A system and method for information technology (IT) migration includes determining a relationship among objects to be migrated such that the relationship includes a set of objects having at least one of a common feature or dependency between the objects in the set. The objects are grouped into a plurality of migration waves such that cross-wave relationships are minimized among the plurality of migration waves. The objects are migrated wave by wave.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to system migration and object migration in computing environments, and more particularly to wave planning and execution for performing the migration.
2. Description of the Related Art
Migration is the process of transferring data, programs, applications, etc. between storage types, formats, computer systems, etc. Migration may be partially performed programmatically to achieve a partially automated migration, freeing up human resources from tedious tasks. When organizations or individuals change computer systems or upgrade to new systems, or when organizations merge, migration is usually employed. During migration, information, programs, etc. on an old system is mapped to a new system relating old data formats, etc. to the new system's formats and requirements.
In information technology (IT) migration projects, it is difficult to migrate all objects that are to be migrated at the same time. However, it is also not desirable to migrate object by object, because many steps such as placement optimization, mutual addressing of the migrated objects, and testing of overall applications, are better performed with many objects together.
IT migration activities include server and application consolidation, transformation, virtualization, etc. One aspect of migration is that certain software objects, such as applications, middleware, or entire operating system images, are to be moved to a different platform, such as other servers, other operating systems, other middleware versions or types, or another environment such as clouds. When an enterprise decides on a migration project, the goal is typically to migrate a large number of objects, so that the resulting savings exceed the planning and execution costs of the migration project. However, one cannot usually move all the objects at once or even a subset that is selected to be migrated. One reason is that migration is time-consuming. Another reason may be that costs do not permit acquiring all the desired new hardware at the same time, or if the migration is done to consolidate existing hardware or existing facilities, hardware or floor space may need to be freed up by migrating some objects, before migrating other objects.
The opposite extreme, i.e., migrating objects one by one, is also not desirable. For example, one typically wants to move an entire business application at once so that it only needs to be tested once. Furthermore, if one object uses or addresses another object, migrating the used or addressed object means that changes in the using or addressing object need to be made, and the two objects should best be migrated together. Another reason for migrating interacting objects at the same time is related to geographic closeness or good network connectivity. The overall application may not be able to have the desired throughput or latency if some objects have already been migrated and others have not.

System and method for object migration using waves

International Business Machines Corporation


There is provided a reproducing/recording apparatus that can reduce a load required for pushing in a case to activate a motor of a loading mechanism. The recording/reproducing apparatus includes a gear mechanism coupled with the motor, and a rack (43) coupled with the gear mechanism and provided along an advancement and retraction direction of a base plate (3), i.e., the case. Between the rack (43) and the base plate (3), grooves (32A) are formed for allowing a relative movement of the rack (43) and the base plate (3) along the advancement and retraction direction. Between the base plate (3) and the gear mechanism, a start cam mechanism is formed for starting rotation of the motor when the base plate (3) advances to a predetermined position. With such configuration, the base plate (3) can advance within the length of the grooves (32A) without much load when a user pushes in the base plate (3), therefore the disk D can be easily loaded.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reproducing/recording apparatus having a disk gate for inserting and ejecting a disk.
2. Description of Related Art
A reproducing/recording apparatus is used for reproducing data from or recording data on a disk.
As an example of such reproducing/recording apparatus, there is a tray type one that includes an apparatus body having a disk gate for inserting and ejecting a disk, a tray provided inside the apparatus body for accommodating the disk, a recording/reproducing mechanism for recording on and reproducing from the disk accommodated in the tray, and a loading mechanism for advancing and retracting the tray between a position where the disk faces the recording/reproducing mechanism and a position near the disk gate.
The loading mechanism includes a motor, a plurality of gears driven by the motor, and a rack coupled with the gears and provided on the tray. When the tray advances to a predetermined position, a sensor switch is activated to start or stop rotation of the motor.
This switch is adapted to shit operations by manually pushing in the tray that has been drawn out from the disk gate.
In the above example of the prior art, a motor switch is turned on by pushing in the tray. However, since the tray is coupled with the motor switch through the plurality of gears, there is a disadvantage that the tray push-in operation comes with a load to idle the gears.
As another example of the reproducing/recording apparatus, there is a slot-in type one in which an arm for holding the outer circumferential edge of the disk is provided on a base plate. The distance that the base plate of the slot-in type reproducing/recording apparatus advances and retracts is shorter than the distance that the tray of the tray type does. Accordingly, in the slot-in type, comparing with the tray type, the plurality of gears of the loading mechanism should have higher gear ratio and thus a large load is imposed on base plate push-in operation.


A method of forming a reference electrode having a continuously stable reference voltage and particularly well-suited for use in an in-tank electrochemical sensor. The method utilizes an inert substrate and a counter electrode, both immersed in electroplating fluid. Current is passed between the inert substrate and the counter electrode to strip and subsequently replate the inert substrate, which then serves as the reference electrode. The steps of stripping and replating the reference electrode are periodically repeated to maintain the stability of the reference electrode voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of in-situ formation of a reference electrode for in-tank use in plating bath analysis. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for repeatedly regenerating a reference electrode to provide long-term reference voltage stability without replacing the electrode. The stable reference electrode is of the type ideally required in in-tank sensors used to accurately measure and analyze the electrochemical properties of plating baths.
2. Description of Related Art
Plating bath analysis methods, such as the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,116, and assigned to the present common assignee, typically use electrochemical sensors containing sensing electrodes and a reference electrode. The sensing electrodes usually include a working electrode and a counter electrode. All of the electrodes are in direct contact with the plating bath solution. The electrochemical properties of the plating bath solution are measured by applying ac and dc signals to the solution via the sensing electrodes and measuring the resultant response signals. The reference electrode plays an important role in the proper functioning of the sensor, since it provides a reference voltage upon which the various ac and dc signals are applied and controlled at the sensing electrode during measurement.
The reference voltage is a function of the particular type of plating bath, and reflects changes in the bath that are independent of the applied signals. Basing response signal measurements on this reference voltage permits accurate monitoring of a variety of important electrochemical properties. Absent the reference voltage, normal ground-referenced voltage variations for a given plating bath will interfere with the control and response signals, preventing robust and accurate electrochemical analysis.
Commercially available standard reference electrodes are not suitable for in-tank use and suffer from the following limitations: frequent and time consuming maintenance, contamination of the plating bath, fouling, unsatisfactory stability, or structural characteristics not readily compatible with in-tank sensor designs.
Alternatively, wire reference electrodes with material matching the plating bath have been suggested for use. U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,210 describes various reference electrodes of this type. The wire may also be formed from a base metal substrate suitably plated for a particular application. Usually, the base metal is the same metal as the plating application or a less expensive material.
The reference electrodes described above suffer from a number of defects which render them inadequate for in-tank applications. The reference electrodes require costly and time-consuming maintenance, since they frequently wear out and must be replaced. Moreover, the plating on a plated reference electrode deteriorates over time, and can eventually flake off and contaminate the bath. The flakes can also accumulate in an electrochemical sensor and thereby interfere with the operation of the working and counter electrodes.
Furthermore, the currently utilized reference electrodes exhibit a voltage instability which is unacceptable in the many plating bath applications which require continuous operation for periods of several weeks or more. For example, tests performed on a solid copper wire reference electrode showed that the electrode voltage became unstable in less than 24 hours. This type of voltage instability significantly degrades the accuracy and efficiency of voltammetric analysis techniques such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,116. A user requiring continuous analysis of the plating bath must either accept continually degrading measurement accuracy or interrupt production to manually replace the reference electrodes several times a day.
As is apparent from the above, there presently is a need for a stable reference electrode for in-tank use which does not require replacement or generate contaminants within the plating bath or sensor. Further, the reference electrode should provide a stable voltage reference during the electrochemical analysis and over long periods of time. The reference electrode should provide these features and also be compatible with most in-tank electrochemical sensors, plating baths and the measurement methods and equipment associated therewith.

Method of in-situ formation of a stable reference electrode for in-tank plating bath analysis


A burner apparatus for gas-fired appliances, such as gas furnaces. The burner apparatus includes an improved flame holder structure, with a contoured surface, for controlling the shape and contour of the flame.

1. The Technical Field
The present invention relates to gas burner apparatus, and in particular, to gas burner plates, such as may be used in gas-burning furnaces.
2. The Prior Art
Gas burners exist in a variety of configurations, depending upon the type of burner function contemplated. For example, there are gas burners which are designed for radiant heating operation, in which the gas flame is contemplated to more or less reside on the surface of the burner plate or flame holder. Other burner configurations are designed to provide for controlled flow of the gas and/or combustion air which is being projected through the burner plate, and the flame is contemplated as being positioned in a stable manner, extending for some distance from the burner plate or flame holder.
Regardless of the particular type or intended function of the burner apparatus, all have certain common goals in their design. These include: 1) quiet operation; 2) support of a stable flame; 3) efficient transfer of the heat generated to the desired destination, whether it is a particular surface, as in a heat exchanger, or directly to a mass of air or other fluid; 4) and complete combustion.
One example of a prior art burner apparatus is disclosed in Naito, U.S. Pat. No. 4,063,873. The Naito '873 reference discloses an infrared gas burner plate, having a plurality of diamond-shaped depressions and projections. A number of apertures for combustion air and gas are distributed throughout the inclined surfaces of the depressions and projections. All of the apertures are the ends of parallel passageways through the burner plate, and each aperture has a diameter which is substantially less than the length of its associated passageway.
It would be desirable to provide a burner plate apparatus which is configured to provide a stable flame, for blue flame combustion operation, over a wide range of firing rates and fuel/air ratios.
An additional desirable feature would be to provide a burner apparatus which is quieter, and one which has improved flame geometry, with reduced flame spread and reduced tendency of the flame to impinge upon the side walls of heat exchanger structures, thereby lowering heat exchanger temperature and reducing CO generation.
It would additionally be desirable to provide a such burner apparatus as a fully premixed burner apparatus.
Still another object of the invention would be to provide such a burner apparatus to be suitable for use in gas furnace environments.
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims and drawings.

Gas burner apparatus having a flame holder structure with a contoured surface


Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a hybrid structure of multi-layer substrates. The method comprises steps of: separating a border district of at least one metal layer connecting with a border district of the corresponding dielectric layer from adjacent metal layers and adjacent dielectric layers for each multi-layer substrate and connecting a separated border of a metal layer of one multi-layer substrate with a separated border district of a metal layer of another multi-layer substrate to form a connection section. The hybrid structure comprises at least a first multi-layer substrate and a second multi-layer substrate. At least one first metal layer is connected with at least one second metal layer to form a connection section.

Miniaturization of all electronic products is an unavoidable trend in this modern world. While the scales of the semiconductor chips continuously get smaller, the scale of the related technology for packaging needs to be microminiaturized to follow the scale of the semiconductor chip is also unavoidably getting smaller. Today, because the integration of integrated circuits has been greatly increased, using a multi-layer substrate to package different kinds of chip devices is necessary to integrate different kinds of functions to obtain a high performance integration system consequentially. For example, an integration system may comprise many kinds of chip devices, such as a logic circuit component, a memory, an analog component, an optoelectronic component, a micro-electric mechanical component or a luminous component. Generally, the kinds of chip devices need to connect with each other through one shared package substrate (such as a mainboard) according to prior arts. That is, if one chip device can be connected to another chip device directly, then the package integration can be increased to microminiaturize the entire system further. A Stacked Chip Scale Package (SCSP) is proposed to package several chips nowadays, and it is called a 3D-package. However, such a 3D-package concept is limited in a rigid system package.
For meeting the variety of modern electronic production, a flexible multi-layer substrate or a non-flat substrate can be used for high density package. According to prior arts, the connection for two independent multi-layer substrates is established through connectors or through one shared package substrate. Therefore, for corresponding to a flexible or irregular package to increase integration complexity and reducing package volume, even applying for a System-In-Package, connection becomes a great topic and a challenge for the package technology today.
Therefore, development of a method of manufacturing a hybrid structure of the multi-layer substrates and the hybrid structure thereof to connect different kinds of chip devices directly without a shared package substrate, which will reduce the package volume of the entire system, hence increases the package integration and provides a flexible package. Accordingly, microminiaturization of the entire system can be achieved.

Method of manufacturing hybrid structure of multi-layer substrates


A medical container loading system includes a medical container loading device and a fill station. The fill station is located proximate to the medical container loading device and includes a mounting plate and a holding assembly. The holding assembly is connected to the mounting plate for supporting a medical fluid container adapted for fluid communication with a medical container, such as a syringe, used in the medical container loading device. The holding assembly may include a fixed support and a movable support, which maintain the medical fluid container in the holding assembly. The fixed support may be funnel-shaped with a smooth or stepped inner wall. The fixed support may also be rectangular shaped and have an inclined inner wall or support for supporting the body of the medical fluid container. The movable support may be a resiliently biased support arm or an adjustable strap.

The present invention relates to medical container filling or loading systems and devices and, more particularly, to syringe loading systems and devices for use with medical and fluid containers, hand-held syringes, syringes for use with powered medical injectors or injector systems, and to medical injector systems including such syringes and syringe loading systems and devices. Additionally, the present invention relates to medical container filling systems and devices and to syringe loading systems incorporating fill stations and devices for use with syringes and medical injectors.
A number of injector-actuated syringes and powered injectors for use in medical procedures such as angiography, computed tomography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been developed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,736, for example, discloses an injector and syringe for injecting fluid into the vascular system of a human being or an animal. Typically, such injectors comprise drive members such as pistons that connect to a syringe plunger. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,980, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an angiographic injector and syringe wherein the drive member of the injector can be connected to, or disconnected from, the syringe plunger at any point along the travel path of the plunger via a releasable mechanism. A front-loading syringe and injector system is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,858, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The front-loading injector of U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,858 includes a releasable mounting mechanism for securing the syringe to the front wall of the injector. Other types of releasable mounting mechanisms for front-loading syringes are disclosed in U.S. patent application Publication No. 2001-0047153, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The use of specifically designed mounting mechanisms generally limits the use of syringes of other various types with front-loading injectors. Syringe adapters attachable to those front-loading injectors are sometimes used to allow the use of such syringes with the front-loading injectors. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,653 discloses several adapters designed to allow the use of various syringes with a front-loading injector. Other adapters for front-loading injectors are disclosed, for example, in PCT Publication No. WO 01/08727 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/633,299, filed on Aug. 8, 2000, each assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Syringes are typically purchased either in a "prefilled" state, containing injection fluid supplied by the manufacturer, or in an empty, "fillable" state. Under current practice, empty syringes are typically attached to or loaded onto the power injector (either directly or via an adapter as known in the art) and connected to a source of injection fluid via, for example, tubing. The drive member of the powered injector is then reversed to draw the syringe plunger rearward within the syringe, thereby drawing injection fluid into the syringe for later injection into a patient. In many medical applications, however, powered injectors are used in procedures and areas in which there are substantial time and access constraints. In time and/or access constrained procedures, loading of injection fluid into empty syringes using a powered injector, results in inefficient use of personnel, equipment, time and/or space.
It is, therefore, very desirable to develop improved syringe loading/filling devices, and systems and methods to improve the efficiency of use of personnel, equipment, time and/or space.

Medical container loading system and method for use with fluid containers, syringes and medical injectors


A semiconductor light emitting device includes a pump light source, a gain structure, and an out-coupling mirror. The gain structure is comprised of InGaN layers that have resonant excitation absorption at the pump wavelength. Light from the pump light source causes the gain structure to emit light, which is reflected by the out-coupling mirror back to the gain structure. A distributed Bragg reflector causes internal reflection within the gain structure. The out-coupling mirror permits light having sufficient energy to pass therethrough for use external to the device. A frequency doubling structure may be disposed between the gain structure and the out-coupling mirror. Output wavelengths in the deep-UV spectrum may be achieved.

The present disclosure is related to solid state light emitting devices, and more specifically to laser devices emitting in the visible (e.g., 400 nm-550 nm) portion of the spectrum.
Solid state light emitting devices are known today, and are used in many different applications. For many such applications, the desired output wavelengths may be obtained from the devices themselves by current injection. For other such applications, the output of the light emitting device must be modified to obtain the desired wavelength. For example, in order to obtain output light in the deep-UV (e.g., 200 nm-300 nm), no single-chip, electrically driven device has been shown that provides adequate desired wavelength, power, beam quality, and lifespan. Deep-UV semiconductor-based laser devices that have been investigated so far are generally gallium-nitride-based ridge-waveguide laser diodes that inherently have low beam quality and exhibit low output power. Due to challenging materials issues in nearly every aspect of UV laser diodes, their lifetime is very limited.
To obtain deep-UV light, the light output by a solid state laser may be modified by a frequency doubling crystal. Efficient frequency-doubling by a non-linear crystal requires a coherent light source with high output power and Gaussian beam profile. Highest conversion efficiencies have been achieved when the non-linear crystal is placed in a resonator cavity using the enhanced optical field strength at the anti-nodes of a standing optical wave within the resonator (intra-cavity frequency doubling).
In order to achieve deep-UV emission by a single application of frequency doubling, nitride-based laser diodes emitting between 400 nm and 500 nm could be used. The available laser diodes in ridge-waveguide geometry, however, have an inherently low beam quality and are up to now limited in output power. Nitride-based VCSEL have only recently been reported with room-temperature operation and are anticipated to be low-power devices due to insufficient lateral current spreading impeding large area devices. Achieving deep-UV emission using a more widely available gallium-arsenide-based solid state laser effectively requires two applications of frequency doubling. However, the efficiencies of a two-stage frequency doubling significantly reduce output power and increase the size and complexity of the light-producing apparatus.
Recently, the concept of Vertical External-Cavity Semiconductor Lasers (VECSELs) or Semiconductor Disk Lasers (SDL) has been demonstrated as an efficient way for single-step frequency-doubling of near-infrared or red emission into the visible or near-UV spectral range. In SDLs, the excitation area and density are scaled by the diameter and power of an incident pump beam, and the pump power is absorbed over a length scale much larger than in electrically pumped lasers. Therefore, more optically active layers can be incorporated in the lasing process and consequently more output power can be obtained. For a given configuration, if not limited by thermal roll-over, the output power is limited only by the onset of catastrophic optical mirror damage (COMD). In a SDL, a resonator is formed between a semiconductor gain structure, which comprises the light emitting active region and a highly reflective Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) mirror, and an external mirror that is partially transparent for laser output. These devices are highly suitable for frequency doubling because of their inherent high beam quality (M2˜1), their high output power (multi-Watt operation) and their compatibility with intra-cavity frequency doubling. Intra-cavity frequency doubling takes advantage of the orders-of-magnitude higher field strength inside the cavity as compared to the field strength available in a tandem-cavities arrangement. Due to the quadratic dependence of the conversion effect on the optical field strength, intra-cavity frequency doubling yields higher optical output by second harmonic generation. A pre-requisite for intra-cavity frequency doubling is having sufficient stability of the fundamental laser operation to withstand insertion of a non-linear optical crystal that inevitably introduces additional losses.
So far, the semiconductor gain structures being used are almost exclusively based on the gallium arsenide/aluminum gallium arsenide (GaAs/AlGaAs) system. Unlike most other semiconductor material systems the nearly strain-free GaAs/AlGaAs material system enables the growth of high-reflectivity multi-layer stacks out of GaAs/AlGaAs layers and the light emitting layers such as InGaAs quantum wells in a single epitaxial process. However, high-power deep-UV emission is reached only by two stages of frequency doubling from the fundamental infrared wavelength. Direct optical pumping of the quantum wells (QWs) in a SDL structure has also been demonstrated. This approach provides a reduced thermal load on the chip due to carrier relaxation processes and reduced energy deficit provided by the smaller difference of pump and SDL emission energies. However, direct absorption in QWs is inefficient due the small interaction length of the pump light and the QWs, and because of the non-resonant absorption leading to reduced oscillator-strength. If the microcavity exhibits fundamental resonance simultaneously at both the lasing wavelength and a secondary resonance at pump wavelength the absorption efficiency is greatly enhanced. This is achievable in two ways. One way is to use the shift of the resonance frequency of the microcavity towards shorter wavelengths for off-normal incidence angles. Another way is to use cavity thickness for which resonances exists at both the pump wavelength and the laser wavelength at normal incidence.
As compared to the simplicity of conventional laser diodes, SDLs are realized at the expense of an aligned optical setup comprising at least the pump laser diode, the semiconductor gain structure and the out-coupling mirror. The alignment of the setup basically comprises matching the pump laser spot to the width of the laser beam in the SDL cavity, which is determined by the curvature of the external mirror. However, this implies that the SDL apparatus is relatively large and sensitive to mechanical stress. For many applications, for example portable devices, compactness and robustness of the setup are important issues.
While there are motivators to extend what is currently known about arsenide-based systems to the nitride-based materials, there are many hurdles in doing so. Compact, high-power pump sources available to date have emission energies of 3.0 to 2.8 eV (405-445 nm wavelengths) which are lower than the GaN bandedge (3.4 eV). In addition, the energy deficit for pumping at 3.4 eV of a 2.7-2.6 eV emitting SDL amounts already to a 20% efficiency loss. Therefore, optical pumping at a high-power and above the GaN bandedge (similar to GaAs-based SDLs) is not practicable.
Using a pump source with bandedge energy (wavelength) below that of GaN requires that the gain structure be designed for resonant absorption at pump wavelength. As mentioned, this can be done in two ways (tilted incidence of pump light or particular choice of cavity thickness). However, depending on the available pump source wavelength with respect to the lasing wavelength of the SDL, one of either gain structure designs is favored for reasons of either simplicity of pump source-gain structure alignment or positioning of QWs within the gain structure.
GaN is the dominant matrix material in visible, nitride-based light emitters, and cannot be replaced easily by lower bandgap nitrides of sufficient thickness due to underlying growth mechanisms. Another key issue is the thermal management of the semiconductor chip to provide efficient cooling. Because nitrides are mechanically and chemically resistant materials and usually grown on similarly robust substrates like sapphire, the option of using known processes as for GaAs for substrate removal and re-bonding to a thermal heat sink are not available.
Yet another challenging problem for realization of a nitride-based VECSEL is the implementation of a highly reflecting multi-layer stack into the semiconductor structure chip during the epitaxial process. In order to achieve the required high reflectivity of 99.9% the required high number of strained AlGaN/GaN or unstrained InAlGaN/GaN layer pairs (e.g., greater than 60) will degrade the surface quality due to cracking or roughness and will eventually impair laser operation. Moreover, the width of the high reflectivity stop band of such epitaxially grown mirrors is rather small making it difficult to obtain high reflectivities both at pump wavelength and lasing wavelength.
Thus, while it is desirable to employ the techniques utilized in arsenide-based systems with nitride-based devices, hurdles including (a) large differences in materials properties between arsenide- and nitride-based systems, (b) limited availability of high-power pump sources, and (c) large differences in manufacturing of devices, mean that the simple substitution of material systems is not an option.

Vertical surface emitting semiconductor device


A voice communication apparatus in which voice and voiceless parts are detected from voice signal data which is derived from analog-to-digital converted input voice signal, the voice signal data is temporarily stored in a transmitting buffer in a time series manner so that, when a voice part is detected, transmission of the voice signal data stored in the transmitting buffer is started from a voice start point of the voice part preceding a voice detection point, whereby a head part truncation, which would occur at the time of shifting from the voiceless part to the voice part can be eliminated and thus a high quality of natural speech communication can be realized.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a voice communication apparatus which is used in such a portable mobile communication system as a car radio telephone system or a cordless radio telephone system and which is based on a voice operated transmitter (VOX) for voice communication.
2. Description of the Related Art
Such a portable voice communication apparatus as a portable radio telephone set or a cordless radio telephone set usually uses a battery as its power source. In this connection, the miniaturization of such a battery has been demanded for the purpose of making smaller in the size and weight of the portable voice communication apparatus. For miniaturizing the battery, it is important not only to improve the battery itself but also to lower the overall power consumption of the portable voice communication apparatus.
As one of methods for effectively reducing the power consumption of such a portable voice communication apparatus, there has been recently considered a so-called VOX-based method in which a transmission circuit is operated only for a period of time during which an operator utters in its speech mode to transmit its voice signal while the operation of the transmission circuit is stopped for voice wait durations corresponding to operator's pauses. When this VOX is utilized, the power consumption of the transmission circuit can be reduced by an amount corresponding to the stopped operation or voice-absence periods of the circuit, when compared to a case where the transmission circuit is always activated throughout the speech mode.
However, according to the prior art apparatus, when an operator starts to input voice from voiceless state, due to the delay processing of preventing any erroneous detecting operation, the detection of the voice is delayed by several milliseconds with respect to a time point at which the voice signal is actually inputted. As a result, the prior art apparatus has been defective in that a head part of the voice data preceding a voice detection point is missing in the transmitted voice data so that the signal receiver cannot reproduce the missing head part of the voice data and thus the quality of the reproduced voice data is extremely deteriorated.

Voice communication apparatus using a voice operated transmitter


A system having a control unit, which has a housing in which at least one processing unit of the control unit is situated. The system further includes an electrical ground connection situated outside the housing; a first ground line by which the control unit and the ground connection are electrically connected; a second ground line by which the control unit and the ground connection are electrically connected; and a sensor device, which is developed to monitor an electrical first ground current flowing through the first ground line and an electrical second ground current flowing through the second ground line. The sensor device has an XMR sensor for monitoring the first and the second ground current.

Control units are used, for example, in motor vehicles in order to carry out one or more control operations for the control of a motor vehicle. A control unit normally has at least one processing unit for this purpose, which is situated in a housing of the control unit. To discharge electrical currents, the control unit is usually electrically connected to an electrical ground connection situated outside the housing.
The PCT Patent Application No. WO 2017 008 057 A1, for instance, describes a control unit which is electrically connected by two redundant ground lines to a ground connection. Thus, a first ground line is provided by which the control unit and the ground connection are electrically connected, and a second ground line is provided by which the control unit and the ground connection are electrically connected. Electrical currents are therefore discharged in a particularly safe manner. In order to monitor the ground lines, a sensor device, which is developed to monitor an electrical first ground current flowing through the first ground line and an electrical second ground current flowing through the second ground line, is allocated to the ground lines. The control unit, the ground connection, the ground lines and the sensor device jointly form a system of the type mentioned in the introduction. By monitoring the ground currents, it is possible to determine, for instance, whether a malfunction of the ground lines is present such as a ground interruption of one of the ground lines.
The sensor device described in PCT Patent Application No. WO 2017 008 057 A1 has a plurality of shunt components as well as a plurality of comparators for monitoring the ground currents.


A system and method for wireless communication. The system can include a transmitter that transmits a data signal having a time period without data transmission. The system can also include a receiver including a first antenna, a second antenna, a switch that activates one of the first antenna and the second antenna, and a processor that estimates a first signal-to-noise ratio for the first antenna and a second signal-to-noise ratio for the second antenna during the time period without data transmission. The processor can control the switch to select one of the first antenna and the second antenna based on a comparison between the first signal-to-noise ratio and the second signal-to-noise ratio.

Spatial diversity in wireless communication systems has proven to be very effective. In multi-path propagation conditions, each receiving antenna or receiving antenna field in an antenna array experiences a different fading environment. It is likely that if one receiving antenna is in a deep fade, another receiving antenna is obtaining a sufficient signal.
In a system which uses a spatial diversity scheme, it is often necessary to pick the "best" receiving antenna field to receive data packets. The selection criteria can be based on the highest power received. Despite this method being easy to implement, it has disadvantages, such as receiving a signal with high power on a particular receiving antenna field, but with a low signal quality due to a noise source in the reception coverage area. This will result in a receiver picking a field with high power, yet resulting in a high Bit Error Rate ("BER"). Thus, an improved selection criteria is desired.

GE Medical Systems Information Technologies, Inc.


A method of enhancing viability of an oocyte by contacting the oocyte with a Wnt-4 polypeptide.

The invention relates to reproductive biology.
Wnt polypeptides are secreted cysteine-rich glycosylated polypeptides that play a role in the development of a wide range of organisms. The Wnt family of polypeptides contains at least 16 mammalian members which bind to an extracellular domain of a family of cell surface proteins called Frizzled receptors. Wnt polypeptides may play a role in embryonic induction, generation of cell polarity, and specification of cell fate.
The invention is based on the discovery that Wnt signalling is involved in the development of female reproductive organs in the embryo and in oocyte development in adult animals. Accordingly, the invention features a method of contraception which is carried out by administering to a female primate an antagonist of a Wnt polypeptide. The antagonist inhibits Wnt-signalling which plays a role in oocyte development and, in turn, inhibits oocyte development. Preferably, the Wnt polypeptide is Wnt-1 class polypeptide such as Wnt-1, Wnt-2, Wnt-3a, Wnt-4, Wnt-7a, or Wnt-7b polypeptide.
A Wnt antagonist is a composition which inhibits the physiological activity of a Wnt polypeptide. For example, the activity is preferably Wnt signalling by a Wnt-1 class polypeptide. A Wnt antagonist inhibits oocyte development in an adult female animal and is therefore useful as a contraceptive. A Wnt antagonist binds to a Wnt polypeptide or to its receptor or to another component of the Wnt-1 class signal transduction pathway but fails to potentiate Wnt-signalling. For example, the Wnt antagonist is a dominant negative N-cadherin mutant, a dominant negative xcex2-catenin mutant, or a Frizzled polypeptide. Antagonistic polypeptides may contain a cysteine-rich domain, e.g., a peptide having an amino acid sequence with at least 5%, preferably at least 7%, and most preferably at least 8%, cysteines. The polypeptide preferably contains at least 5 cysteines, more preferably at least 8 cysteines, and most preferably at least 10 cysteines. For example, the polypeptide is about 120 amino acids in length and contains 10 cysteines. Preferably, the polypeptide contains the amino acid consensus sequence of CX7-9CX36-42C8CX6CX6-10CX3CX6-7CX12-27CX8-13 (SEQ ID NO: 1) or CXPXXXXXXX CXXXXYXXXX XPNXXXHXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXLXX XXCSXXXXXF LCXXXXPXCX XXXXXXXXXX PCRXXCEXXX XXXCXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXWPXXX XCXXXPXXXX XXXXXC (SEQ ID NO:2). Preferably, the polypeptide has at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 75% identity to the cysteine-rich domain of a Frizzled receptor. Sequence identity is determined using the Sequence Analysis Software Package of the Genetics Computer Group, University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center, 1710 University Avenue, Madison, Wis. 53705), with the default parameters as specified therein. Other Wnt antagonists include Wnt-specific antibodies, e.g., an antibody which binds to a Wnt polypeptide and inhibits oocyte development, and Wnt-5a class polypeptides.
The invention also includes a contraceptive vaccine. The vaccine contains a Wnt polypeptide, e.g., Wnt-1, Wnt-2, Wnt-3a, Wnt-4, Wnt-7a, or Wnt-7b. The Wnt polypeptide is characterized as binding to an antibody that inhibits Wnt-signalling, and thereby, oocyte development.
Wnt polypeptides, e.g., Wnt-4 and Wnt-7a, promote oocyte development. Thus, a method of promoting maturation of an immature oocyte by contacting the oocyte with a substantially pure preparation of a Wnt polypeptide, e.g., Wnt-1, Wnt-2, Wnt-3a, Wnt-4, Wnt-7a, or Wnt-7b polypeptide, is also within the invention. Polypeptides or other compounds are said to be xe2x80x9csubstantially purexe2x80x9d when they are within preparations that are at least 60% by weight (dry weight) the compound of interest. Preferably, the preparation is at least 75%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 99%, by weight the compound of interest. Purity is measured by any appropriate standard method, e.g., by column chromatography, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, or HPLC analysis.
Wnt polypeptides are also used to enhance viability of an oocyte, e.g., an oocyte to be used in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. The oocyte is contacted with w Wnt polypeptide either in vivo prior to retrieval or in vitro prior to the IVF procedure. For example, the viability of a cryopreserved oocyte is enhanced by contacting the oocyte with a Wnt polypeptide during and/or subsequent to thawing. Wnt polypeptides are also used to increase the number of mature oocytes by culturing a sample containing immature oocytes in a culture medium which includes a Wnt polypeptide. The oocytes are cultured in the presence of a Wnt polypeptide for at least one hour and up to several days. Following culture, the number of mature oocytes in the sample cultured in the presence of said Wnt polypeptide is at least 50% greater than the number of mature oocytes cultured in the absence of the Wnt polypeptide. Preferably, the increase in the number of mature oocytes in the sample is at least 75%, more preferably 100%, and most preferably 200% greater than the number of mature oocytes cultured in the absence of the Wnt polypeptide.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof, and from the claims.

President and Fellows of Harvard College


A method for computing eigenvectors and eigenvalues of a square matrix in a high performance computer involves dynamically reallocating the computer's computing cores for various phases of the computation process.

Some data modeling applications use matrices that describe transformations of physical parameters. For example, a cosmological model of a galaxy might use a matrix to describe the motion of stars in space, and a finite element model of a material may use a matrix to model stresses in a material at a number of different locations. These matrices transform initial property vectors of the model into final property vectors by standard matrix multiplication.
For any transformation by matrix multiplication, there may be certain vectors for which the transformation merely acts to lengthen or shorten the vector; these vectors are called "eigenvectors" of the transformation. Eigenvectors provide "preferred directions"; vectors parallel to eigenvectors are not rotated by the transformation. The corresponding scaling factor of the lengthening or shortening for a given direction is called the "eigenvalue" for the eigenvector. Different eigenvectors may have different corresponding eigenvalues, and eigenvectors with an eigenvalue of 1 are not lengthened or shortened by the transformation; for these vectors, the transformation preserves length. Eigenvectors and eigenvalues provide a useful mathematical tool to analyze matrix transformations. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to compute eigenvectors and eigenvalues (collectively, "eigenpairs") for any given matrix.
Several techniques are known to calculate eigenpairs of a matrix. One family of "eigensolver" techniques first reduces the matrix to a tridiagonal form; that is, a form in which the main diagonal of the matrix, and the diagonals just above and below it, may contain non-zero numbers, but all other entries are zero. Such an eigensolver computes the eigenpairs of the tridiagonal matrix, then convert the computed eigenvectors back to the original reference system.
In order to achieve the best scalability on many processors, the ACM TOMS 807 algorithm, or successive band reduction ("SBR"), is often employed for the tridiagonal reduction phase. In SBR, the initial, densely-populated matrix is reduced to a multiple band intermediate form having many non-zero diagonals in a first stage, and later reduced from the multiple band form to the tridiagonal (three band) form in the second stage. Accordingly, after calculating the eigenpairs in a third stage, the eigenvector back-transformation also requires two stages, i.e. from the tridiagonal to the multiple band reference system in stage four, then to the original dense reference system in stage five. The multistage SBR approach allows highly scalable BLAS-3 computing kernels to be used, but the two stage eigenvector back-transformation introduces additional floating point operations that influence scalability.
The Parallel Linear Algebra Software for Multicore Architectures, or "PLASMA", is publically available free software from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and is the state of art mathematical library for performing conversion of a dense symmetric array to and from tridiagonal form on shared memory systems with multi-core processors, such as the system shown in FIGS. 1-3 and described below. At the heart of the PLASMA implementation is a tiled storage of the data arrays and a DAG (directed acyclic graph) scheduling of the computational subtasks. PLASMA is an improvement over the older LAPACK and ScaLAPACK libraries in terms of memory usage pressure, process synchronization requirements, task granularity, and load balance, and often results in much better performance and scalability for sufficiently large problems. In particular, LAPACK and ScaLAPACK do not employ SBR calculations. Also, LAPACK is not designed for scalability, and the ScaLAPACK library communicates using message passing, which is more difficult to program and debug.


A battery pack includes a plurality of batteries (2) and a plurality of holding frames (3) each of which is capable of accommodating and holding a corresponding one of the batteries (2) with spaces (10a, 10b) provided therein and which are opened on both side faces opposed to each other to form openings. When the holding frames (3) respectively accommodating and holding the batteries (2) are arranged with their openings aligned; end plates (4a, 4b) are arranged at both ends of the holding frames (3); and the end plates (4a, 4b) and the holding frames (3) are jointed as a unit so as to form an outer case (5) that forms a cooling space (6) surrounding each battery (2), a gas-discharge passage portion (18) is provided in each holding frame (3), which seals and covers a space surrounding a gas-discharge port (8) provided in the battery (2) and has connection ports (19a, 19b) opened on both side faces of the holding frame (3).

In recent years, expectation for electric vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles has increased because of the global environmental problems. For rechargeable batteries as the power supply of those vehicles, both reduction in the size and weight and increase of the capacity and output are demanded. Thus, a battery pack in which a plurality of batteries formed by cells are connected in series is used as the power supply. Moreover, a battery pack in which, in order to cool respective batteries, the batteries are arranged in parallel in an outer case and a cool air from the vehicle interior is introduced by a fan into the outer case is known from Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-319697, for example.
In such a structure, when any trouble occurs in the battery and gas is discharged from the battery via a gas-discharge port provided in the battery, that gas collects in the outer case. That collecting gas may flow back to the vehicle interior while the fan stops.
In order to solve this problem of the collecting gas, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-255735 discloses a battery pack in which a plurality of hollow bulkheads are provided for supporting the batteries while the gas-discharge ports provided on end faces of the respective batteries are arranged in an inner space. The gas discharged from the battery is discharged to the outside of the vehicle through an exhaust tube connected to each bulkhead.
However, the structures mentioned above have the following problems. First, in the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-319697, the number of the batteries provided in the outer case is fixed. Therefore, in order to deal with various output voltages, it is necessary to change the specification of the outer case, thus increasing the cost. Moreover, as described above, the gas discharged from the battery when the battery falls into abnormal state is not discharged to the outside of the vehicle without fail.
In the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-255735, in order to cool the batteries, it is necessary to place the batteries in the outer case while the bulkheads support the respective batteries and to provide an air-blow chamber and an exhaust chamber so as to allow the cool air to flow in the surrounding of each battery between the bulkheads. In addition, in order to deal with various output voltages, it is necessary to change the specification of the bulkhead, the outer case or the chamber. Furthermore, it is necessary to connect the exhaust tube to each of the bulkheads. Thus, the structure is complicated and the number of parts of the structure is large, increasing the cost.
Therefore, the present invention was made in view of the aforementioned problems of the conventional techniques, and aims to provide a battery pack and a holding frame used in that battery pack, which enable effective cooling of each battery, allow the battery pack having a desired output voltage to be easily formed, is easy and reliable to assemble, provides a simple structure at a low cost, and surely separates and discharges gas discharged from the battery in the battery pack when the battery falls into abnormal state.

Combined battery and battery holding frame

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


In order to transport digital data across a reliable digital communication link from a transmit site to a destination site, the data is processed in parallel paths to derive error detection information, such as a cyclic redundancy code, and to encode the data. The outputs of the parallel paths are combined into a composite digital data sequence, which is then transmitted over the reliable digital communication link to the destination site. At the destination site, the encoded digital data component of the composite data sequence is decoded and then subjected to the same error detection operation carried out at the transmit site to derive error detection information associated with the decoded digital data. This recalculated error detection information is compared with the error detection information component contained in the composite digital data sequence. If there is a mismatch, the reliable digital communication link and the encoder at the transmit site and the decoder at the destination site are reset.

In digital communications, it is sometimes useful to send data over a link in an encoded form (where the form of the coding is data compression or data encryption). For successful operation of the encoded link, it is necessary that the decoder at the receive end of the link be synchronized with the encoder at the transmit end of the link; namely, the output of the encoder must be the same as the input to the decoder. The link itself may be either a reliable link, having an error recovery scheme incorporated into the link proper, or it may be an unreliable link (usually one that possesses an inherently low error rate) in which no error recovery is built into the link.
FIG. 1, which corresponds to FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,993 to Gutman et al, diagrammatically illustrates a simplified version of a conventional reliable digital communication link 8 (such as an ITU-T Recommendation V.42-based link), having elements of procedure 13 and 17 and associated error detection components 14 and 20 (together forming the link access protocol (LAP)), coupled therewith and with communication channel 16, at end sites 6 of the reliable link servicing respective source and destination devices 10 and 24, respectively.
In the course of transmission of digital communication signals between respective link sites 6, errors may be introduced into the data from a number of sources, such as crosstalk, noise spikes or power line surges. These errors are customarily detected by providing an error detection mechanism (such as the use of a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) code) 14 in the path of the data stream through the elements of procedure 13 at the source end 10 of the link, and employing associated error detection mechanism 20 coupled with the elements of procedure 17 at the destination end 24 of the link, in order to extract error information in the transported data stream.
If a received frame contains an error, the destination site elements of procedure will forward a retransmission request over a reverse channel (not shown) to the source elements of procedure 13 associated with the source end 10 and one or more frames of data are retransmitted, as necessary, to clear the errored frame(s). Once a received frame has been verified as error-free, it is passed on to a destination terminal device in the order transmitted, so that the destination terminal device 24 will receive the error-free frames in the proper sequence.
It is often desirable to employ data compression or encryption over the channel 16, using an encoder at the transmitter and a corresponding decoder at the receiver (such as the use of V.42 bis data compression, as a non-limiting example). This has been typically done by operating the encoding--decoding pair over a reliable link (such as that shown in FIG. 1). The resulting encoded reliable link is diagrammatically illustrated at 8 in FIG. 2, which corresponds to FIG. 2 of the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,993, wherein an encoder 12 is installed upstream of the elements of procedure 13 adjacent to the source end 10 of the channel 16, and a decoder 22 is installed downstream of the elements of procedure 17, at the receive end 24 of the link. In this combination, the error detection mechanism is typically built with a CRC code.
Now although the incorporation of a CRC error detection mechanism into the reliable link (13-14-16-20-17) is customarily operative to detect damaged or errored frames, it suffers from the fact that it has a finite, albeit small, probability of passing a damaged frame. If such a damaged frame is not detected and retransmitted, the encoder 12 and decoder 22 will become unsynchronized. The result is that the encoded link will begin to pass undetected corrupted data from the source 10 to the destination 24 until the link is externally reset.
One proposal to obviate the above-described shortcoming of such an encoded reliable link is to re-order the elements on the link so that the LAP can correct both channel and decoder errors. This causes the encoder-decoder pair to operate on a link without error correction or detection, which is referred to as an unreliable link. In order to resynchronize the encoder-decoder pair, an additional error detection and signalling function is added between the LAP and the encoder-decoder pair. This system is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 3, which corresponds to FIG. 3 of the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,993.
In accordance with this unreliable link architecture, at the transmit or source end 10 of the unreliable link 8, error detection information 15 is added to the data downstream of the elements of procedure 13 and the error detection mechanism 14, but prior to encoder 12. The injected error detection information is subsequently extracted by means of a decoding detection unit 21 that is located downstream of the decoder 22, but upstream of the error detection unit 20 and elements of procedure 17 at the destination end 24 of the link 8, in order to determine if synchronization of the encoder-decoder pair is required.
In effect, what the above-referenced Gutman et al patent describes is an automatic method to provide the external reset necessary for the system of FIG. 2. However, the drawbacks of this method are the fact that the link access protocol is further removed from the channel, resulting in longer error recovery response times, and that the compression ratio is decreased, since the encoder is reset whenever a channel error occurs.
Another method, diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 3A, is used in TIA/EIA-655 digital data encapsulation protocol and slightly reduces the magnitude of the above drawbacks. The scheme shown in FIG. 3A adds a subset of the reliable link elements of procedure, that of sequencing and error detection, between an encoder/decoder pair and the channel. This method also changes the method by which the encoding error detection information is added, so that the added information is not run through the encoder.
More particularly, at the transmit end of the link, shown at 6, data from a source 10 is coupled to elements of procedure 13, the output of which is coupled to error detection mechanism 14. The output of error detection mechanism 14 is then coupled in parallel to each of an encoder 120 and the calculation of encoding error detection information 150, prior to being processed in accordance with elements of procedure 130 in the signal flow path to a semi-reliable link 80. The outputs of the encoder 120 and encoding error detection information calculation block 150 are combined in a merge unit 125, to produce composite data. The composite data is then applied to the elements of procedure 130, and output therefrom to a transmitter unit 140, which introduces error detection information and transmits the data across channel 160 to the destination end of semi-reliable link 80.
At the receive end of the channel 160, an error detection receiver unit 200 receives the composite data, checks the data for errors and couples the received data to associated elements of procedure 170. The EOP 170 checks the incoming data for proper sequencing and either outputs correctly sequenced data or resets the semi-reliable link 80 if out-of-sequence data is received. Each block of composite data at the output of the elements of procedure 170 is decomposed as an encoded data block component and an associated error detection information component. The decomposed encoded data block component is coupled to a decoder 220, which decodes the encoded data block as a potentially valid output data block.
In the absence of errors, the received encoded data block is optimally decoded back into its original unencoded format as supplied by data source 10 at the transmit end of the link. The output of decoder 220 is further coupled to a decoding error detection operator 210, which calculates errors in the received data. If an error is detected, operator 210 outputs a restart request signal to the elements of procedure 170, so as to reset the decoder 220.
In addition, elements of procedure 170 cause the receiver unit 200 to transmit a message on a return channel portion of the link 80 to the EOP 130 at the transmit site, requesting that the encoder 120 and link 80 be reset. In response to this request, the encoder 120 at the transmit site is restarted and the errored data frame is lost. With each of the encoder 120 and the decoder 220 now resynchronized, the contents of the new data frames should be processed correctly at each end of the link. The output of decoder 220 is input to an error detection unit 20, which is coupled to elements of procedure 17 at the destination end 24 of the link.
One advantage of the scheme of FIG. 3A over that of FIG. 3 is the fact that the encoder-decoder pair 120/220 is connected over a `semi-reliable` link instead of a raw channel. This `semi-reliable` link causes most error events to be detected without decoding, which reduces the error handling effort, and hence time, resulting in a slightly improved error recovery response time. In addition, the compression ratio is slightly higher, since the error detection information is not run through the encoder, as error detection information tends to be uncorrelated with the data.

Transmission of encoded data over reliable digital communication link using enhanced error recovery mechanism


A multi-piece sound dampened brake rotor comprises a relatively light weight hub with a hub flange and a heavier rotor body with a sound damping insert and a rotor body flange. The hub and rotor body are attached at their flanges. The flanges may be mechanically attached such as with bolts. Or the hub and rotor may be attached by casting the hub of a lower melting metal alloy against the rotor body and rotor body flange. The rotor body may have vanes for air cooling and a sound damping insert may be incased in either or both body portions sandwiching the vanes.

Automotive vehicle disc brake rotors are an example of a manufactured article that may comprise a cast iron (or other durable, friction wear material) annular rotor body attached to a lower density metal hub. Of course, many other manufactured articles comprise, or could comprise, a relatively heavy and durable component that is subjected to loading stress and wear, and a lighter component serving another function.
In the case of the vehicle disc brake rotor, a hub is used to attach the rotor body to a vehicle wheel. The hub may be a round cylindrical body (sometimes shaped like a hat) attached to the wheel and aligned with the axis of rotation of the wheel. Attached to the bottom of the hat (for example) and extending radially outwardly is the annular rotor body or disc (brake frictional surface). In operation of the vehicle a hydraulically or electrically actuated brake caliper member, positioned around the outer circumferential edge of the rotor, presses friction pads against opposite sides (cheeks) of the annular rotor disc when it is desired to stop rotation of the wheel. The complimentary hub and rotor body portions of such brake rotors may be cast of a single metal alloy and formed as an integral article. Or the portion subjected to wear may be formed separately of a suitable metal composition and later attached to the complementary portion made of a lighter material. Thus, a complete and integral brake rotor may be formed, for example, of cast iron, or the rotor portion may be made of cast iron and the hub be made of an aluminum or magnesium alloy. An advantage of forming such an article of a relatively heavy and durable portion and a lighter material portion is the overall weight of the article may be reduced.
A brake disc is subject to frictional heating and to induced vibrations when brake pads are pressed against opposite cheeks of the rotating part. Accordingly, the annular rotor body portion of a disc brake may be formed with radial vents so that cooling air may be pumped through the rotating brake body. And sometimes it is desired to incorporate one or more annular inserts in the annular rotor body to produce columbic friction between contacting surfaces of the embedded insert(s) and surrounding rotor body metal to dampen noise otherwise transmitted by the vibrating brake rotor. These additional structural features of the annular rotor body have significantly complicated the manufacture of low mass articles such as vented and sound dampened brake rotors.

Low mass multi-piece sound dampened article


An internal combustion engine for a personal watercraft in which cooling water in an oil cooler housing is naturally discharged when the personal watercraft is pulled up on land. An oil cooler is disposed within an oil cooler housing on an upper front side of the engine. The oil cooler housing enables cooling water taken from the cooling water intake port at the positive pressure side of the jet propulsion pump to flow about the oil cooler thereby cooling lubricating oil. A water pipe connects the pump to a cooling water inflow opening at a lower end of the oil cooler housing. Cooling water discharged from an upper end of the cooler housing is directed to the engine. The oil cooler housing resides above the water pipe and the crankshaft of the engine, and the pump intake lies below the crankshaft permitting free discharge of cooling water therefrom.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an internal combustion engine mounted on a personal watercraft for operation in water. More particularly, this invention relates to an internal combustion engine having an improved cooling system configuration.
2. Description of the Background Art
The personal watercraft, or small-sized planing boat, is constructed such that an internal combustion engine for driving a jet propulsion pump is mounted in a boat body enclosed by a hull and a deck. A driver and up to two other crew members rides on the deck, so that an in-boat space, constituted by the hull and the deck, is narrow. The internal combustion engine is stored in a substantially closed and sealed state within the narrow space between the hull and the deck.
As a consequence, a compact internal combustion engine is required. In order to minimize the height of the internal combustion engine, a dry sump having no oil reservoir for accumulating a large amount of oil is employed. Such an internal combustion engine is disclosed, for example, in JP-A No. 2003-35201.
The oil passage of the dry sump in JP-A No. 2003-35201 is provided with a water-cooled type oil cooler so as to restrict an increase in temperature of the lubricant oil. In the personal watercraft, cooling water fed from the positive pressure side of the jet propulsion pump is used for cooling the internal combustion engine, and the oil cooler also utilizes this cooling water.
The oil cooler disclosed in JP-A No. 2003-35201 is stored in an oil cooler housing arranged longitudinally side-by-side with the oil tank at the front part of the internal combustion engine. The oil is cooled by means of cooling water which flows through the oil cooler housing about the oil cooler.
The oil cooler housing is a vertically elongated unit extending from the upper part of the cylinder block to the lower part of the crankcase. In particular, the lower part of the oil cooler housing, at the location where the cooling water flows in, is near the bottom surface of the personal watercraft, has no surplus space and is set at substantially the same height as that of the jet propulsion pump. Accordingly, cooling water fed from the positive pressure side of the jet propulsion pump to the oil cooler storing part is not necessarily discharged out of the positive pressure side of the jet propulsion pump, even if personal watercraft is pulled up onto land. As a result, it is possible that cooling water remains in the oil cooler housing of a dry-docked vessel.
The present invention has been invented in view of the above described problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide an internal combustion engine for a personal watercraft in which cooling water in the oil cooler housing is naturally discharged when the personal watercraft is pulled up on land.

Engine cooling system configuration, and personal watercraft incorporating same


A programming system for selecting an electrode configuration for use in a medical electrical stimulator coupled to an electrode array. A programmer is configured for providing a set of electrode configurations for the electrode array, automatically testing a first portion of the set of electrode configurations in a first order, allowing the selection of one or more of the tested electrode configurations, determining whether a suitable number of electrode configurations from among the first portion have been selected within a predefined interval, and automatically testing a second portion of the set of electrode configurations in a second order if the suitable number of electrode configurations from among the first portion are not selected within the predefined interval. The programmer may further allow the selection of the tested electrode configurations, and adjusting parameters during the testing, wherein the adjusting is controllably shared in parallel between a clinician and a patient.

The present invention relates to medical electrical stimulators, such as Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) systems and more particularly to methods for efficiently selecting electrode configurations. An SCS system, used herein as an example of a medical electrical stimulator of the invention, treats chronic pain by providing electrical stimulation pulses through the individual contacts (a.k.a., electrodes) of an electrode array (a.k.a., a lead) placed epidurally next to a patient's spinal cord. The combination of stimulation pulses delivered to the electrodes of an electrode array constitutes an electrode configuration. In other words, an electrode configuration represents each polarity, being positive, negative, or zero of each of the electrodes. Other parameters that may be controlled or varied in SCS and other forms of medical electrical stimulation are the frequency of pulses provided through the electrode array, pulse width, and the strength (amplitude) of pulses delivered. Amplitude maybe measured in milliamps, volts, etc. In some SCS systems, the "distribution" of the current/voltage across the electrodes may be varied such that the polarity of each electrode is not a whole number value, but represents a fraction of positive or negative values. Moreover, there may be some electrodes that remain inactive for certain electrode configurations, meaning that no current/voltage is applied through the inactive electrode(s). Therefore, for such systems, each electrode configuration also represents a polarity percentage of each active electrode of an electrode array.
Previous SCS technology identified these parameters and effectuated stimulation through an electrode array or lead at specific electrode configurations. However, previous SCS technologies attempted to evaluate parameters, including electrode configuration, strength, pulse width, etc., one at a time. An optimized stimulation parameter set for a specific patient may be determined from the response of the patient to various sets of stimulation parameters. There is, however, an extremely large number of possible combinations of stimulation parameters, and evaluating all possible sets is very time consuming, and perhaps impractical.
Spinal cord stimulation is a well accepted clinical method for reducing pain in certain populations of patients. An SCS system typically includes an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG), electrodes, electrode lead, and, if needed, one or more electrode lead extensions. Some systems, rather than using an IPG, include an implanted Radio-Frequency receiver that receives pulses from an external transmitter. In either case, the electrodes are implanted along the dura of the spinal cord, and the IPG generates electrical pulses that are delivered, through the electrodes, to the dorsal column and dorsal root fibers within the spinal cord. Individual electrode contacts (the "electrodes") are arranged in a desired pattern and spacing in order to create an electrode array. Individual wires within one or more electrode leads connect with each electrode in the array. The electrode leads exit the spinal column and generally attach to one or more electrode lead extensions or, depending on the length of the leads, they may attach directly to the IPG. The leads and/or lead extensions are typically tunneled around the torso of the patient to a subcutaneous pocket where the IPG is implanted.
Spinal cord stimulators and other stimulation systems are known in the art. For example, an implantable electronic stimulator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,940 issued Mar. 7, 1972 for "Implantable Electronic Stimulator Electrode and Method" that provides timed sequenced electrical impulses to a plurality of electrodes. As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,467 issued Apr. 3, 1973 for "Electrode Implant For The Neuro-Stimulation of the Spinal Cord," teaches an electrode implant for the neuro-stimulation of the spinal cord. A relatively thin and flexible strip of physiologically inert plastic is provided as a carrier on which a plurality of electrodes are formed. The electrodes are connected by leads to an RF receiver, which is also implanted.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,822,708, issued Jul. 9, 1974 for "Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulating Device and Method for Management of Pain," another type of electrical spinal cord stimulation device is taught. The device disclosed in the '708 patent has five aligned electrodes, which are positioned longitudinally on the spinal cord. Electrical pulses applied to the electrodes block perceived intractable pain, while allowing passage of other sensations. A patient-operated switch allows the patient to adjust the stimulation parameters.
Electrode arrays currently used with known SCS systems may employ between one and sixteen electrodes on a lead or leads. Electrodes are selectively programmed to act as anodes, cathodes, or left off, creating an electrode configuration. The number of electrode configurations available, combined with the ability of integrated circuits to generate a variety of complex stimulation pulses, presents a huge selection of stimulation parameter sets to the clinician. When an SCS system is implanted, a "fitting" procedure is performed to select an effective stimulation parameter set for a particular patient. Such a session of applying various stimulation parameters and electrode configurations may be referred to as a "fitting" or "programming" session. Additionally, a series of electrode configurations to be applied to a patient may be organized in a steering table or in another suitable manner.
A known practice is to manually test one parameter set, and then select a new stimulation parameter set to test, and compare the results. Each parameter set is painstakingly configured and increased in amplitude gradually to avoid patient discomfort. A clinician often bases his selection of a new stimulation parameter set on his/her personal experience and intuition. There is no systematic method to guide the clinician. If the selected stimulation parameters are not an improvement, the clinician repeats these steps, using a new stimulation parameter set, based only on dead-reckoning. The combination of the time required to test each parameter set, and the number of parameter sets tested, may result in a very time consuming process. For instance, a system with 16 selectable electrodes contains over 40 million possible combinations of electrode configurations alone. Thus, testing all possible combinations is impractical.
In order to achieve an effective result from spinal cord stimulation, the lead or leads may be placed in a location such that the electrical stimulation will cause paresthesia. The paresthesia induced by the stimulation and perceived by the patient should be located in approximately the same place in the patient's body as the pain that is the target of treatment. If a lead is not correctly positioned, it is possible that the patient will receive little or no benefit from an implanted SCS system. Thus, correct lead placement can mean the difference between effective and ineffective pain therapy.
In order to test the effectiveness on a particular patient of various stimulation parameters and electrode configurations, it is necessary to provide a series of stimulation parameters in a systematic method. Several such systems exist including the systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,325, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, wherein a patient may direct the movement of the stimulus current through a suitable interface.
Another method of testing the effectiveness of various stimulation parameters is disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/026,859, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In this Application, during a fitting session with a patient, a clinician uses navigation with two parameter tables to step through and optimize stimulation parameters.
The inventors have ascertained that improved methods are needed for selection of electrode configurations during navigation through a programming session, whereby each patient may efficiently optimize and personalize his/her stimulation treatment in terms of stimulation strength, pulse rate, pulse width, and electrode configuration.

Method for programming implantable device

Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation


The present disclosure advantageously provides a system cache and a method for storing coherent data and non-coherent data in a system cache. A transaction is received from a source in a system, the transaction including at least a memory address, the source having a location in a coherent domain or a non-coherent domain of the system, the coherent domain including shareable data and the non-coherent domain including non-shareable data. Whether the memory address is stored in a cache line is determined, and, when the memory address is not determined to be stored in a cache line, a cache line is allocated to the transaction including setting a state bit of the allocated cache line based on the source location to indicate whether shareable or non-shareable data is stored in the allocated cache line, and the transaction is processed.

The present disclosure relates to a data processing system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a cache for a data processing system.
A data processing system may include a system-on-chip (SoC) with various components that are connected by one or more interconnects. Generally, certain components process data, such as, for example, processors, such as central processing units (CPUs) and CPU clusters, accelerators such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and GPU clusters, etc., while other components send data to, and receive data from, the data processing components, such as, for example, memory controllers, input/output (I/O) controllers, network interface controllers, etc. These data provisioning components may be connected to on-chip or off-chip memory, data buses, wired or wireless networks, etc. The interconnect provides the network infrastructure over which data transactions between components are conveyed. The data processing system may be divided into coherent domains and non-coherent domains.
A cache that stores coherent data resides within a coherent domain of the data processing system, and is coupled to (or resides within) a coherent interconnect. The coherent interconnect generates appropriate snoops and management transactions to maintain data coherency without additional software management by the various components or agents. Any agent that uses this cache must also reside within the coherent domain. A coherent cache does not store data from a non-coherent domain.
Similarly, a cache that stores non-coherent data resides within a non-coherent domain of the data processing system. Compared to a coherent cache, a non-coherent cache is typically located closer to the memory controllers, is larger and has a higher latency. Any agent that uses this cache must maintain data coherency with additional software management to ensure that dirty data is made visible to other agents within the non-coherent domain. A non-coherent cache does not store data from a coherent domain.

Cache for storing coherent and non-coherent data


A controller for a starter/generator used with an aircraft engine, includes means for monitoring field return current in a generator field winding; means for monitoring generator voltage; and microprocessor control means for adjusting generator field current as a function of the field current and voltage and field return current. The field return current and output voltage monitoring functions allow for open field, field integrity, over voltage, field weakening and torque limiting functions to be realized in an integrated programmable system configuration.

The invention relates to controllers for generators, such as are used with aircraft engine starters and generators.
It is well known to use generators as starters for motors and engines. For example, in the aerospace industry, DC generators are commonly used as engine starters on small aircraft engines such as gas turbine engines. After the engine is started, the generator typically is used as an electrical power source for the aircraft.
Aircraft manufacturers and governmental regulations have, over the years, gradually increased the demand for more monitoring and control functions to be implemented for these generators, particularly with respect to providing fast and accurate indications of fault conditions to avoid catastrophic generator failures and engine damage. However, space and weight considerations can limit the availability and use of multiple discrete logic circuits. Discrete control circuits also inherently lack central processing control, thus limiting the number of interdependent control functions that can be implemented.
Furthermore, various control and monitoring functions heretofore used with generator discrete controllers can be inadequate or unsuitable for protecting components that can be overstressed or for facilitating acceptable generator operation. For example, linear current limiters for devices subject to current overloads can exhibit large power dissipation, and known switch mode current limiters can deliver excessive currents and therefore not adequately protect interconnect wiring. As another example, it may be desirable in some applications to provide an automatic field flash for the generator without the need for manual pilot control.
The need exists, therefore, for a generator controller that can implement numerous and complex control and monitoring functions to facilitate proper generator operation without a significant increase in cost, space requirements or weight with an increased reliability of generator operation and control.

Lucas Aerospace Power Equipment Corporation


At most airports, responsibility of air traffic control starts and stops at the entrance or exit to the runway movement areas, which are taxiways and runways. In the non-movement areas, such as hangers, ramps, and aprons, aircraft movements and separation are no longer the responsibility of air traffic control, but is the responsibility of other parties such as the airport itself, airlines, or other parties. The use of tracking technologies for air traffic control is therefore focused on the movement areas, not the non-movement areas, where there are limitations in aircraft tracking. Furthermore, many of the aircraft transmitting devices are switched off in non-movement areas exacerbating tracking problems in these areas. The present invention includes several methods including broadband multilateration, to extend aircraft tracking from the movement areas into non-movement areas without the need to extend special air traffic control equipment into those areas.

Prior Art air traffic control systems are geared up to track planes in the air and on runway surface areas to optimize efficiency and provide safety. Safety is assured by "separation" whereby air traffic controllers employ various procedures and technologies to make sure that aircraft are physically separated by a minimum distance. At most airports, the responsibility of air traffic control starts and stops at the entrance or exit to the runway movement areas, which are taxiways and runways.
This is a practical matter, and in the non-movement areas, such as hangers, ramps, and aprons, aircraft movements and separation are no longer the responsibility of air traffic control, but is the responsibility of other parties such as the airport itself, airlines, or other parties. The use of tracking technologies for air traffic control is therefore focused on the movement areas, not the non-movement areas, where there are limitations in aircraft tracking. Furthermore, many of the aircraft transmitting devices are switched off in non-movement areas exacerbating tracking problems in these areas.
Airport airside operations are conducted on movement areas and non-movement areas. Movement areas refer to the airport's runways and taxiways and non-movement areas refer to the aprons, ramps, maintenance facilities, de icing facilities and other areas. One of the main differences between movement and non-movement areas is that usually Air Traffic Control (ATC) is responsible for separation and safety of aircraft in the movement areas, whereas the airport or other organization is responsible for operations in the non-movement areas. This is exemplified at a typical airport where the airport's ramp management will authorize an aircraft for push back, and the aircraft will taxi to a point at the edge of the controlled movement area, and the pilot will then contact ATC by radio to request clearance to proceed into the movement area for departure.
Movement and non-movement areas are described the RNP report Development of Airport Surface Required Navigation Performance (RNP), by Rick Cassell, Alex Smith, and Dan Hicok, Rannoch Corporation, Alexandria, Va. (NASA/CR-1999-209109, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va. 23681-2199, Prepared for Langley Research Center under Contract NAS1-19214), incorporated herein by reference. FIG. 1 is taken from the Cassell et al., reference and illustrates, in a simplified form, the airport movement areas, and, enclosed within dashed lines, the non-movement areas.
Since Air Traffic Control (ATC) is responsible for the movement areas, the air traffic control infrastructure is optimized to provide communications, navigation, and surveillance in the movement areas, not the non-movement areas. Therefore at a typical larger airport there exists aircraft tracking and identification systems providing generally good coverage over the movement parts of an airport, but generally not throughout the non-movement areas.
The technologies that are currently used at airports for tracking in the movement areas are classified as cooperative, primary active, and passive. Cooperative technologies interact with devices on the aircraft, primary active technologies do not interact but use a form of transmission to reflect signals from aircraft, and passive technologies are receive only. Passive can include reception of any electromagnetic, radio, or radar transmission from an aircraft including, but not limited to those for communication, navigation, and surveillance, including signals that may be reflected from the aircraft.
Cooperative technologies include transponder-based systems such as ADS-B and multilateration as described in the following papers, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.                Analysis of ADS-B, ASDE-3 and Multilateration Surveillance Performance—NASA Atlanta Demonstration Presented at the AIAA 17th Annual Digital Avionics Systems Conference in October, 1998.        Application of ADS-B for Airport Surface Surveillance, AIAA 17th Annual Digital Avionics Systems Conference, October 1998.        Surveillance Monitoring of parallel Precision Approaches in a Free Flight Environment, AIAA 16th Annual Digital Avionics Systems Conference, October 1997.        Evaluation of Airport Surface Surveillance Technologies, IEEE Radar 96 conference, Beijing, China, October 1996. This paper reviews the evolving requirements for airport surveillance systems, particularly the use of the Required Surveillance Performance (RSP) concept.        Positive Identification of Aircraft on Surface Movement Area—Results of FAA Trials, 10th Annual International AeroSense Symposium, Orlando, Fla., April 1996        Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport—Results of FAA Trials to Accurately Locate/Identify Aircraft on the Airport Movement Area, IEEE PLANS, Atlanta, Ga., April 1996.        Improved Location/Identification of Aircraft/Ground Vehicles on Airport Movement Areas—Results of FAA Trials, Institute of Navigation in Santa Monica, Calif., January 1996.
In 2000, in the United States, the FAA awarded a contract to Sensis for a surface multilateration system under the program name of ASDE X. The Airport Surface Detection Equipment-Model X (ASDE-X) program was initiated in 1999 and Sensis Corporation was selected as the vendor in the year 2000. The Senate Committee on Appropriations, in its report on FAA's fiscal year (FY) 2006 appropriations, expressed concern about the pace of ASDE-X deployment and reported the FAA has not yet deployed systems to more than half of the planned sites due to changes in system design and additional requirements.
The FAA originally planned to complete ASDE-X deployment to second-tier airports (e.g., Orlando International Airport and Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport) by FY 2007 as a low-cost alternative to Airport Surface Detection Equipment-3 (ASDE-3) radar systems, which are deployed at larger, high-volume airports. However, the FAA now plans to complete deployment by FY 2009, a two-year delay. While the FAA has already procured 36 out of 38 ASDE-X systems, only 3 systems have been commissioned for operational use as of late 2005. As of 2005, the FAA has invested about $250 million in ASDE-X and expects to spend a total of $505 million to complete the program. A map of planned ASDE-X installations (from www.asdex.net, see http://www.sensis.com/docs/128/) as well as upgrades to the older ASDE-3 systems is illustrated in FIG. 2.
Primary technologies include Radar systems such as X-Band radar (see www.terma.com, incorporated herein by reference), as well as millimeter wave radar (see www.flight-refuelling.com, www.qinetic.com, and www.transtech-solutions.com, incorporated herein by reference). Some companies also use a combination of active sensors for detecting items on airport surfaces, for example debris. Roke Manor has a mobile system as detailed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/494,271, Publication No. 20050046569, entitled "Detection of undesired objects on surfaces" published Mar. 3, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference. Qinetiq has an active system slated for Vancouver Airport to detect runway debris (See, www.qinetic.com, incorporated herein by reference).
Passive technologies include inductive loops buried in the surface as well as camera technology, both of which are described in the following papers, both of which are incorporated herein by reference:                Inductive Loop Sensor Subsystem (LSS) as a Supplemental Surface Surveillance System —Demonstration Results, AIAA 19th Annual Digital Avionics Systems Conference, October 2000.        Evaluation of FLIR/IR Camera Technology for Airport Surface Surveillance, 10th Annual International AeroSense Symposium in Orlando, Fla., April 1996.
Existing techniques for runway occupancy determination include the use of zones as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,927,701, entitled "Runway occupancy monitoring and warning," issued Aug. 9, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference. Techniques for passive tracking using "bounced" signals include Roke Manor's triangulation techniques as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,930,638, entitled "Passive moving object detection system and method using signals transmitted by a mobile telephone station," issued Aug. 16, 2005, and also incorporated herein by reference.
Given the delays in the rollout of the ASDE-X program, as well as questions as to its operability, other techniques may be required to insure that aircraft can be accurately tracked throughout an airport, in movement and non-movement areas. Collisions between aircraft and other aircraft, service vehicles, buildings, or the like, can have devastating consequences, even at taxiing speeds. Moreover, even minor damage caused by such collisions may require expensive repairs and delay flights considerably. A system is needed which can accurately track aircraft in both movement and non-movement areas, which does not necessarily rely upon a single signal or technology. Such a system should be robust, redundant, inexpensive, and easy to install.
Cell phones, PDAs and other personal communication devices may soon have no limits on their use on airplanes. If regulations allow, cell phones and other radio devices may be approved for in-flight use during most or all phases of flight. If this use is allowed, then an additional set of radio signals may be emitting from an aircraft. In addition, some phones have added a GPS chip to aid in determining their locations and for compliance with the enhanced 911 requirements.
Air France is slated to trial OnAir passenger mobile phone use. Air France will take delivery of an A318 fitted with OnAir equipment in early 2007 that will enable the use of passenger mobile phones in-flight. The airline will then use the aircraft to conduct a six-month commercial trial using the new service on short-haul flights within Europe and to and from North Africa.
The OnAir service will allow Air France passengers to use their own GSM (global system for mobile communications) phones and GPRS (general packet radio service)-enabled devices such as the Blackberry or Treo, to make and receive voice calls or to send and receive SMS (short message service) communications, or emails during the flight, without inferring with critical aircraft systems.

Extension of aircraft tracking and positive identification from movement areas into non-movement areas