, the second surface of the first layer faces the first surface of the second layer and is parallel to the first surface of the second layer, the second surface of the second layer faces the first surface of the third layer and is parallel to the first surface of the third layer and the first surface of the first layer is parallel to the second surface of the third layer.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a transparent armor structure includes a first layer having a first planar surface and a second planar surface of substantially the same configuration as the first planar surface. The second planar surface is located opposite the first planar surface and is oriented such that it is not parallel to the first planar surface and such that corresponding locations on the first and second planar surfaces are displaced approximately 90 degrees from each other. In one embodiment, the armor structure further includes second and third layers. The second layer has a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface of the first layer and parallel to the first surface of the first layer. The third layer has first and second surfaces. The first surface faces the second surface of the first layer and is parallel to the second surface of the first layer. The first surface of the second layer and the second surface of the third layer are parallel.
Other features of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings.


The invention provides a vaccine comprising secreted protein derived from Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (M. ptb) substantially free of whole organisms of that species either dead or alive. The secreted protein may be obtained from a culture of M. ptb with the microorganisms being removed by centrifugation and subsequent filtration. The vaccine may be used for vaccination against Johne's disease.

Johne's disease (paratuberculosis) is a chronic, contagious infection with the acid-fast-staining bacillus Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (M. ptb). The disease affects ruminants and is characterized by emaciation and intermittent diarrhoea or softening of faeces. Johne's disease is a major disease of cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and camels (Beeman et al, The Compendium 11,1415 (1989)).
The currently favoured treatment is with a living vaccine (Neoparasec, Merial). This vaccine contains live organisms of the Weybridge strain, an attenuated strain of M. ptb. Killed vaccines are also known.
The existing vaccines have two disadvantages. Carcasses of animals treated with the vaccines contain whole organisms which are not readily distinguishable from tuberculosis organisms. In addition both types of vaccines leave injection site lesions which can be easily confused with tuberculosis lesions.
An object of the present invention is to prepare a vaccine against Johne's disease in which the above disadvantages are either not present or are reduced.


A valve assembly for use in conjunction with spring applied, air release parking brakes of the character found in heavy-duty truck-trailers which, in a single valve housing provides system pressure protection, prevents compounding application of the brakes and performs the parking brake release function in an expedicious and highly reliable manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to pneumatic valves. More particularly, the invention concerns a multi-function, pneumatic valve for use in connection with spring applied air release parking brakes of the character used in heavy-duty truck trailers.
2. Discussion of the Invention
Parking brakes on most heavy-duty truck trailers are typically of the spring applied, air pressure release variety. For purposes of safety such brakes are maintained in a "brake on" configuration until air pressure, sufficient to overcome the locking force of the springs, is applied to the air chambers of the brake unit.
Single purpose, spring brake exhaust valves have for some time been commercially available. For example, such a valve is sold by Sealco Air Controls of Phoenix, Arizona under the model number 78021. Such valves are typically used in conjunction with one or more types of pressure protection valves. One such valve is also sold by Sealco Air Controls under the model number 140280. Another unit typically used in conjunction with the standard spring brake exhaust valve is a unit adapted to prevent compounding the application of the brakes. In the prior art, these three separate valves or units were separately installed into the truck-trailer pneumatic system.
The primary thrust of the present invention is to provide a novel valve assembly for use in conjunction with spring applied air release brakes which takes the features of three separate prior art devices and incorporates them into a single valve. In this way only one unit rather than three separate units need be installed in the truck-trailer pneumatic system. This not only simplifies installation, thereby substantially reducing installation costs, but also increases system reliability by significantly reducing the possibility of leaks.
As will be appreciated from the discussion which follows, the single valve of the present invention uniquely provides the required system pressure protection, prevents compounding application of the brakes and performs the brake release function in an efficient and highly reliable manner.


A ceramic composition for the repair of porous ceramic bodies comprises a ceramic material having cations which are reactive with phosphate ions, a source of reactive phosphate ions, and filler. An aqueous slurry of the ceramic composition is prepared and applied to the damaged region of a porous ceramic body. The slurry mixture is dried within the damaged region of the porous ceramic body and heated to bind the mixture together and to bond the mixture to the porous ceramic body within the damaged region. The method of the invention allows for the in situ repair of ceramic materials without removing them from their supporting structure and can be used in the repair of ceramic tiles for spacecraft and aircraft.

Ceramic bodies in the form of tiles are widely used to insulate underlying structures against the high temperatures encountered in certain aerodynamic applications. As an example, an aerodynamic vehicle such as a space shuttle or a supersonic aircraft is heated by friction to a high temperature as it flies through the air. The temperature may be greater than the maximum permissible temperature of the basic metallic airframe structure. A ceramic tile attached to the exterior of the airframe structure insulates the airframe against the aerodynamic heating and also protects it against impact.
One known type of ceramic insulation is a porous ceramic made by pressing together fibers of one or more ceramic materials. This fibrous, porous ceramic is resistant to damage from thermal shock and thermal cycling. However, it is relatively soft and can be damaged by external impact and wear forces. To lessen such damage, it is known to apply protective coatings to the exterior surface of the ceramic insulation, such as those discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,082.
The protective coatings are quite effective in reducing the incidence of damage to the ceramic tiles from small objects such as dust particles and raindrops. However, even the best protective coatings cannot prevent damage to the tiles from relatively large objects such as rocks, hailstones, and the like. The impact of such large objects can dislodge pieces of the tiles leaving gouges and pits in the tiles, or even holes entirely through the tiles. Any significant damage of this type which reduces the thickness of ceramic protection overlying the metallic airframe and alters the airflow past the tile, can lead to hot spots in the airframe and failures of the entire damaged tiles.
The conventional method of repairing these ceramic tiles has been to remove and replace the damaged tiles. While effectively practiced at a central maintenance base, this approach is inconvenient for field service at a remote location where tiles of different types are not stored and maintained. Therefore, there is a need for an improved approach for replacing damaged porous ceramic tiles and restoring vehicles to operating conditions. The present invention fulfills this need and further provides related advantages.

Method of repairing porous ceramic bodies and ceramic composition for same


This invention provides an envelope configuration for retreading tires using a cold-retreading process. Envelopes formed by two parts are known in the prior art. However, the known sealing means between parts are not satisfactory, either due to sealing problems or due to decreasing the envelope useful life. In order to overcome these limitations, this invention provides an envelope (20) comprised of two parts (22, 24), in which an end region (224a) of a flap (224) of the first part (22) is covered by an end region (244a) of a flap (244) of the second part (24), or vice-versa, in order to form an overlapping joint, in which a free end of the flap (224) of the first part (22) has at least one differentiated cross section (224b) whose thickness is greater than that of the flap (224) of the first part (22), and in which the overlapping joint is covered by an elastic ring (26) that is wide enough to cover said differentiated cross section (224b).

Retreading a tire consists of a process of bonding a new tread on top of a tire carcass whose original tread is worn out or damaged, thus reestablishing the tire's conditions for use.
In the process of cold retreading, a new pre-molded tread with a certain standard of grooves is positioned over a tire carcass that is ready to be retreaded. The assembly is taken to a pressurized and heated environment such as an autoclave, for a certain period of time. At the end of the cold-retreading process, the tread is bonded to the tire carcass. The cold-retreading process is widely used in retreading tires for heavy vehicles, particularly trucks and buses.
In the cold-retreading process, before taking the assembly formed by the carcass and the strip of tread to the pressurized and heated environment, this assembly must be covered with an envelope and a vacuum must be created internally in the envelope, creating an airtight environment.
A conventional envelope consists of a single-body membrane manufactured of flexible material, whose form is suitable for externally recovering the sidewalls of the carcass and the external surface of the tread. The envelope also has an air valve. The process of recovering the carcass and the tread with the envelope, also known as enveloping, is extremely difficult since the conventional envelope must be stretched from its central hole until the carcass and tread assembly can be placed inside the envelope. This enveloping process is usually done with the help of a machine called envelope spreader, which contains a set of arms used to stretch the conventional envelope.
Once the conventional envelope is applied, it must be closed next to the tire carcass to obtain an airtight environment inside the envelope. To do this, an internal envelope may be used, installed inside the carcass so that the internal envelope covers the entire internal surface of the carcass, surrounds the beads of the carcass, and extends over part of the external surface on each side of the carcass, where a seal is created with each end of the conventional envelope. Alternatively, a rim may be used instead of the internal envelope to close the conventional envelope next to the carcass. In this case, the ends of the envelope, close to the carcass bead, are pressed against the outside surface of the rim, forming sealed joints. Once the conventional envelope has been closed, either with the help of the internal envelope or rim, an air pump is connected to the air valve of the conventional envelope, to form a vacuum in its internal environment. The assembly is now ready to be taken to the pressurized and heated environment, such as an autoclave.
As described previously, to envelop the carcass and tread using a conventional envelope, a large stretching of the envelope is required, regardless of subsequent closure with an internal envelope or rim. To make this stretching possible, the conventional envelope is usually quite thin. This factor, in addition to the fatigue caused by repeated enveloping cycles, frequently causes tears in the conventional envelope, limiting its useful life.
With the intention of increasing the useful life of an envelope, document BRPI8406324-6 proposes an envelope formed by two parts, the first part having a form that is able to externally cover a first side of the carcass and a half portion of the tread, and the second part having a form that is able to externally cover a second side of the carcass and the other half portion of the tread, and in the central area of the top of the tread an end region of the first part is turned to the outside and an end region of the second part is turned to the outside, said end regions being positioned face to face and held together by tightening a pair of retaining rings in order to form a sealed joint between the parts that is able to maintain vacuum inside the envelope.
With use of the two-part envelope proposed in BRPI8406324-6, the need to heavily stretch the envelope in order to envelop the carcass and tread assembly is eliminated, such that it was expected that the proposed envelope would tend to have a longer useful life. In addition, with this envelope configuration the use of the envelope spreader is eliminated. However, the configuration of the seal between the parts of the envelope proposed in BRPI8406324-6 is not satisfactory, as the tightening done using the pair of retaining rings against the face to face end regions, at an intensity that is sufficient for appropriate sealing, damages said end regions, causing them to break after just a few enveloping cycles. In addition, due to the complexity of the pair of retention rings proposed in BRPI8406324-6, their use represents an additional cost to the retreading process.
Alternatively, BRMU7901957-9 proposes another envelope configuration formed by two parts, so that to seal the parts in the central area of the top of the tire tread, the first part has an end region covered by an end region of the second part in order to form an overlapping joint. Despite this configuration eliminating the use of the pair of retaining rings, the sealing configuration between the parts of the envelope is not satisfactory, since air leaks occur into the envelope.
Note that as described previously, after enveloping and formation of the vacuum, the carcass and tread is taken to a pressurized and heated environment, such as an autoclave, for a certain period of time. In this environment, the envelope is pressed against the tread due to the pressure existing outside the envelope so that the tread and the carcass are forced against each other. Heat is applied simultaneously in order to vulcanize the tread to the carcass.
It is important for the envelope to be well sealed in relation to the carcass and the tread in order to prevent air from entering into the envelope. The presence of air inside the envelope during the curing process might interfere with the quality of attachment between the carcass and the tread, or it could result in the deformation and/or improper seating of the tread, compromising subsequent use of the retreaded tire. Thus, due to the deficiency in sealing the parts of the envelope proposed in BRMU7901957-9, the problems listed above are present in the retreading that is done using this envelope configuration.

Arrangement applied to an envelope for retreading tyres


The present disclosure described herein relates to a system and method for distributing messages to an electronic device. The method comprises: analyzing data relating to the device to determine a correlation of data relating to a user of the device; selecting an advertisement from a set of advertisements based on the correlation of data; and transmitting the advertisement to the device. The correlation of data may be determined from analyzing movement data and at least one status indicator relating to the device.

Currently, advertisements and other messages are transmitted to a mobile communication device. The number of advertisements provided can be overwhelming to the user of the device. Advertisements are provided to the device without consideration as to the recipient.
There is a need for a system and method which addresses these deficiencies.

System and method for distributing messages to an electronic device based on correlation of data relating to a user of the device


A spin transistor includes a first conductive layer that is made of a ferromagnetic material magnetized in a first direction, and functions as one of a source and a drain; a second conductive layer that is made of a ferromagnetic material magnetized in one of the first direction and a second direction that is antiparallel with respect to the first direction, and functions as the other one of the source and the drain. The spin transistor also includes a channel region that is located between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and introduces electron spin between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; a gate electrode that is located above the channel region; and a tunnel barrier film that is located between the channel region and at least one of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spin transistor with a MOS structure, a programmable logic circuit that includes the spin transistor, and a magnetic memory that utilizes a tunnel magnetoresistive effect, and, more particularly, to a spin transistor that has an amplifying effect and a magnetic memory that can control the recording state through spin injection in the plane direction.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, spin electronics devices that utilize the spin freedom of electrons have been widely developed and studied. Also, more and more studies are being made on application of the tunnel magnetoresistive effect (TMR) to magnetic random access memories (MRAM), magnetic reproducing heads, or the likes. Particularly, attention is being drawn to spin transistors that have semiconductors and magnetic bodies combined.
Typical examples of such spin transistors include a diffusion-type spin transistor (Mark Johnson type; disclosed in M. Johnson et al., Phys. Rev. B37, 5326, (1988)), a Supriyo-Datta spin transistor (spin orbit control type; disclosed in D. Datta et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 56, 665 (1990)), a spin valve transistor (disclosed in D. J. Monsma et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 74, 5260 (1995) and K. Mizushima et al., Phys. Rev. B58, 4660 (1998)), a single-electron spin transistor (disclosed in K. Ono et al., J. Phys. Soc. Jpn 66, 1261 (1997)), and a resonant spin transistor (disclosed in N. Akiba et al., Physica B256-258, 561 (1998)).
Also, a spin transistor with a MOS structure that has the source and drain made of magnetic materials, and has a point contact between the channel and the drain, has been developed (disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-92412). This point contact is of such a size as to cause a quantum effect for spin-polarized electrons, and has much higher resistance than the channel resistance. The interface resistance between the channel and the drain is the principal factor to determine the magnetization dependency of the drain current. Therefore, with this spin transistor, a higher magneto-resistance ratio (MR ratio) can be obtained.
Also, a programmable logic circuit in which a MRAM and a MOSFET are combined to form basic logic gates such as an AND gate and an OR gate has been developed. In such a programmable logic circuit, the memory state of the MRAM is changed to switch on and off those logic gates.
However, any of the above described spin transistors does not have an amplifying function, and only maintains the switching function among the transistor functions.
The spin transistor disclosed in JP-A No. 2003-92412 has the problem of a decrease in device response speed due to an increase in the resistance of the point contact. Among the reports on experiments carried out on spin transistors having point contacts, there are cases where a high MR ratio was obtained, as well as cases where a high MR ratio was not obtained. It is difficult to apply such spin transistors to a logic circuit that include a number of devices.
In the case of a spin transistor not having a point contact, a high MR ratio can be achieved by employing an intrinsic semiconductor as the semiconductor substrate and magnetic semiconductors as magnetic bodies to be the source and drain. More specifically, a Schottky barrier is formed at the interface between the channel and the source and drain, and spin injection is performed via the Schottky barrier. The magnetic semiconductor can be obtained by replacing part of the atoms of a semiconductor body with a magnetic material such as Mn. However, a magnetic semiconductor cannot presently exhibit a preferable angle ratio at room temperature, and so far has only a limited operability at a low temperature.
Further, when a programmable logic circuit is formed by combining a MRAM and a MOSFET, the wiring structure between a MRAM that is formed with a magnetic layer and a MOSFET that is formed with a semiconductor layer becomes complicated.

Spin transistor, programmable logic circuit, and magnetic memory


An improved voltage tolerant protection circuit for input buffer comprising a transmission gate circuit receiving input from the pad for passing the input signal to the input of the input buffer, a control signal generator electrically coupled between the transmission gate circuit and the pad to provide a control signal for operating the transmission gate circuit, and an N-Well generation circuit electrically coupled between the pad and the transmission gate circuit, and also electrically coupled to the control signal generator for generating a bias signal for the transmission gate circuit and the control signal generator. Thus, the present invention provides a voltage tolerant protection circuit that prevents electrical stress on transistors, minimizes power supply consumption and transfers signals without any change in amplitude.

The significance of voltage protection circuit for input buffer is discussed with reference to a differential receiver circuit. Herein, the voltage protection circuit is a circuit between the I/O pad of an integrated circuit and a differential receiver, the protection circuit producing a signal that is used as an attenuation free input signal for the differential receiver circuit. For a differential receiver operating on 3.3V technology having common mode input range equal to 0.8V to 2.5V and having differential input sensitivity equal to 200 mV, it is essential that both the inputs of the differential receiver are free of any amplitude attenuation in common mode input range. To make the differential receiver five-volt tolerant, the input voltage must be equal to the supply voltage. Stated differently, the input voltage must exceed and cross the supply voltage.
Conventionally, NMOS transistors are used in voltage tolerant protection circuits, wherein the gate of the NMOS transistor is connected to the supply voltage. The source is connected to the Pad and the drain is connected to the Input Buffer. If the voltage at Pad is less than or equal to VDD−Vt (NMOS Threshold), the signal at the input buffer follows the Pad voltage without any amplitude attenuation. When Pad voltage is higher than the NMOS threshold then the signal at the input buffer is attenuated at NMOS threshold. For minimum allowed supply voltage, the signal at the input buffer goes beyond NMOS threshold and for large common mode input range the value of NMOS threshold may lie between the common mode input range, thus resulting in signal degradation. Further, delay is introduced on the rising edge of the signal at the input buffer for high frequency operation of the input buffer.
FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art voltage protection circuit as per US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0007712 A1, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Here, NMOS transistors are used for protection. As per the given circuit, VOUT follows the Pad voltage from 0V to VDD−vt (PMOS threshold), and supply voltage (VDD) is outputted at VOUT whenever input voltage crosses the PMOS threshold. There is static consumption on the supply voltage through transistors 224 & 226 when Pad voltage is less than VDD−vt (PMOS threshold) and it is undesirable to have a direct path between power supply and ground in normal operating condition. When Pad voltage is greater than VDD−vt (PMOS threshold), and 3.3V transistors are used in the protection circuit, there can be electrical stress on PMOS 234. Electrical stress on the transistors in the protection circuit is undesirable and often results in the output signal attenuation.
Accordingly what is needed is a method and system to overcome the problems encountered in the prior art voltage protection circuits and to provide a voltage tolerant protection circuit for an input buffer that prevents stress on transistors, minimizes power supply consumption and transfers signals without any change in the amplitude.

Voltage tolerant protection circuit for input buffer


A hybrid speaker is provided. The hybrid speaker can include first magnets, second magnets, a yoke that accommodates the first and second magnets, a diaphragm, voice coils fixed at one face of the diaphragm, a frame, and a plate spring resiliently supporting the yoke at the frame. The first magnets can be arranged at predetermined intervals such that south poles or north poles thereof are oriented to the same side. The second magnets can have smaller volumes than the first magnets and be arranged singly or plurally between the first magnets their magnetic poles oriented the opposite those of the first magnets. The voice coils can be disposed so as to cross magnetic circuits between the first magnets and the yoke. The diaphragm can be fixed to the frame at periphery portions of the face at the side of the diaphragm at which the voice coils are fixed.

A composite speaker (see the specification of WO2011/077770) emits sounds from both a diaphragm and a speaker panel. The composite speaker is provided with: a plural number of magnets arranged at a predetermined interval; a yoke that forms magnetic circuits with the magnets, with magnetic gaps; voice coils that are disposed so as to cross magnetic circuits between the magnets and between the magnets and the yoke; a diaphragm, at one face of which the voice coils are secured; a frame that supports the diaphragm at periphery portions of the diaphragm and that accommodates the magnets and the yoke; the speaker panel, to which the frame is secured at a side of the frame that is opposite to the side thereof that supports the diaphragm; and a resilient member provided between the speaker panel and the yoke.
In the composite speaker recited in WO 2011/077770, the diaphragm emits high pitched sounds and the speaker panel emits medium and low pitched sounds. Thus, auditory localization is possible and the composite speaker has rich medium and low pitched sound components.


Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, generating, by a power supply of an insulator, first output power that is at least partially consumed by an electronic device of the insulator, and generating, by the power supply, second output power that is consumed by a first waveguide device, wherein the first waveguide device is configured to obtain a first electromagnetic wave from a transmission medium, and wherein the first electromagnetic wave is guided by and propagates along the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the insulator insulates medium-voltage infrastructure from low-voltage infrastructure. Other embodiments are disclosed.

As smart phones and other portable devices increasingly become ubiquitous, and data usage increases, macrocell base station devices and existing wireless infrastructure in turn require higher bandwidth capability in order to address the increased demand. To provide additional mobile bandwidth, small cell deployment is being pursued, with microcells and picocells providing coverage for much smaller areas than traditional macrocells.
In addition, most homes and businesses have grown to rely on broadband data access for services such as voice, video and Internet browsing, etc. Broadband access networks include satellite, 4G or 5G wireless, power line communication, fiber, cable, and telephone networks.
In relation to a use of guided electromagnetic wave communications, magnetic cores of waveguide devices can harvest power without requiring an electrical connection to a conductor. The amount of harvested power is limited by the material composition, size, and weight of the magnetic core, and by the current flow on the host conductor. In many applications/environments, this leaves a very tight power-budget, since cores in practical embodiments can only supply 10 Watts (or less). Most small-cell devices will not be able to run or successfully execute functionality on that low-level of power, and therefore will need a dedicated power supply wherever they are installed. The use of the dedicated power supply usually includes tapping into, or connecting to, a low-voltage (LV) infrastructure associated with a utility/power company/plant. However, such an arrangement raises additional challenges in terms of interfacing LV and medium-voltage (MV) infrastructure.

Apparatuses and methods for enhancing a reliability of power available to communicaton devices via an insulator


A machine cab includes a cab frame, a floor portion, a seat portion disposed proximate the floor portion, a rear portion disposed proximate the seat portion, side panels connected to the frame, a roof portion, and a toe guard connected to the floor portion and extending forward of the cab frame.

In conventional work machines such as skid steer loaders, a top portion of the machine cab rotates forward or backward to allow access to the machine systems for servicing and maintenance. However, on such machines, the floor of the cab remains with the main machine body, while a top portion of the cab rotates. The portion of the cab surrounding the operator's legs, such as the floor, remains with the frame of the main machine body.
One method of providing access to a work machine's systems is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,546 (the '546 patent) issued to Beckstrom. The '546 patent describes an auxiliary cab lift spring for rotatably moving a cab from a working position to a raised position.
Although the system of the '546 patent may rotatably move the cab, it fails to provide maximum access to the work machine's systems by integrating the cab floor to move with the machine cab during rotation. The disadvantages of this machine configuration are that it limits the size of the machine door for operator ingress and egress, hampers sealing of the cab for heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC), and limits access to the machine body by maintenance and service personnel.
The disclosed system is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.


Systems and methods for analyzing the performance of a digital network include capturing a stream of digital data, e.g., internet protocol (IP) packets, that represent streaming video, identifying which of the IP packets include bit errors, determining to which of a plurality of pixels the IP packets including bit errors belong and identifying such pixels as corrupted pixels, and illuminating only the corrupted pixels on a display of a tool. Corrupted pixels in different time blocks can be displayed with different colors to gain a better appreciation of the bit error rate over time.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to telecommunications testing. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for visualizing bit errors occurring in telecommunication access networks.
Background
Today's widespread growth in deployment of higher speed DSL service, such as ADSU2/2+, enables telecom service providers to offer voice, video and data over a single twisted pair of copper wires. This is often termed the "triple play" of the telecommunications industry, and more particularly of the digital telecommunications industry.
For the successful adoption of triple play services, telecom providers must meet or exceed the quality of service expected by customers. Quality of service can be impacted by many technical problems. One common problem is the existence of faults in the copper pair that create faults in the ADSL signal, which lead to lost packets and transmission delays. These lost packets and delays create slow data rates and degrade the quality of voice and video service.
The same concerns are also applicable to other telecom services, beyond ADSL service, including ISDN service, and even service provided over fiber optic cable.
No matter what the physical network is composed of, telecom service providers must routinely test and qualify their networks to ensure the quality of service that customers demand in the marketplace.
When analyzing a digital network, one common performance metric is the measurement of bit error rate (BER). This metric is often measured by devices known as bit error rate testers (BERTs), which are designed specifically to test digital networks, systems and subsystems. Generally speaking, the rate of bits incorrectly conveyed over a network is a measure of the bit error rate (BER) of that network, and is an indication of the performance and operability of the network. Typically, some sort of predetermined test pattern that is broken up into a stream of IP packets is sent through the network and a suitable BERT compares the received pattern with a stored version of the test pattern. The BERT itself may also be capable of generating the test pattern, sending the test pattern out over the network, and receiving back the stream of data that it has sent out.
One well-known BERT is the HST-3000 available from JDS Uniphase (San Jose, Calif.). This device is a handheld, modular platform for copper and multi-service testing. The device includes an LCD display that is operable to display various menus and network performance data. As part of its functionality, the HST-3000 includes set-top-box (STB) emulation that enables the HST-3000 to establish program streams in a terminate mode not requiring customer premises equipment (CPE). Quality of Service (QoS) parameter measurement along with detailed troubleshooting analysis features make the HST-3000 a particularly advanced video tool.
Despite the availability of BERTs generally, and the relatively advanced HST-3000 in particular, there is nevertheless a need to further improve upon digital network analysis tools.
For example, testing video services delivered over various access network technologies (DSL, FTTx, etc.) present a complex environment to a field technician. While it is possible to analyze the quality of a video transport stream by analyzing its corresponding digital data, there can be no subjective evaluation without decoding the "picture" for human evaluation. However, a decode process for a full motion video program on a portable field test tool would be very expensive and difficult to accomplish, especially on a typical small screen graphical user interface (GUI) display employed on a device like the HST-3000. Furthermore, "hide" algorithms in a typical video decoder hide various error conditions such as lost video data that would result in lost pixels on the television (monitor) screen.
Thus, there is a need for an improved portable digital video tester that can not only provide objective analysis of a video stream, but can also provide a means for enabling a subjective analysis of the video.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems and methods for visualizing errors in video signals


A water jet system for trenching of a cable or a pipe below the floor of a river, lake, gulf or ocean bottom. Two opposed water jet legs are carried on a carriage forward of venturi tubes for disposing of the trenched bottom. The carriage includes a hydraulically powered track system for advancing along the length of the cable or pipeline. The water jets are a plurality of nozzles mounted in a rotating tube at different angular directions. When the nozzle tube rotates within the housing and the nozzles pass by different openings at different heights, the jets' high pressure water shoot forth. The high pressure action of the streams of water loosen the sediment below the floor of the body of water, which is subsequently carried away by air or water action through venturi tubes which are positioned behind the jet legs. The jet legs and carriage are positioned, controlled and powered from a work vessel on the surface of the water.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to a trenching system for trenching of pipelines, into a floor of a river, lake or ocean, and more particularly, pertains to water jet systems supported on a carriage with a track system for movement along a pipeline, flexible pipeline or cable.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art pipe trenching systems have been complicated, bulky structures usually requiring the presence of a diver during an operation. The prior art systems have moved slowly along the cable or pipe during a trenching procedure.
Representative pipe trenching apparatus include that of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,926,003; 4,087,981; and 4,274,670. These patents are representative of the prior art structures.
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a water jet system for trenching of a pipeline, which provides optimum performance with some or minimal diver attention.

Water jet system for trenching of pipelines


A propelling apparatus includes a plurality of propellant cylinders series-connected to each other to be propelled by receiving a pushing force from behind, joints for series-connecting the propellant cylinders, a propellant head connected to a forward-most end of the propellant cylinders to be pressed into the earth, a leader member constituting a leading end of the propellant head, the leader member being rotatable about an axis of the propellant head by receiving a driving force from a driving device. An inclined pressure-receiving face is formed at a forward portion of the leader member for receiving an earth pressure in association with the underground propelling movement of the propellant head and steering the propellant head toward the direction of application of the earth pressure to the pressure-receiving face. The joint includes a flexible joint which is pivotally flexible about a transverse axis extending normal to an axis of the propellant cylinder.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a propelling apparatus for use in an underground propelling construction work. The invention more particularly relates to a propelling apparatus including a plurality of propellant cylinders series-connected to each other via joints to be propelled by receiving a pushing force from behind, a propellant head connected to the forward-most end of the propellant cylinders for digging the earth, the propellant head having at a leading end thereof a leader member rotatable about an axis of the propellant head by receiving a driving force from a drive means, the leader member having at a forward portion thereof an inclined pressure-receiving face for receiving an earth pressure in association with the underground propelling movement of the propellant head and steering the propellant head toward the direction of application of the earth pressure to the pressure-receiving face.
2. Description of the Related Art
For effecting a branch-piping work for extending a lead-in pipe from a gas branch pipe (denoted by a mark P in FIG. 9) installed under a road to a gas piping system (denoted by a mark G in FIG. 9) installed in a domestic residence, for instance, pits are dug in the earth at a site corresponding to a base end (referred to simply as `base end` hereinafter) (denoted with a mark `D` in the figures) of the lead-in pipe and at a further site corresponding to a leading end (referred to simply as `leading end` hereinafter) (denoted with a mark `E` in the figures) of the lead-in pipe, respectively (normally, the pit at the base end is formed in advance. (normally, the pit at the base end is formed in advance. Hence, there is no necessity of newly forming this pit). Also, there is employed an underground propelling apparatus (`reference apparatus` hereinafter) including a plurality propellant cylinders series-connected to each other in an inflexible manner, i.e. without flexibility at the joints between the respective cylinders. Then, this reference apparatus is propelled straight under the ground to form a straight cylindrical underground hole, in which the lead-in pipe is installed horizontally. Thereafter, the leading end of the installed lead-in pipe is connected to a terminal end of the domestic gas piping systems. However, in the case of this pipe lead-in operation using the reference apparatus, the operation requires formation of a pit at the leading end and then again filling the pit with the earth after the pipe installment. These digging and filling operation of the pit at the leading end are troublesome. In addition, if there is no space available for forming the pit, the pipe installing operation is impossible entirely.
In order to avoid the above inconveniences, according to a proposal made by the conventional art, in the apparatus of the above-noted type, its propellant cylinders are interconnected via joints which allow omnidirectional flexion, and the drive means is provided as a hydraulic motor whose output shaft is operatively connected with the drive shaft (this conventional apparatus will be referred to as `first conventional apparatus` hereinafter).
In the case of the above first conventional apparatus, the apparatus is first propelled straight (for this straight propelling movement, the posture of the leader member is reversed repeatedly so as to alternately orient the inclined pressure-receiving face to the upward and the downward and the leader member is continuously driven to rotate). In the vicinity of the leading end, by fixedly setting the inclined pressure-receiving face downwards, the propelling apparatus is driven with an upward inclination so as to reach and break through the ground surface. Thus, by using this apparatus, the pipe installation work does not require the preliminary formation of the pit at the leading end (this installation operation will be referred to as `arrival pit-less construction method` hereinafter).
With the above first conventional apparatus, however, if the apparatus has a small diameter, it may be difficult to obtain a correspondingly small hydraulic motor which can be accommodate with the apparatus. And, as such small hydraulic motor can only provide a limited torque for driving the drive shaft and rotating the leader attached to the leading end of the shaft, there tends to arise the necessity of additionally providing some mechanism for increasing the torque (specifically, e.g. a reduction mechanism). This is a problem inherently present in the first conventional apparatus.
In order to solve these problems with the first conventional apparatus described above, the present inventors developed an improved apparatus previously (this apparatus will be referred to as `second conventional apparatus` hereinafter). In this apparatus, while the construction of the joints is maintained the same as that of the first conventional apparatus, a mechanism entirely different from the hydraulic motor is employed as the drive mechanism. Specifically, this mechanism comprises a rotary mechanism including, as a major component thereof, a spiral screw consisting essentially of a spiral ridge 71a and a spiral groove 61, as shown in FIG. 14.
More particularly, with further reference to FIG. 14, the rotary mechanism includes the spiral groove 61 formed at a portion of an inner peripheral face of a propellant head body 1A, a hydraulic piston 71 having the spiral ridge 71a threadable with the spiral groove 61 and incorporated within the propellant head body 1A, a rotary shaft 81 (corresponding to the drive shaft for the propellant head) forming in an outer periphery thereof a splined shaft portion 81a engageable with spline grooves 71b defined in the inner face of the hydraulic piston 71, and a pair of pressure-oil feeding passages 91A, 91B for feeding and discharging pressure oil to and from pressure-receiving chambers disposed side by side across a piston head 71c of the hydraulic piston 71 so as to reciprocally drive the hydraulic piston 71 along the axis of the head body 1A.
With the above-described rotary mechanism in operation, the pressure oil is fed through one pressure-oil feeding passage 91A (or 91B) to the propellant head body 1A and the oil is returned from the head body 1B through the other pressure-oil feeding passage 91B (or 91A). With these, the hydraulic piston 71 is reciprocally driven. In association with this reciprocal movement, the hydraulic piston 71 having its spiral ridge 71a threaded with the spiral groove 61 of the head body 1A is rotated forwardly and reversely, the rotary shaft 81 also is rotated forwardly and reversely, and also the leader member 1D of the propellant head 1 is driven to rotate about its axis. In this, the leader member 1D is rotated by about 360 degrees or more with one reciprocal movement of the hydraulic piston 71.
However, in the case of both the first and second conventional apparatuses, the interconnecting portions are constructed from the omnidirectionally flexible joints. This causes a problem to be described next. That is, the control of the propelling direction needs to be effected omnidirectionally, i.e. in all of the upper, lower and right and left directions. Hence, the propelling control of the apparatuses tends to be complicated. Such complexity has made it considerably difficult to facilitate and speed up the underground propelling construction work and also to reduce the cost of the control system. This is the problem common to the first and second conventional apparatuses.
The present invention has attended to the above-described states of the art. A primary object of the invention is to provide means capable of solving not only the problem of the reference apparatus but also the problem unique or common to one or both the first and second conventional apparatuses and capable of allowing smooth flexible propulsion of the propelling apparatus afforded by the flexible joints used therein.

Propelling apparatus for underground propelling construction work


An assembly and method for manufacturing a composite reinforcement for unitizing a structure are provided. According to one embodiment, the assembly includes a base having a plurality of pins extending outwardly therefrom to define a structure about which a composite fiber is wound to define a composite reinforcement preform. The assembly also includes a plurality of mandrels positioned adjacent to the base and at least a portion of the composite reinforcement preform, and a cap that is positioned over at least a portion of the plurality of mandrels. The cap is configured to engage each of the mandrels to support the mandrels and the composite reinforcement preform during a curing process to form the composite reinforcement.

1) Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate to composite structures and, more particularly, to the intersection of composite reinforcements for integration with various structures.
2) Description of Related Art
Composite structures provide weight, fatigue strength, and corrosion resistance advantages over metallic structures. Unitization and new manufacturing processes have reduced the cost of composite structures and yielded additional weight savings. Applying composites to complex, highly loaded structures, however, has required multiple manufacturing operations and costly assembly processes. With respect to the aircraft industry, large, unitized, grid-stiffened structures have been developed by integrating axial and longitudinal stiffeners with the aircraft skin. But, there has been no efficient mechanism to transfer loads though the intersections of the stiffeners, which has required additional weight and complexity at the intersections.
In particular, utilization of a longitudinal stiffener and circumferential frame approach consists of large composite or metallic frames that are mechanically fastened at locations along the length of the fuselage and fastened circumferentially to the fuselage's composite skin. This design also includes longitudinal stiffeners that are co-cured, co-bonded, or mechanically fastened to the fuselage's composite skin. This design is not the optimum approach since the frames cannot transverse through the stiffeners. Therefore, the longitudinal stiffeners terminate before and after each frame, which reduces the ability of the structure to control buckling. As such, the load that each longitudinal stiffener carries is directed through the skins. To carry the extra loads the skin thickness must be increased along with the stiffener and frames which increases the weight and complexity of the structure. Furthermore, since the frames are mechanically fastened to the fuselage the fabrication cost is very high.
Composite structures lend themselves to be fabricated as a monolithic or unitized structure. In other words, it is generally less complex and costly to produce a composite fuselage that is co-cured with the skins, longitudinal stiffeners, and frames than it is to build up each component in smaller sections. There are generally three ways to reduce the cost of fabricating composite structures: minimize or eliminate tooling, mechanization of the lay-up process, and unitization of the structure. To minimize tooling costs multifunctional tools were developed. For example, tools have been developed that allow a user to lay-up, cure, and trim on a single tool eliminating the need for two additional tools. The mechanization of composite parts is accomplished through various processes such as: fiber placement, filament winding, braiding, and tape placement. The development of large unitized structures, such as grid-stiffened structural skins, reduces the cost of composite structures due to the elimination of lay-up and cure processes.
One limitation of these large, unitized grid-stiffened structures is that there is no efficient mechanism to transfer loads in both directions through the stiffeners. Current state of the art technology uses primarily braiding or woven intersections for composite intersection reinforcement. However, when braided and woven intersections are unfolded after fabrication, the intersections may have line length differences which typically lead to significant tow waviness through the intersection of the composite intersection reinforcement. Moreover, it is difficult to control the fiber distortion during curing of these composite fiber materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,226 to Vitale et al. discloses an alternative technique for transferring loads through a structure that includes laminated sheets and fiber strands formed into webs that intersect at a common junction and carry loads through the intersection. The '226 patent also discloses that a single fiber strand may be utilized in an interweaving tool to direct the strand in a repetitive path, such as a clover leaf or figure eight pattern, to obtain a cruciform load transfer structure. The tool generally includes a primary set of mandrels and shuttle carrier rings, where the rings are configured to rotate in a fixed orbit while the mandrels are shifted relative to the rings. Laminated sheets of carbon fiber cloth and tape are positioned to underlie or enclose the cruciform shaped strand. The structure is then cured in a heating chamber or autoclave in order to harden the structure.
Despite these advantages in developing unitized grid stiffened structures, there is a need for more efficiently manufacturing composite intersection reinforcements. In addition, there is a need for a composite intersection reinforcement that effectively transfers loads through the intersection of a plurality of structures.
It would therefore be advantageous to provide an apparatus and method for efficiently and effectively manufacturing composite reinforcements for integration with various structures. In addition, it would be advantageous to provide composite reinforcements that effectively transfer loads through the intersection of a plurality of structures.


A method for ozonizing an unsaturated fatty acid or a lower alkyl ester thereof is provided as comprising the steps of: supplying an unsaturated fatty acid or a lower alkyl ester thereof as a thin film stream, and passing a gas containing ozone in oxygen or a mixture of oxygen and air or inert gas in the same direction as the flow direction of said thin film stream, thereby achieving gas-liquid contact between the thin film stream of unsaturated fatty acid or lower alkyl ester thereof and the ozone-containing gas. Also provided is a method for oxidative decomposition of the thus ozonized product by contact with ozone-free oxygen gas or air.

It is known in the prior art to cause ozone to act on unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid, thereby effecting continuous ozonization of their double bond (Japanese Patent Publication No. 4714/1961 or U.S. Pat. No. 2,813,113 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 9206/1968).
The prior art continuous ozonization methods of unsaturated fatty acids which use an apparatus having a plurality of reaction zones and rely on the counterflow gas-liquid contact process of contacting unsaturated fatty acid solution with ozone-containing gas in a counterflow manner, however, are dangerous because excess ozone can be locally supplied to form peroxides. The counterflow gas-liquid contact process of this type is difficult to quickly remove reaction heat from the apparatus or reactor tower.
German Patent No. 2,713,863 discloses a method for continuously producing an ozonide (or ozonized product) by ozonizing a high molecular weight olefin, oleic acid or linoleic acid in the presence of water and an organic acid or alcohol. Since this method supplies the reactant and an ozone-containing gas in parallel flow relationship, but does not form a thin film flow of the reactant, it is necessary to efficiently remove reaction heat generated during ozonization and to add large amounts of water and organic acid or alcohol for keeping the resulting ozonide (or ozonized product) stable, thus resulting in low yields per unit time. Moreover, although a plurality of static mixers are provided in the reactor tower for mixing organic acid and water, it is difficult to maintain a stable emulsion. As emulsion particles become larger, local heating occurs inevitably.
Also known in the prior art is oxidative decomposition by causing oxygen to act on ozonized products of unsaturated fatty acids (Japanese Patent Publication No. 4717/1961).
Although the oxidative decomposition reaction of ozonized products of unsaturated fatty acids is said to take place at a temperature of 75.degree. to 125.degree. C. according to the Publication, the actual temperature was limited up to 100.degree. C. Thus the oxidative decomposition reaction took a long time, resulting in low yields. If reaction were performed at high temperatures of 100.degree. C. or higher, especially 125.degree. C. or higher, abrupt oxidation would occur, imposing a safety problem. Also, part of the final product could be oxidized into carbon dioxide and water while forming by-products, leaving a problem in yields.
Therefore, there is a need for the development of a commercially advantageous method for the oxidative decomposition of ozonized products of unsaturated fatty acids.

Method for ozonizing unsaturated fatty acids or lower alkyl esters thereof and method for the oxidative decomposition of ozonized products


The memory cell array in accordance with the invention is divided into several memory cell array portions, each memory cell array portion having refresh period determined so as to be adapted to a memory cell having minimum data retention time among memory cells therein. The invention can greatly reduce consumption of electrical power by refresh relative to the conventional memory cell array.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a dynamic semiconductor memory and in particular to a dynamic semiconductor memory having a refresh control circuit therein.
2. Related Art Statement
Capacity of a semiconductor memory has been increased at the rate of quadruple every three years. 64 megabit dynamic RAM (DRAM) has already been reported in an academic society of this field. With the increase of their capacity, semiconductor memories have been widely used in many devices such as portable personal computer and word processor. Conventionally, a static RAM (SRAM) has first been used for such applications because of small consumption of electrical power. However, these days DRAM is used instead of SRAM for the purpose of reducing costs because DRAM is cheaper than SRAM for equal amount of capacity. However, DRAM consumes larger electrical power than SRAM because DRAM needs periodic refresh in order to maintain data to be stored in a memory cell. For compensating for this defect, a refresh period is made longer in stand-by condition to decrease consumption of electrical power. For instance, though standard refresh period is 16 milliseconds in 4 megabit DRAM, some of them adopt refresh period of 128 milliseconds, eight times as longer as the standard period, to decrease consumption of electrical power with the result that its consumption of electrical power is decreased to be less than one fifth of standard version. Thus, if the refresh period is made longer, consumption of electrical power can be decreased. However, this brings a problem of excessive requirement for data retention characteristics and so on.
DRAM is developed every generation to have storing capacity four times as large as the previous generation and the number of refresh cycle twice as great as the previous generation. Accordingly, the refresh cycle is doubled to maintain the refresh time to be in a constant rate for all operation time. Therefore, a memory cell is inevitably required to have data retention characteristics twice as long as the previous generation, and additionally required to have the characteristics more than twice as long as the previous generation for reducing consumption of electrical power. On the other hand, a memory cell is small-sized for high density packaging, and thus storing capacity of such a memory cell is decreased relative to the previous generation. In addition, capacitive dielectric film becomes thinner to compensate for reduced storing capacity. These situations make it difficult to reduce leak of current happened inside a memory cell. Thus, though it is easy to just prolong the refresh period, a memory cell is required to have enhanced data retention characteristics, and it is not easy to fabricate the memory cell having such characteristics.
Most of electrical power consumed by DRAM includes charging and discharging current of several parasitic capacitance, transit through current flowing between transistors and little of steady-state current. Thus, longer operation cycle time reduces consumption of current in inverse proportion. Accordingly, if the refresh period is made longer, it is possible to prolong operation cycle time because the number of refresh cycle during that time is constant, thereby consumption of power being able to be reduced.
For instance, in the case of 4 megabit DRAM, data retention characteristics are not uniform, but widely vary. Data retention characteristics measured at room temperature is represented in FIG. 1 wherein the axis of abscissa represents data retention time and the axis of ordinate represents the number of cumulation of inferior bits, both axes being expressed in logarithm. The most inferior bit has only about 1 second of retention time, while the number of cumulation of inferior bits at 100 seconds of retention time is just hundreds of bits, which is just not more than one hundred thousandth relative to 4 megabit.
Data retention time for 4 megabit DRAM is standardized to be 16 milliseconds. Since this value is a minimum at 70 degrees centigrade at which retention characteristics are deteriorated because of high temperature, this standard cannot be met with unless the retention characteristics are at least 0.5 seconds at a room temperature. That is, though 99.9% or more of bits have characteristics not less than hundred times as sufficient as the standard, refresh of all bits has to be done in shorter periods because of a few inferior bits.
FIG. 2 shows a structure of such a conventional dynamic semiconductor memory.
The dynamic semiconductor memory has a buffer circuit 1 for receiving RAS (row address strobes) and CAS (column address strobes) and buffer amplifying them; a CBR identifying circuit 2 for producing refresh mode signals RM at active level when it detects that a mode is CBR (CAS Before RAS) refresh mode on the basis of output signals transferred from the buffer circuit 1; a refresh address signal generating circuit 4 for producing refresh address signals RAD when the refresh mode signal RM is at active level; an internal control signal producing circuit 3b for receiving the output signals emitted from the buffer circuit 1, the refresh mode signal RM and timing signal TS emitted from the refresh address signal generating circuit 4 to generate activation control signal .phi. which is introduced to be at activated level at a predetermined timing; an address buffer circuit 5 for receiving an external address signal AD to output external address signals ADr and ADc; a switch circuit 6 for selecting the refresh address signal RAD if the refresh mode signal RM is of active level while selecting the external address signal ADr if the refresh mode signal RM is of inactive level; memory cell arrays 9a and 9b each having a plurality of memory cells, word lines and bit lines; row selecting circuit having row decoders 7a and 7b and word driving circuits 8a and 8b for being activated when the activation control signal .phi. is of activated level, to put a predetermined word line in the associated memory cell array 9a, 9b to be on selection level; sense amplifying circuits 11a and 11b for being activated when the activation control signal .phi. is of activated level, to amplify and rewrite data stored in a memory cell through the bit lines, the cell connecting with a word line of selection level of associated memory cell arrays 9a and 9b; a column decoder 10 for selecting a predetermined bit line in the memory cell array 9a, 9b in accordance with the external address signal ADc emitted from the address buffer circuit 5; and an input and output circuit 12 for transferring data DI, which is externally input and to be written therein, to a determined bit line and outputting readout data transferred through the determined bit line.
In the case of 4 megabit DRAM, the external address signal AD is 11 bits and this is divided by time-sharing into row address signals ADr and column address signals ADc. Accordingly, a matrix having 2048 rows and 2048 columns is created. However, refresh is determined to be done every 1024 cycle by 10 bits of the row address signals ADr. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a pair of the row decoders 7a and 7b and a pair of word driving circuit 8a and 8b both for driving 1024 word lines are provided. They simultaneously drive word lines in each of the memory cell arrays 9a and 9b.
As aforementioned, in a conventional dynamic semiconductor memory, the pair of memory cell arrays 9a and 9b are adapted to be refreshed at the same period and the same timing. Thus, even if there is no memory cell having inferior data retention characteristics in one of memory cell arrays, they both have to be refreshed at the same period, thereby causing it difficult to reduce consumption of electrical power during refreshing.

Dynamic semiconductor memory with refresh function


A system and method for determining one or more origin and destination (O&D) services for a travel itinerary. The method comprises the steps of inputting itinerary data into the processor, determining one or more O&D services for the itinerary by applying a multi-level test, and outputting the O&D services. The invention also includes a system for determining one or more O&D services for a travel itinerary. The system comprises a storage device, a processor, testing software that selectively applies a first and second test set, and determining software responsive to the testing software that determines the O&D services for the travel itinerary. The invention also includes a method for determining travel cost information for a travel itinerary. The method includes determining one or more O&D services for the travel itinerary by applying a multi-level test, inputting derived itinerary travel costs into the processor, calculating travel costs, comparing the calculated travel costs with the derived itinerary travel costs to produce travel cost information, and outputting the travel cost information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and method in the travel industry. In particular, this invention relates to a system and method for determining one or more origin and destination (O&D) services for an itinerary by applying a multi-level test to the itinerary.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Trip analysis became important to travel managers as airlines set up hub-and-spoke route networks in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Since that time, travel reporting systems have used a variety of methods to derive O&D.
Some systems use "stopover indicators" on an airline ticket. These indicators (an "X" for a connection and an "O" for a stopover) are a ticket-pricing byproduct. While useful as an ingredient of an O&D determination, stopover indicators by themselves cannot produce accurate O&D.
Other systems use "fare break points" on an airline ticket. Akin to stopover indicators, fare break points are the points in an itinerary that are explicitly priced. These do not always accurately indicate O&D.
Other systems use the time spent at a location. Some reporting systems use a minimum specified amount of time, e.g., four hours, to indicate a stopover. Some systems use one minimum for "domestic" travel and a different minimum for "international" travel. While consideration of time spent at a location is a key indication of O&D, time alone is a less accurate indicator of O&D. A more accurate O&D determination system is needed.

System and method for determining the origin and destination services of a travel itinerary


The inventive idea is to set up by parts of forwarded call using services of a closed user group always leg-specifically. Hereby the user group data defined by the subscribers for the leg in question can be used for each leg. The user group data defined by the calling subscriber is used in that leg of the call which is between the calling subscriber and the call forwarding point. User group data defined by the called subscriber who forwarded the call is used between the forwarding point and the subscriber who is the forwarding target.

This invention relates to set-up of forwarded calls in a system wherein closed user groups are defined.
It is known in telecommunication systems to define closed user groups (CUG), e.g. defined by the staff of a company or by a certain circle of friends. The services of a closed user group may be different and e.g. cheaper than normal calls.
The use of a closed user group in a telecommunication system is described in the GSM 02.85 specification published by the ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). In accordance with the specification, a subscriber belonging to a closed user group may have various subscriber options defined for himself which tell what kinds of calls the subscriber may receive or make. These subscriber options are
1. CUG calls only; the subscriber may set up calls only with subscribers of his own CUG group,
2. Access for CUG and incoming calls; the subscriber may set up calls with subscribers of his own CUG group and also receive calls coming from outside his own CUG group (IA, Incoming Access),
3. Access for CUG and outgoing calls; the subscriber may set up calls with subscribers of his own CUG group and may also make calls going outside his own CUG group (OA, Outgoing Access), and
4. Access for CUG and outgoing and incoming calls; the subscriber may set up calls with subscribers of his own CUG group and may also make calls going outside his own CUG group and receive calls coming from outside his own CUG group (IA+O xc3x85).
In addition, restrictions within the user group may be defined for he subscriber,
1. ICB, incoming calls barred within a CUG, and
2. OCB, outgoing calls barred within a CUG.
A subscriber may belong simultaneously to several closed user groups CUG, of which one may be selected as default group, which is used in the set-up of outgoing calls, unless otherwise mentioned for the individual call.
FIG. 1 shows storing of information relating to closed user groups in a home location register HLR. A copy of the information presented in the figure is also preserved in the subscribers visitor location register VLR. An international mobile subscriber identity IMSI functions as the key to the record. A list of the basic services to which the subscriber has a right is appended to the subscriber identity. Services are distinguished from each other with the aid of basic service group codes BSGC. To the services is connected information on the closed user group CUG to be primarily used when setting up a call as well as information on OA access of outgoing calls outside the group. In the example shown in the figure, such a user group is defined for primary use in connection with speech service T11 for the subscriber, the CUG INDEX of which =1, and there is also access for outgoing calls going outside the group (OA=T). Correspondingly, in connection with fax service T62 of group 3, such a user group is used primarily, the CUG INDEX of which =2, and outgoing calls going outside the group are barred (OA=F). In connection with the PAD service (Packet Assembler/Disassembler) BA6 to be used when connecting to packet data networks at a transmission rate of 9600 bits a second, such a user group is used primarily, the CUG INDEX of which =4, and outgoing calls going outside the group are barred (OA=F).
In addition to service information and primary CUGs relating to services, the visitor location register stores a description of network-specific CUG IC (CUG Interlock Code) group attributes which are used between subscriber-specific CUG INDEX group attributes and exchanges. In the example shown in the figure, the CUG INDEX 1 of the subscriber""s user group corresponds to the network-specific CUG IC 101 symbol, while CUG INDEX 2 corresponds to CUG IC 12, CUG INDEX 3 to CUG IC 1 and CUG INDEX 4 to CUG IC 14.
FIG. 2 shows transmission of information relating to the use of a closed user group when setting up a call. In the example, a call is set up between two mobile stations MSA and MSB (MS=Mobile Station). According to the figure, the CUG user group which is to be used is distinguished between the calling mobile station MSA and the mobile switching centre MSC and a visitor location register VLR typically located in connection with the MSC, using subscriber-specific CUG INDEX information together with the subscriber identity. If in connection with the call set-up, the MSA does not separately state any CUG to be used, then that closed user group will be used which has been defined by the subscriber as the default group for this basic service. If no default group has been defined for the basic service and the subscriber does not in connection with the call set-up indicate any closed user group to be used, the call will be set up as a normal call, if the subscriber has given access to normal calls (OA).
Upon receiving the request for a call set-up, the MSC/VLR checks if the MSA has the right to set-up of the CUG call he requested. This is done with the aid of the CUG INDEX information obtained from the subscriber, with subscriber data stored in the visitor location register VLR and with a special authorisation function. The call set-up is continued, if it is found that the subscriber is so entitled.
A user group to be used in communication between mobile switching centres is identified within the user group""s network by a CUG IC identifier performing unambiguous identification. in addition, in communication between exchanges the term OA is used, which tells whether the call is allowed to be an outgoing call going outside the CUG.
When setting up a call, the calling subscriber MSA""s exchange MSC contacts the GMSCB gateway mobile services switching centre of subscriber B based on the MSISDN number (MSISDN=Mobile Subscriber ISDN) which identifies subscriber B. The GMSCB is a centre able to make SRI (Send Routing Information) enquiries to subscriber B""s home location register HLRB. In the SRI, the GMSCB sends to the HLRB the IC(A) identifier of the CUG defined by subscriber A and information on access of outgoing calls going outside the group.
FIG. 3 shows the operation of home location register HLRB. The HLRB receives the SRI enquiry (step N01) and checks whether MSB belongs to the CUG defined by subscriber A by comparing the IC(B) group symbols of subscriber B with the IC(A) group data stated by subscriber A (step N02). If it is found that subscriber B belongs to the defined user group, then IC(A)∈{IC(B)} is true, and the operation proceeds to step N03, where it is checked whether MSB has barred incoming calls within the group (ICB). If calls within the group are allowed (ICB(B) is false), a further check is made in step N04 to find out whether subscriber B has defined forwarding of the call. The call will be forwarded, if subscriber B has determined that his call is to be forwarded unconditionally to subscriber C (CFU, Call Forwarding Unconditional) or if HLR finds that the subscriber can not be reached and the subscriber has defined CFNRc (Call Forwarding on Not Reachable) to be made in such a case. If forwarding is not defined or the forwarding conditions are not met, the call set-up is continued as a CUG call (step N05). If the call is defined to be forwarded to a third subscriber (subscriber C), the CUG information (IC(A), OA(A)) is checked to find out whether forwarding of the call can be carried out (step N20).
If it is found in step N02 that subscriber B does not belong to the user group (IC(A)∉{IC(B)}) defined by subscriber A, or in step N03 that subscriber B has barred internal calls in the group, progress is made to steps N11 and N12, where it is checked whether the call can be set up as a normal call. A check is made in step N11 to find out whether subscriber A has allowed the call to go outside the group (OA(A)) and in step N12 whether subscriber B has allowed access for calls coming from outside the group (IA(B)). If each condition is fulfilled, it is checked whether the call must be forwarded to a third subscriber, that is, to subscriber C (step N13). If no forwarding is defined or if forwarding conditions are not fulfilled, the call is continued as a normal call (step N14). If forwarding of the call is defined, a check is made based on the CUG data (IC(A), OA(A)) given by subscriber A to find out whether forwarding of the call can be carried out (step N20).
If no condition of steps N11 and N12 is fulfilled, the call will be rejected (step N30).
If set-up of the call is continued without forwarding the call (steps N05 and N14), HLRB will use a PRN message (Provide Roaming Number) to request the MSRN roaming number (Mobile Subscriber Roaming Number) of subscriber B""s current visitor location register VLRB. The roaming number is used to identify the called subscriber B during the call set-up. HLRB returns the roaming number it has received together with the CUG identifiers defined by subscriber A to GMSCB, which for its part sets up a connection with the MSB mobile station through VMSCB using the roaming number as identifier.
Should HLR find in step N04 or N13 of FIG. 3 that the call is defined to be forwarded to subscriber C, a check is made of whether forwarding is possible. This functionality is shown in FIG. 4. It is checked in step B02 if subscriber B belongs to the user group defined by subscriber A. If this is not the case, an instruction is returned to GMSCB to forward the call to subscriber C using the CUG parameters (IC(A), OA(A)) defined by subscriber A, if both subscriber A and subscriber B have defined access for outgoing calls outside their CUG groups (steps B21 and B22).
If subscriber B belongs to the CUG group defined by subscriber A, it is checked whether subscriber B has barred outgoing calls inside the group (step B03). If this is not the case, an instruction is given to GMSCB to forward the call to subscriber C as a CUG call. If both subscriber A and subscriber B have defined access for outgoing calls outside their CUG groups (steps B11 and B12), the forwarded call is also allowed to go outside the group (OA, step B23). If this is not the case, the call is forwarded as a CUG call without allowing the call to go outside the group (step B13).
If subscriber B has barred calls inside the group, progress is made from step B03 to steps B04 and B05, where GMSCB is controlled to forward the call as a normal call (step B06, normal call), if both subscriber A and subscriber B have defined access for outgoing calls outside their CUG groups. If at least one subscriber has barred outgoing calls going outside the group, the call is barred (step B30).
Thus, in the forwarding leg defined by subscriber B the CUG parameters defined by subscriber A are mainly used. Based on the CUG definitions of subscriber B, the CUG definitions of subscriber A can be changed only
1. to bar outgoing calls outside the CUG group of subscriber A, if subscriber B has barred his outgoing calls going outside his own group, and
2. to set up the call as a normal call, if subscriber B has barred calls inside the CUG group defined by subscriber A, but both subscriber A and subscriber B allow outgoing calls going outside the group in question.
Having received from HLRB an instruction to forward the call, GMSCB continues to set up the call towards subscriber C based on the CUG information it has received from HLRB. FIG. 5 shows routing of the call to be set up. The call is now formed by legs 1 and 2 between the GMSCB gateway centres of subscriber A and subscriber B and by the forwarding distance formed by legs 3, 4 and 5 between GMSCB and subscriber C. Forwarding takes place in GMSCB, which is called the forwarding point. If subscriber B or subscriber C is a fixed network subscriber, no enquiry is made to the home location register for his part, because the subscriber information is then stored in the exchange of his fixed network. If supplementary service information of the subscriber is stored in an IN (Intelligent Network) connected to his exchange, the exchange must fetch the said information through an enquiry to the intelligent network.
If the subscriber has defined call forwardings to be performed in VLR such as CFB (Call Forwarding on Busy), CFNRy (Call Forwarding on No Reply) or CFNRc (Call Forwarding on Not Reachable), and VLR finds that the condition for such call forwarding is fulfilled, VLR will make the checks shown above in FIG. 4 and will continue to set up the call towards subscriber C. The forwarding point will then be that VMSCB centre, see FIG. 2, under which subscriber B is operating at the moment.
In the processing of forwarded calls the usual charging principle is that subscriber A always pays for the leg between subscriber A and the call forwarding point, while subscriber B pays for the leg between the forwarding point and subscriber C. However, CUG information defined by subscriber A is used in that leg of the call which is between subscriber C and the forwarding point defined by and paid for by subscriber B. If subscriber B and subscriber C belong to the same CUG group, it would be most natural to set up the B-C forwarding leg as a CUG call which may have more advantageous characteristics and a more advantageous price than a normal call. E.g. in cases where a calling subscriber A does not belong to the same CUG user group as subscriber B and subscriber C, the call will be set up in accordance with FIG. 6 as a normal call both over the A-B distance and over the B-C distance.
FIG. 7 shows another situation, where problems are caused by a state-of-the-art arrangement. In the figure, subscriber A belongs to user group G2, subscriber B to user groups G1 and G2 and subscriber C to user group G1. Subscriber B has defined forwarding of his calls to subscriber C as CUG calls. When subscriber A makes a CUG call to subscriber B with no access (no OA) of outgoing calls outside the group, the home location register HLRB of subscriber B checks if subscriber B belongs to the G1 user group defined by subscriber A. Since this is the case, set-up of the call is continued from forwarding point GMSCB towards subscriber C with the CUG information provided by subscriber A. A check is made in the home location register HLRC of subscriber C to find out if subscriber C belongs to the CUG group G2 defined for the call. Since this is not the case and the call is not allowed to go outside the said G2 group, set-up of the call is discontinued.
Further, in state-of-the-art systems, the type of a call is not known before the CUG checks made by the final recipient of the call. If the calling subscriber defines a CUG group for use in the call and also allows the call to go outside the group, the MSCA centre of the calling subscriber or the GMSCB centre of the called subscriber does not know if the call should be set up as a CUG call or as a normal call. For this reason, statistics on the call and charging of the call must use the name xe2x80x9cmaybe CUGxe2x80x9d for the call as regards the A-B distance.
For the reasons presented above, controlling of forwarded calls of a closed user group is difficult, especially the use of leg-based charging. The present invention aims at solving these problems. The aim is achieved with the method and equipment defined in the independent claims.
The inventive idea is to set up a forwarded call using a service of a closed user group always legspesifically. Hereby such user group information can be used for each leg which is defined by the subscriber explicitly for the concerned leg. The user group information defined by a calling subscriber A is used on that leg of the call which is between subscriber A and the call forwarding point. The user group information defined by the called subscriber who has forwarded the call is used between the forwarding point and the subscriber who is the forwarding target.
In one embodiment, the network element, such as a home location register, maintaining subscriber information of the subscriber who has activated a conditional or an unconditional call forwarding, is adapted in connection with the call set-up to return the user group information defined by the subscriber for the forwarding leg. In addition, the exchange or centre functioning as the call forwarding point is adapted to continue set-up of the call based on the user group information it has received for the forwarding leg towards the subscriber who is the forwarding target.

Call forwarding in a telecommunication system