There is disclosed a pneumatic tire having a rubberized component comprising:                (A) a copolymer rubber that contains amino groups bound to the rubber and at least 40 percent of the terminal ends of the copolymer are modified or coupled with a tin compound; and        (B) 10 to 150 phr of an inversion carbon black.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,251,983 and 6,056,933 disclose inversion carbon blacks and their manufacture, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. These carbon blacks have a lower proportion of larger particles if the additions of combustion air and carbon black raw material are increased in an appropriate manner.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,191,234 disclose a conjugated diolefin-based copolymer rubber and its use in tires. The recommended reinforcement which is used when the copolymer rubber is used in a tire is carbon black or silica.

Pneumatic tire having a rubber component containing a tin/amino functionalized rubber and an inversion carbon black


A method and apparatus for monitoring the performance of a dedicated communications medium in a switched data networking environment wherein a probe having a bypass circuit allows promiscuous monitoring of all traffic between a switch and a network device, such as a file server, in either direction, and in full duplex mode. Additionally, the bypass circuit eliminates the requirement for a separate repeater between the switch and the network device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to the field of computer networking. Specifically, the present invention is related to a method and apparatus for monitoring the performance of a dedicated communications medium in a switched data networking environment.
2. Background of the Invention
With reference to FIG. 1, prior art data networks generally utilized one or more shared media hubs, e.g., hub 100. Multiple end user workstations, e.g., workstations 1, 2 and 3, were coupled to a shared communications medium (mediums 10, 20 and 30, respectively) that was, in turn, coupled to a port on the shared media hub. The hub 100 had multiple ports (e.g., ports 11, 21, 31), each coupled to a different shared communications medium. High end workstations, or servers, such as file servers or print servers, were also coupled via a dedicated or shared communications medium to a port on the shared media hub.
As the applications running on these data networks became more mission critical, and bandwidth utilization of the shared communications media increased, it became advantageous to monitor the performance and the error rates of data traffic on the shared communications media to facilitate proper operation of the data network. To accomplish this monitoring, network monitoring devices were configured into shared media hubs, or coupled to the port (41) of a shared media hub via a communications medium (40) as stand-alone devices (e.g., probe 4). In either configuration, the monitoring devices were typically referred to as probes. The probes would promiscuously monitor the data traffic on all shared communications media in the network and look at, for example, performance and error statistics, data traffic patterns and typical data flows across the shared communications media.
As shown in FIG. 2, as performance requirements of prior art data networks continued to increase, and additional performance intensive applications were employed, the shared communications media coupled to the shared media hubs were typically divided into multiple network segments (e.g., network segments 201, 202 and 203) to reduce data traffic on each segment, although all network segments were still in the same collision domain, i.e., the network segments were not electrically isolated. Data communication between these segments generally utilized well known backbone, rather than switching, technology.
As performance requirements continued to increase to meet traffic demands, switches such as switch 220 illustrated in FIG. 2 were used to segment the network into multiple collision domains. Segmenting the network into multiple collision domains so that a data packet from one segment (e.g., segment 201) did not traverse the network to another segment (e.g., segment 202) unless the data packet was destined to a particular device on another segment as determined by, for example, a destination address specified in the data packet.
The problem, however, in monitoring network performance in this environment utilizing probes was that a single probe was required for each segment in order to promiscuously monitor the data traffic on that segment. With reference to FIG. 3, as the data networks became highly segmented, it became evident that it was impractical to attach a probe to each segment in the network to promiscuously monitor all traffic. Rather, network administrators tended to concentrate probing activities to highly concentrated server farms or segments in the network where the traffic was the busiest, for example, a segment from a switch to a file server. These file servers were typically coupled via a dedicated communications medium to a port on a switch to provide, for example, a data communications rate of 10 megabits or 100 megabits per second to the file server. Connecting the file server using a dedicated communications medium to the switch 220 formed a single station network segment. In a single station network segment, it was impossible to attach a probe to that segment to promiscuously monitor all network traffic because only a single port was necessarily available to which the segment is coupled to the switch. To overcome this limitation, a multiport repeater was inserted between the switch and the file server, e.g., repeater 233 between workstation 3 and switch 220 in FIG. 3, thereby providing additional ports (on the inserted multiport repeater) to facilitate connection of a probe (e.g., probe 235) into the segment.
Although switch 220 in FIG. 3 shows only six ports for purposes of illustration, it is understood that a switch may have sufficient ports to support, for example, ten or twenty servers. In such a situation, it becomes impractical to attach a repeater between every server and switch port to promiscuously monitor data traffic, due to the increased cost, space, and asset management responsibilities encountered as a result of the additional equipment. In addition, for each communications medium that was to be monitored, that network segment would have to be taken down, the server disconnected from the switch, the repeater inserted into the communications medium, and the server communication reestablished. This process would be highly disrupting to data communications in the network. Moreover, in attempting to diagnose a performance problem, one would be required to shut down the network segment, insert a repeater, and couple a probe to the repeater in order to collect monitoring data. By the time the probe was operable, the performance problem may well have disappeared.

Method and apparatus for monitoring a dedicated communications medium in a switched data network


A Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) device and method of resolving a network address conflict by considering remote access. In the method, a UPnP remote access server (RAS) in a home network selects a virtual network address in the home network that is accessible by a remote device on a remote network and that does not conflict with a network address in the remote network, and converts an address of a packet transmitted from the home network to the remote network based on the virtual network address.

1. Field
One or more embodiments relate to a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) device and a method of resolving a network address conflict by considering remote access, and more particularly, to a UPnP device and a method of resolving a network address conflict and providing a remote access service from a remote network to a home network even when a conflict occurs between a network prefix of the home network and a network prefix of the remote network.
2. Description of the Related Art
Due to the development of home networks, an existing personal computer (PC)-centered network environment in the home has expanded into a network environment that includes electronic devices using various lower network technologies. In this regard, there is a necessity to develop a technology that can connect the electronic devices in a unified network system by using the Internet Protocol (IP). Thus, a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) technology has been developed. The UPnP Device Architecture 1.0 standard is based on a distributed and open networking architecture, and allows peer-to-peer networking of each electronic device in a home network, without the need for central administration.
Discovery of a UPnP device according to the UPnP Device Architecture 1.0 standard is based on the distributed and open networking architecture using IP multicast in a home network. However, IP multicast service is not guaranteed over the Internet so it is not possible to control a UPnP device via the Internet by using information obtained from the UPnP device discovery.
Thus, UPnP remote access architecture has been developed to enable a UPnP apparatus or a control point (CP) to operate as if the UPnP apparatus or the CP exists in a same physical network even when the UPnP device or the CP is located away from the home network. The UPnP remote access architecture defines a remote access server (RAS) existing in a home network, and a remote access client (RAC) existing in a remote network.

Universal plug and play device and method of resolving network address conflict by considering remote access


The present invention relates to oral compositions in the form of microcapsules which reduce oral bacteria and provide long lasting breath protection.

The use of breath control compositions such as breath mints, mouthwashes, chewing gums, etc. is widespread in most of the developed countries of the world. Another form which has been used are microcapsules containing a flavorant or other breath protection agent. These executions have acceptance due not only to their usefulness away from a place to expectorate mouthwashes but also due to the fact that they can be swallowed when the user does not need any more of the actives or doesn't want the microcapsule in the mouth any longer.
Although microcapsules have been used, there are problems associated with incorporating certain breath protection agents/antimicrobials into the core. Oftentimes the wall of the microcapsule may develop imperfections and cause loss of the contents prematurely. Additionally, the actives may not be easily solubilized in the materials usually present in the core.
The prior art discloses a variety of means for providing breath protection and reducing oral bacteria. Included among such means are sprays disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,431,208, Mar. 4, 1969 to Bailey. Particles containing an adhesive member are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,099, Oct. 7, 1975 to Den Foney et al. Another form is a mouthwash concentrate in a unit dosage cup as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,889, Jan. 26, 1982 to Melsheimer. All of these references are incorporated herein by reference.
The present inventors have found that by incorporating the breath control/antimicrobial actives into the core of the microcapsule along with organic diluents, problems associated with other microcapsule executions can be avoided.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide improved microcapsules.
It is another object of the present invention to provide microcapsules which provide improved breath control and reduce oral bacteria.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide improved methods of providing breath control and reducing oral bacteria.
These and other objects will become more apparent from the detailed description which follows.
All percentages and ratios used herein are by weight unless otherwise specified. Additionally, all measurements are made at 25.degree. C. unless otherwise specified.


A process and a device are disclosed for packaging products in a stretchable plastic film; the device comprises: means for supporting and heating a product; means for supplying and clamping the film in a position overlaying the product; means for contacting and adhering the film, when stretched, to the product; means for cutting the film along its still not-free side; means for locking and releasing the cut film in stretched contact with the product; means for bending and adhering the film to the product through a bending action on the whole product perimeter; means for removing the packaged product; and control means for the device.

The present invention refers to a device for packaging products in a stretchable plastic film, and to a process that uses such device. The below-described device is in practice an electromechanical arrangement that performs the winding of a product to be packaged into a plastic film, in a surrounding and stretched way, completely closing the product to be packaged.
Various systems are known in the art and operate, through different modes, to perform the winding of a plastic film around a product. These systems, that are generally automated, operate by pushing the product to be packaged either inside a sleeve formed by the plastic film that is afterwards cut and bent on the two sides under the product, or by pushing the product to be packaged upwards from below on a sheet of plastic film, stretched through suitable mechanical means and clamping jaws, and afterwards bent under the product itself through a jaw mechanism with automatic movement and with a possible product translation.
These systems require machines with highly complex and costly mechanical devices with many motored and specifically programmed parts. In such case it is difficult to constantly operate such machines that require, in addition to specific plastic films with high quality, high maintenance costs, given the complex contents of the various mechanisms composing them. They further require a high degree of preventive maintenance from the operator, since residuals of the various products to be packaged can obstruct the movements of the mechanical machine parts, especially the means for clamping and stretching the plastic film.

Device and process for packaging products in a stretchable plastic film


A system and methods for routing condensate collected in a heat exchanger reservoir to either an air intake system or a position in the engine exhaust based on the type of contaminate in the condensate and operating parameters of the engine or the catalyst are described. In one particular example, condensate is routed to a first position along the engine air intake system in a first mode of operation, and a second position upstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a second mode of operation, and a third position downstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a third mode of operation. When substantially no contaminates are detected, the condensate may be routed into the engine exhaust upstream of the catalyst in order to cool the catalyst.

Boosted engines are in common use in which air is compressed by an air compressor powered by either a turbo positioned in the engine exhaust or the engine crankshaft. Compression will increase air temperature. Consequently the compressed air is often routed through a heat exchanger commonly referred to as a charge air cooler before entering the engine air intake. Under high ambient air humidity conditions condensate will form in the heat exchanger. In some prior approaches condensate is always routed into the engine exhaust and in other prior approaches condensate is always routed into the engine air intake.
The inventors herein have recognized that always routing the condensate to either the exhaust or the air intake regardless of engine operating conditions and regardless of whether there are contaminants in the condensate has led to undesirable engine or catalyst operation. For example, always routing condensate to the air intake may result in rough engine operation. And always routing condensate to the exhaust upstream of a catalyst at low or moderate engine loads may result in undesired catalyst cooling. Further, if engine oil is present in the condensate routing the condensate to the catalyst may result in undesired catalyst operation. Further, throwing away the engine oil by dumping it into the engine exhaust downstream of the catalyst is undesirable from an emissions or efficiency perspective.
The inventors herein have solved these issues by a method, in one example, which comprises: routing air through a heat exchanger and into combustion chambers of the engine; forming condensate in the heat exchanger; and routing the condensate to either the combustion chambers or a position in the engine exhaust based upon both the type of contaminate detected within the condensate and operating parameters of the engine or the catalyst. For example, in one embodiment a CAC may incorporate a specific geometry designed into the inlet tanks in order to separate condensate from the air path, and further direct the condensate to either the combustion chambers or a position in the engine exhaust based upon the type of contaminate present. In one particular aspect, when the engine is operating at a high load and engine oil is not present in the contaminate, the condensate is routed into the engine exhaust upstream of the catalyst to cool the catalyst. In another example, when the engine is operating at a high load and engine oil is present in the contaminate, the condensate is routed into the engine combustion chambers to combust the oil without contaminating the catalyst. In still another aspect, engine power is reduced when engine coolant is in the condensate to allow the operator to drive to a safe place without harming the engine.
The above advantages and other advantages, and features of the present description will be readily apparent from the following Detailed Description when taken alone or in connection with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

System and methods for engine air path condensation management


A connection structure for electrical component assembly including: an electrical component assembly provided with a coil energized through a pair of electrically conductive members; and a housing that covers the electrical component assembly and that is provided with housing-side connection terminals. The electrically conductive member has a connection terminal section connectable to the housing-side connection terminal. The connection terminal section is bent toward a side departing from the coil so as to protrude toward a side of the electrical component assembly, and one of the connection terminal sections is arranged at a position deviated in an axis direction of the coil relative to the other of the connection terminal sections.

1. Field
The present invention relates to a connection structure for electrical component assembly, a hydraulic pressure control apparatus, and a method for producing electrically conductive member.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus serving as an example of a hydraulic pressure control apparatus, a connection structure of electrically connecting an electrical component assembly to a housing mounted on a base is known, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-2007-153305 and JP-A-2003-175812.
JP-A-2007-153305 and JP-A-2003-175812 disclose connection structures in which connection terminal sections of electrically conductive members provided in an electrical component assembly provided with a coil rise along the axis direction of the coil, and then are fixed by welding to housing-side connection terminals provided on the housing side.
Here, the electrically conductive members are manufactured by press punching from a metal plate or the like.
Nevertheless, in the configurations disclosed in JP-A-2007-153305 and JP-A-2003-175812, since the connection terminal sections of the electrically conductive members provided in the electrical component assembly rise along the axis direction of the coil, a space need be ensured in the direction of rise. Thus, size increase may be caused in a vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus serving as an assembled apparatus on which a apparatus having this configuration is mounted.
Further, since the electrically conductive members rise along the axis direction of the coil, at the time of manufacturing of the electrically conductive members from a metal plate or the like by press punching, the punching need be performed in a larger size by the length of the rise. This may cause a larger loss in the material so as to degrade a so-called production yield, and thereby may cause difficulty in improvement of the manufacturing efficiency.
In a vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus serving as an example of a hydraulic pressure control apparatus, a connection structure of electrically connecting an electrical component assembly to a housing mounted on a base is known, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-2003-175812.
JP-A-2003-175812 discloses a connection structure in which connection terminal sections of electrically conductive members provided in an electrical component assembly provided with a coil are electrically connected by welding to housing-side connection terminals of a bus bar connected by wire bonding.
The welding between the connection terminal sections of the electrically conductive members and the housing-side connection terminals has been performed, after the electrical component assembly is assembled in the housing, by inserting the tip part of the electrical connection jig from the opening side and then pinching them with the tip part of the electrical connection jig.
Nevertheless, in the technique disclosed in JP-A-2003-175812, a certain space used for insertion of the tip part of the electrical connection jig need be ensured in the housing. This may cause size increase in the housing or in a hydraulic pressure control apparatus to which the housing is assembled.
A configuration of a hydraulic pressure control apparatus used in a vehicle is disclosed, for example, in which a housing has an intermediate wall that separates an accommodation chamber for accommodating a circuit board from an accommodation chamber for accommodating an electrical component assembly such as a coil device (see JP-A-2003-175812, for instance).
In this hydraulic pressure control apparatus, a hole corresponding to the electrical component assembly is formed in the intermediate wall. Then, the electrical component assembly is mounted through this hole.
In the hydraulic pressure control apparatus described in JP-A-2003-175812, although a hole is formed in the intermediate wall, the entire circumference of the electrical component assembly is enclosed by the intermediate wall. Thus, the intermediate wall occupies a large space, and hence a large amount of resin material need be used for molding of the intermediate wall. This may cause cost increase and weight increase in the housing.

Connection structure for electrical component assembly, hydraulic pressure control apparatus, and method for producing electrically conductive member


Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for discovering and remediating hidden secrets in code files. Techniques include accessing an element of source code for analysis, performing a static analysis of the element of source code, and generating a control flow representation that identifies a plurality of functions and a sequence of functions associated with the element of the source code. The techniques may further include determining a probability of a hidden secret being included in the element of source code and performing a security action of at least one of: generating an alert, displaying a visual indication of the probability, generating a report associated with the hidden secret, sending data associated with the probability to a machine learning system for training the machine learning system, or a remediating action associated with the hidden secret.

When writing computer software, software developers may write sensitive information and secrets directly into the source code, such as credentials, cryptographic keys, API keys, security certificates, and tokens. This sensitive data may be inadvertently committed to publicly available code repositories, such as GitHub™, GitLab™, or AWS™ Buckets. The availability of this sensitive information on publicly available repositories creates opportunities for a credential-based attack on the organization. Other risky development practices, like storing secrets in unsecured locations (e.g., unsecured code repositories or versioning systems), storing credentials in clear text, storing user passwords using weak or reversible encoding or encryption schemes, or using hard-coded credentials create vulnerabilities for an organization that can be exploited.
Some existing techniques for detecting embedded secrets utilize regular expressions (regex) to perform lexical searches against a variable name or API key pattern. However, these techniques require a database of search terms and may not detect secrets outside of the database of terms. Other detection methods include entropy checks, which detect unstructured secrets by measuring the entropy level of a string of code, and flagging strings with a high entropy score as a suspected secret. However, this technique may produce a high number of false positive detections that are not useful to a user.
Other existing techniques employ trained machine learning algorithms that improve the odds of accurately detecting secrets while minimizing false positives. While useful in refining the analysis, these algorithms require periodic user training and correction to function properly. However, a user may not want to employ dynamic analysis of code and may wish to rely solely on static analysis of code.
Accordingly, in view of these and other deficiencies in existing techniques, technological solutions are needed for inspecting source code files for the presence of hidden secrets. Such technological solutions should include improved static analysis of source code, such as identifying communication protocols, packages, function calls, file imports, or suspicious headers used in the source code. Furthermore, the analysis should be expanded beyond the source code to external files identified in the source code to discover hidden secrets. Technological solutions should advantageously improve detection of secrets by mapping a control flow representation that identifies the functions and sequence of the functions in the source code. Further, technological solutions should use the control flow representation to determine a probability or a risk assessment of a suspected location that holds a secret. Technological solutions should also involve a security action beyond mere detection of a hidden secret, such as notifying a user of the hidden secret or automatically remediating the secret through integration with secret management software.

Discovering and remediating hidden secrets in code files


This invention discloses a compact disc receptacle for containing different sized compact discs. The compact disc receptacle comprises a base having at least a positioning hole seat, and at least a positioning members corresponding to the positioning hole seats. Each positioning member comprises a pivot section for placing into each positioning hole seat respectively, and a positioning wall standing on the pivot section. Each positioning wall have a plurality of positioning edges that can be adapted for setting different sized compact discs by selectively pivoting the positioning members relatively to the compact disc seats.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a compact disc receptacle, more particularly, to a compact disc receptacle for containing different sized compact discs, and to a compact disc processing system using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Today, compact discs (CDs) have developed in various sizes for different demand. For example, there are standard CDs with 120 mm diameter, mini CDs with 80 mm diameter, and business card CDs in 850 mm×550 mm size or 850 mm×600 mm size with or without curving edges. All of above CDs have to be contained in a CD bin or some CD bins, such as the CD bins disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,918. The conventional CD bin can be used for only one size of the CDs.
A compact disc processing system can be used for recording, printing, or verifying compact discs, and can be moved automatically by a transportation device for different processing. In general, it is necessary to have at least one CD bin or receptacle for containing blank or processed CDs. Traditionally, when the conventional CD processing system processes for different sized CDs, it has to change CD bins or receptacles for different sized CDs. It is inefficiency. Thus, it is desirable to provide a CD receptacle for different sized CDs, and to provide a CD processing system having such CD receptacle for different sized CDs for saving time and space for changing different CD receptacles.
All optical compact discs can be reproduced for a small amount or a reasonable amount by a reproduction system, such as the system claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,298. However, this system requires an enormous amount of space, which is very inconvenient in terms of transportation and operation. Furthermore, due to its complex structure, it also imposes high manufacturing costs.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,490,232 discloses a compact disc feeder, which utilizes a transfer device 6 to drive an arm 12, which moves and rotates to take a disc from a holder 5, and then places it into a tray 49 of a printer 48; then the compact disc which has been printed is drawn from the printer 48 and stacked in a lower holder 5. However, this device still requires large amounts of space.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,514 discloses a recording/reproducing apparatus for a disk-like recording medium, which can move between two abreast tray stockers 104, 105 and move one of the tray stocker 104 to a reproduction unit 206, and than back to the tray stocker 105. The two abreast tray stockers 104, 105 still require large amounts of space.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a CD receptacle and a compact disc processing system to mitigate and/or obviate the aforementioned problems.

Compact disc receptacle and compact disc processing system


Novel cyclic peptides, cyclic peptide conjugates and compositions containing them for treating neurological diseases in a subject include an Odorranalectin (OL) sequence or modified OL sequence as a scaffold and a biologically active peptide or protein and/or therapeutic agent conjugated thereto. Methods of treatment of neurological diseases are based on intranasal delivery of a cyclic peptide or cyclic peptide conjugate as described herein. Combinatorial libraries that include a plurality of cyclic peptides have also been developed and can be used to screen for a ligand(s) for a receptor of interest.

Brain and central nervous system (CNS) diseases are leading causes of disability worldwide, accounting for significant hospitalization and prolonged care. Treatment for these diseases remains challenging due to the inability of many therapeutic agents, especially hydrophobic and large molecular weight drugs, to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCB). Direct delivery of therapeutics from the nasal cavity into the brain (intranasal (i.n.) delivery) bypasses the BBB and BCB, providing an alternative route to invasive methods of drug administration (Bitter et al. Curr Probl Dermatol 2011, 40, 20-35; Pardeshi C. V. & Belgamwar V. S., Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2013, 10 (7), 957-72; Frey, W. H. n., Drug Deliv. Techn. 2002, 2, 46-49). A few therapeutic agents, including peptides and proteins otherwise impermeable to the BBB and BCB, have been delivered to the brain via this route (Lalatsa et al., Mol Pharm 2014, 11 (4), 1081-93; Illum, L., J Control Release 2003, 87 (1-3), 187-98). However, drug hydrophobicity, molecular weight and degree of ionization affect the drug transport into the brain after intranasal administration.
Intranasal delivery exploits the olfactory or trigeminal cranial nerve systems which initiate in the brain and terminate in the nasal cavity at the olfactory neuroepithelium or respiratory epithelium. CNS targeting action can be achieved due to direct transport of a drug from the submucosal space of the nose into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compartment of the brain, avoiding systemic circulation of the drug, and reducing the risk of systemic side effects as well as hepatic/renal clearing. However, intranasal-CSF administration has limitations, including gradual elimination of the drug from the CSF into the blood due to the normal replacement of the CSF (four to five times daily), and the logarithmic decrease of brain penetration by drug with distance from the CSF surface. Using current methods, the quantities of drug administered intranasally that are transported directly from nose-to-brain are very low, typically less than 0.1%. To improve i.n. drug delivery to the brain, two main approaches have been utilized: (a) modification of nasal membrane permeability by employment of absorption enhancers, such as surfactants, bile salts, fatty acids and polymeric enhancers (Davis, S. & S. Illum, L., Clin Pharmacokinet 2003, 42 (13), 1107-28; Duan, X. & Mao, S., Drug Discov Today 2010, 15 (11-12), 416-27) and (b) use of nanoparticle systems that can carry drugs across the mucosal barrier and protect drugs from degradation in the nasal cavity (Ali et al., Curr Pharm Des 2010, 16 (14), 1644-53; Illum L., J Pharm Sci 2007, 96 (3), 473-83; Mistry et al., Int J Pharm 2009, 379 (1), 146-57). However, these approaches each possess shortcomings. In the case of absorption-enhancing molecules, local or systemic intolerance after inhalation and membrane damage produced by many enhancers represent major limitations. Moreover, suboptimal delivery due to limited transmucosal transfer of nanoparticles, slow drug release (which limits bioavailability), and short residence time in the nasal cavity (due to mucociliary clearance) are limitations typically associated with nanoparticles.
The challenge remains to improve the transfer efficiency of the drug from the olfactory epithelium to the brain, in order to safely, predictably and successfully reach therapeutically-relevant drug levels in the targeted brain regions. Therefore, the development of novel strategies that effectively deliver therapeutic agents into the brain is of great importance.

Cyclic peptides, cyclic peptide conjugates and methods of use thereof

FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CORPORATION

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED


A fixing device is provided with a heat roller (18) and a pressure roller (19) having a shaft (24) and an elastic layer (25) formed on a periphery thereof and being in pressurized contact with the heat roller (18). A concave region (25b), formed in an approximate arc shape in cross-section, is arranged on an end face (25a) of the elastic layer (25) in a longitudinal direction (X) of the pressure roller (19). Accordingly, even when the pressure roller (19) is in pressurized contact with the heat roller (18), since the concave region (25b) deforms to an approximately plane shape only, and the end face (25a) does not protrude outwards, the occurrence of cracking in the elastic layer (25) of the pressure roller (19) can be avoided.

Generally, in image forming devices such as copy machines, printing devices, facsimiles, or the like, that use electrophotographic methods, light based on an image read by an image scanner, is irradiated by an exposing device onto a surface of a photoreceptor that is an image holding body, an electrostatic latent image of this image is formed, and after that, toner is attached to this electrostatic latent image by a developing device, to form a toner image. After the toner image is transferred by a transferring device onto a paper sheet, the paper holding the toner image is sandwiched and fed into a nip formed by a pressure roller and a heat roller arranged in a fixing device, and the toner image is fixed to the paper by heating and pressurizing.
Furthermore, in recent years, with a view towards energy saving, fixing devices are proposed in which, by reducing diameters of the heat roller and the pressure roller in the fixing devices, with regard to heating quantity of a heat source for heating the heat roller, the heat quantity of the heat roller and the pressure roller is made relatively small. More specifically, for example, a fixing device is disclosed that is provided with a heat roller consisting of a small sized hollow roller made of metal with an external diameter of 15 mm or less and a wall thickness of 1 mm or less, and a small sized pressure roller having an elastic layer with an external diameter of 15 mm or less.
Here, as in the abovementioned conventional fixing device, when the diameters of the heat roller and the pressure roller are made small, it becomes difficult to ensure the width of the nip formed by the heat roller and the pressure roller. Consequently, implementing measures such as reducing the hardness of the elastic layer of the pressure roller, increasing the pressurizing force of the pressure roller acting on the heat roller, or the like, are necessary. However, in conditions with these types of measure implemented, if the pressure roller is in continuous pressurized contact with the heat roller, due to insufficient strength of the elastic layer of the pressure roller, or the like, as shown in FIG. 11, an end face 53a of the elastic layer 53 of the pressure roller 52 in contact with the heat roller 51 (that is, an end face in a longitudinal direction X of the pressure roller 52) bends. Thus, the end face 53a protrudes outwards, in the abovementioned longitudinal direction X, in comparison to a state before the pressure roller 52 is put in pressurized contact with the heat roller 51, as shown in FIG. 12. As a result, since tearing forces act on a joining face 56 of the elastic layer 53 and a shaft 55, as shown in FIG. 11, cracking 54 occurs in the abovementioned end face 53a, towards the joining face 56 of the elastic layer 53 and the shaft 55, and a problem arises in that the operating life of the pressure roller 52 becomes short.
Consequently, the present invention was made in view of the abovementioned problems, and has as an object the provision of a fixing device and an image forming device equipped with the same, that has a simple structure, that avoids occurrences of cracking in the elastic layer of the pressure roller, and in which the pressure roller has a long operating life.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Fixing device and image forming device equipped with the same


A control arrangement for electrical motors and motor vehicles includes measures which fulfill the requirements with respect to short circuits, protection against polarity reversal, load-dump protection, blocking against defective operation, reduced complexity, direct drivability from a computer unit, reduced disturbance spectrum and reduced inherent loss.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,188 discloses a control arrangement which controls an electric motor via at least one switching element with clocked drive signals. A switching arrangement is located between a computer unit generating the control signals and the electric motor. The circuit arrangement includes a first circuit unit in addition to the at least one switching element. The first circuit unit acts as a voltage increasing circuit for driving the at least one switching element. Here, a capacity is charged which leads to an increase in voltage at the drive input of the at least one switching element via the operating voltage of the circuit arrangement. The known circuit arrangement includes additional circuits such as current detecting elements, voltage controller circuits as well as a diagnostic circuit for monitoring current in the area of the motor or the switching elements.
However, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,188 no measures are described with respect to the following: preventing the control of the electric motor in the event of faults in the computer unit; providing protection against defective drives; providing measures which are suitable for protection against reversed polarity; or, protecting overloaded components or overloaded entire circuits during overvoltage conditions. In motor vehicles, electric motors are increasingly used as actuators even in safety-relevant control systems such as drive-slip control systems or electronic gas pedal systems. For this reason, high requirements as to operational safety, availability and complexity are imposed on the circuit arrangement controlling the electric motors in dependence upon the drive signals generated in a computer unit. These requirements relate especially to the following points: resistance to short circuits; protection against polarity reversals; load-dump protection (protection of circuits when a battery clamp is separated); latching against defective functions; reduced component complexity and low cost; direct drivability from a computer element; mid to high power capability at low inherent loss; and, reduced disturbance spectrum caused by radiation.
As described above, these requirements can at least in part not be fulfilled by known circuit arrangements.

Electric motor control apparatus including an output stage protected against malfunction and damage


System and method for controlling a moving floor having multiple sliding slats, to produce a practically continuous load-moving force on a load carried on the apparatus. The slats are reciprocated back and forth by hydraulic cylinders, each of which controls a group of slats that are moved together. At any given time, a majority of the slats are moving together in the desired direction, and carry a load in this direction at a nearly uniform velocity. The remainder of the slats are moved in a reverse direction at the same time. The movement of the slats is controlled by an infinite piston positioning feedback system.

A. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to techniques for moving a heavy load continuously by moving a supporting floor beneath the load and, more particularly, to techniques for moving a heavy load supported on a floor consisting of multiple movable slats. If, for example, all of the slats are moved together in one direction, the load will be carried in that direction, but if the slats are returned to their starting positions in smaller groups simultaneously containing only a fraction of the total number of slats, then the frictional forces between the load and a returning group of slats will be insufficient to move the load in the reverse direction. This invention relates specifically to the infinite control of the movement of the slats to achieve desired results in movement of the load.
B. Background of the Invention
Moving floors of this type have a number of useful applications, one of which is in the collection and disposal of garbage or waste. In large cities, long distances to disposal sites have resulted in the increased use of large transfer trailers, for the temporary storage of waste gathered by collection vehicles. When a transfer trailer is full, it is towed to a disposal site for emptying. Emptying such a vehicle by tipping is cumbersome and difficult if a large trailer is used, movable floors provide an ideal solution. Typically, a rear door of the trailer is opened and the waste material is ejected through the door by operation of the moving floor.
Another useful application of a moving floor of this type is in a warehouse setting where large loads, including loads on pallets, need to be moved or moved and loaded onto trucks or between trucks. Currently a forklift is used in a warehouse setting to move large pallet loads or load pallets onto a truck or between trucks.
Systems in use prior to the present invention are sometimes referred to as "walking" floors and operate by moving all of the slats in the desired direction as far as they can travel, and then returning each slat one group at a time. These systems incorporate relatively simple hydraulic control techniques and, when a hydraulic cylinder reaches the limit of its travel, the fluid flow from a hydraulic pump must be bypassed to a holding tank until valves can switch the cylinder in the appropriate direction. Furthermore, the load cannot move forward continuously, but either has to stop or move backward for part of the time.
The principal disadvantage of prior systems of this general type is that the load movement is started and stopped repeatedly, which is clearly inefficient and time consuming. Palletized loads cannot be effectively moved using prior systems due to the large amount of skew that occurs as a result of the starting and stopping of the load and the high percent of returning slats. The time to unload is at least twice as long as it would be if the load could move continuously. In addition there are hydraulic control system disadvantages, in that the oil tends to overheat due to the need for bypassing the pump at the end of all of the strokes before the hydraulic cylinders can switch. Moreover, rather large pump flow rates are required to gain reasonable speeds. The present invention overcomes all of these disadvantages.


An encoder comprising an encoding module and an adaptation module. The encoding module is configured to encode video in at least one region-of-interest and outside the region-of-interest. The encoding comprises quantization, and the encoding module is operable to apply a difference in quantization granularity between the encoding inside and outside the region-of-interest. The adaptation module is configured to determine at least one metric representative of a difference in benefit of the quantization inside and outside the region-of-interest, and to adapt the difference in quantization granularity in dependence on this metric.

In modern communications systems a video signal may be sent from one terminal to another over a medium such as a wired and/or wireless network, often a packet-based network such as the Internet. Typically the frames of the video are encoded by an encoder at the transmitting terminal in order to compress them for transmission over the network. The encoding for a given frame may comprise intra frame encoding whereby blocks are encoded relative to other blocks in the same frame. In this case a target block is encoded in terms of a difference (the residual) between that block and a neighbouring block. Alternatively the encoding for some frames may comprise inter frame encoding whereby blocks in the target frame are encoded relative to corresponding portions in a preceding frame, typically based on motion prediction. In this case a target block is encoded in terms of a motion vector identifying an offset between the block and the corresponding portion from which it is to be predicted, and a difference (the residual) between the block and the corresponding portion from which it is predicted. A corresponding decoder at the receiver decodes the frames of the received video signal based on the appropriate type of prediction, in order to decompress them for output to a screen. A generic term that may be used to refer to an encoder and/or decoder is a codec.
Prior to prediction coding the samples of each bock are typically quantized in order to reduce the bitrate incurred in encoding the block. Quantization refers to the process of taking samples represented on a relatively large scale or from amongst values of a relatively large set, and converting them to samples represented on a relatively small scale or from amongst a relatively small set (which may be referred to as the quantization levels). For instance quantization may refer to the process of converting an effectively continuous variable (e.g. a digital approximation of a continuous variable) into variable constrained to a set of substantially discrete levels. The granularity of the quantization refers to the size of the spacing between the possible quantized values of the scale or set from which samples to be represented are constrained to being selected, i.e. the size of the steps between quantization levels. This may also be described as the coarseness or fineness of the quantization. Depending on the granularity, the quantization introduces some distortion into the representation of a video image but also reduces the number of bits required to represent the image.
Some video codecs such as those designed according to the H.264 standard allow quantization granularity to be set as a parameter of the encoding (and signalled to the decoder in the form of side information transmitted along with the encoded bitstream). It is also possible to define a region-of-interest (ROI) within the area of the video frames, and to set a difference in quantization parameter inside and outside the ROI defined by a fixed quantization parameter offset. A codec designer can potentially use the ROI to cover any region of the video where it is desired to spend more bits on better quality. One possible use is to cover the face or facial features. For example this way more of the potentially limited bandwidth available for transmitting the video over a network can be spent on providing quality in the ROI while relatively few bits need be spent encoding the background and/or regions of lesser significance.


Linear prediction based audio coding is improved by coding a spectrum composed of a plurality of spectral components using a probability distribution estimation determined for each of the plurality of spectral components from linear prediction coefficient information. The linear prediction coefficient information is available anyway. Accordingly, it may be used for determining the probability distribution estimation at both encoding and decoding side. The latter determination may be implemented in a computationally simple manner by using, for example, an appropriate parameterization for the probability distribution estimation at the plurality of spectral components. The coding efficiency as provided by the entropy coding is compatible with probability distribution estimations as achieved using context selection, but its derivation is less complex. The derivation may be purely analytically and/or does not require any information on attributes of neighboring spectral lines such as previously coded/decoded spectral values of neighboring spectral lines as is the case in spatial context selection.

The present invention is concerned with linear prediction based audio coding and, in particular, linear prediction based audio coding using spectrum coding.
The classical approach for quantization and coding in the frequency domain is to take (overlapping) windows of the signal, perform a time-frequency transform, apply a perceptual model and quantize the individual frequencies with an entropy coder, such as an arithmetic coder [1]. The perceptual model is basically a weighting function which is multiplied onto the spectral lines such that errors in each weighted spectral line has an equal perceptual impact. All weighted lines can thus be quantized with the same accuracy, and the overall accuracy determines the compromise between perceptual quality and bit-consumption.
In AAC and the frequency domain mode of USAC (non-TCX), the perceptual model was defined band-wise such that a group of spectral lines (the spectral band) would have the same weight. These weights are known as scale factors, since they define by what factor the band is scaled. Further, the scale factors were differentially encoded.
In TCX-domain, the weights are not encoded using scale factors, but by an LPC model [2] which defines the spectral envelope, that is the overall shape of the spectrum. The LPC is used because it allows smooth switching between TCX and ACELP. However, the LPC does not correspond well to the perceptual model, which should be much smoother, whereby a process known as weighting is applied to the LPC such that the weighted LPC approximately corresponds to the desired perceptual model.
In the TCX-domain of USAC, spectral lines are encoded by an arithmetic coder. An arithmetic coder is based on assigning probabilities to all possible configurations of the signal, such that high probability values can be encoded with a small number of bits, such that bit-consumption is minimized. To estimate the probability distribution of spectral lines, the codec employs a probability model that predicts the signal distribution based on prior, already coded lines in the time-frequency space. The prior lines are known as the context of the current line to encode [3].
Recently, NTT proposed a method for improving the context of the arithmetic coder (compare [4]). It is based on using the LTP to determine approximate positions of harmonic lines (comp-filter) and rearranging the spectral lines such that magnitude prediction from the context is more efficient.
Generally speaking, the better the probability distribution estimation is, the more efficient the compression achieved by the entropy coding is. It would be favorable to have a concept at hand which would enable the achievement of a probability distribution estimation of similar quality as obtainable using any of the above-outlined techniques, but at a reduced complexity.

Linear prediction based audio coding using improved probability distribution estimation

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.


A cooling article of clothing and method for use of the same are disclosed for providing temporary cooling comfort to a human wearer. In one embodiment, sealed elongated envelopes are formed on the inside of a layer of the fabric, which may be fashioned into a vest or shirt. Each of the sealed elongated envelopes defines a volume for containing a pre-determined amount of polyacrylamide material. Offset spacings are interleaved between the sealed elongated envelopes. A diffusion gradient is formed from the polyacrylamide material to the sealed elongated envelopes to the layer of fabric. A diffusion gradient provides for the transfer of water from the polyacrylamide material to the layer of fabric. Water within the layer of fabric is evaporated by way of airflow through the layer of fabric, thereby providing temporary cooling comfort to the human wearer.

Hyperthermia is an elevated body temperature due to failed thermoregulation. On a cold day, elevated body temperature can help the body maintain an optimal temperature. On a hot day, however, hyperthermia can occur when the body produces or absorbs more heat than can be dissipated. When the elevated body temperatures are sufficiently high, hyperthermia is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment to prevent disability or death.
Hypothermia is typically experienced during physical exertion in a hot environment. Wearing a personal cooling system can prevent or mitigate the risks of hypothermia in such conditions. Important factors to the selection of a personal cooling system are weight and convenience. Existing personal cooling systems that utilize heat pumps or cold packs are encumbering, and particularly so, during physical exertion. There continues to be a need for advances in personal cooling systems.

Cooling article of clothing and method of use for same


A device for training a pitcher to complete his/her delivery with a full follow-through consists of a pliable, sheet-like tail member attached to an official-size baseball with conventional seams. Multiple apertures provided for the attachment of the tail member to the ball enable the tail member to be positioned relative to the seams so as not to obstruct various pitching grips. The ball is free to rotate independently of the tail member, so that the trainee pitcher can practice various pitches in which spin is applied to the ball. Upon completion of the pitcher's delivery, a full follow-through is indicated by an audible snapping of the distal end of the tail member.

Baseball pitchers commonly use an exercise known as "throw the towel" to improve the follow-through of their delivery. In this exercise, a small hand towel is knotted at one end, and the pitcher grips the knotted end in his/her pitching hand as if it were a baseball. The pitcher then completes his/her delivery without releasing the towel. Audible "snapping" of the unknotted end of the towel at the completion of the pitcher's delivery is indicative of a full follow-through and efficient pitching mechanics. In addition to providing feedback to improve pitching mechanics, the "throw the towel" exercise also provides resistive training for arm muscles and increases arm speed.
But the conventional "throw the towel" exercise falls short of simulating an actual pitcher's delivery in several respects. The towel knot does not have the size, shape or weight of an official baseball, nor does it have a baseball's seams, by which the pitcher's fingers grip the ball. Moreover, because the knot cannot move independently of the entire towel, the ability of the pitcher's hand to rotate as he/she completes his/her delivery is severely constrained. The lack of seams on the towel knot also prevents the trainee pitcher from practicing different grips associated with various pitches, such "four-seam" and "two-seam" fastballs, change-ups and assorted breaking pitches.

Baseball pitcher training device and method


Provided are a synchronization track reference signal transmission processing, receiving processing method and apparatus. According to the transmission processing method, a base station configures, for a new carrier, subframe pattern information used for a synchronization track reference signal (STRS), wherein the subframe pattern information is used for describing at least one subframe for transmitting the STRS in a radio frame; and the base station transmits the configured subframe pattern information to user equipment. By applying the technical solution, the technical problems of being unable to transmit the STRS in a new carrier since there is not technical solution regarding how to transmit the STRS in the related technologies, etc. are solved, thereby achieving the transmission of the STRS in the new carrier.

With the development of mobile communication industries and the constant growth of requirements for mobile data services, people have increasingly higher requirements for rate and quality of service (QoS for short) of mobile communications. Based on the above reasons, before large-scale commercial use of the third generation (3G) mobile communications, the research and development for the next mobile communication system have been started, and a typical one is the long-term evolution (LTE for short) project started by the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP for short). The highest frequency spectrum bandwidth which may be provided by the LTE system is 20 MHz (megahertz). With further evolution of networks, as an advanced system of the LTE, long-term evolution advance (LTE-A for short) may provide frequency spectrum bandwidth as high as 100 MHz and support more flexible communications with a higher quality, and meanwhile, the LTE-A system has a good backward compatibility. There are a plurality of component carriers (CC for short) in the LTE-A system. One LTE terminal may only work on a certain backward compatible CC, while an LTE-A terminal with a stronger capability may perform transmission on multiple CCs simultaneously. That is to say, the terminal implementing the LTE-A transmits and receives data on multiple component carriers simultaneously, thereby achieving the object of improving bandwidth. This technique is called as multi-carrier aggregation technique.
The multi-carrier aggregation technique is supported in the LTE-A system, and larger bandwidth for data transmission is achieved by the multi-carrier aggregation. There are 5 subordinate carriers of a base station at most, and these carriers are referred to as component carriers, all of which are carriers with backward compatibility so as to support user equipment (UE for short) working based on an earlier LTE release. A base station may configure multiple component carriers for one piece of UE, and choose some or all of the component carriers to be activated for the UE, and the activated component carriers may provide data transmission for the UE.
In the researches at present stage, on the basis of multi-carrier aggregation technique, the LTE R11 (release 11) stage proposes new requirements in terms of frequency spectrum resource utilization rate, network power saving and inter-cell interference suppression. In order to achieve this object, a new carrier type is proposed at present, which is applied by virtue of the carrier aggregation technique. The new carrier has an outstanding characteristic, i.e. backward compatibility does not need to be considered in design, in which more new techniques may be applied. For example, the definition for the new carrier in the current LTE R11 is, needing to be applied in pair with at least one compatible carrier, and cell-specific reference signals (CRS for short) of LTE R8 are not configured in the new carrier so as to avoid severe CRS interference at the cell edge of neighbouring cells, especially the CRS interference between macro cells and micro cells in the heterogeneous network scenario (HetNet for short). However, not configuring the LTE R8 CRS in the new carrier faces with the problem that there is no reference signal used for synchronization tracking in the new carrier. Up to the current new carrier discussion, some companies propose not configuring primary synchronization signal/secondary synchronization signal (PSS/SSS) transmission in some new carriers (e.g. a synchronization new carrier) and using PSS/SSS resources for transmitting data, and that UE keeps synchronization with the new carrier by means of the compatible carrier. As regards some new carriers (e.g. non-synchronization new carriers), the PSS/SSS is still configured. A reference signal mainly for synchronization track is introduced in the new carrier, which is referred to as a synchronization track reference signal (STRS for short). The current STRS transmission period is 5 ms. As regards the problem of whether to apply a full-bandwidth method or a sub-band method (transmitting in N resource blocks (RB for short) in the middle of the carrier, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 6) to transmit the STRS, it is still under discussion, and there is no determined transmission method at present. That is to say, there is still no technical solution regarding how to perform STRS transmission in the related art, thereby resulting in being unable to transmit the STRS in a new carrier. Aiming at the problem above in the related technologies, no effective solution has been presented.

Synchronization track reference signal transmission processing, receiving processing method and apparatus


One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which a portable communications device with a click wheel and a display detects a plurality of finger contacts with the click wheel. Each finger contact includes an angular displacement of the finger contact on the click wheel between an initial location and a final location of the finger contact. The device displays an image that includes digits arranged in a circle. The image rotates, in response to each finger contact, by an amount determined in accordance with the angular displacement of the finger contact. For each finger contact, the device determines a digit. The determined digit is independent of the initial location of the finger contact on the click wheel. The device performs a task using the determined digits. Exemplary tasks include dialing a telephone number and sending numeric input to a remote computer.

As portable communications devices become more compact, and the amount of information to be processed and stored increases, it has become a significant challenge to design a user interface that allows users to easily interact with the device. This is unfortunate because the user interface is the gateway through which users receive not only content but also responses to user actions or behaviors, including user attempts to access a device's features or tools. Some portable communication devices (e.g., mobile telephones, sometimes called mobile phones, cell phones, cellular telephones, and the like) have resorted to adding more pushbuttons, increasing the density of push buttons, overloading the functions of pushbuttons, or using complex menu systems to allow a user to access, store and manipulate data. These conventional user interfaces often result in complicated key sequences and menu hierarchies that must be memorized by the user. In addition, as the number of pushbuttons has increased, the proximity of neighboring buttons often makes it difficult for users to activate a desired pushbutton.
Accordingly, there is a need for more transparent and intuitive user interfaces for portable communication devices.

Method, device, and graphical user interface for dialing with a click wheel


An automobile door structure of this invention is formed by joining an outer panel and inner panel to each other. The inner panel has an opening portion. A resin-made carrier plate which supports accessories of a door is attached to the inner panel so as to cover the opening portion. An upper trim portion extending to cover a vehicle compartment side of a belt portion of the door is integrally molded on an upper portion of the carrier plate. A trim plate is attached to a portion of the carrier plate which is below the upper trim portion so as to cover the vehicle compartment side of the carrier plate.

In general, an automobile door is formed by joining a door outer panel and door inner panel to each other. An opening portion is formed in the door inner panel. The opening portion is covered by a carrier plate which supports accessories (door function components).
More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, an opening portion 82 of an inner panel 81 is covered by a resin-made carrier plate 83. The vehicle compartment side of the carrier plate 83 is covered by a trim plate 84 to improve the design.
Conventionally, the trim plate 84 described above is integrally formed with an upper trim portion 84a which covers a belt portion 81b of the inner panel 81, a trim main body portion 84c integrally molded with an armrest portion 84b, and a pocket portion 84d which forms a door pocket, that are connected to each other. A wood board 85 is disposed on the rear surface side of the upper trim portion 84a. A cloth portion 86 (so-called fabric portion) is formed on the vehicle compartment side between the lower end of the upper trim portion 84a and the upper end of the armrest portion 84b in order to ensure good design.
More specifically, the conventional trim plate 84 has a so-called full-trim structure that largely covers from the upper end of the belt portion 81b of the inner panel 81 to the lower end of the carrier plate 83 entirely. Since an expensive decorative laminated sheet is used to form the trim plate 84, cost reduction suffers. Also, the trim plate 84 itself is comparatively large, and it accordingly has poor moldability.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-318532 proposes a door module structure in which a door inner panel is made of a synthetic resin or light alloy and a carrier plate is integrally formed with the door inner panel.
In the door module structure disclosed in this prior art reference, a trim plate has a so-called full-trim structure that largely covers from the upper end of the belt portion of the inner panel to the lower end of the carrier plate entirely. Thus, this structure has the same problems as those of the prior art shown in FIGS. 38 and 39.
As described above, accessories such as a loudspeaker and window regulator are attached to and supported by the carrier plate. If a regulator rail for the window regulator is built on the carrier plate in advance before the carrier plate is attached to the open edge of the opening portion of the inner panel, the carrier plate is built by inserting the window regulator rail into the inner space of the door through the opening portion of the inner panel. The gap in the vehicle widthwise direction between the upper end of the window regulator rail and the upper end of the carrier plate is very small. In building up the carrier plate by insertion, the upper end of the window regulator rail interferes with the open edge of the opening portion of the inner panel. Thus, it is difficult to ensure smooth build-up performance.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-348556 discloses the following structure for the purpose of simplifying assembly of an automobile door. An insertion hole is formed in the lower portion of a door main body formed by bonding an outer panel and inner panel. A window glass panel is supported by a base including a wall portion and lid portion through an elevating means. The resultant window glass panel structure is inserted in the insertion hole from below, and is built in the door main body.
The window regulator disclosed in this prior art reference is a so-called X-arm window regulator. This is different from a structure of a type in which a vertically extending window regulator rail is built on a carrier plate in advance and the carrier plate is attached to the opening portion of a door inner panel.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-296717 discloses the following structure. In an automobile door formed by clamping an inner panel with an outer panel and trim plate, the inner panel is integrally formed with a deep-drawn projecting portion that fills a space surrounded by the outer panel and trim plate. The inner panel is integrally formed with a wire guide projecting portion which guides a wire for a wire-type window regulator, a glass panel guide projecting portion which guides a window glass panel that moves vertically, and a base projecting portion to which door function components such as a window regulator, door lock, and loudspeaker are to be mounted. The automobile door disclosed in this prior art reference does not use a carrier plate.
In this manner, none of the prior art references is aimed at smooth building-up of a carrier plate when a window regulator rail is built on the carrier plate in advance and the carrier plate is attached to the opening portion of a door inner panel.


The present invention provides a technology including, for example, a packet relay processing section to carry out packet relay, a packet sampling section to carry out packet sampling, a flow statistics counting section to take statistics of each flow, and a flow statistics generating section to generate a NetFlow export datagram, wherein the flow statistics counting section collectively counts the number of the packets or bytes received per unit time when the number does not exceed a threshold value and individually counts the number for each flow when the number exceeds the threshold value, and thereby a flow of abnormal traffic which is suspected to be DoS attack is efficiently detected with small amounts of resources (mainly memories).

The technical field of the present invention relates to a detection method for abnormal traffic which has the possibility of DoS (Denial of Service) attack in a network, and a packet relay apparatus which is used for the method.
A typical example of DoS attack is that an attacker launches a very large amount of access on a target via a network, thereby makes the resources (memories, CPU power, etc.) of the target consumed, and prevents originally intended services from being carried out. The targets of the attack are networks and apparatuses which are connected to networks and provide various services (servers, packet relay apparatuses (routers, switches), etc.).
As a technology of detecting DoS attack, there is a flow monitoring technology which is known under the name of NetFlow. The NetFlow is stipulated in Non-patent Reference 1. In the NetFlow, when a packet relay apparatus receives packets, packets are sampled at a rate of 1/n (at a rate of one packet to n packets) and the number of packets and the number of bytes are statistically counted for a series of packets (referred to as "flow") which have identical values in seven information items ((1) a source IP address, (2) a destination IP address, (3) an IP upper level protocol number, (4) a TCP (or UDP) source port number, (5) a TCP (or UDP) destination port number, (6) an IPTOS (FlowLabel in the IPv6), and (7) an SNMP index number of an input interface). The packet relay apparatus transforms the statistics and relevant information of the flow into the format of a NetFlow export datagram (described in Non-patent Reference 1) and transmits the datagram to an external server called a collector when one of the following conditions is satisfied.
The conditions are: (1) the idle time of a flow exceeds a predetermined time; (2) the TCP connection of a flow terminates (at the time of the reception of the packet of FIN=ON or RST=ON in the TCP); and (3) the holding time of a flow exceeds a predetermined time. A collector detects a flow having outstandingly large numbers of packets and bytes (a flow suspected to be DoS attack) by analyzing the statistics and relevant information.
[Non-patent Reference 1]
IETF RFC3954 (B. Claise, "Cisco Systems NetFlow Services Export Version 9," [online], October 2004, IETF, [searched on Aug. 22, 2005], Internet <URL:http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3954.txt?number=3954>)

Detection method for abnormal traffic and packet relay apparatus


A data entry system (100, 100') has an ergonomic base (102, 102') including upper surface controls (104, 104') which generate a first set of electrical signals, and side surface controls (106, 106') which generate a second set of electrical signals when operated independently. A third set of electrical signals are generated when the side surface controls (106, 106') are operated in combination with the upper surface controls (104, 104'). Data entry system (100, 100') further includes mode selection controls (108) for establishing the first, second and third sets of electrical signals as device control signals responsive to a first mode being selected and respective sets of alphanumeric and keyboard control signals responsive to a second mode being selected.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention directs itself to ergonomic keyboard systems for providing data entry to one or more devices. In particular, this invention directs itself to a data entry system which can function as a game controller and as an ergonomic keyboard. Still further, this invention directs itself to a data entry system having an ergonomic base with a central support portion supporting a plurality of upper surface controls. The ergonomic base further includes a back side having a plurality of side surface controls. More in particular, this invention pertains to a data entry system wherein upper surface controls and side surface controls can be used independently, or in combination to provide alphanumeric and keyboard control signals in a keyboard mode, while also functioning independently in a device mode.
2. Prior Art
Keyboard data entry systems and game controllers are well known in the art. The best prior art known to the Applicants include U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,654; No. 5,486,058; No. 5,481,263; No. 5,479,163; No. 5,451,053; No. 5,432,510; No. 5,426,449; No. 5,408,621; No. 5,332,322; No. 5,317,505; No. 5,207,426; No. 5,160,919; No. 5,137,384; No. 4,917,516; No. 4,655,621; No. 4,552,360; No. 4,833,446; No. 4,727,478; No. 4,680,577; No. 4,518,164; No. 4,516,939; No. 4,443,789; No. 4,442,506; No. 4,360,892; No. 3,990,565; German Patent #30804; PCT Publication #WO86-05143; European Published Patent Application #EP213022; the publication entitled "Semi-captive Keyboard", Xerox Disclosure Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2, February 1976; and, the publication entitled "Hand-held Data Input Device", IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 26, No. 11, April 1984.
Some prior art systems, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,565; No. 5,137,384; No. 5,160,919; and, No. 5,426,449 are directed to ergonomic keyboard systems wherein the user's hands are substantially vertically oriented when the keyboard is used. Such systems disclose utilizing somewhat standard QWERTY keyboard formats, as opposed to chord type systems. However, such systems do not disclose or suggest the combination of a keyboard with a game controller.
In other prior art systems, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,621, there are provided multi-directional switches for use in entering data into a computer. Through utilization of two twelve position directional type switches, one hundred and forty-four different input combinations are generated to provide input of alphanumeric and other symbols. However, such does not disclose the combination of a keyboard data entry system and a game controller and does not provide for data entry utilizing both the thumbs and fingers of both hands of the user, to provide for high speed data entry.
In still other systems, such as that disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,552,360 and No. 4,518,164, video game controllers are disclosed which include a numeric keypad. While the keypad provides for limited data entry, such is intended to allow input of information to the video game computer during play, to select skill levels, initiate the game, or the like. Such systems do not include any mode controls for utilization of the multi-directional switches for generation of alphanumeric characters in a keyboard mode.
Over the years, many prior art systems have presented alternatives to the QWERTY format as a means of increasing typing speed. While those systems would permit a user to type faster, they required a user to learn the new keyboard layout. In spite of the potential typing speed increase, the public has been loath to adopt any keyboard format other than the old QWERTY arrangement. It is clear that once typists become familiar with a keyboard layout, a promised increase in typing speed is not sufficient motivation to learn an additional keyboard arrangement.
During the past decade there has been a tremendous growth in the use and ownership of computer and video games. As a result, children and young adults have become very accustomed to handling and using game controllers that incorporate multidirectional switches. This growing portion of the keyboard-using population is likely to adopt a keyboard format that is arranged like a game controller, can function as a game controller, is ergonomically designed, allows users to enter data while seated in a reclined position away from a desk and offers greater typing speed. The likelihood of the instant invention being adopted by a large segment of the keyboard-using public is further enhanced by the fact that the instant invention requires a minimal number of simultaneous depression of keys.


An information recording medium is provided that has high recording sensitivity for recording information and superior repeated rewriting performance. The information recording medium has at least a recording layer that is changeable between a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase by applying a laser beam or electric current and a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer contains at least C, Si, Sn and O. Alternatively, the information recording medium includes at least two information layers with at least one of the information layer including at least a recording layer that is changeable between a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase by applying a laser beam or electric current and a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer contains at least C, Si, Sn and O.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an information recording medium for recording, erasing, rewriting or reproducing information optically or electrically and a method for manufacturing the same.
2. Background Information
One type of conventional information recording medium is a phase-change type information recording medium. Information is recorded, erased, and rewritten on the phase-change type information recording media by utilizing a phenomenon that a recording layer (a phase change material layer) changes between a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase for recording, erasing, rewriting or reproducing information. Among the phase-change type information recording media, a type that utilizes a laser beam for recording, erasing, rewriting or reproducing information optically is called an optical phase-change type information recording medium. This optical phase-change type information recording medium has a recording layer with a phase change material that changes between the crystalline phase and the amorphous phase by heat from a laser beam. A difference of reflectance between the crystalline phase and the amorphous phase is detected so as to read the information from the recording layer. Among the optical phase-change type information recording media, a rewritable optical phase-change type information recording medium is one in which recorded information can be erased or rewritten. In other words, a rewritable optical phase-change type information recording medium has a recording layer whose initial state is usually in the crystalline phase, and a recorded state that is usually in the amorphous phase. In general, when recording information, the recording layer is melted and cooled abruptly with irradiation of a laser beam having a higher power (a recording power) than that for erasing, so that the irradiated portion is changed to an amorphous phase. On the other hand, when erasing information, the recording layer is warmed and cooled gradually with irradiation of a laser beam having a lower power (an erasing power) than that for recording, so that the irradiated portion is changed to a crystalline phase. Therefore, it is possible to erase recorded information while recording or rewriting new information on the rewritable optical phase-change type information recording medium by irradiating a recording layer with a laser beam whose power is modulated between a high power level and a lower power level. In addition, among the optical phase-change type information recording media, a write once optical phase-change type information recording medium is one in which information can be recorded only once and the recorded information cannot be erased or rewritten. The write once optical phase-change type information recording medium has a recording layer whose initial state is usually in the amorphous phase. When recording information in this type of information recording medium, the recording layer is heated and then cooled gradually with irradiation of a laser beam having a high power (a recording power), so that so that the irradiated portion is changed to the crystalline phase.
Instead of applying a laser beam as described above, electric energy (for example, current) can be applied for another type of medium so as to generate Joule heat and to change a state of the phase change material of the recording layer for recording information. This type of medium is called an electric phase-change type information recording medium. In this electric phase-change type information recording medium, a state of the phase change material of the recording layer is changed between the crystalline phase (low resistance) and the amorphous phase (high resistance) by Joule heat generated by applying current. A difference of resistance between the crystalline phase and the amorphous phase is detected so as to read the information from the recording layer.
One example of an optical phase-change type information recording medium is a 4.7 GB/DVD-RAM that is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-322357. The 4.7 GB/DVD-RAM basically has a seven-layered structure, as shown in FIG. 12, in which the seven-layered structure includes a first dielectric layer 2, a first interface layer 3, a recording layer 4, a second interface layer 5, a second dielectric layer 6, an light absorption adjusting layer 7 and a reflecting layer 8 on the substrate 1 in this order viewed from the laser incident side to form an information recording medium 12. The first dielectric layer 2 and the second dielectric layer 6 have an optical function of adjusting an optical distance and increasing light absorption efficiency of the recording layer 4 so as to increase a difference of reflectance between the crystalline phase and the amorphous phase so that the signal intensity is enlarged.
The first dielectric layer 2 and the second dielectric layer 6 also have a thermal function of insulating thermally the substrate 1, a dummy substrate 10 or the like that is heat-sensitive from the recording layer 4 that becomes high temperature when information is recorded. The material of (ZnS)80(SiO2)20 (mol %) that has been used is a superior dielectric material that is transparent and has a high refractivity, a low thermal conductivity for a good thermal insulation, good mechanical characteristics and good resistance to humidity. Note that film thickness values of the first dielectric layer 2 and the second dielectric layer 6 can be determined precisely by calculation in accordance with a matrix method so as to satisfy conditions that quantity of light reflected by the recording layer 4 changes substantially between the crystalline phase and that the amorphous phase and that light absorption by the recording layer 4 becomes large.
As a material of the recording layer 4, a fast crystallization material containing (Ge—Sn)Te—Sb2Te3 is used, which is obtained by replacing Ge with Sn partially in the GeTe—Sb2Te3 quasi-binary line of phase change materials. The GeTe—Sb2Te3 quasi-binary line is a mixture of compounds GeTe and Sb2Te3, that realize not only good initial recording and rewriting performance but also a good record conservation property (an indicator whether or not a recorded signal can be reproduced after a long conservation) as well as a good rewriting conservation property (an indicator whether or not a recorded signal can be erased or rewritten after a long conservation).
The first interface layer 3 and the second interface layer 5 have a function of preventing material transfer that may occur between the first dielectric layer 2 and the recording layer 4, as well as between the second dielectric layer 6 and the recording layer 4. This material transfer is a phenomenon in which S (sulfur) diffuses into the recording layer when the recording layer 4 is irradiated with the laser beam repeatedly when recording or rewriting information where the first dielectric layer 2 and the second dielectric layer 6 are made of (ZnS)80(SiO2)20 (mol %). When sulfur diffuses into the recording layer, the reflectance of the recording layer 4 is deteriorated, so that repeated rewriting performance is deteriorated. In order to prevent this deterioration of the repeated rewriting performance, it has been proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-275360 to use a nitride containing Ge for the first interface layer 3 and the second interface layer 5.
The light absorption adjusting layer 7 has a function of adjusting a ratio Ac/Aa of a light absorption rate Ac when the recording layer 4 is in the crystalline state to a light absorption rate Aa when the recording layer 4 is in the amorphous state, so as to suppress a distortion of a rewritten mark shape.
The reflecting layer 8 has an optical function of increasing quantity of light that is absorbed by the recording layer 4 and a thermal function of dispersing heat rapidly that is generated in the recording layer 4 for rapid cooling so that the recording layer 4 becomes the amorphous state easily. In addition, the reflecting layer 8 also has a function of protecting a multi-layered film from surrounding environment.
Utilizing the techniques described above, superior rewriting performance and high reliability have been realized in the process of commercializing the 4.7 GB/DVD-RAM.
Note that a material that contains no sulfur can be used for the dielectric layer in order to prevent deterioration of the repeated rewriting performance. It has been proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 2003-091870 and 2003-228881 that a material that mainly contains SnO2 can be used as one of the materials for the dielectric layer and that contains no sulfur.
Furthermore, in recent years, various techniques have been researched to provide larger storage capacity for information recording media. For example, a technique for achieving high density recording by using a blue-violet laser having a shorter wavelength than that of a conventionally used red laser or using a thin substrate on the side from which a laser beam is incident and a lens having a large numerical aperture NA to reduce the spot diameter of the laser beam has been researched. When the spot diameter is reduced for recording information, an area irradiated with the laser beam is restricted to a smaller area. As a result, a power density absorbed by the recording layer increases so that volume variation increases. Therefore, the material transfer phenomenon can occur more easily, and the repeated rewriting performance may be deteriorated if a material such as ZnS—SiO2 containing sulfur is used in contact with the recording layer.
In addition, another technique has been researched, in which an optical phase-change type information recording medium is provided with two information layers. The two information layers are recorded/reproduced with a laser beam incident from one of the two information layers. This technique, which uses two information layers, can achieve about twice the recording density. An information recording medium including two information layers on/from which information is recorded/reproduced from one side can hereinafter be referred to as a two-information recording-layer medium. Information is recorded and/or reproduced on the two information layer by using a laser beam that enters from one side. It has been proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 2000-036130 and 2002-144736. In this two-information recording-layer medium, a laser beam that has passed one information layer that is closer to the laser beam incident side (hereinafter referred to as a first information layer) is used for recording and reproducing information on the other information layer that is farther from the laser beam incident side (hereinafter referred to as a second information layer). Therefore, a film thickness of the first information layer is made very thin so that the transmittance thereof is enhanced. However, when the recording layer becomes thin, an influence of material transfer from a layer that contacts with the recording layer increase. Therefore, if a material containing sulfur is used such as ZnS—SiO2 that is in contact with the recording layer, then the repeated rewriting performance may be deteriorated rapidly. In such a case, one method for preventing the deterioration of the repeated rewriting performance is to dispose interface layers made of a nitride containing Ge on both sides of the recording layer so as to reduce the influence of the material transfer in the same manner as the case of 4.7 GB/DVD-RAM.
However, in the case of optical phase-change type information recording medium for recording information in high density by reducing a spot diameter of the laser beam, larger energy (laser power) is applied to the recording layer when recording information. Therefore, if the conventional interface layer contains a nitride containing Ge, then heat generated in the recording layer may destroy the film of the interface layer. As a result, the diffusion of sulfur from the dielectric layer cannot be prevented, and the repeated rewriting performance may be deteriorated rapidly.
In addition, a nitride containing Ge has high thermal conductivity. Therefore, heat can disperse easily if the interface layer is thickened for suppressing the diffusion of sulfur from the dielectric layer. As a result, recording sensitivity may be deteriorated.
In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved information recording medium. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

Information recording medium and method for manufacturing the same

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.