Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate refining a list of candidate driver packages for a detected plug-and-play device. A device can be detected and a hardware ID there for can be determined and compared to hardware IDs in a data store to determine a preliminary list of driver packages that match the hardware device ID. The driver packages can be tagged with additional rich targeting criteria that must be satisfied in order for the driver package to be retained in the candidate list. If additional criteria in the driver packages are not satisfied, then the driver package can be excised from the candidate list to refine driver package compatibility with a computer to which the device is connected.

Computers and computer-based devices have become a necessary tool for many applications throughout the world. Typewriters and slide rules have become obsolete in light of keyboards coupled with sophisticated word-processing applications and calculators that include advanced mathematical functions/capabilities. Moreover, computers that were once used solely for analyzing data have, over time, been transformed into multi-functional, multi-purpose machines utilized for contexts ranging from business applications to multi-media entertainment. Costs of such computing mechanisms have also trended downward, rendering personal computers ubiquitous throughout many portions of the world.
As computing devices have continued to develop and their use have become more widespread, peripherals associated with such devices have also become commonplace. For instance, typical computing devices include a plurality of ports into which peripherals can be attached and utilized in connection with the aforementioned computing devices. More particularly, attachable peripherals can include printers, keyboards, portable music/video players and recorders, cameras, video cards, speaker systems, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable telephones, or any other suitable computer peripheral. These devices can be physically coupled to a computing device by way of ports (e.g., USB ports, printer ports, . . . ), or can be communicatively coupled over a wireless link. This interaction of peripherals with computing devices has rendered such computing devices even more valuable in terms of user efficiency.
Plug-and-play is one exemplary manner of configuring a computer peripheral to operate desirably with a computing device. Plug-and-play typically requires support in both a hardware device (e.g., a peripheral) coupled to a computing device and in software associated with such device. Hardware devices are typically associated with an identification number or sequence that uniquely identifies the type of hardware device. For instance, a sequence of bits, a name, a serial number, or the like can be employed to uniquely identify the type of hardware device. A computer bus driver then recognizes that a particular type of hardware device has been coupled to the computing device and transmits the device ID to a plug-and-play manager that locates a software driver for the device for installation. The appropriate device driver is then loaded into an operating system of the computing device to enable utilization of the hardware that is desirably being utilized.
This approach of determining a unique identification, however, is associated with various deficiencies that render plug-and-play less than optimal for several hardware devices. For instance, a single vendor can manufacture a peripheral that is to operate in conjunction with any suitable computing device. In reality, however, the peripheral may operate differently given different computer manufacturers. For example, the hardware device may operate as desired for one brand of computing device while operating inadequately for another computing device. Due to the simplistic matching mechanism utilized in connection with plug-and-play, however, there is currently no way to provide granular instructions with respect to finding the proper driver to install and load for the device.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for systems and/or methodologies for improving operability of plug-and-play devices.

Rich targeting criteria for selection of driver packages


A line driver for generating 10 BT signals is disclosed. Digital symbols to be transmitted via a 10 BT Ethernet line are converted by a digital-to-analog converter into a corresponding analog voltage signal, which is fed into an active output impedance line driver. The digital-to-analog converter also receives a reference voltage reflecting variations of the supply voltage and adjusts its output signal accordingly to provide a deliberately variable analog voltage signal to the line driver.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) inter alia sets the standards for communication devices interchanging information using the Ethernet protocol in order to enable for example different manufacturers to produce devices complying with the same specifications and thus being compatible to each other. For example 10 BT is a well known Ethernet standard protocol for transmitting digital information at a transmission speed of 10 Mbit/s.
The IEEE 802.3 standard defines the requirements for transmitting information using the 10 BT protocol on unshielded twisted pair (UTP) lines, wherein numerous details are specified in the sections of the standard. For example section 14.3 of IEEE 802.3 "MAU electrical specifications" specifies a differential output voltage between 2.2 Volts and 2.8 Volts on a load of 100Ω. Wherein for a load with varying impedance in the range of 86.8Ω to 115Ω it is specified that the transmitter has to provide an output impedance in a range of approximately 80Ω to 120 Ω.
As a widely spread supply voltage for integrated circuits (ICs) is 3.3 Volts active impedance line drivers are also implemented using operational amplifiers operated at this nominal voltage, wherein the supply voltage often is allowed to vary by 10%. Accordingly a nominal supply voltage of 3.3 Volts can drop to 3.0 Volts. Regarding the requirements of the IEEE 802.3 standard for 10 BT protocol such a voltage drop is considerable in view of maintaining the required output voltage swing and output impedance of the line driver. In particular the design of the output stage of a 10 BT line driver becomes difficult, because the output stage of the line driver controls the output voltage and output impedance of the driver. Accordingly the design of an active output impedance line driver for transmitting symbols using the 10 BT protocol gravitates around trading output swing for control of the output impedance, with the intention to keep the transistors in the amplifier's output stage out of linear operation, because a linear operation of the transistors can cause gain drop or even instability of the amplifier and thus of the entire circuit. That is, in order to maintain the transistors operate in a non-linear region, their source-drain voltage must be large enough. Hence when designing an output stage of a 10 BT line driver operated at a supply voltage of 3.3 Volts with an admissible variation of ±10% care must be taken to provide for a large enough source-drain voltage of the output stage transistors.
A conventional solution of a 10 BT line driver is shown in FIG. 1. The topology of circuit 100, i.e. the arrangement of elements, is symmetrical to dotted line 101 or the common mode voltage supply VCM. Accordingly for an element in the upper half of the drawing, i.e. any element above dotted line 101 having an even reference numeral there is a corresponding element having an uneven reference number (increased by 1). The operation of the two identical circuit portions is also very similar, wherein the circuit portion shown above dotted line 101 processes the positive signal portion output at terminal VOP and the circuit portion below dotted line 101 processes the negative signal portion of the output signal VOUT, and wherein the positive and negative portions of the output signal are symmetrical with reference to a common mode voltage.
Circuit 100 takes a voltage VIN as input signal representing the symbol to be transmitted and processed to be output as output voltage VOUT, which can be coupled to a transmission line represented as an ohmic resistor RCABLE.
The circuit comprises single ended operational amplifiers 110, 111 each coupled with its positive input terminal via resistor R3 120, 121 to a common mode voltage supply VCM. Input signal VIN is fed into the negative input terminals of amplifiers 110, 111 via resistors R1 130, 131. A negative feedback loop around each amplifier comprises resistor R2 and optional capacitor CFB 150, 151 and a positive feedback loop comprises resistors R4 160, 161 and optional capacitors 170, 171 and termination resistors RT 180, 181.
In case that circuit 100 is operated at a supply voltage of 3.3 Volts, which can drop to 3.0 Volts, and the output swing reaches close to its maximum, i.e. close to the supply voltage, then the value of termination resistor RT, which is used to control the output impedance of the line driver, decreases considerably making the positive feedback loop almost as strong as the negative feedback loop, which can lead to an instable operation of the circuit.
The risk of instable operation of the amplifiers is reduced by introducing the capacitors CFB 150, 151 into the feedback loops as shown, but which does not guarantee proper operation in all situations. Thus a supply voltage much higher than the required output swing of VOUT usually is used, for example a supply voltage of 5 Volts.
Thus there is a need for a 10 BT line driver operable at a voltage of 3.3 Volts, which also accurately operates in case the supply voltage drops to 3.0 Volts, and which accurately generates a 10 BT signal within the IEEE 802.3 specifications in these operating conditions.

Techniques for enabling a 10BT active output impedance line driver using a low power supply


An electronic control device enabling heat generated by a power module to be favorably radiated even in a high-temperature condition in an engine compartment. The unit includes a casing accommodating a control circuit substrate; a die-cast mounting plate forming a control circuit substrate support portion, a frame-like fitting member and an external mounting portion integrally together; and a metal substrate on which a power module is adhered. When the mounting plate is mounted on the wall of a transmission and the metal substrate is fitted in the opening in the bottom surface of the frame-like fitting member, a mounting surface in nearly the same plane is formed by the lower surface of the mounting plate and by the lower surface of the metal substrate permitting heat from the power module to be radiated to the wall.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic control device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and, specifically, to an electronic control device used in a high-temperature environment. More particularly, the invention relates to an electronic control device which favorably radiates heat generated by a control circuit board and a power module even in a high-temperature environment such as in an engine compartment.
2. Description of the Related Art
A plurality of electronic control devices have heretofore been mounted as a single unit on a vehicle such as an automobile to individually control the installed devices such as engine and the like. Each electronic control device comprises a control circuit unit including a microcomputer which executes logical control operations based upon the electronic data detected by the sensors, and a drive circuit unit which controls an electric power supply to external units such as actuators that drive the objects to be controlled relying upon the results an operation.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2000-323848 discloses an electronic control device that has been used. In this electronic control device, a major portion working as the electronic control device 1 is accommodated in a connector-integrated resin casing 2 with which a connector casing is integrally molded. A data-receiving connector and a power supply connector are disposed by being grouped into one on the side surface of the connector-integrated resin casing 2. This enables the electric connection between the electronic control device and the external electronic part to be accomplished from one side of the unit.
In the electronic control device of this constitution, the connector-integrated resin casing assumes a complex structure which is difficult to mold and assemble. In particular, as the connectors become large and the number of storage units increases, it becomes difficult to arrange the connectors on the same side surface of the connector-integrated resin casing 2. Such an electronic control unit effects the electric connection to an external unit via a wire harness. However, if the connectors are not mounted on the same side surface, it becomes difficult to lay the harness which requires an increased space for mounting. Besides, the cost of production is driven up due to the use of water-proof packings between the resin casing and the closure, and between the resin casing and the heat sink.
Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 7-297561 discloses a prior art related to an electronic equipment housing in which a control circuit unit, a drive circuit unit and a power circuit unit are formed in separate spaces. The power circuit unit is provided with heat-radiating fins to prevent a rise in the temperature in the housing of the electronic equipment. In the drive circuit unit and the power circuit unit, the circuit constituent elements that produce and receive signals are arranged at positions close to each other so as to accomplish a direct electric connection. Here, the electric connection between the drive circuit unit and the control circuit unit is accomplished by using a set of connectors, and the control circuit unit is combined with the power circuit unit that includes the drive circuit unit.
According to the electronic equipment housing of the constitution disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 7-297561, the control circuit portion, drive circuit unit and power circuit unit are connected by using connectors. Therefore, parts of the circuit units must be electrically connected to the connectors, and a large amount of wiring must be laid between the circuit units.
Therefore, the above Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2000-323848 discloses the structure of a combination of an electronic control device that is so improved as can be easily assembled as an electronic equipment. In this electronic control device, the control circuit unit and the power circuit unit are separated from each other. In the control circuit unit, a control circuit substrate is formed being mounted in the control connector-integrated casing with which a data-receiving connector is integrally molded. In the power circuit unit, a heat sink mounting the power control element is mounted on the lower surface of the power supply connector-integrated casing with which a power supply connector is integrally molded. An intermediate layer having relay connection terminals is arranged between the control circuit unit and the power circuit unit, and the connection terminals of the control circuit unit are electrically connected to the connection terminals of the power circuit unit through the relay connection terminals.
In the above electronic control device, the data-receiving connector-integrated casing, power supply connector-integrated casing and heat sink are stacked and adhered to each other and, besides, a closure is mounted on the uppermost portion thereof. Therefore, the electronic control device, as a whole, assumes a three-stage-overlapped constitution.
In the electronic equipment equipped with the power part as described above, the power control element itself generates heat. Therefore, a heat-radiating measure is necessarily taken so that the electronic part will not be damaged by heat. The above electronic control device is equipped with a heat sink to radiate heat generated by the power control element.
The electronic control devices used for a vehicle for controlling the operations of the engines and the like are usually mounted in the engine compartment of the vehicle or are integrally mounted on the actuator. The place of mounting is in a high-temperature environment which is severe. In order to maintain reliability in such an environment, a heat-resistant ceramic substrate is used for forming electronic circuitry for the electronic control.
The ceramic substrate is produced being fired at a high temperature. The size of the work cannot be increased. Therefore, the cost of production becomes high. In order not to use the ceramic substrate, therefore, it becomes necessary to produce a substrate made of a heat-resistant resin of a low cost which can be used in a high-temperature environment to lower the cost of the electronic control unit.
It is, further, a modern trend to so design the automobile as to expand the passenger compartment as much as possible to offer only a very limited space for the engine room. If it is attempted to mount an electronic control unit in such a limited space, consideration must be given to radiating the heat from the electronic parts inclusive of the power control element so as to be used in a high-temperature environment. Besides, since only limited space is available for installing electronic equipment, there is no means to realize the electronic control unit itself in a small size.
In the above-mentioned electronic control device, the fins of the heat sink are lengthened to enhance the heat-radiating efficiency of the electronic parts. This, however, results in an increase in the size of the unit which is against the requirement for decreasing the size. The conventional electronic control device has a connector-integrated casing of a large thickness and, further, requires a heat sink. The electronic control device is too bulky to be mounted in a narrow space such as in an engine compartment.
In order to decrease the size of the electronic control device, therefore, a contrivance is necessary for decreasing the thickness of the connector-integrated casing. Here, if it is attempted not to use the heat sink which is a cause of making the device bulky, it becomes necessary to further increase the heat-radiating efficiency for the electronic parts in a high-temperature environment. Besides, the electronic control device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile must be so constituted as will not to be detached or as will not to develop defect in the connection despite of receiving vibration while the vehicle is traveling.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic control device which is small in size, efficiently radiates heat and is easily installed even in a narrow space in high-temperature conditions in an engine compartment.


The invention relates to a adhesive article comprising at least one backing layer with a first and second surface and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered first surface of the backing layer in a pattern, wherein the pattern of the adhesive layer has an adhesive free area of less than about 25% and wherein the adhesive article has a water vapor transmission rate of greater than about 2000 g/m2/24 hour. The invention also relates to a method of forming an adhesive article comprising (a) providing a release liner, (b) applying pressure sensitive adhesive in a pattern wherein the free adhesive area is less than 25%, and (c) applying a backing layer to the pressure sensitive adhesive. The present invention provides pattern coated adhesive bandages that strongly adhere to human skin while permitting water vapor transmission there through. Accordingly the present invention also provides methods of facilitating the healing of wounds using the pattern coated adhesive bandage. High breathability, as measured by moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR), is desirable features of an adhesive bandage in order to prevent maceration of the skin due to trapped moisture, and to enhance comfort during wear of the bandage by the end user.

This invention relates to a highly breathable pressure sensitive adhesive article, such as a bandage or tape. More particularly, the invention relates to a pressure sensitive adhesive article having both good adhesion and high moisture vapor transmission rate characteristics. In one embodiment, the adhesive article has a backing layer and a rubber based pressure sensitive adhesive.
Adhesive articles, such as bandages and tapes, are well known in the art and are commonly used as first aid wound dressings and other medical applications. Conventional adhesive bandages contain a central pad area (padstock) surrounded by adhesive areas. Particularly, adhesive bandages or tapes generally contain an elongated strip of cloth or plastic backing layer which has a pressure sensitive adhesive coated on one surface. A gauze or sponge pad is secured to the adhesive surface in a central location thereby serving as a wound covering material. The wound facing surface of the pad may be plastic coated or otherwise treated to prevent the padstock from adhering to the wound. Release strips are placed over the adhesive areas and typically the wound covering padstock and the entire assembly is enclosed in a sealed package and sterilized so as to be ready for use.
A disadvantage of adhesive articles in medical application is maceration. Normal human skin releases about 500 g/m2/24 hours of water in a resting state. When the water released by the skin is unable to evaporate then the skin becomes white in color and prune-like in appearance. After some time, the integrity of the skin could be weakened. Also the time for healing is the wound is often extended.
Rubber based pressure sensitive adhesives have the advantages of high adhesion and relatively low cost. The high adhesion is achieved without application of significant amounts of pressure. However, rubber based adhesives can be disadvantageous because they have inherently low breathability (i.e. low moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR)). Therefore, such disadvantageous properties make rubber based adhesives generally unsuitable for skin contacting bandage applications.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,457 relates to a vented wound dressing made of a thin vapor-permeable sheet material having a pressure sensitive adhesive coating, the coating having repeating adhesive free areas. The adhesive covers at least 50% of the surface area of the thin vapor-permeable sheet material.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,506 relates to a medical patch material made of a support coated with a pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive coating using the gravure printing method. The medical patch material requires an adhesive-free area of at least 30% (between 30% and 60%), an adhesive coat weight between 30 and 160 g/m2, and a block copolymer adhesive having certain properties to achieve an MVTR of at least 2,000 g/m2/24 hours.
Canadian Patent 2,045,247 relates to a wound dressing made of a thin film carrying a discontinuous coating of a pressure sensitive adhesive, such as a rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesive, in such a manner so as to define adhesive-free areas. The film has an MVTR of at least 50 g/m2/24 hours, and preferably 500 g/m2/24 hours.
The invention relates to an adhesive article comprising at least one backing layer with a first and second surface and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered to the first surface of the backing layer in a pattern, wherein the pattern of the adhesive layer has an adhesive-free area of less than about 25% and wherein the adhesive article has a water vapor transmission rate of greater than about 2000 g/m2/24 hour. The invention also relates to a method of forming an adhesive article comprising (a) providing a release liner, (b) applying pressure sensitive adhesive in a pattern wherein the free adhesive area is less than 25%, and (c) applying a backing layer to the pressure sensitive adhesive.
The present invention provides for an adhesive article that strongly adheres to human skin while permitting water vapor transmission there through; thus, not causing or exacerbating wound and skin problems. Accordingly the present invention also provides methods of facilitating the healing of wounds using the adhesive article. The present invention achieves MVTR values of greater than about 2000 g/m2/24 hours with adhesive-free areas of less than about 25%. Not only is high breathability achieved, but also the high level of adhesive coverage allows for improved adhesion to skin due to greater surface contact between adhesive and skin.
This invention relates to a highly breathable pressure sensitive adhesive bandage that is manufactured using pattern coating of an inexpensive, non-breathable pressure sensitive adhesive. High breathability, as measured by moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR), is desirable features of an adhesive bandage in order to prevent maceration of the skin due to trapped moisture, and to enhance comfort during wear of the bandage by the end user.

Johnson and Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.


A method of forming a solution-based search query from a symptom-based search query for searching a solution-based document database is presented. A user query comprised of perceived symptom-based search terms is preprocessed to remove extraneous terms. The remaining search query is evaluated to identify symptom-based terminology. The symptom-based terminology is used to access a synonym database which matches the symptom-based search term with a solution-based search term. The solution-based search term is substituted into the original search term and the solution-based search query is entered into a search engine for identification of solution-based documents.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to document services and, more particularly, to a system and method of searching and identifying documentation in a database comprised of solution-oriented information accessible by a search engine.
2. State of the Art
Computer systems have become increasingly beneficial in their application as tools for solving customer support issues in a wide variety of technical disciplines ranging from computer and peripheral operational debugging to operational customer support. With the complex nature of technology and the proliferation of complex systems and applications, there exists a need for improving database access mechanisms and the accuracy of the results returned by those mechanisms.
Prior to computerized technology proliferation, technology consumers or customers could obtain service by contacting specially trained individuals at customer service desks where they could explain the specific abnormal behavior of their equipment. Customers would present their problems to the customer service agents by describing the symptoms or equipment behavior they were experiencing. These "symptom-based" problem descriptions were then noted by a customer service agent and entered into a search engine that accessed a database searching for possible solutions.
Technology databases were and continue to be predominantly populated with "solution-based" entries that describe to a user or customer "how-to" perform an operation or repair on their technology. The terminology utilized in a solution-based database includes language specific to performing a function or operation rather than the operational anomaly terminology describing the technology behavior that would be exhibited and therefore perceived by the user. It is appreciated that database searches are more exhaustive and comprehensive if the search query more precisely matches the terminology utilized in the targeted database.
As such, customer service agents, using their vast experience and specialty training, would act as the transforming entity for converting the symptom-based problem described by a customer into a solution-based query for presenting to the database search engine. While such a manual approach presented modest improvements, search results were inconsistent due to the human subjectivity factor and interpretive nature of the process.
Furthermore, due to the reality that the vast majority of customer service database information is written in solution-based format, translation by the customer service agent, while generally resulting in modestly more precise search results, exhibited further shortcomings and additional advances were desirable. For example, the economics associated with customer service agents as well as the substantial deployment of systems requiring customer service quickly became overwhelming and the resulting quality of translation from symptom-based customer inputs to solution-based database queries became unmanageable.
Additional advances have occurred which allow customers to directly input their customer service issue in electronic form for processing by a search engine in order to retrieve solutions to symptoms from the database. Unfortunately, customers present their issues to the search engine not only in the less compatible "symptom-based" form but also in "natural language" form which requires parsing of the words in order to extract the suitable search terms for inputting into a search engine. Natural language parsing is well known in the art and has met with marginal success when applied to a customer service application as they still engage in searching a database that is not based on the same syntax style or terminology of the input query.
The substantiality of the technological proliferation and the expanse of the customer base dictates that customers must directly access databases, such as customer service databases. Since customers are of diverse competencies and untrained to the nuances of the myriad of database syntaxes, as well as the fact that customer-generated queries are subject to the subjective stylization of the customer, an automated and mechanized approach is desirable.

Method and apparatus for matching customer symptoms with a database of content solutions

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A medical needle and the like that has small resistance when piercing, scraping or incising the body tissue, that is not easily bent and that reduces the reflection of the illumination as much as possible when in surgery performed under scope is provided. The medical needle and the like has a hardened layer, in which a carbon atom is penetrated, of a depth of 5 micrometers to 70 micrometers provided on a parent material surface of a fiber shape structure having an austenite stainless steel containing 1% to 6% of molybdenum or 13% to 25% of chromium. Further, after the hardened layer is provided, one part of the hardened layer is removed. Further, the dark layer is formed on the outer most surface of the hardened layer to provide a non-reflective surface.

The present invention relates to a medical needle or a cutting tool that does not produce rust and that provides high hardness as well as difficult bending property, and that further has non-reflectivity.
The medical needle includes, a suture needle used for suturing the affected area that has been incised or a needle used for blood drawing or fluid infusion, a reamer or a file used for performing root canal forming in dental treatment and the like. The medical cutting tool includes a surgical knife or a knife used when incising the affected area. Thus, the medical needle and the cutting tool have suitable shape in accordance with the intended use.
All of the above mentioned medical needle and the cutting tool have a function of piercing directly through the body tissue and passing the suture thread, or a function of scraping the structure of the teeth or a function of incising the body tissue. In such medical needle or the cutting tool, a force acts in a bending direction when performing the intended task, or a resistance when piercing through the body tissue, a resistance when scraping, or a resistance when cutting may act.
The treatment instrument for the root canal forming in the dental treatment is often required to scrape the hard layer of the surface of the teeth, and thus needs to have high hardness. On the other hand, when broken by an obstacle while working in the root canal forming, the task of removing the broken distal end portion is not easy. That is, the dental treatment instrument must have both a hard cutting blade and a high-level of difficult bending property. Since such medical needle or cutting tool directly contacts the body tissue, it is configured using a material that has no adverse effect on the body tissue.
Thus, in actual condition, the needle or tool that is not easily bent during use and has small resistance is continuously being developed in each manufacturing corporations.
A material having high hardness must be used to reduce the resistance when piercing, scraping or incising the body tissue, and to produce high resistance with respect to the bending force, and hardening processed steel or martensitic stainless steel is commonly used for such material. However, in the medical needle or cutting tool that uses such material, occurrence of rust in the circulation step is difficult to avoid.
Thus, the applicant of the present invention has developed a medical needle that has high hardness obtained through work hardening by performing cold pulling work on the austenite stainless steel, and that achieves difficult bending property by having fiber shape structure which is extended from the granulated austenite structure (refer to e.g. Japanese Patent Application Publication (JP-B) No. 1-11084). The medical needle obtained through such technique has advantages in that rust is not produced, sharpness of the cutting blade is ensured by having high hardness, and further, difficult bending property is obtained since the structure is extended into a fiber shape.
Since hardness due to thermal treatment cannot be expected in the austenite stainless steel, work hardness involved in cool working must be expected, as in the technique of JP-B No. 1-11084. Therefore, since the process for obtaining hardness is only through cold working, the types of products that can be applied to are extremely limited, and in order to overcome such problem, a technique of forming a hardened layer by performing carburization process on the austenite stainless steel has been developed (refer to e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 9-268354).


An algae dryer defines an insulated and heated stationary drum within which is positioned a rotating arm extending an axial sprayer to spray a coat of algae on the inside of the drum with a second integrated opposing arm axially extending an offset scraper which engages the inner perimeter of the drum surface and removes the algae from the interior of the drum, depositing the dry algae scrapings into the bottom of the drum through a slot, further directing the harvested algae through an auger to a packaging or processing location.

1. Field of Invention
An algae dryer defines an insulated and heated stationary drum within which is positioned a rotating arm extending an axial sprayer to spray a coat of algae on the inside of the drum with a second integrated opposing arm axially extending an offset scraper which engages the inner perimeter of the drum surface and removes the algae from the interior of the drum, depositing the dry algae scrapings into the bottom of the drum through a slot, further directing the harvested algae through an auger to a packaging or processing location.
2. Description of Prior Art
A preliminary review of prior art patents was conducted by the applicant which reveal prior art patents in a similar field or having similar use. However, the prior art inventions do not disclose the same or similar elements as the present dryer and harvester apparatus, nor do they present the material components in a manner contemplated or anticipated in the prior art.
Most prior art patent involve a continuous belt that acts to deliver a skimmed algae from a pool, generally off the top layer of the pool. These type patent include several embodiments. The most recent published application in found in U.S. Patent App. No. 201226061 to Shepherd, and it involves a harvester including a main moving belt, a plurality of rollers and a motor for driving the belt in a continuous loop. There is a reactor tank and a vacuum extractor for applying a vacuum over a width of the belt to extract the biomass and to dry the main moving belt to an oil extraction device. Other belt driven skimmer harvesters are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,465,600, 4,450,080, 4,255,261 and 3,951,805 to Dodd, U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,159 to Sawyer.
An algae filtration scrubber is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,991 to Norris. This algae scrubber system is used in a fish aquarium includes a partially submerged rotatable drum wrapped in plastic mesh as a anchor for algae growth, an effluent pipe shaped to match the perimeter of the rotating drum which withdraws water from a secondary tank and scrubs that water through the algae screen and returns the filtered water back to the secondary tank as refreshed. A centrifugal rotating disk assembly for waste water treatment, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,385 to Yoshikawa, includes a vertical disc made from a plurality of arcuate or radial impeller blades similar to a water wheel set over and partially within a trough filled with a waste water, the rotating disc exposing the water to air for the improved production of aerobic treatment by the greater surface of the exposed waste water to air.


A method for allocating a shared wireless bandwidth in a packet-centric wireless point to multi-point telecommunications system. The method includes allocating the shared bandwidth between a wireless base station and one or more subscriber customer premises equipment (CPE) stations. The method can include dynamically allocating the shared bandwidth. The method can include allocating the shared bandwidth on a frame basis, such as (1) allocating the frame of the shared bandwidth in an uplink direction from a subscriber CPE station to the wireless base station; or (2) allocating the frame of the shared bandwidth in a downlink direction from the wireless base station to a subscriber CPE station. The method can also include: allocating the shared bandwidth on a subframe within a frame basis; allocating the subframe of the shared bandwidth in an uplink direction from a subscriber CPE station to the wireless base station; allocating the subframe of the shared bandwidth in a downlink direction from the wireless base station a subscriber CPE station.

Telecommunication networks such as voice, data and video networks have conventionally been customized for the type of traffic each is to transport. For example, voice traffic is very latency sensitive but quality is less important, so voice networks are designed to transport voice traffic with limited latency. Traditional data traffic, such as, e.g., a spreadsheet, on the other hand is not latency sensitive, but error-free delivery is required. Conventional telecommunications networks use circuit switching to achieve acceptable end user quality of service (QoS). With the advent of new packet switching high bandwidth data networks, different types of traffic can be transported over a data network. Specifically, convergence of separate voice, data and video networks into a single broadband telecommunications network is enabled. To ensure end user satisfaction, a system is desired that provides QoS for various types of traffic to be transported.
Wireless networks present particular challenges over their wireline counterparts in delivering QoS. For example, wireless networks traditionally exhibit high bit error rates (BER) due to a number of reasons. Conventional wireless networks also implement circuit switched connections to provide reliable communications channels. However the use of circuit switched connections allocates bandwidth between communicating nodes whether or not traffic is constantly being transferred between the nodes. Therefore, circuit switched connections use communications bandwidth rather inefficiently.
Packet switching makes more efficient use of available bandwidth than does traditional circuit switching. Packet switching breaks up traffic into so-called "packets" which can then be transported from a source node to a destination for reassembly. Thus a particular portion of bandwidth can be shared by many sources and destinations yielding more efficient use of bandwidth.
A wireless broadband access telecommunications system is desired which can provide a QoS capability that is comparable to that delivered by wireline broadband access devices. Conventionally, one of the barriers to the deployment of wireless broadband access systems has been the absence of acceptable QoS characteristics, while at the same time delivering bandwidth sufficient to qualify as broadband. Delivery of raw bandwidth over wireless media without acceptable QoS would not benefit end users. Likewise, the delivery of a high level of QoS at the cost of sufficient bandwidth would also not benefit end users.
Conventional efforts to provide wireless broadband access systems have not granted sufficient priority to QoS as a guiding principle in architecting the wireless systems, resulting in sub-optimal designs. With the rapid emergence of the Internet, the packet switching paradigm, and transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) as a universal data protocol, it has become clear that a new wireless system design has become necessary.
What is needed then is an IP-centric wireless broadband access system with true QoS capabilities.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for providing dynamic bandwidth allocation based on IP-flow characteristics in a wireless point to multi-point (PtMP) transmission system


The present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a field of view (28), wherein the field of view (28) comprises at least one sub field of interest covering at least a portion of an object of interest containing magnetic particles. The apparatus (100) applying the known principle of Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) comprises selection means for generating a magnetic selection field (50) having the known field pattern showing a field free point (FFP), drive means for changing the position in space of the FFP by means of a magnetic drive field, receiving means for acquiring detection signals depending on the magnetization of the magnetic particles within the field of view (28), a control unit (150) for controlling a signal receiving unit (140) comprised in the receiving means for acquiring a set of high resolution detection signals and a set of low resolution detection signals, wherein the set of high resolution detection signals depends on the magnetization of at least one subfield of interest and the set of low resolution detection signals depends on the magnetization of at least one adjacent subfield being arranged adjacent to the at least one subfield of interest, and a reconstruction unit (152) for reconstructing a particle distribution quantity depending on the set of high resolution detection signals and the set of low resolution detection signals. The present invention further relates to a corresponding method as well as to a computer program.

"Magnetic Particle Imaging" (MPI) is an emerging medical imaging modality. The first versions of MPI were two-dimensional in that they produced two-dimensional images. Future versions will be three-dimensional (3D). A time-dependent, or 4D, image of a non-static object can be created by combining a temporal sequence of 3D images to a movie, provided the object does not significantly change during the data acquisition for a single 3D image.
MPI is a reconstructive imaging method, like Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Accordingly, a MP image of an object's volume of interest is generated in two steps. The first step, referred to as data acquisition, is performed using a MPI scanner. The MPI scanner has means to generate a static magnetic gradient field, called "selection field", which has a single field free point (FFP) at the isocenter of the scanner. In addition, the scanner has means to generate a time-dependent, spatially nearly homogeneous magnetic field. Actually, this field is obtained by superimposing a rapidly changing field with a small amplitude, called "drive field", and a slowly varying field with a large amplitude, called "focus field". By adding the time-dependent drive and focus fields to the static selection field, the FFP may be moved along a predetermined FFP trajectory throughout a volume of scanning surrounding the isocenter. The scanner also has an arrangement of one or more, e.g. three, receive coils and can record any voltages induced in these coils. For the data acquisition, the object to be imaged is placed in the scanner such that the object's volume of interest is enclosed by the scanner's field of view, which is a subset of the volume of scanning.
The object must contain magnetic nanoparticles; if the object is an animal or a patient, a contrast agent containing such particles is administered to the animal or patient prior to the scan. During the data acquisition, the MPI scanner steers the FFP along a deliberately chosen trajectory that traces out the volume of scanning, or at least the field of view. The magnetic nanoparticles within the object experience a changing magnetic field and respond by changing their magnetization. The changing magnetization of the nanoparticles induces a time dependent voltage in each of the receive coils. This voltage is sampled in a receiver associated with the receive coil. The samples output by the receivers are recorded and constitute the acquired data. The parameters that control the details of the data acquisition make up the scan protocol.
In the second step of the image generation, referred to as image reconstruction, the image is computed, or reconstructed, from the data acquired in the first step. The image is a discrete 3D array of data that represents a sampled approximation to the position-dependent concentration of the magnetic nanoparticles in the field of view. The reconstruction is generally performed by a computer, which executes a suitable computer program. Computer and computer program realize a reconstruction algorithm. The reconstruction algorithm is based on a mathematical model of the data acquisition. As with all reconstructive imaging methods, this model is an integral operator that acts on the acquired data; the reconstruction algorithm tries to undo, to the extent possible, the action of the model.
Such a MPI apparatus and method have the advantage that they can be used to examine arbitrary examination objects—e.g. human bodies—in a non-destructive manner and without causing any damage and with a high spatial resolution, both close to the surface and remote from the surface of the examination object. Such an arrangement and method are generally known and are first described in DE 101 51 778 A1 and in Gleich, B. and Weizenecker, J. (2005), "Tomographic imaging using the nonlinear response of magnetic particles" in nature, vol. 435, pp. 1214-1217. The arrangement and method for magnetic particle imaging (MPI) described in that publication take advantage of the non-linear magnetization curve of small magnetic particles.
As already explained, spatial encoding in MPI is based on the motion of a field free point or region over an object of interest. Thereby, the spectral response of the magnetic nanoparticles changes with distance to the FFP. High spectral components of said spectral response only occur in close vicinity to the FFP path or trajectory, whereas low spectral components are spatially rather delocalized. In certain situations problems may occur arising from delocalized low spectral components of the spectral response of the magnetic nanoparticles. For example in case of only encoding a sub-volume of a larger object or in case of completely encoding a larger object by splitting up the spatial encoding process. Splitting up the spatial encoding process means splitting up the large object into small sub-volumes, conducting encoding and reconstruction of a sub-volume image for each sub-volume separately and combining the sub-volume images for obtaining an overall image of the whole large object. In such situations signals from outside a specific sub-volume for which an encoding is conducted contribute to the low frequency components of the spectral response originated from those magnetic nanoparticles arranged in the specific sub-volume. Said signals from outside lead to a falsifications in the particle distribution quantity reconstructed for the specific sub-volume and therefore to artifacts in the sub-volume image reconstructed for the specific sub-volume. As the spectral response of the magnetic nanoparticles to the motion of the FFP is not completely localized, especially for low frequency components existing because of the encoding of the specific sub-volume, signals from outside the specific sub-volume are picked up.
The above-mentioned problems also may arise in case of leaving out sub-volumes of the field of view for speeding up the encoding process, wherein such sub-volumes are left out that cover areas which are not of interest to the operator of the MPI apparatus or MPI scanner. This approach is applied to situations at which in addition to the object of interest further objects are covered by the field of view. A concrete example for applying such an approach is the field of cardiac exam. With cardiac exam only subfields covering the region of the heart are encoded, while subfields covering for instance the liver are not encoded.
Because of the above described artifacts occurring in certain situations in reconstructed images existing MPI apparatuses and corresponding methods are still not optimal.

Apparatus and method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a field of view


Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and apparatus for warning. A method may include: importing a real-time collected traffic data sequence into a pre-trained traffic prediction model, to obtain predicted traffic data, the traffic prediction model being used to calculate and obtain the predicted traffic data according to the real-time collected traffic data sequence; and sending, in response to a difference between the predicted traffic data and actual traffic data corresponding to time being greater than a set threshold, a warning signal.

With the development of science and technology, the transmission of information has become more and more frequent. A user may perform a data connection between various kinds of smart devices via a network, to realize the mutual transmission of the information, thereby improving the informatization level of the work and life of the user.
Network traffic can reflect the state of the transmission of the information. In order to provide the user with a stable and effective service, a technician needs to effectively monitor the network traffic when the information is transmitted. At present, in most cases the traffic monitoring is to set a fixed traffic threshold, to give a warning when the traffic threshold is exceeded, so that the technician maintains the network in time.

BAIDU ONLINE NETWORK TECHNOLOGY (BEIJING) CO., LTD.


Multi-type air conditioner including a plurality of compressors, a plurality of temperature sensors mounted in the plurality of compressors for sensing temperatures in the compressors respectively, and an equalizing pipe in communication with the plurality of compressors, for uniform distribution of oil among the plurality of compressors according to the temperatures sensed at the plurality of temperature sensors respectively, thereby distributing oil among the compressors uniformly at an exact time point at which the oil is distributed among the compressors non-uniformly, not only to permit improvement of the performance of the compressors, but also to permit improvement performance of the air conditioner having the compressors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to air conditioner, and more particularly, to a multi-type air conditioner and a method for controlling same, which can improve reliability of a compressor and system efficiency.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In general, the air conditioner cools or/and heats rooms as the air conditioner performs steps of compression, condensing, expansion, and evaporation of refrigerant. In air conditioning systems, there are cooling air conditioner for supplying cold air to the room by operating a refrigerating cycle only in one direction, and cooling/heating air conditioner for supplying cold or warm air to the room by operating the refrigerating cycle in either direction, selectively.
Moreover, there are general air conditioners in which one indoor unit is connected to one outdoor unit, and multi-type air conditioners in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit. In the meantime, the multi-type air conditioner may have one of more than one outdoor unit.
The multi-type air conditioner having one of more than one outdoor unit is provided with at least one compressor mounted on the outdoor unit. As the compressor, a single speed compressor of which operating frequency is constant, or a variable speed compressor of which operating frequency varies, is used.
However, the multi-type air conditioner having an outdoor unit with a plurality of compressors mounted thereon has the following problems.
That is, if the air conditioner is put into operation, there has been a problem of non-uniform distribution of oil among the plurality of compressors caused by differences of suction pressures of the compressors. Consequently, a compressor having a relative shortage of oil experiences drop of performance, to impair reliability. If the compressor is operated continuously in a state of oil shortage, the compressor is liable to burn. Moreover, the drop of performance of the compressor leads to drop an overall efficiency of the multi-type air conditioner, resulting to impair a cooling/heating performance.

Multi-type air conditioner and method for controlling the same


This invention generates two pulses for semiconductor testing that have leading edges coordinated in time by synchronizing the pulses from two different styles of pulse generators (pulsers). One pulser uses spark discharge pulse generation and the other pulser is a typical solid state pulser. The spark discharge pulser has high power pulse generation but its pulse timing can not be tightly controlled. The output pulse of the spark discharge pulser is split unequally, with a small amount used to trigger the solid state pulser, and the large pulse energy delayed by a cable of length for a signal propagation delay equal or greater than the trigger-input-to-pulse-output delay of the solid state pulser. Variable attenuators control the trigger signal amplitude and a level shifting circuit makes the trigger signal compatible with standard logic signal levels. The two pulses can be applied to semiconductors with their leading edges adjustable relative to each other to measure the semiconductors operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic testing equipment, and more specifically to apparatuses for generating pulses.
2. Description of the Related Art
Testing of a semiconductor device, termed a device under test (DUT), is often done to evaluate its performance. Testing equipment can be used to measure a transistor's operation by applying currents or voltages to a transistor's input (base relative to emitter of a bipolar transistor or gate relative to source of field effect transistor, or FET) and recording the transistor's output voltage and current (at the collector or drain) as it changes in response to the applied input. A "transistor curve tracer" is an example of such testing equipment. The results of such testing are often graphically presented as a curve showing the output current (I in electrical engineering notation) changes with output voltage (V) based on applied input voltage. FIG. 1 shows a family of such "I-V curves". These I-V curves display the static or DC characteristics of transistors as the applied voltages and measuring currents change slowly allowing the transistor to reach steady state for each measurement.
One limitation of I-V measurement of transistor parameters as just described is the power delivered to the transistor (product of voltages and currents) must be kept low or the temperature of the DUT will be changed due to heating from the dissipated power. Semiconductor parameters vary with temperature changes, so DUT temperature must be controlled or limited. Transistors used with a low duty cycle or in pulsed operation can be used to control high power loads, but their high power operation cannot be measured statically for the resulting heating would be excessive.
A test method termed "pulsed I-V" has been used to avoid the heating effects of the slow static or DC parameter measurements of transistor characteristics. This term is apropos as the current is determined as a function of voltage during short duration pulses applied at low duty cycles. This allows measurements to be made with little of the DUT heating that would occur with static measurements. Another use of pulsed I-V testing is to determine the DUT's high frequency response by applying a pulse to change its operation. This can be used to measure the effects of charge trapping sites that are prevalent in high frequency integrated circuits (ICs) in compound semiconductors, such as GaAs.
As transistors increase in speed, the measurements need to be made at higher speeds to measure parameters at operational frequencies. This can be accomplished by using very short pulses, such as pulses of 10 nanoseconds in duration. These fast pulses can be generated by today's pulse generators (pulsers), some of which are made themselves with high frequency transistors. All pulsers that control voltages and currents that form an output pulse using diodes and transistors of any type will be herein collectively termed "solid state pulse generators," or "solid state pulsers." Such solid state pulsers typically have features such as an external trigger or control input that can initiate the pulse generation cycle. The time between the trigger input and the leading edge of the output pulse is usually a fixed time plus a user controlled variable time delay.
One performance feature of pulsers is the slew rate, or maximum rate of change, of its output voltage transitions. For example, a 5 volt pulse leading edge that has a 10% to 90% transition time of 1 nanosecond (ns) has a 4 volt/ns slew rate. Very fast solid state pulsers have maximum slew rates approaching 20V/ns. High power solid state pulsers can produce 50 to 100V pulses into a 50 ohm cable, but the highest slew rate solid state pulsers produce less than 5 volt pulses.
These solid state pulsers, which switch electrical energy to the output using transistors, can be contrasted to pulse generators that form a pulse by switching electrical energy with a sudden spark or arc discharge. Pulsers that use electrical discharges to conduct the current that produces their outputs will be herein collectively termed "spark discharge pulse generators," or "spark discharge pulsers." An example of a spark discharge pulse generator is an electrostatic simulator as described in Military Specification MIL-STD-883C Method 3015.7 and shown in FIG. 2. In this type of pulse generator, a capacitor is used as a charge storage device which is charged over a relatively long time period to a high voltage and discharged in a very short time period to form the pulse. The pulse in this example is generated when the switch S1 is activated and the moving armature of switch S1 of FIG. 2 approaches the normally open contact of that switch, but before the armature actually contacts the normally open contact, a spark occurs within the gas between the armature and the normally open contract of the switch and the gas in the switch becomes ionized and conductive. Such spark discharges are characterized by very fast rise in current flow and moderately low resistances when a large current is flowing. Sparking or arcing will occur when the electric field strength, produced by the voltage difference between the contacts over the distance that separates them, exceeds the breakdown voltage between the contacts. This spark begins when a random free electron in the gas or fluid between the contracts is accelerated sufficiently by the electric field between the contacts to gain adequate kinetic energy that when it hits a molecule of the gas or fluid, its energy can ionize this molecule freeing another electron. When the free electron population quickly increases, an avalanche of charge carriers forms, and a spark capable of carrying the current to form a pulse is formed. When that first electron, which has been sometimes termed the 'lucky electron' begins a spark, the switch quickly changes from a non-conductive state to a highly conductive state and remains conductive while sufficient current flows to maintain the spark conditions. In the circuit of FIG. 2, the high current will slowly decay as the stored electric charge in the storage capacitor C1 is drained, and at some point in time the current through the switch will be so small that the spark extinguishes and the current through the switch quickly decreases. Spark discharges can be made with switches, relays, spark gaps, contactors, circuit breakers and similar devices. Herein the terms "spark discharge pulse generator" and "spark discharge pulser" should be understood to encompass all these types of spark generation devices and any other device that produces a high current flow when a fast increase of charge carriers is created within a solid, liquid, or gaseous material and the spark may include a plasma.
Using a spark to cause switching action has been used in prior art pulsers such as the transmission line pulser (TLP) diagramed in FIG. 3. A TLP uses a cable, or similar constant impedance conductor, which is precharged to a high voltage while isolated by a switch and then discharged when a spark in formed in the switch which connects the charged cable to the pulser output. The action of the discharge of the cable produces a rectangular pulse which is then applied to the DUT. These spark discharge pulsers can produce pulses of 500V into 50-ohm cables with less than 1 ns rise time. This is a peak power of 5,000 watts and 800 V/ns slew rate. In addition pulse widths of 10 ns and shorter can be generated. The spark discharge pulser performance parameters exceed what can be produced by today's solid state pulsers making them preferred to test high power transistors.
There are advantages and disadvantages of both the solid state and the spark discharge pulse generators. The solid state pulser is highly controllable, but has limited voltage and current capabilities. The spark discharge pulser has very high voltage and current pulses, but the timing of its pulse is not well controlled. Because the spark is started by a lucky electron beginning an avalanche of charge carriers relatively long after the mechanical switch activation time, the pulse generation from pulse-to-pulse can vary by hundreds of pulse width times. It is a purpose of the present invention to use the advantages of both types of generators to produce pulses that can be used to test modern transistors. This requires synchronization of the timing of pulses from both types of pulsers. It is a purpose of this invention to produce pulses useful in transistor and IC testing such as, but not limited to, pulsed I-V measurements.
In the present invention, a signal from the spark discharge pulser will trigger the solid state pulser. The output of the spark discharge pulser will pass through a delay cable so that its leading edge will be roughly in coincidence with the solid state pulser output leading edge. The triggering of the solid state pulser is done with a signal typically delivered via a 50-ohm cable. Most solid state pulsers can be triggered by either positive or negative going edge transitions. Some solid state pulsers have a user settable trigger voltage levels and some pulsers use standard logic levels to define the trigger levels. There are common logic level definitions that can be used to define trigger voltage levels, such as transistor-transistor logic (TTL) based on +5V power or emitter coupled logic (ECL) based on −5.2V power. New versions of ECL that are based on positive voltages can also be used. TTL has logic voltage levels with logic low usually defined as <0.8V and logic high defined as >2 volts. ECL has negative logic levels and is designed to drive into a 50 ohm ground connected terminating load with <−1.75V as logic low and >−0.9V as logic high. An advantage of using an ECL family is they are directly able to drive 50-ohm cable. It is a purpose of the present invention to provide trigger signals that are compatible with all logic levels needed to trigger solid state pulsers.
New semiconductor testers are needed with the pulse capabilities of both solid state and spark discharge pulsers. This would allow the testing of high power transistors such as those used in pulsed operation power supplies, class D amplifiers, radio transmitters and pulsed radar systems. Transistor performance in pulsed low duty cycle circuits can be measured with pulsed measurement systems to voltage and/or current levels outside the safe operating area of continuous operation of the transistor under test. Some prior art tester have pulsed both the gate and drain of MOS transistors. These testers use only solid state pulsers which can not generate the high power pulses to perform these tests on all types of DUTs.
Therefore, there is a need for new equipment and methodologies to produce testing pulses, including those of high power, from multiple sources with relative timing that is repeatable and controllable to evaluate the performance of transistors, integrated circuits (ICs), and other devices, components and subassemblies under pulsed conditions.

Method to synchronize two different pulse generators


A tiltrotor assembly has a central hub with a plurality of rotor blades extending therefrom and is configured to rotate about a mast axis to generate lift in a hover position. The central hub is configured to rotate about a tilt axis between the hover position and a forward-flight position such that rotation about the mast axis generates forward thrust. The central hub is surrounded by a segmented duct that includes a thin rotatable inner ring and a wide fixed outer ring. The inner ring is configured to rotate with the central hub about the tilt axis leaving the wide outer ring in a generally horizontal position.

Ducted rotors on a rotor-driven vertical take-off and landing ("VTOL") aircraft can greatly increase the hover efficiency of the aircraft. This increased efficiency is due to Bernoulli's principle; as the air accelerates across the wide rim of the duct toward the rotor blades, the increased velocity of the air causes a decrease in the pressure of the air above the duct surface, creating lift on the surface. A wide duct rim acts as a lifting annular wing in hover mode. However, ducted rotors are rarely used on helicopters because helicopter rotors are very large and would require an enormous, and therefore heavy, duct. In addition, there is no straightforward way to attach a duct around the main rotor on a helicopter.
Tiltrotor aircraft rely on smaller diameter, highly loaded rotors that are more amenable to utilizing a duct. Tiltrotor aircraft generally have two proprotors positioned at the ends of a fixed wing. The proprotors are positioned with the rotor blades in a generally horizontal orientation for a hover, or helicopter, mode, and they are positioned with the rotor blades in a generally vertical orientation for a forward-flight, or airplane, mode. The proprotors on a tiltrotor aircraft generally have a smaller rotor disc area (with higher installed power) than the main rotor on a comparably-sized helicopter. Thus, tiltrotor aircraft can utilize smaller ducts that would not be feasible on a similarly-sized helicopter. Even though tiltrotor aircraft would seem to be a good fit for ducted proprotors, tiltrotor aircraft are rarely fitted with ducted proprotors because the wide rim (needed to provide additional lift in hover mode) would cause considerable drag when the duct is rotated into forward-flight mode.


Disclosed are an ink composition for manufacturing a light absorption layer including metal nano particles and a method of manufacturing a thin film using the same, more particularly, an ink composition for manufacturing a light absorption layer including copper (Cu)-enriched Cu—In bimetallic metal nano particles and Group IIIA metal particles including S or Se dispersed in a solvent and a method of manufacturing a thin film using the same.

Recently, people are more concerned about environmental problems and depletion of natural resources and, as such, interest in solar cells as an alternative energy source which does not cause environmental pollution is growing. Solar cells are classified into silicon solar cells, thin film-type compound solar cells, layered-type solar cells and the like. Among these solar cells, silicon semiconductor solar cells have been studied the most widely.
However, thin film type compound solar cells are recently studied and developed to improve problems of silicon solar cells.
Among thin film type compound semiconductors, Cu(In1-xGax)(SeyS1-y) (CI(G)S), which is a Group I-III-VI compound included in ternary compounds, has a direct transition type energy band gap of 1 eV or more and high light absorption coefficient. In addition, the Cu(In1-xGax)(SeyS1-y) (CI(G)S) is a stable electro-optically. Thus, the Cu(In1-xGax)(SeyS1-y) (CI(G)S) is a very ideal material as a light absorption layer of solar cells.
CI(G)S based solar cells are made of a thin layer having a thickness of several microns. Such a thin layer is manufactured using a variety of physicochemical thin layer manufacturing methods such as co-evaporation, sputtering, chemical bath deposition (CBD), selenization, spray pyrolysis and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,051 discloses a method of manufacturing a highly efficient absorption layer using a co-evaporation method of Cu, In, Ga and Se under vacuum. However, when a large-area absorption layer is manufactured using the method, homogeneity is reduced. Although absorption layer formation through the vacuum process is advantageous to manufacture of highly efficient CI(G)S thin layer solar cells, initial investment of facilities and equipments such as sophisticated vacuum apparatus and the like is required and it is limited to lower price due to low material usage efficiency.
As another method, after forming Cu, In and Ga layers using a method such as sputtering, deposition or the like, a method of manufacturing a homogenous large-area absorption layer a large area absorption layer via selenization under a Se or H2Se atmosphere is known (See, Solar Energy 2004, Vol. 77, pages 749-756). However, such a method is not suitable for mass production due to long process time. In addition, a manufacturing process of the method is complex and thereby manufacturing costs are increased. Furthermore, the method uses hydrogen selenide which is a poisonous gas.
Recently, a CI(G)S thin layer formation method by thermal treating after coating a precursor material under non-vacuum was introduced. By using such a process, process costs may be reduced and a large area thin layer may be manufactured. However, the process has low absorption layer efficiency.
Namely, CI(G)Se thin layers formed by coating CI(G)Se nano particles under non-vacuum have a lot of gas pockets and are not dense. Thus, although densification of thin layers is generally performed via post heating, melting points of CI(G)Se materials are extremely high, 1000° C. or higher, and thereby particles growth and densification of even CI(G)Se compound nano particles of tens-of-nano sizes via post heating are not easy.
Therefore, there is a high need to develop a technology for thin film solar cells which is stable from oxidation and includes high efficiency light absorption layers formed using a fabrication method that is less expensive and safer than an existing CI(G)S thin film preparation method.

Ink composition for manufacturing light absorption layer including metal nano particles and method of manufacturing thin film using the same


A method of creating a rerouting pattern on a semiconductor die or cube by providing a semiconductor die having an active surface with bond pads thereon and sides. A layer of electrically insulating material is sputtered over the active surface and the sides while exposing the bond pads. Electrically conductive material is formed over the electrically insulating material on the active surface and the sides. A selected portion of the electrically conductive material is removed with an excimer laser. The step of sputtering a layer of electrically insulating material over the active surface and said sides can include the steps of sputtering a layer of electrically insulating material over the active surface including the bond pads and the sides, masking the electrically insulating material to expose the region of the electrically insulating material over the bond pads and ablating the electrically insulating material with an excimer laser at the exposed region down to said bond pads. The step of forming electrically conductive material over the electrically insulating material comprises the steps of forming a layer of Ti followed by a layer of Pd followed by a layer of Au. The electrically conductive material is formed over the electrically insulating material by a modified evaporation process. Solder receiving regions are provided on one of the sides of the die or cube and the die or cube is disposed so that the solder receiving regions contact a circuit board and are soldered to the circuit board.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of creating a rerouting pattern on the active surface and/or edge or end surface of a die or cube.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Procedures for the creation of rerouting patterns on semiconductor dice or cubes (a plurality of stacked dice) have been used in the prior art. Such rerouting generally involves the use of thin films which is very costly and provides a liquid waste byproduct which must be disposed of. Once the die has been rerouted, the prior art may include a further thin film routing on the cube face. In addition, once rerouting is completed, a procedure is required for transmission of signal to and from the die. It follows that the rerouting techniques of the prior art are expensive and that simplified procedures for such rerouting are highly desirable.


A communication and intelligence gathering system and method for monitoring a crisis scene from a remote command post. The system includes an access node positioned within communication range of multiple observation platforms that each provide information relating to the crisis scene, such as a video feed. The access node communicates with a main transfer module that relays the audio/video/data from the crisis scene to a main transfer module remotely positioned. A second main transfer module communicates with a field command post such that personnel at the field command post can monitor, react to and manage the crisis situation from the remote location. The access node position near the crisis scene also communications video and relevant information to field agents such that the field agents can monitor the video and information from a hand held/portable device.

The present invention relates to a system and method for remotely monitoring a crisis situation. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method that provides a real time video feed to a remote monitoring location for remotely monitoring a crisis situation.
In fighting terrorism, and in crisis situations, the most effective weapon will be information, not fire arms. Reliable, accurate and timely information defines every tactical operation, particularly those involving terrorism. Although current methods and technology exist for obtaining information, sharing this information with deployed field units in the battle against a terrorist threat has proven to be a significant challenge. In order to better combat the challenges raised by increasingly diverse threats, such as terrorism and natural disasters, technology must increase the situational awareness of the conflict situation. An increase in situational awareness will allow field personnel to make better decisions based upon a better understanding of the situation as a whole.
Currently, there exists many different systems for many different applications both for tactical and surveillance uses. As technology progresses, the amount of complicated equipment will only increase. Thus, there is a need for an adaptable system that can cover many varieties of situations with the ability to expand, upgrade and create an umbrella that can encompass all types of situations with minimal types of equipment and training.
Further, because a terrorist threat or natural disaster can often occur at remote locations, it is desirable to have the ability to bring in outside experts to provide guidance, expert advice, and command strategies to the tactical situation. Such experts may be located at remote locations across the country or across the world at the time the terrorist threat occurs. Therefore, it is desirable to bring such experts into the situation on a real time, live basis. In accordance with the present invention, a audio/video/data link system is developed to provide an ability to create a modular and scalable virtual command post, where the limitations of geography and time are removed. In such a system, all personnel involved with an operation, including those thousands of miles away and in different time zones, will be able to actively participate in solving the terrorist threat.


Methods for enhancing memory and/or learning and prevent neurodegeneration by administration of certain heterocyclic and aromatic compounds are described. The methods are particularly useful for treating patients suffering from a neurodegenerative disease such as (without limitation) Alzheimer's, Parkinsons's, Lou Gehrig's (ALS) disease or memory or learning impairment. A neuronal human cell-based assay that assess NF-kB gene up-regulation using a luciferase reporter is also provided that screens for compounds useful in methods for enhancing memory or learning.

Effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, such as (without limitation) Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Lou Gehrig's disease is still lacking. For example, it has been recently reported that Alzheimer's disease is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. It has also been reported that 26 million people worldwide, including 5 million Americans, have Alzheimer's disease. Only marginal symptomatologic treatment is available to date. Statistics and projections indicate that 1 in 2 subjects above the age of 80 experience some level of clinically relevant cognitive impairment and with the projections indicating an increase of the average lifespan of the humans the burden deriving to society will be immense.
There are several indications that the NF-kB pathway plays a role in neuronal resilience and in the changes induced by cellular learning such as long term potentiation and depression. Several reports have shown that knocking out NF-kB activity in the brain causes sensitization to toxic stimuli, such as ß-amyloid, excitatory aminoacids and to trauma. Also NF-kB activation has been involved in long term potentiation and depression the cellular correlates of learning and memory. In addition, activation of NF-kB is a known anti-apoptosis mechanism. Failure of NF-kB in other systems can also be counteracted by compounds of this disclosure and therefore will be covered by this disclosure.

Treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, causation of memory enhancement, and assay for screening compounds for such


Optical core for a telecommunications cable comprising at least one support consisting of a central reinforcing member and a first coating layer of a thermoplastic polymer applied around the central member, a plurality of optical fibres arranged around the support and a second coating layer extruded around the support. The optical fibres, in each transverse section of the core, are arranged substantially tangential to the support and, around their remaining portion, are completely encapsulated in the second coating layer. The core can be built using a process wherein the fibres are guided inside appropriate grooves to give conditions of substantial tangency to the support as far as the zone of extrusion.

This invention relates to a process for the manufacture of an optical telecommunications cable.
More particularly, the invention relates to a process for the manufacture of an optical core for a telecommunications cable, wherein the optical core comprises a support consisting of a central, traction-resistant reinforcing member, a first polymeric coating layer applied around the central member, a plurality of optical fibres arranged around the first layer and a second polymeric coating layer extruded around the first layer and around the optical fibres.
Numerous processes are known for the manufacture of telecommunications cables comprising a core with optical fibres where the optical fibres, typically coated with one or more layers of acrylic resin, are completely encapsulated in thermoplastic materials.
A process is known, for example, from GB patent application 2,176,905 according to which optical fibres with acrylic coatings are forced through a die together with a central reinforcing member before being encapsulated in a thermoplastic casing of a material commercially designated xe2x80x9cHytrelo(copyright)xe2x80x9d.
This process is known as a xe2x80x9cone-shot operationxe2x80x9d, indicating that the core is formed in a single step in the extrusion die.
A method is described in GB patent no. 2,136,350 for constructing an optical core whereby a first central strength member is heated and a first thermoplastic elastomer layer is extruded on this member. A plurality of optical fibres is arranged in a helical pattern on the first layer with a planetary motion obtained from a special revolving cage whereon drums containing the fibres are arranged. A second layer of thermoplastic material is extruded around the fibres. This method requires particularly complex equipment, consisting of a revolving cage with which rotating drums of fibres are associated and also guides for directing the fibres from the cage to the extrusion head.
GB patent no. 2,113,903 describes a method for making a telecommunications cable according to which a plurality of optical conductors is encapsulated at least partially in the outer periphery of a central matrix of thermoplastic material, polyethylene for example, extruded around a central steel or nylon filament member. More particularly, the conductors are forced against the central member which is softened by heat. The pressure on the conductors is such that a predetermined depositing thereof takes place in the matrix by which they are kept apart from each other before being coated with a further second extrusion layer. US document no. 4,902,097 describes a method according to which a central reinforcing member is heated and provided with a first layer of thermoplastic elastomer. The support thus formed is heated and thereby softened to such an extent as to enable partial encapsulation therein of the optical fibres guided to the first layer through a plate with through-holes that the fibres pass through on their way to the extrusion head. A second layer of thermoplastic material is then extruded on the support and on the fibres. GB 2,303,938 discloses a method for producing an optical cable by disposing a plurality of fibers on the surface of an inner polymeric layer and embedding them into an outer polymeric layer. EP 646 819 discloses a method for reducing the PMD in fiber optic cable by imparting a controlled twist to the fiber being disposed around a coated strength member. During the manufacturing process, the strength member passes through a helically rotating closing die which applies radially inward forces on the cable core.--
The applicant has observed that the production of optical cores according to the known methods may result in attenuation of the fibre transmission properties, due to the stresses that the fibres are subjected to during production of the optical core.
For example, with the so-called xe2x80x9cone shotxe2x80x9d process, it is difficult to control the relative positions of the fibres during extrusion of the polymeric layer and the fibres are subjected to undesired and uncontrolled stresses on account of the high level of pressure exerted by the polymeric material in the extrusion head.
The Applicant has also noted that partial encapsulation of the optical fibres in a first layer of thermoplastic material extruded around a central reinforcing member and subsequently covered with a second polymeric layer, as described in GB patent 2,113,903 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,097, may be one of the causes of signal transmission attenuation in the fibres. In practical terms, it was seen that embedding fibres to a greater or lesser extent in a first thermoplastic layer, as described in the above patents to maintain the fibres in the desired configuration around the extrusion zone of the second layer, requires a certain mechanical compression action to be exerted on the fibres, which thus remain in the cable in a state of mechanical stress which, if high, results in attenuation of the signal. It was also observed that it is difficult to continuously keep this compression at a low level in view of the considerable lengths, running into kilometres, usually required in optical core manufacture.
The Applicant also noticed that, in the absence of a certain control over extrusion parameters, such as temperature of the molten polymer or dimension of the extruder, extrusion of the second polymeric layer onto the optical fibres arranged around the first coat may cause non-uniform distribution of pressure on the fibres, with the risk of moving the fibres from their desired configuration and of increasing attenuation of the signal when the transmission cable is in operation.
The Applicant has now found that a xe2x80x9ctightxe2x80x9d cable can be made simply and effectively, in which a plurality of optical fibres are encapsulated in a core of polymeric material consisting of at least two concentric and contiguous layers of polymer. This result may be conveniently obtained by arranging the fibres around a central support, so that they are free of the interface formed between the two contiguous polymeric layers and by controlling the extrusion parameters so that the geometric configuration of the fibres is maintained in a predetermined position.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention concerns a process for the manufacture of an optical core for a telecommunications cable, comprising at least one central support coated with a first polymeric coating layer, a plurality of optical fibres arranged longitudinally around the support and a second polymeric coating layer extruded around said first layer and around said optical fibres, which comprises the following steps:
a) arranging said optical fibres longitudinally around said first polymeric coating layer so that the optical fibres are substantially tangential to the surface of the coating and circumferentially separated from each other in a predetermined way; and
b) extruding the second layer around said first layer and around said optical fibres, maintaining a condition of substantial tangency and of circumferential separation at least as far as the exit of the extruder.
In the course of this description, the phrase xe2x80x9ccondition of substantial tangency of the fibres to the supportxe2x80x9d means a configuration wherein the fibres are placed in a position such that the interface between the two polymeric layers does not cross through the fibres. This condition generally includes both the case where the fibres are placed in substantial contact with the inner polymeric layer arranged around the central support, and the condition where the fibres are totally encapsulated in the second polymeric layer, thereby placing a thin layer of the second polymeric coat between the optical fibres and the first coating layer. This substantial tangency is typically obtained without applying any particular pressure on the fibres, either radially or longitudinally, to compress the fibres against the support or encapsulating them partially in it, as for example the mechanical type compression exerted by suitable equipment or compression obtained by winding the fibre helically under tension around the support. The expression is also used to mean that the fibre is in substantially tangential contact with the support substantially in each transversal section of the optical core.
In this description, the expression xe2x80x9ccondition of predetermined circumferential separationxe2x80x9d means that the fibres are placed at the extruder entrance at a predetermined distance from each other around the circumference of the coated central support. The xe2x80x9cmaintenance of a condition of circumferential separationxe2x80x9d at least as far as the extruder exit point means that in any case the fibres arranged longitudinally on the support must not be touching each other at the end of the extrusion process. Ideally the distance between the fibres at the end of the extrusion process will remain substantially the same as that set on entry of the fibres into the extruder. Ideally this predetermined distance is roughly the same between one fibre and the next.
A preferred aspect of this process comprises the following steps:
a) feeding the support in a longitudinal direction towards an extruder comprising an extrusion head containing a male die and a female die, where the second layer is extruded;
b) applying a plurality of fibres to said support, guiding the fibres for a predetermined distance in said direction to obtain a condition of substantial tangency at each point of contact with said support and of predetermined relative circumferential separation;
c) extruding the second layer around said first layer and around said optical fibres, maintaining a condition of substantial tangency and relative circumferential separation of the fibres as far as the exit of the extrusion head; and
d) cooling the optical core thus obtained.
According to a preferred embodiment, said extrusion head comprises a female die characterized in that it has a xe2x80x9clandxe2x80x9d with predetermined values for length xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d and diameter xe2x80x9cDxe2x80x9d, such as to substantially maintain a condition of substantial tangency of the fibres to the support and of relative circumferential separation between the fibres as far as the point of exit from the zone of extrusion of the second polymeric layer. In particular, the xe2x80x9cL/Dxe2x80x9d ratio values shall be between 1 and 2, and preferably between 1.3 and 1.5.
In this description, the term xe2x80x9clandxe2x80x9d of the female die is taken to mean the terminal portion of the extrusion head, typically of cylindrical shape, through which the extruded optical core is drawn.
According to a preferred aspect of this invention, said extrusion head comprises a male die characterized in that it comprises a plurality of suitable grooves arranged longitudinally along the inner wall of said male die so as to guide and maintain the optical fibres in the position of substantial tangency to the support. In particular, the grooves are arranged so that the maximum distance between two opposite grooves, close to the exit of the male die, substantially corresponds to the sum of the diameter of the support and twice the diameter of the fibres.
According to a further preferred aspect, the process is characterized in that the optical core is collected on a flywheel maintaining a ratio of the pull xe2x80x9cKxe2x80x9d on the support to the braking pull xe2x80x9ckxe2x80x9d on each fibre of between 10 and 50, the values of the said ratio being such that upon release of said pulls xe2x80x9cKxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9ckxe2x80x9d the residual fibre elongation that must be compensated for before the fibres are subject to compression is at least about 0.02%, and preferably about 0.04%.
Again ideally the process is characterized in that the feed rate of the support is between 10 and 50 m/min.
A further aspect of this invention concerns a telecommunications cable comprising an optical core where said optical core comprises
a central support coated with a first polymeric coating layer,
a plurality of optical fibres arranged longitudinally around the support, and
a second coating layer extruded around the support and around the optical fibres, an interface being defined between said first and said second polymeric layers, characterized in that said optical fibres are free of the interface formed between the two polymeric layers and in that said fibres are arranged in an open configuration around the support.
The term xe2x80x9copen configurationxe2x80x9d intended to mean typically that the fibres are arranged around the central support without a continuous type helical winding. For example, the fibres may be arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the central support or in an open helix configuration, i.e. with inversion of the winding direction, also known as an xe2x80x9cSZxe2x80x9d type helix. A parallel disposition of the fibres is generally preferred. Note that, in general, this definition includes configurations that involve absence of any substantial mechanical tightening of the fibres about the central support.
A further aspect of the present invention concerns a telecommunications cable comprising an optical core where said optical core comprises a central support coated with a first polymeric coating layer, a plurality of optical fibres arranged longitudinally around said support and a second coating layer extruded around the support and around the optical fibres, characterized in that said optical fibres have an average transmitted signal attenuation value less than a predetermined value. Ideally, the average attenuation value measured in a fibre in an optical core according to the invention is less than or equal to approximately 0.200 dB/km.
Another aspect of this invention also concerns a telecommunications cable comprising an optical core where said optical core comprises a central support coated with a first polymeric coating layer, a plurality of optical fibres arranged longitudinally around said support and a second coating layer extruded around the support and around the optical fibres, characterized in that the difference between the maximum and minimum average signal attenuation values in said fibres, measured during a thermal cycle ranging between 60xc2x0 C. and xe2x88x9230xc2x0 C., is less than a predetermined value. Ideally, the difference between the maximum and minimum average signal attenuation values in said fibres, measured during a thermal cycle ranging between 60xc2x0 C. and xe2x88x9230xc2x0 C., is less than 0.01 dB/km.
Yet another aspect of the invention is a method for minimizing attenuation of a signal transmitted by an optical fibre encapsulated in an optical core for a telecommunications cable, where the optical core comprises a central support coated with a first polymeric coating layer, a plurality of optical fibres arranged longitudinally around the support and a second coating layer extruded around the support and around the optical fibres, characterized in that said plurality. of optical fibres is arranged substantially tangentially around the support without the fibres exerting any substantial pressure on the support.
Yet a further aspect of the invention is an extruder for the manufacture of an optical core for a telecommunications cable comprising a support coated with a first polymeric coating layer, a plurality of optical fibres arranged longitudinally substantially tangentially around the support, and a second coating layer extruded around the support and around the optical fibres, said extruder comprising a male die through the axis of which the support and the fibres arranged around the latter are to be passed and a female die comprising a land through which the finished optical core is extruded, characterized in that:
a) the inner wall of the male die is provided with a plurality of longitudinal grooves adapted to receive said fibres passing through the die towards the extruder exit, the maximum distance between the walls of two diametrically opposite grooves at the die exit being substantially equal to the sum of the external diameter of the coated support and twice the diameter of a fibre, thereby ensuring a condition of substantial tangency between optical fibres and support; and
b) the ratio between the length xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d and the. diameter xe2x80x9cDxe2x80x9d of the land of the female die is between 1 and 2.

Process for the manufacture of an optical core for a telecommunications cable